Mud season takes on a whole new meaning in the coastal town of Busman’s Harbor, Maine, when local business owners sling dirt at one another in a heated feud over a proposed pedestrian mall. Vandalism is one thing, but murder means Julia Snowden of the Snowden Family Clambake steps in to clean up the case . . .

Available now in mass market paperback, ebook, and audiobook. Large print coming in July 2023.

When Julia spots police cars in front of Lupine Design, she races over. Her sister Livvie works there as a potter. Livvie is unharmed but surrounded by smashed up pottery. The police find the owner Zoey Butterfield digging clay by a nearby bay, but she has no idea who would target her store. Zoey is a vocal advocate for turning four blocks of Main Street into a pedestrian mall on summer weekends. Other shop owners, including her next-door neighbor, are vehemently opposed. Could a small-town fight provoke such destruction? When a murder follows the break-in, it’s up to Julia to dig through the secrets and lies to uncover the truth . . .

Ross has always put together delightful “cozy” mysteries with timely plots, colorful characters, excitement and suspense. And this one is a hit.

Kennebec Journal, October 14, 2022

“Muddled Through” is an excellent addition to one of today’s finest cozy series. Ross involves readers from the opening sentence to the satisfying, heart-stopping conclusion. Highly recommended.

Suspense Magazine, Fall 2022

This is one of those series that was so good from the first book, and just gets better and better with each new book!

Cozy Mystery Bookshop, June 2022

With strong characters, unique settings, and tightly plotted mysteries, Ms. Ross continues to be a fan favorite.

Cinnamon and Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder, June 24, 2022

Readers will LOVE this series !!! The town of Busman’s Harbor is one you will want to visit regularly.

Cozy Mystery Book Reviews, July 12, 2022

Julia is by far one of my favorite culinary cozy heroines—feeling more like a fully realized person than a fictional character—as she deals with the emotional fallout not only from her personal life but also from her bullish persistence in getting to the truth…

Criminal Element, July 6, 2022