Kill to Keep

In her latest mystery, Taylor delivers a thrilling and atmospheric whodunit set against the backdrop of a traveling carnival on the eve of its grand opening. When Sheriff Bet Rivers and her boyfriend, Rob Collier, stumble upon a dead man during a stroll through the fairgrounds, the investigation quickly grows complicated. There was the sound of a gunshot, but the man bears no visible bullet wound. Even more puzzling, none of the carnival workers seems to recognize the victim, leaving Rivers with a nameless corpse and a growing list of suspects. As she fights for answers, the sheriff uncovers a world of deception, with workers operating under assumed names and a community built on secrets. The deeper she digs, the clearer it becomes that some of those hiding in the shadows will go to extreme lengths to stay hidden, including committing another murder. Taylor masterfully balances a richly drawn cast of characters with the cozy, small-town charm that makes this series so appealing. The mystery unfolds at a satisfying pace before building to a climax that is both breathtakingly tense and deeply rewarding. Best of all, newcomers to the series need not worry. This installment works beautifully as a standalone, making it an ideal entry point into the world of Sheriff Bet Rivers.—Jeff Ayers