Tangling a Web of Deceit

Tangling a Web of Deceit published Feb. 5, 2024 by The Wild Rose Press and available at Amazon https://goo.gl/B7lKMs and other book dealers.

The romance mystery novel is set in modern times in a small Ohio town.

Blurb: After stepping in dog doo, Emily Stevenson finds a body in the canal. The dead woman turns out to be the mistress of her co-worker’s spouse. She’s determined to keep her friend from taking back her cheating husband but becomes tangled in a web of deceit and danger.

Officer Travis O’Toole wants to become a detective but not only is Emily a charming distraction, she and her friends keep interfering with the case. He tries to keep her out of trouble only to realize she’s a better partner than adversary.

Excerpt:

Emily extended her hand. “Emily Stevenson. I found the body.”

“What body?” Crane looked up and down the canal. “I don’t see anything. I hope you’re not wasting my time.”

Emily showed him her phone display. “I don’t think she swam or walked away.”

Travis cringed. Crane ate officers for breakfast, and Emily was making witty remarks. At least he couldn’t fire her. His own employment was questionable.

Crane raised his voice, which was already loud. “How do you know it was a woman?”

She pointed at the photograph. “Looks like red nail polish on the fingers. But it could be a man who likes to look pretty.”

Crane reddened and pointed to the same spot where Travis had been casting the pole.” Try over there.” He stepped away from Emily who resumed her seat on the police blanket.

She was naïve and courting trouble. An experienced person would have realized Crane did not appreciate jokes while on the job. 

Travis repeated the toss and drag motion the rhythm of Crane’s voice as he bragged about his latest drug bust. He had the gang surrounded when a female voice interrupted his story.

“Officer O’Toole, Tavis!” Emily stood and pointed at the canal. “Look!”

He had snagged something that bobbed to the surface. A hand with bright red nail polish broke the surface as if to wave.

Crane jabbed the air with his forefinger and rushed to the edge of the canal waters. “Whoa! What have you got there?” 

#romance #mystery #cozy #medical #detective