The Lady Dragons of Brookville: A Lady Dragons of Brookville Mystery

by Karen Fritz

The quaint town of Brookville was just what Trixie Tanner needed for a fresh start. The condominium brochure promised, “Your vacation destination for everyday living,” and so far, it was true. She loved her new condo, the charming town, and her new life.

But during Trixie’s early morning run, all that changed. A piercing scream shattered the morning tranquility and the illusion. When the body of a young woman is discovered murdered on the condominium trail, Brookville’s idyllic façade starts to crumble.

Despite warnings from law enforcement and the formidable medical examiner, Trixie and her new friends Martha, a quirky CSI-wannabe, and Kathleen, a prim and proper retired schoolteacher, the Lady Dragons of Brookville join forces to find the killer and become the voice for the dead.

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2024

About the author

The Lady Dragons of Brookville

Welcome to my author page! I am a mystery author who lives in North Carolina with my husband, two daughters, a crazy Doberman and a very large cat. The Lady Dragons of Brookville is my third novel and the first in a series titled The Lady Dragons of Brookville. Check back for updates on the progress of book two in the Lady Dragons of Brookville series.

Reviews

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karen Fritz has penned a winner! I have trouble categorizing this book - it has elements of cozy mystery but leans more toward mystery/thriller in my opinion. I'll just call it a cozy thriller. Set in a small town, Brookville, the three middle-aged women meet and bond after finding a dead body on a walking trail. They become fast friends and, after determining they must find out what happened to the woman who was killed, label themselves the Lady Dragons. Trixie is currently a blogger and a new resident of Brookville, Martha is a librarian who is taking forensic classes of the side, and Kathleen is a naive and proper retired schoolteacher. The friends start following clues, but get much more than they bargained for when their investigation becomes dangerous.

I enjoyed the camaraderie of the women and their banter. The humor in the book made me smile quite a few times. I thought the plot moved at a good pace and flowed well toward an exciting and revealing end. I didn't guess the killer until near the end due to the red herrings. There were certainly some tense situations. I liked the two romances that were beginning.

This book would make a good series, so I'm wondering if the author has a second book in mind with these characters. I know I would read it!

[Sandra R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Lady Dragons of Brookville” by Karen Fritz is a cozy mystery about three women that live in the same condo complex in Brookville. Kathleen, the youngest and a sweet blonde finds the body of a dead woman while out on the trail near her condo. Later, Trixie, a sassy redhead joins her as she is jogging the same trail. Martha, the oldest and the wisest when it comes to forensic knowledge is the last to arrive. As the women realize that all three live in the same complex, the murder of the young woman named Camille bonds the three together as they try to solve a mystery that the complex employees, especially the owners Brittany and Dan try to suppress. The police force including Deputy Nelson and the medical specialist, Dr. Stone are attempting to solve the crime the “lady dragons of Brookville” are themselves interested in. Lots of laughs (Martha with her tactical gear and spunky personality), Trixie who suddenly becomes a love interest for Dr. Stone (much to her chagrin), and Kathleen who is trying to transition from a heartbreaking past goes up against not only the people that run the complex but a dark past the town of Brooksville have tried to conceal for years. “The Lady Dragons of Brookville” is a complex, page-turning mystery that will keep you wanting more. Karen Fritz’s spectacular craft of creating identifiable, lovable characters, depictions of small-town life, and the restaurants that serve the best food ever makes this one of the most enjoyable reads I have gotten to know this year. Check out Karen Fritz’s “The Lady Dragons of Brookville.” You will not only enjoy the book, but you will love the author.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I checked this out because I thought it would be Bailey Carr narrating a cozy mystery. This is a little too dark to be cozy, but a little too light to be a thriller. I really liked the characters, especially the main three women. I did get some internalized sexism vibes here and there (Like the one woman saying she prefers friendships with men over women. Oh yes because they're such a delight in this book with how they patronize and infantilize the women.) But it's well written and had some fun parts. Wouldn't have minded more story dedicated to Doc's enemies to lovers storyline.

[Sara Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so interesting and kept my interest the whole time! I wasn’t planning on getting this book but when I went into Barnes & Noble the author was there signing the books. So I got it that day and instantly started reading it! The women were so funny and crazy (but in a good way)! So definitely go and read it!! 🩵

[Ruthie · Rating 5 out of 5]

twist and turns

This book kept your interest and has you going in different directions thinking you might have solve the mystery but you don’t until the very end. A must read. Three quiet interesting females.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 fun story but the involvement of the women in the investigation is hard to believe in the least

[D Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read! Mystery, intrigue, friendships and humor all combined to make a very light and fun read.