Mud, Murder, and Mayhem: A Rebecca Hartwell Cozy Mystery

by Dee Dee Edwards

Having slept next to a woman found dead the next morning, Rebecca Hartwell will stop at nothing to solve the case.

Having anticipated a weekend of icebreakers and coffee at her teacher’s retreat, she finds herself needing to solve the mystery before she becomes the next victim.

Diverted by a mudslide to the local inn with her dog, Gatsby, her sleuthing instincts kick in as she identifies several suspects in the murder. Frank had slept on the other side of the dead woman. Now he refuses to make eye contact while professing his innocence. However, John had conveniently inserted himself into her and Margaret’s conversation. And what about Oscar?

Her suspicions are trivialized by the police, and she is ready to give up when she finds a note crammed in her dog’s collar. “Mind your own business! Or else!!” it reads.

Terrified, Rebecca realizes that her life is in danger too. Will she be able to unmask the murderer before it’s too late?

51 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 5, 2025

Reviews

[Cornel Diaconu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good enough, bit not really great.
For instance, the author of the menacing note was not clearly revealed (though easy to suppose who was); also the reason for this note was not clear, really.
Gtasby, the dog, has clearly good potential for next installments in this series.

[Timothy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even if you don't count a paragraph early in the book that contained two sentences that were exactly the same except for two words, this story almost made me crazy. Between the proofreading issues, the unrealistic dialogue, and the gaping holes in the plot or even the narrative platitudes, if this had been a full-length book, I would have stopped before the end. And that's not even mentioning my frustration at the main character keeping her dog in a travel kennel, with only a couple brief breaks, for over 48 hours. That's animal cruelty in my mind.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written cozy mystery that keeps you turning pages until the very end. Teacher Rebecca Hartwell is looking forwar to her teacher's retreat weekend. One of the teacher's is dead and Rebecca had slept in the room with her. So of course, Rebecca and her smart dog, Gatsby are on the case, especially the police discarded her theories. Being stuck in the inn because of a mudslide, it is up to Rebecca and Gatsby to figure out who the murderer is, even though it is difficult. But what pushes her forward is a note attached to Gatsby's collar threatening her to back off. So she amasses what she things are likely suspects like, Frank , who had slept on the other side of the victim. Can Rebecca and Gatsby uncover a murderer or will she be the next victim for her snooping? This is a very entertaining, fast paced book that keeps you guessing until the very end. I highly recommend this book and can't wait to see what is in store for Rebecca and Gatsby next. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Melissa Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story and will read more from this author.

[Shirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dogs are good at feeling people out. Always trust your canine. Rebecca did well in solving this mystery.