Mayhem in the Mulch (Betty Benino Mysteries Book 1) by Janet Fix

Autumn leaves are spinning in Bluejay Ridge—and so are the rumors.Roberta “Betty” Benino craves a fresh start in the mountains of Georgia. Her lakeside cottage promises peaceful new beginnings, and her welcoming neighbors seal the deal—until she stumbles upon a body at the local garden center.Now gossip blooms as quickly as the mums, and Betty’s at the center of it all. A retired screenwriter with a flair for drama, she has no intention of playing detective … until her curiosity digs her in deeper than she intended.With clues leading nowhere, a wary sheriff watching her every move, and suspects stacking up like firewood, Betty must unearth the truth before the killer decides she knows too much.Full of humor, heart, and small-town secrets, Mayhem in the Mulch kicks off the Betty Benino Mysteries—a cozy, character-rich whodunit for anyone who loves quick-witted sleuths, treasured friendships, and a little mayhem between the pages. These mysteries can each be enjoyed as a standalone, but the full Betty story unfolds across the series.