This cozy is full of the usual elements with a few variations, which makes it more charming. . Darby’s partner, Samantha, has died. When it looks like murder, she becomes one of a few suspects. Her sidekick becomes Samantha’s restless nephew, who also fits the “return to their small town” trope. In between there is a cat up a tree, a stakeout, accusations of a police officer ex-boyfriend, and a few moments of attraction.
Who killed her partner and how close are they to Darby herself? A mostly easy-going cozy with quirk and heart. This is a first in a series.

I listened to the recording of this title on hoopla for this review.

Thanks to Hallmark and NetGalley for the
e-galley. My reviews and ratings are my own.

3.5/5

I liked it despite the possible love triangle. At least the characters did some real investigating, but everyone, including the police, seemed to miss one big thing to investigate. But, then if they thought about that one thing, the story could have been over a lot faster.

This is a great start to a new series by Amanda Flower. Great set of new characters we can get to know and enjoy an adventure with.

Darby Piper is suspected in the death of her business partner, Samantha Porter, after tire tracks matching Darby's car are found. Darby investigates Samantha's murder while being considered the prime suspect. This story makes you think and rethink who you think did it until the very end. Great book and can't wait for the next in the series.

Cute book, just not my favorite. It took me a while to finish, like months.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

Amanda Flowers is a new to me author and after reading this book she is now to be moved to the top of my TBR pile!! This was a great book and i look forward to more books by her!!

Amanda Flower is such a good writer. I am a huge fan of her other series and this one did not disappoint at all! I could not put this book down. Cannot wait for the next one.

What a great start to a brand new series from Amanda Flower! If you're looking for a cozy mystery that has you guessing til the end, look no further.

Like all of Amanda Flower's books, Dead-End Detective invites you into a world you'd want to visit - or live in - with likeable characters just ripe for growth.

Five Stars!

A lot of Mystery and a little Romance
Bestselling and award-winning author Amanda Flower presents her mystery "Dead-End Detective. A Piper and Porter Mystery from Hallmark Publishing." Darby Piper and Samantha Porter have been running "Two Girls Detective Agency" for years. Suddenly Darby learns that Samantha, her friend and partner, had wanted to dissolve the agency. Even more shocking, Samantha is dead, very likely murdered and she is the main suspect, her missing car might have been used for running Samantha off the road. Add to it Tate Porter, Samantha's nephew, who will inherit the whole agency since Samantha most recently changed her will. But there are other suspects, challenges, and problems in town like the struggle Mrs. Berger is facing with Matt Billows, the owner of Lake Waters retreat. All this and an unidentified murderer does not stop Darby to run her own investigation. But will she succeed or what will be the outcome?
This is the first book of the "Piper and Porter Mystery" series. I cannot wait to read the second one as well as other books from this author. I highly recommend this book to readers who love easy to read mysteries with a romantic twist that offer inspiring characters and a storyline that offers some surprises. Lastly, the book also offers an original Hallmark recipe for "Berry Trifle."
The complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley free of charge. I was under no obligation to offer a positive review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#DeadEndDetective #NetGalley

Dead-End Detective

by Amanda Flower

Romy is a large Maine Coon cat with a propensity for climbing ninety-year-old Mrs. Berger’s tree on her forty beautiful acres of lakefront property in Herrington on the shores of Seneca Lake. Darby, a P.I., is frequently enlisted, as she passes by on her morning runs, to perform a voluntary rescue operation. Darby’s real job as 40% owner of Two Girls Detective Agency involves helping her business partner Samantha with normal investigations—pilfering, marital affairs, etc. Never major violent crimes. Until Samantha’s car is forced off the road. Was it an accident or caused by malicious intent?

The plot involves lots of threads. Business owner Matt Billows wants to buy Mrs. Berger’s land to restore his Lake Waters Retreat. Samantha’s nephew Tate suddenly returns to town and stands to inherit 60% of Two Girls. Samantha has been negotiating with Billows over a job as his head of security. Billows’ ex-wife is full of stories, and jealousy rules the day in their relationship. The green-eyed monster also rears its head as sparks fly between Darby and Tate as her on again, off again former boyfriend investigates the crime and tries to keep Darby from being charged with murder.

Dead-End Detective is a fun and fast read. I enjoyed meeting the characters in this new series and look forward to seeing them again. If you think you know Amanda Flower as an author, you’ll want to try her new series which is a departure from her previous books, but every bit as satisfying and engaging.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Hallmark Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: 1. A Piper and Porter Mystery
2. Recipe for Berry Trifle included.

Publication: August 25, 2020—Hallmark Publishing

Memorable Lines:

She blamed Austin for everything that went wrong in our relationship. Maybe that wasn’t fair, but it was girl code. The guy was always wrong in girl code.

“I took the liberty of pulling a number of books for you that will help. We have a nice section in the library about grief and dealing with adversity.” I nodded. I should have expected this. There was nothing that my mother didn’t believe was fixable with the right book.

My father had liked Austin just fine when we were dating, but every time we’d broken up. he’d hated him again. He was a good dad the way.

A great read by Amanda Flower. A different feel from her previous books. I look forward to the next!

The first in a series, this book starts with the murder of Samantha Porter, Darby Piper’s partner in a private detective agency. Still reeling from news that her friend is dead, Darby gets a few surprises. First, Sam left her half of the agency not to Darby, but to a nephew, Tate Porter. Oh, and Darby is a suspect in the murder! If you like watching Hallmark mysteries, this book is right for you. I’m a big fan of Amanda Flowers books already, and this is not exception. Very much recommended.

This was a great book. Quite different from the other mystery books by this author. I'm looking forward to reading more books in this series.

Finally a book set nearby where I live. I hope Hallmark will make this into a movie, I would definitely watch it. I didn't suspect who was the killer at all, I kept thinking who it was but I was shocked to find out who it actually was who killed the main characters friend. I loved all the characters in this book.
Thanks to NetGalley,Amanda Flowers and Hallmark for giving me an chance to read this book.

Dead End Detectives is the first book in the Piper and Porterseries by Amanda Flower. This a fun mystery with wonderful characters. I enjoyed the plot and the setting and look forward to more books in the series.

Dead-End Detective by Amanda Flower

Derby Piper is in shock. A seasoned female detector she worked with, Samantha Porter, at the Two Girl Detective Agency is dead. It doesn’t look like an accident and the evidenced is pointing at Derby.

I enjoyed this book. It is a new series for Amanda Flower. It was well-plotted with great characters. It kept me guessing almost to the end so was the killer. Cliff hanger though. She didn’t let us know which man Derby was going to have a romance with.

Thanks to Net Galley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for review.

Dead-End Detective by Amanda Flower is the first book in a new series Piper and Porter Mystery series, and I loved it. I am a big fan of the author, and love all her series. Darby Piper and Samantha Porter are business partners at Two Girls Detective Agency. When Samantha dies in a car crash, the evidence points to Darby. When Samantha leaves her 60% of the agency to her nephew, Tate, they set out to solve Samantha’s murder. This series is off to a great start, and I can't wait for the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book for cozy mystery readers, you won't be disappointed!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Amanda Flower has become one of my favourite authors over the past couple of years. I usually like my cozies with a theme or quirk that runs alongside the actual detecting: a sleuth who’s a baker or other amateur, a ghostly partner etc. Oft-times I find that side as interesting as the mystery. I was a little wary since DEAD-END DETECTIVE doesn’t have that. Although Darby isn’t a police officer, she is a P.I. which feels similar enough.

However. I shouldn’t have doubted Flowers!

I adored the two main characters – the investigative partners in the Piper and Porter Agency – Darcy and new arrival Tate. The chemistry between these two (both as a romantic pairing, a teasing friendship and a detecting duo) is perfect. I’m really excited to watch these two bicker and bounce ideas off each other in future books.

The mystery was really intriguing, with just enough suspects, twists and red herrings to keep me on the edge of my seat and trying to work it out for myself. The pacing was perfect, dropping hints in all the right places so my suspicions came together just pages before the reveal. I feel like that’s the sweet spot for figuring out a mystery, not too early but enough that the clues are actually available to the reader.

I’m excited to continue this new series as it comes out. We see just enough of the small New York town in DEAD-END DETECTIVE not to be overwhelm the reader with characters, but to create a vivid setting and community full of new potential lines of investigation to explore.

My first book by Amanda, where I figured out who it was by halfway through the book. I did enjoy Piper and all of the other characters, but there were a few side mysteries that were never finished and left me a bit confused as to why they weren't ever mentioned again. Overall for the first book in a series, I did enjoy it and will be reading more of the series.

Amanda Flower is one of my absolute favorite authors, and this was a fun cozy. The protagonists were fun, and I enjoyed following them as they solved the mystery.

This is a fascinating start to a new series. The characters are well developed and realistic. The mystery is intriguing, well placed, and plotted to keep the reader guessing. I look forward to the next book in the series.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.