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Willow Creek Cozy Mystery #4
The Turkey Trot Murder
A scarecrow, a campaign, and a killer—Thanksgiving in Willow Creek just turned deadly.
Cynthia Harper thought running a bed-and-breakfast in Willow Creek would be a peaceful second act—but when her town’s Thanksgiving Festival is upstaged by a murder, she finds herself unraveling more than autumn garlands.
The victim? Lisa Cowell, local bookkeeper and campaign treasurer for Acting Sheriff Granger—found dead beneath a scarecrow the morning of the Turkey Trot. With whispers of political sabotage, campaign finance fraud, and scarecrow threats rattling the town, Cynthia and her golden retriever Duke follow a trail of cryptic ledgers, missing ballots, and shady donations.
As Cynthia digs deeper, she uncovers more than just red herrings—from a grumpy café owner with secrets to an over-polished campaign aide with something to hide. And when a second scarecrow appears, this time with a warning meant for her, Cynthia realizes someone is willing to kill to control the vote.
It’s a race against time to expose the truth before the ballots are cast… and Cynthia becomes the next name crossed off the list.
Cynthia Harper thought running a bed-and-breakfast in Willow Creek would be a peaceful second act—but when her town’s Thanksgiving Festival is upstaged by a murder, she finds herself unraveling more than autumn garlands.
The victim? Lisa Cowell, local bookkeeper and campaign treasurer for Acting Sheriff Granger—found dead beneath a scarecrow the morning of the Turkey Trot. With whispers of political sabotage, campaign finance fraud, and scarecrow threats rattling the town, Cynthia and her golden retriever Duke follow a trail of cryptic ledgers, missing ballots, and shady donations.
As Cynthia digs deeper, she uncovers more than just red herrings—from a grumpy café owner with secrets to an over-polished campaign aide with something to hide. And when a second scarecrow appears, this time with a warning meant for her, Cynthia realizes someone is willing to kill to control the vote.
It’s a race against time to expose the truth before the ballots are cast… and Cynthia becomes the next name crossed off the list.
- GenresCozy Mystery
223 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2025
22 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 13, 2025
"The Turkey Trot Murder (A Willow Creek Cozy Mystery #4)" by Jenni Marie is mostly an election themed cozy mystery. It does frequently refer to a Turkey Trot festival that is also happening and ending with Thanksgiving. Cynthia is helping with the Turkey Trot festival when potential election fraud is discovered. Cynthia gets pulled in investigating when the victim left behind lot of clues and duplicates of the clues that specifically reference giving them to Cynthia if something were to happen to them.
Now that's the big part of what bugged me about this book. Cynthia came across lots of clues and possibly crime scenes she handles a lot of it or doesn't even try to preserve the evidence. Over all though, it was a good story. It could be even better if I had read the previous books.
Now that's the big part of what bugged me about this book. Cynthia came across lots of clues and possibly crime scenes she handles a lot of it or doesn't even try to preserve the evidence. Over all though, it was a good story. It could be even better if I had read the previous books.
November 2, 2025
It’s Thanksgiving in Willow Creek and there’s been a murder.Eek! Cynthia Harper and her trustee sidekick Golden Terrier Duke are on the case post haste ,no rebuke. Lisa Cowell was the local bookkeeper and campaign treasure for acting Sheriff Granger but she was found dead in a place that couldn’t be stranger, underneath a scarecrow on the
morning of the Turkey Trot no less . What a mess but who does Cynthia think will confess. I mean this is congress . What’s this? what a plot! What an intriguing story it’s got ,from missing ledgers and ballots and underhanded antic nonsense sending them frantic with their responses. A race against time in this sublime book . A wonderful read in a shady nook .Jenni Marie has weaved a good take and given us a few misdirections just enough to make us fail in our quest to reach the conclusion before the best that is the sleuth in question Cynthia H ,whom I’m happy to report hasn’t been upstaged this time around . The storytelling is compellingly sound and fun with conclusive proof intact that the storyline is divine as a matter of fact.
morning of the Turkey Trot no less . What a mess but who does Cynthia think will confess. I mean this is congress . What’s this? what a plot! What an intriguing story it’s got ,from missing ledgers and ballots and underhanded antic nonsense sending them frantic with their responses. A race against time in this sublime book . A wonderful read in a shady nook .Jenni Marie has weaved a good take and given us a few misdirections just enough to make us fail in our quest to reach the conclusion before the best that is the sleuth in question Cynthia H ,whom I’m happy to report hasn’t been upstaged this time around . The storytelling is compellingly sound and fun with conclusive proof intact that the storyline is divine as a matter of fact.
December 28, 2025
This is a great book about a small-town whodunit. The quirky characters, unexpected twists, and the lovable Duke, who outshines the humans in sleuthing skills. What starts as a festive holiday tradition quickly turns into a tangled web of secrets, suspicious casseroles, and hidden motives.
This book features a vibrant cast of characters, eccentric townsfolk, and slow-burning romantic tension. Duke adds an extra layer of warmth and cleverness, which makes the book even more enjoyable. This book kept me hooked right up to the end. This book is a wonderful escape into a world of small-town secrets and holiday cheer.
This book features a vibrant cast of characters, eccentric townsfolk, and slow-burning romantic tension. Duke adds an extra layer of warmth and cleverness, which makes the book even more enjoyable. This book kept me hooked right up to the end. This book is a wonderful escape into a world of small-town secrets and holiday cheer.
November 2, 2025
Cynthia Harper is getting the Inn ready for the Turkey Trot Festival and the election when in the corn maze her dog Duke finds the body of Lisa Cowell. She's is part of the city government and had said that she had proof of corruption in the city records. Someone had killed her to keep her from spilling the beans. That immediately set Cynthia into sleuthing mode and boy did she find the dirt. This is a great page turning story that shows that someone didn't want the truth found.
I received an arc and this is my review.
I received an arc and this is my review.
November 18, 2025
When Cynthia moved to Willow Creek to run a bed and breakfast the peaceful life she thought it’d be didn’t work out that way. The local bookkeeper and campaign treasurer is found dead beneath a scarecrow on the morning of the Turkey Trot during the Thanksgiving Festival. Cynthia and her loyal canine Duke set out to solve it and when rumours spread about missing ballots, shady donations, fraud and threats to Cynthia, she new that it was a race against time or she might be next! This is a great mystery that takes lots of twist and turns and keeps you reading right to the end!
Cherie
Cherie
November 9, 2025
Did not finish.
I like the quirky characters and Duke the dog. Cynthia , the main character, wasn't one I could not tolerate. She's investigating a murder of a politician during an election. Cynthia approaches suspects on her own, knowing they are powerful people who will do almost anything to keep their power. She acted at times as if she did not care about her own safety. I stopped at 28 percent. This is the first and last time I will read a book in this series.
I like the quirky characters and Duke the dog. Cynthia , the main character, wasn't one I could not tolerate. She's investigating a murder of a politician during an election. Cynthia approaches suspects on her own, knowing they are powerful people who will do almost anything to keep their power. She acted at times as if she did not care about her own safety. I stopped at 28 percent. This is the first and last time I will read a book in this series.
November 12, 2025
Something is rotten in Willow Cheek! Be thankful for Duke! Duke has unearthed most, if no all, of the clues. Of course, Cynthia, Maggie, and Granger have to put them together. This book is full of surprises, scares, and mystery. Who was afraid the victim knew too much? Who is determined to skew the election? What about the money? What is happening to it? Yes, something is rotten in Willow Cheek! I read an ARC of The Turkey Trot Murder.
January 6, 2026
This was the most poorly written book I've ever read. It jumped all over the place. Things happened that was talked about earlier in the book but then it actually happened later. It kept repeating things over and over that just didn't make sense. Then the reason behind the murder kept becoming more complex but then was never explained. I skimmed the last several chapters just to find out whodunit because it was taking so long.
January 21, 2026
The Turkey Trot Murder
What a great combination of small town politics and murder! A retired B&B owner who is now a salute find herself in the middle of a murder mystery. She and her trusty dog will find themselves in the crosshairs of a murderer who will do anything to stop her from getting to the bottom of the town’s corruption. I love all the characters and the story line was amazing. I’m already hooked and will continue reading this series.
What a great combination of small town politics and murder! A retired B&B owner who is now a salute find herself in the middle of a murder mystery. She and her trusty dog will find themselves in the crosshairs of a murderer who will do anything to stop her from getting to the bottom of the town’s corruption. I love all the characters and the story line was amazing. I’m already hooked and will continue reading this series.
October 29, 2025
Cynthia and Duke are once again on the case, a local no nonsense lady is murdered, the festival gets more haunting by the day. With threatening notes and scarecrows being left as warns, can Cynthia and Duke sniff out the truth before the truth sniffs them out.. For good?
October 30, 2025
Thanksgiving brings chaos with a murder found beside a scarecrow. There is a lot going on than it seemed. An intriguing read. I received this ARC copy via Booksprouts and recommend this book to other readers
November 2, 2025
This is a great suspenseful small town whodunnit mystery! Cynthia and Duke are on the case!! There are great characters and wonderful plot!
November 3, 2025
Only the turkey seems not a suspect, so you need all your tips, advice, and savvy to solve this one.
November 16, 2025
Boring!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews