Magdelena Portulacca Yoder Rosen owns a bed and breakfast in Hernia, PA. She gives her guests a “genuine” Amish experience, as they have to carry their own luggage to their rooms, have no electricity or running water and check their cell phones at the door. They also help out with mucking stalls and cleaning their rooms. Magdalena is Mennonite, although her grandparents were Amish. She lives here with her retired Jewish husband and five-year-old son. Mags is also the mayor of Hernia, and the town is getting ready for its Fourth Annual Billy Goat Gruff Festival.

There have been a few murders occur at her B & B, and Mags has helped the local police with each case. When she receives a call from Police Chief Toy Graham about a couple being found in a dumpster, Mags is on the case. This couple was supposed to have stayed at her B & B for the festival. A series of catastrophes and acts of vandalism unfold as the festival is about to begin, all aimed at Mags. Someone is trying to kill her. Are these incidents related to the murders? Can they find the person responsible and save the festival?

MEAN AND SHELLFISH is a very unusual inspirational cozy mystery with the quirkiest characters I’ve ever met in a book. The storyline takes so many side trips, it’s sometimes hard to remember where it was going when it does get back on track. The supporting characters are a cadre of outlandish individuals with very bizarre names. You’ll meet Mag’s jailbird sister, an odd Texas couple, a one-legged Aussie and even a resident ghost. Some of Mag’s relatives even have intersecting bloodlines. The narrative is filled with idioms, alliterations and plays on words that will have your head spinning and your tongue twisted. Mags is a very strong main character, who is grounded in the Word of God from her Mennonite upbringing and quotes it often in appropriate situations. MEAN AND SHELLFISH will have you shaking your head when you get the finish line. Read it for a good laugh!