A Field Guide to Death and Deceit

Harry & Emma #2

by Michelle L. Cullen

Widower and anthropologist Harry Lancaster and his Gen Z colleague Emma are back for more murder and mayhem when they stumble upon a dead farmer.

This delightful sequel to A Field Guide to Murder is perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Benjamin Stevenson.

When Harry Lancaster agrees to meet his former sweetheart Willow at a farm on the outskirts of town, Emma’s suspicions run high, and she insists on joining him. When they show up for Harry’s rendezvous, Willow is nowhere to be found—and they discover the farm’s owner dead, with a corn rake embedded in his back. 

After being interrogated by the police, Harry and Emma arrive at this house to find a bereft Willow, who admits she lost her life savings in a real estate scam involving the farm. Worried Willow will become the main murder suspect, Harry decides to help her, despite Emma’s concerns. 

To bring the swindlers—and murderer—to justice, Harry recruits his potentially shady, financial-whiz brother and a neighborhood teenage hacker. Then Willow’s realtor is declared missing, and Harry’s brother is caught up in the fray. 

As Harry, Emma, and team unearth clues, they increasingly dodge the police, stalkers, and danger in their race to save Willow and Harry’s brother before anyone else turns up dead.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2026

About the author

Michelle L. Cullen's books are informed by her experiences as an anthropologist.

She has lived and traveled all over the world: from working as a (decent if powered by enough espresso) bilingual secretary in Paris to backpacking around Europe, Central America, and Southern Africa, to helping rebuild communities after war throughout Africa, East Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific. She studied sociology at the London School of Economics in England and anthropology at Melbourne University in Australia.

She currently lives in Annapolis, Maryland.

Reviews

[suspenseisthrillingme]

After falling in love with Harry and Emma in A Field Guide to Murder, I’ve been eagerly awaiting the continuing saga of these two oddly paired amateur sleuths. Well, I’m happy to report that A Field Guide to Death and Deceit didn’t disappoint in the slightest. A cozy-ish mystery with two smart and witty characters at its core, I grew even more attached to this unlikely duo during this pulse-pounding case. Still giving a very Only Murders in the Building-meets-The Thursday Murder Club feel, this time around there was also a dash of It Takes a Thief as a con artist entered the scene. Adding cat-and-mouse games to the classic murder-mystery-style storyline, I loved every minute of this intricately plotted one-sitting read. After all, it wasn’t only a puzzle-like whodunnit but also a tangled web of…yes…death and deceit, which had an even more edge-of-your-seat vibes once the action exploded sky high.

So what was my favorite part of this stunning new novel? Well, that had to be the whole cast of unforgettable characters. Taking the quirky and endearing duo that I already loved and giving them an even deeper father-and-daughter-like relationship that had me smiling as my adrenaline levels rose, these two have worked their way straight into my heart while the side characters added depth to the plot. You see, on top of the delicious dry humor and hilarious banter was a found-family dynamic that Cullen nailed in one. Paired with the multi-armed murder investigation and fast-paced con game, it was the perfect palate cleanser from my harder-hitting thrillers in spite of the fact that it also had much higher stakes than the first book in the series. So if you love a cozy atmosphere paired with heart and humor, grab this one now. As for me, I’m on pins and needles as I wait impatiently for book three. Rating of 5 stars.

P.S. I do have to warn you that while this book could definitely be read as a standalone, I still highly recommend reading A Field Guide to Murder first if you want to get to know these brilliantly crafted characters. An endearing senior-and-Gen Z duo, you’re going to want to spend as much time with Harry and Emma as you possibly can.

Read if you’re a fan of:
- Cozy-ish murder mysteries
- Amateur sleuths
- Cat-and-mouse games
- Con artist scams
- Puzzle-like whodunnits
- Heartwarming characters
- Witty banter
- A bunch of moving parts
- Fast-paced plots
- Delicious dry humor
- A mashup of Only Murder in the Building, The Thursday Murder Club, and It Takes a Thief

SYNOPSIS:

When an odd request leads Harry Lancaster to agree to meet his former sweetheart Willow at a farm on the outskirts of town, Emma’s suspicions run high, and she insists on joining him. Instead of Willow greeting them when they arrive, they discover the farm's owner dead, with a corn rake embedded in his back.

After being interrogated by the police, Harry and Emma return to his home to find a bereft Willow, who admits she lost her life savings in a real estate scam involving the farm. Worried Willow will become the main murder suspect, Harry decides to help her, despite Emma’s concerns.

To bring the swindlers—and murderer—to justice, Harry recruits his potentially shady, financial-whiz brother and a neighborhood teenage hacker. Then Willow’s realtor is declared missing, and Harry’s brother is caught up in the fray.

As the team unearths clues, they increasingly dodge danger in their race to save Willow and Harry’s brother before anyone else turns up dead.

Thank you Michelle L. Cullen and Crooked Lane Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

PUB DATE: September 15, 2026

Content warning: murder, grief, death of a parent, kidnapping, violence, stalking, financial scams/fraud

[Kylie H]

This is book 2 in the 'Harry & Emma' series. In this story, a woman Harry hasn't seen in nearly 50 years contacts him and begs for his help, asking him to meet her at a farm. Emma, concerned for Harry's safety insists on going with him. What they discover on the farm startles both of them and a mystery opens up that they feel compelled to solve.
The story brings in Edgar, Harry's brother who he has a tenuous relationship with and Willow, the damsel in distress, and former girlfriend of Harry, who may or may not be telling the truth.
The story is told with humour and care, which while a little on the macabre side, also makes it enjoyable. Happy to recommend.
Thanks you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this digital ARC.

[Tini]

A little deceit, a lot of charm.

Happy publication day to this delightful and charming cozy mystery!

Harry Lancaster and Emma are back - and, as usual, sticking their noses into places they probably shouldn’t.

In A Field Guide to Death and Deceit, Michelle L. Cullen brings back one of the most charming amateur-sleuthing duos to emerge from the recent boom in seniors-solving-crimes mysteries. Widowed anthropologist Harry and his young carer-turned-sidekick Emma are back to their old tricks: investigating things that are none of their business, getting themselves into increasingly precarious situations, and being generally awesome while doing it.

The dynamic between them has evolved since the first book. Emma has moved beyond simply looking after Harry and is now his bona fide co-worker, joining him not only in his increasingly frequent forays into amateur sleuthing but also on his consulting adventures abroad. Their banter remains sharp, their friendship is thoroughly endearing, and watching them work together is half the fun.

And this time, the stakes are higher than ever. An old flame, an estranged family member hiding a major secret, a real estate scam, and at least one dead body give Harry and Emma plenty to investigate. Add their usual wit, sometimes questionable decision-making, and a knack for finding trouble, and you have an irresistible cozy-mystery combination.

While A Field Guide to Death and Deceit can certainly be read as a standalone, I’d recommend starting with its predecessor, A Field Guide to Murder, if you have the chance. It’s always more fun to meet a great detective duo at the beginning - and their introductory adventure is just as entertaining.

Charming, witty, and wonderfully cozy, A Field Guide to Death and Deceit is exactly the kind of amateur-sleuth mystery I want to curl up with as the weather gets colder. A must-read for fans of clever mysteries, unlikely detective teams, and just the right amount of murder and mayhem.

Perfect fall reading.

Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

„A Field Guide to Death and Deceit“ publishes today, September 15, 2026.

[Haddy • haddyreadsbooks]

[ARC Review - digital copy from Crooked Lane Books & NetGalley]

I loved Harry and Emma in A Field Guide to Murder, so I was thrilled to receive an ARC of the second instalment. The only reason it took me three days to finish was because I was wrapping up another audiobook first. Once I settled into this, I couldn’t put it down.

This book has everything I love in a mystery: witty older characters, humour, a compelling murder investigation, missing persons, plenty of suspense, and a mystery that keeps you turning the pages. If you enjoy cozy crime novels like the The Thursday Murder Club series, I think you’ll have a great time with this one.

The humour and banter were just as enjoyable as they were in the first book, and I loved seeing familiar characters again. It was also nice to see Harry was walking and sitting better compared to the previous book.

One thing I was slightly disappointed by was Emma and Nate’s relationship. After the chemistry between them in the first book, I was hoping to see that explored a little more here.

As for the mystery itself, I did manage to guess part of it fairly early on. But as someone who reads a lot of murder mysteries, that’s not unusual for me. Even so, the book was incredibly enjoyable, and I remained invested from beginning to end.

If this becomes a long-running series, sign me up. I’ll happily read every instalment.

[VickydpBooks]

When Harry Lancaster agrees to meet up with old flame Willow at a farm just outside town, Emma’s instincts scream trouble—and she insists on tagging along. But when they arrive, there’s no sign of Willow at all. Instead, they walk straight into a nightmare: the farm owner dead, a corn rake driven into his back.

After hours of police questioning, they head back to Harry’s place to find a distraught Willow waiting. She admits she’s lost every penny she had in a crooked land deal tied to the farm—and it doesn’t take long for everyone to see she’s the police’s most likely suspect. Harry’s determined to stand by her, even if Emma’s worried he’s rushing in blind.

To untangle the mess and catch whoever’s responsible, he calls in reinforcements: his brother, a financial whiz with more than a few murky connections, and a local teen who’s handy with a keyboard. But things spiral fast—Willow’s realtor vanishes without trace, Harry’s brother gets dragged into the thick of it, and suddenly the team are dodging police, shadowy watchers, and very real danger. Now they’re racing against the clock to crack the scam, find the killer, and keep everyone they care about alive before another name ends up on the victim list.

Clever, fast-paced, and packed with great characters you’ll root for all the way.

[Jennifer]

This sequel to A Field Guide to Murder is another fun i
mystery. In the first book, retired 70something Harry reluctantly hired young nurse Emma as his caregiver after a fall, but unexpectedly they ended up investigating a murder in his neighborhood and forming a surprising intergenerational friendship. In this book, Harry is fully recovered and he and Emma are now friends, and they get sucked into helping a long ago girlfriend from Harry’s youth who has been scammed out of her retirement, leading to them stumbling into yet another murder to solve in addition to untangling the scam.

This was really fun read - a great combo of good mystery and intergenerational friendship novel with a great cast of characters. If you’re a fan of cozy-adjacent mysteries, I’d say this lands somewhere on the spectrum between the Thursday Murder Club books (a touch lighter than those) and the Vera Wong or Ernest Cunningham mysteries (less silly/snarky though still with humor). So if you’re a fan of any of those series, I’d recommend this series. You could read this as a standalone, but I recommend both books!

Thanks to Crooked Lane for my e-ARC (out now); all opinions are my own.

[Paige]

This is a great cozy series! I think I might have liked this one even more than the first one, and I can't wait to see what Harry and Emma get into next.

[Julie Ditton]

A Field Guide to Death and Deceit is a delightful example of a senior sleuth mystery. Harry and Emma are a detective duo that serve up witty banter along with the clues. The main characters are well rounded and the interplay adds interest to the story. As a senior citizen, I enjoyed following an older protagonist and the warm relationship between Harry and Emma which evolved from mentor/ assistant to father figure/ second daughter. But the most fun was the relationship between Harry and his brother. Harry and Edgar circle each other, neither trusting the other completely, and they need to do just that to solve the case. This book begins as a cozy mystery, but eventually the team realize that they need to con the con men. This mash up of Only Murders in the Building and It Takes a Thief was thoroughly entertaining.

This is the second book in the Harry and Emma series, but can easily be read as a standalone. I received an advance copy for review purposes, but I enjoyed it so much that I plan on reading book 1, A Field Guide to Murder, as well.

This review has also been posted on storybookady.net along with the author's guest post What Travel Guidebooks Don’t Tell You.

Visit the Storybook Lady book blog and get the story on your next read.

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle]

Harry's old flame called after fifty years, and this man heard, "Meet me at a farm," and apparently thought, "What could possibly go wrong?" Emma, meanwhile, had the exact face of someone watching a horror movie where the guy says, "I'll be right back." She knew this was a terrible idea before they even left the driveway, and she was absolutely right because instead of finding Willow, they found a farmer wearing a corn rake like the world's worst fashion accessory.

I swear Harry and Emma have settled into being the weirdest not-father-and-daughter duo in cozy mysteries, and I love them for it. Harry still approaches every conversation like he's quietly conducting field research on the human race. Emma approaches every conversation like she already knows someone is lying and she's just waiting for them to make it interesting. Together they're basically one orthopedic shoe away from becoming a public nuisance to every criminal within a fifty-mile radius.

Poor Harry cannot catch a break with women. The man reconnects with his first love and immediately ends up untangling murder, fraud, missing people, family drama, and enough financial scams to make me want to hide my credit card in a freezer. At some point I wanted to tell him maybe just stick to coffee with old classmates next time.

Emma continues to be my favorite flavor of chaos because she has never once heard the phrase "maybe don't" and accepted it as useful advice. This woman volunteers herself for dangerous situations with the confidence of someone who's already written her own rescue plan...except the rescue plan usually turns out to be Harry panicking while pretending he isn't panicking. Their friendship is still the heart of these books. They tease each other, worry about each other, and somehow keep making each other's lives immeasurably better while insisting they're simply investigating murders.

One thing I really liked this time was how Harry's world kept getting bigger. Meeting his brother, watching old relationships resurface, and seeing pieces of his life outside of "grumpy retired anthropologist solving crimes" made him feel even more real. He's still carrying grief around in his back pocket, but it doesn't define every conversation anymore. Watching him slowly let more people into his life is surprisingly sweet between all the dead bodies.

The mystery kept throwing new problems onto the pile. Every time I thought, "Alright, we've got the murder figured out," somebody disappeared, somebody else turned suspicious, another scam surfaced, and suddenly there was a teenage hacker involved because apparently this investigation decided every generation deserved representation. It somehow stayed cozy while constantly reminding everyone that getting involved was a spectacularly bad idea.

I also loved that this series never forgets what actually makes it work. The murder matters, sure, but I'd happily read Harry and Emma trying to return a toaster to Costco if they kept bickering the whole time. They're the reason I keep turning pages. The mystery gives them something to do. Their relationship is why I care whether they succeed.

By the time I finished, I realized I already feel about Harry and Emma the way they probably feel about each other. Every time they wander into another suspicious situation I sigh, shake my head, and immediately follow them anyway because clearly somebody has to supervise these two. This was a 4-star read, and if Michelle L. Cullen wants to keep sending this wonderfully mismatched team into increasingly terrible decisions, I'll happily keep showing up.

Whodunity Award: For Proving That Meeting an Ex Is Somehow Less Dangerous Than the Real Estate Market

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC. You somehow convinced me that a retired anthropologist, a Gen Z sleuth, a teenage hacker, and a murder involving farm equipment is a perfectly reasonable way to spend my evening, and honestly...I'd RSVP to book three tomorrow.

[LORI CASWELL]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Harry Lancaster and Emma Stockton had just returned from Asia, where they evaluated healthcare projects for an aid organization specializing in maternal and newborn health. It was Emma’s first assignment, but she really impressed Harry. As they were working on their findings and recommendations, Harry received a strange call from Willow Blakely, his first “sweetheart”. She needs him to meet her right away at a farm just outside of town. Upon arrival, they find the owner of the farm’s dead body in the barn and Willow nowhere to be found.

After reporting the death and being questioned by the police, they are allowed to leave the crime scene. They find a very upset Willow when they return to Harry’s house. She begs for Harry’s help, claiming that the farm was part of a real estate scam and that she lost all her life’s savings. Emma is not buying the story, but Harry realizes Willow will surely be the prime suspect in the farmer’s murder, and agrees to help her.

Harry reaches out to his brother Edgar, a CPA with tons of experience, for help. He also brings in talented hacker Connor for his special skills. He hopes they can piece everything together to shut down the scam, jail the perps responsible, and get Willow’s money back before anyone else gets caught up in the fray.

I am so happy that Harry and Emma are back and that they have just returned from an adventure where they used their skills. Harry has traveled the world in his career as an anthropologist, and Emma, previously his caregiver, draws on her critical-care nursing skills to assist him with his latest assignment. After all they have gone through, a wonderful friendship has bloomed. When Willow enters the picture, Emma is on high alert, while Harry is more open. Ms. Cullen has created wonderful characters with a unique relationship that grows more heartwarming with each turn of the page.

In A Field Guide to Death and Deceit, Harry’s brother Edgar comes to town. They aren’t close; in fact, Harry doesn’t even know what Edgar actually does for a living, but knows he has had several different women in his life. Edgar does have some insight about Willow’s case and some contacts they may help. The kicker is how Edgar gets involved. It was a huge surprise for Harry.

The author has put forth a very intricate plot with many moving parts. I appreciated the detail she placed within the text; it gave the story a depth that drew me in and allowed me to follow each step and clue as I did my armchair sleuthing. The addition of Edgar to the team took the mystery up a notch. Hacker Connor played a vital role as well. Filled with twists, turns, and revelations, the team and this reader were pulled in many different directions before clues started to fall into place. A plan was set to catch all the parties involved, but it quickly fell apart, putting Emma and a friend in dire straits. I felt like I was right in the room. I really was on the edge of my seat.

While the mystery was complex with murder and the real estate scam, the characters’ banter and well-placed humor kept this story firmly in the cozy realm. The exciting ending was not only suspenseful but very entertaining.

A Field Guide to Death and Deceit is a smart addition to this series. An engaging story that unfolds at a comfortable, brisk pace with an incredible cast of core characters taking readers on a marvelously complicated journey in a quest for the truth. Another Perfect Escape from Michelle L. Cullen. I am excited for this series to continue.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

[hannah ⊹ ࣪ ˖]

I really enjoyed A Field Guide to Murder, so I was so excited when Crooked Lane Books sent me a widget for the next installment in the Harry & Emma series. I was SO ready to be back with these characters, and I'm even more excited to say that this was just as good as the first book.

First thing that needs to be said is Harry really needs to stop answering mysterious messages from women he hasn't seen in fifty years because obviously “meet me at this farm” is never going to mean coffee and catching up. Which means, of course, Harry and Emma arrive to find a dead body.

I had such a good time with this book. There is something about this series that just works for me. It's cozy without feeling like the stakes are too low, the mysteries have enough going on to keep me guessing, but it's the characters that really make this so entertaining.

Harry and Emma continue to be my favorite part of this series. I love how different they are, but somehow they balance each other perfectly. Harry has the life experience and a very calm, analytical approach, while Emma is much more likely to look at a situation and immediately think, “Absolutely not, this is a terrible idea.” Naturally, Harry proceeds anyway. Their relationship has such a warm, found family quality to it, and I really enjoy watching it develop further.

This mystery had a lot more moving pieces than I expected (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). What starts with a dead farmer quickly turns into a mess involving a real estate scam, missing people, suspicious financial activity, Harry's brother, and a teenage hacker. This had me keeping track of everyone and wondering who was going to become the next problem. And honestly, I loved the addition of Harry's brother. Getting to see more of Harry's family and learn things about him that weren't necessarily obvious before added another layer to his character. Their relationship wasn't always easy, but it gave the story some of its more emotional moments.

The mystery itself kept me guessing. I had theories, abandoned theories, came up with new theories, and eventually just decided to let the book tell me who did it. I liked that there were enough clues to make the investigation feel fair while still throwing in enough twists to keep things interesting. I will say that there were times when the story felt a little overloaded with details and plot threads. There is a LOT happening, and occasionally I felt like we were jumping between one development and another before I had completely processed the first one. Some of the side characters also could have used a little more development for me, but I think that critique has more to do with the fact I prefer when books have side characters with a lot of depth.

I also really appreciated having an older protagonist at the center of a mystery series. Harry doesn't feel like a stereotypical “senior sleuth,” and his background as an anthropologist gives him a different way of looking at people and situations. Pairing him with Emma creates a really fun generational contrast, and I really hope this series continues with even more Harry and Emma mysteries.

This was a fun sequel with murder, scams, family secrets, questionable decisions, and a team of amateur investigators who really should probably stop putting themselves in danger... but absolutely will not. While I didn't love every single plot element, I loved spending time with these characters, and I'm definitely interested in seeing where Harry and Emma end up next. This was a solid 4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC!

[Robin]

It’s always tricky when a second book in a new series is released the same year as the first one, for a couple reasons, but a big reason is that the first one is fresh in your mind, so you won’t be able to help comparing the two. Cullen’s first book, A Field Guide to Murder, was released last January. It’s one of my favorite debuts of this year. I’m happy to report that book two might be even stronger than book one. (Where this lands Cullen during award season is another story). This nascent series has a great set up: retired anthropologist Harry meets young caregiver Emma in book one. He’s grieving his wife, but as he and Emma investigate a murder in the neighborhood together, they both find friendship and a new purpose.

Emma, a trained nurse, is now accompanying Harry on his field trips, and they have just returned from one abroad as this book opens. They are both struggling with jet lag when Harry gets a call from a woman he parted ways with 50 years ago (he went on to have a happy marriage with his wife, Mags, after their breakup). As book one was the set up, there’s no need for that in book two, and Cullen gets right to her delicious plot.

While the book opens with a death, this is mostly a scammer story. Harry’s former girlfriend, Willow, has been taken in by a slick operator who promised they could flip a property for a huge profit and invest the proceeds in an enterprise Willow wants to set up. Unfortunately, it appears she’s lost all her money, and what’s worse, Harry and Emma have discovered a body on the premises of the Ohio farm she was planning to buy.

As the deal unravels, the level and sophistication of the scam that snared Willow becomes apparent, so Harry and Emma go into sleuthing mode – to help an old friend, naturally. Harry and Emma proceed despite being warned off by the police and being somewhat under suspicion themselves, as they discovered the body. Enter Harry’s brother, Edgar, who is stepping in at a curiously opportune moment and who turns out to have an unexpected backstory, one even unknown to his brother.
The charm of these characters cannot be overstated. Harry is a retired widower but he is still doing some work, and he’s become fond of Emma, to the point of almost thinking of her as a second daughter. Their relationship is sweet. As Harry’s is a late in life story, Emma’s is a start of life one where she’s still discovering exactly who she wants to be. It’s a lovely and dynamic combination, powering the books forward.

The details and unravelling of the scam plot are really clever and well done, and I’m sure there is some awful real estate scam out there exactly like the one Cullen describes. There’s a little heartbreak, a little redemption, and a nice story line about two adult brothers getting to know each other better in later life. I’m hoping Edgar becomes a recurring character in this series, which I hope is a very long lived one. It’s such a great sign when book two surpasses book one. Can’t wait for book three!

[Ann Onimaus]

This delightful sequel to A Field Guide to Murder brings back widower and anthropologist Harry Lancaster and his Gen Z colleague Emma for another entertaining mix of murder, mystery, and sleuthing. When Harry agrees to meet his former sweetheart Willow at a farm on the outskirts of town, Emma’s suspicions immediately rise. Instead of a reunion, however, they discover the farm owner dead with a corn rake embedded in his back, pulling them into a layered investigation involving scams, missing persons, and mounting danger.
I really enjoyed this installment. The story was incredibly detailed and informative, especially when it came to the plot, the characters, and the intricacies of the investigation itself. While some readers may feel overwhelmed by the amount of detail, I found it insightful and engaging because it added depth to both the mystery and the character development. As a former archaeologist myself and now working within criminal justice, this story especially hit home for me. The intricacies connected to those themes, and the way they were woven into the mystery, made me appreciate the book even more. The sleuthing aspects were particularly fun, with multiple threads and moving pieces that gradually came together in a satisfying way.
The dynamic between Harry and Emma continues to be one of the strongest parts of the series. Their mentor-and-assistant relationship feels fresh and unique, especially because of the contrast in their generations, life experiences, and perspectives. Despite being at very different stages in life, their personalities and insights complement each other well, making their teamwork both entertaining and believable. The addition of new characters to their investigative circle also helped expand the story, and there was enough background information to make both new and returning characters feel well-rounded.
At first, the mystery itself felt somewhat disjointed, but in retrospect, that seemed intentional and fitting for the style of a mystery thriller. Once the investigation gained momentum and the connections between the different elements started to emerge, the story became incredibly engaging. Beyond the central mystery, the novel also balanced cozy mystery themes with relatable character revelations and emotional development, which added warmth and personality to the suspense. Overall, this was a fun, detailed, and well-crafted mystery that makes me excited to continue following Harry and Emma’s adventures.

[boogleloo]

5/5 stars: This is Cullen's second entry in the Harry & Emma Mystery series which is a Senior Sleuth Cozy-ish Mystery set in Ohio. Featuring a widowed retired globe-trotting anthropologist and his millennial former caregiver turned medical expert for his aid work consulting business as they team up to turn sleuth after his former high school sweetheart's request to meet them at at nearby farm leads them to discovering a dead farmer and the lady nowhere to be found. After being interrogated by the police, the duo find her waiting at this house and it's then she admits she lost her life savings in a real estate scam involving the farm. Worried she'll become the main murder suspect, he decides to help her, despite his younger partner's concerns. To bring the swindlers – and murderer – to justice, he recruits his potentially shady, financial-whiz brother and a neighborhood teenage hacker. Things get complicated when the lady’s realtor is declared missing and his brother gets caught up in the fray. As the duo and their team unearth clues, they'll have to dodge the police, stalkers and increasing danger in their race to unmask the killer before anyone else turns up dead.

With plenty of twists and turns, Cullen has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Told in dual POV, Cullen's heartfelt and humorous writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a secondary cast that are well crafted and uniquely voiced.

While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, A Field Guide to Murder. A great read; Highly recommend!

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

[The Honest Book Reviewer]

I enjoyed the first book and looked forward to reading this sequel.

The mystery gets underway quickly. Harry receives an unexpected call from Willow, a high school girlfriend he hasn't seen in over fifty years with a message to meet her at a nearby farm. When Harry and Emma arrive at the property, they discover a dead body. The case quickly expands into something more sinister and complicated.

And I was hooked early on.

I thought the balance was excellent. A brisk pace, great dialogue between Harry and Emma, a subtle level of humour and self awareness, and the expanding cast works well together. We’re introduced to Edgar, Harry's seemingly shady brother. Edgar turned out to be one of the highlights of the book. Connor also makes a welcome addition to the team, bringing modern technical skills without taking over the story. I also enjoyed Willow and Marge as characters. Willow adds a character you’re never sure about and Marge brings a burst of life that many cosies do so well. I’d gladly read about all these characters again.

I was engaged and still hooked until the last few chapters.

The carefully constructed mystery became overloaded with twists, hidden relationships, affairs, accidental deaths, secret gang members, and too many surprise betrayals to count. Many of these ideas could have worked on their own, but piled on one after another created confusion rather than suspense. The climax felt rushed. I found myself thinking more about the mechanics of the plot than the fate of the characters.

It’s disappointing because the book was so well written until those moments.

But I still enjoyed the majority of the journey. The chemistry between the main cast and the investigation of the main mystery make me keen to see where the series goes next. I hope future books trust the mystery enough to overdo the twists.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Annie]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

A Field Guide to Death and Deceit is the second Harry & Emma mystery by Dr. Michelle L. Cullen. Due out 15th Sept 2026 from Crooked Lane Books, it's 336 pages and will be available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

This is a well written and engaging amateur sleuth murder mystery featuring an anthropologist and his bonus-daughter/former caregiver, who's a smart and capable registered nurse and an assistant in his international aid work. The characterizations and interplay between the characters have the starring role. There's a lot of verisimilitude in the way the author depicts the very human, often flawed characters, and does so with warmth and compassion. The plotting and mystery are a little patchy, blending multiple law enforcement agencies stepping on one another's toes, loads of betrayals and double crossing, huge real estate scams and money laundering schemes, thieves falling out with one another, and a graphically violent farm-implement death which sets the whole thing in motion.

Although it's the second book in the series, it works well as a standalone, and the story is self-contained in this volume. There are some character developments in this book which will be minor spoilers for the first book if they're read out of order, but nothing major.

Four stars. It would be a good choice for public or home library acquisition, or for a short binge/buddy read.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

[Ruben]

Somewhere around the halfway point I realised I had stopped thinking about the murder. The farmer dead with a corn rake in his back. The real estate scam. The question of who actually did it. None of it was nagging at me, which in a mystery novel is a problem.

Harry Lancaster is built to be a specific kind of detective. Retired anthropologist, USAID career across South Asia, a man who has spent decades reading people in difficult places. Between chapters the book drops epigraphs from his own academic text, earnest passages about fieldwork methodology. He gives Emma totems. He tells stories about turbulent flights over the Himalayas. The intention is clear: here is a man whose entire professional life has been understanding human behaviour. The problem is that none of this touches the actual investigation.

The case begins because an old flame calls Harry after fifty years. Emma clocks immediately that something is off. Harry dismisses her and goes anyway. By ten percent of the book Emma already knows Willow is playing him. Harry, the man who spent his career reading people across three continents, does not. Cullen needs Harry to be credulous so the plot can get started, and she has spent considerable effort telling us that Harry’s whole value is that he is not credulous.

What does work is the emotional texture between characters. Harry and his brother circling each other with old wariness and tentative trust feels observed rather than assembled. Cullen clearly cares about these people. But the mystery outsources its resolution to an FBI contact and a hostage situation rather than to the detective skills of its supposed detective.

Impossible to dislike. Surprisingly hard to invest in.

stars. Full review at murderedpages.com

[Marcia]

Harry and Emma are back from their first consulting job as a team. Between writing their report and trying to overcome their jet lag, they are ready for a good night's sleep when Harry gets a phone call from his first real love, Willow. He hasn't seen or heard from her in 50 years and she is begging for his help! He has some lingering guilt for the way their relationship ended and it is back in force to haunt him now. Since Harry just can't say no to her, he and Emma set out to meet her and find out what is going on. Once they arrive they discover a dead body and no Willow. Considering they had success the last time they found a dead body and Harry is already feeling guilty and no way will Emma let him take any chances alone, they are hooked on investigating. Things get complicated when they learn why Willow needs help and then Harry's apparently somewhat black sheep brother, Edgar appears on the scene. Oh yes, let's not forget Emma's hoped for relationship with Detective Nate Bradford seemingly destined to remain only in the friendship zone!
This was a fun ride around Ohio as this somewhat zany crew of amateurs or would be amateurs try to solve the murder as well as bring down a long-running swindle operation. Exciting right up to the last page, I am so happy to see a second book in this series and hope to read many more to come. The combination of a senior sleuth and a Gen-Z partner are such a fun treat. It's wonderful to see how they blend their skill sets with the technologies of different times, not to mention their innate abilities.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy of this in exchange for my honest thoughts.

[Jason Lavoie]

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of A Field Guide to Death & Deceit by Michelle L. Cullen. This book will be published on September 15, 2026.

Back in August 2025, I first read A Field Guide to Murder and said in my initial review:

“I’d love to see the author make a series out of this to see what’s next for Harry and Emma.”

Welcome to book two in the series. We once again get to follow the exploits of Harry and Emma and this was just as if not more entertaining than the first book.

Harry is contacted by an old lover who was scammed in a real estate deal. When he goes to meet her at the farm she was going to buy, Harry and Emma find the body of the farmer who owned the farm. The mysteries in play snowball between the real estate scam, the murder, and all the players involved.

The character development is superb as we learn more about Harry and Emma and the new characters introduced in this book. The author creates such entertaining, charismatic characters who exhibit so much heart. It’s a fast-paced story that progresses steadily and has multiple layers to it.

As this is the second book in the series, it still reads as a standalone. It alludes to some of what happens in the first book but you’re not required to read it to follow what transpires in this one.

Again, I hope this series continues. I’d like to see evolution continue between Harry and Emma as well as their relationship with some of the newly introduced characters.

[Heather Belleguelle]

I’d had the first book in this series on my wish list for quite some time, so when Michelle Cullen put out a call for advance readers for this second book in a Facebook group we’re both in, I jumped at the chance. I’m so pleased I did.

It really didn’t matter that I hadn’t read the first book as there was enough information given about the characters, as well as relevant details from the first story, that there was no confusion or feeling like I was missing something.

Ms Cullen’s writing style is mature and comprehensive, and the depth and solidity of the plot is first class. I got to the end of the book feeling that every i had been dotted and every t crossed in a very satisfactory manner.

I enjoyed all the characters and thought that the combination of the older Harry and younger Emma worked really well. I liked that we got to see the story unfold from both their points of view, a device that the author employed well to increase the suspense. Emma and Harry each brought different skills and experiences to the table and, along with the help of others around them, were able to solve the mystery of who killed the farmer, who conned Willow out of her money and how.

The story had me gripped, and I looked forward to my daily delve into sleuthing with Harry and Emma. I shall definitely be going back to read the first book as soon as I can, and I highly recommend that you give this series a try too.

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for an advance review copy of this book.

[erica utti-hodge ✨]

thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this fun cozy mystery! i'd rate this between 3 and 4 stars.

for transparency, i did not read the first book in this series, but the author does a good job of catching the reader up quickly. this is a fast-paced, easily digestible read that i think a lot of cozy mystery readers would enjoy. Harry and Emma have a touching relationship, and i was always happy to see how they care for each other without using their words.

however, this is a book that does not trust its reader, which for me is a big turn off. plot points are constantly repeated and over explained, and it feels like the reader is not meant to remember anything themselves. this made the quick-paced book drag for me until the 2/3 mark. once the action picked up, there was less explanation and more threads to follow yourself, which made it much more enjoyable. i just wish more of the character relationships and motives were more shown than directly told to the reader.

also, this book's setting seems unrealistic to me--as an American, this book reads as very British or Australian, but i'm unsure why. this is not necessarily a bad thing, but it did make me unable to fully invest in the story as something that was really happening.

i'm sure a lot of readers will get a lot of joy out of this book, and it definitely is a fun read, but it was not my favorite mystery book. if you are looking for something cozy but fast paced and that doesn't expect you to draw conclusions or closely read, this is definitely the book for you!

[Missi Martin (Stockwell)]

A Field Guide to Death and Deceit is the second book in the Harry & Emma Mystery series by Michelle L. Cullen and it is just as captivating as the first, if not more.

In A Field Guide to Death and Deceit Harry and Emma have just returned from a three-month consulting job in South Asia and before they can write up their reports and findings, they are pulled into a case helping an old girlfriend of Harry's. Harry hasn't seen Willow in over fifty years when he left home for a summer vacation which led to him finding his one true love. However, when she calls and asks him to help her, he jumps at it. Luckily Emma won't let him go and meet her alone, so she goes with him.

Unfortunately, when they get to the place where Willow asks him to meet her, all they find is a dead male. Before they can wrap their heads around anything, Harry's brother, Edgar, shows up in town.

As the group tries to piece together what is going on and how to help Willow, they realize there is a lot going on and getting to the bottom of things is going to take all of them working together ... but there are a lot of secrets and trust issues that need addressing as well.

Cullen really knows how to write a story keeping the reader on their toes. You cannot help but love the story and the web she weaves. You love the characters and their relationships.

My advice is to let Cullen and her characters take you on their journey. I tried to figure out who were the bad guys and the wrongdoings involved, but I decided to relax and let it go. You will thank me.

[Kathy Martin]

Harry and Emma are back home and working on their final report when Harry gets a call from an old girlfriend. Willow has become the victim of a scam that has stolen all of the assets she and her husband had accrued for their retirement. She's hoping Harry can help her get them back.

However, the first thing that Harry and Emma discover when they go to meet Willow is the death of an old farmer who owned the property Willow thought she was buying. Harry and Emma find themselves not only trying to solve the murder but trying to recover Willow's lost retirement fund.

Harry makes a call to his brother Eddie for some help since Eddy was an accountant. He and Harry are not close. As a matter of fact, Harry has always thought that his brother might be dealing less than legally.

Eddie arrives promptly and the trio work together to try to unravel all the plots and plans in motion. Harry is surprised that his brother has been leading a secret life and that he is intimately involved in the scam. Now, saving his brother has been added to the things he and Emma need to accomplish.

This was an engaging and entertaining story filled with interesting characters. I like the father-daughter relationship that has grown between Harry and Emma since she was first hired as his carer after he broke his hip.

[Tracy Wood]

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Crooked Lane Books, but the opinions expressed are my own.

Harry Lancaster and his friend Emma Stockton have just returned from an exciting trip to South Asia when an old flame of Harry’s contacts them in a barely contained panic. It's been over fifty years years since Harry last saw Willow Blakely but he agrees to meet with her and that's when the trouble starts! Finding a body wasn't part of their plan but then neither was Harry's estranged brother Edgar, 'call me Eddie', turning up on his doorstep! Willow, a victim of a real estate scam, begs for help and before they realise it, Harry and Emma are tracking fraudsters, trying to stay one step ahead of the police, and hoping to make it out alive! After all, they've done this type of thing before, right? Once!

The second book in Michelle L Cullen’s series is excellent, there are no major spoilers but I would definitely read them in order. The investigation this time round is complicated but never hard to understand and the relationships between the main protagonists have definitely strengthened this time around. There were, I think, some hints to a third investigation, which I am very much looking forward to. Recommended.

[Sharon M]

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful book by Michelle L. Cullen, the second in the Harry & Emma series. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Harry's long-ago girlfriend gets in touch after 50 years, begging him for his help, asking him to meet her at a farm on the outskirts of their town. Emma, Harry's one-time caretaker and now partner, is suspicious and insists on joining him. When they show up, Willow is nowhere to be found, but they discover the farm owner is dead. When they return to Harry's home after being interviewed by the police, Willow is there with a story of a real estate scam involving the farm. Harry decides to help her, even recruiting his brother and a neighbor in the investigation.

I had to first go and read A Field Guide to Murder, and I recommend that one before this book so that you fully understand these two main characters. I love books with smart, older characters who won't let a little physical ailment stop them from living their best life. Harry and Emma such a good team and the investigation is taut and will leave you guessing. Plus, there's a bit of humor and romance to keep things interesting. I'm here anxiously awaiting the next book in this series!

[Homerun2]

3.5 stars

This is the second adventure for Harry, a semi-retired anthropologist, and his former caregiver Emma. They met while Harry was recuperating from an injury and became involved in solving a murder. Emma is young, in her early twenties, and she and Harry have a great almost father-daughter relationship where she keeps an eye on him and he worries about her.

Harry gets a strange phone call from a high school girlfriend he hasn't seen in 50 years. Turns out, she is in trouble, the victim of a major financial scam, and one of the results is a dead body. Emma insists on going with him to meet her. The old girlfriend isn't there, but there is a murder victim.

From then on, there are more characters, including Harry's very different brother Eddie. The family always thought Eddie had the whiff of shadiness about him so Harry is a bit suspicious. There are people involved in the fraud, and other people victimized by it. Emma's on again off again relationship with a local detective is also at play.

Fairly implausible plot, some fun characters, and a likely investigative duo. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Bee]

I really enjoyed A Field Guide to Death and Deceit! Michelle Cullen managed to hook me within the first few pages, and from there, I was so curious to see where the story was going to take me.

I loved the mystery at the center of this one and how the story kept me wanting to piece everything together right alongside the characters. There was just enough suspense and intrigue to keep me guessing without ever feeling like the story was dragging.

I also really enjoyed getting to follow Harry and Emma again! It was so much fun being back with these characters and seeing their story continue while getting wrapped up in an entirely new mystery. Michelle has a way of making these characters feel so easy to root for, and I loved getting to spend more time with them.

Overall, this was such an enjoyable read from beginning to end and another great addition to the series. If you enjoy a good mystery with characters you can get invested in, this is definitely one I would recommend picking up. I’ll absolutely be recommending this one to other readers!

Thank you to Michelle Cullen and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy!

[Paloma]

The dynamic duo, Harry and Emma, are back and this time the case is more dangerous than they thought!

Harry goes to meet up with an old flame, Willow, at a farm in the outskirts of town. Emma decides to join Harry because her gut is telling her that something is wrong. When they arrive Willow is nowhere to be found and they have a dead farmer in her stead. After being throughly questioned by the police Harry makes it home only to find Willow waiting for him. She confesses that she lost all her money on a bad deal tied to the farm. She immediately becomes the police's number one suspect. Soon, Harry and Emma are racing against the clock to uncover the murderer and keep Willow from taking the fall.

I really enjoy Harry and Emma so much. They have come far since the first book. They are so opposite that they work perfectly well together. They both have some funny moments and their banter is so perfect for their non-related relationship. This was a fast paced read full of family drama, murder, scams, fraud and the nosey duo that just can't help but get involved!
Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

[LP]

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of this book.

I loved the first book in this series so much and couldn't wait for the second one. It was a bit of a disappointment and mostly over the top ridiculous. I couldn't stand the character of Willow, and are we really to believe that Harry drops everything to go help her even though they haven't connected in any way for FIFTY YEARS? AND that he doesn't immediately question her motives? C'mon now, Harry, you're an anthropologist who reads people's behaviors, you couldn't have figured that one out? The action didn't really grab my attention until we found out the truth about Edgar. The ending was too fast and there were way too many plot lines. But you know what? I still enjoyed reading it, mostly for Emma and Nate, and the banter between Emma and.....anyone. She's my favorite character. Good to see Conner again, albeit briefly. Curious to see if Edgar is really going to stick around for the next book.

[Joni]

I enjoyed the first book in this series, I couldn't put this book down. Harry's old high school flame calls him after 50 plus years needing his help and guilting him into meeting her at a farm in another town. Only she doesn't show and instead he and Emma find a dead man. After dealing with the local police they return to Harry's only to find Willow, Harry's old flame waiting for them. She tells them about losing money in a real estate scam and convinces them to help her. We also meet Harry's brother who turns out to be not who Harry thought he was.
There was so much going on that I just kept reading until the book was finished. I wasn't sure what to think of Edgar but he did grow on me and I hope we get more of Marge in future books. She would add such a fun dynamic to our sleuthing duo. Emma really put herself out there in this book and I can't wait to see what she decides to do.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC.