STOMPED (OWL Ladies Cozy Mystery #2) by Bessie Barr was released September 10, 2026, by BB Books.
What is supposed to be a friendly square dance competition to celebrate Valentine’s Day turns into a murder investigation when Amos Pruitt is found dead behind the Magnolia House the next morning. Amos might not have been the most well-liked person in McKinney, Texas, but he was good at calling a square dance. He was also good at snooping on his neighbors and publicly embarrassing them—which is what he did to Tillie at the square dance just mere hours before he was murdered. With Tillie and her husband at the top of the suspect list, the OWL Ladies make it their personal mission to find the killer and finish uncovering the dirt on their neighbors that Amos died while trying to dig up.
STOMPED is a boot-stomping good time of a mystery. Amos Pruitt isn’t the most sympathetic of victims. In fact, the townspeople of McKinney might be better off without Amos and his constant surveillance. But one of the OWL Ladies is at the top of the suspect list—with her husband right behind her—and that’s enough to drive our group of amateur investigators, one determined cat, and the readers to find the murderer. The cat was my favorite character, but I also really enjoyed the dix members of the OWL Ladies. They are a variety of ages and come from different backgrounds/social situations, and their alternating perspectives give the reader a thorough look at the investigations, the suspects, and the other main characters. I look forward to their next case.
Thanks to the author and Book Sprout for the complimentary ARC.