Peril on the Peninsula: Travel is Murder Cozy Mysteries Book 1

by Theresa L. Carter

Blackmail. Betrayal. Murder. This is not the job Alex remembered.Although Alex Paige is anxious to get back in the field after a year off for cancer treatment, she's afraid she's forgotten how to be a travel writer. A visit to an idyllic resort seems like an easy way to get her feet wet. Lucky for her, she's put at ease when she meets a fellow survivor.

But that comfort is destroyed when Alex discovers a greedy developer she’d put in jail during her journalism years is buying the resort. Alex knows if he’s involved, something must be fishy.

She’s quickly proven right when his plans are revealed. But the real threat comes when the evil felon’s partner is murdered.

With the help of her irrepressible friend William and a lantern-jawed boat captain, Alex is determined to save the resort and marina. Can she expose the real killer before she becomes the next victim?

Peril on the Peninsula is the first book in the Alex Paige Travel Mysteries Series. If you love engaging characters, dastardly villains, and armchair travel, you'll love Theresa L. Carter's debut novel.

Buy Peril on the Peninsula for a fun escape today!

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Fiction

203 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 12, 2022

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting Start to Series!
This book had me hooked from the beginning, and by the time I was halfway through, I purchased the remaining available books in the series! I love the strength of the main character, and how she has weathered the storms of her life with grace. The descriptions of the small town she is visiting and the lodge where she is staying are so vivid, it makes you feel like you are right there with Alex as she works to solve the mystery. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery.

[MGB · Rating 4 out of 5]

This really was much better than the average cozy mystery. A long time reporter would be pulled into a story like this. They didn't avoid the police, even if they weren't first on the list of contacts. The reader was actually able to follow the twists and turns as Alex slowly unraveled the details of the events. The setting was awesome, felt like I was really there. Actually wanted to go visit until the disclaimer at the end indicated the Reserve didn't really exist. Easy to follow along and very believable.

[Veronica Bareman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sure page-turner written by first-time novelist Theresa L. Carter. Chock full of interesting characters, both good guys and bad. And just when you think you’ve got the plot figured out…. TWIST! Can’t wait for the next in the series! Keep ‘em coming, Theresa with an H!

[Karen Vanravensway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than cozy

I liked this one better than most cozies. No instant love attacks , no long reacts of every good or clothing item, very little sappiness. Not as predictable as so many copies are,

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent mystery in a heartwarming story. Alex is a very talented writer who also has wonderful insights and ability to ferret out the truth. If she hadn't been invited to The Mast for a writers' workshop, the whole series of events would have been different. She is definitely the most important character in this story. Another one is her friend William, who is also a writer. He and Alex hit it off, encouraging each other and teasing each other at the same time. His role in the story is almost as important as Alex's.

Now a bit about the story and the mystery. The Mast is a hotel in the quaint town of Alvin's Landing. Everybody living there knows everybody else. Not many secrets or surprises...until Trevor Kaine shows up and everything is turned upside-down. He's going to purchase The Mast and all of the property that goes with it, and the story revolves around what his plans are, including who is on his side and who is against him. I shouldn't tell any more or it will spoil the suspense. I can safely guarantee that you will love this book. I sure did!

[Maureen Archibald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book to cozy up with on a cold day. If you like murder mystery. The story was plausible as the character was an investigative journalist, which cannot be said for other murder mysteries I have read.

[Jenni Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! So many characters but they were woven into the story in ways that made them easy to keep track of. Now I’m moving on to the next book from this author— can’t wait!!!

[Rachelle Bachiu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this mystery. Could not put it down. Excellent characters and story. Will be reading more from this author.

[Febritri · Rating 3 out of 5]

RATE 3.5/5

Setelah berhasil selamat dalam perlawanannya terhadap Kanker, Alex Paige, kembali sebagai dirinya dahulu, seorang Jurnalis yang menulis untuk blognya sendiri. Alex diundang ke sebuah negara bagian untuk menghadiri pertemuan para jurnalis. Setelah bertahun-tahun vakum, Alex akhirnya bisa bertemu teman sesama jurnalis.
Alex bertemu William, teman sejawatnya yang sudah cukup lama tidak ditemuinya. Bersama dengan camper van milik William, mereka mengenang masa-masa lalu. Diluar dugaan, ternyata Alex mengungkap sesuatu yang menyebalkan. Alex bertemu dengan Kaine, orang yang dulu pernah Alex lawan. Sekarang Kaine berusaha untuk mendapatkan The Mast (penginapan tempat Alex menginap), beserta wilayah di sekitarnya.
Insting Alex mengatakan bahwa ada sesuatu yang salah pada proses jual-beli The Mast. Saat ada Kaine, bisa dipastikan bahwa ada motif tersembunyi dibalik usahanya membeli The Mast dan Reserve. Sampai suatu pagi, saat tur para jurnalis sedang berjalan. Tunangan pemilik The Mast ditemukan mati tertembak di Reserve.

Secara garis besar kisah misteri karangan Theresa L. Carter cukup menarik. Tidak terlalu banyak plot twist, namun tetap ada hal yang membuat kita terheran-heran. Sesuai dengan tajuk "cozy mystery series", kisah Alex Page dan kawannya, William, memang membuat pembaca merasa nyaman dan ngeflow dengan alur cerita yang disajikan. hanya saja, menurutku karakter tiap tokoh bisa digali lebih dalam dan intens. Karena beberapa karakter penting seperti Kaine dan Evelyn kaya kurang "dikenal" oleh pembaca.
Aku beri rate 3,5 karena memang se cozy itu kisahnya, cenderung gaada naik turunnya. Nyaman tapi gak menantang.

[Xiaoqing · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book from this author and I absolutely loved it! The murder mystery is interesting and well written, but it is the MC Alex Paige and one of the important side character Evelyn that are most unique, there are very few books with the main characters suffering from cancer, going through Chemo, and yet still came out a winner, this book is special that it not only showed us the tough and smart cancer survivor enjoying life, but also fully functional, and help caught the killer. It is uplifting and inspiring. Also I love the small town setting and the author showed us some characters that are not all bad, like in real life, there are gray zones.

[Jean Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex is a former investigative journalist who is now a travel writer after surviving cancer. Her first writers gathering turns out very differently than she expects. Well-written with excellent character development and an interesting mystery. Alex hasn't lost her touch and keeps going until the villain is revealed. Twists and turns along with intrigue and danger throughout. I received a copy of the book and this is my voluntary, honest review.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

William keeps nabbing the hunks

Door county is beautiful and a great location for a travel writer to visit. Especially if you love a rustic environment next to a lake, a view, and nature all around you. When a developer swoops in to destroy it all, and uses amoral means to obtain the property, Alex with the help of William will do her best to help her new friends solve a murder, save a nature reserve, and the lovely inn.

[Kelley D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex had the life from investigative reporter, travel writer to beating cancer. She’s back! That’s right, her first writers gathering proves to be more than she expected. The character development was spot on. This story had me held captive from the first chapter surprising to the final twist at the end.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of development in Door County! Small town politics connected to Chicago crime. Close friends and family with lifelong history. What brings people to vacation in Door county? Cherries are mentioned a few times. The Mast is definitely a legacy property in Alvin’s Landing. Did I mention blackmail and murder?

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to an excellent written cozy mystery. It caught and held my attention throughout the book. The characters were fun, and even though, the mystery was serious, there was still plenty of humor. Recommend reading.

[Karin Tillotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who killed Nick and why??? Regection??? I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.

[Carol Taylor burlew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok read. Supposedly set in the area where I live, but not too much familiarity in the story. I had trouble keeping the characters straight.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has great characters and a plot with several twists that may surprise you. An enjoyable read.

[Liza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I knew but also thought I was wrong. I enjoyed the plot.

[Duane Ohmie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book.

This book was a joy to read. It just pulled you in and kept you guessing right to the very end. I