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The Desert Pines Mystery #3
Death Benefit: A Small Town Mystery
"Fans of the murder mystery genre will find Death Benefit irresistibly engaging..." - Demetria Head, with Readers' Favorite
"Mystery lovers, mark Desert Pines on your maps. This is a place you’ll want to visit again and again!" - Sherri Fulmer Moorer, with Readers' Favorite
Murder, mischief, and a spot of tea—welcome to Desert Pines!
For once, life in Desert Pines is going well for Dr. Jane McLaren. Her medical practice is thriving, her cafe serves the best drinks in town, and her romance with Detective Joe Connor finally feels like the real deal.
But the plot thickens after one of the Hot Lava Java baristas vanishes the same day a Shakespearean Society descends on the small resort town. When a string of harmless pranks at the Society's benefit performance of Hamlet turns fatal, Jane and Joe must sift through a Shakespearean tangle of clues to find a killer before the curtain falls on another victim. With drama spilling over like an overfilled teapot, Jane soon finds herself wondering what’s real—and what is just clever set dressing.
Can they find the culprit before the tragedy spills off the stage—or will they find themselves in hot water?
Death Benefit blends dark secrets, clever twists, and plenty of fun sleuthing in a small-town mystery where ‘all the world’s a stage’—especially when murder takes the spotlight.
"Mystery lovers, mark Desert Pines on your maps. This is a place you’ll want to visit again and again!" - Sherri Fulmer Moorer, with Readers' Favorite
Murder, mischief, and a spot of tea—welcome to Desert Pines!
For once, life in Desert Pines is going well for Dr. Jane McLaren. Her medical practice is thriving, her cafe serves the best drinks in town, and her romance with Detective Joe Connor finally feels like the real deal.
But the plot thickens after one of the Hot Lava Java baristas vanishes the same day a Shakespearean Society descends on the small resort town. When a string of harmless pranks at the Society's benefit performance of Hamlet turns fatal, Jane and Joe must sift through a Shakespearean tangle of clues to find a killer before the curtain falls on another victim. With drama spilling over like an overfilled teapot, Jane soon finds herself wondering what’s real—and what is just clever set dressing.
Can they find the culprit before the tragedy spills off the stage—or will they find themselves in hot water?
Death Benefit blends dark secrets, clever twists, and plenty of fun sleuthing in a small-town mystery where ‘all the world’s a stage’—especially when murder takes the spotlight.
365 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 15, 2024
34 people are currently reading
41 people want to read
About the author
Julie Titterington
16 books57 followersJulie Titterington is an author, essayist, and editor who lives in the beautiful Willamette Valley. When she's not hanging out with her husband and three children, she can be found baking, eating, and reading mysteries from the Golden Age, in that order.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 12, 2025
I've just completed the 3-book series (The Desert Pines Mysteries) by Julle Titterington and I am IMPRESSED by this author.
The series was more than your typical cozy series with the main character--Jane McLaren--trying to figure out what she wants out of life while working as a part-time doctor and cafe owner. She's smart and doesn't make those silly choices typically seen in a cozy mystery, assuming she knows all and better than local law enforcement. The author makes you work for the solution right to the very end and I rated all three books at 5-star reads.
The series was more than your typical cozy series with the main character--Jane McLaren--trying to figure out what she wants out of life while working as a part-time doctor and cafe owner. She's smart and doesn't make those silly choices typically seen in a cozy mystery, assuming she knows all and better than local law enforcement. The author makes you work for the solution right to the very end and I rated all three books at 5-star reads.
July 22, 2024
Dr. Jane, the owner of Desert Pines' only cafe, finds herself down a barista when a traveling Shakespearian troupe arrives in town. Soon after, bodies start showing up and chaos ensues until Dr. Jane and her beau, Detective Joe can sort things out. This is an interesting, cozy mystery and I look forward to future installments.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 6, 2025
Quite the experience
Who knew Shakespeare could provide such a powerful and twisting tale? Actors live two lives—private and then whatever role they’re playing, and never mind if they decide to make life more interesting by acting a part there too. Fun read!!
Who knew Shakespeare could provide such a powerful and twisting tale? Actors live two lives—private and then whatever role they’re playing, and never mind if they decide to make life more interesting by acting a part there too. Fun read!!
January 5, 2025
Loved it, third in series and wish there were more!
June 8, 2025
I had enjoyed the previous two books in the series and book three doesn’t disappoint. A Shakespearean company comes to Desert Pine with the idea of setting up a theatre there. At a late night invitation-only preview one of the actors collapses and is rushed to hospital, then the director collapses.
Something strong is going on and a lot of strange people are involved. Those involved include Jane’s brother Michael which brings some conflict between her a her beau, the local detective.
It’s quite an involved story with lots of interviews with the many suspects. Julie Titterington writes well and her characters are well drawn and likeable.
Something strong is going on and a lot of strange people are involved. Those involved include Jane’s brother Michael which brings some conflict between her a her beau, the local detective.
It’s quite an involved story with lots of interviews with the many suspects. Julie Titterington writes well and her characters are well drawn and likeable.
December 17, 2025
Absolutely loved your book! The story was engaging, the characters felt real, and your writing kept me hooked from start to finish.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews