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A Killer Donation
Aury St. Clair never expected a simple donation pickup to turn into a bloody discovery.
As Aury works to get her crafters' cottage ready before the holiday rush, she stops by her friend's local charity to gather some discarded items to upcycle. But instead of finding treasures, she stumbles upon a dead body—not exactly the finishing touch she was hoping for.
Aury's no stranger to mysteries, much to her fiancé's dismay. And in the small town of Surry, Virginia, tensions are high as everyone becomes a potential suspect—from an uncooperative ex-husband to would-be benefactors, a shady developer, and even some of Aury's own friends with secrets to hide. As she delves deeper into the case, her trust in those around her is put to the test, and the line between friend and foe becomes blurred.
As an unknown past creates an uncertain future, Aury must brush up on her detective skills to solve the murder before the situation paints her into a corner.
As Aury works to get her crafters' cottage ready before the holiday rush, she stops by her friend's local charity to gather some discarded items to upcycle. But instead of finding treasures, she stumbles upon a dead body—not exactly the finishing touch she was hoping for.
Aury's no stranger to mysteries, much to her fiancé's dismay. And in the small town of Surry, Virginia, tensions are high as everyone becomes a potential suspect—from an uncooperative ex-husband to would-be benefactors, a shady developer, and even some of Aury's own friends with secrets to hide. As she delves deeper into the case, her trust in those around her is put to the test, and the line between friend and foe becomes blurred.
As an unknown past creates an uncertain future, Aury must brush up on her detective skills to solve the murder before the situation paints her into a corner.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 24, 2025
1 person want to read
About the author
Dawn Brotherton
27 books31 followersDawn Brotherton is an award-winning author and featured speaker at writing and publishing seminars. When it comes to exceptional writing, she draws on her experience as a colonel retired from the US Air Force as well as a softball coach. Her variety of interests has led to a variety of genres including mystery, romance, middle grade and nonfiction. Her next book will involve quilting, one of her most recent hobbies.
Dawn and her husband have wisely invested in their daughters’ college educations, hoping the girls will pick out a nice retirement home for them someday.
Keep in touch with Dawn via the web:
Website: https://www.dawnbrothertonauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DawnBrothert...
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dawnbrother...
Dawn and her husband have wisely invested in their daughters’ college educations, hoping the girls will pick out a nice retirement home for them someday.
Keep in touch with Dawn via the web:
Website: https://www.dawnbrothertonauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DawnBrothert...
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dawnbrother...
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 3, 2025
🖼️🖼️🖼️🖼️🖼️
I met Dawn Brotherton at a farmers market and she was SO kind and has so many things to share!
A Killer Donation is the third book in a cozy mystery series; no sex, no murder, no abuse-this would typically be a HUGE turn off for me but I promised to give her a chance. Albeit not having those things, it was really good and captured my attention.
It was also a quick read and had short chapters which helped. It dove into slave history and the invention of peanuts/ other machines in local history. Book two was my favorite of the first three. I really enjoyed the story line of this one but the ending was a little bit disappointing. I respect and did enjoy the ending. It was more realistic than maybe what I expected. It didn’t ruin my enjoyment of the book. It just simply wasn’t what I expected. It’s been a nice break from the heavier reading I enjoy.
I have the next market on my calendar for the other DB series and I can’t wait until number 4 comes out.
Aury and Scott are helping Michelle on Fresh Start. A place for women to go who need just that. Aury finds a dead body and she sets out to figure out what is going on. A ferry fight, stolen property, a pawned necklace turn into history unraveled from so many years ago. A peanut machine invention seems to have so much pull on people’s greed today. Are all of these events linked? What were people willing to do during the times of slavery and how does it impact their lineage today?
I met Dawn Brotherton at a farmers market and she was SO kind and has so many things to share!
A Killer Donation is the third book in a cozy mystery series; no sex, no murder, no abuse-this would typically be a HUGE turn off for me but I promised to give her a chance. Albeit not having those things, it was really good and captured my attention.
It was also a quick read and had short chapters which helped. It dove into slave history and the invention of peanuts/ other machines in local history. Book two was my favorite of the first three. I really enjoyed the story line of this one but the ending was a little bit disappointing. I respect and did enjoy the ending. It was more realistic than maybe what I expected. It didn’t ruin my enjoyment of the book. It just simply wasn’t what I expected. It’s been a nice break from the heavier reading I enjoy.
I have the next market on my calendar for the other DB series and I can’t wait until number 4 comes out.
Aury and Scott are helping Michelle on Fresh Start. A place for women to go who need just that. Aury finds a dead body and she sets out to figure out what is going on. A ferry fight, stolen property, a pawned necklace turn into history unraveled from so many years ago. A peanut machine invention seems to have so much pull on people’s greed today. Are all of these events linked? What were people willing to do during the times of slavery and how does it impact their lineage today?
July 31, 2025
I just finished the third and last book so far in this series. Yes! We need a few more!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews