She traded the rat race to work in an academic lab. Instead of peace and quiet, she discovers jealousy, treachery and murder. And she may be next.

COVID, a stressful job and the end of Gemma’s marriage signaled a need to change everything in her life. Finding a job in public information in a university affiliated lab near Raleigh run by a world-renowned researcher seemed like a dream come true. Lured by warmer weather, a pay raise, cheaper rent and a scenic commute, she wasn’t prepared for another cutthroat environment. Or the murder of a researcher found in a chimp’s cage.

Relieved by the arrival of the small-town detective, Steve Thibault, she realizes he’ll be frustrated by the uncooperative and tightlipped researchers. As they become attracted to each other, he comes to rely on her as an ally. And as he surfaces each hidden truth and buried accusation, he discovers everybody seems to have a motive.

Can they peel back the lies before there is another body?

MURDER IN THE FOREST LAB is the gripping first book in the CAROLINA mystery series. If you like emotionally intriguing characters, blossoming romance, and playful banter, then you’ll love Andrea Kress’s cozy mystery.

HERE’S THE SECOND IN THE CONTEMPORARY COZY SERIES

Can a female amateur sleuth and the small-town detective peel back the lies before they find another body? Or is he part of the problem?

Gemma and her police detective boyfriend are on the Carolina coast for a vacation and a bit of work. But she is soon pulled into the mystery of the death of a museum docent, disappearing artifacts and a sketchy museum director.

Things take a turn for the worse when she begins to suspect that her boyfriend may abandon his career altogether as he reconnects with dodgy old friends. With money on his mind, will he ditch everything—including their relationship—to get a better life for himself?

Follow her as she tries to distinguish friend from foe in the ever-complicating terrain. And finds herself in the middle of a drug deal.