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Laurel McKay Mysteries #1-3
Laurel McKay Mysteries Boxed Set
This boxed set includes the first three books in the national bestselling Laurel McKay Mysteries by award-winning author Cindy Sample.
"Sample’s sleuth is an endearing character readers will adore.” RT Book Reviews
DYING FOR A DATE (Book 1) # 1 Amazon Bestseller in Humor and Cozy mysteries
Unsure if she is looking for Mr. Right, or Mr. Every Other Saturday Night, divorced mother of two, Laurel McKay reluctantly joins THE LOVE CLUB, a popular local dating service. Dressed to kill, she meets bachelor number one at a trendy restaurant. But the date is a bust, literally, when the guy decides Laurel is dessert, and she breaks his nose with her cell phone. It gets even worse when the man is found murdered the next morning, and Laurel has his blood on her clothes.
Despite her now being a person of interest to the police, Laurel bravely ventures out on date number two. When that unlucky bachelor disappears during dinner, Laurel’s only alibi is a bottle of Dom Perignon. The sexy investigating detective thinks she’s innocent and is worried she may be the next target. That’s more than enough motivation for Laurel to find a murderer determined to kill her social life––before dating becomes a dead end she can’t escape.
DYING FOR A DANCE (Book 2) Northern California Publisher & Authors Fiction Winner and 2012 LEFTY Finalist Best Humorous Mystery
Discovering she has two left feet isn’t the biggest problem for Laurel McKay when she agrees to learn a foxtrot routine for her best friend’s Lake Tahoe wedding. Stumbling over the lifeless body of a sexy Russian dance star with her broken shoe heel stuffed in his mouth… is far worse. Almost as bad as running into the hunky detective she dated briefly before he disappeared from her life.
When another death occurs on the ballroom floor, Laurel finds herself waltzing her way into the dark secrets of the Golden Hills Dance Studio. Navigating kids, career, wedding planning and murder requires some fancy footwork. Can Laurel tango with a killer and stay alive?
DYING FOR A DAIQUIRI (Book 3) 2014 SILVER FALCHION Finalist Best Traditional Mystery and 2014 LEFTY Finalist Best Humorous Mystery
When Laurel McKay attends a Hawaiian wedding, her vacation soon becomes more deadly than the calorie count in her daiquiri. Her post-wedding holiday upends after a beautiful hula dancer is found dead on the rocks below the oceanfront restaurant owned by Laurel's brother and sister-in-law.
When a family member is arrested for the murder, Laurel is plunged into a mystery where exotic Big Island locations--a coffee plantation, black sand beaches and a volcano--reveal their deadly side. And where is her hunky on-again/off-again boyfriend detective when she needs him?
Laurel zip-lines and four-wheels her way through the island paradise unearthing long hidden secrets. Will ingenuity and pluck be enough? Or will this hula be her last?
"Sample’s sleuth is an endearing character readers will adore.” RT Book Reviews
DYING FOR A DATE (Book 1) # 1 Amazon Bestseller in Humor and Cozy mysteries
Unsure if she is looking for Mr. Right, or Mr. Every Other Saturday Night, divorced mother of two, Laurel McKay reluctantly joins THE LOVE CLUB, a popular local dating service. Dressed to kill, she meets bachelor number one at a trendy restaurant. But the date is a bust, literally, when the guy decides Laurel is dessert, and she breaks his nose with her cell phone. It gets even worse when the man is found murdered the next morning, and Laurel has his blood on her clothes.
Despite her now being a person of interest to the police, Laurel bravely ventures out on date number two. When that unlucky bachelor disappears during dinner, Laurel’s only alibi is a bottle of Dom Perignon. The sexy investigating detective thinks she’s innocent and is worried she may be the next target. That’s more than enough motivation for Laurel to find a murderer determined to kill her social life––before dating becomes a dead end she can’t escape.
DYING FOR A DANCE (Book 2) Northern California Publisher & Authors Fiction Winner and 2012 LEFTY Finalist Best Humorous Mystery
Discovering she has two left feet isn’t the biggest problem for Laurel McKay when she agrees to learn a foxtrot routine for her best friend’s Lake Tahoe wedding. Stumbling over the lifeless body of a sexy Russian dance star with her broken shoe heel stuffed in his mouth… is far worse. Almost as bad as running into the hunky detective she dated briefly before he disappeared from her life.
When another death occurs on the ballroom floor, Laurel finds herself waltzing her way into the dark secrets of the Golden Hills Dance Studio. Navigating kids, career, wedding planning and murder requires some fancy footwork. Can Laurel tango with a killer and stay alive?
DYING FOR A DAIQUIRI (Book 3) 2014 SILVER FALCHION Finalist Best Traditional Mystery and 2014 LEFTY Finalist Best Humorous Mystery
When Laurel McKay attends a Hawaiian wedding, her vacation soon becomes more deadly than the calorie count in her daiquiri. Her post-wedding holiday upends after a beautiful hula dancer is found dead on the rocks below the oceanfront restaurant owned by Laurel's brother and sister-in-law.
When a family member is arrested for the murder, Laurel is plunged into a mystery where exotic Big Island locations--a coffee plantation, black sand beaches and a volcano--reveal their deadly side. And where is her hunky on-again/off-again boyfriend detective when she needs him?
Laurel zip-lines and four-wheels her way through the island paradise unearthing long hidden secrets. Will ingenuity and pluck be enough? Or will this hula be her last?
825 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2014
386 people are currently reading
324 people want to read
About the author
Cindy Sample
28 books207 followersCindy Sample is a former corporate CEO who decided plotting murder was more fun than plodding through paperwork. After one too many mergers,she retired to write her national bestselling and award-winning Laurel McKay Humorous mystery series set in the California Gold Country. Spindrift Cove Mysteries, her newest series, is set in Washington State, featuring Sierra Sullivan, a former cruise director.
Cindy is a five-time LEFTY Award finalist for best humorous mystery and a two-time SILVER FALCHION Award finalist for best traditional mystery. She is a past president of the Sacramento chapter of Sisters in Crime and has served on the boards of the Sacramento Opera and YWCA. Visit her website at www.cindysamplebooks.com
Cindy is a five-time LEFTY Award finalist for best humorous mystery and a two-time SILVER FALCHION Award finalist for best traditional mystery. She is a past president of the Sacramento chapter of Sisters in Crime and has served on the boards of the Sacramento Opera and YWCA. Visit her website at www.cindysamplebooks.com
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 3, 2021
#1: Dying for a Date 3.5* 2/25/21 (238)
El Dorado County/Greater Sacramento metropolitan area, California; Halloween
mystery elements: bumbling amateur sleuth, professional (setting) sleuth, cozy with romantic entanglements, murder case with more than one fatality,
romance elements: single parents, dating services, worst first dates, insta-attraction, slightly enemies to lovers, detective attracted to suspect, hints of very first love (so sweet) and late in life love
Liked: Pumpkin (so cute), fun style, interesting characters, realistic family life glimpses, soccer playing children
Didn't like: unrealistic mystery plot, working attitude of the MC (hardly serious work involved with no repercussions)
#2: Dying for a Dance 3* 2/27/21 (220)
El Dorado County & Lake Tahoe (most likely western part); Christmas, New Year's Eve & Day
mystery elements: bumbling amateur sleuth, cozy with romantic entanglements, murder case with more than one fatality,
romance elements: single parents, late in life love, kind of second chance in a relationship
Liked: glimpses into the word of competitive dancing
Didn't like: unrealistic mystery plot, not enough Pumpkin
#3: Dying for a Daiquiri 2.5* 3/3/21 (248)
Hawaii; Valentine's Day
mystery elements: bumbling amateur sleuth, professional (setting) sleuth, cozy with romantic entanglements, murder case with more than one fatality,
romance elements: single parents, insta-attraction,
Liked: fun style, interesting characters, realistic family life glimpses, exotic location
Didn't like: no Pumpkin (so sad), so unrealistic plot and crime solving, ticked all of my pet peeves: , using foreign language (and no explanation for those not familiar with them - here it's Hawaiian & French), I like the MC less with each book :-(
After all my issues with the third story in this book set I doubt very strongly I continue this series. The only way it could happen if I stumbled on the next book in series for free and it fit a challenge task I struggled to fill in otherwise.
*
El Dorado County/Greater Sacramento metropolitan area, California; Halloween
mystery elements: bumbling amateur sleuth, professional (setting) sleuth, cozy with romantic entanglements, murder case with more than one fatality,
romance elements: single parents, dating services, worst first dates, insta-attraction, slightly enemies to lovers, detective attracted to suspect, hints of very first love (so sweet) and late in life love
Liked: Pumpkin (so cute), fun style, interesting characters, realistic family life glimpses, soccer playing children
Didn't like: unrealistic mystery plot, working attitude of the MC (hardly serious work involved with no repercussions)
#2: Dying for a Dance 3* 2/27/21 (220)
El Dorado County & Lake Tahoe (most likely western part); Christmas, New Year's Eve & Day
mystery elements: bumbling amateur sleuth, cozy with romantic entanglements, murder case with more than one fatality,
romance elements: single parents, late in life love, kind of second chance in a relationship
Liked: glimpses into the word of competitive dancing
Didn't like: unrealistic mystery plot, not enough Pumpkin
#3: Dying for a Daiquiri 2.5* 3/3/21 (248)
Hawaii; Valentine's Day
mystery elements: bumbling amateur sleuth, professional (setting) sleuth, cozy with romantic entanglements, murder case with more than one fatality,
romance elements: single parents, insta-attraction,
Liked: fun style, interesting characters, realistic family life glimpses, exotic location
Didn't like: no Pumpkin (so sad), so unrealistic plot and crime solving, ticked all of my pet peeves: , using foreign language (and no explanation for those not familiar with them - here it's Hawaiian & French), I like the MC less with each book :-(
After all my issues with the third story in this book set I doubt very strongly I continue this series. The only way it could happen if I stumbled on the next book in series for free and it fit a challenge task I struggled to fill in otherwise.
*
July 4, 2022
I read books 1-3 because they were a Kindle boxed set. They're quite fun examples of the genre, neither exemplars nor unworthies. The three are set nicely, with a good pack of characters, but nothing sizzles. Nothing made me want to read more in the series, though I probably would if they came along in a Kindle freebie site of some kind.
Sample hit one of my pet peeves, though. She's an author who writes about guns without knowing what she's talking about. Anyone who thinks a fired bullet will be visible on the ground at 15 feet, in the darkness, is thinking brass cartridge, not bullet. If one thinks a gun will be "cocked at my head", she's never seen anything but poorly researched movies.
Sample hit one of my pet peeves, though. She's an author who writes about guns without knowing what she's talking about. Anyone who thinks a fired bullet will be visible on the ground at 15 feet, in the darkness, is thinking brass cartridge, not bullet. If one thinks a gun will be "cocked at my head", she's never seen anything but poorly researched movies.
November 4, 2018
Laurel McKay Mystery Box Set (Vol. 1-3) — Cindy Sample Oct. 20-26, 2018
Dying for a Date — (36 chapters) Jan. 10-11, 2017 Re-read Oct. 20-21, 2018 Three stars.
Laurel McKay goes on her first date since her husband’s divorce and in the course of protecting herself hits her date. The next morning, she finds out he died and is considered a suspect.
Dying for a Dance — (53 chapters) Oct. 21-24, 2018 Three stars.
Laurel is taking dance lessons for Liz’s special wedding reception. While there a murder is committed and her heel appears sticking out of the dead person’s mouth. When she proves she didn’t commit the deed, her boss’ wife is implicated. Now her boss wants her to solve the mystery and clear her of the deed!
Dying for a Daiquiri — (66 chapters) Oct. 24-26, 2018 Four stars.
Including two sections at end: Laurel’s Laurels Favorite Tropical Cocktails and Laurel’s Favorite Daiquiri Recipes. Liz and Brian head to The Big Island to celebrate their "honeymoon." Laurel tags along with her kids to see her bro and sis-in-law. Bro and sis-in-law have hit the skids and maybe a younger woman is responsible...until she winds up dead!
These cozy took longer to read. I’m not sure how much I liked that, as I felt they weren’t written as compact as they could’ve been. I was in the middle of reading the first book when I realized that I had already read it, but I didn’t remember anything about it; but it was fun to read, so I didn’t mind (too much) that I had re-read it. I think that cozy readers that love to spend more time in each story’s plot will find these reads enjoyable. Me, who has smaller amounts of time to read, found them a bit too long (by about 100 pages.) But that’s OK. Still fine reading. I plan on reading the next three books in the set. So, I liked these well enough.
Three stars.
Dying for a Date — (36 chapters) Jan. 10-11, 2017 Re-read Oct. 20-21, 2018 Three stars.
Laurel McKay goes on her first date since her husband’s divorce and in the course of protecting herself hits her date. The next morning, she finds out he died and is considered a suspect.
Dying for a Dance — (53 chapters) Oct. 21-24, 2018 Three stars.
Laurel is taking dance lessons for Liz’s special wedding reception. While there a murder is committed and her heel appears sticking out of the dead person’s mouth. When she proves she didn’t commit the deed, her boss’ wife is implicated. Now her boss wants her to solve the mystery and clear her of the deed!
Dying for a Daiquiri — (66 chapters) Oct. 24-26, 2018 Four stars.
Including two sections at end: Laurel’s Laurels Favorite Tropical Cocktails and Laurel’s Favorite Daiquiri Recipes. Liz and Brian head to The Big Island to celebrate their "honeymoon." Laurel tags along with her kids to see her bro and sis-in-law. Bro and sis-in-law have hit the skids and maybe a younger woman is responsible...until she winds up dead!
These cozy took longer to read. I’m not sure how much I liked that, as I felt they weren’t written as compact as they could’ve been. I was in the middle of reading the first book when I realized that I had already read it, but I didn’t remember anything about it; but it was fun to read, so I didn’t mind (too much) that I had re-read it. I think that cozy readers that love to spend more time in each story’s plot will find these reads enjoyable. Me, who has smaller amounts of time to read, found them a bit too long (by about 100 pages.) But that’s OK. Still fine reading. I plan on reading the next three books in the set. So, I liked these well enough.
Three stars.
January 18, 2022
What a set of stories! Laurel attracts murders like honey attracts flies. In book one she has decided to try a dating app but her first date is found dead and SHE is the main suspect! When her second also dies she decides the only one who can keep her out of jail is herself. But boy is that detective a hunk.
In book 2 Laurels best friend wants a New Years Eve wedding and the bridal party to do a dance routine at the reception. So Liz signs them all up for dance lessons. When not 1 but 2 instructors ends up dead want to guess who is number 1 suspect? The instructors were Russian so did this have a bearing on the murders?
Book 3 finds Liz inviting the wedding party to Hawaii for her wedding which had to be postponed in Dec. Laurel's brother Dave owns a bar but as soon as the family arrives it is shut down because one of their hula dancers is found dead at the foot of the cliff behind the bar. Dave's wife Regan works for the biggest coffee farm on the island and she is so busy their marriage has suffered. So much happens in this story you won't want to stop until the end.
In book 2 Laurels best friend wants a New Years Eve wedding and the bridal party to do a dance routine at the reception. So Liz signs them all up for dance lessons. When not 1 but 2 instructors ends up dead want to guess who is number 1 suspect? The instructors were Russian so did this have a bearing on the murders?
Book 3 finds Liz inviting the wedding party to Hawaii for her wedding which had to be postponed in Dec. Laurel's brother Dave owns a bar but as soon as the family arrives it is shut down because one of their hula dancers is found dead at the foot of the cliff behind the bar. Dave's wife Regan works for the biggest coffee farm on the island and she is so busy their marriage has suffered. So much happens in this story you won't want to stop until the end.
September 8, 2023
Cosy murder mystery
I couldn’t get into the characters, the heroine is kind of stupid in each of the three books when someone tries to kill her she doesn’t recognize it and doesn’t tell anyone even Tom. In the third book she is attracted to and kisses another man and is about to again when Tom shows up. What to say about Tom, he dates her for two weeks, then nothing, no contact, nothing. He comes back with another murder in book two but occasionally because he’s scared of losing her. He makes no attempt to go to Hawaii but then just shows up. Just too disconnected. Who could think a bullet hole could be caused by a rock
I couldn’t get into the characters, the heroine is kind of stupid in each of the three books when someone tries to kill her she doesn’t recognize it and doesn’t tell anyone even Tom. In the third book she is attracted to and kisses another man and is about to again when Tom shows up. What to say about Tom, he dates her for two weeks, then nothing, no contact, nothing. He comes back with another murder in book two but occasionally because he’s scared of losing her. He makes no attempt to go to Hawaii but then just shows up. Just too disconnected. Who could think a bullet hole could be caused by a rock
November 3, 2022
A book full of surprises .
I found this book delightful, it was light reading and I found myself even getting up in the middle of the night 2 nights running to read an additional hour or 2.
The writer. Does a great job in describing her characters, I felt like I knew them all personally. Laurel, was real and I imagine most women can and will identify with her self talk, I know I sure did.
Anyone. Who enjoys a good mystery, lots warm humor, surprise endings, will love this book.
I found this book delightful, it was light reading and I found myself even getting up in the middle of the night 2 nights running to read an additional hour or 2.
The writer. Does a great job in describing her characters, I felt like I knew them all personally. Laurel, was real and I imagine most women can and will identify with her self talk, I know I sure did.
Anyone. Who enjoys a good mystery, lots warm humor, surprise endings, will love this book.
May 17, 2017
Fun, humorous cozy mystery
Cindy Sample ' s series is a very enjoyable light, humorous cozy mystery. There is a little bit of clean romance. In book 1, Laurel McKay & family & friends get involved in a real estate fiasco. In book 2, Laurel takes dance lessons for her friend Liz ' s wedding and gets involved in a murder. Book 3 takes place in Hawaii. A young lady is murdered and a coffee plantation is involved. Very enjoyable!
Cindy Sample ' s series is a very enjoyable light, humorous cozy mystery. There is a little bit of clean romance. In book 1, Laurel McKay & family & friends get involved in a real estate fiasco. In book 2, Laurel takes dance lessons for her friend Liz ' s wedding and gets involved in a murder. Book 3 takes place in Hawaii. A young lady is murdered and a coffee plantation is involved. Very enjoyable!
July 30, 2022
Entertaining Cozy Mystery Reading
Perfect stories when you're needing something fun to read - a slate of characters with a variety of personalities, a good balance of quirkiness and reality, plots that keep you guessing "who done it" , clean and minus vulgarity/profanity. The main character is quite impulsive and I found myself wanting to tell her to "think this through; you're going to get yourself into a mess - again". 😅
Perfect stories when you're needing something fun to read - a slate of characters with a variety of personalities, a good balance of quirkiness and reality, plots that keep you guessing "who done it" , clean and minus vulgarity/profanity. The main character is quite impulsive and I found myself wanting to tell her to "think this through; you're going to get yourself into a mess - again". 😅
May 13, 2025
A series with many twists and turns that will keep you guessing.
I heartily recommend this collection. The humor and wit along with the all of the trials that Laurel McKay went thru are very entertaining. Her love life leaves her dismayed but it's beginning to improve!
Great books!
I heartily recommend this collection. The humor and wit along with the all of the trials that Laurel McKay went thru are very entertaining. Her love life leaves her dismayed but it's beginning to improve!
Great books!
May 17, 2017
Wonderful
The first three books of the Laurel McKay Mystery set does not disappoint. If you like action, mystery, comedy, and Romance....this series is for you! I cannot wait to read the next book!
The first three books of the Laurel McKay Mystery set does not disappoint. If you like action, mystery, comedy, and Romance....this series is for you! I cannot wait to read the next book!
May 20, 2017
Loved all 3 books but Daiquiri is definitely my favorite. The stories have lots of action, twists, and turns that will keep you on your toes. I can't wait to see how the romance between Laurel and Tom turns out.
July 11, 2017
Great set
Love Cindy's box set. I like murder mysteries with a touch of humour included. Laurel seemed to always get involved by accident yet was clever enough with her great friends to solve the murders one way or another.
Love Cindy's box set. I like murder mysteries with a touch of humour included. Laurel seemed to always get involved by accident yet was clever enough with her great friends to solve the murders one way or another.
July 17, 2022
crazy twists murder mystery slow burn romance
Each story is full of crazy twists in the “who-dun-it?” Category, realistic family descriptions of drama, slow burning romance. Wonderfully written.
Each story is full of crazy twists in the “who-dun-it?” Category, realistic family descriptions of drama, slow burning romance. Wonderfully written.
March 5, 2023
laurel mccay boxed set. mystery series
I absolutely love this series! Wasn’t sure if I would but the more I read the more I wanted to read. Poor Laurel is so like how a lot of us see ourselves it can be hilarious. Also scary and sweet. Really well written. Enjoy!
I absolutely love this series! Wasn’t sure if I would but the more I read the more I wanted to read. Poor Laurel is so like how a lot of us see ourselves it can be hilarious. Also scary and sweet. Really well written. Enjoy!
May 20, 2024
Silly Good Clean Mystery Series
Laugh out loud hi-jinx ensue when an ultra klutzy bank loan underwriter tries solving murders. She and her cast of misfits will keep you entertained for days.
Laugh out loud hi-jinx ensue when an ultra klutzy bank loan underwriter tries solving murders. She and her cast of misfits will keep you entertained for days.
December 21, 2024
Easy Read
Solving murders is the destiny for Laura. Through the three stories we follow the development of her relationship with Tom. Along the way Laura solved murders, and developed her relationship with her children and mother. And enjoyable read.
Solving murders is the destiny for Laura. Through the three stories we follow the development of her relationship with Tom. Along the way Laura solved murders, and developed her relationship with her children and mother. And enjoyable read.
June 15, 2017
Easy read
Stories were ok, but sometimes the overuse of adjectives bugged me. The characters are cute, last sorry was a little convoluted.
Stories were ok, but sometimes the overuse of adjectives bugged me. The characters are cute, last sorry was a little convoluted.
July 13, 2017
Thought I would enjoy these based on other reviews. I like a book that I can't wait to read and this did not do that.
October 12, 2019
Fabulous!
Cindy Sample always gives readers a riotous romp with mystery, clumsiness, and a positive outcome. This three book set has many hours of excitement.
Cindy Sample always gives readers a riotous romp with mystery, clumsiness, and a positive outcome. This three book set has many hours of excitement.
December 3, 2023
A fun read! Nice books to read by the fireplace on a cold day!!!
November 3, 2024
Cute, but I would not read again. The author does a good job of hiding who the murderer is, but I didn’t like the way she consistently focuses on Laurels weight.
January 13, 2025
Great boxset. Loved the characters and the humor.
July 3, 2025
Fun, light enjoyable read!
August 18, 2024
I enjoyed this collection of cozy mysteries involving arm chair sleuth Laurel McKay. She seems very down to earth and comical at times especially with her body image, relationships, age, weight, bunions, etc. Each book is a stand alone novel but facets of the previous one woven into the next. Easy reading and believable.
June 24, 2015
Terrific
I really enjoyed these books and was sorry for reading them too swiftly; I would have liked them to last longer. The author's humor is always around to keep things from getting dull. Please write faster, Ms. Sample
I really enjoyed these books and was sorry for reading them too swiftly; I would have liked them to last longer. The author's humor is always around to keep things from getting dull. Please write faster, Ms. Sample
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews