The Type-A Guide to Natural Disasters

A Sunset Ridge Mystery #3

by Elizabeth Spann Craig

A storm is brewing...and murder strikes like lightning

Samantha Prescott believes Type-A organization can weather any storm—until a hurricane threatens her mountain community of Sunset Ridge. As the newly-elected HOA president coordinates emergency response efforts, she thinks her biggest challenge will be managing her neighbors' chaos and keeping her rescue dog Arlo calm during the tempest. But when pushy real estate developer Harrison Blackwood is found dead at the historic Ridgeview House hotel, Sam realizes the storm isn't the only killer in town.

With roads impassable and communication systems down, Sam knows outside help won't arrive until the hurricane passes. Using her meticulous nature and knack for observation, she begins investigating the developer's death. Between power outages and rising flood waters, she discovers Blackwood had threatened half the town with his aggressive development plans. But someone decided to stop him permanently.

As the storm reaches its peak, Sam uncovers evidence that points to another target. With time running out and the killer closing in, she'll need more than her perfectly organized emergency kit to survive this disaster. Can Sam's preparation and planning help her catch a killer, or will she be the next victim of this perfect storm?

204 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 8, 2025

About the author

Author also writes under Elizabeth Craig

Elizabeth is the bestselling cozy mystery author of the Southern Quilting mysteries, the Myrtle Clover Cozy Mysteries, the Village Library Mysteries, and Memphis Barbeque mysteries for Penguin Random House, Midnight Ink, and independently. Find out more about her books and sign up for her newsletter on her website: http://elizabethspanncraig.com . Find her books on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list...

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samantha has organized the perfect emergency plan, and a rare mountain hurricane puts it to the test. Soon a body is founds amongst the storms debris. Now, I n addition to keeping the community on track with no power or internet, Sam must help solve a murder. Multiple plot twists, nicely developed characters and skilled writing make this one hard to put down. I liked the way the town’s people came together to help each other through recovery from the storm. Highly recommended! I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Spann Craig delivers a tightly crafted, suspenseful mystery in The Type-A Guide to Natural Disasters. With a compelling heroine, a hurricane as the backdrop, and a murder that shakes a small mountain town, this novel blends tension, charm, and clever plotting. Samantha Prescott’s organized mind and resilience shine through, making her both relatable and admirable. A refreshing take on cozy mystery with a stormy twist, this is a page-turner that readers will appreciate.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This newish series is starting to get in its groove. It’s a cosy mystery that makes for comfortable reading, and reassures us of the strength of local communities.

[Cassie Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunset Ridge is hit by a hurricane, but luckily, Sam Prescott is Type-A prepared! The storm rips through the town and causes quite a lot of damage, and now everybody is trying to work together to get through it. But things take a tragic turn when a body is found. At first it seems to be related to the storm, but something isn't adding up. Sam determines that she will do what she can to solve the murder, all the while keeping her neighbors safe and cleaning up after the storm. When another body shows up, though, it's clear that whoever is behind this will do whatever it takes to stay hidden. Sam may be next if she can't piece together the clues in time.

This is only the third book in the series, but the author is hitting her stride for these characters. We get to see more of the people of Sunset Ridge, along with our favorites from the first two. The mystery in this one was so intriguing. The storm and its damage are very well portrayed, then again, the author lived through a hurricane, so there was plenty of material to go through. This is a great addition to the series, and I would say you don't need to read the first two books to understand what is going on, but I would recommend it. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, you'll enjoy this book. Definitely a great read.