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The Body in the Bungalow: A Hollow Creek Mystery
Beck Harlow has sold homes through divorces, estates, and family feuds. She knows that real estate is never just about the house.
But when her old high school flame asks her to list his late mother's home in Hollow Creek, Texas, Beck figures this one should be simple. The woman died of a heart attack. The siblings want to sell. Done and done.
Except nothing about the Parker family is simple.
Her old flame Ben Parker is hiding something. So are his sisters, Marlo the actress, and Quinn, who never left home. The woman next door has watched the Parkers for decades, and she's not shy about her opinions. And the longer Beck spends in that house, the more convinced she becomes that Dot Parker's death was no heart attack at all.
Then she learns there was something hidden inside the house. Something worth more than the Bungalow itself. Something someone may be willing to kill for.
And suddenly, Beck isn't just the realtor anymore. She's the only person asking the right questions. Which makes her very dangerous to the wrong people.
A twisty, atmospheric murder mystery packed with family secrets, small-town gossip, an amateur sleuth you'll root for, and a slow-burn second chance romance that will keep you guessing until the final page.
Perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Ruth Ware, Lisa Jewell, and Catherine Ryan Howard.
The Body in the Bungalow is Book 1 in the Hollow Creek Mystery series — Beck Harlow will be back.
But when her old high school flame asks her to list his late mother's home in Hollow Creek, Texas, Beck figures this one should be simple. The woman died of a heart attack. The siblings want to sell. Done and done.
Except nothing about the Parker family is simple.
Her old flame Ben Parker is hiding something. So are his sisters, Marlo the actress, and Quinn, who never left home. The woman next door has watched the Parkers for decades, and she's not shy about her opinions. And the longer Beck spends in that house, the more convinced she becomes that Dot Parker's death was no heart attack at all.
Then she learns there was something hidden inside the house. Something worth more than the Bungalow itself. Something someone may be willing to kill for.
And suddenly, Beck isn't just the realtor anymore. She's the only person asking the right questions. Which makes her very dangerous to the wrong people.
A twisty, atmospheric murder mystery packed with family secrets, small-town gossip, an amateur sleuth you'll root for, and a slow-burn second chance romance that will keep you guessing until the final page.
Perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Ruth Ware, Lisa Jewell, and Catherine Ryan Howard.
The Body in the Bungalow is Book 1 in the Hollow Creek Mystery series — Beck Harlow will be back.
Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2026
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About the author
Laurie Engle
11 books10 followersLaurie Engle is a Texas-based novelist, freelance writer, and real estate professional with roots in the Kansas heartland and a heart that beats for stories about strong women, second chances, and the secrets we carry.
She grew up surrounded by fields and farmhouses, and now lives in Austin, where she soaks up the Southern charm, live music, and sunshine from a picnic table under the pecan trees at her favorite brewery.
A devoted solo traveler, Laurie draws inspiration from the quiet clarity of being alone in unfamiliar places, the emotional complexity of human relationships, and the allure of coastal settings.
When she's not writing, she's spending time with her children and grandchildren who hold her heart. She's an active member of the San Gabriel Writers' League and believes deeply in helping others find the courage to tell their own stories.
She grew up surrounded by fields and farmhouses, and now lives in Austin, where she soaks up the Southern charm, live music, and sunshine from a picnic table under the pecan trees at her favorite brewery.
A devoted solo traveler, Laurie draws inspiration from the quiet clarity of being alone in unfamiliar places, the emotional complexity of human relationships, and the allure of coastal settings.
When she's not writing, she's spending time with her children and grandchildren who hold her heart. She's an active member of the San Gabriel Writers' League and believes deeply in helping others find the courage to tell their own stories.
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