Libby Madsen Cozy Mysteries

Libby Madsen, professional massage therapist and co-owner of the luxurious Dharma Inspired Day Spa, has probably heard it all. During what she thinks of as 'tabletop confessions' her clients often talk about way more of their personal lives than she really wants to hear. So when a regular, Maggie Crenshaw, talks about how her daughter went away on a camping trip with friends, it's just so much chatter. But when Maggie says Isobel didn't return home on time, is not answering her phone, and that the young woman is diabetic and really needs her meds. Libby offers to pick up the medications at Maggie's house and deliver them-she and her Labrador puppy, Shadow, are going camping in the same area and it's no trouble at all. Except when Libby and Shadow arrive at the campground, Isobel is nowhere to be found, and no one there has seen her or the group of friends she claimed to be traveling with. Libby enlists the help of handsome Forest Ranger Greg Lawson, but even he can't find anyone who has seen the girl. The fact that she's now been without her insulin for several days is worrisome, and Greg initiates a Search and Rescue operation. Libby and Shadow join Greg and the volunteers to search the adjoining camping areas. Some shady characters and a few clues do turn up. But no Isobel. Libby becomes convinced that something more sinister is going on and she's determined to find out what has happened, little knowing that her own life may be in danger as she gets too close to the truth.

Libby's world is rocked to the core when her business partner Alexis-working late one night-is attacked by an intruder at their spa. JJ shows up in full cop mode, terrified that his wife has barely escaped the serial rapist who's been plaguing the city in recent months. But Lexi isn't convinced. Too many seemingly unrelated incidents occur before they realize a decades-old murder and pact between two then-juvenile delinquents could be tied to everything going on now. Meanwhile, Libby and Greg are flourishing as a couple although she'd certainly like to put off having him meet her nosey mother Julia and sister Jordan just a little while longer. But a delay is not to be, when Julia reports strange happenings in her elder community-someone's been tapping at her window at night and using her pool without her permission. And who are these young, bicycle-riding, backpack-carrying 'gang' members who are hanging around? At first, Libby questions her mother's claims. Maybe it's early-onset Alzheimer's? But as she and Shadow start following the clues, the danger appears much closer than anyone realizes. Could all these neighborhood incidents be connected?

Libby's friend Bella Crenshaw has recently joined a new-age, self-help group founded by Kali Patel, who is the most sought-after guru in the new enlightenment movement that is sweeping the country. Love & Mercy has hundreds of devoted members, including many in the Hollywood elite, and Kali Patel and her second-in-command, Uma Devi, have opened branches of the organization across the country, including in southern Arizona. Despite a few reservations, Libby finds Bella's enthusiasm catching, so she quickly accepts an invitation to attend a highly anticipated retreat weekend south of Tucson. The property is an amazing oasis in the desert, a beautiful place with lush plants, water features, and a luxurious meeting facility. Retreat attendees stay in cute cabins, and Libby's black Lab, Shadow, is allowed to come along. They quickly settle into the quiet atmosphere, with healthful foods, juices, and meditation sessions that instill a wonderful sense of peace and stillness. Then things begin to go sideways. Bella's newest friend in the group, a beautiful California girl named Jill, disappears. Another young woman dies suddenly, and Libby has a disturbing experience at a gathering and begins to notice things that don't seem in keeping with the 'love and peace' vibe she initially felt. It becomes apparent that millions of dollars are being funneled through the organization, and encounters with a couple of unsavory characters have Libby wondering-is this a legitimate religious group or some kind of cult? What's behind the disappearances? And where are those windowless white vans going? Can Libby and Shadow figure it out before something terrible happens to Bella-or to themselves?

Jerome, Arizona, is an old mining town turned hipster tourist destination. When an old friend, Kirby McDaniel, calls Libby asking for help filling in at her massage business in the town's haunted hotel, Libby loves the idea that she and Greg can make this into a much-needed romantic getaway. Kirby's cottage is cute, the town is full of activities, and Libby's massage schedule is not heavily loaded-perfect! Immediately, they meet pushy Cheryl Basque, the Murder Mystery Weekend coordinator. Apparently, MMW is the event of the year in Jerome, and this year's theme is a 1920s Jazz Club Mystery. Kirby had signed up and now with her sudden departure, the coordinator lures Libby, Greg, and Shadow the black Lab to join the festivities. From the first day, they meet interesting townsfolk and one thing quickly becomes apparent. Everyone has had issues with the local dog groomer. Which becomes a real problem when the hated groomer, Patricia Olivia Simpson, turns up murdered and Shadow is the prime suspect! The bakery owners, the brewmaster duo, the hotel manager, and MMW's coordinator all join the suspect list as Libby and Greg start asking questions. It seems no one is sorry old POS is gone. But it's the discovery of the second dead body that shocks everyone to the core. The haunted hotel-from its creepy old elevator, to the resident ghosts, and whoever is wreaking havoc on the massage therapy room every time Libby leaves it unattended-is the spooky backdrop for more than one crime. And Libby, Shadow, and Greg find themselves right in the thick of the mystery. Between her massage therapy sessions, participating in the murder mystery game, being spooked by hotel ghosts, and running down a list of suspects who all had motives to kill Tricia, will Libby and Greg actually find their romantic time together? Twists and turns are everywhere, and you'll hold your breath, wondering when the next surprise will jump out at you.

It's a wedding right after Christmas in the scenic ski resort town of Taos, New Mexico. Libby, Greg and Shadow, along with Lexi and her family head to Taos for a vacation and to attend Greg's college friend's wedding. Not long after the ceremony, the groom goes missing, and Libby's group is pulled into the mystery of finding out where he could possibly have gone. In Taos, they all fall in love with the bakery, Sweet's Sweets, where they meet the owner, Samantha Sweet, and her daughter, Kelly. When Sam's bakery is vandalized, their friendship grows, and the group suddenly have several mysterious events to deal with. There is no shortage of suspects and motives, and Libby and Shadow are deep in the midst of it. Can they figure out what happened to Greg's friend, and whether the incident at the bakery is related?

With all the recent turmoil in their lives, it's time for vacation! Libby, Shadow, Greg, Alexis, and JJ load up in their RVs and caravan to Utah. It doesn't take long before they meet the quirkiest couple. 95-year-old Eugene Walker and his third wife, 85-year-old Agatha. While enjoying live music one evening at Lake Powell, the group cannot help but admire the infectious energy and spunk of this elderly pair as they dance the night away. They are the cutest! After befriending the sprightly dancers, however, Libby and her companions become suspicious and a bit frustrated. Their stories don't add up. Eugene is particularly sneaky and secretive, especially when it comes out that he's on a treasure hunt. After spotting the fearless travelers for the third time in yet another campground in a different town, they begin to question-are the older pair following them? When Eugene suddenly goes missing, things get complicated. Long lost relatives. Monoliths. Valuable Civil War-era treasures. It's all connected, but Libby struggles to figure out how, and she finds herself caring about what might happen to this old man who has worked his way into her heart. One thing is for sure, this vacation becomes a whole new adventure for Libby and Shadow, and the danger and action become non-stop as they seek the answers.