Briarwood Cozy Mystery

Cozy town, curious clues, and one fitness instructor turned amateur detective. Murder has never stretched this far... Emily Rodriguez thought she'd left high-stress problem-solving behind when she traded her engineering career for a new life in Briarwood. As the owner of Flex & Flow Fitness Studio, she spends her days teaching yoga, pilates, and circuit training to her quirky group of regulars in a cozy New England college town. It's a sanctuary of smoothies, sweat, and small-town charm-until a suspicious collapse during class turns her peaceful studio into a crime scene. When beloved professor Dr. Alan Foster keels over after sipping a post-workout smoothie, Emily's instincts tell her this was no ordinary medical emergency. The blender sparks, the ingredients don't add up, and Dr. Foster's whispered warning-"The research... not what it seems..."-leaves Emily with more chilling questions than answers. Now, Emily finds herself reluctantly drawn into the mystery. With her analytical engineer's brain, a protective streak a mile wide, and a knack for spotting inconsistencies, she can't help noticing clues the police might overlook. But digging into the secrets behind a poisoned smoothie isn't just dangerous-it could put Emily, her twelve-year-old daughter Sofia, and her hard-won second chance in Briarwood at serious risk. Enter Detective Joseph Brown: methodical, cautious, and not thrilled about an amateur sleuth poking around his case. But even he can't deny that Emily's sharp observations might be the key to uncovering a killer hiding in plain sight. Between gossip at the Copper Kettle café, tense rivalries on the Briarwood University campus, and a community where everyone seems to know everyone's business, suspects and motives pile up faster than Emily can restock her protein powder. As whispers turn to accusations, Emily will need all her wits-and maybe a bit of courage she didn't know she had-to untangle the lies before the killer strikes again. Book 1 of the Briarwood Cozy Mystery Series.

Murder has never stretched this far... Emily Rodriguez thought she'd left high-stress problem-solving behind when she traded her engineering career for a new life in Briarwood. As the owner of Flex & Flow Fitness Studio, she spends her days teaching yoga, pilates, and circuit training to her quirky group of regulars in a cozy New England college town. It's a sanctuary of smoothies, sweat, and small-town charm-until a suspicious collapse during class turns her peaceful studio into a crime scene. When beloved professor Dr. Alan Foster keels over after sipping a post-workout smoothie, Emily's instincts tell her this was no ordinary medical emergency. The blender sparks, the ingredients don't add up, and Dr. Foster's whispered warning-"The research... not what it seems..."-leaves Emily with more chilling questions than answers. Now, Emily finds herself reluctantly drawn into the mystery. With her analytical engineer's brain, a protective streak a mile wide, and a knack for spotting inconsistencies, she can't help noticing clues the police might overlook. But digging into the secrets behind a poisoned smoothie isn't just dangerous-it could put Emily, her twelve-year-old daughter Sofia, and her hard-won second chance in Briarwood at serious risk. Enter Detective Joseph Brown: methodical, cautious, and not thrilled about an amateur sleuth poking around his case. But even he can't deny that Emily's sharp observations might be the key to uncovering a killer hiding in plain sight. Between gossip at the Copper Kettle café, tense rivalries on the Briarwood University campus, and a community where everyone seems to know everyone's business, suspects and motives pile up faster than Emily can restock her protein powder. As whispers turn to accusations, Emily will need all her wits-and maybe a bit of courage she didn't know she had-to untangle the lies before the killer strikes again in this college town cozy mystery. Book 1 of the Briarwood Cozy Mystery Series.

Murder has come again to Briarwood... Emily Rodriguez thought she had found peace running her fitness studio in a charming New England college town. But when whispers spread after a late-night workout ends in tragedy, Briarwood's cozy calm is shattered by suspicion. The police call it an accident. Emily isn't convinced. As a former engineer with a sharp eye for details, she notices things others miss-like the misplaced barbells, the tainted smoothie, and the frightened look a student gives before vanishing into the night. Soon Emily is pulled deep into a small town murder mystery, where neighbors trade secrets as easily as gossip and everyone has something to hide. From the copper-roofed library to her own fitness studio mystery, the clues point to tangled motives stretching far beyond a single night's crime. With her daughter Sofia to protect, Emily never wanted to be a detective. But in a cozy mystery small town, justice often depends on the courage of one unlikely sleuth. Teaming up-sometimes reluctantly-with Detective Joseph Brown, she follows a trail that winds through friendships, rivalries, and betrayals, each step bringing her closer to the killer. Along the way, she discovers that solving crimes isn't just about evidence-it's about heart. Fans of female sleuth detective stories will cheer as Emily uses her wits, her stubbornness, and her compassion to piece together the puzzle. And when the shocking truth comes to light, Briarwood will never be the same. Perfect for readers who crave a classic whodunit cozy mystery with modern twists, this series starter offers humor, suspense, and the kind of warm community that makes cozy mysteries so irresistible. Whether you love stories of an amateur sleuth mystery, a poisoned drink mystery, or simply can't resist following a trail of clues through a tight-knit town, you'll feel right at home in Briarwood. Whispers and Murder at Briarwood is Book 2 in the engaging cozy mystery series by Carter Bryson. Pour a cup of tea, settle into your favorite chair, and join Emily as she uncovers deadly secrets hiding in plain sight.

Another murder in Briarwood-and this time, the formula for truth could get her killed. When a college campus murder shatters Briarwood's picture-perfect reputation, one woman's logical mind becomes the only thing standing between order and chaos. Emily Rodriguez-former engineer, devoted single mom, and owner of the small-town Flex & Flow Fitness Studio-is used to solving problems with precision. But when she drives onto the Briarwood University campus for a spring festival meeting, she doesn't expect to walk straight into a protest turned deadly. The dean collapses from a knife wound in front of hundreds of students, and Emily's instincts ignite. Armed with nothing but her phone, her training, and her calm, analytical brain, Emily documents the scene before police even arrive. Her detailed eye catches what others miss: no weapon, no signs of struggle, and a timeline that doesn't add up. It's not chaos-it's choreography. Someone planned this. Detective Marcus Brown has learned to respect Emily's sharp reasoning (and her stubborn independence). But as Briarwood's female detective sleuth steps into another investigation, even he worries that her brilliance might put a target on her back. The deeper she digs, the more dangerous the pattern becomes-administrative cover-ups, secret tunnel networks, missing financial records, and a whisper of corruption stretching far beyond one small town mystery. Between comforting her teenage daughter, dodging campus politics, and following a trail of logic that feels more like a labyrinth, Emily realizes that this case isn't just about who stabbed Dean Dartwell-it's about who's been bleeding Briarwood dry for years. Now, someone on campus is watching her every move. And they know exactly how her methodical mind works. Perfect for fans of Ellie Alexander, Tonya Kappes, and Leighann Dobbs, this third entry in the Briarwood Cozy Mystery Series delivers all the hallmarks readers love: a charming community hiding dangerous secrets, an amateur sleuth mystery heroine whose engineering logic is her greatest weapon, and the kind of witty, character-driven storytelling that makes you feel right at home-even while you're looking over your shoulder. If you crave stories where brains outwit brutality, coffee fuels courage, and even a yoga mat can lead to a clue, you'll love following Emily Rodriguez as she untangles lies, logic, and loyalty in this suspenseful campus thriller. Because in Briarwood, every equation ends the same way-someone always forgets to carry the one.

Another murder in Briarwood-and this time, the formula for truth could get her killed. When a college campus murder shatters Briarwood's picture-perfect reputation, one woman's logical mind becomes the only thing standing between order and chaos. Emily Rodriguez-former engineer, devoted single mom, and owner of the small-town Flex & Flow Fitness Studio-is used to solving problems with precision. But when she drives onto the Briarwood University campus for a spring festival meeting, she doesn't expect to walk straight into a protest turned deadly. The dean collapses from a knife wound in front of hundreds of students, and Emily's instincts ignite. Armed with nothing but her phone, her training, and her calm, analytical brain, Emily documents the scene before police even arrive. Her detailed eye catches what others miss: no weapon, no signs of struggle, and a timeline that doesn't add up. It's not chaos-it's choreography. Someone planned this. Detective Marcus Brown has learned to respect Emily's sharp reasoning (and her stubborn independence). But as Briarwood's female detective sleuth steps into another investigation, even he worries that her brilliance might put a target on her back. The deeper she digs, the more dangerous the pattern becomes-administrative cover-ups, secret tunnel networks, missing financial records, and a whisper of corruption stretching far beyond one small town mystery. Between comforting her teenage daughter, dodging campus politics, and following a trail of logic that feels more like a labyrinth, Emily realizes that this case isn't just about who stabbed Dean Dartwell-it's about who's been bleeding Briarwood dry for years. Now, someone on campus is watching her every move. And they know exactly how her methodical mind works. Perfect for fans of Ellie Alexander, Tonya Kappes, and Leighann Dobbs, this third entry in the Briarwood Cozy Mystery Series delivers all the hallmarks readers love: a charming community hiding dangerous secrets, an amateur sleuth mystery heroine whose engineering logic is her greatest weapon, and the kind of witty, character-driven storytelling that makes you feel right at home-even while you're looking over your shoulder. If you crave stories where brains outwit brutality, coffee fuels courage, and even a yoga mat can lead to a clue, you'll love following Emily Rodriguez as she untangles lies, logic, and loyalty in this suspenseful campus thriller. Because in Briarwood, every equation ends the same way-someone always forgets to carry the one.