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New Cozy Series: Open For Murder

New Cozy Series: Open For Murder, book 1 in the Happy Camper Series

Review +Author & Book Info


New Cozy Series: Open For Murder: A Happy Camper Mystery

New Cozy SeriesSeries: 
Published by: Lyrical Press
Release Date: November 24, 2020
Pages: 304

Deep in the heart of touristy small-town Spirit Canyon, South Dakota, former journalist Zo Jones runs the Happy Camper gift shop, where she sells everything from locally made souvenirs to memorabilia. She even rents out mountain bikes, and dabbles in the adventure industry—and sleuthing . . .

It’s Memorial Day weekend in Spirit Canyon, and for Zo that means the return of summer shoppers. It also means the return of her good friend Beth, who’s moved back to the area to reopen her family’s premier hotel, Spirit Canyon Lodge. Beth and Zo spent many childhood summers there and Zo can’t wait to reconnect and celebrate the Grand Opening. But the festivities go from bad to worse when a power outage knocks out the lights—and morning reveals a competitor’s dead body found on the premises . . .

Soon enough, Beth is the prime suspect in the suspicious death. Fortunately, Zo isn’t afraid to put her investigative skills to work and prove her friend’s innocence. To start digging for information, she appeals to Max Harrington, a local Forest Ranger and unlikely ally. Though they’ve argued about Happy Camper’s tours, in this case they agree on one thing: Beth isn’t a murderer. Stranger things have happened than their collaboration. After all, this is Spirit Canyon. But as the list of suspects grows, Zo will have to keep her guard up if she doesn’t want to be the next lodge guest to check out . . .

To buy the book, click on any of the following links: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo


My Thoughts on Open For Murder

Zo Jones is the perfect amateur sleuth. She’s fearless and funny and loyal, which gets her into a series of scrapes as she tries to solve a murder before her childhood friend gets arrested for a crime she didn’t commit.

Owner of the Happy Camper gift shop, ex-journalist Zo Jones thinks she’s going to a celebration to support her friend Beth at the re-opening of her family’s premier resort. Instead she finds herself embroiled in the murder of a local woman with a lot of enemies—each one with a reason to want her dead.

The Spirit Canyon Lodge holds a special place in Zo’s heart, as she spent summers there with her friend as a child. Zo is invested in the success of the lodge as well as keeping Beth out of jail.

The deeper we get into the mystery, the deeper we get into Zo’s background as well. She’s a complex character with a history that makes her keep people at arm’s length, including the cute Forest Ranger Max Harrington.

But even Zo needs a little help from her friends, and finds herself reaching out. Could a little romance be in Zo’s future . . . anything is possible, but first she has to solve the crime.

Set in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, Spirit Canyon makes a terrific backdrop for Zo’s investigations. Wild and dangerous, but mixed with a fun, touristy small town vibe, Open for Murder will make the reader crave a visit in person.

Angela effortlessly weaves real and fictional geography together to place the reader smack in the middle of stunning scenery and an engaging community—perfect for armchair traveling during a long year of staying home.

Filled with dynamic characters and plenty of plot twists to keep the reader guessing, Open For Murder is a fantastic start to a new series.


Mary Angela, Author of Open For Murder

© Julie Prairie Photography 2016

Mary Angela is the author of the Professor Prather and Happy Camper cozy mystery series.

When Mary isn’t penning heartwarming whodunits, she’s teaching, reading, traveling, or spending time with her family.

She lives in South Dakota with her husband, daughters, and spoiled pets. You can find out more about her loves, including her writing, at MaryAngelaBooks.com.

To learn more about Mary, click on her name, photo, or any of the following links: FacebookTwitterGoodreads, and Instagram

 


Elena TaylorElena Taylor is the author of All We Buried, available now in print, e-book, and audio book format at all your favorite on-line retailers. And don’t forget many independent bookstores can order books for you and have them shipped to your home or for curbside pickup.

E-book on sale for $1.99 the entire month of November!

For more information on All We Buriedclick on the link here to visit the home page.

Elena Hartwell

Author and developmental editor.

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Mary Angela

    Thank you for the kind review, Elena! I’m so glad you liked the book.

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