A Deathly Display: A Small Town Murder Mystery

Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum #11

by Kirsten Weiss

Can Maddie’s sleuthing save her sister from a deadly encore?

Maddie and her sidekick Herb are just trying to survive a snooty curation class at the Domus Vinea museum. But then Maddie’s opera-diva sister, Melanie, trips over the museum director’s body. Suddenly, the vibe’s less “classy art seminar” and more “murder most melodramatic.” With a sneaky killer eyeing Melanie for the next curtain call, if Maddie can’t solve this mystery, Melanie’s next aria could be her last.

Maddie and her quirky crew must bumble through a lineup of suspects, including a swoon-worthy vintner whose haunted painting hides a chilling secret—and whose charm might just steal Maddie’s heart.

Grab A Deathly Display and start reading this hilarious whodunit today!

New to the Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum series? Start with Book 1, The Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum, and binge the series that readers have called 'funny, interesting, and soul-happy.

For readers who crave a cozy mystery about a woman finding belonging through small-town wine-country sleuthing and the gentle absurdity of everyday hauntings. Perfect if you like breezy pacing, light supernatural quirks, and warm humor over gritty tension—think vintage charm, quirky neighbors, and just-enough chills to keep pages turning without losing sleep. Book 11 in the series.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Contemporary, Paranormal

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 17, 2026

About the author

Kirsten Weiss writes laugh-out-loud, page-turning mysteries. Her heroines aren’t perfect, but they’re smart, they struggle, and they succeed. Kirsten writes in a house high on a hill in the Colorado woods and occasionally ventures out for wine and chocolate. Or for a visit to the local pie shop.

She is best known for her cozy and witch mystery novels. So if you like funny, action-packed mysteries with complicated heroines, just turn the page…

Kirsten sends out original short stories of mystery and magic to her mailing list. If you’d like to get them delivered straight to your inbox, make sure to sign up for her newsletter at kirstenweiss.com

Feel free to follow her on Twitter @KirstenWeiss or Bookbub, get in touch on Facebook, post a picture of this book to Instagram and tag her @kirstenweissauthor, or send her an email. She’ll answer you personally…which may be a good or a bad thing, depending on your perspective.

Reviews

[Kirsten Weiss]

It's finally here!

[Susan Reads Cozies · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was fun getting to see more of Maddie’s sister in this one, and I liked that we got a few moments where she wasn’t quite as over-the-top as usual. There were also a couple scenes that made me laugh, especially Maddie trying to sneak past Laurel — that whole situation was great.

The mystery kept me guessing more than I expected. I probably should have figured out who the killer was sooner, but I was too distracted waiting to see if something was finally going to happen between Maddie and a certain someone.

Overall, this was another really enjoyable entry in the series. I always like coming back to these characters, and this one had a good mix of humor, mystery, and just enough drama to keep things interesting.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddie and the San Benedetto Paranormal Museum return in this wonderful mystery from Kirsten Weiss. The museum curation seminar at nearby museum is derailed when Maddie’s sister, Melanie, discovers the director’s dead body. Maddie is reluctantly drawn into the investigation at the behest of her mother. After a familial relationship is revealed about the victim, Maddie is more invested. A second murder and an attempt on Melanie’s life has Maddie seeing red in a combination of anger, guilt, and shame. Has her involvement caused more destruction? Alongside the murders, she has troubles at her own museum to work through, a potentially haunted painting to investigate, and an intriguing new man in her life.

I always enjoy Ms. Weiss’s books and this was no exception. The simmering jealousy and animosity between Maddie and Melanie added an extra layer of drama to the mystery. I liked how it was resolved to some extent with Maddie taking a hard look at her own failings. The values list was a great exercise and one that seems particularly helpful. I also loved the varied museums included in the story and the connections between them. Each one came alive in their own way and reflected the central California setting nicely. Maddie’s tangled love life with Mason and Jason was put to rest, although as a long term reader of the series, I’m a little sad she didn’t end up with either. The inventive idea to curtail the trouble from teens at the Paranormal Museum sounds perfect and I hope we see it implemented in future books.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It's always fun visiting a museum but this one is definitely an experience and not just because of a murder. The behind the scenes look at running a museum is what makes this a unique cozy mystery series, add in a quirky family dynamic and an interesting murder and most people would buy tickets, sorry read the book. I like the characters, Maddie's home and love life is complicated and adds drama to the story. The mystery it's self kept me guessing, especially with all the suspects but Maddie wraps everything up nicely. There is sort of two mysteries in this book, the main case is of course the murder and then Maddie has to also investigate why a painting would be haunted. Well she does own a Paranormal museum that is great to visit and is why I can't wait for the next book.

To help the paranormal museum Maddie and and Herb join a curator class to learn some tips. She is surprised to find her mother and sister in attendance too but not as surprised as Her sister finding the director dead. hen Maddie refused to investigate, Maddie's mum drags her sister along to do the job. Is she just scared her sister is a suspect? Or is trying to distract her? When another body connected to the museum is discovered and her sister is attacked, Maddie has no choice but to learn A lot more than just how to bring visitors and money into her museum. Can she also find the killer and what her mother is up to?
I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Valeri Sullivan (vsulvn29) · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Okay, I did tend to fine lots of bodies, and it was a little weird.’

This one was intriguing right from the start. A museum curator with ties to Maddie that she was unaware of put her in the crosshairs of her nemesis, Laurel while she’s also dealing with diva drama from her newly returned stateside sister. Throw in her side investigation into a haunted painting, and run ins with both of her exes and it’s never a dull moment! I’d put this one at the top of the series and a turning point in the series for Maddie as she finally figuring out what she wants and what it takes to get it. Well done!

[Ericka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Weiss’ newest paranormal museum mystery, A Deathly Display, has more insight into Maddie's family relations as well as herself. Melanie, licking her wounds from the previous book, returns to San Benedetto to recoup and ends up discovering the most recent murder. Maddie learns a lot about herself, her sister, and her mother in addition to investigating the murder and another mystery. You even catch a glimpse of their relationship with their brother. There's a lot of general museum information and Maddie going over her own experiences and, of course, I'm looking forward to the next book. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Deathly Display is the eleventh book in the Small Town Murder Mystery series. I found it well written with plenty of twists and misdirections.
The mystery was enough to keep me turning the pages but I do like the extra drama added by her love life and her family. Thank goodness for her side kick Herb.

I quickly had enough of Melanie, Maddie’s sister. Still I preserved and enjoyed the unfolding of the story. So not to over share, you will need to read this story. It can be read as a standalone,but, I prefer getting the character development.

I recommend this quicky series and this book. I was given an advanced readers copy and am nt required to leave a positive review.

[Grinning Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective: Maddie Kosloski, director of the San Benedetto Paranormal Museum
Sidekicks: her mother, her sister, and the museum’s curator, Herb Linden
Crime: Murder
Victim: Mark Moffat, director of the Domus Vinea Museum
Method: blunt force trauma to the head
Paranormal Mystery: identity and details about a painting of a woman whose likeness is said to leave the painting at night.
Animal companion: GD, museum cat. Doesn’t have a lot to do with this book.
Triggers: bullying, violence, extramarital affairs, discussion of DV.
Thoughts: this was a really fun mystery, and I loved the framework of the paranormal museum.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Paranormal Museum on it's own is fascinating. When layered with Maddie's family, museum business, further museum education at a nearby Art museum, a potentially haunted painting, and murders, it's a wonder that Maddie can get anything done! However nothing seems to slow her down until her sister is poisoned. She becomes more focused on family and other personal values. The story has so many layers woven together creating an amazing book that kept me reading long past bedtime. Fast paced yet never rushed, it is my favorite of the series.

[Katherine Daugherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Paranormal Museum series, and A Deathly Display fits perfectly within it. Kirsten Weiss creates wonderfully relatable main characters whose mix of insecurities and confidence makes them feel real and compelling. I especially enjoy how the book captures life in a small town—where you inevitably run into people you might rather avoid—and how the characters navigate those moments. The growing relationships among the museum staff add warmth and depth to the story. Overall, Kirsten Weiss is a fantastic writer.

[Barbara Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allow two days (or a very long one) for this laugh-out-loud, contemporary, small-town, phytological, midlife, cozy murder mystery procedural during spring in San Benedetto, California, featuring families, the San Benedetto Paranormal Historical Museum, self-medication, AI, quiche, a whistleblower, a gibfaced rantallion, retinal scanners and a moat, relationship values, insecurities, approval, validation, good enough, honor, creativity, order, love, and GD.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anteia Consorto · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent addition to the series! This book has mysteries to solve, family drama and plenty of character development all set in a small town. I love the character growth, insight into Maddie’s family life and the craziness happening at the museum. The scenery is well developed and really pulls you into the story.
Never a dull moment, this one keeps you guessing and turning the pages late into the night. Can’t wait for the next installment!.

[Alicia Kozak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've only read a couple others in the series but that was fine. The paranormal museum is a neat setting and I liked hearing about the artifacts. Maddie's sister and mother add to the drama of the murder investigation and if that's not enough, Maddie is also busy digging up the history of a supposedly haunted painting. An entertaining mystery with real moments between the characters.

[booksy.tx.ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes! We’re back at the Paranormal Museum. This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series. I love Maddie and how she’s growing. This is a perfect mix of mystery and personal life in a story line. A murder mystery and a paranormal mystery. Maddie is one busy woman. Everything comes together beautifully and nothing is left undone.


Come read with me @booksy.tx.ana

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book and it's another great mystery with Maddie and the paranormal Museum - plenty of suspects plus there's Maddie's diva sister and mother to contend with too. Lively and eventful, loved it.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I like this series and that it involves a museum especially a special one liked this one. It was great to have two mysteries in one book for Maddie to solve.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maddie, one of a kind and so, so, smart.

Maddie is not sure who she is with her sister back in the United States. When her sister come upon a dead person things get more confusing. Can she figure out who she is, what she wants in life before more people die.

[Mary Barna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mildly paranormal

A good book for those who are not big fans of the paranormal. Two crimes are solved, one current and one from the past. Maddie is very introspective.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

Intriguing characters, a great setting and mysteries to solve. I really like how the characters have progressed. I look forward to seeing Maddie and her museum grow. She has a nose for trouble.