Hot Cars and Homicide is the seventh book in the Sweetwater Springs Southern mystery series by S.C. Merritt, a charming cozy mystery series set in a small Alabama town.
Title: Hot Cars and Homicide
Author: S.C. Merritt
Series: Sweetwater Springs Southern Mysteries #7
First Published: October 14, 2024
Genres: Mystery
Acquired: from the author
*** Full disclosure: I put this tour together and SC Merritt is my client, but as a cozy mystery lover, I couldn’t resist not taking part and my review is in no way biased – if I didn’t like it I would have just not posted a review!
When small-town charm meets high-octane drama, anything can happen. In Sweetwater Springs, the annual Smith Lake Classic Car Show draws enthusiasts from far & wide, but this year, the show isn’t the only event revving up tension. With the town’s mayoral election just weeks away, a formerly uncontested race turns into a heated campaign when Momma decides to throw her hat in the ring—railroading a reluctant Glory into the job as campaign manager. She gets a rude awakening when it quickly becomes evident that all is fair in love & politics. Let the mudslinging begin.
When the body of the opposing candidate is found stuffed into a most unexpected location, fingers begin pointing at Momma & her retired mafia don boyfriend. With their relationships to the main suspects a little too close for comfort, Hunt & Jake are under the scrutinizing eye of the FBI & pressure builds to get the murder solved quickly. To help close the case in time for Hunt to enter his beloved ’66 Mustang into the car show, Glory decides that a little covert sleuthing is in order. From shady campaign dealings & old family skeletons to fierce car collectors with secret grudges, the case takes unexpected twists at every turn. Can Glory & Hunt sift through the clues & serve justice before someone else takes a dangerous detour?
Returning to Sweetwater Springs is a treat
I can’t believe this is already Book 7 in the Sweetwater Springs Southern Mystery series! I always enjoy returning to Sweetwater Springs because it’s like returning to spend time with good friends. Ok, weird, quirky, friends who are involved in maybe a few too many dead bodies, but still, no one’s perfect, right?
Glory gets dragged into politics and drama when her mom decides to run for mayor. These small towns are always filled with drama and secrets! As always, Glory is level-headed (mostly) and resourceful. She makes a great amateur sleuth and I can’t help but root for her. I really enjoy watching her and Hunt work together to try and solve the mystery and ensure the election and the car show go ahead smoothly.
A nice mystery with a light touch of humour and just enough twists to keep me guessing. Of course, Hunt’s ’66 Mustang also had a soft spot in my heart (my dad had an old Mustang that he had to give up when I was born).
You can buy your own copy of Hot Cars and Homicide here.
About the Author, S.C. Merritt
S.C. Merritt writes cozy mysteries featuring southern, female sleuths, plots with a twist, and a little sprinkle of romance. The Sweetwater Springs Southern Mystery Series is set in a small, Alabama town full of quirky characters, delicious restaurants, and lots of murder. Yummy recipes are included in each book!
Bucket List Mysteries features two unlikely friends as they mark off places on their bucket lists and of course, stumble over murders on every adventure.
S.C. has also written several cozy novellas included in anthologies with other cozy authors.
When not writing, she is traveling, watching classic movies and tv shows, or collecting flamingos.
She lives in Georgia with her husband and miniature Schnauzer, Izzy and dreams of living in a tropical locale someday.
You can connect with S.C. Merritt online here:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS | BOOKBUB
