Book picks similar to
Murder At The Playgroup by Liz Hedgecock


mystery
mystery-cozy
first-in-series
free-ebooks

Murder at the Mayan Temple


M.J. Mandrake - 2017
    After a disastrous broken engagement, she's perfectly content to spend her days with her service dog, Chica, and a motley crew of wealthy vacationers. Her life involves playing Bingo, enjoying the chocolate fountain, and passing along the occasional complaint about the quality of the bed sheets. On a cruise ship the food is good, the music is lively, and everyone is friendly. Life is quiet, just as it should be... until murder arrives in the night. At the top of a Mayan pyramid in the humid Amazon jungle, one of her tour group is found sacrificed to the gods. A clue left at the scene makes it clear this is a deeply personal act of revenge― and the killer may have another victim in his sights. As the entire tour group is brought in for questioning, Kitty and Chica find themselves in a race against time. A hurricane is bearing down on the city, the cruise ship is set to depart, and they’re sequestered in an embassy house with a vicious murderer. The only person standing in her way is an enigmatic attaché to the American embassy who doesn't take kindly to all her questions― especially about himself. Should Kitty be on guard against the mysterious and strikingly handsome detective, or are they birds of a feather in search of a killer? A cozy mystery with recipes!

Murdered in Argentina


Dianne Harman - 2016
    She and Ray’s wife, Lisa, along with some help from Cayo the cat, begin their search for the murderer, but who did it? When it becomes apparent that the small town’s chief of police isn’t going to be of any help, because he hates Americans, it’s up to them to figure out which of the suspects murdered Ray.Was it Mitch Graham, who made no pretense of the fact he was ready to take over the presidency of the company? Janelle Byers, the Chief Financial Officer who had been accused of embezzlement at her last job? Brad Dixon, who coveted Ray’s antique Winston fly rod, Hardy reel, and early 20th century hand-tied flies? Pablo Varela, a local fishing guide, whose wife desperately needed medical care that he couldn’t afford? Or could it even have been Ray’s wife, Lisa?

Gumboots, Gumshoes & Murder (Murder She Wrote meets Fargo)


Laura Hesse - 2011
    Betty Bruce, and her pot-bellied pig, Gertrude, stumble upon the body of elderly widow, Eliza Bone, floating bottoms-up in her Oscar fish tank. The one clue they have is a set of muddy gumboot tracks left at the scene. Their problem: everyone on Seal Island wears gumboots.As two more bizarre deaths occur on the island, Betty is left to wonder if there is a serial killer at work on her beloved Island. In the end, only Gertrude may be left standing! "Gumboots, Gumshoes and Murder" is the first novel in the trilogy of a continuing story - The Gumboot & Gumshoe Series. "The Dastardly Mr. Deeds" and "Murder Most Fowl" are the sequels. They need to be read in this order. Due to numerous requests by readers, two standalone stories will be released in 2020 - Gertrude & The Sorcerer's Gold and Chasing SantaFor more information on author, Laura Hesse, visit www.RunningLProductions.com

The Missing Pom Mystery


Donna Doyle - 2021
    She’s ready for a change, and when she finds an opening at the Curly Bay Pet Hotel and Rescue, it seems like the perfect fit. Until a prize winning Pom disappears on the very first day and Courtney is in the firing line!The finger is pointed at her, and she has to get to the bottom of the case before her life is turned upside down once again.Join Courtney Cain in her very first Curly Bay Animal Rescue Cozy Mystery and meet a host of quirky, lovable characters, both furry and otherwise!

Cats' Eyes


Mollie Hunt - 2013
    The uncut stone, one of a pair called the Cats’ Eyes, has been stolen from its wealthy owner, but how it ended up a cat toy, even the robbers cannot guess. Threatened by kidnapping, theft, and murder, Lynley is determined to maintain her serenity, even if it means finding the crooks herself. With the police completely baffled, friends, family, and a hunky humane society investigator come onboard to help. The killer thinks Lynley has the diamonds and will go to any lengths to get them back. Will Lynley live to clean the litter box another day?

A New Place, Another Murder


Christa Nardi - 2018
      Pretty much settled into her new home in Appomattox with Brett and his daughter, Sheridan longs for something to keep her busy.  That is, until Maddie and her new friend are framed for theft and murder.  Not quite the distraction she had hoped for, but she’ll turn over every rock to prove their innocence.  In the process, she learns about the powerful Buchanan family and the history of local community.  Will the truth come out before the person calling the shots takes Sheridan and Maddie out of the picture?

Missing in Mystic Grove (Liz Bean, #1)


S.F. Bose - 2018
    Bose featuring Liz Bean, woman sleuth. Liz Bean Mystery Series Book 0 - Missing in Mystic Grove (Prequel) Book 1 - Murder in Mystic Grove It’s Thanksgiving Week at the Bean Family Bed and Breakfast. Liz Bean is looking forward to helping her family prepare a Thanksgiving dinner and celebration for their B&B guests. Two months earlier, a traumatic event prompted Liz to leave her job as a field translator with Worldhead Global Security in Virginia and return home to Mystic Grove. After four years of hiding what she really did in the Covert Services Group at Worldhead, Liz is relieved to be home. She looks forward to a peaceful and enjoyable holiday. Then everything falls apart. A B&B guest reports that a piece of her jewelry has gone missing. Then she suggests that another guest might have actually stolen it. The guest gives them four days to find her jewelry or she’ll call the police. Grandma Addie Bean shivers at the thought of the negative online reviews the guest might leave if they don’t find her jewelry. Grandma Addie pairs Liz with Sam Nolan, a quirky private investigator who’s a frequent diner at the B&B. Their meeting is like oil and water, but Liz knows they have to team up to help the B&B. When their prime suspect disappears, the situation goes from bad to worse. As they investigate each lead, Liz realizes that she’s not the only one in Mystic Grove who’s keeping secrets. When the truth is revealed, it takes everyone by surprise. This action-packed mystery featuring a young woman sleuth and her private investigator partner will keep you guessing all the way to the surprising ending. The Reviews are In! "I read book 0 and book 1. Loved them both! Plenty of mystery and suspense. Really great characters that I want to enjoy reading about again and again." "This was really an excellent mystery. Lots of twists and turns. I liked and identified with the heroine. The other characters were believable and interesting. I would recommend this to any mystery lover." "Lively characters and good story. Enjoyed from start to finish. Unexpected events." "Missing in Mystic Grove" is a prequel to S.F. Bose’s first mystery novel, "Murder in Mystic Grove", and I enjoyed this one just as much. At 148 pages, it’s a shorter story, but just as much fun to read. It starts out as a story about a ring that may be lost or stolen, but quickly develops into so much more. Ms. Bose has a knack for building suspense and fleshing out characters. I hope she continues the series because I want to see what happens to her main characters next." "I was very excited when I saw S.F. Bose's new book, Missing in Mystic Grove, released. Great characters and plot. Once again, twists and turns and an ending I didn't expect.

Killer Apple Pie


Carolyn Q. Hunter - 2017
    HUNTER!!!Bertha Hannah’s two passions in life are books and piping hot homemade pies, and when an opportunity arises for her to open her own pie and book shop, she jumps in headfirst, only to find that preparing to open her own shop isn’t exactly a piece of cake.In the midst of getting organized and putting the pieces in place for her grand opening, tragedy strikes, far too close for comfort. All the while mourning the untimely death of an old friend, Bertha finds herself having to deal with pompous detectives, money-grubbing investors and unruly customers, which truly threatens to upset her apple cart.Will she be able to unravel the mystery which has presented itself at the worst of times? Or, will her dream business be finished before it even starts?

Until Death Do Us Tart


Holly Plum - 2016
     Bakery owner Joy Cooke is known around town for her scrumptious cakes, flaky pastries, and her killer chocolate tart. But when Joy's client, a batty bride-to-be, learns her ex-boyfriend is dead after eating one of Joy's desserts, the bakery becomes the center of a murder investigation. With the help of a spacy assistant and a fluffy cat named Cheesecake, Joy sets out to find the murderer. Her investigation points to her number one competitor in town, but would Joy's rival Maple McWayne resort to murder to put her out of business?

Murder at Castle Rock


Anne Marie Stoddard - 2013
    To make matters worse, the police suspect foul play—and all signs point to two of Castle Rock's own employees. Ame soon finds herself in a race against time to clear the names of her friends and uncover the truth before the killer decides it's curtains for her too! **Winner, 2012 BookLogix & AJC Decatur Book Festival Writers Contest** "Fast-paced and entertaining, Anne Marie Stoddard gives readers a backstage pass to murder taking center stage and demanding an encore." ~ Rochelle Staab, award winning author of the Mind for Murder mysteries

The Wedding Cake Murder (The Arizona Summers Mysteries Book 1)


Susan Keene - 2019
    Is it a murder or an accident? Arizona Summers and her psychic dog Nutmeg love to solve crimes. The new chief Keith Wesley makes it clear he doesn’t want her help. Once he realizes Arizona is the go-to person with whom the townspeople share their deepest and darkest secrets. The handsome new chief tries to get back in Arizona’s good graces but she doesn’t make it easy. It’s hard for Ary to keep the restaurant she owns running smoothly when her mother, Emma causes chaos at every turn. Even her Aunt Sandy, who referees her sister and niece, shakes her head at Emma’s shenanigans. Join the fun and the humor of this great mystery series. Get your copy today.

Berry The Dead: A Sequel Series To "A Murder In Milburn"


Nancy McGovern - 2018
    Now, after a twenty-five year hiatus, she is back! And there’s a lot to catch up on! So much so that we just had to “Return To Milburn”! About Berry The Dead: Finding herself as the guest of honor at a surprise party for her 55th birthday, Nora is thankful for the wonderful friends & family with whom she has been blessed. She’s also grateful for how long it has been since ending up knee-deep in a murder mystery. For years, her days have been filled with delicious baking & fantastic times with loved ones. Life is good! Then her housekeeper is found dead, poisoned by berries… To make things worse, the new sheriff seems determined to brush her death off and move on. But Nora knows this wasn’t an accident. And, if she wants to see the killer brought to justice, she also knows it’s time for her to spring into action. So, with the help of her friends, Tina & Simone, Nora jumps headlong back into the murder game. And this time she’s older, wiser and in more danger than ever! Join Nora Newberry in this first book of her new series, “Return To Milburn”, and find out what we’ve all been missing since we saw her last! NOTE: If you have not read Nora’s first series, “A Murder In Milburn”, you do not have to do so to enjoy this book/series! You can jump right in! But, if you’d like to catch up on the past, you can get ALL 12 BOOKS from the previous series in a big box set right here on Amazon! And for a hugely discounted price! And please sign up for Nancy McGovern’s newsletter using the link inside this book! When you do, you’ll receive behind-the-scenes info about her (and Emma Lee’s) stories, updates on future releases and a FREE PREQUEL to “A Murder In Milburn” as a Thank You for joining the family! You’ll love it!

Murder at Match Point


Myrtle Morse - 2020
    If you love uplifting cozy mysteries, quirky cats, and snarky humour, you’ll love this series. Pick up this page-turning cozy cafe mystery today!

Triple Dipped Murder


Gretchen Allen - 2018
    Trying her best to protect a trusted employee, she finds herself smack dab in the middle of investigating a murder that rocks the tiny town to its foundations. Situations get sticky as secrets are exposed, forcing Yvette to race against the clock to solve the crime in this edge-of-your-seat Cozy Mystery.

Philanderers Gone


Beth Byers - 2019
     Hettie and Ro married manipulative, lying, money-grubbing pigs. Therefore, they were instant friends. When those philandering dirtbags died, they found themselves the subjects of a murder investigation. Did they kill their husbands? No. Did they joke about it? Maybe. Do they need to find the killer before the crime is pinned on them? They do! Join Hettie and Ro and their growing friendship as they delve into their own lives to find a killer, a best friend, and perhaps a brighter new outlook. Book ONE in The Hettie & Ro Adventures. Are you ready for the roaring twenties? For spunky widows determined to take hold of their lives and learn from their mistakes? Who plan to crash into adventure and come out dancing? If so, you’ll love Hettie and Ro. For fans of Carola Dunn, Jacqueline Winspear, Georgette Heyer, Leighann Dobbs, and Lee Strauss. A light, cozy mystery with a fun peek into life in the life of a bright young thing. No swearing, graphic scenes, or cliffhangers.