Secret Sleuth Box Set (Secret Sleuth mystery series, Books 1-2‪)‬

Set sail for a new McLinn series!


Death on the Diversion, a whodunit with humor about the inner world of writers, set among the insular cruise ship community, begins a new cozy mystery series from the USA Today bestselling author of the Caught Dead in Wyoming series. In Death on Torrid Avenue and later books, amateur sleuth Sheila Mackey returns to dry land in the Midwest, where mysteries abound in her new home in small-town Kentucky.


On the spectrum of McLinn's mystery novels, the Caught Dead in Wyoming cozy series is in the middle, The Innocence Trilogy is edgier (and has more romance), and Secret Sleuth is a bit less edgy.


Book 1: Death on the Diversion

Sheila Mackey has a secret. To the world, she’s author of a blockbuster book. Her wily great-aunt, the actual author, orchestrated this mutually beneficial masquerade. Now the aunt’s retiring and Sheila must draft Act Two of her own life. This cruise is supposed to be the perfect time to do that.


Crossing the Atlantic on the Diversion, Sheila finds a dead body on deck. She’s drawn into sleuthing but finds herself hampered by a well-meaning but overprotective would-be Dr. Watson.


"A totally unique protagonist -- witty, grounded, human. An intriguing crime venue. I hope there are many more in this series." -- 5* review


Book 2: Death on Torrid Avenue

Sheila turns her back on a Manhattan lifestyle and the publishing world that once defined her to put down roots near the Ohio River in North Bend County, Kentucky. Here, she finds a new life, a new home and a new love: Gracie, the rescue collie. Then Gracie discovers a body at the dog park, a ticklish situation for an amateur sleuth with a big secret of her own. 


Will Sheila untangle the murder mystery before her secrets are untied, exposing her previous identity to her new neighbors?


Get on board to sail away with crime, clues and memorable characters.


The Secret Sleuth series

Book 1: Death on the Diversion

Book 2: Death on Torrid Avenue

Book 3: Death on Beguiling Way

Book 4: Death on Covert Circle

Book 5: Death on Shady Bridge

Book 6: Death on Carrion Lane

Book 7: Death on ZigZag Trail

Book 8: Death on Puzzle Place


More mystery by 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


The Innocence Trilogy

Proof of Innocence

Price of Innocence

Premise of Innocence