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A Mahjong Maven Mystery #1
The Trouble With Tiles
What started as a beginner Mahjong class was supposed to be simple.
Phoebe only signed up because friends kept asking her to teach them to play, and she wanted to finally understand the Charleston, the dealing, and all the little details that had always intimidated her.
Instead, she found herself completely captivated by the world of Mahjong—beautiful tiles, competitive players, quirky traditions, and a group of women she never expected to need.
But when a priceless vintage Mahjong set disappears during a party meant to bring players together, tensions around the table quickly boil over.
Because in this group, everyone notices everything.
The woman with the perfect scorecard.
The player who suddenly upgraded her tiles.
The member who seems a little too interested in everyone else’s business.
And as Phoebe and her tablemates start sorting through gossip, grudges, and long-held secrets, she realizes the missing tiles may uncover far more than anyone intended.
Because in Mahjong…
Every hand tells a story.
And some games aren’t played fairly.
Phoebe only signed up because friends kept asking her to teach them to play, and she wanted to finally understand the Charleston, the dealing, and all the little details that had always intimidated her.
Instead, she found herself completely captivated by the world of Mahjong—beautiful tiles, competitive players, quirky traditions, and a group of women she never expected to need.
But when a priceless vintage Mahjong set disappears during a party meant to bring players together, tensions around the table quickly boil over.
Because in this group, everyone notices everything.
The woman with the perfect scorecard.
The player who suddenly upgraded her tiles.
The member who seems a little too interested in everyone else’s business.
And as Phoebe and her tablemates start sorting through gossip, grudges, and long-held secrets, she realizes the missing tiles may uncover far more than anyone intended.
Because in Mahjong…
Every hand tells a story.
And some games aren’t played fairly.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 31, 2026
About the author
Lyssa Lund
26 books83 followersLyssa Lund writes mysteries filled with secrets, friendship, humor, and the kinds of communities where everyone knows everyone—and someone is almost certainly hiding something.
A lifelong Minnesotan, Lyssa lives with her husband, Craig, and their beautiful Borzoi, Isa. She's the mother of four grown daughters and the very proud grandmother of three granddaughters and two grandsons, who have her completely wrapped around their little fingers.
When she isn't dreaming up mysteries, Lyssa can usually be found with a book in her hand, flour on the kitchen counter, Mahjong tiles on the table, or a microphone in front of her. She's an enthusiastic cook and baker, an incurable crafter, a golfer, an avid reader, a slightly obsessed Mahjong player, and—just to keep things interesting—a lead singer in a blues band.
Minnesota's long winters provide plenty of time for writing, although Lyssa has been known to abandon her computer the minute the lakes thaw and the sun comes out.
At the heart of Lyssa's stories are women finding friendship, purpose, and a little unexpected adventure along the way. She loves creating places readers want to return to and characters who begin to feel like old friends.
And if there's a mystery to solve?
Even better.
Lyssa loves hearing from readers. You can reach her at hello@lyssaLund.com or visit lyssalund.com.
A lifelong Minnesotan, Lyssa lives with her husband, Craig, and their beautiful Borzoi, Isa. She's the mother of four grown daughters and the very proud grandmother of three granddaughters and two grandsons, who have her completely wrapped around their little fingers.
When she isn't dreaming up mysteries, Lyssa can usually be found with a book in her hand, flour on the kitchen counter, Mahjong tiles on the table, or a microphone in front of her. She's an enthusiastic cook and baker, an incurable crafter, a golfer, an avid reader, a slightly obsessed Mahjong player, and—just to keep things interesting—a lead singer in a blues band.
Minnesota's long winters provide plenty of time for writing, although Lyssa has been known to abandon her computer the minute the lakes thaw and the sun comes out.
At the heart of Lyssa's stories are women finding friendship, purpose, and a little unexpected adventure along the way. She loves creating places readers want to return to and characters who begin to feel like old friends.
And if there's a mystery to solve?
Even better.
Lyssa loves hearing from readers. You can reach her at hello@lyssaLund.com or visit lyssalund.com.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Will the Mahjong Mavens solve the mystery?
With her friends leaving Minnesota winters for a warmer climes, Phoebe is somewhat at loose ends. Her husband manages to keep himself occupied, but since she can’t golf at the moment, Phoebe needs something to keep her occupied. So, when she finds an advertisement for learning how to play Mahjong, Phoebe decides why not? And so she goes to the first lesson. After the lesson, all the women at her table—lucky Table Seven—all go out for coffee and form what becomes a wonderful friendship between the four of them. When the beautiful, old, Mahjong set of one of their friends goes missing, the four of them decide to do what they can to help. So they put their varied talents to work. This is a wonderful cozy mystery full of friendship, learning new skills and helping others along the way. I truly became caught up in all of their lives and kept turning those pages to find out what would happen next.
I received a free advanced reader’s copy and am voluntarily leaving this review.
With her friends leaving Minnesota winters for a warmer climes, Phoebe is somewhat at loose ends. Her husband manages to keep himself occupied, but since she can’t golf at the moment, Phoebe needs something to keep her occupied. So, when she finds an advertisement for learning how to play Mahjong, Phoebe decides why not? And so she goes to the first lesson. After the lesson, all the women at her table—lucky Table Seven—all go out for coffee and form what becomes a wonderful friendship between the four of them. When the beautiful, old, Mahjong set of one of their friends goes missing, the four of them decide to do what they can to help. So they put their varied talents to work. This is a wonderful cozy mystery full of friendship, learning new skills and helping others along the way. I truly became caught up in all of their lives and kept turning those pages to find out what would happen next.
I received a free advanced reader’s copy and am voluntarily leaving this review.
September 13, 2026
This is the first book in a new series. It is a combination of Golden Girls (female character), Steel Magnolias (Southern hospitality served up with polite societal backhanded compliments, comfort food, and spicy comebacks), and finally, a cop show you maybe interested in~ This book has it all but heat and romance.
It centers on the game Mahjong. People meeting up to learn to play, all ladies from mid-thirties to sixty. All from different walks of life, each with their reasons for joining or escaping, and the ability to make new fast close friendships at the drop of a hat. Throw in a theft, a crime to solve, amateur detectives, spreadsheets, lots of food, a suspect list, Southern hospitality and golden ladies…it all adds up to one quirky funny book filled with anecdotes and humor those of us living the life in these wonderful years can relate too. Awesome Job!
It centers on the game Mahjong. People meeting up to learn to play, all ladies from mid-thirties to sixty. All from different walks of life, each with their reasons for joining or escaping, and the ability to make new fast close friendships at the drop of a hat. Throw in a theft, a crime to solve, amateur detectives, spreadsheets, lots of food, a suspect list, Southern hospitality and golden ladies…it all adds up to one quirky funny book filled with anecdotes and humor those of us living the life in these wonderful years can relate too. Awesome Job!
September 5, 2026
I have never read a book by this author and I truly enjoyed my first book. The only thing missing was an Audible. I hope that will come soon.
Phoebe is an empty nester during a lonely winter in Minnesota. Friends enjoying warmer climates. Her husband preoccupied in his basement. Mahjong just might be the answer. S
(Sidenote, I have never played Mahjong myself but I sure learned a lot!) She joins a beginners Mahjong class and finds some new friends. Add a theft and you have the makings of a interesting plotline. What could go wrong? I enjoyed reading about the various characters and how their friendships developed.
I received an ARC of this book from the author. My review is both voluntary and honest. I highly recommend not only this book. Looking forward to reading more.
Phoebe is an empty nester during a lonely winter in Minnesota. Friends enjoying warmer climates. Her husband preoccupied in his basement. Mahjong just might be the answer. S
(Sidenote, I have never played Mahjong myself but I sure learned a lot!) She joins a beginners Mahjong class and finds some new friends. Add a theft and you have the makings of a interesting plotline. What could go wrong? I enjoyed reading about the various characters and how their friendships developed.
I received an ARC of this book from the author. My review is both voluntary and honest. I highly recommend not only this book. Looking forward to reading more.
September 27, 2026
To be honest, I did not finish the book. It just didn’t grab me. It seemed like it would be a nice read, but it just seemed to move too slowly. There was too much over the top sympathy for a character who had a Mahjong game stolen, however beautiful and rare it might be. Their sympathy was more along the line of someone who had lost their parent or spouse. It was just too much.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I enjoyed meeting the Mahjong Mavens, Phoebe, Maggie, Kim and Katie! Loved the humor! Loved the way friendships were formed and strengthened. I also enjoyed that the mystery didn’t involve a dead body!
September 7, 2026
Phoebe decided to learn Mahjong to help fill her winter time and hopefully make some new friends. It worked, and then a vintage Mahjong set goes missing she and her new friends decide to investigate. Everyone is a suspect.
This was a fun read and a good start to a series.
This was a fun read and a good start to a series.
September 15, 2026
This is a new author for me. I found the book very interesting and a great read. I live in Minnesota so it was nice having the book take place here. I love a good mystery and this definitely had me guessing throughout the whole book.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews