Too Many Crooks Spoil the Plot: A Ditie Brown Mystery

by Sarah Osborne

Pediatrician Mabel Aphrodite Brown adores kids. So when a childhoon friend asks Ditie to babysit her kids for a few days, she jumps at the chance. She never imagined she'd be solving a murder too . . .

Despite growing up together, Ditie hasn't seen Ellie Winston in two years, and she didn't even know Ellie was living in Atlanta. But when Ellie asks her to take car of Lucie and Jason for the weekend, she thinks nothing of it. They'll bake cookies together, play with her dog--it'll be fun. Until the police call with terrible news . . .

Ellie may not have been the best friend, but who would want her dead? Could it have something to do with the vague get-rich-quick scheme she mentioned to Ditie? Or the men in a black truck following her and breaking into her home? Not sure who to trust other than her best friend, Lurleen, Ditie's buried maternal instincts kick in to protect the kids and find their mother's killer--before they are orphaned again . . .

Includes Family-Friendly Recipes!

313 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 22, 2025

About the author

I live in Devon. I'd like to say that I write by the sea, but this is Britain and its usually much too chilly. Plus, I prefer to be nearer to my kettle and the tea bags. I don't have any pets, only a son to keep fed and watered. I spend too much time in my imaginary worlds to keep a goldfish alive.
When I'm not writing, I enjoy long walks along the beach or across the moors, and I have been known to ride on the back of a motorcycle on occasion.
I'm pretty new to this whole writing thing, and still feel a little too embarrassed to call myself a writer. Luckily my muse doesn't care what I call myself and insists I write every day.
I don't write romance, but I do write love stories. I don't obey the rules, because I don't know what they are, and I don't guarantee a happy ending – just an ending.

http://tfcpress.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/SarahXOsborne

Reviews

[Robin Pieri]

One of the best whodunits I've ever read!

The tone of the writing drew me in immediately. Somehow, Osborne had me falling in love with Ditie, her home, her cooking, her relationships, and intrigued me with the mystery almost from page 1. Really great plot twists; kept me guessing till the end. I'm very much looking forward to reading more!

[J Gibel]

Great read

I began reading this book to pass the time. I ended by staying up to finish it before bed. With its mix of orphaned children, relationships and murders it weaves them all together brilliantly.

[Lois]

Great detective search

I enjoyed this story line and the various characters. The end wrapped up nicely though it was a let down in some areas. Very glad Ditie so loved and kept the kids.

[B. Fergen]

Delightful characters

The story was full of a myriad of wonderful characters, good and bad. The plot twists gripped your attention from start to end.