Hazel Rose Book Group Mystery

When high-powered executive Roxanne Howard dies in a pool of blood outside the Moonshine Inn, Richmond, Virginia's premier redneck bar, the victim's sister enlists Hazel Rose to ferret out the killer. At first Hazel balks--she's a romance writer, not a detective. But Brad Jones, Rox's husband, is the prime suspect. He's also Hazel's cousin, and Hazel believes in doing anything to help family. Never mind that Brad won't give her the time of day--he's still family. Hazel recruits her book group members to help with the investigation. It's not long before they discover any number of people who feel that a world without Rox Howard is just fine with them: Brad's son believes that Rox and Brad were behind his mother's death; Rox's former young lover holds Rox responsible for a tragedy in his family; and one of Rox's employees filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against her. The killer could be an angry regular from the Moonshine Inn--or just about anyone who ever crossed paths with the willful and manipulative Rox. When a second murder ups the ante Hazel must find out who is behind the killings. And fast. Or she may be victim #3.

He who laughs last, laughs longest. Unless he's dead. When romance author Hazel Rose is dropped by her publisher, she sees herself heading down a path strewn with has-been authors. While disappointed, Hazel won't give up without a fight-she signs up for a mystery-writing class, thinking that crime fiction will jumpstart her career. But what's a mystery-writing class without a mystery? So when Randy Zimmerman, an obnoxious classmate given to laughing at others' expense, is murdered, Hazel tackles the case. Solving a real-life murder will surely lend authenticity to her creative writing. She recruits her book group pals to help with the investigation. Trouble is, there are more suspects than they bargained for-even Hazel herself, who endured Randy's thumbs-way-down review of her writing, had a motive. A second body drives the stakes higher, and Hazel doubles her efforts to find who's behind the murders, unearthing secrets that a killer would go to any lengths to keep hidden. Will Hazel succeed? Or will this be "The End" for her?

"This promising series debut – edgier and sexier than most cozies – should intrigue anyone who enjoys biblio crime." – Booklist "A cosy and literary mystery in a contemporary style, this story presents a clever puzzle and an abundance of possibly scheming suspects."– Haunted Reader, Reviewer Book groups can be dangerous! Hazel Rose never dreamed the mystery book group she and Carlene Arness started would stage a real murder. Nevertheless, one night after a heated book group discussion, Carlene dies after drinking cyanide-laced tea. Despite a suicide note, Hazel isn't convinced that Carlene took her own life. Hazel doesn't like thinking that someone in the book group killed Carlene. Neither does she like the thought that Carlene's husband Evan (who happens to be Hazel's ex-husband) did away with his wife. But she's stuck with the thoughts. When Hazel seeks answers, she finds no shortage of motives as she unearths a past that Carlene took great pains to hide. Hazel's investigation ends with a confrontation with Carlene's killer, who is also protecting a past … and won't stop at one murder. ** Previously published as Murder at the Book Group **