Best Mystery Books Set in Maine (2026): 5 Compared

Finding the best mystery books set in Maine is easier when you match the book to your taste: Maine offers cozy harbor-town series, a paranormal seaside mystery and a forest-set series opener. We compared five listings by series position, stated page count, publication date and what each description promises, so you can pick your next read.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Deadly Trespass by Neily	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Murder Most Eastern by Steele	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
3	The Chowder House Murder by Hollis	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Sealed Off by Ross	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Hidden Beneath by Ross	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Deadly Trespass by Neily

Sandra D Neily·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits readers who want a forest-set Maine mystery that opens a series; skip it if you want a cozy small-town read.

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Pros

• The listing states the author won the Mystery Writers of America national McCloy Award.
• Book 1 of 2, so the story starts at the beginning of the series.
• 364 printed pages stated, the longest page count of the five picks.

Cons

• The description centers on a murder investigation with violent plot elements.
• Published May 13, 2017, so it is the oldest edition of the five.
• No reading age or grade level is stated.

2

Murder Most Eastern by Steele

Nellie H. Steele·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Fits fans of paranormal cozies who enjoy seaside settings and light ghostly intrigue; skip it if you want a strictly realistic mystery.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 4, an entry-point volume in a new paranormal cozy series.
• 208 pages stated.
• Published July 15, 2025, a recent publication date.

Cons

• The description centers on a murder investigation.
• The paranormal elements will not suit readers who want a realistic mystery.
• No reading age or grade level is stated.

3

The Chowder House Murder by Hollis

Lee Hollis·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For readers who like to start a cozy series from the beginning; skip it if you prefer a standalone with a finished arc.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 2 in a new series; the description introduces three generations of the Holbrook family.
• Published May 26, 2026, the newest publication date stated.
• The publisher is Kensington, a mainstream mystery publisher.

Cons

• The description centers on a poisoning murder.
• No page count is stated.
• No reading age or grade level is stated.

4

Sealed Off by Ross

Barbara Ross·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Suits readers who like culinary cozies and island settings; skip it if you are new to the series and dislike starting mid-story.

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Pros

• 256 pages stated.
• Part of the Maine Clambake Mysteries, marked Book 8 of 12.
• The publisher is Kensington, a mainstream mystery publisher.

Cons

• A mid-series entry, so newcomers miss seven earlier books.
• The description centers on a murder investigation.
• No reading age or grade level is stated.

5

Hidden Beneath by Ross

Barbara Ross·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Best for established fans of the Maine Clambake series; newcomers should start with an earlier book.

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Pros

• Book 11 of 12 in an established cozy mystery series.
• The publisher is Kensington, a mainstream mystery publisher.
• Published June 27, 2023.

Cons

• Joining at Book 11 means missing the earlier backstory.
• The description centers on a murder investigation.
• No page count is stated.

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More picks to compare

• Blaze Orange by KeetonA hunting-season mystery set in midcoast Maine, with cabin-town charm.Check on Amazon
• Maine Mysteries Collection by GreenFourteen short stories blending Maine history with mystery, for short sessions.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 21 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for a reader hunting Maine-set mysteries, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. None of the five picks lists a reading age or grade level, so that weight counts for nothing here.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best mystery books set in Maine

Series or standalone

Three of the five picks are marked Book 1 of a series: Deadly Trespass (Book 1 of 2), Murder Most Eastern (Book 1 of 4) and The Chowder House Murder (Book 1 of 2). Start with one of those if you want the story from the beginning, and save Sealed Off (Book 8 of 12) and Hidden Beneath (Book 11 of 12) for later. If you enjoy following a long series, our best mystery series list has more series openers to compare.

Cozy or gritty

The Clambake books and The Chowder House Murder are culinary cozies with small-town rivalries, while Deadly Trespass moves into the woods with wolves, a timber company and a mercenary. Murder Most Eastern adds ghostly visions to its coastal setting, so pick it only if you enjoy a touch of the supernatural. Readers who like a change of scenery can also browse our best mystery books set in England.

Format and publication date

Three listings state a page count: 364 for Deadly Trespass, 208 for Murder Most Eastern and 256 for Sealed Off. Publication dates range from May 13, 2017 to May 26, 2026, and no listing points to a newer edition. Where the listing gives no page count, as with The Chowder House Murder and Hidden Beneath, check the format on the product page before buying.

Before you buy

• Check the series position: Sealed Off is Book 8 of 12 and Hidden Beneath is Book 11 of 12, so both assume earlier books.
• Confirm the page count and publication date on the listing; stated dates here range from May 2017 to May 2026.
• Read the description for tone: the culinary cozies read very differently from the forest-set Deadly Trespass.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I start the Maine Clambake series?

Not with these two: the listings mark Sealed Off as Book 8 of 12 and Hidden Beneath as Book 11 of 12, so start with an earlier book in the series.

What age are these books for?

None of the listings states a reading age or grade level, so read the description for tone and themes before buying for a younger reader.

Which edition should I buy?

The listings state publication dates from May 13, 2017 to May 26, 2026, and no listing points to a newer edition, so buy the edition the listing describes.

Still deciding? Our top pickDeadly Trespass by Neily

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