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Elusive Embezzler
Young widow. Innkeeper. Accidental crimebuster.
Jenna Ross inherits a beautiful, historic inn, expecting bookkeeping and guests, not a mysterious visitor tied to a decade-old embezzlement case.
But when a guest is found dead on the inn’s property, Jenna’s quiet but uncanny intuition pulls her toward things she can’t explain, especially the portrait of Nettie Wyndham, whose watchful presence is unsettling.
As Jenna follows a trail of deception, Ethan, her irritating landscaper, becomes increasingly convinced she’s far too reckless for her own good and is determined to keep her safe. Jenna is equally determined to prove she can take care of herself, despite his annoying habit of appearing when she needs him.
With a killer closing in and Ethan trying to keep her out of danger, Jenna must uncover the truth before she becomes the killer’s next target.
Jenna is determined to save the inn.
Ethan is determined to protect Jenna.
The killer is determined to stop them both.
Jenna Ross inherits a beautiful, historic inn, expecting bookkeeping and guests, not a mysterious visitor tied to a decade-old embezzlement case.
But when a guest is found dead on the inn’s property, Jenna’s quiet but uncanny intuition pulls her toward things she can’t explain, especially the portrait of Nettie Wyndham, whose watchful presence is unsettling.
As Jenna follows a trail of deception, Ethan, her irritating landscaper, becomes increasingly convinced she’s far too reckless for her own good and is determined to keep her safe. Jenna is equally determined to prove she can take care of herself, despite his annoying habit of appearing when she needs him.
With a killer closing in and Ethan trying to keep her out of danger, Jenna must uncover the truth before she becomes the killer’s next target.
Jenna is determined to save the inn.
Ethan is determined to protect Jenna.
The killer is determined to stop them both.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 27, 2024
About the author
Judith A. Barrett
103 books54 followersAward-winning author Judith A. Barrett lives in rural Georgia with her patient husband, FarmerMan, and two spoiled farm dogs. When she's not writing, you'll find her outside gardening or with her husband and dogs.
Judith A. Barrett writes thriller, mystery, and survival science fiction series. Her unusual main characters are brilliant, talented, and down-to-earth folks who embrace solving difficult problems and righting wrongs.
Donut Lady Mystery Series
Sweet Deal Sealed, Book 1 Sweet Deal Sealed
Sweet Deal Concealed, Book 2 Sweet Deal Concealed
Sweet Deal Revealed, Book 3 Sweet Deal Revealed
Sweet Deal Appealed, Book 4 Sweet Deal Appealed
Sweet Secret Deal, Book 5 Sweet Secret Deal
Maggie Sloan Thriller Series
I Always Wanted to Be a Spy, Book 1 I Always Wanted to Be a Spy
Red Is the New Gray, Book 2 Red is the New Gray
Hidden by Fire, Book 3 Hidden by Fire
One Eye on the Killer, Book 4 One Eye on the Killer
See Beyond the Fog, Book 5
Grid Down Survival Series
Danger in the Clouds, Book 1 Danger in the Clouds
|Danger in the Wind, Book 2 Danger in the Wind
Danger on the Road, Book 3 Danger on the Road
Danger in the Field, Book 4 Danger in the Field
Riley Malloy Thriller Series
Tagged by Death, Book 1 Tagged by Death
Defy Death, Book 2 Defy Death
Check her website for more information about her books and to read her blog.
Judith A. Barrett website
Subscribe to her monthly newsletter to stay up-to-date on her news including each month's free book ! Subscribe to the Newsletter
You can find her books on Amazon with your preference of ebook or paperback!
Judith A. Barrett Amazon Author Page
Judith A. Barrett writes thriller, mystery, and survival science fiction series. Her unusual main characters are brilliant, talented, and down-to-earth folks who embrace solving difficult problems and righting wrongs.
Donut Lady Mystery Series
Sweet Deal Sealed, Book 1 Sweet Deal Sealed
Sweet Deal Concealed, Book 2 Sweet Deal Concealed
Sweet Deal Revealed, Book 3 Sweet Deal Revealed
Sweet Deal Appealed, Book 4 Sweet Deal Appealed
Sweet Secret Deal, Book 5 Sweet Secret Deal
Maggie Sloan Thriller Series
I Always Wanted to Be a Spy, Book 1 I Always Wanted to Be a Spy
Red Is the New Gray, Book 2 Red is the New Gray
Hidden by Fire, Book 3 Hidden by Fire
One Eye on the Killer, Book 4 One Eye on the Killer
See Beyond the Fog, Book 5
Grid Down Survival Series
Danger in the Clouds, Book 1 Danger in the Clouds
|Danger in the Wind, Book 2 Danger in the Wind
Danger on the Road, Book 3 Danger on the Road
Danger in the Field, Book 4 Danger in the Field
Riley Malloy Thriller Series
Tagged by Death, Book 1 Tagged by Death
Defy Death, Book 2 Defy Death
Check her website for more information about her books and to read her blog.
Judith A. Barrett website
Subscribe to her monthly newsletter to stay up-to-date on her news including each month's free book ! Subscribe to the Newsletter
You can find her books on Amazon with your preference of ebook or paperback!
Judith A. Barrett Amazon Author Page
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 21, 2026
This was a clean cozy (5 stars!); however, beware that a significant portion of the dialogue and action revolves around renovating and running an inn. I would have loved more background on the characters and a clear focus on the mystery, rather than changing floor plans, setting up happy hour, and the latest placement of the yellow chair.
The ending felt abrupt, and I had questions that were never fully answered (1 star taken away), especially about the contents of the found letter. The main character was a paradox. She was business savvy but very young, kind to some people but rude and judgmental to others. Her obsession with Nettie and the yellow chair were never fully explained. It seemed like pieces of the story were accidentally left out.
The ending felt abrupt, and I had questions that were never fully answered (1 star taken away), especially about the contents of the found letter. The main character was a paradox. She was business savvy but very young, kind to some people but rude and judgmental to others. Her obsession with Nettie and the yellow chair were never fully explained. It seemed like pieces of the story were accidentally left out.
January 13, 2025
Great read!
Perfect not a cozy mystery but not a thriller with constant tension! I love all of your books and have read almost all of them, the Danger books with Angel and Red I have read the entire series 3 - 4 times,; that doesn't include the individual reads as the came out. All of the series are just enough different that you don't feel like reading the same story with only name changes. I pray the Lord will keep blessing you with wonderful ideas and storylines and thank you for excellent editing!
Perfect not a cozy mystery but not a thriller with constant tension! I love all of your books and have read almost all of them, the Danger books with Angel and Red I have read the entire series 3 - 4 times,; that doesn't include the individual reads as the came out. All of the series are just enough different that you don't feel like reading the same story with only name changes. I pray the Lord will keep blessing you with wonderful ideas and storylines and thank you for excellent editing!
March 15, 2026
Elusive Embezzler engaging mystery thriller
Ms. Barrett paints a lively mental picture with her characters and scenic descriptions. A thoroughly entertaining and engaging group of characters involved the reader in a gripping mystery only solved in the last few pages. You will not see this ending coming. Excellent writing Judith A. Barrett. Please keep writing and thoroughly entertaining us with your imagination. Can't wait to start the next book!
Ms. Barrett paints a lively mental picture with her characters and scenic descriptions. A thoroughly entertaining and engaging group of characters involved the reader in a gripping mystery only solved in the last few pages. You will not see this ending coming. Excellent writing Judith A. Barrett. Please keep writing and thoroughly entertaining us with your imagination. Can't wait to start the next book!
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June 29, 2026Best series I have found in months....
It's VERY fast paced which keeps you actively involved and the characters are also fun and likeable. It was more believable once it was known that new owner of inn had tremendous wealth behind the scene, so all the upgrades and changes were not "oh woe is me how will I pay for x, y or z". Book was just fun to read.
It's VERY fast paced which keeps you actively involved and the characters are also fun and likeable. It was more believable once it was known that new owner of inn had tremendous wealth behind the scene, so all the upgrades and changes were not "oh woe is me how will I pay for x, y or z". Book was just fun to read.
July 21, 2026
Jenna goes from being a recently widowed accountant to inheriting a small hotel with less than 15 rooms and is making a profit after only 3 months in the job.
Her light psychic ability made the story enjoyable but the set-up was just wrong.
Her light psychic ability made the story enjoyable but the set-up was just wrong.
January 16, 2026
It's an fair mystery but is overshadow by the personal stories of the characters. The mystery is almost an afterthought. Good if you just want a cozy story.
February 17, 2026
Writing to me seemed just immature. Plot was predictable. The ending just stops and leads to a subsequent novel, I supposed, but I won't be reading it.
March 5, 2026
Another first author ,again I have been gripped by the first chapter,I will be looking forward to reading the second one in the series
July 14, 2026
Enjoyable cozy yet I think thectale could be tightened up a bit . A lot of jumping around to get the characters involved yet it seems a bit more character development is needed.
September 17, 2026
Where do I start?
Desperate need for a professional editor. Not a mystery of any kind. How to for beginning a B&B. Unrealistic. No ending.
Desperate need for a professional editor. Not a mystery of any kind. How to for beginning a B&B. Unrealistic. No ending.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews