Birthdays Are Murder

by Cindy Sample

After Sierra Sullivan is furloughed from her cruise director position, she moves to Spindrift Cove, Washington, to be closer to her married daughter. She soon discovers that gigs for middle-aged entertainers are scarcer than good hair days in the Pacific Northwest. With her bank account sliding toward zero, she swallows the indignity of donning a ten-pound wig and elaborate costume to perform at a child’s birthday party.

Little does Sierra know she’ll soon be upstaged by a corpse and become the leading-lady suspect.

As the bodies pile up, the entertainer adlibs her own crime-solving gig, a performance putting her in the crosshairs of a killer, and a finale that truly may be final.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

247 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2022

About the author

Cindy Sample is a former corporate CEO who decided plotting murder was more fun than plodding through paperwork. After one too many mergers,she retired to write her national bestselling and award-winning Laurel McKay Humorous mystery series set in the California Gold Country. Spindrift Cove Mysteries, her newest series, is set in Washington State, featuring Sierra Sullivan, a former cruise director.

Cindy is a five-time LEFTY Award finalist for best humorous mystery and a two-time SILVER FALCHION Award finalist for best traditional mystery. She is a past president of the Sacramento chapter of Sisters in Crime and has served on the boards of the Sacramento Opera and YWCA. Visit her website at www.cindysamplebooks.com

Reviews

[Nancy Haddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

A winner!

I loved Cindy's Dying For series, and I loved this new book! Wonderful characters, a tight plot, and kittens, too. I'll be looking out for the next title in the series!

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laurel Mckay's cousin, introduced in Dying for a Diamond has quit her job on the cruise lines and is reduced to working children's parties to pay the rent.

While at the party she sees the head of the family having an affair, then discovers his body a while later. Naturally, she's a suspect, even though her daughter is a local police officer.

Inspired by her cousin, she decides to investigate, to clear her name, and help out her daughter,who definitely doesn't want her help.

A very well done mystery.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd heard about the book from the author's newsletter and was happy to see it was part of Kindle Unlimited, so I borrowed it, and I liked it so much I figured it's about time I started reading her Laurel McKay series (this series is a spin-off from it) that I've been randomly collecting over the last several years. Sierra's a great character, and since she's Laurel's cousin, of course I have this need to read the other series and meet Laurel too!

I love this author's writing meaning the style, the strong characters and the humor too. I could've easily binged on if there was another book out in this series. At first I thought I knew whodunit, but there were so many good red herrings that I dutifully followed most of them, lol. I did have a stronger feeling toward the end but I think I realized it before Sierra did.

All the key characters were people I'd definitely want for friends. Jillian was an awesome best friend for Sierra to hang with, but that crazy Lucinda (Sierra's daughter's mother-in-law) was an absolute hoot! The two of them sleuthing was pretty funny, and they didn't make a bad team except Lucinda tended to like blurting things out she shouldn't or a little louder than she should. I'm hoping that Sierra and a certain handsome caterer named Gavin can eventually get together. He seems like a good guy for her.

What a showdown! Let's just say I wouldn't wanna be in Sierra's shoes while she was figuring out on the fly what to do next to ditch a killer. Her new little kitten friend was a big help though! There was someone during the book that I suspected but I really hoped they weren't a perp of any kind, so I was happy when we found out the real perp. The very ending which gathered all the characters together for a big celebration and explanation was super sweet! I absolutely can't wait to read the next book when it's out. In the meantime, I need to get acquainted with Sierra's cousin Laurel in her series.

[Debi Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have long been a fan of Cindy Sample's Laurel McKay 'Dying For..." mysteries, so I was excited when I heard she was starting a new series featuring Laurel's cousin, Sierra Sullivan. Her debut doesn't disappoint!! It is everything one could wish for and more. Featuring just the right amount of Cindy Sample's trademark humor and a very good mystery, this book should be on everyone's "must read" shelf. Well done, Cindy, well done. And thank you!

[Mary Beth Magee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cindy Sample is back and Spindrift Cove has her!

California’s loss is Washington’s gain as Sample sets her new series in the state. Sample’s clever plotting and deft characterizations never fail to delight this avid mystery reader. With a cameo appearance by Laurel McKay, Birthdays are Murder offers all the things Sample’s fans love: a feisty, if sometimes befuddles heroine; sexy guys; food and fun. Don’t miss this book, if you love humorous mysteries. Another home run for Cindy!

[Patricia Gligor · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Birthdays are Murder" by Cindy Sample is the first book in the author's new Spindrift Cove mystery series. Having read the author's other books, I was sure I was in for a treat - and I wasn't mistaken. What a fun read!
The characters, the setting and the plot were well developed and sprinkled with lots of humor. I did NOT guess (or even suspect) who the murderer was but, when the killer was revealed, it made perfect sense.
I highly recommend this book!

[Pam Gossoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Fun and a few twists and turns. Excited for the next book.

[Michelle Kaiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful New Series

I loved the character development! The story kept me guessing until the end. I am anxiously awaiting book 2 in the series!

[Linda Rawstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great New Series by one of my favorite mystery writers

As a member of the DB club I love the new series . Sierra is terrific and I am hoping to see more of her and her gang in future books.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

It was funny from start to finish, which, admittedly, is my kryptonite. I loved Sierra as the sleuth. She holds no delusions about her prowess. She bumbles. She errs. She gets in the way of the Chief of Police. But she makes smart deductions, and builds fun relationships (especially with cats, as if I needed an excuse to like this woman further).

The supporting cast is great too. I enjoyed the exploration of Sierra’s relationship with her cop daughter, and the hints at a possible romance in future books. I enjoyed the callbacks to another of the author’s sleuths. And the twist at the end was really fun.

If you love cozy mysteries with flawed and funny sleuths and clean language, this one’s for you.

[Cathy Inboden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Cindy Sample's books. One of my first autograph books was one of hers. Ever since I read that book I was hooked on hers. Can't wait till her next book comes out.

[Cathy Egan · Rating 5 out of 5]

New series

This is the first story in a new series. Enjoyable characters and lots of mayhem. Hoping the next book keeps a lot of these characters around . Really enjoyed this quick humorous mystery!

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Birthdays Are Murder
A Spindrift Cove Mystery, Book 1

By: Cindy Sample
Narrated by: Meghan Kelly

Perfect! Absolutely Perfect! I Loved Everything About This!

Overall: 5 of 5 stars Performance: 5 of 5 stars Story: 5 of 5 stars
Reviewed: 08-12-25

Sierra Sullivan’s a soprano with a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time! When she sashays her way to stumbling over a fresh corpse, Chief Boxley’s sure he’s found his prime suspect! Hilarity ensures when Sierra tries to un-brine THAT pickle in “Birthdays are Murder”, one of the best series starters I’ve listened to in a long time! This story is proof positive that if anything can go wrong … it will, AND at the worst possible moment! Not for us, fellow listeners, oh no, definitely not for us! The writing is absolutely inspired genius! The flow of this story is perfect! I could not stop listening. I lost sleep because I did not want to stop! The flow is smoothly cohesive, everything makes perfect sense and along the way I had no “huh?” moments! Just pure joyful entertainment and the thought that I could ABSOLUTELY see this entire scenario happening! I’m not giving plot details - I don’t want to spoil ANYTHING for future listeners - but I will say that there are PLENTY of viable suspects, no, I didn’t guess correctly, and everything makes perfect sense at the reveal! This one really is PERFECT in every way! Now, the characters, WOW, Beautifully done! I really felt for Sierra! Her interactions with her daughter reminded me so much of interactions I have with mine. In fact the interaction of ALL the characters feels very “art imitating life” REAL, and every beautifully defined and developed, character resonates as AUTHENTIC. I swear, I KNOW a few of ‘em … and just like the folks in my life, I love a few, can take or leave a few, and would be brought up on charges if I acted on what I’d like to do to a few … and these are the same feelings I felt with THIS crew! They are that lifelike, that REAL, and thanks to beautifully BRILLIANT narration they really came ALIVE for me! I could FEEL every emotion! The vocal nuances were so subtle yet so resoundingly clear! I knew when a character was frustrated, angry, at a loss … every emotion! I’m not naming characters or situations to avoid spoilers but believe me when I tell you, the vocal performance was so authentically genuine that every character was made beautifully and breathtakingly REAL for me as the authors vision came breathtakingly alive! Easily five stunning stars across all categories! The one thing I can say for certain is I want more!

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. This is the first book in a spin off series and I hope it won't be the last. Sierra is the cousin to Laurel McKay, the main character from the authors popular series Laurel McKay mysteries and she does give advice to Sierra to help her. Although it is not necessarily to have read the other series to enjoy this one, it was just fun having a cross over. I liked Sierra as a main character, she might have been more lucky than smart, especially with her busybody tendency that kept getting her in trouble but I liked it. Her job and circumstances was unusual but it made for and interesting story and gave her plenty of opportunity to snoop. There was an arh moment which meant I knew who the killer was about half way through the book but it was still a fun read. I look forward to the next book and finding out which love interest she ends up with.
Middle aged is not the best time of your life to lose your job but it explains why Sierra has moved into her married daughters guest house and is dressing up as a Disney princess. It doesn't explain why Sierra is the one to find the step father of the little girl who's birthday party she is performing at, dead in the bouncy castle. Or why she is the prime suspect. When her daughter the lead detective is taken off the case, Sierra can't help but get involved. Can she clear her name and more importantly get her daughter reinstated by finding the killer? Sierra will have to put all her acting skills to good use in order question the number of suspects who had a motive to want the dead man dead. Including his wife and everybody at the birthday party. When she stumbles over another body it looks like it's the final curtain call for Sierra and her acting career.

[Randi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Cindy Sample's "Dying for a..." series, so I was eager to get into the Spindrift Cove mystery series as well. Main character Sierra (cousin to Laurel McKay of the "Dying for a..." series) seems, internally, a carbon copy of her cousin. But as a fan of Laurel McKay... I don't mind at all! This is a fun way to keep the heart of the "Dying for..." series while exploring a new environment, new characters, and new family relationships (and romances)!

That said, I give this novel four out of five because I had high hopes for the mystery. It was set up incredibly well with a full roster of suspects and motives. However, it pained me that when a detail hinting at the killer was revealed, the protagonist didn't connect the dots at all, or at most said, "Wow, that's a coincidence, I guess." It's hard to respect the main character's sleuthing with obvious oversights.

A good cozy mystery needs a balance: enough clues for readers to piece things together without making the solution too obvious or too random. Here, that balance was off. I would have preferred if our detective made a connection that any reasonable person would've made (whether or not it turned out to be the killer in the end), rather than brushing off obvious details to make the story have a 'shocking' reveal.

All in all though, I thoroughly enjoyed this read. It fulfilled its mission as a cozy mystery I could devour on a rainy day - and left me wanting more of the same to read in the series!

[Ron Chicaferro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Birthdays Are Murder is a wonderful new book by Cindy Sample. Sample is an award-winning author noted for her "Dying for - - - " series of books. The main character is Sierra Sullivan. A sixty or so, soon-to-be grandmother, and widow. She's just moved to a small town in Washington State to be closer to her police officer daughter and her husband. Sullivan is a talented singer and actress and is hired to work at a children's party. During the event a man is murdered and Sullivan finds the body. Later, another man is murdered and Sullivan finds that body as well and wondering who might be next. She starts an amateur investigation on her own. She's a head-strong investigator but it doesn't stop her from turning over some embarrassing information about noted members of the community. The writing is fast-paced and the story moves quickly. Sullivan is a new character for the author and one who I hope to read about again!

[T K Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun cozy. The author manages to steer clear of veering into slapstick territory even though she had multiple opportunities to make that choice.

MC, Sierra, has been recently furloughed from her job on a cruise ship. A cross country move to the Olympic Peninsula to be near her daughter makes sense. But Sierra soon finds ex-cruise directors are not in demand in small northwest towns.

Making ends meet by performing at a children’s birthday party puts her on location when a murder occurs. An abundance of possible murderers is quickly evident but for some reason the victim’s wife accuses Sierra. This causes Sierra’s daughter, the area’s lead detective, to be taken off the case. Feeling responsible, Sierra begins to nose around.

I gather from several references made throughout the book this is a spinoff of another series. Other than mention of cousin Laurel, there is no connection. Readers won’t be missing anything if they haven’t read the other series.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Birthdays Are Murder and read it in one sitting! Forty-nine year old Sierra Sullivan used to be a cruise director on the ship Celebration. Now she takes jobs acting/singing at children's parties in Washington. Unfortunately, when she gets ready to leave a children's Frozen birthday party, she discovers the homeowner, Derek Davenport, is dead by the bounce house. Her police officer daughter is soon off the case due to a conflict of interest so Sierra decides to solve the case herself. But Sierra "should stick to playing Miss Marple on stage. More dramatic, less traumatic". She is reminded over and over, "Don't go running around like you're Jessica Fletcher". This book has a very likable older sleuth with an entertainment background which is unlike a lot of cozy mysteries I've read. I think this is the start of a fun series.

[Brenda Gibbons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this Cozy Mystery! Audiobook Review 🎧
This is a great Cozy Mystery with fantastic narration.  Sierra is let go from her Cruise director position and is now living in an apartment in her married daughter’s house, who is a detective.  Sierra is looking for any gigs to get money and winds up in the middle of a murder investigation at one of them.  I enjoyed the characters and the way they interacted in this book.  I tried to figure out who the guilty party was but was very surprised at the end.  I am looking forward to the next book in the series.  Meghan Kelly was awesome performing the story (as she always is) and had the unique, wonderful voices for the different characters.

[Elida Liederbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK I picked this book up because of the cover, and it was my birthday. First book I've read by Cindy Sample and I enjoyed the characters and the funny script. Sierra has left the cruise ship where she performs and moved upstairs from her daughter who is a police officer. Left to perform at a children's birthday party to earn money, she discovers a dead body at the party. And based on her prints and her being a suspect; her daughter is suspended from the investigation. If the police can't find out who did it, Sierra is left on her own, with her friends to clear her name. Fun cozy read!

[Karen Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in this new series by Cindy Sample is a hit with me. The protagonist, Sierra, is a little older than Laurel McKay from the Dying series, but just as likeable and just as likely to stumble over a dead body and then go sleuthing. The setting of Spindrift Cove – somewhere in the Pacific Northwest – is a wonderful backdrop with lush detail and I felt I was there even though I have never visited that area. True to Sample's style, this story has plenty of humor – especially whenever the character Lucinda appears. I'm looking forward to more books in the series.

[Sienna S'Zell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars for good writing and a good plot, but really, like 2 stars for exposition. Seems like just another in the current series of books about a middle-aged woman deciding she can be a sleuth and thinking she's helping out the cops. So many stupid antics, like most of them trip at some point, and open the wrong door (think "Alien" when we all shouted "don't go in there!"_ and helicopter mom actions. As usual, she just squeaks by cheating death herself.

[Jennine · Rating 5 out of 5]

STRONG INDEPENDENT WOMEN MAKING A LIVING is what stood out in this fun mystery but that's not all. l admired the actress, singer trying to get on her feet and putting her curiosity before caution while creatively snooping for motive and means, one step ahead of the professionals. Nicely narrated by Meghan Kelly.
Recommended, clean and entertaining mystery.

[Rexine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another well meaning albeit clumsy middle aged sleuth. Cute story with fun characters. Plot would also fit a more serious novel. Since it’s labeled as #1 there must be more coming. I look forward to the next.

[B Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Spindrift Cove Mystery. Enjoyable cozy. Heroine is a single woman in her late 40s who discovers a body at a birthday party. Her daughter is a police officer. I liked the characters. Not a "wow" book but not bad. C. 2022.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who killed Derek Davenport and why??? AND then Tucker??? Thank you, Destiny, for all your help!!! I enjoyed the story and recommend the book.

[Homerun2 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun main character but inconsistently plotted and containing a lot of eye rolling inaccuracies and improbable scenes.

[Tammy Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great cozy mystery. Great characters, wonderful world building. This is a great start to a new series. I listened to the audiobook. The narrator was fabulous. I highly recommend.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spindrift and Surprise

This is a nice cozy mystery about a small town, rich people, fancy parties, and an actress who helps solve the murders. Very enjoyable read.

[Louise Pledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been awhile since I was fortunate enough to read a Cindy Sample book, and I think I may have forgotten what an excellent writer she is. So clever, it keeps the reader wanting more! This was such a cute story about an entertainer, forced to play Disney characters for birthday parties, in order to pay her bills. When she chances on not one, but two murders, at first she is a suspect.

But when an acquaintance talks her into joining forces to try and solve the murders (thus clearing her), she finds herself s0lving it alone...but not without bodily risk to herself.

Really enjoyable, clean story!