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Brenda Sheffield is thrilled to host the East Coast Acting Troupe in her inn set above the Atlantic Ocean. Excitement permeates the Sheffield Bed and Breakfast and injects new life in the small town of Sweetfern Harbor. Ellen Teague, the famous actress will be given a large suite on the second floor. From the adjoining room she will have access to her assistant Chester Boyd. Chester caters to her every whim. Ellen is demanding and narcissistic. She is liked by very few members of the troupe who are there to perform “The Rich Game.”

After the first performance at Harbor Park, Edward Graham pulls Brenda aside and tells her he has serious business to discuss with her. The lawyer informs her that Ellen Teague states she is the rightful owner of Sheffield Bed and Breakfast, not Brenda. Brenda argues her uncle’s will states she is the heir to his property. Ellen argues she and Randolph Sheffield signed an agreement that the bed and breakfast would be hers.

When Brenda confronts Ellen late at night, a loud argument ensues. Brenda’s raised voice awakens the cast members who were sound asleep. Brenda doesn’t think about this and goes to her apartment seething in anger. The next morning, she becomes fully alert when one of the cast members informs her that Ellen Teague is dead in her bed. As if this discovery isn’t shocking enough, Brenda is dismayed when Detective Mac Rivers narrows her down as his prime suspect and states she has the strongest motive for killing the star who demanded her rights to the bed and breakfast. Brenda and Mac are in love with one another, or at least that is what he told her when he gave her the Promise ring the day before. The estrangement leaves Brenda to solve the murder case as soon as possible or Mac plans to serve the warrant for her arrest.

This will be no easy task since at times all of the actors argued with Ellen. Combined with the fact that none of them cared for her egotistical behavior they also had individual motives for wanting her dead. Brenda knows she is on her own. Will the forty-eight hours the detective gave her be enough to prove who the killer really is? It is the only way Brenda will avoid prison for the rest of her life, and she realizes time is of essence.

144 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 9, 2017

612 people are currently reading
230 people want to read

About the author

Wendy Meadows

193 books438 followers
Wendy Meadows is a USA Today bestselling cozy mystery author who creates the perfect escape for readers who love amateur sleuths, small-town secrets, and mysteries you can solve with a cup of tea in hand.

Her beloved series—including Sweetfern Harbor, Alaska Cozy Mysteries, and Travel Writer Mysteries—feature quirky characters, family bonds, and charming whodunits with no gore, just gentle intrigue that keeps you guessing.

When she's not plotting her next puzzle, she's spoiling her pets, enjoying time with her two adult children, and hunting for the perfect hybrid tea rose to inspire her peaceful settings.

Join her cozy community and get a free ebook plus behind-the-scenes peeks into her stories and characters.

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5 stars
527 (54%)
4 stars
264 (27%)
3 stars
144 (14%)
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25 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
7,800 reviews51 followers
May 19, 2020
Small town and the actors troupe will be staying at the Inn. Catering to a famous actress, Unliked and now murdered. Good interesting plot, Enjoyed the audio which added to this for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
Profile Image for Linda.
1,337 reviews18 followers
October 22, 2020
I liked this story much better than the previous one I listened to. Good characters and a good story. Ending was predictable, but still a nice mystery.
Profile Image for Georgie Mac.
96 reviews2 followers
October 29, 2017
Clever, fast paced mystery

I loved this story, the characters were interesting, the murder victim was perfectly awful, and the heroine was sharp witted, clever, and capable. I only gave it a four star because I didn't believe in the actions and attitudes of the police detective. They were at such odds it took away from the main story line which I don't believe was Ms Meadows' intent. Every time the detective came back into the story, I would get aggravated at his intrusion.
Once our heroine discovered and pulled out the truth from the killer, I expected full scale groveling from the police detective. I can't easy envision such a strong, independent character to simply say sure, let's just forget this happened, not expect more of a humble response after such horrid behavior.
Profile Image for Katy The Sleepy Reader.
397 reviews42 followers
January 1, 2022
I read the first book awhile back and when I signed up for Kindle unlimited, books 2 and 3 were part of the deal. I really liked the first book and was excited to get to read the others. I love a good cozy mystery, and these do not disappoint.

Brenda Sheffield runs a bed and breakfast in the little town of Sweetfern Harbor. A group of actors has come to stay including her idol, Ellen Teague. Most of the cast arrives before Ellen and Brenda is enjoying engaging with them. When Ellen arrives, the tone changes. The cast isn't as talkative, and Ellen seems very put off by not only the setting but Brenda herself. Brenda cannot figure out what she has or hasn't done, and it puts her off looking at her as an idol anymore. While watching them rehearse the next day, they inform her that her uncle, Randolph, was an actor and that's why they came to Sheffield Bed and Breakfast. They wanted to see why he gave up acting. Brenda had no idea that her uncle had been an actor.

The opening night of the play goes off without a hitch. Ellen puts on her best public face, and everyone is charmed by her. After the play, Brendas friend and attorney asks to speak with her. He informs her that Ellen is challenging Brendas ownership of the bed and breakfast, stating that Randolph had promised it to her instead. After the play, Brenda attempts to speak to Ellen about it to no avail. A huge argument ensues, and it leaves Brenda shaken.

The next morning one of the other actors goes to get something from Ellen, only to discover she has been murdered. Seeing as Ellen was demanding and not well liked so the list of people who might want her dead. Brenda has been dating a local detective, Detective Mac and unfortunately, he sees her as a suspect too given that Ellen was going to sue her, and they had an argument. He gives Brenda one day to figure out who might have killed Ellen. Can Brenda figure out who killed Ellen before she herself is arrested?

I really enjoyed this series. I didn't realize just how many there are and I'm so excited to get to read all of them. If you enjoy, quick, cozy mystery reads, then this a series you should definitely check out.
Profile Image for Julie Howard.
Author 2 books33 followers
June 29, 2020
This is a fun quick easy to listen to cozy. This is book two and you don't need to listen to them in order because they are stand alone books. I think I prefer this book to book one, as there was to many characters introduced in a short space of time but with this book I already knew the characters so it was easier to follow along. It is on the shorter side, great if you only have a few hours to kill and the book was nearly over before the murder occurred but I think it might have been better being a long book because then it could have built up the prospects of others suspects having a better motive as I did know who the killer was and why, so from that point of view it was disappointing but the characters are likeable enough that I will give book three ago.
It is acting week in the town of Sweetfern harbour and Brenda has closed down the bed and breakfast so just the cast can stay there. Including her idol Ellen Teague. The super star is a favourite with the audience for playing sweet innocent characters but the star herself is very different from the characters she plays. She is demanding and disagreeable and no body in the cast seems to like her. But that is no reason for one of them to kill her. Brenda herself had a reason to kill her, as she was contesting the ownership of the b&b and they had a big shouting match the night before she died and Brenda's own boyfriend, the police detective starts to look at her funny. Can Brenda workout who had the biggest reason to kill the hated star?
The narrator was okay when you speed up the listening speed of the book but that meant the story ended quickly
Profile Image for Sue.
596 reviews19 followers
February 11, 2019
Brenda and the staff at Sheffield B&B are excited to host the East Coast Acting Troupe. Brenda has been a super fan of the famous actress Ellen Teague and can’t wait to meet her. Unfortunately, Ellen is not the person Brenda was expecting. Instead, she comes face to face with a demanding and narcissistic individual whom the rest of the troupe despise.

Brenda soon finds out that the B&B might not actually hers when Ellen states that Randolph signed an agreement to leave the B&B to her. Brenda confronts Ellen late one evening and a loud argument is heard by all. The next morning, Chester (Ellen’s assistant) discovers Ellen dead in bed and all fingers soon point to Brenda.
Brenda is upset to find out that even detective Mac Rivers finds her as the prime suspect, leaving her to throw his promise ring back at him. Can Brenda discover who the real killer is? Will she and Mac get together or is a warrant in her future?

This is a mystery filled with great storytelling, lots of red herrings, wonderful characters, and many twists and turns. You will find yourself wondering until the very end as to whodunit!
707 reviews2 followers
July 9, 2021
Great book!!!!

I love the start of this series.
Brenda and her staff had a full house of actors. One of them was a heck of a hand full. Ellen the main actress of the play "The Rich Game", self-centered, demanding, mean, crude and cruelly selfish.
All the other actors didn't like her, and her assistant Chester, that she treated like a unappreciated piece of crap at her beck and call 24/7.
Brenda learned some interesting facts about her uncle Randolph, that involved Ellen.
The actors were getting dogged by Ellen and they were voicing their complaints to each other and other people overheard what they were saying. Brenda was threatened of the fact that her Bed and Breakfast could be taken away from her by Ellen.
When the gossip got back to Brenda that's when stuff got bad and someone took matters into their hands and Ellen paid the price.
Det. Mac Rivers is the one investigating the situation. And had a mess because there are so many suspects and they all had motives.
I stayed up late for a couple of nights to find out whodunit.
You won't be disappointed!!!!
Profile Image for Lindatugby81.
253 reviews
August 8, 2025
Dead in Bed

Brenda Sheffield is thrilled to host the East Coast Acting Troupe in her inn set above the Atlantic Ocean . Excitement permeates the Sheffield Bed and Breakfast and injects new life in the small town of Sweetfern Harbor.Ellen Teague , the famous actress will be given a large suite on the second floor. From the adjoining room she will have access to her assistant Chester Boyd . Chester caters to her every whim. Ellen is demanding and narcissistic . She is liked by very few members of the troupe who are there to perform”The Rich Game “.


When Brenda talks to Ellen late at night , a loud argument ensues,Brenda’s raised voice awakens the cast members who were sound asleep.Brenda doesn’t think about this and goes to her apartment seething in anger.The next morning she becomes fully alert when one of the cast members informs her that Ellen Teague is dead in her bed . As if this discovery isn’t shocking enough , Brenda is dismayed when Detective Mac Rivers narrows her down as his prime suspect..
Profile Image for Krystyna.
5,134 reviews55 followers
June 15, 2018
Private and public faces

A good solid cozy but unfortunately the culprit was too easy to spot. The Inn is gearing itself up to welcome some well know actors through it's doors. However the main lead is not the pleasant person they have seen on stage or the one giving interviews. She is cold, arrogant and has to control everyone that falls into her sphere of influence. From the cast members to the Inn owner. It is therefore not surprising that her body is discovered one morning. The worst thing is that our heroine has now fallen into being the No 1 suspect, as the actress was intent on stealing her Inn from her. Will this damage the relationship between our heroine and her detective beau (who has just presented her with a promise ring)? Will she be able to clear her name and find out the true killer? The plot was well written and the characters were brilliantly displayed (especially the murdered actress, her cold and unfeeling nature was brilliant) but just a shame that I guessed the culprit really early on.
Profile Image for Dharia Scarab.
3,255 reviews8 followers
December 4, 2017
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
Profile Image for SandyL.
3,762 reviews
May 21, 2019
Brenda Sheffield is excited to welcome the cast of a popular play to stay in her bed and breakfast. She's surprised to find out her uncle, who she inherited the B&B from, used to act and knew the famous people she's hosting. She's been particularly excited to meet Ellen Teague, but Ellen turns out to be a very unpleasant person. And when she springs some bad news on Brenda, things continue to go downhill. Then, even further, when Ellen turns up dead. Brenda's boyfriend, Mac, is a local deputy and his suspicions about Brenda's potential role in the death cause a strain on their relationship. This was a short book that was okay. I didn't read the first one to see how things started out, and I probably won't go back or forward with this series.
Profile Image for Karen.
6 reviews
May 30, 2019

Dead in Bed, book 2, by Wendy Meadows, is a quick, easy and fun read. It can be a stand-alone, not dependent on reading the series in order. However, I would suggest reading Dead in Bed as part of the series. Why? By reading it as part of the series you will add to the building blocks of a more holistic experience. Character development and dialogue are on point. As the reader of the series you can begin to see the growth of the characters and relationships come together, and, as a result you become invested in the storyline and the read overall. My RECOMMENDATION is to read the book and enjoy. – Tex.
Profile Image for Cozy Reader Lady.
1,187 reviews139 followers
May 22, 2025
"Dead in Bed (Sweetfern Harbor Mystery #2)" by Wendy Meadows is better than the first book of the series. Mostly this is because the multiple views points is significantly decreased. It is mostly from the view point of Brenda and occasionally the viewpoint of her boyfriend, the detective. Brenda is hosting the actors for a traveling summer theatre production. The saying, never meet your heroes, is exactly what Brenda is living through with the leading actress/producer/director. This lady also seems to think she should have gotten Brenda's bed and breakfast when Brenda's uncle died. Luckily we don't have to worry too long about that claim.
Profile Image for Rosemary Hughes.
4,192 reviews23 followers
August 23, 2020
I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of this title.
An actress, acting the Prima Dona, had all the cast and the staff of the bed & breakfast on edge.
However, Brenda, the new owner of the establishment was looked at in a suspicious light, due to an agreement between her and the murder victim, the night before.
Now Brenda was on a deadline to Rove her own innocence, by finding the real killer. Her time is running out!
18 reviews
November 12, 2018
Actors, Not Always the Way They Seem

This is the 2nd story that takes place in Sweetfern Harbor and even better than the first. In this one we get to know and care more for the characters and its make the story more alive. Therfore giving us the reader a deeper interest in the book. Thanks Wendy. Can't wait to read some more by you.
452 reviews3 followers
November 3, 2019
Very Enjoyable

I enjoyed reading this book very much. The author is a very talented writer. I have read many of her books and enjoyed them all. I love the way she can write a whole new storyline, make it interesting and continue to include the characters from the previous stories. I would recommend it to anyone.
103 reviews
May 9, 2020
A great series

This is a great series . The first book set the stage and characters. This second book has some good twists and turns. I'm this one the people are some we already know. How they react to threats and their own opinion of themselves is very good. I'm looking forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Diana.
Author 3 books7 followers
July 28, 2022
Delightful book

I really enjoyed reading this book! Better than expected too. My only small dissatisfaction was in the ending, (spoil alert)…I couldn’t understand why Brenda forgave Mac after he was thinking of arresting her for a murder that she did not commit. That’s the only thing I did not like, every thing else about the story was great.
20 reviews1 follower
September 4, 2017
Very nice and warm read

A mystery but with the warmth you can enjoy as in family. Brenda is strong but mature and sensible as well! I truly enjoy each book and can't put them down.



Profile Image for Kitten  Peters.
1,017 reviews5 followers
September 8, 2017
Excellent

A famous theatre group is staying at the Bed and Breakfast. A murder is committed and Brenda is the prime suspect. Can she find the murky before the warrent for her arrest is served? Can her and Mac come back from the hurt caused by the investor or are they finished?
38 reviews
September 14, 2017
Good new series

Wendy Meadows has a great series on her hands. It has the right amount of emotions from the characters. Her writing brings you into the feelings of the main personalities. I hope she continues to write with such feelings.
Profile Image for Kathy Fair.
295 reviews7 followers
September 16, 2017
Good read

This is true Weady Meadows entertainment. As the main actress dies in the B & B, suspicions fly . The story is well written and easy to read. I appreciate her stories and look forward to many more.
Profile Image for Lori.
356 reviews14 followers
October 21, 2017
Cute interesting story until the last chapter, then I was so irritated with the main characters that I was almost angry. Without giving anything away, they are both idiots, so I guess they deserve each other.
Profile Image for Suzanne Homeier-poe.
491 reviews1 follower
December 8, 2017
.Awesome

Thank you Wendy. Even without Mac's help Brenda solves it. She is really a good detective. Boy was Ellen a horrible person. Loved this story though. I did figure it out. Thank you Wendy.
193 reviews
June 8, 2018
Book 2 in the series continues the journey.

Interactions among the characters are intriguing and interesting. It did seem to lead the reader to the correct conclusion early on but other than that it was a very enjoyable read.
22 reviews1 follower
July 8, 2019
I have found a new series! I read through all kinds of cozy mysteries until I am all caught up but needed to discover a new series to keep me busy. Love the characters and settings. I've already started on Sweetfern Harbor mystery #3.
Profile Image for Judy G Spivey.
413 reviews8 followers
October 7, 2019
Little weak in story line.

Brenda use moving life in the Bed a d Breakfast, left to her by her Uncle. Unfortunately murder interrupted her romance and her sweet life. A little weak on p!it and ending.
203 reviews3 followers
August 19, 2017
Very good.

Again love the characters . Maybe you'll write a third book. In this one you changed some of the staff. You kept me guessing. Thank you for your writing.
20 reviews1 follower
August 27, 2017
Good book awful ending

Great characters, good plot but she should have NEVER have taken him back after he got a warrant for her arrest. No way. No how.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews