Now you can read it for free on this site for one month only. This short story also comes in ebook and paperback format–both on its own, and as part of the Down in the Fifth Kira Brightwell Collection.
Tale of the Tape: A Kira Brightwell Short Novel
Jacquelyn Smith
As of November 1st, 2022 the Free Mystery Feature is on hiatus. If/when the Free Mystery Feature returns, you can find new posts here.
A nice, relaxing vacation. After all the mystery and mayhem over the past several months, a tropical getaway seems like just what Kira Brightwell needs.
With only her best friend for company and no one back home aware of their location (detective friend, persistent sidekick, and nosy reporters included), Kira can finally unwind and try to forget. Maybe enjoy a cool, refreshing cocktail on the beach.
But wherever Kira goes, trouble always follows only a step behind.
A stand-alone story from the Kira Brightwell mystery series by Jacquelyn Smith. If you enjoy a fun, tropical escapade, grab this book.
Now you can read it for free on this site for one month only. This short story also comes in ebook and paperback format–both on its own, and as part of the Six Stitches Kira Brightwell Collection.
Lucky Punch: A Kira Brightwell Short Story
Jacquelyn Smith
This story will be available for free for one month only, which is now over. The next free story will be posted on October 1st. You can keep an eye out for it here.
A relaxing, solo trip to Toronto to visit her grandparents seems like a good idea. No nosy reporters, no criminals to take down, and (most importantly) no self-appointed sidekick Trevor Wright.
…But from the moment Kira steps off the plane from California, nothing goes according to plan.
Now you can read it for free on this site for one month only. This short story also comes in ebook and paperback format–both on its own, and as part of the Second Warning Kira Brightwell Collection.
Clean Break: A Kira Brightwell Short Novel
Jacquelyn Smith
This story will be available for free for one month only, which is now over. The next free story will be posted on July 1st. You can keep an eye out for it here.
So I’ve had a lot of balls in the air lately (which means I’m a little late posting about this), but the first full-length novel in the Mackenzie Quinn cozy mystery series is finally here! The Author of His Demise takes place after the short novel prequels Death Clause and By Book or by Crook. While you don’t need to have read those earlier books to enjoy the new novel, you’ll probably get the most out of The Author of His Demise if you do, since there are several recurring characters.
The Author of His Demise is available in ebook format from pretty much every retailer, as well as directly from this website. (Why buy direct? Click here to find out!) You can also grab it in paperback from Amazon. Links for all purchase options are available either beside or below this post, depending on your device.
About The Author of His Demise:
A fictional murder turns deadly…
Zee writes mysteries under a secret pen name. No one knows—except her best friend, Tara. (Aside from her two cats, that is.)
But the small town of Ashwood, Ontario has become home to more than one murderer in the months since Zee’s unplanned return. And while Zee has used the colourful characters of her childhood hometown as inspiration for her writing over the years, it seems a killer has become inspired by her books in turn…
Can she track down a murderer without exposing her secret?
Enemies since high school… Kira and Trevor never expected to end up solving cases together.
Trevor knows that Kira does most of the solving, but he likes to think his raw charm and charisma count for something…
And when the opportunity to prove himself as more than a stunningly handsome sidekick falls into his lap in the form of a beautiful client, how can he possibly refuse?
Now you can read it for free on this site for one month only. This short story also comes in ebook and paperback format–both on its own, and as part of the Fourth Strike Kira Brightwell Collection.
Ring Girl: A Kira Brightwell Short Story
Jacquelyn Smith
This story will be available for free for one month only, which is now over. The next free story will be posted on April 1st. You can keep an eye out for it here.
Well, Kira’s Canadian cousin is finally on the case. (Two cases, actually.) I’ve released two short novel adventures in the series, and I’m currently working on the first full-length novel, which takes place roughly three months after the second short. Both of these (mis)adventures were a lot of fun to write, and feature some quirky, small-town characters–plus, several cats. (And one adorable Chihuahua-Pomeranian, lol.)
The first short, Death Clause, tells the story of Zee’s unplanned return to her hometown, and is available to purchase from pretty much every ebook retailer and directly from this website. (It’s also available in paperback.) By Book or by Crook takes place a few weeks later, and is a newsletter exclusive. Continue reading →
Local hero and problem solver for hire, Kira Brightwell finds herself on the run. Again.
Her running shoes pound the crowded sidewalk. A trickle of sweat slithers down her back in the California heat. And the damp remains of scrambled egg spatter the front of her favorite Nine Inch Nails T-shirt.
The egg stain earns her a few looks from passers-by. That and her breakneck pace.
Kira’s quarry remains two blocks ahead of her. She needs to haul ass if she wants to catch him.
…Because when a bad guy messes with her favorite shirt, the case gets personal.
Now, you can read it for free on this site for one month only. This short story also comes in ebook and paperback format–both on its own, and as part of the Third Round Kira Brightwell Collection.
This story will be available for free for one month only, which is now over. The next free story will be posted on January 1st. You can keep an eye out for it here.
So I recently set up a deal on the first four Kira Brightwell novels, as well as the first four collections as a summer sale. Split Decision (Kira Brightwell Book 1) is currently available for free, Black and Blue (Book 2) is $0.99, Low Blow (Book 3) is $2.99, and Game Plan (Book 4) is $3.99. (The rest of the novels in the series are available for $4.99 each. You can find a complete listing here.) You can find links to all the various ebook retailers by clicking the link for each title, oryou can add all four of the books to your cart at once and purchase them directly from me for $7.97 USD.
Kira Brightwell might not wear a badge. But she still enjoys the challenge when she unravels a difficult case.
The case of Taylor Christie proves no exception. The social media starlet prepares to shoot a video, when things go wrong. Horribly wrong. With an entire crowd in attendance.
And more than Kira knows stands between her and the truth about what happened.
A twisting, stand-alone story from the Kira Brightwell mystery series by Jacquelyn Smith. If you love a clever detective, who plays by her own rules, grab this book.
Now, you can read it for free on this site for one month only. This short story also comes in ebook and paperback format–both on its own, and as part of the Third Round Kira Brightwell Collection.
I’m not going to lie. 2021 started off rough for me. (Like it did for so many people.) Insomnia, mental health issues, jackhammers… It was not a good time.
But now it’s June somehow, and things have turned around. The jackhammers have left the building, and I’m finally sleeping again. (Yay!) More importantly, I’m finally getting some work done.
It’s a little early to talk about, but I do have a new mystery project in the works… And I’ve been hard at work designing and formatting the paperback versions of the latest Kira Brightwell collections that came out late 2020/early 2021. The sticking point has been the cover design, which I’ve had to completely re-think on the collection front, but it’s finally coming together:
I’ve also been enjoying some mystery-based lockdown entertainment, which I can happily recommend. Continue reading →