by Sandra Murphy

Details at the end of this review on how to win a copy of Know in My Backyard, along with a link to purchase the book where a portion goes to help support KRL.

Who doesn’t love a good baseball game? It makes a difference though where the baseball field is located. If it’s right in your backyard, butting up against the common area, the super bright lights and announcer may leave you cranky after a few night games.

Martha Rose has the unfortunate experience of finding baseball coach Dax Martin’s dead body at the edge of the field. It’s obvious, this was no natural death. Police detective Arlo Beavers is convinced that one of Martha’s neighbors was the killer. What can she do but investigate a bit on her own to protect her friend?

With the help of quilters Lucy and Birdie, Martha finds there are a lot of suspects to choose from. Although the players say they liked Coach, Martha thinks that’s mostly PR. The man had too many enemies.

Detective Beavers and Martha have a bit of a relationship going on which adds to the mix. Enter Crusher, aka Yossi Levy, a Jewish biker. He’s smitten with Martha and although her head says no no no, her body is screaming, you betcha, go for it! The detective is not at all pleased with that turn of events.

Arlo has to excuse himself from the case because of Martha’s involvement–finding the body counts. That doesn’t go over well as who wants to miss the chance to solve a juicy murder case? When it’s discovered his replacement went to school with the coach and half the suspects, Arlo’s back in charge.

The book is full of sub-plots like Sonia from across the street making a play for Crusher, Tony the Neighborhood Watch patrol, Ed who works from home, a homeless community enjoying outdoor living, arson, love triangles, motorcycle gangs and more. The plot moves along well and the dialogue is realistic and fun. Martha, Lucy and Birdie are women you’d want as friends. They’d be able to teach you to quilt too. Look for tips on choosing a needle and thread at the back of the book. No recipes because Martha’s not much of a cook.

The first book in the series is Forget Me Knot. There is an excerpt of the next book, Gone but Knot Forgotten, too. You’ll want to have that one on pre-order.

To enter to win a copy of Knot in My Backyard, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “Backyard,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen December 6, 2014. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.

Use this link to purchase a copy of the book & a portion goes to help support KRL:

Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the arch, in the land of blues, booze and shoes—St Louis, Missouri. While writing magazine articles to support her mystery book habit, she secretly polishes two mystery books of her own, hoping, someday, they will see the light of Barnes and Noble. You can also find several of Sandra’s short stories on UnTreed Reads including her new one Bananas Foster. Sandy’s latest short story “The Tater Tot Caper” is one of eleven stories in The Killer Wore Cranberry: Fourths of Mayhem. The annual Thanksgiving anthology has eleven stories and this year, includes recipes. And it’s on sale! Available in all e-versions and in print.