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Cuts and Contracts: A Novels and Needles Cozy Mystery - Book 4
Jessica Mitchell crossed an ocean to run a craft shop, not solve crimes. Rochester didn't get the memo.
When forged budget pages start turning up in every sealed council folder — stamped with her font, cut with her die, signed with her name — Jessica's quiet new life comes apart at the seams. The one person who could clear her has just been pulled from the Medway, in the last place on earth she'd ever have gone.
Someone thinks a nosy American with a Yorkshire terrier is easy to frame and easier to silence.
They haven't met her yet.
Jessica knows paper. She knows a forgery from a hundred yards. And she was raised by a cop — which is more than can be said for whoever built this lie. Good thing she's not the only one in town who reads the fine retired detective Albert Smith and his former police dog Rex have a habit of showing up right when the numbers stop adding up.
Between wedding invitations, warm-room budgets, and a body that shouldn't be there, Jessica has one deadline nobody can clear her name before the ink dries on someone else's frame job.
Fans of the bestselling Albert Smith series by Steve Higgs will love these gentle but fun cozy mysteries. Featuring both Albert and his faithful companion Rex, there's so much to love about these books.
When forged budget pages start turning up in every sealed council folder — stamped with her font, cut with her die, signed with her name — Jessica's quiet new life comes apart at the seams. The one person who could clear her has just been pulled from the Medway, in the last place on earth she'd ever have gone.
Someone thinks a nosy American with a Yorkshire terrier is easy to frame and easier to silence.
They haven't met her yet.
Jessica knows paper. She knows a forgery from a hundred yards. And she was raised by a cop — which is more than can be said for whoever built this lie. Good thing she's not the only one in town who reads the fine retired detective Albert Smith and his former police dog Rex have a habit of showing up right when the numbers stop adding up.
Between wedding invitations, warm-room budgets, and a body that shouldn't be there, Jessica has one deadline nobody can clear her name before the ink dries on someone else's frame job.
Fans of the bestselling Albert Smith series by Steve Higgs will love these gentle but fun cozy mysteries. Featuring both Albert and his faithful companion Rex, there's so much to love about these books.
355 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Jessica moved countries to pursue her dream and although she was able to put together the shop she always wanted to have her fnances are not doing so well which led her to accept a job from the council. However, the winter has been harsh and people are suffering and she's seen as the foreigner being given the county's funds to do unimportant work and becomes #1 villain. There's forgery, inadequate appropriation of funds and death and Jessica will be investigating to clear her name. She'll also have to make a choice between two candidates to be her Mr. Darcy as in an Austen's story. Cuts and Contracts is an easy and pleasurable read and a great addition to the series. I thank the authors for this ARC.
October 20, 2026
Long and boring
Too much allegory. Lines and phrases repeated too often. I had to keep going back to keep track of who said what in a conversation and then try to make sense of the words. For the last 10 or 15 chapters I kept thinking that surely this was the last. The story itself was good. I have hopes for the next book to be less wordy.
Too much allegory. Lines and phrases repeated too often. I had to keep going back to keep track of who said what in a conversation and then try to make sense of the words. For the last 10 or 15 chapters I kept thinking that surely this was the last. The story itself was good. I have hopes for the next book to be less wordy.
September 30, 2026
I enjoyed the story. I think the whole plot was well done and I enjoyed trying to figure out the who and why.
I will say though that the writing style isn't what I am used to from Ms Rose. Still enjoyed the story.
I will say though that the writing style isn't what I am used to from Ms Rose. Still enjoyed the story.
October 15, 2026
Love Jessica
Love the writing in this book. It’s a little different. Love the main characters and the Albert and Rex visits.
Love the writing in this book. It’s a little different. Love the main characters and the Albert and Rex visits.
October 23, 2026
Keeps you waiting…
Another book that keeps you waiting for what comes next! Just when you think it’s over, something happens that keeps you on edge!
Another book that keeps you waiting for what comes next! Just when you think it’s over, something happens that keeps you on edge!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews