A cold case murder heats up Far from the publishing world that once defined her, Sheila Mackey's plan to escape to a quiet life in small-town Kentucky keeps hitting bumps in the road ... and some of those bumps are dead bodies. Sheila and her friend, Clara, are in for their toughest inquiry yet, when they take on investigating a death that's colder than a cold case, because few in Haines Tavern, Kentucky, think it was a murder in the first place. Suicide? Accident? Murder? They're determined to bring peace of mind to the dead woman's friends. At the same time, Sheila is finding it harder and harder to protect her secret past, especially from Teague O'Donnell, who's shifting from a fellow dog-park friend to possibly much more. This whodunit with humor is the fifth book in USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn’s cozy mystery series, Secret Sleuth, which begins with a murder on a transatlantic cruise in Death on the Diversion. In Death on Torrid Avenue and later books, accidental investigator Sheila Mackey returns to dry land in the Midwest, where mysteries abound in her new Kentucky home. Secret Sleuth series Death on the Diversion Death on Torrid Avenue Death on Beguiling Way Death on Covert Circle Death on Shady Bridge Death on Carrion Lane Death on ZigZag Trail Death on Puzzle Place Death on the Diversion ”is such an enjoyable story, reminiscent of Agatha Christie's style, with a good study of human nature and plenty of humor. Great start to a new series!” – 5-star review Death on Torrid Avenue “is told with a lot of humor and the characters are good company. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and am looking forward to the next story.” – 5-star review More mystery from Patricia McLinn Caught Dead in Wyoming series Sign Off Left Hanging Shoot First Last Ditch Look Live Back Story Cold Open Hot Roll Reaction Shot Body Brace Cross Talk Air Ready Cue Up "While the mystery itself is twisty-turny and thoroughly engaging, it's the smart and witty writing that I loved the best." -- Diane Chamberlain, New York Times bestselling author The Innocence Trilogy Proof of Innocence Price of Innocence Premise of Innocence Ride the River: Rodeo Knights (includes cameos from Caught Dead in Wyoming characters) Secret Sleuth: female sleuth, amateur detective, traditional mystery, mystery with humor, mysteries with humor humorous mysteries with dog, mystery with dog

Set sail for a new McLinn series! Death on the Diversion, a whodunit with humor about the inner world of writers, set among the insular cruise ship community, begins a new cozy mystery series from the USA Today bestselling author of the Caught Dead in Wyoming series. In Death on Torrid Avenue and later books, amateur sleuth Sheila Mackey returns to dry land in the Midwest, where mysteries abound in her new home in small-town Kentucky. Book 1: Death on the Diversion Sheila Mackey has a secret. To the world, she’s author of a blockbuster book. Her wily great-aunt, the actual author, orchestrated this mutually beneficial masquerade. Now the aunt’s retiring and Sheila must draft Act Two of her own life. This cruise is supposed to be the perfect time to do that. Crossing the Atlantic on the Diversion, Sheila finds a dead body on deck. She’s drawn into sleuthing but finds herself hampered by a well-meaning but overprotective would-be Dr. Watson. "A totally unique protagonist -- witty, grounded, human. An intriguing crime venue. I hope there are many more in this series." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Book 2: Death on Torrid Avenue Sheila turns her back on a Manhattan lifestyle and the publishing world that once defined her to put down roots near the Ohio River in North Bend County, Kentucky. Here, she finds a new life, a new home and a new love: Gracie, the rescue collie. Then Gracie discovers a body at the dog park, a ticklish situation for an amateur sleuth with a big secret of her own. Will Sheila untangle the murder mystery before her secrets are untied, exposing her previous identity to her new neighbors? ""Another winner . . . A lot of humor and the characters are good company. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I am looking forward to the next story." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Get on board to sail away with crime, clues, and memorable characters. This boxed set starts off the Secret Sleuth mystery series of twisty whodunnits with humor, a female sleuth to root for, and supporting cast of people you'll love -- including rescue collie Gracie and her canine pals. For readers of Tricia O'Malley, Cheril Thomas, Ginger Moran, Scarlett Moss, Lois Roberts Herbst, PC James, Karen McInerney, Colleen Mooney, Lyle Nicholson, and Eryn Scott. Secret Sleuth series Book 1: Death on the Diversion Book 2: Death on Torrid Avenue Book 3: Death on Beguiling Way Book 4: Death on Covert Circle Book 5: Death on Shady Bridge Book 6: Death on Carrion Lane Book 7: Death on ZigZag Trail Book 8: Death on Puzzle Place Patricia McLinn’s Secret Sleuth books are available in ebook, paperback, and audiobook versions. On the spectrum of McLinn's mystery novels, the Caught Dead in Wyoming cozy series is in the middle, The Innocence Trilogy is edgier (and has more romance), and Secret Sleuth is a bit less edgy. More mystery by Patricia McLinn Caught Dead in Wyoming series Sign Off Left Hanging Shoot First Last Ditch Look Live Back Story Cold Open Hot Roll Reaction Shot Body Brace Cross Talk Air Ready Holiday Bullets Cue Up The Innocence Trilogy Proof of Innocence Price of Innocence Premise of Innocence Search Terms associated with this cozy mystery series: female sleuth, amateur detective, amateur sleuth, women detectives, traditional mystery, mystery with humor, mysteries with humor, mainstream mystery, western mysteries, humorous mysteries, mystery with dog, mysteries with rescue dog, American crime murder, traditional mysteries, krimis, kriminalromane, journalist sleuth, TV reporter sleuth, mysteries, murder mystery, whodunit, romantic suspense, romantic mystery, cozy mysteries, cozy mystery books, cozy murder mysteries, cozies, Women sleuths, revenge, bookshots, cozy mystery, strong female leads, mystery thriller, mystery series, smart mysteries, booktok, murder mysteries, crime fiction, krimi, bestselling mystery books, whodunit, bestselling mysteries, Wyoming mysteries, cosy, cosies, best sellers, detective stories, mystery stories to keep you up all night, can't stop reading, page-turner, audiobook mysteries, mysterious novels, murder mystery writers, mystery fiction stories, crime authors, romantic suspense series, romantic mystery series,

To the world, Sheila Mackey is author of a blockbuster book. Her wily great-aunt, the actual author, orchestrated this mutually beneficial masquerade. Now Sheila's ending 15 years of pretending with a transatlantic cruise. She should be thinking about what comes next, but discovers the ultimate distraction: finding a dead body on deck.

The Blue Ridge Mountains, fun historical tidbits, a hint of the supernatural, and a taste of romance—this bookish cozy mystery series debut about a crime-solving librarian is “one of the best” (New York Journal of Books). Librarian Amy Webber must archive overdue crimes and deadly rumors before a killer strikes again in small-town Virginia . . . Fleeing a disastrous love affair, university librarian Amy Webber moves in with her aunt in a quiet, historic mountain town in Virginia. She quickly busies herself with managing a charming public library that requires all her attention with its severe lack of funds and overabundance of eccentric patrons. The last thing she needs is a new, available neighbor whose charm lures her into trouble. Dancer-turned-teacher and choreographer Richard Muir inherited the farmhouse next door from his great-uncle, Paul Dassin. But town folklore claims the house’s original owner was poisoned by his wife, who was an outsider. It quickly became water under the bridge, until she vanished after her sensational 1925 murder trial. Determined to clear the name of the woman his great-uncle loved, Richard implores Amy to help him investigate the case. Amy is skeptical until their research raises questions about the culpability of the town’s leading families . . . including her own. When inexplicable murders plunge the quiet town into chaos, Amy and Richard must crack open the books to reveal a cruel conspiracy and lay a turbulent past to rest in A Murder for the Books, the first installment of Victoria Gilbert’s Blue Ridge Library mysteries.

After four bridge players are poisoned, newspaper reporter Wendy Winchester sets out to catch a killer who's not playing with a full deck . . . When the four wealthy widows who make up the venerable Rosalie Bridge Club never get up from their card table, this quiet Mississippi town has its first quadruple homicide. Who put cyanide in their sugar bowl? An aspiring member and kibitzer with the exclusive club, Wendy takes a personal interest in finding justice for the ladies. She also has a professional motivation. A frustrated society columnist for the Rosalie Citizen, she's ready to deal herself a better hand as an investigative reporter. This could be her big break. Plus, she has a card or two up her sleeve: her sometimes boyfriend is a detective and her dad is the local chief of police. Partnering up with the men in her life, Wendy starts shuffling through suspects and turning over secrets long held close to the chest by the ladies. But when a wild card tries to take her out of the game, Wendy decides it's time to up the ante before she's the next one to go down . . .