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VOLUME 11 • ISSUE 1
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2026
🍁 FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK
OCTOBER HAS ARRIVED IN FULL FORCE!
Happy Tuesday, everyone!
Well, I asked you to send me pictures of your fall and Halloween decorations, and apparently I underestimated just how creative our readers are!
The pictures are pouring in, folks! WOW!
I've been looking through pumpkins, beautifully decorated porches, fall displays, Halloween decorations, and all sorts of wonderful seasonal creations. Some of you have really gone all out, and I am absolutely loving it!
I'm carefully filing away the contenders so I can compare everything and make my final decision at the end of the month. And let me tell you, choosing a winner is not going to be easy.
Perry, naturally, believes he should have the final say.
Meanwhile, Sunset Cove is getting into the October spirit, too. Pumpkins are appearing on front steps, autumn wreaths are going up, and a few residents have already started competing over whose porch looks the best. I'm fairly certain we're only a few decorations away from someone filing a formal complaint with the town council.
But that's October in Sunset Cove!
Today's edition is packed with mysteries, and quite a few of our featured books and mentions fit right into our spooky, autumn, and Halloween theme. We've also got plenty of free books waiting in our community promo.
So grab your favorite fall drink, settle into a comfortable chair, and let's see what's making headlines!
🐾 PERRY'S PAW PRINTS
AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE CONTEST JUDGE
"I've reviewed the incoming photographs."
And?
"The competition is considerably stronger than anticipated."
I told you our readers were creative!
"Several displays demonstrate exceptional attention to detail."
Well, that's nice of you to say.
"However, I have noticed a troubling lack of feline accommodations in some of the decorations."
Perry, this isn't a cat decorating contest.
"Perhaps it should be."
No.
"I would also like to remind participants that decorative mice should be clearly identified as decorative."
Why?
"To avoid unnecessary investigations."
You attacked a stuffed mouse yesterday.
"And successfully neutralized the threat."
Ladies and gentlemen, your contest judge.
🔦 TODAY'S MYSTERY SPOTLIGHT
QUIET MAN FOUND DEAD IN AUTUMN HEIGHTS—LOCAL WOMAN BECOMES PRIME SUSPECT!
Featured Mystery: One Drops Dead
by Josephine Beintema
Featured Mystery: One Drops Dead by Josephine Beintema
Welcome to Autumn Heights, where the leaves are colorful all year long, the town is charming, and apparently the murders just keep piling up!
When Quiet Carl, perhaps the most forgettable man in town, turns up dead, the residents of Autumn Heights are understandably baffled. Even the police don't seem to know quite what to make of it.
Unfortunately for Vi Resoudre, she's the one who discovers Carl's body, and that puts her directly in the investigators' sights.
Vi has an unusual relationship with death. She possesses a sixth sense for it, although whether that's a blessing or a curse is certainly up for debate. After all, she can see what she calls Grimms—short for Grim Reapers.
Now, with the police looking in her direction, a teenage daughter named Cat, a feline companion named Boo, and a Grimm following her around, Vi has to uncover the truth about Quiet Carl before the wrong person ends up behind bars.
A mysterious death, an autumn town, and a cat named Boo? This one certainly knows how to make an entrance during October!
And I suspect Perry will have something to say about that cat.
📰 MORE MYSTERIES MAKING HEADLINES
THE OCTOBER READING LIST IS GETTING SPOOKY!
Oh, readers, you're going to enjoy today's lineup!
We've got LOTS of mystery mentions to share, and quite a few fit perfectly with our October atmosphere. Think autumn settings, suspicious happenings, Halloween vibes, and those wonderfully mysterious little towns where nobody seems capable of minding their own business.
I've always thought there's something especially enjoyable about reading a mystery this time of year. Maybe it's the cooler evenings, the changing leaves, or the excuse to curl up with a blanket and completely ignore the laundry.
Whatever the reason, October and mysteries belong together.
Take a look through today's selections from our fellow authors. You might discover your next favorite sleuth or find the perfect book for a chilly fall evening.
And remember, we're not responsible for the condition of your TBR after today's edition!
🎃 AROUND SUNSET COVE
DECORATING CONTEST UPDATE: THE COMPETITION IS HEATING UP!
I have to tell you again how much I'm enjoying the pictures you've been sending for our Fall & Halloween Decorating Contest!
Some of you have created the coziest autumn displays, while others have embraced the spooky side of October. And that's exactly what I wanted—something fun where everyone can participate, whether you love pumpkins and fall leaves or skeletons and haunted houses.
The contest is still open through October!
If you haven't entered yet, there's plenty of time. Send a picture of your indoor or outdoor fall or Halloween decorations by replying to this newsletter or emailing helloelly@mycozymurdermysteries.com.
I'll be reviewing all the entries at the end of the month, with Detective Perry serving as our very opinionated judge.
🏆 REMEMBER WHAT'S AT STAKE!
One lucky winner will receive a FREE digital copy of the Sunset Cove mystery coming after Slim Chance With a Killer as soon as it's ready, an exclusive Perry Mason Halloween bookmark, and their winning decorating photo featured in The Sunset Chronicles!
The next book's title? Still a mystery.
The winner? That could be you!
And yes, Perry is taking his judging responsibilities entirely too seriously.
🎁 COMMUNITY BOOK EXCHANGE
FREE MYSTERIES ARE WAITING TO BE DISCOVERED!
And because we clearly haven't added enough books to your reading lists today, I've got another collection of FREE books waiting for you!
Our latest book promo is filled with opportunities to discover new authors, explore new mystery series, and find a few stories to keep you entertained throughout October.
Browse the collection, investigate the covers that catch your eye, and grab your favorites while they're available.
HAVE YOU PICKED UP SLIM CHANCE WITH A KILLER YET?
I have a question for you, readers!
Have you already picked up your copy of Slim Chance With a Killer from my website, or are you planning to wait until it's available on Amazon?
Because here's the thing...
You don't have to wait to start reading!
You can head over to my website right now and get your copy of Rosalind and Perry's newest investigation.
Everybody wanted the miracle. Somebody wanted her dead.
And trust me, there's quite a mystery waiting behind that promise.
And while we're talking books, can I ask you for one little favor?
Please leave a review when you've finished reading.
Whether you grab your copy early from my website or wait until the book is available on Amazon, I'd be incredibly grateful if you'd take a few minutes to share your honest thoughts wherever reviews are accepted.
You have no idea how much it means to an independent author to sit down, open a book page, and discover that someone took the time to share their reading experience.
Reviews help other readers discover our books, and they remind us that the characters and stories we've spent so much time creating have found their way into someone's hands.
Your review doesn't have to be long or fancy. Just a few honest sentences about your experience can make a difference.
And yes, even Perry appreciates a good review.
"Preferably one that acknowledges my contributions."
Of course.
"Five stars would be appropriate."
Perry! We want honest reviews.
"I am honestly exceptional."
There's really no arguing with him.
🗞️ NEWS FROM ELLY'S DESK
🗞️ THE NEWSROOM IS CLOSING…
Well, friends, that's another Tuesday edition of The Sunset Chronicles wrapped up!
Between today's mystery in Autumn Heights, our wonderfully spooky book mentions, the decorating contest entries, and all those free books, I think we've given you plenty to keep busy with this week.
Keep those decorating pictures coming! I can't wait to see what else arrives in my inbox before the end of October.
And if you've started reading Slim Chance With a Killer, I hope you're enjoying your time back in Sunset Cove. Just be careful who you trust.
Around here, appearances can be deceiving.
Have a wonderful Tuesday, enjoy your books, and don't forget to make a little time for yourself this week.
Happy Reading!
Perry sends purrs, continues reviewing the decorating contest evidence, and wishes you a wonderfully cozy October week!
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