Welcome to Mystic Bay!
by Shari Randall
If you’re like me, you had a lot of travel plans canceled this summer. My consolation? Armchair travel with my TBR (to be read) pile. One of the great things about books is that they let us travel without leaving home.
So I thought I’d take you to the setting of my cozy mystery series, Mystic Bay. “Mystic Bay” is modeled on real life Mystic, Connecticut, a village on Long Island Sound that is always on those lists of best places to vacation. History? Check. Great scenery? Check. Charm? Check. Great restaurants, especially that New England specialty, the lobster shack? Triple check!
I’m including pictures of the real life Mystic that inspired scenes in my Lobster Shack Mystery series – a real slice of New England. Get out your cameras – the tour’s about to start!
Here’s the lobster shack that inspired The Lazy Mermaid. Ford’s was used as a location shot in the movie Mystic Pizza, so it may look familiar. Their lobster bomb is the best!
This is one of the beautiful old sea captain’s homes you’ll find in Mystic. Note the enclosed widow’s walk on the roof. The house overlooks the harbor where whaling ships returned after voyages that could last several years, and the captain’s wife kept watch from the walk. Yes, many of those wives did indeed become widows – whaling was a dangerous profession.
Mystic Seaport is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the country. Nothing is more relaxing than watching ships – especially historic ships like the Charles Morgan – on the Mystic River.
Ah – fall color in New England! I set my third book, DRAWN AND BUTTERED, at Halloween so I could bring in the sights and sounds of autumn – fall festivals, glowing jack o’lanterns, and pumpkin spice everything!
I can’t let you leave without a delicious, buttery lobster roll. If you’d like a further taste of Mystic Bay, you can check out the Lobster Shack Mystery series, which includes recipes for some New England favorites. Enjoy!
Shari Randall writes the Lobster Shack Mystery series about Allegra “Allie” Larkin, a ballerina who is injured in a mysterious accident. While she heals, Allie returns to her hometown of Mystic Bay where she works in her quirky Aunt Gully’s Lazy Mermaid Lobster Shack. When Aunt Gully falls under suspicion of murder, Allie discovers that she has a talent for detection.
Where is the last place a book took you?
I have always wanted to visit Maine and now, after reading your series, more than ever. On my visit when we're able to travel again!
I cannot wait to travel again. Maine it is!
I need a trip there in the future
Come on down! I can't wait for this crazy pandemic to end!
Thanks for the pictures. It's nice to see if what I pictured matches up with the reality. For the most part, it did.
Glad the book matched your impressions, Mark. I love living "inside" my setting – makes the writing easier.
Would be nice to visit some day
I hope so, Clemmie!
Shari, how terrific to be able to make this virtual journey. Thank you for the amazing shots and wonderful books!
Thanks so much, Paula, that means a lot. xo Shari
I've been to Ford's! And Mystic Pizza! And had breakfast at some place with somebody named Shari Randall. 🙂
Don't know why I showed up as "unknown"; it was supposed to use my email.
LOL, that was a great day! I loved getting to share my favorite place with you and Jan!
Looks like so much fun!