Bruce M. Perrin is here to tell us about A Weaponized Mind, The Mind Sleuth Series, a murder mystery.
Read on for details...
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The Mind Sleuth Series
Murder Mystery
Date Published: June 23, 2026
Sometimes, Wilford DeBeer’s high-risk, high-reward financial plans
worked, and when they did, the clients of DeBeer Wealth Management lauded his
brilliance. Unfortunately, sometimes they didn’t, and people lost their
businesses, their retirements, and sometimes their lives. So, when Henry
Jansen, who was caddying a round of golf for DeBeer, pulled a gun and killed
him, the reason seemed obvious.
It wasn’t. Jansen had never been a DeBeer client.
Four days later, Jansen was identified as the shooter. But before the police
could locate and arrest him, he was found dead in an alley near downtown
Denver. At that point, suspicion pivoted to DeBeer’s many disgruntled
clients. One of them must have hired Jansen as their instrument of
retaliation, then killed him to cover their involvement.
This theory, too, led nowhere as the investigation stalled after three months.
Frustrated by the apparent lack of progress on the case, Lauren Beckwith,
Jansen’s cousin, hired Private Investigator Rebecca Marte to continue
the hunt. And while Rebecca apparently retrod much of the same ground as the
police detectives, she must have done something different, because before she
knew it, she was fighting for her life in a diabolical trap set by
Jansen’s killer.
About the Author
If you’re interested in what I’m like in something more detailed
than what will fit in this space, I’d say, buy any of my books. That
overly analytic guy (read geek) is me. OK, I’ve never saved the day like
the heroes in my books, but we think alike. I’m interested in technology
and psychology (my formal background) and enjoy writing about where they meet,
now and in the future. In addition to pounding the keyboard, I like to tinker
with home automation and I’m an avid hiker. When I’m not on the
trails, you’ll find me at home with my wife and our dog in Aurora, CO.
For a closer look at my writing life, book reviews, and progress on my
upcoming novels, please join me at brucemperrin.com.
Denise Devine is here to tell us about The Nightingale Detective Agency, a Charlotte Van Elsberg Mystery book 1 - a 1920s historical cozy mystery.
There's also a great giveaway.
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In 1926 St. Paul, a determined female private investigator
uncovers deadly secrets behind a debutante’s suspicious death in this twisty
Prohibition-era cozy mystery.
The Nightingale
Detective Agency
A Charlotte Van Elsberg Mystery Book 1
by Denise Devine
Genre: 1920’s Historical Cozy Mystery
St. Paul,
1926—where ambition comes at a cost, especially for a woman.
Charlotte Van Elsberg is determined to become the city’s first female private
investigator and help women in need. She’s already landed her first case: a
grieving mother who wants answers about her daughter, Eleanor Kimball, a
debutante killed in a suspicious car crash. Was it truly an accident or
something more sinister? Char intends to find out. There’s just one
hitch—Char’s husband.
Will Van Elsberg, a seasoned investigator, knows the job too well. It’s no
profession for a petite young lady, and he’s not about to let his wife charge
headfirst into danger. Char has other ideas. She agrees to hire bodyguards to
satisfy his objections.
However, despite the addition of her “new team,” she soon learns that this job
is a lot harder than it appears. Doors slam in her face, alibis don’t add up,
and everyone appears to be hiding something. Does she have the grit
and determination it takes to solve this case?
The more she digs into Eleanor’s carefully polished life, the more she uncovers
the young woman’s secrets. Hidden truths that someone is desperate to keep
buried. Evidence worth killing for. Now that Char is asking questions, who is
determined to stop her from revealing the missing pieces?
If you love Prohibition-era intrigue
and twisty whodunits, dive into this 1920s cozy mystery filled with clever
clues, hidden secrets, and a bold female sleuth. Grab your copy today and start
sleuthing!
“Last night went well,” Will
said, commenting on my new bodyguards the next morning as we lingered over
strong black coffee in the breakfast room. Golden sunlight filtered through the
tall windows from the sun streaming between the mature oaks on the edge of our
property. “Sean and Alice seemed to get along fine. What do you think?”
Sean’s manners had come across as
overly polite compared to his outburst in the den and I suspected that he was
playing to an audience of one. The real test would come when Alice was alone
with him. Would he be respectful or try to boss her around? I had my doubts
about the former.
“I think I need to let them two
sort it out and get going on my investigation,” I replied staring into my glass
of fresh-squeezed orange juice. “The truth is, I don’t know where to start.”
“Get to know your victim,” Will
offered. “Learn everything you can about her—where she lived, her friends and
relatives, the places she liked to frequent. The information will provide
valuable clues about her life and possibly reveal why she was killed.”
Will set down his cup and leaned
back as Gerard approached the table and placed a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon
and toast in front of him. Will looked at me curiously. “You said she was
engaged?” He paused to grab a bottle of Heinz Tomato Ketchup.
From the corner of my eye, I
caught Gerard wincing at the idea of smothering one’s eggs with that vile
concoction. I agreed but kept my opinion to myself. Will loved ketchup,
especially this brand, and poured it on his breakfast nearly every morning.
“Take a good look at her fiancé,”
Will said seriously. He shook the bottle, poring ketchup all over his eggs and
filling the air with a pungent tomato aroma. “In my experience, when you’re
investigating the murder of a woman, the guilty party is quite often someone
close to the victim. That doesn’t make the fiancé automatically guilty, but it
does make him a primary suspect until your investigation proves otherwise.”
“Okay,” I said, jotting down his
instructions in my journal as Gerard set a plate of poached eggs and toast in
front of me. Interviewing everyone who knew the deceased would be a huge
undertaking. Was I up to the task? More importantly, would I gain anything
useful from it? The thought exhausted me, and I hadn’t started yet.
“Go back to the scene of the
crime,” Will continued and scooped up a forkful of eggs. “Study it, leaving no
stone unturned. No detail is too small. Sometimes I find evidence that the
police missed.”
I picked up a slice of toast and
concentrated on smothering it with Welch’s Grape Jelly to avoid watching Will
eat his red eggs. “Is there anything else I should know?”
“Read the autopsy report,” he
added as he picked up a crisp piece of bacon with his fingers. “The family
might have requested their private physician to look it over and interpret it
for them but unless they knew medical terms they wouldn’t have a copy of it
themselves. You need to grease a palm or two at the coroner’s office to obtain
a look at it.”
Oh sure, I’ll just drive to
downtown Minneapolis and find someone in the coroner’s office to give me a
look-see at that report.
I let out a sigh and took a bite
of my toast, pondering how I would actually go about getting someone in the
coroner’s office to give me access to the report, much less interpret it for
me. I had no idea. “Do I need to read the autopsy report? Is it imperative to
my case?”
“It’s another piece of the
puzzle, darling,” Will said, his voice softening at my frustration. “If the
police ruled her death an accident, the family would want to know if she’d
suffered a medical issue at the time, causing her to lose control of the car.
If there is a report, you should find out what’s in it.”
Folding
my arms, I sat back and stared at him as discouragement began to seep into my
mood. Had I made a mistake wanting to become an investigator? The job was
clearly more than I’d bargained for.
Denise Devine is a USA Today bestselling author
who has had a passion for books since the second grade when she discovered
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder. She wrote her first book,
a mystery, at age thirteen and has been writing ever since. She loves all
animals, especially dogs, cats, and horses, and they often find their way into
her books.
She has written twenty-two books, including books
in the Beach Brides series, Moonshine Madness series, and West Loon Bay series.
Her books have hit the Top 100 Bestseller list on Amazon and she has been
listed on Amazon’s Top 100 Authors.
Valerie Taylor is here to tell us about A Jewel of a Crime, a Venus Bixby Mystery #3, cozy mystery.
There's also a great giveaway.
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A Jewel of a Crime: A Venus Bixby Mystery
Valerie Taylor
(Venus Bixby Mystery, #3)
Publication date: June 2nd 2026
Genres: Adult, Cozy Mystery
Venus Bixby is ready for a fresh start. With green streaks in her hair and “Rock the Shamrock” polish on her nails, she’s sold her dance studio and set her sights on a glamorous second act: traveling the world to recover stolen art. But before she can book her first flight, she stumbles over the new studio owner’s dead body behind a drawn curtain.
In a town like Chatham Crossing, secrets don’t stay buried and gossip travels faster than the morning coffee line. Suddenly Venus is a suspect in a very public investigation. As she scrambles to clear her name, she uncovers a troubling secret from her late husband’s past: he purchased an emerald ring she’s never seen—and now it’s missing.
When a string of burglaries rattles the town, Venus begins to suspect the murder and the stolen emerald are connected. With rumors swirling, neighbors whispering, and her passport dreams slipping, she’ll need sharp instincts—and a dash of Irish luck—to catch the real culprit.
A Jewel of a Crime is a sparkling cozy mystery filled with small-town charm, amateur sleuthing, loyal cats, and twists that keep the pages turning. Includes cookie recipes and a nostalgic oldies playlist.
Rather than barge uninvited into the classroom looking for her, Gabby and I bided our time and hung out in the lobby. I shifted from one foot to the other while Gabby perused the business cards pinned to a brand-new combination whiteboard and corkboard.
“When I come back with that vase, I’ll bring a few business cards to tack up here.”
“Great idea!” I rifled through my purse until I found a couple of cards promoting Oldies & Goodies and Cats & Their Cradle. I affixed them to the cork and smiled. Part of me wondered whether Sam would take them down before anyone ever saw them.
Still no Margo. Did she not hear the bell when we entered a few minutes ago? Maybe not over Ol’ Blue Eyes. I considered writing a message on the whiteboard. I picked through the pens in the Tremont Regency Hotel mug on the desk, but there didn’t appear to be any of those dry-erase markers.
“Where could she be?” Gabby asked.
“Probably in the back. Should we check?”
I gently opened the glass door to the main classroom. A rush of crisp air reminded me how we’d kept the temperature in the low sixties so the students wouldn’t get overheated. The smell of fresh-cut grass suddenly wafted over me. My nose recognized dance floor wax, forcing me to stifle a sneeze.
The same song we heard when we walked into the lobby still played. Must be on a continuous loop. I listened closely. Ah, Frank was singing “Witchcraft.” An appropriate theme for the day.
The walls were painted a creamy shade of white. Floor-to-ceiling mirrors lined one wall and a row of barres ran parallel to the floor. The mirrors reflected framed images on the opposite wall. I turned to examine them up close. I walked along the wall, studying and touching each gently. Definitely Sam and Margo in their younger years.
This egotistical display was so unlike the studio Paul, and then I, owned. Our walls were proudly adorned with photographs of the young dancers who graced our ballroom.
Where are those pictures? Why didn’t they ask if I wanted them? What else did they keep from me?
“Margo?” I called.
Silence.
At the far end of the room, there was a royal purple floor-to-ceiling drape pulled closed across the width of the ballroom. As I walked toward it, I waved toward Gabby. “I’m gonna check back here.”
I noticed a universal restroom to my right. I motioned to Gabby. “You check in there.”
Then I drew back the curtain. “Never mind. Found her!” I cried out.
Author Bio:
Valerie Taylor lives in Connecticut and considers herself a typical "average Jane." She might remind you of the reclusive neighbor who fancies herself a novelist. Unlike many of her peers whom she admires, she does NOT have a degree in literature. But she is the award-winning author of the romantic comedy trilogy: WHAT'S NOT SAID, WHAT'S NOT TRUE, and WHAT'S NOT LOST. The roots of those three novels, as well as the books in the Venus Bixby Mystery series—A WHALE OF A MURDER and SWITCHED AT DEATH and A JEWEL OF A CRIME—most likely took hold during her early years watching Carol Burnett, Jack Benny, Red Skelton, and The Twilight Zone. Her love of oldies music stems from hours listening and dancing to Elvis Presley and The Beatles, and being in the Bobby Darin fan club.
Anne Kane is here to tell us about Audit This!, an interracial romance with mystery and suspense.
Read on for details.
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Interracial Romance, Mystery & Suspense
Date Published: May 22, 2026
No matter how you add the numbers, Nick is one hunk of an auditor!
When government tax auditor Nick finds himself obsessed with the work of
romance author Khloe Matters, there's only one thing to do. Audit her! But
getting a closer look at the author in her own home just makes him switch his
obsession from the writing to the writer.
When he accompanies her to a writers' festival, things heat up in a hurry.
Neither of them is being entirely honest, and as the weekend progresses so
does the hilariously tangled webs of deceit as each of them seeks to further
their own agenda.
EXCERPT
"What do you mean you're disallowing ninety percent of the expenses I
claimed?" Khloe tried not to scream at the smug smile on the auditor's face.
Hard to believe her libido had jumped to attention when he'd first showed up
at her door. Just went to show how bad a judge of character she was. "You
can't do that. They are all legitimate business deductions."
"Really?" The man raised one of those perfect brows. "Care to explain how a
trip to Spain qualifies as a business expense? You're a writer. You don't have
to leave the house. You don't even have to get dressed."
Khloe gritted her teeth, taking a deep breath to calm herself down before she
answered. She knew his name. Nicholas Carver. She just didn't think a
government auditor deserved such an impressive name. Calling him a dumb-assed
bean counter probably wouldn't help her situation, though.
"Although I have not claimed any clothing expenses, I assure you I do have to
get dressed. My neighbours are a conservative bunch. I do have to leave the
house occasionally, and I generally make a point of putting some clothes on
before I do. That trip was for research." Well, duh, what else would it be?
Maybe this guy got all the looks and none of the brains. "My last mystery
novel was set in Madrid during the running of the bulls. I needed to be there
to get the feel of the place and understand the atmosphere, how the crowd
reacted. I wouldn't stay in business long if I didn't pay attention to the
little details. Readers can smell a mistake a mile away, and if I lose their
trust I'll be working at the grocery store for a fraction of what I make
writing."
The auditor snorted. "Quite the drama queen, aren't you? I might accept the
research excuse if the tone came through in your work, assuming we're talking
about a published manuscript. Do you have a copy of that alleged book?"
The sceptical tone of his voice, not to mention his use of the word "alleged,"
set Khloe's teeth on edge. How dare he sit there in his perfectly pressed suit
and make her justify every item on her tax return? Oh right. He was the
almighty tax department auditor! Maybe it would help if she curtseyed or
kissed his ring or something.
She smiled sweetly. "Of course." Turning, she ran her fingers along the spines
of the books on the shelf. Plucking Bullfighter's Downfall out, she handed it
to him. It took quite some effort to keep her smile from turning into a snarl.
"I hope you enjoy it. It spent two months on the New York Times Best Sellers
list."
He took the book, his brows rising at the cover picturing a couple in a
passionate embrace against a backdrop of the famous bull run. Turning the book
over, he read the back cover before looking up at her. "Romantic suspense?
You're one of those kinds of authors?"
Okay, he might be the big-shot auditor, and he had the ability to make her
life, not to mention her finances, a living hell, but he had no right to use
that tone of voice when describing the genre she loved.
"Exactly what do you mean by that?" She straightened up to her full five feet
five inches and glared down at him. "If you mean one of those authors who can
take two characters, introduce them to each other and make them fall
passionately and fervently in love while they dodge bullets, murder, mayhem
and other nasty plot points, then yes. I'm one of these kinds of authors. And
in case you don't believe me, you might want to ask the thousands of readers
whose buying habits have put me on the New York Times Best Sellers list time
and again."
"No need to get defensive. It's hardly War and Peace but I'm sure it's a very
nice story."
It took all of her willpower not to grab the heaviest book on the shelf and
smack him over the head with it. War and Peace indeed! "Have you ever tried to
read War and Peace?" She took a step forward, gratified at his flinch. "My
books are meant to entertain people and take them away from their everyday
lives, not bore them to death."
He had the grace to look uncomfortable. "Well, no, I haven't actually read it.
I'm more of a John Grisham fan. Lots of war but not much peace."
She felt the tension in her gut relaxing a bit. He wasn't quite the
pretentious prig he looked like. Actually, if she took an honest look at him,
he resembled the cover models for some of her steamier books.
And that gave her an idea.
About the Author
Anne Kane lives in the beautiful Okanagan Valley with a bouncy little rescue
dog whose breed defies description, a cantankerous Himalayan cat, and too many
fish to count. She spent many years trying to fit in and act normal, but
finally gave up the effort. She started writing romance in 2008, and her fate
was sealed when she won a publishing contract with Red Sage Publishing and
just a month later Changeling Press accepted her first submission. Since then
she has published more than thirty stories in a variety of sub-genres, all
with a happily ever after.
She has two handsome sons and six adorable grandchildren and enjoys spending
time with them whenever she can. Her hobbies, when she’s not playing
with the characters in her head, include kayaking, hiking, swimming, playing
guitar, singing and of course, reading.
Katlyn Bates is here to tell us about Nightflower on Comanche Mound, young adult mystery-suspense.
There's also a great giveaway.
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Mystery, Suspense
Date Published: 06-17-2024
Publisher: Adventure & Quest, LLC
Her sixteenth birthday looming, Seattle urbanite Charley Kensey
recklessly invites herself to her Pap’s West Texas sheep ranch—a
man she’s never met, a man her mother has always distanced her from. If
her dad were still around, he could’ve stopped her. Her mom can’t.
Pap is a hard and difficult man, and the Llano Estacado—the Texas Staked
Plains—is every bit as hostile. Charley would turn right around and go
home except for the mysterious horse that shows up on the ranch. Things
quickly spiral out of control when Pap vows to shoot the blind animal she
believes came to the ranch to be hers. Now she can’t
leave—who’s going to stand in the way of Pap’s bullet?
Against his orders, Charley turns to local veterinarian Dr. Ben for
information about the horse, but his harmless reminiscing over her mom
dismantles everything Charley thought she knew of her family when he portrays
a mother she doesn’t even recognize, and innocently exposes the secret
that split her family apart. Charley is the only clueless party:
“Everybody in this little town of Quitaque knows your mother’s
business,” affirms veterinarian summer assistant, cowboy-crush Brett
Littleton. Except for Brett, the summer would be lost.
When Pap’s savage anger turns violent, Charley and her horse bolt for
the open plains and flee for the very place she’s been warned not to go.
Nightflower of Comanche Mound is a contemporary action-adventure thriller
steeped in conflict, tension, and family dysfunction between three
generations.
2025 Western Writers of America Spur Finalist – Young Adult Novel
2022 Writers League of Texas Manuscript Finalist – Young Adult
Action-Adventure Thriller
Excerpt
The plane touched down in Lubbock a little after three in the afternoon.
Jet engines shut down immediately so I felt the scorching afternoon heat
before I ever stepped onto the Staked Plains. The passengers had all filed
off, but I sat rigid in the upright seat, a cynical thought sweeping over me,
not for the first time: I’d made a colossal mistake.
The flight attendant was eye-balling me. I checked my hair in a mirror, dotted
on faint-pink lipstick Mom had warned me against bringing. Drawing a deep
breath, I held it in, thinking it would help settle my jitters. Time to get
this show on the road. Pap will be waiting. Or he won’t. Either way, I
had nobody to blame but myself.
* * *
I spotted him through the glass barrier, hands clasped casually over an ample
belly. We locked eyes as I rolled through the revolving door. Did he have a
picture of me? My grip tightened on the cheap ten-dollar flute Mom had given
me to practice; she was proud I took an interest in music, and wanted me to
keep my lips stuck to a version of flute that was less to lose. It suddenly
felt more a lifeline than a companion.
It’s not true that all people shrink when they get old. Pap stood
straight and tall under a light-colored, broad-brimmed hat that rested low on
his forehead just above white, bushy brows. Deep grooves ran around his mouth
and down a chin he hadn’t bothered to shave.
I didn’t exactly expect a warm snuggle from him—Mom had prepared
me for that. Still, deep down I couldn’t help thinking she might be
wrong. I had imagined I would run and throw my arms around him and all my
doubts would fly away when he pulled me into a tight squeeze.
Instead, we squared off and studied one another, eyes never wavering.
I stuck out my hand. “I’m Charley.”
Weight lifted from my shoulder as he took hold of my backpack. “Heck of
a name for a girl.” With a quick nod to the long cement aisle, he said,
“Go that way.”
I’d like to think he held out hope that he’d passed inspection, as
did I.
About the Author
Katlyn Bates writes contemporary fiction for young adults. Her debut
novel, Nightflower of Comanche Mound was named a 2025 Spur Finalist by Western
Writers of America (WWA) in the Juvenile-Young Adult Fiction category. The
recognition, along with multiple 5-Star book reviews from Readers’
Favorite, encouraged her to dust off old stuff she wrote just for fun, and
look at them with fresh eyes.
Drawn to action and adventure that is grounded in real life, Katlyn finds
inspiration in the wildness of the world around us. “Nature
doesn’t care what we think. It’s wild and ferocious and
unpredictable—a good reminder not to take ourselves too seriously. The
downright ridiculous seems to call for a twist of humor. What I can’t
see, I can imagine.”
Juggling family, work, and life, over the years Katlyn grasped whatever time
she had available for a writing class when she could—poetry, creative, a
bit of journalism. What she discovered was that stories come from deep within
us…a moment. A memory. An experience or impression or dream. Only when
they surface, can you add texture and color.
A late-bloomer by her own description, Katlyn’s writing kicked off when
she joined Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators
(SCBWI), a community of like-minded people who selflessly share, uplift, and
guide, one meeting at a time. “There’s so much to learn, just for
the listening. Other writers energize me, challenge me to ‘say it
better’. Everyone has a natural style, and it always amazes me how many
ways there are to tell a story. From SCBWI to the Writers’ League of
Texas (WLT)—where Nightflower of Comanche Mound was a 2022
Thriller/Action-Adventure Finalist in the Manuscript Contest—on to
Western Writers of America and Women Writing the West (WWW), Katlyn has found
that it’s networks of writers that encourage her “No matter what
stage of writing skill, anyone, at any age, with a yearning to write should
seek out others who love what you love. Don’t wait.”
A native Texan, Katlyn Bates lives near Dallas, TX, outside a small town
that—like so many inter-connected communities, is quickly becoming
absorbed by the sprawl. “As for me, it’s open skies and nature and
landscape that frame a plot, and lend power to a story.”
Mark Bearss is here to tell us about Cain's Chameleon, historical fiction, mystery-thriller.
There's also a great giveaway.
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Historical Fiction Mystery Thriller
Date Published: 01-26-2026
Publisher: Bearss Lair Books
If the newspaper reported your death and no one questioned it, would you
correct the mistake… or take the lifeline?
Dan Driscoll is consumed by gambling debt, cornered by bookies and loan
sharks, forced to bet on one last scheme. When things turn violent and two
people are shot, his best friend, Stan Neumann, swallows what he suspects. He
can’t risk divulging a closely-held family secret.
Then a body washes up on the Lake Michigan shoreline, and the lake gives Dan
what the bookies never would: a way out. Authorities call it an accident and
list him as the drowning victim. For Dan, it’s an escape route delivered
in black ink.
He becomes a ghost, an imposter, a chameleon. But lies don’t stay
buried.
As America is pulled into World War II, Stan enlists, choosing duty on his
terms before the draft can rewrite his life. In Pearl Harbor, one chance
encounter dredges up a name he thought was long buried.
War changes everything, but it doesn’t erase unfinished business. And
when the truth demands to be heard, how long can a stolen life stay buried
before the past comes to collect?
While author Mark Bearss was setting the stage for his retirement, concerned
co-workers would ask, “What are you going to do when you’re not
working?” He found this question rather curious. It should have been
posed, “What are you going to do first?” Mark knew that if travel
was involved, he had had enough of commercial flights after 28 years of
teaching for the medical device industry. Mark yearned for road trips –
to visit those places he only saw from 38,000 feet. Little did he know that
wish journeyed down an unexpected fork in the road. He would become an author.
While conducting genealogy research, Mark discovered archived de-classified
military documents that revealed the name of a U.S. Navy destroyer his father
served aboard during WWII. The reason this was a poignant discovery was
because, while growing up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, his father made no
mention of this. Apart from being a U.S. Naval Reserve flight instructor, he
knew his father served aboard the carrier USS ESSEX. But in what capacity?
That, too, was not revealed. More discoveries materialized the further he dug.
In fact, there was a lot more his father didn’t mention. This
wasn’t unusual. Many WWII veterans didn’t talk about what happened
back then.
Because of the pandemic, the National Archives in St. Louis was closed and
rendered Lt. Bearss’ military records unavailable. Thus began a project
that challenged Mark’s research endeavors for over two years and about
5,000 miles on the road. The biographical sketch was sorted from creative
Internet search strings, history books, navy publications, and networking with
journalists, librarians, archivists, bloggers, aviation enthusiasts, museum
and historical society curators, navy veterans, relatives, and more. One
online resource that was instrumental in tracking his father’s journey
was the weekly newspaper published in the county where his parents grew up:
The Oceana Herald. It included a Local News section where family members and
organizations could submit a short blurb about a relative’s visit, a
social gathering, or – where a son or husband was currently stationed.
This project culminated in 2022 with Mark’s first publication titled,
Undisclosed Stories Discovered: Honoring the World War II Military Journey of
Lt. Joseph Ward Bearss, USNR. When asked what was one of the highlights
surrounding this story, he described the road trips to seek out and discover
places where his father lived, trained and was stationed during the war. What
prompted him to write this as a biography took place during a meeting with the
curator of the World War II Home Front Museum on St. Simons Island, Georgia.
St. Simons Naval Air Station was the site for the U.S. Naval Radar Training
Station, where Lt. Bearss was trained in shipboard radar operations, enemy
interception, and Fighter Direction. While the museum had ample archived
materials about the facility, it had very little documented about the
servicemembers who trained there.
Only 250 copies were printed. Mark went back on the road in his Class-B
motorhome and personally donated those copies to family members, friends and
relatives, the librarians, archivists, researchers, museums, curators,
historical societies, newspapers, The American Heritage Center, VFW Posts,
airport FBOs, and other assorted WWII enthusiasts in 12 states who helped in
his endeavors. It was a two-fold reward. Not only did his father’s story
finally become told, Mark experienced the pleasure of meeting all these
wonderful people who were his resources, advisors, collaborators, and
consultants. Up until that point, they were only names in an email contact
list.
You’re probably asking, “How is all this relevant to Mark’s
new novel, Cain’s Chameleon?” It was the research from The Oceana
Herald that planted the seed for this story. While perusing its issues, Mark
stumbled on two articles that piqued his curiosity. The first reported an
attempted murder in a home close to his family’s summer cottage on Lake
Michigan. The second reported a drowning victim that washed up on the beach
right where Mark and his friends used to play. Just two more stories never
divulged while growing up. He wondered, Were these two events related? Then
Mark decided — he would make them related.
Mary Seifert is here to tell us about Golfing, Gardens & Ghosts, Katie & Maverick Cozy Mysteries #11, a cozy mystery.
There's also a great giveaway.
____________________
Cozy Mystery
Date Published: 01-28-2026
Publisher: Secret Staircase Books, an imprint of Columbine Publishing Group,
LLC
School’s out for the summer and math teacher Katie Wilk needs
something to occupy her time, something beyond helping to plan Jane
Mackey’s upcoming wedding. So, when Jane suggests golf lessons and Katie
secures a part-time job at the Shady Oaks Country Club to cover the cost of
her golfing gear, it seems like a win-win plan. Unfortunately, the
club’s irascible golf pro seems to make enemies wherever he goes, so
when his body turns up near the 14th hole, it’s anyone’s guess who
might have done him in.
Katie doesn’t really want another murder to investigate, but Officer
Ronnie Christianson is back to his old ways, and it looks like he’ll do
what it takes to implicate her in the death. And Katie just happens to have
seen a potentially incriminating clue, behind a secret garden wall that few
know about. Can Katie, Jane, and Ida ask enough questions to find out what
really happened before the police come after her?
Praise for this amazing cozy series by multiple award-winning author Mary
Seifert:
2024 Chanticleer International Book Awards - Semi-Finalist - Mystery &
Mayhem category
2024 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award - Top Pick - Cozy Mysteries
2024 International Impact Awards - Winner - Books in a Series
“…. a solid 5 out of 5 stars. For those seeking not just a
mystery but an immersive experience, Mary Seifert's debut novel [is] the
perfect companion for a cosy night in, a cup of tea, and a journey into the
heart of a captivating mystery.”– Maverick, Movies & Murder,
Online Book Club.org
“...an intricate mystery with plenty of action and suspense. Plus, I
like the dog.” David Housewright Edgar Award winning author of Something
Wicked
“From navigating small town life to solving puzzling murders, Katie and
Maverick are a delight.” —Mindy Mejia, international bestseller
author
“Immediately captivating! Katie and Maverick are destined to become a
notable amateur sleuth team in the mystery world.”–Connie
Shelton, USA Today bestselling author
“I thoroughly enjoyed this debut book by Mary Seifert! This well written
and thoughtful story kept me engaged with fun characters, interesting
information and mind and math puzzles. Looking forward to book two!”
James, 5-star online review
“Fun read! The author has an authentic voice and has done her research.
The plot covers many topics: dogs, history, the inner workings of hospitals,
family dynamics, and more. I especially enjoyed the puzzles and little-known
historical facts that were part of the story. Maverick, Movies & Murder
kept my interest and left me wanting more. Highly recommend!”Beth,
online 5-star review
“…very much looking forward to her next!!! I can’t get
enough of Ms. Seifert’s books!!” –proudarmymom, 5 stars
“…plenty of unanticipated twists and turns. It kept [me] up
reading to see what was going to happen next!” – RHN, 5 stars
online
“Maverick, Movies, and Murder isn't merely a cosy mystery; it's a
literary embrace, a narrative that unfolds in layers, revealing both the
familiar and the unexpected.”OnlineBookClub.org review
Excerpt
“I can’t imagine you didn’t inherit my ability to sit still
and do absolutely nothing. I’m the king of procrastination.”
I laughed. “This from a man who plans every minute of his day.”
“Yes, but I make certain I plan all my sitting-still time first. I might
have some ideas for you.”
Poised to take note of Dad’s constructive contributions, I said,
“Do tell.”
He leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms. “You could pick up a
new hobby.”
…
“I could teach you to cook. Maybe. Or you could bike.”
I plopped my elbow on the table and supported my cheek in my hand. “You
and Ida have tried to teach me to cook. It’s been practically
impossible, and there’s only so much biking I can do.” I shook my
head yet listened for something novel.
“You could sleep in.”
“Tried that.” I side-eyed my pup and exhaled.
“You could learn a craft like … crocheting or knitting.”
Two more words made the list. He waited for an enthusiastic response, which
didn’t happen, but nuggets of ideas turned over in my head as I chewed
my final morsel of bacon. Our landlady, Ida Clemashevski, was a creative whiz
not only at cooking, but with her passions of art, acting, music, and probably
crafting as well.
“There’s always fishing,” he said, cautiously optimistic.
“Or get a part-time job?”
I jotted a few words next to his recommendations and drew a fish.
Dad asked, “What’s that?”
Having confirmed my lack of any artistic talent, my sketch disappeared under
scribbles. “I’ll think about taking up a hobby, but meanwhile, it
seems I’ll simply have to resign myself to mundane chores
…” I hopped up. “Nothing exciting. Something like doing the
dishes.” I juggled the serving platters, plates, and silverware and
deposited them in the sink, leaving the delicate cups for a second trip.
Soap foamed under the cascade of hot water, and I scrubbed slowly to eat up at
least a portion of my free time. Although Dad reached for a towel, I shooed
him out of the kitchen, knowing how much he valued his predictable weekday
schedule: a hearty first meal of the day, a one-mile walk around the
neighborhood—rain or shine, an in-depth read of the newspaper from cover
to cartoons, an exercise class at the Y, and his volunteer stint at the
library.
“No doubt, by week’s end you’ll have discovered a new and
more streamlined method for doing dishes. You know I love you.” He
kissed my forehead and headed for the door and a day of sunshine. “But
we’ve got to keep you occupied and out of trouble, or you’ll never
get rid of the crazy nickname you earned.”
I called to his retreating back, “Just because I’ve been in the
wrong places and involved in the resolution of several serious crimes, I
really don’t think I deserve the moniker ‘Katie Wilk, the murder
magnet.’”
About the Author
Mary Seifert is the mastermind behind the captivating Katie and Maverick
Cozy Mysteries, a 2024 International IMPACT Award winner for books in a
series. If you love a thrilling whodunit with a sprinkle of humor and a dash
of charm, her books are for you. Her novel Maverick, Movies & Murder was a
finalist for the 2023 American Fiction Award, and Santa, Snowflakes &
Strychnine earned a spot as a 2024 Chanticleer Murder and Mayhem finalist. Set
in the picturesque landscapes of West Central Minnesota, where the lakes
begin, Mary’s stories are as cozy as a warm cup of cocoa on a chilly
day.
Mary’s love affair with books began in her grandfather’s secretive
basement backroom library, where she read childhood favorites, Heidi, Black
Beauty, National Velvet, Charlotte’s Web, Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory, and devoured works by literary greats such as Agatha Christie, Sir
Arthur Conan Doyle, Erle Stanley Gardner, Wouk, Chandler, du Maurier, Ellery
Queen, Margaret Mitchell, Steinbeck, Hemingway, Salinger, Bradbury, Tolkien,
and Pasternak, to name just a few. These early literary adventures, combined
with lively book discussions with her mother and siblings helped shape her
love for mysteries and complex narratives. Her father’s gift of
outrageous storytelling added exaggeration to her arsenal, lending a playful
twist to her writing.
Mary grounded her passion for storytelling when she shared her love of reading
with her children, solving puzzles alongside beloved characters like Nancy
Drew, the Boxcar Children, and the Hardy Boys, and that passion is growing,
watching the next generation learn to read. She proudly believes her kids,
their significant others, and her grandchildren are the smartest in the
universe, and she’s not shy about letting the world know it!
