Death By Association

The Desert Pines Mystery #1

by Julie Titterington

A small town, full of secrets. A burned-out barista, hiding from her past. A dozen crazy neighbors, and a President mad with power. Welcome to the HOA meeting from hell!

Jane McLaren is happy living and working in the sleepy resort village of Desert Pines, Oregon – or so she tells herself. She has a home with her feisty grandfather for as long as she wants it, a steady job as a barista, and no questions asked.

Boredom may be a small price to pay for privacy, but Jane quickly discovers that when nothing has meaning, you might start to care about anything. Even the HOA.

After a minor town scandal escalates into something more sinister, neighbor turns on neighbor and the annual meeting of the homeowners association ends in open murder.

Can this unwilling amateur sleuth solve the mystery before it's too late, or will the murderer strike again?

Clever, cozy, and fun, Death By Association delivers a complex mystery, a lovable cast of characters, and a strong message about what it means to face your past, no matter how much it hurts.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery

337 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 27, 2022

About the author

Julie Titterington is an author, essayist, and editor who lives in the beautiful Willamette Valley. When she's not hanging out with her husband and three children, she can be found baking, eating, and reading mysteries from the Golden Age, in that order.

Reviews

[Anissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one had me hooked and though I suspected the murderer, I thoroughly enjoyed the Why so very much. Jane was a good amateur sleuth and a good main character to follow. I liked all the supporting cast as well and had some laughs also. This was a well-constructed mystery and while I have not and have no desire to live in a community with an HOA, I enjoyed the themed topic. Conducting a murder investigation with a wildfire bearing down on a community added a bit of urgency and worry to the police and village residents. I was predisposed to enjoy a cozy and very much one set in a mountain town, so I wasn't surprised I enjoyed this but I must say this was written very well and a bit of a level up from the usual. This also kicks off my autumnal reading season and I love a seasonal book.

I thought I read this through Kindle Unlimited but I was mistaken, I bought this on my Kindle. I have already downloaded the next to read via Kindle Unlimited. Recommended.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I was intrigued by the description of this book, so I decided to take a chance on it. Immediately I became invested in Jane and why she decided to leave her life behind to start over.
As the story progressed, I became attached to all the characters and found myself gasping in disbelief when the truth was revealed.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun whodunit that makes great use of psychological insight- both as a clever tool deployed by the story's detective and also as a way of constructing some lively characters. It's those myriad little details of how people approach and interpret their world that really make a character satisfyingly complex.

I also love that the bulk of the story is revealed through the witness interrogation interviews, where the personality of the characters manages to outshine the unfolding of the events. It's wonderfully done and makes for some very entertaining storytelling.

Looking forward to the next one!

[Katherine Strand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook review:

Such a fun listen! A perfect "cozy murder mystery"; exactly what I was looking for. The narrator did an incredible job creating unique voices/personalities for the large cast of characters. I hope to hear her narrate more audiobooks. Looking forward to Julie Titterington's next book!

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death By Association by Julie Titterington is set in the tranquil town of Desert Pines—a setting that protagonist Jane McLaren appreciates for its unhurried pace. Recently relocated to live with her grandfather, Dr. Howard McLaren, Jane starts anew, working as a barista and forming a close friendship with her employer, Timothy. Her routine life takes a sharp turn when a distraught local, Chad, warns her of a brewing "HOA crisis." Jane's curiosity is piqued, but she soon realizes that this local drama is about to escalate into a murder investigation, pulling her into the midst of it due to her unique past skills.

The novel thrives on its dynamic ensemble. The HOA board, a mosaic of philanthropists, doctors, and real estate agents, not only harbors personal secrets but also a collective animosity toward their controversial president, Chad Perenna. The introduction of a determined and charming detective, Joe Conner, adds another layer to the narrative as he seeks Jane's assistance in solving the crime. Titterington excels in crafting deep, multifaceted characters, particularly in detailing Jane’s relationships with Timothy, Detective Conner, and her grandfather. The tensions among the spouses of the board members and the looming threat of wildfires bring additional depth and urgency to the story. Engaging and filled with intrigue, Death By Association is a compelling start to what promises to be an absorbing series. The book’s rich character development and clever plot twists make it a recommended read for those who enjoy thrillers with strong female leads and complex interpersonal dynamics.

Death By Association serves as a captivating introduction to Julie Titterington's new series, expertly weaving suspense and rich character development. The story invites readers to delve into the deceptively quiet world of Desert Pines, where every character conceals layers yet to be uncovered. This novel is an excellent choice for those who appreciate a thriller that balances intrigue with deep personal connections.

[Joseph Rein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane, an implant to the cozy small-town Desert Pines, is bored with her humdrum barista life. The biggest argument in town centers around HOA fees, spurned by an antagonistic email from the president Chad. But when all the citizens of the town arrive at the crucial meeting, a belligerent Chad is discovered dead in a back room. Thus begins the mystery in a town where nothing like this ever happens, until it does.

My favorite aspect of this novel was Jane—a protagonist who both holds her own against any character, but also has a tortured past of her own. Her calm observations, along with the hints of her past, keep the story engaging beyond the mystery. Until the very end, when the twists start flying, Jane stays true to herself. Desert Pines is also wonderfully created: it has all the feel of the suburb you might want to live in, but don’t want to trust.

The novel also follows a long cast of lovable but potentially suspect townsfolk: Karen, the domineering woman seeking the presidency; Howard, the longstanding board member looking to uphold the town’s virtue; Vanessa, Chad’s ex-wife with an attitude; Timothy, who answers every question skittishly; and Buck, the wildcard whose allegiances nobody can trust. These and other characters give the town its unique charm, and also propel the story forward.

I’m diving into the second book in the series immediately!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small Town Drama Leads to Murder

This book was a well-written mystery dealing with the drama of an HOA board and the small town of Desert Pines. It is set against the backdrop of a dangerous forest fire and residents who are all too familiar with the possibility of evacuation. While the book was a bit darker than what I normally read, it still felt cozy enough for my liking and the story drew me in. The mystery had plenty of twists and turns and kept me guessing until the reveal. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are various characters introduced with detailed background and purpose in the story before the narrative resumes from Jane's point of view. Suddenly, the characters introduced are found dead, one by one. Jane needs to make a decision before there are more bodies, despite having hoped to take her secret to the grave.


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Hannah Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I downloaded it on a whim and I was taken on such an enjoyable ride with this "who done it" tale. It was humorous in places and punchy in others. The characters (even the baddy) were diverse and enjoyable to get to know. I liked the "clue" type twists and turns you experience throughout the novel and look forward to continuing the adventure in the next book.

[Melinda Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I so enjoyed this book and once I started, I was hooked. Characters were well developed, plot was intriguing and the twists and turns toward the end added excitement. In fact, I was totally clueless as to the murderer until it was finally revealed. I’d give this first book by Julie Titterington 4.5 stars!

[Celia R. Lubisich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever and Humorous!

In Golden Age Mystery fashion of whodunnit detective stories, Death by Association combines a wide cast of colorful characters, interesting factual information, and convincing evidence that keeps the reader guessing to the end of the novel. Perfect for young adults!

[Ag Kotásek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un misterio de vecindario escrito de una forma ágil y muy fácil de seguir. Sin rollos innecesarios, pero con suficientes datos para entender bien la trama y el desarrollo de los personajes. Esto hace que el ritmo sea fácil de seguir. Aunque funciona como cozy mystery, a veces cae demasiado en clichés de este género.

[Barbara Luce]

Due to the fact I had a big Problem with Amazon and Apple we changed phones and it really long time to read.. I thought it was a good page turner Not the ending you could guess what it was butturned to look, nope nut a fan of that ending...

[Hanna Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am getting more into mystery novels and this one did not disappoint! Got to love a female sleuth who is smart and knows her stuff.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Skater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Discovering this series has been a sheer delight. The characters are interesting and well developed.
The plot is well crafted, with great layers and subtle red herrings. For once I didn't figure out the murderer. The addition of the medical terminology and procedures added a depth and realism to the story line. The only fault I could find was that there are only two published so far. Hopefully we will see more in the future.

[Megan Michie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! Easy to read yet well written. I loved the main character and the plot twists!

[Carlene Massoglia · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF. Got board by page 200 with 100 pages left to go. Story moved like a made for TV movie. I gave it 3 stars, it's well written, easy to follow.

[Nancy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story!

Thoroughly enjoyable book. Wonderful characters and great mystery. Had many surprises and turns. Figured out one culprit but missed another completely.

[Cheryl Bourdet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true crime thriller

Very well written and complicated plot. Excellent characters with hidden quirks and goals that made an excellent story with a good ending.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gosh, what a fun little read! For fans of small-town, cozy mystery books - this is one you have to check out for sure. The dialogue between the characters was my favorite part! I was definitely hooked and would have finished it quickly, but I was in a bit of a slump. The twists and turns were exciting and the ending took me by surprise! I am looking forward to the 2nd book which I plan to read soon 🤎

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5/5!

@scrimshawxbookclub on insta

[JJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised how much I liked this as I’m not even sure what prompted me to buy it.
The characters were well drawn, the main ones were interesting and it was good to read how they slowly came to trust each other while working out the death of a prominent and unpopular townsperson.

[P.J. Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll begin by saying I liked the setting. I particularly appreciated the way the space around them played into the tension of the story. Murder is tense, but murder with the threat of a blazing fire at any moment? An excellent device, and it didn't feel contrived but very relevant to the region.

The story started off slow, but picked up around 1/3 of the way. There were moments that made me laugh, and moments that made me shake my head (39% interest rate???). It isn't perfect, and as mysteries go, I wanted a more structured approach and a stronger character showing. But the writing is clean and the plot is fairly easy to follow.