Exposure of Murder

Secrets of Beaver Creek #1

by Lila Ferrari

Exposure of Murder

Small-town sheriff Ethan McQueeney has found contentment with his life in Beaver Creek, Vermont. He lives in his childhood home, is continuing his family’s legacy as sheriff, and tends to the land like his parents before him. Once upon a time, he had a fiancée, but she craved the excitement of the big city and left him behind without so much as a backward glance. But Ethan loves his town, his job, his friends, and his life just the way they are, and he isn’t going anywhere.
Mystery writer Jane Goodwin abandoned the big-city life, seeking solace after the devastating death of her husband. Fate takes an unexpected turn when she wins the bidding war for a dilapidated farm. As she dives into a daunting to-do list, dredging the pond takes center stage. However, what starts as a routine task exposes a spine-chilling surprise—a skeleton emerges from the muck.
Ethan confirms the victim’s identity through a familiar ring on the dead man’s finger. David Thornton was a longtime Beaver Creek resident who attempted to outbid the farm’s current resident, Jane. The man was disagreeable, but didn’t deserve to die.
As Ethan navigates the web of secrets, he contemplates a chilling possibility—could Jane, the farm’s new owner and a woman well versed in crime, be capable of murder?
Trouble continually brings them together. Can they fight their growing attraction and mend their broken hearts as they work together, or will looming danger destroy their chance at love?

Genres: Mystery

380 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 15, 2024

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery writer Jane Goodwin wanted a change of pace after the tragic death of her husband. She leaves her life in Boston and moves to Beaver Creek, Vermont. She falls in love with the small town and her new farm. But things don’t go quite as planned when there are some minor apparent trespassing issues that arise, and Sheriff Ethan McQueeney doesn’t seem to take Jane seriously. When a body is found in Jane’s pond, she becomes the number one suspect. What will it take to get the sheriff to stop thinking of her as a big city girl and take her seriously? If he won’t, she’s just going to have to clear her name on her own, regardless of the consequences.

This was a fun murder mystery. I liked Jane’s strength, spunk, and humor.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Tesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing first book of the new series. I enjoyed the new scenario and new characters.

This was about Jane an author who buys a farm, and Ethan the sherrif who helps her when trouble comes.

Extremely well done. Danger, drama, suspense with an unusual mystery all set in a small town. I enjoyed the new cast of characters that were all looking out for each other.

Ethan and Jane didn't start in a friendly hospitable way due to clashing frequently but their attraction was always there. Ethan had to get rid of the chip on his shoulder first but this had a happy ever after ending.

Well written, amazing plot and this just makes me look forward to the next in the series. Fantastic book!!

[Arlene M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is 4 1/2 stars


Ethan McQueeney is the sheriff in Beaver Creek, VT.
Jane Goodman Is a mystery writer and a widow.
Savannah Jones is Jane’s best friend.

Jane and Ethan meet and the tension , sparks of chemistry and attraction are there and igniting slowly to off the charts.
Jane is going to from city girl to country girl trying to fit in at her new home on
the farm.
Incidents are happening , that eventually lead to murder on Jane’s farm.
Can the mystery be solved and they have a Happily Ever After?
You will have to read the book.

This book has suspense, danger, redemption, and a second chance at love.

[Heather Wray · Rating 5 out of 5]

When mystery writer and new widow Jane meets Ethan the grumpy sheriff of her new town there’s certainly no love lost between the two. When a crime on Jane’s property overlaps with another case things bring the pair together in a way they didn’t expect.
Really enjoyed this first book in this new series, and loved Jane’s determination to be included in the things affecting her new life. This is not a quick read, but one well worth adding to your TBR. Looking forward to Jane’s friend’s story in book two.

I received a review reader’s copy of the book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

New widow Jane and mystery writer moves to Beaver Creek. When she meets Ethan the grumpy sheriff, neither find any love lost between them. When a body is found in Jane’s pond, she becomes the number one suspect. Believing that the sheriff not taking her serious, she knows that she must clear her name.
Both Ethan and Jane must find the who, the why and their attraction .

Great mystery and humour.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brenda Hojonski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the exact type of book I was trying to find all my life! Cozy mystery meets spice. Ethan and Jane don't care much for each other at first and as the mystery surrounding her farm intensifies, Ethan can't deny the strong attraction he has had for Jane from the start. Set in Vermont, a great small town setting, wonderful characters, romance, and a good mystery to keep you reading until well past your bedtime. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.

[BecReadReview · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lila has started this series rather charmingly. We get the small country feel along side with the charms that come from small towns. It has a warm sweet tone to it and we get a rude awakening when murder & danger hits. Ethan does test your patience as you warm up to him. Jane is a beautiful character despite heavy emotions. A enjoyable adventure indeed. Read it! Honest review.

[Nupur · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was definitely a pager Turner with amazing plot going on. A small town with A dashing sheriff and a recently moved Mystery writer Jane, found themselves between murder and chaos. Things take a twist when the body is found in Jane's pond. A Mystery Suspense Romance that will keep you hooked, so definitely try it out and find the person behind all this.

[Denise Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

great story

Loved the story, nice twist .bad guy wasn’t too hard but knowing didn’t spoil the plot and the romance. Sex was a hint and was done well, Anne Maccafrey always did the same and I loved it. Could do with better editing but only half a dozen typos. Hence 4 instead of five stars. Well put together. Worth a read.

[CMLH · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in a new series and I am looking forward to more. Ethan and Jane do not exactly get along and the body in Jane’s pond does not improve their relationship. But as the twists in the story happen, Ethan and Jane’s relationship also has some twists in it.

[Faith LaPierre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book.
I thought it was an interesting story,
and a sweet love story also.
Can't wait to see book 2!

[Carolyn Glover · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great start to a new series from Lila Ferrari who has recently become one of my go-to authors. Jane is a wonderful heroine, she is confident and sassy - although extremely frustrated by the grumpy sheriff - Ethan who doesn't believe her about the suspicious happenings on her farm. This is small town romance at its best and I cannot wait to follow the adventures of the other characters in subsequent books

[Lori Zakrzewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to Beaver Creek. This first novel in this new series is filled with unexpected twists. When Jane relocates to the small town, she doesn't expect her farm to become the center of a mystery. Nor does she expect to be attracted to Ethan, the Sheriff who comes out to investigate. If you're a fan of romantic suspense, you'll enjoy reading this book.