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n Elk Ridge Murder Mystery, #0
Murder at Aspen Creek
A random overnight visit to a quiet prairie town turns deadly for Inspector Hilary Casgrain.
Instead of starry skies, a home-cooked meal, and an evening at a Cowboy Poetry Festival, Hilary is dragged into a drive-by shooting and the search for a missing teen - a night that rages out of control and ends in a killing.
She’s driving across the continent to a new job, in search of a fresh start and a quiet cruise towards retirement. But in the town of Aspen Creek, she gets a taste of small-town policing at its most intense.
The Aspen Creek chief asks for her help and Hilary sees first-hand his struggles with limited resources, and a crime as ruthless as any she encountered in her 20 years of city policing.
At the same time, she’s drawn to the close bonds and staunch support shared by the handful of Aspen Creek officers. Can she forge those kind of relationships at her new post? Can she shake off the shadows of the past and become a leader to admire?
These thoughts and worries are fleeting, however. The clock is ticking and lives hang in the balance.
Dive into this prequel novella and get a glimpse of a sensational new crime series featuring Inspector Hilary Casgrain. Watch for book 1, Murder At Elk Ridge, in late spring 2023!
Instead of starry skies, a home-cooked meal, and an evening at a Cowboy Poetry Festival, Hilary is dragged into a drive-by shooting and the search for a missing teen - a night that rages out of control and ends in a killing.
She’s driving across the continent to a new job, in search of a fresh start and a quiet cruise towards retirement. But in the town of Aspen Creek, she gets a taste of small-town policing at its most intense.
The Aspen Creek chief asks for her help and Hilary sees first-hand his struggles with limited resources, and a crime as ruthless as any she encountered in her 20 years of city policing.
At the same time, she’s drawn to the close bonds and staunch support shared by the handful of Aspen Creek officers. Can she forge those kind of relationships at her new post? Can she shake off the shadows of the past and become a leader to admire?
These thoughts and worries are fleeting, however. The clock is ticking and lives hang in the balance.
Dive into this prequel novella and get a glimpse of a sensational new crime series featuring Inspector Hilary Casgrain. Watch for book 1, Murder At Elk Ridge, in late spring 2023!
78 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2023
About the author
Anne Shillolo
98 books291 followersI love writing every day and the result so far is three mystery series, and counting. I’ve been retired from teaching for a couple of years, and am totally immersed in my new career as a mystery writer. I hope you enjoy the results!
The Murder In Season trilogy features injured detective constable Claire Beckett.
The longer Poodle Versus… series is a reader favorite. It features small-town action, zany characters, and a Nasty Small Poodle who will capture your heart.
This year I plan to release several books following DC Holly Towns, starting with Goodbye Port Alma.
The Free Prequels to all my series are available on my website, AnneShillolo.com.
You can find me on Facebook as Anne Shillolo Writer.
Happy reading!
The Murder In Season trilogy features injured detective constable Claire Beckett.
The longer Poodle Versus… series is a reader favorite. It features small-town action, zany characters, and a Nasty Small Poodle who will capture your heart.
This year I plan to release several books following DC Holly Towns, starting with Goodbye Port Alma.
The Free Prequels to all my series are available on my website, AnneShillolo.com.
You can find me on Facebook as Anne Shillolo Writer.
Happy reading!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 26, 2025
As a series prequel designed to tempt readers into buying in, this must surely be a winner. Well written, interesting characters, intriguing rising tension with hints of more to come … the only thing that stopped me from following the link immediately to purchase the next in series was … the lack of an immediate internet connection. 🤦🏻♀️
July 1, 2023
Good intro
Well thought out beginning book in a series. Left many questions about Caz. Problem with end of story in that there isn't enough interest in the development/history of Caz to go further in the series. Why is there a dislike of Caz? What did she do wrong? What did other people do wrong? The way that the wrongdoing was handled left at the end made me feel like there was more of a sexist male vs female vibe rather than anything rather than actual wrong
Well thought out beginning book in a series. Left many questions about Caz. Problem with end of story in that there isn't enough interest in the development/history of Caz to go further in the series. Why is there a dislike of Caz? What did she do wrong? What did other people do wrong? The way that the wrongdoing was handled left at the end made me feel like there was more of a sexist male vs female vibe rather than anything rather than actual wrong
May 20, 2023
I had convinced myself that this book (series) would be disappointing because I love her Holly Townes series. I was wrong, wrong, wrong! I loved this first foray into this series. Well written, great protagonist, and well plotted, this is a satisfying albeit short book that’s sure to delight.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.
May 17, 2023
Murder at Elk Ridge - I enjoyed reading this book as much as I enjoyed the Port Alma Murder Mysteries by this author. Always well written with good characters, good dialog and good story lines making it easy to get immersed in the drama. There are quite a few cases going on from hate crimes to serial murders as the new Inspector begins life in a smaller town. There are twists and the story is beefy. No silly dramas or ridiculous thoughts or actions but well oiled team work between the police force members, and the townspeople. 5*
Murder at Aspen Creek - The prequel to a new series by Ms. Shillolo. Interesting, intriguing with immersing story lines and good characters. A lot going on in this quick to read story. 5*
Port Alma Murder Mysteries:
Goodbye Port Alma - Surprised and excited to find this author. Finally after all the trash I have to wade through to find an author that cannot only write an interesting story with good characters and good story lines, but also does not use profanity, knows proper grammar and punctuation and does not feel the need to add current politics. Refreshing. Fast-paced. Ready for the next book. 5*
Goodbye Lake Street - One big mistake made: Why wasn't 911 called either while she was chasing her or after the other incident was under control? Fifteen minutes is too long to remember the chased. Otherwise, a good relaxation. I missed the three previous books but it did not affect the story, a stand alone. Good, clean read with good characters and good story lines. Easy to read and fast-paced till the last page. 4*
Goodbye Foxbridge Lane, prequel - Interesting, short introduction to the Goodbye series. Good characters and good story lines. 4*
Goodbye Sky Field, #6 - Well written with intense story lines had me immersed in the pages, taking my time to read this book. Holly did well with all the cases from one day's events and the personal attack that puts her behind the desk. The ending was a cheerful balance to the heavy topics unfolding through out the story. Probably the best book so far. 5*
Goodbye Linden Square, #7 - This series is one of my favorites. Good, intelligent characters blended with good story lines, old and new, and good dialog weave a tapestry of interest and intrigue that is hard to put once reading begins. It is difficult to write a review without it becoming a book report since these books are so interesting with characters that are not silly idiots. There is a twist that was funny and well done, and that character will be a great addition to the regular cast. 5*
Port Alma Murder Mysteries end.
Murder at Aspen Creek - The prequel to a new series by Ms. Shillolo. Interesting, intriguing with immersing story lines and good characters. A lot going on in this quick to read story. 5*
Port Alma Murder Mysteries:
Goodbye Port Alma - Surprised and excited to find this author. Finally after all the trash I have to wade through to find an author that cannot only write an interesting story with good characters and good story lines, but also does not use profanity, knows proper grammar and punctuation and does not feel the need to add current politics. Refreshing. Fast-paced. Ready for the next book. 5*
Goodbye Lake Street - One big mistake made: Why wasn't 911 called either while she was chasing her or after the other incident was under control? Fifteen minutes is too long to remember the chased. Otherwise, a good relaxation. I missed the three previous books but it did not affect the story, a stand alone. Good, clean read with good characters and good story lines. Easy to read and fast-paced till the last page. 4*
Goodbye Foxbridge Lane, prequel - Interesting, short introduction to the Goodbye series. Good characters and good story lines. 4*
Goodbye Sky Field, #6 - Well written with intense story lines had me immersed in the pages, taking my time to read this book. Holly did well with all the cases from one day's events and the personal attack that puts her behind the desk. The ending was a cheerful balance to the heavy topics unfolding through out the story. Probably the best book so far. 5*
Goodbye Linden Square, #7 - This series is one of my favorites. Good, intelligent characters blended with good story lines, old and new, and good dialog weave a tapestry of interest and intrigue that is hard to put once reading begins. It is difficult to write a review without it becoming a book report since these books are so interesting with characters that are not silly idiots. There is a twist that was funny and well done, and that character will be a great addition to the regular cast. 5*
Port Alma Murder Mysteries end.
June 25, 2024
Inspector Hillary Casgrain is driving across Canada to a new job, in search of a fresh start in a quiet place where she can lick her wounds and slide towards retirement. Stopping in small town Aspen Creek for the night, she happens upon a Cowboy Poetry Festival and thinks, why not go, it will be fun. Fun turns into a drive-by shooting and a frantic search for a missing teen, and a murder. The Aspen Creek chief asks for her help and Hilary sees first-hand his struggles with limited resources, and a crime as ruthless as any she encountered in her 20 years of city policing.
Wowza! This bubble up to the top of my TBR pile and I started reading, thinking, Oh, I like Canada, maybe this will be a good read for the gym. I got whiplashed by the fast pace, non-stop action, and well-drawn characters that I quickly came to care about. I thought the author did a good job of depicting smalltown life and policing.
Hillary is a complicated character. She was a go-getter for a long time and that drive brought her misery and a very visible scar on her face. Now she’s trying to be better, to do better and I like that. I found myself hoping along with Hillary that she would be able to recreate the same close-knit atmosphere the Aspen Creek department has when she gets to her posting. My only quibble is, this ended abruptly and left me hanging. I remind myself it is a prequel and probably designed to do just that. I will read more in this series. (I’m hoping some of the characters from this prequel will carry over into the rest of the books. I’m pulling for a relationship between Hillary and the Aspen Creek police chief … )
Wowza! This bubble up to the top of my TBR pile and I started reading, thinking, Oh, I like Canada, maybe this will be a good read for the gym. I got whiplashed by the fast pace, non-stop action, and well-drawn characters that I quickly came to care about. I thought the author did a good job of depicting smalltown life and policing.
Hillary is a complicated character. She was a go-getter for a long time and that drive brought her misery and a very visible scar on her face. Now she’s trying to be better, to do better and I like that. I found myself hoping along with Hillary that she would be able to recreate the same close-knit atmosphere the Aspen Creek department has when she gets to her posting. My only quibble is, this ended abruptly and left me hanging. I remind myself it is a prequel and probably designed to do just that. I will read more in this series. (I’m hoping some of the characters from this prequel will carry over into the rest of the books. I’m pulling for a relationship between Hillary and the Aspen Creek police chief … )
April 9, 2023
This novella is the beginning of a new series for Ms. Shillolo. I expect this series will be as good or better than the Port Alma Murder Mysteries which I absolutely loved! Hilary Casgrain is on her way to her job with the Elk Ridge Police Department, having offered herself as a scapegoat at her pervious job in law enforcement. She plans to spend the night in Aspen Ridge while on her way to Elk Ridge. While in Aspen Creek she becomes involved that night in
assisting the police department in the beginning of a case of shooting and a missing girl. I got hooked on this series and highly recommend you get this novella to be in on the ground floor of this new series! I can’t wait for the next book!
This is my honest ARC review.
assisting the police department in the beginning of a case of shooting and a missing girl. I got hooked on this series and highly recommend you get this novella to be in on the ground floor of this new series! I can’t wait for the next book!
This is my honest ARC review.
March 19, 2023
Inspector Hilary Casgrain is heading to Elk Ridge for her new job! She stops at Aspen Creek for the night. A small town in Canada and she decides to head for supper and ends up going in and watching a show with locals performing cowboy poetry. While there gun fire breaks out during a performance. She helps the local police look for the suspect. In the meantime a local teenager becomes missing. As they are looking for the teenager and trying to figure out the shot fired they come upon a gas station robbery. I cant wait to read this series “ Murder at Elk Ridge”.
I received this ARC from the author for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received this ARC from the author for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 24, 2023
Hilary is on her way to a new job in Oak Ridge and makes a stop at Aspen Creek for the night and it turns into something else completely. While she is at a festival enjoying her meal with the locals suddenly gunshots ring out and when someone tries to go out the door another shot is fired and they just make it back inside unharmed. A missing girl, a robbery and a murder complicates things more as the local Chief of police enlists Hilary's help in solving this situation. Lots of twists and turns with enough surprises to keep you on your toes and just when you think you know what happened you're wrong. In the end the missing girl is found and the murderer identified. Great read.
June 11, 2023
I just finished this very short prequel of Murder at Aspen Creek. Hilary Casgrain is headed to Elk Ridge to start over in charge of another police dept. She stops in Aspen Creek for the night to have a good meal and attend a show when gunfire erupts and the town's people are in shock. Hilary's policing skills kick in to help out the chief of Aspen Creek. The book ended so quickly that I thought I had not gotten the full download! It was well written and makes you look forward to "the rest of the story!"
March 21, 2023
This is a novella introducing us to Inspector Hilary Casgrain. Travelling across the country on the way to her new posting, an overnight stay turns into an unexpected investigation. The crime is quite straightforward, and the main purpose of the book is to give the reader an insight into the new character and the new series. This works well, and I look forward to reading the first in the series soon.
January 26, 2024
What’s there is great!
Such a well written book! Ms. Shillolo is truly talented. Great characters well developed. They could be your police officers and friends. This preview book was not good. The first story was anticlimatically dumped and the tie in to what comes next squeezed in. Seems a waste of a great lead except I assume it picks up later in the next (first) installment. It does clearly showcase a great author’s talent.
Such a well written book! Ms. Shillolo is truly talented. Great characters well developed. They could be your police officers and friends. This preview book was not good. The first story was anticlimatically dumped and the tie in to what comes next squeezed in. Seems a waste of a great lead except I assume it picks up later in the next (first) installment. It does clearly showcase a great author’s talent.
March 21, 2024
Murder at Aspen Creek: An Inspector Hilary Casgrain Murder Mystery (An Elk Ridge Murder Mystery)
This novella introduces the main character of Inspector Hilary Casgrain. It gives a bit of background as Hilary is on her way to her new job and while at an overnight stop, she gets involved in a case of a missing teenager and a shooting at a gas station which ends in tragedy. This novella is a free kindle on amazon.com and for me it kept me engaged with the storyline and characters. A great read and compelling enough for me to purchase the next book in the series called Murder at Elk Ridge: An Inspector Hilary Casgrain Murder Mystery (An Elk Ridge Murder Mystery Book 1).
This novella introduces the main character of Inspector Hilary Casgrain. It gives a bit of background as Hilary is on her way to her new job and while at an overnight stop, she gets involved in a case of a missing teenager and a shooting at a gas station which ends in tragedy. This novella is a free kindle on amazon.com and for me it kept me engaged with the storyline and characters. A great read and compelling enough for me to purchase the next book in the series called Murder at Elk Ridge: An Inspector Hilary Casgrain Murder Mystery (An Elk Ridge Murder Mystery Book 1).
April 3, 2023
Wow! I’ve read straight through this book in one easy go. Inspector Hilary Gasgrain is on her way to her new posting at Elk Ridge & stops for the night at Aspen Creek. She’s at a local community hall when someone sprays the hall with shots. Then a girl is discovered to be missing & later a serious incident at the local gas station. Next morning, off she drives to the new place! Great read.
May 14, 2023
This novella is the prequel to the Hilary Casgrain/Elk Ridge Mystery series. As Hilary travels across Canada to begin her new job in Elk Ridge, her overnight stop in Aspen Creek lands her in the middle of a shooting and the search for a missing young girl. This is just enough of an introduction to set the stage and generate anticipation for the upcoming series.
February 24, 2026
Murder at Allen Creek, by Anne Shillolo
Yet another FANTASTIC read by Anne, and it held my interest so tightly bound!!!
Anne sure has a unique style of writing that propels her along!!
From beginning to the end I was captivated, and the ending was indeed a surprise!!
Thank you, Anne, for another FANTASTIC read!!
Leona E...
Yet another FANTASTIC read by Anne, and it held my interest so tightly bound!!!
Anne sure has a unique style of writing that propels her along!!
From beginning to the end I was captivated, and the ending was indeed a surprise!!
Thank you, Anne, for another FANTASTIC read!!
Leona E...
March 20, 2023
Oh my gosh I did not want that storyline to end. This author is at her best writing murder mysteries she has such a great talent for this kind of genre. And I'm excited to see this new series! I like Inspector Hilary Casgrain and she's headed into so much trouble I can't wait to read that!!
April 16, 2023
Inspector Hilary Casgrain is starting over in Elk Ridge. Will she be able to adjust to small town policing? I liked the new Hilary. I just wondered what will happen when her past intrudes on her new life. I hope she finds the peace she deserves.
June 27, 2023
A great new series
This explores the story of one of the side characters from the Goodbye Port Alma world. It is just as well written and quite interesting. I can’t wait to read more!
This explores the story of one of the side characters from the Goodbye Port Alma world. It is just as well written and quite interesting. I can’t wait to read more!
October 2, 2023
It's a short prequel. Inspector Hilary is on her way to her new station but gets caught up in the investigation of a shooting and disappearance.
The story has twists and takes you for a ride. Great quick read
The story has twists and takes you for a ride. Great quick read
November 15, 2023
A tight little novella introducing an Inspector on her way to a new job. She gets involved in a crime investigation enroute. Mainly the story is for readers to get to know her. A twisty last chapter sets the stage for the first novel.
January 10, 2024
I received this book as a freebie in return for an honest review.
I enjoyed this story. The book followed the story of a police officer who wanted a quieter life, so got a posting in a small country town. Not all things go to plan.
I enjoyed this story. The book followed the story of a police officer who wanted a quieter life, so got a posting in a small country town. Not all things go to plan.
January 18, 2025
A horrifying event
It was going to be a boring night in the small town of Aspen Creek, but it turned
Into an awful time. Riveting story that makes one want more. Not a slow moment. Good characters that you want to get to know better!
It was going to be a boring night in the small town of Aspen Creek, but it turned
Into an awful time. Riveting story that makes one want more. Not a slow moment. Good characters that you want to get to know better!
January 31, 2025
Murder at Aspen Creek Introduces and Reintroduces the Main Character
I missed this as a prequel, but I could’ve done worse by reading it as a follow on. If you’re reading it as a prequel, good. If you stumbled onto it after a first … still good. Enjoy it!!
I missed this as a prequel, but I could’ve done worse by reading it as a follow on. If you’re reading it as a prequel, good. If you stumbled onto it after a first … still good. Enjoy it!!
May 2, 2026
Love this series
If you like police procedural mysteries, you will love the Inspector Hillary Casgrain Murder Mysteries. Author Anne Shillolo draws you into the plot and immerses you into the mystery. Great characters, tight plot, and lots of excitement. Love this series.
If you like police procedural mysteries, you will love the Inspector Hillary Casgrain Murder Mysteries. Author Anne Shillolo draws you into the plot and immerses you into the mystery. Great characters, tight plot, and lots of excitement. Love this series.
June 13, 2023
Murder mystery
Attention grabbing from the start not a long drawn out story it is a fairly fast moving one ,clearly describes characters .looking forward to next books .
Attention grabbing from the start not a long drawn out story it is a fairly fast moving one ,clearly describes characters .looking forward to next books .
June 15, 2023
This was a good book. I will continue to read the series.
August 7, 2023
A great introduction to this female Canadian police inspector. I'm looking forward to reading the next entry in the Hilary Casgrain Murder Mystery series.
September 19, 2023
Short prequel that introduces interesting characters. Will read more.
November 29, 2023
Who killed Mr. Burkholder??? Not Carly??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
December 27, 2023
Good start to a series that I think will be really good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews