Lobster Dinner Death (A Cape Cod Cozy Mystery, Book 6), Paperback

Lobster Dinner Death is Book Six in the Cape Cod Cozy Mysteries.

Ebook version coming in August 2026!

A lobster dinner should end with dessert. This one ends with sirens.

When Cassie and her friends organize a lobster dinner fundraiser to help a struggling fisherman, his wife, and their precocious eight-year-old daughter, the evening is meant to bring the community together for a good cause.

Instead, it ends in murder.

Just as the event reaches its peak, a stack of heavy lobster traps crashes down from above— straight onto Conrad Novak, an unpopular real estate developer. In a town where Conrad has made more enemies than friends, there’s no shortage of suspects.

Meanwhile, Cassie and Jake continue their hunt for Red, determined to solve the lingering art theft mystery that has weighed on Cassie’s heart for months. She is more determined than ever to prove that her friend John was framed for a crime he didn’t commit. Can she solve the case and bring much-needed peace to his family?

If you enjoy coastal charm, twists and turns, and endearing characters, you’ll love the Cape Cod Cozy Mysteries!

 

"Another intriguing mystery for Cassie and her friends in Sand Dune Shores after a real estate developer is murdered at a fundraising dinner. There are plenty of suspects and motives abound while I was left guessing as to the identity of the murderer until the end."
~ Suzie116

"I happily recommend this book, especially if you’ve read the previous five books and want to know if “Red” is finally caught!"
~ CEBarrus

"Another excellent book in this series. Cassie and Sydney continue to get involved and help solve murder mysteries. Jake is Cassie's boyfriend, he's been working with her to solve a mystery that happened a couple of years ago when she had amnesia after a car accident. The small beach town they live in has a very supportive community, which helped Cassie as she was recovering. Lots of twists and suspects in this 'who done it' as well as a possible end to the car accident mystery."
~ KJM28

Ebook coming in August 2026!

Excerpt

Chapter 1

The salty breeze from the Nantucket Sound drifted through the open double doors of the Sand Dune Shores Community Hall as Cassie stood on the front steps balancing a coil of rope on her hip and trying not to trip over the stack of wire lobster traps at her feet.

“Careful with those,” Benjamin Harding called from behind her. “They’ve got sharp edges.”

Cassie glanced over her shoulder and smiled. “I may have lived most of my life in the Colorado mountains, but I think I can handle a few lobster traps.”

Cassie, Sydney, and the Hardings were setting up a lobster dinner fundraiser for a local fisherman, Nate Briggs, who had fallen on hard times after his boat was badly damaged and needed extensive repairs. 

Elizabeth, Ben, and their son Jake organized the event with help from Cassie, Sydney, and numerous volunteers. Jake had gone to school with Nate’s wife, Lori, so the two families had known each other for years.

By the time Cassie had finished, there were six wire lobster traps, a bundle of white coiled rope, and several buoys all artistically stacked to create a welcoming display. She had also added a strand of Edison lights to provide a more festive atmosphere. 

Sydney wrote, “Lobster Dinner Fundraiser for the Briggs Family,” on a chalkboard, which she placed on an easel next to Cassie’s display.

“That looks wonderful,” Ben said. 

Cassie glanced around to determine where the voice had come from.

“Up here,” he called, leaning against the black iron railing of the long balcony that ran the length of the building one story above. “I was just bringing the extra decorations to the storage closet up here,” he added, as he slipped through the sliding glass door. 

Cassie wiped her hands on her khaki skirt. The early evening gave the harbor a warm glow as lobster boats bobbed gently against the docks. 

Cassie examined the decorative display beside the entrance. Elizabeth had insisted the display needed to look festive but authentic. “It’s missing something,” she said.

Elizabeth rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “More rope?” she suggested.

Clara Briggs, Nate and Lori’s daughter, stood on the sidewalk with her hands on her hips, studying the display with the intense concentration only an eight-year-old could muster. “I think it needs more lobster traps.” Her dark braid hung down her back, and her sneakers were scuffed with sand.

“I think she’s right,” Jake said, disappearing inside and returning with two more traps.

“Well, hello there,” Cassie said to Nate and Lori. “What do you think?”

“It looks lovely,” Lori said. 

“Don’t let Clara boss you around too much,” Nate added with a grin.

Cassie put her arm around the girl’s shoulders. “Not at all. She can be our design consultant.”

Lori laughed softly. “We can’t thank you enough for doing this.”

“It was all my parents’ idea,” Jake said. “But we were happy to help.”

“We appreciate all the work you and the other volunteers have put into this,” Nate said.

They finished arranging the display, and it turned out Clara had been right. It did need a couple of more traps.

Lori reached down to brush sand off her daughter’s pink denim jacket.

“Why don’t you go help Mrs. Harding set up the napkins inside?” she suggested.

Clara made a face. “Napkins are boring.”

Lori leaned closer. “Go ahead, honey. I’m sure she would love to see you.”

The girl shrugged and darted into the hall.

Nate watched her go, his expression soft. “She’s got more energy than the rest of us combined.”

Lori slipped her arm through his. “And more opinions.”

Cassie glanced toward the harbor. “I’m really glad the town pulled this together for you.” 

Nate nodded. “It truly means a lot.”

His lobster boat remained at the dock these days, the engine still damaged from the mysterious incident that threatened to end his season early. Cassie was thrilled that the community would rally around him. She hoped the repairs could be done in time to salvage at least some of the season.

They finished setting up just in the nick of time. The first guests arrived at 6:00, followed by a stream of others. 

Judging by the growing crowd, the fundraiser was going to be a success. It seemed the whole town had turned out for the event.

After greeting the initial guests, Cassie and Sydney went inside, where volunteers bustled between round tables already set with plastic bibs, crackers, and little metal lobster picks. The smell of steaming lobster and melted butter drifted from the kitchen. Laughter and conversation filled the room as people took their seats.

Cassie moved between tables, chatting with guests. She had only been in town since February, but working at the inn and knowing the Hardings and Sydney meant that she had met a lot of people.

As one of the volunteers turned on the string lights overhead, casting a warm glow across the hall, Clara clapped her hands.

“Alright everyone!” Elizabeth called. “Let’s get ready to serve the lobster!”

Applause broke out.

Volunteers carried trays of steaming lobsters from the kitchen, setting them down in front of eager guests.

Cassie tied on a bib and sat beside Nate and Lori. 

Clara perched herself in the chair between them, swinging her legs.  “This is fun,” she said.

“Wait until you try the pie,” Jake said.

Clara’s eyes widened.

Across the room, the double doors opened again.

A tall man stepped inside, brushing imaginary dust from the sleeve of his tailored jacket.

The cheerful chatter died down slightly as several people turned their heads toward him.

Cassie recognized the man immediately as Conrad Novak, a local real estate developer.

He smiled broadly and waved with both hands as if he were the mayor. “Evening, everyone.” 

A few answered with a nod, but nobody spoke to him directly. The awkwardness lasted just long enough for Cassie to feel uncomfortable. Then Ben cleared his throat.

“Well, Conrad,” he said politely, “we’re glad you could make it.”

Conrad nodded. “I wouldn’t miss it. Community events are important.”

Cassie caught Nate’s expression from across the table. His jaw tightened, and his eyes glistened with anger.

Lori placed a gentle hand on his arm.

After chatting with a few people who responded curtly, Conrad took a seat at one of the round tables.

Clara leaned toward Cassie. “Why does everyone look mad at that guy?” she whispered.

Cassie lowered her voice. “Sometimes grown-ups disagree about things.”

Clara frowned thoughtfully. “Dad doesn’t like him.”

Cassie glanced toward Nate, who was staring down at the empty lobster shells on his plate.

Marilyn Parker, one of the volunteers, reluctantly came out and asked Conrad if he needed anything. Cassie couldn’t help but notice the strained expression on her face. 

“Thank you, Marilyn,” Conrad said, “but I couldn’t eat another bite.”

Cassie glanced up and noticed Elizabeth standing behind her. “What was that all about?” she asked.

“Marilyn and Conrad have a strained relationship. It’s a long story, but Marilyn is trying to forgive and be kind. That’s all.”

After dinner, the crowd lingered over coffee and slices of blueberry pie. 

Cassie went into the kitchen to check on the volunteers and when she returned, Nate wasn’t there. 

“He went out to get some air,” Lori said when she saw Cassie glancing around the room.

Conrad stepped onto the front steps, pulling his phone from his pocket. The air in the room felt lighter when he left the hall.

The decorative display of lobster traps stood beside the doorway, illuminated by a string of white Edison lights.

Conrad glanced at the stack briefly, then turned toward the parking lot. He stepped toward the walkway, talking intently on his cell phone.

A sudden crash startled the guests, causing the conversation to stop. Cassie looked toward the glass door. 

Two heavy wire traps had dropped from above, striking Conrad squarely across his shoulders and head with a violent clang. He staggered forward, collapsing onto the pavement. The traps bounced once, then lay still beside him.

Cassie rose quickly and pushed open the double door. She approached Conrad, who lay sprawled on the walkway, one arm twisted beneath him. “Oh, my goodness,” she said, kneeling beside him. “Conrad? Conrad?”

He didn’t move. A thin line of blood trickled across his temple and fell onto the pavement.

Behind her, she could hear a stampede of footsteps as people rushed outside.

“What happened?” a short stocky man, still wearing his lobster bib, asked. “Is he alright?”

Cassie touched Conrad’s wrist, feeling for a pulse, but couldn’t find one. She swallowed hard. “I think he’s dead.”

The crowd fell silent.

Clara stood beside the doorway, staring wide-eyed at the fallen traps. After a moment, she tugged gently on Lori’s sleeve. “Mom?”

Lori bent down. “Yes, honey?”

Clara pointed toward the display beside the door. “The display used to be taller. The two traps that we added earlier are missing,” she said quietly.

Cassie and Lori exchanged a concerned glance.

“She’s right,” Cassie said as she heard Jake talking with the 9-1-1 operator a few feet away.