The Clover City Files Mystery Series

January 18, 2024

The Clover City Files Mystery Series

The Clover City Files Mystery Series
by Barbara Howard

About The Clover City Files Mystery Series

The Clover City Files Mystery Series
Cozy Mysteries
Box Set – 2 Books
1st & 2nd in Series
Setting – Fictional small town, Clover City (Mid-West, USA)
Independently Published (December 5, 2023)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 332 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8870847580
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 245 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8870316086
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CP8P5DH1

The Taste of Rain
Novella, multi-generational, diverse, young adult, clean, cozy, college town.
In “The Taste of Rain”, we follow the story of Amira, a college student who works part-time as a health aide at a local nursing home. One day, she meets an elderly resident, Claire Stewart, who confides in her that her husband was killed years ago, but nobody believed her.

Amira is hesitant to believe Claire at first, but as she gets to know her better, she realizes that there might be some truth to her story. Amira decides to investigate the case and help Claire find the killer.

She must navigate through the complexities of the past and present to find the truth and bring justice for Claire.

Along the way, Amira faces challenges both personally and professionally. She must balance her college studies with her part-time job and her investigation. She also learns to confront her own biases and assumptions about aging and the elderly.

“The Taste of Rain” is a mystery that explores the themes of trust, aging, and justice. It is a heartwarming tale of the unlikely friendship between a young college student and an elderly resident, as they work together to uncover the truth, and solve a decades-old murder.

The Spice Code
Culinary Cozy novella, multi-generational, diverse, young adult, clean, college town.
In the heart of a quiet college town, restaurant owner and chef, Raphael Parera, finds himself entangled in a web of deception that threatens not only his culinary career but his very life. Charmed by the enigmatic beauty of his new girlfriend, Isabella, Raphael is unaware of the darkness lurking beneath her captivating smile.

As their relationship deepens, Raphael suddenly disappears without a trace, leaving his cousin, Amira Cooper, frantic with worry. Unbeknownst to Isabella, he manages to send a cryptic message through a seemingly innocent bag of groceries – a silent clue hidden within a recipe’s ingredients.

Desperate to save her beloved cousin, Amira embarks on a perilous journey to decipher the clues concealed within the grocery bag. Will Amira decipher the ingredients’ hidden meanings in time to rescue Raphael, or will Isabella’s twisted game end in a tragedy that will forever alter their lives? Get ready to indulge in a mystery where every twist and turn will leave you craving more.

About Barbara Howard

Barbara Howard is the author of two cozy mystery series; Finding Home and The Clover City Files. Her stories feature a female amateur sleuth, diverse characters, and a dash of romance. She is a first-generation tech geek turned master gardener. She returned to her Midwestern hometown after an extensive career as a Department of Defense Project Manager at the Pentagon and spends most of her time treasure hunting, spoiling her fur-babies, growing veggies, and plotting whodunits.

Memberships/Affiliations: Mystery Writers of America (MWA), Sisters in Crime (SinC), Great Lakes Fiction Writers (GLFW), Crime Writers of Color (CWoC), Gamma Xi Phi (GXP)

Q&A With the Author:

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
I enjoyed speaking through characters from different generations. Amira Cooper, a college student, and the elder, Claire Stewart “discovered” each other through their conversations and conflicts. Breaking through some of the false expectations was my favorite part.

Do you have any other books you are working on that you can tell us about?
Yes, I’m excited about the third book in The Clover City Files series, A Match Made in Murder. It is set for release on February 14, 2024. The story is about a professional matchmaker that plans an extravagant wedding event featuring twelve of her client-couples on Valentine’s Day. Of course, things go awry and there’s a mystery to unravel.

Can you tell us about what you have planned for the future?
I have plans to release a romantic suspense story next year under the pen name, M. L. Sloane. The title is still under wraps. Early reactions to the work in progress have dubbed it “twisted and delicious”.

How long have you been writing?
Like many authors, I started writing as a child and dabbled in it throughout my life while pursuing a different path. I’m happy to have found my way back to it after retirement from a career in Information Technology. Writing is my focus now and it’s great fun.
.
Anything more you would like to say to your readers and fans?
Thank you for reading my stories! I love being part of the bookish community and hearing from readers. I invite you to sign up for my monthly newsletter where I share news and a recipe or two.