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Working Stiffs Mystery #4
You Can't Go Gnome Again
Four garden gnomes and their owner, Emmy Lee Barstow, mysteriously disappear and then she’s located the next day — dead!
A bizarre coincidence? Maybe.
Beyond weird? Definitely!
Deputy Coroner and human lie detector, Charmaine Digby, is determined to get to the bottom of this murder mystery and has no shortage of suspects. All she needs to do is unravel a dangerous web of lies... without becoming the next victim!
You Can't Go Gnome Again is book 4 in the award-winning Working Stiffs Mystery series. While the books can be read out of order, starting with book 1 is recommended as some story threads run from book to book.
The Working Stiffs Mystery series:
Trudy, Madly, Deeply (#1)
Sex, Lies, and Snickerdoodles (#2)
There's Something About Marty (#3)
You Can’t Go Gnome Again (#4)
Dogs, Lies, and Alibis (#5)
No Wedding For Old Men (#6)
A bizarre coincidence? Maybe.
Beyond weird? Definitely!
Deputy Coroner and human lie detector, Charmaine Digby, is determined to get to the bottom of this murder mystery and has no shortage of suspects. All she needs to do is unravel a dangerous web of lies... without becoming the next victim!
You Can't Go Gnome Again is book 4 in the award-winning Working Stiffs Mystery series. While the books can be read out of order, starting with book 1 is recommended as some story threads run from book to book.
The Working Stiffs Mystery series:
Trudy, Madly, Deeply (#1)
Sex, Lies, and Snickerdoodles (#2)
There's Something About Marty (#3)
You Can’t Go Gnome Again (#4)
Dogs, Lies, and Alibis (#5)
No Wedding For Old Men (#6)
- GenresCozy MysteryMysteryCozy
297 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 21, 2016
121 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Delaney
15 books122 followersWendy Delaney writes fun-filled cozy mysteries and is the award-winning author of the Working Stiffs Mystery series. A longtime member of Mystery Writers of America, she's a Food Network addict and pastry chef wannabe. When she's not killing off story people she can be found on her treadmill, working off the calories from her latest culinary adventure. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Wendy lives in the Texas Hill Country with the love of her life and is a proud grandma.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 30, 2016
This is such a fun series! This is the fourth book in the series and is chuck full of great characters who all add so much to the story! I love cozy mysteries and this series is one that will keep you entertained and forget about life for a while. You Can’t Go Gnome Again has Char once again involved in a caper that definitely doesn’t sit well with her hunky boyfriend Steve Sixkiller who also happens to be a detective in Port Merritt and who somehow always knows what Char is getting into! I would recommend reading the first three books in the series so one, you don’t miss all of the laughs with the crazy bunch but also so you know who is who, who drives who crazy and how the whole thing started! Definitely a must add to anyone’s library if you love a good mystery that will keep you entertained and has enjoying a well written story!
June 8, 2021
Great Cozy Mystery!
Loved this book! The reoccurring characters in this series are funny and lovable. Can’t wait to read the next one!
Loved this book! The reoccurring characters in this series are funny and lovable. Can’t wait to read the next one!
April 22, 2025
Another one to keep you guessing
Mystery, mayhem and characters abound in another Whodunit. Keeps you guessing and stumped. The relationship hurdles for lifelong friends is a bonus.
Mystery, mayhem and characters abound in another Whodunit. Keeps you guessing and stumped. The relationship hurdles for lifelong friends is a bonus.
June 28, 2021
Another strong book from this series. 4.5 stars
It's obviously limiting to review a mystery and try not to give away spoilers, so I won't even try to touch the plot here. What I will say is that, for those who are familiar with the first three books of the series, Charmaine's mother is still a character, but she has a small enough role in this book that she doesn't monopolize every page, and the book feels a little less… ridiculous. Like most cozy series, you get to catch up with the characters you know from the previous books, get to meet one or two new ones, and get to spend time in a setting that becomes more and more familiar with each book of the series: exactly what I'm looking for when I pick up a mystery series
It's obviously limiting to review a mystery and try not to give away spoilers, so I won't even try to touch the plot here. What I will say is that, for those who are familiar with the first three books of the series, Charmaine's mother is still a character, but she has a small enough role in this book that she doesn't monopolize every page, and the book feels a little less… ridiculous. Like most cozy series, you get to catch up with the characters you know from the previous books, get to meet one or two new ones, and get to spend time in a setting that becomes more and more familiar with each book of the series: exactly what I'm looking for when I pick up a mystery series
March 15, 2019
Now that I'm on my third Working Stiffs mystery, I'm getting to feel at home in Point Merritt, Washington, and recognize the regulars at Duke's cafe. Deputy coroner Charmaine's gift of "deception detection" is subtle and fun, and the mystery resists unraveling quite well. Nuggets of wisdom decorate it: "It wasn't easy to move back home. You're sharing a very familiar space, but time has a way of changing the fit of that space." And clever asides pique our smiles: ""My problem plate was already full." I'm glad there are more books in this series to come!
March 17, 2020
A nicely written mystery
I enjoy Charmaine and Steve and the rest of the quirky characters in this little northwestern town. I could do with Charmaine talking a little less about how much she needs to lose weight...seems like an unnecessary amount of focus on that, to the point where I get a bit annoyed by her constant focus on this. I would prefer especially by this point that the 33 year old woman would have a little better acceptance of her body type or the maturity to do something about it and stop making that such a focus. It detracts from her better qualities.
I enjoy Charmaine and Steve and the rest of the quirky characters in this little northwestern town. I could do with Charmaine talking a little less about how much she needs to lose weight...seems like an unnecessary amount of focus on that, to the point where I get a bit annoyed by her constant focus on this. I would prefer especially by this point that the 33 year old woman would have a little better acceptance of her body type or the maturity to do something about it and stop making that such a focus. It detracts from her better qualities.
November 16, 2018
Good read
This mystery is a little more intense and slightly more dangerous toward the end, a little more foreplay, but still no sex, lots of humor, less of her grandmother and mother, and more sleuthing. Charmaine refuses to believe the death of an acquaintance is a suicide. She is relentless in her investigating, even when her bosses tell her it's over. As usual, she stumbles into finding the killer and will Steve be in time to save her? Highly recommend.
This mystery is a little more intense and slightly more dangerous toward the end, a little more foreplay, but still no sex, lots of humor, less of her grandmother and mother, and more sleuthing. Charmaine refuses to believe the death of an acquaintance is a suicide. She is relentless in her investigating, even when her bosses tell her it's over. As usual, she stumbles into finding the killer and will Steve be in time to save her? Highly recommend.
May 6, 2017
The citizens of Port Merritt, WA seem to be dropping like flies in winter since Charmaine started working in the Chimacam Country Coroner's Office. Can she find the killer before he (or she) finds her? Another good read by Wendy Delaney
April 15, 2018
Very suspenseful!
Char and her sense of curiosity and ability to be a human lie detector, make for excellent stories! So many suspects and not the one I thought it was. Very engaging!
Char and her sense of curiosity and ability to be a human lie detector, make for excellent stories! So many suspects and not the one I thought it was. Very engaging!
December 22, 2020
What a story!
Charmaine just keeps getting into deeper messes each book and the stories are always entertaining. Who knew what started out about simple garden gnomes would end up with nursery and kidnapping? I always enjoy following Charmaine as she solves crimes and mysteries.
Charmaine just keeps getting into deeper messes each book and the stories are always entertaining. Who knew what started out about simple garden gnomes would end up with nursery and kidnapping? I always enjoy following Charmaine as she solves crimes and mysteries.
May 30, 2017
Enjoyed this mystery series
Cute mystery series in a small Washington state town. Interesting characters and storyline moves along quickly. Suggest reading in order.
Cute mystery series in a small Washington state town. Interesting characters and storyline moves along quickly. Suggest reading in order.
May 4, 2018
Another fun book in the series! I like the small-town vibe and the quirky cast of characters.
Looking forward to reading more!
Looking forward to reading more!
December 10, 2018
Fun mystery good addition to the series.
July 8, 2019
Hmmmm
While I was enjoying this series they were removed from kindles unlimited. Sucks that I wont be finishing them. Booo
While I was enjoying this series they were removed from kindles unlimited. Sucks that I wont be finishing them. Booo
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May 17, 2020A great read
I have been enjoying all of the Wendy Delaney books , the working stiffs is definitely one series is really fun
I have been enjoying all of the Wendy Delaney books , the working stiffs is definitely one series is really fun
June 18, 2020
Much better than the previous book in the series. Good thing, or it would have been my last.
December 4, 2020
Love Working Stiffs Mystery stories!!
May 26, 2021
Who took the gnome
I read this book because of the gnome tie in. Its a fun cozy mystery, with romance and life. Easy read with the twist and turn of mystery.
I read this book because of the gnome tie in. Its a fun cozy mystery, with romance and life. Easy read with the twist and turn of mystery.
January 24, 2024
A great mystery that was also funny! I loved the story and the way the characters are developing!
October 1, 2025
Fun series, quirky characters all rolled into a who done it. Fun fast read
February 4, 2017
Great series
I have read all the other books in this series so far and I absolutely love them! I feel like the characters are people you could meet in any town anywhere. They feel real and believable. The stories are fun and not too serious. I love that the main character is not too perfect. She is perfectly lovable though!
I have read all the other books in this series so far and I absolutely love them! I feel like the characters are people you could meet in any town anywhere. They feel real and believable. The stories are fun and not too serious. I love that the main character is not too perfect. She is perfectly lovable though!
December 24, 2016
A Killer Plot!
Deputy Coroner & human lie detector, Charmaine Digby, has another case to solve. This time she becomes suspicious about an alleged suicide. Charmaine is extremely tenacious, not satisfied with everyone else's decision about the case. Between trying to solve the case, avoiding her mother, & spending some quality time with BF Detective Steve, Charmaine is a very busy lady. There are lots of twists & turns, & no shortage of suspects as the reader is taken on a crazy roller coaster ride! Definitely worth the time!!!
Deputy Coroner & human lie detector, Charmaine Digby, has another case to solve. This time she becomes suspicious about an alleged suicide. Charmaine is extremely tenacious, not satisfied with everyone else's decision about the case. Between trying to solve the case, avoiding her mother, & spending some quality time with BF Detective Steve, Charmaine is a very busy lady. There are lots of twists & turns, & no shortage of suspects as the reader is taken on a crazy roller coaster ride! Definitely worth the time!!!
December 15, 2016
They Keep Getting Better
I have read this series since the beginning and I must say that they continue to get better. This book, like the ones before it, is well written and kept me guessing until the very end. It has the perfect blend of mystery, humor and romance...my three favorites things in a book. I hope to get more on Charmaine and the gang in Port Merritt for some time to come.
I have read this series since the beginning and I must say that they continue to get better. This book, like the ones before it, is well written and kept me guessing until the very end. It has the perfect blend of mystery, humor and romance...my three favorites things in a book. I hope to get more on Charmaine and the gang in Port Merritt for some time to come.
November 24, 2016
This is one of my favorite cozy series. Each one gets better than the last. I have to say this one is the best one yet! Wendy Delaney has put together a cast of characters that I can't get enough of. Once you start, you won't be able to put down. I'm ready for more!
November 26, 2016
I am in love with this series. Charmaine is a human lie detector and is on the case to search out the truth even if Steve and her boss say there is nothing left to find. Now to prove them wrong and find the killer.
This being the 4th book in the series and can't.
December 1, 2016
Wendy Delaney does it again!! Fantastic book!! I love this cozy mystery series! The characters are very real. Charmaine, deputy coroner and human lie detector, is your friend down the street and Duke's Café is your home away from home.
November 24, 2016
It just gets better
I really enjoyed this fourth book in the Working Stiffs Mystery series. Charlene and Steve are a great pair and the supporting cast are wonderful!
I really enjoyed this fourth book in the Working Stiffs Mystery series. Charlene and Steve are a great pair and the supporting cast are wonderful!
November 27, 2016
Love it
Charmaine does it again. Everybody says suicide but she doesn't believe it.
What a great mystery.
Looking forward to the next book.
Charmaine does it again. Everybody says suicide but she doesn't believe it.
What a great mystery.
Looking forward to the next book.
December 12, 2016
Wendy is 3 for 3 with this one! Thanks for another great read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews