Tick Tock Dead

by L.A. Sartor

It’s Christmas and nestled in a valley between two towering Colorado mountain ranges, the old mining town turned uber chic ski resort of Angelcroft is in a battle for its soul.

And now the battle has turned deadly.

Lifelong resident Jenna Hart is definitely not sleuth material. In fact, she’s a custom jeweler who loves working with diamonds and brilliant gems, and this is her busiest season ever. But now her one goal is to find out who murdered her friend.

Enlisting the help of those who know the town’s secrets — even as they seem to hide their own — Jenna digs deep only to find the dire warnings from handsome newcomer, police Detective Derek Tripp, that she could be risking her own life are prophetic.

Nevertheless, nothing and nobody will stop Jenna from finding the truth.

Tick Tock Dead is the first book in the Jenna Hart Mystery series. If you enjoy small town mysteries populated with fascinating characters whose lives are far more complicated than what they seem on the surface, join Jenna for an adventure in the charming mountain town of Angelcroft.

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2023

Reviews

[Sheri Carmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

TICK TOCK DEAD is a superbly crafted snowy drama of mystery, love, and intrigue. Authentic LOVE weaves like a golden thread through the artfully crafted cryptic plot…Love between true friends who have become family… Love from the past whose echoes linger in the ‘time clock’ of our lives, and the sparking tension of romantic love on the edge of full flame. Love and loss, revenge, despair, grit, and healing… written with an artistically sensitive hand and told through the eyes of custom jeweler Jenna Hart, a cool, modern protagonist.

[Pam Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

TICK TOCK DEAD is a great story involving love, mystery, and intrigue. I had a hard time putting the book down. The descriptions of each character, each room or each location made me feel like I was looking in from the outside, there but no one could see me. I know Leslie does a lot of research before writing any book, so authenticity is always unquestioned in the plots, in the scene or how the characters act within a scene.

I liked the small snowy town in Colorado for the setting for this book, I look forward to reading what town and country we are taken next. The story line with its several twists and turns had me guessing, who did it?

I have read all of Leslie’s books, this one is my favorite and look forward to reading the next adventure for Jenna Hart. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozying up with a good mystery in front of a roaring fire.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tick Tock Dead is a heartwarming yet thrilling story set in Angelcroft, Colorado, a small ski town that was once a mining community. Sartor spins a moving story that will hook you on page one. Protagonist Jenna Hart is the type of character I enjoy reading; she is strong, determined, wise, and a bit feisty. She is a jeweler and would like nothing more than to spend her time turning gems into dazzling jewelry, but when her close friend is murdered, Jenna sets out to find the killer. When police Detective Derek Tripp arrives on the scene, Jenna’s investigation challenges her to endure more than she ever thought she could.
Tick Tock Dead is the first in the Jenna Hart Mystery series, and I’m anxiously awaiting number two.

[Gretchen Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy mystery. The author kept me guessing “who did it?” until the end, and I was not disappointed. Crushed and horrified by the murder of her beloved mentor, Jenna Hart, a custom jeweler, sets out to solve the crime. As her search uncovers suspects, she must dodge attempts on her own life. The suspense grows. I loved the diversity of characters and rich friendships in the setting of a cozy ski town at Christmas time. Ski lodges need copies of this book for skiers who come in off the slopes and want to cozy up with a book. I’ve purchased and read several books by L.A. Sartor, and this is my favorite. I’m looking forward to this Jenna Hart new series.

[Nancy Haddock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read most of this author's other books and got completely sucked into them. Meeting Jenna and all these characters pulled me into this new cozy mystery series. I love Angelcroft as a setting, loved the twisty plot, and the story unfolded at a good pace. It's taken me much longer than it should've to read this due to having eye trouble. I went back a bit to reread some, but then got to a place where I knew exactly where I was. I generally don't care for cliff hangers, but I'm glad to know Jenna will be doing more digging into her mentor's life in future installments. Hope the next book is released soon!

[Carolyn Valdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is rare that I cry when I am reading a book. But this is one of those rare books that made me cry, not all the way through, but it was so beautifully written, and the author draws you in. She makes you feel like you’re there with the characters seeing and feeling what they see and feel. So there were time I cried, and there was times I got angry, and there was times I was happy for some of the characters. I believe everybody should read this beautiful story.


I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Audra · Rating 5 out of 5]

TICK TOCK DEAD is another fine example of this author's versatile writing style. I've followed Ms. Sartor from her Christmas romance series, to her action-adventure series and stand-alone books set around the world and I've never been disappointed.

Now, I'm delighted to find her writing style, flair and compassion extending to the cozy mystery genre. Written through the eyes of Jenna Hart, a talented jeweler in the ski town of Angelcroft, each step of the mystery pointed suspicion at friends and foes alike, weaving in history facts and red herrings that kept me guessing until the end. I'm waiting eagerly for the next mystery!

L.A. Sartor is a talented author, and with each book, promises to give her readers a satisfying adventure. I highly recommend TICK TOCK DEAD.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you looking for a cozy mystery featuring an unforgettable heroine and a cast of characters so realistic that you feel as if they're your new friends? If so, don't miss Tick Tock Dead, the first in what promises to be an excellent series of cozy mysteries. I can't wait to see what happens to Jenna next!

[K.V. Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! I had the privilege of receiving an ARC and couldn't put it down. I highly recommend reading Tick Tock Dead which is available for pre-order, so don't wait!

[Jill Haymaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story set in a Colorado ski resort town. It keep me guessing until the end :)

[L.A. Sartor · Rating 5 out of 5]

So excited to see that peeps are preordering Tick Tock Dead. Thank you. Paperback should be available in the next 24 hours. And I may have a narrator other than yours truly for the audio book.L.A. Sartor