Valentine's Day Puzzle: A Cozy Mystery with a Twist

A Cozy Mystery with a Twist #1

by Sharon Michaels

In the charming town of Sweetheart Valley, love is in the air as Valentine’s Day approaches. But, behind the rosy façade lurk secrets, long held resentments and a trail of broken hearts.

When Amanda Love, the owner of the Sweet Stuff Bakery and well-known for her delicious Valentine-themed treats, mysteriously collapses and dies during the annual Valentine’s Day Ball, the townsfolk are left reeling. As the police struggle to make heads or tails of the puzzling crime, Detective Benjamin Hart steps in to guide us through the investigation.

But now, my fellow cozy mystery lovers, it’s time for you to become a detective too!

In this interactive cozy mystery, you’ll embark on a thrilling quest to solve the murder alongside Detective Hart. Dig through the clues, interview the quirky characters, and unravel the truth behind Amanda’s untimely demise.

As the suspects come into focus…

Oliver: The mysterious newcomer in town who recently opened a vintage bookstore on Valentine Lane.

Candy: A wealthy socialite who is infamous for her extravagant Valentine’s Day parties.

Jed: The town’s retired police chief who knows every secret about the town and its inhabitants.

…the truth becomes more elusive. With every twist and turn brings new evidence and unexpected revelations.

Can you piece together the puzzle before Detective Hart exposes the heartless criminal?

Bonus: A Mini Valentine’s Day Mystery to Solve – The Valentine’s Day Heist

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Fiction

71 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 12, 2024

About the author

* Short, Sweet Cozy Mysteries
* Keeps You Guessing Stories
* Smart, Mature, Believable Characters

Bestselling author Sharon Michaels writes sweet, clean, and fun cozy mystery short reads about mature, smart women who know how to enjoy life. Small towns, close friends, a hint of romance, and a fur-baby or two makes solving mysteries fun and exciting.

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Thank you so much for reading my profile and happy reading!

____________

Reviews

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening 😮😋

This kindle ebook novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 1 of 4

They are having a Valentine's party. The chef brings in a Valentine cake and falls over dead! Then they find a dead male body! They find a tunnel from boot leggings times. It all comes to a happy ending 🌜🏡

I would recommend this series and author to readers small town murder mystery novels 🐕😁 2025 👒🎉

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun interactive mystery. You are given clues to solve the murder along with the detective.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a light and fun cozy mystery that is interactive. The author asks you to match wits with the detective in the story and asks questions after each chapter to get you thinking about the story and clues. It's a fun novella that is like a mini-mystery, but with a more developed storyline and characters. I came close to solving it, but there were details in the solution that I didn't catch on to. In addition, there was a short 2-page bonus case at the end of the book.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This interactive cozy was a fun read! As a reader, it made me do more detective work in helping solve the murder. Other pluses included that it was centered around Valentine’s Day and the characters were unique.
Write more in this style!

[Cally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was an adorable, murder-mystery short read. The layout and narrative of the story is almost like you’re in a game and the narrator is walking you through the crime scene. The dialogue is to the point, no fluff, and very game-like. I could almost see the speech and thought bubbles. The questions between chapters were fun as well. This is something you could read during a road trip as fun story telling

[Julie Ditton · Rating 3 out of 5]

The twist in this novella is that the author has asked the reader to be the detective. She writes the story in the present tense describing the details as if you, the reader, are observing the clues. she frequently stops between chapters to ask the reader questions about the case. this could be fun, if it is your cup of tea, but I didn't care for the style. The plot was well crafted in this quick read and it is a cute Valentine's day diversion.

[Darling I’m Hooked! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super quick holiday-themed read. Figured out who the killer was from the very beginning, but because I have read so many mystery/thriller books, it was quite obvious. Recommend for teenagers/YA who are interested in becoming detectives or something within that career field, as Sharon Michaels definitely helps by asking probing questions to truly investigate & figure out the mystery.

[_JayyIsReading · Rating 4 out of 5]

- [ ] Didn’t expect the bookstore owner, Oliver, to be the son of Jed -the retired detectives, ex wife Roberta. Then turned out he’s Candy’s brother and wanted a stake in her inheritance.
- [ ] Jed was such a creep. I knew he had something to do with it but why kill Candy after she’s already told the truth. Too bad he broke his neck in the end.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very different kind of mystery. They tell you who is in it and what they say and do. They give you clues and tell you to try and figure out who did this and why. I did figure out who did it but had no idea why. I enjoyed the book and trying to figure the end but I really have to work on the why they did this.

[Marilyn Larkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I have to admit that it took me a bit to figure it out but my initial thoughts were Candy or Jed. Seems like the town was hiding a lot of things. I liked this short story and am ready to read the next one.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick Holiday Read

This book is meant to be read as an "interactive" mystery. It had some typos,even though I didn't think it was an ARC. Interesting ending. If you're looking for a quick V- Day read, this one's for you.

[Marsha Asquith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This interaction story is unique. First one I have read. The plot is really good. Several suspects throughout most of the story. By the end of the book, you will understand everything. I recommend you give it a go!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy Sharon Michaels’ writing and this cute little whodunnit novella is right up there with the best of them. It makes you chuckle and groan out loud. I didn’t have the naughty person figured out at all on this one. Excellent palate cleanser or just a quick little break from the norm.

[Rebecca White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and interesting take on cozy mysteries

This mystery ends each chapter with some questions for you to ponder and try to solve the mystery. Can you solve it before the detective?

[Jean Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting mystery, which has mysteries where there are questions for you to think about at the end of each chapter.The mysteries are set around Valentine's Day. The story and characters were good and it was a fun story that kept you guessing.

[Ronda Blevins · Rating 1 out of 5]

Choppy

It was a very choppy disjointed read. I liked the premise, but there was no flow. I love cozy mysteries but this only got finished because I always finish my books.

[Kathie Dherit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute short story with a mystery!

[Anissa Pankey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute short read. I wish it was a little bit longer but I enjoy it nonetheless. Knowing me I’ll probably get the other holiday ones as well. I love trying to solve cases.

[Amanda Ramsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was too easy to figure out and the plot was really rushed

[Sophie Barber · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fun and interactive murder mystery but nothing outstanding

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a cute short mystery.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short easy read mystery. I enjoyed this book.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little murder mystery.

[J White · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not much of a story, and the questions provided aren't very thought provoking.

[Kelly Methey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was fun to be involved in the book as part of it. I had not read one like this, I enjoyed it. The story was good and so were the characters. Sharon Michaels writes good, fun, interesting and different stories that keep your interest and keep you guessing. Looking forward to her next innovative book.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not a fan of this style of book. I lost interest in the story and struggled to finish the book.

[Morgan King · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was definitely wrong on solving the mystery. But this was so fun! A refreshing read from what I usually go for.

[McCall Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute short read! Really enjoyed this Whodunnit murder mystery, and loved the questions at the end of each chapter that helped navigate who the murder was. Was like a Valentine’s Day game of clue !