For a cozy, this one gets pleasantly hairy after a while, and there is a lot more within the covers than just a murder. Monterey comes to vibrant life, too, and there are various fun facts about fish and other denizens of the deep to entertain. Having the protagonist tell the story isn't always the best plan, but Rebecca is sympathetic and lively enough to carry it off. There is plenty of plot in here, but it is also a story about people and this adds a dimension to what could have been just another "puzzle" whodunit. It is really for this reason that the first person narration works so well. Rebecca's insights on the characters make this story live, and make me eager to read another. A cut-above-the-average cozy.