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Lakeside Cottage Cozy Mysteries #4
A Deadly Dunk
Celebrations, Basketball, and a Murder!
Bobbie is settling into life in the quaint cottage in Newfield, Vermont, with her goldendoodle Bailey and a growing group of friends. The town is buzzing with excitement because the newly restored lake is ready to be reopened. To celebrate, the locals are hosting a lakeside event, with fun, food, and other festivities.
But the celebrations come to a grinding halt when the town’s basketball star is murdered. Bobbie’s determined to get to the truth, but that isn’t proving an easy task, because the victim seemed to have more enemies than friends.
It’s a race against the clock to catch the killer before someone else gets hurt.
Bobbie is settling into life in the quaint cottage in Newfield, Vermont, with her goldendoodle Bailey and a growing group of friends. The town is buzzing with excitement because the newly restored lake is ready to be reopened. To celebrate, the locals are hosting a lakeside event, with fun, food, and other festivities.
But the celebrations come to a grinding halt when the town’s basketball star is murdered. Bobbie’s determined to get to the truth, but that isn’t proving an easy task, because the victim seemed to have more enemies than friends.
It’s a race against the clock to catch the killer before someone else gets hurt.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 16, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 2, 2026
A Deadly Dunk was a quick read with an interesting premise surrounding the murder of a local basketball star.
Bobbie Walker is settling into her new life in Newfield, Vermont with her goldendoodle Bailey. After Bobbie and her coworker at the local paper exposed a scandal involving illegal dumping at the local lake, the lake has finally been restored and is ready to be reopened to the public. To kick off the celebrations, the town is holding an event which includes a basketball tournament featuring the town's biggest basketball star. After the man is found murdered at the event, Bobbie is determined to get to the bottom of things but that's easier said than done as the man seemed to have a number of enemies.
A Deadly Dunk was the first book in the series I've read and it worked well as a jumping off point. There were some small references to events in previous books but the story in this one was largely self-contained. The premise of the local basketball star who made it big being murdered was an interesting one and grabbed my attention quickly. Ty seemed to have upset a lot of people for various reasons so there was no shortage of suspects in his death. At that point it became a guessing game of which thing he did was bad enough to push someone to murder him. Ultimately I thought the reason behind the killing ended up making a lot of sense and I liked how the mystery was wrapped up.
The characters are where this book fell apart for me. Bobbie works as a freelance reporter and I have to say she is actually pretty terrible at it. She doesn't know how to question people, automatically assumes everyone is guilty, and goes about investigating in a haphazard way. The first interview we see her do, she immediately upsets the person and things just get worse from there. There were so many baseless accusations that I knew she wasn't going to find the killer on purpose. Also the romance between her and her martial arts instructor lacked chemistry and I wasn't invested at all.
Overall A Deadly Dunk didn't work for me despite the fact I enjoyed the mystery itself.
Bobbie Walker is settling into her new life in Newfield, Vermont with her goldendoodle Bailey. After Bobbie and her coworker at the local paper exposed a scandal involving illegal dumping at the local lake, the lake has finally been restored and is ready to be reopened to the public. To kick off the celebrations, the town is holding an event which includes a basketball tournament featuring the town's biggest basketball star. After the man is found murdered at the event, Bobbie is determined to get to the bottom of things but that's easier said than done as the man seemed to have a number of enemies.
A Deadly Dunk was the first book in the series I've read and it worked well as a jumping off point. There were some small references to events in previous books but the story in this one was largely self-contained. The premise of the local basketball star who made it big being murdered was an interesting one and grabbed my attention quickly. Ty seemed to have upset a lot of people for various reasons so there was no shortage of suspects in his death. At that point it became a guessing game of which thing he did was bad enough to push someone to murder him. Ultimately I thought the reason behind the killing ended up making a lot of sense and I liked how the mystery was wrapped up.
The characters are where this book fell apart for me. Bobbie works as a freelance reporter and I have to say she is actually pretty terrible at it. She doesn't know how to question people, automatically assumes everyone is guilty, and goes about investigating in a haphazard way. The first interview we see her do, she immediately upsets the person and things just get worse from there. There were so many baseless accusations that I knew she wasn't going to find the killer on purpose. Also the romance between her and her martial arts instructor lacked chemistry and I wasn't invested at all.
Overall A Deadly Dunk didn't work for me despite the fact I enjoyed the mystery itself.
July 5, 2025
Bobbie’s character’s changed for the better, and I really started liking her a lot more in this book. She’d made up her mind about a special guy, the exact one I hoped she’d end up with and things were going pretty well for the murder investigation. Until they weren’t when she was in a life or death situation after facing down a killer.
But her instincts kicked in and someone special’s voice in her head kept her grounded. Our Bobbie lived to sleuth another day and had a special celebration at the end. Just the way I hoped her love life would go too! Bravo to the author!!!
But her instincts kicked in and someone special’s voice in her head kept her grounded. Our Bobbie lived to sleuth another day and had a special celebration at the end. Just the way I hoped her love life would go too! Bravo to the author!!!
June 22, 2025
I was excited for book #4 of Lakeside Cottage series and it did not disappoint. Bobbie and her friends have another murder to figure out. Fast paced whodunnit with some friendly romance. Will Bobbie and Kyle finally get that first date? Got to read A Deadly Dunk to find out!
Another great cozy by Cindy Bell.
Another great cozy by Cindy Bell.
August 16, 2025
Dunk
A Deadly Dunk was a definite dunk. It was filled with lots of mystery, adventure, intrigue and friendship. As a hero comes home the unexpected happens with a murder. As Bobbie & Matt try to get to the bottom of it so many different angles appear. Definitely recommend reading this.
A Deadly Dunk was a definite dunk. It was filled with lots of mystery, adventure, intrigue and friendship. As a hero comes home the unexpected happens with a murder. As Bobbie & Matt try to get to the bottom of it so many different angles appear. Definitely recommend reading this.
February 5, 2026
Lighthearted mystery
An unexpected murder of a hometown hero in the midst of the grand reopening of the town’s lakeside park. Multiple possible suspects there at the time. An investigative reporter reveals multiple twists and turns that eventually uncovers the truth and almost gets murdered herself.
An unexpected murder of a hometown hero in the midst of the grand reopening of the town’s lakeside park. Multiple possible suspects there at the time. An investigative reporter reveals multiple twists and turns that eventually uncovers the truth and almost gets murdered herself.
February 27, 2026
SWEET STORY
A very nice happy romantic story with just enough mystery and action to make an afternoon a happy day for anyone that just wants to open a book and read without thinking and not read all the gore and bad language that is in most books today. very nice story very worth the time to read it
A very nice happy romantic story with just enough mystery and action to make an afternoon a happy day for anyone that just wants to open a book and read without thinking and not read all the gore and bad language that is in most books today. very nice story very worth the time to read it
January 18, 2026
good read
The stories are getting better. I’d still would like more of Bailey. Please. Sometimes Bobbie seems a bit older than her age and other times she seems a bit immature getting into fixes with a degree of bravado.
The stories are getting better. I’d still would like more of Bailey. Please. Sometimes Bobbie seems a bit older than her age and other times she seems a bit immature getting into fixes with a degree of bravado.
March 24, 2026
I made the mistake of trying to read a book in the middle of the series without knowing the characters. This made it difficult at the beginning few chapters. Otherwise it was an okay cozy mystery. Just took me a bit to get interested. My fault for starting midway.
June 5, 2026
can’t wait for the next one
I have read other books by Cindi Bell and they’re always good. She has good characters and you wanna follow up with the next book to see what happens this time. I wanna see what she finds out when she meets her grandfather.
I have read other books by Cindi Bell and they’re always good. She has good characters and you wanna follow up with the next book to see what happens this time. I wanna see what she finds out when she meets her grandfather.
June 25, 2025
Really enjoyed this book in the series. The mystery was super interesting and Kyle and Bobbie finally had their first date. Recommend reading.
July 10, 2025
Great book
Lots of action and suspense who was the killer and who was not. Lots of people who were acting like they were the killer
Lots of action and suspense who was the killer and who was not. Lots of people who were acting like they were the killer
July 22, 2025
a deadly Dunk
I really love Bailey but the story and the hard working people in the story are wonderful. Can't wait for the next story.
I really love Bailey but the story and the hard working people in the story are wonderful. Can't wait for the next story.
September 7, 2025
Good mystery
Who would kill a returning basketball star?
Well, someone did.
Our girl is on the trail along with all her friends.
Who would kill a returning basketball star?
Well, someone did.
Our girl is on the trail along with all her friends.
October 25, 2025
Totally enjoyed it! This is a well written and has well developed characters. The story is catching and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!
March 5, 2026
Another quick and easy read….. great plot. Enjoying the series. Not literature but a great cozy mystery read.
Did Not Finish
April 2, 2026It failed to grip me and I gave up at the end of chapter 2. There was just nothing to interest me and it jumped around a lot with no rhyme or reason.
June 6, 2026
mystery in a small town
I have really enjoyed getting to know all of these characters in this small town. Lots of twits and turns. And feels quite modern.
I have really enjoyed getting to know all of these characters in this small town. Lots of twits and turns. And feels quite modern.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews