Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Willow Oaks Inn #6

Cramped Quarters, Lethal Secrets

Rate this book
A dead body, a nosy filmmaker, and a killer on the loose—welcome to Willow Oaks Inn.

Norman Haskins thought the biggest challenge he’d face this summer would be overseeing the renovations of his beloved Willow Oaks Inn. But when a routine repair turns into a nightmare after a dead body is discovered on the construction site, things take a sinister twist. The victim? The bitter rival of the firm Norman hired to do the work.

As if dealing with a murder investigation wasn’t enough, one of Norman’s eccentric guests—a notorious documentary filmmaker—seizes the opportunity for attention, turning the quiet inn into a media circus. With rumors swirling and secrets piling up, Norman is thrust into the heart of a mystery that threatens to destroy both his business and peace of mind.

With the help of his ever-loyal Border Collie, Milo, Norman must sift through a tangled web of lies, rivalries, and buried secrets to uncover the truth. But the closer they get to the truth, the more dangerous the game becomes. Can Norman solve the case before he becomes the next victim, or is a ruthless killer already one step ahead?

In Cramped Quarters, Lethal Secrets, danger lurks behind every wall—and in this cozy mystery, no one is quite what they seem.


If you want to enjoy a light-hearted read, with an amateur male sleuth and a gripping murder mystery with a touch of romance, then you'll love Norman Haskins and all the friendly and not-so-friendly characters in Honeywell.

***No cliffhanger, swearing or graphic scenes!***


Get your copy of Cramped Quarters, Lethal Secrets and see how events unfold in this cozy mystery.

188 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 12, 2024

3 people are currently reading
4 people want to read

About the author

Amerie Brand

7 books6 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
17 (73%)
4 stars
6 (26%)
3 stars
0 (0%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Profile Image for JoAnne McMaster (Any Good Book).
1,406 reviews27 followers
September 12, 2024
Norman Haskins is expanding his Willow Oaks Inn to include a swimming pool, and some renovations on the rooms. He's hired Monroe Construction to do the job, and the owner is an old school friend of his to boot. Suddenly a man shows up in a battered truck and offers to renovate the rooms at a lower cost. Norman tries to explain to him that he's already signed with Monroe, but the man, Andrew Reilly, insists, and won't let go. Later that evening a motel guest walking her dog finds a dead body...and it turns out to be Andrew.

Then there's the documentary filmmaker who rented rooms -- he's dubbed the motel "Murder Motel" and films at every opportunity, but Norman wishes he'd just leave, knowing he's now going to be a bigger problem than he already is.

Since the dead man was found on the construction site, the owner's daughter, Olivia, insists on helping Norman ferret out the killer, especially since the filmmaker has named the two of them as prime suspects and put it on the web. So what can they do? Just figure out who the killer is, and hope not to be the next two targets...

This is the latest installment in the Willow Oaks Inn mystery, and we once again have Norman in the middle of a murder investigation. He's doing his best to keep his teenage son, Jason, out of the investigation, but a new part-time hire named Diane is disrupting things along the way, no matter how he tries to tell her to leave it alone. Olivia has her own problems with her father who won't allow her to make decisions on her own, but this time she just isn't letting him know.

We see Norman butt heads again with Sheriff Bennett, although the interactions are mild; and of course, Norman's dog Milo is helping them sniff out clues. When the ending comes and we discover the murderer, the reasons seem strange; but then again, killers never make any sense anyway. It's an interesting tale that can be read in one evening.

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher but this in no way influenced my review.
1,660 reviews14 followers
September 12, 2024
A dead body, a nosy filmmaker, and a killer on the loose—welcome to Willow Oaks Inn.

Norman Haskins thought the biggest challenge he’d face this summer would be overseeing the renovations of his beloved Willow Oaks Inn. But when a routine repair turns into a nightmare after a dead body is discovered on the construction site, things take a sinister twist. The victim? The bitter rival of the firm Norman hired to do the work.

As if dealing with a murder investigation wasn’t enough, one of Norman’s eccentric guests—a notorious documentary filmmaker—seizes the opportunity for attention, turning the quiet inn into a media circus. With rumors swirling and secrets piling up, Norman is thrust into the heart of a mystery that threatens to destroy both his business and peace of mind.

This light-hearted cozy murder mystery is page-turning with exceptional world-building and characters that are friendly, witty, and not-so-friendly, captivating, and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with cramped quarters, lethal secrets, drama, an amateur male sleuth and a gripping murder mister, Norman must sift through a tangled web of lies, rivalries, deception, and buried secrets to uncover the truth, action, adventure, a touch of romance, no cliffhanger, heartfelt emotions, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with cramped quarters, lethal secrets, and a murder mystery that is sure to transport readers into a world that is wildly dangerous, and unforgettable.
171 reviews2 followers
September 11, 2024
Norman Haskins, owner of the Willow Oaks Inn, has decided to upgrade his motel, finally adding a pool and some room upgrades. He has hired Monroe Construction, the owner being an old college friend. The project manager is Everett Monroe’s daughter Olivia, but she has some very persistent and eager competition in the form of Andrew Reilly, a local handyman, who promises better prices. When a body is discovered at the pool installation site, Norman once again finds his business reputation in jeopardy. The situation is complicated by one of the guests, a documentary filmmaker and Dex appears everywhere with his camera to cover all the action. Can Norman solve the murder before.his business is permanently damaged? This is a fun series and with each book, Norman becomes more confident in his abilities to deal with the deaths that continue to occur at his motel. With help from his son Jason, his assistant Helen and his clever canine companion Milo, Norman solves the murders, saves his business and protects his loved ones. Can he once again find the killer?
1,246 reviews11 followers
September 4, 2024
Norman Haskins owns the Willow Oaks Inn,a small motel in Honeywell, and has decided to do some room renovations and put in a pool. He hires Monroe Construction for the job with Olivia as the project coordinator. Andrew Reilly shows up claiming he’ll do the job for 20% less, and doesn’t want to take no for an answer when Norman tells him he has a contract with Monroe. When Reilly is discovered dead on the construction site, and an annoying production company called Truth Productions, who is staying at the motel, is constantly underfoot filming everything, things get a little crazy! Truth Productions publicly accuses Norman and Olivia of the murder! Now they have to get investigating to find the real murderer.
735 reviews5 followers
September 6, 2024
Norman's motel/inn has been getting a reputation as a Murder Hotel. So, when another body shows up at his construction site, he knew he had to find the killer before it damages his business even further.

The victim, an ex of his new employee and business rival of the daughter of his long-time friend in charge of the project, there is no shortage of suspects. Throw in emotions, greed, money, and a TV crew attempting to make a documentary at all costs, into the mix, and Norman's got his hands full.

Great continuation to the series which is slightly darker than most cozies but still without the gore.

I received a complimentary ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Profile Image for Tanvi.
656 reviews9 followers
September 9, 2024
I found this book well written with sensible characters and a good mystery plot.

Despite being short, it was a well rounded mystery and I liked that the amateur sleuth actually followed leads and is not just into guesswork.

The book has a hint of romance which I guess has been brewing since the previous books in the series (which I am yet to read) but I was pleasantly surprised that it doesn't overshadow the mystery.

Looking forward to reading the next and going back and reading the previous books in the series.

I received an advance copy of the book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
1,079 reviews9 followers
September 1, 2024
Once again Norman and his motel is in the news. A small film crew have booked in, they make documentaries about murders and they’ve heard about Norman’s motel. On cue a murder happens for them to document! The person murdered had come to Norman saying he could do a better job of work and at a cheaper price than the construction company he was using. He was found dead on the building site and, I’d course, Norman, Helen and Jason decide they have to investigate. Olivia the site director asks to be involved and Norman agrees. Lots of fun, or not, depending on who you are.
291 reviews2 followers
September 18, 2024
Norman is thrown into another murder that occurs on a construction site on his property. Can a production team who has checked into his property to film a documentary on small town life help solve this murder? I enjoy how Norman, although unsuccessfully trying to let the police do their job, keeps finding things that they overlook. Great series, fast reads

I received an ARC of this book and am leaving this review voluntarily.
1,092 reviews10 followers
September 12, 2024
Murder!!

Oh no, is it true, another murder at Norman's motel? It is, but, Norman keeps his wits about him and diligently investigates the murder. As always, I enjoyed the exploits and Norman and his dog, Milo. A fun and entertaining book in a great series.

I read this book as part of an advance reader team and am voluntarily writing this review.
Profile Image for Marissa.
3,606 reviews48 followers
September 12, 2024
Norman returns with his nightmares and his ability to solve crimes. Once again we will be thrown into a world of mystery that only he will be able to solve. A delightful to this series that will keep you enthralled to the end.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews