DEEDS & LIES in DRIFTWOOD BAY: A Harper and Biscuit Cozy Mystery

by Susan Blake

209 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 16, 2026

Reviews

[Alan Flowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeds and Lies in Driftwood Bay is an engaging mystery filled with secrets, unexpected twists, and memorable characters. The story creates a fascinating atmosphere where hidden truths slowly come to light and keep readers guessing until the end. Blake’s writing style makes the setting feel vivid and the characters relatable. I enjoyed the balance of suspense and emotion throughout the book. Fans of cozy mysteries and small-town adventures will appreciate this entertaining read full of intrigue and surprises from start.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Closure in Driftwood Bay?

This third book in the series took a slight detour from the last two where we read about the trouble Harper and Biscuit get up to. After reading the two previous books, I was happy to receive a copy of this one to round out the series.

1. There is decidedly less of Biscuit. He didn't even help find the deceased! His personality was missed.

2. Presumably, this is possibly the last in this series (which I was unable to corroborate, as Google doesn't even recognize there is a third book in this series yet!) I wished the relationship between Deputy Cole and Harper had moved forward. There is "clean romance" and then there is just no romance. These two have about as much romantic fireworks as a cardboard box. It would've been a sweet wrap up if they'd, I don't know, had a date or something.

3. This story felt a bit redundant, given the last two plots were similar enough that Driftwood Bay doesn't have much as far as leadership left. And the story, in my opinion, relied heavily on understanding Driftwood Bay's topography/layout, and bureaucracy.

4. The final chapter did wrap back into what we've learned of Harper, but missed her charm and whimsy. I felt like I was reading a professor's lesson.

[Amber B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Signatures don’t lie, but people do.

The coast of Driftwood Bay is full of old money and prime real estate. When one of the town’s elderly residents suddenly passes away and a deal is made on her property almost immediately after her death, people begin to suspect something nefarious is going on.

Indie author Susan Blake takes us back to Driftwood Bay for the third installment of the Harper and Biscuit Mystery series, and what a wild ride this book was! Harper has quickly become my absolute favorite, and I love how her passion for mysteries and cold cases has led her back home.

This story is fast-paced, and you won’t want to stop turning the pages as Harper and Cole uncover what’s really been happening behind the sudden sales of long-held properties throughout town. I was genuinely shocked more than once, and there were several moments that made my jaw drop! I’m already hoping there will be a Book 4.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harper and Biscuit are doing their morning run when Harper notices that Eleanor Whitmore isn't up. That is totally unlike her and later she finds out that she had died. The weird part of the situation is when she goes up with the police the real estate lady is there putting up a for sale sign. They say that she had signed just before she died. No one that knew her would think that she would sell. Harper decides to look into it further with boyfriend, Cole, the police, and her friend Evan the IT guy extraordinaire. What they find starts a whole investigation that the town wasn't really ready for.
Good Story!
I received an arc and this is my review.

[Mrs K.Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeds & Lies in Driftwood Bay is a Superb story and series about Harper Wynn a Former True Crime Podcaster and her very clever Search and Rescue Dog Biscuit. A local resident dies and her property is sold. But not all is as straightforward as first thought. Harper and Deputy Cole Mercer start to investigate and they notice a pattern after an elderly resident goes missing and other elderly residents are being pressured to sell. But what will they uncover and can the truth be discovered?
I enjoyed reading this story very much and I highly recommend that you read this book.

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

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second book I've read in this series and what's nice is that each book is relatively standalone so they can be read out of order. Harper and Biscuit are at it again in this mystery, giving a lesson in trusting your instincts and following your gut. This well-paced book is more of a mystery of proving the who and why rather than a whodunit. That being said it still has enough intrigue to keep you turning the pages to see the bad guys get their comeuppance.

This series reminds of Hallmark movie mysteries which are designed to be more cozy and feel-good rather than nail biting. I definitely recommend for a quick cozy read.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book but it did leave something to be desired. It was a quick and interesting read and I am a sucker for a small beach town setting and of course, a good dog sidekick. I also really appreciate that while it was a mystery, it was very clean, no spice and no gore. I have to knock it down a couple of stars because to be honest, all of the legal situations seemed very far-fetched and I felt like the setting and characters could've been cleaned out a bit more. I know it's part of a series, but the author states they can be read as stand-alones and I felt like I was really missing a lot of background knowledge.

[Carol Spitzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr Deception

Another great read by Susan Blake! The mysteries continue in Driftwood Bay as Harper and her dog, Biscuit, dive into a disturbing case. When a beloved local dies shortly after signing away her property, it triggers a deeper investigation. As more elderly residents end up dead or heavily medicated and confused, Harper and Cole uncover a sinister plot involving a local doctor and a ruthless developer. They manage to stop them, but a massive twist reveals this is only the beginning. Read the book to find out who is truly pulling the strings!

[Amy C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biscuit the police dog

Deed and Lies in Driftwood bay has engaging characters, a cozy seaside location and a dog Biscuit. Biscuit is not a main character but he is obedient, follows commands and keeps the protagonist from getting hurt by someone who would do her wrong. In my mind, Biscuit stole the show. The book is about theft. People trying to get the elderly to do what they want, against their wishes. It also is about “progress” and questions the need for a small town to change.

[Wongani Minjale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gripping mystery hooks you instantly with a chilling premise: a dead woman's signature selling off her town. Former true crime podcaster Harper Wynn and Deputy Mercer form a compelling duo, but it is Biscuit, the search-and-rescue dog, who truly steals the show. The atmospheric Driftwood Bay setting heightens the tension as financial fraud escalates into murder. It is a fast-paced, suspenseful read perfect for fans of small-town thrillers and clever canine companions.

[Mikelle Spicer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cozy coastal town is about to be turned upside down in this fast paced mystery full of conspiracy. The power hunger and greed take over the community under false pretenses. Thanks to Harper, Biscuit and Cole following their gut instincts and continued quest to find out why, they follow the clues to find each of the conspirators. Watching for every detail, they find that not everything as it seems. It’s a fun, quick, no spice, cozy mystery to immerse your self in.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a reader who loves a great mystery and this book didn't disappoint! The author was so descriptive that you felt you were walking along solving the crime yourself. I love the fact that just when you thought you knew the answer there's another twist that you didn't see coming. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great mystery.