Death on Puzzle Place (Secret Sleuth cozy mystery series, Book 8)

Book excerpt: Season’s greetings: Whodunit? Santa Claus is coming to town, but guess who’s coming first to Haines Tavern, Kentucky – Great-Aunt Kit. If Sheila and her fellow amateur detective Clara want to give her author relative what she most wants this Christmas, they’ll wrap up a murder investigation -- with a mysterious victim, intriguing suspects, and suspicious twists. Because this time, Kit wants to be involved firsthand in solving a suspenseful puzzle. The police – including Sheila’s romantic interest – want the amateur investigators to stand down. But how can they when the clues hit so close to home? Sheila’s Christmas cookie recipe is the apparent murder weapon, in the hands of one of the small town’s quirky characters and one of the favorite humans of Sheila’s rescue dog, Gracie the rough collie. She can’t disappoint her pet by stopping her detective work short of the thrilling answer to Whodunit? Kit also has ideas on solving Sheila’s romantic relationship with detective-once-more Teague O’Donnell, starting with revealing her most dangerous secret. But he’s keeping secrets of his own. By New Year’s, will this be a Christmas love story season to remember? Or a Grinch of a solution? Yuletide clues will keep Sheila, Clara, Kit -- and you – guessing as all celebrate the season in Book 8 of the Secret Sleuth mystery series by USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn. If you’re new to this page-turner cozy mystery series with humor, don’t miss its start, when Sheila encounters murder on a transatlantic cruise ship in Death on the Diversion. Then follow her to dry land in Death on Torrid Avenue and the gripping books that follow, because mysteries and deception 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 Riddle Road 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 Secret Sleuth: female sleuth, amateur detective, traditional mystery, mystery with humor, mysteries with humor humorous mysteries with dog, mystery with dog, small town crime, murder mystery, ex-cop boyfriend, Christmas holiday visitor family 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 Holiday Bullets Cue Up Head Room "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 "Colorful characters, intriguing, intelligent mystery, plus the state of Wyoming leaping off every page." -- Emilie Richards, USA Today bestselling author The Innocence Trilogy Proof of Innocence Price of Innocence Premise of Innocence Ride the River: Rodeo Knights (romantic suspense)