Sam Jones - formerly known as Samantha Rathbone - fled to Heywood when her life in Hollywood fell apart. She'd rather not have people know who she used to be (famous actress in a day-time drama) and she flinches every time someone mentions "hey, you look familiar." Actually, she flinches less about all the murders that happen around her in small-town Heywood.

The mysteries were enjoyable.

In the first book, Sam's employer is killed and Sam is the main suspect, because she stood to inherit the shop. Though she only learned about this after Bonnie had died and you don't expect someone you have only known for three months to include you in their will, the police (or rather the town's sheriff) thinks Sam has motive. So Sam sets out to find the real killer, while fighting a mild attraction to the town's deputy - Jordan.

In the second book, Sam's friend Gina is accused of killing her ex-husband. His body is found in her place of business and he owned her about ten years of child-support. The ex is also a known drug dealer, so it's beyond me why the police are not investigating this angle. It's pretty easy to guess where the murderer lives.

In the third book, Sam and Jordan have begun to hang out, sharing a morning coffee regularly (not dating), when Jordan is accused of killing a former co-worker who filed assault charges against him. Sam wants to believe him, but she also has some doubts, due to Jordan's past. And Sam's own past which have left her with some trust issues. Nonetheless, Sam sets out to help Jordan and her past even proves useful to point out the killer (at least, it was useful for me. Sam mentioned a past memory and then pretty much immediately forgot its significance again.)

I read an ARC from BookSirenes.