Alex and Elise have problems when a guard for an emerald on display at the inn is murdered and the emerald is stolen. In the meantime, we have a new restauranteur in town and a "muffin lady" who appears out of nowhere to try to snag the inn's business. I have problems with this series. I really don't get the mountain feeling that the setting should evoke, and I don't think it is just because of the lighthouse on the property. I have trouble believing that there were not federal investigators all over the property the minute that emerald went missing. This one is pretty light on the investigation and pretty strong on town life, making it somewhat enjoyable at that level. The solution to the theft and murder were pretty obvious. ( )

First Line
~ “I know I shouldn’t admit it, but I’ll be glad to see the last of that monstrous emerald,” Elise Danton said as she and her employer, Alex Winston, watched the final group of gawkers pass through the lobby of The Hatteras West Inn on their way to see the Carolina Rhapsody Emerald ~

I would not have picked up this book on my own but someone on LT recommended this series and I chose it to read for the "2012 has 12 Months" (the subchallenge of 12 in 12) to read a book about an emerald (the birthstone for the month of May)
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It is a short kinda fun read but not really much depth to it although I did like the two protagonists. The answer to the mystery was not revealed until the very end and I didn't find it terribly satisfying. I liked the writing style. I consider this to be a beach read. Light, airy, easy to read, not requiring a lot of focus. I liked it but it wasn't great. ( )

I am disappointed that i canot find the remaining books in this series. I truly enjoyed this book. It was about 150 pages but was an entertaining little read. ( )