Deadly Deception in Willow Springs: A Marnie Devlin Cozy Mystery

by Sloane Foster, Barbara Boguski, Mariia Uvarova (Illustrator)

The hat was vintage. The poison was fresh.

Marnie Devlin came to Willow Springs for a fresh start and a vintage boutique, not a body behind a wall. But when an obnoxious auctioneer turns up dead in a hidden room of a grand Victorian manor, the sharp-eyed sixty-five-year-old finds herself consulting on murder again, armed with an encyclopedic memory for couture and a hopeless soft spot for strays.

Good thing she's got her quick-tongued manager Ruby, who knows everyone's business before they do, and Taco, a small dog with an outsized talent for sniffing out clues.

The suspects pile up fast; the victim's anxious niece, poised to inherit his job, and a respected local doctor swindled out of a fortune in forged art. But every lead twists, and when a key witness is brutally attacked, Marnie realizes the truth runs deeper than one death.

Someone's been hiding behind a pleasant smile. And they'll kill again to keep it that way.

453 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 22, 2026

Reviews

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great Marnie Devlin and Taco story. She is running her store with Ruby when they go to the Ashworth Manor for a pre-auction look at the things that were going to be up for bid. There were definitely a lot of high dollar items to see. One picture was valued at $6.5 million, but Marnie is upset by the auction house owner Julian when he says that a dress that she had authenticated had been reported at a reproduction. She decided to get her paperwork and return to show the man he was wrong. Later in the day a hat box appeared that said Warner Bros. and there was a felt hat signed by Humphrey Bogart that Julian had to put on his head and run around the room with it on. Greta his niece told him to put it away.
Marnie and Taco returned to the Manor when Julian was reported missing and Taco sniffed his jacket, ran up the stairs, and found a hidden room with his body inside. That's when the investigation starts and there are so many suspects that it takes the group a while to figure things out. They kept finding more and more things that made it harder. Taco found the clues and helped solve the mystery.
I received an arc and this is my review.

[Coffeenbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Cozy mystery
- Dog sidekick
- Mature characters

This is the first book I've read in this series, but it won't be my last! I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Taco, the wonder dog, absolutely st0le my heart. His nose helped solve the mystery.

The story takes place in Willow Springs, where an auction will take place for one of the wealthier families in town - at the impressive Ashworth Manor. Marnie and her friend/employee Ruby were invited to take a look at the items that were up for sale. That's when they encounter several odd characters, including the auction house representative Julian, who behaves quite strangely....

The next day, Julian is no where to be found....until Taco discovers him in a hidden room, no longer breathing. Now Marnie and her friends are investigating the foul play and find more secrets than they imagined!

I will say, I didn't figure out who was responsible until close to the end. So many twists and turns!.

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

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grab a comfy chair, a favorite snack, and maybe a treat for Taco, because Deadly Deception in Willow Springs by Sloane Foster is a charming cozy mystery full of quirky characters, humor, and heart. Foster’s engaging writing style makes the story easy to settle into, and the lively cast adds warmth and personality throughout. The mystery surrounding the dead auctioneer is intriguing, with plenty of suspicious suspects, well-placed clues, and a satisfying ending that ties things together nicely. I especially loved Taco, who happily accepts rubs and treats as the very best rewards. This is the kind of story that can make you laugh, tug at your heart, and keep you turning pages; while it has a generous length, that just gives readers more time to enjoy Willow Springs and its memorable characters. All in all, this cozy mystery is a delightful little escape—best enjoyed with curiosity, a smile, and perhaps a treat or two.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic, page turning addition to the Marnie Devlin Cozy Mystery series. Having come to Willow Springs to start over with her vintage boutique, she didn't expect to get involved with murder investigations. But a very obnoxious auctioneer is found dead in a hidden room of a grand Victorian manor he was supposed to auction off. So with her incredible, clue finding chihuahua, Taco, her friend and store manager, Ruby, who seems to know everything that goes on in town, Marnie's crew jump in to help Detective Kate Lin in finding a murderer and discover the secrets the town holds. With some humor and lots of guessing and many suspects, we are taken along with Marnie and Taco on a roller coaster ride trying to figure out who did it. This is a fun page turner you just can't put down. I received an ARC of this book, but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Mrs K.Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly Deception in Willow Springs is a Superb story and series about Marnie Devlin a Vintage Boutique Owner and Taco her very clever sleuthing dog Taco an Official Investigative Consultant and Ruby Gomez Shop Manager and Friend. Doctor Will Harper is Marnie's Romantic Interest. Taco and Marnie discover someone dead and Detective Kate Lin comes to investigate. Marnie, Taco are also assisting with help from her group of friends who all have different skills. But what will be uncovered and can they discover the truth?
I enjoyed reading this story very much and I highly recommend that you read this book and series.

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

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly Deception is a charming and twist‑filled cozy mystery that delivers exactly what fans of the genre love. Marnie Devlin is a wonderfully engaging sleuth—smart, seasoned, and impossible not to root for—as she digs into a suspicious death that quickly reveals deeper small‑town secrets. The clues are well‑placed, the suspects entertaining, and the pacing keeps you turning pages without ever feeling rushed. It’s an inviting, clever mystery with just enough tension to stay addictive while still maintaining that comforting cozy vibe.

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

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was yet another great small town cozy mystery with Marnie and her detective dog Taco and her best friend Ruby once again being involved in trying to solve another murder in their small town. An obnoxious auctioneer is found dead and there are several suspicious suspects and clues to sort thru but Marnie and her friends are determined to figure it out. I really like the author’s writing style and the plot of the story.

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

[Janet Burger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

Really liked this one,.
I admit from the beginning I'm A big dog fan, and I love Chichuhuas, owning one will do that.
That said, the characters are well developed, with distinct personalities, Taco does reasonable things for a smart companion dog and the plot makes sense.
( at least as much as murder can make sense)
This is a town and people you will find yourself caring about and wishing to visit again.
An interesting and intriguing read.
Recommended for anyone wanting a good clean mystery.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author and I loved it.
While at an estate going up for auction Taco the chihuahua sniffs out a secret room with a body in it.
Marnie and Taco work with local police detectives to find the killer.
This story had twists and turns that involve more than what you first suspect.
Wonderful characters and relationships between them. Especially love Ruby and her attitude toward food and Marnie's love life.
A well written story with characters that will draw you in.
I was honored to read an early copy and this is my honest opinion.

[Dennis R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It has interesting characters. It was fast moving. It is actually a tragic story. It kept me guessing right till the end. It had lots of humor. And it had a very satisfying ending that made the tragedy better. Definitely recommend!

[Megan Olds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it!

Ruby’s awesome. And the fortune cookie bit was great, too 😂 The bad guy is appropriately evil.

Yeah, I will never see teapots or kettles whistling the same way ever again, either, after that one scene in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 😂

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story with likeable characters. It drew me in right away and kept me engaged until the end. I couldn't quit reading. I received an advanced reader copy and am leaving an honest review.

[Trish Goodgame · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable cozy mystery in the Marnie Devlin series. Who can resist a story or series that includes a cute and very clever little dog and a small town full of interesting and diverse characters? I sometimes have difficulty keeping track of characters so I appreciated the "cast list" at the beginning of the book. The story kept me guessing who the guilty party was as there were several suspects. Good storyline, well paced and kept my interest. I look forward to more in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book

[Marsha Asquith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marnie and the crew are back!


Great mystery filled with lots of suspects and motives. Kept me guessing until the end.

The characters are wonderfully quirky. Taco is the senior pet detective who accepts treats, food and rubs as rewards.

If you want laughs, tears, page turning story this one hits all of those and more!