I really enjoyed this book. Darby is partners with Samantha in a PI firm. When Samantha decides to take a different job and close the firm. Darby is understandably upset.
Soon after Darby gets a knock on her door in the middle of night to learn Samantha has been run off the road and has died. All the evidence points to Darby. Darby is shocked to find that Samantha changed her will and has left her 60% of the business to her nephew.
Will Darby be able to clear her name? What is the future of her PI firm?

Fantastic whodunnit! Expected the unexpected.
Thank you Netgalley for complimentary copy! Thoughts and opinions are my own.

Nice new series, likeable characters. This had an interesting plot with plenty of twists and turns, I look forward to the next book in the series.
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I received this book in exchange for an honest review. You can order your copy here:https://www.amazon.com/Dead-End-Detective-Hallmark-Publishing-ebook/dp/B07VBVXFH4


This is a Hallmark book that I am hoping will come to TV/movie. The Two Girls Detective Agency. I can totally see Bethany Joy Lenz in the Darby role with Jessy Schram as Samantha This book starts out with quite the conflict and it just gets more and more interesting as you read along. I finished this one in a few hours, not even a day. This book takes place in upstate New York in the Seneca Lake region. Funny part about that is that it is the trout capital of the world and it hosts the National Lake Trout Derby and the main character in the book is named Darby. LOL! Just in case you cared, this is definitely a place you need to check out as there are so may amazing waterfalls in the area and there are so many wineries nearby!!!
We begin this book with Darby rescuing a cat and her comment about it always being a 20% chance of cat rescue on her morning run. HAHAHA!!! Darby runs a private investigation firm called Two Girls Detective Agency with Samantha and Nat as their assistant. The differences were that Samantha lived in a large Victorian home with its own boat dock that has been in her family for over five generations while Darby resides above the agency on the second floor. Samantha owns 60% of the agency and Darby only owns 40%. Samantha was older when they started, so Darby didn’t think it abnormal, plus she had more money to start. But now, with Samantha receiving a great job offer, Darby is worried that she will lose everything, her job, her place where she lives. We are then taken to a confrontation between Darby and Samantha where Samantha intentionally meets with her new employer while Darby is out on her run. Day falls and Night comes and Darby is violently awoken from her sleep by vigorous and unrelenting knocks on her door. Who could it be, but the police? The news is disturbing and it is 4 a.m. and who else to bring it, but Darby’s ex, Austin Caster. Austin brings news of Samantha Porter’s death. A car accident, suspicious in that. We are then taken on the investigation of her death with Darby doing it on the down low, as she is the number one suspect. So many unexpected things happen in this book, had me turning pages like I was swiping right on Tinder. I cannot wait for the next book and I cannot wait to see this on the big screen! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!

Detective Agency Peril....
A Piper and Porter Mystery and the first in a new series from Hallmark Publishing. When Piper loses Porter in an alleged accident and become a prime suspect for murder can she solve the mystery in time to save her beloved Detective Agancy? Enjoyable, light cosy reading with a likeable protagonist, a colourful cast of supporting characters and an engaging storyline. Promising start to a new series. Recipe included.

It is great to have something new and a little bit different to recommend to readers who enjoy cozy mysteries. This one centers on a small town private investigator who has just lost her business partner in a mysterious car accident. It looks like murder, and she, Darby, seems to be the prime suspect. This is my first Amanda Flower novel, and I really enjoyed it. She has a straightforward plotting and writing style, which definitely will appeal to readers who don't want a lot of detail and meandering. I think this will be popular -- and fun to recommend to anyone who enjoys any of the Hallmark TV mystery series.

I thought this was fun! I’ll definitely be checking out the sequel – this is the first in a new series. It took me a little bit to get used to the first person point of view, and there was a bit of scene setting at the start, but once the story got going I found it flowed well and was fun and pretty absorbing. I enjoyed trying to puzzle out the mystery alongside protagonist Darby, and I feel like this will be the sort of series where half of the fun is getting to know the characters around the town, and this will add to the cosy feel of the stories. The side characters were kind of charming – I particularly liked Darby’s elderly neighbour and the same neighbour’s cranky cat. I also liked that there wasn’t a strong romance storyline, but the beginnings of a love triangle are simmering away in the background.

This is another amazing cozy mystery by Amanda Flower.
She is one of my favorite cozy mystery writers.
This was my first read on my new Pocketbook Color edition.
And I loved the addition to each chapter ending. The colors are marvelous.

This story is about Darby's and Samantha's P.I. agency. Samantha is murdered and Darby is the main suspect in this murder.

Trough out the book you'll meet colorful characters, whom ad a new clue in each of their own way.
It was a surprise who was the killer in the Dead-End.
I hope to read more of this series and of course more books by Amanda Flower

5 Stars: 5/5 Star Rating

This is my new favorite novel by Amanda Flower!!!! I love the introduction of new characters. I especially love reading a mystery that I am unable to figure out. It means that the story is well written and quite exciting, full of twists and turns. I can hardly wait for book two to come out! Thank you, Amanda, for writing a wonderful new book!

I received a digital ARC of this novel from netgalley and Hallmark Publishing. All opinions expressed are my own.

Amanda Flower did it again! I love almost everything she writes. I enjoyed learning more about the private eye business and it was refreshing to have a heroine that wasn’t just bumbling around looking for clues, but actually knew what she was doing.
Looking forward to the next installment!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book, which I voluntarily chose to review.

Darby Piper is a private detective. She's also a business owner with a 40% share of Two Girls Detective Agency. The other 60% is, well was owned by her best friend and mentor Samantha Porter, who is now unfortunately 100% dead. Darby also happens to be the number one suspect in Samantha's murder. It doesn't help that Darby's missing car is likely the murder weapon.

With her life already upside-down, Darby finds out that Samantha recently changed her will, and the other 60% of Two Girls is now owned by Tate Porter, Samantha's nephew. With more suspects than she can manage on her own, Darby reluctantly pairs with Tate to track down Samantha's secrets and ultimately, her murderer.

Here are the negatives and trust me, I'm being very critical, it's odd to say this, considering a murder takes place pretty early into the story, but the first part of the book dragged a bit. There wasn't a ton of character development and losing Samantha didn't really feel like a "loss" to the reader. Darby also doesn't have the sharpness one would expect in an ex-cop, often showing a disappointing lack of critical thought. It's also easy to see why she isn't with her ex-boyfriend, current cop, and detective Austin Caster, so the hint at a love triangle isn't really appealing and I truly hope it's dropped for the second book.

I really am impressed by the quality of author Hallmark Publishing's cozy imprint is signing. I love Amanda Flower's Magical Bookshop series and the last fifty pages of Dead-End , along with Tate's solid romantic lead potential make me believe the next book in the series is going to be a solid five out of five. I'd pre-order the second Piper and Porter mystery if I could.

An enjoyable cozy mystery! Amanda Flower is a new to me author and I enjoy her writing style. This is a new series featuring Darcy Piper who is a PI along with her partner Samantha in "Two Girls Detective Agency". Darcy is blindsided when her majority partner tells her she is quitting the agency to work at a local resort. Samantha is later found to have been run off the road and murdered and all signs point to Darcy. Darcy is again blindsided when she finds out Stephanie has left her part of the agency to her nephew.

I enjoyed this book but I will admit that I couldn't understand why Samantha couldn't confide in Darcy in both her change in will and reasons for leaving the agency. Also, the red herring to who the murderer is was fairly obvious.

This was a new to me author, but I will definitely be reading more of her work. this was a really fun cozy mystery with a hint of potential romance. i am looking forward to reading more in this series.

4 stars = Great - might re-read
Fun series kickoff from one of my favorite mystery authors. It's a great new mystery from Hallmark Publishing. I definitely could see this one being turned into a movie. It plays out just right for one of their Movies and Mysteries series.

I enjoyed Darby and Tate as the stars of the book. There are still things for readers to learn about Tate, but we are given enough to start in this book while keeping a bit of mystery. There are hints at a love triangle, too, but I hope this doesn't head that direction.

The mystery is great. I was able to pick out the killer about halfway through, but I needed Darby to work out the details on the motive. I liked that blend. I could feel triumphant as an armchair sleuth, while still enjoying the story, and needing the book to fill in the blanks for me.

Cozy fans, Amanda Flower fans, and Hallmark mystery fans should be sure to pick this one up!

Dead-End Detective is the first novel that the power-house cozy mystery writer Amanda Flower has written for Hallmark Publishing. In this first book in the new Piper and Porter Mystery Series, Private Detective Darby Piper is dealing with the potential closure of her own business Two Girls Detective Agency. Only owning 40% of the shares in the business, when her business partner Samantha Porter decides she wants to seek employment opportunities elsewhere Darby has no say in the matter. Samantha has more stake in the business, and because of this she can make the major decisions. Darby doesn't understand what would make Samantha want to close her own business and pursue an employment opportunity with the elite vacation spot for the stars on Seneca Lake. Samantha cannot be dissuaded, and Darby and Samantha part on bad terms....and then Samantha is killed.

Logically all signs point to Darby being the culprit, but Darby is determined to prove her innocence and bring Samantha justice. Complete with a scenic town and with lovable locals, Darby is aided in her search by her librarian knowledge seeking Mom, her very handsome ex-boyfriend who is a police officer who doesn't want to arrest Darby but is running out of time, and Tate Porter, Samantha's longtime missing nephew who stood to gain in the untimely demise of his aunt. Was Tate somehow involved?

Like all of Amanda Flower's books, Dead-End Detective provides the reader with a satisfying conclusion, but the desire to see more of the adventures that Darby Piper finds herself entangled in in later books. Another aspect of Flower's writing that I find refreshing is her effort to implement more diversity into her books. The cozy genre while very enjoyable does lack diverse characters and has shied away from portraying individuals who do not fit in that "traditional" cozy subgenre. I am so happy to know that there are authors out there trying to change this.

Dead End Detective
Piper & Porte, Book #1
Amanda Flower
5 Stars

Synopsis:

They were the Two Girls Detective Agency. Now, one of them is dead,
and the other is suspected of murder.

Darby Piper is in shock. Samantha Porter—her mentor and business partner at Two Girls Detective Agency—has died in a car crash, and it doesn’t look like an accident. In fact, evidence is pointing toward Darby.

Darby had expected to inherit Samantha’s half of the agency, but Samantha had recently changed the will to leave it to Tate Porter, her nephew, who returns to town.

Tate is no P.I. He’s a veteran, a world traveler, and something of a mystery himself. But as he helps Darby delve into secret histories and real estate development plans, he does seem to have a knack for the job. Will the agency have a future…even if Darby can prove her innocence in time?

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Darby is hardworking and wants to see justice done. And when her partner is killed in a car accident, she really wants to see it served. It does not look as if it was an accident, it looks as if it was cold blooded murder. Tate, her partner’s nephew, does not belong in the PI business, but he is going to give it a shot and help Darby figure things out. Can Darby and him learn to get along and work together and figure out the killer?

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and those descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The author is also very talented in creating a cozy setting, and this helped the story have a comfortable down-home feeling.

The mystery was well plotted and there were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider. You will really need to put your detective’s hat on to solve this one, which is how I like my mysteries.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series when it is released.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Hallmark Publishing, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

A great start to a new detective cosy mystery Series. Set in upstate New York with lovely scenery. When Derby’s detective partner is found dead the two girls detective agency is down to one. Can she discover what happened? A fabulous hallmark mystery perfect to curl up with x I was sent an ARC of this book abd sll views are my own x

I admit to stumbling through the first part of this book. It seemed slow. However, as I continued to read, the plot developed and I couldn't stop reading!

Dead-End Detective is the first in a new series by Amanda Flower for Hallmark Publishing. It, of course, like all good cozy mysteries begins with a murder! The characters developed a little slow for my liking but the plot was great and, once the characters were developed, the story just flew on it's own! I'm looking forward to the second in this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

Amanda Flower is an author that I will read anything she publishes. Throw in the fact that this is a Hallmark published book, well that just sweetens the pot.

I adore that, finally, a sleuthing protagonist in a cozy mystery is a licensed PI. Darby Piper's world is about to change when the tables turn and she goes from being the investigator to the investigated. When all the clues of a murder are pointing straight to her, she has to sleuth like she has never sleuthed before to clear her name and save her business. With the time and evidence against her and the help of an unlikely partner, Darby must solve this once and for all before she goes to prison, or worse, becomes the next victim.

I figured out the who early on but had to wait for the clues to develop to piece together the why. It was a good plot and I hope to see this on Hallmark Mysteries and Movies.

I cannot wait for the next installment of this series and to see how new partners and a possible love triangle plays out.

What an enjoyable cozy mystery! This book drew me in right from the first chapter and I didn't want to put it down. The setting sounds picturesque and the characters are all delightful. Mrs. Berger is a hoot, as is her cat Romy. The mystery itself was realistic and not far-fetched considering it takes place in a small town. The only question I had in the end was what illness Darby's dad actually has as I didn't find the answer within the pages of the story (perhaps I missed it somehow?). I look forward to seeing additional installments in this series.

First off, I am a big fan of any mystery written by Amanda Flower. To find that she has started a new series meant I had to get my hands on it sooner rather than later. I was not disappointed. Dead-end Detective is another winner. Darby Piper and her partner Samantha Porter are the Two Girls Detective Agency until Samantha is killed when her car is forced off the road. Accident? or Murder? Well Darby soon finds herself at the top of the prime suspect list when it's revealed that Samantha wanted to dissolve the agency. Worse, when she dies, her will leaves her 60% ownership not to Darby but to her nephew who isn't qualified or is he? Motive, as seen by the police (that's another roadblock) was not only that biggie but, as Darby resides in the apartment over the agency, if Samantha had left the agency Darby would be homeless as well as unemployed. Time to pull herself together and track down the killer. Will Tate, the nephew and her new partner, be able to help her find the killer and will they make a go of being partners?
From the first page to the last this puzzle had me firmly engaged and guessing wrong as I followed the various twists and turns with the necessary red herrings. I'm looking forward to more books in this series. Hallmark is now on my list of publishers to be followed.
My thanks to the publisher, Hallmark and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.