He who laughs last, laughs longest.
Unless he’s dead.
When romance author Hazel Rose is dropped by her publisher, she sees herself heading down a path strewn with has-been authors. While disappointed, Hazel won’t give up without a fight—she signs up for a mystery-writing class, thinking that crime fiction will jumpstart her career.
But what’s a mystery-writing class without a mystery? So when Randy Zimmerman, an obnoxious classmate given to laughing at others’ expense, is murdered, Hazel tackles the case. Solving a real-life murder will surely lend authenticity to her creative writing.
She recruits her book group pals to help with the investigation. Trouble is, there are more suspects than they bargained for—even Hazel herself, who endured Randy’s thumbs-way-down review of her writing, had a motive.
A second body drives the stakes higher, and Hazel doubles her efforts to find who’s behind the murders, unearthing secrets that a killer would go to any lengths to keep hidden.
Will Hazel succeed? Or will this be “The End” for her?
Praise for Laughing Can Kill You
Readers don’t need to be familiar with King’s prior books to enjoy this one, but they’ll no doubt want to after reading this well-crafted, suspenseful whodunit augmented with a strong supporting, small-town ensemble cast and a ratcheting plot rife with shifty motives and red herrings. Kathleen Gerard, Reading Between the Lines
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I loved this story because the opening scene hooked me from the first word. Amazon reviewer
I loved it…clever, intriguing, and satisfying karma! Kathleen Costa for Kings River Life Magazine
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Laughing Can Kill You captures all the cozy mystery elements from a likable amateur sleuth and an unlikable murder victim to an inviting setting. TheRedHeadNotes.com
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Suspects abound in this clever whodunit … but who’s going to have the last laugh? Amy M. Reade, USA Today bestselling author
The story is well written and moves at a good pace to a satisfying climax. All in all, this is a thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery in the best tradition of Agatha Christie. Phyllis Entis, author of the Damien Dickens Mysteries
Disastrous confrontation at a book signing. Nasty writer. Murder. Hazel Rose investigates once again. Very satisfying read with an unexpected ending. Betsy Ashton, mystery and suspense writer
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When high-powered executive Roxanne Howard dies in a pool of blood outside the Moonshine Inn, Richmond, Virginia’s premiere redneck bar, the victim’s sister enlists Hazel Rose to ferret out the killer. At first Hazel balks—she’s a romance writer, not a detective. But Brad Jones, Rox’s husband, is the prime suspect. He’s also Hazel’s cousin, and Hazel believes in doing anything to help family. Never mind that Brad won’t give her the time of day—he’s still family.
Hazel recruits her book group members to help with the investigation. It’s not long before they discover any number of people who feel that a world without Rox was just fine with them: Brad’s son believes his mother died at the hands of Rox and Brad; Rox’s former young lover holds Rox responsible for multiple tragedies in his family; and one of Rox’s employees filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against her. The killer could be an angry regular from the Moonshine Inn—or just about anyone who ever crossed paths with the willful and manipulative Rox.
When a second murder ups the ante Hazel must find out who is behind the killings. And fast. Or she may be victim #3.
Praise for Murder at the Moonshine Inn
Colorful characters, dark secrets, and heart make Maggie King’s latest edgy cozy a standout. You’ll be clamoring to join Hazel Rose’s book group. Dianne Emley, L.A. Times bestselling author of the Detective Nan Vining series
Good writing, interesting twists and side stories. Well done. Linda Thorne, author of Just Another Termination
In Murder at the Moonshine Inn, Maggie King distills book clubs, author deadlines, and undercover ops at a redneck bar into a cocktail of pure delight. Diane Vallere, National Bestselling author of the Madison Night Mystery Series
A brilliant, twisty mystery with fun and memorable characters. King is a writer to watch! LynDee Walker, Agatha Award-Nominated author of Lethal Lifestyles
This is the second Maggie King novel that I have read and I am looking forward to the next one! Sharon Aguanno, Goodreads
A good mystery teamed with humor and characters you won’t forget make this a read that goes down smooth as a mint julep-with a kick! Sunny Frazier, author of the Christy Bristol Astrology Mysteries
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Book groups can be dangerous!
Hazel Rose never dreamed the mystery book group she and Carlene Arness started would stage a real murder.
Nevertheless, one night after a heated book group discussion, Carlene dies after drinking cyanide-laced tea. Despite a suicide note, Hazel isn’t convinced that Carlene took her own life. Hazel doesn’t like thinking that someone in the book group killed Carlene. Neither does she like the thought that Carlene’s husband Evan (who happens to be Hazel’s ex-husband) did away with his wife. But she’s stuck with the thoughts.
When Hazel seeks answers, she finds no shortage of motives as she unearths a past that Carlene took great pains to hide. Hazel’s investigation ends with a confrontation with Carlene’s killer, who is also protecting a past … and won’t stop at one murder.
** Previously published as Murder at the Book Group **
Praise for Death Turns the Page
… The amateur sleuth’s pseudo-investigative skills and her interactions with a cast of well-drawn, small-town characters reveal a deception that ultimately coalesces into a study of human nature and the limits of perception.
Kathleen Gerard, blogger at Reading Between the Lines
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Murder on Tour, a Richmond, VA book group that focuses each meeting on mysteries that share a geographic setting, provides the milieu for King’s entertaining debut. Readers will find more substance here than in most cozies. Publishers Weekly
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The characters in this story are fascinating, and for the side of humor that the author delivers, there is definitely a dark side to go along with it. Mary Lignor, Suspense Magazine
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