Dakota Green Mystery

When Dakota Green's best friend asks her to be the maid of honor, she expects champagne toasts and bouquet tosses-not a dead priest in the holly bushes of The Rose Palace estate. But in Aubergine, Virginia, something borrowed and something blue might just include a corpse or two. A winter getaway in the Blue Ridge Mountains should be wonderland bliss for pre-wedding festivities. Instead, it's a blizzard of suspicion as the groom's Texas relatives arrive with secrets as deep as the falling snow. Just when Dakota thinks she can't handle one more wedding disaster, the officiating priest takes a fatal plunge from the fourth floor, with a bullet through his heart and Dakota's boyfriend Sheriff Charlie Strong becomes the prime suspect. With Charlie behind bars and the wedding hours away, Dakota must clear his name while ensuring her best friend gets her perfect day. Between a gun-wielding father of the groom, a scandalous romance and a bride who refuses to postpone, Dakota faces her greatest challenge yet. Can she unmask a killer before the wedding march? Or will this matrimony end in mayhem? If you love the humor of Janet Evanovich and Elle Cosimano, the charm of small-town secrets, and amateur sleuths with a flair for finding trouble, this maid-of-honor mystery is your perfect match. Readers are loving the Dakota Green mystery series: "One of the best cozy mysteries I've ever read!" Bestselling author Ashley Winstead "Dakota, a spunky, modern sleuth, doesn't let high heels or outdated gender roles get in the way of her relentless pursuit of the truth and her quest to build a new life... a charming romp, featuring a quirky cast of characters with big hearts and witty humor, all set against the unforgettable backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Grab your sequins and tiara-this one's a sparkling good read!" Bestselling author Ellie Alexander "THIS WAS PERFECTION... Totally recommend on your TBR!" Reader review, 5 stars "Should be on every reader's to-read list, because it is simply brilliant. A mix of the wittiness of Miss. Congeniality paired with a truly engaging mystery… The smart writing of Ms. Bird also refuses to fall for beauty queen stereotypes…The twist at the end almost had me screaming because I absolutely NEED the next book now." Reader review, 5 stars "Had me laughing one moment and gripping the edge of my seat the next! Dakota Green stands out as a refreshingly down-to-earth and empowered protagonist-an unexpected beauty queen-turned-detective who quickly wins readers' hearts." Reader review, 5 stars "This was the exact shot of uplifting, hilarious dopamine I needed... !" Reader review, 5 stars "I loved this book, simple as that! As a southern gal, and growing up in a pageant town, I could totally relate to the characters. Hard to put this one down!" Reader review, 5 stars "...shifts you to a place where heels under 4 inches are a sin and anything bedazzled with less than 50% sequin coverage will have you running home to your mama... The female relationships in this book are strong and beautifully done." Reader review, 5 stars "With a compelling mix of humor, heart, and high-stakes drama, the story channels Miss Congeniality vibes in the best way... A must-read for fans of murder mysteries with a side of sass and sequins!" Reader review, 5 stars

When Dakota Green returns home for her high school reunion, she expects awkward small talk and warm beer – not a dead body on the dance floor. But at the historic Rose Palace, old flames and fresh murders are always in fashion. Still adjusting to veterinary school, a long-distance relationship with the town's handsome sheriff, and the bombshell revelation of her true parentage, Dakota's hoping for a drama-free weekend. But when former classmate and reality TV star Brett Brinkley drops dead, all eyes turn to Dakota's childhood best friend as the prime suspect. Now Dakota must race against time to catch a killer and somehow decide whether to accept an unexpected inheritance – before midnight strikes. Between a fake séance, a blackmail scheme, and more suspects than she can count, Dakota's about to learn that some family jewels come at a deadly price. Sharp-witted and charming, An Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamonds is a delightful small-town mystery packed with twists. If you love the humor of Janet Evanovich and Elle Cosimano, it's time to get hooked on the Dakota Green mystery series. Readers are loving An Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamonds: "If you're a fan of cozy mysteries with humor, heart, and intrigue-think Janet Evanovich with a small-town twist-you'll find this book impossible to put down." Reader review, 5 stars "I loved this book so much! I love how this continued on from the first book. I love all the new characters as well and I just love this series...such a great cozy mystery that is very heartwarming as well." Reader review, 5 stars "Fast-paced and full of twists." Reader review, 5 stars "Kept me glued to the pages! I really enjoyed both books in the series and I can't wait for more!" Reader review, 5 stars "Dakota is a fantastic lead character-all the brains and the sass you could ever need in a modern woman!" Reader review, 5 stars "With its blend of humor, intrigue, and a touch of old-fashioned glamour, Kristen Bird's latest novel is hard to put down. If you're a fan of clever plots, engaging heroines, and murder mysteries seasoned with a sprinkle of romance, this is the next book for your shelf!" Reader review, 5 stars "This engaging small-town mystery combines suspense, moments of sharp wit, and a captivating whodunit." Reader review, 5 stars "I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to fans of cozy mysteries who appreciate strong, relatable female characters, a touch of clever humor, and a distinctive setting like the intriguing Rose Palace." Reader review, 5 stars "I want to be friends with them. Lots of twists and turns... I never saw the ending coming! If you like mysteries, add this one to your shelf. Now!" Reader review, 5 stars "Addictive read that just keeps moving along. Loved it." Reader review, 5 stars "I absolutely loved this second instalment in the series, I again had no idea who the killer was until it was revealed and there were twists and turns that kept the book intriguing and exciting." Reader review, 5 stars

Stable hand Dakota Green would rather compete in the Hunger Games than Aubergine's annual beauty pageant. But her late mother's last wish is about to see her trading her muck boots for Jimmy Choos – and uncover a decades-old mystery of a missing beauty queen. Welcome to Aubergine, Virginia, where the mountains are blue, the air is sweet, and the beauty queens have secrets darker than last year's spray tan. Armed with more sarcasm than sequins, Dakota reluctantly enters the cutthroat world of sashes and smiles to save her family home. But when the pageant owner vanishes faster than she can shimmy into an evening gown, suspicion lands on Dakota's beloved Aunt DeeDee. Can this reluctant pageant star unmask a killer, clear her aunt's name, and claim the crown? Or will she be the next to disappear? Hilarious and heartfelt, A Beauty Queen's Guide to Murder and Mayhem is perfect for fans of small-town mysteries with big laughs. If you love the wit of Janet Evanovich and Elle Cosimano, the charm of Only Murders in the Building, and beauty queens with a penchant for trouble, this book is a must-read. Readers are loving A Beauty Queen's Guide to Murder and Mayhem: "Dakota, a spunky, modern sleuth, doesn't let high heels or outdated gender roles get in the way of her relentless pursuit of the truth and her quest to build a new life... a charming romp, featuring a quirky cast of characters with big hearts and witty humor, all set against the unforgettable backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Grab your sequins and tiara-this one's a sparkling good read!" Bestselling author Ellie Alexander "THIS WAS PERFECTION... Totally recommend on your TBR!" Reader review, 5 stars "Should be on every reader's to-read list, because it is simply brilliant. A mix of the wittiness of Miss. Congeniality paired with a truly engaging mystery… The smart writing of Ms. Bird also refuses to fall for beauty queen stereotypes…The twist at the end almost had me screaming because I absolutely NEED the next book now." Reader review, 5 stars "Had me laughing one moment and gripping the edge of my seat the next! Dakota Green stands out as a refreshingly down-to-earth and empowered protagonist-an unexpected beauty queen-turned-detective who quickly wins readers' hearts." Reader review, 5 stars "This was the exact shot of uplifting, hilarious dopamine I needed... !" Reader review, 5 stars "I loved this book, simple as that! As a southern gal, and growing up in a pageant town, I could totally relate to the characters. Hard to put this one down!" Reader review, 5 stars "...shifts you to a place where heels under 4 inches are a sin and anything bedazzled with less than 50% sequin coverage will have you running home to your mama... The female relationships in this book are strong and beautifully done." Reader review, 5 stars "With a compelling mix of humor, heart, and high-stakes drama, the story channels Miss Congeniality vibes in the best way... A must-read for fans of murder mysteries with a side of sass and sequins!" Reader review, 5 stars "If you love a contemporary murder mystery that is more Only Murders in the Building than Broadchurch, with a smidge of romance, I think you'll love this!" Reader review, 5 stars