What do you think?
Rate this book
Double Barrel Mysteries #1
Roadkill
Blake and Shelby Gunner think they’re living the perfect life. He’s a hotshot homicide detective and she is doing what she loves best, small theatre acting. But after an arrest goes badly and Blake is shot and injured, they decide to leave the crime-ridden city for the quiet, quirky little hamlet where he grew up. Nestled along Lake Superior in the upper peninsula of Michigan, Port Scuttlebutt isn’t as calm and serene as they anticipated. Below an innocent Mayberry surface are secrets as dangerous as the great lake’s rip currents.
Staying at The Drunken Sailor Bed and Breakfast, they learn that the proprietor’s wife was killed in an unsolved hit-and-run and there’s more to this mystery than meets the eye. The mayor, the librarian, a homeless man, and a rich old woman all have legitimate motives for murder. Can the Gunners figure it out before the killer’s next victim is lying dead in the road?
~~Editorial Reviews:
"ROADKILL by Barbara E Brink has it all. It is an on the cozy-side mystery, fast-paced suspense, and laugh out loud humor. Her characters are strong, easy to like or not, and I found myself easily stepping into the world of Port Scuttlebutt, MI. Blake and Shelby Gunner are in the middle of a life-changing decision when murder and mayhem threaten to derail their dreams. Blake, a former cop is drawn into an old mystery fraught with personal danger. Shelby loves her man and isn’t about to let him go solving mysteries and murders by himself, and decides she’s the perfect woman for the job. Author Barbara E Brink’s talents shine most brightly in this first book of the Double Barrel Mysteries series. -Joy DeKok, Author of Between the Lies.
Barbara E Brink exhibits quite an imagination and skill at setting up a mystery. I loved all the teasing threads and how she tied them together. The characters were real and natural and some so quirky I couldn't wait to see what they'd do next. By the final chapters, I was rushing to get to the resolution. I sincerely hope she makes a series out of Roadkill.
- Felicia Mires, author of Christian romance for any genre.
Staying at The Drunken Sailor Bed and Breakfast, they learn that the proprietor’s wife was killed in an unsolved hit-and-run and there’s more to this mystery than meets the eye. The mayor, the librarian, a homeless man, and a rich old woman all have legitimate motives for murder. Can the Gunners figure it out before the killer’s next victim is lying dead in the road?
~~Editorial Reviews:
"ROADKILL by Barbara E Brink has it all. It is an on the cozy-side mystery, fast-paced suspense, and laugh out loud humor. Her characters are strong, easy to like or not, and I found myself easily stepping into the world of Port Scuttlebutt, MI. Blake and Shelby Gunner are in the middle of a life-changing decision when murder and mayhem threaten to derail their dreams. Blake, a former cop is drawn into an old mystery fraught with personal danger. Shelby loves her man and isn’t about to let him go solving mysteries and murders by himself, and decides she’s the perfect woman for the job. Author Barbara E Brink’s talents shine most brightly in this first book of the Double Barrel Mysteries series. -Joy DeKok, Author of Between the Lies.
Barbara E Brink exhibits quite an imagination and skill at setting up a mystery. I loved all the teasing threads and how she tied them together. The characters were real and natural and some so quirky I couldn't wait to see what they'd do next. By the final chapters, I was rushing to get to the resolution. I sincerely hope she makes a series out of Roadkill.
- Felicia Mires, author of Christian romance for any genre.
- GenresMystery
169 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2015
About the author
Barbara Ellen Brink
25 books120 followersBarbara is a multi-published author of mystery, suspense, and young adult. Her Fredrickson Winery Novels have been on the best-seller lists multiple times, and her Christian thriller, Split Sense, won the Grace Award in 2012. Again in 2016, she won the Grace Award with the 2nd book of her Double Barrel Mysteries, Much Ado About Murder.
Barbara grew up on a small farm in Washington State, but now lives in the mean "burbs" of Minnesota with her husband and their pups. With their adult kids now pushed out of the nest and encouraged to fly, she spends much time reading, writing, collecting books, riding motorcycles, and keeping one step ahead of AARP. She also really likes black licorice.
Barbara grew up on a small farm in Washington State, but now lives in the mean "burbs" of Minnesota with her husband and their pups. With their adult kids now pushed out of the nest and encouraged to fly, she spends much time reading, writing, collecting books, riding motorcycles, and keeping one step ahead of AARP. She also really likes black licorice.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 23, 2025
Blake Gunner, detective with the Minneapolis, Police Department was shot, recovered but not able to go back in the field, Don, his partner;
Shelby, his wife, very involved with local theater;
Moved to Port Scuttlebutt, Michigan to possibly purchase a Bed and Breakfast - Drunken Sailor;
Drunken Sailor is owned by Alice Booth, been in her family for 100+ years, her father, Oliver Booth, had his wife's journals, which ended up helping to solve Clara Booth's HIT and RUN DEATH from several years ago;
Tucker, a friend, has a Ben Franklin store in town; Luann, has restaurant, possible romance with Ronnie Evans;
Jack, somewhat homeless, a Vietnam Vet is Blake's grandfather;
Blake's nickname: Achy Breaky;
Shelby found blackmail info indicating Farley Jones, the real estate agent for the Inn, and Mayor, was blackmailing numerous town people;
Mrs. Jan Davies, town gossip, did help Alice with her father, Teddi Davies, her son, a creepy fisherman, DEER KLR*, determined he was the HIT and RUN driver of Clara Booth. But did someone hire him to do it????
Evelyn Jones, "Buns of Steel", Farley is her son, Blake is her grandson;
Fanny Arnold - herbs - Found Clara after the hit and run
Dr. Morgan....likes Alice;
Jerri Roper , volunteer librarian;
Blake and Shelby shot at and Boat house was set on fire;
Blake's father, Robert Gunner, murdered his wife, he died, suicide, accidental or murder?
Alice, Blake's step grandmother, Helen Seymour, in a nursing home, Jack's mother, Jess, Jack and Evelyn's daughter was Blake's mother;
Jones Savings and Trust is closed;
Officers Stone and Wilson.
Shelby, his wife, very involved with local theater;
Moved to Port Scuttlebutt, Michigan to possibly purchase a Bed and Breakfast - Drunken Sailor;
Drunken Sailor is owned by Alice Booth, been in her family for 100+ years, her father, Oliver Booth, had his wife's journals, which ended up helping to solve Clara Booth's HIT and RUN DEATH from several years ago;
Tucker, a friend, has a Ben Franklin store in town; Luann, has restaurant, possible romance with Ronnie Evans;
Jack, somewhat homeless, a Vietnam Vet is Blake's grandfather;
Blake's nickname: Achy Breaky;
Shelby found blackmail info indicating Farley Jones, the real estate agent for the Inn, and Mayor, was blackmailing numerous town people;
Mrs. Jan Davies, town gossip, did help Alice with her father, Teddi Davies, her son, a creepy fisherman, DEER KLR*, determined he was the HIT and RUN driver of Clara Booth. But did someone hire him to do it????
Evelyn Jones, "Buns of Steel", Farley is her son, Blake is her grandson;
Fanny Arnold - herbs - Found Clara after the hit and run
Dr. Morgan....likes Alice;
Jerri Roper , volunteer librarian;
Blake and Shelby shot at and Boat house was set on fire;
Blake's father, Robert Gunner, murdered his wife, he died, suicide, accidental or murder?
Alice, Blake's step grandmother, Helen Seymour, in a nursing home, Jack's mother, Jess, Jack and Evelyn's daughter was Blake's mother;
Jones Savings and Trust is closed;
Officers Stone and Wilson.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2024
Twists
Great characters and enough twists to keep your interest. Almost needed a scorecard to keep track of all the characters. I have one caution - if you are a reader who likes to peek at the ending - DON’T. That is not a tease for you to do so, but a heartfelt suggestion. This is my first Brink book, but definitely not my last.
Great characters and enough twists to keep your interest. Almost needed a scorecard to keep track of all the characters. I have one caution - if you are a reader who likes to peek at the ending - DON’T. That is not a tease for you to do so, but a heartfelt suggestion. This is my first Brink book, but definitely not my last.
August 21, 2021
Enjoyable read
There were enough twist and turns to keep me interested. Unraveling hidden secrets from Blake’s return to his hometown. Could he find Clara’s murdered, did it have a thing to his father’s death? Looking forward to the next in the series.
There were enough twist and turns to keep me interested. Unraveling hidden secrets from Blake’s return to his hometown. Could he find Clara’s murdered, did it have a thing to his father’s death? Looking forward to the next in the series.
January 29, 2022
excellent mystery
I highly recommend reading this mystery..It had a lot of unexpected surprises. Loved the characters and how their personalities mingled. The book was hard to put down.
I highly recommend reading this mystery..It had a lot of unexpected surprises. Loved the characters and how their personalities mingled. The book was hard to put down.
November 6, 2022
A couple decide to visit the hometown of the husband, with maybe plans to move there. They get caught up in a murder investigation and learn many family secrets. Many interesting characters in a good read.
May 15, 2023
Good mystery
This story kept you on your toes until the end. So much drama and secrets. Loved the two main characters Blake and Shelby. They really fed off each other. Loved the karma at the end. Can't wait to read more with these characters.
This story kept you on your toes until the end. So much drama and secrets. Loved the two main characters Blake and Shelby. They really fed off each other. Loved the karma at the end. Can't wait to read more with these characters.
June 20, 2021
great read
Good mystery, great character development and a story line that keeps you coming back for more. Could not have asked for a better story line.
Good mystery, great character development and a story line that keeps you coming back for more. Could not have asked for a better story line.
June 27, 2021
Eminently readable
The murder itself is what ties the story together, although it sometimes appears to be merely coincidental. Well written, with realistic characters
The murder itself is what ties the story together, although it sometimes appears to be merely coincidental. Well written, with realistic characters
February 18, 2017
Excellent!
Twists and turns abound. Characters you love and hate. A diner you want to eat at with your friends. Family of friends to live life with in a great small town. A great mystery!
Twists and turns abound. Characters you love and hate. A diner you want to eat at with your friends. Family of friends to live life with in a great small town. A great mystery!
November 14, 2016
The premise for the story line was a draw for me, and the author is good at the modern day dialogue and peppy comments. It reminds me of some of the comedy movies of the 1940's featuring stars such as Cary Grant and Jean Arthur.
But the book was disappointing in that the story didn't flow well. It became disjointed and jerked me around past the line of a level of the realism I like to see in my mystery fiction. Several times my mind was going "huh?"
In the end it is a clean and well edited read, and should appeal to many lovers of the genre.
But the book was disappointing in that the story didn't flow well. It became disjointed and jerked me around past the line of a level of the realism I like to see in my mystery fiction. Several times my mind was going "huh?"
In the end it is a clean and well edited read, and should appeal to many lovers of the genre.
May 23, 2016
The little town of Port Scuttlebutt in northern Michigan has the appearance of a quiet sleepy English village. Like the villages in the cozy mysteries, there is much intrigue and evil beneath the surface.
This book is very well-written, with a cast of well-drawn characters, long-held secrets, well-thought-out twists and turns, new discoveries revealed along the way, and a surprise ending.
I read Roadkill in two days--had a tough time putting it down.
This book is very well-written, with a cast of well-drawn characters, long-held secrets, well-thought-out twists and turns, new discoveries revealed along the way, and a surprise ending.
I read Roadkill in two days--had a tough time putting it down.
January 27, 2018
I was delighted to find an author who writes SO well. Her detailed, close-up descriptions drew me into the wonderful setting of Port Scuttlebutt on Lake Superior. Every character was unique and fascinating. The husband-wife team are a joy to follow as they uncover a mysterious death and old family secrets. I'm adding Barbara E. Brink to my list of favorite authors.
May 5, 2016
This is the first book I have read by this author and it won't be the last. I love an author who can make her characters come alive. This book pulled me in right from the start. I had a hard time putting it down. Thank you Barbara Brink for being an excellent mystery writer.
June 22, 2016
Roadkill
Wow! Excellent mystery with a surprise ending. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in the series. Great locale with some very good characters.
Wow! Excellent mystery with a surprise ending. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in the series. Great locale with some very good characters.
February 13, 2017
very good
May 21, 2016
I like the book.
April 15, 2017
Really!!!!
Remember the title. Apt. Karma. I needed to go to sleep but I couldn't help but finish this story. It was intriguing to the sudden end. Just a hint...no never mind, I don't think I'll give the ending away.
Remember the title. Apt. Karma. I needed to go to sleep but I couldn't help but finish this story. It was intriguing to the sudden end. Just a hint...no never mind, I don't think I'll give the ending away.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews