Season’s greetings: Whodunit?

Santa Claus is coming to town, but guess who’s coming first to Haines Tavern, Kentucky – Great-Aunt Kit. If Sheila and her fellow amateur detective Clara want to give her author relative what she most wants this Christmas, they’ll wrap up a murder investigation -- with a mysterious victim, intriguing suspects, and suspicious twists. Because this time, Kit wants to be involved firsthand in solving a suspenseful puzzle.

The police – including Sheila’s romantic interest – want the amateur investigators to stand down. But how can they when the clues hit so close to home?

Sheila’s Christmas cookie recipe is the apparent murder weapon, in the hands of one of the small town’s quirky characters and one of the favorite humans of Sheila’s rescue dog, Gracie the rough collie. She can’t disappoint her pet by stopping her detective work short of the thrilling answer to Whodunit?

Kit also has ideas on solving Sheila’s romantic relationship with detective-once-more Teague O’Donnell, starting with revealing her most dangerous secret. But he’s keeping secrets of his own. By New Year’s, will this be a Christmas love story season to remember? Or a Grinch of a solution?

Yuletide clues will keep Sheila, Clara, Kit -- and you – guessing as all celebrate the season in Book 8 of the Secret Sleuth mystery series by USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn.

If you’re new to this page-turner cozy mystery series with humor, don’t miss its start, when Sheila encounters murder on a transatlantic cruise ship in Death on the Diversion. Then follow her to dry land in Death on Torrid Avenue and the gripping books that follow, because mysteries and deception abound in her new Kentucky home.

Secret Sleuth series

Death on the Diversion

Death on Torrid Avenue

Death on Beguiling Way

Death on Covert Circle

Death on Shady Bridge

Death on Carrion Lane

Death on ZigZag Trail

Death on Puzzle Place

Death on Riddle Road

Death on the Diversion ”is such an enjoyable story, reminiscent of Agatha Christie's style, with a good study of human nature and plenty of humor. Great start to a new series!” – 5-star review 

Death on Torrid Avenue “is told with a lot of humor and the characters are good company. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and am looking forward to the next story.” – 5-star review 

Secret Sleuth: female sleuth, amateur detective, traditional mystery, mystery with humor, mysteries with humor humorous mysteries with dog, mystery with dog, small town crime, murder mystery, ex-cop boyfriend, Christmas holiday visitor family

More mystery from Patricia McLinn

Caught Dead in Wyoming series

Sign Off

Left Hanging

Shoot First

Last Ditch

Look Live

Back Story

Cold Open

Hot Roll

Reaction Shot

Body Brace

Cross Talk

Air Ready

Holiday Bullets

Cue Up

Head Room

"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

The Innocence Trilogy

Proof of Innocence

Price of Innocence

Premise of Innocence

Ride the River: Rodeo Knights (romantic suspense)