Lowcountry Boil: A Liz Talbot Mystery

Written by Susan M. Boyer

Narrated by Tiffany Morgan

USA Today Bestseller and Agatha Award Winner for Best First Novel Turning up the heat Private Investigator Liz Talbot is a modern Southern belle. She blesses hearts and takes names. She carries her Sig 9 in her Kate Spade handbag, and her golden retriever, Rhett, rides shotgun in her hybrid Escape. When her grandmother is murdered, Liz hightails it back to her South Carolina island home to find the killer. She’s fit to be tied when her brother—the chief of police—shuts her out of the investigation, so she opens her own. Then her long-dead best friend pops in and things really get complicated. As more folks turn up dead in this small seaside town, Liz must use more than just her wits and charm to keep her family safe, chase down clues from the hereafter, and catch a psychopath before he catches her.

 Praise for Lowcountry Boil

"Plenty of secrets, long-simmering feuds, and greedy ventures make for a captivating read...Boyer's chick lit PI debut charmingly showcases South Carolina island culture." --Library Journal

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stella Maris Books, LLC
• Release date: Jun 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9781959023111

Susan M. Boyer

Susan M. Boyer is the USA Today bestselling author of twelve novels. Her debut novel, Lowcountry Boil, won the 2012 Agatha Award for Best First Novel, the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, and garnered several other award nominations. Subsequent books have been nominated for various honors, including Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Okra Picks, the 2016 Pat Conroy Beach Music Mystery Prize, and the 2017 Southern Book Prize in Mystery & Detective Fiction. Susan loves beaches, Southern food, and small towns where everyone knows everyone, and everyone has crazy relatives. You’ll find all of the above in her novels. She and her husband call Greenville, SC, home and visit the Carolina coast as often as possible.

Reviews for Lowcountry Boil

[john_warner-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

PI Liz Talbot returns to her childhood home, the fictional Stella Maris, a SC island north between Charleston and Myrtle Beach when her grandmother is murdered. Her brother, Blake Talbot, Police Chief, reluctantly agrees to her assistance. She is assisted in her investigation by Colleen, her ethereal childhood friend. As with most cozy mysteries, the small community holds secrets that some of the citizens would like to remain that way.Liz Talbot's personality reminds me of Evanovitch's Stephanie Plum. It has a similar humor tone but Plum's fighting skills, especially in a fight, pales in comparison. I have recently discovered that this series has been optioned to become a television series. I hope to have a few more books of this series under my belt before they air.

[grandmacootie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Lowcountry Boil is the first in the Liz Talbot Mystery series. However, author Susan M. Boyer has done an amazing job of making you feel as if you’ve known these marvelously interesting characters forever, while at the same time letting you know you’ve only scratched the surface and there is much, much more to learn about them and Liz’s home town of Stella Maris.It’s a terrific story. Liz comes home after her grandmother dies (is murdered??) and even though she doesn’t realize it yet, you know she’s there to stay. It’s home, her family is there (plus a few old frenemies), and she’s got work to do to figure out just what happened to her beloved grandmother. The story is multilayered, laugh-out-loud funny and heartbreaking, all in the same chapter. The characters are quirky but loyal and loving and fierce. The atmosphere is lush and beautiful. And the Lowcountry language – such fun!This may have been my first book in the series but it definitely won’t be my last. I’ll be binge reading until I catch up, and I recommend you do the same.

[mchwest · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a nice light mystery series I've found! And on to the next one.

[romonko · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book won an Agatha award, so I had to give it a try. It was pretty good. I love the setting - South Carolina, and Liz Talbot is a "tough as nails" PI (kind of like Kinsey Milhone and Vic Warsawski). Liz has just moved back to her South Caroline island home. The book initially reads like a cozy mystery, but there is qute a bit of hard-boiled and paranormal activity in it too. I like Liz. She has just inherited her grandmother's house, so she leaves the big city and comes back home where her family is. Her police chief brother Blake is less than relieved to have her there as he knows she's as tenacious as a bulldog when it comes to pursuing the truth and following suspects. Her sister Merry is happy she's finally home, but ten years is a long time and little sister has grown up. Liz's Mum and Dad are happy she's back, but to them the ten years have been next to no time, and they expect her to fit back into the famiy dynamic right away. Liz steps into a heated controversy about a proposed development on beachfront property that has polarized her little home town. There's money to be made with this development, so it attracts a lot of interest - both legal and criminal. Liz has to wade through all this when she tasks herself to find out who murdered her grandmother. This was a quick, fun read.

[carlathelibrarian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a great mystery, with wonderful characters and a dash of humour thrown in.

Private Investigator Liz Talbot is living off island in Greenville South Carolina working with the brother of her ex-husband, Nate. They run their own Private Investigating firm. Liz gets two messages, one from the ghost of her best friend to "come home" to the island (Stella Maris) and the second from her brother Blake, the sheriff on Stella Maris, that her beloved gram has died. She decides it is time to go home, puts her condo up for sale, packs up and heads back to Stella Maris. Once there, it is determined that her gram was killed and Liz, in direct opposition to what she is told by her brother, begins to investigate. She also finds out that she has inherited her gram's property and it is her job to protect it from development.

The families on Stella Maris have been there for years and we begin to meet some of them and learn about their secrets and relationships. Not only does Liz's ex-husband show up, but we meet the "love of her life" Michael Sullivan, who married her cousin. There is also a strong pull with her partner Nate. I hope there is more development there in future books. Liz's mom is a hoot, there is nothing that will make a situation better or make someone feel better than having fresh lipstick. She is a southern lady after all.

I love that Liz is a licensed PI who carries, her friend Sig is usually at her side. She is not just nosy, but has access to data bases etc. that help her gather information to solve the situation. She has excellent observation skills and a knack for being in the right place at the right time, okay maybe her sidekick, Colleen the ghost, helps her out there.

This is a fun read that weaves the life of the Stella Maris islanders into an interesting story. I am definitely going to check out the next one in the series, in fact, it is already on my Kobo reading app. If you are a cozy mystery fan and have not checked out this book, I recommend you do so.

[thelibraryhag · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this lowcountry mystery. Not only was the mystery interesting and kept me guessing, but I loved the setting and the people in the story. As a native of South Carolina, the people and manners rang true. I was not expecting a ghost in the story, but I really liked her. I like a good ghostly mystery and this was definitely a good one. I have the second in the series. I will be reading it soon.

[beckyhaase · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

LOWCOUNTRY BOIL by Susan M BoyerA murder, a mystery, a family squabble over land, another murder, a philandering husband, a contract killer, a ghost – oh my – this plot is thicker than molasses. A likeable heroine and her ghost friend take on murders, wife beaters, divorced husbands, family disputes and more. If you can abide a ghost who is usually, but not always, in the right place at the right time, you will like this mystery. The characters are well drawn, with a few you will like and a few you won’t. The situations are believable and properly contentious. The mystery will keep you guessing and you may even find yourself rooting for the wrong person as the plot unfolds. A mystery with a bit of “southern charm” and a lot of twists and turns.4 of 5 stars

[rhonda1111 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4 STARSThis is the first book in the Liz Talbot Mystery. I liked the characters. The plot, the mysteries. It is easy to get to know the characters and there messed up lives. I want to read more and see what else happens.Liz Talbot is single. She is a Private Investigator. She sees her best friend who died when they were 17 tells her to go home. Then a phone call from her brother telling Liz that there Grandmother had died.Liz left her island home because her cousin stole her boyfriend. She thinks she still loves him. Her grandmother left Liz her house and land. To protect the island from development.Her ex-husband is back on the island. Her partner is his brother Nate. There are so many relationships that intertwine with each other. You never know who will end up with whom.Liz is determined to find out who killed her grandmother. She thinks she knows why but she is not sure. Only Liz can see her friend. Who now is a guardian spirit who's job is to protect the island. But she also wants to protect her sister and friend.It is a clean fun murder mystery. For a small North Carolina island there is a lot of drama, murder and fun.Can't wait to read more Liz Talbot Mystery

[adonisguilfoyle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sometimes good books find the right reader, instead of the other way around - after a rash of three star duds, I stumbled across this funny and intriguing detective story by accident, and enjoyed every page. A combination of two of my favourite reading 'themes' - ghosts and the Deep South - make this a personal winner.Private detective Liz Talbot returns home to the insular Louisiana sea island community of Stella Maris when her grandmother dies. She soon finds out that all is not as it seems, and everybody around her seems to have a secret. About the only gripes I have with Susan M. Boyer's novel are with the clumsy product placement and the unnecessary 'romantic troubles' foisted on poor Liz - everything else is a riot! Liz's late childhood friend Colleen returns as a 'guardian spirit' - not a ghost or an angel - to help Liz protect the community; the Talbots are true Southern eccentrics; and oh wow, the food! Just reading the descriptions made my mouth water! Liz reminds me of Kinsey Milhone, but in a good way - still independent and headstrong, but less of a California health freak. The first person narration is packed with personality, which is always a key factor in drawing me into any detective series, and Liz's family had me in stitches.Cannot recommend enough - brilliant entertainment, with a clever mystery to boot.

[murderbydeath · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I started reading this book on the train, because I had forgotten to bring the book I was currently reading and I was desperate to kill the time on the train. I bought it when Henry Press was having a sale on their books in the Kindle Store. Boy am I glad I did!

I found Lowcountry Boil to be an excellent read and an outstanding first in a series. From the moment the ghost showed up the first time, I was hooked. I was actually looking forward to getting back on the train so I'd be able to open the book back up. I ended up finishing it in one day.

I found the characters to be realistic, entertaining and engaging. The author perfectly balanced the ghost's presence throughout the story - she complemented, rather than overwhelmed the plot line. This might be the first book I've ever read where I actually enjoyed the family/sibling dynamic. They liked each other without being drippy and fought without being over-the-top nasty.

The setting, a small island off the coast of South Carolina, lent itself to the colour and quirkiness of the overall story. There's just something about a mystery that takes place on an island. Don't ask me to explain it. I loved reading how this community was anti-development and built itself up around the idea of protecting their pristine island - perfectly mirroring my own ideas of conservation and protection. I would have loved to have been a native of this island.

The plot was really, truly, well done. It was a bit of a twisty plot towards the end that I just didn't see coming at all. Not a clue.

Overall, this was a really well written cozy; a mature writing-style that was a level above what you normally find in a lot of the cozies written for the mass market. I cannot wait for the next book to come out in September and read more about the people on this quirky little island off the coast of South Carolina.

[thornton37814 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Liz Talbot, a Greeneville private investigator, goes back to the island of Stella Maris near Charleston when her grandmother dies. She discovers that she inherited the bulk of the estate. She immediately finds herself trying to save the island from development. Her brother Blake is the police chief on the island. He tells Liz that their grandmother was murdered. Liz puts her skills to work with some assistance from a ghost (or guardian spirit as the ghost prefers to be called). Unfortunately that particular aspect of the mystery did not work for me. I would have preferred for Liz to use her own skills of deduction to unravel the crime. One other thing that didn't work for me was the way that Blake did not remove himself from the investigation into his own grandmother's death. Without giving away something too big, there is also a pursuit into territory that is certain to have been in federal jurisdiction, but the appropriate authority was not called in. There's a lot of room for further developments in the series because there are lots of unresolved aspects to personal lives. I love the Charleston area, but I won't be continuing with this series.

[cathyskye · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Used to be, I'd never read any of the prefaces, introductions, or acknowledgements at the beginning of the books I read; I'd skip straight to chapter one and dive in. I've since learned that it's a good idea to read those things, but I still have one holdout: casts of characters. It's my opinion that if the characters aren't written well enough to differentiate themselves in my mind, no amount of flipping back to that cast list is going to help matters. Does Lowcountry Boil have a cast of characters? Yes, it does. The good news is that all the characters are well-written and did not jumble themselves into a Gordian knot as I read the book.Liz Talbot is smart, funny, and brave. I liked her style as she went out to investigate her grandmother's death. The only thing that drove me nuts was her constant use of hand sanitizer. It was mentioned so often that whenever Liz touched something and did not whip out the sanitizer, I thought something was wrong. That little detail kept pulling me out of the story, and I hope it's used much less in subsequent books in the series because I do intend to read them.The ghostly presence of her childhood friend, Colleen, was well- (not over-) done, and I liked the idea that Colleen could actually have an effect on the events around her. Moreover, Boyer's sense of humor comes to play with characters like Liz's mother, who believes that life's little problems can be put to rights with a bit of lipstick.The South Carolina setting is superb. The author's descriptions are vivid, and I didn't realize how claustrophobic the island was until Liz drove to Charleston. That takes skill, and I look forward to more stories set in this locale.If the book has a weakness, it is the plot. The reason for all the deaths seems almost commonplace to any true crime fiction fan, and the plot never had the edge, the sense of urgency, it needed to transform it into a true page-turner. Be that as it may, there's still an awful lot to like about Lowcountry Boil. Susan Boyer has hit the jackpot with her characters and her setting, and I'm looking forward to seeing what sort of trouble Liz Talbot gets herself into next.

[cnmcconn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book! It's a light murder mystery with a ghost and a Southern setting. It sounds a bit cheesy or ridiculous, but the author creates fantastic, interesting characters that sell the plot. It's fast paced, a fun, light read with a hint of romance. I was so disappointed to find out that this was her only book so far! It's probably in the category of chic lit, but it's definitely worth the attempt if you enjoy not too gory murder mysteries.

[dd196406 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Really good mystery with a little romance and adventure thrown in. Love any book set near Charleston or near the coast of the Carolinas. Fun! A little supernatural visiting thrown in, which is always good! A nice distraction.

[kathy89_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After her grandmother’s death, Liz Talbot inherits her house and returns home to the town of Stella Maris and it isn’t very long before she comes to the conclusion that her grandmother was murdered and didn’t die because of a sudden accident. With the help of Colleen’s ghost, a childhood friend who only can be seen by Liz, her brother, Blake the chief of police and her sister and parents they unravel the death of the grandmother and the greedy land scam going on in their community.

[erinhill01 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

4.5 Stars! Lowcountry Boil is an intriguing mix of murder mystery, family drama, and southern hospitality with a splash of romance. Liz, decides to return to her home town after learning that her grandmother was murdered and the killer is still at large. From there begins a witty and suspense-filled journey as Liz sets off to find the culprit and figure out what the clues her grandmother left behind mean. I loved that the reader gets to solve the mystery a long with Liz instead of learning all the surprises at the very end, but don’t worry there will be plenty of twists to keep you interested.Boyer has developed a strong, independent, and determined heroine that also has a streak of vulnerability. Liz loves her designer handbags just as much as her gun, and never leaves home without them. This book is fast paced and keeps your fingers turning the pages. There are so many lovable crazy characters that at times it can be difficult to keep them all straight, but don’t worry Boyer has drawn out a character map in the beginning of the book to ease any confusion.Definitely a must read that I would highly recommend.