The Deadly Masquerade at Blackwood Manor

A Cozy Murder Mystery with Lots of Humor and a Dash of Spice

Murder, romance, and just the right amount of snark. Welcome to Willow Creek. It’s going to be a wild ride.

When I reluctantly agreed to attend an art exhibition at Willow Creek’s infamous Blackwood Manor, I expected bad wine, stuffy rich people, and a long night of avoiding small talk.
What I didn’t expect?
A dead billionaire sprawled across his desk and a mystery that would drag me into the town’s darkest secrets.
Hi, I’m Lila Hart, a private investigator, coffee addict, and—apparently—a magnet for trouble.
When Sebastian Blackwood, the town’s most enigmatic art collector, is found murdered, everyone’s a suspect, including his infuriatingly charming nephew, Ethan Sterling.
Ethan insists he’s innocent, but he’s hiding something—and he’s not the only one. With stolen masterpieces, a masquerade ball, and a suspiciously persistent cat named Phantom in the mix, uncovering the truth becomes a dangerous game.
But here’s the thing about murder mysteries: the closer you get to the truth, the harder it is to trust anyone.
Especially the handsome, irritating partner you never asked for.
One thing’s for sure—this case won’t just test my skills as a PI.
It’ll test my heart, too.

• Fast-paced
• Hilarious
• Oh-so-Sweet
• Open-door Spice
• Cozy & Safe Read