Book picks similar to
A Death in the Family by Marlene Bateman


mystery
lds-fiction
cozy-mystery
young-adult

Brush with Love


Lisa McKendrick - 2017
    She arrives in Bluegill, Idaho, ready to spend the summer painting, excited to study under Walt's grandpa, a brilliant but aging artist. The more she is thrown together with Walt though--and the more she spends time with him--the more she realizes her heart may be drawing up its own plans. As the weeks pass, Lana realizes she'll have to choose between following her dreams or following her heart.

No Way Out


Christine Kersey - 2005
    Pregnant with her third child, and having problems at work, Abby is alarmed when her husband, Eric, vanishes without any warning. The police seem unable - or unwilling - to help. And what appeared to be a close-enough-to-perfect life gets permanently turned upside down when she finds an ominous book and a large amount of cash stowed in a forgotten corner of her closet.Left with few alternatives and forced to rely on people she normally wouldn't have trusted, Abby forges new friendships as her old wounds begin to heal. However, when past acquaintances turn threatening and dangerous, Abby begins to wonder if she ever actually knew the man she calls her husband.No Way Out does not contain any profanity or sexual content and is appropriate for all ages. It is approximately 67,000 words long.

Finding Faith


Terri Ferran - 2007
    She loves her family and is content with her life in California. That is, until her parents decide to move to Utah, the land of Mormons. New surroundings and culture shock do nothing to help Kit's social life. It is only with the help of Janet, a new friend, that Kit begins to adjust to life in Utah, as well as to the Mormon culture. Janet's older brother, Adam, is more than happy to befriend Kit, but when their feelings begin to go beyond friendship, Kit is torn. Does she really want to devote her heart to a boy who is going to leave her for two years to serve a mission for his faith? Can she support him when she doesn't even believe in his religion? As Kit looks deeper, she realizes that it isn't Adam's faith she needs to come to terms with - it's her own.

The Counterfeit


Robison Wells - 2006
    

Puzzle Pieces


Betsy Brannon Green - 2015
    With nothing but the clothes on her back, her escape from the ruthless manipulations of her former fiancé leaves her with little time to hide. There is only one person to whom she can turn, only one place she may be safe . . . Haggerty, Georgia, is known for its Southern hospitality and quirky inhabitants. For Presley, her Aunt Violet’s home in the tiny town is a lifesaving haven. Her aunt, along with a cast of delightful friends and neighbors, warmly welcomes her. For the first time in so long, she feels hope—a hope that hinges on hiding her past. But the dreams of solitude that she had envisioned quickly fade when a disturbing discovery is made in her aunt’s backyard: a human skeleton. At the first hint of crime, Haggerty’s own amateur sleuth, Miss Eugenia, is on the case. Along with handsome Haggerty resident Mac and sprightly ninety-nine-year-old Loralee, Presley is quickly drawn into a mystery spanning generations of Haggerty’s history. But when news coverage of the investigation digs up Presley’s own secrets, it’s up to her new friends to come to her aid, by whatever means necessary.

The Believer


Stephanie Black - 2005
    Welcome to New America—a place where reading the wrong book can cost you your life!Ian Roshek finally believes in something. The young history professor has studied a contraband copy of the Book of Mormon—and he knows what it says is true. But now his newfound convictions will be put to the test as he struggles to listen to the still, small voice, while society screams in his ear.Ian’s sister Jill and her influential boyfriend only see Ian as a man with religious delusions--a man who needs help. And though her facade of brutality hides it, police interrogator Alisa Kent feels a trace of compassion toward this flawed, but courageous man who stays true to his faith--despite the fact that it’s contrary to both logic and public opinion. If only for selfish reasons, she wants to know more. But soon Ian’s choices will ignite a chain of events that he, and those around him, cannot escape.

Waiting for You


Camille Halverson - 2014
    The drive to achieve partner status in his prestigious law firm has required his total commitment at the expense of any semblance of a personal life, and a relationship is the last thing he's looking for until he meets Kaitlin Salinger. Ryan and Kaitlin couldn't be more different: he comes from a prominent and close-knit LDS family, while she is an orphan with a shockingly painful past. Despite their differences, the two are pulled into a whirlwind romance that fills a void in each of their lives. But Kaitlin is the first serious threat to Ryan's aspirations, and as Ryan struggles to find a balance between his professional and personal lives, he finds himself standing at a crossroads. When a tragic turn of events forces him to reevaluate his path, will he be prepared to sacrifice everything for love?

Imprints


Rachel Ann Nunes - 2010
    In desperation, her parents turn to Autumn Rain for help. Autumn reads imprints—emotions left mysteriously behind on certain treasured objects. But is this ability a blessing or a curse?Sometimes Autumn isn’t sure—her life has become far from normal—but for people who have missing loved ones, her talent might mean the difference between life and death. Even the infuriating Detective Martin has asked for Autumn’s help, though at times she feels more like a suspect than a consultant. Too often Autumn finds herself retreating to her antiques shop and the company of her best friend, Jake Ryan, to avoid notice.But soon more than one woman is mission, and Autumn teams up with private eye Keefe McConnell to investigate their disappearance. Keefe’s attraction to her is a pleasant change from Jake’s frustrating offers of friendship, but once Autumn takes that first step, she sets in motion a series of events that risk not only her own life but the lives of those she cares about most.

For Elise


Sarah M. Eden - 2008
    For four years, Miles Linwood, the Marquess of Grenton, has felt incomplete without her. When a carriage breakdown leaves him temporarily stranded in a tiny town, Miles makes an unexpected discovery that will alter the course of his life, and rewrite the pages of his past.

Perfect Shot


Sonia O'Brien - 2006
    But now she has proof that her mother has been hiding the truth about her father, Jonathan-a man Reegan thought was long dead.In a dangerous turn of events, Reegan soon learns far more truth than she is ready for, and now she may be forced to pay the consequences for what an innocent eyewitness saw more than fourteen fateful years ago.

Digging Up the Past


Kerry Blair - 2003
    Now their reunion is taking place in a small Arizona jailhouse where the archeologist stands accused of murder. While Meredith can’t believe Jayce killed an undercover agent, her list of suspects is as short as the time Jayce may have to live. Hidden beneath the red clay desert in the ancient, mystical land of the Hopis is a ceremonial kiva—and the answers to the investigation. As Meredith and Jayce dig for clues and edge closer to unearthing the truth, someone is preparing to sacrifice Jayce—quite literally—to protect a profitable scheme. Can Meredith learn the truth in time to save the man she loves?

The Owl Thief (Utah O'Brien Mystery #1)


Jonni Good - 2015
    There's a local election coming up in three days. Utah is running in that election, and she hoped to win.The scene of the murder couldn't be worse, either—only six people have a key to City Hall, and Utah O'Brien happens to be one of them.The sheriff is out of town on a more important case. If she's going to clear her name, regain her reputation and, hopefully, win that election, Utah and her friends need to unmask the real killer before the voting starts—and before anyone else gets killed.You'll like this book if you enjoy character-driven mysteries that include dogs who take an active, realistic role in the plot. It's filled with likable small-town characters and plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. This is the first Utah O'Brien Minnesota Mystery. Almost non-stop drama and a fast moving plot kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish ... Really enjoyed the mix of the small town charm, and the fun cast of characters (loved Jocko too). "The Owl Thief" has an unpredictable plot, and a sassy and smart heroine in Utah, infused with a compelling storyline - felt really believable. Megan King—Goodreads

THE COMPLETE MONICA NOBLE MURDER MYSTERIES three utterly gripping cozy mysteries box set (Cozy crime and suspense mystery box sets)


Faith Martin - 2021
    

Fashion Goes to the Dogs: A Kate Killoy Mystery - Suspense for the Dog Lover


Peggy Gaffney - 2015
     Could Not Put Book Down - 5 stars "Peggy's description of the dog show scene is perfect and twisting a plot into the NY show was artful. Love introduced, politely and with good manners, leaving the reader hopeful the relationship continues in the next book. Where does Dillon go now that he is a champion dog? Ah, wait, wait...there will be more books." Sandra M. McDonald Can't wait for the next in the series! 5 stars "This book is a pure delight! ... Peggy writes a good action story, gives great insight into the dog show world, and develops a lovely love story, all around a very strong woman with classic self doubts. What a nice, nice read!" Susan H. An enjoyable story. 5 stars "I like dog books, detective stories, mysteries, and just about anything written well. This one had all of that. Although I haven't met the author personally I know her by reputation in the dog world, so I wanted to see what she had done. Within a few chapters it drew me in. I wanted to know what was going to happen, and found I was beginning to like the characters, which is a big deal to me. Even the names she used were easy to read. Her character development is better than you expect from a first time novelist, and the plot is well thought out with surprises in the right places. I was trying to ration the book and read just a few chapters at a time, but when I started reading today I decided to ignore the world until I finished. It's that good. I haven't enjoyed a book as much as this in ages." Ron Manor. FASHION GOES TO THE DOGS Kate Killoy is an expert at two things; knitting design and dogs. She arrives in New York City to launch her first line of fashion knits and exhibit her champion Samoyed, Dillon, but instead is drawn into a foreign world of international intrigue and attempts on her life. She even finds a dead body on her fashion show’s runway. When this witty romantic suspense story begins, it’s February. Fashion week is winding down and the country’s best known dog show is gearing up for a week of activities. In steps twenty-four year old Kate Killoy who has been showing dogs since she the age of seven and is launching a career as a designer. She is ready to take the fashion world by storm – those fashionable who love dogs. She’s invited her dog breeding friends to model her line of Fancier Fashions, before they compete in the best known dog show in the country. However, when she arrives at the event hotel she finds a poster of herself she never posed for, an FBI agent ready to arrest her and a bitchy dog groomer upsetting all her models. Her Irish temper and New England stubbornness keep her going ‘til the attempts on her life start piling up to the point where the police complain she is ruining the year’s crime statistics. She needs help. Along comes Harry Foyle, a former math geek for the FBI, who offers to help.

Whiteout


Brett Cain - 2019
    In a split second, Frank Sawyer’s car drifts and clips a passing van on the otherwise empty Montana highway. In the aftermath of the wreck, Sawyer encounters a gruesome scene: the van’s passenger did not survive. But it isn’t the crash that took his life—he’s been shot. Before Sawyer can assess what’s happened, he’s struck from behind. When he regains consciousness, he discovers that his attacker is gone, his car is missing—and the police have named him their prime suspect in the dead man’s murder. The harsh winter weather bears down as the chaos unfolds, and Sawyer finds himself trapped in the small town of Cluff. And law enforcement is keeping him firmly in their sights, so there’s no possibility of escape. As he struggles to clear his name, Sawyer looks to the past for answers, becoming embroiled in a decades-old mystery that may hold the key to proving his innocence.