Jane Elzey
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Book series banner featuring Southern-themed mysteries by Jane Elzey.
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  Jane Elzey writes Southern humorous mysteries for women who like 

their friendships fierce, their secrets messy, and their murders (kind of) funny. 

Her stories focus on friends, loyalty, and crappy husbands. The husband always dies. 

Perfect for fans of Janet Evanovich and Tonya Kappes.

Welcome banner for Bluff Springs featuring a woman in a blue hat and a mystery logo.

 Southern sass. Small town murder. Friendship, loyalty, 

and a dearly departed husband. Because the husband always dies.

Start your BINGE READ with the Cardboard Cottage Sleuths

Dying for Dominoes: Start your Adventure Here

Game night just turned deadly.

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Dice on a Deadly Sea cover: Book 2 Galapagos Birthday Cruise

When secrets bob to the surface, no one’s off the hook.

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Poison Parcheesi and Wine cover: Books 3 in the Arkansass Wine Country

Wine and politics: A deadly pairing.

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Killer Croquet on the Emerald Isle cover: book 4 bucket list trip to Ireland

Turns out surprises make for killer travel.

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Ouija & Haints in the Silent City cover: book 5 a cold case from 1924

The graveyard holds history, suffragettes, and the secrets women keep.

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Order all formats on AmazonMeet the Sleuths

Friends who Sleuth Together, stay together. and play to win

Amy Sparks is the main character of the Cardboard Cottage Sleuths

Amy Sparks

Owner of the Cardboard Cottage and Tiddlywinks Players Club in this small Ozarks tourist town, Amy Sparks is a board game expert with a sharp eye and a stubborn streak. She’s the glue of the group, especially when murder lands on their doorstep.  Which happens. It happens a lot. Another dead husband? Must be Tuesday. Amy has all the puzzle skills she needs to solve the case. If only her best friends didn't hide secrets, evidence, and alibis.

Person holding a pair of burgundy high-heeled shoes with crocodile pattern.

Zelda Carlisle

Zelda owns Zsa Zsa Galore Décor at the Cardboard Cottage, where  glam meets game. She has a passion for fashion, mostly shoes. She's the one who packs EVERYTHING when they take a bucket list trip. You know the one.  Zelda is a firm believer in "Girls just want to have fun." But men? Well, they just keep getting in the way. Every mystery starts with a wasbund. The husband that was. Because a husband always dies.

Smiling woman driving a red tractor in a sunny rural field.

Rian O'Deis

She’s two steps ahead and five steps sideways. First to dive into danger, the last to ask permission. Rian O'Deis (say Ryan O-Day) runs The Pot Shed at the Cardboard Cottage, and it’s probably illegal. Could be another reason the Ozarks are having a moment. A no nonsense approach to life has gotten her right where she is. And that's exactly where she wants to be. Although usually the voice of reason, Rian has been known to go rogue on occasion. 

Elegant woman in a white checkered suit with a handbag.

Genna Gregory

She may serve her tea with a smile, but there’s steel beneath those pearls. Arkansas born and bred, Genna keeps the group grounded—until she doesn’t. That might be more often than she'll ever admit. A competitive player in all of life's games, Genna likes to win. She isn't above a little sleight of hand to make sure the pips score on her card. It's unlikely you'll catch her cheating at dominoes, but she probably is. She makes up for that in oh-so many ways when it's about friendship, mystery, and adventure with sass. 

Charming eatery entrance with hanging plants and colorful decor.

Bluff Springs, Ark

Tucked into the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, Bluff Springs is part tourist town, part time capsule, and 100% gossip-fueled. There are only a couple thousand residents, so there's a good chance the gossip on any given day could be about you. Bluff Springs is the perfect setting for what happens when murder collides with Main Street, and locals know your secrets before you do. Quaint by design. Dangerous by default. There's always a husband, a murder, and a mystery to solve. 

Meet JaneWhat to Expect from Jane's southern cozy

“Game night’s always fun. Because winning is the best revenge.” — Jane Elzey, Author of the Cardboard Cottage Mystery series

Cardboard Cottage Mysteries logo represents the stories of cozy mystery author Jane Elzey

What you can expect in a Jane Elzey Mystery

•  Small-town charm and southern wit
• Strong, funny women solving murders with sass and moxie
•  Game-night themes and travel adventure
•Humor, heart, and a hint of mayhem
• Happy endings (well… except for that worthless  husband)

• No sex, no cursing, no gore. Just mischief.

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