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Lakeside Murders #2
Two for Joy
Not yet published
Expected 1 Jun 27One for sorrow…
Margaret “Magpie” Adams is aimless. Her life is nothing like her favorite romance novels: her ex was a jerk; college isn’t in the cards; and she’s still working a summer gig at the Chain Ferry in her hometown of Two Pines. Twenty years ago, a cult classic was filmed here, so locals rely on a churn of customers through the Two For Joy bus tour.
When gruesome vandalism strikes multiple tour stops, Magpie finds herself sucked into the hunt for a criminal. Her best friend is convinced it’s the work of a local developer, but Magpie suspects something far more sinister—and possibly supernatural. How else to explain the creepy music that’s been following her around?
Two for joy…
Magpie’s hunch becomes certainty when a corpse shows up. And as if that’s not complicated enough, her ex is visiting town too. And oh yeah: things are getting weird between her and Buck, her best friend’s dependable (and gorgeous) brother. Magpie is definitely not supposed to want to kiss him—and Buck is definitely not supposed to want to kiss her back.
When Magpie discovers today’s violence connects to a mystery woman from the Two For Joy film set twenty years ago (a woman who looks an awful lot like Magpie), she grows more and more determined to uncover the truth.
Even if it will mean putting her life—and her heart—on the line.
Margaret “Magpie” Adams is aimless. Her life is nothing like her favorite romance novels: her ex was a jerk; college isn’t in the cards; and she’s still working a summer gig at the Chain Ferry in her hometown of Two Pines. Twenty years ago, a cult classic was filmed here, so locals rely on a churn of customers through the Two For Joy bus tour.
When gruesome vandalism strikes multiple tour stops, Magpie finds herself sucked into the hunt for a criminal. Her best friend is convinced it’s the work of a local developer, but Magpie suspects something far more sinister—and possibly supernatural. How else to explain the creepy music that’s been following her around?
Two for joy…
Magpie’s hunch becomes certainty when a corpse shows up. And as if that’s not complicated enough, her ex is visiting town too. And oh yeah: things are getting weird between her and Buck, her best friend’s dependable (and gorgeous) brother. Magpie is definitely not supposed to want to kiss him—and Buck is definitely not supposed to want to kiss her back.
When Magpie discovers today’s violence connects to a mystery woman from the Two For Joy film set twenty years ago (a woman who looks an awful lot like Magpie), she grows more and more determined to uncover the truth.
Even if it will mean putting her life—and her heart—on the line.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 1, 2027
About the author
Susan Dennard
31 books9,452 followersSusan Dennard is the award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Witchlands series, Luminaries trilogy, and many more books and tales beyond. Her stories have been published in tens of languages all over the world.
Before becoming an author, she got to travel globally with her M.Sc. in marine biology. She also runs the popular newsletter for writers, the Misfits and Daydreamers. When not writing or teaching writing, she can be found playing dress up with her daughter, dodging fists at the dojang, or mashing buttons on one of her way too many consoles.
Before becoming an author, she got to travel globally with her M.Sc. in marine biology. She also runs the popular newsletter for writers, the Misfits and Daydreamers. When not writing or teaching writing, she can be found playing dress up with her daughter, dodging fists at the dojang, or mashing buttons on one of her way too many consoles.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 24, 2025
Ah yet another masterpiece from Sooz! The murder, quite mysterious; the characters; so fun and relatable; the romance, very compelling. One of my favorite things about Dennard's writing is that it's always very tight and intentional. Nothing is throwaway or fluff, and there's always buried clues to not only the mystery, but also the characters' personalities and how or why they react in certain situations. Also, her characters are incredibly three dimensional. No one is ever just one flat thing, rather they're multi-faceted and feel as real as an actual person you'd meet in your life. And these two qualities of hers especially shine in this book. She's always leveling up her writing with each book, and just when I think it can't get any better, it does.
Two For Joy is a delicious oh so slow burn summer romance, a Scooby-Doo worthy murder mystery, a wait those are shivers down my spine when did it get so spooky tale. Magpie and gang have my whole heart, and I'm excited to see what comes next in The Murder Quartet (which is a series of interconnected but standalone spooky murder mysteries full of romance)!
Two For Joy is a delicious oh so slow burn summer romance, a Scooby-Doo worthy murder mystery, a wait those are shivers down my spine when did it get so spooky tale. Magpie and gang have my whole heart, and I'm excited to see what comes next in The Murder Quartet (which is a series of interconnected but standalone spooky murder mysteries full of romance)!
Want to Read
September 20, 2025i'm sat, ready
November 4, 2026
I’m not usually the biggest fan of mysteries with supernatural elements, but after loving Four and Twenty Blackbirds, I had high expectations for Two for Joy, and Susan Dennard absolutely delivered!
I honestly think Susan Dennard is such a talented storyteller. There’s something about the way she writes that makes it so easy to get completely lost in her books. I also love the nostalgic 90s setting, which adds so much charm and atmosphere to the story.
One of my favourite things about this book was the friendship group. I loved all the main characters, especially Magpie, and their friendships felt so genuine and believable. And the romance!! It was incredibly sweet, and I found myself rooting for them the entire time. I think I experienced exactly the same giddy excitement Magpie gets when the characters in her romance novels finally get together!
Another brilliant read from Susan Dennard. I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series!
I honestly think Susan Dennard is such a talented storyteller. There’s something about the way she writes that makes it so easy to get completely lost in her books. I also love the nostalgic 90s setting, which adds so much charm and atmosphere to the story.
One of my favourite things about this book was the friendship group. I loved all the main characters, especially Magpie, and their friendships felt so genuine and believable. And the romance!! It was incredibly sweet, and I found myself rooting for them the entire time. I think I experienced exactly the same giddy excitement Magpie gets when the characters in her romance novels finally get together!
Another brilliant read from Susan Dennard. I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series!
October 15, 2026
That's why Magpie reads these novels: real life can never measure up, so why shouldn't she—and every other reader out there—be allowed to enjoy some mass-market paperback dreaming?
I'm pretty sure Susan Dennard could dramatize waiting in line at the BMV and I'd still find it a compelling read. The stories she creates hook me from the beginning, and each one that she crafts is better than the last. Two For Joy is the second book in the Lakeside Murders series (otherwise known as the "Murder Quartet"). I didn't realize I'd enjoy the supernatural horror/mystery/romance genre so much! Throw in a 90s' setting, and you have a spooky/cozy book that is compelling and fast-paced.
Magpie is obsessed with romance novels, and while I don't feel quite the same way as she does about that genre, I can, and do, appreciate a good story. I recommend this story to anyone looking for a mystery that keeps you guessing and a romance that makes you swoon.
I received a free copy via NetGakkey and am leaving my thoughts voluntarily.
I'm pretty sure Susan Dennard could dramatize waiting in line at the BMV and I'd still find it a compelling read. The stories she creates hook me from the beginning, and each one that she crafts is better than the last. Two For Joy is the second book in the Lakeside Murders series (otherwise known as the "Murder Quartet"). I didn't realize I'd enjoy the supernatural horror/mystery/romance genre so much! Throw in a 90s' setting, and you have a spooky/cozy book that is compelling and fast-paced.
Magpie is obsessed with romance novels, and while I don't feel quite the same way as she does about that genre, I can, and do, appreciate a good story. I recommend this story to anyone looking for a mystery that keeps you guessing and a romance that makes you swoon.
I received a free copy via NetGakkey and am leaving my thoughts voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I don't read a lot of murder mysteries but anything Susan Dennard writes, I will read, and this one (again) didn't disappoint!
You get richly imagined characters, a small-town setting, a romance that you'll feel and last (but definitely not least!) a murder mystery that'll keep you up and reading until you've finished!
You get richly imagined characters, a small-town setting, a romance that you'll feel and last (but definitely not least!) a murder mystery that'll keep you up and reading until you've finished!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews