Fowl Play

Amazon Kindle


Dewberry Farm Mysteries #9
November 29, 2023, Gray Whale Press

Late summer casts its golden hue over Buttercup, Texas, but for farmer Lucy Resnick, tranquility is shattered when she wakes up to a shocking discovery — her beloved flock of chickens has fallen prey to a mysterious chickennapping. As Lucy searches frantically for her feathered friends, her life takes an even darker turn when she stumbles upon the lifeless body of her renter, Jo Nesbit, in her historic rental cottage.

Lucy delves into Jo’s life, and soon uncovers a tangled web of connections between the deceased woman and the townspeople of Buttercup… connections that reach back decades. It quickly becomes clear that Jo was entangled in a complex web of secrets, some of which may be linked to an unsolved murder from years past. But Lucy’s relentless pursuit of the truth doesn’t sit well with someone who would prefer the past stay buried.

As Lucy inches closer to the heart of the mystery, threats escalate, and she realizes that the killer is willing to stop at nothing to keep their dark secrets from coming to light. Will Lucy untangle the web of lies and deceit to solve the murder and expose the secrets that haunt Buttercup?

Or will she become the next victim of fowl play?

“Loved the book, it may be my favorite of the series (so far)!” — Tricia D.

Peach Clobber

Amazon Kindle


Dewberry Farm Mysteries #8
May 2022, Gray Whale Press

Sweet peaches, family secrets… and a farm-fresh murder.

A struggling peach orchard, a tangled love triangle, and a suspicious death have farmer Lucy Resnick’s reporter instincts on high alert in the latest Dewberry Farm mystery. Add in old bones, a decades-old disappearance, and loads of delicious peach recipes for a juicy story you won’t want to put down!

SNEAK PEEK!

CHAPTER ONE

A few years back, when I was contemplating purchasing my grandparents’ old farm in Buttercup, Texas, I’d been warned by an old rancher that Texas weather was perpetual drought interrupted by occasional floods.

Now, as I surveyed the soggy fields where my tomato plants stood among puddles of water, I reflected that he sure knew what he was talking about. After a dry couple of months in the early spring, during which I was worried my well and cistern were not going to refill themselves before the summer heat began, we’d been deluged with storms leaving up to six inches of rain at a time. Farmers in Texas almost always welcomed rain, so I wasn’t exactly complaining, but I was wishing it might do a better job of spreading itself out. My tomatoes, which had been green and lush a few weeks ago, were now showing disturbing signs of blight thanks to the heavy moisture, and the leaves of my cucumbers were gray with powdery mildew.

I’d gone through the rows removing sick foliage every day that week, and again today, the bag in my hand was almost full to the brim with wilting leaves. After removing the blighted leaves, I then waited until early evening to spray the plants with a homemade baking soda concoction to kill the spores I hadn’t been able to clear. My efforts appeared to be helping slow the spread, at least, but it was a lot of work, and I welcomed a reprieve in the forecast.

Unfortunately, it was not to be. As I tied up the bag of vegetation, a rumble sounded in the distance, and Chuck, my apricot-colored rescue farm poodle, yipped at me from the back yard. I looked up at the horizon where a line of leaden clouds was approaching from the east. It reminded me of one of those Mordor scenes in the Lord of the Rings movies.

With a sigh, I tied up the bag and walked back to the house. I was just opening the back gate when a little silver Kia zipped down the driveway toward the Ulrich house. I waved; the driver waved back, smiling big. Casey Dorfler was the first Airbnb guest in the Ulrich House, the historic house I’d moved to the property and renovated with some help from the local German Club. She was working on an article about the area for Texas Weekly magazine; she’d been there three days so far, and I hadn’t had any complaints, either about ghosts or faulty air conditioning, so I considered my first hosting experience a win. Besides, it had been fun sharing with her all the things I loved about Buttercup… and hearing her talk about how beautiful it was reminded me how lucky I was to live here.

I’d bought Dewberry Farm a few years back. The farm had left my family when my grandmother died, languishing in the hands of a local landowner, but when I was searching properties in the area on a whim and saw that the farmhouse that had been such a vital part of my childhood was on the market, I took early retirement from the Houston Chronicle, scraped together my savings, and plunked it all down on one of the most precious pieces of my history–and my future.

So far, I’d managed to survive. Things were tight, and I had learned to be thrifty, but my life was so much richer it was worth the sacrifices.

I was giving Chuck head scratches when I heard Casey call my name. I turned to say hello to her.

“How’s the house?” I asked. “Everything good?” There had been rumors that the house was haunted, and although I thought I’d narrowed the problem down to a contracting and expanding metal roof, the house did have some history, and I wasn’t ruling anything out. The renovations had been finished by local master carpenter Ed Mandel, and it was a labor of love. I was thrilled to have a piece of Buttercup’s history on my farm.

“The house is amazing; you did a great job.”

“Thank you!”

“The only thing is that the wifi’s sketchy sometimes,” she said, “but I understand it’s like that all over Buttercup.”

“Unfortunately, you’re right. One of the drawbacks of country living. How’s the article going?”

“So far, so good. You’re right; the Blue Onion cafe is great!”

“You should come to Two Sisters Orchard for the Peach Jamboree!” I suggested. “I’ll be there with my stall; there’ll be pick-your-own peaches, food stalls, local artisans… it should be a lot of fun.”

She perked up. “I think I will. It’ll be a good chance to get a feel for the locals.”

“It will,” I said.

“I’ve been meaning to ask… I heard a rumor the other day that there’s a lot of new development proposed for the downtown area. What do the locals think of it?”

“I don’t think any of us are crazy about it,” I replied. “Especially since one of the projects involves knocking down two of the historic storefronts. There’s an open meeting coming soon; a lot of us are planning to attend.”

“Property values have really risen here, haven’t they?”

“I haven’t been following them closely,” I said, “but it wouldn’t surprise me; it seems like a lot of local ranches and houses are being bought up as weekend homes for city folks.”

“That changes the fabric of the place, doesn’t it?”

“It does,” I said. “But there are still a lot of old families here, along with some new transplants who are putting down roots. Have you met Peter Swensen yet? He’s created a wonderful organic farm called Green Haven.” He was also dating my best friend Quinn, but I didn’t feel the need to mention that. “And Quinn, who owns the Blue Onion, is a small business owner who’s dedicated to the town. Our mayor is wonderful, too.”

“I’ve heard about her. Mayor Niedermeyer, right? Where is she on the downtown development plan?”

“I haven’t heard her weigh in on it, to be honest. You’d have to talk to her.” I glanced at my watch. “I’ve got to go in and get on with my work, but do you need anything down at the house?”

“No,” she said. “Everything’s perfect; you really did a great job with it.”

“I’ll let you know some of the Ulrich house’s history if you’d like,” I said. “It was almost demolished, but we moved it here with the help of the community. It has had quite an illustrious past; including an Indian abduction.”

“That does sound interesting,” she said, but the response sounded polite, not truly interested. What kind of article was she really writing? “I’ll let you get to your work,” she continued. “Let me know if you hear anything else about the downtown plans, would you?”

“Of course,” I said, reaching down to scratch Chuck behind the ears, feeling a twinge of worry now that I was thinking about the development. A Houston-based developer had recently acquired three historic properties on the town square, and was planning to replace them with a brick three-story commercial space, with city-style “loft” condominiums planned for the upper floors. Several signs had popped up all over town: “Don’t Houston my Buttercup” and “Say No to Big City Rollers,” along with a minority that recommended “Revitalize Downtown Buttercup.” Most of the community seemed to be hesitant about the proposed changes, but the decision was up to the mayor and the city planners.

I pushed the thought out of my head and focused on the day ahead of me. I couldn’t do anything about the downtown plans at the moment, but I could take care of my own little kingdom… and between the cats Smoky and Lucky, Chuck the poodle, the chickens, the goats, and my two dairy cows–not to mention the rows of vegetables–I had plenty to worry about without losing sleep over downtown.

I was, however, hoping there would be a few nice words written about Dewberry Farm and the Ulrich House; with luck, the Airbnb would be a nice extra source of income for me, helping to smooth out the vagaries of the farming life, particularly the months that were a little less lucrative.

For now, though, I was focusing on the day’s chores, the comforting rhythm of a life lived with nature and the outdoors. And tomorrow I’d head to Two Sisters Orchard and treat myself to one of local barbecue legend Bubba Allen’s brisket sandwiches… and maybe some peach ice cream for dessert.

Life was good, I thought as I hurried inside to beat the storm. I just needed to take it one day at a time and keep the farm going, and everything would be okay.

Or so I thought at the time.

Want to find out what happens next? Grab your copy here!

 

New Release: Peach Clobber!

Amazon

Sweet Revenge

Amazon Kindle


Dewberry Farm Mysteries #7
September 2020, Gray Whale Press

The seventh Dewberry Farm mystery is chock-full of fun! Get ready to dive into a living history museum adventure, with lots of honey and beeswax (plus recipes), a touch of magic… and, of course, murder!

Check back soon for more details!

Wicked Harvest

Amazon Kindle


Dewberry Farm Mysteries #6
September 2019, Gray Whale Press

It’s Oktoberfest in Buttercup, Texas, and homesteader Lucy Resnick is taking a break from her chores to enjoy a day of bratwurst, craft beer, and German gingerbread at Sweetwater Brewery. But the day takes a bitter turn when one of the brewery owners turns up dead, crushed by a giant sack of barley.

It doesn’t take long for Sheriff Rooster (not the sharpest tool in the garden shed) to finger the victim’s brother and co-owner, Simon Gustafson. But former investigative reporter Lucy senses that the blighted plants in her pumpkin patch aren’t the only things rotten in Buttercup. Will she find the killer in time?

Or will she be next in line for canning?

Dyeing Season

Barnes & NoblePaperback


Dewberry Farm Mysteries #5
March 2019, Gray Whale Press

It’s springtime on Dewberry Farm, and homesteader Lucy Resnick is busy putting together her wares for the Easter Market. She’s just finished potting the last of her herb starts when a tornado rips through her farm, destroying her crops, scattering her livestock and tearing up the barn.  As Lucy searches for two kids lost in the storm, she makes a grisly discovery: her neighbor’s home health aide, Eva, strangled with a hand-knitted scarf.While investigating the young woman’s death, Lucy discovers that blood isn’t always thicker than water… and that somebody may be taking advantage of the town’s more vulnerable citizens.  When a second body turns up, drowned in a vat of dye, the whole town is walking on eggshells.  Will Lucy find the killer in time?

Or has dyeing season just begun?

Praise for the Dewberry Farm Mysteries…

“I’m excited to see more from Karen MacInerney…I look forward to reading more about Lucy and her escapades in Buttercup, Texas, and hope we see a lot more of a certain fine lookin’ veterinarian!” —Bubble Bath Books

“This is a great story; it will quickly grab your attention and keep you turning the pages. There are several laugh out loud moments, particularly a few involving the cow and her antics…I think this is going to be another great series!” —A Cozy Booknook

 

Mistletoe Murder

Barnes & NoblePaperback


Dewberry Farm Mysteries #4
December 2017, Gray Whale Press
ISBN: 1981557946

It’s beginning to look a lot like… Murder.

It’s Christmastime, and farmer Lucy Resnick is living the life she’s always dreamed of. When she’s not selling her jams, soaps, and mistletoe bundles at the Buttercup Christmas Market, she’s enjoying cozy evenings by the fire with her knitting group–or her handsome veterinarian boyfriend Tobias Brandt. But less than a week before Christmas, a pall falls over the festive atmosphere when local man Randy Stone turns up with a knife in his back… and a sprig of mistletoe in his hair.

Local sheriff Rooster Kocurek, never the brightest bulb on the string, is convinced it’s an open-and-shut case–murder by jealous wife–but Lucy suspects otherwise. She soon discovers that Randy’s life was more tangled than last year’s Christmas lights… and that unless she wraps up the case fast, there might be more than one funeral this holiday season.

Praise for the Dewberry Farm Mysteries…

“Now that I’ve gotten to know the residents of Buttercup, I can’t wait to visit them again. Killer Jam is filled with a good mystery, delightful characters, and a fun setting that will bring cozy readers back for many more visits.” — Carstairs Considers…
 
“I’m excited to see more from Karen MacInerney…I look forward to reading more about Lucy and her escapades in Buttercup, Texas, and hope we see a lot more of a certain fine lookin’ veterinarian!” — Bubble Bath Books
 

Deadly Brew

Barnes & NoblePaperback


Dewberry Farm Mysteries #3
September 2017, Gray Whale Press
ISBN: 1976029880

It’s Halloween in Buttercup, Texas, and reporter-turned-farmer Lucy Resnick is up to her ears in more than goats and wayward cows. Not only has her well dried up, but it turns out the old house Lucy recently moved to the farm has a reputation for spooks… and they are disturbingly active. Then a tarot card reading at a local mead winery foretells death… only to have exotic game ranch owner Bug Wharton turn up dead. Cause of death? Murder, by a fatal dose of bee venom.

When the dimwitted sheriff fingers local witch and mead winery owner Serafine Alexandre, Lucy gets involved… and soon discovers that all kinds of things are brewing in Buttercup.

And some of them are deadly.

Praise for the Dewberry Farm mysteries…

“Now that I’ve gotten to know the residents of Buttercup, I can’t wait to visit them again. Killer Jam is filled with a good mystery, delightful characters, and a fun setting that will bring cozy readers back for many more visits.” —Carstairs Considers…

“I’m excited to see more from Karen MacInerney…I look forward to reading more about Lucy and her escapades in Buttercup, Texas, and hope we see a lot more of a certain fine lookin’ veterinarian!” —Bubble Bath Books

Killer Jam is a great first book in the new Dewberry Farm series. Highly recommend! Looking forward to the second one already!” —MysteriesEtc

“I give Killer Jam 5 out of 5 stars. I liked the characters and the humor in the book. I also loved the paranormal element (or the possibility of a ghost)! I look forward to the next book in this series.” —The Avid Reader

“This is a great story; it will quickly grab your attention and keep you turning the pages. There are several laugh out loud moments, particularly a few involving the cow and her antics… I think this is going to be another great series!” —A Cozy Booknook

 

Fatal Frost

Barnes & NoblePaperbackAudio


Dewberry Farm Mysteries #2
October 2016, Thomas & Mercer
ISBN: 1503940349

Lucy Resnick’s nerves are as tight as a tea cozy. Her new goats, Hot Lips and Gidget, keep making a break for the town square, her truck is dying, and her boyfriend’s gorgeous ex-wife is in town for the holidays. Worse, someone’s digging holes on her land…and uprooting her peach orchard and dewberry patch in the process. Lucy needs additional holiday stress like she needs a blow to the head—which she receives one night, courtesy of the mystery digger.

When the dim-witted sheriff arrests one of Lucy’s best friends, the former reporter puts her own problems on the back burner and starts investigating. What she finds is a patchwork of clues—an injured puppy, a sapphire necklace gone missing, and a string of poison-pen letters—that draw her deep into a web of small-town secrets.

Word travels fast in Buttercup. When the killer learns Lucy’s on the trail, Lucy finds she needs more than her reporting skills to save her friend—she needs a Christmas miracle.

Praise for the Dewberry Farm Mysteries…

“I couldn’t read this book fast enough!” — Norma, Amazon reviewer

I love this book and this series, I so enjoyed the first book in this series and if at all possible I loved this one even more... I really can’t wait for the next book in the series!!!!!!!!” — Deborah, Amazon reviewer

Killer Jam

Barnes & NoblePaperbackAudio


Dewberry Farm Mysteries #1
July 2015, Thomas & Mercer
ISBN: 1503945464

When Houston reporter Lucy Resnick cashes in her retirement to buy her grandmother’s farm in Buttercup, Texas, she’s looking forward to a simple life as a homesteader. But Lucy has barely finished putting up her first batch of Killer Dewberry Jam when an oil exploration truck rolls up to the farm and announces plans to replace her broccoli patch with an oil derrick. Two days later, Nettie Kocurek, the woman who ordered the drilling, turns up dead at the Founders’ Day Festival with a bratwurst skewer through her heart and one of Lucy’s jam jars beside her…and the sheriff fingers Lucy as the prime suspect.

Horrified, Lucy begins to talk to Nettie’s neighbors, but the more she gets to know the townspeople, the more she realizes she’s not the only one who had a beef with Nettie. Can she clear her name, or will her dream life turn into a nightmare?

Praise for the Dewberry Farm Mysteries…

Killer Jam is a great first book in the new Dewberry Farm series. Highly recommend! Looking forward to the second one already!” — MysteriesEtc
 
Five out of 5 stars. I liked the characters and the humor in the book. I also loved the paranormal element (or the possibility of a ghost)! I look forward to the next book in this series.” — The Avid Reader
 
“This is a great story; it will quickly grab your attention and keep you turning the pages. There are several laugh out loud moments, particularly a few involving the cow and her antics…I think this is going to be another great series!” — A Cozy Booknook

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