Big Deal: A Hilarious Small-Town Cozy Mystery

by Kirsten Weiss

A glamorous poker tournament, buried secrets...and one very dead player.

Welcome to the glittering farce of Hot Springs and the small-town circus nearby, where the bluffs are epic, the tells are transparent, and murder is just another risky wager.

All Alice wants is to resurrect her bodyguarding career and stop babysitting for a sexy Reno PI who's one shaky hunch from early retirement. But when one of their ex-clients is murdered, Alice crashes the case—whether her boss wants her to or not.

Alice’s small-town mayor is hosting a poker game of his own. And wouldn't you know it, an old enemy from Alice's past has slithered into the game. The stakes are high, the alibis are low, and one bad bluff could be deadly...

BIG DEAL is book four in the Big Murder Mystery series. Get cozy with this hilarious small-town mystery today!

Genres: Mystery

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2026

About the author

Kirsten Weiss writes laugh-out-loud, page-turning mysteries. Her heroines aren’t perfect, but they’re smart, they struggle, and they succeed. Kirsten writes in a house high on a hill in the Colorado woods and occasionally ventures out for wine and chocolate. Or for a visit to the local pie shop.

She is best known for her cozy and witch mystery novels. So if you like funny, action-packed mysteries with complicated heroines, just turn the page…

Kirsten sends out original short stories of mystery and magic to her mailing list. If you’d like to get them delivered straight to your inbox, make sure to sign up for her newsletter at kirstenweiss.com

Feel free to follow her on Twitter @KirstenWeiss or Bookbub, get in touch on Facebook, post a picture of this book to Instagram and tag her @kirstenweissauthor, or send her an email. She’ll answer you personally…which may be a good or a bad thing, depending on your perspective.

Reviews

[Kirsten Weiss]

BIG DEAL launched today! I'm so excited!

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a while since we visited Nowhere, the little big town, so it was great to jump back into another murder investigation there. It was like returning to old friends and picking up where you left off.
I love the quirky town and characters, who never seem to get into trouble or entertain. And entertain is right what with the ugliest dog in the world in residence, mobsters with there own agenda, costume wearing friends, an accident prone brother and a mayor with big plans. You can't help but chuckle at there antics.
As for the case there was a lot going on with Alice not really sure why she was hired in the first place but it gave her plenty of opportunity to try and solve the murder. Especially with all her suspects in one place but of course it's never that simple. I did have my suspicions but never did come up with the right motive. I hope we don't have long to wait for the next case.

When another of Alice's clients dies she can't help but get involved, even better she is hired to do so, well sort of. Okay Pam wasn't actually her client at the time of her death and Alice is actually hired to protect the rest of the poker players. The poker tournament is being held in a mansion owned by Vic in the local town of Hot Springs and Vic wants to hirer to calm the four remaining contestants, can she protect your people all by herself? She doesn't think so but it does give Alice the perfect opportunity to investigate Pam's death. She quickly discovers everybody there had a motive to want to see Pam dead but which one? When chandeliers fall and fires break out it seems somebody isn't finished, can Alice stay alive long enough to discover who and why?
I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntarily left this review

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A glamorous poker tournament, buried secrets...and one very dead player.

Welcome to the glittering farce of Hot Springs, where the bluffs are epic, the tells are transparent, and murder is just another risky wager.

All Alice wants is to resurrect her bodyguarding career and stop running surveillance for a sexy Reno PI who's one shaky hunch from early retirement. But when one of their ex-clients is murdered, Alice crashes the case—whether her boss wants her to or not.

Problem: Alice’s small-town mayor is hosting a poker game of his own. And wouldn't you know it, an old enemy from Alice's past has slithered into the game. The stakes are high, the alibis are low, and one bad bluff could be deadly...

This hilarious small-town cozy big murder mystery is page-turning with exceptional world-building in Hot Springs, and characters who are humorous, witty, a woman amateur sleuth detective, quirky, resilient, intelligent, captivating, and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with the big deal, chao/drama, a glamorous poker tournament, buried secrets, deception, one very dead player, suspense in a race against time to solve the murder before she is next, heartfelt emotions/emotional depth, action, adventure, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with a big deal and a hilarious small-town cozy big murder mystery that is sure to transport readers into a world that is wildly dangerous, murderous, intriguing, and unforgettable.

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

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice, working for a private investigator as a protection specialist, is hired by a wealthy man hosting a high stakes poker game on his estate. She is staying on site because there's already been one murder. An exciting, confusing, accident filled story continues.

But just in case you think this is all just ho-hum, there's another high stakes poker game in Nowhere, Nebraska just a short drive away. There the ex mayor is playing against an Estonian mobster in an underground cavern.

There's plenty of murder, falling chandeliers, toppled wine cellar shelves (yes a lot of quality vintage wine had been stored there), and a library full of priceless first editions ruined by the sprinklers going off after the room was set on fire.

Two cases that possibly could be connected, a murder of a person Alice had recently been hired to protect, and... well so much more has happened. Then there's the oddities all around her in Nowhere...

This is not the book for someone who wants to put themselves to sleep when the sand man hasn't done his job! I could hardly put it down! Fast paced, multi locations, extraneous crooks, creepy dolls, and oh so much fun! I loved it!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Former personal security expert Alice is hired to consult for a private poker game where one player was already killed. Alice takes it personally as the victim had been her client. Stonewalled at every turn in her investigation, she’s sure there’s more than meets the eye with the assignment. Meanwhile, the mayor of Nowhere also wants her assistance with his own poker game. Unfortunately, his situation concerns the Estonian mobster whose brother died on Alice’s watch. Escalating events are followed by another murder, and Alice must watch her back to make sure she’s not next.

Kirsten Weiss returns to Nowhere, Nevada in this fast paced mystery with high stakes and hazardous situations. At 45, Alice is still processing the destruction of her former career. Nowhere is a good place to hide out while trying to rebuild her life, but the past has a way of catching up with you. As Alice navigates the chaos around her, you can’t help but admire her tenacity. Filled with quirky characters, outlandish setting, and a twisty mystery, Big Deal is a satisfying escapist read.

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

[Ginger · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

I am a huge fan of Kirsten Weiss - and this is the start of another really good series

Alice is a protection specialist aka bodyguard. She is good at her job until public perception says she is not. Now Alice scrambling to redeem her reputation with working with a local PI.

During her current assignment, Alice finds murder, subterfuge, secrets, checkered pasts and a couple of mobsters to complicate a high stakes poker tournament.

I highly recommend Kirsten's latest book - I am impatiently waiting for the next book!.

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

[Valeri Sullivan (vsulvn29) · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Funny how your clients seem to end up dead.’

If Stephanie Plum needed someone that would understand her life completely, she only needs to meet Alice. Based out of Nowhere. Her professional life as a personal protection specialist is in tatters after a former client ended up dead on her watch and now she’s just trying to keep her head above water and stay out of the media until the mayor embeds her in a high stakes poker tournament in a neighboring town while the mobbed up brother of her former client is back in town...with his own agenda and an eye firmly planted on her Throw in pickpockets with a vendetta and several dead bodies and you’ve got a great read on your hands.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 4 of Big Murder Mystery Series. Can be read as a standalone but for maximum enjoyment read the books in series order.

'A glamorous poker tournament, buried secrets...and one very dead player.'

The characters were very appealing and likeable and quirky and compelling. Plot was intriguing and exciting and well paced. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. Another great addition to the series. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

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

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so happy that this series picked up again. It was one of my favorites by this author. Big Deal was a fun, fast-paced, story. The mystery was a good one and I liked the new blossoming romance. The main character is cool and funny. The wacky characters around her make the story extra entertaining. I hope this series continues, and soon.

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

[Katherine Daugherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Big Deal is a great book. Kirsten writes in a way that keeps the reader engage and unable to put the book down. You just want to know what happens next. This has a cast of characters that are easy to like. The mystery is a different one and kept me guessing until the end. I’m very interested and excited to see where the romance for Alice

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great page turner of a book, couldn't stop reading until I was finished - past 2am! Love Alice - she's very determined and feisty and there's the burgeoning relationship with the detective, so hope there's more to come. The mystery kept you involved and I didn't guess until near the end about the culprit. Great story.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again.. another amazing story from Ms. Weiss. You will fall in love, you will laugh, you will be in shock... you will just love the people, the story and you will find you cannot put the book down until that last page... and then you'll find yourself wanting the next book!