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Deadly Yours
A letter, sealed with blood red wax, arrives in a small coastal town. Samantha’s hopes of a new, quiet life are shattered. The killer is back. Like years before, the crime scenes mimic classic mysteries Samantha once taught in her English Lit class—The Art of Detection. Is one murder staged from an Ellery Queen novel? P.D. James? Sherlock Holmes? Maybe more?Five years ago, strangers died. This time—friends. As the body count climbs, this menace must be found or the killings may never stop. What’s hidden in the tiny details? Why is the killer taunting her? As the killer closes in, does she once again cut and run or stand and fight? What will Sam risk to bring this nightmare to an end?
- GenresMysteryMurder Mystery
192 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 17, 2024
About the author
Cyndi L. Stuart
2 books27 followersCyndi didn’t start out life as a mystery writer. But one day something unexpected happened—she became a woman of a certain age.
“What in the world are you waiting for?” said the voice in her head as she woke up on her fiftieth birthday. “That novel isn’t going to write itself! And YOU, sweet pea, are NOT getting any younger.”
So, after years spent as a naturalist on the north Oregon coast and PNW garden speaker, Cyndi dusted off her old Comm degree, left technical writing behind and got to work on short stories, flash fiction, and personal essays. But in secret she tapped away on her first mystery novel, Deadly Yours.
The challenge of creating stories from her own imagination, current events, history, and things she might have overheard at the local coffee shop is what makes her happy and where her passion for writing began. She now lives on a small island in south Puget Sound where she and her husband, a potter and artist, run an artisan business. When not reading, writing, or procrastinating, Cyndi can be found hiking, biking, or swimming in the local lakes, streams, and even Puget Sound.
Cyndi is a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association and Sisters in Crime.
“What in the world are you waiting for?” said the voice in her head as she woke up on her fiftieth birthday. “That novel isn’t going to write itself! And YOU, sweet pea, are NOT getting any younger.”
So, after years spent as a naturalist on the north Oregon coast and PNW garden speaker, Cyndi dusted off her old Comm degree, left technical writing behind and got to work on short stories, flash fiction, and personal essays. But in secret she tapped away on her first mystery novel, Deadly Yours.
The challenge of creating stories from her own imagination, current events, history, and things she might have overheard at the local coffee shop is what makes her happy and where her passion for writing began. She now lives on a small island in south Puget Sound where she and her husband, a potter and artist, run an artisan business. When not reading, writing, or procrastinating, Cyndi can be found hiking, biking, or swimming in the local lakes, streams, and even Puget Sound.
Cyndi is a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association and Sisters in Crime.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 25, 2024
What Fun! If you love Louise Penny for her intelligent mysteries and cozy town populated with delightful characters, and if you love Janet Evanovich's funny Stephanie Plum, you will love this clever mystery by Cyndi Stuart!
Sam teaches "The Art of Detection" at the University. She may have a few issues with fainting, and her wardrobe, but Sam is an intelligent professor and "The Pit" is always packed with students eager to hear legends of famous murderers and how they were detected. But suddenly, Sam is up to her neck in trouble, and she doesn't know why. She has to move to a new town, which might be the best thing that's ever happened to her. It would be for me. The town has all my favourite things: a nursery, bookstore, coffee shop, theatre, engaging characters, and best of all, it's on the beach! But then Sam gets that old familiar letter in the mail, signed "Deadly Yours". They've found her, and she needs to find out who "they" is before it's too late.
I'm definitely watching for more from Cyndi Stuart; for one thing, I want to go back to that beach and have coffee with Sam.
Sam teaches "The Art of Detection" at the University. She may have a few issues with fainting, and her wardrobe, but Sam is an intelligent professor and "The Pit" is always packed with students eager to hear legends of famous murderers and how they were detected. But suddenly, Sam is up to her neck in trouble, and she doesn't know why. She has to move to a new town, which might be the best thing that's ever happened to her. It would be for me. The town has all my favourite things: a nursery, bookstore, coffee shop, theatre, engaging characters, and best of all, it's on the beach! But then Sam gets that old familiar letter in the mail, signed "Deadly Yours". They've found her, and she needs to find out who "they" is before it's too late.
I'm definitely watching for more from Cyndi Stuart; for one thing, I want to go back to that beach and have coffee with Sam.
February 14, 2024
I was lucky enough to have received an early copy of this book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the characters and can’t wait to get to know them all better. The Author brought the setting alive and the storyline moved along at a good pace and kept me guessing until the end. What a promising start to a new Series.
October 7, 2024
It’s the little things!
I just finished reading Cyndi Stuart’s debut novel, Deadly Yours, a Samantha McMican mystery and what really stood out to me was the attention to detail and the resulting verisimilitude (“the appearance of being real”). It’s fun to read a story that is set in your own part of the world and to read descriptions of places or weather etc. that are so spot on, you say to yourself, “I know where that is,” or “I know exactly what that would feel like, look like, smell like…” To that end, the author accurately captures the rugged beauty of coastal Oregon. The author is thorough with detail about the crime solving process and the behind-the- scenes-protocol which also helps create a believable world in which the heroine is operating. Both of these items keep the reader firmly entrenched in the story and establish a rich backdrop against which this mystery unfolds.
I just finished reading Cyndi Stuart’s debut novel, Deadly Yours, a Samantha McMican mystery and what really stood out to me was the attention to detail and the resulting verisimilitude (“the appearance of being real”). It’s fun to read a story that is set in your own part of the world and to read descriptions of places or weather etc. that are so spot on, you say to yourself, “I know where that is,” or “I know exactly what that would feel like, look like, smell like…” To that end, the author accurately captures the rugged beauty of coastal Oregon. The author is thorough with detail about the crime solving process and the behind-the- scenes-protocol which also helps create a believable world in which the heroine is operating. Both of these items keep the reader firmly entrenched in the story and establish a rich backdrop against which this mystery unfolds.
July 14, 2024
She chose to run, but she couldn’t hide. It took years, but now the past has caught up with Samantha. Cloaked in anonymity and armed with deadly intent, a serial killer intends to strike again with a fatal force. Samantha is about to discover that despite relocating and changing her identity, this killer is closing in again on people she cares about. The mysterious murderer leaves a tragic trail, and alerts Samantha to each dire deed with a personal letter delivered and signed Deadly Yours.
Years ago, this villain struck again and again with a cunning link to the college course Samantha taught. The murders are staged like classic murder mystery stories, the ones taught in Samantha’s class. These eerie challenges remained unsolved, and Samantha fled in the hopes of starting a new life, but the past is not so easily forgotten. And then she receives a familiar envelope, sealed with an ominous initial in wax, Deadly Yours. She can try to flee again, or she can stand in defense of her friends and her new life. It soon becomes apparent Samantha must solve the mystery, and fast, because this time the killer has a classic murder scene planned to hit very close to home.
When the police question Samantha, she begins analyzing fascinating clues. Carefully she puts together pieces of a puzzle. Colin is one of the cops assigned to the case. He is an interesting transplant from Britain, and a classic mystery reader. Their teamwork following the clues is incredibly engaging. The reader is drawn right along with them into solving the mystery. Only time will tell if the pieces fall into place before the next body falls. In the meantime, some romantic sparks seem to ignite between Colin and Samantha.
Author Cyndi Stuart has woven a tantalizing mystery that will engage you in a fun read as you try to discover which suspect is guilty. What a unique idea staging murders after classic book scenes you’ll recognize. The clues are intriguing. The small, Oregon coastal town setting is delightful, and a great spot for these characters. Some of them will make you laugh, some warm your heart, and they all make you think about the mysteries of human nature. The author creates such realistic characters and shows emotions that tug at your empathy. Samantha is a gutsy protagonist. After what she’s been through, you’ll be cheering her on to resolve this terror. The police team assigned are each called to duty from unique personal lives, and their approaches to solving the case reflect their differences and complement each other so well. Beware the killer’s very real twists to this plot, they’re used to make this a signature work, Deadly Yours.
Years ago, this villain struck again and again with a cunning link to the college course Samantha taught. The murders are staged like classic murder mystery stories, the ones taught in Samantha’s class. These eerie challenges remained unsolved, and Samantha fled in the hopes of starting a new life, but the past is not so easily forgotten. And then she receives a familiar envelope, sealed with an ominous initial in wax, Deadly Yours. She can try to flee again, or she can stand in defense of her friends and her new life. It soon becomes apparent Samantha must solve the mystery, and fast, because this time the killer has a classic murder scene planned to hit very close to home.
When the police question Samantha, she begins analyzing fascinating clues. Carefully she puts together pieces of a puzzle. Colin is one of the cops assigned to the case. He is an interesting transplant from Britain, and a classic mystery reader. Their teamwork following the clues is incredibly engaging. The reader is drawn right along with them into solving the mystery. Only time will tell if the pieces fall into place before the next body falls. In the meantime, some romantic sparks seem to ignite between Colin and Samantha.
Author Cyndi Stuart has woven a tantalizing mystery that will engage you in a fun read as you try to discover which suspect is guilty. What a unique idea staging murders after classic book scenes you’ll recognize. The clues are intriguing. The small, Oregon coastal town setting is delightful, and a great spot for these characters. Some of them will make you laugh, some warm your heart, and they all make you think about the mysteries of human nature. The author creates such realistic characters and shows emotions that tug at your empathy. Samantha is a gutsy protagonist. After what she’s been through, you’ll be cheering her on to resolve this terror. The police team assigned are each called to duty from unique personal lives, and their approaches to solving the case reflect their differences and complement each other so well. Beware the killer’s very real twists to this plot, they’re used to make this a signature work, Deadly Yours.
August 9, 2024
I love a good murder mystery and Deadly Yours certainly wasn’t disappointing. Cyndi L Stuart's spins a gripping story about Samantha who has been put on the witness protection programme. Moving from one town to another Samantha never feels she can settle or feel safe and her life is forever changed.
Now, in a small town she allows herself to make friends. She begins to have hope that at last she can allow herself to start over. Then shockingly life takes on a murderous turn which is all too familiar. With twists, death, and deadly secrets all which are too close for comfort, will Samantha survive? This is a real whodunnit.
Now, in a small town she allows herself to make friends. She begins to have hope that at last she can allow herself to start over. Then shockingly life takes on a murderous turn which is all too familiar. With twists, death, and deadly secrets all which are too close for comfort, will Samantha survive? This is a real whodunnit.
June 23, 2024
Outstanding debut mystery
Samantha can't believe she's been found and the murders are beginning again. The professor and mystery writer once taught a popular class about murderers in fiction. The real life perpetrator is paying meticulous attention to staging the murder scenes accurately to match the story they are from. The action is non-stop. The characters very well drawn. They seem like people you know and like. There are a myriad of possible evil doers with plot twists and turns even to the last page. I highly recommend this outstanding debut novel by Cyndi Stuart
Samantha can't believe she's been found and the murders are beginning again. The professor and mystery writer once taught a popular class about murderers in fiction. The real life perpetrator is paying meticulous attention to staging the murder scenes accurately to match the story they are from. The action is non-stop. The characters very well drawn. They seem like people you know and like. There are a myriad of possible evil doers with plot twists and turns even to the last page. I highly recommend this outstanding debut novel by Cyndi Stuart
April 20, 2024
Stewart’s debut kept me up all night, laughing and gasping as I fell in love with the world she has created. Sam’s investigation, a reluctant necessity to protect herself and those she loves, pulled me in from the first page. Add in the Easter eggs about class murder mysteries and I couldn’t put this little gem down. I can’t wait for the follow up!
April 23, 2024
Great plot, great writing!
Such a fun read! Intriguing plot that kept me guessing to the end, while the writing along the way made the journey most enjoyable. Look forward to more from this author!
Such a fun read! Intriguing plot that kept me guessing to the end, while the writing along the way made the journey most enjoyable. Look forward to more from this author!
February 18, 2024
English Literature Professor Samantha thought the nightmare of a killer mimicking mysteries she once taught was over. To Samantha’s horror, the killer is back and now the victims are friends of Samantha. She must decide how much she is willing to risk to capture the killer and get back her life.
Deadly Yours is a tightly written story that grabs readers by the throat on page one and never lets them go. The plot threads are woven together by love, loss, courage, weakness, strength, the devastation of betrayal and trust, and finding redemption by facing one’s challenges head-on rather than looking away.
Cyndi L. Stuart has created a flawed but believable main character who puts everything on the line when it counts the most. Samantha evokes strong emotions in readers right from the beginning in this parable of good versus evil in a capsulized sliver of society that defines the best and worst in human beings.
Deadly Yours is a nail-biting tale that keeps you on the edge of your seat and up way past your bedtime turning the pages because you’ll never fall asleep until you find out what happens next. This exciting story has more than earned the five-star rating this reader has awarded it.
Deadly Yours is a tightly written story that grabs readers by the throat on page one and never lets them go. The plot threads are woven together by love, loss, courage, weakness, strength, the devastation of betrayal and trust, and finding redemption by facing one’s challenges head-on rather than looking away.
Cyndi L. Stuart has created a flawed but believable main character who puts everything on the line when it counts the most. Samantha evokes strong emotions in readers right from the beginning in this parable of good versus evil in a capsulized sliver of society that defines the best and worst in human beings.
Deadly Yours is a nail-biting tale that keeps you on the edge of your seat and up way past your bedtime turning the pages because you’ll never fall asleep until you find out what happens next. This exciting story has more than earned the five-star rating this reader has awarded it.
April 17, 2024
The killer has returned, and Sam doesn’t know where to turn. It’s been five years since it all began but the killer has upped the ante. Will Sam risk it all to stop the killings or will she run away, like before? Wow, Deadly Yours is a gripping cozy mystery. Its original premise is unlike anything I’ve read before. The writing is brilliant with a flair for the dramatic. The characters are well-written and engaging. The mystery itself had me riveted to the story. Deadly Yours is an unputdownable mystery.
Let’s talk about the characters. I connected with Sam right away. She’s a relatable heroine and quite good at detecting. Her emotions are emotive and portrayed well.
The rest of the characters are written with an expert pen. Each character has a bit of suspense surrounding them. Are they the killer? No? Well, who could it be? When the killer is unveiled, I gasped aloud.
The descriptive narration is immersive with false clues and tension. Each scene is so well detailed, I found myself diving into the story.
If you’re looking for a fresh, inventive cozy mystery unlike any other, pick up Deadly Yours.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Nancy
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
Let’s talk about the characters. I connected with Sam right away. She’s a relatable heroine and quite good at detecting. Her emotions are emotive and portrayed well.
The rest of the characters are written with an expert pen. Each character has a bit of suspense surrounding them. Are they the killer? No? Well, who could it be? When the killer is unveiled, I gasped aloud.
The descriptive narration is immersive with false clues and tension. Each scene is so well detailed, I found myself diving into the story.
If you’re looking for a fresh, inventive cozy mystery unlike any other, pick up Deadly Yours.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Nancy
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
June 18, 2024
Cyndi Stuart’s cozy mystery Deadly Yours takes us on a journey through the double life of Samantha McMican, a life that she finds herself in peril of losing.
As a reporter for the Cove Beach Chronicle in a small town on the Oregon Coast, Sam’s life is bucolic at best restful at most, but her book clubbers keep her on her toes. That all disappears with the arrival of a letter from an anonymous person who knows about her previous life, the one she is hiding from, the one that still haunts her dreams.
Stuart’s masterful story telling unravels a cast of wonderful well-crafted characters who support Sam as she works with Portland detectives to solve the mystery of who would want to kill her friends and ultimately her. The race against time creates a delicious tension as Sam’s past is revealed to her new friends in Cove Beach. With their help, she unravels the mystery before she loses to the mystery writer.
Stuart’s pacing is impeccable, and as she unfolds the clues and possible leads, we turn the pages rooting for Sam and sitting on the edges of our seats!
Murder mystery fans will devour this book, as will cozy mystery lovers, and anyone who wants a great summer read! Pick up Cyndi Stuart’s Deadly Yours and curl up in your beach chair, this book is a five-star read!
As a reporter for the Cove Beach Chronicle in a small town on the Oregon Coast, Sam’s life is bucolic at best restful at most, but her book clubbers keep her on her toes. That all disappears with the arrival of a letter from an anonymous person who knows about her previous life, the one she is hiding from, the one that still haunts her dreams.
Stuart’s masterful story telling unravels a cast of wonderful well-crafted characters who support Sam as she works with Portland detectives to solve the mystery of who would want to kill her friends and ultimately her. The race against time creates a delicious tension as Sam’s past is revealed to her new friends in Cove Beach. With their help, she unravels the mystery before she loses to the mystery writer.
Stuart’s pacing is impeccable, and as she unfolds the clues and possible leads, we turn the pages rooting for Sam and sitting on the edges of our seats!
Murder mystery fans will devour this book, as will cozy mystery lovers, and anyone who wants a great summer read! Pick up Cyndi Stuart’s Deadly Yours and curl up in your beach chair, this book is a five-star read!
May 18, 2024
Cyndi L. Stuart’s debut mystery novel is a pip.
Samanta McMican lives peacefully in a small coastal town but is hiding a secret. Five years ago, Samantha was a literature professor living under another name and teaching a small college's popular “Art of Detection” course. But when a serial killer strikes—the murders mirroring that of the books that Samantha teaches in her class--she flees, changing her name and creating another life for herself. But somehow the killer has found her and while the previous victims were strangers, the killer is now targeting her friends. Samantha must use her knowledge of crime fiction to help the police understand what they are dealing with and to identify the killer.
Author Stuart’s premise is wonderful and will delight fans of classic mysteries. She has also created a relatable protagonist and a cast of supporting characters with whom the reader will love spending time. There are plenty of suspects and the action is a twisting river that flows to an unexpected, thoroughly satisfying finale. You’ll love this one!
Samanta McMican lives peacefully in a small coastal town but is hiding a secret. Five years ago, Samantha was a literature professor living under another name and teaching a small college's popular “Art of Detection” course. But when a serial killer strikes—the murders mirroring that of the books that Samantha teaches in her class--she flees, changing her name and creating another life for herself. But somehow the killer has found her and while the previous victims were strangers, the killer is now targeting her friends. Samantha must use her knowledge of crime fiction to help the police understand what they are dealing with and to identify the killer.
Author Stuart’s premise is wonderful and will delight fans of classic mysteries. She has also created a relatable protagonist and a cast of supporting characters with whom the reader will love spending time. There are plenty of suspects and the action is a twisting river that flows to an unexpected, thoroughly satisfying finale. You’ll love this one!
August 21, 2025
For a cozy mystery, this one is an excellent debut from this author. The twists and turns keep the reader guessing until the end, and it was all done in such a smart, clever way. A serial killer from Samantha’s past seems to have caught up with her again, and is again using scenes from famous mystery/crime books that Samantha has been teaching in her classes. When the serial killer turns up again after five years, Samantha’s new life will be upended, again.
This book has a great cast of supporting characters, and the mystery and suspense in this book is very nicely done. I did guess a couple of things early on, but even someone like me that doesn’t read a lot in the suspense category, was caught up in the detail and cleverness of this story. There is even some humor to lighten the heavy subject of a serial killer. A great beginning for a debut author. Reviewed by Cyrene
This book has a great cast of supporting characters, and the mystery and suspense in this book is very nicely done. I did guess a couple of things early on, but even someone like me that doesn’t read a lot in the suspense category, was caught up in the detail and cleverness of this story. There is even some humor to lighten the heavy subject of a serial killer. A great beginning for a debut author. Reviewed by Cyrene
March 13, 2024
This was such a fun read! The characters were refreshingly natural and the plot moved at a quick pace. I'm definitely looking forward to more books from this author!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews