Maple Hills Cozy Mystery

A new chocolate shop owner in a cozy Vermont town, a hit and run leaves a man dead, and unexpected twists no one saw coming...When Nikki's husband of 20 years decided that he wanted a different life in Los Angeles it spawns a new life for her as well. Leaving behind Atlanta and her Journalism career there, she and her college bound son move to the small and tightknit town of Maple Hills, Vermont. With a bustling tourist season, the thriving community seems the perfect place to set up her new Chocolate Shop… yet opening day proves more deadly than profitable.A hit and run right outside her shop door leaves a man dead and questions swirling. When the victim is identified as Steven Denforth, the most hated and reviled man in town, it resurrects the fissures that had recently torn Maple Hills apart. It seems that when Denforth first came to town, the quiet man bought the local paper, then proceeded to publish damning articles about some of the communities' most prominent members - secrets that no one should have known about.Now he is dead and everyone is a suspect, including Nikki. As both a former reporter and an FBI Consultant, Nikki instinctively knows the dirt in Maple Hills is piled high and if she doesn't get to the bottom of it, and to the murder, then her stay in the quaint Northern Town may very well be short lived.

An amateur sleuth, a handsome detective, and a dead body found in their cozy town… Can Nikki and Hawk solve this mysterious murder? From the moment Nikki first made Maple Hills, Vermont, her home, she has had a dark and dangerous cloud follow her. First she discovered a web of underground Mafia members and now there is a dead body at The Lodge – a dead body that just happens to hail from her own home town of Atlanta. As the newest, and arguably the nosiest, neighbor in the area, she knows all eyes will soon turn her way and tongues will start to wag. Nikki has no choice but to garner her new friends and put her extensive experience as a big city reporter to use, playing a modern day Nancy Drew against a backdrop of gorgeous hills and the Canadian border. Along with her pseudo partner and maybe love interest, Hawk, a local cop who just happens to be the Chief's son, the duo must unravel a mystery that gets more complex by the minute – all the while trying to stay one step ahead of a murderer with murky, yet dire, motives.And to think… all Nikki really wanted to do when she moved to the quaint town was make chocolates…

Nikki Bates's time in picturesque Maple Hills, Vermont has been far from the postcard scene she first imagined. While her chocolate shop is doing well, her personal life has hit a few snags… and bodies… along the way. Between exposing corrupt officials, unmasking the Mafia and solving more than a few murders, Nikki has made some friends and earned many enemies. Now, an old vendetta from her days in Atlanta has reared its head and followed her north, finding her nestled amongst the trees and chocolate, surrounded by gossip, intrigue and people that want Nikki out of town. When a woman with close ties to her newest ward is found murdered, Nikki must race to connect the clues, solve the case and salvage her reputation. Yet the wheels of vengeance are turning and this is one time Nikki may lose everything, including her life…

An amateur sleuth, a handsome detective, and a murder. Cozy up for the night with this mystery. Taking a break from the recent murders and intrigues that have plagued Maple Hills, Vermont, Nikki and Detective Hawke take advantage of a generous offer and set sail on the Open Sea Queen. The cruise ship appears ancient and ready to sink, far away from the modern and spacious liner they were promised. Yet with eager hearts the duo, along with their friends, Lidia and her husband, board the aged ship, headed towards Alaskan waters and vistas that will ease their current burdens. Though the old cruise ship may appear decrepit on the outside, inside it proves itself with Titanic like splendor; Lustrous wooden walls, a picturesque lobby, old fashioned lamps and fireplaces in each room – it is everything they could hope for, and more. Unfortunately, trouble seems to follow Nikki like a dark cloud of misfortune. When the Captain is murdered, it is up to the ready sleuths to get to the bottom of the mystery… before the storm barreling down their tail reaches them, and before the murderer can strike again.

Like a black cat, Nikki Bates seems to attract bad luck and trouble wherever she goes. First in her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, then on to her new stomping grounds of Maple Hills, Vermont, where she makes chocolate and stumbles onto murders. But this time it is not Nikki that has found the trouble, but her partner, Detective Hawk Daily. When an ex-partner and one-time friend summons Hawk to Atlanta after being shot it reveals an intrigue with International implications. From east to west, construction happens every day in America. Buildings are thrown up, old ones are torn down and new projects are planned. On those construction sites, workers come and go, yet Nikki and Hawk discover that for the massive Dellington and Haim construction firm, many of those workers are illegal immigrants bought and sold as cheap slave labor. Tricked or coerced by men that value money more than human lives, these immigrants are trapped in a rat's maze of slavery and death…and Nikki and Hawk have walked right into the middle of it. This cozy mystery is a clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language. It can be read in one to two hours. It is perfect for those moments when you are waiting at an appointment or want to enjoy a quick read.

Nikki is in Fall Cliff, Vermont realizing that the prison break isn't so kosher and that something isn't right. She's struggling to get involved with another case, but after Tori gets into a little trouble, she takes on the case with Lidia while Hawk helps them from the sideline. This cozy mystery is a clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language. It can be read in one to two hours. It is perfect for those moments when you are waiting at an appointment or want to enjoy a quick read.

Maybe--just maybe--Hawk will admit to Nikki that he's ready to go a step further by giving her a ring? But until he can, Nikki has to figure out who slipped poison in her chocolate peppermint and poisoned a customer. Lidia and Tori are the prime suspects, but the real killer is out there, watching and waiting! This cozy mystery is a clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language. It can be read in one to two hours. It is perfect for those moments when you are waiting at an appointment or want to enjoy a quick read.

Murder has struck again in this cozy Vermont town. Nikki is looking forward to Thanksgiving with her son Seth, but she is in for a shock when he brings home his new girlfriend. His much older girlfriend, Jackie. As Nikki tries her best to be a gracious host, she attends a murder scene with her detective boyfriend Hawk. As an amateur detective, Nikki is keen to figure out the gruesome murder of Howard Blanche. As Nikki and Hawk investigate further, they discover that there is no shortage of suspects, and the killer may be closer to home than they realize.

A Cozy Murder Mystery in a Small Vermont Town Atlanta, Georgia transplant Nikki has it all in this quaint little wintery town: a thriving chocolate shop, staffed with the greatest workers in the world; a sharp and slightly overprotective detective for a new beau; and, the kind of son every mother dreams of. Suddenly, Nikki's idyllic new life comes crashing down, when a hunted college coed named Susan appears at her front door, seeking hers and her son Seth's help from an invisible hitman. Determined to protect them both, Nikki and Hawk Daily set foot on the mysterious invader's icy trail, while desperately trying to save the young woman from her grisly fate. As the case heats up, the clues turn cold and Susan ends up dead. Sadly, Seth and his college buddy, Brian, become suspects in the murder. But, just how could these two clean cut, All American boys be possibly capable of murdering someone? Hawk and Nikki will need to find out the truth, or it will be a dark Christmas for everyone in town. This cozy mystery is a clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language. It can be read in one to two hours. It is perfect for those moments when you are waiting at an appointment or want to enjoy a quick cosy novella read.

It's Valentine's Day in the wintery small town of Maple Hills, and true love is in the air.Nikki Bates and her ever popular Choc-A-Block Shoppe are called upon once again, when Susan, the lovely daughter of Maple Hills' mayor, orders dozens of Nikki's wildly popular and oh-so-delicious confections for her upcoming wedding. All are invited to join in on Susan's special day, especially Nikki, Seth, Hawk and the rest of the Choc-A-Block team.Unfortunately, murder puts in an appearance as well, when poor Kim, one of Susan's bridesmaids and a good friend, is brutally and mysteriously murdered at the rehearsal party. When Maple Hills' mayor demands the killer be found before the wedding, Nikki and Hawk get on the case pronto. But, just when they've named Kim's beau, John, as a prime suspect, the case takes an unexpected turn.Love is on the line, as Nikki and Hawk move to solve a murder, exonerate or implicate a man in mourning of his lost love, save a wedding from danger and tragedy, and protect the people they love-including each other.This cozy mystery is a clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language. It can be read in one to two hours. It is perfect for those moments when you are waiting at an appointment or want to enjoy a quick read.

An amateur sleuth, a handsome detective, and a murder to solve. Cozy up for the night with this mystery. Romance is in the air….and so is danger. All seems well in the sleepy little town of Maple Hills, Vermont, especially for Nikki and her son, Seth. But then, a mysterious and dark stranger arrives in Nikki's cherished chocolate shop. This person, a serious and dark haired lady, brings with her an animosity towards Nikki, and the one person she never expected, or wanted, to see again…. Andrew, Nikki's ex-husband and Seth's father, suddenly creeps into town, carrying a load full of trouble and a lot of bad memories (and vibes) for Nikki. Things just couldn't possibly get worse for her, right? Dead wrong. All in a short time period, Nikki's shop is vandalized, Andrew turns up missing, then kidnapped, and the mystery woman ends up dead. Fortunately for Nikki, her brave beau, Hawk Daily, Maple Hills' finest and all of her family and friends come to her aid, in one way or another. But, this may be a mystery that just might be a little too close-and dangerous-for Nikki to handle this time. This cozy mystery is a clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language. It can be read in one to two hours. It is perfect for those moments when you are waiting at an appointment or want to enjoy a quick read.

A mishap on a wedding day spoils the union – it's every bride's nightmare. Nikki and Hawk don't want an elaborate ceremony; they want something small and intimate, surrounded by their nearest and dearest. Nikki is running around trying to shoulder most of the more delicate designs to make sure that everything goes perfectly. A message sent in blood is a warning not to take lightly. Hawk and his right-hand man, Seth, are recruited when hunters recover the corpse of a police officer murdered in cold blood – with a chilling message of revenge to the Chief. The Chief refuses to stand down against Hawk's speculation that this murderer has killed more than once. It'll take more than that to scare him off-duty. As the investigation stretches, a dark cloud crosses over Maple Hills – and the impending nuptials. Hairline doubts crack through the surface as Nikki tries to find common ground between a stubborn father and groom-to-be and trying to catch the killer. It takes a spotless crime scene, a car crash, long contained stress, and a nose-dive through some closed cases to save the day – for better or worse.

Maple Hills Mystery box set includes the first four stories in this culinary mystery series. Good, clean, hobby sleuthing for you to enjoy. #1 Raspberry Truffle MurderA new chocolate shop owner in a cozy Vermont town, a hit and run leaves a man dead, and unexpected twists no one saw coming... #2 Peppermint Chocolate MurderA woman sleuth, a handsome detective, and a dead body found in their cozy town… Can Nikki and Hawk solve this mysterious murder? #3 Blueberry Truffle MurderIt's a murder case that cuts just a little too close to home for Nikki, an amateur sleuth, in the latest crime to hit her not-so-quiet cozy town! #4 Sea Salt Caramel MurderTrouble seems to follow Nikki like a dark cloud of misfortune. When the Captain of her cruise ship is murdered, it is up to her to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Maple Hills Mystery box set includes books 9-12 in this culinary cozy series. Good, clean, hobby sleuthing for you to enjoy. #9 Christmas Chocolate Murder A hunted college coed named Susan appears at Nikki's front door, seeking hers and her son Seth's help from an invisible hitman. #10 Chocolate Heart Murder It's Valentine's Day in the wintery small town of Maple Hills, and true love is in the air. #11 Bear Truffle Murder All seems well in the sleepy little town of Maple Hills, Vermont, especially for Nikki and her son, Seth. But then, a mysterious and dark stranger arrives in Nikki's cherished chocolate shop. #12 Wedlock Cake Murder A mishap on a wedding day spoils the union – it's every bride's nightmare in this cozy mystery. This amateur female sleuth mystery is a clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language.

This Maple Hills cozy set includes books 5-8 in this culinary mystery series. Good, clean, hobby sleuthing for you to enjoy. #5 Georgia Peach Truffle Murder Like a black cat, Nikki Bates seems to attract bad luck and trouble wherever she goes. #6 Gold Flake Chocolate Murder Nikki is in Fall Cliff, Vermont realizing that the prison break isn't so kosher and that something isn't right. #7 Coconut Chocolate Murder Nikki has to figure out who slipped poison in her chocolate peppermint and poisoned a customer. #8 Turkey Truffle Murder Murder has struck again in this cozy Vermont town. This amateur female sleuth mystery is a clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language.