Sea Devil by Jessica Sherry promises to be a light beach read, blending humor with mystery and suspense. However, despite its intriguing premise, I found the book to be more frustrating than enjoyable, largely due to the main character, Delilah, Duffy.

The narrative revolves around Delilah, a young woman with plenty of grit. However, her lack of forethought and impulsive actions made it difficult for me to connect with her. Her decisions often seemed reckless, which detracted from the overall enjoyment of the story. This inability to relate to or appreciate the protagonist marred the reading experience significantly.

Another point of frustration was the family tree, which was convoluted and hard to follow. The abundance of aunts, all named starting with the letter C, only added to the initial confusion. This lack of clarity regarding family relations made it challenging to keep track of the characters and their connections.

Additionally, the frequent anecdotes about the ocean felt out of place and forced. Almost every chapter contained some reference to the sea, which seemed inane. Yes, I picked up that the theme of this book was nautical but the references seemed forced to fit the storyline to me in many instances.

Overall, while Sea Devil has potential as a light, engaging read, personally it fell short due to its confusing character relationships and a protagonist who was difficult to root for thus making it a less enjoyable experience. If you are into light reads, love the sea, bookstores & like s spirited but impulsive girl always getting into *surprise surprise* trouble then this book is for you!

Thank you Netgalley, Booksgosocial & Jessica Sherry for the arc!

"Sea Devil" by Jessica Sherry is a decent read. Sherry's writing style is engaging, and she crafts vivid imagery that immerses you in the maritime world. The characters are well-developed, and their complex relationships add depth to the story. The plot, while interesting, sometimes feels a bit predictable. However, Sherry's attention to nautical details and her descriptive prose make up for it. The book delivers a satisfying blend of adventure and romance, making it an enjoyable choice for those who appreciate tales of the high seas. While it didn't quite reach the level of a 5-star masterpiece, it's a 3-star read.

A big thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the eARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is the first in a series. This is my first time reading this author. Delilah was a teacher, and wants a fresh start, so reopens her favorite aunts bookstore. Her family is both amazing, and horrible to her. Very curious and sort of odd. Her childhood crush is the town policeman Sam Teague. This is a cute cozy mystery, with a solid hint of romance. I really did not understand some of the family drama-that part was crazy. 3.5 stars I would read this author again.

Oh My what an awful family. No support system, back stabbing and makes for a page turner. This book was entertaining and had me up way too late to see how it ends. All she wanted to do is reopen her aunt's bookstore. But one thing after another keeps her from opening. Admit it, you blame her aunts. So why are folks dying? Who hates her enough to want her dead? Sam is a refreshing character and adds romance to a mystery. Great reading!

What a homecoming! Mystery & murder meet romance🌊🛥

This story, set on the North Carolina coast near Cape Fear, had a range of elements that worked really well together. The seaside locale plays a key role in the drama. The story's characters, their squabbles and activities (including the weekly bingo nights and mandatory appearance in the family pew at church) were hometown quirky and sometimes catty, but there's a mysterious streak of targeted violence and criminal intent layered over the small town homey vibe. Oh, and a second chance romance, slow build and sweet. Altogether it kept me intrigued and happy with the read.

Delilah Duffy, the female lead, is a real underdog with a very challenging family dynamic. She's an unwelcome prodigal to some because of the book store she's determined to open, scuttling her aunts' plans to extend their business into her premises. Then there's threats and vandalism, murder and more. And Delilah just CAN'T refrain from doing a bit of amateur sleuthing since she's in police detective Lewis' sights as a suspect.

But she's got handsome local cop Sam Teague on her side. Their teenage past still haunts her and contains a mystery all its own that is eventually solved. Sam was a good supporting character with an interesting backstory though he still retained a bit of mystery right until the end.

The climax, full of action, was unexpected and I really like unpredicted elements that seem to emerge suddenly, out of the blue, in a mystery plot.

Thanks to the author, BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

I loved this small, coastal town setting. Delilah was an interesting character and not perfect. The pacing of this book was good. The family drama and the bookstore were great.
I also enjoyed how information wasn’t dumped on you at the beginning, but slowly pieced out.

I was very surprised how much I enjoyed this book. I loved the setting, the bookstore angle, and the characters. The family is so dysfunctional that you want to scream at them. The characters are well-developed. The main character, Delilah, is much more forgiving then I would be. I also loved that, at the start of the chapters, Ms. Sherry gave us tidbits of knowledge about oceans, and/or its inhabitants, and then related them within the chapters. All and all, a fun, quick, and entertaining read! I will definitely continue to read the series.

When it comes to mystery novels, few things are more intriguing than tales of the ocean, where the sea holds secrets only the most intrepid detectives can hope to uncover. In "Sea-Devil: A Delilah Duffy Mystery," Jessica Sherry proves that she can craft a thrilling whodunit that is equally beguiling and breathtaking.

Delilah Duffy is a private investigator with a penchant for maritime mysteries. In this series installment, she's tasked with solving the perplexing case of a missing cargo ship - the Sea-Devil - and its crew. The ship disappeared under mysterious circumstances, leaving no trace of wreckage or any clue about its fate. Delilah embarks on a treacherous journey across the high seas to unravel the enigma. What she discovers will leave readers gasping for breath.

Jessica Sherry expertly weaves a tale that is both atmospheric and suspenseful. She transports her audience to the heart of the ocean, painting vivid scenes of towering waves, howling winds, and eerie calm. The author's love for the sea is evident in her intricate descriptions and ability to capture the beauty and terror of the open waters.

The protagonist, Delilah Duffy, is a well-developed character with a rare depth in the mystery genre. She's fiercely intelligent and resourceful but also vulnerable and haunted by her past. Sherry's portrayal of Delilah's complex emotions and personal struggles adds a human touch to the story, making it all the more engaging.

The supporting characters are just as memorable, with diverse personalities that bring life to the pages. Among them are a grizzled sea captain, a lovable yet mysterious cook, and a rival investigator who is as tenacious as Delilah. Their interactions with the protagonist add layers to the narrative and keep the story moving briskly.

What sets "Sea-Devil" apart from other mysteries is its intricate plot, full of twists and turns that leave readers guessing until the end. When you think you have the mystery solved, Sherry throws in another curveball that forces you to reevaluate your deductions. The final reveal is both surprising and satisfying, and it's clear that the author put a great deal of thought into constructing the puzzle.

Sea-Devil is such a small town read, but with a deep dark side within this small island community. Its full of secrets, lies, manipulations, sabotage, and murder. This thriller kept me intrigued from the beginning. Delilah Duffy is a realistic and relatable character and the best person to follow throughout this story. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

Delilah Duffy returns to Tipee Island to change her life. She decides to open a book store called Beach Read books.
A family feud and a new romance become entwined and look as if all her dreams will result in nothing.
Can she turn things around for herself and start her new idyllic life with the man of her dreams?

In Sea-Devil, a woman comes to a small island town determined to start a new life by reopening a family business. This book is every bit a cozy mystery and is a fun read. This book is the first in a series and I look forward to reading more of these stories. The characters in the small town are quirky and well-developed. I admit to being a bit confused about why the main character accepts poor treatment from her aunts, but that is a minor fault. The book in general is light, but a few scenes were incredibly nuanced and captured stress and fear in ways so true to life, it elevated the entire novel. I would recommend this book and look forward to seeing the writer's development.

ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review:

I really enjoyed this! The setting was amazing. Loved the character development. I also loved how short each chapter was! Not going to have any spoilers but this was a great read!

Loved Delilah Duffy! She was realistic and relatable. Who doesn't love a fast paced action packed romance with a little scandal and murder mixed in. Seriously fun and enjoyable read. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.

You can't pick your family, and with a family like this you wouldn't need enemies! Small island community, secrets, lies, manipulations, sabotage, and murder - with a thread of love lost and found, new friends, and a town psychotic to round things out. A fun read all around.