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Penelope Sinclair #1
Shop 'til you Drop Dead
Penelope makes a fast break from her old life to the picturesque small town of Bath, Maine. But the excitement halts when a dead body is found near her dumpster.
Divorcée Penelope starts a new chapter in the town known for its boutiques. But when handyman Ricky's body is found behind her shop, the old cliché, shop 'til you drop, suddenly becomes a literal reality.
Her curiosity quickly turns shop owner into amateur sleuth as she sets out to unearth the truth, with her bite-sized sidekick, Teo the Teacup Chihuahua, in tow.
When town gossip reveals Ricky's shady past and his recent argument with Harry Cutter, the suspect list begins to form.
As Penelope's investigation progresses, George Albright's guarded demeanor toward the victim sets off security alarms.
She knows the truth is dangerously near as unexpected warnings and near-misses start coming.
Penelope must crack this case quickly before she becomes the next clearance item.
Divorcée Penelope starts a new chapter in the town known for its boutiques. But when handyman Ricky's body is found behind her shop, the old cliché, shop 'til you drop, suddenly becomes a literal reality.
Her curiosity quickly turns shop owner into amateur sleuth as she sets out to unearth the truth, with her bite-sized sidekick, Teo the Teacup Chihuahua, in tow.
When town gossip reveals Ricky's shady past and his recent argument with Harry Cutter, the suspect list begins to form.
As Penelope's investigation progresses, George Albright's guarded demeanor toward the victim sets off security alarms.
She knows the truth is dangerously near as unexpected warnings and near-misses start coming.
Penelope must crack this case quickly before she becomes the next clearance item.
- GenresCozy MysteryMystery
106 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 9, 2025
9 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Tessa Aura
28 books36 followersHello! I'm Tessa Aura, author of cozy mystery series that whisk you away to charming settings with lovable characters, clever puzzles, and plenty of laughs.
With 21 published books across multiple series, I've built a reputation for combining humor with mystery, always featuring loyal dog sidekicks and guaranteed happy endings. My Simply Scrumptious Italian Culinary Mysteries take you to the sun-soaked towns of Italy where amateur sleuth chefs solve murders between preparing pasta and pouring wine.
I grew up loving puzzles and animals—which is why every book features a four-legged detective helping crack the case. From beagles and chihuahuas to labs and pitbull/mix, these pups steal scenes (and hearts!).
Travel is my passion, and it shows in my settings. Whether it's Italy's Cinque Terre or cozy American small towns, I love taking readers on adventures alongside my female detectives.
If you love clean, lighthearted mysteries with humor, heart, and happy endings, you're in the right place. Start with Book 1 of any series and prepare to binge!
Follow me on Amazon to never miss a new release: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/...
Happy sleuthing!
With 21 published books across multiple series, I've built a reputation for combining humor with mystery, always featuring loyal dog sidekicks and guaranteed happy endings. My Simply Scrumptious Italian Culinary Mysteries take you to the sun-soaked towns of Italy where amateur sleuth chefs solve murders between preparing pasta and pouring wine.
I grew up loving puzzles and animals—which is why every book features a four-legged detective helping crack the case. From beagles and chihuahuas to labs and pitbull/mix, these pups steal scenes (and hearts!).
Travel is my passion, and it shows in my settings. Whether it's Italy's Cinque Terre or cozy American small towns, I love taking readers on adventures alongside my female detectives.
If you love clean, lighthearted mysteries with humor, heart, and happy endings, you're in the right place. Start with Book 1 of any series and prepare to binge!
Follow me on Amazon to never miss a new release: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/...
Happy sleuthing!
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 6, 2025
Penelope and her teacup chihuahua Tao have moved from Boston to Bath, Maine to start a new life after her divorce. She was looking forward to a nice, quiet transition to this quaint town. However, a dead body dumped in an alley at the back door of her new shop derails her plans. She soon caught up in the mystery of Ricky’s death and alongside Detective Caleb Grant, rush to solve the case before she becomes a victim.
This book is a quick, easy read that keeps the readers’ attention until the end. The author adds some humor along with the intrigue, which makes the story flow. There is a cliffhanger that seems to be the setup for the next book. If you are looking for a light, clever read, I would recommend this book.
*I received a free ARC from the author and BookFunnel. All opinions expressed are my own.
This book is a quick, easy read that keeps the readers’ attention until the end. The author adds some humor along with the intrigue, which makes the story flow. There is a cliffhanger that seems to be the setup for the next book. If you are looking for a light, clever read, I would recommend this book.
*I received a free ARC from the author and BookFunnel. All opinions expressed are my own.
May 10, 2025
Who Killed Ricky ? . . .
Penelope Sinclair leaves Boston to begin her new life in Maine. Her new shop will be a nice challenge for her, and she begins unpacking her merchandise. But she’s off to a not-so-great start when she hears a thud outside and finds a dead body, blood pooling underneath, next to the dumpster in the alley behind her shop. As she watches Detective Caleb Grant methodically examining the crime scene and the body of handyman Ricky, she notices a smudge on the corner of the dumpster that could possibly be blood. The police don’t seem very appreciative as she points it out to them. Several days later, she is feeling frustrated, knowing there is more to the story of Ricky’s death. She needs to figure it out. She and her adorable chihuahua Teo are ready to tackle the mystery, despite warnings from Detective Caleb Grant to let him take care of the investigation without her “help”. She, of course, cannot let this go. So she and Teo start a dog-walking business to mingle around town and see if she can unearth some clues. Near the park, Daisy heads for a bush and digs up someone’s lunch. But Teo started to bark near another busy and revealed a scrap of paper with a list of names -- and the first name on it was the retired teacher George Albright, her first dog-walk customer. Some of the names were crossed out. Not sure what it means, but it’s still a possible clue. She hears gossip about Harry Cutter having argued with the victim. Having George Albright’s name on that list Teo found keeps bringing up questions in her mind. And when threatening notes start arriving, it seems she might be getting closer to the right answers. Will she find those answers she is looking for? Even when an arrest is made, it still doesn’t make sense to Penelope. And suddenly she remembers something and calls Caleb...
Penelope Sinclair leaves Boston to begin her new life in Maine. Her new shop will be a nice challenge for her, and she begins unpacking her merchandise. But she’s off to a not-so-great start when she hears a thud outside and finds a dead body, blood pooling underneath, next to the dumpster in the alley behind her shop. As she watches Detective Caleb Grant methodically examining the crime scene and the body of handyman Ricky, she notices a smudge on the corner of the dumpster that could possibly be blood. The police don’t seem very appreciative as she points it out to them. Several days later, she is feeling frustrated, knowing there is more to the story of Ricky’s death. She needs to figure it out. She and her adorable chihuahua Teo are ready to tackle the mystery, despite warnings from Detective Caleb Grant to let him take care of the investigation without her “help”. She, of course, cannot let this go. So she and Teo start a dog-walking business to mingle around town and see if she can unearth some clues. Near the park, Daisy heads for a bush and digs up someone’s lunch. But Teo started to bark near another busy and revealed a scrap of paper with a list of names -- and the first name on it was the retired teacher George Albright, her first dog-walk customer. Some of the names were crossed out. Not sure what it means, but it’s still a possible clue. She hears gossip about Harry Cutter having argued with the victim. Having George Albright’s name on that list Teo found keeps bringing up questions in her mind. And when threatening notes start arriving, it seems she might be getting closer to the right answers. Will she find those answers she is looking for? Even when an arrest is made, it still doesn’t make sense to Penelope. And suddenly she remembers something and calls Caleb...
May 9, 2025
This is the beginning of a very promising series that endears you to the main character, in Penelope Sinclair and her side kick Teo, a Teacup Chihuahua. Needing to get away and start over after a divorce, she settles in Bath, Maine and opens a store. An easy transition to a new town and store owner is quickly go complicated when she opens the back door of her store and finds a dead body. She call the police and Detective Caleb Grant is the investigating detective who tells Penelope not to worry he has it covered. But curiosity got the better of her and she starts asking questions. This ruffles a lot of feathers since she really is new in town and she seems to be uncovering some unsavory things about the victim and a few of the towns people. When she is warned off dangerously, Detective Caleb takes it upon himself to save her from some bad situations more than once. Knowing she will not stop investigating and with the help of Teo and his clue finding expertise, Caleb decides to let her continue as long as she shares her findings with him. But he is there with her. The threats she received and near misses do not deter her, but only makes her stronger. Penelope and Detective Caleb seem to be developing a very interesting relationship and I'd like to see it grow. This is a great beginning and I can't wait for more. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
April 28, 2025
Shop 'til you Drop Dead takes on a whole new meaning for Penelope Sinclair and her little friend Teo, the Teacup Chihuahua, in Tessa Aura’s new mystery series, Penelope Sinclair Cozy Murder Mystery, when they discover a body in the alley behind her new shop.
Penelope and Teo have just moved to Bath, Maine, to open a small shop and start a new life. With Teo’s help, Penelope decides to investigate the death of the man she finds in the alley behind her store.
She begins her investigation by becoming a dog walker. Teo is so adorable that she hopes he will be a great conversation starter. She believes that with Teo’s assistance, people will open up and be willing to discuss the case.
As Penelope investigates, she encounters numerous clues and suspects. The mystery and suspense will keep you eager for more.
The deeper Penelope digs, the more perilous her situation becomes, as she receives many warnings to cease her snooping. She must solve the case quickly before she becomes the next victim on the murder menu.
I enjoyed reading Shop 'til you Drop Dead more than I anticipated and can’t wait for the next book in the Penelope Sinclair Cozy Murder Mystery series. Grab a copy of Shop 'til you Drop Dead today!
Penelope and Teo have just moved to Bath, Maine, to open a small shop and start a new life. With Teo’s help, Penelope decides to investigate the death of the man she finds in the alley behind her store.
She begins her investigation by becoming a dog walker. Teo is so adorable that she hopes he will be a great conversation starter. She believes that with Teo’s assistance, people will open up and be willing to discuss the case.
As Penelope investigates, she encounters numerous clues and suspects. The mystery and suspense will keep you eager for more.
The deeper Penelope digs, the more perilous her situation becomes, as she receives many warnings to cease her snooping. She must solve the case quickly before she becomes the next victim on the murder menu.
I enjoyed reading Shop 'til you Drop Dead more than I anticipated and can’t wait for the next book in the Penelope Sinclair Cozy Murder Mystery series. Grab a copy of Shop 'til you Drop Dead today!
May 9, 2025
"Congratulations, Penelope. You're now the main character in a small-town murder mystery."
Penelope, a divorced woman in her mid-40s, moves from Boston to the small town of Bath, Maine with her teacup chihuahua, Teo for a fresh start.
(Can I say that I love that the heroine is in her 40s? We often read that the h is in her 20s, meets a man in his 30s, and they ride off into the sunset, while leaving us ol' gals feeling like rejected, expired goods. But, I digress.)
She finds a body outside the shop she is setting up. So, of course, she and her furry "Watson" to her "Sherlock", take it upon themselves to be unofficial detectives (much to the actual detective, Caleb's annoyance).
This is a fun, short read and I really enjoyed it. Penelope is an amusing character and it almost seems like she lives to irritate Caleb because she just won't stay out of trouble (and I'm going to put this out there - while this ends with room for another book - I'm sure we'll get it - I really hope they get together because they have really great chemistry. There, I said it 😏)
Definitely recommend!
Penelope, a divorced woman in her mid-40s, moves from Boston to the small town of Bath, Maine with her teacup chihuahua, Teo for a fresh start.
(Can I say that I love that the heroine is in her 40s? We often read that the h is in her 20s, meets a man in his 30s, and they ride off into the sunset, while leaving us ol' gals feeling like rejected, expired goods. But, I digress.)
She finds a body outside the shop she is setting up. So, of course, she and her furry "Watson" to her "Sherlock", take it upon themselves to be unofficial detectives (much to the actual detective, Caleb's annoyance).
This is a fun, short read and I really enjoyed it. Penelope is an amusing character and it almost seems like she lives to irritate Caleb because she just won't stay out of trouble (and I'm going to put this out there - while this ends with room for another book - I'm sure we'll get it - I really hope they get together because they have really great chemistry. There, I said it 😏)
Definitely recommend!
May 10, 2025
SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP DEAD is a Penelope Sinclair Cozy Murder Mystery by Tessa Aura. While easy read, you will find it hard to spot the killer through all the twists and turns.
Small towns are quiet and safe, right?
Penelope Sinclair, a recent Divorcee', starting her new life in Bath, Maine quickly learns it's not necessarily true that small towns are quiet and safe. Before she can even get her new store stocked, she and her partner, Teo her Teacup Chihuahua, discover a body at her shop's back door. Curious, she comes up with inventive ways to meet her new neighbors and casually ask questions about the body. It's not long before she convinces the detective she can help him with the case. Unfortunately, with Penelope's penchant for going after clues alone and the detective not sharing his investigation with her, things can get a little dicey.
Small towns are quiet and safe, right?
Penelope Sinclair, a recent Divorcee', starting her new life in Bath, Maine quickly learns it's not necessarily true that small towns are quiet and safe. Before she can even get her new store stocked, she and her partner, Teo her Teacup Chihuahua, discover a body at her shop's back door. Curious, she comes up with inventive ways to meet her new neighbors and casually ask questions about the body. It's not long before she convinces the detective she can help him with the case. Unfortunately, with Penelope's penchant for going after clues alone and the detective not sharing his investigation with her, things can get a little dicey.
May 13, 2025
I want to start by saying I received an ARC of this book. This is a cozy mystery book and the first book in A Penelope Sinclair Cozy Murder Mystery Series. The main character is Penelope and her dog Teo. Penelope moves to a new town with her dog to open up a store. Not long after see gets there and starts cleaning up her store she comes across a body outside her store. Is the town not the sweet cozy town she expected when she moved there? Is there more to the town? With the help of her dog and the detective Caleb will they be able to find the killer? Who did it and why? I really enjoyed this book. I kept guessing throughout the book who was behind everything and I was wrong. There was some suspense in this book which I liked. I loved Caleb. I’m hoping for a future romance between him and Penelope. Overall, this book was amazing. I can’t wait to read the next one.
May 19, 2025
Shop 'til You Drop Dead by Tessa Aura
I just finished reading Shop 'til You Drop Dead today, and I can confidently say it's one of my favorite cozy mysteries ever.
From the very first chapter, I was completely drawn into the world of Penelope Sinclair. The author, Tessa Aura, has created such a delightful and immersive story—full of charm, clever twists, and lovable characters. The pacing was perfect, and the mystery kept me guessing without ever losing the cozy, comforting feel that makes this genre so special.
The ending was incredibly satisfying, and the character development was top-notch. Tessa Aura’s storytelling is beautifully crafted, making this book an absolute joy to read from beginning to end.
If you’re looking for a cozy mystery that’s warm, witty, and wonderfully written—this is it. A solid 5-star read!
I just finished reading Shop 'til You Drop Dead today, and I can confidently say it's one of my favorite cozy mysteries ever.
From the very first chapter, I was completely drawn into the world of Penelope Sinclair. The author, Tessa Aura, has created such a delightful and immersive story—full of charm, clever twists, and lovable characters. The pacing was perfect, and the mystery kept me guessing without ever losing the cozy, comforting feel that makes this genre so special.
The ending was incredibly satisfying, and the character development was top-notch. Tessa Aura’s storytelling is beautifully crafted, making this book an absolute joy to read from beginning to end.
If you’re looking for a cozy mystery that’s warm, witty, and wonderfully written—this is it. A solid 5-star read!
May 22, 2025
Shop 'til You Drop Dead is the start of a brand new Cozy Mystery series by Tessa Aura.
After a divorce, Penelope decides that she needs a new start and with her Chihuahua, Teo, she moves from Boston, Massachusetts to Bath, Maine to open her own boutique. But she doesn't even have her storefront fully set up yet when she hears a suspicious noise and discovers the body of a man at her new shop's back door!
This was a decent start to the series and I loved the main characters as well as the setting. Unfortunately, I found the mystery itself to feel a bit forced. That being said, I really did enjoy Penelope and Detective Caleb and of course, little Teo added a lot of fun to the story! I definitely intend to read the next book in the series when it's available.
*I received an ARC from the author and BookSprout. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
After a divorce, Penelope decides that she needs a new start and with her Chihuahua, Teo, she moves from Boston, Massachusetts to Bath, Maine to open her own boutique. But she doesn't even have her storefront fully set up yet when she hears a suspicious noise and discovers the body of a man at her new shop's back door!
This was a decent start to the series and I loved the main characters as well as the setting. Unfortunately, I found the mystery itself to feel a bit forced. That being said, I really did enjoy Penelope and Detective Caleb and of course, little Teo added a lot of fun to the story! I definitely intend to read the next book in the series when it's available.
*I received an ARC from the author and BookSprout. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
May 14, 2025
After getting through a divorce Penelope decides to start fresh in the little town of Bath, Maine where she opens a little novelty shop. The day after she arrives Penelope hears noises from the alley and goes to investigate, she finds a motionless body of a man and immediately starts screaming for help. So much for a quiet peaceful town not even 24 hours in town and already involved in a murder mystery. This little town harbours some big secrets will Penelope and her faithful pooch Teo be able to stay a step ahead and solve this murder, or will she become a victim? This is a great cozy mystery and one you won’t want to miss!
Cherie
Cherie
May 15, 2025
Shop 'til you Drop Dead: A Penelope Sinclair Cozy Murder Mystery, my seventh enjoyable 107-page read from author Tessa Aura. There are so many cozy mysteries out there, but they're popular and I enjoy them & read my share of them. “I received a complementary Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I'll read more from this author. I own 8 other books by her and high on my TBR list are Felony at the Fall Festival: A Molly Montgomery Cozy Mystery and Murder at the Marriage Nuptials: A Molly Montgomery Cozy Mystery. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018.
October 22, 2025
This is the first book in the Penelope Sinclair cozy murder mystery. Penelope Sinclaire and her dog Teo have moved from Boston to Bath Maine after her divorce to start over in a quiet location. But the next day she is at her new shop The Curious Finds when she heard a noise out back of her shop and goes to look and find a dead body by her dumpster. The Victim name is Ricky Hamlin, and he was the town handyman. There are lots of suspects for Penelope to try and figure out who the murderer is. With the help from the detective, she was able to figure out who it is. If you enjoy a good mystery this series will be of interest to you. Good luck.
May 20, 2025
Penelope moves to the quaint town of Bath, Maine, with her teacup Chihuahua, TEO, hoping for a fresh start. But her plans take a sharp turn when she discovers a man murdered in the alley behind her brand-new shop. As a newcomer, she faces challenges gaining the trust of the locals—especially when asking questions about a crime—but Penelope is determined, even if it means putting herself in danger. This cozy mystery is a quick and easy read, yet surprisingly packed with more depth than you’d expect from such a short story. It seems to be a promising start to a new cozy mystery series.
September 22, 2025
Another fun book in the Penelope Sinclar Mystery Series. I love this series. It keeps you entertained. Set in a small town with many secrets. You find yourself walking right along with Penelope trying to figure out "who did it" and it keeps your guessing. And what's not to love about having a super smart four-legged friend to help solve the mystery? Teo is one of a kind and as an animal lover, it is a great addition to the series. I am looking forward to continuing to read the adventures that Penelope and Teo go on to solve these mysteries. Grab your copy today!
April 27, 2025
If you like a quick read then this is for you. Penelope has moved to a small town with her little dog Teo to start a new life and then bam there's a dead body outside her back door. She feels like she has to get embroiled and that's where the mischief begins. There's some good characters but I would've liked a bit more background info on Penelope as I couldn't quite get to grips with her. I hope to hear more though.
May 4, 2025
Penelope Sinclair has moved to Bath, ME with her chihuahua, Teo, after her divorce. She hopes to make a fresh start, but when she finds a body by the dumpster behind her shop, her fresh start turns into a mystery she must solve. She begins her own investigation finds there is a secret group, working behind the scenes and making deals. Detective Grant tries to warn her off, but she must know the truth.
This book has a continuing investigation that is not solved.
This book has a continuing investigation that is not solved.
May 8, 2025
Penelope and Teo move to a small town in Maine to open a shop after her divorce. She needs a new start and this is what she decided to do. She's just unpacking her store when she finds a dead body in her back alley. She and Teo start investigating. She runs into more drama than she can handle on her own. Detective Caleb is there to help. I see more pairings for these two in the future. Great story.
I received an arc and this is my review.
I received an arc and this is my review.
June 20, 2025
Where do we find Penelope at the start of this story? Who and what is Teo? Moving to a new town and setting up a new business are significant aspects of this story. Harold is the one shop owner I am not sure about. All the others seemed nice enough. When Caleb visits the shop to warn off Penelope, I found myself chuckling. Chapter 5 was enlightening. This was an exciting start to a series for a new author to me. I will be reading more! Hmm
April 22, 2025
New Cozy mystery series set in Bath, Maine. Penelope has moved from Boston to Bath to open a shop called Curious Finds. Penelope and her tea cup Chihuahua Teo are looking forward to small town life but finding a dead man in the alley behind her shops is unexpected. Penelope decides she can't leave it to the professionals and starts investigating. Not sure that's a good idea.
May 2, 2025
Moving to Bath Penelope Sinclair and her chinhuahua Teo never expecting to be dealt with murder and then all the mayhem thereafter . There was more going on in Bath than meets the eye. An Intriguing read with humor and a nail-biting finish. I received this ARC copy and recommend this book to other readers .
May 19, 2025
Small town life, gossip, secrets, and murder. Welcome to Bath! A body is found outside in the back alley. People talk. Clues are found or overheard. Hints of a connection with the detective Caleb. Definitely feels like the beginning of a series. I received an Advance reader copy. Short cozy mystery that keeps your interest.
May 5, 2025
I really enjoyed this story. It drew me in right away and kept me turning the pages. The suspense kept getting tenser and tenser. I couldn't wait to see how things turned out. I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2025
This was such a good book. Many twists and turns that kept you on your toes and guessing. I read this book in a day and a half. I could not put it down. Penelope pushed and pushed till she got her answers, no matter what those answers were. Definitely worth the read!
November 6, 2025
Penelope and Teo begin to settle down in Bath, Maine setting up a new curiosity shop when they find a dead guy in the alley behind the shop. Can they figure out the what is going on in this quaint little town? A great beginning for Tessa Aura.
May 2, 2025
New life, new town, a dead body. This was an entertaining, quick read that was fun to read.
May 16, 2025
Love Penelope and Teo. Can't wait for the next book. Love cozy mysteries with a touch of romance
July 3, 2025
Teo must be protected at all costs.
May 31, 2025
Penelope moves to Bath, Maine. She’s a divorcee who just wants a new start. But one day she gets a jolt as a murder is committed next to her dumpster. Well the mystery ensues and this sleuth knows just what to do…. Brilliantly devised mystery that’s lots of fun for everyone. Brilliance! Utterly amazing and well written. I was smiling throughout and absorbed into the compelling storytelling. Fantastic storyline . In fact it’s divine and I’m so looking forward to book two too.
July 12, 2025
Shop 'til you Drop Dead is book #1 in the A Penelope Sinclair Cozy Murder Mystery series by Tessa Aura.
Penelope and her teacup Chihuahua move to Bath, Maine where she’s going to open a new shop. There’s a murder behind the shop and she decides to investigate. Penelope and Caleb are both likable characters. This was an OK read to me. Personally, I prefer characters to have a little vested interest if they’re going to risk their lives investigating rather than doing it just because they’re told not to. But that is just me. Teo is a star! 3.5 stars out of 5 rounded up to 4 since this is the first book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Penelope and her teacup Chihuahua move to Bath, Maine where she’s going to open a new shop. There’s a murder behind the shop and she decides to investigate. Penelope and Caleb are both likable characters. This was an OK read to me. Personally, I prefer characters to have a little vested interest if they’re going to risk their lives investigating rather than doing it just because they’re told not to. But that is just me. Teo is a star! 3.5 stars out of 5 rounded up to 4 since this is the first book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews