Starred Review on Library Journal! USA Today bestselling author and Agatha Award winner Amanda Flower brings charm and intrigue to her first cozy mystery for Hallmark. Darby Piper is in shock. A seasoned female detective, she worked with Samantha Porter at the Two Girls Detective Agency. Now, Samantha is dead, and it doesn’t look like an accident. In fact, evidence is pointing toward Darby. … accident. In fact, evidence is pointing toward Darby.
Darby had expected to inherit Samantha’s half of the agency, but Samantha had recently changed the will to leave it to Tate Porter, her nephew, who returns to town.
Tate is no private eye. He’s a world traveler and a veteran whose military past is also something of a mystery. But as he helps Darby delve into secret histories and real estate development plans, he proves to be a talented amateur sleuth. Will the agency have a future…even if Darby can solve this murder mystery in time?
This first in series cozy mystery includes a free Hallmark original recipe for Berry Trifle.
more
Dead-End Detective by Amanda Flower is the debut of A Piper and Porter Mystery series. We are transported to Herrington, New York on Seneca Lake where Samantha Porter and Darby Piper run Two Girls Detective Agency. Darby is upset because Samantha is talking about selling the business and a taking a job as head of security at Lake Waters Retreat. Samantha is then murdered, and someone has set up Darby to take the fall. Darby reluctantly teams up with Samantha’s nephew, Tate Porter to find the killer. I thought Dead-End Detective was well-written with interesting characters and a beautiful setting. I like that the author took the time to establish the setting and the main characters. Tate is still a bit of an enigma, but I am sure we will get to know him better in each subsequent book. He is a charmer and I like how kept popping up when Darby attempted to investigate on her own. I liked Darby’s mother who is the town librarian. The whodunit had several suspects, misdirection, and subtle clues. Someone worked hard to frame Darby. I like how it all came together, though, I did feel that Darby stumbled upon the solution. I would have preferred for Darby to solve the case since she is supposed to be such a good detective. I like how she questioned her various suspects and solved her open cases. There is humor in the story that mostly comes from the elderly Mrs. Berger and her spoiled cat, Romy. There is romance potential for Darby. There is her ex-boyfriend (who does not deserve her) and Tate. I loved the name of Darby’s cat, Gumshoe. There is a secondary storyline involving Matt Billows who owns Lake Waters Retreat. He is trying to buy Mrs. Berger’s land which she does not want to sell. Dead-End Detective is a good start to this new series, and I look forward to reading the next installment in A Piper and Porter Mystery series. Dead-End Detective is a charming cozy mystery with one dead detective, an itinerant nephew, a climbing cat, a tenacious nonagenarian, and a set-up sleuth.
Dead End Detective
Piper & Porte, Book #1
Amanda Flower
5 Stars
Synopsis:
They were the Two Girls Detective Agency. Now, one of them is dead,
and the other is suspected of murder.
Darby Piper is in shock. Samantha Porter—her mentor and business partner at Two Girls Detective Agency—has died in a car crash, and it doesn’t look like an accident. In fact, evidence is pointing toward Darby.
Darby had expected to inherit Samantha’s half of the agency, but Samantha had recently changed the will to leave it to Tate Porter, her nephew, who returns to town.
Tate is no P.I. He’s a veteran, a world traveler, and something of a mystery himself. But as he helps Darby delve into secret histories and real estate development plans, he does seem to have a knack for the job. Will the agency have a future…even if Darby can prove her innocence in time?
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Darby is hardworking and wants to see justice done. And when her partner is killed in a car accident, she really wants to see it served. It does not look as if it was an accident, it looks as if it was cold blooded murder. Tate, her partner’s nephew, does not belong in the PI business, but he is going to give it a shot and help Darby figure things out. Can Darby and him learn to get along and work together and figure out the killer?
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and those descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The author is also very talented in creating a cozy setting, and this helped the story have a comfortable down-home feeling.
The mystery was well plotted and there were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider. You will really need to put your detective’s hat on to solve this one, which is how I like my mysteries.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series when it is released.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Hallmark Publishing, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
Darby Piper loves being a P.I. and is part owner in Two Girls Detective Agency along with friend and colleague Samantha Porter. She can’t understand why Samantha wants to suddenly give it all up and for a less exciting job. When Samantha is murdered and all the evidence points to Darby her world is turned upside down, especially when she finds out Samantha left her part of the business to her nephew Tate Porter. Even though Tate isn’t a P.I. He wants to help Darby look for his Aunt’s killer. The two team up and soon learns that Samantha was hiding secrets from both of them. Follow along as these two dig into the past to find a murderer, will they be able to work together or will this be the end of Two Girls Detective Agency?
4.5 stars
Dead-End Detective is the first book in Amanda Flower’s Piper and Porter Mystery series. Set in New York in a quaint little town on Seneca Lake, we meet Darby Piper, a private investigator whose partner, Samantha, has just been killed in an accident. Except it wasn’t an accident at all, someone deliberately ran her off the road and all signs point to Darby being the culprit. Still reeling from her friend’s murder, she is shocked to learn that Samantha has left her share of the business to her nephew, Tate. Although wary of each other, Darby and Tate team up to solve the murder.
Amanda Flower is one of my favorite cozy mystery authors and when I saw she had a new series coming out with Hallmark, one of my favorite TV channels and publishers, of course, I was excited. I have never read a book by her that I didn’t enjoy and this one was no exception. Dead-End Detective is an easy, delightful read, with great writing, a cozy small-town setting, and a plot that will hold your interest until the last page. The characters are engaging and the chemistry between Darby and Tate makes me excited to see how their relationship will develop in future books. The mystery is cleverly plotted, with enough red herrings and suspects to keep you guessing. I did manage to figure out the culprit’s identity but wasn’t sure of their motive.
All in all, This was a classic cozy mystery and I really enjoyed it. I hope we won’t have to wait too long for the second book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
What a great start to a new series. I really like both of the main characters. I can’t wait to get to know more about them. The mystery was well written. I thought I had it figured out but I was wrong. I look forward to reading more of this series.
I received a digital arc provided by Netgalley and Hallmark Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you
Great Book. I Loved the Cats.
Great Mystery. Love the Cats.
I so enjoyed this book. It had a well-developed plot and a clear clue trail. The author mixed description with action perfectly, sucking me into the story and never letting me go.
And the opening is classic. It started with one of my favorite characters Mrs. Berger. She’s fun, and the way she uses her cane made me laugh because it reminded me of a few seniors I know. All the characters that needed to be were well developed, relatable, and had depth.
I enjoyed the hint of a love triangle and the heroine’s reaction to the two males complicating her life. And her mother’s meddling was fun.
There are a few places where little words were missing, which surprised me since Hallmark published this book, but the typos were minor and didn’t pull me out of the story.
Great read. I highly recommend this story. Now, I’m off to read book two.
Overall good book. Was a little slow for me in the beginning to get connected to the story. Was definitely a surprise at the end. I liked how it was a mystery till the end. Can’t wait to read more!
A lot of Mystery and a little Romance
Bestselling and award-winning author Amanda Flower presents her mystery “Dead-End Detective. A Piper and Porter Mystery from Hallmark Publishing.” Darby Piper and Samantha Porter have been running “Two Girls Detective Agency” for years. Suddenly Darby learns that Samantha, her friend and partner, had wanted to dissolve the agency. Even more shocking, Samantha is dead, very likely murdered and she is the main suspect, her missing car might have been used for running Samantha off the road. Add to it Tate Porter, Samantha’s nephew, who will inherit the whole agency since Samantha most recently changed her will. But there are other suspects, challenges, and problems in town like the struggle Mrs. Berger is facing with Matt Billows, the owner of Lake Waters retreat. All this and an unidentified murderer does not stop Darby to run her own investigation. But will she succeed or what will be the outcome?
This is the first book of the “Piper and Porter Mystery” series. I cannot wait to read the second one as well as other books from this author. I highly recommend this book to readers who love easy to read mysteries with a romantic twist that offer inspiring characters and a storyline that offers some surprises. Lastly, the book also offers an original Hallmark recipe for “Berry Trifle.”
The complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#DeadEndDetective #NetGalley
I really wanted to like this book but it just didn’t work for me. However, it had a super cute cover!
You can check out my booktube video review at https://youtu.be/V9X2DfpvDaI
or read my review on my blog at https://lisasiefert.com/book-review-peached-clobbered-by-anna-gerard-a-georgia-b-and-b-mystery-2/
Really enjoyed this book. I listened to the audio version and the narrator was really good. Good plot and characters. This would be a good series to read if the first book is any indicator.
This is a fascinating start to a new series. The characters are well developed and realistic. The mystery is intriguing, well placed, and plotted to keep the reader guessing. I look forward to the next book in the series.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
Good start to a new series. The Premise: two friends own a detective agency – one dies under suspicious circumstances and the other is a main suspect (though she maintains her innocence). Lots of fun and likeable characters. If Darby didn’t commit murder, who did? Definitely kept me guessing.
I little different from Ms. Flower’s usual cozy mysteries, but still quite enjoyable.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.
A great introduction to what has the potential to be a fast paced new series.
It was sad that one of the Two Girls was gone before we really got to know her, but that set up the book for her partner to figure out how well she really knew her.
It also opens the question about what secrets people we believe we are close to are able to keep from us.
The unexpected new partner (or at least temporary new boss) throws a wrench into Darby’s regular lifestyle, which includes trips up a tree to rescue a cantankerous cat.
Secondary characters are a delight in this series and I hope we see them grow.
I was treated to both the audio version and an e-copy via Netgalley.
Both were exciting and fun to enjoy.
This was a delightful new series from author Amanda Flower. The charming small town and people are reminiscent of the Hallmark brand. I really enjoyed the characters or Darby and Tate and it was fun to watch the two of them work together to solve the murder of Darby’s friend and Tate’s aunt, Samantha. With all the evidence pointing to Darby as the killer, she sets out to clear her name with the help of Tate, who it seems has inherited his aunt’s portion of the detective agency. In their sleuthing, the two find that things seem to point at Samantha’s father’s unsolved death as the reason for her murder. Secrets come up as they investigate, which eventually lead them to the killer. I enjoyed these characters as well as Mrs. Berger and her cat, Romy, and Darby’s cat, Gumshoe. I look forward to reading more of this series and hopefully seeing Darby and Tate together romantically as well as business partners.
This is a wonderful cozy mystery!
I really like both of the main characters. Both Darby and Tate are very well developed. Then there is a whole cast of supporting characters. Some of them have some definite quirks that make them very fun to meet. One of my favorites has to be Darby’s mother, the librarian. I loved how she was always encouraging everyone to read.
The mystery is very well crafted. Plenty of twists and turns. Enough suspects to keep the reader guessing. Then a revelation very near the end of the book that completely caught me by surprise.
The narrator was absolutely fabulous! She did an incredible job of switching voices and accents as each character was talking. I was amazed at how well she did then voices of the men too. She truly made the story come to life. I hope that she narrates a lot more audiobooks.
I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.
Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion – which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
“Dead-End Detective“ by Amanda Flower the first instalment in “A Piper and Porter Mystery” series. What a great start to a new cozy mystery series! I really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait for the next instalment! I adore Amanda Flower and her other cozy series so I was pretty sure I would like this but I think it is my new favourite.
I loved Mrs. Berger and her cat Romi, who constantly got stuck in the tree. I also enjoyed the tension between Darby, her ex Austin and Tate Porter. I can see the love triangle forming, part of me wonders if Tate liked Darby back in school and that’s the friction between him and Austin.
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I loved the characters which are well developed.
I kept guessing and second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end.
I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Hallmark Publishing and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I thought this is an delightful and wonderful read. I enjoyed the characters. Its wonderful written. It has a really good storyline. Its a page turn and will keep you on edge of your sit. I look forward to reading more stories by this author.
I was provided a copy of this book by NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A cozy mystery filled with familial love. I agree with another reviewer that in most cozies the murdered character was often disliked but in Dead-End Detective, the murdered Samantha was well-loved by many and her murder is felt deeply. I didn’t cry but my heart ached for those left behind.
Darby Piper is going to be a fun sleuth to follow and Nate will keep her on her toes. In a way, it reminded me of series I fell in love with over the summer, The Liz Talbot series by Susan M. Boyer. Both are private investigators with a loving but nosy family. I love the fact that one is set in upper New York and the other in South Carolina.
I was shocked when the killer was revealed. I missed the clues pointing to the killer. The red herrings were perfectly placed throughout. Let me know if you were quicker to the draw in finding out the killer.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Hallmark, through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
A great new series. I really liked the mystery. It had a very nice pacing and kept me guessing the whole time. Can’t wait for #2…but I fear that’ll be a while.
An enjoyable cozy mystery! Amanda Flower is a new to me author and I enjoy her writing style. This is a new series featuring Darcy Piper who is a PI along with her partner Samantha in “Two Girls Detective Agency”. Darcy is blindsided when her majority partner tells her she is quitting the agency to work at a local resort. Samantha is later found to have been run off the road and murdered and all signs point to Darcy. Darcy is again blindsided when she finds out Stephanie has left her part of the agency to her nephew.
I enjoyed this book but I will admit that I couldn’t understand why Samantha couldn’t confide in Darcy in both her change in will and reasons for leaving the agency. Also, the red herring to who the murderer is was fairly obvious.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley but the opinion expressed is my own.