A Liz Adams Mystery: Book 2
Publication Date: December 11, 2022
Stolen identities, a cult, a kidnapping, an attempted murder, and a budding romance . . .
Join Private Investigator Liz Adams, and her lie-detecting Labrador, Duke, in the scenic town of Carmel By-the-Sea, as the pair investigate the mystery of stolen identities. Complications arise when Liz becomes romantically entangled with her hot new client, Brad.
Enter Apollo, a charismatic cult leader, whose mission to save the homeless has a dark twist. Why does he continue to trespass on Liz’s property? She’s compelled to uncover the answer.
Tensions mount, as the stakes become a matter of life and death. Will Liz and Duke solve both mysteries before the damage is irreparable?
Travel with Liz from Charleston, SC to Carmel, CA, and back to discover the astounding truth.
Carmel Conundrum is the second book in the Liz Adams Mystery series by Stacy Wilder and the first one I’ve read in the series. I was able to piece together some of what happened in Charleston Conundrum, the first book, which I hope to read to get the details I missed not having read it.
Carmel Conundrum s Liz and Brad’s story, which takes place in Carmel By-the-Sea on the coast of California. Liz’s home base is Charleston, and she flies back and forth a few times, so we get to meet her neighbors and friends from there.
Liz is in California to check out the property she inherited from her friend after she was murdered, and Peg plays a part in this book as well. Liz and Brad are finding their way as love interests, something their friend Peg was hoping for.
The story started off slowly and gave me some unease with the prologue, but we realize its importance as we get into the heart of the story.
Liz is a private investigator, and she offers her services to Brad when it’s uncovered that something is not right at his security company which protects people’s information.
I liked the main characters as well as her dog, Duke, who seems to have a special talent that she tries to keep under wraps, and the sheriff, Sam, who adds the police presence needed. Those involved in the cult with Apollo leave a lot to be desired and add tension, mystery, and layers to the story.
There are a lot of twists and turns along with secrets, evil, drugs, attacks, clues, injuries, family and friends, competitors, beautiful scenic descriptions, food, romance, loving, and love.
Several storylines are being woven together, and I liked the inclusion of several pets in addition to Duke. There are some loose ends as we reach the conclusion, which I hope will be addressed in the next book. The ending was rewarding as the crimes were solved, as well as some personal dilemmas. I love the cover, and there are several easy-to-follow recipes at the back of the book.
Carmel Conundrum is a cozy mystery that’s sometimes dark but has depth and lots of clues spread throughout kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. 
Stacy Wilder has traveled to six out of seven continents Books have shaped her life and her travels. Her love of mysteries began with Nancy Drew.
Carmel Conundrum is the second book in the riveting Liz Adams Mystery series. In addition to mysteries, Stacy writes children’s stories, short stories, and poetry. She and her husband live in Houston, Texas, with a totally spoiled Labrador retriever, Eve.
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