At this time, I’d usually be on the street right now. But it’s vacation time with my Beau Riley Morgan. You probably know him as the guy that runs Pages & Scones now Pages & Brews. I’m a police officer in our little town of 3,200 and some folks, like my dad, Boyd Jensen.

I’d be up at 5:30 am (9:00 am if it’s an evening shift) to hit the gym and then let Bella, my big girl German shepherd/Great Dane mix, make myself a coffee and pop in an English muffin in the toster, then head to the station at a quarter to seven. One 3-11 shift day, a large breakfast, and then a small lunch at Irene’s. I squeeze in stopping at Riley’s shop for my caffeine fix or Caffeine Crush next door.

Then it’ll be a whole shift of patrolling town in my uniform. There isn’t usually murder in our small town of Cedar Grove. Of course this weekend is Valentine’s Day to look; I have built up vacation time in the mix.

Riley Decided to surprise me over the weekend with a small vacation to our local inn/hotel, the Cedar Ridge Inn, next to the Cedar Barrel Restaurant. I would have wanted a further destination, but it’s okay. Hopefully there won’t be any murderers this time around. My plans are to relax and read a good book and spend time with my guy, and apparently Duke too. Not that my cop/investigator brain has been turned off. There is something suspicious going on at the Cedar Ridge Inn.


A Killer Booking, A Riley Morgan Mystery Book 5
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: December 2024
Format: Print, Digital
Purchase Link

It’s Valentine’s Day weekend in the small town of Cedar Grove. Bookstore cafe owner Riley Morgan has planned a getaway at the Cedar Ridge Inn for himself and his girlfriend, Dani Jensen. Along for the ride is Duke the pitbull.

At the inn, they run into familiar faces and new guests from the big city. One of these is Vicki, a local who married an older billionaire named Art Gamble. The following morning, her husband dies of a heart attack, and a clue reveals murder.

Vicky has heard about Riley and wants him to look into the case when she becomes the prime suspect in the murder. Will he be able to solve the case and still keep his holiday weakened with Dani?


About the author
Ryan Hoffman has an interest in criminal justice and writing. He’s always loved mystery novels since childhood, and a creative mind from his autism. He writes cozy/traditional mystery novels set in his home state of South Dakota. He is a member of Sisters in Crime. He lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Connect with Ryan on Facebook, Amazon author page, Goodreads, and Bookbub.