A Piper Sandstone Cozy Mystery
by Karen McSpade
Published: March 3, 2026
Publisher: Newcastle Media Publishing
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Short Story, Thriller, Suspense
Blurb:
It’s not the first time this detective has traded in her jujitsu gi for a pair of high heels, but this time… her killer talent just turned this beauty pageant deadly.
Former Chicago detective turned small-town sleuth Piper Sandstone never expected to don sequins and high heels for Savory’s annual Star-Spangled Beauty Pageant. But when her best friend Rosemary insists, Piper reluctantly joins the lineup—only to watch the festivities collapse in chaos when one of the judges is found murdered backstage. Now, Piper finds herself thrust center stage in a murder mystery investigation that’s anything but glamorous.
The Victim? Sheila, a wealthy businesswoman and the lifelong nemesis of Piper’s best friend, Rosemary.
The
weapon? One of Piper’s own throwing stars from her talent
routine.
The real suspects? Everyone, from old high school
rivals to powerful town leaders with secrets to hide.
The
stakes? Piper’s reputation, her freedom, and the new life she has
built for herself in Savory.
With Rosemary and Piper tied to the crime as key suspects and the sheriff, Piper’s fiancé, sidelined from the case, Piper must team up with her sharp-witted crew of silver-haired sleuths to find out who really wanted Sheila dead.
But as they dig through layers of small-town secrets, tangled romances, and backstage grudges, every clue only tightens the net around Piper and Rosemary, and every lead pulls them closer to a killer who’s hiding in plain sight.
Packed with Southern charm, laugh-out-loud banter, and a group of senior sleuths who steal every scene, Star-Spangled Murder is a page-turning read perfect for fans who love action-packed cozy mysteries, clever amateur sleuths, witty banter, found family, hidden secrets, red herrings, clean romance, and mysteries that keep you guessing till the end.
If you love small-town drama, quirky sidekicks, and a dash of danger with your cozy mysteries, read Star-Spangled Murder today to uncover what really happened backstage!
My Review:
Star-Spangled Murder is a fantastic addition to Karen McSpade's Piper Sandstone Cozy Mystery series. I found myself enjoying Star-Spangled Murder just as much as the other titles in the Piper Sandstone Cozy Mystery series. The Queen Bees kept me captivated with their every move as they expertly solved mysteries.
Savory, Alabama, is gearing up for its annual beauty pageant. One of the Queen Bees, Rosemary, encourages Piper to participate in the pageant alongside her. Although Piper is reluctant to join, she doesn't want to let her friend down.
Piper's unique talent is throwing stars, so you can imagine her shock when one of her stars is discovered backstage with one of the judges, Sheila. Who could have thrown that star? I doubt it was Piper, or was it? Perhaps Piper was merely trying to protect her dear friend, Rosemary. Did someone have a grudge against Sheila? Was the murderer attempting to frame Piper? Or was the star simply in the wrong place at the right time?
Despite the police advising Piper and Rosemary to steer clear of the investigation, they, of course, ignore the warning. Their sleuthing leads them to a variety of suspects, from former high school rivals to influential town leaders harboring secrets.
The mystery around Sheila’s tragic end had me rushing to the end, hoping to learn who threw that star. I must confess, I was eager to find out whether one of the Queen Bees could be involved, though I truly hoped it wasn’t the case. Honestly, I don’t believe Piper or Rosemary were responsible at all. However, it’s hard to ignore how suspicious the star found with Sheila was.
I genuinely enjoy the Piper Sandstone Cozy Mysteries and look forward to more installments in the future. I hope this isn't the last we see of Piper and the Queen Bees.
If you're a fan of a good murder mystery, I highly recommend picking up a copy of Star-Spangled Murder today, or any of the stories in the Piper Sandstone Cozy Mystery series! On second thought, why not treat yourself to a copy of every book in the Piper Sandstone Cozy Mystery series?
Check out all the books in the Piper Sandstone Cozy Mystery series I’ve read.
Hash Browns And Homicide #0
Murder And Grits #1
Red Beans and RIP #2
Mystery on the Half Shell #3
Killer Gumbo #4
Crab Cake Criminal #5
Pies and Pilfering
Star-Spangled Murder
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