Cindy Sample

 
Synopsis

After Sierra Sullivan is furloughed from her cruise director position, she moves to Spindrift Cove, Washington, to be closer to her married daughter. She soon discovers gigs for a middle-aged entertainer are scarcer than good hair days in the Pacific Northwest. With her bank account sliding toward zero, she swallows the indignity of donning a ten-pound wig and elaborate costume to perform at a child’s birthday party.

Little does Sierra know she’ll soon be upstaged by a corpse and become the leading-lady suspect.

As the bodies pile up, the entertainer adlibs her own crime-solving gig, a performance putting her in the crosshairs of a killer, and a finale that truly may be final.

Reviews

"Five stars to Cindy Sample's latest protagonist, Sierra Sullivan. Sleuth, performer, and all-around enterprising gal, she hits the cozy mystery scene in a fabulous new whodunit series. If you are a fan of Ms. Sample's work, you won't want to miss the first book in the Spindrift Cove Mystery Series. I loved it!"

Heather Haven, award-winning author of the Alvarez Family Murder Mysteries

“There are characters that will stay with you long after you put the book down. Sierra is one of those who will leave a smile on your face. Cindy Sample has crafted characters and a storyline that brings both enjoyment and cozy mystery fun.”

R. Franklin James, award-winning author of the Hollis Morgan Mystery Series

 "Sierra Sullivan is an aging actor who takes on children’s party gigs to make ends meet. Her situation is both hilarious and poignant. After discovering a body, her investigation introduces her to a wacky cast of characters and plenty of plot twists. Another fast, fun, and funny read by Cindy Sample. "

Charlotte Stuart, author of the award-winning Macavity & Me mystery series. 

"Birthdays are Murder delivers the mirth and madcap mayhem readers expect from a Cindy Sample mystery. Her new Spindrift Cove Mysteries cast entertainer Sierra Sullivan as the star, with equally amusing family and friends in supporting roles. A fast-paced mystery that’s sure to entertain."

Linda Lovely, author of the Brie Hooker Cozy Mystery Series and the HOA Mystery Series      

"Sample's story is perfect for readers who want a fun mystery that's big on small, close-knit communities, limited in violence, and has family at its heart.  Both Sierra and readers are new to this community and Sample seizes every opportunity to make it an inviting setting for future cases, while keeping the pacing on point, the dialogue crisp and amusing, and even teasing the possibility of several potential romantic interests for Sierra. Cozy readers will be eager to see Sierra face more trouble in this charming milieu."

BOOKLIFE

Synopsis

At the bustling Renaissance Faire, where knights joust and jesters entertain, the last thing anyone expects is murder. When Sierra Sullivan agrees to perform as a lady-in-waiting, she never imagined that finding a dead body would be part of the job description.

Having one murder investigation under her belt, Sierra doesn’t hesitate to help her good friend who is suspected of killing the woman playing Queen Elizabeth.

Amidst swashbuckling pirates, dashing lords, saucy wenches, and an intimidating tarot reader, Sierra must unravel a tangled web of lies hidden beneath the lively façade of the faire. As she digs deeper, it soon becomes difficult to find anyone who didn’t want to kill the queen!

Can Sierra uncover the truth before the killer strikes again? In this delightful cozy mystery, love and laughter intertwine with danger, proving that in the world of the Renaissance Faire, not everything is as it seems.

EDITORIAL REVIEWS

"Knights and pirates, jesters and ladies-in-waiting—which elaborate Renaissance Faire costume hides a killer? Sierra Sullivan, entertainer turned amateur sleuth, knows just how to coax clues from a bevy of intriguing characters in All’s Faire in Love and Murder. But Sierra also excels at becoming a killer’s target. Rest assured, author Cindy Sample always has an ingenious get-out-of-danger card ready for her 49-year-old heroine to play. This mystery’s winning hand also includes ample laughs and romance."

Linda Lovely, author of the HOA Mysteries

"Knights, pirates, pomp and pageantry provide the perfect backdrop for murder. Cindy Sample delivers another solid humorous mystery in All’s Faire in Love and Murder, Book 2 of the Spindrift Cove Mystery series. This time, retired cruise ship director, Sierra Sullivan, is employed at the local Renaissance Faire. Whether she’s being whisked away by a handsome pirate, or stumbling over a body impaled by a sword, Sierra’s antics will leave you chuckling as you cheer her on to help solve another murder. After all, her detective daughter is pregnant and needs all the help she can get, providing the perfect excuse for Sierra to go sleuthing."

Karen A. Phillips, author of the Rocky Nelson Boxing Mystery series

"The humor and writing are as elevated as ever, making this a must read for those looking for a very entertaining mystery."

Cynthia Chow, King's River Life Magazine

"With plenty of laughs and some truly medieval plot twists, “All’s Faire” will have you looking for the closest Ren Faire — and, maybe, over your shoulder!"

Wendy Schultz, Mountain Democrat