If you love reading a serious mystery, but with a side of giggles, these books are for you.
MaryAnn Kempher has created an eight book
(so far) fun-to-read murder mystery series that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Read more about MaryAnn Kempher below.
Discover your next series
Book One: Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder
Not your typical romance, not your typical cozy mystery
Katherine is going through a divorce and the last thing she's looking for is a relationship. Scott has just called off his engagement to his long-time girlfriend; the last thing he's looking for is another girlfriend. However, when they meet, the sparks fly. What follows are awkward moments, accusations, jealousy, a witnessed murder, and a lot of humor.
She wasn't looking for drama, but drama found her.
Who really thinks it's a good idea to walk on a dimly lit street at midnight, just because they're hungry and tired of Ramen? That would be Katherine O'Brian. She lives in Reno NV where most places are open twenty-four hours and she can clearly see the Open sign flashing at the diner three blocks from her apartment. What could go wrong? Plenty.
Imagine you're walking briskly toward that sign, when you happen to glance over at an open garage and see a man placing a dead body into the trunk of his car. What do you do? Well, you run of course. You get the heck out of there, and you count your lucky stars that he didn't catch you. "I'm safe." You tell yourself. But are you?
5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Delight (abridged)
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2014 Verified Purchase
I am a mystery connoisseur. I have read everything written by Agatha Christie, Ellery Queen, James Patterson, Harlan Coban, Mary Higgins Clark, Carolyn Hart, Rita Mae Brown, Michael Connelly...point made. That being said, this murder mystery by newcomer MaryAnn Kempher was a pure delight.
While the subject-matter of the book (murder) is pretty heavy, I found it to be quite light and light-hearted reading. Even as I finished a chapter, I just had to read one more. And, there are a couple of twists that even I, as an experienced mystery reader, never saw coming.
I recommend "Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder" to any mystery buff, but also to mystery virgins, especially those who have found mysteries to be too heavy. This is the perfect book for getting one's feet wet!
Book Two: Forever Doomed
It's not wise to wander the cruise ship Forever alone at night. You might not live to see daylight.
Detective Jack Harney agrees to do an old Army buddy a favor. Curt Noble had some personal business to attend to, he didn't say what. What he did say was he needed someone to temporarily take over his duties as head of security on the struggling cruise ship Forever. Jack hesitates, but he owes Curt his life, so he agrees. He's told the worst mischief he can expect to encounter will be the occasional shoplifter, or drunk. Instead, one week into the cruise, a beautiful redhead and a member of the crew are ruthlessly murdered. Are the two murders connected? It's up to Jack to find out. He must find the killer before the ship returns to Tampa's port, or worse, before another dead body is found.
4.0 out of stars Murder on the High Seas
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2014 Verified PurchaseThis was an excellent book and the first I have read by this author. Jack Harney, a detective for a Tampa police department, fills in as head of security on a cruise ship for an old army buddy of his. A job where nothing ever happens. Except when Jack is in charge. There were several errors in the book which slowed me down just a little, but I highly recommend this book. I bought this book with my own money and was not given anything for this review.
5.0 out of 5 stars Great sequel!
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 2014 Verified PurchaseThis second mystery novel by MaryAnn Kempher is just as good as the first, if not better. "Forever Doomed" takes place entirely on a cruise ship, There's a wedding and a pastry baking contest mixed in with the usual on board cruise ship activities. However, a few activities have taken place that were never on the cruise director's list: two murders and the mystery of who is sabotaging the head chef's pastries!
We are reunited with some of the characters introduced in "Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder" and a few new characters emerge who are, well, for lack of a better word...characters! This book, like it's predecessor, is also fun, light reading. I know that sounds like an oxymoron: "murder" and "light", however, the author combines the perfect amount of humor with serious subject matter. And, like "Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder", there are a few twists to keep the reader guessing. I couldn't put it down until I finished the last page (at 5 a.m.)!
"Forever Doomed" is a great second novel that I would recommend to everyone. I'm always on the lookout for new mystery authors: I think I have found one who is here to stay. I can't wait for the next book(s)!
Book Three: Sweet Mystery
Who Killed Candy Dashwood!?
Candy Dashwood was young, beautiful, and accustomed to getting exactly what she wanted, by any means necessary, including sex and blackmail. Does that make her murder less important? Or her killer less guilty? Her mother doesn’t think so. She asks private detective Jack Harney to help find Candy’s killer. Jack uncovers a web of sex and deception in which nothing is as it seems and the list of potential killers grows every day.
5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting, Fun Read!!!
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2014 Verified PurchaseI absolutely LOVED this book. This is the third book in a series by MaryAnn Kempher, and they just keep getting better!!! The story line was awesome.... I was hooked from the very beginning and found that I was unable to put this book down. I loved the characters, and it was nice to see some of the characters from the other books return in this one, especially Nene and Gaga :-) Those two ladies are a hoot!! I am really looking forward to book 4!!!
5.0 out of 5 stars The Series Only Got Better!
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2015 Verified PurchaseWell, MaryAnne Kempher did it again! Sweet Mystery is currently the last book in her Under the Moonlight series. I really liked it and enjoyed visiting with some old friends who were characters in her first two books. I will miss them! Ms. Kempher continued to delight and surprise with a compelling story as our hero searches for the murderer and again, she surprised me with the ending. I hope that MaryAnn Kempher continues to write and if you do not know her work, please try her books for great fun and interesting
Book Four: Play Dead.
Play dead, it might just save your life.
When Jack Harney and Curt Noble opened their detective agency, they expected to investigate the occasional cheating husband or minor theft. Instead, they’ve somehow found themselves, once again, investigating not one, but two grisly murders.
5.0 out of 5 stars "Play Dead" is MaryAnn Kempher's best book yet!
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2015 Verified PurchaseDetective Jack Harney is back, as is his partner Curt Noble, the bakery owners Nene and Gaga, and a few others. The returning characters are a pleasure to see again, and the new characters are, for lack of a better word, "characters"! As with her previous novels, MaryAnn Kempher combines humor with suspense and a few twists to keep the readers on edge. I'm usually pretty good at figuring out whodunnit, but she always keeps me guessing. I would recommend this book (and all of her books) to anyone who enjoys mystery and suspense novels. It is a really great read that I couldn't put down. Looking forward to the next installment.
5.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining, enjoyable read!
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2015 Verified PurchaseI've read all the books in this series and loved them! This book was very entertaining with several laugh-out-loud moments and enough twists, turns, and intrigue to keep you reading long after your bedtime. MaryAnn is adept at developing her characters and keeping you interested in their lives, just like they were old friends. Without writing a "spoiler", all I can say is that the party Nene and Gaga go to is worth reading the whole book! LOL! Thanks for another great book, MaryAnn. Looking forward to the next one!
Book Five: Dead Last
Watch your back. I'm coming for you!
Every year Reno hosts a huge bicycle race, hundreds enter. When Max Holland, the man everyone is betting on to win the ten thousand dollar purse, is shot dead in Jack’s office, there’s concern that racers are being targeted. Jack makes it his mission to find the killer. Max was not a popular guy; there are no shortage of suspects.
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2020 Verified PurchaseI have been reading this series since book one. This is a fun read and a good mystery without the gore. The characters are old friends, each with likable personalities. As soon as I finish reading one book, I’m anxiously awaiting the next one!
5.0 out of 5 stars The sisters. HIT A GOLD MINE
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2020 Another AWESOME READ from Maryann Kempher It’s action packed and who done its. ! Gotta love the two older funny & exciting sisters Who run a bakery ( I can taste the donuts) and hear there laugher. Although one is. A little more serious Trouble at the bakery but !!! The end. You’ll NEVER GUESS WHO DID WHAT the. Scavenger hunt. Oh my goodness. It’s a goodie And. Jack Harney has to be a hottie. Can’t wAit to read #8 Thank you for your awesome writing And. The best part You gotta read this book. You’ll LOVE IT
Book Six: Deadly Relations
Family reunions shouldn't be deadly.
Detective Jack Harney’s plan to attend the wedding of his good friends, Katherine and Scott, up in Virginia City is put into jeopardy when a man is murdered mere hours after Jack’s arrival. Tourism has been slow lately, so the city’s Mayor plans a publicity stunt: Bring together the descendent of a popular madam murdered one hundred and fifty years ago and the descendent of the man thought to be her killer. The event is called, the Reconciliation. Unfortunately, or not, depending on your point of view, the killer’s descendent is murdered at the opening ceremony. There is no shortage of suspects.
5.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed this book very much.
Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2018 Verified Purchase This book was very entertaining and I really enjoyed it. The characters are great. Jack and Gaga are heading to Virginia City to attend the wedding of Scott and Katherine, while Nene is left behind to run the bakery. The minute Gaga and Jack leave, Nene is on the phone with Victor Burch planning her own get away. Jack is asked by the local sheriff to look into a robbery at the bank, but before they can figure that out the sheriff has been hospitalized and a man is dead. Everyone is sure that they have been poisoned. There is no way in or out of Virginia City due to a huge snow storm. A call is placed to the Reno police department and they have asked Jack to investigate until they can get there. Full of action, and a great read !!
5.0 out of 5 stars A fun read!
Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2018 Verified PurchaseMaryann Kempher, you keep getting better and better with each book! The characters are just that, characters. I especially love Nene and Gaga. Nene’s adventures and her naive yet suspicious mind make your books fun to read. Gaga’s personality reminds me of one of my sisters and makes me smile with my comparisons. In this book, Deadly Relations, Jack’s methodical approach and thought process while investigating a murder and a bank robbery fed the detective in me and I’m sure all of us!
Book Seven: Dead End
Missing or Murdered?
When Jack Harney and Robert Nolan agreed to become consultants for the Reno police department, covering up indiscretions of local politicians or b-list celebrities was not what they had in mind. They spent most of their time as after- the-fact babysitters than actual detectives. That is until the Mayor’s personal assistant goes missing; since the Mayor is still remembered for her last assistant’s misdeeds, this calls for a discreet investigation. When the missing case turns into a murder, Jack and Nolan have plenty of suspects to choose from.
5.0 out of 5 stars Best in series
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2020 Verified PurchaseI have been reading this series from the very beginning. The characters are like friends. Some funny and some lovable or likeable. The series has come so far and the characters have grown and changed. This book is a great read if you like mysteries but no blood and gore. You definitely can read any of these books alone but it is a great series. Worth the wait.
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2020Verified PurchaseI have been reading this series since book one. This is a fun read and a good mystery without the gore. The characters are old friends, each with likable personalities. As soon as I finish reading one book, I’m anxiously awaiting the next one!
Book Eight: Something Smells Funny
Embezzlement! Drugs! Sexy cake?
Leonora Priestley, president of the local city council, is missing, but nobody seems to care. Her coworkers are just glad she's not coming to work, and not bothering to ask why. But when large checks aren’t deposited and phone calls are unanswered, Walter Stump, the council treasurer, enlists the help of Reno’s best private detective, Jack Harney, to find Leonora as quickly and quietly as possible. Jack can’t solve the case alone. He’ll be calling in a lot of favors and accepting all the help he can get. It’s like a family reunion.
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2024 Verified PurchaseI have always enjoyed Mrs. Kemphers books, but I think this one may be my favorite. Her loyal fans waited forever for this one to come out, and it’s true the old saying, “Good things come to those who wait.”
Something Smells Funny is a cozy little mystery, easy to read and full of character. I don’t feel like you HAVE to read the other ones to enjoy this as a stand alone, but for someone who had read them, the return of so many favorite and familiar characters was like coming home. You don’t have to, but do yourself a favor and read them in order. It’s well worth the ride.
5.0 out of 5 stars Another good read
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2025 I've read all the books in this series and found them a good read. I really like how she keeps the same characters from each story, they're like friends now. When she introduces a new character its easy to learn how the characters all blend together. While characters come and go the main ones stay. MS Kempher always keeps the storyline changing with mystery, humor, and thinking.
More about author maryann kempher
How did I get here?
I served 20 years in the US Air Force. One year after retiring, I began my first book, Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder. By the time I finished, it was light years away from the original story. My latest book, Something Smells Funny was released in October of 2024. In my intro above, I mention that book one is a romantic comedy with a smidgen
I served 20 years in the US Air Force. One year after retiring, I began my first book, Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder. By the time I finished, it was light years away from the original story. My latest book, Something Smells Funny was released in October of 2024. In my intro above, I mention that book one is a romantic comedy with a smidgen of mystery and suspense. This is because, Initially, I thought I wanted to write romance. However, I found writing the mystery elements of the book more fun and that's how I became a mystery author.