Death on Puzzle Place (Secret Sleuth mystery series, Book 8‪)‬

Season’s greetings: Whodunit?

Santa Claus is coming to town, but guess who’s coming first to Haines Tavern, Kentucky – Great-Aunt Kit. If Sheila and her fellow amateur detective Clara want to give her author relative what she most wants this Christmas, they’ll wrap up a murder investigation -- with a mysterious victim, intriguing suspects, and suspicious twists. Because this time, Kit wants to be involved firsthand in solving a suspenseful puzzle.


The police – including Sheila’s romantic interest – want the amateur investigators to stand down. But how can they when the clues hit so close to home?


Sheila’s Christmas cookie recipe is the apparent murder weapon, in the hands of one of the small town’s quirky characters and one of the favorite humans of Sheila’s rescue dog, Gracie the rough collie. She can’t disappoint her pet by stopping her detective work short of the thrilling answer to Whodunit?


Kit also has ideas on solving Sheila’s romantic relationship with detective-once-more Teague O’Donnell, starting with revealing her most dangerous secret. But he’s keeping secrets of his own. By New Year’s, will this be a Christmas love story season to remember? Or a Grinch of a solution? 


Yuletide clues will keep Sheila, Clara, Kit -- and you – guessing as all celebrate the season in Book 8 of the Secret Sleuth mystery series by USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn. 


If you’re new to this page-turner cozy mystery series with humor, don’t miss its start, when Sheila encounters murder on a transatlantic cruise ship in Death on the Diversion. Then follow her to dry land in Death on Torrid Avenue and the gripping books that follow, because mysteries and deception 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 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

Holiday Bullets

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


The Innocence Trilogy

Proof of Innocence

Price of Innocence 

Premise of Innocence


About the Author

Patricia McLinn is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 60 published novels cited by readers and reviewers for wit and vivid characterization. Her books include mysteries, romantic suspense, contemporary romance, historical romance and women’s fiction. They have topped bestseller lists and won numerous awards.


She has spoken about writing from London to Melbourne, Australia, to Washington, D.C., including being a guest speaker at the Smithsonian.


McLinn spent more than 20 years as an editor at The Washington Post after stints as a sports writer (Rockford, Ill.) and assistant sports editor (Charlotte, N.C.). She received BA and MSJ degrees from Northwestern University.


Now living in Kentucky, McLinn loves to hear from readers through her website and social media.