The Body in the Closet: Pru and Pip Private Investigators

by Jinty James

From hidden clues to old secrets, mysteries don’t stand a chance when Pru, Pip, and Teddy are on the case!

While Martha is busy in Hollywood pitching her retired lady detective TV series, Pru—and Teddy—find themselves in a mystery of their own.

Pru, and fluffy Coton de Tulear Teddy, have their hands full at Rose Leaf House, an old Victorian mansion whose extensive library of books has been donated to the local library. As Pru sorts through a collection of dusty novels, she’s thrilled to see her friend Pip—a college cheerleader with a love of Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden mysteries—come to help out.

But when the two women stumble upon a dead body in a closet, their quiet day takes a deadly turn …

The victim, Bernard, was no stranger to trouble. As Pru and Pip dig into his past, they discover a list of enemies who may have wanted him dead. But when Bernard's secretary, Helen, suddenly vanishes from the office, and his sister mysteriously arrives to take control of his affairs, Pru and Pip know they’re onto something much bigger than a simple murder.

A cryptic invitation leads them back to the mansion, where they come face to face with a killer who may be one step ahead. Can these amateur sleuths—armed with only their wits and Teddy’s nose for trouble — outsmart a murderer before it's too late?

This lighthearted, fun, clean dog cozy mystery will have you laughing, guessing, and rooting for Pru, Pip, and Teddy in this thrilling new series!

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135 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 5, 2026

About the author

Jinty James grew up reading Enid Blyton's Famous Five and Secret Seven mysteries, as well as all the Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden books. Later on, she graduated to mysteries written by Agatha Christie, Elizabeth Peters, and many other authors. It was her dream to one day write her own cozy mystery, and now she has, with plans for many more.

Reviews

[Darla Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Martha is in Hollywood pitching her show, Pru is home taking care of Teddy. Pru and Teddy are working in Rose Leaf House sorting through books looking for appropriate books that will be donated to the library. She's happy to learn that her friend, Pip, will be cleaning the house. Pip's a college cheerleader with a love of mysteries, so when the two girls find a body in a closet Pip is eager to investigate. The victim is Bernard, the attorney handling the sale of the house, and he has had some trouble in the past. Soon, Bernard's secretary is gone from the office, and his sister has taken over. When Pru gets a mysterious invitation to return to the house, she brings Pip and Teddy. Can they outwit a killer or will they be next?

This is the first book in a new series by Jinty James, and it was a fantastic read. It was well-written with well-rounded, likable characters and a fast-paced plot. I was drawn into the captivating story and kept hooked from beginning to end. This lighthearted cozy mystery was a quick, fun read that'll allow you to escape for a bit. The mystery was intriguing, and I enjoyed solving it. I loved the book and am looking forward to more from this series.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A warm and wonderful book! It's just this instant feeling of warmth, coziness, friends. And the mystery was exciting, very much so, especially towards the end! This series is a spin-off from the Senior Sleuthing Club Cozy Mysteries, and while there are references to that, you can read this book perfectly well without having read the original series. Pru and Pip, Pru - who I really connected with - is the more serious one, and Pip is the one who brought a lighter note with her young spirit and fun personality. The writing style has an easy flow to it. And Teddy, adorable as ever, little star that he is!

[Roy Murry · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE BODY IN THE CLOSET

JINTY JAMES

Review by Author Roy Murry


This Pru and Pip Investigator mystery is a no-brainer. Not many main characters, but they are interesting enough to carry a series.

However, the terrier is used too much for an approval act with his "Ruff."
If you like dogs in a novel, you'll enjoy Teddy's antics.

The plot is not complicated, and the investigators don't do much sleuthing. Crook is found dead in a vacant house closet, where Pru and Pip are working on their current projects.

There are a few characters, so the reader can easily solve the mystery.
"Closet" is too cozy to be called a true mystery, but it is a fun read.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a light, fun quick read with interesting characters, a killer, I would not have sussed out, and a cute doggie to round out the cast. The plot is easily followed and the premise is finding out who killed the estate lawyer and why. I do recommend this story.