I’m excited to announce that my new publisher, Anamcara Press, has reissued and rebranded my first four Sydney Lockhart mysteries and published two new ones. With the release of Murder at the Luther, the task is complete, and it is now available for pre-sale.

https://anamcara-press.com/product/murder-at-the-luthor/

My Sydney Lockhart mystery series takes place in the early 1950s, a decade currently experiencing a profound renaissance. It was a time when the American Dream was in everyone’s grasp. The country’s forecast was bright and encouraging, even for young women who planned to claim their independence and make their mark on the world—thus, the setting of this lighthearted, fast-paced series.

Each story takes place in a different historic hotel. The protagonist, Sydney Jean Lockhart, a reporter-cum-PI, arrives on the scene and soon finds herself embroiled in a murder, often as a suspect. Too outspoken and impertinent for her own good, Sydney often makes her situation worse before solving the crime. Assisted by her wealthy, fashion-conscience cousin, Ruth Echland, the two modern women make nuisances of themselves while trying to stay one step ahead of the killers.

Here’s my list of Sydney Lockhart mysteries, along with a short blub.

Murder at the Arlington: Book One

In the shadows of 1952, reporter Sydney Lockhart checks into the historic Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Before she unpacks, she discovers the brutally murdered body of the hotel’s bookkeeper. What began as a simple travel-writing assignment turns into a murder investigation with Sydney as a suspect. Determined to clear her name and prove herself a reporter deserving more than travel assignments, Sydney becomes embroiled in the underworld of gangsters and gamblers.

Murder at the Luther: Book Two

It’s 1952, and confident, free-spirited redhead Sydney Jean Lockhart has shunned the entrapments of marriage and domesticity in order to maintain her independence and pursue her career as a reporter. She’s on assignment in the quaint coastal town of Palacios, Texas, where politicians are backslapping and ringing in the New Year at the historic Luther Hotel. While covering the festivities, she finds herself evading the unwanted attention of undesirable suitors. In the midst of party revelers and free-flowing champagne, the celebration turns sour, and Sydney finds herself dancing with a dead man. With her fingerprints on the murder weapon, Sydney ushers in the New Year behind bars. She makes bail and manages to stay one step ahead of Police Chief Lynol Fogmore, a cigar-chewing bulldog of a man hungry for a fast arrest and conviction. Soon there is another body, more damning fingerprints, and a crazy Cajun who’s been paid to feed Sydney to the alligators. Things get worse when cousin Ruth comes to town with a problem even Sydney can’t solve. In a race against time to prove her innocence, Sydney sets out to solve the case and unmask the real murderer in Murder at the Luther.

Murder at the Galvez: Book Three

It’s the summer of 1953, a storm is brewing on Galveston Island, and it has nothing to do with the weather. Galveston’s underworld crawls out of its hole as reporter Sydney Lockhart investigates her grandfather’s unsolved murder.

Murder at the Driskill: Book Four

Reporter/PI Sydney Lockhart and her partner/boyfriend, PI Ralph Dixon, are hobnobbing at a swanky party at the Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas. Before Sydney finishes her first martini, a gunshot sounds, and future gubernatorial candidate Leland Tatum is found dead in the Yellow Rose Suite down the hall.

Murder at the Menger: Book Five

PI Sydney Lockhart tracks notorious bookie Johnny Pine to the Menger Hotel. Sydney is attacked and thrown into the river. She survives, but her memory doesn’t. Get ready for the second battle of the Alamo.

I’ll let Sydney tell you about our latest adventure, Murder at the Pontchartrain.

Murder at the Pontchartrain: Book Six

I’m Sydney Lockhart. I solve murders, most of which I’m the primary suspect. I came to the Pontchartrain Hotel in New Orleans to marry my partner, Ralph Dixon. Instead, Dixon’s in jail for a double murder. I’m in a swamp, spying on the KKK. Helping me untangle this mess is my bubble-headed cousin Ruth, who goes undercover as a hotel chef. My twelve-year-old charge, Lydia LaBeau, dressed as a voodoo queen, is looking for clues at Pat O’Brien’s pub. Rip Thigbee, a ghost detective, is my only hope. So, mix yourself a Hurricane and join me in the Big Easy for another historic hotel murder case.

Leave a comment to be eligible to win a copy of Murder at the Luther or a Sydney Book of your choice.

For readers who are interested in suspense, check out my Kate Caraway Animal-Rights mystery series.

Run Dog Run

Animal-rights activist Kate Caraway’s five-year project in Kenya, studying the declining elephant population, comes to a screeching halt when she shoots a poacher and is forced to leave the country. Kate takes refuge on a friend’s ranch in Texas and tries to come to terms with the disaster she’s left behind. Her friend’s daughter, Rosa Linda Rodriguez, pleads for Kate’s help when greyhound trainer Diego Gomez is murdered. Kate is soon embroiled in the shady world of dog racing. As Kate gets close to the truth, Rosa Linda vanishes. Kate then fears becoming the next victim herself.

A Two Horse Town

Animal-rights activist Kate Caraway hates lecturing at the University of Illinois so much she fears she’s losing her mind. When student Nate Springfield walks into her office with a story of wild horses in danger, Kate’s in Two Horse, Montana, forty-eight hours later. Kate plans to use her reputation and influence to keep a herd of wild mustangs belonging to Nate’s eighty-two-year-old great-grandmother, Ida Springfield, from the slaughterhouse. After Ida’s estranged son is murdered, Nate becomes a suspect. Then Ida, fearing Nate’s being set up, takes her shotgun and the law into her hands. Tracking down the killer leads Kate to a winding mountain road, where her fear of heights almost drives her over the edge.

Eagle Crossing

With the baseball season over, animal-rights activist Kate Caraway and her husband, Chicago Cubs manager Jack Rider, travel to Lopez Island for a vacation and a long-awaited stay with Kate’s childhood friend.  Emily Ann Thurston owns Eagle Crossing, a wildlife rescue facility where she raises and cares for injured eagles. Before Kate can relax and breathe the fresh pine-scented air of the Pacific Northwest, trouble begins. A family gathering and celebration turns tragic. Soon, three people are murdered. Before Kate can untangle the mess, she meets the killer face-to-face, and they both realize she is the only one who stands in the way of the killer’s freedom. (First place winner of the Chanticleer International Mystery and Mayhem Award.)