Dead Men Don't Dig Tunnels: A Totally Riveting Small Town Cozy Murder Mystery

by C.C. Trace

You can’t keep a good secret down… especially when it’s buried in a tunnel.

When a long-forgotten passage is uncovered beneath the Blueberry Hill Inn, Carolina Teal chalks it up to another quirky small-town mystery—until a body turns up, hidden behind a false wall and dressed in 1920s garb.

The discovery sends shockwaves through Pine Haven’s upcoming Speakeasy Jubilee, where sequins and swing tunes can’t quite cover the whispers in the shadows. Carolina, along with her loyal German Shepherd Kahlua, must navigate a maze of secrets, including an antique key, a forged document, and a suspicious “historian” who arrived just a little too conveniently.

With Carolina’s old college friend seen leaving the victim and the local bartender suspiciously guarding the tunnels, Carolina finds herself in over her head—and someone is desperate to keep the past sealed tight.

Carolina must find the murderer in the tunnel before they strike again.

Old crimes don’t stay hidden forever… and in this town, the truth might be the deadliest thing of all.

168 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2025

Reviews

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

During Pine Haven’s Prohibition Weekend, guest speaker Dr. Everett Langley was giving a presentation about the secret tunnels under the town. He hinted at a big reveal during his keynote address he was giving the next day. However, he turns up dead in those very tunnels that night. Carolina, her sister Angela and her friends Goldie and Jack begin to investigate when it’s revealed that her late father had ties to these secret passages. With a distracted sheriff, plenty of suspects and Kalua’s super sniffer, Carolina races to find the killer before they strike again.

This is book number 4 of the Carolina Teal series and I think they just keep getting better! The twists and turns of the story kept me guessing throughout and the last reveal shocked me. Trace weaves a story that is fast-paced and entertaining. Her characters are well developed and the slow burn romance developing between Carolina and Jack is sweet. I can’t wait for the next installment!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carolina Teal is at it again, with Louie by her side of course! Pine Haven's tunnels are getting some unwanted attention this time around as a well published professor digs into their depths. It's not until he turns up dead, though, that the buzz really starts. Carolina and Angela tackle their dad's records in hopes of finding a clue. Meanwhile, Old friends and new visitors increase the women's suspicions that the death was no accident. With Rayburn's attention elsewhere, Jack jumps in to help the sisters investigate, unearthing yet more suspicious characters. Now armed a handful of suspects and possible motives, they're no closer to their culprit... or are they? This cozy mystery will keep you entertained while it tests your puzzle solving skills. Just who among the suspects was desperate enough to resort to murder?

This is the 4th book in a series which can be read in any order. Having read them all, I recommend starting anywhere you choose - just start, you won't be disappointed. I was fortunate to receive a gift copy of this book and voluntarily provided this review. Happy Reading Y'all 📚

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carolina Teal, former professional photographer, current co-owner of a B&B with her sister, and amateur sleuth is on the trail again in this cozy mystery. The town is hosting a weekend event focused on the 1920's and prohibition eras. Carolina and her sister attend an event at their local bookstore where the speaker shares tidbits about the many tunnels that can be found under their quiet town. Naturally, this causes a stir and many people want to explore these long-forgotten tunnels, much to the chagrin of the local sheriff. As is wont to happen in a cozy mystery, a dead man is found in the basement tunnel of a local bar and Caroline Teal and her friend Jack, a park ranger, are first on the scene.

Author CC Trace and her cast of characters lead you on several escapades as we learn more about the deceased, the suspects, and the slowly evolving relationship between Carolina and Jack. This series is always a fun and enjoyable read that can easily be accomplished in a single day, if you are so inclined. There were several tense moments toward the end of the book that were real "pager turners"!

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carolin Teal at the Blueberry Hill Inn is sleuthing again . A body has turned up between the walls in a long forgotten passage underneath the inn and is dressed in 1920’s style garb , how macabre!. Let the sleuthing begin. German Shepherd Kahlua is onboard too so the pair are together to do what they do best and hunt for a clue.I really think this series has gone from strength to strength with all the familiar elements in place. This story follows Pine Haven’s Speakeasy Jubilee. There’s lots of sequins and frills and lace but what’s not commonplace is a dead body. Is Carolina in too deep ? One thing that keeps her from sleep is maybe how convenient the history expert came into their midst ,most suspicious is this. Is it a red herring to put us iff the scent ? I dint know but I was in my element reading along and every so often think something’s wrong. I love the immersive feel of this author’s work and how the sleuth and her sidekick and the town work . Loved the book and found the storyline and the storytelling divine and compelling.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A prohibition era gathering in their town of Pine Haven brings a lot of townspeople who are interested in the underground tunnels that have been mostly closed off in more recent years. Dr Langley has been doing research on the history of the tunnels, and is speaking at the event. When something goes terribly wrong, people are more interested about the tunnels, and what they may find. Carolina and her sister Angela find out that their dad had been researching the tunnels, and they search through old letters and notes that he wrote trying to put the pieces together. This is a fast paced thrill ride story with a lot of twists and turns that kept me glued to the pages. I love this series, and I highly recommend it!

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Underneath the Blueberry Inn, a long forgotten passage is uncovered which is all well and good until a body is also found behind a false wall and wearing clothes from the 1920s. Not exactly great news for tourism with the upcoming Speakeasy Jubilee. Carolina, her loyal dog Kahlua, and the gang are off on the trail of another mystery. Will the truth be found before anyone else is silenced? The reader is kept glued to the edge of their seat through the many twists and tuns. Another fantastic mystery in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! What a fabulous story about they mysteries surrounding prohibition era tunnels and our favorite small town of Pine Haven. I've come to enjoy the Teal sisters (Carolina and Angela) along with their extended group including Goldie, Jack, and Kahlua (because, of course I love the dog). Along comes a professor selling his book, researching the tunnels, along with his assistant, and causing trouble. Other trouble has also come to town and Carolina is mixed up in it all. It's just so fun to sleuth along with this bunch! This one is a page-turner. I can't wait for more adventure at the Blueberry Hill Inn!

[Mrs K.Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Men Don't Dig Tunnels begins with a Prohibition Weekend and  talks about Bootleggers and their illegal tunnels. A mystery starts in a tunnel when something is found. Carolina has a clever dog Kahlau ,Angela with Carolina own an Inn and Goldie is a resident guest with Jack a Park Ranger look into this mystery. But are the puzzle pieces of this mystery linked to what may be hidden in the tunnels under the town? Excellent story and series which I would highly recommend.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The girls at the Blueberry Hill Inn are in the middle of a new adventure that is tied to their Dad's research into the tunnels that run under most of the town. They are all at a Roaring 20's party when a man is found dead in the tunnel under the bar where the party is taking place holding one of their dad's notebooks. Carolina is doing most of the sleuthing with her boyfriend Jake the local forest ranger while her sister and Goldie take care of the inn. Fast paced story!
I received and arc and this is my honest review.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tunnels are everywhere under Pine Haven. Most have been sealed but a few are still accessible. Caroline finds one under the Blueberry Hill Inn that comes complete with a dead body dressed straight out of the 1920s! With her loyal German Shepherd Kahlua at her side, Caroline is determined to sort through all the secrets especially since it involves her family. Can she find the truth before someone else gets killed? Fantastic book that will keep you reading far into the night! Great addition to this series!

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so twisted!!! A dead man is found in the tunnel under the house ?!?! Accident or homicide?? That's not all that's missing either. The sisters made a great sleuthing team and seemed pretty fearless. Some of their dad's notes and the map to a possible treasure are missing??????!!!!! Whodunit? Who had access to the map and notes?? It's a twisted path the girls have to follow to the end, and more goes missing! A page turner edge of your seat suspenseful enjoyable read.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was the death in the tunnel an accident or murder? Carolina thinks there is more to it, and when the sheriff declares it an accident she has to dig deeper. Warmhearted and slightly quirky characters make this a fantastic book to read. A storyline that unfolds before your eyes, while Carolina and her friends are collecting clues.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Genesia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book contains all the essential elements of a good mystery, including a murder, a missing person, and much more. It is set against the backdrop of the underground tunnels that criminals used in the early 1900s to smuggle illegal goods. Overall, it's an entertaining page-turner that is definitely worth reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !! love this series !! love Carolina, Kahlua , Angela and Jack.. another murder to solve for them... at the Speakeasy Jubilee... a fast paced action packed mystery involving the tunnels under the town.. a guest speaker.. a special reveal.. and then, dead in the closed off tunnels that really isn't closed off... their father's notes on the tunnels.. oh.... the mystery deepens... so good !!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rick Molitor · Rating 5 out of 5]

CC trace does a very good job with this series. Carolina is on the track of a killer once again. With the help of her sister, Angela, and Goldie, the golden oldie. they set out to prove a man was murdered. This takes them into the tunnels her father had researched before his death. Carolins and her dog, Kahlua, won't give up the trail even when they are threatened. A good read.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed each book in this series - especially the titles. I could imagine myself being part of this community and hanging out with the characters - but not solving murders! Goldie is a hoot and in "Dead Men Don't Act" Louie the German Shepard steals the show. I'm hoping there will be Book 5 soon.

[Marsha Asquith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carolina and Kahlua is on the case again. Rumors of underground tunnels and several ways to get to them. The basement in the Inn is just one of the ways and the girls have to dodge danger, secrets and the past to find the truth and reveal the secrets. Kahlua is the hero in my opinion, always alert, loyal and protective. Can't wait for more from this series!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a long-forgotten passage is uncovered beneath the Blueberry Hill Inn, Carolina Teal chalks it up to another quirky small-town mystery. I really like this book. It is a good mystery.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cyndi Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good bootlegger tunnels' mystery. This was well written. The storyline and characters were engaging.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the series I read due to receiving the ARC. I really enjoyed it & will go back & read the others. I really enjoyed the descriptions & story throughout this book. I also loved how involved Kahlua was & enjoyed reading how the case unfolded.

[Linda Whitenight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carolina starts investigating the tunnels underneath the town when she finds an old journal of her father's. How did a glory hunting Professor get her father's journal? Can Kahlua help her solve the mystery? I enjoyed this mystery even more than the last one.

[Rebecca Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful who done it by author CC Trace.
This is the first book I have read by this author but
It won't be my last. I highly recommend it... Loved reading...

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chris Meiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hidden tunnels, a missing person, a murder or an accident! Lots of suspense & twists & turns! This is the first book I read of this series & I definitely want to read more! Loved it!

[Amanda Bowser · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cozy mystery that’ll keep you guessing! Who did it?? A fun cast of characters that I’m excited to read about again in more Carolina Teal mystery books.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

C. C. Trace and Carolina Teal do it again, oh and Kahlua. Carolina can’t seem to avoid danger and dead bodies. I’m still trying to wrap my head around living in a town with hidden tunnels running under and through the town. I really enjoyed trying to solve the mystery and the author kept me guessing. I look forward to their next adventure.

[Holly Orgo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book in the series! Kahlua plays a big part in catching the bad guy.