A Sticky End

by Eryn Scott

This time, Hadley’s the one in a jam…



Hadley Fenton is on cloud nine. Her very own Pretty Jam Good cookbook is releasing in less than a month. When her publisher sends a marketing executive to Stoneybrook to help her prepare for the launch, Hadley feels like she needs to pinch herself to make sure she’s not dreaming.



But Jess Stokes is more like a nightmare. The marketing director seems to hate Hadley, Stoneybrook, and the cookbook she’s supposed to help launch. Hadley even catches her trying to convince her bosses to slash Hadley’s first print run in half, stating that the book is “going to flop.”



So, when Jess turns up dead, hit on the head with one of Pretty Jam Good’s copper pots, all eyes are on Hadley. The truth, however, is more sinister than any of them could’ve imagined, and Hadley must follow the clues to clear her name or having her cookbook canceled will be the least of her worries.



Recipes Holiday Plum Butter Sweetened with Honey and Cherry Rhubarb Jam with Ginger and Honey

268 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 27, 2026

About the author

Eryn Scott is the author of heartwarming cozy mysteries. Her novels feature close friendships and strong families because those are the most important things in her life -- a little humor doesn't hurt either.

She calls the Pacific Northwest home and doesn't plan on changing that anytime soon. Eryn loves to hike, horseback ride, knit, ski, and read. She believes musicals are the greatest thing since lattes, even though she's not particularly good at singing or dancing -- hey, a girl can dream, right?

Her first cozy mystery series, Pepper Brooks, is based on some of the greats in classic literature. Each book features a different author from Shakespeare to Austen. Eryn's newest series is set in a little town called Stoneybrook. The Stoneybrook Mysteries follow local jam-maker Hadley James as she solves mysteries in her town's year-round farmers market. From deceased knitters to sabotaged florists, these crafty citizens keep Hadley and her twin brother, a deputy sheriff, on their toes. Pebble Cove Teahouse Mysteries are great for readers who love a hint of paranormal with their mysteries. These books feature a tiny town tucked between craggy coastline and rocky shores with quirky characters of both the living and non-living variety. Look for new releases from all three of these series in 2022 as well as Eryn Scott's new cozy series.

You can visit her website, erynscott.com, for more information about her books and new releases.

Reviews

[Jackie Linkous · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so bittersweet! I loved this book, completely inhaled it in one sitting. I love these characters, I'm going to miss Stoneybrook and the whole gang. What I loved more about this was the found family aspect, the whole town rallying around Hadley.

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review.

[Bernice]

This final installment in the Stoneybrook Mystery series is one that is difficult to put down because there are so many plot twists and crime suspects. Although this is part of a series, it can be a stand-alone because the author is skilled at introducing you to the characters.
Hadley, the owner of Pretty Jam Good in charming Stoneybrook, has a unique talent for solving local crimes. This time, however, she and her shop are involved in the crime due to a mysterious murder in her shop. No spoilers here but suffice it to say there are a few potential reasons for the victim ending up that way.
The people of Stoneybrook are like one big family and Hadley is also trying to convince someone not to move away. In doing so, the reader visits some delightful places in the town. There are also a mysterious hit and run, and an adorable find named Bluebell.
I enjoyed catching up with the town residents and am sad to see the series end. Once you read this book, I am sure you will want to read the others in the series.

[Kori Arkfeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Eryn Scott for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I’m so so sad this is over!!!!! These characters have grown so much and hold a social place in my cozy mystery loving heart. This series has been incredible. I am sad to see Hadley, Luke, Paul, Suze, and the grannies go but I can’t wait to see what Eryn has in store.

This story was a perfect ending. I did figure out the killer pretty quickly but seeing the town rally around Hadley was heartwarming. Why can’t Stoneybrook be real?? I will miss this little town so much. Also I am obsessed with this cover. The cute kitten and all the adorable jam jars????

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eryn Scott ties up her Stoneybrook series by putting heroine Hadley in a sticky mess. Hadley should be thrilled, as her Pretty Jam Cookbook is finally published. However, the marketing director that’s supposed to promote the launch seems determined to sink her instead. Jessica Stokes seems to hate Hadley for no apparent reason, leading her two assistants to also show disdain. Hadley is caught inadvertently eavesdropping on Jess’s sabotage campaign, and shortly after she’s discovered over Jess’s dead body in her jam store, holding the murder weapon. With what seems like half the town turning against her, Hadley avoids her shop and throws herself into helping Kitty’s granddaughter, Karla, adjust to Stoneybrook, trusting Paul and Colby to clear her name. When another apparent crime scene is discovered, Hadley realizes someone is determined to frame her. Will she find herself stuck in the Stoneybrook jail?

Getting to the end of a series is always bittersweet. I’ve enjoyed watching Hadley through her early difficult marriage to her happily ever after with Luke. Having escaped an abusive marriage myself, I have felt a connection with Hadley throughout the series and love how she’s rebuilt herself and her life. Her relationship with twin, Paul has also been a joy. They have that perfect balance of antagonizing each other while still being fiercely loyal. Paul and Suze’s journey to marriage and parenthood with baby Cascade has been charming as well. Ms. Scott excels at writing engaging and perplexing cozy mysteries with a strong core of found family and community. While I’m sad to say goodbye to Hadley, Luke, Paul, Suze, the grannies, and the rest of the Stoneybrook crew, I know that whatever book Ms. Scott writes next will be worth the read.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a bittersweet ending to a fabulously fun series!
Hadley is, indeed, in a sticky situation. A murder takes place inside Pretty Jam Good using one of Hadley’s copper pots. Is it jam or blood splatter? That sure puts a damper on her cookbook release, particularly since the victim is her marketing exec. To make matters worse, Hadley is a suspect. At least there are numerous other suspects, including the publisher, the two assistants, and an old boyfriend. True to Stoneybrook history, new residents become forefront characters. Hadley needs to convince Karla not to leave the delicious little town. A gardening book author, Maris, tries to support Hadley’s book sales, ends up with a stray kitten, and, perhaps, gets too much attention from Hadley. Plus, Louise, the B and B owner, is the victim of a hit-and-run, so the entire town become detectives to find the driver. Fortunately, the Grannies reorganize to help investigate and track leads. Hadley winds up in jail and nearly misses capturing the culprit. As everyone gathers for a birthday party at the end, they celebrate justice, a new muffin flavor, and budding romance. It’s almost as if there will be another book! Will Karla stay in Stoneybrook? Will she like her new kitten? What will little Cascade be like as she grows up? Alas, Eryn Scott tells us that #15 is the last tale of Stoneybrook. Thank you, Eryn. I will miss Stoneybrook. Thank you for letting me be an Early Reader. The End.

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the End....

This book #15 is the last in the Stoneybrook Mystery series. It's been such a wonderful series and I could read more and more.

Eryn Scott's books are all completely enjoyable This one ends the Stoneybrook series with a murder mystery, of course. Hadley's cookbook is out, and she's having a signing at her store. When she finds the marketing director dead, hit on her head by one of Hadley's jam pots, Hadley is the main suspect in many people's eyes. Of course, her friends and family know she's not guilty, and she sets out to find real culprit. I did not figure out who that was until they were revealed.

I really suggest that, while you could enjoy this as a stand alone book, you read the entire series from start to finish. That way, you'll feel, as I do, like the delightful characters Erin's created have become friends, and that you are ready to move to beautiful Stoneybrook. As sad as I am to see it end, this was, as always, a well written book that draws you in and makes you want to read from start to end without interruption.

Looking forward to more of this wonderful author's books!!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's with a heavy heart that I write this review, with fifteen books under her belt in this series the author has decided its in a happy enough place to call it quits and this is the last book, I personally disagree because I love this series and will greatly miss them. I loved this series and can't think of a single story that didn't get a five star review from me and this book is no exception and I loved it just as much as the first. Each story is a standalone but as I would recommend the series to anybody who loves cozy mysteries but I would say start with book one and work your way through them, you won't be disappointed. I loved characters and how they have grown from just friends to one big happy family, they became more like old family friends than just characters in a book. The mystery is good but I had guessed who the killer was fairly early on. It was still an entertaining reading, especially with the trouble Hadley kept finding her in.
Look forward to seeing what the author has in store for her fans next because I for one am a big fan of this author.

With her new jam book about to be released Hadley is on cloud nine. That is until she hears the marketing teams director bad mouthing the book. In shock Hadley heads for home only to realise she might not have locked up her shop, Pretty Jam Good. When she arrives to check, she stumbles over the dead body of the marketing director and becomes the prime suspect, when she is discovered stood over her body holding the murder weapon. Unable to help her brother investigate the murder, Hadley turns her attention to helping a friend feel more welcome in Stoneybrook. The Stoneybrook Killer Catchers, known to everybody as the Grannies have something to say about that and set out to find the killer themselves. Hadley unable to let them get into trouble has no choice but help but as the victim was from out of town there aren't too many people to investigate. Can they find the killer?
I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Rachel Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hadley finds herself at the center of an investigation when someone is found dead in her jam shop.

I have loved this series since I began reading it a year or two ago. A little late to the series but I have since read every book. While I am sad to see it go, I loved how it ended. Being in Stoneybrook with such wonderful characters feels warm and cozy to me and like they are old friends. It will definitely be a series I will reread.
I enjoyed getting to enjoy all the characters one last time and get to see many of the favorite shops in Stoneybrook as well.
As usual, Eryn devised a clever ending that I didn't see coming until the end. I won't spoil it but the ending was just one that gave me pause. There is a line in the book, that I won't repeat, that I think sums it up well and when you read the book, you'll probably understand.
I have adored this series and the wonderful characters and storylines created in the 15 book series. I love how the books are written and that little twist at the end of every book. It's never straightforward and I enjoy that.

[Melenareads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe the Stoneybrook Mystery series is coming to an end. I have loved seeing Hadley's growth as the series progressed. Eryn did a fantastic job creating a whole case of interesting and lovable secondary characters and the small town of Stoneybrook is a character all its own.

This time solving the murder mystery has even higher stakes as Hadley finds herself the main suspect. The mystery was well paced with enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. I hate to see the series end, but this was a fantastic wrap up to the series!

Thank you to the author for providing an ARC for an honest review.

[Debbie Borthwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, but it was sad reading it knowing it is the last of the series. I'm going to miss Hadley, Luke, all their cats, the Grannies, Paul, Suze, Colby, Karla and the 'fun' they all have.
I had no idea 'who done it' until the end, I was shocked and that's the way I love my mysteries.This is a book that I definitely recommend. It would help to read the series in order, but it isn't necessary.
Thank you, Eryn, for another wonderful Stoneybrook mystery...they will be missed. I was gifted an ARC and I'm voluntarily sharing my honest opinion.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful conclusion to a favorite series. Will be sad not to visit with these sweet characters in this great town. Even though I guessed the killer, there were enough twists and surprises to keep me hooked. And a sweet tiny kitty both on the cover and in the story! I definitely wouldn't mind a follow up visit to Stoneybrook sometime in the future. So many great characters and lots of potential for more stories.

[Lizz Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable conclusion to a wonderful series. I will miss Stoneybrook. Hadley should be riding high on success. Instead, she ends up investigating the death of a nasty publicist who seemed against her cookbook's success. There are twists and turns and interesting reveals. There is also heart in this series. I would love for the author to pick up these characters for a holiday novella in the future.

[Sherri Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Hadley’s delightfully cozy family, friends and community! I feel like I know the characters after reading this series. Would love to visit and try out the jam, muffins and fresh produce! Loved the bonus of recipes included in the book. I’m sorry this book is the last in the series, but hope to see some of the characters pop up in other books by the author. These are my thoughts after enjoying an early copy of the book.

[Lisa Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Hadley sure found herself in a jam as a murder suspect. A well written, lovely end to this series. Sad to say goodbye to these characters but look forward to seeing what the great Eryn Scott comes up with for us next

[Martha Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Thank you Eryn for this great series.

[Angela Cartledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love me some Hadley James Fenton! What a great way to end the series - I loved the plot twist of the murderer! Thank you for giving us Stoneybrook!

[Marseydoats · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was disappointed in who the killer was, because I really liked them...
Sad that this is the end of the series, which I have enjoyed.