Murder Most Eastern by Nellie H. Steele
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Welcome back to Salty Inspirations, where we love bringing you fresh voices from the cozy mystery world! Today, we’re thrilled to host author Nellie H. Steele, who takes us on a behind-the-scenes journey through her Great Maine Mysteries series. If you’ve ever wondered how much of Maine in her books is real (and how much is delightfully fictional), you’re in for a treat. From windswept lighthouses to whispering beaches, Nellie’s inspirations make you want to pack a bag, grab a lobster roll, and maybe keep an eye out for suspicious characters along the way.
Real Locations in Maine Featured in this Series
By Nellie H. Steele
One of the most common questions I get from readers is, “Are the places in the Great Maine Mysteries series real?” And the answer is: kind of! The towns themselves—like the one where Emily settles—are fictional, but they’re deeply inspired by real places across coastal and inland Maine. If you’ve spent time Down East or explored the back roads of the state, you might recognize a few landmarks that I’ve borrowed, twisted, or lovingly recreated as something just a little more mysterious.
Let’s start with the most important one: Jasper Beach. This is a real stretch of shoreline near Machiasport, Maine, and if you’ve never heard of it, you’re not alone. Jasper Beach is unlike any beach I’d ever seen. Instead of soft sand, the shore is lined with smooth, multi-colored stones that click and hiss as the tide rolls in and out. They sing, in a way—especially when the wind is high and the ocean restless. That eerie music inspired a big part of the setting for Emily’s house. I imagined her standing in her kitchen, drinking coffee as she listens to the rocks tumble and whisper. It became one of those setting details that shaped everything else in the book.
Another real location that plays a key role is West Quoddy Head Light, the iconic red-and-white-striped lighthouse perched on the easternmost point of the United States. If you’ve ever stood at the overlook there, you know how humbling it feels—the crashing surf below, the wide, endless sky, and the plaque marking the farthest reach of the nation. That plaque is actually what inspired the very first book: Murder Most Eastern. I saw it, smiled, and thought, That sounds like a cozy mystery title. A few minutes later, I was jotting down the idea, and the series was born.
You’ll also find hints of Bar Harbor, Castine, and even Moosehead Lake throughout the series. Each one contributes to the broader feel of Maine: Bar Harbor gives us those bustling touristy moments, the juxtaposition of natural beauty and quiet tension; Castine offers rich history and small-town character; and Moosehead Lake brings that moody inland wilderness I love writing about—foggy, rugged, and just remote enough to feel dangerous.
One of my favorite parts of writing the series is weaving in actual Maine personalities. Charlotte of Charlotte’s Legendary Lobster Pound appears in the books, and yes, she’s just as delightful in real life as she is on the page. Same goes for Snow and Kermit from Castine—local legends in their own right, and a joy to sneak into a scene. These cameos help ground the story in a world that feels lived-in and real.
And then, of course, there are the lighthouses. Each book features a different one—sometimes fictionalized, sometimes not—and they all carry a kind of mythic weight. Whether it’s the iconic silhouette of Bass Harbor Head Light in Acadia or the fog-blanketed perch of Owls Head Light, these locations feel like natural homes for murder mysteries. They’re remote, visually stunning, and rich with history—perfect for secrets to hide and clues to emerge.
Ultimately, these real places ground the books in something tangible. I want readers to feel like they could drive down the road and find Emily’s house on a foggy morning (and you can!), or stumble across Grayson the cat sunning herself in the library window. I want the wind to smell like salt and pine and cold stone. That sense of place is what makes cozy mysteries sing—and Maine delivers it in spades.
Maine has always felt like a mystery waiting to happen. That’s why I keep coming back to it in every book. With every new installment, I find another spot on the map to explore. Another town that could hold another body. Another lighthouse with a secret. Another rocky cove where the past refuses to stay buried.
So yes—many of the locations are real. You just might need a little imagination, and maybe a murder or two, to see them the way Emily does.
Murder Most Eastern (Great Maine Mysteries)
by Nellie H. Steele
About Murder Most Eastern
Murder Most Eastern (Great Maine Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Maine
Publisher : A Novel Idea Publishing, LLC
Publication date : August 28, 2025
Print length : 210 pages
Digital ASIN : B0DW98ZFDN
A seaside Victorian. A skeptical artist. A cat with secrets. And a murder that won’t stay buried…
When struggling artist Emily Harper inherits a charming but creaky Victorian on the rugged coast of Maine, she expects a fresh start—what she doesn’t expect is cryptic notes, eerie visions, and a cat with an uncanny sense for trouble.
But nothing unsettles her more than the bracelet. A striking piece of tourmaline jewelry left behind in the house, it sends shivers up her spine whenever she wears it. At first, she chalks it up to stress—until she visits West Quoddy Head Lighthouse and is struck by a chilling vision of a man begging for his life. The next day, his body is found.
With a storm brewing, long-buried secrets rising to the surface, and a killer who will do anything to keep the past hidden, Emily must embrace the unexplainable—or risk becoming the next victim.
Fans of Ellery Adams and Carolyn Hart will love this twisty, atmospheric paranormal cozy mystery full of seaside charm, ghostly intrigue, and a heroine who refuses to back down—no matter how haunted her past may be.
Read now and sleuth the clues today.
About Nellie H. Steele
Nellie H. Steele is a storyteller who doesn’t just write books—she writes the stories her characters tell her. With distinct voices and minds of their own, her characters often take over, guiding her through tales of romance, mystery, adventure, and suspense.
A lifelong bookworm, Nellie vividly recalls sitting on the concrete floor of her childhood library, eagerly devouring Nancy Drew books and dreaming of solving mysteries of her own. Now an award-winning author, she spends her days crafting immersive worlds and unforgettable characters that feel like old friends. Her house is a zoo—literally—thanks to her rescue animals who seem perfectly happy napping while she writes.
Nellie’s writing process often involves background TV she never actually watches because she’s too wrapped up in her characters’ antics. When she’s not spinning stories, she works as a professor of statistics, where students who know her as an author are often surprised to find she really does teach math.
If you love twisty mysteries, soap-opera-style romance, and thrilling adventures, dive into Nellie’s books today and discover worlds you won’t want to leave. Connect with Nellie on Facebook at @NellieHSteele—she loves chatting with readers about characters, stories, and more!
Author Links
- Website: https://nelliehsteele.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NellieHSteele/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nelliehsteele
- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19769743.Nellie_H_Steele
- Purchase Link: Amazon
Excerpt 1: “Turn around when possible,” the robotic voice interrupted, slicing through the damp air as thunder rumbled overhead. My windshield wipers skittered frantically across the glass, struggling to keep up with the downpour.
I slowed down on the narrow, two-lane road, squinting past the rain drops in search of a place to turn around.
My first day in Maine wasn’t going as planned. I’d already been unsure about accepting this unexpected inheritance, and the storm only made me feel more uneasy. My struggle to navigate the DownEast region wasn’t helping either.
Excerpt 2: “Thank y–” My words cut off mid-phrase as something strange took over.
My vision blurred, the world around me dissolving until it was no longer the sunny lighthouse in front of me. I saw Dr. Bennett—his face twisted with fear, his wide eyes pleading. “No, no! Please!”
My breath caught in my throat, and my knees almost buckled. I blinked hard, and the vision faded, the lighthouse snapping back into focus. I staggered back, clutching the picnic table for support. What was that?
Heart pounding, I lowered myself onto the bench next to Grayson, gripping the edge as if the world might slip away again. Was I losing it?
Excerpt 3: As I settled in bed for my second night in the house with Grayson at my side, I stared out the window at the sea and how it glittered under the moonlight.
My eyes started to get heavy, slowly sliding closed as I drifted away like a sailboat on the rolling waves until a crash startled me awake again.
I bolted upright, my heart pounding. There was no mistaking the sound this time. Something—or someone—was in the house with me. My pulse pounded in my ears as I sat frozen in bed, listening for another noise. The silence felt even louder.
Excerpt 4: “What is that?”
Grayson continued her stomping down the hill toward the lighthouse without an answer.
As we drew closer to the lighthouse, my blood went cold. I froze as it became more than apparent what was slumped over the bell. A body.
And not just any body. It was Dr. Richard Bennett.
My heart slammed against my ribs, and my knees buckled, nearly sending me to the ground.
“Oh, no.” My breath hitched, and for a moment, everything blurred—the lighthouse, the waves crashing in the distance—all fading beneath the sheer horror of what lay before me.
I raced forward, studying the man’s face. From his blank stare and pale face coupled with his limp, lifeless form, and the bruises around his neck, I assumed he was dead. To be sure, I pressed two fingers against his neck.
His cold skin suggested he’d been dead for quite some time.
TOUR PARTICIPANTS
- August 28 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
- August 28 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
- August 28 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
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- August 29 – Salty Inspirations – AUTHOR GUEST POST
- August 30 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
- August 30 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
- August 31 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW
- August 31 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
- September 1 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST
- September 1 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
- September 2 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
- September 2 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW
- September 3 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW
- September 3 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER GUEST POST
- September 4 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW
- September 4 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
- September 5 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW
- September 5 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW
- September 6 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
- September 6 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
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What did you think of Nellie’s tour through Maine’s most mysterious corners? Do you enjoy when real locations are woven into fictional mysteries, or do you prefer completely made-up settings? Drop your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear from you!
Here at Salty Inspirations, we love hosting guest authors like Nellie and sharing the many flavors of cozy mysteries with you. Be sure to explore more of our featured authors, and if you’re curious, you’ll also find my own mysteries sprinkled in the mix. There’s always another clue to follow and another story waiting to be discovered.
As always, thanks for stopping by for some Salty Inspirations
