Sting of Lies: A Lies Mystery

by Carol Potenza

Can solving a mysterious poisoning save her career? Oh, and lead her to a long-lost buried treasure? Wait. AND thrust her into the arms of true love?

Ice Age paleontologist and poisons expert Myrna P. Lee isn't a team player. Not because she doesn't want to be. She’s just terrible at it. At least, that’s what every one in her lab says. Even her dog, the amazing William Tell, gives her attitude.

Maybe she has a hard time trusting because of past betrayals by people she's loved the most.

So, it’s just fine with her when she’s dispatched to a remote billionaire's ranch in Northern New Mexico tasked with solving a mysterious environmental poisoning. Besides, there's a secret mammoth kill site on the ranch she desperately hopes will supply enough data so that her megafauna poisons grant won't be rescinded for lack of progress. Myrna is determined to complete her commission, gather her mammoth info, and save her faltering career—all by herself.

Maybe she’s used to being alone and doesn't need anything from anyone, no siree.

Until a handsome cowboy, assigned as her minder, moseys up to her side and sets her heart pounding, and a motley bunch of ranch hands embrace her as part of their found family.

Maybe that “alone” part of her life is in the past.

When she and William Tell stumble onto a decades old unsolved murder, the handsome cowboy tells her it’s linked to a long-lost treasure and the mammoth kill site. And it’s hard to stay focused on solving the poisonings when everything she discovers places her in the sights of villains who don’t care who they hurt in pursuit of the treasure.

Then betrayal hits Myrna from all sides, and her world shatters into teeny, tiny pieces. Will she retreat back to being alone or fight for her happiness?

But questions remain.
• Will Myrna solve the mysterious poisoning?
• Will she figure out who committed the long-ago murder?
• Will she find the treasure before the bad guys do?
• Will she pick up the pieces of her broken heart and forgive?

And just how will she use those hand grenades she found on her quest for the treasure?

If you like stubborn smart heroines afraid to love, rugged cowboys with slow and sexy smiles who get caught in their own web of seduction, and a small dog who surprises the heck out of people when he's picked up, then you'll love Sting of Lies .

Genres: Romance, Mystery

360 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 17, 2023

About the author

Carol Potenza is a biochemistry professor by day and a mystery author by night. She loves the combination of her two careers because it gives her the ability not only to teach her students about the biochemical effects of poison, but also to use said poisons very creatively in her murder mysteries (along with other diabolical methods). She lives in the beautiful state of New Mexico with her husband, Jose, and two dogs, Daphne and Hermes, they inherited from her sister.

Reviews

[Sandra L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Myrna Lee is a brilliant paleontologist whose career has taken a hit because of trusting, and loving, the wrong collaborator. She is knowledgeable and brave, except when it comes to interpersonal relationships; then she hasn’t a clue. Due to a peculiar childhood, Myrna is also phobic about the outdoors, very inconvenient for a paleontologist. But this bundle of nerves also has mighty determination and a round little dog with pointy ears and surprising paranormal abilities.
In the grassy valleys and pine-covered mountains of Northeast New Mexico where her research subject, wooly mammoths, once roamed, Myrna hunts for the evidence that will restore her professional reputation. But this beautiful land now harbors trophy elk that are dying mysteriously, illegal mine operations, pot growers, cowboys armed with metal detectors, and—ghosts?
What does a scientist do with phenomena that can’t be explained rationally? Make the most of it, of course. And what does a gun-shy person do when she needs help, especially from a handsome cowboy who may, or may not, be trustworthy? Maybe it’s time to gamble on trust.
And just what happens when she picks up that odd little dog?
The plot of Sting of Lies is engrossing, and the characters are extremely well-developed and complex. I’m eager for another book to see what happens next.

[Mrs LIR Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the cover of this book - it took me back to my childhood reading clean mysteries featuring strong girls.

Myrna is a strong, young, intelligent scientist who has wreaked her career because she fell in love with the wrong colleague.

She is intense and not much liked in her research job by her colleagues. Yet she is content to stay behind the walls of her lab.

She is forced to go to a remote ranch where prime cattle are dying - her job is to find out why? But at the same time she is told about a prehistoric signs in the same ranch that may help her redeem her academic standing.

The whimsical comes into the story as Myrna has a dog that when held by Myrna lets her glimpse into the past………………. this sounds corny but was alluring to read about. Throw into the mix a nice cowboy (maybe some romance?) some bad greedy people and some natives trying to preserve their artifacts - and this story becomes very entertaining.

I would say that it is more of a story aimed at teenagers yet as an older female I had fun reading this.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Paula Bartie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book by my daughter to read on my recent visit to Los Alamos, New Mexico. I was intrigued by the premise of action, adventure, and romance promoted on the front and back cover which grabbed my interest immediately! Combining science with mystery and romance was right up my alley as an avid reader and recently retired honors biology teacher. This new book by Carol Potenza was awesome! I identified with the main character, Myrna P. Lee, and as a fellow dog lover, I was hooked by the addition of her dog, William Tell. Throw in a handsome, kind cowboy and I couldn’t wait to get started! This book was like food for the soul! Likeable, comfortable yet complex characters with the story line of environmental issues, paleontology, mystery, and some good old fashioned romance, under the expertise of Carol, grabbed me and lead me on a fabulous adventure! I could not put this story down. Kudos to Carol for a terrific, unpredictable storyline! I anxiously await Book 2 in the Lies Series!

[Suanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Carol Potenza’s newest mystery, String of Lies. Potenza writes of strong female protagonists who don’t need to be rescued—my kind of women. Myrna (pronounced as in meerkat) P. Lee is smart, hard-headed, and has plenty of angst in her backstory. She has all but wrecked her career as an Ice Age paleontologist with a special expertise in poisons. Throw in a hunky cowboy and an adorable dog named William Tell into the story, and you have a great, fun read.

Potenza does a great job building suspense on multiple levels: there’s a murder mystery from the past, a treasure that’s been searched for over decades, a dog with a secret talent, a backpack filled with treasures of its own, and a bizarre back story for Myrna, all flawlessly bound together to keep the reader reading. I also liked the retro look of the cover as it reminded me of the old Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldon mysteries. This is a read-it-in-one-sitting book.

[Bells Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A different kind of mystery. Based in northern New Mexico, Myrna Lee is on the hunt to restore her reputation, find some mammoth remains, possibly a new love, and some stolen art. It was particularly interesting for me as it brought back memories of when I participated in a geology field camp 35 years ago where a rancher found a huge as in 25’ long mammoth tusk in his arroyo and we were tasked to remove it (a longer story I won’t go into). I also lived in a grungy little 1 car garage converted apartment when I was in graduate school so Myrna’s lifestyle is pretty realistic. The historical details of some Jews leaving Spain with the conquistadors really did happen, and the large ranches with hunting really do exist. So props to the author Carol Potenza for weaving a mystery and adventure that has great roots in reality. And Myrna’s dog is perfectly written! Well written and character development is really good. I’ll be reading more of this series.

[Carla Waddell · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my most favored reads!!!

Ever read a book you didn't want to end? I don't mean one you just couldn't put down until you finished reading it but one that made you want to scream 'NO!!! THAT CAN'T BE ALL THERE IS!!!! out loud the moment you turned the page and saw 'The End' on the paper. Don't get me wrong, the story isn't lacking a fitting, well written ending. The whole story - start to finish - is superb [Not sure I ever used that term in a review before...Hmmm] Anyhoo, this is the second book of this author that I've read (back to back) and both...well...they 'captured me' and each took me on an incredible, heart-pounding, non-stop journey that stirred the imagination and the emotions. Already have the next Carol Potenza ready to begin reading and I can't wait (literally! I'm gonna stop reviewing now so I can start reading the next one...and it's 2:00am!)

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr Myrna works alone; she struggles to work as a team. But she is able to ask when she needs help - such as helping to get rid of a spider. So, she is assigned to work on the field on her own, the second part more inviting than the first. With William Tell by her side, Myrna never expected she would have to solve a murder or that she'd warm to Jessup after having started on the wrong foot. Following Myrna's perspective throughout the book means readers can follow her investigation alongside her, gaining insight into her thought process. The story is visually descriptive and this cosy murder mystery features soft romance and comedy.


I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books, Booksirens and author.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was so fun. From the mystery to the paleontology, the lab, the private land, the western feel, and cowboys, buried treasure and romance. This story has it all.

Myrna "Meercat" is really into mammoths. Her research is quite interesting in figuring out how people in the past could hunt mammoths. It leads her down some interesting paths. One of which leads her to a private ranch where they need her to discover why their elk population is dying off. As Myrna tries to figure out what is killing the elk she stumbles on a mystery about buried treasure and a murder. Along the way, she is joined by her dog William Tell, who plays a special part in solving all that is going on.

I loved how this story was woven, the characters, the romance, and the mystery.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr Myrna Lee is an Ice Age paleontologist & poisons expert. About to lose a grant to find poisons used to kill mammoths & such, she is sent to a remote New Mexican ranch to solve an elk die-off. The ranch also has a hidden mammoth kill site & a museum with many projectile points that may help prove her grant. Myra is a loner, except for her special dog William Tell, but she starts building a found family as she works the mysteries on the ranch. I love the way author mixes past & present with her mysteries. Her descriptions of the characters make me want to meet them in person. Great mix of action & investigation. I didn't see the solutions coming. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Marcus Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read. I'll admit, I was intrigued by the cover and expected a story set in the 50s or 60s with more of a vintage feel. I was surprised when I learned the story takes place in the present day. My first inclination was to be perturbed by the cover, but then I realized it did its job and got me interested in the book. Once I opened the cover, the story itself then picked up the slack. With mystery, action, history, and a bit of the fantastical, the author had a successful recipe for a fun adventure. I looked forward to reading time and will definitely read the rest of the series.

[Erin Krueger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Female scientist, check! Dog, check! Stud of a cowboy ranch guy, check! Weird things going on in a remote location that have to be figured out, check!
It ticked a bunch of boxes for me. This was a neat change from my victorian cozy mysteries. Myrna is a human character. Faults galore, but super smart. In fact, Potenza knows her science stuff. I was impressed and learned a bit about mammoths. And I enjoyed seeing Myrna's arc through the story. William Tell, oh boy! Potenza nailed little dogs. I did not see the twist coming at the end, so yay! If you like Western style mystery suspense modern science pulp fiction with a hint of romance, pick this up!!

[Ulrika Gustafsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me some time to get into this story, but when I did I really wanted to know what would happen.

It’s told in third person and there where not enough clues to the background to make me get Myrna at the beginning.

There are lots of characters and some stand out better than others.

I was hesitating between three and four stars, because I wanted to read the ending, but it was a little too hard to get there. I ended up with four stars because my life has been way too stressful lately and that might have affected my perception of the story.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Virginia Boylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book isn’t as riveting as the author’s Hearts of the Missing, it grew on me as I read. I enjoyed the paranormal aspects with the dog that is and is not what he seems. Myrna is not immediately likeable, and all the ranch employees, added to her fellow scientists, were too much to keep track of. Her passion for her work eventually warmed me up to her, and I liked the gradual unfolding of both her past and Jessup’s. Their interest in each other was less convincing than most of the rest of the story, but they made a good team, even before their individual secrets came out. I would like to see more of Myrna in the future.

[Shara Reihani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book. Sting of lies, book #1 is very well written with mixture of mystery and suspense, in addition to the humor that the author masterfully blends in. I loved the book and storyline, with the main character being humanly relatable. You can’t help but really liking Myrna. The story brings a lot of suspense and I for one, couldn’t put the book down . Dr. Potenza is a great storyteller.

[Cherie Melbourne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolute page turner for me and a first read of a story by this author. Lots of twists and turns and I was wondering the whole time who could be trusted. This is the sort of suspense that I love.
I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

[donna_ehm · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Jodie Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sting of Lies, by Carol Potenza, is like a perfect recipe made of a variety of intriguing ingredients!

The story begins in a science lab. The main character is a small, lonely, forensic paleontologist – – brilliant and brave, who has a dog with magical powers. They get swallowed up into solving a decades-old murder.

The plot unfolds in the beauty of New Mexico, where history, cowboys, poison, a buried treasure, suspense and love all combine into a truly unique story.

The author’s descriptions of people and their surroundings are meticulously expressed. She obviously researched science and history with great accuracy.

I couldn’t put this book down. I was on the edge of my seat as the story unfolded. There are so many facets to this book; it is sure to be enjoyed by everyone! This book is a must read!

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I didn't immediately enjoy the character of Myrna, but the plot, especially once Myrna headed to the ranch, drew me in and kept me reading. A fun and well-written read, with a sense of adventure and a dog too!