Margins
Old School Diner book cover 1
Old School Diner book cover 2
Old School Diner book cover 3
Old School Diner
Series · 7 books · 2017-2019

Books in series

Murder at Stake book cover
#1

Murder at Stake

2017

A Stake Through the Heart When a tornado hits the town of Paint Creek, more than rubble is discovered. One of the regulars at the Old School Diner is found with a stake to the heart. Is the stake from his collapsed barn, or as a couple of conspiracy theorists from the diner speculate...that the dear departed was indeed a vampire and there is a vampire hunter among them. Find out what happens in this new hilarious mystery series where the owner, Mercy, has her hands full with a colorful cast of characters.
Murder Well Done book cover
#2

Murder Well Done

2017

Suspicious Fires and a Dead Body The Old School Diner's known for smoke billowing out of the kitchen, especially when the cook, aptly named Smoke, is manning the grill. But when a dumpster fire erupts, even Smoke knows the smell isn't right. So when a dead body is found within the scalded trash bin, many a town folk have theories on the how and the why. But could the conspiracy theorists, Pop and Junior, be the sensible ones in this case? Find out when Mercy takes on another whodunnit while keeping her sassy wait staff in order.
A Side Order of Deception book cover
#3

A Side Order of Deception

2017

Old Bones, a Mangy Mongrel, and a Fortune Teller What do a mangy mutt, a fortune teller/masseuse, and old bones have in common? More than you think in this next installment of the Old School Diner Series. There's odd goings on in the city of Paint Creek as a dead body is unearthed, incriminating evidence lost for over 100 years is discovered, and to top it all off, Mercy might lose her beloved diner. Find out how all the pieces fall into place.
Murder, Basted and Barbecued book cover
#4

Murder, Basted and Barbecued

2017

Snooty Chefs, an ATV Race, and a Golden Cleaver Murder Weapon EATS-TV has come to the town of Paint Creek for their first annual Catch'em and Cook'em Smoke Off Competition. But when someone ends up with the Grand Prize lodged in their back side, everyone's appetite crumbles...except for Jake Jr.'s. Mercy is on the hunt, but could she end up being the next victim? Find out in this fall off the bone and succulent 4th book in the Old School Diner Series.
Murder Ala Mode book cover
#5

Murder Ala Mode

2018

Murder Mystery Dinner Theater...With a Real MurderIn an unconventional move, Mercy and the crew resolve to stage a murder mystery dinner theater at their beloved diner, with Junior embracing his new role as a French director. However, the play takes a harrowing turn to reality when one of the actors is murdered on set, turning every participant into a potential suspect.Amidst the chaos, Mercy suffers another deeply personal blow. Yet, she swiftly regains her composure, determined to identify who among them was desperate enough to resort to murder. The tale concludes with a touch of poignancy that serves as a perfect finishing touch.
The Candy Cane Killer book cover
#6

The Candy Cane Killer

2019

\\\This book was part of a Christmas Box Set Collection, Mistletoe & Murder\\\ It's the holiday season and the Old School Diner gang is ready to celebrate. But right before Christmas a news anchor visiting the town is murdered. His assailant leaves his signature...a candy cane, only it is quite different from the regular version. What significance does the murder weapon have? There's also magic in the air as Mercy and Junior stumble upon a workshop far from town. \\\Don't miss this Christmas story full of intrigue and wonder\\\
Blue Plate Slayer book cover
#7

Blue Plate Slayer

2019

Say Yes to the Wedding Dress Mercy and Brody are getting married and she's been selected to be on the hot television show in Atlanta...This Dress is the Best....and the entire Old School Diner gang is going. A world class designer supplies the dresses for her to select from while Dandy Dan, the host of This Dress is the Best, will be her helper. Miss Izzy runs the show while Petorina Verducci is the snooty designer. When one of them is murdered, Mercy and Brody work together to discover this murder by design.

Author

Constance Barker
Author · 202 books
Constance Barker lives in the Midwest with her husband and two Akitas where she can look out from her screened porch onto a wooded area brimming with activity. Since she was a young girl she read mysteries, often given to her by her grandmother. She loved figuring out who the culprit was and sometimes she was right and other times startled at who the author picked as the assailant. Now she enjoys writing mysteries herself. When she isn't writing stories, she can be found in her favorite vacation spot, Las Vegas or shopping for bargains.
548 Market St PMB 65688, San Francisco California 94104-5401 USA
© 2026 Paratext Inc. All rights reserved