Something Deadly on Desert Drive

The Accidental Detective #2

by Kris Bock

Starting over at fifty might be hard, but it shouldn’t be deadly…

Still recovering from an injury that might have permanently derailed her career as an international war correspondent, Kate Tessler is living in her childhood bedroom and pondering her second act when another case lands in her lap. Kate’s father and his coffee group are worried. Their friend Larry married a younger woman who now insists he has dementia and won’t let any of his friends visit. They’re convinced that Larry’s wife and her two adult, dead-beat kids are out to steal his money. Can Kate help?

Soon Kate and her unusual gang of sidekicks are unofficially, officially investigating. But before they can dig out the truth, a murder raises the stakes. Now they need to prove Larry is both mentally competent and not a killer. They’ll have to find the real murderer—without risking their own lives in the process.

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

209 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 21, 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]

Book two in this great series and Kate is at it again investigating another a case that involves one of her father’s coffee friends, Larry who has married a younger woman and his friends are getting very worried with the way his new wife, Pamela is treating him and now telling them all that Larry has dementia, Kate agrees to see if she can find out what is happening with her bunch of misfit investigators, The Coffee Shop Irregulars but when there is a murder the investigation steps up.

Kate is a very good investigator but when the The Irregulars step in and sneak Larry out to get a doctors opinion they put themselves in on the line by perhaps becoming suspects in the murder, Kate has her ideas on who the killer is but will they get the facts before one of them is hurt or the police arrests one of them?

This is another great story that had me guessing till the end, fabulous characters The Coffee Shop Irregulars are witty and smart, Kate is such a great character with all she has been through and her injury still gives her curry she never gives up and there is also Todd a friend from school who is spending more time with her, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and look forward to the next one.

I highly recommend this one to anyone reader who loves a good cosy mystery that will keep you turning the pages.

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the things I enjoyed so much about book one in the Accidental Detective series was how it stayed true to the cozy mystery formula while also being unique in several ways. The protagonist, Kate, doesn’t own a gift shop or a bakery or a B&B; instead she is an injured 50-year-old war correspondent who has moved back home with her parents (dad at the family home, mom in an assisted living facility with Alzheimer’s) to recover. Add in a former flame (who is now the town’s mayor), Kate’s estranged-relationship-turned-wary-truce with her sister Jen, and her dad’s gaggle of fellow senior citizen men who self-draft themselves into a gang of supporting investigators and call themselves the Coffee Shop Irregulars – and you’ve got a delightful mix of characters and relational dynamics!

The plot of Something Deadly on Desert Drive is as unique as book one, and it starts with Kate & crew kidnapping a close friend of the Coffee Shop Irregulars. Yes, you read that right, and it’s just as entertaining as it sounds. Think of all the ‘funny old guys’ you know from classic variety shows – Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Dick Van Dyke, etc. – and picture them organizing a way to sneak their friend out from under the nose of his possibly-evil-intentioned & much younger wife to get him to a doctor. Watching Kate try to wrangle them all, endure the groan-worthy dad jokes (from everyone but her dad lol), and attempt to temper her sister’s newfound enthusiasm for investigating is highly grin-inducing, too. The related murder mystery has several different layers that this quirky group unearths (they’re actually much better investigators than they first appear to be haha) and a bonus case to help hunky mayor Todd fills in any down time. Which is bad for poor Kate’s still-healing leg but great for readers!

Bottom Line: I am delighted to report that I enjoyed Something Deadly on Desert Drive just as much as I did its predecessor. I really like Kate and the Coffee Shop Irregulars as individual characters and their group dynamic, and I enjoyed having her sister help with the investigating this time around, too. The mystery was unique and well-written – and it kept me guessing between a couple of different suspects, even though I also equally doubted it was either of them. This book and series are the whole package when it comes to a cozy mystery – interesting plots, eclectic characters and good clean fun!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

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

I have really enjoyed this series so far. I love that the protagonist is a little older (50's) and isn't perfect. She doesn't give in to her disabilities while she recovers and continues to move forward the best that she can.

Kate and the Coffee Shop Irregulars, a group of her dad's friends, are concerned for their friend Larry. His new wife says he has dementia and won't let anyone see him. This puts them into action to secretly take him out of his house and to a doctor for an opinion - does he have dementia, or is he being drugged? They return him home before his wife finds out, only to discover that she was murdered and Larry is the prime suspect. It doesn't matter that he was doped up and couldn't have hurt a fly, but he is the obvious suspect since no one else was supposedly in the house. Kate, her sister Jen, and the Irregulars start investigating to find the true killer. On top of this investigation, Kate is doing some work for the mayor to find dirt on one of the city council members. You could say there might be some romance happening in that department too.

I thought that the pool of suspects was much smaller this time, making it a little easier to root out the killer. That doesn't mean that Kate isn't put in danger at various times because what would a mystery be without the main character finding herself in hot water? I had my suspect narrowed down, and by the end of the book, this was the only possible answer. 

I love all of the Coffee Shop Irregulars; they are a hoot! They crack jokes but also have each other's back. It doesn't hurt that Joe likes to bake and keeps them fed. We didn't see as much of Mac in this book, and I hope she has a bigger role next time around. I think she has a lot to offer with her computer skills and quick thinking.

This is a great series and a fun read. We give it 4 paws up.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
“Something Deadly on Desert Drive”, by Kris Bock (Tule Publishing), is another enjoyable read featuring a former war reporter turned into private investigator with the help of a group of very special assistants.
Kate Tessler is an unusual and very relatable heroine, forced to slow down dramatically at her dangerous career as a war zone reporter and devoting her attention to domestic and more prosaic adventures.
My favorite things about this story are the older, impaired but very smart and full of energy heroine, and also the way elderly people are represented, still very capable of leading an active life and of bringing inestimable input.
Kate is finding joy in this new path, being able to change and better some things locally, something hard to reach in her previous role as a journalist.
I loved the interactions between the sisters and their parents and seeing how the reconciliation between the siblings is consolidating smoothly.
The familiarity and easy relationships between the characters are also compelling.
All the characters are well written and even the heroine’s mother helps.
My one complaint it the author’s option for not developing yet the emerging romantic relationship between Kate and Todd (unfortunately the male romantic interest is almost absent).
I also felt some parts of the story were slow-moving or too expanded but enjoyed it anyway.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic mystery that will keep you intrigued well written that makes the characters realistic. Kate is resting up after an injury, but still ends up having to solve a mystery. Can’t wait for the next one.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this arc of Something Deadly on Desert Drive from Tule Publishing in exchange for an honest review. This is the second book in Kris Bock’s Accidental Detective series. In book 2 we again see Kate Tessler, former war correspondent who has returned to her hometown in Arizona after an injury in the field. She is staying with her elderly but sharp dad in the family home and her mom is in an Alzheimer’s facility in town.

Her dad’s cronies that he meets weekly for coffee, have asked for her help. She successfully solved the case of the murders at Sunshine Haven in the last book and now her services are in demand. Another friend of the guys, Larry had recently remarried a much younger woman and they are afraid she may be trying to drug or poison him. The group has named themselves the coffee shop irregulars and have asked her to help figure out what’s going on with Larry. They meet and formulate a plan to sneak Larry out his house and take him to a doctor to have him tested for Alzheimer’s as his wife claims he has.

Kate’s dad, Isaac goes to the door and stages an argument with the wife so the others can sneak him out the back way. The doctor isn’t able to confirm an Alzheimer’s diagnosis so they sneak him back in. Later they hear that the wife was found dead and Larry is a prime suspect, regardless of his health status. Kate and the group vow to prove Larry’s innocence and start searching for the killer of Larry’s wife. Jen, Kate’s sister is working on their differences so they can become close again and possibly work together in an investigation company. She is being included in all the planning in this case. Both Larry’s 2 grown kids and his wife’s 2 kids show up and get into an argument. All 4 are suspects in the murder. The storyline is quite thrilling with lots,of surprises for the reader.

In addition, Kate’s old high school crush Todd is now mayor of the town and has asked her for some help investigating an issue with a councilman and a real estate developer. She gets her sister, the councilman’s ex wife and her computer hacker together to help her. It seems Todd is divorced now and a potential love interest for Kate too.

Kris has done a wonderful job providing a suspenseful mystery for the reader to help solve, as well as shared some interesting and quirky characters. Kate is quite likeable and compelling with her job history and the injuries that she’s faced. Her dad and sister seem to be genuine and wonderful to have as family members. The helpers are all likable as well and they work together, regardless of their ages. I like that Kris incorporates characters of a wide range of ages in this series so far. I am happy to recommend this book and give it 5 stars.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something Deadly on Desert Drive the second book in The Accidental Detective Series by Kris Bock is one book not to be missed. It is somewhat like Murder She Wrote but really It is something more than that. A cozy mystery, yes from beginning to end. It has one international journalist who while recovering from an injury unwittingly becomes an investigator along with her sister and others, older and a few younger characters.

What Kate thought she was helping her dad and his friends solve switches over to something else entirely. There are more suspects than ate can shake her cane at and yet the solution is not easy. I kept right up with Kate solving it as she did. Certainly not obvious. Then there is a second subplot.

I greatly appreciate that the older generation is dealt in such a way of respect, showing their ability to help. Love the Coffee Shop Irregulars, older seem to be overlooked in today’s society much as Sherlock Holmes’s Baker Street Irregulars were thought to be in the Victorian era.

No need to have read the first book in the series to fully enjoy Something Deadly on Desert Drive. However I will say that I enjoyed the first book too, getting to know more about Kate and her family.

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.

[Jodi Pomerleau · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 50 year old injured war correspondent, an enthusiastic bored housewife, and a gaggle of old guys who meet regularly for coffee.....what a cast of characters! This is the first book in the series that I have read, and it definitely was a fun read. They band together to kidnap their friend Larry who they suspect is being abused by his much younger wife Pamela. They want to take him to a doctor to see if he really has dementia, as Pamela claims, or if he is being drugged into that state. Pamela hasn't let Larry's friends even visit, so they are desperate to prove wrong doing. Pamela is murdered that same day, and Larry becomes a suspect, even though in his drug induced state, it is unlikely he could have physically done it. So the Coffee Shop Irregulars take on the case to prove Larry innocent and uncover the real murderer. It is a refreshing departure from other cozy mysteries. The characters are elderly, who crack dad jokes throughout. Kate is disabled, and doesn't own a bookshop, bakery or antiques store. Her annoying little sister Jen is an enthusiastic participant and proves her worth in creating disguises and doing research. It's a nice light read with a great cast of characters and a decent mystery. I would be happy to read more in this series.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and entertaining murder mystery.

After successfully investigating the suspicious deaths at the nursing home where her mother resides, Kate became known for newly discovered sleuthing skills. This time, it’s one of Kate’s father’s friends who needs help solving his wife’s murder. Everyone knows Larry is innocent, but it’s up to Kate and her team of friends and family to prove Larry’s innocence before someone else is killed or Larry goes to prison.

As with the previous book in The Accidental Detective series, I couldn’t figure out who the murderer was or their motive until I was close to the very end of the book; and even then, I wasn’t 100% sure. It was fun reading the story and trying to figure out who the killer was this time. I love the characters in this series and look forward to reading the next book in the series. The author has a way of pulling you in from the very start and holding your attention until the last words are read.

[Debra Hinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should catching a killer be so much fun?
Book two in this series set in Arizona didn’t disappoint. With the best of intentions the coffee shop irregulars land the accidental detective Kate and themselves into some tricky situations along the way.
Throw in the attraction of the aptly named Mayor Todd Paradise and the sisterly bickering with Jen for added spice and more than a modicum of teasing for extra flavour.
I love how Kris Bock not only solves the crime but also debunks a few stereotypes along the way. As a woman of a ‘certain age’ I can attest that I have become invisible, maybe I too should use that to my advantage a bit more. What could possibly go wrong?

[Debra A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should catching a killer be so much fun?
Book two in this series set in Arizona didn’t disappoint. With the best of intentions the coffee shop irregulars land the accidental detective Kate and themselves into some tricky situations along the way.
Throw in the attraction of the aptly named Mayor Todd Paradise and the sisterly bickering with Jen for added spice and more than a modicum of teasing for extra flavour.
I love how Kris Bock not only solves the crime but also debunks a few stereotypes along the way. As a woman of a ‘certain age’ I can attest that I have become invisible, maybe I too should use that to my advantage a bit more. What could possibly go wrong?

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something Deadly on Desert Drive (The Accidental Detective Book 2), my eighth read from author Kris Bock, at 209-pages is even better than the first book in the series. As much as I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read from this author this read grabbed me and kept me reading until finished it in one sitting. “I received a free Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author and in particular Someone Cruel in Coyote Creek (The Accidental Detective Book 3)when it comes out in September. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is book 2 in the Accidental detective series. It can be read as a stand alone but you'll enjoy book 1, Something shady at Sunshine Haven. Kate is recovering from an accident in Iraq as a journalist and has moved in with her father. He and his friends want her to help find out what's going on with their friend Larry who has recently remarried a much younger woman and has basically disappeared. When Larry's wife is found murdered, Larry is the prime suspect along with his friends who had visited the house earlier that day. A good old fashioned cozy with 2 generations that help each other out. Will look forward to the next book.

[Christine Weald · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main character, Kate was recovering from an injury and taking time off her career as an international war correspondent, and was living at home with her Father. This second book involves Kate, her sister, her father and his friends in another mystery.
This is an easy mystery to read, with some amusing snippets and clues to keep you guessing until the end. I recommend this series as a delightful one to follow and keep reading.
I received an advance copy of this book and leave this honest review voluntarily.

[Siesta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun read.
Helping her father and his coffee buddies check up on their friend Larry, a suspected victim of elder abuse, turns out to be more dangerous than they could have imagined. At the same time, Kate answers a call to help old school friend and Mayor, Todd, to investigate a potentially dodgy councilmember. With sister Jen, IT wizard Mackenzie, and the Coffee Shop Irregulars, they tackle both tasks with ingenuity and humour.
This charming series hits the spot for me. I’m looking forward to the next one.

[Melissa Westemeier · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun premise for this series and I look forward to reading more! Kate Tessler's a journalist turned detective and she's on the case to help her dad's friend, Larry, whose new wife is keeping him a prisoner in his own home. A cast of quirky and funny elderly folks, Kate, and her sister, Jen, join forces to clear Larry's name when he's suspected of killing his new wife. Great pace, solid characterization, unexpected plot twists. Give it a read!

[Melissa Basnight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Senior sleuths

Kate moved home to live with her father after being injured during her time as a reporter in a war zone. Her father's coffee club is worried about their friend, but then his wife was murdered and he was a suspect. The group of senior sleuths are investigating what happened. It was a good storyline with some interesting characters. Loved seeing an older group involved in solving murder mysteries. You are never too old to do something you like to do.

[PAR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first novel I have read by Kris Boch and I am very impressed. She grabbed my attention from the very first page and honestly I read it straight through. I can't wait to read the next one. Her premise was totally new and I loved the characters! They are fully fleshed out and the story line is solid. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Carolyn Valdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read in this series. It was just as enjoyable has the first one. It has a lot of action and suspense. You will never guess what is happening until the end. I can’t wait to see what happens with the gang next.


I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lavender Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook review.

What a wonderful book, I loved every single minute of it! The story is suspenseful, with a skillfully woven mystery, the humour is delightful, and I adore Kate and the Coffeeshop Irregulars, they are so much fun. Christina Delaine’s performance is first-class, her voice is perfect for this book.

[Sandra Holladay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Bock is an excellent story-teller. Her characters are true-to-life, the mystery/murder keeps you guessing. Kate is a wonderful MC with doubts and physical limitations. The Coffee Shop Irregulars are colorful and quirky and still show they have plenty of use left in them. I definitely need to get the rest of the series.

[Tony Sommer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating

I found this to be a fascinating read. I love how she gets seniors involved with solving crimes. If you enjoy crime stories with a little bit of humor you should read this one.

[P.L. Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable whodunit

This was an enjoyable whodunit with a fifty something injured amateur sleuth. Some comical relief in the hands of some old helpers and some clever investigations.

[Betty Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something Deadly on Desert Drive ,Book 2

I really enjoyed the book. The characters were good, funny and realistic. I really want to read her other books and will tell my friends.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice combination of characters. After an injury, Kate can't continue as a war correspondent and is teaming up with her sister, her father and his friends to solve a local murder (and more).

Good friends solve it

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, interesting characters

I enjoyed the characters and the plot line. Its nice to see a lead character who is mature and not eye-popping beautiful. Ahe had flaws but was strong enough to overcome them. The cast of characters were quirky and fun.

[Tammy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. This could have been a better book. They took a cute murder mystery and inserted far too much of their personal politics into it. Hint to author…. No one cares. Won’t be reading more of your books. Don’t recommend.

[Jody Weems · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun romp

Cute format, injured investigative journalist recuperating from a bomb blast helps her father's friends figure out whether their frind, who recently remarried, is being drugged by his new wife.

[G.E.Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

easy read entertaining

I enjoyed this book - passed away a dull afternoon where I was stuck with little to do. Not sure i will follow the series, but won’t mind if i come across another by this author.

[Trisha Bowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun lighthearted read

I absolutely love these books. They are such fun, quick, light hearted reads. I enjoy all of the characters and their camaraderie. Bock’s books are excellent palate cleansers when looking for something to read to relax.