New Caper Mystery Series Debuts from USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton

Release: August 14 2017
Series: Heist Ladies #1
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Secret Staircase Books

A bold museum robbery. A missing million-dollar necklace, a stalled police investigation. For the victim of the crime, the situation calls for desperate measures.

Albuquerque, NM, July 26, 2017 – Penelope Fitzpatrick wasn’t born to wealth. Her grandfather fed the family by selling his small stash of gemstones smuggled from tsarist Russia when the monarchy fell. Now, Pen has done well for herself as a successful novelist living in Scottsdale, Arizona. But when the final jewel in her family legacy becomes the target of a cunning band of thieves, and the priceless piece is stolen from the museum where it was on loan, the police have many excuses why they can’t solve the crime. Not one to accept defeat, Pen does the only thing she can do—gather a group of friends to help catch the crooks and steal back the necklace.

It becomes apparent the thief is a master con man who is likely working with an international theft ring. The chase takes the Ladies far from home and into elegant European enclaves as they attempt to face him down. Close calls and near misses—it’s never quite certain whether the women will be able to pull their own spectacular heist and see justice done.

“The entire Heist Ladies series came to me during a long car trip, where I jotted notes for five books with five female protagonists. Each book will feature one of the women and an crime done against her,” said author Connie Shelton. “For the first story, Diamonds Aren’t Forever, I drew upon two of my interests. I’ve always been fascinated with con men and the ways they work. And I love beautiful jewelry. The chance to develop a plot weaving them together proved irresistible. After studying the methods con men use, I knew I had to pit the man in this story against a woman who would not, as many victims do, hide away from the crime and let him win. Penelope Fitzpatrick had the perfect attitude. All she needed was a team of friends with the necessary skills, and—voila—the Heist Ladies came together.”

Part caper, part heist, this fast-paced story of a team of contemporary women brings a sense of adventure and fun as Penelope, the woman who has lost a very valuable piece of heirloom jewelry, pursues the thief. Fans of Janet Evanovich and Jana DeLeon will love this daring and spunky group of women friends in their first mystery caper, Diamonds Aren’t Forever.

“I write mysteries from many levels,” says Shelton. “Yes, there’s a crime (or two or three) and, yes, my protagonists are out to solve that crime. But I also like to include a look at the people behind the actions, and I want to do it with a touch of humor and often a lot of food! Fans often comment on those aspects of my stories. To my readers, my lead characters feel like friends. Knowing that people relate to my protagonists and the extended cast of characters on such a personal level is what makes this so much fun for me.”

Meet Connie Shelton and her characters from all three of her series at connieshelton.com, and be sure to check out the Food page which includes recipes from New Mexico, Connie’s home state, a sampling of the great dishes which have been featured in her books. Subscribe to Connie’s email newsletter to receive the latest news and have a chance to win prizes each month.

Buy Link

Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a digital copy (Kindle or Nook) of Diamonds Aren’t Forever. The giveaway will end August 15, 2017. Good luck everyone!

Meet the author
Connie Shelton is the USA Today bestselling author of two mystery series set in her home state, New Mexico, in addition to the Heist Ladies international series. She read her first non-picture book at age seven and has not stopped reading since. She has been involved with books as an editor, publisher, teacher, bookseller, reader and writer. She has taught writing courses and was a contributor to Chicken Soup For the Writer’s Soul. Many of her previous books have achieved mystery bestseller status on Amazon and Kobo. She and her husband reside in New Mexico with their two dogs. Contact her through her website at connieshelton.com.

All comments are welcomed.