Something Shady at Sunshine Haven

The Accidental Detective #1

by Kris Bock

She’s pursued the most dangerous news stories around the world. But can she survive going home?

Injured in a bombing, war correspondent Kate Tessler returns to her hometown in Arizona to recover. For the first time in her life, she's starting to feel her age of nearly fifty despite living like a teenager again: staying in her childhood bedroom with only a cat for company, trying to understand why her sister resents her so much, and running into people who still refer to her as Kitty. The hardest part? Seeing her once-sharp and witty mother stuck in an Alzheimer's unit.

When an old friend asks her to investigate suspicious deaths at the nursing home, Kate limps into action. Is a self-appointed "Angel of Mercy" killing patients to end their suffering? Are family members hastening their inheritance? Is an employee extorting money and removing the witnesses? Kate uses her journalism skills to track clues, but the puzzle pieces simply won’t fit.

If Kate can't uncover the truth quickly, her mother could be next on the killer's list.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Ebooks, Mystery Thriller, Cozy, Amazon

229 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 7, 2022

About the author

Be sure to follow Kris on BookBub for the latest releases and sales: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kris-...

Kris Bock writes novels of mystery, suspense, and romance, many with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. In the Accidental Detective series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. This humorous series starts with Something Shady at Sunshine Haven. Get a free Accidental Detective short story and bonus material when you sign up for her newsletter: https://sendfox.com/KrisBock

Her Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in love with each other and shelter cats. Get a free 10,000-word story set in the world of the Furrever Friends cat café when you sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter: https://sendfox.com/lp/1g5nx3 You’ll also get a printable copy of the recipes mentioned in the cat café novels.

Kris Bock also writes novels of suspense and romance with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. Whispers in the Dark features archaeology and intrigue among ancient Southwest ruins. What We Found is a mystery with strong romantic elements about a young woman who finds a murder victim in the woods. In Counterfeits, stolen Rembrandt paintings bring danger to a small New Mexico town.

“Smart romance with an 'Indiana Jones' feel,”

Kris's Southwest Treasure Hunters novels each stand alone and are complete, with no cliffhangers. This series mixes action and adventure with romance. The stories explore the Southwest, especially New Mexico. Desert Gold follows the hunt for a long-lost treasure in the New Mexico desert. In Valley of Gems, estranged relatives compete to reach a buried treasure by following a series of complex clues. In Silver Canyon, sparks fly when reader favorites Camie and Tiger help a mysterious man track down his missing uncle.

Fans of Mary Stewart, Barbara Michaels, and Terry Odell will want to check out Kris Bock’s romantic adventures. “Counterfeits is the kind of romantic suspense novel I have enjoyed since I first read Mary Stewart’s Moonspinners.” 5 Stars – Roberta at Sensuous Reviews blog

Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com or visit her Amazon page at https://www.amazon.com/author/krisbock

Ms. Bock also writes for young people under the name Chris Eboch. The Eyes of Pharaoh is an action-packed mystery set in ancient Egypt. In The Well of Sacrifice, a Mayan girl in ninth-century Guatemala rebels against the High Priest who sacrifices anyone challenging his power. The Haunted series follows a brother and sister who travel with their parents’ ghost hunter TV show and try to help the ghosts while keeping their activities secret from meddling grownups. It begins with The Ghost on the Stairs.

Read excerpts at www.chriseboch.com.

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Tessler has been in some dangerous situations, her job as an investigative journalist has taken her around the world into war zones and she loves it, she has her family at home in Arizona and visits when she can, but when she is injured she knows it is time to go home and heal and a visit with her mum who has just entered an aged care facility because of her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is what is needed but when a friend asks her to help with an investigation maybe she is putting herself in more danger.

Her mum is in Sunshine Haven and as it happens, Kate’s friend from school, Heather is director, when Heather tells Kate that there have been three suspicious deaths in the home, Kate immediately thinks of her mother and is on the case, she soon has a team of eager investigators to help and she is in danger herself as she gets close to solving the case, but will she make it to the conclusion in one peace?

This is a really good cosy mystery that had me trying to uncover the culprit, wonderful characters and fabulous setting, Kate enjoyed her investigation so much it looks like she is staying in Arizona and already has another case and I look forward to book two.

I do highly recommend this one to any lover of a good cosy mystery.

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

What initially drew me to this book was the protagonist Kate. She is about my age and has seen a lot in her lifetime, perhaps more than anyone might expect since she was a journalist overseas. All this came to a crashing halt when she was hit with shrapnel and needed time to recover and rehabilitate. This brings her back home to Arizona which is also a blessing because her mother is in a memory care unit at a local nursing home and she can spend time with her even if her mom doesn't always remember her in the present but in the past.

Almost right off the bat, Kate is threatened by a mysterious caller that isn't who he says he is, and that creates a rabbit hole for Kate to traverse on top of the request from the high school friend. Actually, that conversation with her friend is what spurred this mysterious caller and further entrenched Kate into figuring out what happened to the residents of the home. Her journalistic background helps her chart a path of investigation and she brings in family and some new friends to help her out. I really liked the character Mac. She doesn't need to be paid but is looking for a mentor and Kate would be perfect for this role.

I thought that this was a well thought out book and mystery. The characters seemed well developed for the first book and I expect that to continue with future books. The mystery of who killed the patients was a tough one to untangle, but I enjoyed the journey. I suspected one character of nefarious objectives but not for the reasons I initially considered. There isn't any sort of love connection; however, I think one might be developing between Kate and a former classmate who is now the mayor. Only time will tell.

There is also some family drama between Kate and her sister Jen, but I'm happy to say that by the end things are resolved and perhaps going forward they will have a closer relationship.

Overall, we enjoyed this new series and can't wait to see what Kate might be up to next. We give this book 4 paws up.

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Kate. After being injured in a bombing while working overseas as a war correspondent, she’s come home to Arizona to recuperate – but her homecoming hasn’t exactly been restful yet. Unless you count dodging cars that try to run her down, diving out of the way of bullets, and racing against time to save nursing home patients – including her mother – from a possible murderer ‘restful’.

I really liked getting to know Kate. She has a subtle sense of humor, enough that I know we would get along famously if she was an actual person and not a fictional character. She also has a good heart, smart intuition, and a dogged determination to succeed, whether it’s at her job or her ‘accidental investigation’ or her recovery from the bomb-related injuries. She’s also an awful lot like many women – juggling career and family, concerned about her aging parents, navigating a tense relationship with her sister, and wondering how 50 is looming ever closer. I loved this ‘every woman’ side of her, making it easy for readers to relate to (and like) Kate even if her specific circumstances don’t apply to them.

The mystery has several cozy mystery elements, but it also at times feels a little like suspense too. That’s not a complaint in the least – I loved it! The quirkiness and small town feel of a cozy mystery paired with heart-in-your-throat moments of danger and life-threatening action keeps the pace varied at just the right tempo. There were several suspects that made sense, and even though I had it correctly narrowed down there were enough twists and turns and false leads that I wasn’t entirely sure, nor was I entirely right. The plot more than held my attention, and there’s even a very subtle hint of romance potential as the series continues.

Bottom Line: A great start to a new series, Something Shady at Sunshine Haven by Kris Bock has a little something for everyone. Emotionally-layered family dynamics, a delightful middle-aged protagonist turned accidental detective (love that series title!), an eclectic crew of supporting sleuths, and even a bit of romantic possibilities for future books. I really liked Kate – she was relatable no matter where you are in life, but especially for those who have aging parents, complicated sibling relationships, and/or sudden life changes. The mystery was nicely plotted and kept me turning the pages, and I appreciated how Kate’s background as a war correspondent (and the fact that her mother is a patient at Sunshine Haven) made it logical for her to poke around and investigate. Readers will enjoy this new cozy mystery and eagerly wait for more sleuthing with Kate and the Coffee Shop Irregulars!

Reviewer’s Note: Reviewers may want to be aware that there are occasional (very few) minor curse words scattered throughout this novel and a couple of mentions of more adult topics. It is definitely a clean read nonetheless.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[PAR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something Shady at Sunshine Haven (The Accidental Detective #1) by Kris Bock. The author asks “She’s pursued the most dangerous news stories around the world. But can she survive going home?” This is such a delightful new detective series; I am so excited I ran across it. I have read other novels by Kris Bock and found her writing to be exciting and well-tuned and she has not let me down with this new novel. Injured in a bombing, war correspondent Kate Tessler returns to her hometown in Arizona to recover. It is as if she has stepped back into a time warp. She is sleeping in her teenage bedroom. Her sole roommate is a cat. And her little sister seems to hate the ground she walks on, and she does not have a clue why. As she walks the halls of her family home her, she comes to tears as she pictures her mother in a holding pattern in an Alzheimer's unit.

An old friend comes to her fearful that there are suspicious deaths at the nursing home. This is just what Kate needs to help in her recovery. She jumps at the chance to help. She wonders if her mother is in danger. Is someone killing the patients to end their suffering? Perhaps an "Angel of Mercy. Perhaps there are family members who do not want to wait for their inheritance. Kate uses her journalism skills to investigate, but the pieces - but she just can’t make sense of them. If she can’t figure this out could her mother be next to die? This is what she does for a living why can't she put the pieces together? Something is not right! She is missing something important! It is so nice to read a good clean story, written by a talented author. I am so excited to get my hands on the next novel in this series. I received this novel from BookFunnel. This is my true and honest review.

[Christine Weald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a page turner of a humorous, good clean mystery that once started had to be finished. The talented author portrays the main character, Kate in a realistic and believable manner, and introducing her team of unexpected “assistants” was eclectic. Their skills were surprisingly diverse.

As this is the first book in the series there were several ‘loose ends’ that no doubt will lead in to the next book. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it. I received a free copy from the author and Book Funnel and leave this honest review voluntarily.

Kate Tessler, a celebrated international war correspondent injured in a bombing, returned home to her parents to find her mother in an Alzheimer’s unit. An old friend there asks her to investigate suspicious deaths. Were they “Angel of Mercy” killings, extortion victims or what? Kate uses her journalism skills to investigate but ends up with more questions than answers. If Kate can't uncover the truth, her mother could be next on the killer's list. On top of which her leg injury is giving her grief and she has to ask for assistance, which is foreign to her.

Kate’s character is of a proud successful active war journalist who’s suddenly finds with her injury that she is feeling embittered and old whilst not quite 50. Her feelings of resentment, anger and pain are very well described, and interspersed with some humor at her own expense. The mystery continues to get interesting with more and more suspects. Stories within the story emerge confusing the plot.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review
A very enjoyable read involving disturbing events happening in a nursing home, “Something Shady at Sunshine Haven”, by Kris Bock (Tule Publishing), features a remarkable heroine, a middle-aged war correspondent who turns into an “accidental detective” while recovering from injuries.
I loved everything about the heroine, Kate. Her spunk, determination and humor are amazing. She’s also in a vulnerable condition, physically and emotionally. She’s very likable as are her “assistants” in the investigation.
The portrait of the disillusioned yet passionate journalist was realistic and believable and made Kate a very relatable character; her team was eclectic, unexpected, and diverse.
It was fun to see how they worked so well together joining efforts and using each one’s different skills.
I also liked watching how Kate used her honed experience and smartness as a reporter in the investigation.
Kris Bock’s insight into the challenges of ageing and caring for the elderly was also interesting and gave the story depth.
My only complaint is more a disappointment and has to do with the absence of romance; there’s a delicious promise about it, that will hopefully be developed in the next story, but I was waiting so eagerly until the end to have more about Kate and her high school friend.
Overall, an easy fun suspense read, with very relatable characters.

[Jessica Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
 
This is remarkably enjoyable start to a brand new cozy mystery series. Bock is a new author for me but I found the writing style to be great mix of people, events, and details that really create a fun read as we follow along. We meet Kate home on leave, thanks to an injury, from her career as a war correspondent. She almost feels like a kid again thanks to living in her childhood bedroom with only a cat for company. Her mother has Alzheimer's making it necessary for her to live in a nursing home. This makes it easy for an old friend to talk her into investigating some suspicious deaths at the very same home putting her mother possibly at risk. Thanks to her writing investigating skills she is quite good at figuring things out as she goes along taking the reader right along with her. Makes for quite the fun cozy read that is a great choice for fans of the genre or those wanting to try one. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.

[Lise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recovery is best done at home, so Kate Tessler has returned to Arizona, where things are slightly different from when she left decades ago. While her childhood home is essentially the same place, her mother now suffers from Alzheimer's and is in a facility to care for her. When the director of the care home asks Kate, a veteran reporter, for help in determining whether a series of deaths is suspicious, she finds herself harassed and beleaguered. Kate will need the help of family and friends to deliver justice, after all, she's still a wounded warrior herself.

What a wonderfully complex story this was! I enjoyed the investigation that took place on all fronts. The suspects were whittled down to a respectable number in a very effective way. And, at no time, did the heroine act in a ditzy way. Kate was sensible and practical as she searched for evidence, letting people know where she was and what she was doing. Her actions were genuine, and spoke of the caution born out of years of experience in a difficult career.

I haven't read any of the other books in the Accidental Detective series, but I'm fairly confident that they will be of the same high calibre. I recommend Something Shady at Sunshine Haven for those cosy readers who want to up their reading game and work with a true detective.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like the show Castle then I think you’ll enjoy this book. I don’t diminish the seriousness of the suspected crime but the tenor of the book and the banter of the characters is both wonderful and really amusing. It’s a ragtag bunch of accidental detectives but it works and makes for a great read! Part heist movie, part three stooges one hundred percent must read!.

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

[Debra Hinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first in what I hope will be a long series. It was terrific. Lots of authentic details around coping with a leg injury and someone living with dementia really ground this cosy murder mystery.

[Philip Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a straightforward whodunnit written with superb pacing. Plenty of surprises to keep the pages turning, a few red herrings to keep us wondering, and a well-handled personal story backgrounding the main character. Well written. Enjoyed reading it.

[K.Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it, but it was a bit repetitive and the ending felt a bit desperate to make it drastic.

[Marsha Keeper Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf

Something Shady at Sunshine Haven begins The Accidental Detective series with a charming, at times funny, and at other times intense mystery that quickly grabbed my attention and never let go. This is my first Kris Bock story, and I enjoyed her style, delivery, and imagination… and will be looking for more.

Kate has returned home after an injury during her time as a war correspondent. While she’s hoping to get back into her work quickly, she also realizes that she needs time to heal and that her plans may have to change… if that becomes her reality what is she to do with herself as her work is really her life. Returning home brings its own battles of dealing with the reality of her mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, her father’s efforts to keep the faith and family together, her sister’s unexplained hostility… and now, perhaps a very real danger to her mother and other patients at the nursing home she resides at now. Perhaps there is another way to keep those journalistic investigative skills sharp by figuring out who might be killing patients – an “angel of death” killer, family members who can’t wait for their family member to move on, or something even worse. To Kate’s mind, the only way to really keep her mother safe is to figure out who wants to harm these vulnerable people.

I loved the crew that Kate has around her helping in her investigations. Eclectic is probably a good word for this group. With laughter, tears, and an abundance of clues this crew sets out to get answers – and gives us a delightful mystery puzzle to solve along with them. While there are hints of a future romance, for now, Something Shady at Sunshine Haven serves well as the opening, world-building entrance into this series. It will be interesting to see where the loose ends (and there always needs to be some to move a series along) eventually take us.

I had fun in this world, and I’ll definitely be following along as Kate redefines her life, maybe finds romance, and definitely keeps us in interesting puzzles to solve alongside her and that eclectic crew of hers. If you love putting puzzles together, and starting a new mystery series, then you’ll want to pick this one up soon.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

[Fiona Marsden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our accidental detective is Kate Tessler, formerly known as Kitty at school. She has arrived back in her hometown near Phoenix, Arizona ( I think) to recuperate after a bombing incident in the Middle East (I think) left her injured and unable to work as a high powered war journalist.
She never expected to be coming home after thirty years and living with her dad. to make things more out of whack, is that her mother has recently moved to a nursing home with Alzheimer's disease.
She barely arrives, still recoiling from her sister Jen's animosity, when Heather Garcia from her mom's nursing home contacts her with a problem.
The problem is a vague one. Heather can't prove there is a problem, but she has a feeling about some recent deaths that they seem a little off.
Kate is all over the place emotionally because of her loss of career, her physical trauma and now her mother being "lost" through dementia. Finding out that there could be danger in the nursing home is an ideal trigger to get her brain in gear and work out what is going on.
Along the way she makes new friends, links up with a young couple who can help with technology and some old friends of her parents who are also enthusiastic about helping.
She also makes some enemies.
The puzzle behind the events at the nursing home becomes more complex and it's up to Kate to figure out what odd events relate to the deaths, and what events belong to other possible shady activities at the nursing home.
This was an enjoyable, lightweight reading exercise with a group of likeable protagonists. I had read a later one in the series and found the large cast a little confusing so I would recommend starting with this one where everyone gets a proper introduction.
The solution was satisfying and I look forward to further adventures.

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

[JoAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read my review on NovelsAlive.com by clicking the link below. It is also posted in full.

https://novelsalive.com/2022/06/06/4-...

I rated the book 4.5 stars but rounded to 5 stars here and on other sites.




Something Shady at Sunshine Haven by Kris Bock grabbed me from the first page to the last.

Kate was injured in a bombing due to her job overseas as an investigative reporter, and she returns home to heal, regroup and spend time with her parents. Her mom is in a nursing home for Alzheimer’s and memory loss, and Kate doesn’t know where life will lead her to next.

But there’s more for her back home than she anticipated as she connects with friends and tries to solve a crime or two allegedly taking place at Sunshine Haven—the nursing home where her mom is currently living.

Bock introduces Kate to us a little at a time, and I liked how she and her dad were reconnecting. The story had a wonderful flow and kept me in the grip of the mysteries waiting to be solved. There are twists and turns to the story and lots of investigations, meetings, secrets, crimes, coverups, misunderstandings, injuries, and lots of details to piece together.

Kate is good at what she does and rallies those she’s asked to help her in her investigations. She puts together quite the team, and their ages run the gamut from young to old. We get to see how her mind works and her thought processes to gather the information necessary to figure out whodunnit.

There is closure as the crimes are solved, but the story ends a bit too abruptly for me. Even though this is the first book of The Accidental Detective series, I thought there could have been a smoother ending. I look forward to reading more books in this series and seeing what Kate and her family are up to next. I liked the title and the cover and thought it fitting that Kate is called the accidental detective!

Ms. Bock is a new-to-me author, and I will be back to read more of her books if this showcases her caliber of writing. If you like mysteries that keep you guessing with characters that span the ages, Something Shady at Sunshine Haven might be a book and series you’d enjoy.

I rated the book 4.5 stars but rounded to 5 stars here and on other sites.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

War correspondent, Kate Tessler, had been injured on the job in a bombing. She goes to her hometown in Arizona to recuperate. At almost fifty years, Kate can’t believe she’s back in her childhood home and arguing with her sister. To add to her difficulties, her mother is now living at Sunshine Haven in the Alzheimer’s unit.

Upon Kate’s arrival to town, an old friend contacts her. She happens to be the director of Sunshine Haven and she needs Kate’s help. She suspects that someone might be killing off patients at the nursing home. She begs Kate to investigate. With her mother being one of those patients, Kate can’t help but to jump right into this investigation.

This is the first book in a new mystery series, “The Accidental Detective”. The characters are well-developed right from the start. I loved Kate’s strength and determination. When the odds are against her, she doesn’t care and keeps right on going. She has much help from family, some acquaintances and a few friends. Kate’s relationship with her father is very sweet.

This is a fast-paced book that keeps you thinking. There were a couple of different ways the story could have went, but the author did a great job in wrapping it up and giving us an exciting finale. It’s a great jump start for this new series. I will anxiously awaiting the second book.







FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Something Shady at Sunshine Haven (The Accidental Detective #1) by Kris Bock. It reminded me of a PBS Mystery such as Midsomer Murders. Not because the setting is Britain, it takes place in Arizona. But because there could be a murder, could be something else, and many characters who have questions about their lives when looked at closely. Then when the facts come out it is interesting but not relevant to the case that is being investigated. So Kate Tessler continues to prod along, determined to find the truth.

Kate is an interesting character and like most of us at some time in our lives has come to a crossroad. What will she do with the rest of her life? That is a bit of mystery too. The storyline surrounding aging parents and aging ourselves is an authentic one that we must all face sooner or later. It certainly spoke to me.

I guess this would be considered a cozy mystery since there is no bad language, no sex, no gore, and a journalist reporter turned detective. However, it has more. Perhaps it is the down to earth writing style, or the realistic plot, or the spunky, determined yet vulnerable Kate, or the wonderful Coffee Shop Irregulars. Perhaps it is all of those. All I know is that I loved this book and hope for more Accidental Detective books to follow.

An ARC of the book was given to me by Tule Publishing which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something Shady at Sunshine Haven looked like a cosy mystery. I was thinking it would be cute and light. What I wasn't expecting was the incredible depth of this book, while telling a great mystery with an excellent cast of characters. Kate Tessler, our main character, has returned to the family home after being injured by a bomb blast while working as an overseas journalist. Her mother has recently been moved into the Sunshine Haven home, due to Alzheimers. Kate, on visiting the home, is soon enlisted by the director Heather, someone she knew in high school, to investigate possible irregularities at the home, namely suspicious deaths. The more she investigates, the more issues pop up for her and the team she assembles. Why do I love this book? Kate's injury is front and centre in this story, almost like another character. It makes it so real. The way Alzheimer's is explored and the effect on the family, including her own, are so authentic. The relationship between her parents is beautiful. I love that Kate is 50 and half her team is her father's age. They are given full personalities, not just token seniors. We have teenagers and 20 somethings as well. It is real and exciting and more in-depth than anything I've read in this genre. There are moments of humour and warmth and a great mystery. It is a five star read.

[Rebecca Douglass]

My Review:
I read this book during a particularly disruptive bit of my life, as I was moving, searching for a new home, and trying to sell my old home. That made it hard to find the bandwidth to read an actual book (as opposed, say, to a Zillow listing). Despite those long odds against it, Something Shady at Sunshine Haven caught me up fairly early on and by the mid-point, I had to read on to see exactly who was rotten, and how our rather battered sleuth was going to ferret out the truth.

I really appreciated the author choosing to make her main character a woman of "a certain age". I think I have mentioned before that I am rather fed up with sweet young things who can't decide who they are in love with. A fifty-year-old who is wondering what she wants to do when she grows up? That's more like it!

Kris Bock creates some characters you can really appreciate, as well as dealing with a number of life's challenges and difficult issues, and she does it well. The writing is generally tight, characterization is clear, and the plot is twisty enough to satisfy. It's a series I'll follow.

My Recommendation:
A great read for those who want more character development and mystery, and less romance. Bock's story offers proof positive that no one outgrows the need for more maturity and self-discovery.

[Sandra Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate A.K.A “Kitty” was a journalist was convalescing at his parent’s house in Arizona. Upon her arrival, she was being called for help by someone at the nursing home, where her mother was staying at for Alzheimer’s. The news was that two Alzheimer’s patients died suddenly and unusually.

“Was I reacting as a reporter or as a daughter?”

Was there a murdering caregiver in the nursing home?

“Am I being paranoid, or is someone killing my patients?”

Story had an easy and witty narrative. Kate’s determination to not let a leg injury keep her from looking into the case was bold and admirable. But being stuck between feeling like a kid under her parents’ roof and feeling like an old woman that can’t do things the way she used to, she had her doubts.

“But could I do this? If not me, then who? I had investigative experience, access to inside information, and a stake in the outcome. Everything one could ask for, except for two working legs and enough energy. Oh well. No one was perfect.”

It was interesting following the accidental detective as she put her thinking hat on and put her sleuthing skills to work. The investigation process can be long and slow at times, but the writing is so refreshing that it picks back up right away.

A good mystery read!

[Vida Sik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic start to detective series
If you enjoy following clues and solving mysteries from the comfort of your couch, then this story could be right up your alley. Meet Kate, an injured war correspondent who heads home to recuperate from an injury but finds a host of new problems to solve. She gathers around a diverse group of amateur sleuths—including her dad—to help her catch a murderer at the care facility where her mother is a resident. They follow clues, take detours and reach dead-ends as they join forces to find the culprit.

I couldn’t help feel sorry for Kate as she keeps on getting hurt, but loved that, as a middle-aged woman, she’s not your conventional detective. What she and her cohorts go through makes them very relatable. However, I found the pace of the story too slow, especially in the beginning and tired of the incessant questions. It gets better once she and the crew act instead of reacting.

This is a great first-in-the-series book and introduction if you enjoy cozy mysteries. However, I much-prefer Kris Bock’s romantic Furrever Friends series, but admit this was a fun change in pace.

[Connie Charron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could have been called "The Misadventures of Kate" very easily. After being an international reporter for 20 years Kate has returned home to heal. She received a severe injury and after months of rehab overseas she is now back in the USA for a prolonged period of time to continue rehab and figure out what to do. Can she ever be able to go back to war zones? Not with a cane she won't. When she goes with her dad to visit her mother in a long-term care center. Her father and sister, who is married and a mother, finally gave in to the notion that they cannot be with her 24/7, which is needed with her falling into her dementia or Alzheimer diagnosis. As it happens a woman that went to the same high school is the manager of her mother's resident, and she needs a favour from Kate. Kate has plenty of time on her hands,so why not. She doesn't make any promises but does start snooping around with dangerous consequences. Now Kate's spideysenses are tingling. Between almost getting run over in no time she is now completely hooked. Great characters with depth and nuances that help her along the way. You don't wanna miss reading this one.

[R J Mckay · Rating 5 out of 5]

When injured war correspondent, Kate Tessler comes home to Arizona to heal, she figured she’d help her father care for her mom, and try to avoid the barbs her sister is always tossing her way. But instead, she finds herself using the research skills that she has honed on the battlefield to track down a story that threatens the care facility where her mom is residing. Along the way, she picks up a team of helpers that combine their strengths to find out what’s going on inside the facility.

I quickly became invested in this story. I loved the characters (and better yet, I loved that the main character in the story is in her 40s). The pages of this book are populated with people who are older/more experienced in life. It's a chance of pace from most books being written about 20-somethings. It was a terrifically fun read and kept me glued to my seat throughout the story. I didn’t want it to end. I’m beyond happy that Kris Bock is making this into a series, so I get to hang out with Kate and her newly formed group of accidental investigators.

[Elaine Coghlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something Shady at Sunshine Haven ~ the Accidental Detective #1 by Kris Bock

Blurb:
She’s pursued the most dangerous news stories around the world. But can she survive going home?

Something Shady at Sunshine Haven is the first book in Kris Bock's new series "The Accidental Detective" Kate Tessler a war correspondent returns to her family home in Arizona after an injury. Only to be asked to investigate some shady going ons at the care home where her mother is currently a patient.

I have read and loved two books from this series, so when this came up on Booksprout, I knew it had to be read.

I found Something Shady at Sunshine Haven easy to read and was engaged from beginning to end.

This book has been written brilliantly with wonderful characters that feel like family, and a believable storyline that could be real life.

A great start, and I can honestly say it is a great series, which I highly recommend to all.

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

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I greatly enjoyed reading this mystery. The core case is a few suspicious deaths at a nursing home for seniors with dementia, in Arizona. To avoid patronising or belittling anyone, the sleuth is a lady whose career as a conflict zone correspondent has been ended by a major injury. She is recovering, but is in pain, on meds and gets around with difficulty. Just like the nursing home patients.
Given this premise, a few extra hands are going to be needed to observe patients and staff, handle interviews, tail suspects and summon help. A good mix of people does this with some delightful teens and seniors, as well as midlife folks.
Our sleuth is involved because her dad has just had to place her mom in the care home. We start to learn life lessons and see just how much care costs. Mainly, you lose your house.
There is a chapter of the second in the series, which is more of the same and looks like a good fun read, with more social comment about a second marriage late in life.
I read a Kindle version. This is an unbiased review.

[Tammy Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun, fast paced read, enjoy it, the characters were great as was the mystery. The main character Kate struggles to adjust to being back in her hometown after years of being an world traveling investigative reporter after getting injured. Kate is soon asked to look into some unusual deaths at the care home her mother is now in due to her Alzheimer's by an old high school classmate who runs the place, Kate is no detective and should be trying to heal from her injuries but her journalistic itch is triggered by the offer, also her worries about her mother compelled her to look into it hoping for it to be nothing. But a phone call warning her off gets her suspicions up and a few other incidents tell her that there may be something shady happening at Sunshine Haven. She enlists a college student to help her in doing background checks also her father and his friends are helping in looking at the goings on at the care home. This was so good and a nice set up for the series.

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

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing start to a new mystery series.

Kate Tessler’s life has taken on a drastic change. As a journalist, Kate has traveled to world over the last 30 years. Now she is back home in Arizona nursing the wounds she suffered during her last assignment. As Kate reconnects with family and old friends, she is also investigating a series of suspicious deaths at the nursing home where her mother is staying. Along with an unlikely team of helpers, Kate puts all of her investigating tools to work to find out what is happening to the residents at Sunshine Haven before someone ends up dead.

Buckle up, because this book is a wild ride. Just when you think you know who the killer is, you’ll soon be looking for another suspect. I had a hard time figuring out who it was and was surprised when the killer was finally revealed. I also liked seeing how Kate reconnected with her father and sister. I look forward to reading more books from this author.

[Siesta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining.
A war reporter recuperates back in her home town from a potentially career-ending injury and immediately gets caught up in sinister events in the care home where her mother is a patient. The investigation that follows brings in a diverse and likeable group of characters, and several leads and suspects. Meanwhile the story starts to build out the main characters, hints at a future romance, and touches on the sensitive topic of care, and funding of that care, for the vulnerable elderly.
This was easy to read, fast paced and entertaining. It’s a challenge to make Kate, who clearly has had to handle horrible situations as a war correspondence, uncertain and self-doubting in her new reality, and still be believable. The author just about pulls it off, which was partly why I rounded my initial 3.5 up to 4 stars.
I was wondering whether to go for book 2 in the series. After reading the teaser at the end of the chapter, I realised I wanted to follow Kate a bit longer.

[Shelly Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something Shady at Sunshine Haven is the first installment of the Accidental Detective mystery series. I rather thought that this was a well thought out book and good murder mystery. The main characters seemed really well developed for this being the first book and I expected that should continue on with future books. The mystery of who killed the patients was a tough one to untangle, but I enjoyed reading through the journey. I suspected one character of nefarious objectives but not for the reasons I initially considered. There isn't any sort of love connection; however, I think one might be developing between Kate and a former classmate who is now the mayor. The mystery has several cozy mystery elements, but it also at times feels a little like suspense too. That’s not a complaint in the least – I loved it!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Jodi Pomerleau · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cozy mystery with great characters and a good plot. Kate has come home to recover from injuries she suffered in a bomb blast while working as a journalist in Afghanistan. Her mother is an Alzheimers patient in a nursing home which has experienced some unexplained deaths. Kate is asked to look into those deaths and feels that the best way to keep her mother safe is to use her investigative skills to determine if the deaths were murders or just a coincidence. She enlists her father and his friends to also help, and a great cast of characters enrich the plot. The mystery is solved, but it seems that Kate is going to be continuing her accidental second career. I think I will be reading more of this series.