Dangling by a Thread by Lea Wait

Angie is out for a morning walk down by the docks when she sees a strange man come to shore in a rowboat.  He doesn't speak to anyone.  When she asks about him, nobody knows his name.  He lives alone on an island and only comes over the village in good weather when he needs supplies.  She sees him go in the post office and asks after him in there.   The postal worker tells her his name and that he comes to pick up his check and any other correspondence.  The island isn't served by any utilities.  Most refer to him as Mr. Solitary.

Kensington Books allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published on October 25th.

When Angie goes for dinner with Dave, she meets Mr. Solitary again.  Dave introduces her.  He's not gregarious but he will speak.  She gets to know him a bit better.

The next discovery she makes is that a man she had a crush on is back in town.  He got burnt rescuing his mother from a fire but he's completed rehabilitation and is just in therapy now.  He's hoping to get back into painting.  She's hoping she might have a chance at a relationship with him.  Her visit with him introduces her to the couple who are hoping to buy Mr. Solitary's island.  He doesn't want to sell, he's running a bird sanctuary.  Does that matter to the rich man that wants the land?  No...

Dave and Angie go to the island to warn him that they are bringing his brother in and plan to oust him from the island.  By accident, he shoots Dave with an arrow.  Angie takes him back to land and calls an ambulance.  The cops are now interested in the island man and intend to bring him in.  Angie talks the cop into taking her.  It's bad.  The island man is dead.  It's a good thing Angie and Dave have an excuse.

This is a cozy mystery with romance and I've been enjoying this series.  I didn't see the killer coming.  I'm also not sure where the romance is going.  She likes both Dave and the painter.  The painter is rich but Dave does needlepoint and lives next door.  Future stories should be interesting!