Sally Bayless

Author

New Release! Donors, Deception & Death

Book 4 in the Dogwood Springs Cozy Mystery Series

Now Available in Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Paperback

It’s not hard to find a family member who wanted to kill the gold-digging third wife. The trick is finding one who didn’t.

Cover of book showing title (Donors, Deception & Death) and a golden retriever by a fireplace where a glass of wine has been spilled.

Libby Ballard, director of the history museum in the small town of Dogwood Springs, Missouri, can’t believe her good luck. Cordell Calhoun, the king of spicy fried chicken, is celebrating his 70th birthday by returning to his hometown to donate to several organizations, including the museum.

But tensions run high when Cordell insists on inviting his entire family, including his two ex-wives, their offspring, and his young third wife, Brittany, to the donor reception at the museum. The family dynamic is a ticking time bomb, and it’s only a matter of minutes before someone explodes.

Libby’s caught in the middle of the family drama but determined to make the event a success. Determined, that is, until Brittany drops dead at the reception.

With the police veering off in the wrong direction and each faction of the family pointing fingers at the other, Libby realizes she needs to step in to solve the mystery, bring the culprit to justice, and clear the museum’s name.

But in a situation rife with secrets and deceit, she’ll need to tread carefully, or she may become the next victim in a deadly family feud.

Join Libby, her golden retriever, and their friends as they try to unmask the killer!

If you like a cozy mystery with a pet who will win your heart, friends who feel like family, and a hint of romance, you’ll love this series!

This is a clean read with no profanity, sex, or graphic violence.

Available in Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and paperback from Amazon. 

Cover Reveal–Festivals, Funnel Cakes & Felonies

Cover of the book "Festivals, Funnel Cakes & Felonies," which features Bella at a festival in the spring.
Book 5 in the Dogwood Springs Cozy Mystery Series
Available Spring 2024

In the heart of a celebration, a dark secret festers.

The Dogwood Festival, held each year in the small town of Dogwood Springs, Missouri, is more than just a special event. It’s a cozy haven of springtime charm, live music, and handmade crafts that draws tourists from all around. Libby Ballard, the dedicated director of the local history museum, is thrilled to be a first-time member of the festival steering committee.

As the festival approaches, the air buzzes with excitement.

But secrets simmer beneath the surface, and tragedy strikes when a fellow member of the steering committee is found murdered at the festival grounds.

When the police zero in on the wrong suspect and dismiss any connection to the festival, Libby realizes she must step in. With her loyal golden retriever by her side, Libby dives headfirst into a sea of suspects, each with their own motives, each a piece in a puzzle waiting to be solved.

Can Libby and Bella find their way through the labyrinth of lies and unmask the villain before another life is lost?

If you like a cozy mystery with an adorable dog, a warm circle of friends, and a dash of romance, you’ll love Festivals, Funnel Cakes & Felonies.

Join Libby and Bella to start solving this mystery today!

This is a clean read with no profanity, sex, or graphic violence.

Pre-order your copy here!

Dogwood Springs Cozy Mystery Book 4

Cover of book showing title (Donors, Deception & Death) and a golden retriever by a fireplace where a glass of wine has been spilled.

It’s not hard to find a family member who wanted to kill the gold-digging third wife. The trick is finding one who didn’t.

Libby Ballard, director of the history museum in the small town of Dogwood Springs, Missouri, can’t believe her good luck. Cordell Calhoun, the king of spicy fried chicken, is celebrating his 70th birthday by returning to his hometown to donate to several organizations, including the museum.

But tensions run high when Cordell insists on inviting his entire family, including his two ex-wives, their offspring, and his young third wife, Brittany, to the donor reception at the museum. The family dynamic is a ticking time bomb, and it’s only a matter of minutes before someone explodes.

Libby’s caught in the middle of the family drama but determined to make the event a success. Determined, that is, until Brittany drops dead at the reception.

With the police veering off in the wrong direction and each faction of the family pointing fingers at the other, Libby realizes she needs to step in to solve the mystery, bring the culprit to justice, and clear the museum’s name.

But in a situation rife with secrets and deceit, she’ll need to tread carefully, or she may become the next victim in a deadly family feud.

Join Libby, her golden retriever, and their friends as they try to unmask the killer!

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Dogwood Springs Cozy Mystery Book 3

Event-Planning Tip No. 57: Avoid any connection between your fundraiser and murder.

Libby Ballard, director of the history museum in the small town of Dogwood Springs, Missouri, is excited to be organizing a tour of historic homes to raise funds for the museum. With plans in full swing, she drops by to confirm details with one of the homeowners and makes a gruesome discovery—the homeowner has been murdered.

Who could have possibly wanted to kill a local doctor, and why?

The police suspect the victim’s wife, but Libby thinks there’s more to the story. With the historic homes tour in jeopardy and violence escalating, Libby, her friends, and her trusty golden retriever dig deeper into the case.

But will Libby be able to uncover the killer’s identity before they strike again?

Don’t miss this thrilling tale of mystery, murder, and small-town secrets!

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Dogwood Springs Cozy Mystery Book 2

Auctions can be murder.

In the charming little tourist town of Dogwood Springs, Missouri, Libby Ballard, director of the local history museum, is on a mission to boost museum attendance. To attract more visitors, she plans a big birthday party for the town, with hopes of displaying an armoire that once belonged to the town’s founder.

But when Libby attends a local auction to acquire the armoire, she instead stumbles upon a dead body.

Having a killer on the loose isn’t going to draw tourists to Dogwood Springs—or to the museum. Even worse, the victim is the beloved cousin of Libby’s best friend, Cleo. With the police preoccupied by a string of burglaries, Cleo fears the killer will never be caught.

Determined to solve the murder and bring justice to the victim’s family, Libby struggles to unravel a web of deception. But the killer is still at large and will stop at nothing to keep their identity a secret.

Will Libby be able to crack the case, or will she be the next victim?

Join Libby, her lovable dog, and their friends as they try to find the killer!

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