Fatal Brushstroke

"Johnson paints characters with a folksy charm that makes them feel like family . . . This richly-textured mystery has it all" (Diane Vallere, national bestselling author).

A dead body in her garden and a homicide detective on her doorstep . . . Computer programmer and tole painting enthusiast Aurora "Rory" Anderson doesn't envision finding either when she steps outside to investigate the frenzied yipping coming from her own backyard. After all, she lives in Vista Beach, a quiet California beach community where violent crime is rare and murder even rarer.

Suspicion falls on Rory when the body buried in her flowerbed turns out to be someone she knows—her tole painting teacher, Hester Bouquet. Just two weeks before, Rory attended one of Hester's weekend seminars, an unpleasant experience she vowed never to repeat. As evidence piles up against Rory, she embarks on a quest to identify the killer and clear her name. Now Rory must unearth the truth, before she encounters her own brush with death.

"Fans of crafty cozies will love this delightful new series that features tole painting enthusiast, Aurora 'Rory' Anderson . . . A rewarding read and a refreshing debut." —Hannah Dennison, author of the Honeychurch Hall Mysteries

"Traditional mystery readers will love this debut author . . . Johnson has an assured, steady hand in creating complex plotlines in Fatal Brushstroke." —Naomi Hirahara, Edgar Award–winning author

"A fun and fast-paced romp with plenty of suspense and intrigue, colorful characters, infidelity and family secrets. Fatal Brushstroke is sure to please cozy readers, especially those who love crafts mixed with murder." —Sue Ann Jaffarian, author of the bestselling Ghost of Granny Apples and Odelia Grey Mystery series