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Red Velvet Murder
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.
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
22 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Laura Pauling
49 books284 followersLaura 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!
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!
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 30, 2025
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!
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!
October 1, 2025
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.
October 8, 2025
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.
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.
December 12, 2025
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!💙💚😉
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!💙💚😉
October 1, 2025
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.
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.
October 3, 2025
Red Velvet
This is a very interesting book. It was an easy read and entertaining. I would recommend it and the whole series.
This is a very interesting book. It was an easy read and entertaining. I would recommend it and the whole series.
January 10, 2026
Loved this book and the whole series! Highly recommended it
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews