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A Sunset Ridge Mystery #1

The Type-A Guide to Solving Murder

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Sam turns murder into her most challenging project yet.

Samantha Prescott has a knack for getting things done. Whether it’s organizing a bake sale, hosting a book club, or volunteering at the local animal shelter, she always has a plan and a smile. But when she and her husband move to the sleepy neighborhood of Maple Hills, she wonders if she's in over her head.

Maple Hills is a chaotic mess of barking dogs, a draconian homeowners association, and an enigmatic neighbor who's more rumor than reality. Undeterred by disorder, Sam plunges headfirst into her new community, armed with checklists and a determined smile.

The chaos reaches a crescendo with the sudden demise of the HOA president at a seemingly idyllic neighborhood picnic. Armed with her keen organizational skills, Sam is determined to unravel the mystery behind the murder.

Will Sam solve the murder? Or will her meddling lead her down a perilous path, jeopardizing not only her reputation, but her life?



226 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 9, 2024

36 people are currently reading
44 people want to read

About the author

Elizabeth Spann Craig

87 books471 followers
Author also writes under Elizabeth Craig

Elizabeth is the bestselling cozy mystery author of the Southern Quilting mysteries, the Myrtle Clover Cozy Mysteries, the Village Library Mysteries, and Memphis Barbeque mysteries for Penguin Random House, Midnight Ink, and independently. Find out more about her books and sign up for her newsletter on her website: http://elizabethspanncraig.com . Find her books on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list...

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5 stars
50 (58%)
4 stars
15 (17%)
3 stars
17 (20%)
2 stars
2 (2%)
1 star
1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
6 reviews
June 12, 2024
Very different from author's previous style

I gave this book 3 stars since I'm not sure if I like this story line. I've always like all the other books by this author but had a difficult time warming up to the main character Sam. The story didn't flow like her usual mysteries and it seemed the ending was just put there to close the book. I think I'll pass on this series unless the next book is free.
Profile Image for Lady Galaxy.
851 reviews
June 17, 2025
The main character of this book is a hard one for me to like because she is the type of person I don't get along with well in real life. Her obsessive need for order got on my last nerve. I like a little clutter. I had a poster taped to my desk when I was teaching that showed a desk piled with papers that were loosely stacked and teetering and the quote, attributed to Albert Einstein, “If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” Her desire to be head of the HOA also makes her questionable to me. WHO in their right mind would want that job except for a control freak? I think an HOA is an abomination and should be declared unconstitutional. I'm so glad I live in an area free of that type of control. However, I liked some of her neighbors, even Nora (though I suspect if the series continues Nora may eventually end up being a murder victim). The relationship between her and her husband seemed awkward and totally lacking any sort of sense of compatibility or chemistry. She did win me over a little when she rescued the dog, and I love that dog.

The book was well written, and the mystery kept me guessing. I'll definitely give the series another try.
Profile Image for Gwendolyn Brooks.
94 reviews
April 17, 2024
This is the first novel in a new series by one of my favorite cozy mystery authors, Elizabeth Spann Craig. I really enjoyed this book, as much her other mysteries. I think there 3 or 4 others, and so far, all of them are really great!

Until this book, my favorite was Spann's Myrtle Clover series, but, after reading this one, I believe that Samantha and her sweet rescue Arlo are going to give Myrtle and her sidekick Miles some serious competition for the title, "best cozy mystery sleuths."

Like her other mystery solvers, Craig's Samantha has several quirks, and I really love that she's given Sam such a penchant for list-making! The twist at the end, and the way that the killer is revealed was unexpected (looking back it should have been obvious, but hindsight is always 20/20!) and deftly handled!

Great start to a new series, and a "most satisfactory," read!
115 reviews4 followers
April 20, 2024
WOW! Fabulous read!

Wow! Just WOW! I never saw this end coming. Total surprise ending. Loved this book. Couldn’t put it down. Sam is a great leading character. Write more like this one!! Loved the neighborhood residents. Can hardly wait to see how Nora, Olivia, and Alfred and Mandy neighbors grow into key characters in future books. Love the couple’s involvement! So endearing and lifelike for southern neighborhoods.
Profile Image for Sandy.
858 reviews14 followers
June 17, 2025
What a fine start to a new series! When the HOA president suddenly drops dead at a neighborhood picnic, Sam investigates. This fun cozy murder mystery has a nice twisty plot, nicely developed characters, and fine storytelling. Recommended! I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.
Profile Image for Karen Babri.
28 reviews3 followers
August 28, 2025
I read this book as I really the author’s series featuring Myrtle Clover. Those books are filled with fun and humor. Type-A was flat. The characters weren’t engaging. The mystery was easy to solve. I’ll stick with Myrtle.
Profile Image for Anne.
450 reviews8 followers
July 23, 2024
This was a good start to a cozy series. I enjoyed the story but had it figured out most of the way. Still needed Sam’s expertise at the finish. Looking forward to the next in the series.
1 review
January 7, 2025
A Page Turner

Excellent reading. I also loved the Myrtle Clover series. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Jemi Fraser.
Author 34 books74 followers
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July 13, 2025
A fun start to a new series with a new amateur sleuth!
Great cast of characters and a mystery that has lots of twists and red herrings!
Profile Image for Cassie Kelley.
Author 5 books14 followers
February 7, 2025
When Samantha and her husband move into a large new home in a good neighborhood, she doesn’t expect for things to be all that exciting. But then the president of the HOA ends up dead at a neighborhood luncheon, and Sam can’t help but be concerned. Following her Type-A personality quirks, she begins to make a list of suspects. But when another body turns up, Sam realizes all is not as it seems in this neighborhood. Chan she figure out who’s killing the neighbors, or is she next in line?

This is a wonderful introduction to a new series by Elizabeth Spann Craig. Samantha is a delightful change from Myrtle Clover and her antics, so different yet unique. Her Type-A traits lend credence to her surprising sleuthing abilities, and the mystery has a twist that will shock you. The other characters are all interesting, and it’s fun to wonder who will become recurring characters. Overall, a good start to a new series that I hope will become as beloved (to me) as Myrtle Clover. Though it is hard to top the gnomes, if you enjoyed Craig’s other cozies, give this one a shot. Or if you’re looking for a new series with a new sleuth, this book is a great one to try out.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews

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