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.