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Alabaster Alibi
"expertly done" 5 STARS – Dan (Amazon Customer) "Very well-written with exceptionally well-rounded and three-dimensional characters and a mystery that is intricate and surprising." - Beckett Shiona (Amazon customer) ALABASTER ALIBI Thirty-two-year-old Allie has hit rock bottom. Fired, disbarred and divorced, she's been relegated to minimum wage obscurity. Things look up when she inherits THE ALABASTER, a rock and gem shop, in trendy new age Sedona. Unfortunately for this ex-lawyer, this inheritance comes with murder.THE MYSTERY Allie is horrified to discover her uncle was brutally stabbed to death and his body left near the cash register. According to the bull-headed police officer in charge of the case, it was a break-and-entry job—the killer stole the cash and ran. As a former prosecutor, Allie is unimpressed with the police chief's small town mentality and his crime investigative skills. She suspects his conclusions are wrong. It's more likely the person who murdered her uncle was someone he knew and possibly trusted. When the police chief refuses to further investigate the murder, Allie decides to track down the killer herself—her uncle Jasper deserves justice. Determined to solve the murder while navigating a new career, she follows clues that lead to the dark secrets of more one suspect. As Allie gets closer to the truth she discovers, almost too late, that the murderer will kill again without a second thought."If you’re looking for a clever, resourceful protagonist, Allie “Alabaster” Renault is the sleuth for you. This first novel in the Rock Shop Mysteries is a fun read, full of wit, twists, and humor in the “New Age” world of Sedona, Arizona. It’s not just a light-hearted cozy, since it also deals thoughtfully with the challenges of a single woman trying to regain her life. . . All in all, highly recommended." – 5 STARS Jennifer Sowle (Amazon customer) Grab your copy of this entertaining mystery today!How can one woman uncover the truth when everyone's a suspect?S.D. Brown's mystery novels weave stories full of twists and turns, action and suspense with laugh-out-loud humor.Look for other Rock Shop Mysteries by S.D. Brown. Bloodstone Bludgeon Calcite CorpseOther novels for Middle Grade readers 9 and up . . . Code Cancun I Escaped the California Camp FireI Escaped the Gold Rush FeverI Escaped the Killer BeesLake Quilt Mystery Pretty Little Rumors The Scrapbook Riddle Writing as Spike Brown Saving Bigfoot Valley Escape to Molokai Enjoy this mystery novel Alabaster Alibi as an audiobook, paperback, or eBook from Amazon.You can immediately start reading this fun murder mystery on any computer via Kindle Cloud Reader, on Amazon Kindle Fire, or on any smartphone or tablet with the free Kindle reading app. Hear your favorite characters come to life in the audiobook now available through Audible. Watch for new releases and other mysteries from S.D.Brown.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 9, 2017
37 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
S.D. Brown
25 books25 followersS.D. Brown taught elementary, middle grade, high school, and junior college for over twenty years—on three continents and in seven schools. She continues to present workshops and is the owner-curator of the largest, privately owned gem and mineral museum in California. When she’s not working with rocks, she’s working on manuscripts, traveling, gardening, painting, and doing the dishes.
See more as sdbrownbooks.
This author also writes as Spike Brownt
See more as sdbrownbooks.
This author also writes as Spike Brownt
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
February 22, 2022
When her uncle Jasper is murdered, Allie inherits half-ownership of his rock shop in Sedona, Arizona. As a condition of the inheritance, she has to live on site and share ownership with Collin, a young playboy with questionable ethics and a temper. When Collin ends up dead, Allie’s the prime suspect.
This is a cozy mystery with a strong female protagonist who once worked in criminal justice and isn’t about to be bullied by the local sheriff. She wants to find the killer and starts chasing down clues. There are several red herrings as the backstory comes to light, and I didn’t know the identity of the killer until the action-packed end.
The plot isn’t complicated, but it’s cohesive and comes together well. That said, the characters were my favorite part of the read, especially Allie. She’s high energy, smart, determined, and worth rooting for. She speaks her mind but also has a kind heart. Secondary characters are well rounded, distinct, and memorable, which is good since there are a number of them with small roles. The pace whipped along and I easily read the book in two sittings.
Highly recommended to murder mystery readers who enjoy a snappy pace, great characters, and a strong female protagonist.
This is a cozy mystery with a strong female protagonist who once worked in criminal justice and isn’t about to be bullied by the local sheriff. She wants to find the killer and starts chasing down clues. There are several red herrings as the backstory comes to light, and I didn’t know the identity of the killer until the action-packed end.
The plot isn’t complicated, but it’s cohesive and comes together well. That said, the characters were my favorite part of the read, especially Allie. She’s high energy, smart, determined, and worth rooting for. She speaks her mind but also has a kind heart. Secondary characters are well rounded, distinct, and memorable, which is good since there are a number of them with small roles. The pace whipped along and I easily read the book in two sittings.
Highly recommended to murder mystery readers who enjoy a snappy pace, great characters, and a strong female protagonist.
January 27, 2021
ALABASTER ALIBI had me at "This is not a good day to die. I have plans for this evening."
This mystery novel is a treat -- and that's saying a lot, I guess, because I don't often do mysteries. But this book features believable characters, great vocab, masterfully crafted dialogue (when it reads so easily, you know a lot of work has gone into it), bursts of humor to lighten the mood, a cast of well fleshed-out characters, and an intriguing plot. The pace is brisk and the scenes are well-situated and easily visualized. And it is, indeed, a "cozy" sort of mystery.
The protagonist is sassy and likeable, and I found her endearing from the start. She's stubborn and smart, and has got her faults (sure knows how to make a first impression!), which only makes her human. But her positive attributes far outweigh the rest, making her a character you can easily root for all the way through. And contrary to a certain man's biases, she proves that pretty women and [solving] murder DO mix.
My one qualm? I feel this cover really doesn't do the book justice. Those who judge a book by its cover -- and there are many of us -- might not pick this up, and we'd be cheating ourselves of a very fine story.
I wouldn't reread this, so I normally wouldn't give it 5 stars. But the writing is good enough here to bump 4.5 stars up to 5.
This mystery novel is a treat -- and that's saying a lot, I guess, because I don't often do mysteries. But this book features believable characters, great vocab, masterfully crafted dialogue (when it reads so easily, you know a lot of work has gone into it), bursts of humor to lighten the mood, a cast of well fleshed-out characters, and an intriguing plot. The pace is brisk and the scenes are well-situated and easily visualized. And it is, indeed, a "cozy" sort of mystery.
The protagonist is sassy and likeable, and I found her endearing from the start. She's stubborn and smart, and has got her faults (sure knows how to make a first impression!), which only makes her human. But her positive attributes far outweigh the rest, making her a character you can easily root for all the way through. And contrary to a certain man's biases, she proves that pretty women and [solving] murder DO mix.
My one qualm? I feel this cover really doesn't do the book justice. Those who judge a book by its cover -- and there are many of us -- might not pick this up, and we'd be cheating ourselves of a very fine story.
I wouldn't reread this, so I normally wouldn't give it 5 stars. But the writing is good enough here to bump 4.5 stars up to 5.
October 1, 2019
Alabaster is not Hercule Poirot, yet there are some common things between the two. Poirot’s ego and arrogance are a defining characteristic. So are Alabaster’s. We feel we know Poirot/Alabaster intimately while actually knowing very little about them. I feel this like an advantage. Alabaster is at the centre of the novel, yet we are never distracted from her purpose - the solving of the crime. Where the two diverge, is their reaction to the unexpected. One is calm, the other one reacts like a storm - the pizza delivery situation tells it all. Many times, Alabaster reacts before she thinks. Alabaster Alibi is a crime mystery, triggered by a disastrous war and dishonest politicians, but the thing is more about the main character, and if you don’t like the character, you will not like the story.
August 6, 2020
Brilliant! I do like a female mystery-solving protagonist. Allie works two jobs with only 45mins to spare in between shifts. THEN she delivers a pizza to a handsome stranger called Alex who happens to be a solicitor looking for a lost heir. Soon Allie is half owner of a rock shop, she had an uncle who she didn't even know! Yes, please!
A different setting, family secrets, interesting characters - even the supporting characters the three sisters are brilliant.
The story was satisfyingly resolved. I wonder what book two is about? I shall have to read it next month.
A different setting, family secrets, interesting characters - even the supporting characters the three sisters are brilliant.
The story was satisfyingly resolved. I wonder what book two is about? I shall have to read it next month.
May 16, 2019
The action starts promptly in Alabaster Alibi, the first in S.D. Brown's Rock Shop mystery series. There's a murder on page four. Then we meet Brown's reluctant sleuth, Allie Renault. Disbarred and divorced – there's a back story here waiting to be told – Allie has just inherited half her Uncle Jasper's estate which comprises The Alabaster, a rock shop in New Agey Sedona. Jasper was the victim on page four. His demise will change her life, but there are conditions.
Allie and her new partner Colin must reside on the premises of the rock shop for a minimum of two years. The complications begin the moment she arrives in Sedona. The shop is a mess and the cops aren't very interested in Uncle Jasper's death. Allie is compelled to find out who done it.
Thirty-two year old Allie is immensely likeable, an imperfect woman with an endearing penchant for junk food. And she's a list-maker, systematically making notes as she digs for more information. She soon learns that Uncle Jasper was a draft dodger the late 60s; the repercussions of the Vietnam War are a theme that plays throughout the book.
Every character Allie meets seems to have a motive. And there are several of them, all neatly individualized. There's jolly Sara who owns a Bible Shop, and Patsy, a caricature of a capital N New Ager. There's sleazy Colin, competent Doc, charming lawyer Alex and my favourite, a Colonel Sanders clone named Carl. To Allie, they're all suspects. But one quibble: Allie's response to the seemingly amorous Alex is a little overdone.
Much of the book is skillfully written, with judiciously chosen adjectives that prompt visualization. At times, however, Brown indulges in a little more description than is strictly necessary. But it's generally taut writing, and the plot zips along to its frenetic and surprising conclusion. I had previously read Book Two, The Calcite Corpse, and enjoyed it, as I did this one.
Allie and her new partner Colin must reside on the premises of the rock shop for a minimum of two years. The complications begin the moment she arrives in Sedona. The shop is a mess and the cops aren't very interested in Uncle Jasper's death. Allie is compelled to find out who done it.
Thirty-two year old Allie is immensely likeable, an imperfect woman with an endearing penchant for junk food. And she's a list-maker, systematically making notes as she digs for more information. She soon learns that Uncle Jasper was a draft dodger the late 60s; the repercussions of the Vietnam War are a theme that plays throughout the book.
Every character Allie meets seems to have a motive. And there are several of them, all neatly individualized. There's jolly Sara who owns a Bible Shop, and Patsy, a caricature of a capital N New Ager. There's sleazy Colin, competent Doc, charming lawyer Alex and my favourite, a Colonel Sanders clone named Carl. To Allie, they're all suspects. But one quibble: Allie's response to the seemingly amorous Alex is a little overdone.
Much of the book is skillfully written, with judiciously chosen adjectives that prompt visualization. At times, however, Brown indulges in a little more description than is strictly necessary. But it's generally taut writing, and the plot zips along to its frenetic and surprising conclusion. I had previously read Book Two, The Calcite Corpse, and enjoyed it, as I did this one.
November 24, 2020
Punchy characters, great pacing.
Not my usual genre, but the story was engaging and hooked me from the second chapter. The pacing is great and I wanted to immerse myself in the book. It didn’t take long to adore Alabaster. It’s great to see a lead character with so much personality. Great read, really enjoyed it. Would recommend.
Not my usual genre, but the story was engaging and hooked me from the second chapter. The pacing is great and I wanted to immerse myself in the book. It didn’t take long to adore Alabaster. It’s great to see a lead character with so much personality. Great read, really enjoyed it. Would recommend.
December 6, 2022
S.D. Brown rocks!
Ha ha! See what I did there? I...well, maybe I'd better leave the witty stuff to the author. This breezy page-turner absolutely shimmers with wit and crackles with a compelling inner monologue.
S.D. Brown has quite a few books under her belt, but I suspect she has really found her niche with these fun, geology-themed whodunnit tales. The book is definitely cozy but with just a slight hint of edginess. Readers will love this strong female lead and will be thoroughly engaged as she navigates the trials and travails of the new life mysteriously imposed upon her. The author has created a tremendously relatable protagonist, with excellent dialogue and a well-paced story arc.
Readers seeking murder mysteries with a strong dose of fun will devour these tales. Well done!
Ha ha! See what I did there? I...well, maybe I'd better leave the witty stuff to the author. This breezy page-turner absolutely shimmers with wit and crackles with a compelling inner monologue.
S.D. Brown has quite a few books under her belt, but I suspect she has really found her niche with these fun, geology-themed whodunnit tales. The book is definitely cozy but with just a slight hint of edginess. Readers will love this strong female lead and will be thoroughly engaged as she navigates the trials and travails of the new life mysteriously imposed upon her. The author has created a tremendously relatable protagonist, with excellent dialogue and a well-paced story arc.
Readers seeking murder mysteries with a strong dose of fun will devour these tales. Well done!
February 3, 2023
Characters/Plot
Allie is an amusing character who I (mostly) liked. What’s funny is I felt like I should have liked her more as the novel progressed but I just found myself losing ground with her. Especially some of her decision making skills. But since I started off sort of loving her and ended just liking her, not too much ground lost. Colin is a jerk, it was almost over the top annoying. Alex was okay, just winked way too much. I wished we could have seen more of Jasper, Stone, and Carl, but overall I liked the supporting characters.
It’s a really well written whodunnit. It was eerie and thrilling. I really enjoyed the murder mystery and will absolutely be looking forward to reading more. The plot did feel a little forced at times, and the author’s hints left most of the actual plot progression not much of a surprise, but a good twist at the end! Won’t say any more but it ends with a bang!
Overall
The writing was easy to follow. The characters and settings were vivid and easy to see. I wasn’t too sure at the first chapter but once it swapped to Allie (Alabaster) and her chaotic life, I was in it to find out. It was a solid murder mystery that kept me turning pages, eager to find out more. It is one of those books that you do feel like you want to jump ahead because it drags out a little, but don’t worry it picked up quickly and doesn’t let up as it heads towards the climax! This would a perfect read for a plane ride where you want time to go back quickly without you noticing because you are so engrossed. Just wish the ending was a little more punchy—thankfully there is more in the series!
Rating
4 stars
This is a SOLID 4 star book. The characters, murder mystery, and writing are all highly enjoyable.
Allie is an amusing character who I (mostly) liked. What’s funny is I felt like I should have liked her more as the novel progressed but I just found myself losing ground with her. Especially some of her decision making skills. But since I started off sort of loving her and ended just liking her, not too much ground lost. Colin is a jerk, it was almost over the top annoying. Alex was okay, just winked way too much. I wished we could have seen more of Jasper, Stone, and Carl, but overall I liked the supporting characters.
It’s a really well written whodunnit. It was eerie and thrilling. I really enjoyed the murder mystery and will absolutely be looking forward to reading more. The plot did feel a little forced at times, and the author’s hints left most of the actual plot progression not much of a surprise, but a good twist at the end! Won’t say any more but it ends with a bang!
Overall
The writing was easy to follow. The characters and settings were vivid and easy to see. I wasn’t too sure at the first chapter but once it swapped to Allie (Alabaster) and her chaotic life, I was in it to find out. It was a solid murder mystery that kept me turning pages, eager to find out more. It is one of those books that you do feel like you want to jump ahead because it drags out a little, but don’t worry it picked up quickly and doesn’t let up as it heads towards the climax! This would a perfect read for a plane ride where you want time to go back quickly without you noticing because you are so engrossed. Just wish the ending was a little more punchy—thankfully there is more in the series!
Rating
4 stars
This is a SOLID 4 star book. The characters, murder mystery, and writing are all highly enjoyable.
February 7, 2021
The best mysteries have both a twisty plot and engaging characters. This one has both. I particularly liked Alabaster "Allie" Renault, an ex-lawyer with a troubled past, who is thrown into a situation where she needs to find a killer before she becomes a victim herself. I liked her sense of humour, her practicality, and her undisguised love of food. Mouthwatering descriptions of several meals are definitely a bonus while reading the book.
The setting, Sedona, Arizona, is another bonus. Without overdoing it, the author presents an intriguing picture of the area's landscape, weather, history, and New Age quirkiness. Allie inherits a rock shop, and in addition to solving a murder, has to learn how to make a living buying and selling rocks and minerals. Descriptions of the merchandise added some interesting details.
Secondary characters are distinctive and well developed, including a trio of psychic old ladies, a woman who runs a Bible shop, and a cop with the fitting surname of Stone. Then there's Colin, the business partner Allie inherits along with her share of the business. He is one of her biggest challenges. A group of Vietnam vets gives the story a link to dark and troubling times.
I made my suspect list as I read, and have to say that even though I was on the right track, the final revelation was a bit of a surprise, which made for a satisfactory conclusion to the reading experience.
The setting, Sedona, Arizona, is another bonus. Without overdoing it, the author presents an intriguing picture of the area's landscape, weather, history, and New Age quirkiness. Allie inherits a rock shop, and in addition to solving a murder, has to learn how to make a living buying and selling rocks and minerals. Descriptions of the merchandise added some interesting details.
Secondary characters are distinctive and well developed, including a trio of psychic old ladies, a woman who runs a Bible shop, and a cop with the fitting surname of Stone. Then there's Colin, the business partner Allie inherits along with her share of the business. He is one of her biggest challenges. A group of Vietnam vets gives the story a link to dark and troubling times.
I made my suspect list as I read, and have to say that even though I was on the right track, the final revelation was a bit of a surprise, which made for a satisfactory conclusion to the reading experience.
June 8, 2020
Alabaster Alibi by S.D. Brown is an entertaining and gripping mystery right from the start. Within the first few pages there’s a murder, and then we jump right to Alabaster—our main character, we quickly discover—with the question of how she’s connected. From there, the story takes off, with many twists along the way and a host of singular characters as potential suspects, all of whom seem to have a motive.
This is a unique cozy mystery. While it certainly contains many of the elements commonly encountered in this genre (independent woman with a past and a big change to her life circumstances, possible romantic interest, quirky neighbor(s), etc.), it gives them a different spin. It’s a nice complex mystery, with a bit of intensity, that also touches on some relevant issues with a sensitive hand. A very enjoyable read!
This is a unique cozy mystery. While it certainly contains many of the elements commonly encountered in this genre (independent woman with a past and a big change to her life circumstances, possible romantic interest, quirky neighbor(s), etc.), it gives them a different spin. It’s a nice complex mystery, with a bit of intensity, that also touches on some relevant issues with a sensitive hand. A very enjoyable read!
January 23, 2021
I love a good, 'who dunnit,' mystery but this one is different from the run-of-the-mill Miss Marple types. Allie is the kind of likeable character you would love to see succeed. Divorced from a bad egg of a husband she is a disbarred prosecutor who is reduced to delivering pizzas to make ends meet. Things couldn't get any worse but Allie isn't the type to wallow in self-pity. I felt engaged with Allie from the first chapter as she tells the story in her own words.
I love her sense of humour with phrase like, 'my hair was at that awkward stage. Too long to be short and too short to be long.' Another great use of language is, when talking to her selfish, bitter mother on the phone she says, 'her distain scotched along airways.' There are many other examples of evocative use of language like this which makes this a very entertaining read. The shared inheritance of a shop and a house from her uncle Jasper only complicates her life further. There is an array of diverse characters and the author keeps the reader guessing as the plot twists and turns with Allie trying to solve her uncle's murder. A great read.
I love her sense of humour with phrase like, 'my hair was at that awkward stage. Too long to be short and too short to be long.' Another great use of language is, when talking to her selfish, bitter mother on the phone she says, 'her distain scotched along airways.' There are many other examples of evocative use of language like this which makes this a very entertaining read. The shared inheritance of a shop and a house from her uncle Jasper only complicates her life further. There is an array of diverse characters and the author keeps the reader guessing as the plot twists and turns with Allie trying to solve her uncle's murder. A great read.
July 6, 2022
Allie (Alabaster) Renault is about as low in life as one can get. From being a happily married high-flying lawyer she has fallen through divorce and disbarment - that is no fault of her own we are sure - to having to work in the fast-food business. Then the gorgeous Alex appears and tells her she has inherited half her Uncle Jasper's rock shop in Sedona.
Which is great, but Allie doesn't have an Uncle Jasper, does she? And when it turns out she does there is the awkward matter of lady-killer (metaphorical, not literal?) Colin who is her co-beneficiary and under the terms of the will they have to run the shop together for two years to inherit it. Allie sets out to both make a go of the rock shop and solve her uncle's murder, which gets a bit tricky when further murders lead to Allie herself being considered under suspicion.
The writing is smooth and very engaging. We are in Allie's head and her quirky personality and take on events is incredibly engaging as we go with her through the trials and tribulations of unravelling a wonderfully woven plot. The sense of mystery and danger is really well maintained throughout and it is a complete surprise when the truth is revealed as so many of the people Allie meets could easily have been the one responsible for many different reasons.
I have read some of this author's children's books before and enjoyed them, but this is a really superlative read that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys whodunits of any variety. I absolutely loved it.
Which is great, but Allie doesn't have an Uncle Jasper, does she? And when it turns out she does there is the awkward matter of lady-killer (metaphorical, not literal?) Colin who is her co-beneficiary and under the terms of the will they have to run the shop together for two years to inherit it. Allie sets out to both make a go of the rock shop and solve her uncle's murder, which gets a bit tricky when further murders lead to Allie herself being considered under suspicion.
The writing is smooth and very engaging. We are in Allie's head and her quirky personality and take on events is incredibly engaging as we go with her through the trials and tribulations of unravelling a wonderfully woven plot. The sense of mystery and danger is really well maintained throughout and it is a complete surprise when the truth is revealed as so many of the people Allie meets could easily have been the one responsible for many different reasons.
I have read some of this author's children's books before and enjoyed them, but this is a really superlative read that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys whodunits of any variety. I absolutely loved it.
October 6, 2025
Alabaster Alibi is a delightful page-turner set against the mystical backdrop of Sedona. When Allie inherits her uncle’s rock shop, she also inherits a tangled murder mystery that pulls her straight into danger and discovery. S.D. Brown blends humour, suspense, and local charm beautifully, crafting a story full of energy and heart. The setting feels vivid, the characters are engaging, and the twists keep you guessing to the end. A fun, refreshing cozy mystery—highly recommended!
October 8, 2020
This is an exciting and well written mystery about a young woman who moves to a new town to help take over the business of an uncle she didn't know about until after his death! One murder, of course, leads to another, and poor Allie is beside herself about what to do. The red herrings are very clever and left me guessing up until the delightfully surprising end.
If you like murder mysteries, this is a book that you will enjoy! And what's even better, is that there are more books in the series!
If you like murder mysteries, this is a book that you will enjoy! And what's even better, is that there are more books in the series!
March 20, 2019
The mystery element pleasantly surprised me, it reminded me of Midsummer Murders which I used to love watching with my family. So I already felt quite comfortable reading this book. I really enjoyed the character development and variety, for example not every character was likeable (I'm looking at you Colin!)
You can read my full review on my blog here: https://feedthecrime.wordpress.com/20...
You can read my full review on my blog here: https://feedthecrime.wordpress.com/20...
August 9, 2019
Bought it at a rock shop in California. The owner is the husband of the author. Neat. Nice book
January 28, 2023
I read Bloodstone Bludgeon a couple of years ago and enjoyed it. It is the second book in S.D. Brown’s Rock Shop Series, and so I was looking forward to reading Alabaster Alibi, the first book. I was not disappointed. The main character, Allie Renault, becomes the investigating detective in a possible murder case. This is despite threats and demands from Sheriff Stone, the local police officer, to stay out of it as she is his main suspect. Initially there is one dead person, her uncle Jasper, but after a while, well into the story, it becomes a case of two dead people. The whole murder mystery seems to revolve around the rock shop left jointly to Allie and her cousin Colin. The case is not so simple of course and the tale weaves nicely in and out of many twists and turns. Allie is a very likeable character who I found I was rooting for right to the surprising conclusion.
Brown bravely introduces elements of the Viet Nam War that will seriously affect her surreptitious investigations. Some of this information in the book may or may not be true. I can recall incidents – such as the My Lai massacre, terrible and cruel - that occurred during that war. This was reported later in newspapers and TV everywhere and it brought shame upon the US fighting forces. This section of Alabaster Alibi added such sadness to the book that I found difficult to read about.
However, Alabaster Alibi is entertaining, pacey and intriguing. The characters are realistic and often amusing. For Allie many of them slowly reveal motives for murder and capture the reader’s attention. The final twist at the end when the perpetrator is revealed was good if quite confusing and I required more explanation. Maybe that was just me! Several parts of the story had unfortunate typos and the MS needs editing or putting through a word processor once more.
Brown bravely introduces elements of the Viet Nam War that will seriously affect her surreptitious investigations. Some of this information in the book may or may not be true. I can recall incidents – such as the My Lai massacre, terrible and cruel - that occurred during that war. This was reported later in newspapers and TV everywhere and it brought shame upon the US fighting forces. This section of Alabaster Alibi added such sadness to the book that I found difficult to read about.
However, Alabaster Alibi is entertaining, pacey and intriguing. The characters are realistic and often amusing. For Allie many of them slowly reveal motives for murder and capture the reader’s attention. The final twist at the end when the perpetrator is revealed was good if quite confusing and I required more explanation. Maybe that was just me! Several parts of the story had unfortunate typos and the MS needs editing or putting through a word processor once more.
March 2, 2021
I was hooked from the first page and read this book in one day, it was that good: A main character who is smart, witty, resourceful, and just self-deprecating enough to be likable; an intriguing setting, Sedona Arizona, that provides a bevy of interesting and quirky side characters; a murder mystery introduced in the first few pages; enough plausible suspects to keep the reader guessing.
When Alabaster (Allie) Renault is tracked down at her minimum-wage job by a lawyer, she learns of an uncle she didn’t know she had, and an inheritance she never saw coming, Of course, the inheritance, a rock shop in Sedona, Arizona, at first sight isn’t quite the windfall she’d hoped for. It’s a dirty, cluttered mess with the dried blood from her uncle’s murder still on the floor. One murder leads to another and before long, Allie is on the hunt for the killers. Or killer?
This is a very well-written mystery with beautiful descriptions of the characters and scenery that make the reader feel a part of the story. The pace was quick, without a lot of unnecessary filler scenes. Allie’s past as prosecutor proves helpful in dealing with the cop investigating the murder and makes her more believable than the bumbling sleuths in similar books.
I highly recommend Alabaster Alibi to mystery readers as well as anyone who enjoys a strong, likable, female main character as there’s a lot to like in Allie. I’m eager to dig into the second book in the series!
When Alabaster (Allie) Renault is tracked down at her minimum-wage job by a lawyer, she learns of an uncle she didn’t know she had, and an inheritance she never saw coming, Of course, the inheritance, a rock shop in Sedona, Arizona, at first sight isn’t quite the windfall she’d hoped for. It’s a dirty, cluttered mess with the dried blood from her uncle’s murder still on the floor. One murder leads to another and before long, Allie is on the hunt for the killers. Or killer?
This is a very well-written mystery with beautiful descriptions of the characters and scenery that make the reader feel a part of the story. The pace was quick, without a lot of unnecessary filler scenes. Allie’s past as prosecutor proves helpful in dealing with the cop investigating the murder and makes her more believable than the bumbling sleuths in similar books.
I highly recommend Alabaster Alibi to mystery readers as well as anyone who enjoys a strong, likable, female main character as there’s a lot to like in Allie. I’m eager to dig into the second book in the series!
January 22, 2026
Alabaster Alibi tries to be a quirky small‑town murder mystery, but it feels more like watching someone repeatedly trip over the same plot devices and calling it character development.
Allie, our perpetually panicked ex‑lawyer, spends most of the book ricocheting between paranoia and poor decisions. Every chapter seems to introduce a new fear, a new worry, or a new reason she absolutely must do the dumbest possible thing in a dangerous situation. And of course, we get the classic “I’ll confront the murderer myself instead of calling the police” moment, because apparently common sense is optional in Sedona.
The plot itself is repetitive and oddly padded with scenes that add nothing except confusion. The road trip where she somehow needs four new tires, a radiator, and a timing belt, but still calls it a “great trip”, is a perfect example. It’s like the book is trying to sabotage its own internal logic.
Then there are the editing issues, like typos and grammar problems. Dialogue swings between stiff and downright unrealistic, and the “hints” sprinkled throughout are so obvious that the big reveals land with all the subtlety of a dropped anvil.
There is a decent mystery buried somewhere under the clutter, but it’s hard to enjoy when the writing keeps tripping over itself.
Allie, our perpetually panicked ex‑lawyer, spends most of the book ricocheting between paranoia and poor decisions. Every chapter seems to introduce a new fear, a new worry, or a new reason she absolutely must do the dumbest possible thing in a dangerous situation. And of course, we get the classic “I’ll confront the murderer myself instead of calling the police” moment, because apparently common sense is optional in Sedona.
The plot itself is repetitive and oddly padded with scenes that add nothing except confusion. The road trip where she somehow needs four new tires, a radiator, and a timing belt, but still calls it a “great trip”, is a perfect example. It’s like the book is trying to sabotage its own internal logic.
Then there are the editing issues, like typos and grammar problems. Dialogue swings between stiff and downright unrealistic, and the “hints” sprinkled throughout are so obvious that the big reveals land with all the subtlety of a dropped anvil.
There is a decent mystery buried somewhere under the clutter, but it’s hard to enjoy when the writing keeps tripping over itself.
July 9, 2019
Fast and Fun Read!
Fast because it dives right in with interesting characters, situations and dialogue, then holds that pace throughout. Fun because the author expertly exploits each of these three, injecting quirks to the point that each person seems more like a caricature of someone we know and might gossip about, as well as, humor even where it probably doesn't belong. As a male reader, I must admit that at first it was a bit strange being so much inside Allie's head, but by the end, it was sort of sad to leave it. She's both funny and take charge, and deserved to have a few things go her way.
As a murder mystery, it is also expertly done, with the main character woven in so tightly that they really have no other option, but to pull all the pieces of the puzzle together - for their own sake. I must admit that I was able to figure out a good portion of the outcome, but it still had a satisfying enough twist, that I could not chalk it up to 'too easy'.
I love a good mystery, and this was one. So much so, that I will certainly check out the next one, if for not other reason than to see how the author keeps the tempo up.
Thank you!
Fast because it dives right in with interesting characters, situations and dialogue, then holds that pace throughout. Fun because the author expertly exploits each of these three, injecting quirks to the point that each person seems more like a caricature of someone we know and might gossip about, as well as, humor even where it probably doesn't belong. As a male reader, I must admit that at first it was a bit strange being so much inside Allie's head, but by the end, it was sort of sad to leave it. She's both funny and take charge, and deserved to have a few things go her way.
As a murder mystery, it is also expertly done, with the main character woven in so tightly that they really have no other option, but to pull all the pieces of the puzzle together - for their own sake. I must admit that I was able to figure out a good portion of the outcome, but it still had a satisfying enough twist, that I could not chalk it up to 'too easy'.
I love a good mystery, and this was one. So much so, that I will certainly check out the next one, if for not other reason than to see how the author keeps the tempo up.
Thank you!
December 31, 2020
Engrossing murder mystery reminiscent of Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone
Sue Grafton died three years ago on the day I finished reading this book. Three years of wondering if I will ever find an author who could come close to creating a character as good as Kinsey Millhone. I have to say Brown’s Alabaster (Allie) Renault hits the mark. I’m thrilled this is only book one.
Recently divorced, the disbarred prosecutor, Allie, is down on her luck working two fast-food jobs and living in a dingy motel room. Enter the delectable Alex who is the executor of her unknown uncle’s will which provides her with a rock shop (the mineral kind), a business partner and a place to live.
The mysteries begin to pile up—who was this unknown family member, who killed him and why?
Starting with the murder itself, Brown lays out the events in this story with a steady hand, giving the reader enough information to keep the cogs turning but not so much that you can guess the ending. Well you might guess, but you’re going to be wrong at least twice!
The characters in this book are so well drawn that you will root for them, or in some cases feel as frustrated as Allie.
I can’t recommend this book highly enough. Sue Grafton fans heave a sigh, Alabaster has taken up Kinsey’s mantel.
Sue Grafton died three years ago on the day I finished reading this book. Three years of wondering if I will ever find an author who could come close to creating a character as good as Kinsey Millhone. I have to say Brown’s Alabaster (Allie) Renault hits the mark. I’m thrilled this is only book one.
Recently divorced, the disbarred prosecutor, Allie, is down on her luck working two fast-food jobs and living in a dingy motel room. Enter the delectable Alex who is the executor of her unknown uncle’s will which provides her with a rock shop (the mineral kind), a business partner and a place to live.
The mysteries begin to pile up—who was this unknown family member, who killed him and why?
Starting with the murder itself, Brown lays out the events in this story with a steady hand, giving the reader enough information to keep the cogs turning but not so much that you can guess the ending. Well you might guess, but you’re going to be wrong at least twice!
The characters in this book are so well drawn that you will root for them, or in some cases feel as frustrated as Allie.
I can’t recommend this book highly enough. Sue Grafton fans heave a sigh, Alabaster has taken up Kinsey’s mantel.
February 11, 2024
‘a delicious blend of aromas teased the breeze’
S.D. Brown draws us in with a fresh, wholly original, writing style, complete with zany phrases which totally work in this witty action-packed page-turner.
The vividly drawn characters come alive on the page. Settings are skillfully rendered; the rock shop inherited from Uncle Jasper, the town of Sedona, its Library and Calico Cafe are brought to life with loving attention to detail and profound affection. As for Allie’s love of food, the reader is lost in wonder at the preternatural skill with which she conjures up for our delectation the dishes she so relishes.
Allie may be accident-prone, given to off-the-cuff speculations and indulgence in wilder conjectures and scenarios, but she’s also a realist, resolute, quick-thinking, and tough-minded with a steely inner resolve.
Many obstacles beset her path—recalcitrant males of various degrees of chauvinism test her patience—while we follow her ever more perilous quest to find answers, as shadows begin to steal over Sedona’s pastel-graded scene, and sinister figures evolve out of the past.
I found the novel a thoroughly entertaining delight throughout.
S.D. Brown draws us in with a fresh, wholly original, writing style, complete with zany phrases which totally work in this witty action-packed page-turner.
The vividly drawn characters come alive on the page. Settings are skillfully rendered; the rock shop inherited from Uncle Jasper, the town of Sedona, its Library and Calico Cafe are brought to life with loving attention to detail and profound affection. As for Allie’s love of food, the reader is lost in wonder at the preternatural skill with which she conjures up for our delectation the dishes she so relishes.
Allie may be accident-prone, given to off-the-cuff speculations and indulgence in wilder conjectures and scenarios, but she’s also a realist, resolute, quick-thinking, and tough-minded with a steely inner resolve.
Many obstacles beset her path—recalcitrant males of various degrees of chauvinism test her patience—while we follow her ever more perilous quest to find answers, as shadows begin to steal over Sedona’s pastel-graded scene, and sinister figures evolve out of the past.
I found the novel a thoroughly entertaining delight throughout.
January 26, 2023
Excellent “Cozy” Mystery
I’m not really sure if S.D. Brown’s “Alabaster Alibi” would truly be classified as a cozy mystery, but it had that sort of feel for me.
I liked almost everything about this book. The main character, Alabaster, is engaging and likable, though not without her shortcomings. The entire cast of characters is interesting and well developed. The plot is compelling and well thought out, and the solution to the mystery is very satisfying.
So why am I not giving it five stars? One simple reason: editing. The first third of the book is pretty clean, but then the errors begin to multiply. Maybe Ms. Brown just ran out of steam. I hate to sound like a broken record with my reviews, but Indie authors, please! Learn how to spell. Learn grammar. Learn how to catch typos. If you can’t do it yourself, hire someone who can. Most of us can’t afford to hire someone, so that brings us back to the first point. Learn how to do it!
Four stars, after a one-star deduction for lackluster editing.
I’m not really sure if S.D. Brown’s “Alabaster Alibi” would truly be classified as a cozy mystery, but it had that sort of feel for me.
I liked almost everything about this book. The main character, Alabaster, is engaging and likable, though not without her shortcomings. The entire cast of characters is interesting and well developed. The plot is compelling and well thought out, and the solution to the mystery is very satisfying.
So why am I not giving it five stars? One simple reason: editing. The first third of the book is pretty clean, but then the errors begin to multiply. Maybe Ms. Brown just ran out of steam. I hate to sound like a broken record with my reviews, but Indie authors, please! Learn how to spell. Learn grammar. Learn how to catch typos. If you can’t do it yourself, hire someone who can. Most of us can’t afford to hire someone, so that brings us back to the first point. Learn how to do it!
Four stars, after a one-star deduction for lackluster editing.
February 15, 2024
. D. Brown has crafted very good who-done-it, The Alabaster Alibi. The owner of a rock shop in Sedona AZ is murdered and half of his estate is passed to his estranged niece, Allie. But there is a catch to her inheritance. Allie is a disbarred lawyer now works minimum wage jobs to make ends me.
Brown keep the tension growing as she introduces one potential murderer after another. The real killer and the motive are not revealed until the end as typical of mysteries.
I found several minor events that I believe were intended to add to the story actually took away from it. During the 750 mile drive Allie needs to replace four tires, a radiator and a timing belt. This seemed excessive especially when she later said she had a great trip. I found some of the dialogue unrealistic.
Still, Ms Brown has crafted an easy-to-read, excellent murder mystery that kept my interest throughout.
May 8, 2021
This well-written, vibrant murder mystery bursts with colorful characters and features a dynamic Sedona setting. Though a highly educated lawyer, the story opens with the principal character Allie working menial jobs and in a dark place.
The story kicks off when she inherits a “rock shop” from her uncle in the New Age city of Sedona. But there’s a catch: she must share ownership with handsome Colin, the son of her uncle’s best friend.
Sparks during their push/pull relationship as they try to clean up the dusty, run-down shop and deal with the crazy (but colorful) Sedona folks.
When a few locals are murdered, Allie delves into the mystery. Then she finds her own life in danger.
The surprise ending reveals “all,” leaving Allie a successful proprietor and on healthier life path.
The story kicks off when she inherits a “rock shop” from her uncle in the New Age city of Sedona. But there’s a catch: she must share ownership with handsome Colin, the son of her uncle’s best friend.
Sparks during their push/pull relationship as they try to clean up the dusty, run-down shop and deal with the crazy (but colorful) Sedona folks.
When a few locals are murdered, Allie delves into the mystery. Then she finds her own life in danger.
The surprise ending reveals “all,” leaving Allie a successful proprietor and on healthier life path.
May 18, 2021
The book opens with the murder of the owner of a rock shop. The police seem to think that it is a burglary gone wrong. But Allie Alabaster, the dead man’s niece who inherits half the shop, wonders if the murderer had some other motive. Allie has a good record at investigating crime as an assistant DA. That was then. Now Allie is fired, divorced, debarred, and looking to make a new life with the help of her unexpected inheritance. That is, if she can save herself from being framed for the next murder in the rock shop!
Allie is a likable character. I loved her upbeat outlook and her sense of humor.
Alabaster Alibi is an entertaining and well-paced mystery with interesting and well-fleshed primary and secondary characters. The twists in the plot and the cast of characters with their motives for murder lead to a satisfying end. A great read.
Allie is a likable character. I loved her upbeat outlook and her sense of humor.
Alabaster Alibi is an entertaining and well-paced mystery with interesting and well-fleshed primary and secondary characters. The twists in the plot and the cast of characters with their motives for murder lead to a satisfying end. A great read.
July 11, 2022
That’s Entertainment
Rarely have I read a book that tries so hard to entertain and succeeds. From its quirky cast of characters to its breakneck pacing, from its twisty plot to its comic throwaways and mishaps, Alabaster Alibi by S.D. Brown is simply loads of fun.
The heroine of the novel is a disbarred lawyer with a troubled past and an active libido who arrives at a sleepy California town to run her dead uncle’s rock shop, only to find herself embroiled in a murder mystery that might well lead to her arrest, or worse yet, to her own demise. As Allie attempts to solve the mystery, she meets townspeople who are as odd as the cast of Northern Exposure, all the while fending off the attentions of her new business partner, a curious lawman, a gorgeous lawyer, and two stray kittens - all in less than a week.
Now, that’s entertainment.
Rarely have I read a book that tries so hard to entertain and succeeds. From its quirky cast of characters to its breakneck pacing, from its twisty plot to its comic throwaways and mishaps, Alabaster Alibi by S.D. Brown is simply loads of fun.
The heroine of the novel is a disbarred lawyer with a troubled past and an active libido who arrives at a sleepy California town to run her dead uncle’s rock shop, only to find herself embroiled in a murder mystery that might well lead to her arrest, or worse yet, to her own demise. As Allie attempts to solve the mystery, she meets townspeople who are as odd as the cast of Northern Exposure, all the while fending off the attentions of her new business partner, a curious lawman, a gorgeous lawyer, and two stray kittens - all in less than a week.
Now, that’s entertainment.
September 17, 2022
Alabaster Alibi by S.D. Brown not only has a fantastic title, but is a great cozy mystery tale.
We follow the intrepid Allie Renault, a young woman whose not only learned of an uncle but that he's died and left her his rock shop as an inheritance.
Shortly after that, the man she runs her new store with, Collin, also winds up dead, leaving Allie in the frame as his murderer. Allie has to figure out who the real killer is, not just to get justice, but to save her own skin.
The plot isn't hugely complex, but has enough red herrings to keep you guessing until the end, whilst Allie is a likeable protagonist throughout. The slew of side characters and potential suspects
are also nicely done. I actually read the sequel, Bloodstone Bludgeon (another great title) before this by mistake, but it definitely didn't hamper my enjoyment.
We follow the intrepid Allie Renault, a young woman whose not only learned of an uncle but that he's died and left her his rock shop as an inheritance.
Shortly after that, the man she runs her new store with, Collin, also winds up dead, leaving Allie in the frame as his murderer. Allie has to figure out who the real killer is, not just to get justice, but to save her own skin.
The plot isn't hugely complex, but has enough red herrings to keep you guessing until the end, whilst Allie is a likeable protagonist throughout. The slew of side characters and potential suspects
are also nicely done. I actually read the sequel, Bloodstone Bludgeon (another great title) before this by mistake, but it definitely didn't hamper my enjoyment.
September 28, 2022
Allie Renault is trying to forge a new life for herself after splitting from her husband and losing her respectable job, but a series of events forces her down the track of solving a murder and trying to pull her life back together at the same time. There’s a lot to like in this story. The main character, Allie, is brilliant with a spirit that draws you to her side from the get-go, as a former lawyer, she’s well placed to unravel the clues and solve this whodunnit. The writing is also very compelling, this is an author who really knows their craft and I was hooked from the first page right until the very last. It helps also that, unlike many such mystery novels, I didn’t find this at all predictable, and was left with some surprises along the way. I would highly recommend for those that are into this genre and also for those who aren’t – this could be the book to change that.
September 3, 2025
Exciting and fast-paced mystery with more than one tendril of intrigue. As you follow Allie’s first person narrative, you are made privy to her innermost character and observe firsthand the mind of a detective (albeit previous lawyer now rock shop owner). There is more than one murder to solve and inspiration to do so as a prime suspect. The other intrigue is the rock shop itself. You step into a place imaginable and interesting to explore. It ignites the desire to learn more about rocks as it did for Allie. Warning to the lighthearted, it does mention some atrocities of the Vietnam War. It’s a page turner and invites you back to find out what’s next. On another note, there were still several edit misses and I did feel a couple things were left unresolved however it warrants five stars as a story worth reading.
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