Death on ZigZag Trail: Secret Sleuth Mystery Series, Book 7 (Unabridged‪)‬

A spooky legend twists grave matters.

Sheila Mackey’s dislike for cemeteries can’t fend off her friend Clara’s determination. Amid eerie legends, including a tailgating hearse, the accidental investigator is lured into sorting through deadly questions a century old, revolving around an unidentified victim known as ZigZag Jane.

Who was she? How did she come to be found murdered in the cemetery more than a hundred years ago? Why is the third generation of one family devoting himself to finding the answer?

Nothing follows a straight line in this historic inquiry, including conflict over their sleuthing with Teague O’Donnell, newly hired as a part-time detective in North Bend County, Kentucky. Especially when the past doesn’t stay in the past and the victims multiply.

From the dog park with Sheila’s Gracie and Clara’s Lulu, to the small town post office, to yoga class, to the historical society, and always back to ZigZag Cemetery (to Sheila’s chagrin), she and Clara negotiate the zigs and zags of this seventh book in USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn’s cozy mystery series, Secret Sleuth. The series begins with a murder on a transatlantic cruise in Death on the Diversion. In Death on Torrid Avenue and later books, accidental investigator Sheila returns to dry land in the Midwest, where mysteries abound in her new Kentucky home.

Secret Sleuth series

Death on the Diversion

Death on Torrid Avenue

Death on Beguiling Way

Death on Covert Circle

Death on Shady Bridge

Death on Carrion Lane

Death on ZigZag Trail

Death on Puzzle Place

More cozy mystery from Patricia McLinn

Caught Dead in Wyoming series

Sign Off

Left Hanging

Shoot First

Last Ditch

Look Live

Back Story

Cold Open

Hot Roll

Reaction Shot

Body Brace

Cross Talk

Air Ready

Cue Up



"While the mystery itself is twisty-turny and thoroughly engaging, it's the smart and witty writing that I loved the best." -- Diane Chamberlain, New York Times bestselling author


"Colorful characters, intriguing, intelligent mystery, plus the state of Wyoming leaping off every page." -- Emilie Richards, USA Today bestselling author


If you like mystery with romance and a bit of humor, try also:

The Innocence Trilogy

Proof of Innocence

Price of Innocence

Premise of Innocence



Ride the River: Rodeo Knights (romantic suspense)


Bardville, Wyoming series (romance with a little mystery)

A Stranger in the Family

A Stranger to Love

The Rancher Meets His Match