Dining & Dread

Trash to Treasure Cozy Mysteries #8

by Donna Clancy

Sometimes what seems like a bargain…
Can be murder.
Love is in the air and Cliff purchases his first house as an early wedding gift for his furniture-refinishing, super-sleuthing bride-to-be, Sage. The craftsman style house, built and lived in by famous author, Sanford Taylor, was vacant for over a year before being sold at auction for back taxes owed.

From day one in the new house, mysterious things have happened, making him wonder if the bargain price he got will be worth it. Break-ins, damaged rooms, and strangers skulking around outside are just the beginning of Cliff’s problems.

When journals written by the previous owner are found, and secret rooms are discovered, Sage thinks she may finally get a handle on the odd occurrences and unravel the mystery behind them. But time isn’t her friend when she finds that Cliff has been abducted and a ransom note has been delivered.

Can she solve the crime and save her beloved? Find out in this exciting Trash to Treasure Cozy Mystery!

128 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 12, 2024

Reviews

[Graeme Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dining & Dread by Donna Clancy is a cozy mystery that blends romance, suspense, and domestic intrigue into a fast paced, compact narrative. The story follows Sage, an amateur sleuth and furniture refinisher, whose excitement over a newly purchased historic home quickly turns into concern as unsettling events begin to unfold.

Clancy builds tension through classic cozy mystery elements: a mysterious house with a hidden past, journals left behind by a previous owner, and escalating disturbances that suggest something far more serious than simple bad luck. The discovery of secret rooms and a sudden kidnapping raises the stakes, pushing the narrative into a more urgent rescue driven mystery.

The book’s strength lies in its blend of relationship centered storytelling and accessible suspense, making it an appealing read for fans of cozy mysteries that incorporate domestic settings, light romance, and escalating danger.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love these two sweet people who’ve found each other. It’s great when someone who’d sworn off relationships finds the perfect guy or girl, in Sage’s case, a sweet guy named Cliff. They sure had an adventure worthy of an action movie in that house he just bought! You’ll need to read and find out what it was, but now the mystery was over and perp or perps put away, they should have lotsa fun with some of the secrets they discovered in that house!

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

New House, Old Secrets

Cliff buys a beautiful old house at auction but it came with lots of secrets. Can Sage & Cliff get to the bottom of things before it’s too late? Pick up a copy to find out you won’t regret it. Fantastic story and series. I love the main characters occupation. I look forward to the next book.

[Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent addition to the series

Cliff has bought a house at auction that could be perfect for he and Sage after they are married. Once he shows her the house strange things start happening. First people break into the house several times and then they find secret rooms. Lots of twists and turns and a surprise ending. A fun read.

[Anne G. Kasaba · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book! Well the whole series is great. The storyline is creative and engaging. There are lots of regulars in this book and most of whom are entrepreneurs and friends. It’s a close knit community that invites the reader in, welcoming them with open arms and an engaging story.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series just gets better and better. I loved this story so much. I am very excited to see how the restoration comes along with the new house.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the publisher.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bargain house does not seem quite a bargain when mysterious things keep happening It was supposed to be a wedding gift for his fixer up to be wife. Secret rooms and stalking go hand to handle in this cozy mystery. Find out if the house is worth the risk in this charming read.

[JANE VAN HORN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This is another great book in the Trash to Treasure series by Donna Clancy. I can't wait for the next book.