Small Towns Can Be Murder: A Girl and Her Dog Cozy Mystery

Charlie and Sally Bertrand visit Sally’s hometown of Valle Escondido, New Mexico. An unexplained series of miscarriages among the local women has the recently-pregnant Sally worried. She asks Charlie to look into the death of one of them.
Meanwhile, Drake Langston is back, wanting a commitment from Charlie. But she isn't sure she is ready. NPR called it "A good story and a challenging puzzle." More

"Another delicious read for the beach!" -- The Pilot, Southern Pines, NC

"Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes." --The Midwest Book Review

Tucked into the mountains and valleys of northern New Mexico are the hidden towns, little enclaves of history and tradition--and secrets.

It is to one of these towns, Valle Escondido, that Charlie and her office assistant Sally Bertrand go for a July 4 weekend getaway. But almost immediately after their arrival they receive upsetting news and suddenly Charlie has a new mystery to solve.

Meanwhile, Drake Langston, the handsome helicopter pilot that Charlie met in Hawaii (Vacations Can Be Murder) is still in her life. He's coming to New Mexico for a visit, with the idea that he might convince her to move to Hawaii rather than continuing a long-distance relationship.

The plots intertwine and Charlie finds herself sifting through the clues to discover the hideous secrets harbored in Valle Escondido, while she wrestles with the decisions about her personal life as well.

Here is what others have said:
"A good story and a challenging puzzle." -- Robert O. Greer for National Public Radio

. . . and for the earlier books in this series from USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton....

"Good selection for all collections." -- Library Journal

"Charlie is a fabulous amateur sleuth!" -- Midwest Book Review

"Tension is fast-paced in this involving account" -- Bookwatch

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Connie Shelton is the USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen mysteries. Her Charlie Parker series is based in Albuquerque, and her new Samantha Sweet series is set in the northern New Mexico town of Taos. In addition to her full-time writing career, Connie has taught writing, is the creator of the Novel In A Weekend writing course, and was a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul. She and her husband reside in northern New Mexico with their two dogs. Visit her website at connieshelton.com and get her free mystery newsletter.