Sleuthing by the Seaside
a cozy culinary mystery series
Twisty tales of intrigue with a pinch of humor, a smidgeon of romance, and a dollop of mystery.
The stories are set in a suburb of San Diego and incorporate local landmarks, like the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve depicted above. The books contain a colorful cast of characters. The main character is Emma Scott, a typical Type A superwoman juggling her legal career and motherhood, and occasionally dropping a few balls along the way. She is a character that will be recognizable to all working mothers.
The stories include a close-knit extended family that supports Emma’s career and investigations. Her father is the former chief of police, her younger brother is a computer whiz, and her husband is a finance guru. Emma’s Latina mother, who is as spicy as her salsa, adds an ethnic flavor to the food and the storyline. And her lovable pooch and mischievous children infuse the tales with humor. The family dynamics are both relatable and entertaining.
Emma is stretched thin as she investigates and inevitably resorts to shortcut cooking. Shortcut recipes and cooking hacks are included at the end of the books, along with book group discussion questions.
The novels incorporate a bit of the author’s Hispanic heritage, weaving a vibrant Latin thread into the fabric of the storyline. Many of the humorous scenes are based on real-life incidents. Hopefully, they will strike a chord and evoke a chuckle.
Seashells and Scoundrels is the first book in the Sleuthing by the Seaside cozy mystery series.
Working late one night, Emma’s best friend stumbles over the lifeless body of her boss, the CEO of a biotech company and prominent philanthropist. When Emma’s BFF is wrongly accused of the high-profile murder, Emma recruits her family to help battle the bogus charges. They join forces to stop the runaway prosecutorial train and prevent her best friend from being railroaded for a crime she didn’t commit.
Political aspirations and public outcry create pressure for a quick conviction. As Emma races against the clock, she confronts a stalker, sharpshooter, precocious children, and a cat-chasing pooch—and tries to avoid being added to the rising body count.
Emma ignores ominous death threats and investigates the murder because she knows that if she doesn’t unmask the real killer, no one will—and her BFF could be forced to spend the rest of her life in prison, possibly on death row.
Can Emma track down the killer before the killer tracks down her?
The book was a finalist in the Pacific Northwest Writers’ Association Writing Contest and shortlisted by Chanticleer International Book Awards.
In the second book, Driftwood and Dirtbags, Emma’s youngest brother calls in a panic when his roommate and college basketball teammate Ian—a top NBA prospect—is accused of murder. Ian’s basketball sponsorship and pro career may dribble through his fingers unless he is swiftly exonerated. Emma must reassemble the team and launch a new investigation into computer hacking, blackmail, sports betting, and organized crime.
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