of the Piper & Porter Mysteries from Hallmark Publishing) by Amanda Flower in exchange for an honest review. Darby Piper is thrilled to be one of the titular two girls in the Two Girls Detective Agency. Darby started the agency with her friend and more-experienced mentor, Samantha Porter. Samantha’s sudden and completely unanticipated announcement that she’s using her sixty-percent ownership to force the agency into abandoning detecting and into becoming private security for a single client stuns Darby with unexpected betrayal. When Samantha dies unexpectedly under mysterious circumstances, Darby becomes the main suspect because their partnership agreement required them to will their shares to the other upon death; however, Samantha additionally betrayed Darby by leaving Samantha’s majority ownership of the agency to Samantha’s elusive and mysterious nephew Tate Porter. With all circumstantial evidence pointing to Darby as her friend’s killer and with no indication the local police are looking any further than the obvious, Darby takes her own case and begins to hunt the real murderer. Tate eventually shows up and insists on assisting the investigation, but can he be trusted since he, too, seems to have had means, motive, and availability for the murder? Also, assuming Darby can exonerate herself, what will be the fate of a detective agency where the majority owner isn’t even a detective?

I’m a fan of Amanda Flower’s writing. I was happy to see the new series and eagerly began this new book. I was then astounded by the depth of Samantha’s betrayal, but the revelation of the killer and the extent to which the murderer betrayed Samantha brought the story full circle and gave a satisfying feeling that justice was served to both betrayers. I recommend this book to fans of Amanda Flower and to fans of cozy mysteries featuring murder, small towns, small detective agencies, and cats.

#DeadEndDetective #NetGalley

A great start to a new cozy mystery series by Amanda Flowers.

I found this book to be a clean, delightful, not “dark” mystery that I didn’t want to put down until the mystery was solved. I could easily see this as a Hallmark Mystery Movie.

This book centers around partners, Samantha Porter and Darby Piper who own The Two Girls Detective Agency. One is found dead and all indications turn to the other as the murderer.

Many of the characters in the book have strong personalities, making it very hard to determine which one is the murder. I was surprised when I found out who it was!! You don’t want to miss reading this new, delightful cozy mystery.

I received a copy of this from Hallmark Publishing and Netgalley, and all opinions expressed where my own.

Outstanding new series! The characters are strong, well developed and likable with their unique characteristics! Two female P.I.'s running their company when one suddenly wants out then ends up dead, it looks like one partner killed the other to save the company....or does it.....you'll have to read to figure out the story for yourself, but be prepared to fall in book love with this book and being eager for more! I know I am! I can't wait to see what will happen with Darby and Tate in the upcoming books. Think of the old Remington Steele series, but the guy isn't a dashing playboy, but rather a dashing ex-military wanderer. The female a small, but mighty and intelligent female who has worked hard to get where she is.

I enjoyed Dead-End Detective by Amanda Flower. This first in a new series called A Piper and Porter Mystery is from Hallmark Publishing. Reading it felt like watching one of my favorite Hallmark Movie Mysteries. Darby is one of the two detectives at Two Girls Detective Agency when her partner Samantha dies, Darby joins forces with Samantha’s nephew Tate to solve her friend and partner’s murder and clear her own name. This book has all the classic cozy markers: cute small town, involved family and adorable cats. I enjoyed seeing Darby work other cases and can’t wait for the next book in the series.

I enjoy many of Amanda Flowers mystery series so I wasn't surprised that I enjoyed this book so much. I did not want to put it down until I knew 'Who did it?'

I wish that Samantha had been in the book longer as I found her to be an interesting character but this could be due to the mystery 'of her'. Darby seems like someone who will not quit until she finds the truth. And Tate, well, he has his own mysteries.

I thought this book was well-crafted and did a great job of introducing these characters to us. The mystery was intriguing and I guessing until the end.

I hope that this is the start of a very new series as I'd like to following Darby and Tate in their adventures.

Dead-End Detective is the first book in a new cozy mystery series by Amanda Flower and it is amazing! It has everything I love in a cozy mystery - likable, interesting characters, a very intriguing cozy mystery, a little romance, and it was hard to put down! What's not to love? Darby Piper and Samantha Porter own Two Girls Detective Agency. Samantha wants to sell the agency and both she and Darby would go to work for a local resort. Darby doesn't want to and is hurt that Samantha wants to dissolve the agency they both have worked so hard at. Samantha dies in a car crash and when it is found to be murder, Darby is the prime suspect. Tate Porter, Samantha's world travelling nephew, arrives on the day she dies. That is suspicious! Darby and Tate decide to work together so they can keep an eye on each other and find Samantha's killer. There are only a few suspects but there are twists and turns that kept me guessing until close to the end. Very enjoyable! #NetGalley #DeadEndDetective

This is a wonderful start to a new series.! It is full of twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages. It will keep you guessing until the end. This book was an absolute joy to read. If you are looking for a clean, well written cozy mystery, grab this book! I look forward to the next book in this series. Thank you Hallmark Publishing via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Darby Piper co-owns the Two Girl Detective Agency when her partner is murdered and she becomes the prime suspect. An engaging new cozy series from Amanda Flowers loaded with long-term potential. Well plotted with likeable characters, this series will keep those pages turning quickly.

cozy-mystery, murder, private-investigators, greed, family-dynamics, friendship, law-enforcement, exmilitary, small-business, small-town

It was the start of a very bad week for Darby. First she finds out that her best friend and business partner of over ten years has sold the business out from under her. Then said friend is dead, Darby is chief suspect, then finds out that their earlier agreement on passage of ownership goes to the nephew, and it was absolutely stunning. What more could go wrong?! Great characters and plot twists made this a really fun read that kept me guessing to the end. Loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Hallmark Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!

An interesting mystery with strong leads. When a detective is killed in a small town, the suspect list is short--mostly comprised of the woman who works with her in the detective agency. There seem to be a load of folks who didn't like Samantha, though, and Darby is sure they make better suspects than she does--so why's the town police chief so certain she did it?

I enjoyed the read despite finding the ending rather weak and rushed; there's a lot of action but the denouement was very sudden. I love a good twist, but this one felt more like Darby stumbled over it rather than figured it out...might just be me. I'll consider continuing the series but may not.

Content: low quantity of profanity and swearing; a gay couple. No sex or graphic violence.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.

I have never met an Amanda Flower book I didn't like, and this was no exception! This is the first in the "Two Girls Detective Agency" books. Two Girls is run by Samantha and Darby. They focus on local matters- figuring out if partners are skimming one another and determining if the local horse trainers is taking clients on the side. Darby is devastated when she learns that Samantha has died in a car accident, and that the police suspect it was her car that ran Sam off the road. I love the characters in this book. Sam's nephew, Tate has returned from gallivanting across the globe, just in time to inherit his aunt's estate and take on her portion of the Agency. Darby is down to earth and it's fun to see her follow the leads. I liked Tate immediately, maybe because of his nomadic nature, but he grew on me more and more as the book progressed. I also loved that Darby's mom is a librarian and able to help her without Darby even asking. I started to figure out who the killer was, but not until the very end, which I always love. I can't wait to read more in this series!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in return for an honest opinion of the book.

I really enjoyed this light mystery. Good story, likeable characters (and love interest) and a quick read. I’d definitely read more in this series.

Excellent book. This is the first time I have read a book by this author and it was hard to put down. It is a mystery that lets you get to know the characters and the relationships they had/have.

Fun first book in a new series. Characters are well-developed and a good storyline. A new take on a detective agency. This first book promises several fun cozy reads in the future.

First in a new series Piper and Porter Detective Series. Darby Piper is in business with Samantha Porter in the Two Girls Detective Agency for about 10 years. Samantha has been acting strangely for the last couple of months and Darby is upset that Samantha is thinking of dissolving the agency and going to work for the Lake Waters Resort. Darby is upset but hoping to convince Samantha to change her mind but before she can do that Samantha is killed in a car accident. The police (one of whom is Darby’s ex-boyfriend) arrive on her doorstep to begin asking questions and since Darby is expected to inherit Samantha’s half of the agency she becomes the primary suspect. However, Samantha changed her will a couple years back and left everything to her nephew Tate. Tate and Darby are suspicious of each other but agree to work together to find Samantha’s killer before Darby is arrested. I like Darby as she has a good heart and is smart and although she is hurt by Samantha’s actions she cares too much about her to leave it to the police. Tate is interesting as it seems he has a backstory that I would like to know more in the future. I really enjoyed this as the story flowed and it kept me engaged and I did not have a clue who the killer was until the very end. I am really looking forward to see where this goes. Can’t wait for the next installment.

Darby Tatum P.I., was one of the “girls” in Two Girls Detective Agency until her partner, Samantha Porter, was murdered. Now instead of solving lost pet and errant spouse investigations, she must investigate the murder of her partner. And she’s the number one suspect.

This charming cozy mystery takes place in a small town on a lovely lake in the Finger Lakes area of New York. This was a fresh and appealing setting for the story, just as likable as the characters. Darby is a petite woman, with a large heart. She had wanted to be a ballerina, but is now committed to serving her community as a P.I. Tate Porter is the nephew of the murdered woman, and he arrives in town just in time to get to know Darby and assist her. He could be a suspect, and as the story continues, we get to know the other suspects, who include the longtime boyfriend of the dead woman, and the owner of Lake Waters resort who wanted to hire the victim. Leading the police investigation is Austin Caster, Darby’s ex-boyfriend. Elderly but spry Mrs. Berger and her cat, and Darby’s family lend color and love to the story.

The clues and pace of the story make for an intriguing read and the mystery is solved in dramatic fashion. A few questions remain for future books in the series, especially the romance. Who loves Darby- Tate Porter or Austin Caster? Thanks to NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing for a review copy. This is my honest review.

Amanda Flower introduces Piper, the Dead-End Detective whose partner Samantha is murdered leaving Piper as the prime suspect. Tate. Samantha's heir and relative turns up and agrees to continue the jointly owned detective agency. First who really killed Samantha? Lots of red herrings. Easy to read cozy.

What will happen to Two Girls Detective Agency when one of them is murdered? In the new series by Amanda Flower, find out what will happen to Darby and her detective agency now that her partner is dead.

There are so many things I liked about this book that set it apart from almost every other cozy mystery I seem to be reading. Darby is not a woman jumping into investigating a murder while working another job. She’s an investigator, she has carefully honed instincts, she knows how to find information, and she knows how to defend herself. She works alongside the police instead of against them. It’s a refreshing change for the main character not to need to be rescued! I love this fresh take on a classic cozy. I’m looking forward to the next book!!

DISCLAIMER: I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a great start to a series. This is the first book in the Piper and Porter series. Darby Piper co-owns a private investigative business with her long time friend Samantha Porter. Samantha is thinking of leaving the business which would put Darby out of a job since Samantha owned the majority of the business. Things change though when Samantha dies in a car crash under mysterious circumstances and leaves her portion of the business to her nephew, Tate. The police, which includes Darby's ex, think Darby had something to do with Samantha's death. Both Darby and Tate want answers so they decide to look into the accident themselves.

This was such a great book. I loved the characters. Darby was very relatable and fun and just so easy to connect with. I loved Darby's parents. I love that her mother is a librarian and helped with the case without being asked. I could definitely see the similarities between Darby and her mom. Tate was great. I wasn't sure about him when he first showed up but I grew to love him as the book went on. The mystery was well done. I started to suspect someone towards the end of the book but I was proven wrong and when the killer was revealed I had the same aha moment as Darby. I can't wait to read more about these characters. I received this book from net galley and Hallmark Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Dead-End Detective is a departure from Flower's usual Amish fare. Still a mystery, the book introduces us to Darby Piper, half of the Two Girls Detective Agency. Without giving away who gets murdered and why, let's just say that I would highly recommend this book that has newly developed characters, along with a fast-paced plot that keeps the reader wanting the book to never end. Hopefully, book two is not too far behind, because I can't wait to read it.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher & the author for a copy of this digital ARC. This review can also be found on my Goodreads page.