Destination New York City

by Ann Shepphird

Sam’s trip to a luxury hotel in New York City brings a shocking discovery—a lifeless body found in a surprising place.

When her editor at Carmel Today magazine, Mona Reynolds, heads off to speak at a conference in New York City, travel writer Samantha Powers feels a little left out. Not only is she craving an
adventure, but Roger Kai, the detective she’s been seeing since her first trip for the magazine, is also in New York for a forensics conference.

That all changes when Mona calls Sam with the news that her friend, the conference’s founder, has disappeared. In New York, Sam meets Mona’s colorful array of friends and the very formal staff at the historic hotel hosting the conference. When a body is found, everyone writes it off as an accident, but Sam isn’t so sure. She finds herself juggling time between Roger and a flirtatious Broadway stage technician while uncovering years of secrets. When Sam ends up locked in a secret underground room, she wonders if she may have finally pushed her luck too far.

Destination New York City is the fourth in the Destination Murder Mystery series, which combines exotic locales and a behind-the-scenes look at the travel industry with the twists and turns expected from a good mystery.

201 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 28, 2026

Reviews

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fourth book in the Destination Mystery series of books, featuring Samantha "Sam" Powers.​ This destination mystery takes place in New York City​. By ​the second chapter, we hit the ground running as the quest for answers while this intriguing mystery unfolds. Filled with interesting and colorful characters, some who become suspects, some who become friends, all amid the backdrop of New York's luxury hotel scene and the theater world. Another amusing layer to the story is that Sam has never been to the Big Apple. I loved her sometimes comical and somewhat cynical take on the hustle and bustle of a big noisy city, which quickly grows on her with its charm, people and Pizza! .

It's a fun and engaging read, and it flows nicely between her new friends in the theater and the hotel's staff and history. It was fun to help Sam unravel the mystery and figure out who is who and what happened to Maxine, an eccentric and somewhat troubled woman. I enjoyed a nice Martini, with 3 olives while devouring this book.

Having read all of the Destination Mystery series, I am a big fan of Miss Shepphird's cozy Mysteries. She is a thoughtful, warm and intelligent writer. There is always something in her books for everyone. I am invested in these people and their stories, and of course her love interest. I am looking forward to the next destination mystery and where we are going next!

I have also read, and am a fan of Ms. Shepphird's University Chronicles, rom com books, The War Council and the Italy Affair. Highly recommend.

[Tammy Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a good series and this one is set in the big apple. Sam is expecting she be just struck in Carmel helping with Editing and doing the local travel article while her boss/mentor Mona is in New York for conference and will do the splendid adventures column, but Mona calls and asked her to come and help in looking for her missing friend Maxine dues to Sam's past as a crime reporter and daughter of a police chief. Soon Maxine is found in what looks to be a tragic accidental downing in a tub, but Sam finds it odd she got into a penthouse suite without anyone knowing. Also Sam's relationship with Roger has a bump, he is also in New York for a police conference and Sam has hopes of them hanging out but he's busy and Sam feels a little put out, she has a slight flirtation with Hastings the nephew of Mona's friend. The mystery is good, the characters are so good and the setting was great. Hope for more fun with Sam Powers as this is such a fun series.

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

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and Exciting Destination Mystery
I've read all the previous books in this series, and I was interested to see what would bring Sam to New York City. The premise of the trip was interesting (not a destination article for her magazine, as I assumed), and I was excited to find Sam in New York at the same time as her love interest, Roger (from Hawaii). The mystery was twisty and kept me guessing for quite a while. I really enjoyed meeting the new characters in the New York setting and solving the mystery along with Sam. I always enjoy Ms. Shepphird's descriptions of the destinations, and they make me feel like I'm right there with Sam, enjoying the sights and the city. This book is a fun escape and I really enjoyed it.

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

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although unplanned, like the previous installments, when Mona calls, Sam comes running, except this time it's all the way across country from cozy Carmel to loud and busy NY.

What started out as a missing person's case ends up being a murder investigation. Even with her long-distance cop boyfriend in NY for a forensics conference, she feels like they are still miles away. Will he be able to come to her rescue or will she find herself fighting all alone.

While I am glad that Mona seems to treat her better in this edition, Sam still seems to not know who she needs to stand up to and who she needs to stop taking for granted.

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

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very excited to read this book as NY is my home state and I love NYC. I was eager to see how Sam would find the very unique energy that is NYC. Add in a little mystery, a hint of romance and some wild and crazy stories and you’ve got a fantastic book. Loved the hotel and the twist at the end! Just a fun story to read!.

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