by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase it from Amazon.

Now a published historical mystery author, Samantha Washington is excited to be presenting in a talk for ladies at the Pontolomas Senior Citizens Center. What is less welcome is the heckling coming from the misogynistic, condescending Oscar Pembrook, who disputes her historical details as well as the cozy mystery genre in general. As an apology for the incident, community center manager and tribal council leader Kai Strongbow offers Sam and her friends an all-expense paid vacation at the Four Feathers Casino and Resort. The timing couldn’t be better, as Sam’s fiancee’s mother has just arrived for a visit and Sam is anxious for the approval of the impressive and very intimidating Dr. Camilla Patterson. Or, as Sam’s Nana Jo quickly nicknames her, Dr. Cruella de Vil. Despite a rocky start, it is Sam whom Camilla immediately calls when she discovers a strange dead man in her room, even switching rooms so that Sam can take responsibility for it. Which only causes further confusion after the body goes missing, only to be discovered later outside on the rocks, wearing the resort’s thousand dollar robe. That not only means a jurisdictional dispute between the Pontolomas Nation and North Harbor Police, it brings in the involvement of Detective Brad “Stinky” Pitt, who has battled with Sam and Nana Jo since his childhood and continues to resent their involvement in his cases.

Conveniently – or inconveniently, depending on the perspective – Sam’s sister and Nana Jo’s friends are also at the casino for Sam’s bridal shower, and they are all eager to step up and begin their own investigation. So while Frank runs his restaurant back in North Harbor and her nephews deal with her skunkified toy poodles, Sam is able to look into the actions of an obnoxious man who had an angry ex-business partner, resentful spouses, and a misguided mistress. The stress is enough to have Sam retreating to her Happy Place, which happens to be the fictional world she is creating in 1939’s Buckinghamshire, England. As always, Sam is able to work through her real-life mystery by plotting out the adventures of the residents of Wickfield Lodge, which this time has Lady Clara and her fiancé meeting cousins and dealing with a Nazi sympathizer.

This 10th in the series takes our favorite characters and drops them in a new setting, where the ladies still manage to use their family connections and abilities to coax out gossip to solve another murder. Frank’s mother proves to be a surprising asset to the team, not only as a medical consultant but as a distraction for Detective Brad “Stinky” Pitt. Everyone – including Camilla – is completely baffled by the instant attraction between these two opposites, and perhaps seeing them together more would explain their blossoming relationship. Until more is revealed about exactly how this couple will work though, it may be enough that it at least improves his fashion choices and makes Detective Pitt more accepting towards Sam and her grandmother.

Readers are updated on their favorite characters back in Sam’s Market Street Mysteries bookstore throughout the novel, and it leads to more anticipation for their adventure in the future. This is another delightful mystery that combines a compelling historical mystery within a very fun, character-driven larger plot.

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

To enter to win a copy of The Next Deadly Chapter, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “deadly chapter” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen March 15, 2025. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

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Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.