I heard the low rumble of my alarm clock before I even opened my eyes and reached my hand out for the culprit. My gray Scottish Fold, Cleo, wasted no time rubbing his sweet face against the palm of my hand. His purring intensified as I stroked his soft fur. “Well, good morning. Is someone ready for breakfast?” He mewed in response.

Blinking the sleep away, I slid out of my warm cocoon and into fuzzy slippers. The day was just beginning to peek through the blinds. Perfect. Running as the sun came up was one of my favorite things. Especially here, in the beautiful town of Brighton Lake. Sometimes I still couldn’t believe that my favorite lakeside town, one I’d only ever escaped to occasionally with my childhood best friend, Hope, was my new home. After the low blows life had dealt me, fate had brought me here. Things were looking up.

I padded to the kitchen to feed a grateful Cleo, who did circles around my feet in anticipation. I moved quietly so I didn’t wake my roommate, Lexi. She was off today, which meant we wouldn’t be carpooling to work. After checking my weather app, I bundled up for the chill that awaited. Running always helps when my mind is puzzling something out, and I’ve been doing a lot of that lately.

I’m Cassidy Blayne, Creative Marketing Director (Pinch me!), passionate coffee connoisseur, live music lover, ultimate foodie, and a woman embracing a fresh start and new chapter in her life. My stomach rumbled as I jogged the few blocks to the lake, compelling me to add a stop at Sacred Grounds for a pumpkin spice latte and cinnamon bagel before work to my mental to do list for the day. I quickly fell into an easy rhythm, my feet hitting the trail in tandem to the beat of my newest playlist.

The sun grew higher, its rays glittering off the smooth surface of the lake where boats, tethered to long docks, dotted the shoreline. Trees, bursting with the vividness of fall, adorned the path. Beyond them, like sentries, stood elegant mansions and manors, all filled to the brim with history. I relished in the beauty as I hit my mile mark and turned around. It was going to be another busy day.

To my surprise, Lexi was awake when I returned. She shook her head at me over her steaming mug, a twinkle in her eye. “Girl, I’m cold just looking at you.”

I laughed. “This, coming from someone who actually enjoys hot yoga. It wasn’t too bad. Plus, I needed to mentally prepare for the Meadowvale pitch today. It’s a big one.”

“I know, but you’ve been preparing for weeks. You’ve got this. And tonight we’ll whip up some delicious pasta, then go out to the brewery and celebrate. Blacklist is playing.”

“Thanks, Lex. I can’t wait.” I gathered my shoes and went to get ready. I could do this.

MURDER AT THE AGENCY
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: August 2026
Format: Print, Digital
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org

Who knew the marketing world could be so dangerous?

Just when it seems like everything in twenty-eight year old Cassidy Blayne’s life is falling apart, a thrilling coffee shop encounter leads to the opportunity of a lifetime. Landing her dream job as Creative Director with an elite advertising firm in a nearby lakeside town fills her with renewed purpose. She’s no longer going to allow herself to settle, and resolves to rebuild her life on her own terms.

But from the moment she steps foot out of the elevator, she senses things may not be as they seem at Turner & Nash Advertising. Despite her wariness, Cassie puts all her energy into landing her first big account. Arriving early on the day of the presentation, she’s shocked to find one of the owners dead and herself a suspect.

She embarks on a desperate search for answers, unknowingly putting her and the people she cares about in danger. As she pieces things together with some help from her spunky new roommate, twin childhood best friends, an uptight detective, and a gorgeous up-and-coming rock star, warnings and threats escalate. It’s clear the killer will stop at nothing to keep her quiet.

Cassie must risk everything to unravel the murder before someone takes her off the market for good.

Meet the author
Kylie Forsythe writes cozy mysteries with smart amateur sleuths, close-knit groups of friends, and a touch of romance. Kylie is also a fourth-grade teacher and resides in Illinois with her husband, two daughters, and a rambunctious Weimaraner.