Red Velvet Murder

Baron & Graystone #8

by Laura Pauling

Belle Baron thought decorating for Halloween would be her biggest challenge this October.

But when a man with a wooden stake through his heart crashes a local charity event, she's faced with a mystery straight out of horror fiction.

Not everyone wants Belle asking questions, and when someone leaves a crimson threat on her door, she realizes this is one mystery that might cost her everything. With her relationship with Detective Lucas Graystone tested by a flashy insurance investigator and time running out, Belle must determine who's playing deadly games before the final curtain falls.

Join Belle Baron and Detective Lucas Graystone in this captivating cozy mystery series. If you like your murders with a small-town feel and life-long friendships, an intriguing whodunit, and an ending you didn’t see coming, then you’ll love the Baron & Graystone Mysteries.

222 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 28, 2025

About the author

Laura writes about spies, murder, and mystery. She’s the author of the exciting Circle of Spies Series, the Prom Impossible Series, and the Heist time travel mystery series. She’s a former elementary teacher and currently lives in New England. After spending time reading books to her kids and loving a good plot turn, she put her fingers to the keyboard. Don’t ask her about the unfinished quilts and scrapbooks. Stories are way more exciting.

She writes to entertain and experience a great story…and to be able to work in her jammies and slippers.

The Holly Hart Cozy Mystery Series releases starting in May 2015!

Reviews

[Jill]

Belle Baron and Lucas Greystone are one of my favorite detecting teams. Belle's life experiences have given her wisdom beyond her years and combined with Lucas's even keel and experience as a detective they make a perfect team. The chemistry between them is palpable! The author deftly uses the setting and Halloween as additional characters in the story, adding to the unease you may feel while reading!

It's Halloween and Belle is decorating for the local charity event. Unfortunately, a man dressed as a vampire dies in the middle of the floor with a stake through his heart and blood bags are missing from local blood banks. In addition, the 'vampire' that died apparently had a large life insurance policy which brings a flashy insurance investigator to town who definitely wants to get her hooks into Lucas. As Belle gets closer and closer to the answer, she finds herself targeted and ends up with a message in blood left on her front door. This story definitely grabs your attention early on and keeps you on the edge of your seat from page 1!

Of course, the characters we've come to know throughout the series are present - Lucas's niece Lexie and barista extraordinaire Bixby - and both play an important part in the story. Through savvy detecting Belle and Lucas prove that there is nothing supernatural going, however there is a very convoluted mystery with lots of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing the whole time. I was genuinely surprised at the end when the culprit was revealed.

This is just a great series and Red Velvet Murder is a wonderful addition! If you’re looking for a good Halloween read, I highly recommend this book!

[Tari]

Belle couldn’t believe that a man could really think he was a vampire, but when the guy came staggering into a charity tea with a stake through his heart, Belle had a lotta explaining to do with Lexie. Ever the teacher though, she figured out the best way was to look up the psychiatric condition the man had.

After Belle got a threatening message on her door, she ended up facing off with a killer in a scary showdown, but she actually kinda almost turned into a superwoman when she helped with the takedown. The ending was cute as Belle and Lucas hosted a Halloween party for his niece Lexie and her friends. There’s only one book left in this series and I sure hate to see it end!

[Brooke Smith]

Laura Pauling delivers yet another exciting cozy mystery with Red Velvet Murder! I loved the vampire storyline and was definitely surprised with each new twist that was introduced. If you like a no spice, fast paced mystery with a sweet budding romance, you will enjoy this book. Highly recommend! I received an ARC copy from the author.

[Jillian]

Entertaining mystery

So good. Murder, mystery, quirky characters and relationship drama along with a great plot gives you an entertaining story, especially during the Halloween season. I thoroughly enjoy this series by Laura Paulding and highly recommend her books. Cannot wait to see what is in store for Belle and Lucas next.

[AnnaRose Martinez]

Halloween

The condition the men had was something I have never heard of. I will have to do some research. I'm glad they finally made their relationship official. I can't wait to see how it progresses. The coffee drinks sound so delicious, we need recipes to try at home. On to the next adventure!💙💚😉

[Winnie M.]

great series

Just finished them all, a really great read, highly recommend. Full of suspense and lots of twist and turns to keep you on your toes with so many stories as well as some strange characters you will meet along the way!!!! Enjoy!!

[E]

Excellent

Another fantastic story in this series. I really enjoyed reading it, the book was hard to put down. I look forward to more in this series.

[Nancy Simcoe]

Red Velvet

This is a very interesting book. It was an easy read and entertaining. I would recommend it and the whole series.

[Nicole Whiteaker]

Loved this book and the whole series! Highly recommended it

[dawn rilko]

Good book

I enjoyed this book as well as the ones before in the series, they have just enough mystery and suspense to keep you guessing.