Murder on Bainbridge Island: A Northwest Cozy Mystery (Northwest Cozy Mystery Series Book 1)

DeeDee returns to Bainbridge Island following a divorce, decides to start a catering company as part of her new life. She no sooner gets started and she's hired to cater a dinner for Marlene Palmer, who DeeDee knew from working at a docent at the art museum. Everyone loves the food, only someone murders one of the guests. The first suggested cause of death is the food, and DeeDee is sure her new business is in danger. Add in Jake, the attractive PI who sells her a husky trained to be a guard dog, and DeeDee is determined to find the killer and clear any concerns about her catering.This was an enjoyable read with a host of suspects. DeeDee is likable, a little naive, and down to earth. Jake is also likable and predictable, especially when DeeDee doesn't seem to think she could be in danger. Both characters are well-developed as are the main suspects, DeeDee's sister, Roz, and Balto with his rabbit. Murder on Bainbridge Island is the first in the Northwest Cozy Mysteries. If you like cozy mysteries, dogs, and food, and haven't discovered this series yet, I recommend it.

DeeDee Wilson was sad to sell the home she and her husband had raised their two children in. Belonging to the family for twenty-four years, now with the divorce and needing a new start, DeeDee moved from Seattle to Bainbridge Island, where she would live in her parent’s house which had been left to her some time previously. DeeDee also knew she needed an income and being an excellent cook, the thoughts of her own catering company, which she’d dreamed of for years, slowly came to fruition.Her very first event with her fledgling company “Deelish” was with members of the art society at Maureen’s home. But the death of an art gallery owner as dessert was about to be served was a terrible shock. Did it mean that "Deelish" would fail before it even got off the ground? When the victim’s death was ruled murder by the local sheriff, DeeDee and her new friend Jake, a private investigator, decided to find the murderer so she could clear her name.With DeeDee’s new dog, husky Balto (one blue eye, one brown) by her side, and Jake providing information, they searched for the killer. But was danger heading DeeDee’s way? It seemed the deeper she dug, the more secrets she found – was her life in peril?Murder on Bainbridge Island is 1st in the Northwest Cozy Mystery series by Dianne Harman and quite an enjoyable ride. With a mixture of bad guys, helpful others and the beautiful husky dogs in attendance, Murder on Bainbridge Island is one I don’t hesitate to recommend.

I’ve not completed the book yet but MUST say something. I listen to a lot of books, and this is hands down the worst narration I’ve ever heard. Simplistic, monotone and the reader mispronounces many basic words. Example : parquet (parket) and docent (dough scent )It’s distracting and unpleasant.

It was a excellent read and especially it was in the NE where we live and go there often

I enjoyed this book very much. I recieved it free in exchange for an honest review. It flowed easily and the characters played well together. Dee Dee Wilson's husband has divorced her after years of marriage for a younger woman . Now the House,she loves is sold and she is moving to Bainbridge Island and the house that her parents left her to start a new life. She feels lonesome and buys a husky pup from Jake Rogers named Baltic. Jake is a private eye and they become more then friends. Dee Dee decides to open a catering business , she is an excellent cook. Her first catering job was going great until one of the guests is found dead. The police are looking at hers as a suspect. To clear her name and save her business she must find the real killer. The list grows long but in the end she solves the case. This is a cozy mystery so it I a clean read but alot of action and heart. Alice Boni

I’m familiar with Seattle so it was nice picturing the area as mentioned in the book. Easy reading, good plot, just a nice cozy read.

Didn’t keep my interest

This story is a great start to what I am sure will be another fantastic series by a wonderful author. The locations and characters were described so well, I could "see" places and people so vividly, I felt as if I was actually there in person!

A murder on her first catering job throws DeeDee into a panic. But detective Jake is there to keep her calm and guide her in searching for the killer.

All her books are well written and entertaining. She has found a template for a story. There's always the middle aged, but attractive heroine, divorced or widowed. She'll love cooking, there'll be her man friend who will be an attorney or policeman, she'll have a dog already or the boyfriend will insist she gets one for protection because, of course, she's out to solve a murder! At some point he'll insist she has a gun and that she goes nowhere without it and the dog. Those suspects could be dangerous! But no, off she'll go leaving the gun and the dog in the car and get into difficulties! This said, I keep on reading all her stuff because it's so readable and the various locations, this one is near Seattle, are different and the sort of places you'd like to be! If you had tons of cash and a hunky sheriff boyfriend of course!

Great read can't wait for the next one

Excellent book. Characters very life like.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Definitely Dianne Harman goes on my authors short list. I hope we read more about Bainbridge Island in the future. Dee Dee Wilson is a lovely character and already I sense a love interest. More please!