The Neighborhood:

A Kay Driscoll Mystery #6

by Susan Bernhardt

A new City Planner and his "Stepford wife" move into Kay Driscoll's neighborhood. The city of Sudbury Falls has a planning committee headed by this newly hired city planner intent on building a dam in the Sudbury River. The purpose, to create a lake for waterfront property featuring high-priced, luxury condominiums that the locals could never afford.

An uproar arises among the citizens who are passionate about the natural beauty of the Sudbury River. A newly formed Sudbury River Protection Society attracts Kay Driscoll and her friends with their “Save the River” movement.

When a murder occurs in the neighborhood, the unexpected happens. Chief Kirk asks Kay for her help in investigating the crime. What is up his sleeve? In the meantime Elizabeth's ex-husband shows up at her book signing after a five-year absence, Deirdre has a community feng shui-inspired May Day celebration at Planetary Herbals, and Janey goes on her first date.

Welcome back to Kay's world.


Available in eBook and Paperback.

212 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2022

About the author

Author of The Ginseng Conspiracy

I'm an author living in northern Wisconsin. Like Kay Driscoll, in my cozy mystery series, I'm a retired public health nurse who volunteers at her local free clinic. An avid reader of mysteries, I'm a member of Sisters in Crime, Inc. and the Wisconsin Writers Association.

My published works include: The Ginseng Conspiracy (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 1), Murder Under the Tree (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 2), Murder by Fireworks (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 3), Paradise Can Be Murder (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 4), Murder Misunderstood (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 5), The Neighborhood (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 6), Repercussions (A Kay Driscoll Mystery Book 7), A Manhattan Murder Mystery (An Irina Curtius Mystery), Dress to Kill (An Irina Curtius Mystery Book 2) "October 31st", "Midsummer", and "John and Madeline."

My town in northern Wisconsin was an inspiration for the quaint setting of my novels. Ninety-five percent of American ginseng is grown in Wisconsin. I live with my husband, William, and have two sons who are both married and also live in Wisconsin.

When not writing, I love to travel, bicycle, kayak, and create culinary magic in my kitchen. I work in stained glass, daydream in my organic garden, stay up late reading mysteries, and eat lots of chocolate.

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The joy of having neighbors.

Spring has arrived in Sudbury Falls bringing blue skies, sunshine, warm weather and death.
Susan Bernhardt has once again taken us into the lives of Kay Driscoll and her best friends Deidre and Elizabeth along with Mayday parties, bonfires and book signings.
We also get to meet a few of the neighbors. Mrs. Anderson, a widow and avid "bird watcher" who seems to know all the comings and goings of the new city planner Todd Weber and his seemingly perfect wife Margo, just by using her telescope to watch the Chestnut-sided Warbler. Plus there seems to be, an unsavory character parked on Kay's street. Is he watching Kay, Deidre, Elizabeth or the Weber's and who exactly is he? Could he be a member of Save the River campaign intent on stopping the city's plan to damn up the river or something as simple as a drummer hoping to solve Phil's perennial problem of finding a drummer for his band?
With all this going on Kay receives news that could change her life. Would it change for the better? And will she live to see it?
This is the best Kay Driscoll yet!

[Marcia Harris-Trotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to hear Susan Bernhardt had written another Kay Driscoll Mystery, The Neighborhood! I absolutely love this series, the author and the colorful characters. I want to live in Sudbury Falls and join Kay, Elizabeth and Deidra on their adventures. These ladies solve their own murder mysteries with little to no help from their donut eating, irritable, and all around unpleasant Chief of Police Kirk.

We have a new couple move into Sudbury Falls, Todd and Margo. Todd has taken the position of City Planner and brings turmoil to this lovely community. We are introduced to a new neighbor, Mrs. Mildred Anderson. She is an avid birdwatcher and I would safely say, head of her own neighborhood watch program. The things you happen to see while birdwatching!

When Todd is suddenly murdered Mrs.Anderson has pertinent information she cannot wait to share with our wonderful sleuths. So Kay, Elizabeth,Deidra and the wonderful Mrs Anderson are on the case.

All of Susan Bernhardt’s books are wonderfully written, very descriptive and detailed. Her storylines and characters are best of the best. It is very obvious when you are reading one of Susan’s books she has a wonderful gift for writing and her Kay Driscoll Mysteries are among my favorites!

[Jo-Ann Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed getting back into the world of Susan Burnhardt's Sudbury Falls. It's the kind of place we would all like to live. It's friendly, caring, and quirky in a down-home way. In other words, it's perfect ... except for the murders.
As Kay the protagonist says , "Most people I know had a deep sense of belonging of commitment to living there ..."
The sixth book in the series, The Neighborhood does not disappoint. It has everything a cozy reader craves--a richly drawn world with realistic characters and a murder to solve. And then there's the patisserie.
I highly recommend this book and the whole series for anyone who loves cozy mysteries.

[Ellis Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this installment of the series, we return to the idyllic Sudbury community where we find Kay and her friends. Kay becomes involved in an environmental project where she meets a new neighbor, a woman described as a “Stepford wife.” Also introduced is Mrs. Anderson, a friendly recluse who watches the street with binoculars under the guise of bird-watching. She knows the comings and goings of everyone on the block. As the story unfolds, we learn more about Kay’s inner circle. Aspects of Elizabeth’s past marriage come to light, Diedre’s business plans for Planetary Herbals take shape, and husband Phil continues his search for the perfect drummer for his band. There are amusing relational dynamics and dialog throughout the novel. When a member of the town ends up murdered and the police chief again finds himself in a muddle, it’s Kay to the rescue. Researching clues, developing a timeline, and using resources in the neighborhood, Kay makes progress, but not before possibly putting herself at risk. This is a fast read with a great plot and characters. Luscious food, fun characters, and dastardly murder make it an exciting cozy mystery!

[SrJean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. I am a Wisconsinite so this series always makes me feel right at home. The setting could be my neighborhood and most of the characters could be my neighbors. That might make the plot seem incidental, but it’s not. Each Murder mystery keeps me riveted to the very last page. This one is especially good when an arrogant, rather obnoxious newcomer is killed in a bar parking lot … It is a satisfying mystery and leaves me wanting more.

[J Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Neighborhood is the perfect title for this entertaining cozy mystery. I enjoyed this series by Susan Bernhardt. Throughout all the books in the series, she creates well-developed characters, beautiful settings and red herrings! I did not solve the mystery until the murderer was revealed at the end. If you are a cozy mystery reader, you will enjoy cuddling up with this book.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another perfect cozy mystery. I love getting lost in Sudbury Falls, laughing at all of the mishaps that Kay and her friends get themselves into. If you love cozy mysteries, you will love this series. It is one of my very favorites!!