Do Not Disturb... for Good

Penelope Sinclair #7

by Tessa Aura

A blizzard outside. A killer inside. And the tea’s to die for.

When Grandma, Teo, and I wait out the storm at the Wintermere Inn, I expect warm fires and cocoa—not a corpse before breakfast.

Arthur Beale is found dead in his locked room, poisoned by the sugar in his tea. Suddenly, this sweet inn feels far less cozy.

Vera and Henry Dalton came to rekindle romance, but with tempers flaring, did someone finally snap?

CJ keeps hunting for a signal—but who’s he so desperate to reach?

Patrick fidgets like a man sitting on secrets, while Lydia, the so-called travel blogger, watches the details so closely it seems she’s after more than a story.

When a second sugar canister turns up tainted, the message is the danger isn’t over—and someone is desperate to cover his tracks.

I can handle the cold. But if I don’t get ahead of this killer, things might get icy for me—in all the wrong ways.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

201 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 16, 2026

About the author

Hello! I'm Tessa Aura, author of cozy mystery series that whisk you away to charming settings with lovable characters, clever puzzles, and plenty of laughs.

With 21 published books across multiple series, I've built a reputation for combining humor with mystery, always featuring loyal dog sidekicks and guaranteed happy endings. My Simply Scrumptious Italian Culinary Mysteries take you to the sun-soaked towns of Italy where amateur sleuth chefs solve murders between preparing pasta and pouring wine.

I grew up loving puzzles and animals—which is why every book features a four-legged detective helping crack the case. From beagles and chihuahuas to labs and pitbull/mix, these pups steal scenes (and hearts!).

Travel is my passion, and it shows in my settings. Whether it's Italy's Cinque Terre or cozy American small towns, I love taking readers on adventures alongside my female detectives.

If you love clean, lighthearted mysteries with humor, heart, and happy endings, you're in the right place. Start with Book 1 of any series and prepare to binge!

Follow me on Amazon to never miss a new release: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/...

Happy sleuthing!

Reviews

[Mandy Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Tessa Aura’s Do Not Disturb... For Good, a charming domestic pursuit quickly evolves into a sophisticated locked-room mystery. The narrative begins with Penelope and her grandmother, Joyce, embarking on a quest for vintage treasures—specifically a cherry-design antique pie plate and a piece of jewelry. However, the journey takes an ominous turn when a sudden blizzard, foretold only by Grandma Joyce’s intuition, strands them at a secluded bed and breakfast. Aura expertly utilizes the isolation of the storm—complete with severed communication lines and impassable roads—to transform this quaint sanctuary into a high-stakes crime scene.
​The tension escalates when a fellow guest is discovered dead in a locked room, poisoned by a cup of tea and leaving behind a cryptic note. With the authorities unreachable, Penelope, Joyce, and the guarded Teo must navigate a web of hidden identities to unmask a killer who is hiding in plain sight. This is a masterclass in atmospheric suspense, where the victim’s secret past becomes the central puzzle for the stranded trio to solve. Aura excels at misdirection, ensuring that the "who" and the "why" remain elusive until the final chapters. It is an immersive, expertly paced procedural that defies expectations with its intricate plot twists. This is the quintessential cozy mystery to enjoy by the fire, though after witnessing the events of the novel, readers might find themselves reaching for a cup of cocoa instead of tea. Having been thoroughly ensnared by this gripping tale, I am now waiting patiently for Tessa Aura’s next book to see where she takes these characters next.

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grandma Joyce, Penelope, and Teo find themselves in the midst of a storm, requiring them to spend the night at Wintermere Inn. Upon their arrival, the scene resembles a postcard, with guests gathered around the fireplace, appearing all snug and comfortable, each engaged in their own activities while basking in the warmth of the fire.

In his locked room, Arthur Beale’s fate is evident almost immediately; perhaps he shouldn't have had that tea. Penelope promptly begins her investigation, as there are numerous suspects among the guests. Did one of them play a role in Arthur's fate, or could it be the work of someone else? If so, what could they possibly hold against the unfortunate Arthur?

As Penelope digs deeper, she uncovers a multitude of secrets that someone desperately wants to keep concealed. What is it that they are trying to hide? What are their reasons for keeping this information under wraps?

Indeed, Do Not Disturb...For Good is full of mysteries. Secrets that ensnared my attention from start to finish as I eagerly awaited their uncovering. Do Not Disturb...For Good was a true mind-bender, constantly defying expectations with its intricate and surprising plot twists.

I’m eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the Penelope Sinclair Cozy Murder Mystery series to discover what enigma Penelope will encounter next. I highly recommend that anyone who enjoys a thrilling mystery pick up a copy of Do Not Disturb...For Good today!

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 7th book in the Penelope Sinclair Cozy Murder Mystery Series and it is a really good addition! Penelope, Teo, Penelope's tea cup chihuahua and Grandma Joyce are headed to an estate sale where Penelope is to appraise the jewelry and Grandma wants to find a vintage a cherry-design antique pie plate. But as they travelled, the weather got bad and the snow became hard to drive any farther. So not wanting to be stranded somewhere, they turn into the Wintermere Inn to spend the night and weather the storm. But the next morning Arthur Beale didn't show up for breakfast, he was dead in his locked room. Of course, phone lines are not working and neither is the electric. Penelope, Teo and Grandma are stuck in the Inn with a murderer so Penelope and her smart, clue finding Teo with some help from Grandma decides to investigate and find almost every other guest could be a suspect. Without the help of Detective Caleb, Penelope is on her own until the very end. So many guests harboring so many secrets. Can Penelope and Teo find a murderer before he tries again? I highly recommend not only this book but the entire series and I can't wait to see what Penelope, Teo and Grandma Joyce get into next. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Margery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penelope and her grandmother are traveling to an antique sale where grandma just has to have an antique pie plate with a cherry design inside. Penelope is going for a piece of jewelry. It i cold and flurrying and grandma says they should turn around, this is no flurry. Her knees are saying this is a full snow storm. As funny as she can tell weather they drive right into the blizzard. They are side tracked due to a road closing and are lucky to find a B&B. They check in. It is quaint but clean and the other guests they meet are a quiet bunch and Teo is acting guarded leaning into Penelope. Their first morning there with the blizzard roaring outside, the body of one of the guests is found dead in his locked room. Now figuring how someone got in and how he died was easily solved. This man has a secret that they need to find out who he really was, who in the inn would want to kill him. No one can leave, the police cannot be called with phone lines and internet down, Penelope, grandma and Teo have a challenge ahead. Page turning mystery where I could not figure the who, let alone the why until the end.

[Dolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penelope Sinclair is at it again and she's brought her grandmother with her. Pen and Granny are on an antiquing trip to Wellsford - Penelope is going to appraise a jewelry estate lot and Granny has her sights set on a vintage pie dish - when they are informed that the bridge they're supposed to take has iced over and there's a blizzard on its way. So, they take a detour to find lodging at the Wintermere Inn.
There, they find seven guests and the innkeeper. At first everything seems normal, just people trying to get out of a storm, until the next morning, a body is found and it almost becomes like the game of Clue. And Penelope and Grandma (along with the clue finding chihuaha, Teo) are set on solving this mystery.

This one is a lot different than the others, mainly because Detective Caleb isn't in this until the end and nobody is keeping Penelope from trying to figure this mystery out - in fact, Grandma is encouraging her. And I love it.
Definitely recommend if you're looking for a quick mystery read that keeps you on the edge of your seat!.

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

[Willow Poteet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penelope Sinclair, her adorable canine companion, Teo, and her grandmother Joyce, are on their way to an estate sale to appraise jewelry when a winter storm forces a detour to the Wintermere Inn. The Inn is old, but well loved and there are already a few guests huddled inside
After introductions are made and dinner is served, the three travelers get settled into their room and awaken to a world cloaked in white.
With breakfast being served, it is discovered that one of the guests has not come down, but it is surmised that he is sleeping in.
After breakfast, Penelope returns to her room to find that there is a strange suitcase in her room and takes it to the hotel owner, who is herself making a frightening discovery.
This is another great book in the Penelope Sinclair Cozy Mystery series! I've read all of this author's books and I have enjoyed every one! They can be read in a series, or as standalones. I highly recommend them!
I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy and I am happy to leave this voluntary review.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penelope Sinclair, her grandmother Joyce, and Penelope’s little dog Teo leave the comfort of their hometown for a simple antiquing trip, only to be caught in the middle of a violent snowstorm. Seeking safety, they take refuge at the quaint Windermere Inn. What should have been a peaceful respite from the storm quickly turns into anything but, as they find themselves snowed in—with a murderer among them.

What initially appears to be a guest’s death by natural causes is soon revealed to be poisoning. Penelope has stepped into the role of amateur detective before, but this time the stakes are far higher. With no access to the outside world and no immediate help, solving the mystery becomes a matter of life and death.

While the “trapped by a snowstorm with a killer” trope has been used before, it is handled effectively in this cozy mystery, keeping the tension high and the reader genuinely worried about what may come next. I thoroughly enjoy this series and always look forward to Penelope’s next adventure.

[Chere Gruver · Rating 5 out of 5]

A blizzard, a missed antique sale and a murder!

When Penelope and Grandma end up going to an inn instead of the antique sale they were headed toward because of a bad storm, they are just expecting a bit of rest and relaxation until the storm clears. However, that’s not what happens when one of the guests ends up murdered. So not only is Grandma not getting her pie plate, but they’re snowed in with a murderer! As this is the first Penelope Sinclair Cozy Murder Mystery I have read, I didn’t really know what to expect. Honestly, I really adored this story. Grandma is something else and full of snark. Teo is just adorable and Penelope is quite the character as well. The plot just flowed along and kept me turning pages just to find out what would happen next. Highly recommend!

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

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Penelope, Grandma Joyce, and Teo finds themselves in a cozy inn with a roaring fire, sipping hot beverages in the midst of a snowstorm, it felt like a dream scenario.

However, when one of the guests is found dead upstairs of poison in his tea and a cryptic note, they realize things are not what it seems. Being snowed in with the corpse and a killer within the mix, they take it upon themselves to solve the mystery before he/she escapes and/or another turns up dead.

This is one you would want to curl up in front of your own fireplace but maybe with cocoa instead of tea.

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

[Mrs K.Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do Not Disturb...For Good is an Excellent story about Penelope with her clever, sleuthing dog  Teo and her Grandma Joyce were travelling when caught in a snowstorm. They find shelter at an Inn and meet other guests. But unfortunately in the morning they find a guest dead in his room. The phones are not working so Penelope with Teo and the support of Grandma Joyce they start to investigate. There are many pieces to this puzzle , but can they find them all and find the truth?
Superb book that I enjoyed reading very much and I highly recommend that you read.

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

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penelope, her grandmother, and Teo are forced to take refuge at the Wintermere Inn during a blinding snowstorm. They become snowed in along with several other guests and the Inn’s owner. Roads are blocked, phones are out, and the generator is working overtime. When one of the guests is discovered dead in his room, they all come to realize that the murderer has to be one of them. But which one? Each one seems to be nervous and holding onto secrets. Since help won’t be arriving anytime soon, Penelope sets out to solve the crime along with her grandmother and Teo.

A delightful whodunit!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Adpa · Rating 4 out of 5]

On their way to check out some antiques, Penelope and her grandmother get caught in a snowstorm and stop at an Inn where they are snowbound and cut off from all outside communication and electricity for a few days. They happen to get mixed up in trying to determine who killed a fellow guest.
The story captures your interest and it is difficult to determine who is guilty and why the other guests all seem to be good suspects.
I was provided with a copy of the book via Booksprout and just happened to read it while the snow was falling outside my house--it set the mood! I leave this review voluntarily.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do Not Disturb...For Good: A Penelope Sinclair Cozy Murder Mystery, my twentieth enjoyable read from author Tessa Aura. There are so many cozy mysteries out there and so many authors writing them, but they're popular, I enjoy them & read more than my share of them. “I received a complementary Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I'll read more from this author as they're published. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penelope, Grandma, and Teo are on their way to appraise some antiques when they get trapped in a very bad snow storm that led them to an Inn. There were already a few people stranded there when they arrived. Everyone was just dealing with being stranded when they realize that one of the people had not shown up for breakfast and when they went to check on him, he was deceased. His tea had been poisoned. Pen, Grandma, and Teo end up figuring out the clues they found and solving the mystery.
I received an arc and this is my review.

[Michelle Kssili · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do Not Disturb for Good was another enjoyable read, and as a fan of the Sinclair Series, I was happy to step back into this world. The suspense kept me turning pages, and I loved the familiar tone and pacing that made this series so comforting yet tense at the same time. The characters felt authentic, and the mystery unfolded in a way that kept me engaged throughout. And of course, Teo the dog was a highlight for me—his presence always adds warmth and personality to the story.

[J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pen and her Granny are heading out to pick up antiques, but are caught in a snowstorm. They barely make it to an inn and are stranded for several days with no phone, no internet, and electricity from a generator. A guest dies the first night and appears to have been poisoned. Since they are snowed in, Pen investigates.
I enjoyed the mystery, but some of the story is repetitious and very dramatic. Thanks to Tessa Aura for the ARC.

[Javon50 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trapped in an inn with a violent snowstorm outside is not the way Penelope and her grandmother expected to spend the next few days. When a severe storm causes Penelope and her grandmother to find a safe place to stay it should mean a hot cup of coffee and a comfortable bed, not a murder. This book is excellent and will keep you reading excitedly from the first chapter to the last. I recommend it highly. This is my honest and voluntary review of an advanced copy of this book.

[Cherie Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penelope , Teo and Grandma are at it again this time they are stranded during a snowstorm and have to re-route to an Inn to wait out the storm and for the roads to be re-opened. The next morning they find out that one of the other guests has been murdered. So now they are snowed in with a killer with no phones and no way to get out. They have to solve this quickly before someone else winds up dead. This is a great cozy mystery and one that’ll keep you entertained to the end!!
Cherie

[Anna Kaaiakamanu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Penelope, Grandma Joyce, and Teo! They are fun cast of characters who find themselves in the midst of a mystery that they cannot leave alone. My only complaint is at times the story felt repetitive and Grandma Joyce made the same jokes multiple times. Overall this was a great read and I very much enjoyed this cozy mystery.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This locked room mystery kept me guessing. The story drew me in right away and kept me turning the pages to see how things turned out. I couldn't quit reading. I received an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Katherine Cannone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here she goes again. Snow outside, a cozy inn, and Penelope Sinclair following the clues while Granny cheers her on. Familiar and comforting, with plenty of character drama that keeps you paying attention.

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

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A man is dead. Poison is the way he died. The only reason can't be determined.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from bookfunnel. This in no way affects my opinion of this book.

[Beverley Ammeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A get lost in, cozy and suspenseful who done it. A wonderful afternoon read. Definitely worth 5 stars.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penelope and her grandma Joyce were supposed to be on a quick trip. Grandma want to pick up a vintage pie dish someone was selling and Penelope was going toappraise a jewelry estate lot, but when the weather turns and the snow picks up they end up at the Wintermere Inn. Everything was going well till another guest is found dead in his room. Then the realize the sugar was poisoned. Then the victims suitcase was mistakenly placed in Penelopes room. With the snow taking out phone service and no police in site, Penelope has to investigate. She can't help it.
Another great book in the series.

[Marsha Asquith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penelope and Grandma Joyce on the road to Wells Ford for a Jewelry estate lot to appraise and granny had found a once in a life time vintage pie dish on a local buy-sell site, she was determined to get. Unfortunately, for them, the weather had other plans. The light flurries turned quickly into a full blown blizzard. Forcing them to make a detour and end up at at Wintermere Inn. Luckily, there were vacancies. The warm Christmas like post card moment only lasted through the night. The next morning, snowed in and a guest who had help checking out of their life.

With the killer being snowed in with them, Pen and Grandma ask questions and stir the hornet's nest, trying to get them to slip up.  Can they find out who's responsible before they end up behind the Do Not Disturb dign too?

This is my favorite one so far!!

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Penelope, her grandmother and Teo get caught in a snowstorm. They find their way to an inn. As the storm rages around them they are snowed in with several interesting strangers. When one is found dead, Penelope and her grandmother are determined to solve the murder before they storm clears and the killer can escape. I enjoyed this story, but I missed the banter and interactions between Penelope and Caleb, the detective.

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