Stay Cozy and Solve a Mystery
Welcome to the enchanting world of the Sandie James Mysteries series, where cozy mysteries unfold against the charming backdrop of an uptown Brooklyn neighborhood. Join amateur sleuth Sandie James, an animal lover with a sweet tooth. From adorable pets to delectable pastries, immerse yourself in a delightful blend of suspense, warmth, and culinary delights with every page.
First Edition Murder
A Sandie James Mystery, Book 1
Winner of the 2023 BookFest Award
Winner of the 2023 BookFest Award
Something borrowed. Something blue. Someone’s dead.
Helping at her sister’s cozy Brooklyn bakery was supposed to be a quick detour—not the start of a murder investigation.
But in Carroll Gardens, where brownstones bloom with gossip and everyone knows your dog’s name, even a cake order can come with a side of scandal.
When a wedding guest turns up dead and Sandie’s father is found at the scene, suspicion lands squarely on her family. Determined to clear her dad’s name, Sandie dives into a tangle of secrets, nosy neighbors, and long-held grudges.
Armed with determination—and her loyal springer spaniel, Marlowe—Sandie must catch a killer hiding behind the buttercream façade of this picture-perfect community.
A clean-read cozy mystery with charm, wit, and a dash of danger. No graphic violence, sex, or foul language.
Perfect for fans of Brooklyn settings, dog-loving sleuths, and twisty whodunits served with coffee and a side of cinnamon rolls.
Start the Sandie James Mystery Series today and discover a feel-good mystery that’s as comforting as it is satisfying.
From the readers:
Truly an animal lovers’ mystery with Marlowe the dog and the cats. ~Sunny
I’ve lived in Brooklyn and this book’s characters brought back those warm hometown memories. I went on to read the whole series in a few days. ~Nana Claudia
THE DEADLY ART
A Sandie James Cozy Mystery, Book 2
In the world of art, some would kill to get to the top.
From the award-winning author of First Edition Murder comes a captivating cozy mystery full of wit, heart, and artistic intrigue.
A renowned art curator is found dead at a Brooklyn gallery opening.
The prime suspect? A man Sandie James is just beginning to trust.
Her brother—the lead detective on the case—warns her to stay out of it. But Sandie’s not one to back down when someone she cares about is in trouble.
As she digs into the victim’s tangled past, Sandie uncovers a world of gallery rivalries, hidden relationships, and egos sharp enough to kill. With Marlowe the spaniel by her side and a box of macarons for bribing suspects, she’s determined to get to the truth—even if it means questioning everything she thought she knew about the man she’s trying to protect.
Was this a carefully staged murder… or a crime of passion gone wrong? And can Sandie solve the case before her own heart ends up shattered?
A clean-read cozy mystery—no graphic violence, sex, or foul language. Perfect for readers who enjoy smart female sleuths, slow-burn romance, and twisty mysteries set in a vibrant Brooklyn neighborhood.
From the readers:
A fascinating cozy mystery with fabulous characters. I love Sandie and her love interest. This book is a perfect blend of mystery with a touch of romance and is well-written with plenty of twists to keep me guessing to the end. I am looking forward to the next book by this author.
~ Dr. Patricia Eroh
I loved this cozy mystery. The storyline was full of twists and turns keeping the reader guessing until the end. The characters were relatable and well developed. The touch of romance was a nice bonus as well.
~Debbie A. Orazi
Don’t Rock the Boat!
A Sandie James Cozy Mystery, Book 3
A missing sailboat, an I do, and a dead body.
Sandie James, aspiring author and part-time cake decorator, couldn’t be more thrilled when her two dear friends, Geraldine O’Hara and Henry Edwards, invite her to their island wedding at the lovely Sand Reed Hotel. The only thing that would make the weekend even better is if Sandie’s boyfriend would get the time off work to share the happy occasion with her.
But under the sunny smiles, tensions are churning. The signs are there, and soon Sandie begins to fear someone in the wedding party arrived on the island with murder in their heart. When a guest turns up dead, the local sheriff is all too eager to declare the death an accident, but Sandie is sure there’s been foul play.
With more than one person warning her off the investigation, can Sandie find the killer before someone else goes belly up, or will she be next?
From the readers
The characters are varied and well developed. I kept switching on who I thought the murderer could be. So many mysteries, I definitely recommend this book.
~Cindy Murphy
This cozy had me all over the place! So many motives, so many suspects! Sandie was able to figure it out, with a lot of help from Marlow. I love smart dogs!
~Jodi Sweet
Written to Death
A Sandie James Cozy Mystery, Book 4
A pending divorce. A struggling bakery. A winning plan. Two dead bodies?
Sandie’s sister needs help. If she can’t come up with a hefty chunk of change to save her struggling bakery, her wish for a fair settlement with her soon-to-be ex-husband will be dashed.
When Sandie devises the perfect plan—a competition to save the bakery, all the pieces come together fairly quickly. Sandie believes she’s done something that can help Kathy keep her business and finalize her divorce relatively unscathed. But her plan goes awry when not one but two bodies are discovered.
Now Sandie has a real mess on her hands and little time to solve this baffling case, as well as find her suddenly MIA father, deal with the irate cat lady who’s taken up residence in his house, and somehow pull off a successful competition. Can she do it or is her grand plan dead on arrival?
From the readers:
First page and I was already fully immersed in the story. Great style, great wording, great mystery. I thought it was very clever and I love that! Another winner by Ms. Kelly!.
~ Nadine Vrijhof
Amazing characters you'll love getting to know and a well written story line that captures your attention. The story has suspense, mystery, a bit of drama and the question of whodunit. If you love a good cozy mystery then you don't want to miss this one.
~busymomof2
A LOVELY KIND OF MURDER
A Sandie James Cozy Mystery, Book 5
Three female victims. One alarming similarity. Zero time to waste.
Sandie will do anything for her brother. When he is suspected of murdering not one but three young women, she is forced to show just how far she’ll go to prove his innocence.
As Sandie uncovers the clues, she discovers the investigating detective may have an ulterior motive for placing the blame on Will.
Desperate to find the actual killer, Sandie enlists the help of her trusty dog Marlowe and her boyfriend. Unfortunately, time isn’t on their side.
Can they root out the murderer and clear Will’s name before it’s too late?
From the readers
Sandie James writes mystery novels and works part-time in her sister Kathy’s bakery/cafe. In A Lovely Kind of Murder, Sandie's amateur sleuthing becomes personal when a relative is accused of murder. The family is hopeful Sandie can solve the case and discover who the real murderer is, because Sandie has also solved four previous murders. I enjoyed reading along as Sandie worked on the case. She has an uncanny ability to ferret out clues and figure out who the murderer is. Tessa Kelly has written some intriguing murder mysteries and this latest one is really great!
~Margie Hager
Great characters and a fun series to read. It is well written and it feels like you actually know the cast.
~Sandy
This book was so entertaining I couldn't put it down. The characters were charming and well thought out. I am definitely getting more of these books.
~Mary Wood
Murder on the Playa
A Sandie James Cozy Mystery, Book 6
Sandy James proves yet again she's a magnet for trouble when disaster follows her to a resort in Mexico.
When asked to be the keynote speaker at a writer’s conference, Sandie is both delighted and terrified. Public speaking just isn’t her forte. But a few days at a swanky resort in Playa del Carmen, with her fiancé by her side? Sounds too good to pass up.
Until Sandie’s good friend and conference organizer is found dead.
As the local police, resort staff, and dozens of guests try to wrap their minds around this tragic event, a likely suspect emerges, but pinning him down as the murderer won't be easy. Hoping to find proof, Sandie and the conference attendees become embroiled in a real-life reenactment of a Hitchcockian mystery, wondering if what they uncover is all a ruse designed to trick them.
Will Sandie untangle this web of clues and expose the murderer, or has he set a deadly trap she can’t escape?
From the readers:
Tessa Kelly writes a delightful, fun book. The characters are relatable - the story will keep you in suspense. I recommend this book and look forward to the next enjoyable novel.
~ Christmas Angel
A great mystery with fabulous characters and a great plot. Sandie, her boyfriend, Liam, and her sister, Kathy get caught up in a murder investigation at a writer's conference. The tension builds throughout the books as potential suspects emerge and new facts are tossed into the open. A clever ending that I didn't see coming.
~Dijohall
Sandie heads to a Mexican resort with her fiancé and some family members to attend a writers’ conference where she is the keynote speaker. While there, her friend is found murdered, and Sandie is determined to put her sleuthing skills to use to solve the murder, as the police seem understaffed and overworked. And what an adventure it turns out to be, with many of her party being almost hurt or worse, and some very baffling circumstances and clues. There’s fun and laughs, and even a little romance along the way, as well as an unexpected ending!
~Alice Hazelbaker
Marriage and Murder on the High Seas
A Sandie James Cozy Mystery, Book 7
From the Award-Winning Author of First Edition Murder:
When murder disrupts Sandie and Liam's luxury honeymoon cruise to South America, their love story veers into treacherous waters.
With a simple comment about the waiter's attire, the newlyweds find themselves caught in a web of secrets. The waiter, driven by dreams of a better life for his family, becomes the prime suspect in a shocking murder that shakes the foundations of their idyllic honeymoon.
As Sandie and her new husband navigate the treacherous currents of romance, jealousy and deceit, they are determined to uncover the truth behind the tragic death of the handsome restaurant manager. With the waiter's fingerprints on the murder weapon, the odds are stacked against him, and time is running out. As Sandie and Liam dance under the stars and delve into the intricacies of cruise ship life, they must untangle a web of secrets to unveil the real killer before it's too late.
Join Sandie and Liam in this heart-pounding cruise ship mystery that will keep you on the edge of your deck chair!
From the readers:
A fantastic book with a very mysterious murder that Sandie and her honeymooning husband feel compelled to investigate. The plot is clever and unfolds in a very interesting way. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it!