Deadly Gamble: A Girl and Her Dog Cozy Mystery

Sep 2009 · Charlie Parker New Mexico Mystery Series Book 1 · Secret Staircase Books, an imprint of Columbine Publishing Group

4.2

497 reviews

Ebook

292

Pages

Eligible

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About this ebook

Praise for USA Today bestselling author, Connie Shelton, and her first novel:

"An impressive debut mystery!" -- Albuquerque Journal

"Charlie is slick, appealing and nobody's fool--just what readers want in an amateur sleuth." -- Booklist

"This is a dandy. Don't miss it!" -- Book Talk

In this debut mystery series novel, Charlie Parker, accountant and partner in an Albuquerque private investigation firm, is visited by her old school friend, Stacy North. Stacy's Rolex watch is missing and she begs Charlie to help locate it before her husband finds out. Things are complicated by the fact that Stacy had been seeing another man, Gary Detweiller, and he's the one she suspects of having stolen the watch. With a little detective work, Charlie and her sidekick dog, Rusty, retrieve the missing watch and all should be well. But three days later, Detweiller is murdered. All eyes turn to Stacy as the prime suspect.

Once again, Stacy begs Charlie's help in proving her innocence. As she begins to ask questions, Charlie learns that Detweiller's life was not as simple as first perceived and that any number of people had grievances against him. And before she can pinpoint the killer, her own life is in danger as well.

Includes new foreword from the author upon the 20th anniversary of first publication of this ongoing series' first title.

Praise for the other books in the Charlie Parker mystery series:

"A well written, by the book who-done-it that will enthrall purists. Charlie is a fabulous amateur sleuth." -- Midwest Book Review

"Shelton has created a lively hero in Charlie and puts her into situations that require prompt action and good common sense. A Charlie Parker mystery is always a good read..." --Southwest Book Views

"Charlie is a good detective and a pleasant companion to unravel a mystery with." -- Mystery News

"Shelton's engaging story, likable heroine, and comfortable prose make this a good choice." -- Library Journal

"Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes." --The Midwest Book Review

Search words: mystery, first in series, free ebook, freebie, female sleuth, Southwestern mysteries, crime fiction, cozy mystery, pet sleuths, animal mysteries

Ratings and reviews

4.2

497 reviews

J Sasidharan nair

December 28, 2016

Boring in the beginning,climax was was also illogical .Author was going for a jaw dropping plot twist instead he got us wondering "what was the use of the entire book up to that point.?"Every clue she found had nothing to do with the ending basically i wasted a considerable amount of time reading crap .

8 people found this review helpful

Vanessa Wong

January 3, 2016

Fun relatable protagonist and detailed description of food and scenery, but was disappointing in terms of a "thriller" - I picked the killer, motive and ending before I read a third of the way through

2 people found this review helpful

Rachael Loya

November 6, 2015

This was a slow moving book. It lacked in action and real drama. The only character I really liked was Rusty, the dog. I was not impressed but it wasn't too bad either. I probably will not continue this series unless those books are free like this one was.

9 people found this review helpful

About the author

Besides writing the Charlie Parker and Samantha Sweet mysteries, Connie is an award-winning essayist. Her work has been published in both small and major anthologies, including Chicken Soup For the Writer's Soul, and her short stories have won several prizes. She has also been a commercial hot air balloon pilot and holds the women's world altitude record for size AX-4 balloons. She has been featured in Who's Who and The World Who's Who of Women. She and her husband live in northern New Mexico with their two dogs.

Visit her website at connieshelton.com

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