Into the Fire

(For you Christmas shoppers who want to give your cozy mystery lovers a series to die for [pun intended], Karin's series is the one for you. Entertaining with some lovable – and a few despicable characters – the Juniper Grove Mystery Series is a must gift for those who love those short and cozy mysteries.) 

Karin Kaufman presents the first book Death of a Dead Man in her new Juniper Grove Mystery Series, and you cozy mystery fans are going to love this one.

Mystery writer Rachel Stowe leaves the hectic environment of the Boston publishing world and settles into Juniper Grove in Colorado hoping to enjoy the small town atmosphere and make new friends while continuing to write her mystery novels. Her twitchy neighbor Julia turns out to be a lot less twitchy and more of a feisty older friend who's being harassed by the local pushy managing editor of the newspaper everyone calls a rag but everyone seems to read. Rachel's other mutual friend to Julia is the owner of a bakery (Holly) where Rachel can feast upon the best cream puffs she's ever eaten.

The court has just declared Julia's missing bank heist husband dead after 12 years of no contact or sightings. His partner in the robbery was found dead in the river rapids immediately after the deed but no one ever saw Julia's husband's body – or the money from the heist. Coinciding with the declaration, notes appear on people's doors implying there's someone who knows about their guilt those many years ago when the two men got away with the money.

Police Chief Gilroy has his hands full with the case and the treachery going on behind his back, and he doesn't really want to add three ladies trying to figure out the mystery of who the note-leaver is, but that hope becomes impossible when Rachel finds the supposed dead man freshly dead in her back yard.

There are multiple suspects, lots of treachery, vandalism, threats, embarrassing moments, a few laughs, some tears, and an awakening in Rachel's heart regarding the hunk who happens to be the steely blue-eyed Chief of police. Will these amateur sleuths discover who killed Julia's husband in spite of being instructed to leave it alone? Read this fun adventure with the perfect title to find out.

God, you know the multiple trials Karin has faced in the last several months, and you've been with her all through them. I pray you would continue to bless her life, her writing, her hopes and dreams. Provide what she needs to do what you have for her to do. Encourage her, Lord, as only you can do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.