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Kelsie Butler #1
Outline for Murder
Meet Kelsie Butler. Coffee addict. Dog lover. Mystery buff.
A relative newcomer to the quaint town of Fairwood, Colorado, newly widowed Kelsie Butler is thrilled when she’s asked to write the script for a murder mystery game hosted at the local coffee house.
But when one of the contestants is murdered, and that murder bears a striking resemblance to the murder in Kelsie’s game, the police chief turns his sights on Kelsie and her friend Gwen, the owner of the coffee house.
With Stella the Aussie mix as her companion, Kelsie draws on her knowledge of murder mysteries—and her circle of mystery-loving friends—to crack the baffling case.
This cozy series features a small town, an amateur sleuth, lots of coffee, and plenty of dogs. No foul language or graphic scenes of any kind.
THE KELSIE BUTLER
Book 1: Outline for Murder
Book 2: Murder by Eggnog (coming)
Book 3: A Cold Day for Murder (coming)
A relative newcomer to the quaint town of Fairwood, Colorado, newly widowed Kelsie Butler is thrilled when she’s asked to write the script for a murder mystery game hosted at the local coffee house.
But when one of the contestants is murdered, and that murder bears a striking resemblance to the murder in Kelsie’s game, the police chief turns his sights on Kelsie and her friend Gwen, the owner of the coffee house.
With Stella the Aussie mix as her companion, Kelsie draws on her knowledge of murder mysteries—and her circle of mystery-loving friends—to crack the baffling case.
This cozy series features a small town, an amateur sleuth, lots of coffee, and plenty of dogs. No foul language or graphic scenes of any kind.
THE KELSIE BUTLER
Book 1: Outline for Murder
Book 2: Murder by Eggnog (coming)
Book 3: A Cold Day for Murder (coming)
214 pages, Paperback
Published October 13, 2023
About the author
Karin Kaufman
47 books187 followersKarin Kaufman grew up devouring murder mysteries, especially of the cozy kind. Give her a mystery, a comfy couch, her sweet dog at her side, and (preferably) a rainy day, and she’s in heaven. She’s the author of the Juniper Grove Cozy Mystery Series, the Smithwell Fairies Cozy Mystery Series, and the Anna Denning Mystery Series. The Witch Tree, the first book in her Anna Denning series, was a finalist for a Grace Award. Karin also writes children's books in the Geraldine Woolkins and Woolkins Bookshelf series.
For giveaways and news on all Karin's latest releases, sign up for her mailing list at http://www.KarinKaufman.com. And connect with her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/authorkarinka....
For giveaways and news on all Karin's latest releases, sign up for her mailing list at http://www.KarinKaufman.com. And connect with her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/authorkarinka....
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 7, 2024
Great cozy mystery
Karin Kaufman is one of my go-to cozy mystery authors. Outline for Murder is a wonderful start to her new Kelsie Bulter mystery series.
Kelsie and her friend Gwen partnered up to stage a murder party in Gwen's cafe. Only one of the guests there is found murdered—similar to the script that Kelsie had written for the murder play.
This was a great cozy mystery with Kelsie, Gwen, and Angela working together to solve the case. If you enjoy cozy mysteries involving a cute dog and an amateur sleuth trying to solve the case before the police do, then be sure to read this one.
Karin Kaufman is one of my go-to cozy mystery authors. Outline for Murder is a wonderful start to her new Kelsie Bulter mystery series.
Kelsie and her friend Gwen partnered up to stage a murder party in Gwen's cafe. Only one of the guests there is found murdered—similar to the script that Kelsie had written for the murder play.
This was a great cozy mystery with Kelsie, Gwen, and Angela working together to solve the case. If you enjoy cozy mysteries involving a cute dog and an amateur sleuth trying to solve the case before the police do, then be sure to read this one.
October 20, 2023
“Can you imagine trying to solve a real murder in the place it actually happened?”
“Confusion is a must. Confusion or a distraction.”
“I’m here to solve a crime.”
When it comes to cozy murder mysteries, Karin Kaufman has become my favorite. I love how she expertly plots her scenes, motives, red herrings, and her conversations. Her Juniper Grove series was my all-time favorite cozy mystery series and luckily, with this new Kelsie Butler series, I hope to have many more enjoyable books to come. Speaking of Juniper Grove, there are a lot of similarities which makes it immediately feel familiar: the Colorado setting, the female friends of various ages, the amateur sleuth trying to solve the crime before the police chief, and of course, the great mysterious whodunnit. But Kaufman also separates this one from the Juniper Grove series as well. As always, I couldn’t get the whodunnit though I had an inkling towards the end. Definitely one of the closest I have ever come to solving a Karin Kaufman book, which proves how great she plots her books. Looking forward to future books.
“Confusion is a must. Confusion or a distraction.”
“I’m here to solve a crime.”
When it comes to cozy murder mysteries, Karin Kaufman has become my favorite. I love how she expertly plots her scenes, motives, red herrings, and her conversations. Her Juniper Grove series was my all-time favorite cozy mystery series and luckily, with this new Kelsie Butler series, I hope to have many more enjoyable books to come. Speaking of Juniper Grove, there are a lot of similarities which makes it immediately feel familiar: the Colorado setting, the female friends of various ages, the amateur sleuth trying to solve the crime before the police chief, and of course, the great mysterious whodunnit. But Kaufman also separates this one from the Juniper Grove series as well. As always, I couldn’t get the whodunnit though I had an inkling towards the end. Definitely one of the closest I have ever come to solving a Karin Kaufman book, which proves how great she plots her books. Looking forward to future books.
November 10, 2023
“Meet Kelsie Butler. Coffee addict. Dog lover. Mystery buff.” She’s also a recent widow in a small Colorado town, with some good friends who’ll help her solve this mystery.
Outline for Murder is a classic locked-room whodunit—or in this case “locked-store.” Kelsie has partnered with her friend Gwen to stage a mystery party in Gwen’s café. The only problem is, one of the players turns up dead—in a manner very similar to the script Kelsie wrote for the event.
Kelsie is an appealing character, and I enjoyed the friendship dynamic as she, Gwen, and Angela (plus rescue dog Stella) teamed up to solve the case. And the food… I do enjoy a mystery with vicariously tasty treats.
Outline for Murder is book 1 in the new Kelsie Butler series. Book 2, Murder by Eggnog, is next. These short reads are clean and entertaining.
Karin Kaufman writes cozy mysteries and suspenseful novels for adults as well as the Geraldine Woolkins children’s books. For more about the author and her work, visit karinkaufman.com.
[Review copy from my personal library.]
Outline for Murder is a classic locked-room whodunit—or in this case “locked-store.” Kelsie has partnered with her friend Gwen to stage a mystery party in Gwen’s café. The only problem is, one of the players turns up dead—in a manner very similar to the script Kelsie wrote for the event.
Kelsie is an appealing character, and I enjoyed the friendship dynamic as she, Gwen, and Angela (plus rescue dog Stella) teamed up to solve the case. And the food… I do enjoy a mystery with vicariously tasty treats.
Outline for Murder is book 1 in the new Kelsie Butler series. Book 2, Murder by Eggnog, is next. These short reads are clean and entertaining.
Karin Kaufman writes cozy mysteries and suspenseful novels for adults as well as the Geraldine Woolkins children’s books. For more about the author and her work, visit karinkaufman.com.
[Review copy from my personal library.]
January 17, 2024
This was an awesome locked door mystery and I was completely stumped. There were so many possibilities but Kelsie kept at it and ferreted out the truth. I liked the different type showdown and of course the ending with food and friends is always my idea of the best type of ending for a cozy mystery. I really liked these key characters a lot! Angela’s a hoot and I believe the four friends might be pretty unstoppable when it comes to figuring out a mystery. I’m pretty sure the girls won’t be hosting one again exactly like where the real murder happened though!
October 30, 2023
fun and cozy read!
I just love Karin Kaufman books. Each series has its own fun twist to them. From children’s to spooky adult reads, I devour them all! Can’t wait to add this to the list of great Karin Kaufman reads
I just love Karin Kaufman books. Each series has its own fun twist to them. From children’s to spooky adult reads, I devour them all! Can’t wait to add this to the list of great Karin Kaufman reads
November 3, 2023
This was a terrific mystery in a new series! I enjoyed the characters and trying to figure out how the mystery would unfold.
November 27, 2023
Totally enjoyed it! This is a well written and has well developed characters. The story is catching and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!
February 6, 2024
Pretty good.
The book is a bit on the "wordy" side, but it was a decent read. I liked it enough to pick up the next book in this series.
The book is a bit on the "wordy" side, but it was a decent read. I liked it enough to pick up the next book in this series.
October 25, 2025
Light mystery
This was a fun mystery to work on. Nothing deep just nice light reading. No romance but I didn't miss it.
This was a fun mystery to work on. Nothing deep just nice light reading. No romance but I didn't miss it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews