Murder, Mayhem and 4 of a Kind

High Cotton Mysteries #1

by Duffy Brown

When rotten-to-the-core Payton Wilder winds up dead in Savannah, Nola Cottonwood’s two aunts are suspects in the murder. Can Nola find the real killer, and how will the others help them get away with it.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery

170 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 20, 2023

About the author

Duffy Brown loves anything with a mystery. While others girls dreamed of dating Brad Pitt, Duffy longed to take Sherlock Holmes to the prom. She has two cats, Spooky and Dr. Watson, her license plate is Sherlok and she conjures up who-done-it stories of her very own for Berkley Prime Crime. Duffy’s national bestselling Consignment Shop Mystery series is set in Savannah and the Cycle Path Mysteries are set on Mackinac Island.

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nola has arrived at High Cotton, her aunts’ ancestral home in Savannah, GA for a visit. She barely arrives when they find Aunt Adaline’s estranged husband dead and Adeline seemingly confused about what happened to him during their tea. Nola and her Aunt Flossy jump into action to make sure Adeline isn’t found guilty of this horrible man’s murder.

This was my first book by Mrs Duffy Brown and it was such a fun read. The aunts and their friends were hilarious. Nola seems so quiet and serious at first, but as the story progresses she shows her smarts, loyalty to family, and ingenuity to solve a problem. The mystery moves at a quick pace with plenty of well- placed red herrings to keep you completely guessing who the murder was and why. I was completely surprised at the outcome of the book. The setting of Savannah was great. This is a location at is on my bucket list to see so the descriptions of the scenery makes me want to visit so much more. I can’t wait for more in this series. I will definitely be checking out other series she has written as well.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, I have not been influenced by anyone.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting read. Loved all the saying’s throughout the book. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Janet S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so much fun! I can't wait for the next book.

[Rita Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder and Mayhem is right!

I thoroughly enjoyed this twist on a cozy mystery. With so many people having reasons to kill Tifa, I can’t believe more didn’t. I think that with everything the Aunts knew, Payton & Tifa would have went to jail for a long time. It’s a curious ending for sure.

[Wendy Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little off color, but it had me laughing. The characters were hilarious.

[Short, Sweet and Cozy · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT new funny cozy mystery

Murder, Mayhem and 4 of a Kind is a very entertaining, intriguing and fun cozy mystery with likable, interesting characters and a mystery to keep you guessing! It is also original and funny. I loved every minute! Nola visits her Aunts Flossie and Adaline who own High Cotton, their house including a beauty saloon and event rental. Nola is a real estate lawyer who thinks of herself as a wallflower except she is smart, gutsy and innovative. She meets the hunky Jasper Jones who owns a bar and they keep running into each other in odd places. Adaline' s estranged husband is found dead and the Aunts are suspects. Nola needs to figure out who killed him. Family, friendship, potential romance, humor all make this debut book so very enjoyable! I want to read it again! #MurderMayhemAnd4OfAKind. #HighCottonMysteries

[JoAn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so excited that Ms. Brown has written a new cozy mystery series set in Savannah. Ms. Brown's descriptive writing of the characters and the Savannah scenery made me feel like I was right there with Nola and her aunts as they leaped into action after the murder. It was great fun to see Kiki from the previous cozy series, A Consignment Shop Mystery. The story moved swiftly, and the laughs were frequent as Nola went from being a wallflower into a strong and spirited woman taking charge of the investigation to save her aunts from jail. The twist at the end was priceless; and I can hardly wait until the next book in the series.

[Ella Droste · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready for a rollicking good time in Savannah with Duffy Brown's latest cozy mystery! Nola Cottonwood's visit to her aunts takes a deadly turn when a murder lands them in hot water. With humor and southern charm, Nola and her Aunt Flossy dive headfirst into solving the mystery. Brown's knack for plot twists keeps you guessing until the very end, while Savannah's picturesque backdrop adds to the allure. This five-star read is perfect for cozy mystery fans craving laughs, intrigue, and a touch of southern hospitality!

I'd like to express my gratitude for having received an online copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I had read another series by Duffy Brown, so I was happy to get it. I read it in one day. I liked the quirky characters. There was lots of descriptions of the Savannah setting making it feel real. The plot was layered with several things going on at once. I had no clue who had “done it .”
The ending was a surprise, but I’m still trying to decide if I liked the way it ended or not. I’ll be interested in seeing how this will be addressed in the second book in the series.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

okay, i am almost positive that this was a Goodreads giveaway, love the book cover. very cool. eye appealing, had me curious. came out on September 20, 2023. lawyers & criminals humor. humor. cozy mystery. book 1 from "High Cotton Mysteries series". fun read. i gotta check if i have read any books from Duffy's collection. i recognize the book covers. will read more from Duffy in the future. please check this read out. i look forward to more from this series. fun times. read on. reading is so awesome!! i love reading.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grand stark for a new series

My lucky day when I discovered this was just out! What a cast of characters this book has! This has so many laugh out loud antics and southern sayings that only Duffy Brown can deliver! This series will be a knockout I believe and I was thrilled to see it in kindle unlimited. Thank you Miss Brown for the genuinely great story. Can't wait for the next 1 and then the next 1 after that and on.

[Ashley Yungbluth · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Murder, Mayhem and 4 of a Kind" by Duffy Brown was a great read. This was a great start to a new series by Duffy. I enjoyed reading about Nola and her aunt's. It was fun reading about Jasper and Nola trying to figure out who did the killing and what the motives were behind them. I look forward to reading the next book in this series when it comes out. Duffy is a great author, and I have read all of her books and have enjoyed them all.

[RaesBooksAndRecipes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from author Duffy Brown. This book has a bit of a different spin than some other cozy mysteries which makes it a fun read. Sometimes we root for the good guy sometimes the bad, this book shows the outcome of when you root for the good guys. The author does say there is a second book to the series but after checking the author website no pre order or information on that book is anywhere to be found at this time. Definitely a fun summer read. I recommend.

[Turureta · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok, it kept me entertained. The book follows the formula of the genre and of this author to a T, not necessarily always a bad thing. We have the landscape and some of the characters of the previous series and it is nice. I will read the next when it comes and I am sure it also will provide me an entertaining reading, I am sure.

[Debi Emerson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not My Cup of Tea

I didn't finish this book. I just couldn't get into it. There's nothing I can really put my finger on or specific reasons. It just wasn't my style. I'd say give it a try. You never know: just because it didn't suit me doesn't mean it wouldn't be just fine for someone else.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this first in the series. As always Ms. Brown delivers great characters and is always entertaining. I loved that a few characters from her other series appeared, it was fun. The mystery was good and I had no clue however I can't say that I agree with the ending. I will continue on with this series because I know that I will always be entertained with Ms. Brown's books.

[Debi Paglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a Hoot!

I have loved every one of Duffy Brown’s books, but this is the best Southern Cozy I have ever read! I snorted several times during the reading of this amazing story. In fact, I’m going to go back and read this one again right now!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious

I try to avoid books about the south because a lot of them are slow moving. This book is fast paced and so hilarious!! I want more like this. The ending is a bit strange but it fits with the rest of the book.

[Debbie Beeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me laugh out loud. I love her books. I was shocked to read she lives in Cincinnati. I for sure thought she lived in Savannah. She writes about it in such detail. I can’t wait for the next book.

[Nancy Haddock · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars

I love Duffy Brown, and was especially wild about the Cycle Path series. This series looks to be great fun, too! Fun characters, humor, interesting plot that moves right along, and a twist at the end. Now I have to get the next book! Soon!

[Judie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Duffy Brown is hysterical and this book does not disappoint in its pacing and laugh out loud funny scenes, but the final reveal of who the killer is did not sit quite right with me…I wanted the aunts to be quirky, not downright murderous.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, Love, Love

So excited abut this new series! It is excellent! Funny with a great mystery. loved the characters and the Savannah setting! Can’t wait until book 2!

[Donna Block · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in Duffy's new series and I can't wait to read the next one! Enjoyed getting to know these characters as I tried to figure out the murder mystery!

[Marilyn F. Willand · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've really missed Duffy Brown - especially the Consignment Series - and am so happy that she is back with the new High Cotton series. I look forward to reading more laughing out loud moments!

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good first in a series. The ending is a huge cliffhanger. The characters are great, especially the Dads, who aren't even in the book. I hope #2 is published soon.

[Tamara Hey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love

A great read can't wait for the next book!
It was entertaining that I was written in the style that you chose absolutely love it!

[Patricia Mccammon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious start to a great series. Lovable characters, 2 aunts, a real estate lawyer, a bar owner and other not so nice people. Won this in a Goodreads Giveaway

[Shannon Peelman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't get into this book. I really tried.

[L.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Duffy Brown's books!! This book was really funny and there was so much going on, there wasn't a single slow moment from beginning to end. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!

[Mare · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the characters and the setting. The ending threw me curve, but I enjoyed the story.