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Maple Creek Mysteries #1
Murder Sunrise
Since my big city dreams fell down around my ears and I’ve come back to Maple Creek, I’ve been working at my grandmother’s bar and taking care of the cute little dog I found at the side of the road.
My grandmother is capable of lots of things, but murder isn’t one of them.
When our handsome sheriff suspects her, I know it’s up to me to get Grams out of jail so she can get back to hustling bikers at pool and midnight drives in her ’72 Cadillac convertible.
If I fail, all of our lives will be turned upside down.
My grandmother is capable of lots of things, but murder isn’t one of them.
When our handsome sheriff suspects her, I know it’s up to me to get Grams out of jail so she can get back to hustling bikers at pool and midnight drives in her ’72 Cadillac convertible.
If I fail, all of our lives will be turned upside down.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 27, 2022
785 people are currently reading
766 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
October 19, 2022
Fun cozy mystery with humor! Sweet rescue dog. Down-home characters. Lots of twists and turns to throw a reader off the real killer trail. I enjoyed the story, and recommend to cozy mystery readers.
September 24, 2023
I loved this book! This is a new author for me, and I immediately fell in love with the characters, the story, and of course, Nellie.
October 6, 2023
A great short story.
November 1, 2023
The first in a series. Kelly gets a phone call from her Grams that she has cancer and wants Kelly to come home. As she has just broken up with her fiancé and hates her job she packs up and goes home to Maple Creek. Along the way she finds a stray, apparently injured by a car and takes him to the vet. When she gets there she finds out Grams is fine but she wanted her granddaughter to come home. The next day, Gram’s “boyfriend” is found murdered in the alley behind her bar, beaten with the baseball bat Gram’s keep behind the bar for trouble ( which she has never had to use). No one thinks Grams killed him but all the evidence points to her. And new evidence comes to light as well. Turns out the boyfriend was scam artist preying on elderly women and taking their savings and homes before moving onto the next victim and Grams was set to be the next victim. Indeed it was discovered a large sum of money was gone from her business account at the bank. Kelly must investigate outside the rules because there is no way her gram committed murder, but someone did. Great characters!
March 15, 2024
Easy read for a murder/mystery!
April 2, 2023
My new series
I don't know how I found this book. I hadn't read anything by this author before. I just stumbled on to her book and thought I'd give it a look. I'm glad I did. It was fun reading about Kelly, a feisty artist who just moved back to her small town home after years in New York City. She came back home because her life in NYC was no longer going the way she liked and her grandma, "Grams", as everyone knows her, called and asked her to come back because she was dying. On her way back home, she found a little dog who is sick, hurt, and malnourished. She loads the pup into her car and brings her to the town vet. Kelly no sooner gets back home when Grams is arrested for the murder of an ex-boyfriend who turned out to be a swindler and crook who took advantage of the elderly women he dated. What I liked about this book is that Kelly is smart. She doesn't act flirty and coy when around the males she interacts with, and when threatened, she doesn't whimper - she gives as good as she gets. When she said she was going to make sure Grams didn't go to prison for murder, she meant it, and she wasn't letting the Sheriff stop her. He tells her that he'll lock her up for interfering in the case. She tells him to go ahead. And she visits the dog she saved every day while she's in the vet hospital. Kelly doesn't pretend that she doesn't want to keep the pup. She falls in love with the pup and starts plotting how she can keep her. That was refreshing, and I loved that she'd do that. I'm glad I found this series, and I'm going to continue on with it.
I don't know how I found this book. I hadn't read anything by this author before. I just stumbled on to her book and thought I'd give it a look. I'm glad I did. It was fun reading about Kelly, a feisty artist who just moved back to her small town home after years in New York City. She came back home because her life in NYC was no longer going the way she liked and her grandma, "Grams", as everyone knows her, called and asked her to come back because she was dying. On her way back home, she found a little dog who is sick, hurt, and malnourished. She loads the pup into her car and brings her to the town vet. Kelly no sooner gets back home when Grams is arrested for the murder of an ex-boyfriend who turned out to be a swindler and crook who took advantage of the elderly women he dated. What I liked about this book is that Kelly is smart. She doesn't act flirty and coy when around the males she interacts with, and when threatened, she doesn't whimper - she gives as good as she gets. When she said she was going to make sure Grams didn't go to prison for murder, she meant it, and she wasn't letting the Sheriff stop her. He tells her that he'll lock her up for interfering in the case. She tells him to go ahead. And she visits the dog she saved every day while she's in the vet hospital. Kelly doesn't pretend that she doesn't want to keep the pup. She falls in love with the pup and starts plotting how she can keep her. That was refreshing, and I loved that she'd do that. I'm glad I found this series, and I'm going to continue on with it.
December 20, 2024
"Murder Sunrise" is book #1 in "Maple Creek Mysteries" by Liz Lamar.
Kelly Lewis is lured back to her hometown at her grandmothers request even though she wasn't really sure she wanted to go back to the small town. Turns out things are a bit more exciting back home than she thought - especially when her beloved Gram becomes the prime suspect in the murder of her ex boyfriend who was also a con man. No one who knows Gram believes that she could possibly have killed someone but proving it is going to take some real creative snooping!
Kelly and Gram are both spitfires who aren't afraid to take a stand and don't quit. They truly love each other and despite the serious circumstances, their dialogue can also be quite playful and a bit snarky.
Reacquainting herself with old friends and getting to know some of the regulars of the Feisty Goat Bar makes for some interesting conversations and realizations. There is a lot of potential for future plots and relationships!
On her way back home, Kelly had also found a badly malnourished, injured dog whom she took to the vet. Her regular visits to visit the dog were touching and well written.
The overall story was an entertaining cozy read with a wonderful cast of core characters and sprinkled with witty/snarky comments!
Kelly Lewis is lured back to her hometown at her grandmothers request even though she wasn't really sure she wanted to go back to the small town. Turns out things are a bit more exciting back home than she thought - especially when her beloved Gram becomes the prime suspect in the murder of her ex boyfriend who was also a con man. No one who knows Gram believes that she could possibly have killed someone but proving it is going to take some real creative snooping!
Kelly and Gram are both spitfires who aren't afraid to take a stand and don't quit. They truly love each other and despite the serious circumstances, their dialogue can also be quite playful and a bit snarky.
Reacquainting herself with old friends and getting to know some of the regulars of the Feisty Goat Bar makes for some interesting conversations and realizations. There is a lot of potential for future plots and relationships!
On her way back home, Kelly had also found a badly malnourished, injured dog whom she took to the vet. Her regular visits to visit the dog were touching and well written.
The overall story was an entertaining cozy read with a wonderful cast of core characters and sprinkled with witty/snarky comments!
October 25, 2023
A so-so read
Overall, this was pretty underwhelming for me. Though most of the characters were okay, I couldn't get past the arrogant protagonist. She was an artist with no previous PI or law enforcement training but somehow believed she could carry out a murder investigation with more precision than the police and constantly criticized and undermined the force.
Another thing that threw the book off for me is what I think people refer to as "police procedurals." How can the police be recreating a crime scene for evidentiary purposes and have persons away from the defendant there? Persons who, may I add, are laughing throughout the entire event. There were a number of other inconsistencies like this one that the author unsuccessfully tried to explain away with "small town logic."
Needless to say, I won't be sticking around for the rest of this series.
Overall, this was pretty underwhelming for me. Though most of the characters were okay, I couldn't get past the arrogant protagonist. She was an artist with no previous PI or law enforcement training but somehow believed she could carry out a murder investigation with more precision than the police and constantly criticized and undermined the force.
Another thing that threw the book off for me is what I think people refer to as "police procedurals." How can the police be recreating a crime scene for evidentiary purposes and have persons away from the defendant there? Persons who, may I add, are laughing throughout the entire event. There were a number of other inconsistencies like this one that the author unsuccessfully tried to explain away with "small town logic."
Needless to say, I won't be sticking around for the rest of this series.
November 27, 2023
A fun little story which shows that older people can still have exciting lives. That is probably what drew me to the book...one of the main characters was in her seventies and still very active. Accused of murdering her former boyfriend, her granddaughter is determined to prove her grandmother innocent.
We do have the standard "girl leaves home for the big city, doesn't make it, and comes back home" only to find the people she left have changed ....or in some cases, that her good freinds are still there for her. The relationships developed have left things open for the next books that might be coming.
Not a difficult read; something light and fun to read. While it might nor be a 5-star book in great literature, it is good for this type of literature.
We do have the standard "girl leaves home for the big city, doesn't make it, and comes back home" only to find the people she left have changed ....or in some cases, that her good freinds are still there for her. The relationships developed have left things open for the next books that might be coming.
Not a difficult read; something light and fun to read. While it might nor be a 5-star book in great literature, it is good for this type of literature.
December 29, 2024
Murderer Sunrise is a fun cozy mystery. Kelly Lewis is living in New York where "life just kept whacking her in the kneecaps with a reality two-by-four". Her boyfriend Roger disappeared so when her grandmother calls and says she is dying, she packs up her things and moves back to Maple Creek. Kelly soon finds out that she has been conned but before she can really confront her grandmother, Grams is arrested for murder. Her ex, Austin Jones, was found dead in the alley outside her bar--the Feisty Goat Bar. While sleuthing, Kelly reconnects with her high school best friend--Lynn Ross, the sheriff, and veterinarian Dr. Michael Sheba. I loved the interactions with Kelly's rescue dog. Maple Creek is a cute small town and Gram and her friends are a hoot!
July 12, 2025
This is the first book in the Maple Creek Mysteries series by Liz Lamar. Kelly Lewis returns to Maple Creek after her big-city dreams fall apart. She starts working at her grandmother Irene White’s bar and takes in a stray dog she finds on the roadside. However, things take a dark turn when Irene is accused of murdering her ex-boyfriend who was a con artist stealing from elderly women. The local sheriff suspects her, but Kelly knows her grandmother is innocent. On a mission to clear her name, Kelly unearths hidden truths in a town full of secrets—while a captivating sheriff adds an unexpected twist to her investigation. A perfect blend of humor, mystery, and heart, this cozy read promises smiles and suspense in equal measure. I thoroughly enjoyed this charming cozy mystery.
August 17, 2023
Kelly had hoped to take the New York art world by storm. That didn't happen. So, when her grandmother, Grams, asked her to return to her sleepy hometown, Kelly agreed. As fate would have it, it was a blessing she returned as Grams was arrested for murder. Despite the admonishments of the Sheriff, Kelly set out to dig through the victim's past and uncover the real killer.
This was a great mystery! There were enough plot twists to keep the story alive without mudding the waters so much that the plot became hard to follow. Kelly is the epitome of loyalty, making her truly a sympathetic character. I can't wait to go on another adventure with her.
This was a great mystery! There were enough plot twists to keep the story alive without mudding the waters so much that the plot became hard to follow. Kelly is the epitome of loyalty, making her truly a sympathetic character. I can't wait to go on another adventure with her.
September 27, 2023
I really enjoyed this book Kelly has a sneaky con artist grams who conned her into movie back home by saying she was dying. Kelly moves back. Soon after grams is arrested for killing her ex. No grams might put fear in people by saying is gonna tan their hides but she is not capable of killing anyone and Kelly goes sleuthing to help clear her grams. The sheriff is one if the high school football players that Kelly went to school with. He does not believe grams is guilty but the evidence keeps adding up, can Kelly help her grams. The sheriff just wished Kelly would keep to painting and let him do the investigating. Of course Kelly is not gonna stop until all suspicion are away from her grams.
January 26, 2024
4 out of 5 🌟
Kelly is living it large (sort of) in NYC but when she receives a call from her Grams saying she doesn't have long to live. Kelly rushes back home.
Throughout the story she makes a new little puppy friend, catches up with a good old friend of hers and gets to drive the once Mr. hotshot in highschool now an even bigger ass Sheriff up the wall with her antics....
The story is a relatively quick read and you could probably finish it in a day. It's another laugh out loud whodunnit. And I know I'll be thinking about this one for a while too.
To see my full review go to -> rusticbooktravels.home.blog
Kelly is living it large (sort of) in NYC but when she receives a call from her Grams saying she doesn't have long to live. Kelly rushes back home.
Throughout the story she makes a new little puppy friend, catches up with a good old friend of hers and gets to drive the once Mr. hotshot in highschool now an even bigger ass Sheriff up the wall with her antics....
The story is a relatively quick read and you could probably finish it in a day. It's another laugh out loud whodunnit. And I know I'll be thinking about this one for a while too.
To see my full review go to -> rusticbooktravels.home.blog
March 17, 2024
Don't give up a book
I love the characters in the book Grams is one exciting gram to have and the main character is a never give up kind of gal. Now I did have one dislike and I hope the author improves but some of her chapters intro felt like a repeat then the storyline improved. The mystery line was great definitely didn't figure out who done it to the end. The story has a cute dog plot I'm a suckered in right at the mention of DOG. Not a complete love sappy story but a hint of romance that im sure is going to build with this series. Overall I'd give this author a go again ready for the next mystery.
I love the characters in the book Grams is one exciting gram to have and the main character is a never give up kind of gal. Now I did have one dislike and I hope the author improves but some of her chapters intro felt like a repeat then the storyline improved. The mystery line was great definitely didn't figure out who done it to the end. The story has a cute dog plot I'm a suckered in right at the mention of DOG. Not a complete love sappy story but a hint of romance that im sure is going to build with this series. Overall I'd give this author a go again ready for the next mystery.
November 1, 2023
3.5/5. A fun, easy read.
“I needed plenty of coffee before I could deal with happy people first thing”
“I wasn’t a morning person. That meant I wasn’t a person in the morning. I was some kind of mean, growling, spikey beast who grunted at everyone and everything.”
“You can’t be driven batty, you arrived at that location years and years ago, unpacked your bags and bought a house.”
“It’s hard carrying the weight of the world around your shoulders. Then when you’re at breaking point, someone puts one more piece of straw on the pile, and the whole thing crumbles.”
“I needed plenty of coffee before I could deal with happy people first thing”
“I wasn’t a morning person. That meant I wasn’t a person in the morning. I was some kind of mean, growling, spikey beast who grunted at everyone and everything.”
“You can’t be driven batty, you arrived at that location years and years ago, unpacked your bags and bought a house.”
“It’s hard carrying the weight of the world around your shoulders. Then when you’re at breaking point, someone puts one more piece of straw on the pile, and the whole thing crumbles.”
December 7, 2022
Grams is such a hoot!
It was a lot of fun getting to know Kelly and Grams. I hope I’m always as energetic as that lady! I loved the little dog Kelly found and was visiting every day.
It was great how Kelly tracked down the killer and even turned someone who she thought was an enemy into an ally. Great showdown and what a sweet surprise at the end. I’ll definitely be borrowing the next book on KU too.
It was a lot of fun getting to know Kelly and Grams. I hope I’m always as energetic as that lady! I loved the little dog Kelly found and was visiting every day.
It was great how Kelly tracked down the killer and even turned someone who she thought was an enemy into an ally. Great showdown and what a sweet surprise at the end. I’ll definitely be borrowing the next book on KU too.
September 16, 2023
ENJOYED THIS!
First, I love the characters, especially Nick. I dont know why. I wanna meet them all and maybe dance with Grams.
Second, it was indeed cozy. It's not too dark or gory but I still loved reading this.
Lastly, it's not always a detective-mystery thing and it has humor that I'm into.
Thank you for this author! Might save up and buy the next books and join Kelly for the next adventure!
First, I love the characters, especially Nick. I dont know why. I wanna meet them all and maybe dance with Grams.
Second, it was indeed cozy. It's not too dark or gory but I still loved reading this.
Lastly, it's not always a detective-mystery thing and it has humor that I'm into.
Thank you for this author! Might save up and buy the next books and join Kelly for the next adventure!
October 10, 2023
Kelly Lewis moves back to her hometown when her grandmother, Irene White tells her she is dying. That wasn't exactly true, but she was arrested for killing her ex-boyfriend who just so happens to have been a con-artist stealing from elderly women. But Grams is a feisty thing and won't give up without a fight. Kelly is just as stubborn and sticks her nose in the investigation. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
November 24, 2023
Slow paced and missing a sub plot
I love a cozy mystery but this just fell flat for me.
The pacing was very slow and a good cozy mystery always has a sub plot that helps keep your interest.
With three potential lover interests in this book there was potential for a great sub plot but it simply fell flat.
The ending oddly seemed rushed and the sub plot finally took off but was an odd fit.
I love a cozy mystery but this just fell flat for me.
The pacing was very slow and a good cozy mystery always has a sub plot that helps keep your interest.
With three potential lover interests in this book there was potential for a great sub plot but it simply fell flat.
The ending oddly seemed rushed and the sub plot finally took off but was an odd fit.
February 23, 2024
Charming Cozy
It’s a charming Cozy in which Grams’ love of life and feisty nature get her accused of murder. Fortunately her granddaughter Kelly is back home and will stop at nothing to clear her Grams’ name. I enjoyed the building relationships between Kelly,her former high school boyfriend (will their romance pick back up?) as well as new people in town like the attractive lawyer defending Grams.
It’s a charming Cozy in which Grams’ love of life and feisty nature get her accused of murder. Fortunately her granddaughter Kelly is back home and will stop at nothing to clear her Grams’ name. I enjoyed the building relationships between Kelly,her former high school boyfriend (will their romance pick back up?) as well as new people in town like the attractive lawyer defending Grams.
January 1, 2024
Good short read. It was an easy read that kept your attention. A young woman, Kelly, returns to her old town when asked by her grandmother thinking she’s dying. She’s not dying but being charged with murder. Kelly is set to make sure she isn’t charged with murder since there is no way she would do it and the entire town says the same thing. A funny, delightful read.
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February 25, 2024Great cozy
Kelly is called back home by her grams, who said she is dying soon. On the way home, she finds a homeless dog with a broken leg and malnourished. She takes the dog to the local vet and becomes attached on her daily visits. Her Grams gets charged with murder and the investigation begins Great reading
Kelly is called back home by her grams, who said she is dying soon. On the way home, she finds a homeless dog with a broken leg and malnourished. She takes the dog to the local vet and becomes attached on her daily visits. Her Grams gets charged with murder and the investigation begins Great reading
March 11, 2024
What an easy read! Light and loving!🥰. What I liked about this book was that a granddaughter came home after several years to help her grandmother even through she had said that she would never come back. I’m a grandmother and my grandchildren have always been good to me, but I made loving one and another a priority with me! So, I truly enjoyed reading this 🥸
March 14, 2024
This book had me from the first chapter. Every single chapter seemed to tell a story and each was better than the last. I wasn’t expecting all the suspense that was included but I was definitely here for it. Spice was essentially non-existent, but I’m cool with that too. I can’t wait to see what happens in book number 2.
April 13, 2024
Really good book
Kelly's grandmother Grams convinced her that she was dying so that Kelly would return to her hometown. When Grams is accused of murdering someone, Kelly goes on the hunt to track down the real murderer to absolve her grandmother of the murder charge. I really enjoyed this heartfelt book!
Kelly's grandmother Grams convinced her that she was dying so that Kelly would return to her hometown. When Grams is accused of murdering someone, Kelly goes on the hunt to track down the real murderer to absolve her grandmother of the murder charge. I really enjoyed this heartfelt book!
January 8, 2025
A Six Star Cozy Mystery
I was so happy to be introduced to your book. I just loved this easy read book. Any book that includes a loving dog is my cup of tea. I so look forward to enjoying more of you captivating stories. I’m so glad Nellie got the best home now with Kelly.
Robert Ericksen
I was so happy to be introduced to your book. I just loved this easy read book. Any book that includes a loving dog is my cup of tea. I so look forward to enjoying more of you captivating stories. I’m so glad Nellie got the best home now with Kelly.
Robert Ericksen
September 17, 2025
Cute whodunnit with really likeable characters. A lot of nice moments in the book between the main character, Kelly, and the dog, Nellie, she rescued at the beginning of the book. Some other hilarious moments with her kooky grandmother named Grams, the murder suspect. Also a nice returning back home to a small town.
August 22, 2023
Entertaining
Having a feisty untraditional grandmother who owns a bar and dances on table tops, is adventurous. Yet, there are more adventures ahead, after the grandmother is arrested for murder of her ex-boyfriend.
Having a feisty untraditional grandmother who owns a bar and dances on table tops, is adventurous. Yet, there are more adventures ahead, after the grandmother is arrested for murder of her ex-boyfriend.
September 12, 2023
Surprised
I chose this rating because I love it. Everyone should read this book, intrigue, enough scare to make you wonder if on the right path.couldn't put it down even when eyes start to close.thought about what's next going to happen. Thank you for writing this book.
I chose this rating because I love it. Everyone should read this book, intrigue, enough scare to make you wonder if on the right path.couldn't put it down even when eyes start to close.thought about what's next going to happen. Thank you for writing this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews