Amateur Detective

A young radio reporter solves a murder in his New England hometown while the world is focused on Sputnik and the 1957 World Series

Lucy McGuffin makes the best muffins in Whispering Bay, but her secret talent as a human lie detector hasn't always been as sweet. When she stumbles upon a dead body and her priest brother becomes a suspect, Lucy must use her skills to clear his name.

A Cupcakes-and-Crime Caper Tiffany and Rosie find themselves investigating two separate cases – a cold case that appears to have been a natural death, and the murder of a popular dance guru. When the two cases appear to be linked, the duo are shocked and concerned that one or both of their clients might be a killer. Nanna, Jan, and Stone all help out – but will that be enough to uncover the truth in time? Praise for A.R. Winters: "The perfect balance of being lighthearted, but still a serious page-turning mystery." - Jaycie D, Amazon.com "A fun cozy mystery with engaging and ...

November, 1923. An invitation to a house party at the estate of Parkview Hall is a welcome respite for Olive Belgrave, a newly minted working girl who’s become the solver of high society’s trickiest problems. But when the sumptuous black-tie event turns deadly, Olive’s cousin Peter becomes the main suspect. Olive must unmask a sophisticated killer before an innocent man takes the blame . . . because murder doesn’t RSVP.

A library, a legacy, and a lethal plot. When the body of head librarian Eleanor Meadows is discovered surrounded by arcane symbols in the restricted section of Elderberry Grove Library, magical pest control specialist Juniper Green finds herself facing much more than a simple imp infestation. With her familiar Iris at her side and the reluctant support of Sheriff Jack Winters, Juniper must unravel a complex web of family secrets, ancient curses, and forbidden magic before the equinox arrives. As strange behavior spreads through town like a contagion and magical creatures act increasingly ...

Young accountant Gary Donetsky is shocked to learn on Christmas Eve that his boss has just been murdered in his North Las Vegas office. The police request Gary's assistance in sorting out the financial aspects of the office. He soon discovers that his kindly white-haired employer has somehow misappropriated two million dollars from his trusting clients. Poor Gary feels totally unqualified to unravel this complex financial puzzle. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Donald W. Desaulniers is a retired Canadian lawyer who took up writing novels as a retirement hobby in 2009. Always a proponent of quantity over ...

Bubble, bubble, toil, and murder... When a woman is found dead near her village in Norfolk, the verdict is suicide. Not everyone agrees. Detective James Simpson is ordered to investigate and he brings Agatha Aston, Betty Simpson and Talleyrand the hound, with him. They stumble across a tale of murder that stretches back two centuries. Part occult story, part murder mystery - this creepy tale is steeped in witchcraft and strange rural festivals where everything is not as it seems. The second Agatha Aston murder mystery is full of laughs, twists and things that go bump in the night. Golden ...

Murder on an Island is a captivating murder mystery set on a secluded island off the coast of New England during the vibrant 1920s. This novel by Maxwell Hastings immerses readers in the intriguing world of high society and hidden secrets. Laura Kitteredge, a once-celebrated actress now shunned due to her engagement to the infamous James Stephenson, is invited to perform in a charity play on the Island. The island, beautiful yet isolated, becomes the perfect backdrop for a series of mysterious events and simmering tensions among the cast. As rehearsals begin, underlying jealousies and ...

In The Poisoned Pastry, baker Fiona Turner’s new gourmet doughnut was meant to save her family bakery—until a food critic dies after tasting it. With Sweet Blessings Bakery shut down and her dream in jeopardy, Fiona trades her apron for detective work. Someone’s mixed murder into her recipe, and she’s determined to uncover the truth. Armed with baking instincts, loyal staff, and town gossip, Fiona must catch a killer before her future is left in crumbs.

Instead of catering to cozy readers at my inherited bookshop, I found myself staring at the town’s crabbiest gardener… taking a dirt nap in my alleyway. I just turned a new page in my life when I returned to Bramble Dale to start a laid back book club. But when my old crush is pegged as a suspect for a murder it became a crime story that I needed to solve. When my trusty yellow lab, Peanut, sniffs out a bloodied scarf, me and my bestie start questioning suspects. With the victim rigging the gardening competition so he always won there were more than enough people that wanted to dig his ...

Another day, another dead woman in Ellison Russell's study. Only this one claimed to be Mrs. Anarchy Jones. As Ellison juggles mothers, daughter, unhappy wives, and near-miss murder attempts, one thing is clear - someone will go to any lengths to hide the truth. Can Ellison and Anarchy catch a killer before the body count rises? Or will Ellison be the next corpse in the study?

Six dachshunds, one inheritance, and a killer who’s unleashed chaos. Dogwood Valley is buzzing with gossip. Agatha Worthington, the 90-year-old matriarch, has shocked the town by leaving her fortune to her six dachshunds instead of her feuding relatives. Liv Barker, former lawyer turned dog walker, is hired to care for the dachshunds. But when suspicious events unfold, Liv must sniff out the truth before someone with greedy intentions puts an end to Agatha’s plans—and possibly her dogs’ lives.

In 1912, Asim and Chione, a young Egyptian couple, are enthralled by the discovery of the Queen Nefertiti sculpture bust. Asim becomes the official photographer of the excavation, while Chione assists archaeologist Herr Borchardt as a translator. They embark on a journey to Berlin, a city brimming with possibilities. Chione embraces newfound social freedoms and secures a job with a leading ancient artifact importer. Meanwhile, Asim joins an emerging Expressionist art group as an assistant photographer at the prestigious Berlin Museum. In the vibrant atmosphere of Berlin, they unknowingly ...

In the winter of 1937, the village of Okamura is abuzz with excitement over the forthcoming wedding of a son of the grand Ichiyanagi family. But amid the gossip over the approaching festivities, there is also a worrying rumour - it seems a sinister masked man has been asking questions about the Ichiyanagis around the village. Then, on the night of the wedding, the Ichiyanagi family are woken by a terrible scream, followed by the sound of eerie music - death has come to Okamura, leaving no trace but a bloody samurai sword, thrust into the pristine snow outside the house.

The Ducote sisters are in a tiff with Vera Cassity over the location of this year's library fundraising gala, and Charlie would rather curl up in a corner than get into the fray. It seems everyone - even his housekeeper Azalea - has it in for Vera. And at the gala, she gives them good reason, with a public display of rancor aimed at anyone who gets in her way.But those bitter words wind up being her last.

December 25 is right around the corner. The last thing Charlie expects is to gain several new additions to his family. Charlie finds a box on his doorstep with five kittens inside and a note begging him to keep them safe. With Diesel's help, Charlie welcomes the tiny felines into the Harris household just as his neighbor Gerry decides it is time to throw a lavish holiday party. Determined to make her mark on Athena, Gerry instead winds up dead at her very own party.

I’m the chosen one... ...wait – what?? Okay, not the chosen one, but I’m the newest member of the Sorority of Brigid, a group of witches tasked to keep other witches safe and secret. At twenty-one, some days I don’t even feel up to defending my breakfast choices, never mind the witches of New Hampshire. The Fraternity of Free Witches has a different plan. Of course they do. Was there ever a secret group that didn’t have a rival? Rather than play nicely, they want to rule the world but I’m not about to let that happen. If they get their way, it’s going to be very bad for the ...

When friends Louise and Irina find a dead body in the local park whilst walking their dogs, they are soon drawn into the mystery of who murdered local entrepreneur Phil Creasey. Phil used to be a member of their dog walking community – nicknamed The Pack – until the death of his cockapoo, and The Pack feel they owe it to Phil to investigate his death. With Louise and Irina leading the charge, they soon come up against local drug dealers, stolen cars and a disturbing incident of poisoned dog biscuits.

When Ivy's perfectly planned dinner ends with murder, the curtains rise on a chilling Hollywood whodunit. Ivy, an event planner with a knack for the extraordinary, never expected her latest gig to spiral into chaos when Adam, a promising supporting actor, is found lifeless in a notorious hotel room. Whispers of vengeful spirits serve as both a chilling warning and thrilling distraction from the heart of the matter—two simmering suspects lie at the center of the storm: a resentful ex-road manager and Herold, the lead actor who pilfered Adam's coveted role. With the elusive scent of almond ...

Paris. An old mystery. As midnight strikes, a man desperately seeking sanctuary flees into a church. The next day, his sudden disappearance will make him famous throughout France. A new science. Forensic expert Enzo Macleod takes a wager to solve the seven most notorious French murders, armed with modern technology and a total disregard for the justice system. A fresh trail. Deep in the catacombs below the city, he unearths dark clues deliberately set - and as he draws closer to the killer, discovers that he is to be the next victim.