
Mystery with a Punch!

A Deadly Combo
Rocky Nelson Boxing Mystery Book 1
by Karen A. Phillips
Genre: Cozy Mystery

“This fast-paced read, filled with twists and turns, will keep readers glued to the pages until they reach the very satisfying ending.”
—Cindy Sample, National Bestselling Author of the Laurel McKay Mystery Series
“Rocky Nelson is just the kind of heroine I love: strong, smart, fierce, and yet still vulnerable.”
—Eileen Rendahl, award-winning author
“This debut mystery delivers a one-two punch!”
—Kim Davis, author
“Phillips has mastered the ‘whodunit’ craft.”
—R. Franklin James, award winning author
Sisters Rocky and Bridget are enjoying each other’s company at a vintage trailerfest until they stumble over a corpse. The dead guy is none other than the local trailer restorer Bridget was overheard threatening to kill. Mounting evidence leads police to focus on Bridget as a person of interest. Desperate to prove her sister innocent of murder, Rocky dons her own deerstalker cap and goes sleuthing until she runs into police detective Thompson who warns her off his case in no uncertain terms. But Rocky is tenacious if not stubborn. Combined with a 78-year-old father who becomes her sidekick, Rocky uses her courage and skills learned in boxing lessons to protect her family and keep from becoming the killer’s next victim.
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The exterior lamp cast a dim amber glow over the deck where Opal had stood earlier that day. Moths flew against the light, their suicidal efforts creating a luminescent haze.
I had decided to return to Wes’s property, desperate to find some clue as to where he hid his money. I was convinced finding the money would lead me to the killer. Even though my visit with Dad had gleaned nothing, at least I was now somewhat familiar with the lay of the land. I gained access from the farthest corner where I found a stretch of barbed wire fencing. A weathered NO TRESPASSING sign dangled. I carefully pushed the wire down and stepped over, avoiding the sharp barbs. I approached the house from the back, moving from tree to tree until I found a large oak where I could observe yet remain unseen. I hid behind the thick trunk and waited. The full moon cast everything into shades of blue. The carcasses of trailers amidst the trees created a grim and forbidding landscape. Somewhere an owl hooted, and another answered.
The kitchen light was on, and I assumed Opal was home. From my vantage point, I couldn’t tell if her car was in the garage, nor could I see if any vehicles were parked in front of the house. After a time, the sliding glass door opened, and two people stepped out onto the deck. I craned my neck to get a better look, but unfortunately, my view was partially blocked by shrubbery and branches. I only had a partial view of the deck and the stairs.
At that moment, my nose tickled, and I sneezed into the crook of my arm, in an attempt to dampen the sound.
Duke woofed, then got up and shook himself, the chain jangling. He went to the deck railing, dragging the chain behind him over the wooden boards. He put his nose through the slats and sniffed.
I froze.
The couple didn’t seem to notice. They stood close together and after a few minutes, parted.
I strained to hear what they were saying, but their voices were muffled. I changed my position and stepped on a stout twig, breaking it, the sound as loud as a firecracker.
Duke growled.
“Something . . . there,” said Opal.
The man muttered an answer.
“He doesn’t growl at nothing,” Opal said, loud enough to hear. “I’ll get a flashlight.”
The man descended the stairs.
The sliding door opened and closed. “Catch,” Opal said. “I’m letting Duke off his chain. He’ll find whatever’s out there.”
My heart jumped to my throat. I frantically looked for somewhere to hide.
A tarp covered an object sitting low to the ground. Most likely a boat. Whatever it was, it was the nearest hiding place.
The beam of the flashlight played over the terrain, too close for comfort. I dropped to the dirt and scrambled on all fours under the tarp. Acorns and pinecones bit into my palms. Cobwebs brushed against my face. I stifled a scream. I pulled myself into a tight ball and waited while images of spiders, ticks, and other creepy crawlers, filled my head. Mold and decay assaulted my senses. I breathed through my mouth. When the beam from the flashlight found the tarp, I squeezed my eyes shut. Please, please, keep going. Move on, I begged silently.
Duke rooted around, sniffing the ground in excitement, then whined.
“Ugh,” said the man.
I opened my eyes to see something black, the size of a cat, disappear under a trailer. The white stripe registered too late in my brain to react. Skunk!


A Deadly Match
Rocky Nelson Boxing Mystery Book 2

“A Deadly Match packs an Oscar-worthy punch!” —Holly West, author of the Mistress of Fortune series and Anthony Award-winning editor of Killin’ Time in San Diego
In Book 2, Raquel (AKA Rocky) investigates family secrets and murder.
Twin sisters Rocky and Bridget soon find themselves facing another shocking mystery when Hollywood visits the Sierra Foothills.
Their aunt and uncle, both famous movie stars they haven’t seen since their mother’s funeral, are in town to film a movie. Forced into family togetherness, Rocky takes them on a tour of her boxing gym, which wasn’t supposed to include a dead body.
When her beloved coach, Cutter, is arrested for the murder, Rocky refuses to believe he’s guilty. Driven to clear his name, she embarks on a dangerous investigation that leads her into a web of secrets, lies, and unexpected betrayals. As the stakes get higher and the killer’s motives become more twisted, Rocky realizes she may be fighting for more than just the truth—she may be fighting for her own life.
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Karen A. Phillips enjoys writing mysteries, MG/YA fantasy, and poetry. She resides in Northern California, and is a proud member of Sisters In Crime and Willamette Writers.
. . . and yes, she does take boxing lessons.
Visit her at KarenAPhillips.com.
Website * Facebook * Instagram * Bluesky * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the blitz HERE for special content and a giveaway!
May 1
Kickoff at Silver Dagger Book Tours
Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder
☼ A Place In The Spotlight ☼ with M.C.V. EGAN
Book Bites….with a side of coffee
May 2
Books all things paranormal and romance
Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin’

Oh boy, a fun cozy mystery read; I hope to have the pleasure to read it :)
Thank you for commenting, Lisa. I know you’ll enjoy the series!
Thanks for sharing. Sounds really interesting.
Thank you for stopping by, Marcy!
Looks like a good read
Alma, it is a good read with humor sprinkled in!
Just starting to like mystery reads, exercises the brain!
Ha, ha! That is so true, Cindy! I challenge you to figure out “who dunnit”!
This so sounds like a great read and one that will keep me interested for sure!
Heather, yes, it will definitely keep you interested!
What are some of your favorite books to read?
Hi Soha – great question. I enjoy author Cindy Sample. She writes humorous mysteries. I try to add humor to my stories, as well. I like Kristin Hannah for literary novels. But I enjoy a good book period. And there are many authors who write good books!
I love a good mystery.
Me, too! Thanks for commenting.
Sounds like a great cozy.
Hi Rita – I hope you enjoy my series! And good luck in the giveaway!
Cozy mysteries are a favorite read of mine.
Good to know, Carol! And good luck to you!
This is one of my favorite series. Highly recommended!
Hi Cindy Sample! Thank you for commenting. I highly recommend YOUR books. :-)
Thank you to Maia of Silver Dagger Book Tours for hosting my blitz! Good luck to all in the giveaway!
this sounds like a wonderful book
Thanks for stopping by Wendy!
It looks like a good read.
Hi Leela – thanks for commenting!
I really like the cover art.
What a nice compliment! I love the covers!
I really like the cover and the excerpt.
Thank you, Sherry. I hope you’ll give the series a try. You’ll enjoy it!
This sounds like an interesting book and I also like the cover.
Thank you, Ann!
Great cover
Thank you so much for commenting, Terri!
Looks very exciting Do you write in a daily journal?
Hi Heather – great question. No, I don’t write in a daily journal. But I do journal sporadically. I find it helpful as a way to express my feelings.
Thanks for the great blurb and excerpt. The book sounds fantastic. My favourite genre!
Hi Piroska – thanks for stopping by. I hope you give my series a try. I add humor throughout so you’ll be sure to chuckle!
cool
Ha! Yes, very cool! Good luck in the giveaway!
Do you have any advice for new writers?
Hi Jamie – one piece of advice is to join a writing group. For example, I am a member of Sisters In Crime national, which has a chapter in Sacramento. They meet in person and on Zoom. A writing group has lots of resources for new and established writers. There are so many, I’m sure you will find one near you. Good luck!
Great cover!
Thank you!
Cozy Mystery – Love this genre and the great cover!
Thank you for sharing this excerpt.
Hi Barbara – I’m so happy you enjoyed the excerpt. I hope you give my series a try. And good luck in the giveaway!
Great post, you have pointed out some superb points, I too conceive this s a very great website.
Hi Jeff – thank you for commenting!
For more giveaways, please sign up for my newsletter at: https://karenaphillips.com/
looks like a fun one.
This looks like an interesting cozy mystery! I love the cover!
Great cover thanks for sharing!
This sounds like a great cozy mystery. I like the cover.
I enjoyed the excerpt for A Deadly Match. Thank you for the giveaway!
Good luck with your new mystery.
Love the title – fits the blurb so well. (or vice versa!)
Looks like a great book