Dotty and the Deadly Deception

Dotty Drinkwater #11

by Diane Ezzard

An explosion rocks the local community, especially when the dead body of a famous rock star is pulled out of the burning embers.

Halloween night wasn't meant to go off with a bang but that was precisely what happened when Dotty and her friends went out trick or treating. Zombies, ghosts and witches looked on in horror as the scene unfolded. The explosion at the barn shocked everyone, even more so when Stevie Sheriff's dead body was pulled from the wreckage along with a trunk full of famous art paintings. Stevie was the bass guitarist with Trevolution, the successful local band that had made good.

The annual fancy dress party took on a more sinister flavour this year and Dotty soon becomes embroiled in unravelling the mystery surrounding the deadly incident.

Genres: Mystery Thriller

199 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 12, 2023

About the author

I'm a self-published author. I like to write emotionally charged psychological thrillers and mysteries about everyday people in seemingly ordinary circumstances until something goes badly wrong in their lives.

FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK -
my link text

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER -
my link text

VISIT MY AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE -
my link text

Reviews

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Diane Ezzard writes an incredible Dottie book that keeps you engaged on so many levels! The 11th book in this series and you still want more. This book has all your favorite characters, is fast paced with a main plot and subplots. With so many twists and turns and Dottie not able to keep herself away from investigating the murder of one of the members of the up and coming local bands, Trevolution. We begin with Dottie and her friends, their husbands, except for Kylie's boyfriend, Sam head out with their little ones trick or treating and getting excited over the upcoming bon fire when as they were walking, the barn that holds the fireworks and where the bon fire usually happens blows up and burns to the ground. Shocked at this event, the group is even more shocked when a body is pulled from the rubble. Was this an accident or murder. But, we find it is murder. And not just anyone, but the murder of Stevie Sheriff one of the band members. And unusual things were found around the barn site. With so many possible suspects, Dottie gets involved with the investigation contrary to her husband, Robin's wishes, but she can't help herself. And when the wife of the murdered victim asks her to come to her house to do her hair, she knows that will be a helpful snooping job. This is so much fun to try to follow with so many twists and turns, red-herrings and dead ends that keeps you turning pages. I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[John Presler · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Dotty, Kylie, and some friends are out trick or treating with their children, a massive explosion occurs at the barn where the Bonfire is planned for the following week. To complicate matters, the body of Stevie Sheriff, a member of the local band Trevolution is pulled from wreckage. Also among the wreckage is a collection of expensive art paintings. Dotty notices that Stevie's wife, Zoe, does not seem to be upset regarding the death of her husband. Zoe is more concerned about her appearance in the news and hires Dotty to do her hair, offering to pay more than Dotty's usual rate. Dotty is worried about Zoe's attitude, but is not sure how to approach the subject with the widow.

Dotty also gets the impression that other members of the group and their spouses are not exactly on the best of terms, but has not actual proof to support her suspicions. The group's roadie and tech guy, Johnno, seems to have mysteriously disappeared and their manager, Sean O'Brien, also has quite a history with the police.

Was Stevie's death an accident or murder? Who planted the bomb? How does the bomb relate to the box of paintings in the barn? Can Dotty unravel the tangle of lies to unmask the culprit?

Diane Ezzard has another fantastic mystery with her latest Dotty Drinkwater episode. There are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged clear to the surprising conclusion.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Dotty and the Deadly Deception' was thrilling. Moreover, the enthralling plot, which began set around Halloween, was filled with intrigue, suspense, and bits of hilarity. The compelling storyline, which ended on Christmas, had the reader on a roller-coaster ride of emotions as to who could have committed the murder of Stevie Sheriff, a member of the pop group Trevolution. Dotty, a busybody, wanted to be in the know, but she rubbed some of the suspects the wrong way and was left with hurt feelings. However, retiring DI Alan Gilmore led the charge! With a couple of twists and turns, the reader kept wondering about the suspects. Additionally, I loved the author's use of imagery and other vivid descriptions which helped to create a lively ironic tone. Overall, I enjoyed reading the narrative.
I received a copy for free and am voluntarily giving my honest review.

[Susan Hamann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dotty and her friends are ready for a fun evening out with a bonfire. However, the barn where the fireworks are being stored catches on fire. When the smoke clears, there is a body and a mystery to solve beyond who killed the man.

Dotty inadvertently gets sucked into the mystery. She tries to gather information and she gets herself in danger - again.

Good fun storytelling. Almost any reader can read and enjoy this series.

I received an advance reader copy of the book. This is my honest review.

[Paula Corregan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable and engaging book. It had personable characters , a good plot and intrigue. Dotty Drinkwater, salon owner and amateur sleuth, tries to discover who murdered a member of the pop band, Trevolution, who was killed in an explosion in Farmer Murphy's barn. Was the culprit the victim's wife, another member of the band, or someone else? Find out by reading this unputdownable mystery. I highly recommend it to other mystery readers. I received an ARC of this book, and the opinion expressed is strictly my own.

[Linda Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first of the Dotty books that I’ve read, & I am well impressed. Unusually for a cozy mystery the sleuth does not solve the case. It’s a police drama, but with a lot of local ordinary person interaction. It’s very cleverly written. My interest was held throughout. I’m looking forward to reading more of the Dotty series. I received an Advance Reader Copy from the author & I am writing a voluntary honest review.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dottie is a mom now! She has to make appointments around her son Luke. While the gang is out trick or treating there is a massive explosion across the road. At the site of the following weeks bonfire. They group watches in horror as a body is taken out of the now destroyed barn. Robin, Dotties husband, does not want her investigating. When Dottie gets the call to do the widow’s hair, she can’t help snoop for info.
The women r all grown up with kids of their own now but that doesn’t stop them from getting into trouble! I love all the Dottie book, this one especially! It had some twists and turns. If not for Dotties snooping I would never have figured it all out! I highly recommend this book and this series! It’s a quick fun read!

[Loretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dotty and her best friends are getting ready for the Halloween party at her friend Kylies house. Being a mother now along with her friends with the children take them trick or treating before going to the party when an old barn explodes and burns down. The body of a rock star Stevie Sheriff bass player and some painting are found in the ashes. Of course Dotty had to get involved trying to solve the case that the police were investigating.

[Tom Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first Dotty book and I did find it enjoyable.
There is a good mixture of characters, and the descriptions of the people and places also helped to bring you into this easy to read story.
I recommend adding this to your must-read list.
I received this arc for free and I wanted to leave an honest review.

[Bonny Rambarran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dotty loves to figure out stuff.
She’s a hairdresser — and gets called to a superstar’s home. And she meets a man who is a superstar that she really likes. And then she realizes he is not as nice as she thought , . . .and life gets interesting as she tries to solve the murder. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and comments are my own.

[Rendalynn S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice Read for a Lazy Afternoon

I really don't know what I was expecting as I hadn't read the first book yet. It was surprising to me that Dotty wasn't as interactive with the police. She just tends to fall into situations, which is a new take for me. I did enjoy the story and want to read more of her adventures.

[Amy Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dotty is a busy mom and works hard with her hai salon jobs. The book is amazing keeps you going with all teh suspense and twist and turns. I was very surprised with the ending How she managed to solve it without getting herself in trouble.

[Gardenstatekate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting twists and turns

This cozy had some very interesting twists and turns. The characters were very likable. I would love to read more about this friend group and what they get up to together!

[Kathy L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good cozy mystery

Dotty is now managing running her own hair salon and raising a baby. When she gets a chance to do hair for a model married to a rock star who would expect murder being involved?

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every second of this book! Fast paced, keeps you on your toes and the characters make you feel like you’re one of them! Definitely will be reading more by this author!!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book. Once Dotty knows of a mystery she has to solve it. Fast paced, great characters that draw you in and don’t let go until the mystery is solved.

[Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

very British

Dotty and the Deadly Deception has a moderately engaging plot, but I didn’t love the characters. Dotty seems more like a nosey Parker than an amateur detective.

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dotty is outside a barn when there is a big explosion destroying the structure. Later they saw a body removed. Dotty is forever trying to help the police and it almost got her hurt. She and friend Kylie end up with friends and family for a nice holiday dinner. Good story involving a rock band their familys and the crazy stuff that can happen.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wanted to read this book because it starts out at Halloween, the plot was intriguing, and it was free (not necessarily in that order). I think it may have been more enjoyable if I had read some of the others in the series first, as I would have had familiarity with the characters and their histories. All in all, though, a fun read.

[Kevin Cannon (Monty's Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An explosion on Halloween, a dead musician and a hair-dressing appointment with the grieving widow pitch Dotty into a murder investigation.

Fun cozy murder mystery. Another solid entry in the Dotty Drinkwater series.