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Sister Sleuths #0.5
The Nut Case
Solve the mystery of how it all started
The day began in typical style with “June gloom” weather. It turned into the starting point for two sisters’ adventures into a world of mystery and crime.
This Novella-length installment of the acclaimed Sister Sleuths Mystery Series is a whodunit that will keep you guessing until the end!
A fascinating introduction to how the siblings broke into amateur sleuthing by cracking a case full of nuts!
What readers are saying about Rayna Morgan’s entertaining Sister Sleuths
Kathy “This is a well written story with mysteries overlapping one another. Very good book. Am looking forward to the next installment. Loved it.
Dawn “The sisters are fun to read. The characters are well developed. The plots have twists and surprises. Can't wait to read the next one of her books.”
Derek “Loved the characters, story line and development of the entire book. Definitely worth the time to read. Highly recommended.”
Amethyst “Very nice, fun and easy read. Good story, interesting characters. Really an enjoyable book to read.”
Brianna – “Rayna Morgan has a deft touch with making everything real.”
Mary “Nice and entertaining who done it mystery that leaves you satisfied. The characters are are not complex but somehow true to life.”
Roni “Once again a wonderful book true to its characters. I am already anxiously waiting for the next.”
For fans of Rhys Bowen, L.B. Hathaway, Jacqueline Winspear, Susan Elia Macneal, T E Kinsey, Leighann Dobbs, Charles Todd, Vivian Conroy, Hamilton Crane, Frances Brody, Ashley Weaver, Patricia Wentworth, G.K. Chesterton, Clara Benson, M.C. Beaton, Charles Finch, Gladys Mitchell, Margery Allingham, Carola Dunn, Georgette Heyer, Kate Parker, Alyssa Maxwell, Maia Chance, Cecil Freeman Gregg, Barbara Cleverly, Kerry Greenwood, Elizabeth Edmondson, Edmund Crispin, Mary Roberts Rinehart, James Runcie, Catriona McPherson, Carolyn Dean, Mary Hiker, Dianne Harman, B.R. Snow, Agatha Frost or Ceecee James.
Buy Now!
Amazon
Cozy Mysteries
Murder
Mystery, Thriller and Suspense
Women Sleuths
Books for Women
Thriller
The day began in typical style with “June gloom” weather. It turned into the starting point for two sisters’ adventures into a world of mystery and crime.
This Novella-length installment of the acclaimed Sister Sleuths Mystery Series is a whodunit that will keep you guessing until the end!
A fascinating introduction to how the siblings broke into amateur sleuthing by cracking a case full of nuts!
What readers are saying about Rayna Morgan’s entertaining Sister Sleuths
Kathy “This is a well written story with mysteries overlapping one another. Very good book. Am looking forward to the next installment. Loved it.
Dawn “The sisters are fun to read. The characters are well developed. The plots have twists and surprises. Can't wait to read the next one of her books.”
Derek “Loved the characters, story line and development of the entire book. Definitely worth the time to read. Highly recommended.”
Amethyst “Very nice, fun and easy read. Good story, interesting characters. Really an enjoyable book to read.”
Brianna – “Rayna Morgan has a deft touch with making everything real.”
Mary “Nice and entertaining who done it mystery that leaves you satisfied. The characters are are not complex but somehow true to life.”
Roni “Once again a wonderful book true to its characters. I am already anxiously waiting for the next.”
For fans of Rhys Bowen, L.B. Hathaway, Jacqueline Winspear, Susan Elia Macneal, T E Kinsey, Leighann Dobbs, Charles Todd, Vivian Conroy, Hamilton Crane, Frances Brody, Ashley Weaver, Patricia Wentworth, G.K. Chesterton, Clara Benson, M.C. Beaton, Charles Finch, Gladys Mitchell, Margery Allingham, Carola Dunn, Georgette Heyer, Kate Parker, Alyssa Maxwell, Maia Chance, Cecil Freeman Gregg, Barbara Cleverly, Kerry Greenwood, Elizabeth Edmondson, Edmund Crispin, Mary Roberts Rinehart, James Runcie, Catriona McPherson, Carolyn Dean, Mary Hiker, Dianne Harman, B.R. Snow, Agatha Frost or Ceecee James.
Buy Now!
Amazon
Cozy Mysteries
Murder
Mystery, Thriller and Suspense
Women Sleuths
Books for Women
Thriller
- GenresCozy Mystery
Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2022
53 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 31, 2017
Lea Austin is at the Fresh and Healthy store for her grocery shopping. She is also looking for some pistachios for her son and father. She has noticed the store hasn't had any nuts of any kind lately and asks the manager about when they might get some in. That's when he tells her about the hijacking of the trucks with nuts on them. Could it be someone who works at the store... an inside job? Lea and her sister Maddy look into it under the ruse of making a brochure for the store. They even visit the farm outside of Hill Valley where the nuts are grown. That's where Lea figures things out and sets a trap-----or so she thought! This is a nice short read. I voluntarily read this story and the review is of my own opinion.
March 28, 2023
This is an amazing short story of how these two sisters became awesome and inspiring sleuths.
March 11, 2019
Short and sweet mystery, though the sleuths are sisters they are opposites in ways which means they butt heads when sloving a case. Was a fun read.
August 8, 2018
I was first introduced to this series with the fifth book Murder After Hours. I have since read four of the other books in the series. I enjoyed each book and chain read three since they were substantial and interesting. The sisters aren’t like other characters that do the stupid formula with their investigations, but actually help law enforcement with interviews from reluctant or missed people. The reader never knows where the path will lead since it’s definitely not straight.
The Nut Case: How It All Began – This book was a freebie offered in Murder After Hours. It was just as enjoyable as MAH. A well written, fast paced story with a well thought out plot. The characters are interesting and they have developed continuously in MAH. None of the characters acted stupidly and their dialog was realistic. I contacted the author to review her books. 4*
Murder At The Pier #1 – This picks up after The Nut Case and keeps right on going. This fast-paced, intriguing story keeps the reader glued to the pages. Just when everyone thinks the crime is solved, it gets deeper with intrigue. While the suspect isn’t a surprise, the reader gets a selection of possible criminals. The author does a great job with her descriptions, both characters and scenes. There’s a touch of possible romance; it appears in the making.
I had read the fifth book first, so I saw the growth of the characters as compared to The Nut Case and this book. The dialogue is realistic; there’s no stupid formulas; and the characters are compliment each other, both socially and as crime solving “partners”. 4*
Murder Act Two #2 – Another well-written, fast-paced story with an interesting story line and characters. This story picks up a month after Murder At The Pier stopped. There are the regular characters, as well as new ones. The characters needed for this story are developed enough to keep the reader’s interest. The regulars keep showing more facets to their personalities. Another substantial read, with an interesting plot that really kicks it into gear around the 70 percent mark of the story with autopsy findings; along with the background material that makes it easy to fall into the story. But there’s a bit of preaching when Lea and Jon are talking, not sure if chapter 18 is necessary for the story. 4*
Murder Western Style #3 – This book starts three weeks after Murder Act Two ended. Another interesting novel with our favorite characters and a few new ones. Fast paced and filled with suspense, the book is a substantial story with realistic dialog and no stupid formulas. The ladies are still working with law enforcement without doing the officers’ jobs. The author's descriptions keep the story interesting and the pages fly by quickly. 4*
Murder After Hours #5 – This is my first book by this author and I was pleasantly surprised to find this book substantial and interesting. It is well written, fast paced with a thoughtful, twisting plot. I liked the interesting characters and found them realistic and their dialog better than average. I couldn’t put the book down and finished it in one sitting. It was a pleasure to read book without profanity and sex. I loved the ending. I look forward to reading more of her books. 4*
Hit and Run #6 - Another intriguing and interesting story from one of my new favorite indie authors (a very short list). This is actually different from the previous stories concerning certain family members doing the investigation and the new locations. The sisters' retired father and Lea undertake an investigation while Lea is visiting her parents. She learns a lot of her retired chief of police dad, but still manages to get herself in trouble.
I didn't care that Lea was so free (childlike?) with her information while she was interviewing "suspects"; an example: she said her dad was retired after he said he was CoP. She trusts the word of a "suspect" and takes off flying around Mexico by herself - dumb. But that bit of idiocy aside, the rest of the story and especially the ending is worth reading and entertaining.
Well written and thought out, the story keeps the reader interested in completing the story, even with the stupidity that impulsive Lea engages in while in Mexico. I think the ending gives a good indication of the future for some of the characters and I'm looking forward to seeing more of the partnership between the sisters and their family. Warren and Barbara, the parents, were engaging and likable, and an great addition to this story. 4*
I contacted the author to review her books out of curiosity.
The Nut Case: How It All Began – This book was a freebie offered in Murder After Hours. It was just as enjoyable as MAH. A well written, fast paced story with a well thought out plot. The characters are interesting and they have developed continuously in MAH. None of the characters acted stupidly and their dialog was realistic. I contacted the author to review her books. 4*
Murder At The Pier #1 – This picks up after The Nut Case and keeps right on going. This fast-paced, intriguing story keeps the reader glued to the pages. Just when everyone thinks the crime is solved, it gets deeper with intrigue. While the suspect isn’t a surprise, the reader gets a selection of possible criminals. The author does a great job with her descriptions, both characters and scenes. There’s a touch of possible romance; it appears in the making.
I had read the fifth book first, so I saw the growth of the characters as compared to The Nut Case and this book. The dialogue is realistic; there’s no stupid formulas; and the characters are compliment each other, both socially and as crime solving “partners”. 4*
Murder Act Two #2 – Another well-written, fast-paced story with an interesting story line and characters. This story picks up a month after Murder At The Pier stopped. There are the regular characters, as well as new ones. The characters needed for this story are developed enough to keep the reader’s interest. The regulars keep showing more facets to their personalities. Another substantial read, with an interesting plot that really kicks it into gear around the 70 percent mark of the story with autopsy findings; along with the background material that makes it easy to fall into the story. But there’s a bit of preaching when Lea and Jon are talking, not sure if chapter 18 is necessary for the story. 4*
Murder Western Style #3 – This book starts three weeks after Murder Act Two ended. Another interesting novel with our favorite characters and a few new ones. Fast paced and filled with suspense, the book is a substantial story with realistic dialog and no stupid formulas. The ladies are still working with law enforcement without doing the officers’ jobs. The author's descriptions keep the story interesting and the pages fly by quickly. 4*
Murder After Hours #5 – This is my first book by this author and I was pleasantly surprised to find this book substantial and interesting. It is well written, fast paced with a thoughtful, twisting plot. I liked the interesting characters and found them realistic and their dialog better than average. I couldn’t put the book down and finished it in one sitting. It was a pleasure to read book without profanity and sex. I loved the ending. I look forward to reading more of her books. 4*
Hit and Run #6 - Another intriguing and interesting story from one of my new favorite indie authors (a very short list). This is actually different from the previous stories concerning certain family members doing the investigation and the new locations. The sisters' retired father and Lea undertake an investigation while Lea is visiting her parents. She learns a lot of her retired chief of police dad, but still manages to get herself in trouble.
I didn't care that Lea was so free (childlike?) with her information while she was interviewing "suspects"; an example: she said her dad was retired after he said he was CoP. She trusts the word of a "suspect" and takes off flying around Mexico by herself - dumb. But that bit of idiocy aside, the rest of the story and especially the ending is worth reading and entertaining.
Well written and thought out, the story keeps the reader interested in completing the story, even with the stupidity that impulsive Lea engages in while in Mexico. I think the ending gives a good indication of the future for some of the characters and I'm looking forward to seeing more of the partnership between the sisters and their family. Warren and Barbara, the parents, were engaging and likable, and an great addition to this story. 4*
I contacted the author to review her books out of curiosity.
May 12, 2020
Lea Austin was going to the Fresh & Health market to pick up fresh fruit and veg stabiles for the dinner she was cooking for her mother,Barbara, and father, Warren, who was a retire police detective, he sister Maddy and her friend Tom, who was a current police detective and for her husband Paul & son Jon. She was also going to need some pistachios for her father and son while they played chess. She found everything she needed but the nuts and there were no nuts of any kind. So she checked out but asked the cashier to call the manager which she did. He was Ryan Olsen who met when they both had their dogs in trading school. He came right down and asked what he could do for her? She told him the last time she came in they were out of pistachios, but she thought he would have had a delivery by now. He said he had not received any nuts in the last three deliveries had been hijacked. Ryan’s cousin Sonny owned Sunny Orchards and at least one of the shipments was from him. The police could do very little because nuts were hard to track.
So she came up with a plan that she and her sister Maddy would question the employees at Fresh & Healthy and at Sonny Orchards. They were supposed to be working on a brochure for Fresh & Healthy that shown from the beginning of harvesting, transportation and delivery to the store. The more people Lea and Maddy asked questions the longer the suspect list got. If their father, husband and friend really found out what they were doing and the risks they were taking they would not be happy. This is a really great mystery and I don’t want to give away anything else. It was too much fun reading what all they went through to solve the case. Normally close to the end of the book, I have a good idea who the bad guy’s were. I changed my mind so many times and never guessed who was behind it. I think everyone would enjoy this and it is a great prequel to the Sleuth Sisters Mysteries. I was given this book for an honest review and this is very honest. I know the series will be great. Rayna Morgan is a wonderful author.
So she came up with a plan that she and her sister Maddy would question the employees at Fresh & Healthy and at Sonny Orchards. They were supposed to be working on a brochure for Fresh & Healthy that shown from the beginning of harvesting, transportation and delivery to the store. The more people Lea and Maddy asked questions the longer the suspect list got. If their father, husband and friend really found out what they were doing and the risks they were taking they would not be happy. This is a really great mystery and I don’t want to give away anything else. It was too much fun reading what all they went through to solve the case. Normally close to the end of the book, I have a good idea who the bad guy’s were. I changed my mind so many times and never guessed who was behind it. I think everyone would enjoy this and it is a great prequel to the Sleuth Sisters Mysteries. I was given this book for an honest review and this is very honest. I know the series will be great. Rayna Morgan is a wonderful author.
December 31, 2019
A good mystery prelude to a series!
Maddy Conley and Lea are sisters, and best friends, with a healthy sense of curiosity. They are also talented sleuths, probably due in part to growing up with a father in law enforcement.
When Lea learns that her favorite Fresh & Healthy Food Store is unable to keep nuts in stock due to truck hijackings she cannot resist investigating the thefts with the help of her reluctant sister, Maddy. In tracking the course of the shipments from the nut farm to the store, there is a preponderance of suspects that keep the sisters busy with interviews and spying.
The story has plenty of plot twists to keep you guessing. This is a great introduction to the Sleuth Sisters series.
Maddy Conley and Lea are sisters, and best friends, with a healthy sense of curiosity. They are also talented sleuths, probably due in part to growing up with a father in law enforcement.
When Lea learns that her favorite Fresh & Healthy Food Store is unable to keep nuts in stock due to truck hijackings she cannot resist investigating the thefts with the help of her reluctant sister, Maddy. In tracking the course of the shipments from the nut farm to the store, there is a preponderance of suspects that keep the sisters busy with interviews and spying.
The story has plenty of plot twists to keep you guessing. This is a great introduction to the Sleuth Sisters series.
July 23, 2023
A fun, lively mystery with great interactions between two sisters, one of whom is always eager to figure out what is going on when illegal or unexplained things happen. And in this case she elicits her sister to help her.
Delving into the case of shipments of nuts that have gone missing leads the women to learn a lot about people who work for the grower and for the merchant who sells them. It makes for interesting back stories. Of course police are involved, too, but honestly they don't have time or manpower to delve into this case since there are no leads and no violence has occurred.
The story moves along quickly and is an enjoyable, easy read. I recommend it for a light change of pace from so many mysteries that are dark and filled with unsavory characters.
Delving into the case of shipments of nuts that have gone missing leads the women to learn a lot about people who work for the grower and for the merchant who sells them. It makes for interesting back stories. Of course police are involved, too, but honestly they don't have time or manpower to delve into this case since there are no leads and no violence has occurred.
The story moves along quickly and is an enjoyable, easy read. I recommend it for a light change of pace from so many mysteries that are dark and filled with unsavory characters.
July 11, 2018
All she wanted was some nuts for the family dinner
A good short read. Not terrific as missing something (not quite sure what). Popping out to get some groceries should have been an everyday event. However it leads to heists of food deliveries going missing, undercover work and a plan to get the brains behind the heists. Can two sisters solve a mystery that they have been told would be impossible to solve. Great characters with the sisters being as different as chalk and cheese am a well crafted plot. However it just missed something to make it specular.
A good short read. Not terrific as missing something (not quite sure what). Popping out to get some groceries should have been an everyday event. However it leads to heists of food deliveries going missing, undercover work and a plan to get the brains behind the heists. Can two sisters solve a mystery that they have been told would be impossible to solve. Great characters with the sisters being as different as chalk and cheese am a well crafted plot. However it just missed something to make it specular.
April 26, 2019
This book is the first in the sister sleuths series and shows how Lea and Maddy began solving mysteries. Trucks of nuts are being hijacked on the way to grocery stores and driving up the price of nuts. Lea and her two dogs Gracie and Spirit initially get involved in investigating the employees at the local grocery store to see if any of them are connected with the thefts. She travels to Sunny Orchard to investigate their take on the thefts. She and her sister decide to hide in one of the delivery trucks in order to catch the thief red handed.
December 30, 2021
When her local market doesn't have pistachio nuts and the store manager explains their shipments of nuts are disappearing, Lea and her sister Maddy investigate the recent hijacking of deliveries of nuts. Starting with the store employees, their search leads them to an ever widening circle of people involved in farming and delivery of the ever popular nuts. Due to the increase popularity of nuts, hijacking proves to be a very lucrative business and the sisters uncover some very strong feelings about the nut farming business.
September 30, 2023
Not thrilling at all.
SYNOPSIS: "Truckloads of high-priced pistachios are being highjacked, putting drivers’ lives in danger. A beleaguered grocery store owner hires Lea and Maddy to find out who is behind the malicious thefts.
Is it black market vendors, local thugs at their worst, or an inside job?
After plunging wholeheartedly into their first assignment, the sisters soon realize they might be in over their heads. Unless they find a way to outwit the culprits, their recklessness may lead to unforeseen peril."
SYNOPSIS: "Truckloads of high-priced pistachios are being highjacked, putting drivers’ lives in danger. A beleaguered grocery store owner hires Lea and Maddy to find out who is behind the malicious thefts.
Is it black market vendors, local thugs at their worst, or an inside job?
After plunging wholeheartedly into their first assignment, the sisters soon realize they might be in over their heads. Unless they find a way to outwit the culprits, their recklessness may lead to unforeseen peril."
September 16, 2018
This is a novella prequel for the Sleuth Sisters series. The sisters are adorable sneaks. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series. Lea and Maddy are intelligent women. Lea wants to be like their father, a retired cop. Maddy goes along with her sister just for fun. I enjoyed reading this one.
I received this book free of charge from the author and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review without other compensation.
I received this book free of charge from the author and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review without other compensation.
March 6, 2019
So, who is stealing the almonds off the delivery trucks? There is a shortage of almonds which is making no one happy--Is the thief from the farm or the grocery store-or someone else. This is a short fun who done it-extremely readable. It will make you want to read more of the series-it did me.
I read a complimentary Copy of this book sent to me by the author & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
I read a complimentary Copy of this book sent to me by the author & am voluntarily leaving an honest and unbiased review.
April 25, 2018
Loved this book. It introduces sisters Lea and Maddie to us. They each have different skills but together they cant be stopped. Lea is the thinker and figure things out and Maddie is there for her bravery and know how. Together the sisters figure out who is hijacking the nuts. Enjoy the ride and the twists and turns
July 18, 2020
A truly delightful ,clean, comical, cozey mystery.The caracters are vibrant and challenging in so many ways .Rayna Morgan is a gifted writer in relating personal tragedy in a half full, half empty cup kinda way and alternative ways in dealing with it,including how to crack a mistery of missing nuts. Aquier a copy of "The Nut Case "so you yourself can enjoy reading it as much as I have. 🤔😉😊Kat
December 16, 2021
I enjoyed this cozy mystery and I voluntarily chose to review it. I've given it a 4.5* rating. Of all things, there is a thief of food, especially nuts. There is a leak of information, who could it be? There are a lot of suspects and a lot of action to get your interest. I didn't guess till the end. A nice mystery to get your attention. My first of this author and I think I 'll be reading more.
August 21, 2021
Two sisters work together to solve the mystery of the missing nuts. A great introduction to Lea, a freelance business writer, and Maddy, an interior designer. It was a fun book to start the Sister Sleuth series I enjoyed reading.
November 6, 2021
I wanted a quick read and this fit the bill perfectly. Two sisters set out to see who is stealing shipments of nuts. Almonds being shipped to grocers are being stolen. Is it an inside job at the growers or maybe the shippers. Someone knows something but who is behind the missing shipments.
February 7, 2018
Fast Quirky read about two sisters playing Sleuths to catch a thief , Someone is stealing all the nuts from trucks that are routed to go to stores , was a good read , believe there is a series .
April 12, 2018
loved the story, the sisters are great, if you like suspense and humor you will like the book
December 22, 2021
Two sisters start investigating who is hijacking deliveries of nuts.
The characters are fun - opposites in so many ways but close and happy to work together.
The characters are fun - opposites in so many ways but close and happy to work together.
January 1, 2022
Such a cute short read.
March 8, 2022
Who is stealing the nuts and why??? It is always best to tell the truth!!! I enjoyed this story and recommend the book.
April 30, 2018
A Novella on how it all began. A nice, easy-flowing story of how two sisters decided it was their lot in life to solve a mystery close to home...by somewhat following in their father's footsteps, a retired police officer.
What started out on a whim, a simple trip to the market by Lea, quickly formed into a sleuth-duet with sister Maddy.
Shipments bound for a local store, from the local (big business) nut farm, are being hijacked and no one knows why until the value of said shipments are discovered by Lea and she is propelled into finding out the truth. Everyone is suspect.
Written well, the story flows and is not so intense to where to many characters or details muddy-up the plot. The story moves quickly and the characters develop as the pages continue. This reminded me of a shorter, less intense version of say, Erin Brockovich or an episode of Hallmark Mysteries.
A good read for everyone.
Thank you to Rayna Morgan for this story and the opportunity of the free copy to review.
Novels & Latte Book Blog
Novels & Latte Book Club
What started out on a whim, a simple trip to the market by Lea, quickly formed into a sleuth-duet with sister Maddy.
Shipments bound for a local store, from the local (big business) nut farm, are being hijacked and no one knows why until the value of said shipments are discovered by Lea and she is propelled into finding out the truth. Everyone is suspect.
Written well, the story flows and is not so intense to where to many characters or details muddy-up the plot. The story moves quickly and the characters develop as the pages continue. This reminded me of a shorter, less intense version of say, Erin Brockovich or an episode of Hallmark Mysteries.
A good read for everyone.
Thank you to Rayna Morgan for this story and the opportunity of the free copy to review.
Novels & Latte Book Blog
Novels & Latte Book Club
January 5, 2024
Fresh & Healthy, the local store was fresh out of nuts - not because the growers were not growing or the deliverers not delivering, but because somewhere in between, someone was high jacking the trucks that had them. The store manager was not happy, especially when the finger was pointed to his employees being the possible culprits and as a favour, Lea decided to ask around to see if she could help out. Having a police detective father had always inspired her to want to become one and although she never did live her dream, she cannot help herself being attracted to solving puzzles and crimes. roping her sister Maddy in, the girls try to figure out who would be stealing the precious merchandise.
A prequel to the series, and the first book of Rayna Morgan's that I have read. Enjoyable, well written with a good strong storyline. the characters are clever, fun and engaging and I will certainly look forward to more of her work. I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
A prequel to the series, and the first book of Rayna Morgan's that I have read. Enjoyable, well written with a good strong storyline. the characters are clever, fun and engaging and I will certainly look forward to more of her work. I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
January 11, 2020
This is a prequel novella...a quick read and enjoyable. The plot is a good one with humor and twists that keep the book interesting. Great to see a sister duo who compliment each other. Room for the characters to grow in the series.
September 1, 2024
Entertaining cozy mystery novella.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews