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The Panhandle Picasso: Beachtown Romantic Mystery
One Assumption Delays the InevitableA well-known local artist is found dead in his studio, mysteriously impaled by his own sculpture for the Underwater Museum of Art. Recent retiree, Trina Scotsdale, is as curious as the rest of her small beach town, but her connection with local law enforcement enables her to dig further.
Having recently helped solve a decades-old case, Trina feels compelled to analyze subtle clues and innuendos while seeking closure for her friend. As the animosity for the departed artist bubbles to the surface, the list of possible suspects grows. Unfortunately, it becomes apparent that being well-known does not necessarily mean well-liked.
But as Trina tries to puzzle out who killed their picturesque coastal Florida community’s Panhandle Picasso, is she making crucial connections or crippling’s assumptions.
Having recently helped solve a decades-old case, Trina feels compelled to analyze subtle clues and innuendos while seeking closure for her friend. As the animosity for the departed artist bubbles to the surface, the list of possible suspects grows. Unfortunately, it becomes apparent that being well-known does not necessarily mean well-liked.
But as Trina tries to puzzle out who killed their picturesque coastal Florida community’s Panhandle Picasso, is she making crucial connections or crippling’s assumptions.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2025
About the author
Kendra Hoey
3 books7 followersAfter raising three kids and juggling a full-time career, I left the corporate world in 2021 and moved to Florida. I quickly developed an immediate connection to the Scenic Highway 30A community, which unconditionally promotes entrepreneurial pursuits and artist creativity. Inspired by local southern authors and my own lifetime of fiction consumption, I was unexpectedly inspired to write using the charm and uniqueness of my small beach town as the backdrop for a mystery series.
I wrote the Panhandle Mystery Series to explore one woman’s drive to achieve a lifelong dream of solving mysteries, while at the same time struggling with her own inner demons. In the process, I hope I have created stories that both convey the breathtaking beauty and serenity of the Florida Panhandle while providing readers with engaging mysteries.
Those who already love 30A will recognize many restaurants, state parks and community organizations. For those who have not yet ventured to the Panhandle, I hope I sparked your curiosity.
I wrote the Panhandle Mystery Series to explore one woman’s drive to achieve a lifelong dream of solving mysteries, while at the same time struggling with her own inner demons. In the process, I hope I have created stories that both convey the breathtaking beauty and serenity of the Florida Panhandle while providing readers with engaging mysteries.
Those who already love 30A will recognize many restaurants, state parks and community organizations. For those who have not yet ventured to the Panhandle, I hope I sparked your curiosity.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 18, 2026
Kendra Hoey delivers another engaging read with The Panhandle Picasso, the second installment in her Trina Scotsdale beach-town romantic mystery series. Set along Florida’s sun-soaked Panhandle, the story drops you into a close-knit coastal community where everyone seems to know everyone—and if they don’t, they think they do.
This one kept me guessing the whole way through. I went back and forth between theories: was it envy and revenge? love gone too far? or a mother protecting her child at any cost? Even by the final pages, I wasn’t completely convinced we had the full truth. Hoey has a way of leaving just enough ambiguity to linger, and it definitely made me curious about where she might take things in book three.
What really stands out is how natural Hoey’s storytelling feels. The setting isn’t just a backdrop—it’s alive. You can practically feel the heat, see the water, and hear the low hum of everyday life in a beach town. The details of the local art scene add another layer, too—the ambition, the competition, the fragile egos, and those late nights chasing something meaningful. It all feels believable without being overdone.
I especially enjoyed the relationships between the characters. The friendships and connections reminded me of real-life small-town dynamics—the kind where people show up for each other without making a big deal about it. That sense of community gives the story a lot of heart and makes it more than just a mystery.
If you’re heading to 30A or Seaside, this is an easy pick for your beach bag. It fits the setting perfectly—you might even start to feel like part of the town yourself while reading it.
Whether you’ve been following the series or you’re just jumping in, The Panhandle Picasso is a satisfying, immersive read. It’s a mystery with warmth, personality, and a strong sense of place—definitely worth your time.
This one kept me guessing the whole way through. I went back and forth between theories: was it envy and revenge? love gone too far? or a mother protecting her child at any cost? Even by the final pages, I wasn’t completely convinced we had the full truth. Hoey has a way of leaving just enough ambiguity to linger, and it definitely made me curious about where she might take things in book three.
What really stands out is how natural Hoey’s storytelling feels. The setting isn’t just a backdrop—it’s alive. You can practically feel the heat, see the water, and hear the low hum of everyday life in a beach town. The details of the local art scene add another layer, too—the ambition, the competition, the fragile egos, and those late nights chasing something meaningful. It all feels believable without being overdone.
I especially enjoyed the relationships between the characters. The friendships and connections reminded me of real-life small-town dynamics—the kind where people show up for each other without making a big deal about it. That sense of community gives the story a lot of heart and makes it more than just a mystery.
If you’re heading to 30A or Seaside, this is an easy pick for your beach bag. It fits the setting perfectly—you might even start to feel like part of the town yourself while reading it.
Whether you’ve been following the series or you’re just jumping in, The Panhandle Picasso is a satisfying, immersive read. It’s a mystery with warmth, personality, and a strong sense of place—definitely worth your time.
October 2, 2025
Very good sequel to the first book. I truly enjoyed the characters and the plot. Author has a way of making you feel like you are experiencing the places she is writing about. I fell in love with the first book The Panhandle Predicament, The Panhandle Picasso didn’t disappoint. It you want a beach mystery with some very interesting twists; this is a great choice!
August 26, 2026
Loved this book as I started it at the beach and couldn’t get enough! Only reason I gave it 4 stars because I didn’t love the open to interpretation at the end of the book but that’s just my preference. Can’t wait for the third book to come out!
March 15, 2026
Predictable 🥱
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews