Kelly Carpenter, Kelly's Lucky You

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The gripping first murder mystery starring Mac Faraday, written by bestselling author Lauren Carr! Enjoy the suspense and intrigue of this thrilling series combining the grit of a police procedural with the comfort of a cozy mystery!
"Lauren Carr's books are never boring, that's for sure. They entertain, give us a good mystery to dig into, keep the reader guessing, give us a few good laughs, and make us eager for the next book. Warning: Lauren Carr's series are addictive, so be ready to read more than just one book!" - review by Laura Fabiani, Library of Clean Reads
"She is an amazing author that draws you into the story, makes you fall in love with the characters (they feel like family!) and keeps you guessing right to the very end." - review by The Working Mommy Journal
"Lauren Carr does a good job of moving the quirky storyline along nicely with an abundance of witty dialogue. And you have no idea who the good guys are and who the bad guys are until the end." - review by Every Free Chance Book Reviews
The worst day of Mac Faraday's life would become a new beginning.
After a messy divorce hearing, the last person that Mac wanted to see was another lawyer. Yet, this one wore the expression of a child bursting to the secret: Mac Faraday was the heir to undreamed of fortunes, which were about to lead him to the birthplace of America's Queen of Mystery and a case that will unfold like one of her famous whodunits.
Soon after she moves to Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, Katrina Singleton learns that life in an exclusive lakeside resort is not all good. For some unknown reason, a strange man calling himself "Pay Back" begins stalking her. When Katrina is found strangled all evidence points to her terrorist, who is nowhere to be found.
Three months later, the file on her murder is still open when Mac Faraday, sole heir to his unknown birth mother's home and fortune, moves into the estate next door. Little does he know as he drives up to Spencer Manor that he is driving into a closed gate community that is hiding more suspicious deaths than his DC workload as a homicide detective.
With the help of his late mother's journal, this retired detective turns private investigator to pick up where the local police have left off to follow the clues to Katrina's killer.

The plot gave a touch of crime drama to this cozy without losing the cozy charm. ... There is suspense and twists that keep the pages turning. ... I think Ms. Carr is just hitting her stride and I suspect that we shall see each new book surpass the last. -- review by Ariel Heart, Mystery and My Musings
As in any good who-done-it, there are red herrings and plot complications inOld Loves Die Hard and fans of mysteries and police procedurals will get a kick out of Lauren Carr's books. - review by David M. Kinchen, Huntington News
Old Loves Die Hard…and in the worst places.
In Old Loves Die Hard, Lauren Carr continues the rags-to-riches story of Mac Faraday, an underpaid homicide detective who inherits two-hundred-and-seventy million dollars and an estate on Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, from his birth mother on the day his divorce becomes final.
Mac is settling nicely into his new life at Spencer Manor when his ex-wife Christine shows up—and she wants him back! Before Mac can send her packing, Christine and her estranged lover are murdered in Mac’s private penthouse suite at the Spencer Inn, the five-star resort built by his ancestors. The investigation leads to the discovery of cases files for some of Mac’s murder cases in the room of the man responsible for destroying his marriage. Why would his ex-wife’s lover come to Spencer to dig into Mac’s old cases?
With the help of his new friends on Deep Creek Lake, Mac must use all of his detective skills to clear his name and the Spencer Inn’s reputation, before its five-stars—and more bodies—start dropping!

Carr combines action with humor in a page-turning tale of intrigue. I'm delighted to write that Lauren Carr is a talented mystery writer whose books deserve wide readership. Mac Faraday is well portrayed as a down-to-earth man surrounded by the rich and wretched of Deep Creek Lake -- and still maintaining his sanity. He also has to put up with Gnarly, a retired army dog, who relentlessly manipulates him, to the perverse delight of Archie. - review by David Kinchen, Huntington Post
Being favored by the rich and powerful often has its own drawbacks. Shades of Murder is another Mac Faraday mystery from Lauren Carr as she follows Mac as he finds himself once again the benefactor of yet another inheritance. A riveting mystery with plenty of twists and turns, Shades of Murder is very much recommended reading, not to be missed.- review by William Buhle, Midwest Book Reviews
Shades of Murder is a fascinating, intricately woven mystery that has a number of engaging characters looking into two cases that would seem to have nothing in common. ...This is a most entertaining entry in this series, made all the more so by the wonderful inclusion of Gnarly and Irving, Mac's dog and Gates's black and white cat, who meet during the course of the story." - review by Mysterious Reviews
What do you give the man who has everything?
A cold-blooded mystery he can't resist.
Retired homicide detective Mac Faraday is back at his sprawling Deep Creek Lake estate, still adjusting to his unimaginable fortune inherited from mystery legend Robin Spencer. But when a long-lost masterpiece—tied to a brutal unsolved murder—lands in his hands as part of yet another jaw-dropping bequest, Mac can't walk away.
Nearly a decade ago, rising artist Ilysa Ramsay unveiled her greatest work... only to be found dead in her lakeside studio hours later. The painting vanished that night, presumed stolen forever. Now it's resurfaced, whispering secrets of art forgery, jealousy, and deadly greed. Mac dives in, determined to uncover who killed the artist and why the canvas is worth killing for—again.
Meanwhile, in Pittsburgh, former JAG lawyer Joshua Thornton takes on the impossible: clearing one murder from a convicted serial killer's tally. Teaming with sharp, no-nonsense detective Cameron Gates, they chase a Jane Doe victim whose death doesn't fit the pattern. What starts as a favor spirals into a dangerous game where someone is desperate to keep the truth buried.
Two separate cases. Two brilliant investigators. One explosive collision course.
As clues converge on Deep Creek Lake, Mac, Joshua, and Cameron race to unmask a killer with a chilling talent for deception—and murder. With Gnarly the irrepressible German Shepherd stirring up trouble (and providing comic relief), the stakes skyrocket in this twisty, fast-paced thriller full of surprises, romance, and the kind of clever sleuthing fans crave.
If you love intricate puzzles, charismatic characters, laugh-out-loud moments amid the suspense, and that satisfying "aha!" payoff, Shades of Murder delivers. Dive back into the Mac Faraday world—where wealth buys a lot... but justice comes at a deadly price.
Note: This installment introduces Joshua Thornton and Cameron Gates of The Lovers in Crime Mysteries.

"Blast from the Past is a well-developed story full of intrigue that moves at a brisk pace. The characters are interesting, the villains varied, and the action is as quick as the humor. I have a feeling any of Lauren Carr's mysteries would be pleasurable distractions, as well as entertaining. Very Highly Recommended." - review by Lori L., Softly She Treads
"I must say, I truly enjoyed reading this book! I found myself waking up slightly early for work just to finish a couple chapters! Not only was this book captivating, I found myself laughing at Gnarly, the ever so lovable and rambunctious German Shephard! I look forward to reading the next book by Lauren Carr!" - review by Debbie Hill, Miss Book Lovers
In this fourth mystery on Deep Creek Lake; Mac Faraday finds himself up to his eyeballs in mobsters and federal agents.
After an attempted hit ends badly with two of his men dead, mobster Tommy Cruze arrives in Spencer, Maryland, to personally supervise the execution of the witness responsible for putting him behind bars—Archie Monday!
Mac Faraday believes he has his work cut out for him in protecting his lady love from one of the most dangerous leaders in organized crime; but when bodies start dropping in his lakeshore resort town, things may be hotter than even he can handle.

"So much fun to read! The castle seemed foreboding. The rumors of the ghost dog, werewolves, and more made more plausible in light of the murders. Is it enough to make even detectives reconsider? Is it all about the missing book or is the real motive money?" review by Mystery Suspense Reviews
"The Murders at Astaire Castle is a must-read for anyone who is looking for a great adventure." - review by Edie Dykeman, BelleOnline Mystery Book Editor
"The Murders at Astaire Castle is a page-turner that resounds with Halloween season chills and thrills, along with plot twists as jagged as the shoreline of Deep Creek Lake." -review by David Kinchen, Huntington News
Never tell Mac Faraday not to do something.
Spencer’s police chief, David O’Callaghan, learns this lesson the hard way when he orders Mac Faraday to stay away from the south end of Spencer’s mountaintop—even though he owns the property. It doesn’t take long for Mac to find out what lies on the other side of the stone wall and locked gate, on which hangs a sign warning visitors to Keep Out!
Topping the list of the ten most haunted places in America, Astaire Castle is associated with two suicides, three mysterious disappearances, and four murders since it was built almost a century ago—and Mac Faraday owns it!
In spite of David’s warning, Mac can’t resist unlocking the gate to see the castle that supposedly hasn’t seen a living soul since his late mother had ordered it closed up after the double homicide and disappearance of Damian Wagner, a world-famous master of horror novels.
What starts out as a quick tour of a dusty old castle turns into another Mac Faraday adventure when Astaire Castle becomes the scene of even more murders. Mac is going to need to put all of his investigative talents to work to sort out this case that involves the strangest characters he has run into yet—including a wolf man. No, we’re not talking about Gnarly.

"She is an amazing author that draws you into the story, makes you fall in love with the characters (they feel like family!) and keeps you guessing right to the very end." - review by The Working Mommy Journal
"I recommend this book to all mystery lovers! The Lady Who Cried Murder was another heart-stopping thriller! While the mystery and the road to it's solution was amazing, I truly enjoyed the cast and characters (they feel like family)! Another great hit and I look forward to reading the next installment of Mac Faraday and his gang and what kind of drama they end up in!" - review by Debbie Hill, Miss Book Lovers
Fame comes at a price. Some pay with their privacy. Others pay with their pride. Khloe Everest paid with her life.
Determined to get her pretty face in front of the cameras, Khloe Everest fakes an abduction only to make a grand entrance in the midst of a press conference held by Spencer's Police Chief David O'Callaghan.
Three years later, after failing to catapult her notoriety into a long-lasting celebrity, Khloe Everest returns to Spencer upon her mother's sudden death and seemingly finds another weapon to propel herself into the spotlight. Unfortunately, someone kills her before she can make this entrance.
In Lauren Carr's sixth Mac Faraday Mystery, Mac and his friends come up against reality stars, politicians, has-beens, and wannabes. Mac also finds himself face-to-face with an old foe from his past who had managed to escape arrest during their last encounter. Now, Mac sees that his adversary has only become more powerful, and dangerous, with the passage of time.
Intent to not let this killer escape again, Mac and his friends need to put all of their talents together to put a stop to a cold blooded lady killer.

"Twelve To Murder is a clever blend of comedy, mystery, and sappy love story. Lauren Carr does a good job of moving the quirky storyline along nicely with an abundance of witty dialogue. And you have no idea who the good guys are and who the bad guys are until the end." - review by Every Free Chance Book Reviews.
"I love how Mac and David put and placed everything together to solve the case! There were many fun scenes and laughable comments. It was fast paced and kept me turning the pages! I love crime and detective shows, so this was a very nice read and, Man, was it fun. The characters were great and the interactions were fun to follow. And Gnarly, he's fabulous!!!" - review by Doing Some Reading
"This suspenseful book was filled with twists, turns, and lots of action! The Mac Faraday series is an amazing read for a mystery lover, but Twelve to Murder can stand alone if you have not read any other books in its series. Lauren definitely knows how to bring you into the story and leaves you wanting more!" - Reviewer: Debbie Hill, Miss Book Lovers
"Carr once again delivers a punch with her latest Mac Faraday novel, Twelve to Murder. Like all Carr's other novels, Twelve to Murder kept me glued to its pages from the very start, and while this murder mystery looks like it may be a cut and dried whodunit, Carr's expertise keeps readers guessing while the twist and turns unfold." - review by Shana Benedict, A Book Vacation
Two people are brutally murdered in their summer place on Deep Creek Lake. Suspected of the murders, former child star and one-time teenybopper idol Lenny Frost takes innocent bystanders hostage in a local pub and demands that Mac Faraday find the killer. Can Mac save the hostages and himself from the wrath of the enraged has-been by piecing together the clues in less than twelve hours, or will it be a fatal last call at the stroke of midnight?

"Lauren knows how to perfectly spin together, romance, love, danger, excitement, mystery and intrigue into one fun filled story with a plot that has twists and turns that keep you guessing till the very end." - review at Our Families Adventures
"Five Stars. A Wedding and a Killing has lots of action, suspense, murders, mysteries and humor." review by Rhonda Laney, readalot
"There is actually a mystery within a mystery in Carr's new book. It's a tangled, twisting adventure that adds more dead bodies along the way. Carr's characters are lively, her plots complex, there is always just enough humor to set a lighter tone." - review by Allene Reynolds, Mystery and Me
When Mac Faraday decides to do something, there’s no stopping him … even murder!
Not wanting to wait until their big day to start their life of wedded bliss, Mac Faraday and his lady love, Archie Monday, decide to elope to the little church where his ancestors had all married—along the tranquil shore of Deep Creek Lake. However, before they can say, “I do,” the sanctuary erupts into chaos when Gnarly finds a dead body in the church office.
As they dive into the investigation, Mac and his team discover more questions than answers. What kind of person walks into a church and shoots a man for no apparent reason? How do you solve the murder of a man who has no enemies in the world? Which of the seemingly kind-hearted church members is really a cold-blooded killer?
Then, there is the all-important question, how long do Mac Faraday and his lady love have to wait to get married?
PLUS: SPECIAL BONUS FEATURE: THE GNARLY REHABILITATION PROGRAM (A Gnarly Mystery Short): Bert and Ernie learn the hard way that crime does not pay when they dog nap Gnarly.

"The mystery and suspense kept me captivated, as I traveled from Iraq to the United States and back again. Lauren kept me guessing and on my toes. I never anticipated all the events that would ensue." - Reviewer: Sherry Fundin, Fundinmental
"If you enjoy action and adventure as well as mystery and romance you will find this work is just the thing. Think danger and espionage and you will find a trickle of that danger weaving throughout the story. Carr continues to keep us enthralled with her protagonist, and yet each character is strong enough to stand on his or her own as well." - Reviewer: Leslie Ann Wright, BlogCritics.
"Three Days to Forever is a fast-paced thriller that solidifies Carr's standing as a major force in American fiction." - Reviewer: David Kinchen, HuntingtonNews.net
"I am, bottom line, amazed at the giant step that places Carr comparable to significant authors whose name slips off our tongues like, for instance, Nora Roberts. Watch this author--she's moving quickly to where her goals are headed... Three Days to Forever has to be, in my opinion, the best of her best! Get it!" - Reviewer: Glenda Bixler, Book Readers Heaven
Three days until the wedding… unless a killer turns it into a funeral.
In this explosive Mac Faraday Mystery, the countdown to the biggest wedding Deep Creek Lake has ever seen turns deadly.
With only three days left until New Year’s Eve, Mac Faraday and Archie Monday’s long-awaited wedding is the social event of the season. Guests are pouring into the luxurious Spencer Inn, and the entire town is buzzing with excitement.
But the celebration is shattered when a professional hit squad storms Spencer Manor. Suddenly, Mac Faraday, Joshua Thornton, Gnarly, and Archie’s elderly mother are running for their lives.
As the clock ticks down, Mac and his team — including Prosecutor Joshua Thornton, Homicide Detective Cameron Gates, and the next generation of investigators Jessica Faraday and Murphy Thornton — must untangle a web of deadly secrets before the assassins strike again. Because someone doesn’t just want to ruin the wedding…
They want to make sure it ends forever.

"I am, bottom line, amazed at the giant step that places Carr comparable to significant authors whose name slips off our tongues like, for instance, Nora Roberts. Watch this author--she's moving quickly to where her goals are headed..." - Glenda Bixler, Book Readers Heaven in a review of Three Days to Forever
"Lauren Carr does a good job of moving the quirky storyline along nicely with an abundance of witty dialogue. And you have no idea who the good guys are and who the bad guys are until the end." - Reviewer: Every Free Chance Book Reviews in a review of A Wedding and a Killing.
“It’s Ashton. Robin, it’s me, Ashton.”
Spring is in the air. In Deep Creek Lake, the burst of blossoms on the trees has the effect of a starting pistol in the race to get the resort area ready in time for the seasonal residents return to Spencer, Maryland.
This year, the Spencer Inn, Mac Faraday’s five-star resort, has the added duty of preparing for the Diablo Ball, an annual benefit event that used to kick off Deep Creek Lake’s summer season. The exclusive gala has drawn in A-listers from across the country—including suspects and witnesses connected to Ashton Piedmont, a young woman who had disappeared while skinny dipping in Deep Creek Lake five years earlier—days after the last Diablo Ball.
Intrigued by a mysterious phone call from a young woman claiming to be Ashton, retired homicide detective Mac Faraday can’t resist diving head first into the cold case. But he’s not the only one. Someone behind the scenes has gone to a lot of trouble to bring Ashton Piedmont’s friends and enemies to the Diablo Ball—which promises to be a gala event to die for!
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"Warning, this one is a page-turner that will keep you up late at night even when you should really, really be going to sleep because tomorrow will be yet another long day." - Sahar's Blog
"'Cancelled Vows' is loaded with twists and turns and red herrings that will leave you guessing all the while you are flipping pages to find out what happens next. Take the phone off the hook and make yourself a big bowl of popcorn because once you get started you will not want to put this book down until you actually finish. This is a great murder mystery that is going to keep you guessing. I look forward to the next adventure." - Vic's Media Room.
"Wow! What a wonderful mystery. This book is a page-turner! The characters are likable and the cover fits the story perfectly. This book was filled with action, adventure, twists, and turns, This is a great mystery and I highly recommend it." - Catherine Carrington, Book Reviews, Nature Pictures & Everything in Between.
It’s supposed to be the happiest day of their lives.
Police Chief David O’Callaghan and Chelsea Adams are just days away from saying “I do” when David discovers one small problem: he’s still legally married to his first wife.
With only five days to finalize the divorce before the wedding, David, Mac Faraday, and Gnarly rush to New York City to untangle the mess. But what should have been a quick legal formality explodes into murder when one of the parties ends up dead.
Now Mac and the gang must navigate a web of old secrets, bitter exes, and hidden motives — all while the clock is ticking. Because if they don’t solve this case in time, David’s wedding will be cancelled permanently… by a killer who’s determined to make sure “till death do us part” happens sooner than anyone planned.
A witty, fast-paced Mac Faraday Mystery full of small-town charm, sharp humor, and one very determined German Shepherd.
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"OMG! Carr is over the top and giving us an easy "10" with her latest, Candidate for Murder!...Don't just sit there thinking that this might be the book to try for Lauren Carr! I'm telling you right now it's a must-read for daring, adventure, crime-busting, high-level government criminal elimination." Reviewer: Glenda Bixler, Book Readers Heaven
"OMG!!! The best Mac Faraday...yet. Lauren Carr is a master storyteller who combines the humor of Janet Evanovich and the investigative skills of Patricia Cornwell. She is always at the top of my reading list." Reviewer: Sherry Fundin, Fundinmental, As Eye See It
"It is an amusing look at politics and media today. Appropriate to see how the Deep Creek mayoral election relates to current events. Dissatisfaction with politicians on many levels often leave us looking for extreme change. It may leave you thoughtful. It may leave you writing Gnarly's name in as your preferred candidate in the next election." Reviewer: Merry Citarella, Jaquo.com
When the candidate is a dog, the election gets deadly.
It’s election time in Spencer, Maryland, and the race for mayor is anything but civil.
When the two major parties offer up a pair of thoroughly unpleasant candidates, Police Chief David O’Callaghan decides to make a statement — by nominating Gnarly, Mac Faraday’s brilliant and mischievous German Shepherd, to run for mayor.
What begins as a hilarious joke quickly turns deadly serious when Gnarly becomes the front-runner overnight. Suddenly, the campaign gets ugly. One of the human candidates ends up murdered, and all signs point to the canine contender.
With the entire town watching and political enemies circling, Mac Faraday and the gang must dive headfirst into a dirty election filled with long-buried secrets, dirty tricks, and at least one very determined killer.
Can they clear Gnarly’s name before the votes are counted — or will this be one election that ends in murder?
A witty, fast-paced Mac Faraday Mystery packed with small-town charm, sharp humor, and a German Shepherd who just might be smarter than the voters.

"I loved how just when you think you know who the murder suspect may be, a new twist is added that leaves you questioning everything you already know. I literally could not put this book down, I had to read it in one go, it was that good. It was well planned out and developed with such intensity that you did not want to part with it. It is a definite must read from this talented writer!" - Reviewer: The Working Mommy Journal
"Lauren Carr does a good job of moving the quirky storyline along nicely with an abundance of witty dialogue. And you have no idea who the good guys are and who the bad guys are until the end." - Reviewer: Every Free Chance Book Reviews
"With her usual panache, Lauren Carr blends the grittiness of murder(s) with a good deal of humor, the latter revolving largely around Gnarly and David's Belgian shepherd, Storm, who would much rather be couch potato-ing than anything involving exertion." - Reviewer: Lelia Taylor, Buried Under Books
It’s a bittersweet reunion for Mac Faraday when members of his former homicide squad arrive at the Spencer Inn. While it is sweet to attend the wedding of a late colleague’s daughter, it is a bitter reminder that the mother of the bride had been the victim of a double homicide.
The brutal slaying weighing heavy on his mind, Mac is anxious to explore every avenue for a break in the cold case—even a suggestion from disgraced former detective Louis Gannon that one of their former friends is the killer.
When the investigator is brutally slain, Mac Faraday rips open the cold case with a ruthless determination to reveal which of his friends is a cold-blooded murderer.

"This newest title in the author's Mac Faraday murder mystery series offers Carr's most intricate plot to date - full of twists and turns guaranteed to keep readers up until the wee hours. While still full of the humor, fun critters and touch of romance that are her trademark, the author has also woven in a dark supernatural element that whispers through to the startling ending." - review by Marilyn R. Wilson, best-selling author and speaker, Olio by Marilyn.
"Five Stars for Lauren Carr's 14th book of the Mac Faraday Murder Mysteries, Shadow of Murder! In this new release, she has recaptured the fun of cute "creatures" with the fast-moving, suspenseful, and captivating mystery, along with her usual touch of romance. In her new release, she has included an element, unlike her other stories... The element of the paranormal. This adds to the mystery and suspense in a 'creepy' way. In this 'past meets present' scenario, past and present friends and acquaintances are brought together in this mindboggling, confounding new "Who Did It?" masterpiece! For fans, you won't want to miss this outstanding new development in the Mac Faraday Murder Mystery series. Missing this is incogitable!" - review by Lu Ann Worley, Rockin' Book Reviews
You can't move to the next chapter of your life, without tying up loose ends in the previous.
True crime blogger, Erica Hart starts a new chapter in her life with a bang when a dark shadow darts into the mountain road to send her SUV off a cliff and to the bottom of Deep Creek Lake. Spencer’s newest addition to the police force, Dusty O’Meara assumes it was a bear. Erica is not so sure.
Soon afterwards, contractors discover Konnor Langston’s body at the bottom of an abandoned swimming pool at the new summer home of Mac Faraday’s son.
With Police Chief David O’Callaghan away on paternity leave, Deputy Chief Dusty O’Meara must lead the investigation in his first murder case since moving to Spencer. Not only does Dusty have to work under the shadow of the legendary Mac Faraday, but he also has to match wits with Erica, who is determined to find justice for Konnor, her childhood friend.
Mac isn’t so difficult. Even Gnarly, the town’s canine mayor, is manageable if his authority is well-respected and he is kept entertained.
Erica Hart, Dusty finds, is more of a challenge. It wouldn’t be so difficult if she wasn’t so irresistible.
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Join Lauren Carr’s Mystery Club for this members-only novella: a luxury weekend at the Spencer Inn turns into a cold case crossover with Mac Faraday, Chris Matheson & the Geezer Squad, Joshua Thornton, and more!
Twists, humor, and four-legged mischief await – but only for club members.
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