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Smoked Secrets: Burnt Ends Mystery
Someone wants the land. Someone wants the business. They just want to survive each other.
When Austin lawyer Jackie Prescott inherits half of her estranged Uncle Charlie Joe's barbecue restaurant, she plans to sell her share and get back to her real life. But her financially struggling sister Lauren needs this inheritance to survive, and the will requires both sisters to run the restaurant together for at least a year or lose everything.
Forced to work alongside the sister she's barely spoken to in years, Jackie discovers that Uncle Charlie Joe's death wasn't the peaceful passing everyone believed. Someone wanted him dead, and that someone is now targeting the new owners with increasingly dangerous threats.
As the sisters navigate their complicated relationship and learn to smoke brisket at 4:30 AM, they uncover a web of secrets that Uncle Charlie Joe died protecting. Hidden documents, mysterious photographs, and a trail of evidence point to a conspiracy that reaches far beyond their small Texas Hill Country town.
With the help of Jackie's brilliant teenage niece Melody and local law enforcement, the women must are they brave enough to face the truth about their uncle's murder? And can two sisters who've spent decades hurting each other learn to trust again before the killer strikes?
In Prairie Rose, Texas, some family recipes are worth killing for and some truths are worth dying to protect.
Perfect for fans of Tonya Kappes and Joanne Fluke, Smoked Secrets serves up the first delicious helping of family secrets, small-town mystery, and the healing power of barbecue in the Burnt Ends Mystery series.
When Austin lawyer Jackie Prescott inherits half of her estranged Uncle Charlie Joe's barbecue restaurant, she plans to sell her share and get back to her real life. But her financially struggling sister Lauren needs this inheritance to survive, and the will requires both sisters to run the restaurant together for at least a year or lose everything.
Forced to work alongside the sister she's barely spoken to in years, Jackie discovers that Uncle Charlie Joe's death wasn't the peaceful passing everyone believed. Someone wanted him dead, and that someone is now targeting the new owners with increasingly dangerous threats.
As the sisters navigate their complicated relationship and learn to smoke brisket at 4:30 AM, they uncover a web of secrets that Uncle Charlie Joe died protecting. Hidden documents, mysterious photographs, and a trail of evidence point to a conspiracy that reaches far beyond their small Texas Hill Country town.
With the help of Jackie's brilliant teenage niece Melody and local law enforcement, the women must are they brave enough to face the truth about their uncle's murder? And can two sisters who've spent decades hurting each other learn to trust again before the killer strikes?
In Prairie Rose, Texas, some family recipes are worth killing for and some truths are worth dying to protect.
Perfect for fans of Tonya Kappes and Joanne Fluke, Smoked Secrets serves up the first delicious helping of family secrets, small-town mystery, and the healing power of barbecue in the Burnt Ends Mystery series.
179 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 6, 2025
About the author
Erica J. Whelton
28 books35 followersErica lives in Houston, Tx with her husband, three kids, and three grandsons. Plus, her dogs, cat, and tortoises. She spent time in the U.S. Navy which was a turning point in her life from awkward teen to young woman. As a child she wanted to be a teacher or a scientist but has always had a love of books. Many of her own experiences with the paranormal helped shape her first book; Premedicated Murder.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 29, 2026
Their inheritence came with a catch. Jackie and her sister Lauren, estranged after their parents' divorce many years before, are forced to work together at their late uncle's barbecue restaurant. Their worries are compounded by developers who aggressively attempt to buy the property and a rancher who thinks the land should revert to pastureland. With the help of Lauren's daughter, Melody improving logistics and Jovie, the uncle's right-hand woman, teaching them the tricks of the trade, it looks like they might achieve their goal of a prosperous eatery. But when they learn their uncle's peaceful death might have been murder, the stress really piles on.
This, the introductory novel to the Burnt Ends Mystery series, sets up a satisfying presence of old hurts and new qualms. The main characters are independent and strong (one might even say "headstrong"), but they are relatable and I cheered for their successes and groaned at their failures. With such a visceral reaction, it was a simple task to settle into following the ladies on their journey.
While this is definitely a cosy, there was a thrilling nail-biting scene at the end. I can't wait to continue on in this series.
This, the introductory novel to the Burnt Ends Mystery series, sets up a satisfying presence of old hurts and new qualms. The main characters are independent and strong (one might even say "headstrong"), but they are relatable and I cheered for their successes and groaned at their failures. With such a visceral reaction, it was a simple task to settle into following the ladies on their journey.
While this is definitely a cosy, there was a thrilling nail-biting scene at the end. I can't wait to continue on in this series.
January 5, 2026
Lee B
Loved this book!!!! Couldn’t put down until I finished reading it!!! I can’t wait to read the next one in the series!!
Loved this book!!!! Couldn’t put down until I finished reading it!!! I can’t wait to read the next one in the series!!
February 25, 2026
When two sisters inherit a barbecue joint from their late uncle. Lauren and Jackie are brought to a small town to work and share the restaurant. When they find themselves embroiled in a mystery around their uncles death. Will they figure out what happened and with the help of Melody Jackie's daughter and the local police to figure out what is going on and find the hidden documents and other evidence before the killer comes after them. Prairie Rose Texas will never be the same
Jackie, Lauren and Melody are strong women that just don't back down from a problem . Jackie is a lawyer who is going through a divorce and needs a change but she can't come to terms with working with her estranged sister. Lauren is a sweet woman who is having a harder time of it than Jackie. She wants to make a real goal of the restaurant. Melody is sweet and kind and autistic. She strives for order and loves to figure out how to make the restaurant more efficient. We also meet a lot of fun interesting characters through out the book Jovie and Tate to name a few. Each character is well written and you really want to cheer for them .
If you like cozy mysteries this is a good one for you . I love reading cozy mysteries and this one had me from the first chapter . I couldn't put this book down . It is a fast read that had me finishing in one evening. The characters are well written and there are twists and turns through out the book that will have you going ahah. The author even through in a few red herrings in through out the book that had me guessing all the way through . So if you want a new cozy mystery author to read. Check her out
Jackie, Lauren and Melody are strong women that just don't back down from a problem . Jackie is a lawyer who is going through a divorce and needs a change but she can't come to terms with working with her estranged sister. Lauren is a sweet woman who is having a harder time of it than Jackie. She wants to make a real goal of the restaurant. Melody is sweet and kind and autistic. She strives for order and loves to figure out how to make the restaurant more efficient. We also meet a lot of fun interesting characters through out the book Jovie and Tate to name a few. Each character is well written and you really want to cheer for them .
If you like cozy mysteries this is a good one for you . I love reading cozy mysteries and this one had me from the first chapter . I couldn't put this book down . It is a fast read that had me finishing in one evening. The characters are well written and there are twists and turns through out the book that will have you going ahah. The author even through in a few red herrings in through out the book that had me guessing all the way through . So if you want a new cozy mystery author to read. Check her out
March 7, 2026
If you want a mystery with some actual grit, **Smoked Secrets** is a solid choice. It’s basically a high-tension thriller wrapped in a story about two sisters who haven't spoken in years being forced back together by their uncle’s death. They have to run his business to get their inheritance, but they quickly realize his "accident" was actually a hit because he stumbled onto some seriously shady town history.
The best part is the friction between the sisters—it’s super raw and relatable if you’ve ever had family drama. The stakes feel high because there’s a legit conspiracy unfolding while they’re trying to keep their lives from falling apart. It’s moody, fast-paced, and has enough of an edge to keep it from feeling like a typical "cozy" story. It’s a great one-sitting read if you're looking for sharp dialogue and a mystery that actually keeps you guessing until the end.
The best part is the friction between the sisters—it’s super raw and relatable if you’ve ever had family drama. The stakes feel high because there’s a legit conspiracy unfolding while they’re trying to keep their lives from falling apart. It’s moody, fast-paced, and has enough of an edge to keep it from feeling like a typical "cozy" story. It’s a great one-sitting read if you're looking for sharp dialogue and a mystery that actually keeps you guessing until the end.
March 3, 2026
Jackie, a lawyer from Austin, inherits half a barbecue restaurant from an estranged uncle. Wanting to sell her part, she heads to Prairie Rose. Upon discovering that her sister, Lauren, needs the business to survive, she decides to keep and run the restaurant with her. While they are learning how to make smoked brisket, they discover secrets that their Uncle Charlie died to protect. A conspiracy, photos, and documents make the small town seem bigger. With the help of Jackie's niece, Melody, and the law, they need to decide what to do. Will they try to find what's responsible for Charlie's murder? Or will the sisters hurt each other as the killer closes in?
March 6, 2026
I loved smoked secrets. It has the perfect combination of small town charm, family drama, and engaging whodunit. Oh and as a Texan myself you can never go wrong with a Texas setting lol. The dynamic between the sisters is what really had me hooked. I especially enjoyed the way the story honored the autistic daughter's perspective. It was a very authentic addition in thus character drivin mystery. It's another a gritty thriller but did have me guessing until the very end. What a perfect start to this series but now I'm craving bbq haha.
February 23, 2026
I love cozy mysteries and am always looking for a new series to try. This had a winning recipe- a small town setting, three relatable lead characters Jackie, Lauren, Melody who don't back down from a challenge, a murder (or 2 or 3), interesting townsfolk providing lots of suspects and perhaps a budding romance. Looking forward to sisters Jackie and Lauren and sweet Melody's next adventure !
February 22, 2026
I love a good mystery, particularly if it keeps me guessing and I dont know who the murderer is right away. That is exactly what the author did. Several possible suspects, mix in some family issues and a bright autistic young lady....a masterpiece.
February 27, 2026
This was a great read, I love cozy mysteries and small town and here I have both. Loved to see the sisters patch up their relationship. This is a series I know I will read as fast as they come out and will always look forward for the next
March 6, 2026
I really enjoyed this book! Small town, sisters, and mystery, three of my favorite things that made this the perfect story! The characters were great and the plot amazing. Definitely plan to read the rest of the series!
April 24, 2026
Family
I am not a big fan of suspense but this story will capture your interest with the 3 ladiesxwho are trying to start a new life and discovering that they do like each other and the bits of sass and how they were able to work together.
I am not a big fan of suspense but this story will capture your interest with the 3 ladiesxwho are trying to start a new life and discovering that they do like each other and the bits of sass and how they were able to work together.
April 26, 2026
family tradition
Was a wonderful book and the family worked hard to overcome issues and grow stronger. Loved all the characters and the roles they played in making the town a welcoming place to live.
Was a wonderful book and the family worked hard to overcome issues and grow stronger. Loved all the characters and the roles they played in making the town a welcoming place to live.
May 12, 2026
Nothing could be better than finding a great BBQ place in the Texas Hill Country —unless it’s also Blue Bonnet time!
Uncle Joe set up the plans for his two great nieces to take over his BBQ upon his death (which they did) but the nieces had a lot of peace making for them to do after years of quibbling taking sides after their parents divorce. What brings them together is solving their Uncle’s cause of death which leads them to discovering they’re in the middle of an organized crime,(money laundering) situation
Interesting plot and written to create and maintain your interest. The ending is a little different than you anticipate. Good read for a rainy day!
Uncle Joe set up the plans for his two great nieces to take over his BBQ upon his death (which they did) but the nieces had a lot of peace making for them to do after years of quibbling taking sides after their parents divorce. What brings them together is solving their Uncle’s cause of death which leads them to discovering they’re in the middle of an organized crime,(money laundering) situation
Interesting plot and written to create and maintain your interest. The ending is a little different than you anticipate. Good read for a rainy day!
November 10, 2025
Loved it
April 22, 2026
I enjoyed the story!
A great story of family divided learning to live and work together for a good cause. Plus a good mystery to be solved.
A great story of family divided learning to live and work together for a good cause. Plus a good mystery to be solved.
April 26, 2026
The nonstop fighting between the two sisters was so over the top. I quit in the third chapter. This could’ve been good but it was just bad.
April 27, 2026
Family counts
They all learnt not only about their uncle’s life but also how to get along. Learning to forgive. Good read.
They all learnt not only about their uncle’s life but also how to get along. Learning to forgive. Good read.
May 10, 2026
A great read
The author has created an interesting and unique plot to go with an imaginative group of characters making this hard to put down
The author has created an interesting and unique plot to go with an imaginative group of characters making this hard to put down
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June 13, 2026Read 6/26
June 30, 2026
Loved the book! I had to finish it to find out what happens in the end! Great characters! Highly recommend this book!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews