Charlotte Russo loves three things: her bakery, her quirky Corgi Pretzel, and the October traditions that make Shadowbrook Hollow the perfect small town. But when the ruthless owner of the county's largest pumpkin operation demands an exclusive supply contract and threatens to destroy her business if she refuses, Charlie's peaceful autumn turns into a nightmare. After a heated confrontation at The Sweet October Bakery, the man is found dead in her walk-in cooler the next morning, strangled with her own apron, and Charlie becomes the prime suspect in a murder she didn't commit.
Determined to clear her name before the sheriff makes an arrest, Charlie teams up with her best friend Owen and her sharp-tongued assistant Rita to uncover the truth. As they dig into the victim's business dealings, they discover a town full of people with secrets, grudges, and powerful motives for murder. From the victim's bitter brother who's been cut out of the family business to the former business partners he destroyed, everyone in Shadowbrook Hollow seems to have wanted this man dead. With her sock-stealing Corgi occasionally uncovering clues and the fog-shrouded scarecrow displays watching from every corner, Charlie must navigate small-town politics, long-buried secrets, and a clever killer who's determined to see her take the fall.
Racing against time as evidence mounts against her and the real murderer grows desperate enough to strike again, Charlie must sift through lies, blackmail schemes, and decades of small-town grievances to find the truth. In a community where everyone knows everyone and October traditions run deep, the deadliest secrets are hidden behind friendly faces and the killer walks among neighbors and friends. Can Charlie solve the mystery before she loses her freedom, her beloved bakery, and possibly her life? Join Charlie and Pretzel in this cozy mystery full of autumn atmosphere, pumpkin-spiced baked goods, and a puzzle that proves even the coziest small towns can harbor dark secrets.
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Determined to clear her name before the sheriff makes an arrest, Charlie teams up with her best friend Owen and her sharp-tongued assistant Rita to uncover the truth. As they dig into the victim's business dealings, they discover a town full of people with secrets, grudges, and powerful motives for murder. From the victim's bitter brother who's been cut out of the family business to the former business partners he destroyed, everyone in Shadowbrook Hollow seems to have wanted this man dead. With her sock-stealing Corgi occasionally uncovering clues and the fog-shrouded scarecrow displays watching from every corner, Charlie must navigate small-town politics, long-buried secrets, and a clever killer who's determined to see her take the fall.
Racing against time as evidence mounts against her and the real murderer grows desperate enough to strike again, Charlie must sift through lies, blackmail schemes, and decades of small-town grievances to find the truth. In a community where everyone knows everyone and October traditions run deep, the deadliest secrets are hidden behind friendly faces and the killer walks among neighbors and friends. Can Charlie solve the mystery before she loses her freedom, her beloved bakery, and possibly her life? Join Charlie and Pretzel in this cozy mystery full of autumn atmosphere, pumpkin-spiced baked goods, and a puzzle that proves even the coziest small towns can harbor dark secrets.
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Used availability for Maisy Marple's Scarecrow Secrets