Digging Up Secrets: An undeniably fun small town cozy murder mystery

by Nelly Stein

A severed finger found in the community garden and a death at the local hotel turns the small town of Pebble Bay into chaos.

Sarah Flynn, business owner, relished the calm in her newly restored cozy bookshop. But when her niece Lily realizes a finger is buried near the Marigolds, it sets off a whirlwind of intrigue.

Sleuthing instincts kick in for Sarah and Lily. Whose finger and why is it here?

The body found in the pool is identified as loan shark Victor Russo, known for questionable activities and possible mob ties.

One evening, Sarah encounters Mrs. Pierce, the local science teacher, in the garden. Her odd behavior prompts Sarah to mention it to Detective Larson. After further questioning, Mrs. Pierce becomes a suspect.

Though Detective Larson warns her to stay out of it, Sarah digs deeper. The investigation reveals that Wanda Smith, local inn owner, had been communicating with the deceased before his death.

With both women in the spotlight, tensions rise. Sarah believes the two cases are connected. She must identify the finger’s owner and catch the murderer before the threats received turn deadly!

141 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 27, 2024

Reviews

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery relationship listening 🐈🐕

This kindle ebook novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 2 of 5

Sarah is helping her sister in the cafe and book store. A finger is found in the town garden. Who's? Why? Sarah comes out with a plan leading to the truth and arrest.

I would recommend this series and author to readers of romantic family and friends relationships adventures mystery novels 😜😉 2025 🎶🐈

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a good read. This is the 2nd in the Pebble Bay mysteries, though, it can be read as a stand alone.
For once a good mystery that isn't about a murder but about the history and events of a small town and the people in that town. Much of the book is spent getting to know the whole family of sisters, Sarah and Amy. A summary of the book can actually be found in a statement by one of those main characters, Sarah.
"The case had been complicated, with twists I hadn’t expected, and more than once I’d questioned my decision to dive into something so far beyond my original plans. But as I looked around, I realized how much I’d changed. No matter how many bumps I’d hit along the way, I kept going."
Another strong recommendation for a book from Nelly Stein.

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

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll start off by saying I have not read book one but I think this hold up fairly well without having done so. I felt connected to the characters and found the, endearing, quirky and fun to read about. Sarah is trying to get her business up and running but gets dragged into an investigation when someone close to her is implicated. What the reader can expect is a fun small town vibe, diverse quirky characters and a mystery full of surprises. Enjoyed the story very much and am definitely interested in reading more in this series!.

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

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Flynn is the owner of the town bookstore and she is also helping her niece, Lily, with a school project having to do with the community garden when a severed finger is found in the garden. And the body of Victor Russo, in the Inn's pool. A man of questionable characters which includes his loan sharking and mob ties, Detective Larson has his work cut out for him. Sarah wants to stay out of the investigation and finish working on getting her bookstore going. But when Lily's favorite teacher becomes a suspect in the garden finger discovery, and Sarah believes the Murder and the severed finger are connected, she and Lily feel they have to investigate. This is a fast paced, page turning second book in a really great series that I highly recommend. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the series and it just keeps getting better. The characters in Digging up Secrets are becoming more real with each book. The main characters are family driven and the residents of the town will certainly provide many stories. Each character is well written and hints at more to come. Like a good friend who you keep discovering new things about, the people of Pebble Bay will keep you guessing. Sarah has her hands full before she starts solving crimes, but when Lily get involved she has no choice but to help solve the case of the missing finger and how it fits into the bigger murder that is being investigated. And like all small towns Pebble Bay has secrets that people what to keep buried. This one is fun for everyone who likes small town character driven cozy mysteries.

[Dave Measner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Danger in the garden.
Sarah Flynn just wants to get her bookshop up and running and continue growing her relationship with her family. She is keeping her nose out of the investigation of loanshark Victor Russo's death, and helping her niece with her school project invoving the community garden. But when a finger shows up in the garden and suspicion is cast on several townsfolk, including Mrs. Pierce, Lily's favorite taecher, Sarah begins nosing around. When she thinks the finger and Russo's demise are somehow linked she becomes a target of threats and the constrnation of Detective Larson. Good development of the characters from the first book and a twist mystery make this a very good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angela Meehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy's best friend is getting married at the Hotel LaFontaine where she works and she's determined it will all go well, unfortunately there is a murder then things aren't going for Ivy exactly as the wedding planner planned. Although the police are called Ivy decides this is something she needs to deal with and It's now a race against time to solve the murder to ensure the wedding goes ahead as planned.

Hazel writes a great Cozy Mystery and build the suspense of the story nicely and the book kept me guessing right up to the end of the book as to whodunnit, in the end it was the last person I expected it to be. This is a great book and I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as I did.
I read an advanced reader copy but my review is entirely my own opinion.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah is at the community garden with her sister's children when they hear a scream.
Sarah learns that a finger long buried on the plot has been dug up.

Pro's:
Developed characters, some humor, and a developed plot.

Con's:
While this was an interesting, and fun story.
It appears that Sarah is interested in two different suitors.
I really dislike romantic triangles, and if it continues I will quickly lose interest in this series.
I rarely read past three books of any series that has a love triangle built into it.
One of the series I quit after the third one, I later learned that the author finally settled it after more than 20 books later.

[Margaret Hejmanowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love all things Nelly Stein and this does not disappoint, this is part of The Pebble Beach Cozy Mystery series. Sarah Flynn has recently opened her newly restored bookstore. As Sarah and her niece Lily are in the community garden, they find a finger buried near the magnolias. Detective Larson is on the case. Could this finger be related to the previous case of Vince Russo the loan shark? One of the suspects is Mrs. Pierce, Lily's favorite teacher. Could she possibly be involved? Love the plot, great setting, and strong intense interesting characters. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Nelly Stein!!!

[Linda Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets Buried in the Garden
I thoroughly enjoyed this great read. It’s the second in A Pebble Bay Cozy Mystery series. Small town Pebble Bay has secrets that have been buried, along with someone’s finger. Sarah starts investigating when the Police cannot find their way. Lily, Sarah’s fourteen year old niece, takes a keen interest in proceedings. The characters are well written. Fast paced, intriguing and entertaining. Highly recommend.
I received a complimentary copy from the author, and I am writing an honest, voluntary review.

[Jean Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, the second book in A Pebble Bay Cozy Mystery series. When a finger is dug up in the community garden after a mobster is killed, Sarah starts investigating. Her teenage niece takes a big interest in the investigation, especially since the finding put a stop to the community garden while the police work to solve the murder. Well-written, believable characters. The story is intriguing, entertaining and fast paced. I received a complimentary copy of the book and this is my honest review.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Digging Up Secrets” is a cozy mystery by Nelly Stein set in the charming town of Pebble Bay. Sarah, the owner of the local bookstore, is at the community garden with her niece, Lily, when they stumble upon a shocking discovery—a severed finger. Additionally, there is a suspicious death at the local hotel that has the town questioning who could be the murderer. Despite being warned by the local authorities, Sarah and Lily take it upon themselves to unravel the mystery. A great story in a fantastic series—highly recommended!

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite being busy getting her business up and running, Sarah has to start investigating when someone close to her is suspected to be involved in a murder.
This is another fantastic cozy mystery with small town vibes, Lots of fun and quirky characters and an intriguing storyline that keeps you glued to the book. Fun to read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[karin whitehead · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this novel as an ARC read. This is my review. A trip to the new community garden, on the way to the park, takes a breath as her niece discovers a shriveled carrot, or tuber, but its a finger! As the investigation begins, Sarah and niece Lilly and two younger niece and nephew, Sarah gets drawn in, but the detective discouragers her. Fast paced, quirky characters, loveable pets Chowder and Potato, and a wild discovery, makes this a delightful read! Enjoyable!

[fred jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun cozy mystery

A Fun cozy mystery. When a finger is discovered in the Pebble Bay Community garden it sparks a twisty mystery. I liked this one. Great characters and an entertaining storyline. I must admit it took a while for me to work it out but The clues were all there. I look forward to reading more stories by Nelly. I received a complimentary copy from the author but then bought the book anyway.

[Geraldine Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another delightful cozy mystery in the Pebble Bay series.
The murder mystery was intriguing and wonderfully complex.
The protagonist Sarah is a great sleuth and part of a loving family, complete with mischievous children, naughty pets and a very pregnant sister.
This story has a real ‘feel good’ factor to it.
I look forward to the next one in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A severed finger found in the community garden and a death at the local hotel turns the small town of Pebble Bay into chaos.Sarah was a business owner. She relished the calm in her newly-restored bookshop. When her niece Lily spots a finger buried near the Marigolds, it sets off a whirlwind of intrigue.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.

[Eileen Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed tying up loose ends by reading the ARC for Book 2. I pledged to give an honest review when I accepted the book. I was actually looking forward to two things. The first was seeing the new bookstore open and the second was the new baby. Of course the mystery was important but when you get a good writer on a good storyline somehow they manage to draw you in and make it feel real. Anyway, I think you might enjoy it as well so I will wish you happy reading.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another mystery in the series and another book that held my attention captive from the beginning to the end. I’m having so much fun watching Sarah’s investigative skills grow no matter how hard she tries not to use them. The quirky small town and all its residents that both help and hinder her efforts are quickly finding a home in my heart. I can’t wait to discover what the next mystery brings for Sarah and her family, and the rest of Pebble Bay.

[Marietta · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about Sarah Flynn and her family. There were lots of twist and turns in this book with lots of suspects as well. But it does show you that everyone should help out their family when things get out of hand. This was an excellent book to escape from your own trouble and see that maybe they aren't so bad. Enjoy this book as it is very interesting to read. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story of a family in Pebble Bay that happen to get involved in everything this town has to offer. Helping the fishermen, bookstore/cafe, and helping to solve murders. It is definitely a quick read that makes your heart feel good at the end of it. This was book 2 of the series and looking forward to the next installment.

[Carol Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing small town mystery!!

This story grabbed me from the beginning. The plot is full of twists and turns and adventure and life. It also shows you can't underestimate the elderly. The characters are real. They are funny, warm, caring and lovable. The ending left you wanting to read more about these people. I recommend this book to everyone!

[Doreen Farrar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nelly Stein always writes interesting and entertaining books, with characters that draw the reader into their lives. "Digging Up Secrets" is just as good as anything else Nelly has written. It took me about half a day to read, and the story was original and kept me guessing until the end. Highly recommended!

[Barb Hegreberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this second installment in the Pebble Bay Mystery series. The characters are believable, and the story flows smoothly.

NOTE: This can easily be read as a standalone.

I received this book free from the author, publisher, or other source. My only obligation is to provide a fair and honest review.

[christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Digging up secrets

This was a very interesting and exciting story. I love how the whole community jumps right in and some how things fall into place. The characters are friendly, charming, and always helping solve a new problem and life goes on to the next big adventure. Hope you enjoy.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Flynn finds herself involved in an unusual case which involves a missing finger found by Jerry one of the volunteer gardeners at the community club garden. There is danger and secrets behind this find. An intriguing read with humor with Chowder the cat  and  an edge of the seat finish .

[Lizz Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable cozy mystery with relatable characters and a plot that has good twists and turns. Sarah and Lily help investigate a mystery after a finger is discovered. There is a satisfying conclusion when everything is revealed. This can be read as a standalone.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of the book and this is my review. I read the first book in the series and loved it. This book is just as good. Once again Sarah gets involved in solving a murder. Several twists and turns. A very easy book to read and I look forward to reading more books by Nelly

[Jodi Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic cozy mystery. I must say that Lily is a great character, especially being that she’s a young teen. The way she approaches a problem and works to solve it, just amazing! I really enjoyed this story and can’t wait to read more.

[Lauren Heiy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Digging Up Secrets: A Pebble Bay cozy book 2

Well thought out mystery with great characters and pets. Community is it is front and center while trying to solve a murder and mystery of a found object.