Crimson Leaves and Deadly Schemes: A Photography and Foliage Small Town Cozy Mystery

by Maisy Marple

After a painful divorce and a stalled photography career, Iris Blackwood returns to her hometown of Maple Ridge, Vermont, hoping to rediscover the passion that once drove her work. Arriving during the town's busiest weekend of the year—the Peak Foliage Festival—she's surrounded by spectacular autumn beauty and the chance for a fresh start. When she enters the festival's photography competition, she's ready to prove to herself that she still has what it takes. But her peaceful morning shoot at the iconic Crimson Bridge takes a dark turn when she discovers the body of Bradley Hartwell, the festival's pompous and widely disliked director, at the base of the bridge in what appears to be a tragic accident.

Iris's trained photographer's eye immediately catches details that others miss—a closed camera bag, a lens cap still in place, and equipment positioned all wrong for someone actively taking photos. When she shares her observations with the local sheriff, what seemed like an unfortunate fall becomes a murder investigation. As Iris digs deeper, she uncovers a web of blackmail, embezzlement, and small-town secrets that Bradley had been exploiting for years. With a long list of people who had reason to want him dead, including her best friend, her mentor, and several seemingly gentle locals, Iris must use her gift for seeing what others overlook to find the truth before an innocent person takes the fall.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of peak foliage season in a picturesque Vermont town, this cozy mystery combines snappy dialogue, quirky characters, and the art of photography with a clever whodunit that will keep readers guessing. Perfect for fans of small-town mysteries and amateur sleuths who solve crimes while rebuilding their lives, Crimson Leaves and Deadly Schemes proves that coming home sometimes means finding yourself—and catching a killer along the way.

116 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 9, 2025

Reviews

[Regina Lancaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crimson Leaves and Deadly Schemes

Aahhhh, the loveliness of fall as seen through the eyes of a talented photographer! The descriptions alone are worth reading this book at this time of year, but this is a Maisy Marple book, so expect so much more: murder tangled up in blackmail, carefully crafted characters that keep one guessing... But even after the multiple crimes are solved, Maisy doesn't end the story there. She develops the ongoing story so you feel connected.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diving headfirst into this photographic page-turner was like uncovering a hidden treasure trove of nostalgia. With memories of my own shutterbugging days dancing through my mind, this mystery snapped perfectly into focus. A delightful literary snapshot that left me eagerly anticipating the next frame in the series - because who doesn't love a good plot development that develops faster than a Polaroid?

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cozy mystery that I really enjoyed reading. I think my only complaint is that it's only 9 chapters long. But, the full story was told in those chapters.