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A Deadly Development
They’re Back…Bumbling Amateur Sleuths Annie and Dickie return in the much-anticipated sequel to humorous Southern mystery Odd Job Annie…
Annie Cooper’s living her best retirement life.
Her side hustle—Odd Job Annie—is thriving, she’s settling into her new life in the small quirky mountain town of Monteagle, Tennessee, and not one, but two, charming men seem interested in her. Well, at least one is charming—the other is slightly annoying but sexy as hell. Lord a mercy!
When Annie discovers the body of the skeeviest man in their tiny home development, she and her partner-in-crime, Dickie, once again combine forces to figure out whodunit in this raucous, laugh-out-loud Southern mystery.
And, y’all, there are recipes.
Annie Cooper’s living her best retirement life.
Her side hustle—Odd Job Annie—is thriving, she’s settling into her new life in the small quirky mountain town of Monteagle, Tennessee, and not one, but two, charming men seem interested in her. Well, at least one is charming—the other is slightly annoying but sexy as hell. Lord a mercy!
When Annie discovers the body of the skeeviest man in their tiny home development, she and her partner-in-crime, Dickie, once again combine forces to figure out whodunit in this raucous, laugh-out-loud Southern mystery.
And, y’all, there are recipes.
Paperback
Published April 27, 2026
About the author
Beth Riner
2 books19 followersHi, Y'all. I'm Beth Riner. I retired from teaching high school English and moved to beautiful Monteagle, Tennessee, where I rediscovered myself and my passion for writing.
I adore smartass men, snarky friends, laughter, good conversation, blackberry cobbler, and Rooster, my goofy Boykin Spaniel, who lives with me in a 576-square-foot cabin in the woods called Storybook Cottage.
I also write features for The Grundy County Herald and just won two Tennessee Press Association awards for my work. Never dreamed that would happen in my 60s!
My second book in the Odd Job Annie humorous Southern mystery series arrives April 27, 2026, and I just sent the third manuscript to my publisher.
Thank you for reading my book, leaving reviews, and recommending it to your friends! As a writer for a small traditional press, I can't even begin to tell you how much that means to me.
I adore smartass men, snarky friends, laughter, good conversation, blackberry cobbler, and Rooster, my goofy Boykin Spaniel, who lives with me in a 576-square-foot cabin in the woods called Storybook Cottage.
I also write features for The Grundy County Herald and just won two Tennessee Press Association awards for my work. Never dreamed that would happen in my 60s!
My second book in the Odd Job Annie humorous Southern mystery series arrives April 27, 2026, and I just sent the third manuscript to my publisher.
Thank you for reading my book, leaving reviews, and recommending it to your friends! As a writer for a small traditional press, I can't even begin to tell you how much that means to me.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 12, 2026
Honestly, this book feels like gossiping with your funniest buddy over a large glass of wine. After absolutely loving “Odd Job Annie”, diving into this sequel felt like catching up with an old friend, complete with fresh drama and a brand-new murder to solve!
In “A Deadly Development”, we’re back in Monteagle, where Annie’s retirement is anything but quiet. Between running her odd-job business and juggling attention from both a charming baker and a handsome sheriff, her life is already chaotic. But when a very unlikeable real estate developer turns up dead in a bizarrely fitting way, Annie and her ride-or-die bestie, Dickie, once again find themselves accidentally tangled up in a murder investigation.
This not-so-cozy mystery trades tired tropes for a refreshing edge and a fast-paced storyline, balancing a solid whodunnit with meaningful character growth and witty, snarky, laugh-out-loud dialogue. Though there were a few repetitive beats, the twisty plot and the chemistry between the characters kept me turning the pages.
And Annie? I absolutely adore her! She’s bold, stubborn, hilarious, and defiantly herself, which I both admire and envy. Whether she’s stumbling into danger or trading sarcastic barbs, she brings so much warmth and humor to the story. What makes her truly memorable is that she doesn’t try to fit into anyone’s idea of how a woman her age “should” act; she’s living life entirely on her own terms, and that’s what makes her such a standout protagonist.
If you loved “Odd Job Annie”, this sequel absolutely delivers. And if you haven’t started the series yet, consider this your sign to grab a copy immediately!
In “A Deadly Development”, we’re back in Monteagle, where Annie’s retirement is anything but quiet. Between running her odd-job business and juggling attention from both a charming baker and a handsome sheriff, her life is already chaotic. But when a very unlikeable real estate developer turns up dead in a bizarrely fitting way, Annie and her ride-or-die bestie, Dickie, once again find themselves accidentally tangled up in a murder investigation.
This not-so-cozy mystery trades tired tropes for a refreshing edge and a fast-paced storyline, balancing a solid whodunnit with meaningful character growth and witty, snarky, laugh-out-loud dialogue. Though there were a few repetitive beats, the twisty plot and the chemistry between the characters kept me turning the pages.
And Annie? I absolutely adore her! She’s bold, stubborn, hilarious, and defiantly herself, which I both admire and envy. Whether she’s stumbling into danger or trading sarcastic barbs, she brings so much warmth and humor to the story. What makes her truly memorable is that she doesn’t try to fit into anyone’s idea of how a woman her age “should” act; she’s living life entirely on her own terms, and that’s what makes her such a standout protagonist.
If you loved “Odd Job Annie”, this sequel absolutely delivers. And if you haven’t started the series yet, consider this your sign to grab a copy immediately!
May 4, 2026
Beth Riner’s latest is a wonderful romp for women of a certain age. I love the protagonist, Annie, and her adventurous spirit. The setting is a character in its self, and may cause an influx of new residents in Monteagle, TN due to Riner’s descriptions. I enjoyed it thoroughly and eagerly await the next book in this series.
May 3, 2026
This book will make you laugh. Annie is a hoot!
May 5, 2026
As a recently retired gal in Middle Tennessee, I can relate to Annie in so many ways! I feel we could be good friends. She's a hoot!
May 19, 2026
Lovely book. Can’t wait for the next release in the series!
May 20, 2026
A fun read with colorful characters.
May 22, 2026
Love,love, love Annie and her adventures-if you need a mystery filled with laugh out loud situations you need to read Beth Riner’s Odd Job Annie books.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews