Showing results by author "Christa Nardi" in All Categories

Solving a murder wasn't on the wedding planner's checklist. With so many changes in her life, sleuthing is the last thing on the mind of Cold Creek College’s amateur sleuth, Sheridan Hendley. The morning run with Brett and his teen-aged daughter, Maddie, comes to a halt when the miniature Sheltie, Charlie, finds a dead body. Unfortunately, the victim was the manager of Hidden Oaks, a picturesque wedding venue and the precise location the teen wedding planner suggested for the upcoming nuptials. When Sheridan visits Hidden Oaks, she senses there is more underfoot than meets the eye.

Only, asking questions can be hazardous to her health. The closer she gets to finding the truth, the more her own life might be in danger. Sheridan’s self-defense classes are put to good use as she eliminates suspects. But her involvement strains her increasingly serious relationship with Detective Brett McMann. Are some secrets better left untold? Join Sheridan and her friends as they search to prove Zoe’s innocence and identify the killer, who is determined to stop them.

The Dickens script did not include the dead body on the stage. When a student at Cold Creek College is arrested for the crime, Professor Sheridan Hendley is cast in the role of amateur sleuth. Only the student is Marty’s nephew and the detective on the case is Brett. Tensions run high, friendships are strained, and the college administration is beginning to panic.

A dead colleague isn't the best way to start a semester, or a romance. Although Sheridan Hendley is not a sleuth, when her colleague is murdered, she assists the detective in gathering information.

What begins as a blissful ladies’ spa day meant for rest and renewal turns deadly when a striking young model is found murdered in the parking lot. Amateur sleuth Stacie Maroni is the one who discovers the body, notifies the police, and studies the woman and her jewelry. A bit obsessive about things matching, Stacie wonders at the silver earring mixed with everything else gold. Little does she know someone nearby is filming her.

Hannah and Tamar are looking forward to spending Thanksgiving break with their grandparents. On the long ride to Vermont, the sisters are quick to offer assistance when a fellow passenger - a girl in her late teens - is hassled by a rough-looking young man. Grateful as she may be for their help, Gwen is in no hurry to make friends, not even as she thrusts a mysterious package into Tamar’s hand and disappears in the Rutland train station. Puzzled by her behavior, Hannah and Tamar set out to locate Gwen and unravel the secret of the mysterious package.

Another murder in small town Cold Creek has tensions rising. Clive Johnson, the groundskeeper at Cold Creek College, is a convenient scapegoat for a police chief when he has the bad luck of finding the body. Although Clive helps the students on scholarship and claims innocence, he’s not helping himself. Convinced Chief Barney Pfeiffe has it all wrong, Sheridan Hendley sets out to help prove Clive's innocence. Her curiosity and questions place her in danger.

A small town, a murder, a fraternity, and a tangled web of people, politics, and lies. When Senator Marcus Thornton is killed at an engagement party in his hometown, amateur sleuth Sheridan Hendley is drawn into the investigation alongside her detective husband. With a reputation for flip-flopping on political issues, Thornton's death sparks suspicion. Broken promises and hidden agendas lead to dangerous undercurrents. As Sheridan delves deeper into the case, she uncovers a network of social connections and a history of infidelity that may have played a role in Thornton’s murder.

It’s love at first sight when Tamar meets Rusty, the newest resident at the local shelter where she volunteers. However, the arrival of the well-trained and affectionate dog coincides with the onset of suspicious and dangerous incidents involving the shelter and its staff. Is it a coincidence, or is the dog the key to solving a major crime? In this latest addition to the Hannah and Tamar mystery series, the sisters are determined to find out.

When Donald Woodlawn, an investment advisor from Lynchburg, is shot dead in their quiet town, Sheridan Hendley can’t help but wonder why. As the secrets of his questionable financial dealings with investment clients unravel, she discovers that a dangerous combination of gambling debts and alcohol drove him to target rich and powerful men.

A murder, and a toxic substance in a vineyard, would spell doom for the manager of any winery. And when that manager is a woman, a rarity in the wine industry, people are quick to place the blame on her shoulders. Even though Sheridan's husband, Brett, and his partner are already on the case, the amateur sleuth, is quick to jump in. In her search for clues, Sheridan and her friends explore the offerings at several nearby vineyards, where they discover more than great wine.

When a former colleague is implicated in his neighbor’s demise, Sheridan Hendley returns to Cold Creek to prove his innocence. Annoying as Max can be, she can’t imagine the quirky professor is capable of murder. Unfortunately, not everyone shares her opinion. Of course, it doesn’t help that Max threatened his neighbor in a public place soon before the man was murdered. Or that the victim’s drug shipments had a habit of turning up on Max’s doorstep. Only as Sheridan asks more questions, she again puts a target on her back.

Sheridan Hendley’s volunteer position at Pets and Paws takes a new turn when more than 20 malnourished dogs are found at a run-down house on the outskirts of town. When the body of an elderly woman is found amid mountains of clutter in the house, a search of the property leads to startling revelations. And another body.

Dinner, dancing, dogs, and murder. A festive fundraiser to help the dog rescue turns sinister when somebody salts the tempting spread with something toxic. Food poisoning used to mask a murder, Sheridan agrees to help the victim’s daughter find the killer. As Sheridan and Rachel investigate the prominent accountant’s records, a possible motive emerges and the game is on – with a happy ending for all, except the killer. Join Sheridan and her family and friends for this holiday cozy mystery novella with a dose of holiday cheer and a favorite biscotti recipe.

Murder is nothing new for Sheridan Hendley, amateur sleuth, or her husband, Detective Brett McMann. Still, shots fired add a layer of tension to babysitting and being neighborly. This time the murder is too close for comfort. There are no witnesses and no verified identification of the victim, not to mention the car accident prompting Sheridan to be next door. Questions are raised about an investment company and business practices. Could a kitten have the key to the motive and killer? As more information is revealed, Sheridan is in danger.

A simple request opens up a savory mystery. Hannah never imagined her high-school service project with the elderly would draw her into another mystery. Mrs. Tedesco, a lonely widow who loves to bake, has just one request - that the teen retrieve her cookbook from her old house. Easier said than done. The house has been ransacked and the coveted cookbook is nowhere to be found. But the teens aren’t the only ones seeking the cookbook’s hidden treasures, and the other side is playing for keeps.

Sheridan Hendley, amateur sleuth, wants nothing more than a return to routine following their family vacation. The last thing she needs is to find herself involved in another murder investigation. But that's precisely what happens when the victim is one of Maddie’s favorite teachers at the high school. While Sheridan’s trying not to sleuth, the high school principal assures everyone Sheridan will find the killer. Despite an abundance of people wanting to share their thoughts on the teacher, Sheridan and the police are stymied.

Sheridan Hendley is starting her new life as wife and step-mom, but is not employed, and has too much time on her hands. That is, until her step-daughter and friend are framed for theft and murder. Sheridan discovers the powerful family in her small town. Only she asks too many questions, and now is a target.

Sheridan Hendley, an amateur sleuth, never imagined a tranquil morning following a stormy night would turn into a crime scene at the local high school soccer field. As news of the murder spreads, the community is gripped with a sense of unease. The victim's son shows up at Sheridan’s door confused and seeking answers.

With Maddie away on a high school trip, Sheridan and Brett are looking forward to some alone time – and a long-needed break from work and crime. To that end, they rent a cabin in the woods, planning to enjoy nature and hike the trails in the adjacent state park. But their plans are soon derailed by the appearance of a frantic dog, its owner nowhere in sight. The insistent dog leads them to an injured couple and a lifeless body.