Gray Whale Inn Mystery Series

Book 1

Trading in Texas heat for Maine's tangy salt air, Natalie Barnes risked it all to buy the Gray Whale Inn, a quaint bed and breakfast on Cranberry Island. She adores whipping up buttery muffins and other rich breakfast treats for her guests until Bernard Katz checks in. The overbearing land developer plans to build a resort next door where an endangered colony of black-chinned terns is nesting. Worried about the birds, the inevitable transformation of the sleepy fishing community, and her livelihood, Natalie takes a public stand against the project. But the town board sides with Katz. Just when it seems like things can't get any worse, Natalie finds Katz dead. Now the police and much of the town think she's guilty. Can Natalie track down the true killer before she's hauled off to jail...or becomes the next victim?

Book 2

Dead and Berried

by Karen MacInerney

Published 1 February 2007

In this delicious follow-up to Murder on the Rocks, developers have returned to Cranberry Island. This time, they're planning to wipe out a natural cranberry bog, along with the island's namesake berries, to build a luxury subdivision. Natalie Barnes isn't sweet on the idea of commercial interests souring their cozy oasis, but the single innkeeper has other problems on her plate: a withering relationship with her best friend Charlene, the sudden appearance of her ex-fiance with a tempting proposal, and eerie bumps in the night suggesting the Gray Whale Inn is haunted. Worst of all, there's a killer on the loose, picking off people like ripe fruit. When Charlene's lover-the handsome chaplain with a stake in the development- is stabbed to death, Natalie promises to find the murderer for her griefstricken friend, who's also the number-one suspect.

Book 3

Murder Most Maine

by Karen MacInerney

Published 8 November 2008

Book 4

Berried to the Hilt

by Karen MacInerney

Published 1 November 2010

Book 4.5

Blueberry Blues

by Karen MacInerney

Published 2012

Book 5

Brush with Death

by Karen MacInerney

Published 8 May 2013

For Natalie Barnes, the flurry of trendy artists setting up shop on Cranberry Island promises to be the perfect recipe for relaxing and enjoying the holiday season. But Natalie's good luck is turning out to be a stroke of misfortune for her niece, Gwen. The local gallery's new owner hates Gwen's paintings, and her mentor Fernand is too distracted by a competing artist to help Gwen improve her style. When Natalie finds Fernand dead, seemingly the victim of suicide, she can't believe someone who had so much joy and success in his life would kill himself. Finding clues at Fernand' s home that support her suspicion of murder, Natalie's hunt for answers places her next on the killer's list. Will she be able to solve this murder masterpiece before it's too late?

Book 6

Death Runs Adrift

by Karen MacInerney

Published 8 May 2014

"With her own wedding fast approaching and her mother-in-law dating an unexpected beau, the last thing Natalie Barnes needs is to find a young man shot dead in a dinghy. A note she finds with the body suggests the dearly departed had a secret rendezvous planned with somebody on the island. But when suspicion is cast on a fisherman Natalie believes to be innocent, she begins to wonder if the murder was the result of a lover's quarrel...or a lobsterman's disagreement gone horribly wrong."-- Page [4] of cover.

Book 7