Meet the Locals: The Lovable Cast of Seashell Key Mysteries

Every great mystery needs a great cast… and Seashell Key delivers in spades.

From salty baristas to hardware-store sleuths, the town is filled with colorful characters you’ll come to know like neighbors (the kind who might bring you banana bread or a hot tip on the latest scandal).

Here’s a peek at the quirky crew who make Seashell Key Mysteries so memorable:

🛠️ Ben Marshall – The Builder with a Brain for Mysteries

Ben is the quiet fixer type — co-owner of Fix-It-All Hardware and an accidental detective with a knack for solving problems, whether it’s a broken hinge or a suspicious alibi. He’s smart, steady, and always one step ahead… even if he’d rather be fishing.

Bonus fact: Ben’s a bit of a MacGyver. Expect clever contraptions in every book.

👑 Holly Marshall – Pageant Queen Turned Sleuth’s Partner

Once crowned Miss Gulf Coast, Holly is now the co-owner of the hardware store and the queen of keeping things running — in business and in town. She’s graceful, charming, and sharper than most folks give her credit for.

She and Ben are the island’s power couple — with plenty of warmth, wit, and chemistry.

☕ Dr. Cash Hollister – Barista with a Medical Past

Retired doctor. Full-time coffee slinger. Dr. Cash opens The Salty Bean each morning with sharp eyes and sharper instincts. Don’t let her quiet demeanor fool you — she’s observant, insightful, and not above nudging a few folks toward the truth.

🎣 Phil Hollister – Laid-back Captain, Loyal Husband

Phil runs fishing charters and always seems to know what the tide’s bringing in — literally and metaphorically. He’s warm, friendly, and the perfect balance to his wife’s steady presence.

He met Ben in college, and their long-time friendship anchors many of the town’s adventures.

🎥 Javi – The Vlogging Teen with a Heart of Gold

Javi works part-time at the hardware store, listens to Jimmy Buffett while he stocks shelves, and never goes anywhere without his phone camera. His oversized Buffett shirts belonged to his late father — though most folks don’t know that (yet).

Javi brings a younger vibe to the island — and might just livestream the next mystery.

🐾 Constance & Thistle – Tech Whiz and Her Dignified Cat

Constance is a retired computer science professor who’s not afraid to run a trace or decrypt an email when things get sticky. Her tabby cat, Thistle, often lounges nearby, adding just the right amount of feline flair to their quiet, scholarly setup.

🏠 Tessa Brightwell – Bungalow Host with a Nose for Trouble

Tessa runs the Seaglass Bungalow, a cozy rental that draws in new guests — and with them, new suspects, clues, or red herrings. She’s friendly, organized, and a little more connected than she lets on.

Her guests often bring more than luggage… they bring secrets.

👯‍♀️ Millie and Donna – Porch-Sitting, Gossip-Swapping Twin Sisters

If it’s happening in Seashell Key, Millie and Donna already know. These twin sisters are a fixture at The Salty Bean’s front porch, usually holding court (and coffee). One’s a bit of a skeptic. The other’s a romantic. Together, they’re the island’s most reliable rumor mill.

📖 Why Readers Love the Cast

These aren’t just side characters — they’re the heart of Seashell Key. Each book in the Seashell Key Mysteries series gives you more time with them, peeling back their layers and weaving their personal stories into the bigger mystery.

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The next book might bring a new suspect… but the locals are always waiting for you.