Explore Top Cozy Mysteries Indie Books on SelfPubShelf

Step into a world where the allure of Napa Valley's wine country conceals a web of secrets, seduction, and murder.Nikki Sands is an amateur sleuth with an uncanny talent for uncorking hidden truths. When an obnoxious diner costs Nikki her waitressing job, her life takes an unexpected turn. Enter Derek Malveaux, a wealthy and undeniably attractive vintner, whose offer of a prestigious position at his vineyard proves too tempting to resist. With her wine expertise as her armor, Nikki dives headfirst into a world of opulence and intrigue, where every glass holds a secret and every smile conceals a motive.But the lush vineyards of Malveaux Estate harbor more than just exquisite grapes; they hold...

Life is sweet for Nikki Sands...She’s toasting her new job at Malveaux Estate in Napa Valley and balancing a love triangle with a neighboring winemaker and her boss, vineyard owner Derek Malveaux—the catch of the county. And tonight, Nikki will be on the arm of Napa’s golden boy at a Sonoma mansion for the wedding of the decade. Nikki’s friend Isabel agreed to cater the wedding—before she learned that the groom was her cheating lover. After the ceremony, Isabel asks Nikki to bring the obnoxious bride another glass of wine. However, the bride won't be drinking that glass of wine or any wine ever again asNikki finds the new wife sprawled on the floor—murdered.Since the dearly ...

As the Vineyard Manager at Malveaux Estates, Nikki Sands knows a lot about wine pairings, but she has a harder time making matches in her own life.Is it finally time to give up her crush on her boss, Derek Malveaux, and commit to winemaker Andres? With big changes afoot at the Estates, Nikki’s days of wine and roses may be over sooner than she thinks…Malveaux Estates has added a boutique hotel and spa to its beautiful grounds, and everyone in Napa is abuzz about the hotel’s restaurant, Georges on the Vineyard. Its opening has been delayed a bit by the quirks of star chef Georges Debussey, better known for his cuisine than his couth. When Georges doesn’t return to the kitchen after a ...

Nikki Sands is back...this time she finds herself putting on her sleuthing hat in the land down under!

Nikki and her boss-turned-boyfriend Derek Malveaux are in Australia to visit the Hahndorf Winery, but it seems they’ve also walked onto a movie set.

When lead actress Lucy Swanson is found dead in her trailer, bitten by a poisonous snake delivered as a "gift", Nikki must comb the vineyards of the valley to catch a killer with a venomous streak—before she’s struck herself.

 

Nikki Sands is right where she wants to be, managing the luxurious Malveaux Estates in the heart of Napa Valley and sharing her life with her beloved boyfriend, Derek Malveaux.Nikki's life takes a detour as she's reluctantly thrust into the role of event coordinator when a charismatic guru and his followers descend upon the winery's boutique hotel and spa for a transformative retreat.Things take a dark turn during the group's first outing aboard the renowned Napa Valley Wine Train when one of his devoted followers vanishes without a trace. The shocking discovery of the missing disciple in the wine storage car—where someone has quite literally silenced him with a fatal twist—sends shockwa...

The big day is swiftly approaching for Nikki Sands...Manager of the Malveaux Estates in Napa Valley—and her fiance Derek Malveaux, who owns the winery. But when they start receiving cryptic messages questioning their belief in fate, things quickly turn fatal.As the wedding grows closer, it seems the entire affair is cursed. A chewing gum fiasco forces Nikki to cut her hair and go platinum blonde. Then Derek’s old college buddies, along with an assortment of old flames and frustrating family relations, show up to work Nikki’s last nerve. But when Nikki’s close pal Simon is shot as he walks her down the aisle, Nikki realizes that she has to find a matrimonial murderer before her weddin...

“Another fun and very readable mystery by Michele Scott… Her protagonist is someone whom most women readers can identify—a modern woman with flaws and limitations just like all of us.” -Suite101.com Napa Valley winery manager Nikki Sands is full of Christmas cheer and anticipating an exciting family vacation to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to ring in the New Year. Along with her husband Derek, his brother Simon, and Simon’s boyfriend Marco they head for sun, surf, and sand expecting to enjoy some serious R & R.However, things turn dark rather rapidly when Nikki uncovers a dead body washed up on the shore. The victim--a woman who goes by the name Dream, was staying at the same h...

Ella McBane’s biggest mistake? Thinking life would be easy once her daughters have all grown up and moved out… until her eldest daughter is accused of murder.When her eldest, Savannah, asks her to cater her engagement party, Ella jumps in with both feet—and zero formal culinary training. But between her comfort-food dishes and her future in-laws’ elite expectations, the tension is already simmering.Then Ella stumbles over a dead body at the soiree… and Savannah is arrested for murder.The evidence is overwhelming. The gossip is brutal. But Ella knows her daughter is no killer—and she’s not about to let Savannah’s life be destroyed.As she investigates, Ella finds herself drawn ...

EQUAL PARTS SUSPENSE AND UNDERSTATED CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE, "Saddled with Trouble" is a fast-paced murder mystery that revolves around Michaela Bancroft, a 32-year-old horse trainer whose personal life is quickly coming apart at the seams. Struggling through an ugly divorce and in danger of losing her southern California ranch to creditors, Bancroft finds her already chaotic life turned upside down when her beloved uncle Lou is found murdered in a stable stall, impaled by a pitchfork.Michaela vows to find the person or people behind the senseless homicide, but the deeper she digs into her uncle's secretive past (an ill-managed business venture involving an artificial insemination breeding pro...

“Filled with good murder suspects along with enough twists and turns allowing the reader to guess and guess again throughout the novel.”—MyShelf.comMICHAELA JUST WANTS TO LIVE A SIMPLE LIFE TRAINING THE HORSES SHE LOVES. BUT LIFE HAS OTHER PLANS. THE MURDEROUS KIND...Michaela Bancroft is--once again--thrown into solving a mystery in order to seek justice for a dear friend. Audrey Pratt and Michaela have been friends for years and Audrey needs Michaela now more than ever as her brother Bob has gone missing. Bob Pratt is a well known racetrack veterinarian. Michaela assures her that she will do what she can to help. Then, Audrey is viciously murdered and Michaela is certain Bob’s disap...

“So well written…There are so many wonderful red herrings that it will keep you guessing until the end. Terrific plot and characters really add to the reading experience. I highly recommend this book.”—The Best ReviewsMichaela Bancroft is back! This time your favorite amateur sleuth and horse trainer finds herself caught up in the glitz and glam of the jet setting polo world. And, although the horses are amazing and the scene quite, ummm, interesting at the very least, unfortunately for Michaela, MURDER NEVER SEEMS TO BE TOO FAR BEHIND! A new tack shop and a gala polo match are reasons to celebrate for Michaela—until equestrian Sterling Tabor is found clubbed to death with a p...