Dying to Build (Nailed It)

Tucson Valley Retirement Community Cozy Mystery #4

by Marcy Blesy

Tucson Valley is weeks away from unveiling the new Roland Price Technology Center which will make them the envy of all retirement communities in the country. But just as things are coming together, a key crew member is found dead at the construction site, throwing an unwanted spotlight on the trials and tribulations that seem to follow Rosi Laruee as she discovers another dead body yet again. Up against the clock and the pocketbook, will the murder be solved in time for the scheduled opening ceremony?

Genres: Cozy Mystery

194 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2024

About the author

Marcy Blesy is the author of over thirty books across genres, best known for her Tucson Valley Retirement Community Cozy Mystery Series and the Monthly Murder Movie Club Cozy Mystery Series —humorous, heartwarming whodunits filled with senior sleuths, quirky characters, and animal sidekicks. Her cozy mysteries spotlight midlife reinvention, found family, and laugh-out-loud amateur sleuthing, perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club, Finlay Donovan, and The Golden Girls.

Marcy also writes the Ghost Texter Paranormal Cozy Mystery Series, starring a kindergarten teacher-turned-reluctant sleuth, and the Secrets romantic mystery duo (The Secret of Blue Lake and The Secret of Silver Beach), transporting readers to the scenic and suspenseful shores of Michigan.

For younger readers, Marcy’s best-selling Be the Vet series offers interactive veterinary mysteries for kids ages 9–13. Her early chapter book series—Evie and the Volunteers, Niles and Bradford, Third Grade Outsider, and Hazel, the Clinic Cat—delight animal lovers and growing readers alike.

When she’s not writing, you’ll find Marcy treasure-hunting along Lake Michigan in search of rare red beach glass. She believes every story should offer heart, humor, and a hint of hope—whether it’s solving a mystery or chasing a dream.

Reviews

[Emily Gawlak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dying to Build was everything I want in a cozy mystery and then some! It was charming, entertaining, and packed with just the right amount of twists to keep me guessing from beginning to end. I absolutely loved the technology center construction backdrop; it was such a refreshing setting that made the story stand out from so many other cozies I’ve read. It added an extra layer of intrigue to the mystery, and I couldn’t wait to see how everything would come together.

The characters completely won me over. They felt so genuine and easy to connect with, and I found myself smiling more than once because of the humor woven throughout the story. It struck that perfect balance between lighthearted fun and an engaging mystery, making it an audiobook I was constantly looking for excuses to turn back on.

The narration was absolutely fantastic and elevated the entire experience. Each character had their own distinct personality and voice, the pacing never missed a beat, and I found myself completely immersed in the story from start to finish.

I definitely didn’t have everything figured out before the big reveal; which is always a huge win for me! The ending was incredibly satisfying, tying up the mystery while leaving me genuinely excited to see what this series has in store next.

If you’re looking for a cozy mystery with memorable characters, plenty of humor, a clever whodunit, and a unique technology center construction setting, I can’t recommend Dying to Build enough. This was such a fun listen, and you can bet I’ll be picking up the next book in the series!

[Joni · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you Ms Blesy

I love this series. I hope there are many more. Rossi and Keaton are good together and the Tuscan Valley retirement community is an unlikely backdrop for the story but it’s very entertaining with quirky characters.

[Nanc · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a real fun read. I'm loving Rosi and Keats, Barley the golden, Tracy, Officer Dan Daniels, and the rest of the crazies. I never would have guessed who done it in the murder mystery.

[Marilyn Larkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Wow, what an adventure to get a technology building built at the retirement community. Of course you have the different personalities that clash during the process. A construction manager gets murdered and of course Rosi finds him. In the end the murder is solved and a treasure is found. The center opens to fanfare.

[Abby Westling · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s easy to love all of these quirky characters, even if they also kind of drive me bonkers too. I am so grateful that we actually ended up with two mysteries is this volume. Don’t get me wrong, who doesn’t love a good murder but it’s also hard to compete with a lost treasure! My favorite in the series so far.

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

construction cozy mystery

"Dying to Build (Nailed It) (A Tucson Valley Retirement Community Cozy Mystery #4)" by Marcy Blesy is construction themed more than retirement themed cozy this time around. That's okay, construction happens too in retirement communities too. The technology center is finally getting built and board of directors is a bit unreasonable in their expectations of the construction crew. Tensions get high and of course a body is found by Rosie.

This one felt like it wrapped up quicker. With the addition of a bit of a treasure hunt I didn't feel like I got enough clues or nudges to the true culprit. In the end it felt a bit like a need to just finish it. However, I was half expecting a plot twist of the security camera reveal go be an AI plant due to the technology center focus of the story. Maybe another time.

I do have to say I like the occasional pop up of Safia. She's always a good comic relief and genuine good character.

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun adventure with Rosi as the new technology building is under way at the Tucson Valley Retirement community. She's got her hands full juggling the PR for the opening of the center, keeping the HOA board from intruding (Jan and Brenda we see you) in the development and wrangling Barkley. I really enjoy my visits with Rosi and Keaton as they are both likable and relatable throughout each book.

[bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's all happening at the Tuscon Valley Retirement Centre, with the construction of a new technology centre. However, when someone is found dead onsite, Rosi is called upon to investigate.

This mystery was really good, especially since it seemed like two mysteries rolled into one!!! A mystery box is discovered onsite and could it be linked the death?

I'm really enjoying this series and this one was really good. It took me a while to untangle the mystery!!

[Dawn Steenken korzekwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun adventure

Another fun-filled adventure in Tucson Valley with some of our favorite characters, a few we might dislike, and a handful of new ones. I would have loved a little more info on the Technology Center itself, but that wasn't really the point of the story. I am hoping Rosi's co-workers find a new appreciation and love of technology in the books to come.

[booksy.tx.ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dying for a wonderful community.
Rosi is busy making the retirement community even better, so of course she finds yet another body. The murder mystery plus a mysterious box is having Rosi run around for answers. Things wrapped up rather quickly. This is such an easy cozy mystery, so listen to it while you craft.

Come read with me @booksy.tx.ana

[LuAnn Welker Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book by one of my favorite authors

Loved this book as all the others by this author. The only thing I didn't like was not knowing the reaction of the crowd at the unveiling of the mural. Also a description of what it looked like. The snake appeared and subject of mural was dropped

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read

This is book #4 in this cozy mystery. It's a fun, quick read. Rosi and her dog, Barley, live in Tucson near the retirement community. There are many interesting characters and usually a murder to solve!

[Kristin- Kristin's Bookstack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, short, and easy to read cozy mystery series! I loved the characters and the humor caused by Rosi being a clutz. She always seems to find herself in a pickle. The reveal was very surprising because there weren't many clues to point to the true killer.