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Cindy York Mysteries #7
Killer Commission
Sometimes a commission check comes with a price that’s too high to pay…
After a hectic summer, real estate agent Cindy York is ready to relax and enjoy the autumn season with her family. She’s especially looking forward to a second honeymoon vacation with her husband to celebrate their silver anniversary.
But business must come before pleasure. When Cindy sends agent Olivia Lamphere in her place to show a house and the woman turns up dead, she promises her husband to stay out of the investigation. After another agent Cindy knows is murdered, she's forced to break that promise. What is the connection between the two women and why is she receiving threatening notes as well?
Can Cindy discover who’s making the deadly deals before she winds up the next victim?
After a hectic summer, real estate agent Cindy York is ready to relax and enjoy the autumn season with her family. She’s especially looking forward to a second honeymoon vacation with her husband to celebrate their silver anniversary.
But business must come before pleasure. When Cindy sends agent Olivia Lamphere in her place to show a house and the woman turns up dead, she promises her husband to stay out of the investigation. After another agent Cindy knows is murdered, she's forced to break that promise. What is the connection between the two women and why is she receiving threatening notes as well?
Can Cindy discover who’s making the deadly deals before she winds up the next victim?
204 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2025
About the author
Catherine Bruns
65 books925 followersCatherine is the USA Today bestselling author of the Cookies & Chance mysteries. She lives in Upstate New York with her very patient husband, three sons and several spoiled pets. She holds a dual B.A. in English and Performing Arts and is a former newspaper reporter and press release writer. Catherine also writes the Italian Chef, Maple Syrup, and Cindy York mysteries. Her book, For Sale by Killer, won the Daphne du Maurier award for Mainstream Mystery/Suspense.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 14, 2025
Who would have thought that the real estate market could be hot, cold, and deadly. Welcome to book 7 of the Cindy York Mystery Series, where the phrase “killer commission” can have more than one meaning. Cindy, a seasoned real estate agent, wife of 25 years, and mother of four. Speaking of the 25 years of marriage, apparently, she and her husband, Greg, never went on a honeymoon, so this year they are taking a cruise to the Caribbean and a well-deserved break. Now if she could just get over the feeling that something is about to go horribly wrong. So of course, Cindy finds the body of Olivia, a fellow agent dead, shot at close range in her car, parked in front of a house that Cindy was supposed to have shown. Olivia had agreed to cover for Cindy, and now Cindy is feeling guilty and responsible. So, what does any good amateur sleuth do, they do their best to figure out who did the deed.
This cozy has a thriller aspect that keeps you turning pages while on the edge of your seat. Is it a random killing, a serial killing, or the work of a bitter and soon to be ex-husband. Thankfully, Jacques Forte, Cindy’s boss and best friend, is there to lighten the mood and provide caramel macchiatos. Unfortunately, he has some family drama going on so Cindy’s partner in crime, the self-proclaimed Watson, is a little bit more sedate than usual. This subplot gives us an opportunity to see what a selfless friendship is all about. In fact, because of the threat on Cindy’s life, he is in favor of her staying on lockdown at home until it is time to board the ship and sail off into the sunset. Let the police handle it, is the plea said by both Greg and Jacques. Maybe it is time for Cindy to take her agent shingle down. Except that Cindy is no fragile flower, she promises to stay out of trouble. She is more worried for her kids. To stay safe, she starts by digging on social media and then she starts making phone calls. As Cindy starts to gather the facts, she stumbles onto information that not even the police have learned. I appreciate that Cindy has a good relationship with law enforcement instead of adversarial. There are plenty of clues and some well-placed misdirection that kept me updating my suspect list.
I never considered the possible safety problems for real estate agents, but this story does a good job of pointing this out. There is safety in numbers, and no agent should meet complete strangers for a showing without safety protocols in place. It also points out that home inspectors should be well vetted prior to engaging their services. It never ceases to amaze me how edifying a cozy mystery can be and in addition to being entertained, I almost always learn something new. I look forward to the next installment in the series. Hopefully for Cindy it won't be quite so explosive.
This cozy has a thriller aspect that keeps you turning pages while on the edge of your seat. Is it a random killing, a serial killing, or the work of a bitter and soon to be ex-husband. Thankfully, Jacques Forte, Cindy’s boss and best friend, is there to lighten the mood and provide caramel macchiatos. Unfortunately, he has some family drama going on so Cindy’s partner in crime, the self-proclaimed Watson, is a little bit more sedate than usual. This subplot gives us an opportunity to see what a selfless friendship is all about. In fact, because of the threat on Cindy’s life, he is in favor of her staying on lockdown at home until it is time to board the ship and sail off into the sunset. Let the police handle it, is the plea said by both Greg and Jacques. Maybe it is time for Cindy to take her agent shingle down. Except that Cindy is no fragile flower, she promises to stay out of trouble. She is more worried for her kids. To stay safe, she starts by digging on social media and then she starts making phone calls. As Cindy starts to gather the facts, she stumbles onto information that not even the police have learned. I appreciate that Cindy has a good relationship with law enforcement instead of adversarial. There are plenty of clues and some well-placed misdirection that kept me updating my suspect list.
I never considered the possible safety problems for real estate agents, but this story does a good job of pointing this out. There is safety in numbers, and no agent should meet complete strangers for a showing without safety protocols in place. It also points out that home inspectors should be well vetted prior to engaging their services. It never ceases to amaze me how edifying a cozy mystery can be and in addition to being entertained, I almost always learn something new. I look forward to the next installment in the series. Hopefully for Cindy it won't be quite so explosive.
January 18, 2026
“Killer Commission” by Catherine Bruns is a delightful dive into the world of cozy mysteries. As a fan of the series, I was eager to see what trouble real estate agent Cindy York would stumble into next. This time, Cindy is all set for a second honeymoon with her husband to mark their silver anniversary. But, as luck would have it, a potential client demands a house showing at an inconvenient time. Cindy’s boss and best friend, Jacques, steps in to help by assigning another agent to the task. Yet, in true Cindy York fashion, things quickly spiral into a murder mystery.
Cindy is determined to stay out of the investigation, but when the stakes rise, she can’t help but dig just a little, especially when another murder occurs, and her own safety is at risk. The storyline is exceptionally plotted with an intriguing mystery that kept me glued to the pages. The characters are well-developed, relatable, and engaging, making me feel as if they could step off the page and into real life. Cindy’s home life is portrayed with such authenticity that I felt a genuine connection to her family. Jacques and Cindy’s dynamic is a joy to follow, and I couldn’t help but root for them throughout the story. This book is a testament to Catherine Bruns’ ability to create characters that readers can’t help but love.
Catherine Bruns masterfully balances mystery and family life, with plenty of red herrings and twists to keep readers guessing. I found myself on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning pages. The fast-paced narrative and suspenseful scenes had me hooked from start to finish. I particularly enjoyed the humor and witty dialogue, which added a delightful charm to the story.
Overall, “Killer Commission” is a thrilling read that combines mystery, humor, and heart. If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries, this book will not disappoint. Catherine Bruns’ storytelling will have you eagerly reaching for “just one more chapter” until the very end. Dive into Cindy York’s real estate world—you’ll find it’s a solid investment!
Cindy is determined to stay out of the investigation, but when the stakes rise, she can’t help but dig just a little, especially when another murder occurs, and her own safety is at risk. The storyline is exceptionally plotted with an intriguing mystery that kept me glued to the pages. The characters are well-developed, relatable, and engaging, making me feel as if they could step off the page and into real life. Cindy’s home life is portrayed with such authenticity that I felt a genuine connection to her family. Jacques and Cindy’s dynamic is a joy to follow, and I couldn’t help but root for them throughout the story. This book is a testament to Catherine Bruns’ ability to create characters that readers can’t help but love.
Catherine Bruns masterfully balances mystery and family life, with plenty of red herrings and twists to keep readers guessing. I found myself on the edge of my seat, eagerly turning pages. The fast-paced narrative and suspenseful scenes had me hooked from start to finish. I particularly enjoyed the humor and witty dialogue, which added a delightful charm to the story.
Overall, “Killer Commission” is a thrilling read that combines mystery, humor, and heart. If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries, this book will not disappoint. Catherine Bruns’ storytelling will have you eagerly reaching for “just one more chapter” until the very end. Dive into Cindy York’s real estate world—you’ll find it’s a solid investment!
October 16, 2025
Cindy York is a successful real estate agent, mom, wife and BFF with Jacques, her boss and owner of the real estate company she works for. The past several years she seems to find herself in the middle of murder investigations.
Cindy is getting ready to embark on a 25th wedding anniversary cruise with her husband yet feels like something will prevent them from taking this dream vacation. As the week of the cruise approaches Cindy is showing houses and finalizing purchases for clients. A prospective client asks her to see a house. She is unable to meet at the requested time due to another commitment, so another coworker takes the appointment. To Cindy's surprise and dismay the coworker is later found dead sitting in her car in the driveway at the house she was showing. Not only does Cindy feel awful about this death but really fears now that her anniversary cruise will not take place. As she often does she feels the need to help detectives solve the crime, even though the police would rather she stay out of it. Will Cindy be able to solve this crime before others are killed and before her ship sails literally and figuratively?
Catherine Bruns writes several cozy mystery series, all of which I enjoy. She always leaves the reader guessing as to the who the real killer is, and when it is revealed at the end of the book it always makes sense. There are often Easter eggs left throughout the book to direct readers to possible suspects and to the actual killer. Her books are always page turners and this one is no exception.
This is the 7th book in this series. It can be read as a standalone but I do prefer reading books in order when they are in a series. That way you really get to know the characters.
Thank you to the author for the ARC. Opinions are my own
Cindy is getting ready to embark on a 25th wedding anniversary cruise with her husband yet feels like something will prevent them from taking this dream vacation. As the week of the cruise approaches Cindy is showing houses and finalizing purchases for clients. A prospective client asks her to see a house. She is unable to meet at the requested time due to another commitment, so another coworker takes the appointment. To Cindy's surprise and dismay the coworker is later found dead sitting in her car in the driveway at the house she was showing. Not only does Cindy feel awful about this death but really fears now that her anniversary cruise will not take place. As she often does she feels the need to help detectives solve the crime, even though the police would rather she stay out of it. Will Cindy be able to solve this crime before others are killed and before her ship sails literally and figuratively?
Catherine Bruns writes several cozy mystery series, all of which I enjoy. She always leaves the reader guessing as to the who the real killer is, and when it is revealed at the end of the book it always makes sense. There are often Easter eggs left throughout the book to direct readers to possible suspects and to the actual killer. Her books are always page turners and this one is no exception.
This is the 7th book in this series. It can be read as a standalone but I do prefer reading books in order when they are in a series. That way you really get to know the characters.
Thank you to the author for the ARC. Opinions are my own
October 31, 2025
The Cindy York Mystery series by Catherine Bruns will give you anxiety ... in a good way. This series is full of so much excitement that you will breeze through reading it and will be shocked when you get to the end ... for two reasons, one because you are at the end already and two for the ending. Bruns always has nail biting endings !!
In Killer Commission Cindy and her husband Greg are celebrating their twenty-fixth wedding anniversary and going to go on a cruise. That is if they can get through the next week .... easy peasy. Not .....
Cindy gets a call to show a house that she has listed for sale. She is a realtor at her best friend Jacques' real estate office. The caller is very insistent, unfortunately both Cindy and Jacques have other obligations so they ask a fairly new co-worker to do. Later that night Cindy gets a call from a neighbor of the house for sale regarding a car in the driveway. When Cindy goes over to check, she is shocked to find Olivia dead in the car.
Officer Brooks, who is well aware of the trouble that Cindy and Jacques can get into regarding his cases, is adamant that they stay out of it. They agree until something else happens that makes Cindy realize that she was most likely the intended target ......
Catherine Bruns is one of my favorite authors. Her books and series are such fun to read. You can relate to the people (hopefully not the murders), they are people you would love to know and hang out with. The jobs and careers that they have seem like tons of fun also. And yes she does have a knack with making you want to solve the murders as well. And with Killer Commission being the seventh book in this series there is a lot to love !!!!
In Killer Commission Cindy and her husband Greg are celebrating their twenty-fixth wedding anniversary and going to go on a cruise. That is if they can get through the next week .... easy peasy. Not .....
Cindy gets a call to show a house that she has listed for sale. She is a realtor at her best friend Jacques' real estate office. The caller is very insistent, unfortunately both Cindy and Jacques have other obligations so they ask a fairly new co-worker to do. Later that night Cindy gets a call from a neighbor of the house for sale regarding a car in the driveway. When Cindy goes over to check, she is shocked to find Olivia dead in the car.
Officer Brooks, who is well aware of the trouble that Cindy and Jacques can get into regarding his cases, is adamant that they stay out of it. They agree until something else happens that makes Cindy realize that she was most likely the intended target ......
Catherine Bruns is one of my favorite authors. Her books and series are such fun to read. You can relate to the people (hopefully not the murders), they are people you would love to know and hang out with. The jobs and careers that they have seem like tons of fun also. And yes she does have a knack with making you want to solve the murders as well. And with Killer Commission being the seventh book in this series there is a lot to love !!!!
October 20, 2025
Killer Commission is the seventh book in Catherine Bruns’ Cindy York Mysteries series. The storyline is well-plotted, the mystery is intriguing, and the well-developed characters are relatable and engaging. This book is well thought out and written with just the right combination of mystery and family life. There are lots of red herrings and twists to keep readers engaged and guessing. I highly recommend it to all cozy mystery lovers.
Cindy York is married to Greg and has four children: Darcy, a teacher who recently married Ryan; teenage twins, Stevie and Seth; and their youngest daughter, Grace. The family has one cat, Sweetie, and two dogs, Rusty and Dobby. Cindy, who has a penchant for finding dead bodies, is a real estate agent and works for her best friend, Jacques Forte. Jacques and his partner, Ed Kapinski, are the adoptive parents of a teenage boy from China, Bolin.
In this installment, Cindy and Greg are looking forward to taking a cruise to celebrate their anniversary. When a prospective buyer demands that he and his wife be shown one of Cindy’s listings at a specific time that conflicts with a closing Cindy had previously scheduled, Jacques asks Olivia Lamphere to show the house. When Olivia is murdered and Cindy finds her body, she promises both Greg and Officer Kyle Brooks that she will refrain from getting involved in the investigation. After another agent whom Cindy knows is murdered and she receives a threatening note, she can no longer stop herself and begins investigating. Despite everything that is happening in Cindy’s life, she takes the time to help Jacques as he deals with unsettling personal issues.
Cindy York is married to Greg and has four children: Darcy, a teacher who recently married Ryan; teenage twins, Stevie and Seth; and their youngest daughter, Grace. The family has one cat, Sweetie, and two dogs, Rusty and Dobby. Cindy, who has a penchant for finding dead bodies, is a real estate agent and works for her best friend, Jacques Forte. Jacques and his partner, Ed Kapinski, are the adoptive parents of a teenage boy from China, Bolin.
In this installment, Cindy and Greg are looking forward to taking a cruise to celebrate their anniversary. When a prospective buyer demands that he and his wife be shown one of Cindy’s listings at a specific time that conflicts with a closing Cindy had previously scheduled, Jacques asks Olivia Lamphere to show the house. When Olivia is murdered and Cindy finds her body, she promises both Greg and Officer Kyle Brooks that she will refrain from getting involved in the investigation. After another agent whom Cindy knows is murdered and she receives a threatening note, she can no longer stop herself and begins investigating. Despite everything that is happening in Cindy’s life, she takes the time to help Jacques as he deals with unsettling personal issues.
October 28, 2025
Killer Commission is an exciting, twisted, cozy mystery. Who knew that selling real estate could be so lethal? Cindy is just trying to enjoy a quiet autumn and finally get a second honeymoon vacation with her hubby. When a very instant, prospective buyer requests a showing at the same time Cindy has a closing, another agent is sent to the showing and several hours later is discovered murdered. Was Olivia the intended victim or was it supposed to be Cindy? Then a woman from another agency also turns up as a murder victim and Cindy receives threatening notes. There is no way Cindy can stay out of this investigation. Can Cindy stay alive long enough and find the murderer fast enough to get to take that vacation. There was so much happening that I just keep reading one more paragraph, one more page, and one more chapter! I was sorry to reach the end but then I could get some sleep!
October 10, 2025
Realtor's Nightmare #7
Ms. Brun delivers again with an excellent intrigue. Mother and realtor Cindy York is planning a getaway with her husband, but finds her colleague dead at the listing she stood in at last minute for. The tale combines normal family and work life with the horrors of the find and the aftermath. Her path to the truth is not to be missed.
I requested and received an Arc gratis and offer my opinion in the same.
Ms. Brun delivers again with an excellent intrigue. Mother and realtor Cindy York is planning a getaway with her husband, but finds her colleague dead at the listing she stood in at last minute for. The tale combines normal family and work life with the horrors of the find and the aftermath. Her path to the truth is not to be missed.
I requested and received an Arc gratis and offer my opinion in the same.
October 28, 2025
Killer Commision is the 7th book in The Cindy York series and it’s another hit. This is such a great book in a great series. The characters are people you wish were real, and the story sucks you in right away making you feel you are there. There are twists and turns, and you will be hooked right to the end.
November 17, 2025
Excellent book!
Cindy made her husband a promise not to get involved in another murder mystery, but we all knew that was never gonna happen, lol. It was great being back with Cindy. I love the feeling of family and warmth. The mystery element was well developed and very suspenseful. Twists and turns abound and that kept me on the edge of my seat.
Cindy made her husband a promise not to get involved in another murder mystery, but we all knew that was never gonna happen, lol. It was great being back with Cindy. I love the feeling of family and warmth. The mystery element was well developed and very suspenseful. Twists and turns abound and that kept me on the edge of my seat.
October 18, 2025
fun cozy mystery, After an realtor agent is found dead Cindy promises her husband she will not get involved to investigate, but she does get involved. lots of twists and turns in this page turner that is a must read.
January 11, 2026
Good Read
This latest Cindy York was an excellent addition to what is a great series. The characters in these stories are so real, you can easily envision yourself having coffee with them. I loved that there was more than one storyline and the twist on who the culprit was.
This latest Cindy York was an excellent addition to what is a great series. The characters in these stories are so real, you can easily envision yourself having coffee with them. I loved that there was more than one storyline and the twist on who the culprit was.
February 11, 2026
Killer Commission
I love Cindy and Jacques, They're funny smart . I never suspected the receptionist was the killer. He was demented, and just unbelievable. I really liked reading these books by the author. Can't wait for next book!!
I love Cindy and Jacques, They're funny smart . I never suspected the receptionist was the killer. He was demented, and just unbelievable. I really liked reading these books by the author. Can't wait for next book!!
October 12, 2025
Killer Commission by Catherine Bruns
Publishing Date October 28. 2025
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is the 7th book in the Cindy York mystery series. Cindy is a real estate agent who seems to not only make killer sales, but always seems to find killers. (Corny I know, but had to say it.)
Cindy receives a request to show a house, but can't do it due to a schedule conflict. One of her fellow realtors ends up showing the house and ends up murdered. Cindy swears she isn't going to get involved with solving the murder. Of course she ends up getting involved. I should say her and her boss, Jacques, get involved. Love when these two work together! I also love watching the bond these two have and watching how it has grown since the first book. He is a definitely her work husband. Anyhow, there are many suspects and motives. I kept bouncing from one guess to another.
As for her personal life, Cindy is getting ready for a anniversary cruise with her husband, Craig. There was no mention of murder on the cruise, maybe in the next book?
This book will keep you guessing. It also kept my interest from beginning to end. It was a quick, but fun read.
Publishing Date October 28. 2025
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is the 7th book in the Cindy York mystery series. Cindy is a real estate agent who seems to not only make killer sales, but always seems to find killers. (Corny I know, but had to say it.)
Cindy receives a request to show a house, but can't do it due to a schedule conflict. One of her fellow realtors ends up showing the house and ends up murdered. Cindy swears she isn't going to get involved with solving the murder. Of course she ends up getting involved. I should say her and her boss, Jacques, get involved. Love when these two work together! I also love watching the bond these two have and watching how it has grown since the first book. He is a definitely her work husband. Anyhow, there are many suspects and motives. I kept bouncing from one guess to another.
As for her personal life, Cindy is getting ready for a anniversary cruise with her husband, Craig. There was no mention of murder on the cruise, maybe in the next book?
This book will keep you guessing. It also kept my interest from beginning to end. It was a quick, but fun read.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews