Three cases. One body. Zero chance of staying out of trouble. A cozy female sleuth #mystery filled with twists, humor, and heart. 🕵️‍♀️ #NewRelease #books #MFRWhooks

Something Prowling in Paradise Park is out now!

Former international war correspondent Kate Tessler never imagined she’d become an amateur sleuth, much less be pursuing her PI license with her sister. But now that she’s home in Arizona, she can’t resist employing her investigative skills to untangle the next small-town mystery with an unusual cast of friends.

This time, her senior pals introduce her to the Standishes, snowbirds who came home early only to find strangers living in their house—with forged lease papers and a lot to hide. With legal eviction requiring months and money, Kate and her found family start digging into the squatters’ pasts to find any dirt they can use.

Meanwhile, her boyfriend’s teenage sons bring her a case of their own: a rash of dog thefts sweeping the neighborhood. Then a late-night stakeout ends in a shocking discovery—a dead body. Was it a freak accident… or a murder?

Filled with twists, humor, and heart, Something Prowling in Paradise Park delivers the perfect blend of cozy mystery, female sleuth suspense, and found-family crime solving. Fans of J.A. Jance, Elly Griffiths, and Ann Cleeves will love this page-turner set against Arizona’s sunbaked secrets.

In The Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. These quirky, cozy mysteries with a women sleuth are perfect for fans of suspenseful whodunit murder mysteries with high stakes and humor. Book 1 has a 4.2-star rating on Goodreads with over 600 ratings.

Readers say: “This is a terrific series and I enjoy both the mystery storyline as well as the characters and their interactions.” 

“I always enjoy reading about Kate and her team of family and friends who work together to solve crimes. They might not always play by the rules, but they can solve the crimes just as good as the police.”

“What's terrific is the cast of really nice people, the sense of home and community.”

Quick Excerpt:

We reached a large park that had athletic fields and a big playground. Ramadas provided shade for dozens of picnic tables. We headed toward the dog park, a section surrounded by a waist-high fence, with at least a dozen dogs and people inside. 

People clustered in the parking lot beside the dog park, a few with dogs on leashes. We joined the crowd, which centered around a male police officer in a dark uniform and a woman in a khaki animal control uniform. They were talking to a woman in her thirties with black hair and olive skin.

Todd lifted a hand to attract attention. 

The animal control officer gestured us forward and interrupted the conversation. “One moment. Mayor Paradise, this is Denise Underwood, whose dog was stolen, and Officer Newman.”

Denise Underwood gave a huff like a surprised laugh. “The mayor is interested in the theft of my dog?”

“We’ve been looking into an uptick in dog thefts,” Todd said. “I’m very sorry yours was one of them, but I’m glad we can talk to you right away.”

The boys stayed a few feet back with Whiskers while Todd shook hands and introduced me. The animal control officer was Henrietta, “Call me Hen.” That was almost comical for an animal control officer, but I’d remember her name.

“I was just getting a description of the suspects,” Officer Newman said. “Maybe you should start at the beginning for the mayor.”

“I was training my French bulldog, Frito Pie.”

“Light brown with a dark muzzle and white chest,” Newman added.

“When I came back to my car, two men got out of a car parked right there.” Ms. Underwood pointed to a now-empty spot. “One of them had a gun and said, We’re taking your dog. I said, No! and scooped up Frito Pie. He said, There isn’t going to be any trouble. Give us the dog and no one gets hurt.”

She paused, her breath rasping in and out. 

Todd gave her a sympathetic look. “That sounds very scary.”

She nodded. “He took the dog out of my arms. I just stood there frozen and let them take my baby!”

“You did exactly what you should’ve done,” Newman said. “What did the men look like?”

“The one with the gun had black hair and tan skin. He was about thirty. Taller than me but not too much, maybe five foot seven inches. He had tattoos up both arms—full sleeves. Very colorful so it was hard to pick out specific images, but I saw something that looked like an octopus, or maybe a spider—lots of legs. He wore jeans and a black T-shirt, with a brown ball cap and sunglasses.”

She paused while Newman scribbled notes. I wished I had Jen to take notes for me, but Todd could probably get a copy of the report.

“The driver didn’t get out of the car, so I don’t know how tall he was,” Ms. Underwood went on. “He was also wearing sunglasses. Dark hair, tanned skin, dark T-shirt. I didn’t notice tattoos on his arms but he might have had one on his neck. I saw something dark there.” She touched the right side of her neck.

“That’s impressive,” I told her. “Most people are too panicked to remember so many details.”

“I grew up in a bad neighborhood. I know what to do when I see a gun.” She laughed weakly. “Let them take whatever they want, as long as it’s not me. And try to remember details for later. I wish I could’ve gotten the license plate, but the car didn’t have a front plate. Once they backed out, I ran after them, but they went too fast for me to read the back license plate.”

“Chances are either the car was stolen or the license plate was stolen or covered,” the officer said.

Ms. Underwood sniffled and rubbed her nose. “What are the chances of getting my baby back?”

Get The Accidental Detective humorous mystery series at all retailers.

I’m participating in MFRW Book Hooks—browse the current hop here! 

Kris Bock writes mystery, suspense, and romance, often with smart, snarky heroines finding adventure (sometimes against their will) in the Southwest. She lives in New Mexico where she enjoys hiking with her spouse and playing with their ferrets.

In the Reluctant Psychic Mystery series, a quirky loner who can read the history of any object with her touch gets drawn into mysteries at the museum of oddities where she works. In the Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. Kris’s romantic suspense novels include treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue. Readers have called these novels “Smart romance with an Indiana Jones feel.” She is also the author of the Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series and the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series.

Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter and get an Accidental Detective short story and other freebies. Then every two weeks, you’ll get fun content about pets, announcements of new books, sales, and more.

Find Kris:

Website
Blog
BlueSky
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Facebook
GoodReads Author Page
BookBub
Amazon US page or Amazon UK page

Something Prowling in Paradise Park is out now! It's the perfect blend of cozy #mystery, female sleuth suspense, and found-family crime solving. #books

Three cases. One body. Zero chance of staying out of trouble.

Something Prowling in Paradise Park is out now!

Former international war correspondent Kate Tessler never imagined she’d become an amateur sleuth, much less be pursuing her PI license with her sister. But now that she’s home in Arizona, she can’t resist employing her investigative skills to untangle the next small-town mystery with an unusual cast of friends.

This time, her senior pals introduce her to the Standishes, snowbirds who came home early only to find strangers living in their house—with forged lease papers and a lot to hide. With legal eviction requiring months and money, Kate and her found family start digging into the squatters’ pasts to find any dirt they can use.

Meanwhile, her boyfriend’s teenage sons bring her a case of their own: a rash of dog thefts sweeping the neighborhood. Then a late-night stakeout ends in a shocking discovery—a dead body. Was it a freak accident… or a murder?

Filled with twists, humor, and heart, Something Prowling in Paradise Park delivers the perfect blend of cozy mystery, female sleuth suspense, and found-family crime solving. Fans of J.A. Jance, Elly Griffiths, and Ann Cleeves will love this page-turner set against Arizona’s sunbaked secrets.

In The Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. These quirky, cozy mysteries with a women sleuth are perfect for fans of suspenseful whodunit murder mysteries with high stakes and humor. Book 1 has a 4.2-star rating on Goodreads with over 600 ratings.

Readers say: “If you like the show Castle then I think you’ll enjoy this book. I don’t diminish the seriousness of the suspected crime but the tenor of the book and the banter of the characters is both wonderful and really amusing. It’s a ragtag bunch of accidental detectives but it works and makes for a great read! Part heist movie, part three stooges one hundred percent must read!” 

“The characters in this book remind me of those in Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. I love their quirks and I was fooled until the very end.” 

Quick Excerpt:

The doorbell rang as I headed downstairs, and the door immediately opened. Clarence and Arnold came in.

“Kate!” Clarence waved the folder he used to collect weird crimes in hopes of persuading me to investigate them. “I have a doozy for you.”

“Sorry, I’m on my way out.” I grabbed a cane from the big ceramic vase by the door. The leg damaged in a bombing had improved, but I might walk fine for a dozen paces and then lurch sideways with no warning. I didn’t expect to need the cane that night, but I’d faced lots of things I hadn’t expected.

Clarence’s expression looked like a scolded puppy. “But this one’s really interesting. And we know the people! They want your help.”

Arnold nodded. “Leslie and Bob Standish. They retired a few years ago and only spend their winters in Arizona.”

“So they’re not here?” Most snowbirds don’t return until October, and it was late August.

Clarence waved both arms like an orchestra conductor. “They came back early because their electric and water bills were unusually high! They thought maybe they had a water leak. But they have squatters!”

I winced. “That must’ve been a shock.”

“They’re pretty upset,” Arnold said. “Imagine coming home and finding strangers living in your house.”

“Did they call the police?” I asked.

“Yeah, but apparently it’s not that easy,” Clarence said. “The squatters have a rental contract—forged, of course—so the police said it has to go through the courts. It could take months.”

The door was still open, letting in the heat. Marty and Joe Washington came up the sidewalk. Dad appeared in the archway into the kitchen, and Jen was listening from the living room.

“They’re desperate,” Arnold said. “We want to help.”

“Okay, but I really do have to go. You guys can get started, figure out the laws covering squatting and recommended responses.”

“We thought we could move in and be really annoying until they move out!” Clarence said.

“That doesn’t sound entirely safe.” I waved them out of the way so Marty and Joe could enter. “Don’t do anything drastic yet. We’ll talk more tomorrow.”

Clarence and Arnold beamed. So did Jen. Marty and Joe just looked confused, and I’d call Dad’s expression resigned.

Get The Accidental Detective humorous mystery series at all retailers

Kris Bock writes mystery, suspense, and romance, often with smart, snarky heroines finding adventure (sometimes against their will) in the Southwest. She lives in New Mexico where she enjoys hiking with her spouse and playing with their ferrets.

In the Reluctant Psychic Mystery series, a quirky loner who can read the history of any object with her touch gets drawn into mysteries at the museum of oddities where she works. In the Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. Kris’s romantic suspense novels include treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue. Readers have called these novels “Smart romance with an Indiana Jones feel.” She is also the author of the Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series and the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series.

Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter and get an Accidental Detective short story and other freebies. Then every two weeks, you’ll get fun content about pets, announcements of new books, sales, and more.

Find Kris:

Website
Blog
BlueSky
Instagram
Facebook
GoodReads Author Page
BookBub
Amazon US page or Amazon UK page

The Accidental Detective Book 5: Someone Murderous at The Midnight Motel is FREE! Grab this female sleuth #mystery filled with twists, humor, and heart now. 🕵️‍♀️ #books

Someone Murderous at The Midnight Motel (The Accidental Detective Book 5) is FREE at all ebook retailers.

No one warned her hot flashes could lead to death…

Forced to leave her celebrated career as an international war correspondent after an injury, Kate Tessler now dabbles in detective work in her Arizona hometown along with her sister, Jen. When Jen's old college friend asks them to investigate suspicious activity at a motel he inherited, it sounds like a free vacation with a little surveillance thrown in. 

But when Kate's hot flashes wake her in the middle of the night, she wanders outside to cool off and stumbles into a crime scene. 

Kate and Jen can’t trust anyone at the motel or the local police force they suspect of corruption. The lies pile up, the villains multiply, and the motel is hiding more secrets than they ever imagined. Good thing they have their eclectic senior sidekicks to share the undercover work.

In the Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. 

Readers say: “A page turning read... I have enjoyed this series so much.” 

“What’s great about this series is the easy, affectionate relationship between the amateur investigators, ranging from very young to senior people. I love that everyone has something to do and to contribute to the general investigation goals. The humor and teasing are also stupendous.”

“This book was really entertaining. This is such a fun series to read. I like the characters as they are all so quirky, yet genuine... I highly recommend this book and the whole series. Another 5 star book by Kris Bock!”

Quick Peek:

Something rustled in the bushes. I heard footsteps—or was that the pounding of my heart? I turned and ran for my room, my shoes smacking the pavement. Silence wouldn’t save me. If someone was watching from the shadows, they already knew I was there. In any case, I couldn’t stop myself from running as fast as my legs would let me, begging the stiff muscles in my bad leg to keep up and not send me sprawling.

My key card. Where was it? My hands were empty. I leaned my cane next to the door so I could pat my hips with the hand that wasn’t damp and sticky. My sleep shorts didn’t have pockets. Had I dropped it? I didn’t want to go back there. I didn’t want anyone else to find the key, either. A shudder racked my body at the thought.

I swung around and scanned the area. Spots danced before my eyes. I sucked in a breath. A second breath. The spots faded.

The surface of the pool sparkled from the underwater lights. Dim lights shone over most of the doors. They cast overlapping shadows, so the tables and chairs outside each room became a jumble of lines. The bushes sat like hunched figures. The patio under the awning had no lights, plunging the gruesome sight there into darkness. The entrance to the stairwell was a black pit. Shadows everywhere. So many shadows.

Find the Accidental Detective humorous mystery series at all major retailers.

Kris Bock writes mystery, suspense, and romance, often with smart, snarky heroines finding adventure (sometimes against their will) in the Southwest. She lives in New Mexico where she enjoys hiking with her spouse and playing with their ferrets.

In the Reluctant Psychic Mystery series, a quirky loner who can read the history of any object with her touch gets drawn into mysteries at the museum of oddities where she works.

Kris’s romantic suspense novels include stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue. Readers have called these novels “Smart romance with an Indiana Jones feel.”

The Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series stars the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in love with each other and shelter cats. In the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series, a Texas ranching family wins a fortune in the lottery. Who wouldn’t want to be a billionaire? Turns out winning the lottery causes as many problems as it solves. 

Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter and get a free novella set in the world of the Furrever Friends cat café, a printable copy of 22 recipes from the cat café novels, and short stories in the Accidental Detective and Reluctant Psychic worlds. Then every two weeks you’ll get fun content about animals, books, and more.

Coming Soon! Something Prowling in Paradise Park releases March 2. A female sleuth #mystery filled with twists, humor, and heart 🕵️‍♀️ #books

Three cases. One body. Zero chance of staying out of trouble.

Something Prowling in Paradise Park comes out March 2.

Former international war correspondent Kate Tessler never imagined she’d become an amateur sleuth, much less be pursuing her PI license with her sister. But now that she’s home in Arizona, she can’t resist employing her investigative skills to untangle the next small-town mystery with an unusual cast of friends.

This time, her senior pals introduce her to the Standishes, snowbirds who came home early only to find strangers living in their house—with forged lease papers and a lot to hide. With legal eviction requiring months and money, Kate and her found family start digging into the squatters’ pasts to find any dirt they can use.

Meanwhile, her boyfriend’s teenage sons bring her a case of their own: a rash of dog thefts sweeping the neighborhood. Then a late-night stakeout ends in a shocking discovery—a dead body. Was it a freak accident… or a murder?

Filled with twists, humor, and heart, Something Prowling in Paradise Park delivers the perfect blend of cozy mystery, female sleuth suspense, and found-family crime solving. Fans of J.A. Jance, Elly Griffiths, and Ann Cleeves will love this page-turner set against Arizona’s sunbaked secrets.

In The Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. These quirky, cozy mysteries with a women sleuth are perfect for fans of suspenseful whodunit murder mysteries with high stakes and humor. Book 1 has a 4.2-star rating on Goodreads with over 600 ratings.

Readers say: “This is a remarkably enjoyable start to a brand new cozy mystery series.” ~Books a Plenty Book Reviews

“Readers will enjoy this new cozy mystery and eagerly wait for more sleuthing with Kate and the Coffee Shop Irregulars!” ~Reading is my Superpower

“This is a fast-paced book that keeps you thinking. It’s a great jump start for this new series. I will anxiously await the second book.” ~Socrates’ Book Reviews

Chapter 1 Excerpt:

I answered the phone. Without so much as a greeting, my sister said, “Clarence wants a team meeting this evening.”

“I have plans.” At Jen’s disappointed sound, I added, “But there’s no reason you can’t get started without me.” In fact, the best thing about having enthusiastic assistants was getting them to do tedious research while I focused on other things.

“What do you have to do tonight that’s so important?” Jen asked.

“Dinner at Todd’s.” Some people called Todd Paradise “Mayor.” I occasionally called him “sweetie,” though never in front of Jen. 

“Ooh, dinner with your boyfriend tonight. Did you get permission from Dad to stay out all night? Are you packing your sexy undies?” Yeah, that’s why we kept the endearments private. She was one breath away from making kissing noises.

“I’m really looking forward to it.” I waited just long enough for her to come up with another teasing comment but not long enough for her to speak. “Because Finn and Alec invited me.”

“His boys invited you? Is that … does that mean …?”

I rarely get Jen stumbling over her words that way. I never get her speechless. I savored that for a moment, but not so long that she got her brain and mouth working again. 

“They want to consult with me.”

“Huh.” She paused. “Like, consult with you about becoming their new mom?”

“No!” I laughed. “Todd and I aren’t there yet. And even if we get there, I don’t think we’d do anything about it until the boys graduate high school.” They were fifteen and seventeen now, so it wouldn’t be too long. Well, depending on how long you considered three years. Until recently, I’d moved multiple times per year. Now three years seemed like a safe distance before having to make big decisions about our relationship. 

Jen gave a little gasp. “Like, consult with you about something mysterious and criminal?”

“I think so. They didn’t specify, but they know what I do.” 

I’d first met Finn and Alec when I was investigating an anonymous claim that Todd was taking bribes. I’d told Todd, because I’d suspected a political enemy of his was trying to make him look bad, and I was right. Alec and Finn had admitted they’d been getting bullied via email, which turned out to be related. We’d seen each other quite a few times in the five months since then, but they’d never invited me to dinner before.

I sure hoped they wanted advice on something criminal, or at least journalism help, and weren’t planning to ask about my intentions with their father. I’d much rather deal with a good crime.

Being in a real relationship was still new to me and a little unnerving. Previously, I’d traveled the world as a war correspondent, often moving every few months. Anyone I dated assumed, as I did, that it was temporary, until one or both of us headed to our next assignment. Now I was trying to embrace a new lifestyle, one with a permanent residence and family nearby. Living with my father in the house where I’d spent my childhood might not make me feel especially grown-up, but I had plenty of adult stuff to deal with, what with menopause and retirement planning. 

And now, apparently, a relationship that could actually lead somewhere. We were too busy to see each other more than a couple of times a week and had yet to talk about The Future, but things were going well, as far as I could judge with my limited experience.

Jen sighed. “Are you sure I can’t come?”

“What about Clarence? Don’t you want to know what he has for us? You even get to be in charge.”

“You just don’t want to deal with Clarence and Arnold.” She wasn’t entirely wrong. Dad’s friends might be around eighty, but they were as destructive as unsupervised toddlers on a sugar high.

“You’re just so good with them,” I said sweetly. “It must be all those years of mothering.”

She grunted. “They’re way more trouble than my teenagers though.”

She sounded a little sad. Her oldest had just graduated high school. Both her kids had summer jobs. Soon they wouldn’t need her much anymore. As a good sister, the least I could do was provide some troublesome seniors as a distraction.

“It’s exciting that we might have two cases at once,” I said. “Complain and you shall receive, I guess.” A couple of days ago, Jen had whined about being bored. I had articles to write, though I’ll admit that wasn’t quite as exciting as investigating. 

“Yeah, but don’t try to foist all of Clarence’s stuff off on me.”

“I won’t.”

Good thing I like to be busy. Some people (cough my therapist cough) might suggest that’s because I don’t want too much time to think about the future. I disagree. I don’t want too much time to think about the present. I spent thirty years chasing stories and desperately trying to get them written and filed on time. It wasn’t fun waking up in the hospital with a damaged body and nothing to do but think about how I’d gotten there and how little I was prepared for the realities of aging and injury.

Get The Accidental Detective humorous mystery series at all retailers

Kris Bock writes mystery, suspense, and romance, often with smart, snarky heroines finding adventure (sometimes against their will) in the Southwest. She lives in New Mexico where she enjoys hiking with her spouse and playing with their ferrets.

In the Reluctant Psychic Mystery series, a quirky loner who can read the history of any object with her touch gets drawn into mysteries at the museum of oddities where she works. In the Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. Kris’s romantic suspense novels include treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue. Readers have called these novels “Smart romance with an Indiana Jones feel.” She is also the author of the Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series and the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series.

Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter and get an Accidental Detective short story and other freebies. Then every two weeks, you’ll get fun content about pets, announcements of new books, sales, and more.

Find Kris:

Website
Blog
BlueSky
Instagram
Facebook
GoodReads Author Page
BookBub
Amazon US page or Amazon UK page

Happy National Cozy Mystery Day! Check out some fun #mystery #books

National Cozy Mystery Day is September 15 each year. It’s mystery writer Agatha Christie’s birthday and a time to celebrate cozy mysteries!

A cozy mystery is one where the detective is an amateur sleuth rather than a police officer or an investigator. They often take place in small towns or at least have characters who form a small community. They have little or no violence, sex, and cursing on the page. 

My mysteries might be called “cozy adjacent” – In the Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. Technically a journalist could be considered a professional sleuth. Also, the series is set in the Phoenix, Arizona area and touches on some tougher topics. Still, this is a lighthearted series with a recurring cast of fun characters!

This humorous series starts with Something Shady at Sunshine Haven, which made Barnes & Noble's list of “Handpicked Favorites You'll Love!” It's free at major retailers this month!

Readers say: “The characters in this book remind me of those in Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. I love their quirks and I was fooled until the very end.”

“I love the amateur detective sisters solving the crimes along with their friends and family who help them. There is lots of witty banter and interesting situations that keep this story moving along at a fast pace.”

“A great start to a new series... Readers will enjoy this new cozy mystery and eagerly wait for more sleuthing with Kate and the Coffee Shop Irregulars!”  

“Kris has done a wonderful job providing a suspenseful mystery for the reader to help solve, as well as shared some interesting and quirky characters.”

In the Reluctant Psychic Mystery series, a quirky loner who can read the history of any object with her touch gets drawn into mysteries at the museum of oddities where she works. This is more typically cozy in the sense that it’s a small town setting and the main character is a geologist/museum employee. The mood may be more serious than some cozies though, as main character Petra struggles with a psychic power she doesn’t want.

Readers say:

“…what truly resonated with me was Petra’s emotional journey. Her anxiety about being discovered, her cautious approach to forming friendships, and her affection for her pets (the cats! the ferrets! my heart!) made her character incredibly relatable. I found myself laughing, gasping, and perhaps shedding a tear or two.”

“A Stone Cold Murder is exactly the kind of book I crave—tightly plotted, emotionally rich, and impossible to put down. Kris Bock blends murder, mystery, and psychic suspense seamlessly, and I’m obsessed.”

“Kris Bock has crafted a story that’s equal parts murder mystery, psychological deep-dive, and small-town gothic horror (in the best way).”

I’ve also written romantic suspense novels, including stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue. Readers have called these novels “Smart romance with an Indiana Jones feel.”

So if you’re looking for cozy(ish) mysteries, check out my books. Something Shady at Sunshine Haven is free at major retailers September 2025!

Kris Bock writes mystery, suspense, and romance, often with smart, snarky heroines finding adventure (sometimes against their will) in the Southwest. She lives in New Mexico where she enjoys hiking with her husband and playing with their ferrets.

Mystery: In the Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. This humorous series starts with Something Shady at Sunshine Haven, which made Barnes & Noble's list of “Handpicked Favorites You'll Love!” In the Reluctant Psychic Mystery series, a quirky loner who can read the history of any object with her touch gets drawn into mysteries at the museum of oddities where she works. Kris’s romantic suspense novels include stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue. Readers have called these novels “Smart romance with an Indiana Jones feel.”

Romance: In the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series, a Texas ranching family wins a fortune in the lottery. Who wouldn't want to be a billionaire? Turns out winning the lottery causes as many problems as it solves. The Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series stars the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in love with each other and shelter cats.

Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter and get an Accidental Detective short story, a Reluctantly Psychic short story, and other freebies. Then every two weeks, you’ll get fun content about pets, announcements of new books, sales, and more.

Find Kris

Website

Blog

BlueSky

GoodReads Author Page

BookBub

Amazon US page or Amazon UK page

How to Avoid Murder and Other Jobs: Tales of a Reluctant Psychic Book 1 #mystery tour stops: bloggers review "a complex mystery with many layers" #books

In the Tales of a Reluctant Psychic mystery series, a quirky loner who can read the history of any object with her touch gets drawn into mysteries at the museum of oddities where she works.

Several bloggers reviewed How to Avoid Murder and Other Jobs: Tales of a Reluctant Psychic Book 1!

“The mystery was unique and so well done. Her psychometry gives her clues, but not enough to know what exactly is going on. I love how she slowly investigates, how she slowly begins to trust, and how she gradually starts to accept her gift. Plenty of suspicious characters and red herrings keep readers on their toes.

“Quirky characters in an unconventional museum pulled me in to this captivating mystery. I loved this series debut and I can't wait to return to the Banditt Museum!” ~Cozy Up With Kathy

“I swiftly became sympathetic to Petra’s uneasy adaptations and her sad and lonely past. The plot is well-paced, and Petra’s reaction to her first handling of potential evidence of murder reveals her startling ability very effectively...

“The author’s writing is easy to read, and I was so engaged with the story that I read it from start to finish one evening... I recommend How to Avoid Murder and Other Jobs to cozy mystery readers, especially those interested in psychic elements, museum settings, rocks, and minerals.” ~Boys' Mom Reads

“The author did a wonderful job explaining Petra’s gift and included ways it shook up her life. I became invested in her life easily. Her inner dialogues touched my heart… Ms. Bock has surrounded Petra with a well-crafted, quirky cast of characters…

“Ms. Bock penned a complex mystery with many layers. With Petra taking over not only the deceased’s office but his rental home as well, she is immersed in the mystery of his death. She knows there is more to his story, but can she find the truth? I appreciated the pace that was set for this story. Time was allowed to introduce the characters while Petra debated how to move forward. This draws readers in, then the twists start to happen. A wanted man, an important object or two in the museum, a crazy filing system, an unexpected visitor, a new friend with a gift of their own, all come together as Petra follows clue after clue and learns something surprising about her gift. This culminates in an exciting chase and takedown that will have readers on the edge of their seats.

Kris Bock at the Mineral Museum

“How to Avoid Murder and Other Jobs is an excellent start for this series. Petra Cloch is a character that will stick with you. The author’s detailed depictions will put you right on the scene of everything that happens. Petra has come a long way within these pages, but the progress is still new. I am excited to see her journey continue. Death Takes a Field Trip will be released on July 30. I have saved a spot on my calendar.” ~Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book

Get the Tales of a Reluctant Psychic mystery series in ebook or print at all major retailers.

Kris Bock writes mystery, suspense, and romance, often with smart, snarky heroines finding adventure (sometimes against their will) in the Southwest. She lives in New Mexico where she enjoys hiking with her husband and playing with their ferrets. 

In the Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. This humorous series starts with Something Shady at Sunshine Haven, which made Barnes & Noble's list of “Handpicked Favorites You'll Love!” Kris’s romantic suspense novels include stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue. Readers have called these novels “Smart romance with an Indiana Jones feel.”

The Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series stars the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in love with each other and shelter cats. In the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series, a Texas ranching family wins a fortune in the lottery. Who wouldn't want to be a billionaire? Turns out winning the lottery causes as many problems as it solves.

Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter and get an Accidental Detective short story and other freebies. Then every two weeks, you’ll get fun content about pets, announcements of new books, sales, and more.

Meet the Reluctant Psychic in a new #mystery series launching soon! You'll love relaxing with these exciting #books set in smalltown New Mexico.

I got my start in writing for adults with romantic suspense (after writing for children for 15 years). I moved into sweet romance and mystery. Many of my books are set in the southwest. I live in New Mexico, which means that when I meet people at conferences, they say, “I love Santa Fe/Taos!” I explain that I live a couple of hours south of there in an entirely different landscape and cultural atmosphere, in a town of 8000 people with a science and engineering school. Then the next time they see me, they say, “Oh, you’re the writer from Arizona, right?” 

After publishing six books in The Accidental Detective humorous mystery series (actually set in Arizona), I’m writing a new series. In the Tales of a Reluctant Psychic mystery series, a quirky loner who can read the history of any object with her touch gets drawn into mysteries at the museum of oddities where she works, in smalltown New Mexico. 

The weeks before a new release can be nerve-wracking for an author. Will people like it? Will they get what you were trying to do? Fortunately, I've had some excellent reviews from readers who got an advance copy!

“How to Avoid Murder and Other Jobs by Kris Bock isn’t just a murder mystery—it’s a haunting, immersive experience that blends the supernatural with raw human emotion. As someone who adores crime fiction with a twist, this book grabbed me from the first page and refused to let go.” – Kora B. on GoodReads

“I’ve never read a psychic protagonist who felt this real... The murder mystery itself is brilliantly layered. Reggie Heap’s death seems straightforward—until Petra picks up that fluorite crystal and feels his murder. The way Bock slowly unravels the truth—through missing keys, a hidden laptop, and a wanted criminal lurking in the museum—had me flipping pages like a madwoman. 

“And the small-town dynamics? Perfection. Everyone knows everyone, secrets simmer beneath polite smiles, and Petra’s outsider status makes every interaction deliciously tense. Kris Bock, you’ve created something special here. The prose is sharp, the mystery is addictive, and Petra’s journey is one I won’t forget. If you love atmospheric thrillers with a deeply human core, you need this book.” – Lauren M. on GoodReads

“Kris Bock has crafted a story that’s equal parts murder mystery, psychological deep-dive, and small-town gothic horror (in the best way). And the murder plot? So clever. Reggie’s death is ruled an accident, but Petra’s ability tells her otherwise. The way she pieces together clues—through objects, through hesitant conversations with coworkers, through that creepy hidden laptop—is masterful. And the fact that the killer might still be in the museum? I was looking over my shoulder while reading.” – Lesa R. on GoodReads

She hates her gift – but it just might save her…

Geologist Petra Cloch can touch an object and sense the emotions of the people who’ve held it. It’s a miserable way to live. She studied rocks because they rarely ‘talk’ to her and she’s dodged friendships so she won’t need to explain her gift or feel like a voyeur. But when she takes a job as the rock and mineral curator at an unusual western history museum and picks up a jagged crystal in her new office, flashes of rage, fear and death hit hard.

Everyone says her predecessor died in a car crash, but what if he was murdered? Under normal circumstances, Petra would never become involved, but what if the previous curator died because of something he did on the job? She could be next. Petra knows she’ll need evidence, not her psychic sense she hides. Can she trust her chatty colleagues who invite her to lunch and to join a book club? And what about the far too watchful Sheriff who keeps showing up unexpectedly…

Learn more or get the Tales of a Reluctant Psychic mystery series in ebook or print at all major retailers.

Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter and get an Accidental Detective short story and other freebies. Then every two weeks, you’ll get fun content about pets, announcements of new books, sales, and more.

Kris Bock writes mystery, suspense, and romance, often with Southwestern landscapes. In the Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. 

The Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in love with each other and shelter cats. 

In the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series, a Texas ranching family wins a fortune in the lottery and find out winning the lottery causes as many problems as it solves. 

Kris’s romantic suspense novels include stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue. 

Kris also writes a series with her brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrote the original screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. The Felony Melanie series follows the crazy antics of Melanie, Jake, and their friends a decade before the events of the movie. Sign up for the romantic comedy newsletter to get a short story preview, or find the books at Amazon US or All E-book retailers.

How to Avoid Murder and Other Jobs: Tales of a Reluctant Psychic Book 1 #books #mystery #NewRelease

 

The Tales of a Reluctant Psychic mystery series by Kris Bock

A quirky loner who can read the history of any object with her touch gets drawn into mysteries at the museum of oddities where she works.

Petra Cloch has the psychic ability of psychometry – she can glimpse the history of an object by touching it. Powerful emotions leave behind the strongest vibrations. If Petra touches a watch or ring someone has worn for years, she can sense the wearer’s personality and what they care about most. If she touches an object used as a murder weapon, she might sense the emotions of the killer and the killed – but that doesn’t mean she can identify the killer.

To save her sanity, Petra avoids close relationships except with her many pets. She studied geology, because rocks rarely speak to her. Her new job is supposed to focus on the rocks and minerals wing of a peculiar private museum in a small southwestern town. But she can’t avoid the echoes of violence all around her. If she doesn’t want murderers to go free, she’ll have to convince the local sheriff there is something to investigate. That means finding evidence beyond the psychic senses she hides.

How to Avoid Murder and Other Jobs: Tales of a Reluctant Psychic Book 1

Petra is starting a new job at a quirky private museum in a small New Mexico town. When she picks up a jagged crystal in her new office, she's overcome by flashes of rage, fear and death. Everyone says her predecessor died in a car crash, but what if he was murdered?

Petra normally avoids involvements, but if the previous curator died because of the job, she could be next. Can she trust her chatty colleagues? And what about the far too watchful Sheriff who keeps showing up unexpectedly… 

Learn more or get the Tales of a Reluctant Psychic mystery series in ebook or print at all major retailers.

Praise:

“I really really enjoyed this - and my first thoughts upon completing it are ‘I hope this is actually the beginning of a series!! I really enjoyed the intro to all the people in this small community. So many interesting characters – so many ways this could go further.” – Reader review on BookBub

“A good old-fashioned murder mystery with a twist. The supernatural elements make this book interesting. I empathized with the main character, and she was genuine and reluctant as the title implies… it was suspenseful and kept you guessing until the end… Good read.” – Reader review on BookBub

Kris Bock writes mystery, suspense, and romance, often with smart, snarky heroines finding adventure (sometimes against their will) in the Southwest. She lives in New Mexico where she enjoys hiking with her husband and playing with their ferrets.

In the Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. The Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series stars the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in love with each other and shelter cats. In the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series, a Texas ranching family wins a fortune in the lottery and discovers winning the lottery causes as many problems as it solves. Kris also writes a series with her brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrote the original screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. The Felony Melanie series follows the crazy antics of Melanie, Jake, and their friends a decade before the events of the movie.

Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter and get short stories from the Tales of a Reluctant Psychic and Accidental Detective series plus other freebies. Then every two weeks, you’ll get fun content about pets, announcements of new books, sales, and more.