Final resting place? Deck chairDeath on the Diversion begins a new cozy mystery series from the USA Today bestselling author of the “Caught Dead in Wyoming” series.~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~Sheila Mackey has a secret. To the world, she’s author of a blockbuster book. Her wily great-aunt, the actual author, orchestrated this mutually beneficial masquerade. Now the aunt’s retiring and Sheila must draft Act Two of … retiring and Sheila must draft Act Two of her own life. This cruise is supposed to be the perfect time to do that.
Crossing the Atlantic on the Diversion, Sheila finds a dead body on deck.
She realizes she knows a whole lot more about the interactions of the victim and suspects than the ship’s officials do. She’s drawn into sleuthing, but finds herself hampered by a well-meaning but overprotective would-be Dr. Watson.
This murder mystery with humor is the first book in a new series, Secret Sleuth. In later books, amateur sleuth Sheila returns to dry land in the Midwest, where mysteries abound in her new home in small-town Kentucky.
If you like mysteries about the inner world of writers, set among the insular cruise ship community, where even the sleuth has secrets she’s hiding (and a dog to come in subsequent books), then you’ll love award-winning Patricia McLinn’s newest whodunit series with humor.
Get on board to sail away with crime, clues and memorable characters.
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On the spectrum of McLinn’s mysteries, the Caught Dead in Wyoming cozy mysteries are in the middle, Proof of Innocence is a edgier (and has more romance), and Secret Sleuth is a bit less edgy.
Secret Sleuth series
Death on the Diversion
Death on Torrid Avenue
Death on Beguiling Way
Death on Covert Circle
Death on Shady Bridge
More cozy mystery from Patricia McLinn:
Caught Dead in Wyoming
Sign Off
Left Hanging
Shoot First
Last Ditch
Look Live
Back Story
Cold Open
Hot Roll
Reaction Shot
“While the mystery itself is twisty-turny and thoroughly engaging, it’s the smart and witty writing that I loved the best.” — Diane Chamberlain, New York Times bestselling author
“Colorful characters, intriguing, intelligent mystery, plus the state of Wyoming leaping off every page.” — Emilie Richards, USA Today bestselling author
If you like mystery with romance and a bit of humor, try also:
Proof of Innocence
Price of Innocence (2020)
Ride the River: Rodeo Knights (romantic suspense; includes cameos from Caught Dead in Wyoming characters)
Bardville, Wyoming series (romance with a little mystery)
A Stranger in the Family
A Stranger to Love
The Rancher Meets His Match
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn spent more than 20 years as an editor at the Washington Post after stints as a sports writer (Rockford, Ill.) and assistant sports editor (Charlotte, N.C.). She received BA and MSJ degrees from Northwestern University.
McLinn is the author of more than 50 published novels, which are cited by readers and reviewers for wit and vivid characterization. Her books include mysteries, romantic suspense, contemporary romance, historical romance and women’s fiction. They have topped bestseller lists and won numerous awards.
She has spoken about writing from Melbourne, Australia, to Washington, D.C., including being a guest speaker at the Smithsonian Institution.
Now living in northern Kentucky, McLinn loves to hear from readers through her website, Facebook and Twitter.
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I love a clever sleuth, and Sheila Mackey is clever and funny!
If you’ve ever been on a cruise ship, you will enjoy this whodunnit. It kept me guessing and made me smile throughout! I look forward to more books with this “secret sleuth.”
nice cozy mystery
Loved the humor! From pretend persona, to the beginning of her new life, Sheila grew in her ability to read people and in the knowledge of what she desires for her life solving a murder along the way. With characters both likeable and not so much relationships were complicated and the story was told in an amusing manner. Looking forward to more by this author.
An excellent start to a new series…the dialogue exchange on most mysteries have a murder in them was a hoot! Would love to meet Aunt Kit! If you enjoy trying to follow the clues a must read.
A nice cozy but full of twists and turns. Good character development – and there are a LOT of characters:)
Regular cruisers will recognize all the aspects and details.
Keepsyouhoppi hg
Great who-done-it! Such a neat twist! I don’t want to spoil it so I’ll only say….. I can’t wait to read ALL the other books 🙂
An entertaining read. Almost swamped by the number of suspects. But I got over it. A little weak in the final reveal.
I loved this book. All the characters were interesting and I kept guessing “who did it?” but I was wrong each time. Really original character base.
I liked this book. I am going on a similar cruise as the one described in the book so I was interested in it. I enjoyed the story but most of the characters were unpleasant.
I liked it enough to purchase the next one in the series. I had to read some of it aloud to hubby while we were driving, it was so funny!
I like this writer a lot. But this series is not as good as her Lost in Wyoming books.
If you are a dog lover this is a good choice for you. I’m more of a dog liker than a lover so for me, that aspect of it doesn’t appeal to me much. I’m a little tired of reading about dogs getting in and out of cars.
The idea of the main character being a front for another author is original and interesting but I feel that issue is a little underdeveloped so far.
It’s a decent read.
Great for anyone who has taken a cruise.
This story kept me guessing. A great example for entering multiple and new characters with means and motive for murder stringing the reader along until the conclusion.
After many cruises I know many of these characters.
Take a fun cruise with a dead body and groups of twisted characters!
Having fairly recently enjoyed a Cruise, I enjoyed “picturing” the scene, as well as interactions of the people on board! As in Real Life, some passengers seem realistic, but others seem to have Another Agenda! Enjoyable Read
I thought the main character was totally relatable. The story line was plausible and very entertaining. I enjoyed this book and would read more by this author.