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Small Town Girl Mysteries #7
Alligators and Arson
A Cozy Crossover with Southern Sass, Canine Chaos, and a Case That’s Hot Off the Grill
The Graisseville food pantry burns to the ground and everyone is heartbroken—but when a body is discovered in the ashes, the mood shifts. Is there a killer loose in their small town?
For Evangeline Delafose, it’s more than just a tragedy. It’s personal. And just as the investigation begins to heat up, in rolls Ro Bergeron—the cousin Ev has never met, armed with three dogs, a sharp wit, and mad sleuthing skills of her own.
Ro’s visit was supposed to be a simple family introduction, but the mystery pulls her in fast. As the cousins navigate their unexpected bond, they uncover more than soot and secrets. Zydeco’s disdain for Ro’s canine crew, the town swirling with gossip, and a rogue alligator dropping in from the swamp add to the mix as Ev and Ro work together to solve a case that’s anything but neighborly.
In this twisty, heartwarming installment, the only thing more combustible than the crime scene… is the family reunion.
The Graisseville food pantry burns to the ground and everyone is heartbroken—but when a body is discovered in the ashes, the mood shifts. Is there a killer loose in their small town?
For Evangeline Delafose, it’s more than just a tragedy. It’s personal. And just as the investigation begins to heat up, in rolls Ro Bergeron—the cousin Ev has never met, armed with three dogs, a sharp wit, and mad sleuthing skills of her own.
Ro’s visit was supposed to be a simple family introduction, but the mystery pulls her in fast. As the cousins navigate their unexpected bond, they uncover more than soot and secrets. Zydeco’s disdain for Ro’s canine crew, the town swirling with gossip, and a rogue alligator dropping in from the swamp add to the mix as Ev and Ro work together to solve a case that’s anything but neighborly.
In this twisty, heartwarming installment, the only thing more combustible than the crime scene… is the family reunion.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2026
About the author
Jann Franklin
23 books374 followersWant to know more about me, and get a free short story delivered to your inbox? https://jannfranklin.com/my-newsletter/
Be sure to follow me on BookBub for the latest on sales: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jann-...
Jann Franklin Jann Franklin is a faith-based cozy mystery writer attracting readers who enjoy twisty Southern mysteries with a touch of romance and a dose of humor.
Her books offer mysteries in Louisiana with curious clues and characters who exasperate as much as they endear.
These quirky yet charming residents are just like family—sometimes you want to hug them, and sometimes you want to disown them. Immerse yourself in small town culture as you exercise your sleuthing skills and your funny bone.
Jann lives in the small town of Grand Cane, Louisiana with 298 other people. Many of her stories came from living the small-town life. Many years ago she was dragged kicking and screaming back to a small town. Then she encouraged herself to value her small-town roots. Now she can’t imagine living her life any other way.
Jann is a newspaper columnist and the author of several book series about small-town life. Her books center on fictional small towns in southern Louisiana.
She and her husband John enjoy Sundays at Grand Cane Baptist Church, supper with family and friends, and the sense of community that comes from living the small-town life. Their kids come to visit, when they aren’t too busy living their big-city lives.
Be sure to follow me on BookBub for the latest on sales: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jann-...
Jann Franklin Jann Franklin is a faith-based cozy mystery writer attracting readers who enjoy twisty Southern mysteries with a touch of romance and a dose of humor.
Her books offer mysteries in Louisiana with curious clues and characters who exasperate as much as they endear.
These quirky yet charming residents are just like family—sometimes you want to hug them, and sometimes you want to disown them. Immerse yourself in small town culture as you exercise your sleuthing skills and your funny bone.
Jann lives in the small town of Grand Cane, Louisiana with 298 other people. Many of her stories came from living the small-town life. Many years ago she was dragged kicking and screaming back to a small town. Then she encouraged herself to value her small-town roots. Now she can’t imagine living her life any other way.
Jann is a newspaper columnist and the author of several book series about small-town life. Her books center on fictional small towns in southern Louisiana.
She and her husband John enjoy Sundays at Grand Cane Baptist Church, supper with family and friends, and the sense of community that comes from living the small-town life. Their kids come to visit, when they aren’t too busy living their big-city lives.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ev is back on the case. This time Ev meets her cousin Ro. Ro is from the Three Dog Mysteries series also by Jann. Madeline and Shorty are here too. They all team up and use their sleuthing skills to solve the latest mystery in Graisseville.
Ev is determined to find out the reason behind the arson and the death of one of Graisseville’s citizens, despite her detective brother’s warning not to get involved. How do alligators fit in ? Are they important to the case or do they just live in Louisiana? So many questions! Will Ev and Ro be able to solve this mystery ? Or will this become a cold case ?
Ev’s sister Madeline aka Mad is just as much a character in Alligators and Arson as she was in the previous book. While Ev and Ro might find some of her behaviors trying, she has to be given credit for sticking to her principles and not being wishy washy.
Shorty is also here, but he isn’t around as much. He also didn’t seem to have as many one liners or be as funny as in previous stories. I hope married life hasn’t taken his wit.
There is cross over between the different mystery series that Jann has written so I think it would be best to read them in publication order rather than straight through each series.
Alligators and Arson has the same lovely descriptions of life and customs in the South as I have come to expect from Jann’s stories. As with the previous mysteries in the series, Alligators and Arson is fun and has plenty of activity with many twists and turns but not of the scary kind. This is the kind of mystery I could read in the evening and not revisit in my dreams.
Ev is determined to find out the reason behind the arson and the death of one of Graisseville’s citizens, despite her detective brother’s warning not to get involved. How do alligators fit in ? Are they important to the case or do they just live in Louisiana? So many questions! Will Ev and Ro be able to solve this mystery ? Or will this become a cold case ?
Ev’s sister Madeline aka Mad is just as much a character in Alligators and Arson as she was in the previous book. While Ev and Ro might find some of her behaviors trying, she has to be given credit for sticking to her principles and not being wishy washy.
Shorty is also here, but he isn’t around as much. He also didn’t seem to have as many one liners or be as funny as in previous stories. I hope married life hasn’t taken his wit.
There is cross over between the different mystery series that Jann has written so I think it would be best to read them in publication order rather than straight through each series.
Alligators and Arson has the same lovely descriptions of life and customs in the South as I have come to expect from Jann’s stories. As with the previous mysteries in the series, Alligators and Arson is fun and has plenty of activity with many twists and turns but not of the scary kind. This is the kind of mystery I could read in the evening and not revisit in my dreams.
March 31, 2026
I loved this crossover mystery! Ro Bergeron (Three Dogs Mysteries) travels with her three dogs from Belle Bayou to Graisseville to meet her extended Bergeron family. She stays with her cousins Ev Delafose (Small Town Girl Mysteries) and Madelyn Bergeron. The day she arrives there is a fire at the food pantry and a man dies in the fire. Ro and Ev put their sleuthing caps on to figure out whodunit. Madelyn offers comic relief and exasperation while Shorty lends his connections to the investigation.
In the meantime, an alligator is showing up all over town, Madelyn protests the critter's removal, Gracie is missing slices of pie at Shining Stars, and Anna Dunbar thinks a ghost armadillo is ravaging her garden.
Ev and Ro figure out the answers to all the mysteries and have a tearful goodbye when it is time for Ro to go home. Ev is contemplating re-entering the world of dating and there are two men who would like to keep company with her.
The character development was excellent. I felt like I was right there in town with them as the story progressed.
Pick this one up quickly! You won't be disappointed. I hope we will see more crossover stories with the cousins!
This is a clean story.
I received an advance reader copy of this book and am leaving my honest review.
In the meantime, an alligator is showing up all over town, Madelyn protests the critter's removal, Gracie is missing slices of pie at Shining Stars, and Anna Dunbar thinks a ghost armadillo is ravaging her garden.
Ev and Ro figure out the answers to all the mysteries and have a tearful goodbye when it is time for Ro to go home. Ev is contemplating re-entering the world of dating and there are two men who would like to keep company with her.
The character development was excellent. I felt like I was right there in town with them as the story progressed.
Pick this one up quickly! You won't be disappointed. I hope we will see more crossover stories with the cousins!
This is a clean story.
I received an advance reader copy of this book and am leaving my honest review.
March 26, 2026
Another engaging mystery continues Jann Franklin’s Small Town Girl series. Ro Bergeron from Belle Bayou (and the Three Dog Mysteries series) arrives in Graisseville to meet her cousins Ev, Mad, and Nate for the first time, hoping for healing from the parental abandonment she experienced in childhood. But soon a shocking murder sets her visit on a different path.
Ev has solved a few mysteries (a bit to the disdain of her brother, Nate, a real detective), and Ro has discovered she has an analytical talent for tracking down murderers as well. So when the local food pantry burns down and chief volunteer Gary Arcineaux is found dead inside, Ev and Ro put their heads together to solve his murder. Meanwhile, the flighty Mad finds a stray alligator near the bayou, names her Beulah, stages animal rights protests, and frets over the reptile’s fate when the state fish and wildlife officers finally arrive.
This is a funny, clean, cozy mystery with a pertinent spiritual message at the end that fits in naturally with the story.
Ev has solved a few mysteries (a bit to the disdain of her brother, Nate, a real detective), and Ro has discovered she has an analytical talent for tracking down murderers as well. So when the local food pantry burns down and chief volunteer Gary Arcineaux is found dead inside, Ev and Ro put their heads together to solve his murder. Meanwhile, the flighty Mad finds a stray alligator near the bayou, names her Beulah, stages animal rights protests, and frets over the reptile’s fate when the state fish and wildlife officers finally arrive.
This is a funny, clean, cozy mystery with a pertinent spiritual message at the end that fits in naturally with the story.
Review of advance copy received from Author
SMALL TOWN GIRL MYSTERIES:
ALLIGATORS AND ARSON, #7 - The title was too alluring, I had to find out what the author had in mind with this book. The rumor about the gators is that they are ... Oops not giving up that spoiler. Interesting story lines with good characters. Source: The Author. 4*
MUFFALETTAS AND MURDER, #1 - In 2022, I originally reviewed the first three chapters of this story, which were interesting, and now have the complete book in my Kindle library. The characters are a lot of fun. Shorty is a wild ride and Evangeline is a saint to put up with him, but their friendship does expand decades. I was bored in a few places but the dialog between the friends and others was entertaining. Good story lines but it was easy to figure out whodunit. 3*
BOUDIN AND BLOODSHED, #2 - This story picks up three months after Muffalettas ends. This is a better written, funnier and harder to solve story. The relationship between Shorty and Evangeline has more depth and is extremely entertaining. Good story lines and good supporting characters. Source: The author. 5*
FRUITCAKE AND FRAUD, #3 - Enjoyable story. The theft of eighty-two dry fruitcakes is funny. Interesting story lines. Source: The author. 4*
SMALL TOWN GIRL MYSTERIES end.
TRADING BRIGHT LIGHTS FOR LIGHTNING BUGS - I absolutely enjoyed this book. Good for belly laughs and giggles, this easy to read story was hard to put down. Got a shock after the last page read while swiping to read about the author. What I found fits well with the story. Well written with likeable characters, good story lines and plenty of humor. I am ready for more from this talented author. 5*
ALLIGATORS AND ARSON, #7 - The title was too alluring, I had to find out what the author had in mind with this book. The rumor about the gators is that they are ... Oops not giving up that spoiler. Interesting story lines with good characters. Source: The Author. 4*
MUFFALETTAS AND MURDER, #1 - In 2022, I originally reviewed the first three chapters of this story, which were interesting, and now have the complete book in my Kindle library. The characters are a lot of fun. Shorty is a wild ride and Evangeline is a saint to put up with him, but their friendship does expand decades. I was bored in a few places but the dialog between the friends and others was entertaining. Good story lines but it was easy to figure out whodunit. 3*
BOUDIN AND BLOODSHED, #2 - This story picks up three months after Muffalettas ends. This is a better written, funnier and harder to solve story. The relationship between Shorty and Evangeline has more depth and is extremely entertaining. Good story lines and good supporting characters. Source: The author. 5*
FRUITCAKE AND FRAUD, #3 - Enjoyable story. The theft of eighty-two dry fruitcakes is funny. Interesting story lines. Source: The author. 4*
SMALL TOWN GIRL MYSTERIES end.
TRADING BRIGHT LIGHTS FOR LIGHTNING BUGS - I absolutely enjoyed this book. Good for belly laughs and giggles, this easy to read story was hard to put down. Got a shock after the last page read while swiping to read about the author. What I found fits well with the story. Well written with likeable characters, good story lines and plenty of humor. I am ready for more from this talented author. 5*
March 16, 2026
Ev has her sister Madeline (Mad) staying with her and then her cousin Ro arrives for a week’s visit with her 3 dogs. The day she arrives coincides with the burning down of Jeremiah’s Food Pantry and someone died in that fire. It turns out it was arson. Also an alligator has arrived in town & Mad is determined not to let it be killed. Ro is into solving mysteries where she lives, so quickly joins forces with Ev. An interesting read as cousins come to now each other as they investigate.
Review of advance copy received from Author
How great to have Ev and Ro meet! I love both of their series and really enjoyed this crossover. I enjoy the colorful characters and of course Shorty’s way with words! Mad also livens things up! Can’t wait to see what happens next! These are my thoughts after loving an advance copy of the book.
March 28, 2026
Delightful. A murder mystery,but still a fun read. Great characters, good and "clean" story.
June 3, 2026
“ Alligators and Arson “, is a wonderfully offbeat cozy mystery full of charm. Jan Franklin gives us a town where gossip travels faster than fire, the characters feel like neighbors, and even the alligators have personality. The mystery is engaging without ever losing that comforting, humorous tone I love in a cozy mystery. A perfect pick for readers who enjoy a little mischief mixed with their mayhem.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advanced review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews