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A Sweetwater Springs Southern Mystery #1
Potluck and Pandemonium
Recently widowed Glory Harper needs a fresh start. After the investigation into her husband’s suspicious death in Texas stalls, she decides that the best way to begin moving forward with her life is to pull up stakes and head back home to Alabama. But when Glory stumbles over a body in the graveyard during a church picnic, she finds herself at the top of the suspect list. Which isn’t surprising since the murder weapon is engraved with her initials. Looks like this murder has her name written all over it.
Glory decides to put her mystery-solving instincts to work and “help” her brother, a detective on the local force, prove her innocence. But when his new boss, the hunky Hunt Walker, steps in and takes over, Glory can’t seem to stay out of hot water. And it’s getting hotter by the minute!
Can Glory find the killer before another dead body is found?
This fun, southern cozy mystery is full of lovable characters and a small town you can’t help but fall in love with.
And, don't miss out on the great recipes at the end of the book!
Glory decides to put her mystery-solving instincts to work and “help” her brother, a detective on the local force, prove her innocence. But when his new boss, the hunky Hunt Walker, steps in and takes over, Glory can’t seem to stay out of hot water. And it’s getting hotter by the minute!
Can Glory find the killer before another dead body is found?
This fun, southern cozy mystery is full of lovable characters and a small town you can’t help but fall in love with.
And, don't miss out on the great recipes at the end of the book!
172 pages, Paperback
First published December 23, 2019
283 people are currently reading
301 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
May 14, 2021
This is a light cozy mystery set in Alabama and the first book in the Sweetwater Springs Southern Mystery series. Glory and her husband lived in Texas when her husband dies under mysterious circumstances and she learns of some secrets about his life. But when the investigation about his death is stalled by more secrets and unanswered questions, Glory decides to move from her Texas community and go back to her childhood home in Sweetwater Springs, Alabama where her brother, daughter, and mother still live. She is reacquainting herself with her hometown which has had some difficult economic times and striving to revitalize when there is a murder at a church potluck function. Glory, who works in the church office, discovers the body of a local realtor lying against a tree on the grounds and finds the murder weapon - her own letter opener from her office. Glory is fearful she is under suspicion by the police, but it turns out her brother is a policeman in the town and her possible guilt is dismissed. Nevertheless, Glory becomes the amateur sleuth along with her family members who investigate the murder and find several community members that have potential motives. There are some lightly dangerous scenes as Glory gets closer to solving the crime.
The characters are realistic and the Southern "vibe" is captured in the speech and dialect and the family ties and closeness are refreshing. It turns out this is a Christian cozy mystery and the author is not afraid to have her characters express their faith in God in quoting short encouraging passages from the Bible. This caught me by surprise, but then seems also to be a characteristically Southern tradition appropriately used in the story. There are suspicions but there is a twist at the end of this somewhat complicated mystery. Typical of many cozies, the author has included recipes at the end of the book that the characters have prepared in the story.
The characters are realistic and the Southern "vibe" is captured in the speech and dialect and the family ties and closeness are refreshing. It turns out this is a Christian cozy mystery and the author is not afraid to have her characters express their faith in God in quoting short encouraging passages from the Bible. This caught me by surprise, but then seems also to be a characteristically Southern tradition appropriately used in the story. There are suspicions but there is a twist at the end of this somewhat complicated mystery. Typical of many cozies, the author has included recipes at the end of the book that the characters have prepared in the story.
July 11, 2021
Potluck and Pandemonium by S.C. Merritt is a fabulous start to this cozy mystery series that has religious themes running throughout the story. But if you don’t usually read Christian Cozies, don’t let that scare you away! Merritt uses a light touch and I thought it enhanced the story… and I am not a church goer.
I loved reading about Alabama and the traditions that are long held there. The characters are well developed and are people I would love to hang out with. The food and camaraderie that is infused into the story was very enjoyable.
Merritt adds in enough red herrings to keep the reader guessing who the killer is, and I wasn’t sure until towards the end. To me, that’s always a good mystery.
I’m looking forward to reading more in the Sweetwater Springs Southern Mysteries, and highly recommend this wholesome series.
I loved reading about Alabama and the traditions that are long held there. The characters are well developed and are people I would love to hang out with. The food and camaraderie that is infused into the story was very enjoyable.
Merritt adds in enough red herrings to keep the reader guessing who the killer is, and I wasn’t sure until towards the end. To me, that’s always a good mystery.
I’m looking forward to reading more in the Sweetwater Springs Southern Mysteries, and highly recommend this wholesome series.
December 1, 2020
Loved this book!
The characters and the story line are all amazing and real! The twist and turns kept me on my toes! The ending was not what I expected! Sweet water Springs is my favorite go to place! Definitely recommended!
The characters and the story line are all amazing and real! The twist and turns kept me on my toes! The ending was not what I expected! Sweet water Springs is my favorite go to place! Definitely recommended!
September 15, 2021
What I like about this series so far is that it's a cozy read with a touch of faith. So refreshing. Story and characters are well written. You feel like your part of the story as you get to know the characters. Can't wait to start the next one.... You won't regret starting this series.
March 4, 2020
Sweetwater Springs
Set in Sweetwater Springs, Alabama, this beginning of a new series is delightful, with wacky characters, and nice plotlines. After being widowed under mysterious circumstances, Glory Harper leaves her life in Dallas behind and returns home to Alabama. When her monogrammed letter opener is used as the murder weapon, Glory gets involved in trying to solve the crime.
Set in Sweetwater Springs, Alabama, this beginning of a new series is delightful, with wacky characters, and nice plotlines. After being widowed under mysterious circumstances, Glory Harper leaves her life in Dallas behind and returns home to Alabama. When her monogrammed letter opener is used as the murder weapon, Glory gets involved in trying to solve the crime.
March 27, 2022
3 stars. This book gave me that small town southern charm feeling. The MC works at a church, so there are religious references sprinkled throughout the story. The prologue was the best part of the book, so it was disappointing that the rest of the story really didn’t have much to do with the prologue.
April 20, 2021
If only life could be easy now that Glory Parker moved from Texas to Alabama, but no, she finds a body in the graveyard and because of incriminating evidence she is the prime suspect. A witty and delightful cozy mystery kept me entertained. Well-written and well thought out.
March 8, 2020
This wasn’t a horrible read just too simplistic for my taste. The plot lacked depth.
December 16, 2023
After almost two years of being a widow and knowing that her husband Dave's death has become a cold case, Glory Harper leaves Texas and moves back to Alabama to be near family. Her brother is a detective for the Sweetwater Springs police department and her sister-in-law Kelly is the director of the library. One Sunday as Glory and her mother began setting up food for the church's Decoration Day picnic lunch, Glory discovers the dead body of J.R. Jenkin. It doesn't take long before Glory begins asking questions and putting together information to solve the mystery of who wanted J.R. dead. Her sleuthing gets her in trouble and puts her in harm's way. This first book in the Sweetwater Springs Southern Mystery series is the start of what's sure to be many adventures for Glory, her mother, and her daughter. These characters are interesting and this series is off to a good start!
October 11, 2020
A good Christian cozy
Recently widowed Glory Harper needs a fresh start. But when she stumbles over a body in the graveyard during a church picnic, she finds herself at the top of the suspect list. Can Glory find the killer before another dead body is found?
This fun, southern cozy mystery is full of lovable characters and a small town you can’t help but fall in love with.
I enjoyed reading this book! Faith-based, with a bible quote each day. I liked the characters, and I liked the mystery. A good book! And it’s a good sign when you start reading the words in your head in a Southern accent LOL.
Recently widowed Glory Harper needs a fresh start. But when she stumbles over a body in the graveyard during a church picnic, she finds herself at the top of the suspect list. Can Glory find the killer before another dead body is found?
This fun, southern cozy mystery is full of lovable characters and a small town you can’t help but fall in love with.
I enjoyed reading this book! Faith-based, with a bible quote each day. I liked the characters, and I liked the mystery. A good book! And it’s a good sign when you start reading the words in your head in a Southern accent LOL.
March 27, 2020
Enjoyable cozy mystery.
I enjoyed this cozy mystery. After the unsolved murder of her husband, Glory moves back home to Alabama from Texas. After graduating college, her daughter Macy also moves to Alabama with her. After settling in, Glory takes a job as a church secretary. When what starts out as an after church potluck turns into a murder investigation, Glory and her mom do a bit of amateur sleuthing, against her detective brothers wishes. Will they catch the killer before the killer catches them? Find out in Potluck and Pandemonium.
I enjoyed this cozy mystery. After the unsolved murder of her husband, Glory moves back home to Alabama from Texas. After graduating college, her daughter Macy also moves to Alabama with her. After settling in, Glory takes a job as a church secretary. When what starts out as an after church potluck turns into a murder investigation, Glory and her mom do a bit of amateur sleuthing, against her detective brothers wishes. Will they catch the killer before the killer catches them? Find out in Potluck and Pandemonium.
January 20, 2022
Potluck and Pandemonium
S C Merritt has written a charming cozey mystery with a slice of murder on the side. The characters are vibrant and colorful with the quirky southern style and charm with a a three generation of women keeping themselves busy not just with their day-to-day jobs but trying to solve local crimes in their lovely little town 😊. Acquire " Potluck and Pandemonium " today so you yourself can enjoy it as much as I have .Kat 🙂
S C Merritt has written a charming cozey mystery with a slice of murder on the side. The characters are vibrant and colorful with the quirky southern style and charm with a a three generation of women keeping themselves busy not just with their day-to-day jobs but trying to solve local crimes in their lovely little town 😊. Acquire " Potluck and Pandemonium " today so you yourself can enjoy it as much as I have .Kat 🙂
January 29, 2022
Glory moves back to Alabama after having lived in Texas with her husband until he passed away. She worked as a secretary to Pastor Don in the town church where peace shou9d reign instead a murder is committed in the church's parking lot.
Lots of suspects but no evidence is conclusive enough to fin the murderer. Glory, her mother and daughter are the investigating team determined to solve the mystery,
A nice cozy mystery.
Lots of suspects but no evidence is conclusive enough to fin the murderer. Glory, her mother and daughter are the investigating team determined to solve the mystery,
A nice cozy mystery.
December 8, 2020
This is the first in the series. The main character is Glory and she finds a dead body and murder weapon is her letter opener. Now with the help of her Momma, she is going to try and figure out who killed JR at church right after the service. Van she figure out who did it and why before it's too late for her ?
January 9, 2022
Who doesn't love investigating
I chose this rating because it was a well rounded book! You couldn't know who was the killer. It just kept you guessing who it was. It is a wholesome grandmother, mother and daughter combo. They are pretty funny! I think I know who Glory might end up with! It had a sorta sad but happy ending. I enjoyed this book and I think you will too!
I chose this rating because it was a well rounded book! You couldn't know who was the killer. It just kept you guessing who it was. It is a wholesome grandmother, mother and daughter combo. They are pretty funny! I think I know who Glory might end up with! It had a sorta sad but happy ending. I enjoyed this book and I think you will too!
July 29, 2022
Enjoyable read
Interesting characters and very nicely written. One thing that bothers me a lot is using plural pronouns for a person. It is confusing and disrupts my reading. Some authors do it even when the character's gender is known. There's always a way to not take the easy way out.
Interesting characters and very nicely written. One thing that bothers me a lot is using plural pronouns for a person. It is confusing and disrupts my reading. Some authors do it even when the character's gender is known. There's always a way to not take the easy way out.
January 19, 2023
I received a copy of this book in a giveaway from the author
This is the first book in a series about the small town of Sweetwater Springs, Alabama. Glory Harper has moved back to her hometown after her husband's untimely death. When a local realtor is shot after church, Glory and her mother try to solve the crime . It's a light cosy with interesting characters.
This is the first book in a series about the small town of Sweetwater Springs, Alabama. Glory Harper has moved back to her hometown after her husband's untimely death. When a local realtor is shot after church, Glory and her mother try to solve the crime . It's a light cosy with interesting characters.
March 21, 2023
Cute cozy mystery with a southern drawl and recipes!
What a delightful escape from the dreariness of Winter! Merritt satisfies your sweet tooth when it comes to a simple and pure cozy mystery. With charming characters and a lovely protagonist, this book is like a cool glass of sweet tea on a hot summers day.
What a delightful escape from the dreariness of Winter! Merritt satisfies your sweet tooth when it comes to a simple and pure cozy mystery. With charming characters and a lovely protagonist, this book is like a cool glass of sweet tea on a hot summers day.
January 2, 2020
Small town.... not so small problems!
This small town makes me think of my own hometown. Great characters and a great plot. I usually can lay a cozy mystery down and come back to it later, but this one kept my interest the whole way through! Looking forward to the next one!
This small town makes me think of my own hometown. Great characters and a great plot. I usually can lay a cozy mystery down and come back to it later, but this one kept my interest the whole way through! Looking forward to the next one!
January 5, 2020
Murder, small town, southern family
Potluck and Pandemonium is a nice little cozy murder mystery. It takes place in a small Alabama town that seems to have more than it’s fair share of murder.
Potluck and Pandemonium is a nice little cozy murder mystery. It takes place in a small Alabama town that seems to have more than it’s fair share of murder.
January 14, 2020
Great book to start off the new year. So easy to fall in love with the characters that they seem almost like family. Absolutely adored how the “southern small town” atmosphere is detailed in this book. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
March 8, 2020
Really enjoyed this story.
Can you saw wholesome family values seen in this story amongst a murder mystery? I enjoyed the bravery to use the bible in the story as most are cowardly to do so. Second story downloaded and ready for the series to continue
Can you saw wholesome family values seen in this story amongst a murder mystery? I enjoyed the bravery to use the bible in the story as most are cowardly to do so. Second story downloaded and ready for the series to continue
June 5, 2020
How nice to read a book so family dynamic.
This book was well thought out, the plot well developed and a cast of characters that were remarkable. The who find it was unexpected. Well done!
This book was well thought out, the plot well developed and a cast of characters that were remarkable. The who find it was unexpected. Well done!
June 29, 2020
This was a well-written first-in-a-series cozy mystery about a widow who returns to her hometown to start over. I had no idea it was a Christian Cozy Mystery until I came across the scripture passages; this didn't bother me, and did not detract from the suspense. There's recipes, too!
October 9, 2020
This is a more of a novella than a long book, so you miss a lot of the back story and all the little fine details that are inmost books.
I like that it is Christian and I like the plot but 50 more pages would have made this a much better book.
I like that it is Christian and I like the plot but 50 more pages would have made this a much better book.
November 23, 2020
A Small Town in Alabama and Murder
After her husband is murdered, Glory Harper moves back to Sweetwater Springs, Alabama the small town where she had grown up. She finds herself mixed up in a murder investigation. Lots of twists and turns and a surprising ending.
After her husband is murdered, Glory Harper moves back to Sweetwater Springs, Alabama the small town where she had grown up. She finds herself mixed up in a murder investigation. Lots of twists and turns and a surprising ending.
May 13, 2021
Great read
This was my first time reading this author and I think I am going to enjoy her very much! I love the characters and their interpersonal relationships, how the mystery was developed and the surprise twist at the end! Next book, please! 😉
This was my first time reading this author and I think I am going to enjoy her very much! I love the characters and their interpersonal relationships, how the mystery was developed and the surprise twist at the end! Next book, please! 😉
September 26, 2021
Cute cozy mystery beginning to a new series. Clean Christian mystery with a murder at the local Church. The Church secretary has recently moved back to her hometown and is something of a sleuth who tries to help solve the case. Looking forward to reading more books in this series.
January 15, 2022
It was okay, although the writing was somewhat pedestrian and bland. It’s an ok read if you’re looking for a ‘cozy mystery’. Again, not bad, but not the most gripping and/or exciting book out there.
May 10, 2022
Mystery set in Texas
This book is worth the time. The author weaves the characters in the story line so beautifully. And the fact its Christian based is a bonus! It Southern women doing what the do best, and an amateur sleuth among them.
This book is worth the time. The author weaves the characters in the story line so beautifully. And the fact its Christian based is a bonus! It Southern women doing what the do best, and an amateur sleuth among them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews