Book picks similar to
A Bittersweet Murder by Kaz Delaney
aussie-authors
mystery
romance-book-haven
police
The Missing Girl
Kerry McGinnis - 2021
Her ailing grandmother, who raised her when she was orphaned as a child, has always been a formidable figure in her life, and this is hardly a welcome summons.When Meg arrives at the ramshackle old homestead, she learns that the place is up for sale. She is expected to care for the property with its extensive garden, while packing up the contents of the house. As she begins the arduous work of bringing the grand old homestead back to its former glory, she is forced to examine the question that has plagued her all her life – why nobody loved her as a child.As the house unfolds the history of an earlier age, it also spills out secrets Meg had never imagined – in particular, the discovery of an aunt she never knew, her mother’s twin sister, Iris. The discovery brings horror in its wake, as Meg learns the secrets of the missing girl and the truth behind a wicked heart where love simply never existed. The more she uncovers, the more questions she has. With her grandmother unwilling to share what she knows, Meg must seek out the truth for herself.Set against the stunning backdrop of the Australian bush in summer, with the ever-present threat of bushfire at its back, this is a highly evocative story of secrets and betrayal from the bestselling author of Croc Country.
Mystic Falls
Vickie McKeehan - 2017
While trying to come to terms with the loss of her Gram, disturbing things begin to happen. Women are disappearing. Just when she begins to realize Coyote Wells has changed—and not for the better—she’s forced to bump heads with Lando Bonner, her ex, a man who still carries around a grudge. But since she’s digging for answers trying to explain exactly how her grandmother died, she needs his help. It won’t be easy. Lando has never forgiven her for leaving him. Tensions flair between the two as a killer grips the town in fear. Is it kill or be killed? Who will the killer target next? And when will it all end?
Death Turns a Trick
Julie Smith - 1982
That dirty job done, a lovely evening turns even more delightful when she’s picked up by the cops and spends the next two hours at the Hall of Justice. Could this day get any worse? Of Course! Guess who arrives home to find a dead hooker on her living room floor?Handsome Parker Phillips, Rebecca’s new beau and the most attractive man she’s met in ages, is arrested for the murder. (Worse, she suspects he might actually have done it.)On the plus side, another very attractive man is following the case--reporter Rob Burns of the San Francisco Chronicle, a possible ally. And there are other possibilities.Fans of Janet Evanovich, Joan Hess, and Elizabeth Peters will get a kick out of this one.
Loose Screw
Rae Davies - 2011
She even lets a cat shove her around.When Lucy trips over the body of a buckskin-clad relics trader, her ex-boss asks her to cover the story. She tries to tell him no, but old habits die hard and soon she finds herself directly in the path of a killer and the exasperating, if attractive, detective in charge.Can Lucy catch a killer or is this the last confrontation for her—period?
Call Waiting
Dianne Blacklock - 2003
Her dreams of a fulfilling life after art college didn't include cleaning up after bored school children and being a doormat for her yuppie boyfriend. What she really wants is to be more like her friend Meg - at least she has turned her art training into a lucrative job in computer design, not to mention having a doting husband and a gorgeous baby son to complete the package.But when Ally's grandfather and sole relative dies, she returns to the Southern Highland home of her childhood where she must confront painful issues from her past that her safe life in the city has allowed her to ignore. Meanwhile, Meg is not as happy as Ally imagines. Dissatisfied with her picture-perfect life, a restless Meg longs to inject more passion and spontaneity into her days - but at what cost to her family's happiness?
Murder in Starry Cove
Lucinda Harrison - 2021
Will this be the new beginning she so desperately wants, or will the mysteries and secrets of this small town bring it all crashing down?After Poppy unexpectedly inherits her uncle’s Victorian mansion in Starry Cove, she makes grand plans to open a bed-and-breakfast. But when the local handyman winds up dead and the bodies start to pile up, Poppy’s recent arrival in the town raises eyebrows and sets tongues wagging. To make matters worse, she soon discovers the mansion has hidden secrets of its own that threaten her very safety.With the help of two faithful new friends, Poppy hatches a plan to track down the killer and clear her name. But can she nab the murderer before one of them becomes the next victim?
Undertaking Irene
Pamela Burford - 2014
To dead people.Life gets complicated for Jane and her Death Diva business when she’s hired to liberate a gaudy mermaid brooch from the corpse during a wake—on behalf of the rightful owner, supposedly. Well, a girl’s got to make a living, and this assignment pays better than scattering ashes, placing flowers on graves, or bawling her eyes out as a hired mourner. Unfortunately for Jane, someone else is just as eager to get his hands on that brooch, and he’s even sneakier than she is, not to mention dangerously sexy.Just when she thinks her biggest problem is grand theft mermaid, things take a murderous turn. But hey, when you’ve teamed up with a neurotic seven-pound poodle named Sexy Beast, how can you go wrong?
Death by Chowdah
Donna Walo Clancy - 2017
He secretly purchases the local lighthouse and surrounding property to open The Shipwreck Cafe. Rich in history, the lighthouse is rumored to be haunted by multiple ghosts and hiding a buried treasure worth millions. Robbie, Jay's younger brother, surfs by day and tends bar at the cafe by night. He doesn't like ghosts, but it's okay, because they don't like him either. Stormy, an abandoned golden retriever who has been living at the lighthouse, is adopted by Jay. Together, they move in to the keeper's cottage. Two murders in as many weeks transpire in Anchor Point. Who is killing the locals and why? Jay, Robbie, and Roland Knowles, one of the ghosts, must work together to bring answers and peace back to their beloved town.
Inn Keeping with Murder
Lynn Bohart - 2013
Claire Inn, no one is surprised. After all, Martha had a heart condition. But when her death is ruled a murder, the inn’s owner, Julia Applegate, becomes the prime suspect. Julia recruits her “sixty-something” group of friends to launch their own investigation. Together with the inn’s resident ghosts, including Julia’s recently deceased mother who has learned to use a cell phone, they go after the truth. Add to that a talking parrot who likes to quote old movies, a Harlequin Great Dane, two miniature Dachshunds, a very handsome detective (or two), and get ready for a romp down mystery lane!WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THE 'OLD MAIDS'"This book had me riveted for hours.""I couldn't put my Kindle down until I finished the entire book.""Wonderful read. The characters soon become your neighbors.""I am not usually into paranormal books. But this one made me laugh out loud, often!"
Bitter Nothings
Vicki Tyley - 2012
Her father is the prime suspect. And things are about to get a whole lot worse…Graphic designer Dervla Johns wakes one morning to the news that her father, Warren, is missing and her stepmother and step-siblings were found dead in their beds. While the police hunt for Warren, Dervla searches for answers. Could her father really be a killer? Refusing to be warned off by police threats, or intimidated by the reporter who appears to be following her, she delves into her family’s past.But as she uncovers one shocking secret after another, Dervla’s world is rocked further by another murder – and she finds herself desperately trying to untangle a web of illicit love and betrayal. Soon, Dervla must face her greatest fear… or suffer the same deadly fate as her stepmother.“If you like mystery fiction with a psychological flair, Vicki Tyley will deliver. She understands that fiction is about real people, and that real people have their dangerous flaws.” –Scott Nicholson, Bestselling author of Liquid Fear
Hazel Raises the Stakes
M.Z. Andrews - 2018
So when the World Championship of Poker and Gwynie are both in Vegas at the same time, but Hazel's left back at home with crazy Loni Hodges babysitting, what's a girl to do?
Strictly Murder
Lynda Wilcox - 2012
What they failed to mention was the dead celebrity in the master bedroom. Personal assistant Verity Long's house hunt is about to turn into a hunt for a killer. It will take some fancy footwork to navigate the bitchy world of dance shows, television studios, and dangerously gorgeous male co-stars. When Verity looks like the killer's next tango partner, she discovers that this dance is ... Strictly Murder.
Paging the Dead
Brynn Bonner - 2013
With the help of her business partner and medium, Esme Sabatier, she is able to achieve extraordinary results in tracing family histories, which she translates into archival-scrapbooking. When one of their clients ends up dead and the evidence in the crime scene points to them, Sophie and Esme are immediately suspected of foul play. To clear their names they need to channel all of their investigative efforts—with the help of their scrapbooking club—into finding a murderer.
Death Is Like a Box of Chocolates
Kathy Aarons - 2014
With Erica by her side, Michelle must pick through an assortment of suspects before the future of their dream store melts away…FIRST IN A NEW SERIESIncludes Scrumptious Chocolate-Making Recipes!
Witch of Key Lime Lane
Gabrielle Keyes - 2021
A house on a haunted island. A woman needing a fresh start. Lily Blanchett, restaurant owner and ex-wife of celebrity chef, Derek Blanchett, has had enough. After publicly setting fire to the last of his things (and making headlines for it), she needs a break from the divorce, and her Aunt Sylvie’s cottage in the Florida Keys seems just the thing. The twins are halfway through college, her mother insists she’ll go crazy if she doesn’t leave NYC for a bit, and nobody seems to need her middle-aged butt around anymore.So, why not break away for a while? It'll only be temporary.But the little Victorian at the end of Key Lime Lane is a strange place where doors open and close as they please, a mermaid fountain watches her, a strange cat appears when Lily least expects it, and her witchy neighbors hold “moon parties” on the beach. Throw in a woke ol’ sea dog and a hot captain with a boat named the “Sea Witch” and Lily is soon surrounded by an eccentric motley crew.Can big-city, fast-paced Lily get a fresh start on a sleepy little island with a name like Skeleton Key? At forty-five with nowhere else to go, she’s about to find out.WITCH OF KEY LIME LANE, a story about starting over in midlife, harnessing the magic within, and friendships after divorce, is Book #1 in the Dead & Breakfast series by Gabrielle Keyes.