Never Board Part Five: A Daily Mystery Serial

by Sam Cheever

My name is Phillipa Hilda Schultz, but everybody calls me Pippi ( It’s pronounced pee-pee. Yeah, I know). I run a boarding house for people in the early winter of their lives. You know what I mean… People whose leaves are thinning, and whose lawns are slightly frosty in the early mornings.

I inherited the business from my grams and had no experience running a boarding house when I stepped in. There’s no question I’ve had my hands full. Fractious boarders, broken appliances, leaky roofs, and a very distracting next-door neighbor who makes my engine rev. (Oops…did I say that last thing out loud?) The best thing I can do for myself is to stay away from Jack Walters. He has a tendency to cloud my thoughts and turn me into a babbling idiot. Forget I mentioned him. I mean, the real problem is the dead body my plucky little blonde dachshund, Iris, found in the flower beds.
No amount of training would have prepared me for that. Also, did I mention that the sexy next-door neighbor used to be a cop before starting his own security company?
Yeah, under the circumstances, staying away from him is going to be a challenge.
In fact, it might be nigh on impossible.
Oh darn.

This is a five-part serialized romantic mystery novel. I hope you enjoy this fun serialization!

Part One, November
Part Two, December
Part Three, January
Part Four, February
Part Five, March

180 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 10, 2025

About the author

USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Sam Cheever writes mystery and suspense, creating stories that draw you in and keep you eagerly turning pages. Known for writing great characters, snappy dialogue, and unique and exhilarating stories, Sam is the award-winning author of 100+ books.

Website: www.samcheever.com
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sam-c...
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sam-Ch...
Blog: https://samcheever.com/blog/

Reviews

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s here! The conclusion to all Pippi’s ongoing brushes with danger. And, I can’t say as I saw any of those answers coming at all. This book contained twists and turns that kept me glued to my reader and anxiously flipping pages to discover what would be revealed next. With all the mayhem and shenanigans of the previous books, we also got to see romance finally bloom. One thing I will say with certainty is that this series wouldn’t have been the same without the furry coterie of sleuth/bodyguards. I'm kind of hoping the author might surprise us with a part six so we can take a peek into the future of all that blooming romance.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book through Booksprout.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun series! It’s filled with quirky, entertaining characters, and yes that includes the pets too! This final installment in the series answers the questions about the treasure that is alleged to be hidden in Pippi’s house and who was behind the murder of her boarder Rob. The series has humor, friendship, found family, mayhem, mystery and a bit of romance. The was a quick, easy reading, entertaining series and this final installment gave a satisfying conclusion.

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

[Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Dachshund-approved drama with a side of swoon!
Okay, listen. When I say this series has become my not-so-guilty pleasure, I mean it. And Part Five of Never Board by Sam Cheever? Absolute chaos in the best way possible — like if your favorite cozy mystery binge had a caffeine boost and a dash of "oh no, she didn’t!" sprinkled on top.
Phillipa Schultz is my kind of heroine — frazzled, feisty, and just trying to make sense of her life, one nosy boarder and suspicious neighbor at a time. She’s juggling a quirky boarding house, dodging local drama, and then BOOM — her dachshund (a blonde, no less, with serious nose-for-trouble energy) decides to go all canine CSI and digs up a body in the backyard.
I mean, what do you even do with that information? If you're Phillipa, you panic a little, stumble into danger (because of course), and probably flirt a smidge with the very guy you're supposed to be avoiding. (And let’s be honest, I’d be making poor choices too if my neighbor looked like that...)
There’s just something addictive about how Sam Cheever mixes mystery, humor, and a little slow-burn tension with those "what NOW?!" moments that keep me flipping pages. This installment had me gasping, laughing out loud, and side-eyeing my own backyard.
If you love cozy mysteries that don’t take themselves too seriously, have characters you want to hug and maybe shake a little, and a dog who steals every scene she’s in, then Never Board Part Five is calling your name. Just maybe don’t read it while home alone — those treasure hunters might be watching. 😉
I’m never bored. Not for a single second.

[Valerie Irwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went down the rabbit hole and found a whole nest of squirrels!!!!! This final book in the series closes up the loose ends and brings closure to several mysteries at once! It's hard to review this book without giving away details of the ending so let me just say this... You strapped yourself in on the rollercoaster of book one. Book two had you climbing up a hill knowing that you were going to plummet full speed into book three. Book three provided loop-de-loops, fast turns and more hills to climb. Just when you think you're seeing the end of the ride, book four picks up speed and sends you in a new direction you didn't know was possible. Still, like any good rollercoaster, no matter how fun, it has to come to an end. Book five gives you that final high hill approach...the one where you climb so high up the hill you see only blue skies and the tips of your toes as you prepare yourself for the end. Then it happens. You crest the hill!!!! Everything happens at once, faster than the speed of sound! You barely have time to scream when the ride slows, you return to the station and everyone on the rides bursts into applause, excited to get back on and ride again!

I devoured all 5 of these books! I will now start all over again, reading a bit slower, savoring each story, watching for each clue I may have missed and enjoy these stories once more. I wonder if there's a boarding house near me.......

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

[Gabrielle Hashimoto · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this fun and entertaining serial series and I’m really sad to see it end. As usual, Pippi has a lot on her plate and while the treasure hunters are no longer arriving in droves, the issue is far from over. While Pippi is still dealing with the rumored treasure, she’s also dealing with the apparently worsening dementia of her neighbor, a suspicious stranger, a dog napping and some behavior from some of her boarders that she wishes she could unsee
(Quote “I had my hand over my eyes and was backing toward the kitchen. “I need eyeball bleach!”). The antics of the residents in this house, both human and nonhuman, are often hilarious and I couldn’t love them more. The donut fiasco will leave you in stitches. The residents have definitely become a little family and I love the fierce protectiveness that they display towards Pippi. The author ties up this story nicely as we finally find out who committed the murder in part 1 and get answers to all the questions surrounding the infamous rumored treasure. This is a fun series with some hilarious antics, a few mysteries and some heartfelt characters I’ve come to love,

[Margery · Rating 5 out of 5]

A treasure hunter who has all but stalked Pippi gives her an historical book about the house as a good by 'gift'. He has totally vanished, lock stock and barrel. Suspects released for lack of evidence puts Frank in danger of being taken away from Pippi. One day Tac is throwing a party in his new safe room, the next a stranger arrives and is taking over Tac's life saying he is a nurse and Tac has dementia! The Minister of the church Pippi works for, has traveled to the Bahamas and,well, things are getting fishy. She inadvertently finds a stolen jeweled cross in the wall of the Ministers office and the Minister is arrested. His secretary is acting suspicious. With so many suspects of more than a few crimes, what is Pippi to do? In true Sam Cheever skill, she weaves an intriguing tale with twists and humor. You will laugh at the dogs, and gasp at what she uncovers.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final installment in Sam Cheever’s serial novel ties up all the loose ends in a satisfying manner. All of the turmoil that started with the murder of her boarder, Rob, and the rumors of a hidden treasure in the house lead to some shocking reveals. Pippi finds herself in a precarious situation when she realizes the killer was closer than she ever imagined. There’s danger and drama, found family and friendships, and lots of laughter and love by the time March comes to the end. With a scene stealing doggie diva in Iris, life in the boardinghouse is never dull. Ms. Cheever combines wonderful characters and several perplexing mysteries into a clever an original format that will keep you engaged from day one.

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

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phillipa Shultz runs a boarding house she inherited from her grandmother.
Her neighbor across the street is in the early stages of dementia.
Someone steals one of her dogs.
And more contraband is found in the former pastor's belongings.
Finally, after receiving a book about her home, she also catches the treasure hunting bug.

Now, Fillipa is out to find her dog, try and clear her former pastor's name, and hopefully find a hidden treasure.

All while trying to stay alive, because once again, someone's out to get her.

There's plenty here to keep the pages turning in what's a fun closure to the dramatic life of one Phillipa Hilda Schultz.

Oh yeah. Her romantic life is getting more complicated also.

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never Board Part Five: A Daily Mystery Serial is book #5 of Never Board Serial Novels by Sam Cheever.

Wow! There is a lot going on in this book! Doggy drama, theft, questionable newcomers, and plenty of humor. I hate to see these serial novels end. I love the boarding house ads at the beginning of each chapter, the craziness of the dogs, the feeling between Pippi and Jack, the rumor of the hidden treasure, the boarders. Everything was wrapped up up nicely. It was a very satisfying ending, but I will miss everybody.

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

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Sam Cheever did not disappoint me. The 5book = 5 month concept was genius! Sam has a wonderful knack of character development where the reader is pulled into the story and can actually see the characters as real people. I guessed the killer when the character was first introduced to us, but changed my mind to another person... Alas, I was correct but there was a helper along the way...Sam had me going there for a bit. And of course she always ends her story with a "Happy Ending". I do enjoy feeling satisfied reading books by Sam Cheever!.

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

[Lizz Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This five-part cozy serial had a lot of twists and turns. Pippi is shocked to learn that someone she has known and trusted is in jail for a crime she is certain they didn't commit. Someone dear to her disappears. And someone she cares about is having health issues and isn't quite sure if the caretaker is on the up and up. Another day, more chaos. The way all of the mysteries of the series are resolved makes this volume hard to put down. I read it in one sitting. This was an enjoyable series.

[Joanie Hinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pippi runs a boarding house for elders and it's not easy. After her dog Iris finds the dead body of one of her boarders it just seems to go down hill from there. Someone threatens her to give them the jewels of she will die. What jewels? She doesn't even know what they are talking about! I seems some treasure hunters believe a treasure is hidden in the boarding house. Lots of people believe it, and someone may be hiding as a friend, but really is the bad guy in all this...
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many twists and turns and unexpected things that make you question everything about the story. You wonder what's going to happen and cannot wait to find out! Very interesting characters to follow along and say unravel the clues to try to figure out what is going on. Like the setting and the background of the story. Good read.

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

[Carolyn Valdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me start with saying I want more of Pippi, Jack, Iris, and Frankie and all of the Boarders! I had so much fun with all the shenanigans going on, that I don’t want it to end. Although this was an excellent ending to the story, I still will miss my family. I recommend everybody read this series.


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

[Jennifer Wertz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book. It is a wonderful conclusion to the series. It is fun and entertaining. The plot is engaging and full of mystery. There are many twists and surprises. I absolutely love this series and highly recommend it.

[Clarkfamilybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s lovely to be back at Pippi’s boarding house. Romance is in the air but so is....death? Oh no, it's one last mystery for Pippi and friends to solve. This final installment gave a satisfying conclusion.

[Ginny Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Lots of suspense and drama. Who was guilty of the crime and who was not.When the truth was revealed it was different