By Carolyn Maplewood
The Secret Santa Caper
Cozy Murder Mystery | A Chrismas Novella Quick Read
Welcome to Hickory Hills—a town where holiday cheer comes wrapped in tinsel, mystery, and a dash of danger.
Josie McCarthy, owner of the beloved Novel Grounds book café, was expecting a season full of cocoa, cozy reads, and community cheer. But when a Shoplifting Santa disrupts the Christmas Market, and a respected professor is found dead at the university’s holiday gala, Josie’s quiet holiday plans take an unexpected turn.
Teaming up with Caleb, the town’s ruggedly handsome police deputy with whom she shares more than a little mistletoe-induced tension, Josie dives headfirst into a puzzle of academic secrets, whispered mafia ties, and a priceless ancient coin that holds more power than she could ever imagine.
Alongside her best friend Holly and the ever-resourceful university duo Max and Stanzi, Josie must navigate a web of intrigue that threatens to expose more than just holiday surprises. With the snow-laden streets of Hickory Hills as their backdrop—and a live nativity scene that quickly turns into comic chaos—Josie will need every ounce of her resourcefulness and courage to unravel the truth.
But as rumors swirl about a scandalous photo and whispers of an affair with a dashing duke, she’ll have to clear her name before her reputation—and the safety of those she loves—ends up on the naughty list. Can Josie piece together the clues and solve the case before another holiday disaster strikes? Or will this Christmas be her last?
Perfect for fans of festive mysteries with a touch of humor, heartfelt friendships, and a hint of romance, Secret Santa Heist will have you turning pages long after the Christmas lights have dimmed.
Cozy Mystery Author
Carolyn Maplewood
Carolyn Maplewood grew up in a small town in Missouri, and she still calls it home—just like the fictional characters in her cozy mysteries. She’s an unabashed fan of classic 80s TV shows like ‘Murder, She Wrote’ and ‘Scarecrow and Mrs. King’. Carolyn brings a touch of that nostalgic charm into her own writing. She’s never met a cozy mystery she didn’t love, and she crafts stories filled with quirky characters, sweet romance, and intriguing puzzles that’ll keep you guessing until the end.
Autumn is Carolyn’s favorite season, and you’ll often find her soaking up the beauty of fall with her trusty Goldendoodle by her side, a cup of coffee in hand, and her mischievous cat curled up nearby. Whether it’s the crunch of leaves underfoot or the smell of firewood in the air, she’s in her element when the world is blanketed in shades of orange and gold.
Carolyn writes the kind of stories she loves to read—packed with small-town charm, quirky characters, sweet romance, and, of course, a deliciously puzzling mystery. So, grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and escape to the heart of her charming, small-town mysteries.
Welcome to the world of Carolyn Maplewood Mysteries!
Grab a cup of coffee, cozy up, and dive into small-town intrigue, quirky characters, and sweet romance—because in my books, the mystery is always clean, clever, and full of heart...
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Pickleball & Peril
Cozy Mystery | Short Story
The competition isn’t the only thing heating up at the annual Hickory Hills pickleball tournament. When Mandy Morrison, the high-strung and overbearing tournament director, suddenly collapses mid-game, whispers about her tampered sports drink send shockwaves through the small town.
Josie McCarthy, the owner of the beloved book café Novel Grounds, can’t shake the feeling that something more sinister is at play. With her trusty friends by her side—and maybe a little help from the town’s handsome deputy, Caleb Barlow—Josie digs into the town’s tangled web of rivalries, secrets, and grudges.
As tensions mount and suspicions swirl, Josie races to uncover the truth before someone else gets hurt. In Hickory Hills, nothing is ever as peaceful as it seems…
