4-STAR REVIEW: A HUSH AT MIDNIGHT by Marlene M. Bell

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The Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2024

THE VISIT THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING.

Celebrity chef Laura Harris dwells on the horror of finding her mentor’s body in the groundskeeper’s disheveled bed—pillow and bedding half covering her open eyes—purple bruising around her mouth. A grisly snapshot in time revealing the Texas woman’s last moments during her attack. The elderly matriarch from the small town of Stenburg has left the physical world, and Laura is shattered.

She is catapulted headlong into the pursuit of a casual executioner, one bold enough to come and go from the crime scene with ease, dropping bizarre crumb trails designed to mock the deceased. But Laura herself doesn’t go unnoticed. As she digs deeper, she is followed and bombarded by warnings to leave the state.

When the victim’s attorney informs Laura that she’s to inherit the entire Stenburg fortune, the last act of kindness has made Laura the main person of interest in the investigation.

Message by message, Laura is methodically taunted by someone so deranged and driven they’ll do whatever it takes to dislodge Laura from Texas – permanently.

Excerpt The Review

The death of a beloved mentor leads Chef Laura Harris on a hunt for clues.

A Hush at Midnight by Marlene M. Bell features not only rich historical information culled from the life of Hattie Stenburg, but plenty of suspense as Laura finds herself targeted.

While Laura is used to being in the spotlight as a celebrity chef, being accused of murdering a dear friend spurs her to launch her own investigation. Soon, secrets and rivalries are exposed.

Coming in at over 300 pages, the story is packed with details. Whether it’s Laura’s dysfunctional relationship with her sister or her love life, she’s no stranger to dealing with unpleasant circumstances.

Fortunately, the author includes a character guide at the beginning that provides context for each character, including the four-legged Moon Pie.

Cozy mystery lovers will find A Hush at Midnight a perfect mix of character development and mystery elements that will leave them hooked until the end. Buy Links

About The Author

Marlene M. Bell has never met a sheep she didn’t like. As a personal touch for her readers, they often find these wooly creatures visiting her international romantic mysteries and children’s books as characters or subject matter. Marlene is an accomplished artist and photographer who takes pride in entertaining fans on multiple levels of her creativity.

Marlene’s award-winning Annalisse series boasts Best Mystery honors for all installments including these: IP Best Regional Australia/New Zealand, Global Award Best Mystery, and Chanticleer’s International Mystery and Mayhem shortlist for Copper Waters, the fourth mystery in the series.

She offers her children’s picture book, Mia and Nattie: One Great Team! written primarily for younger kids based on true events from the Bell’s East Texas sheep ranch. The simple text and illustrations are a touching tribute of belonging and unconditional love between a little girl and her lamb.