Wendy Meadows

When Nikki's husband of 20 years decided that he wanted a different life in Los Angeles it spawns a new life for her as well. Leaving behind Atlanta and her Journalism career there, she and her college bound son move to the small and tightknit town of Maple Hills, Vermont. With a bustling tourist season, the thriving community seems the perfect place to set up her new Chocolate Shop... yet opening day proves more deadly than profitable. A hit and run right outside her shop door leaves a man dead and questions swirling. When the victim is identified as Steven Denforth, the most hated and reviled man in town, it resurrects the fissures that had recently torn Maple Hills apart. It seems that when Denforth first came to town, the quiet man bought the local paper, then proceeded to publish damning articles about some of the communities' most prominent members - secrets that no one should have known about. Now he is dead and everyone is a suspect, including Nikki. As both a former reporter and an FBI Consultant, Nikki instinctively knows the dirt in Maple Hills is piled high and if she doesn't get to the bottom of it, and to the murder, then her stay in the quaint Northern Town may very well be short lived.

Raspberry Truffle Murder

Hazelnut pralines, coffee cremes, strawberry mousse delights and chocolate drops -- little bits of heaven that Olivia makes at the Block-a-Choc Shoppe; scrumptious. Could anything ever dampen these yummy treats? Maybe one thing. Murder ...

Cream of Sweet

It is well known that Momma Peach's bakery sells the best bread and peach pie in Pine Falls, Georgia. But what fewer people know is that Momma is also a bit of an amateur detective. One bright morning, her friend Michelle Chan pays her a visit and tells her that a strange man has been poisoned by her famous pie. Of course, Momma Peach wants nothing more than to find the culprit. But it is a lot harder than it looks. As Michelle and Momma's investigation goes on, more bodies begin to drop. Momma Peach and her loved ones are threatened by a dangerous killer with an agenda. It is up to the two ladies to keep the townsfolk safe from a murderer whose roots go deeper than either of them could ever imagine. Can Momma Peach, Michelle and their friends uncover the truth about the murders? Or will their faith and determination not be enough and they find themselves faced with even more deaths? Find out in this gripping cozy mystery by Wendy Meadows - and make sure to stock up on sweet tea and cobbler!

A Dash of Peach

This winter cozy mystery series can be read in one to two hours. It is perfect for those moments when you are waiting at an appointment or want to enjoy a quick read. Sarah Garland, a retired homicide detective who's gone through a painful divorce, seems to have found her peace at last, as a coffeeshop owner, in the sleepy (and freezing) small town of Snow Falls, Alaska. What she didn't expect, was for her past life to catch up with her. Or, for her new life as a mystery writer to inspire a deadly killer to target her.Yet, when the killer leaves a frightening clue-a creepy snowman, donning a leather jacket and eating a peppermint candy cane, left in front of her cabin-Sarah begins to suspect Conrad Spencer, the new detective in town, who is pursuing a murderer of his own. Soon, it becomes obvious that the sleuths would have to join forces, in order to catch the killer.Sarah and Conrad must put their tragic pasts behind them and find out who's after her...before the trail becomes frozen.

The Snowman Killer

An amateur sleuth with a new gift basket store, a customer found dead, and a cute police chief who helps solve the murder mystery. It was an innocent gesture to bring a little spice back to their marriage when Jessica Danver presented a handcrafted gift basket of goodies for herself and her husband, Reginald, to enjoy for date night. They have been struggling with money and regular blow-ups - except this time, one snick of a match to light a candle causes Reginald to go up in flames. Rumors circulate in the small community of Rosemary Harbor. Was it an accident, or was there more to it? Chief Preston is sent out to investigate: the first step, tracing where the gift basket was purchased. Sometimes the best cure for a broken heart is a fresh start. Hillary Sheridan is a widow who has just opened her shop with her daughter, Annabelle, to lead a normal life out of the spotlight after so many years caring for her late husband. Being questioned about a possible murder case is not a welcome she expected. It doesn't stop her curiosity, especially when the whole town is talking about it - inside and outside - of her shop. For Chief Preston, everything must be conducted by the book, but Reginald's past comes back to haunt him. He was a man who had many debts, making investments that his body couldn't insure. Debt wreaks havoc with people's hearts and minds - even to commit the unthinkable. In this cozy mystery, expect more than one blow up! This cozy mystery is a clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language. It can be read in one to two hours. It is perfect for those moments when you are waiting at an appointment or want to enjoy a quick read.

Wine's Up?

Will Rhonda and Rita's new life in Clovedale Falls and their dreams for the future be over before they even begin? Rita and Rhonda Knight are forty-four-year old twin sisters who retire from law enforcement and move to the quaint north Georgia town of Clovedale Falls in search of a quiet new life. They settle in for a lot of hard work getting their bakery business ready before the annual Pumpkin Festival begins, but they are taken by surprise when they find a dead man right next door-a dead man whose face is familiar. Suddenly the sleepy little town of Clovedale Falls is the scene of a growing mystery that threatens to destroy Rita and Rhonda's new life. And to make matters worse, because they are so new in town, who can they trust? When they meet a brave sheriff, a farmer who turns out to be a courageous friend, and a sweet elderly woman, they begin to find their footing in town and Rita and Rhonda set out to solve the murder, racing against time. The case turns darker when a second murder takes place and more unknowns are tossed into the mix. Uncertain what path to take or what to do, Rita and Rhonda have no choice but to wait until the killer comes for them, causing the twin sisters to reckon with frightening questions.

A Culinary Cozy Mystery Series

Bake It to the Limit

When Brenda Sheffield receives the letter from Edward Graham she knows her life will change drastically. She is now the proud owner of Sheffield Bed and Breakfast in the seaboard town of Sweetfern Harbor, willed to her by her uncle Randolph Sheffield. After pursuing a career as an amateur sleuth, she looks forward to the new challenge. Once she arrives in the picturesque village, the colorful shops and enticing townspeople hold her spellbound. Assured crime never happens in the safest place along the New England coast, she delves into her new career. Brenda learns that not all is as it seems in Sweetfern Harbor. A despicable woman named Lady Pendleton not only owns most of the town, but she also makes it her mission to continue vendettas against everyone by regularly raising rents on businesses and homes. She is known to have ruined people financially more than once. The day Lady Pendleton's car comes barreling toward the Sheffield Bed and Breakfast, Brenda watches in horror until it comes to an abrupt stop. When Lady Pendleton does not emerge from the car, Brenda discovers her slumped over the steering wheel. She is pronounced dead by the Coroner and he deems it a homicide. Most of the townspeople become suspects. The very handsome Detective Mac Rivers enlists Brenda's help in solving the case. Brenda discovers twists and turns in every tidbit of new information that reaches her. The intertwining of loyalties and fierce protection of one another in Sweetfern Harbor adds to the difficulty in solving the case. On top of that, Brenda must keep focused on the case, and not on Mac Rivers' charm.Sweetfern Harbor Bed and Breakfast Cozy Mysteries can be read in one to two hours. It is perfect for those moments when you are waiting at an appointment or want to enjoy a quick read.

Posies and Poison

When beloved Georgia baker Momma Peach finds Old Joe—a con man from her past—standing at her bakery door, the last thing she expects is to be drawn into a deadly political conspiracy. Old Joe witnessed the murder of a senator's son and now federal agents are on his trail, threatening not only his life but everyone who helps him. With the ruthless Agent Davison and his thugs closing in, Momma's peaceful small town is suddenly anything but tranquil. Detective Michelle Chan might have the badge, but it's Momma's intuition and quick thinking that could save them all. Together, they race to uncover the truth behind a murder that reaches all the way to Washington D.C. When Momma hides Old Joe in the secret cellar beneath her bakery—once used to shelter escaping slaves—she knows she's risking everything. But some connections run deeper than old grudges, and even a con man deserves justice. With unlikely help from nerdy newcomer Able Glates, Momma Peach must navigate treacherous waters where politics and murder make dangerous bedfellows. Will Old Joe find the redemption he never knew he needed? And can Michelle's newfound courage extend beyond the badge to matters of the heart? In Momma Peach's world, the sweetest bread can't mask the bitter taste of murder.

Peachy Criminals

A remote lake house, a threatening phone call, and a terrifying mystery that could be her last. Desperate to protect her best friend Julie after a strange threatening phone call, Bethany Lights flees Alaska to a small town nestled in the North Carolina mountains. But they’re not out of the woods yet. Somebody wants them dead… and Bethany is about to be catapulted into a terrifying fight for survival. Held hostage by masked madmen and trapped in a remote lake house, Bethany and Julie find themselves dragged into a confusing mystery with life-changing consequences. As the bodies begin to pile up, Bethany knows that their time is running out. Faced with murder, betrayal, and a deadly case filled with hungry scorpions, Bethany is horrified to realize that this time, the mystery involves her own mother… Can Bethany outsmart her captors and unravel the truth behind the killers? Or will her next case prove too much for her to beat? As the third riveting novel in the Snow Falls Alaska Mystery series, Bethany Light’s next adventure is a page-turning who-dun-it that’s brimming with head-scratching clues, a determined heroine, and all the twists and turns of a captivating cozy mystery.

Bagels and Betrayal

A creepy old manor, spine-chilling supernatural rumors, and a murderer stalking the shadows… Roped into visiting the infamous Dead and Breakfast, a spooky horror-themed vacation spot, Patricia McKay is expecting a stay filled with excitement and a few good scares. But after a vicious snowstorm descends and traps the guests inside, her visit begins to take a far more sinister turn. Stuck in a spooky old manor and sleeping in the very same room where a gruesome murder took place years ago, the horrors of the past rear their heads when a new dead body is discovered. Patricia soon finds herself caught up in a deadly murder mystery. With nobody to rely on but her strange host, she must unravel the clues and unmask the killer lurking in the shadowy halls – before it’s too late. But in the creaky old Dead and Breakfast, the rabbit hole goes deep. As she tumbles further into her investigation, Patricia must sleep with one eye open. With a murderer afoot, ghost stories are the least of her worries… Can Patricia unmask the killer and solve this sinister mystery? Or will she wind up as the Dead and Breakfast’s next victim? Perfect for fans of warm and cozy mysteries with lovable amateur sleuths and a trail of twists and turns, Whispering Hills Murder is a spooky and enjoyable who-dun-it that makes your imagination come alive.

Whispering Hills Murder

Romance is in the air....and so is danger. All seems well in the sleepy little town of Maple Hills, Vermont, especially for Nikki and her son, Seth. But then, a mysterious and dark stranger arrives in Nikki's cherished chocolate shop. This person, a serious and dark haired lady, brings with her an animosity towards Nikki, and the one person she never expected, or wanted, to see again.... Andrew, Nikki's ex-husband and Seth's father, suddenly creeps into town, carrying a load full of trouble and a lot of bad memories (and vibes) for Nikki. Things just couldn't possibly get worse for her, right? Dead wrong. All in a short time period, Nikki's shop is vandalized, Andrew turns up missing, then kidnapped, and the mystery woman ends up dead. Fortunately for Nikki, her brave beau, Hawk Daily, Maple Hills' finest and all of her family and friends come to her aid, in one way or another. But, this may be a mystery that just might be a little too close-and dangerous-for Nikki to handle this time. This cozy mystery is a clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language. It can be read in one to two hours. It is perfect for those moments when you are waiting at an appointment or want to enjoy a quick read. Read all the Maple Hills cozy mysteries: 1. Raspberry Truffle Murder 2. Peppermint Chocolate Murder 3. Blueberry Truffle Murder 4. Sea Salt Caramel Murder 5. Georgia Peach Truffle Murder 6. Gold Flake Chocolate Murder 7. Coconut Chocolate Murder 8. Turkey Truffle Murder 9. Christmas Chocolate Murder 10. Chocolate Heart Murder 11. Bear Truffle Murder

Bear Truffle Murder

It's Valentine's Day in the wintery small town of Maple Hills, and true love is in the air. Nikki Bates and her ever popular Choc-A-Block Shoppe are called upon once again, when Susan, the lovely daughter of Maple Hills' mayor, orders dozens of Nikki's wildly popular and oh-so-delicious confections for her upcoming wedding. All are invited to join in on Susan's special day, especially Nikki, Seth, Hawk and the rest of the Choc-A-Block team. Unfortunately, murder puts in an appearance as well, when poor Kim, one of Susan's bridesmaids and a good friend, is brutally and mysteriously murdered at the rehearsal party. When Maple Hills' mayor demands the killer be found before the wedding, Nikki and Hawk get on the case pronto. But, just when they've named Kim's beau, John, as a prime suspect, the case takes an unexpected turn. Love is on the line, as Nikki and Hawk move to solve a murder, exonerate or implicate a man in mourning of his lost love, save a wedding from danger and tragedy, and protect the people they love-including each other. This cozy mystery is a clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language. It can be read in one to two hours. It is perfect for those moments when you are waiting at an appointment or want to enjoy a quick read. Read all the Maple Hills cozy mysteries: 1. Raspberry Truffle Murder 2. Peppermint Chocolate Murder 3. Blueberry Truffle Murder 4. Sea Salt Caramel Murder 5. Georgia Peach Truffle Murder 6. Gold Flake Chocolate Murder 7. Coconut Chocolate Murder 8. Turkey Truffle Murder 9. Christmas Chocolate Murder 10. Chocolate Heart Murder 11. Bear Truffle Murder

Chocolate Heart Murder

Stranded and snowed-in, a murderer walks among them… Lost and struggling after her retirement from the Force, detective Rita Knight hopes that escaping to a quiet life with her boyfriend Billy is exactly the thing she needs to move on and reinvent herself. But when a trip to a remote snow lodge deep in the wilderness of Maine ends with a gruesome murder, it seems that her old life won’t let her get away so easily. Wading into a deadly mystery and cut off from the outside world by a vicious snowstorm, Rita and her twin sister Rhonda must use all of their cunning to unravel the dark secrets of the guests around them. But it won’t be that easy. As cracks start to appear in Rita’s relationship with Billy, she’s faced with difficult choices about her future that threaten to cloud her vision and sabotage the investigation. Things only get worse when Rhonda falls ill. Forced to solve the case all on her own, Rita is prepared to do whatever it takes to bring one last killer to justice – even if that means venturing head-first into a deadly snowstorm…Can Rita tack down the killer, or will her emotions blind her to the truth? And can she bear to let Billy walk out of her life forever? Combining a hair-raising murder mystery with a beautiful wintery backdrop and a seasoned sleuth, Cast the First Scone is perfect for readers looking to get cozy and dive into their next head-scratching who-dun-it.

A Culinary Cozy Mystery

Cast the First Scone

Maybe--just maybe--Hawk will admit to Nikki that he's ready to go a step further by giving her a ring? But until he can, Nikki has to figure out who slipped poison in her chocolate peppermint and poisoned a customer. Lidia and Tori are the prime suspects, but the real killer is out there, watching and waiting! This cozy mystery is a clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language. It can be read in one to two hours. It is perfect for those moments when you are waiting at an appointment or want to enjoy a quick read.

Coconut Chocolate Murder

A Call of Hope After Sarah returns home from solving a dangerous homicide case in Michigan, she receives a call from a nurse claiming to work for a fertility specialist that Sarah has been seeing. Excited at the prospect of finally becoming pregnant, Sarah happily agrees to a new appointment. But when the doctor turns up dead and the nurse who contacted Sarah turns out to be a vicious killer, Sarah is thrust into another dark nightmare. A Nursing Nightmare Caught in a terrible winter storm, Sarah and the killer are both separated from each other and forced to wait out the storm. While the wait wears on, Sarah develops a risky plan with her former colleague Los Angeles Detective Pete and makes a vital discovery. Sarah hopes her plan will capture the killer and finally drown the nightmare that has been haunting her heart and dreams since her first case in Snow Falls, Alaska. An Uncertain Outcome When the storm ends, Sarah leaves for Los Angeles without knowing the killer has learned her deepest fear. Will Sarah succumb to a woman determined to kill her, or will she outwit her own fear, capture a killer, and finally become pregnant?

Point of Snow Return

Survival of the Fittest After surviving a deadly virus, Sarah is glad to be safely back home in her warm cabin in Snow Falls, Alaska with her husband Detective Conrad Spencer. But her cozy morning is turned upside down when her best friend Amanda arrives with bad news. Matters turn worse when a dead body turns up and a deranged killer arrives in town, bent on fulfilling the wishes of a mentally ill woman determined to kill Amanda. A Friend in Need Forced to defend the life of her best friend, Sarah must battle a terrifying snowstorm and a shadowy foe hiding in the whiteout conditions – not to mention her own inner fears. Desperate for answers, Sarah relies on an old friend from her days as a Los Angeles homicide detective. However, the monster Sarah is fighting isn't as easy to capture and is far more deadly than she realizes. A Recurring Nightmare Will Sarah finally meet her end and die in a snowstorm surrounded by dark shadows and the shattered remnants of her life? Or will she find the will to fight a deadly snowman, staring insanity in the face in order to find victory?

Danger in the Snow

Dive into a thrilling cozy mystery with a dash of action and a suspenseful cat-and-mouse game that will keep you on your toes. A killer is on the loose – and she’s the next victim. Eager to return home after a series of unusually uneventful trips, Patricia looks forward to some quiet time with her boyfriend in their small town in Georgia. She’s relieved to not any have more murder mysteries on her hands – but she has no idea what she’s about to be dragged into. When a seemingly ordinary visit for some Fall-themed festivities ends with a double murder and Patricia’s own close brush with death, she stumbles into an elusive mystery – and it quickly becomes clear that someone is prepared to kill her to protect it. If she hopes to unravel the murders, she’ll be forced to travel to the heart of Atlanta and get into the mind of the insane killer who is stalking her every move. Locked in a deadly race against time to unmask the murderer before they can get to her, Patricia must push her skills to the limits and stay one step ahead if she wants to stay alive. Can Patricia bring the identity of her would-be killer to light? Or will she end up six feet under before her next travel assignment? Keywords: travel writer mystery series, cozy murder mysteries, traveling amateur sleuth, cozy mystery novels collection, small town mystery, mysteries women sleuths, older sleuth mystery, cosy mystery, amateur sleuth, traditional mystery, mystery, small town mystery, female protagonist mystery, murder mystery, cozy mysteries, female sleuth, series, female protagonist, novel, secret, suspense, mystery detective stories, mystery romance books clean, mystery romance suspense, mystery suspense murder, mystery with women, mystery women books, mystery romance, cosy mystery book, book to read and download

Travel Writer Cozy Mystery

Beneath the Corn Maze

Maple Hills Mystery box set includes the first four stories in this culinary mystery series. Good, clean, hobby sleuthing for you to enjoy. #1 Raspberry Truffle Murder A new chocolate shop owner in a cozy Vermont town, a hit and run leaves a man dead, and unexpected twists no one saw coming... #2 Peppermint Chocolate Murder A woman sleuth, a handsome detective, and a dead body found in their cozy town… Can Nikki and Hawk solve this mysterious murder? #3 Blueberry Truffle Murder It's a murder case that cuts just a little too close to home for Nikki, an amateur sleuth, in the latest crime to hit her not-so-quiet cozy town! #4 Sea Salt Caramel Murder Trouble seems to follow Nikki like a dark cloud of misfortune. When the Captain of her cruise ship is murdered, it is up to her to get to the bottom of the mystery. Keywords: chocolate cozy mystery series, culinary cozy mystery books, Vermont amateur sleuth mystery, cozy mystery romance, bakery mystery sleuth, east coast clean mystery series, cosy mystery, amateur sleuth, traditional mystery, mystery, small town mystery, female protagonist mystery, murder mystery, cozy mysteries, female sleuth, series, female protagonist, novel, secret, suspense, mystery detective stories, mystery romance books clean, mystery romance suspense, mystery suspense murder, mystery with women, mystery women books, mystery romance, cosy mystery book, book to read and download

Books 1-4

Maple Hills Cozy Mystery Box Set, Books 1-4

Bethany Lights was looking forward to her new life in Snow Falls, a tiny community in the depths of the Alaskan wilderness. Settling in to a life that was mundane was all she wanted for now but events would soon overtake her and her roommate Julie. When an opportunity to help renovate a ski resort comes up, Bethany and Julie jump at the chance to get to an even more remote spot, reachable only by snowmobile. Traveling with an irritable and cranky old man and his wife, the two friends arrive at the secluded spot to discover that it is far from what they had hoped for. Cold and dark, and perched on a lonely mountaintop, there’s not another living soul for miles around. Or is there? When their spare fuel for their snowmobile is stolen it’s worrying enough to imagine that an unknown person is lurking. But when a dead body literally falls out of the walk-in freezer it becomes apparent that something is terribly wrong. With a killer on the loose, no way of summoning help from the outside world and a storm rolling in, Bethany and her friends are about to find out that the wilds of Alaska aren’t the only dangers they face. Someone is out to kill them. Now, at the edge of her sanity and the edge of the world too, Bethany is going to need all her wits if she is to survive the coming hours and get off the mountain alive.

Fritters and Fatality

A Lakeside Murder The usually quaint town of Snow Falls, Alaska has recently been wracked with a series of crimes. As each one is solved, another one appears. A Park Ranger has been found dead near Diamond Lake. Biological warfare secrets are found buried with him in the snow and have ominous implications for the world. An Overwhelming Task Sarah Garland, Amanda Funnel, and Detective Conrad Spencer are inundated with the task of solving this crime in their cozy town. Not only are the number of suspects overwhelming, but the fate of the world rests in their hands, as the clock ticks towards the release of a biological virus. An Ominous Implication When Amanda is taken hostage by a suspicious newcomer, Sarah and Detective Spencer must make some hard decisions in order to overcome the looming threats. Can the group work fast to solve this mystery, before more innocent lives are put in danger?

Wendy Meadows

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