Deadly Deeds: A Books and Brews Cozy Mystery

by Tara Benton

A dead property manager, a poisoned espresso, and a mysterious charm.
Julie was stressed out before she heard the sirens - a big decision about an inheritance, a dead-end accounting job, and a boss with something to prove. When property manager Ed Raskin turns up dead in the apartment lobby, the logo from her newly inherited bookstore is found on a charm nearby and makes her a suspect. At the scene, Julie notices the details just don't add up.

Her attorney brother becomes her reluctant partner in uncovering a property fraud scheme stretching from her apartment building straight to her inheritance. She starts her own list of suspects. Tessa Wynn, an angry, evicted tenant. The building's owner, Arthur Jordan, seemed satisfied with Ed’s handling of the tenants. But a recent loud argument was overheard by more than one person.

They've already killed once. When a threat arrives at her door, she realizes she's being watched and the only thing between her and Ed's fate is how fast she can unravel the truth.

This novella length book will introduce you to Julie Miller and the Books and Brews Cozy Mystery series.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery

90 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 7, 2026

Reviews

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie's grandmother passes away, and Julie inherits her house and bookstore. Julie hasn’t seen her grandmother in a long time. She used to visit her when she was small, but for reasons unknown to Julie, her parents stopped taking her to see her grandmother.

A man in Julie’s apartment building is found dead in the lobby. Julie spots a charm beside the man that bears her grandmother’s bookstore logo. What is this man doing with a charm bearing her grandmother’s design?

Deadly Deeds kept me glued to its pages from beginning to end. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop until I reached the last page, and that has nothing to do with it being a very short read. I can’t wait to read more about Julie and her life to see what it's like to own a bookstore.

I strongly suggest that all fans of cozy mysteries read Deadly Deeds, in the Books and Brews Cozy Mystery Series by Tara Benton! Make sure to obtain a copy of Deadly Deeds today!

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a solid start to a new cozy mystery series. Julie inherits a bookstore, but there's a mystery behind it. A dead body leads her to many secrets surrounding her inheritance. With the help of her brother, she's determined to get to the truth.

Deadly Deeds is a great way to be introduced to the characters. It's a captivating novella which can be read in one sitting. I can't wait to see what's in store for Julie next.

I received this one as a freebie. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own

[GinaB. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly Deeds is a great start for a new series. Julie Miller inherited a house, the Books & Brews bookstore & Luna the cat from her grandma. The will had a residency stipulation for the bookstore…she has to keep it open & live in Willow Glen for 2 months or else she loses the bookstore. As she was deciding what to do, a man in her peaceful apartment building was killed. She looked into it & solved the mystery with help from her brother Evan. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but it won’t be the last since I already have the next book in the series, A Thorny Murder. I got this quick read from Book Funnel & am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mrs K.Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly Deeds is a Superb story and start of a series about Julie who inherits her Grandmother's Bookstore , House and a very special cat Luna.
Before she can go to look a person dies in the apartment block. The Detectives comes to investigate and also starts to look into the mystery.
Her Brother Evan a Lawyer help to find information. But can the truth be uncovered?
I enjoyed reading this story and I look forward to reading the next book.

[Tari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed meeting Julie and her brother Evan as they sleuthed out a murder that took place in her building that may or may not’ve been connected to her inheriting a bookshop from her grandma. Once that was uncovered and solved, Julie was free to go explore her inheritance which included a bookshop cat and a house.

[G. Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this book and it is a very good read. The story line is very good and Julie was a women on a mission. To many things did not add up to her and her brother told her to leave it to the police but she new she had to get the answers. Go grab this book and check out what had Julie so focused on and what she did next. Happy reading.

[Gail Wylde · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid 3.5⭐️ for this short introduction to a new mystery series. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.