February Featured Cozy Mystery

Death By Deception

Book One in the Shepherd Sisters Mysteries

Death By Deception

Tracy Gardner
Shepherd Sisters Mysteries
Paperback, ebook

Amazon

Google Play

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

Bookshop.org

Tule Publishing

Death by Deception is the first book in the Shepherd Sisters Mysteries by Tracy Gardner. The amateur sleuth is Savanna Shepherd, a former art authenticator with a talent for spotting secrets hiding in plain sight.

After losing her fiancé and her job as an art authenticator at a respected Chicago gallery, Savanna Shepherd retreats to her charming Lake Michigan hometown for a fresh start. She settles into teaching art at the local elementary school, reconnects with her two sisters, and rediscovers her creative spark. She even accepts a commission to paint a mural for a beloved family friend.

But Savanna's joyful return to familiar faces and places takes a sinister turn when a cozy book club gathering ends in a shocking death and other unsettling events begin to plague the stately mansion where she is painting. With the support of her two sisters and the small-town doctor who makes her heart beat faster, Savanna must work through layers of deception and hidden clues before a dangerous killer paints them all into a corner.

Enter the Death by Deception Giveaway

Reasons to Read Death By Deception

Death by Deception is an entertaining story that blends cozy charm and close-knit community with genuine suspense and sharp sleuthing.

The heart of the story is the Shepherd sisters. Their relationship brings warmth, humor, and authenticity to the mystery.

Savanna Shepherd knows her way around a masterpiece and a mystery. Her talent for spotting details, patterns, and deception helps her pick up clues that others might miss. Her vulnerability, determination, and desperate need for a second chance make her easy to root for.

The other two sisters, Skylar, the sharp-minded attorney, and Sydney, the warmhearted owner of a pet-grooming boutique, are loving, supportive, and, of course, occasionally challenging (as all sisters are). Each sister brings her own strengths to the investigation.

The other main supporting character, Dr. Aidan, adds another layer of heart to the story and keeps with the theme of second chances. Savanna's connection with Aidan develops slowly and naturally. This subtle touch of romance is very well done and provides a good counterbalance to the suspense without overshadowing the mystery.

Most of all, Death by Deception is a good whodunit! Author Tracy Gardner keeps the story moving with clues in all the right places and twists that feel earned. The book is hard to put down once you start reading, and the ending is well-written and satisfying.

Death by Deception is available in paperback and ebook from multiple retailers. The paperback is 360 pages.

Read an excerpt of Death by Deception

What Readers Say About Death By Deception

“I absolutely adored this book! It was the perfect balance of mystery and romance. All of the characters were relatable and I truly loved the three sisters.”

— Amazon Review

“I had a hard time putting the book down. It was so exciting and addictive all the way to the end.”

— Barnes and Noble Review

“Death by Deception by Tracy Gardner pulled me in like a perfectly painted masterpiece—layer by layer, detail by detail, until I was completely hooked. If you love cozy mysteries with small-town charm, strong sisterly bonds, and a hint of romance, then prepare to get lost in the world of the Shepherd sisters.”

— Goodreads Review

“It has everything I love about cozy mysteries - interesting likable characters with common sense, family, friendship, an intriguing cozy mystery, and potential romance! What’s not to love!”

— Short Sweet and Cozy Review

Death By Deception Reading Kit

If you're in a book club or if you just want to have some fun beyond the book, check out this free Death by Deception Reading Kit. It contains reader questions, book club activities, word games, a delicious Shepherd Sisters recipe, an interview with author Tracy Gardner, and other themed activities.

Shepherd Sisters Mysteries in Order

The books in the Shepherd Sisters Mysteries in order are:

Shepherd Sisters Mysteries

Other Books by Tracy Gardner

Tracy Gardner is also the author of the Avery Ayers Antiques Mysteries, another cozy mystery series featuring the books Ruby Red Herring and Peril at Pennington Manor. Ruby Red Herring is a Mary Higgins Clark Edgar Award Nominated Mystery that was singled out as one of the Top 100 Best Books of 2021 by the New York Public Library.

In addition to cozy mysteries, Tracy Gardner also writes award-winning women's fiction as Jess Sinclair. Her novel, What Could Have Been, was a 2023 Readers' Choice Book Award Finalist and won the 2024 Storytrade Women's Fiction Award.

Interview with Tracy Gardner

Read this Cozy Crime Reads interview with author Tracy Gardner to learn more about her cozy mystery books and writing journey. You'll discover how she creates the cozy elements in her books and what advice she offers to other authors. You can also learn more about Tracy and her books on her website, www.tracygardnerbeno.com.

Tracy Gardner Cozy Mystery Bookshelf

Use the arrows on either side of the images below to see Tracy Gardner’s cozy mysteries. Click on the book cover to see a book description, reader reviews, and a book excerpt on Amazon.