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Secret Sleuth book cover 1
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Secret Sleuth
Series · 5 books · 2018-2020

Books in series

Death on the Diversion book cover
#1

Death on the Diversion

2018

Final resting place? Deck chair Death on the Diversion is the start of a brand-new cozy mystery series from a USA Today bestselling author. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Sheila Mackey has a secret. To the world, she’s author of a blockbuster book. Her wily great-aunt, the actual author, orchestrated this mutually beneficial masquerade. Now the aunt’s retiring and Sheila must draft Act Two of her own life. This cruise is supposed to be the perfect time to do that. Crossing the Atlantic on the Diversion, Sheila finds a dead body on deck. She realizes she knows a whole lot more about the interactions of the victim and suspects than the ship’s officials do. She’s drawn into sleuthing, but finds herself hampered by a well-meaning but overprotective would-be Dr. Watson. This murder mystery with humor is the first book in a new series, Secret Sleuth. In later books, amateur sleuth Sheila returns to dry land in the Midwest, where mysteries abound in her new small-town home. If you like mysteries about the inner world of writers, set among the insular cruise ship community, where even the sleuth has secrets she’s hiding (and a dog to come in book two), then you’ll love award-winning Patricia McLinn’s newest whodunit with humor. Get on board to sail away with crime, clues and memorable characters. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ On the spectrum of McLinn's mysteries, the Caught Dead in Wyoming cozy mysteries are in the middle, Proof of Innocence is a edgier (and has more romance), and Secret Sleuth is a bit less edgy.
Death on Torrid Ave. book cover
#2

Death on Torrid Ave.

2019

Paws for a murder Far from the publishing world that once defined her, Sheila Mackey has found a new life, a new home, and a new love. The love has four legs, a plumey tail, and a lot of fur. Meet Gracie the rescue collie. Too smart for her own good – certainly too smart for Sheila’s good, when Gracie discovers a dead body during a dog park gambol. Especially since Sheila delves into mysteries surrounding this dead body ... only to discover the new guy at the Torrid Avenue dog park is a barely retired cop. Not good for an amateur sleuth with a big secret of her own that she intends to keep. She’s not exactly who she says she is. At least, she’s not who she pretended to be for 15 years. Will Sheila untangle the murder mystery before her secrets are untied, exposing her previous identity to her new small-town neighbors? And will Gracie ever learn the “Quiet!” command? ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ This whodunit with humor is the second book in USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn’s new cozy mystery series, Secret Sleuth, which begins with a murder on a transatlantic cruise in Death on the Diversion. In Death on Torrid Ave. and later books, accidental investigator Sheila Mackey returns to dry land in the Midwest, where mysteries abound in her new small-town home. On the spectrum of McLinn's mystery novels, the Caught Dead in Wyoming cozy series is in the middle, Proof of Innocence is edgier (and has more romance), and Secret Sleuth is a bit less edgy.
Death on Beguiling Way book cover
#3

Death on Beguiling Way

2019

Murder and a dead end No zen in sight as Sheila untangles a yoga instructor's murder. After solving a murder on transatlantic cruise and another one in her new small-town dog park, writer Sheila Mackey finally approaches the next phase of her career and continues to settle in to Haines Tavern, Kentucky. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ This whodunit with humor is the third book in USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn’s new cozy mystery series, Secret Sleuth, which begins with a murder on a transatlantic cruise in Death on the Diversion. In Death on Torrid Avenue and later books, accidental investigator Sheila Mackey returns to dry land in the Midwest, where mysteries abound in her new small-town home. On the spectrum of McLinn's mystery novels, the Caught Dead in Wyoming cozy series is in the middle, Proof of Innocence is edgier (and has more romance), and Secret Sleuth is a bit less edgy.
Death on Covert Circle book cover
#4

Death on Covert Circle

2020

A reviled supermarket CEO meets his expiration date The executive who’s responsible for widely hated changes at the biggest grocery store in Haines Tavern, Kentucky, arrives for a tour … and doesn’t leave alive. Sheila and Clara are on the scene – buying dog treats, of course – and on the case. Can they pick out the ingredients for the right solution? This whodunit with humor is the fourth book in USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn’s cozy mystery series, Secret Sleuth, which begins with a murder on a transatlantic cruise in Death on the Diversion. In Death on Torrid Avenue and later books, accidental investigator Sheila Mackey returns to dry land in the Midwest, where mysteries abound in her new home in small-town Kentucky. 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 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 More cozy 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 Cue Up "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 If you like mystery with romance and a bit of humor, try The Innocence Trilogy Proof of Innocence Price of Innocence Premise of Innocence Ride the Rodeo Knights (romantic suspense; includes cameos from Caught Dead in Wyoming characters) Bardville, Wyoming series (romance with a little mystery) A Stranger in the Family A Stranger to Love The Rancher Meets His Match About the Author Patricia McLinn is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 60 published novels cited by readers and reviewers for wit and vivid characterization. Her books include mysteries, romantic suspense, contemporary romance, historical romance and women’s fiction. They have topped bestseller lists and won numerous awards. She has spoken about writing from London to Melbourne, Australia, to Washington, D.C., including being a guest speaker at the Smithsonian. McLinn spent more than 20 years as an editor at The Washington Post after stints as a sports writer (Rockford, Ill.) and assistant sports editor (Charlotte, N.C.). She received BA and MSJ degrees from Northwestern University. Now living in Kentucky, McLinn loves to hear from readers through her website PatriciaMcLinn.com and social media.
Death on Shady Bridge book cover
#5

Death on Shady Bridge

2020

A cold case murder heats up Sheila Mackey has secrets to keep, far from the publishing world that once defined her, Her plan to escape to a quiet life in small-town Kentucky keeps hitting bumps in the road. Death as come to some of her most-traveled new haunts: the dog park, her yoga studio and even the local supermarket. Sheila’s formed a bond with new friends and fellow dog lovers Clara and Teague, but now a mystery has hit closer to home. A friend of Clara’s comes to Sheila and Clara about the death of a cousin, because she has her suspicions. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ This whodunit with humor is the fifth book in USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn’s cozy mystery series, Secret Sleuth, which begins with a murder on a transatlantic cruise in Death on the Diversion. In Death on Torrid Avenue and later books, accidental investigator Sheila Mackey returns to dry land in the Midwest, where mysteries 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 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 More cozy 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

Author

Patricia McLinn
Patricia McLinn
Author · 49 books

USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn’s novels—cited by reviewers for warmth, wit and vivid characterization – have won numerous regional and national awards and been on national bestseller lists. In addition to her romance and women’s fiction books, Patricia is the author of the Caught Dead in Wyoming mystery series, which adds a touch of humor and romance to figuring out whodunit. Patricia received BA and MSJ degrees from Northwestern University. She was a sports writer (Rockford, Ill.), assistant sports editor (Charlotte, N.C.) and—for 20-plus years—an editor at the Washington Post. She has spoken about writing from Melbourne, Australia to Washington, D.C., including being a guest-speaker at the Smithsonian Institution. She is now living in Northern Kentucky, and writing full-time. Patricia loves to hear from readers through her website, Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.

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