Murder at the Faust

Private investigator Sydney Lockhart has faced crooked politicians and cold-blooded killers—but nothing quite prepares her for murder at the historic Faust Hotel. It's 1953. The carpet is plush, the cocktails are cold, and the crime scenes are unfortunately plentiful. A bloody hotel room, a body along the banks of the Guadalupe River, and a suspiciously well-informed police chief land Sydney squarely in the interrogation hot seat. With her fiancé and partner, Ralph Dixon, recovering from a gunshot wound, Sydney must navigate the case with unexpected reinforcements: plucky Lydia LaBeau and irrepressible Cousin Ruth Echland—currently masquerading as a Miss Texas contestant and far more interested in evening gowns than evidence. When another body turns up in Sydney's own apartment and Lydia vanishes, the investigation spirals into blackmail, pageant drama, a supposed mermaid, and a Bible-thumping zealot. As duplicity mounts and enemies circle close, Sydney must untangle the lies before the killer strikes again—and before her carefully balanced personal life collapses under the strain. A 2025 M&M Semi-Finalist for Cozy and Not-so-Cozy Mysteries, Murder at the Faust showcases sharp dialogue, evocative settings, and a strong narrative voice. Sydney emerges as a compelling heroine—smart, fearless, and refreshingly human—anchoring this well-paced, absorbing mystery with charm and resolve. Kathleen Kaska demonstrates a confident command of historical crime fiction, crafting a story that lingers beyond its final pages and leaves readers eager for Sydney's next adventure.