Sideburns and Suspicions

A Sweetwater Springs Southern Mystery #0.5

by S.C. Merritt

Sideburns and Suspicions is a short novella, a prequel to my Sweetwater Springs Southern Mystery Series. One year ago, happily married Glory Harper’s perfect suburban life shattered right before her eyes. The suspicious handling of her husband’s murder investigation has her doubting the police efforts and heading slowly toward obsession. Hoping to create a distraction, Glory’s daughter concocts a plan to celebrate her grandmother’s birthday at Elvis’ Graceland and the three embark on the mother of all road trips. When a hotel guest mysteriously disappears during their tour of the mansion, the trio finds themselves thrown into the middle of a mystery. Will Glory’s drive for “a little less conversation; a little more action” get them into trouble with the local detective? Is a road trip and a mystery just what Glory needs to shake the blues?

Genres: Cozy, Mystery

62 pages, Paperback

Published November 23, 2020

Reviews

[Julie]

I'm not really a big Elvis fan, but I grabbed a copy of this prequel novella when a Facebook group I'm on chose it as part of its January Cozy Mystery Reading Challenge. Nothing like a year-long cozy mystery reading challenge to get me reading some entertaining mysteries I might not have tried otherwise. So glad I chose to read this! The characters and story are entertaining and it was a quick, enjoyable read.

The basics: Glory Harper has been depressed since her husband was murdered. She goes on a trip to Graceland with her mother and daughter to try and re-discover some joy in her life. Nothin' like a Girls Trip to let some sunshine in! While staying at Graceland, they meet a little old lady who later seems to disappear into thin air! Glory finds herself right smack dab in the middle of a mystery!

I enjoyed this prequel to the Sweetwater Springs Southern Mystery series. This is the first book I've read by S.C. Merritt, and I'm definitely reading more of this series! I have Book 1 waiting on my Kindle already! Fun characters. Interesting plot. Mix of mystery and humor. I enjoyed it!

I read this book as part of the Cozy Mystery Corner 2022 Cozy Mystery Reading Challenge. The group is on Facebook for anyone who wants to jump in!

[Victoria Williams]

This was a short and funny mystery with great characters and a fun plot. I have to admit, all the way through the book, I was picturing me and my mom going on the trip to Graceland. My mother is a huge Elvis fan, and I grew up listening to his music. I can still remember finding my mother in tears on the day he died. I'm looking forward to the next book (and the next) in the Sweetwater Springs Southern Mystery series.

[Cheryl A.]

Enjoyed the quick read, since I have been to Graceland. Definitely want to read more of this series!

[Bonnie]

Fast-paced and entertaining. The setting of Graceland made for a fun read. Now, I'm interested in the next book. Loved the character, Glory, and her mother and daughter.

[Tari]

When I haven't started a series yet, I think it's fun to read the prequel when one exists. I found out about this from an online book club who's reading it this month, and now having read this book, I liked the characters so much, I definitely want to start the series soon.

Glory, Momma and Macy were an awesome trio that were a mom, grandma and daughter. I loved that Macy planned a Graceland trip for her grandma's birthday which she was proud to share with the King of Rock 'n Roll. Glory being naturally a nice person and curious as well got interested in what was to her a mystery and actually did turn out to be something. For a short book, this packed a lot into it, and I felt like it had all the details a longer book would've had. I'm eager now to start the series!

This was a free read provided by the author via BookFunnel.

[Rita]

I loved the story line. The writing was fresh and entertaining with some mystery added in. This is quick, easy, and entertaining reading. The family team of grandmother Annie Miller, mother Glory, and granddaughter Macy are at The Guest House at Graceland for Annie’s birthday. This puts them smack dab in the middle of a theft that they are determined to solve. I heartily recommend this one!

[Lori]

This is the shorter book in the Sweetwater Springs Southern Mysteries series. A prequel novella. It was an easy, enjoy-the-afternoon-on-the-patio (or beach if I was near one) kind of read. I didn’t want to put it down. Looking forward to to other books and getting to know more about Glory and company. I had just recently came across this author and based on reviews decided to get the whole series (books 1-6 & prequel). Glad I did.

[Charlene]

I really loved this novella! I will be reading the next book in the series soon! Lots of interesting, quirky and complex characters! I loved that this book described Graceland. Mystery and mayhem at Graceland, a faced paced story which kept me turning the pages! I could not get enough! Thank you to the author for writing such a fun read!

[Gwen]

A trip to Graceland with her mother and daughter turns into a mystery to be solved.
Glory is concerned when an elderly woman who is on the tour goes missing after a ruckus occurs in which she seems to have been knocked down. Can her persistence in trying to find out what happened to her help solve a different problem?
A good short read with characters that I look forward to reading more of.

[Linda]

I liked this book that stars three generations of women. In this prequel, they go to Graceland to celebrate grandma's birthday. Their girl's trip turns into a mystery to solve and Glory Harper's curiosity leads to some sleuthing. These characters are interesting and I look forward to following their adventures in future books.

[Lynda]

This prequel gives Glory's backstory explaining how and why she moved from Texas to Alabama when her husband died.

[Carole]

I figured out that the lady in room 409 was disguising herself as the old lady long before Glory did. It was still a cute story though.