Death Takes a Fall: A Cotswold Crimes Mystery

"Well-paced and brimming with heart, intelligence, and intricately crafted misdirection, DEATH TAKES A FALL is packed with pulse-pounding twists and heart-stopping turns. Be prepared to stay up late with this fully immersive mystery because it pulls you in and doesn't let go." —Laurie Buchanan, author of the Sean McPherson crime thriller novels

This fabulous second installment in A Cotswold Crimes Mystery series firmly establishes these books as must-read mysteries. American student Maddie McGuire is a quirky amateur sleuth who you can’t help but love as she stumbles (literally) into a horrible criminal ring and puts herself (unwittingly) in mortal danger. The author skillfully builds the sinister plot against the backdrop of the seemingly idyllic setting of Bath, England accompanied by a brilliant cast of characters. Villains are hidden in plain sight, sending the reader on a marvelous twisting, turning jaunt as the culprits and their motives are unveiled. A charming, witty, and terrifyingly delightful mystery!

In author Sharon Lynn’s second adventure in her Cotswold Crimes Mystery series, danger ramps up for nineteen-year-old Maggie McGuire. The American archaeology intern once again discovers a body, this time, in the countryside near Bath, England. Again, she turns detective to solve the grisly crime that somehow feels very personal.

Maggie’s boyfriend, Constable Edward Bailey, assists. But then, he disappears! Maggie’s every lead turns up more questions than answers. Are her colleagues, Dolly and Simon at the Roman Baths excavation site, involved? What about their relatives, Lady Vivian and Viscount Clarence De Valence?

Lynn is adept at creating characters we love or hate. So, when Maggie falls into a deadly situation where escape seems impossible, I found myself genuinely worrying about the sleuth. I couldn’t read the book fast enough to see what happened. I highly recommend this shocking mystery thriller. But be warned: It’s no relaxing English bath.

As a young teen, I'd have loved this series about a college student who is already out in the world having adventures. But even now, it's fun to go back to that time when everything seems possible....

Book #2 opens with Maddie and her boyfriend Edward hiking in the countryside around Bath, England. After she stumbles, Maddie sees a naked, dead body with an unusual tattoo..is it coincidental that Edward has the same one? A kind farmer helps them get back to town, and we meet a cast of intriguing characters - some immediately suspicious, others friendly, but who can she trust aside from Edward? Coincidences start to nag Maddie, and then Edward disappears. She's on her own and her questions might be getting a little too close to the truth.

Maddie is one brave, sharp, young woman -- I'll say that much for her. From the startling beginning on a cliff to a troubled archeological dig in Bath and a mysterious medi-spa in a fine manor house, Maddie shows herself to be a true super-sleuth. Toss in a little romance with a cute cop, and you've got a great read!