Death in Vain

Eve Sawyer Mystery #6

by Jane Suen

A dead girl on the road. An accident, or something more sinister?

Eve Sawyer takes off for a carefree end-of-summer getaway before diving back into another busy fall semester. Seeking relaxation and respite on the heels of solving a recent murder case, she has no plans and no destination in mind.

But when Eve stops at a roadside diner to enjoy a homestyle country meal, she hears about a dead woman found on the road. A local girl named Kaylee, not much younger than Eve.

Eve is just passing through Vain, a tiny Southern flyspeck of a town, and the last thing she expected is to stumble upon a highway hit-and-run investigation and get involved. She feels an urge to stay. Maybe it was fate that brought her here. She can’t leave town. Not just yet. Not before finding out how Kaylee died. Was it an accident? Or something else?

Danger lurks as someone is determined to get rid of Eve before she uncovers the truth. As Eve investigates and puts her inherent curiosity and instinctive skills to use, what dark secrets will she unearth?

Genres: Mystery

168 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 17, 2025

About the author

Jane Suen is a USA Today bestselling author who writes mysteries, sci-fi thrillers, short stories, contemporary romance, and crime fiction.

She is a transplant to the South who has taken a liking to grits, iced tea, and snow cones - so she's there to stay.

For more, join her newsletter ➜ https://BookHip.com/FRPLCVT

Reviews

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I have enjoyed every book I've read by Jane Suen, and they just keep getting better with each instalment. While they can be enjoyed as standalone reads, I recommend starting with the first book and progressing through the series. This way, you'll gain insight into Eve's beginnings and have the background information that enhances your reading experience.

Death in Vain is a quick read and the sixth captivating instalment in the Eve Sawyer Mystery Series by Jane Suen. It’s time for Eve to take a break and enjoy some time to herself, but, true to her nature, once she hears something suspicious, she can't resist investigating until she uncovers the truth. Eve is tenacious, savvy, and determined, but her quest for answers often leads her into trouble. As she delves deeper into the circumstances surrounding a young woman’s death, the tension escalates, and Eve finds herself in greater danger from those who wish to keep the truth hidden.

What secrets is this small-town concealing? Death in Vain is a delightful and engaging read that will certainly satisfy cozy mystery enthusiasts.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Needing a break from the aftermath of the last case she helped on, Eve Sawyer hits the road wanting to relax. Eve stumbles on the small town of Vain and finds herself investigating the murder of a local girl. Can Eve help get the answers that everyone is looking for?

Another great read in this series. Eve has a knack for asking the right questions and looking at it from a different angle. If your looking for a mystery to cozy up to this is one to read.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fantastic read. I couldn't put it down.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable and engaging cozy mystery featuring our heroine, journalism student and amateur sleuth, Eve Sawyer. Looking forward to a relaxing and carefree end-of-summer getaway Eve finds herself at a roadside diner, where she hears about a dead woman being found on the road. Eve learns that the deceased is a local girl named Kaylee and wonders if fate brought her to the tiny town of Vain. Eve starts to investigate whether the hit-and-run was an accident or something more sinister. However, as dark secrets are discovered it’s Eve herself who is in danger, as someone does not want her uncovering the truth.

I was once again fully immersed in Eve’s world, and I felt as though I was solving the mystery alongside her. She remains a realistic and relatable character who I feel instantly engaged with. The storyline had me hooked throughout, whilst the plot twists kept me guessing as to the outcome of the story. I recommend reading the previous five books in this series to better understand Eve’s backstory. I look forward to being back with Eve Sawyer soon!

[Amber Peake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death in Vain is the 6th book in the Eve Sawyer Mysteries by Jane Suen. I have to say I just picked this book up and it’s a great stand-alone book. But I will be getting the others as this was a fantastic book that kept me guessing. I love murder mysteries, and I love series books so I can keep my main character. This book checks all the boxes for me. In this book of the series, we find Eve ready for some deserved down time and off for a getaway. What she finds instead is a small town with a hit and run and no answers. Of course, this pulls our sleuth in and then the danger comes in as the murderer does not want her to find the answers. This book has wonderful characters, danger, secrets, lies, all with a small-town background. I LOVED it! So glad to have found this series!

[Charlisa Wahtomy-Alba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eve Sawyer is hitting the road on a much needed vacation. She just got off a case and needed to get away. Her vacation went out the door when she hears that the body of a young woman a out her age has been found. With Eve being Eve, how are we to expect her to take a seat? She can't leave this town without needing help? She is determined to find out who did this to Michelle. The more she digs into things the more secrets she seems to find herself in grave danger. Will she figure out who the culprit is before she becomes his next victim?

[Beejai Bohls · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 6th book in the series and these books can be read in order or as stand alone. This book has a lot of mystery, intrigue, and diverse characters. This book flows very well and moves quickly from page to page. The leading female in this book goes on vacation and happens to stumble across a murder and then decides that she needs to solve it. This portion is where the book kind of lost me because she doesn't really have any qualifications to be involved in something like this but I loved that she took things into her own hands and followed her whims. There is character development in the book which just makes the leading female go from being good to amazing. I feel like she grows with each book and becomes better and better. If that isn't a reason to read the rest of the series, I don't know what is. The twists and turns that this book takes leaves the reader on the edge of their seat and constantly turning pages to see what happens next. The book is very engaging and had me talking out loud at certain points. I am excited to see more from this author and start another book.

[S. Bittles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick little mystery novel you can read in one sitting!

This is my first read by this Author, and I enjoy the short chapter set-up and the quick world building. This book can be read as a stand alone mystery as well.

The Author does well in the portrayal of small towns, with the aspect of sharing with anyone, and trusting a new person in town. Everyone eats at the same diner, and knows all the town gossip.

I’ve started this series with the sixth book, and I look forward to reading the first book, and so on, after this enjoying this one.

[Ember Daley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It wasn’t crazy good, but it wasn’t terrible either. I’m trying not to be overly critical because it’s not my preferred genre. This was a quick read, for sure, but Eve is a fairly well-written character. I genuinely want to enjoy this more than I currently do. On a positive note, you could definitely read this as a standalone novel. Having only read one other book in this series, I don’t feel like I’m missing much in between.

[Zoe Piengkham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book in this series and by this author. That being said I was easily captured by the story. Its a really good mystery, reads well and moves fast! Eve is an interesting character and I really like her. I am interested in reading more about Wve andhat paths she takes. Great mystery, would recommend.

[Cindy Maciarz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story!

Eve has done it again! She has solved another case. Jane Suen has created a character that keeps us guessing as to what she will do next. I hope she has another case up here sleeve!

[Anantha Rusum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death in Vain is the 6th book in the Eve Sawyer Mysteries by Jane Suen. I have not read the previous books in the series , but this can be read as a standalone . A cozy mystery , in which the main character who is on a vacation getaway finds herself in the middle of solving a murder mystery of a hit and run case . Danger knocks on her door as someone does not want her to solve the murder . The book manages to keep the reader hooked till the very end . I really enjoyed the book and looking forward to read other books in the series .

[Finn Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death in Vain is the 6th book of the "Eve Sawyer Mysteries" by Jane Suen. I thought Murder Creek was my favorite, but this one blew me away. I can't express how addictive this book is, alongside this author! Jane has officially become part of my permanent TBR authors, and I definitely recommend you pick up any of her books, but especially this one!

[Jess Dimmock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having grown up in a small rural town, this one hits hard! So well done and without feeling extra dramatic. The characters are well done and the scenes very nicely done. I love how it builds steam through the book and then has the wonderful ending. Just enough excitement to keep things from feeling like a slog too! Looking forward to reading more Eve Sawyer Mysteries!

[Chell Conner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mystery book! I love the suspense it gives as past mystery books I’ve read. Bone chilling and definitely worth reading if you love twists and turns in a small novella!

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Heather Knalls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eve Sawyer a journalism student decided to try and take a little vacation before school started and after helping a a friend figure out what happened to his uncle after he passed. On her way to wherever she was going to stopped in a small town named Vain at Dave’s Place the local diner. While there she heard of about a young woman named Kaylee that had been found in the round possibly because of a hit and run. Eve had a knack for solving things so she thought she might start a few extra days to see if she could help find clues that the Sheriffs maybe couldn’t. She questioned several people that had ties to Kaylee. However when she woke on day two her car had been vandalized with spray paint telling her to “Get out, Leave town now” as well as her tires being slashed. After reporting this to the Sheriff’s and then letting her know to be careful she still decided to stay. Can she get to the bottom of this or is this all a mistake?

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty quick read that kept me turning pages pretty rapidly. I'm a fan of this series and have enjoyed the cases that Eve has been involved in.

It's time for Eve to take a break. She's definitely earned it! She stops at a small town diner in Vain and starts to hear rumblings of a young lady's body being found in the road. Eve just can't help herself and she soon finds herself investigating the murder of this young person. So much for that much needed break!

This book can be read as a stand alone but I do highly recommend reading all the books in this series so you don't miss out on more of Eve's story. Each one seems to be better than the last!

I am also in love with this cover! It's very reminiscent of the small town diners that I like to frequent for a good downhome country kind of meal!

[Paula Sayers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eve is going to take some time off to relax and prepare for next semester. But, when she stops at a diner to get a meal, her plans change. She hears about a girl’s body being found on the road. Eve cannot help herself and decides to investigate to determine if this was murder and who did it.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

First let’s take a moment to appreciate this gorgeous cover….. and I know I have said this before, but this one is my favourite of the series, so far!
Death In Vain is the sixth book in the Eve Sawyer Mystery Series by Jane Suen – and wow, this series just gets better and better with each new instalment!
We join Eve Sawyer, who we have followed through all her sleuthing adventures since we met her back in Book #1 – who manages to find herself embroiled in mystery even when she’s on a getaway trying to rest and relax after the taxing experience of her previous investigation (Book #5). Things take an intriguing and dangerous turn when she stumbles upon a suspicious situation, murder is in the air, questions need answering, and justice needs to be served - so she finds she can’t just walk away – and so her next investigation and mystery begins.
This is another great little cozy mystery – well woven with clever little touches that kept me guessing. A crime and investigation story with wonderful character/s, intrigue, a whodunit feel, dramatic developments, danger, secrets, lies/deception, tension, and twists – all unfolding in a small-town setting.
This story could be read as a standalone. But I highly recommend reading the previous books, as the other books also provide some great little mysteries to untangle with character details, development, and other relevant information which will certainly enhance your appreciation and enjoyment of this book (as well as the series as a whole).
Can’t wait to see what Eve gets up to next.
Happy Reading…

[Jessica Godwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gripping installment in the Eve Sawyer Mystery series, offering a satisfying and fast-paced cozy mystery experience. While Book 6 in the series, it functions perfectly as a standalone read, immediately drawing readers into the life of the determined amateur sleuth, Eve Sawyer. On a much-needed break, Eve finds herself passing through Vain, a tiny, seemingly peaceful Southern town. Her vacation is cut short when she stumbles upon a suspicious highway hit-and-run investigation involving a local girl named Kaylee. Fueled by her inherent curiosity and instinctive skills, Eve decides she can't leave until she uncovers the truth. This book is a highly enjoyable mystery that balances a quaint small-town setting with genuine danger. The story is packed with intrigue and twists that keep you guessing until the very end. Fans of the series will appreciate Eve's strong, relentless personality as she peels back the layers of secrets and lies, placing herself in danger as she closes in on a desperate murderer. If you love page-turners with wonderful characters and a relentless puzzle to solve, Death in Vain is a must-read.

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is by an author that I have enjoyed reading from the first book I picked up by her. This is the fifth book in this series which I highly suggest reading the previous books as they are just as great but they can be read as a stand alone. Eve is back in another mystery and this time a woman is found dead alongside the road. She was on her way for a getaway when passing through a small town. She thought she was stopping for a meal but now she must stay until the mystery of the dead woman is solved. The murderer has decided that Eve must go before she finds the truth. Eve is my favorite character. She is strong, determined and makes the story easy to read. She makes me care about what happens to her and wants to see it to the end. I enjoyed how supportive the other characters are which just adds to the story. I also enjoyed the growth of the plot that had me turning pages to the end. I found this story to be fast paced, engaging and hard to put down. This is a must read story and I highly recommend it.

[Tara Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death in Vain is Book Six in the Eve Sawyer Mystery Series. It is a cozy mystery with a small town setting, whodunit suspense, secrets, deception, escalating danger, and plot twists as Eve uncovers hidden truths. The story centers around Eve Sawyer who is on an end of summer getaway when she stops at a roadside diner and learns a local girl, Kaylee, was found dead on the road. What looks like a hit and run may be something more sinister, and Eve feels compelled to stay and investigate despite growing danger as someone tries to stop her. The character of Eve is relatable, and her curiosity reads as empathy rather than nosiness, making her a sympathetic protagonist. She is courageous, instinctive, determined, and resourceful. Eve is a curious, determined amateur sleuth who can’t walk away from a mystery; she follows leads even when it puts her in danger and uses her instincts and investigative skills to dig for the truth. This is a fast-paced, engaging read that can work as a standalone but I do recommend reading earlier books for fuller character background.

[Trina Bagley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sixth book in the Eve Sawyer Mystery series. In this installment, Eve decides to take a break from school and hits the road. Along the way, she stops at a diner in the small town of Vain, only to find herself in the middle of an active murder investigation. Naturally, Eve feels compelled to stay and see what’s really going on.
Overall, this was a quick and easy read, making it enjoyable and fast-paced. While Eve’s intentions are clearly to help, I found myself questioning how helpful it really is for a stranger to arrive in town, start asking questions, and then openly share information with others. At times, it seems possible that she could just as easily be sharing sensitive details with the main suspect. The townspeople also appear surprisingly willing to discuss personal and confidential information with her, especially after she shows them a newspaper article about herself.
Despite these moments that strained believability, the story was engaging and easy to follow, making it a solid addition to the series for fans looking for a light, straightforward mystery.

[Kerry carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 6th book in the Eve Sawyer mystery series. Even though it is part of a series it can be read as a standalone, however I feel once you read one you will want to read them all. These stories are cosy mysteries, full of suspense, intrigued, twist and turns that keep me guessing and hooked from the first page. I love Eve's character, she always seems to find herself caught up in trouble and mystery.

Eve is having a relaxing break after solving the last mystery. She has no destination in mind so when she finds a diner in the small town of Vain she decides to stop of a home cooked meal.
While there she hears the story about a young women who died on the road. Was it a hit and run accident? Or something more sinister? For some reason Eve feels the pull stopping her from carrying on her journey. She needs to find the truth about what happened to the young woman.
But things take a dangerous turn when someone doesn't want Eve looking too closely at what happened. They want Eve to leave town but how far will they go to get rid of her and make her leave?

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the sixth book in the Eve Sawyer Mystery series and it was good. I like the plot line; however, as a reader, you do have to practice suspension of disbelief with Eve. There's just too much happening in this book that would *quite literally* never happen with a murder mystery in "real life." And yes, I'm quite aware that this is fiction; however, I personally like my murder mysteries to be rooted a bit in reality and the way Eve just happens upon this quaint little town and is immediately able to dive right into a murder investigation with little to no training other than a "newspaper article" is just too out there for my liking. And I also found Eve's character to be a bit unbelievable and unsufferable at times. BUT that all being said, I did enjoy the story and it was a quick read and would serve as a great pallet cleanser in-between heftier reads. This can be read as a standalone...I haven't read any of the other books in the series and didn't feel as though I was missing anything.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death in Vain pulled me in the way a roadside mystery might tug at your conscience—you don’t mean to stop, but you can’t keep driving, either. As Eve Sawyer tries to take a quiet break from life, I found myself rooting for her instantly, because who hasn’t wished for peace only to land right in the middle of someone else’s trouble? The town of Vain feels uncomfortably real, like a place you’ve passed through on a long drive and somehow never forgotten. I loved how Eve’s curiosity didn’t feel nosy, but deeply human, as if she owed Kaylee—this girl she never met—at least one person willing to ask what really happened. The suspense creeps up gradually, giving me that familiar thrill of following a gut instinct even when danger lurks around the next turn. By the end, I didn’t just want Eve to solve the case—I wanted her to be safe, because I genuinely cared about both the living and the dead in this eerie little town.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death in Vain is the sixth book in the Eve Sawyer Mystery set but can be read as a standalone. I have not read the previous five books and was able to follow everything with ease, but reading the others will most likely give more backstory and character development. Eve Sawyer is passing through a small off the grid town and stops at the local diner for some food and over hears the locals discussing a death that happened recently. Feeling like this is not just an open and closed case to be swept under the rug, Eve decides to linger in the town and dig deeper. Asking questions around town is giving her more and more confirmation that something isn't right. Her car is vandalized with a warning to leave town and her tires are slashed. Even the sheriff seems to know something, warning her to be careful. Eve knows she has to get the the bottom of this not so open and closed hit and run. Kaylee, the girl that died, deserves justice and her story told.

[Shannen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like mystery novels that feel like you’re uncovering secrets right alongside the main character, this one is a great pick. We continue following Eve who’s just trying to enjoy a carefree road trip before school starts back up. Of course, that plan goes out the window when she hears about a local girl found deceased on the road in a tiny Southern town. What starts as curiosity quickly turns into a full-on investigation, and it really feels natural how Eve gets pulled in. I loved the small-town setting because everyone seems to be hiding something, and the tension builds fast. The question of whether it was an accident or something darker keeps you hooked the whole time. There’s also a real sense of danger as it becomes clear someone wants Eve gone before she learns too much. The pacing is quick, and the suspense never drags. If you enjoy smart, determined characters and mysteries that keep you guessing, this book is an easy recommendation.

[Alicia Furlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sixth book in the Eve Sawyer Mystery series. It's the first book that I've read in the series. I think it can be read as a standalone, but to get the full picture of Eve and her background, I'd suggest reading the previous ones first. I really enjoyed the writing; it pulls you into the story. A hit and run is the talk of the small town Eve stops in on her much-needed time off. Something seems suspicious about it, and Eve decides she needs to stay. The longer she's there and the more questions she asks, the more danger she's in. Will she be able to find out what happened to this young girl? I loved the character of Eve—my curiosity runs the same as hers. If you're looking for a quick read full of intrigue and twists that will keep you guessing until the end, this cozy mystery has everything you need!

[Rhonda Pulk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death in Vain by Jane Suen
5 Star Review
Death in Vain by Jane Suen is a thriller that grabs you from the opening chapter. Eve Sawyer is hoping for a quiet retreat and some time to herself. This is not what she gets. When some unexpected deaths begin to make an eerie pattern, Eve finds herself in the middle of the mess. Can she help figure it out before she becomes a victim herself?
Jane Suen uses things that every human fears in real life. This to me made the story seem very real, like I had fallen into the pages. I like that Eve is not perfect and is kind of a train wreck in her own right. There is not a lot of character backstory, but in this case that really works. This is a fast paced book and I think extra detailed backstory would have slowed it down. This book was the perfect weekend read! I highly recommend it!