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
A departure from her recent books, but I enjoyed that. She keeps you guessing to the end.
This is the first book in an enjoyable new cozy mystery series by Amanda Flowers. With a truly funny opening scene of Darby Piper trying to coax a reluctant cat down out of a tree, the story moves forward to the tragic death of Darby’s partner in their Two Girls Detective Agency. And as if coping with the death wasn’t bad enough, Darby learns that she is the prime suspect. Can she clear her name, with or without the help of her partner’s nephew, Tate. I liked the development of a relationship between Darby and Tate. The mystery also kept one guessing til the end. And the supporting characters, including Mrs. Berger and her cat, Romy, were great fun.
What an enjoyable cozy mystery! This book drew me in right from the first chapter and I didn’t want to put it down. The setting sounds picturesque and the characters are all delightful. Mrs. Berger is a hoot, as is her cat Romy. The mystery itself was realistic and not far-fetched considering it takes place in a small town. The only question I had in the end was what illness Darby’s dad actually has as I didn’t find the answer within the pages of the story (perhaps I missed it somehow?). I look forward to seeing additional installments in this series.
Disclaimer: I know that some of my followers are looking for certain criteria when reading. And given the recent turmoil over Hallmark being inclusive in their movies, I feel the need to point out that there is a gay couple that appears in this book. That being said, they are side characters who do not appear often or for long on the page. While their part of the story did not revolve around their romance, if that sort of relationship being depicted in a story upsets you, perhaps look for a different cozy mystery.
First off, I am a big fan of any mystery written by Amanda Flower. To find that she has started a new series meant I had to get my hands on it sooner rather than later. I was not disappointed. Dead-end Detective is another winner. Darby Piper and her partner Samantha Porter are the Two Girls Detective Agency until Samantha is killed when her car is forced off the road. Accident? or Murder? Well Darby soon finds herself at the top of the prime suspect list when it’s revealed that Samantha wanted to dissolve the agency. Worse, when she dies, her will leaves her 60% ownership not to Darby but to her nephew who isn’t qualified or is he? Motive, as seen by the police (that’s another roadblock) was not only that biggie but, as Darby resides in the apartment over the agency, if Samantha had left the agency Darby would be homeless as well as unemployed. Time to pull herself together and track down the killer. Will Tate, the nephew and her new partner, be able to help her find the killer and will they make a go of being partners?
From the first page to the last this puzzle had me firmly engaged and guessing wrong as I followed the various twists and turns with the necessary red herrings. I’m looking forward to more books in this series. Hallmark is now on my list of publishers to be followed.
My thanks to the publisher, Hallmark and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Dead-End Detective by Amanda Flower is the first in the new series, A Piper and Porter Mystery. It’s a great start to a new series in my opinion.
Darby and Samantha are the owners of Two Girls Detective Agency. Not only are they owners, they are also best friends. Lately though, Samantha has been distant and has been leaning towards leaving the agency for a new opportunity. Of course, Darby is upset, not only will she will be jobless, she lives in the upstairs where the office is located. When Samantha is found dead in her crashed car and the investigation shows she was ran off the road, all signs point at Darby being the guilty party. After all, everyone thinks she is going to inherit Samantha’s percentage of the business or is she. Enter Tate, Samantha’s military veteran, globe trotting, brother. He has never investigated anything, let alone a murder. Darby knows she will have to find the killer because all of the evidence is adding up towards her.
This quick, easy to read Cozy has everything, a great setting, likeable characters, some quirky, humor, and the possibility of a romance.
I was given an ARC by the publisher and NetGalley for an honest review.
A fun, new cozy mystery series that will melt your heart. A must read for Hallmark movies and mystery fans.
Strong female protagonist, an unsolved murder and some cats – doesn’t get much better than this!
Amanda Flower’s debut “Piper and Porter Mystery” from Hallmark Publishing, entitled “Dead-End Detective” is a classic cozy mystery that will leave you wanting for more! Darby Piper built her detective agency, her dream career, with her friend and mentor, Samantha. When Samantha is murdered, and the evidence suggests Darby is the culprit, she must solve the biggest case of her career. A slew of surprises awaits Darby as she finds herself working with alongside Samantha’s nephew, Tate, to find out who was responsible for Samantha’s death. Can Darby solve the crime before she is arrested, or is murdered herself? And even if she figures out the puzzle and stays alive, will the agency continue to exist?
This novel is engaging and will draw in the reader with Flower’s fluid writing style, with embedded humor and charm. The author cleverly builds the story line with plot twists that will keep you wondering until the very end. The descriptive writing fully sets the stage and you can easily envision the town’s unique flair and make you want to invite the characters into your own home (including Gumshoe and Romy, the cats!). While there was a very small story line gaff when Darby somehow drives her missing car to her parents for dinner, the overall novel withstands the error. I highly recommend “Dead-End Detective” as it is a pleasant quick read that will make you laugh, gasp, and cry. I can’t wait to see what Darby and Tate get to handle next.
*I received a free review copy of this book from Netgalley and Hallmark Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
Amanda Flower has made a start to another great series with the Piper and Porter Mystery series. Set in New York in a small town on Seneca Lake, Darby Piper and her friend and partner, Samantha Porter, have run the Two Girls Detective Agency for ten years when Samantha is killed by another driver running her off the street on a hill into a ravine. All clues point to Darby and her ex boyfriend Austin Caster is the lead detective. Thinking she will inherit the business where it is a 60/40 ownership with Samantha owning the larger shares, it is a shock to find that Samantha left her portion to her nephew Tate Porter, former Army soldier, now drifter, who happened to be in town the night that she was killed. There are other people who are considered suspects in Samantha’s death but it appears that someone has set Darby up for the fall. So, Darby and Tate wound up working together to find out who might want Samantha out of the picture. And it is a surprise to see who that person is.
I am looking forward to reading more of this series with likable, interesting as well as quirky characters in a small town with a failing resort and a desperate owner. I am interested in seeing what happens in the way of a possible romance in the future as well. Lots of promise and fun reading.
I received a complimentary ARC from Hallmark Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a wonderful start to what I hope will be a long series. The characters were good and very likable. The mystery was good with several red herrings. I love the setting of the small lake town where everybody knows everybody else. Looking forward to seeing relationships develop more as the series progresses.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher and voluntarily chose to review it.
This book is the first in a new mystery series by Amanda Flower. I enjoyed this cozy, my first by this author, and look forward to watching for additions to this series and possibly looking into other books written by her as well. It is fun to start at the beginning of a series and watch the characters evolve along the way. Main character Darby is fun and well written. The addition of the past boyfriend and the potential new interest was great. The setting in the little town is quaint and adds to the story-line. And of course, there is an intriguing mystery to solve. Being mostly a crime fiction and romantic suspense reader with a little romantic comedy thrown in, I am finding that I enjoy the occasional cozy mystery now and again. I adore Hallmark Publishing and I am so glad they are branching out into this genre. Thank you for introducing me to author Amanda Flower.
Dead-End Detective is the first book in a new cozy mystery series by Amanda Flower and it is amazing! It has everything I love in a cozy mystery – likable, interesting characters, a very intriguing cozy mystery, a little romance, and it was hard to put down! What’s not to love? Darby Piper and Samantha Porter own Two Girls Detective Agency. Samantha wants to sell the agency and both she and Darby would go to work for a local resort. Darby doesn’t want to and is hurt that Samantha wants to dissolve the agency they both have worked so hard at. Samantha dies in a car crash and when it is found to be murder, Darby is the prime suspect. Tate Porter, Samantha’s world travelling nephew, arrives on the day she dies. That is suspicious! Darby and Tate decide to work together so they can keep an eye on each other and find Samantha’s killer. There are only a few suspects but there are twists and turns that kept me guessing until close to the end. Very enjoyable! I received an advance copy from NetGalley for an honest review. #NetGalley #DeadEndDetective
Darby Piper is a private investigator and the most important case in her agency’s ten-year history has just dropped into her life. It’s a murder case, but unfortunately for Darby, she is the prime suspect.
The murder victim is Samantha Porter. Samantha was Darby’s partner in the Two Girls Detective Agency. Samantha and Darby had spent the last ten years building up the business, but Samantha, with her 60% ownership in the agency, was about to dissolve the partnership in order to take on a new job.
Matt Billows, owner of Lake Waters Retreat, an exclusive spa on the shores of Seneca Lake, had offered Samantha the job as head of security for the spa and Samantha, tired of the private investigator life, had agreed to take the job. Samantha’s choice leaves Darby without a job or a home, since Darby lives above the detective agency. The two fight about the new changes and Samantha leaves without resolving their differences.
Darby’s ex-boyfriend, Police Officer Austin Caster, is the one to tell Darby in the early hours of the next day about Samantha’s death in a car accident. But then he begins to ask Darby questions. By the time Austin and his partner Zack Lauter leave, Darby realizes she is the primary suspect in Samantha’s questionable death—with Samantha gone, Darby’s job and home are safe. Unless she is convicted of a murder she didn’t commit.
But the real murderer has planned this crime well; all the clues point directly at Darby. Darby will require all the skills she’s acquired in her ten years as a private investigator in order to solve Samantha’s murder and bring the killer to justice.
I look forward to the first book in a new series—entering a new world and meeting its inhabitants, without having to make small talk. Is this setting a place I want to immerse myself into? Are these people I want to spend more time with, getting to know them warts and all? In the case of Amanda Flower’s new series, the answer is yes. Her strong characters and secondary characters are people I want to know, and Harrington is a place I want to visit again. The book is also peppered with humor; Mrs. Berger, Harrington’s oldest resident at 90 years of age, is the owner of Romy, a Maine Coon cat who is the bane of Darby’s existence. Mrs. Berger also swings a mean cane when necessary. I look forward to reading more about the small village of Harrington and the characters living there.
Excellent new series! Darby knew there were going to be some uncomfortable situations working as a private eye when her ex long time boyfriend is a cop but when she becomes the prime suspect in a murder case it is beyond uncomfortable.
A well woven mystery with a likable protagonist and a fun secondary character. I look forward to spending more time with Darby, her new partner Tate and even her ex Austin. Thanks to Hallmark Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
Author Amanda Flower begins her “Piper and Porter Mystery Series” with “Dead-End Detective”, an entertaining cozy mystery with an appealing female lead. Darby Piper and Samantha Porter had been good friends and partners in the “Two Girls Detective Agency” for over ten years. Samantha held the larger share of the agency, and when she suddenly decides to sell the business, Darby is at a loss. The agency is not only Darby’s livelihood, it’s her home–she lives upstairs above the office. Her shock becomes true heartache when Samantha is killed in a car accident and suspicion is cast upon Darby. Another unsettling surprise is the fact that Samantha had left her share of the business to her nephew, Tate Porter, who returns to the beautiful lakeside community of Herrington, New York to find out the truth about his beloved aunt’s death. Tate, an army veteran, and a man with an air of mystery all his own, is now technically Darby’s boss. Interest grows between Darby and Tate as they work together to solve the case. All along the way, Darby must deal with cantankerous cats, her ex-boyfriend, policeman Austin Caster, and her super-organized librarian mother. I enjoyed “Dead-End Detective”, and I look forward to more mystery adventures with “Piper and Porter”.
Book Copy Gratis Hallmark Publishing
Darby Piper and her friend Samantha Porter run Two Girls Detective Agency. That is, they do until Samantha is suddenly killed in a car accident. The surprises keep coming, as Darby – who expected she’d inherit Samatha’s share of the agency and the building that houses it – discovers that Samantha left her share to a nephew. Who suddenly shows up in town.
But that’s not all. The police think Samantha was murdered. Suspicion falls squarely on Darby. Thankfully, the nephew believes Darby is innocent and between them, they start to unravel the truth.
Flower is a new-to-me author with an obvious talent for an intricate tale that involves intriguing characters. Dead-End Detective is a first in series and I am looking forward to the next adventure!
Many thanks to NetGalley, Hallmark, and the author for an Advanced Reader Copy of this book I was not required to write a review, the opinions herein are entirely my own.]
Dead-End Detective by Amanda Flower is the first in a new series: A Piper and Porter Mystery series.
I have been a fan of Ms. Flower for a while now and love her cozy mystery series, so I was excited to see that not only is there a new series written by her, but she has teamed up with my beloved Hallmark Publishing to start a new detective series.
I enjoyed this book from the start. I love Darby Piper. She is smart, fiery, and her character works well with Tate and I think that together, they will create a great new series of books.
I enjoyed the murder/mystery plot, the pace, and the dialogue that I have come to love from Ms. Flower.
A great new series and I look forward to future books.
5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
Darby Piper and Samantha Porter are co-owners of Two Girls Detective Agency. Samantha, the owner with 60% ownership has decided to sell the business to a real estate organization against Darby’s wishes. Darby will be left without a job, her business, or her home. Needless to say, the two are at loggerheads.
When Samantha is killed in an auto accident a day later, Darby is horrified … even more so when she learns that this was no accident. And the really scary thing is that Darby seems to be the prime suspect.
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.
Her ex-boyfriend, a detective, advises Darby to get a lawyer … a criminal lawyer since an arrest will be made shortly. She and Tate decide to investigate themselves … and hopefully prove Darby’s innocence. Rifling through Samantha’s life, Darby unexpectedly finds that Samantha had secrets …. was this why she was killed?
This is a well-written, highly enjoyable, cozy mystery. Darby and Tate are exceptional characters. Darby brings humor into the mix while Tate is a rather mysterious man. I love how that interact with each other. Maybe a budding romance? There are plenty of suspects to follow as the duo goes on the hunt for a killer.
Many thanks to the author / Hallmark Publishing / Netgalley for the digital copy of this delightful cozy mystery. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
This was a fun cozy. The plot was a little unexpected as was the twist at the end. The story was delightful, easy to read and very entertaining. The characters were engaging and I liked them. You really get two mysteries in one.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and offer my honest review.
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Enjoyed his Hallmark detective book set on Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes, New York, one of my favorite places. The book keeps you wondering who did it until the surprising end. Loved the characters human and the fluffy ones too!
DEAD-END DETECTIVE kicks the Piper and Porter Mystery Series off to a good start. The characters are nicely drawn, and the smart mystery unfolds at a brisk pace. Since Darby is the prime suspect, I felt quite invested in the story as she tried to clear her name. Several other suspects and plenty of clues and red herrings kept me guessing for most of the book. My only quibble is that the ending seemed a bit rushed, but this did not deter my enjoyment of the book. I cannot wait to read more of Darby and Tate’s adventures. Highly recommended.
I received an ARC from the publisher and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.