Dinosaurs, Danger, and Deception: A Cozy Tiffany Black Travel Mystery

by A.R. Winters

A dinosaur in the backyard.
A town full of suspects.
And a murder millions of years in the making…

Tiffany Black and Rosie McCann are off to South Dakota to check out a struggling B&B...
But when they arrive, the owner suddenly doesn’t need the money.

Because there’s a dinosaur buried in her backyard—and it could be worth millions.

Unfortunately, there’s also a dead man. And Tiffany discovers there’s no shortage of people who wanted him gone,

A fossil hunter with a score to settleA B&B owner sitting on a fortuneAnd a family with a grudgeWith Rosie digging for dinosaurs, Nanna determined to ride with the bikers, and Tiffany digging into everyone’s secrets, their quiet trip to the Badlands is getting wilder by the minute.

Because someone has gone to a lot of trouble to bury the truth…

And they’ll kill again before they let Tiffany dig it up.


Praise for A.R.

"The perfect balance of being lighthearted, but still a serious page-turning mystery." - Jaycie D, Amazon.com

"A fun cozy mystery with engaging and entertaining characters" - lq, Amazon.com

"For fans of Janet Evanovich, Rhys Bowen and Jana DeLeon, this is a funny, clean mystery." - Clara B, Amazon.com

This is a standalone novel - a light-hearted story featuring a strong female protagonist, some unusual friends and family, and a mystery that needs solving! It has no graphic gore or love scenes, or bad language.

Ready to dig up a killer? Join Tiffany, Nanna and Rosie in the Badlands today!

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 28, 2026

About the author

A.R. Winters is a cozy mystery writer who loves writing about crazy characters and vibrant locations. And food, lots of delicious food!

When not writing, A.R. Winters is usually busy eating too much cake...

You can also find her on Facebook

Reviews

[Terri]

Tiffany and Rosie, with Nanna in tow, have gone to South Dakota to check out a struggling B&B. Something isn't right when they get there. The owner doesn't need money anymore because they've found a dinosaur in the backyard that could be worth a fortune! That's not all either because there's also a dead man! This trip just keeps getting crazier! There's just one thing Tiffany knows for sure--the killer will do anything to keep their secrets buried, even if it means killing again! A fun cozy read with very entertaining characters! One of my favorite series and this addition definitely didn't disappoint!

[Susan]

Dinosaurs, Danger, and Deception by A.R. Winters is a delightfully lighthearted, page-turning cozy travel mystery that perfectly blends adventure, humor, and small-town chaos. The story follows protagonist Tiffany Black and her friend Rosie McCann as they travel to South Dakota to check out a struggling Bed & Breakfast. Upon arrival, they find that the B&B owner is suddenly sitting on a fortune because a multi-million-dollar dinosaur fossil is buried in her backyard! Unfortunately, there is also a fresh corpse on the property. With a fossil hunter holding a grudge, a family with a score to settle, and a town full of suspects, Tiffany has to dig through a mountain of secrets before a desperate killer strikes again.

Spanning 325 pages, this clean and wholesome standalone novel delivers everything fans of Janet Evanovich, Rhys Bowen, and Jana DeLeon adore. The book is packed with an abundance of decadent foods, heartfelt emotions, and hilarious side plots—including Nanna, a funny grandma who is determined to ride with local bikers, and Rosie, who is busy digging for dinosaurs in the Badlands. With no graphic gore, love scenes, or bad language, it remains a family-friendly, engaging crime fiction treat. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with Dinosaurs, Danger, and Deception in this cozy Tiffany Black travel mystery that is sure to transport readers into a world that is immensely humorous, intriguing, and unforgettable.

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

[Alisa]

Can I give it more stars?

Every book I've read by A.R. Winter needs an off the chart star rating.

Book 36 (wow), finds Tiff & Rosie at a B&B to check out for Charles. The owner, though, has found a dinosaur on her property that could be worth a small fortune, so she's not feeling the need for a cash infusion any more.

The book wouldn't be complete without a body being found, naturally, and this guy was not popular. Tiff's hired to figure out whodunnit. Nanna shows up and is hell bent on riding a motorcycle, and then, we get Stone to come in and add his assorted "hmm" comments (which Tiff can interpret (I guess based on his tone, lol). This group of 4 is a complete winner. If, like I have, you've followed them through 4 different series, they're family by now.

As always, there is an exciting, unique (and different from all the previous books, somehow!) plot and mystery, with great characters, wonderful imagery, and humor spread throughout. All these combine to make it a fast, easy to read, enjoyable book. Loved it, and can't recommend it more highly. The next one is already on my "ready to read now, please" list, and Charles give a bit of a hint about where it'll be at the end of this book.

If you are able, go read all the 4 series. They're among the most enjoyable books I've read!.

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

[Margery]

Charles has sent Tiffany and Rosie to scope out the Badlands Bridge B&B. In the middle of nowhere and nothing around, the desolate landscape of South Dakota sits the B&B. The building is, as Rosie says, held together with duct tape and hopes with hidden strong bones. Their arrival is met with a cold rejection and our ladies were turned away. They stop to get food and meet Valerie, the cook at the B&B. Why would Belle turn away money for two week stay when she really needs the money?
When retired FBI agent Dan Martino, a man the whole town hates, is found dead the layers of the secrets are unveiled. Nanna hears of the murder and knowing the area is close to Sturbridge, famous for motorcycle gatherings. Nanna, of course came prepared, full leather outfit and is bound and determined to ride a hog. Stone flies out and a secret of a dinosaur dig is uncovered near the murder site. What is it with Dinosaur discoveries? One discovery landed a man in jail for two years and Marsha, the owner of Paleo Explorers Dino Hunters handed with a sizeable fine! Uncovering the agent's secret surveillance of the local bike club supposed to uncover?
The characters are very interesting and the National Park spots with in an hour away make me want to go to Badlands Bridge!

[GinaB.]

Dinosaurs, Danger & Deception is another fantastic story in this series! I always laugh out loud as I read about retired PI Tiffany Black, her business partner Rosie McCann, her boyfriend Stone & especially her sassy Nanna. Tiffany & Rosie went to the Badlands in South Dakota to look at a B&B for Charles. Our family had so much fun in South Dakota & the way she described Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Deadwood, Mt Moriah Cemetery, the boxwork in the Wind Caves, Rapid City, the Badlands, Sturgis & the Black Hills was spot on, so I read this book with a huge smile on my face not only because of the memories, but also because of the humor that starts when Nanna shows up in leather & wants to go on a ride with bikers! Tiffany found a retired FBI agent who wasn’t making friends found dead behind the B&B the next day & the day after that…the trio found a hidden dinosaur excavation. Tiffany was hired to find the killer & Stone arrives when she tells him everything, so the fab foursome solve the whodunit while having fun digging up dinosaur bones.

[Kathleen]

Excellent read.
A page turner with interesting characters.
Tiff and Rosie arrive at the Badlands only B & B, heck there’s only one other place to stay and it’s not recommended.
They arrive after driving treacherous roads and promptly get turned away.
What, this is a two week prepaid visit by Charles Locandro a private investor?!
Something is not right and although the two drive away confused, tired and hungry Tiff’s spidery senses are on alert.
She is determined to solve what is going on in this town especially after seeing the same retired federal agent being kicked out of the only bar, and diner in town.
Old secrets want to stay buried.
Hate and revenge is like smoke in a small room filled with bikers.
Nanna is determined to put a hog between her knees.
Between buried dinosaur bones, hogs, a murder to solve, millions of dollars in the equation Tiffany resolves to uncover the truths.

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

[Kathy]

Tiffany and Rosie head to the Badlands to assess a potential investment property for Charles Locandro. When the owner inexplicably turns them away from the ramshackle B&B & witnessing several cryptic conversations, Tiffany’s PI radar is up. Also at the B&B are a family of local ranchers whose house is being treated for termites. Exploring the grounds, Tiff & Rosie find a dinosaur being excavated. A former federal agent persists in causing trouble at the B&B and in town. Soon after his dead body is found. Was he after the dinosaur or something else? Of course, Nanna and Stone show up to help Tiffany put the pieces together.

A.R. Winters has crafted another fun and unique mystery for Tiffany & Co to solve. The Badlands make for an interesting backdrop with the scenery playing a starring role. Nanna brings her vivacity as always, this time trying to ride a motorcycle and thrilled with the more exotic cuisine. While we expect Rosie’s encyclopedic knowledge of fossils and dinosaurs, someone else’s enthusiasm comes as a surprise. The twists keep the pages turning as clues are revealed. Whether in Las Vegas, Mariposas, or on the road, Tiffany, Stone, Rosie, and Nanna are always great to follow.

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

[Aimee Worth]

A travel destination in South Dakota seemed new and different. Tiffany and Rosie checking out the area for their travel blog had me intrigued. There was a lot of details about fossil digs that were very interesting. Dinosaur bones sounds like a fun discovery! Then a murder happens so Tiffany and Rosie investigate. This is where the entertainment begins. I love how no investigation goes without Nana and her boyfriend Stone joining them. This cozy mystery is fun, smart and well written. I also enjoy how all the travel destinations in these books are all over the United States.

[Betty Bennett]

Tiffany Black and her companions drive to the Baflands of South Dakota on assignment for Charlie. He wants to know if the property would have value. It did have value, a murdered Ex FBI agent and a young woman who imported red moccasins, lots of them. Intriguing tale by an author who has an eye for detail and finds a way to insert some complicated plot twists.

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

[Alison Ramsay]

Tiffany and Rosie arrive at a B&B on assignment for Charles only to be told they are not wanted. After a bit they return and are immediately involved in a storm which uncovers a murder. They are hired to find the killer but discover a lot more going on in the area in this quite unique plot line. With help from Nanna and Stone they uncover more than they bargained for. As always the plot has many twists and red herrings and is thoroughly enjoyable.

[LizJ.]

Dinosaurs, Danger, and Deception book 36 of Tiffany Black Travel Mysteries by A.R. Winters Tiffany and Rosie head to the Badlands to assess a potential investment property for Charles Locandro, buried dinosaur bones, hogs, a murder to solve and millions of dollars in the mix...how will it end? I absolutely adore this series and Nana is such a hoot!!

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

[Michelle Webb]

Another great adventure from Tiffany and Rosie. Love all of AR Winters books and you should definitely read them all. Tiffany and Rosie are off to South Dakota to check on a B & B but all of a sudden the owner of the B & B says he rich because they found a dinosaur in his backyard. Add in Nanna riding with a motorcycle gang and things get interesting quickly.

[Ela La1978]

Definetly not your every day Crime story. The trip didn’t start as expected. The murder is nothing as before and the Dinosaur Bones are the unique highlight of this case. This Charles Trip is100% the best one yet.

[Lavender Jade]

A thoroughly absorbing story with unexpected twists and an intriguing layer of suspense. I loved the characters, they are so much fun!

A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Brenda]

A man is found dead from an apparent accident. But is it an accidental death? The avalanche wasn't natural. Who caused it and what was the reason?.

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