Saguaro, Snowflakes, and Murder

By Jenna Hendricks

Description:

It’s here where Maisy Bransky’s life takes an unexpected turn when she inherits a quirky bookshop from her beloved great-aunt Jo. The giant saguaro cactus out front named Siggy, shelves filled with rare books, and the possibility of a small coffee shop inside seem like the perfect recipe for a peaceful life. However, tranquility is shattered when Jo’s archnemesis, the notorious local troublemaker Homer Kimball, is found dead near her bookshop.

As the gossip mill starts churning, Maisy becomes the prime suspect, thanks to a heated argument she had with the victim about the death of great-aunt Jo. Homer claimed that Maisy's aunt got what she deserved, sparking another round of fights just before the tragic event.

Determined to clear her name, Maisy embarks on a journey to unravel the mysteries hidden within the dusty shelves of Aunt Jo's bookshop. With the help of a rescued Frenchie named Ollie, a mysterious old cowboy, and unexpected allies like a quirky cactus enthusiast, Maisy discovers cryptic messages, hidden compartments, and a secret diary that hints at Aunt Jo's enigmatic past.

As Maisy delves deeper, she uncovers a forged will, a lost treasure map, and a series of red herrings that lead her to suspect everyone from Aunt Jo's best friends, The Fearsome Foursom, to the local pirate. The small town's Wild West charm becomes the backdrop for a thrilling investigation, complete with unexpected twists, suspicious alibis, and confrontations in the unlikeliest of places.

In a race against time, Maisy must navigate through the town's annual Christmas celebrations, a brewing feud between families, and a growing attraction with the grandson of the murdered man. With the support of her friends and the town rallying behind her, Maisy must not only find the real killer but also decide the fate of Aunt Jo's beloved bookshop.

Can Maisy solve the mystery, unearth the secrets of the past, and prove her innocence? Join Maisy on this cozy, suspenseful journey where the Wild West meets small-town charm, and the pages of Aunt Jo's bookstore hold the key to redemption and discovery.

Book Takeaway:

Not all is as it seems. Basically, don't judge a book by its cover. I know, in the book business that is exactly what happens, but in real life there is so much more than we see on the outside.

Why the author wrote this book:

I've been a huge fan of cozy mystery for years. I feared I wouldn't be able to write it myself, but last year I decided that I was going to overcome my fear. I'd actually been researching how to write a cozy mystery for several years. This is my third story idea in this genre. While visiting my mom in Arizona, I fell in love with the nature and wildness of the desert small towns. I traveled around and found a region I loved and there I created my own town, Westcott. Researching Arizona and it's small towns has been a blast! I hope the fun and quirkiness of small towns comes through in this story!