Review by Tracy Condie
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a signed copy of the book and a link to purchase it.
This Songwriter Sleuth Mystery series starter is going to be a chart topper. Leigh Notrap, a country music songwriter, is looking to land a full-time songwriting job with a note-worthy label. So why would her friend Cal, the future star of Red Vector Records, hogtie her chances of working with the company? I was instantly drawn into this story and not just because Leigh needs to help clear her friend Emma of Cal’s murder because Emma’s somewhat combative relationship with her brother puts her on the suspect list
While waiting for a full-time opportunity, Leigh makes ends meet by working as a janitor at the local school which gives her access to a pool. She is a swimmer and does some of her best thinking and creating while rhythmically breathing and flip turning. There is one thing that she doesn’t give a second thought to, and that is love. Leigh does not do love. She says that she has no use for it. Besides, she is too busy looking into suspects to be bothered with such things, right?
As for suspects, there are plenty to choose from starting with Cal’s girlfriend, Autumn. Followed by his manager, the Red Vector exec, super-fan Whitney, and even the spineless owner of the Banta Bowl concert venue. Since they can’t all be the killer(s), it means that there are some very good misdirects to keep the reader engaged and entertained. The plot builds at a good pace with elements of mystery, comedy, life endangerment, and song lyrics. All the characters are well-rounded to the point where you either like them, or you really don’t like them. Some of the much-liked characters include Emma, who is a strong and supportive friend, Agnes, who is an awesome mother-figure/landlord/sometimes boss/friend, and Bobby, with his eclectic t-shirts and Harry Potter glasses who cleans up nicely when the situation calls for it.
There is a mystery within this mystery as Leigh shares tidbits and thoughts about her upbringing, her parents, and her hang-up with love. I look forward to seeing Leigh work through her past and present love challenges and the song lyrics they will inspire her to write.
To enter to win a signed copy of Trebled Waters, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "trebled,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen September 13, 2025. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors!
You can click here to purchase this book.
Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.Tracy Condie is a paralegal by day and cozy armchair sleuth by night. When she is not working or reading, she enjoys preparing the recipes found in culinary cozies or researching recipes of meal items described therein and sharing reviews of both books and food on Instagram and on KRL. She lives in Corona, California with her husband and dog Zoolie, and looks forward to visiting with their grown sons when their time permits.
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