Birthdays Are Murder

A Spindrift Cove Mystery, Book 1

De: Cindy Sample

Narrado por: Meghan Kelly

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 that gigs for middle-aged entertainers 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.

©2022 Cindy Sample (P)2025 Cindy Sample

Reseñas de la Crítica

"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." BOOKLIFE 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

A great Cozy Mystery

This is a great cozy mystery. Great characters, wonderful world building. This is a great start to a new series. I listened to the audiobook. The narrator was fabulous. I highly recommend.

Perfect! Absolutely Perfect! I Loved Everything About This!

Sierra Sullivan’s a soprano with a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time! When she sashays her way to stumbling over a fresh corpse, Chief Boxley’s sure he’s found his prime suspect! Hilarity ensures when Sierra tries to un-brine THAT pickle in “Birthdays are Murder”, one of the best series starters I’ve listened to in a long time! This story is proof positive that if anything can go wrong … it will, AND at the worst possible moment! Not for us, fellow listeners, oh no, definitely not for us! The writing is absolutely inspired genius! The flow of this story is perfect! I could not stop listening. I lost sleep because I did not want to stop! The flow is smoothly cohesive, everything makes perfect sense and along the way I had no “huh?” moments! Just pure joyful entertainment and the thought that I could ABSOLUTELY see this entire scenario happening! I’m not giving plot details - I don’t want to spoil ANYTHING for future listeners - but I will say that there are PLENTY of viable suspects, no, I didn’t guess correctly, and everything makes perfect sense at the reveal! This one really is PERFECT in every way! Now, the characters, WOW, Beautifully done! I really felt for Sierra! Her interactions with her daughter reminded me so much of interactions I have with mine. In fact the interaction of ALL the characters feels very “art imitating life” REAL, and every beautifully defined and developed, character resonates as AUTHENTIC. I swear, I KNOW a few of ‘em … and just like the folks in my life, I love a few, can take or leave a few, and would be brought up on charges if I acted on what I’d like to do to a few … and these are the same feelings I felt with THIS crew! They are that lifelike, that REAL, and thanks to beautifully BRILLIANT narration they really came ALIVE for me! I could FEEL every emotion! The vocal nuances were so subtle yet so resoundingly clear! I knew when a character was frustrated, angry, at a loss … every emotion! I’m not naming characters or situations to avoid spoilers but believe me when I tell you, the vocal performance was so authentically genuine that every character was made beautifully and breathtakingly REAL for me as the authors vision came breathtakingly alive! Easily five stunning stars across all categories! The one thing I can say for certain is I want more!

STRONG INDEPENDENT WOMEN MAKING A LIVING

STRONG INDEPENDENT WOMEN MAKING A LIVING is what stood out in this fun mystery but that's not all. l admired the actress, singer trying to get on her feet and putting her curiosity before caution while creatively snooping for motive and means, one step ahead of the professionals. Nicely narrated by Meghan Kelly.
Recommended, clean and entertaining mystery.

Wonderful mystery!

This is a wonderful mystery with nice character development. I liked the storyline and the author does a good job keeping me guessing. I was even suspecting a couple people that were not on the author's radar. Well done! I did listen to this on audio. Meghan Kelly is a remarkable narrator who does a great job on all the different voices needed for this story. She is always pleasing to the ears and easy to understand.

Unique and entertaining

When an aging actress snags a role in the Frozen theme at a children's birthday party, what can go wrong? Turns out plenty—including a dead body! The rest of the story had me laughing as Sierra Sullivan plays amateur detective. The narrator did a great job with the various characters.