Revenge in Little Leaf Creek

Book 30: A Little Leaf Creek Cozy Mystery

by Cindy Bell

Genres: Mystery; Craft & Hobby Cozy Mysteries; Culinary Cozy Mysteries

Synopsis

Fresh produce, friendly faces… and deadly secrets.

Cassie Alberta-Vail is excited to be on the Little Leaf Creek farmers market committee, just as the season is getting underway and the stalls are filling with familiar faces and new vendors. But the cheerful atmosphere doesn’t last long when someone who’s just returned to town is found dead.

As Cassie and her ex-cop neighbor, Tessa, start asking questions, it becomes clear that the victim’s return stirred up more than a little resentment. Old grudges, hurt feelings, and business rivalries rise to the surface, and nearly every vendor seems to have something to hide.

With rumors spreading faster than the truth, Tessa’s goats underfoot, and her collie mix along for the ride, Cassie and Tessa dig into long-buried secrets.

Cassie and Tessa head straight toward danger. Can they uncover the truth before it’s too late?
Recipe included: Tessa’s Blueberry Muffins

Revenge in Little Leaf Creek is the fast-paced thirtieth book in the Little Leaf Creek Cozy Mystery Series. If you enjoy quirky small towns, lovable pets, and puzzling whodunnits, you’ll love these heartwarming mysteries by USA Today and WSJ Bestselling author Cindy Bell.

Release date: June 24, 2026

Print pages: 159

Sample

Chapter One
“Cassie!” Sebastian Vail’s voice rang through the house as he hurried through
the haze in the direction of the kitchen. “Cassie, where are you? Cassie!” His
normally warm voice sharpened with panic. He coughed and waved his hand in front
of his face as he neared the kitchen. Smoke alarms blared, echoing down the
hallway. They’d alerted him to the crisis before he even reached the front porch, and
the smell of burning inside the house quickened his pace.
“It’s okay, I’m here, I’m fine. I already took care of it!” Cassie Alberta-Vail
swiped a towel through the air, trying to clear the kitchen. “It’s okay, it’s just a little
smoke.”
“I was about to call the fire department.” Sebastian guided her out the back.
“Are you hurt?” He looked her over.
“Only my pride.” Cassie blushed as she averted her gaze.
She wanted so badly to get the muffins right.
“What happened?” Sebastian’s voice softened as he brushed a few strands of
hair away from her reddened cheeks.
“I just wanted to make them bigger. The batter overflowed, dripped onto the
oven floor, and by the time I smelled it the bottom of the oven was on fire.” Cassie
met his eyes despite her embarrassment. “There’s no real damage, I promise. I’m
sorry for worrying you.”
“I’m just glad you’re okay.” Sebastian gave her a quick smile.
“Cassie!” Tessa Watters’ shout carried all the way through the house onto the
back porch.
“It’s okay, Tessa!” Cassie called back as the smoke alarms continued to blare.
“Pretty soon the whole town will be here checking on me.”
“You’re worrying too much. Kitchen mishaps happen all the time. I’ve caused
my share, too.” Sebastian kissed her cheek.
A crash from the kitchen drew them both back inside.
Tessa wielded a broom to swat at a second smoke alarm. “These things serve
a great purpose, but boy, do they get judgy the moment anything in the kitchen goes
awry.”

“Thank you!” Cassie said. “I can think again.”
“Let’s make sure you can breathe, too.” Sebastian opened the kitchen
window, then began opening the windows in the living room.
As the smoke began to dissipate, Cassie and Tessa followed him into the
living room.
“I just want to have something to sell at the farmers market. You know how
much I want to get more involved with the town, and since I joined the planning
committee, I want to make sure I can participate. Can you imagine what they’ll think
if I can’t provide something to sell?” Cassie pressed her fingertips to her forehead. “I
just wanted bigger muffins, and I thought if I turned the temperature up they would
cook quicker.”
“It’s okay. If you want, we can make them together again later.” Tessa gave
her a reassuring smile.
“I appreciate that, Tessa. I really do. But it’s muffins. I should be able to make
muffins!” Cassie said.
“You’ll get the hang of it, don’t worry.” Tessa gave her a reassuring look. “Why
don’t you come over and taste test some of my apricot fritters? I’ve made way too
many, as usual.”
“Oh, that sounds delicious,” Cassie said. “It’ll give the house time to air out,
too.”
“I’d better get back to the farm. There’s so much to do there, and Stephanie’s
decided to figure out how to use all the farm equipment.” Sebastian flinched. “Don’t
get me wrong, I’m happy for the help, but I’m a little worried about her keeping all her
fingers.”
“You’d better get back there fast!” Cassie pulled him close for a quick kiss.
“I’ll catch up with you later.” Sebastian walked out through the back door, then
took off at a jog across the backyard and easily hopped over the fence to his farm
behind it, where his sister Stephanie Vail lived.
Cassie smiled to herself as she recalled looking across that field when she
first began to have feelings for him. She’d arrived in a town she knew nothing about,
to a house that needed a lot of work.
Sebastian had offered to help, and at first, she’d been certain that he could
never have any interest in her. Now they were married, sharing the house he’d
helped her fix up. It was still hard for her to grasp how much her life had changed.

Cassie followed Tessa out to the driveway. Tessa had been one of the first
people Cassie had encountered when she moved to Little Leaf Creek, and that first
encounter hadn’t been a pleasant one. But the once reclusive woman had eventually
become her closest friend, despite their age difference. Now, she couldn’t imagine
her life without her in it.
“Settle down, boys.” Tessa clucked her tongue at the two goats charging
toward the gate.
Cassie threw some carrot pieces toward them.
“I know you’re both excited to see Cassie, but she’s excited to have an apricot
fritter.” Tessa gave a low whistle.
Tessa’s collie mix, Harry, came bounding around the corner, took one look at
the goats, and barked.
Billy and Gerry took off at a run toward the other side of the yard, with Harry
running after them.
“Come on inside. It’s a fresh batch.” Tessa led the way up the porch.
“Oh, that smells amazing.” Cassie took a deep breath of the apricot-scented
air. “How do you make everything so delicious?”
“It was when I stopped worrying about getting it right and started enjoying the
making of it that I really fell in love with baking.” Tessa walked toward the kitchen.
“Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. But even I have to admit, these apricot
fritters are winners.” She offered one to Cassie.
“Everything I’ve tasted that you’ve made is delicious.” Cassie took a bite.
“Best thing I’ve ever tasted!” she mumbled as she chewed.
“You say that every time.” Tessa laughed.
“It’s true every time!” Cassie grinned around her mouthful. ...