Three reasons you should read this Cozy Mystery:

• Dead-End Detective by Amanda Flower is the first in a brand new Cozy Mystery series that promises a lot of fun and excitement.
• Darby Piper is an amazing character that I want to be crime-solving buddies and best friends with.
• The mystery had me wondering until the very last second, and I really enjoyed my “ah-ha” moment right along with Darby.

About Dead-End Detective by Amanda Flower

Title: Dead-End Detective
Author: Amanda Flower
Series: Piper and Porter Mystery #1
Genre: Cozy Mystery

They were the Two Girls Detective Agency.
Now, one of them is dead,
and the other is suspected of murder.

Darby Piper is in shock. Samantha Porter—her mentor and business partner at Two Girls Detective Agency—has died in a car crash, and it doesn’t look like an accident. In fact, evidence is pointing toward Darby.

Darby had expected to inherit Samantha’s half of the agency, but Samantha had recently changed the will to leave it to Tate Porter, her nephew, who returns to town.

Tate is no P.I. He’s a veteran, a world traveler, and something of a mystery himself. But as he helps Darby delve into secret histories and real estate development plans, he does seem to have a knack for the job. Will the agency have a future…even if Darby can prove her innocence in time?

My Review of Dead-End Detective:

Dead-End Detective by Amanda Flower was a fun story, but it felt like it had some holes. It starts off with a bang. Darby’s business partner and mentor dies – appears to have been run off a cliff in her car. But she was well-liked and no one knows who would want to hurt her – let along kill her. As a certified P.I. Darby is determined to figure it out, especially since it looks like she may be the number one suspect.

The author did a great job with this primary mystery. The clues were laid out beautifully, and each step was important, even if it wasn’t apparent why at first. I really enjoyed following the breadcrumbs and sharing the “ah-ha” moment with Darby. We figured it out at the same time, and it takes some writing skills to make that happen.

The biggest issue I had was some of the side mysteries. I can see why they were mentioned so we could have some background and people to question about Samantha’s death, but the one that they ended up solving just made no sense. It was a little too tidy and all forgiven. I’m hoping parts of it come into play in future books in the series though.

Overall, a good start to the series. I feel like I really go to know Darby. There are a couple of cats that keep things light-hearted. But I feel like Tate needs to round out a bit more. I didn’t even mention him before now, because he felt like a bit of an afterthought addition at times.

**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book** 

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Three reasons you should read this Cozy Mystery:

• The Game Changer by Jennifer Brown is a fun mix of sports and sleuthing with just a dash of baking – it sounds like an odd combo, but it worked!
• Hollie Bisbee may be a former big-city reporter, but she seems to fit well in her new small-town role.
• The book introduces a sidekick AND a potential love interest, and they are amazing characters.

About The Game Changer by Jennifer Brown

Title: The Game Changer
Author: Jennifer Brown
Series: Parkwood Mystery #1
Genre: Cozy Mystery

Hollie Bisbee used to be a big-city crime reporter. Now, she’s a small-town journalist, and she’s bored. She and a young mom, talented baker Daisy Mueller, start the Knock ‘Em Dead podcast…”Where murder and muffins meet!” It’s all fun, games, and baking tips until real murder comes to Parkwood. The coach of a rival football team turns up dead―the victim of a hit-and-run in the Parkwood High parking lot after a brutal Homecoming game loss. The entire town is on edge, and the police chief, whose son is the star quarterback, just may look the guiltiest of all.

With Hollie’s investigative skills and Daisy’s famous muffins…and in spite of the charming rookie police officer tasked with keeping Hollie out of the way… the podcasting duo sets out to solve their first real case.

This new cozy mystery, the first in a series, includes a killer free recipe for Cherry-Choco-Chunk Muffins. 

My Review of The Game Changer:

The Game Changer by Jennifer Brown was a touchdown first in series book. Hollie is struggling with her new journalism assignments. Used to the fast pace of the big city and huge stories, she’s now in a small town covering the new hot dog roller at the football game. Her struggle is soooo real. But at the same time, you can feel her love for the town and its people. She’s really found a new home.

But that new hot dog roller might be her big-ticket. When the rival team’s coach is run over in the parking lot – Hollie is the first on the scene. But it seems like the local police won’t be doing anything about it. Hollie is furious and is determined to figure it out herself.

Well, not entirely by herself. Enter the sidekick – a baking wonder whose only crime-solving skills come from watching TV. And I love her for it. Daisy’s family keeps things even more interesting, as they seem to be a huge tornado of chaos all the time.

Somehow these two manage to pick up on clues and start ruling out and coming up with new suspects. The police chief is not pleased and sends his new deputy out to keep an eye on them. The super cute and really nice deputy. The three form an unlikely team that mostly works together but sometimes get in each other’s way – just like life.

The Game Changer has all the highlights of a great cozy mystery. Humor, a possible love interest, great friendships, and great characters.

Pick up your copy today!

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Three reasons you should read this Cozy Mystery:

• Behind the Frame by Tracy Gardner is a great follow-up to Out of the Picture featuring the same great characters and town.
• While still very art-focused, there are always opportunities for Savannah’s friends and family to shine in their own way.
• Savannah and Dr. Aiden are still a bit of a pair, and I wonder if they’ll ever make it an official relationship.

About Behind the Frame by Tracy Gardner

Title: Behind the Frame
Author: Tracy Gardner
Series: A Shepherd Sisters Mystery #2
Genre: Cozy Mystery

Savanna Shepherd, an art expert turned elementary art teacher, is planning the Art in the Park festival for her hometown of Carson. But apparently, someone isn’t happy that Carson got to host the event: the beloved statue in the park is destroyed. Not long after, Savanna finds the dead body of one of the people on the planning committee.Savanna and her sisters are convinced that the arrested murder suspect didn’t do it, despite strong evidence to the contrary. With the help of Dr. Aidan Gallagher, Savanna’s new romantic interest, they uncover hidden resentments and intrigue. Several people in Carson had a motive for the murder. Can they find out which one of them is behind the framing of an innocent person?

My Review of Behind the Frame:

Behind the Frame by Tracy Gardner finds Savannah deep in another murder investigation. It all starts with a beheaded statue in the park and ends up with a dead councilman in his house. And of course, this all happens as the town is preparing for the Art in the Park festival. 

Savannah is certain the event will pull out, and she dives right in trying to figure out what is going on. Her investigation takes on a life of its own as she follows leads and uncovers a little more than she bargained for. 

With plenty of quirky characters and high-speed antics, Behind the Frame kept me turning the pages and wondering what Savannah and her sisters (I still can’t keep them straight in my head though) would get up to next. I almost wish the sisters would have a book that really focused on them so I could finally keep their names straight. I just can’t seem to do it even though I really want to! 

The ending was a bit of a surprise, and not where the case had led us at the beginning. Savannah was as fun as ever, and watching her relationship with the townsfolk grow was a lot of fun. I see her settling in for the long haul here and having plenty of adventures down the line.

***I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book***

Pick up your copy today!

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