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Between a kidnapping, a double booking, and a crew of hapless volunteers, Charlee is worried the writing conference will go to the dogs

Mystery author Charlee Russo agrees to speak at a Portland writers’ conference organized by her friend Viv Lundquist. When Viv picks her up at the airport, she frantically explains that her daughter Hanna has been kidnapped. Unfortunately, Viv has a history of embellishing the truth and Hanna has a history of disappearing.

Charlee takes over the conference preparation so Viv can search for her daughter, but the situation gets tense when the hotel double-books the event with a dog show. Despite it all, Charlee is compelled to investigate after she learns shocking secrets about both Hanna and Viv. Can she find Hanna in time, or will a plot twist lead her to a ruff ending?

Praise:

“So good I wanted to read it twice! It has everything I love in a funny mystery: characters I care about, a plot that grabs me from page one, voice, and laughs galore. Clear your day, because this laugh-out-loud comic caper mystery is a one-sitting read!”―Jess Lourey, Anthony, Agatha, and Lefty-nominated author of the Mira James Mysteries

“Clark is the queen of the subtle misdirect and the casually dropped clue. I gave myself a resounding ‘I could have had a V-8’ head slap when I reached the end and realized she’d given me everything I needed to solve the mystery without me ever knowing it!”―Kristi Abbott, author of the Popcorn Shop Mysteries

“The backdrop for Clark’s witty, engaging mystery is a writers’ conference where everything that can go wrong does so, in a hilarious way. You’ll both sympathize and laugh along with heroine Charlemagne ‘Charlee’ Russo as she balances saving the conference from total disaster with the dangerous task of rescuing the kidnapped daughter of a close friend.”―Ellen Byron, Lefty-nominated author of the Cajun Country Mysteries

“Another winning entry in this wonderful series, Foul Play on Words is a clever, compelling mystery. The intriguing plot will pull you in immediately, and the engaging sleuth with quips at the ready will keep you laughing all the way through. A must-read for fans of humorous cozies!”―Cynthia Kuhn, author of the Agatha Award-winning Lila Maclean Academic Mysteries

“Foul Play on Words is irresistible. A perfect combination of comedy and suspense. Mystery writer Charlee Russo narrows down a long list of oddball suspects at the wildest writer’s conference of all time. Every word funnier than the word before. A must read.”―Gretchen Archer, bestselling author of the Davis Way Crime Capers

“Foul Play on Words is hilariously quirky with a side of neurosis. The misadventures of being a mystery writer were never so much fun.”―Libby Klein, author of the Poppy McAllister Mystery Series

“Becky Clark is a talent to watch! Foul Play on Words is funny, quirky, and has everything cozy readers love: heart, humor, and mayhem!”―Diana Orgain, USA Today bestselling author of the Maternal Instincts Mysteries

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This is where I goof around when I’m not writing. I write for adults and kids, with several manuscripts in various stages of readiness.

Feel free to poke around in here while you’re hiding from your boss or your kids or your To Do list. Treat BeckyLand as a welcome distraction from stuff you should be doing but don’t want to. That’s usually why I’m here, too. Read my bio and see which words I hate. Take a look at my blog, I’m Just Sayin. I write there haphazardly about anything that strikes my fancy — writing and publishing, marching band, synesthesia, my adventures as a Navy Mom, and my favorite category “goofy stuff.” I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it … when I feel like I can take time away from my “regular” writing. The blog sidebar also  has some amusing links. If you can’t find something to laugh at there, then I can only assume your funny bone is on the fritz. And take a look at my Zazzle store Lazy Squirrel Designs where I have funny sayings plastered on t-shirts, mugs, baby clothes, aprons and a bunch of other stuff. It tickles me to create designs there. (I don’t know why it’s lined through. Click on it … it’s there!)

I’ve also started making purses from hardcover books. Here’s my Etsy store.

Before you leave, presumably to return to the less silly, more productive part of your day, be sure to sign up for my So Seldom It’s Shameful newsletter. It’s where I announce freebies, prizes, and special deals nobody else hears about.

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Thanks for visiting … and remember, a day without laughter is like a day without someone posting a funny cat video. It simply shouldn’t happen.