Goddess Fish Promotions Presents

Booty in the Backseat
by Karen C. Whalen

A randomly drawn winner will receive a $20 Amazon/BN GC – Enter Below

High-heeled tow truck driver, Delaney Morran, is shocked to discover bags of money in the backseat of a Volvo she was hired to tow. She’s even more amazed to find a severed hand in one of the bags. She learns the car belongs to the aunt of her friend, Rory. The booty in the backseat, amounting to half a million dollars, raises questions, but more mysterious is the disappearance of Rory’s uncle. Spruce Ridge, Colorado is home to the rich and famous, and the uncle is a well-known movie producer. With that much money…and a severed body part…and the uncle gone AWOL…Rory fears a kidnapping. When his aunt finally admits to receiving a ransom demand but was warned against calling the police, Delaney agrees to help. Is the kidnapper a drug kingpin seen with the victim? His neighbor who has reckless parties? Someone connected to his new film? Or, perhaps the victim’s spouse trying to cover up the murder of her husband? When a dead body turns up next, and it’s not the kidnapped victim, Delaney has two crimes to solve.

5 out of 5

This was the first book I’ve read in The Tow Truck Murder Mysteries series, but it works fine as a standalone. Getting to know Delaney and those close to her was an absolute delight, and the mystery had me hooked from the moment the money was found. I loved the idea of a tow truck driver in heels, who solves mysteries on the side, but I was a little worried about how it would play out. (Admittedly, I don’t exactly think stilettos when I think about getting a car towed, but Whalen made it work, and seem completely natural). The mystery has a cozy vibe, but it’s intriguing. There are times when you’ll find yourself giggling thanks to the banter and others when you’ll be on the edge of your seat, waiting for the next twist, wondering what’s going to happen next. I will definitely be adding the other books in the series to my TBR, I absolutely want to see more mystery solving with this group of amateur sleuths and colorful townies!

“You need a nickname. How about Del?”

My dad’s name. I was happy when my customers called me Del. A lot of them did, since that was the name of my business, Del’s Towing. 

“Sure, I’d like that, but why do I need a nickname?”

“Cause you’re an honorary member of the TKs, the Thunder Knuckles Gang.”

I tried to keep a shocked expression off my face, but couldn’t help the heat flooding my cheeks. “You’re kidding, right?”

“No, ma’am.” He leaned back in his chair and tucked his thumbs into his pockets.

I’d met Lance last year when I discovered the bullet-ridden body of a member of the Thunder Knuckles Gang in a car on the side of the road. Lance had considered the victim his brother, and when I solved the crime, Lance considered me his friend. I didn’t know I was also one of the gang now.

“What’s it mean to be an honorary member?”

“It means, I got your back, Del.” He shot an imaginary gun. “Pow, pow, pow.”

“Excuse me?” I glanced over my shoulder and all around. “Someone might hear you.”

“I get it, I get it. Kill the noise. But Del, you need a tattoo.” He tapped his head where the dark blue lightning bolt colored his skin. “I know just the place where you can get the ink done.”

I said, “Hard to pass up, but no.”

“It’s part of the gang initiation.” He looked disappointed.

“We can talk about it later.” 

Or never.

Amazon | Goodreads

Karen C. Whalen is the award-winning author of the Dinner Club Mysteries featuring Jane Marsh, an empty nester who hosts a gourmet dinner club, and the Tow Truck Mysteries starring Delaney Morran, a super feminine shoe-a-holic who drives a tow truck. Both are cozy mysteries about strong friendships and family ties set in Colorado. The third series, the Sea Oats Beach Mysteries, offers a combination cozy mystery and beach read set in Coastal Carolina.

The first in the Dinner Club series, Everything Bundt the Truth, tied for FIRST PLACE in the Suspense Novel category of the 2017 IDA Contest. Everything Bundt the Truth was also part of Harlequin’s Worldwide Mystery May 2022 book club.

The third in the Tow Truck series, Eyes on the Road, was a SECOND PLACE winner of the 2023 Firebird Book Awards in the Cozy Mystery category.

The first in the Sea Oats Beach Mysteries series, Murder at Sea Oats Beach, won the 2024 Firebird Book Awards in the Summer Beach Read category.

Whalen worked for many years as a paralegal at a law firm in Denver, Colorado and was a columnist and regular contributor to The National Paralegal Reporter magazine. Whalen loves to host dinner parties, entertain friends, ride bicycles, hike in the mountains, walk on the beach, and read cozy murder mysteries.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | BookBub

Follow the tour here
The more posts you comment on, the more entries you get!