Cozy Mysteries

Becca Gables—homeschool mom by day, sleuth by night…
with the slow cooker always on

📖 Book One: Death at the Paper Palace

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📖 Book One: Death at the Paper Palace *

Becca Gables, an irrepressibly positive young widow, has her hands full. She not only homeschools her three children—Violet, Oliver, and Hazel—but also owns Tales & Tails, a whimsical local bookshop and café. Her days are filled with lesson plans, great literature, and creamy coffee as she educates her children and tries to keep her struggling bookshop afloat.

To earn extra income for Tales & Tails, Becca agrees to cater a cocktail party at the Paper Palace, hosted by Phyllis Grant, the self-proclaimed matriarch of a long line of paper magnates. This party serves as an opportunity for Phyllis to showcase the importance of her family in the community.

Everything seems to be going smoothly until Becca visits the old mansion the following day to collect payment. She is shocked to discover that the hostess has died overnight. What initially appears to be a terrible accident is soon revealed to have a more sinister cause. Guided by her faith, her family and friends, and her insatiable curiosity, Becca peels away the layers of this mystery, leading to a conclusion that will rock their little town of Crystal Run, Wisconsin.

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Nestled along Wisconsin’s winding riverbanks, Crystal Run is a small town built on the paper industry and bound together by faith, tradition, and more than a few secrets. At its heart sits Tales & Tails Bookshop, a whimsical bookshop where stories come alive beneath strands of twinkle lights. Here, the scent of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the rustle of pages, and if you’re lucky, a cat might curl into your lap while you read.

But life in Crystal Run isn’t as quiet as it seems. Beneath its cozy charm lie mysteries waiting to be uncovered—and Becca Gables, widowed mother of three and bookshop owner, has a knack for finding the truth. With her faithful golden retriever Butterscotch by her side, Becca discovers that in Crystal Run, every corner of town hides a tale… and sometimes, a tail.

Welcome to Crystal Run

Step through the glossy teal door and into the charming Tales & Tails Bookshop, where the scent of coffee and old pages wraps around you like a warm embrace. A canopy of twinkle lights sparkles overhead as Licorice, the regal black cat, glides forward to greet you. Follow his graceful lead through rows of bookshelves brimming with stories eager to be discovered.

The sweet aroma of creamy coffee and warm sugar draws you toward the café counter tucked in the back. Always eager to play, Toffee, the tailless Manx, drops his toy mouse at your feet. A cheerful fire crackles in the massive stone fireplace, where framed maps of Narnia, Avonlea, and Neverland rest along the gleaming wooden mantle. Nearby, Butterscotch, the gentle golden retriever, dozes contentedly in the firelight.

Find a soft, well-loved chair by the hearth and sink into its warmth as snow drifts past the window. The teal mug in your hands steams gently, pages rustle softly, and for a blissful moment, the world beyond the glossy teal door fades away.

Tales & Tails Bookshop

📖 Book Two: Fall from Grace

Coming soon!

Fans of clean, clever mysteries with heart will feel right at home. Pour yourself a cup of coffee, snuggle in, and see if you can solve the mystery before our sleuths do.

Reviews of Death at the Paper Palace

  • A must-read mystery!

    Within the first few pages of this beautifully written book, I was hooked! I found myself right there in the café enjoying the warmth of the fireplace and the scents of coffee and pastries as I read about Becca and her unraveling of the case of the Death at the Paper Palace. The vividly descriptive language allowed me to envision every scene as I fell in love with each of the characters. I’ve always loved a good mystery, and this one is certainly no exception! I highly recommend this book.

    - Daniel

  • A cozy must-read

    “Death at the Paper Palace is a pure delight. It is rich in truth, goodness, and beauty. The writing is creative and witty, respectful and honest, and Biblically sound and encouraging. From the very beginning, the authors draw you in. You’ll want to snuggle up in the cozy coffee shop under all the twinkle lights, join in the art history conversations and playful banter with the children, and be a detective to help solve the murder mystery. In this current world we live in, this book truly is a breath of fresh air. “

    - Sarah

  • Wonderful Christian cozy mystery

    A wonderful Christian cozy mystery and great new series! I enjoyed my time getting to know the Gables, especially Hazel, she has an abundance of personality. I'm looking forward to the next book. Thank you to the authors for the ARC.

    - Joni

  • An outstanding debut novel

    Death at the Paper Palace is an outstanding debut novel by Kristin Brellen and Ben Alexander. It is a well-written, delightful read that I look forward to re-reading. As a homeschool mom, I could relate to the family dynamics and intriguing personalities of the Gables children. The dialogue had me frequently smiling and laughing out loud. I just adore the characters in the family and the main character, Becca Gables, is someone I would love to spend the day with- she is so realistic, striving to be the best mom she can be while juggling life and hardship. The well-plotted mystery goes at an enjoyable pace with twists along the way while character development has you longing for more to learn of the endearing Gables family. I appreciate that it is a clean read and extremely well written grammatically. I plan to share this book with friends and even teen girls and I am hoping it will become the first of many!

    - Eliza

  • Cozy, mysterious, and meaningful

    When Becca, mom of three and owner of a tiny bookshop, caters a party for one of her little town's most prominent members, she has no idea that she's about to be plunged into a twisty mystery as the hostess is discovered dead. Could her attention to detail and commitment to education be the turning point for the case?

    This novel is simply delightful! The cozy wintry vibes are strong (watch out; you'll be craving hot chocolate, muffins, and creme brulee lattes if you read this). The relationships between Becca and her friends and family are well crafted, particularly her loving and intentional parenting as she schools them and encourages them to think and act in mature, godly ways. The writing is engaging and skillful, the mystery kept me guessing till the end, and I can't wait to read more in this series!

    - C MC

  • An enjoyable, faith forward, "whodunit"

    Death at the Paper Palace is a fun and family-friendly murder mystery that is quite a puzzle for the brain. Coupled as a read aloud with a sweet-filled “murder mystery”-themed tea party, my daughters and I enjoyed the whimsical fun, touch of danger, and sharing of theories as to who the culprit was as we read a chapter each night. Kristen Brellen keeps you guessing as to who the murderer could be, with a variety of memorable suspects and lots of intrigue. She has also created entertaining characters, like a sassy aunt and a witty detective, with a few side-story surprises that will make you giggle and bring the whole story to life. This cozy murder mystery is a wonderful, faith-forward, “whodunit” type of fun that is enjoyable for the whole family.

    - Jeff B

  • Engaging and wholesome mystery

    Set in the charming town of Crystal Run, WI, this Christian murder mystery is both captivating and heartwarming. The detailed storytelling brings each moment to life, and the close-knit, homeschooling Gabel family makes for a unique and endearing team of amateur sleuths. Their faith, unity, and determination shine as they piece together the truth behind the mystery. A well-paced, inspiring read that balances mystery with strong Christian values.

    - Scott and Kristen

  • Family Friendly Mystery Read

    Death at the Paper Palace is an easy enjoyable read. The story comes alive through small details that helped me imagine what was happening apart from just the basic story line. The characters are excellent role models as they act with love and respect towards others. One of my favorite things about the book is the reference to classical artwork. It made me want to study these paintings apart from just reading the book. Overall, Death at The Paper Palace is a delightful, family friendly read! I would recommend it to anyone!

    - J and M

  • Clue meets Christian Hallmark

    Death at the Paper Palace is Clue meets Christian Hallmark! If you’re looking for a cozy fall read that complements your Pumpkin Spice and favorite slippers, settle in and move this to the top of your TBR! Strong character development, witty banter, and a classic who-done-it keeps you turning the page. Here’s your sign: ➕🛒

    - Jessica

  • The perfect "whodunit" for the whole family!

    The perfect whodunit for the whole family! I enjoyed every second of reading this wonderful family-friendly mystery! It is filled to the brim with all the charming and cozy vibes along with an excellent murder mystery that will have everyone thinking outside the box! This is the perfect book to either cozy up with on your own or read it along with your kids! Everyone will love it!

    - Jenn Lockwood Editing

  • This Cozy Mystery Has it All!

    I loved everything about this book! The beautiful, descriptive language made me feel like I was right there with the sweet Gable family on their adventures! I loved the coffee shop vibes, family togetherness, and Christian values, all while rocking the homeschool life!

    The mystery itself had me hooked and kept me guessing! There was enough suspense to keep it a page-turner, without the dark topics that sometimes accompany murder mysteries.

    I will definitely be rereading this one, as well as picking up several copies for Christmas gifts!

    - Kellie

  • Engaging Read!

    I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was such a refreshing, clean read.

    I was also partial to the storyline incorporating a working homeschool mom. It cleverly revealed the delicate balancing act in such a positive way. But also to show the flexibility of homeschooling!

    - Brad T

  • Wholesome and delightful!

    Death At the Paper Palace was such a fun and sweet read. Becca Gables, a widow, owns a local bookshop, homeschools her three children and has a passion for solving the murder of a local socialite. I appreciated the Christian values throughout the book and the nuggets of classical education sprinkled within. Grab your blanket , a cup of coffee and get cozy with this delightful book.


    - David

  • Loved this book!

    This book is an entertaining read! It was well done and charming mystery. I enjoyed the character development and found myself wanting to read it often and think about the mystery when I wasn't reading it. Being a homeschool mom myself, I appreciated the positive depiction of a charming homeschool family and the fact that they own a bookstore is icing on the cake. Definitely worth the read! 

    I received an advance copy from the author and am voluntarily leaving this review. I enjoyed it so much more than I even expected to.

    - Steph

  • I couldn't put it down!

    This wonderfully intriguing, cozy mystery novel is a must-read! The setting and characters are so beautifully developed that I wanted to jump right in and join Becca at her coffee shop! Can't wait for the next book to be published!


    -Rebecca