Gossip Can Be Murder: Charlie Parker Mystery #11

"Charlie is a fabulous amateur sleuth." --Midwest Book Review

"Charlie is just what readers want." --Booklist

The town of Watson’s Lake, in New Mexico’s high country, has an unsolved mystery. Four years ago a showplace home blew sky high. A young woman died. The home owner disappeared. Now his gold-digger wife wants the insurance money, and the man’s daughter wants to know what really happened to her father.
Charlie can’t resist this kind of case....

As she probes the clues she begins to wonder—did David Simmons intentionally abandon his family, or is there a more sinister reason for his disappearance?

“Suspenseful storytelling (and) sensitive portrayals of complex family relationships.” — Booklist

"Shelton continues to combine suspenseful storytelling with sensitive portrayals of complex family relationships." --Booklist

"Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes."--The Midwest Book Review

"A Charlie Parker mystery is always a good read."  --Southwest Book Views

Rachael Fairfield is a balloon pilot out to set a world altitude record during the upcoming Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. But she’s received threats and wants to hire Charlie and Ron to keep the stalker away from her. It shouldn’t be a problem, says Rachael, because she knows who is sending the notes—her own father. Her testimony sent him to prison years ago and now he’s out. They agree to take the case, but Charlie begins to suspect that it’s not such a simple assignment.

“Fans of Southwestern mysteries will find that Shelton’s engaging story, likable heroine, and comfortable prose make this a good choice.”— Library Journal
 

"Charlie is a good detective and a pleasant companion to unravel a mystery with."--Mystery News

"Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes."--The Midwest Book Review

Charlie and Drake are off to Scotland, where they will live in a cottage on the grounds of an ancient castle. Taking a helicopter contract to help a friend, they’ll shuttle workers out to the oil rigs in the North Sea. Unfortunately, the boat operators in the area have waged an embittered battle with the helicopter operators and the animosity is palpable. Meanwhile, Charlie is asked by the lord of the castle to help with an unsolved case there, and soon three mysteries are competing for her time. Lives hang in the balance and Charlie’s flying skills are put to the ultimate test over the frigid waters of the North Sea.

"A Charlie Parker mystery is always a good read."--Southwest Book Views

"Shelton again has done a superb job." --Albuquerque Journal

"Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes."--The Midwest Book Review

An unpleasant female lawyer barges into Charlie’s office and demands that the firm immediately drop everything and find her elderly father, who has gone missing-all because there is a big family reunion coming up. Charlie knows she’s going to regret this, but she gives in. The hunt takes her on a wild chase when she learns that Willie McBride was an avid gold prospector.

Praise for the Charlie Parker mystery series:
“...a female sleuth with an original slant to her methods.”  —Small Press Magazine

“Charlie is slick, appealing, and nobody’s fool—just what readers want in an amateur sleuth.” —Booklist

“Tension is fast-paced in this involving account.” —Midwest Book Review

“…a delightfully complex mystery.” –Romantic Times (4 stars)

"Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes."--Midwest Book Review

It’s Christmas and Charlie and Drake are finally able to go on their honeymoon. It’s a mixed blessing--they get to spend three months at the famed Taos Ski Valley, but Drake will be working, shuttling skiers with his helicopter. When Drake’s assistant, Eloy Romero, is accused of killing his own brother, a Catholic priest, Charlie offers to help sort out the clues.

Drawn into the art world for which Taos is known, Charlie begins to uncover connections between the murdered priest and the theft of millions of dollars in religious artifacts. As the pieces click into place, she finds that she and Drake are placing their lives on the line.

“Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life in her colorful, vivid  description….Readers can only hope the likable characters, fast-paced plots and local color will continue in another installment.” –Albuquerque Journal

It’s a terrible case of mistaken identity when a gang of bank robbers think that Charlie is a famous movie star. Disappointed with their take from the bank, they decide that a hefty ransom will be their ticket to riches. But what will happen when the real star steps forward? Charlie knows that only her wits will save her from this band of desperate men.

Meanwhile, in a race against the clock, Drake is working with the FBI and local authorities to get Charlie back before her captors realize their mistake.

Praise for Connie Shelton's previous mysteries:

"Charlie is a great character that made me wish I could be in her shoes solving the case. For some thrills and high-rising suspense, and a clever plot, this is one tale that cleverly spins in this thriller." --Cherokee, Coffee Time Romance

“Shelton again has done a superb job.” –Albuquerque Journal

“Charlie is a fabulous amateur sleuth.” –Midwest Book Review

“Connie Shelton has another winner.” –The Book Report

“Memorable details . . . and an edgy, paranoid atmosphere.” –Booklist

Shelton can only expand her fan base with this solid effort.” —Publisher’s Weekly

"A delightfully complex mystery." (4 stars)--Romantic Times

A trip to the attic can be a voyage into a frightening past.

Charlie Parker has no idea, when she begins organizing storage space for her fiance’s move-in, that simply cleaning out the attic will throw her back in time to the events leading up to her parents’ fatal plane crash. Drake will arrive in a few days and Charlie is making room to combine their two households. But the dusty attic holds more than just memories. In her father’s leather notebook is a cryptic message that translates into danger for Charlie, as she discovers that his top secret work as a scientist at Sandia Labs during the Cold War years still has certain people worried.
 

"Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes." --The Midwest Book Review

An enigmatic letter from her namesake aunt, a trip to England, and Charlie is seeing ghosts in the medieval Suffolk town of Bury St. Edmunds. But it isn’t only slightly-eccentric Aunt Louisa’s beliefs in the occult or her spooky “haunted sites” tours that pique Charlie’s interest. Something sinister is brewing and Charlie finds herself drawn into an investigation of crimes that are far too real.

Praise for Connie Shelton's previous mysteries:

"...a wonderful, easy flow that draws in the reader." --online 5-star review

"Charlie is just what readers want in an amateur sleuth."--Booklist

"Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes." -- The Midwest Book Review

"A Charlie Parker mystery is always a good read." --Southwest Book Views

It's a New Mexico Christmas. The lights are strung, the luminarias are set along the sidewalks. Treats are abundant and Charlie Parker is getting ready for her mother-in-law's holiday visit. But there is trouble in the neighborhood and when death shows up--right next door--Charlie's bright, festive plans suddenly take a turn for the dark.

"Charlie is slick, appealing, and nobody's fool--just what readers want in an amateur sleuth."--Booklist

"Shelton's engaging story, likeable heroine, and comfortable prose make this a good choice."--Library Journal

Praise for Connie Shelton’s previous mysteries:

"Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes." --The Midwest Book Review

“Shelton, a major success for Intrigue, can only expand her fan base with this solid effort.” —Publisher’s Weekly

“Connie Shelton has another winner.” —The Book Report

Samantha Sweet is about to realize her dream of opening her pastry shop, Sweet’s Sweets. Juggling the crazy amount of work it takes to get her new business off the ground, with her old job of breaking into houses, she’s got her hands full. When a blood-soaked garment is found among the discards at one of her properties, and a friend makes a shocking confession, Sam finds herself pulled into a pair of mysteries.

The wooden box that came into her possession a few weeks earlier is still working its magic, giving Sam the power to see inside people’s secrets and figure out who the killer is.
 

“Shelton continues to combine suspenseful storytelling with sensitive portrayals of complex family relationships.” —Booklist