Dru’s Short Musing:
A message from a friend sends Olivia on a search mission with some unexpected nuances.

This was a finely tuned whodunit with crisp writing and a comfortable tone making it easy to follow along the author’s path in the telling of this story. When her boyfriend’s friend’s aunt is found dead, suspicion exists as to how did she die and what was the perpetrator looking for. Olivia has her hands full while searching for clues and with news on the job front that has certainly piqued her interest. With visually descriptive narrative and engaging dialogue, this tale comes alive, and I revel in feeling like I’m a part of the action. As the story progressed, the pacing increased, keeping me in the game until I knew who was doing what to whom. Boasting an eclectic cast of characters, a small-town atmosphere and a warm feeling, this is one of the best books in this delightfully charming series.

Series Name: An “Olivia Penn” Mystery, Book 5
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: November 4, 2025
Format: Print, Digital
Purchase Link

Book Synopsis:
Find the cat. Crack the case.

The Highland Games have arrived just outside Apple Station, Virginia, bringing bagpipes, kilts, and a tide of tartan-clad tourists to the cozy small town. Advice columnist Olivia Penn is ready for a weekend of fun now that her life has finally settled into a quiet, steady rhythm. But when a local turns up dead in one of the town’s most iconic homes, a cryptic message from a friend draws her into a tangled mystery.

As Olivia investigates, family secrets and surprising motives surface, linking three brooches, an antique cross, and a 17th-century Scottish Bible. Clues connect seven suspects to the crime, and each has something to hide. When her friend can’t be found and the police start asking questions, the mystery hits closer to home and runs deeper than she ever imagined.

After an unlikely witness makes a shocking revelation, Olivia enlists her friends and a heroic search and rescue golden retriever to help her follow the trail before it goes cold. The man she loves is caught in the crosshairs, and to protect him, she’ll have to risk everything. Justice hinges on a missing cat, a chase through the woods, and a stare-down with a mama bear.

FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the author.