[A Story Tree Cozy Mystery 01] • Books, Brownies and Murder

Everyone in Valley Springs knows that the brownies at Story Tree are to die for, so why are they so surprised when it turns out to be true? **

Clary St. James is content with her life in Valley Springs and her flourishing bookstore. She’s content, not bored. And if she keeps repeating that to herself, one day it might just be true. Everything changes one snowy afternoon when a handsome stranger takes up residence next door. Tall, dark, handsome, and arrogant, he rolls into town like he owns the place. Before she can complain too much, Valley Springs is rocked by an unexpected murder of a local man.

All eyes turn to Clary’s bookstore cafe when it’s revealed that lethal brownies were the murder weapon. The once revered brownies become an object of suspicion, and Clary is forced to defend her talented chef and friend, Marie. It’s a race against the clock as the evidence keeps mounting, and secrets come to light.

Death by Chocolate was supposed to be a marketing scheme, not a promise. Will Clary find the truth? Is her faith in her chef misplaced? And what’s happening next door?

**Book 1 in the Story Tree Cozy Mystery series, which can be read in one to two hours! Perfect for a lunchtime read or if you want to enjoy a quick light-hearted read, with a book-loving amateur sleuth, set in a picturesque town with sassy characters.

No cliffhanger, swearing or gory scenes! ****