By the Scruff of the Neck

Maria Magliani arrives home to a frantic call that her pizza restaurant is on fire. The saucy, recently-widowed entrepreneur speeds downtown to suspicious, smoldering ruins.

On the scene, she encounters rugged, handsome Fire Marshall Clancy McClavey. The two exchange numbers.

Clancy phones a few days later for two reasons: To report the findings from the fire, and to ask her out. But, before their big, Saturday night date occurs, Maria discovers that she is at the center of two mysterious murders.

A blend of faith, friends, and family speckle the battler - sometimes funny, but always engaging!

©2004 Diane DePhillips (P)2022 Diane DePhillips

Loved it!

Great little detective mystery…felt the story took several turns and twists and put the reader on a journey. Loved it!

A MUSt READ!!!!

"By The Scruff Of The Neck" is a clever, roller-coaster mystery, leading its readers to suspense, conflict, sadness and romance from page to page. Single mother, Maria Magliani, fights the uphill battle of losing her husband, Michael, to an apparent suicide, while her son Chip deals with the sudden loss of his father. Magliani and her detective- cousin, Rocco, work together as a Sherlock Homes-type team investigating the inconsistencies of her husband Michael's suspicious suicide. Along the way, Maria meets fire chief Clancy McClavey and discovers romantic feelings she thought would never have again. The author, Diane Dephilllips, does a wonderful job of character development and description, making every event and action in this novel sound and exciting. Watch how she combines fact with fiction to create an intriguing account of her own past experiences, leaving the reader questioning what's "true" and what's "not."