The Body in the Back Garden Book

Crescent Cove, a small hamlet on Vancouver Island, is the last place out-of-work investigative journalist Luke Tremblay ever wanted to see again. He used to spend summers here, until his family learned that he was gay and rejected him. Now, following his aunt's sudden death, he's inherited her entire estate, including her seaside cottage and the antiques shop she ran for forty years in Crescent Cove.

Luke plans to sell everything and head back to Toronto as soon as he can but Crescent Cove isn't done with him just yet. When a stranger starts making wild claims about Luke's aunt, Luke sends him packing. The next morning, though, Luke discovers that the stranger has returned, and now he's lying dead in the back garden. To make matters worse, the officer leading the investigation is a handsome Mountie with a chip on his shoulder who seems convinced that Luke is the culprit.

If he wants to prove his innocence and leave this town once and for all, Luke will have to use all his skills as a journalist to investigate the colourful locals while coming to terms with his own painful past.

"There may be both a romantic and sleuthing future for this pair."
Kirkus Reviews

"[For] readers who crave LGBTQIA+ cozies."
Library Journal

"Waddell's debut, The Body In The Back Garden, hits every cozy mystery beat perfectly while adding a fresh and much-needed perspective to the genre. I can't wait to read more of Luke Tremblay's adventures in Crescent Cove (both in sleuthing and with his handsome Mountie 'friend')!"
Mia P. Manansala, author of the Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Award-winning Arsenic and Adobo

"Waddell has crafted an enjoyable and satisfying mystery with a sympathetic sleuth, a small beach town to fall in love with, and a twisty plot that will keep you turning pages well into the night."
Dianne Freeman, author of the award-winning Countess of Harleigh mystery series