Deacon of the Dead: A Second Chance Inn Cozy Mystery - Book One

Second Chance Inn #1

by M.J. O’Neill

Come Sit a Spell in Clinton, Georgia. Home to Southern Sass, Romance, Murder, and (Fake) Zombie Fun - a charming cozy mystery book series from award-winning author MJ O'Neill

"This cozy whodunnit gave me all the fall feels and is packed with Southern charm, sweet romance and, of course, those hilarious zombies! Couldn't put it down." - Top Amazon Reviewer

Who Knew Fake Zombies Could Stir Up Such Real Trouble?
When Harmony Holt’s daddy lands in the hospital putting their family inn on the brink of foreclosure, she’s dragged back to her quirky hometown, Clinton, Georgia, with an unconventional rescue zombies. Well, zombie tours to be precise. As autumn unveils its colors, she concocts a daring plan to intertwine the town's newfound fame as film site for the hit TV show Walker, Zombie Ranger with it's upcoming fall festival, all to save her family’s legacy—and ideally, while dodging any awkward encounters with her ex, Seth.

But when Deacon Miller, a vocal opponent of her undead tourism idea, is found murdered in the middle of her zombie-fueled grand opening, shot with her inn’s gun, no less, she’s in a heap of trouble on both fronts. Now, with her tour permit hanging by a thread, land snatchers are clamoring for a piece of her property, and the local businesses that banked on her venture are in the lurch. To top it off, she’s prime suspect in the Deacon’s murder. Her sole beacon of hope? Sheriff Seth Johnson, her ex.

Is it a Second Chance at Love or a Second Chance for Murder?
Dive into this fall treat by award-winning author MJ O'Neill, a unique blend of cozy mystery and romance, sprinkled with Southern sass and autumn charm. Can Harmony save her family legacy and find where her heart truly belongs, or are some secrets better kept whispered in regrets? - Click buy now to find out!

Audible Audio

First published October 11, 2023

About the author

MJ O’Neill is an award-winning author, entrepreneur, and literacy advocate.
Her love of mysteries started as a dyslexic child who relied on Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden to get through the dreaded book report. Now, she is a fierce advocate for literacy
.
Her professional writing adventure began when she owned a chocolate factory where writing mysteries was a safer bet than “murdering customers”. Currently, you might spot MJ rambling around the Pacific Northwest in her jeep, with her teenager and fierce Yorkie, on the hunt for bigfoot and her next captivating tale.

Reviews

[Laura Ruetz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book pulled me in very quickly, not only with the mystery of who killed the Deacon, but all the characters and story itself. The story takes many turns, keeping me guessing, but without being overly convoluted. I enjoyed the writing style, it really brings the characters to life in this zombie themed mystery. This was a fun read and I look forward to reading more by this author.

[Meghan Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will have you captivated from the start. I couldn't put it down! Can they solve the murder of the Deacon before the inn gets shut down? Is it a 2nd chance at love? Read on to find out! Perfect to curl up with a blanket on a cold day!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good book! I laughed, I gasped,… just the best. Wade is definitely one of my favorites. He's such a character. I love that they are all spitfires in their own way. And I totally missed it with who did it. I couldn't believe it! I was totally thinking it was someone else. This was just so so good!

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

some of us need more than a second chance to get things right - especially when love you no matter what finds you standing alone at whatever

is it worth it for a certain inn keeper to take a chance on a former beau again?

best friends are hard to find, and ones who are heartbreakers make it difficult to maintain other close friendships when they move on to their next flings

broken hearts and broken body parts, zombie fans, and run down places collide as efforts to save home and hearth clash with greedy power mongers and crazed zombie fans

festive and messy romance, crimes and dramas

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deacon of the Dead is book 1 in The Second Chance Inn by M J O'Neal. I thought that the book was different. Deacon Miller did not like the zombie tours and wanted them stopped. So, if course he was murdered and it was made to look like a zombie horde attack. Poetic justice? May be!

This is a cozy mystery that is unique with great characters and a good mystery. If you like different mysteries, Deacon of the Dead is for you. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Sapphyria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deacon of the Dead is the first book in the Second Chance Inn series by MJ O'Neill. Set in the south, Harmony Holt comes back to Clinton, Georgia to help her injured father keep their home from foreclosure. Her plan involves revitalization of the Second Chance Inn and a few zombies. Stemming from Clinton's location for the shooting of TV show Walker, Zombie Ranger, Harmony unveils a new venture - zombies. One of the local religious sects, however, is disgruntled by Harmony's undead tourism plan. When the most vocal of the group, Deacon Miller, is found dead, Harmony becomes suspect number one.

I love Deacon of the Dead. Harmony, Seth, Wade, and the rest of crew are great characters. The setting is fun, and I love the zombie tourism idea. Harmony has a lot to lose in Deacon of the Dead and makes it her mission to clear herself as a suspect. Harmony is a new favorite amateur sleuth. I enjoyed her character, sassiness, and determination. The book is filled with twists and turns, and I enjoyed traveling the path with Harmony, as she unraveled the murder of Deacon.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 in new series. Harmony Holt has returned to the family inn in Clinton GA to try to save it from bankruptcy. The inn grounds were a filming site for a hit zombie TV show, so she is arranging zombie tours to bring in more guests & revenue. Deacon Miller is adamantly opposed & stages a protest with his flock. Shortly after Harmony threatens the Deacon's life, he turns up dead & apparently eaten by zombies on inn grounds. Did Harmony or her staff kill the Deacon? Can Harmony get a permit to run her zombie tours? Can she get back together with former boyfriend & current sheriff Seth? The motives are twisted & numerous & the suspects many. I really enjoyed the interactions among the characters. Author has great descriptions of places & people. Already purchased book 2.

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

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harmony returns to Clinton, Georgia to save her daddy's inn from foreclosure. Her idea was to have zombie tours. But when the her biggest opponent turns up dead on the property, she finds herself smack in the middle of trouble. Her ex-boyfriend is now the local sheriff. Will he help clear her name, or will he put her behind bars?

The characters in this book are quite interesting to say the least. There were quite a few twists and turns in the storyline that it kept me guessing as to who dunnit and how the story would end. On the otherhand, I worry that there were one or two too many twists to fully hold my attention.

While i did enjoy the book, I was ready for it to be done when I finished reading it.

[Deborah Ortega · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small town in Clinton, Georgia was the location of a Zombie show on TV so in order to save her Farm Harmony Holt has Zombie tours. Her father fell off a ladder and is recovering in a rehab center and it is up to her to save the land. The Deacon of the town has his followers protesting in front of her Inn, Zombies are present and guests are coming for the tour. The Deacon is found dead torn to pieces and it looks like a Zombie attack. This was a fun story and quite unexpected. I recommend this book and anyone who loves the Zombie shows will have lots of fun.

[Vic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good start to a new series. This is an light, fun and very southern mystery with some romance thrown in. Loved the story and all of the characters but there are a lot of them. This little town is more like a really big family. There is a lot to take in but it does keep your interest. I also loved all the southern-ism and the pro zombie bits. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sandy T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. I found it original with well developed and descriptive characters. The main character, Harmony, was very likeable although stubborn, determined to save her family's land in a most unusual way. Several viable suspects made the murder mystery fun to figure out.
I received a free copy of this book via BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new to me author that didn't disappoint! A cozy mystery that captivates you with its story line, characters, mystery and suspense. A fun, entertaining and enjoyable read.

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

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one of an exciting new series. Cozy murder with, quirky characters, small town setting, and Zombie. Harmony comes home to Clinton Georgia forum her Father's inn after he is injured and steps right into a murder mystery. Good story.

[Shannon Binegar-Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun new series. Who doesn’t love a good murder mystery?? Even better one that involves Zombies, and more than one family secret. I can’t wait to see what fun adventures book 2 brings.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by the publisher.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who killed Deacon Miller and why??? He was a two timer??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.

[Star · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy mystery perfect for spooky season. Characters are well written & enjoyable. Lots of twists to keep you hooked.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great first novel

It was a bit chaotic to start, as I kept reading this was required for the backstory. I really enjoyed it, even though I’m not a zombie fan☺️