Cover Image: Dead-End Detective

Dead-End Detective

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Member Reviews

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.

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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.

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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.

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Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Co-owner Darby Piper of a detective agency is in shock when her partner dies in a car crash. Soon she will find herself to be the main suspect as the car crash was nit an accident. Furthermore instead of expecting to inherit the other half of the business from her mentor, it is left to her out of town roaming nephew.

He is no PI but seems to have a knack for the job despite being a man of mystery. Will she be able to prove her innocence before it is too late with his aid? Will they be able to keep their business a float?

A fun new cozy series that seems promising.

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Dead -End Detective is the first in a new cozy series by Amanda Flower.
Darby and Samantha are business partners at Two Girls Detective Agency, as well as friends.
When Samantha is killed in a car accident, Darby becomes the prime suspect.
Wonderful characters, twists and turns will keep you turning the pages.

Thank you NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

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Dead end detective is a simple whodunit book and you are invested from the moment the crime happens in the book. I especially liked Darby's character and the evolution of her character through the book. If you read too many thrillers like I do you try various storyline and the reveals and backstory behind every character because the book makes you doubt everyone. The author keeps you in the dark and though towards the last ten pages I was able to put two and two together but the biggest reveal took me totally by surprise. The back story of the culprit is interesting and the narrative following Darby's doubts and her issues with her past life really take the book forward and establishes her relationship with every character. The author gives a face and considers every character in the book to be written about and no one is left in the dark. The story starts on a conflict and ends with a complete circle and makes me wonder about Darby's personality after the book finished. A light detective read and an enjoyable murder mystery.

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Dead End Detective was the perfect cozy mystery. My only wish was that I could read it by a crackling fire. There was a great cast of characters to make this a beloved series a la the Stephanie Plum novels.

Some of the writing isn’t difficult and one of the reveals was lack luster however the main crime was intriguing and the story was fun.

I have been given an ARC of this in turn for my review via Net Galley.

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I am a fan of Amanda Flower's writing style. Not everyone can pull off a story written in the first person! Before this book I have only read the author's Amish and Christian Fiction series, which I enjoyed. "Dead-End Detective" has a town with all kinds of characters from all walks of life that are easy to picture and get to know. One of the subplots wrapped up too neatly for me. The plot had me at a dead-end trying to figure out the criminal for a large part of the story. It was truly the last person I ever suspected. I received a copy of 'Dead-End Detective' from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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I loved everything about this book - the locale, the characters, the suspenseful story and the potential for so much more. I felt transported to the Finger Lakes and had an instant affinity to Darby. I figured out the 'whodunit' but enjoyed the ride to the end. I already like the works of Amanda Flower, but I am excited the new A Piper and Porter Mystery series, and can't wait for more.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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Sadly, the two girl detective agency is down to one when Darby’s partner is found dead. Amanda Flower writes realistic and relatable characters and a believable, solid mystery. The author weaves a great cozy mystery story using humor, real-life characters, and real-life struggles and relationships into a must-read book. The reader is able to feel a part of the story with her descriptions, characters, and realistic scenes that don't feel contrived or padded.

Dead-End Detective is another excellent book by Amanda Flower, and I’m looking forward to more in this series. Good characters, a good mystery, good subplots, a good book, and an author good at her craft!

#DeadEndDetective #NetGalley

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Two girl detective agency, and then there was one.
Darby's partner, mentor and friend is found dead. Accident or murder?
Sam's nephew shows up and helps Darby and Tate set out to figure out what happened to Sam.
I thought was a cozy mystery, but it had a different flow to it.
Still a good read. Enjoy Amanda's books

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Darby Piper and Porter ran the Two Girls Detective Agency together for years. Darby found out Samantha wanted to dissolve it and work together somewhere else, she was stunned and upset.
When Samantha was murdered, the lead suspect was Darby.
Tate Porter, Samantha's nephew and heir, as well as Logan, the ex-boyfriend were suspects Darby considered, she knew she didn't do it. Who else had motive? She dug through client files, and checked out the three cases Samantha had open. No luck in the files.
Tate, who now owned the majority of the agency, had already ruled her out and wanted to work with her to find the killer quickly, before Darby was arrested.
The pair check out any and all possibilities until the killer feeling they were getting too close and acted to kill Darby. The killer and the one who saved Darby and Porter were unlikely. There's a hint just before the killer acts, but the one who stops her is a witty surprise.
I requested and received aNetGalley ARC to peruse and loved it. I recommend highly to any cozy lover.

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I absolutely loved Dead End Detective, the first book of Amanda Flower's new mystery series, Piper and Porter Mysteries from Hallmark Publishing. The premise, writing and characters are wonderful. In this first installment, Darby's mentor and partner in the Two Girls Detective Agency, Samantha Porter, has been acting a little strange and when Samantha announces she is shutting the agency down (she owns 60% of it) to go to work for Matt Billows, who owns a nearby spa for celebrities' as their security manager, Darby struggles to understand why.

The evening of the day of Darby's confrontation with Samantha concerning closing the agency, Samantha dies in an auto accident. When Darby's former boyfriend, police detective Austin Caster, arrives to notify Darby, it's to tell her it wasn't an accident, but that Samantha was run off the road and went down into a ravine striking a tree. Tire marks at the scene indicate the car involved is Darby's. When it becomes apparent someone was framing Darby, she investigates it herself. It is apparent that Darby is Austin's only suspect and when the car is later found and later confirmed to be the car involved, the rush is on for Darby to clear herself. The fact that Samantha left the controlling share of the agency to her nephew, Tate Porter, only supports the evidence against her.

I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait for the next one in this series. Ms. Flower is a wonderful writer and I think that all cozy lovers will really like this series.

Please Note: I was given a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.com. All opinions expressed are my own.

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I loved this first book of a new series by Amanda Flower. I was already an Amanda Flower fan to begin with, but this new series a whole different side of cozy mysteries I am not uses to seeing a whole lot of. The main character is a PI which I have not seen done before. All the characters and how they develop through the plot is wonderful. The plot's twists and turns had me second guessing myself when I thought I knew who done it...and to think that the killer was right undee my nose the whole time!

I have not laughed as much as I have in a long time with this book. I cannot wait for the next in the series!

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This is my first Amanda Flower Mystery and it won’t be the last. Darby Piper runs Two Girl Detective Agency with her partner Samatha. Samatha decides to close the agency and takes a job at the local celebrity resort. Darby is furious but is only a 40 percent stakeholder. Samatha is killed and Darby is being framed. Samatha’s only family a nephew is back in town and is now the new majority stakeholder of the company. Darby must find who ever is framing her to save her freedom and career.
I loved this first book. It was well written and easy to follow. It felt as though I have already read many books in the series. Characters are well developed and I am looking forward to learning more about their past. I am looking forward to the next adventure!
#DeadEndDetective #NetGalley

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This was my first book by this author and I'm already itching to grab another in her collection!

Plenty of twists, good read. My fingers kept wanting to turn the page's! Fantastic read overall!

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When her business partner and friend dies in a car crash, Darby Piper has to tie up lots of loose ends. This includes investigation the car accident that killed Samantha Porter. Darby learns that Samantha's nephew, Tate Porter, is now the owner of Two Girls Detective Agency and her new partner. This book was an easy read that kept me guessing about who could be responsible for the murder. I look forward to reading the next book in this series. Home run from Hallmark and Amanda Flower!

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Dead-End Detective by Amanda Flower is her newest cozy mystery series and was an engaging story.

Darby Piper and Samantha Porter were friends and business partners at Two Girls Detective Agency and then Samantha was killed in a car crash. The police's number one suspect is Darby and she is determined to find out who really did the deed. There is also a cold case murder mystery that involves Samantha's father that Darby wents to solve as well. Darby struck me as a little naive' regarding her being the number one suspect through most of the story. Tate Porter is an intriguing character that I look forward to getting to know better as the series progresses.

A smoothly paced plot, twists and turns and a surprising reveal will keep readers turning the pages.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Hallmark Publishing via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.

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This is a sensational start to a brand new cozy mystery series by Amanda Flowers. I won't rehash the plot since you can read that in the book description. The characters are well-rounded. The story unravels remarkably. I absolutely love the fact that Darby is a Private Detective. As such, her actions make sense throughout the book. Time flies when you are reading Dead-End Detective. I am looking forward to many more in this series!

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Darby Piper is shockingly the lead suspect in her friend and co-investigator, Samantha Porter's, death. The unexpected arrival of Samantha's nephew, Tate, throws a wrench into Darby's life. Not only is he a closely-guarded man, he is the new boss. He is definitely not a P.I. and known for a wandering spirit. Darby craves security and with Tate at the helm of the agency, he looks like the last person on earth to offer it. Nonetheless, she needs him to find a killer and prove her innocence especially before more bodies are left in the wake.

What's not to love? Here's a delightful mix of Hallmark, cozy mystery, small town, witty lines and characters with depth, struggles, crises and relationships. Amanda Fowler is a gifted writer who creates vivid descriptions of likeable and realistic Piper, Porter, the town's residents, their situations and emotions. With much anticipation, I look forward to, hopefully, several more books in this series.

The only downside here, and it's relatively small, is that the second book is not yet available.

I received a complimentary copy of the book without obligation. This review is my opinion.

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