Death Comes to Dudley

by Wendy Harrington

When artist and recent widow Molly Daley relocates to the quiet seaside village of Dudley, she hopes for a peaceful fresh start, with days filled by friends, painting, and the comforting rhythms of small-town life. But when a young mother goes missing — and local gossip quickly turns to tragedy — Molly’s artistic intuition begins to pick up on unsettling details and connections others overlook.

As the community reels from a series of dreadful incidents, Molly finds herself drawn deeper into the tangled lives and hidden sorrows of her new neighbors. With a painter’s eye for nuance and a heart still mending from grief, she's driven to piece together the subtle connections before another tragedy unfolds.

Death Comes to Dudley is a richly atmospheric cozy mystery, blending seaside charm, emotional depth, and the quiet resilience of a woman discovering her inexplicable gift. Perfect for readers who enjoy small-town secrets, heartfelt characters, and mysteries layered with heart and humanity.

381 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2025

About the author

I've always loved writing, art, baking, and warm, spirited cozy mysteries. A few years back, I was nudged by unseen forces to create a character who was similarly set to tingling by inklings of unknown origin.

This character became Molly Daley, an amateur sleuth and fine artist who lives and plays in fictional settings along the North Carolina coast. She's stubborn, slightly eccentric, and just a little unnerved by the otherworldly vibes she seems to be attracting.

I grew up in the Northeast U.S. with a bold and loving big sister, and endlessly creative British parents. Our blend of cultures and personalities flavors everything from my storytelling to my humor to my scone preferences!

When I'm not plotting twists for my fiercely loyal sleuth I can be found encouraging coaching clients to live their best life, enjoying life's pleasures with family and friends, and drinking richly of nature.

Reviews

[Ann Godwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
If you respect Miss Marple's intellect and Nancy Drew's sass, you will enjoy getting to know Molly Daley. She's a sharp, witty sleuth with a lovable canine sidekick who had me hooked from page one. I started reading it on a Sunday afternoon, thinking I'd read just enough of it to determine whether or not it was worthy of joining my "to be read someday" stack. Three hours later I was still reading and asking my beloved if he would bring me a cup of tea so I wouldn't have to step away from the story and make it myself.

Set against the charming backdrop of a fictional (or is it?) coastal North Carolina town, the story blends Southern charm, suspense, and heart with effortless grace. The murder mystery is cleverly plotted, with just the right amount of red herrings and small-town secrets. And the dog? Total scene-stealer. If you love clever women, coastal vibes, and mysteries that wrap up with satisfying flair, this one’s a must-read.

[Wendy Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a bit partial, but there you are!