A House to Die For (A Darby Farr Mystery, 1)

Red-hot real estate agent Darby Farr has spent years trying to forget her hometown of Hurricane Harbor, Maine--especially the painful memories of being raised by her controlling aunt following her parents' tragic deaths. Then one morning, she learns her aunt is dying, and the calculating woman has one final demand: clinch the multimillion-dollar sale of Fairview, a breathtaking waterfront estate. The deal seems simple, but trouble is brewing on the rocky coast. Within hours of Darby's arrival, an obscure deed restriction scuttles the sale just as the backup buyer is found bludgeoned to death on the property's grounds. Assisted by handsome journalist Miles Porter, Darby uncovers dark secrets that reveal an ugly scandal . . . and even uglier motives for murder. As a brutal storm surges up the coast, Darby must salvage the deal, find the killer--and somehow stay alive. Praise: "An appealing debut . . . the author does a good job portraying Darby in her efforts to make peace with her childhood past and solve a murder on a picturesque Maine island."-- Publishers Weekly "A superb prologue, wonderful story, atmospheric with a good plot."-- Crimespree Magazine "Light and entertaining, A House to Die For is a fun mystery and fantastic way to spend an evening!" -- Suspense Magazine "[Doudera] expertly weaves a tale of suspense on a Maine island, where murder and real estate are an explosive combination."-Tess Gerritsen, New York Times bestselling author of The Mephisto Club "Here's a fast-paced and well-told story with a smart, savvy real estate agent as the heroine, solving crimes while making sales. Bring on the next one!"-Barbara Corcoran, real estate contributor for NBC's Today Show and author of Nextville: Amazing Places to Live the Rest of Your Life

red-hot Real Estate Agent Darby Farr Has Spent Years Trying To Forget Her Hometown Of Hurricane Harbor, Maine—especially The Painful Memories Of Being Raised By Her Controlling Aunt Following Her Parents' Tragic Deaths. Then One Morning, She Learns Her Aunt Is Dying, And The Calculating Woman Has One Final Demand: Clinch The Multimillion-dollar Sale Of Fairview, A Breathtaking Waterfront Estate.

the Deal Seems Simple, But Trouble Is Brewing On The Rocky Coast. Within Hours Of Darby's Arrival, An Obscure Deed Restriction Scuttles The Sale Just As The Backup Buyer Is Found Bludgeoned To Death On The Property's Grounds. Assisted By Handsome Journalist Miles Porter, Darby Uncovers Dark Secrets That Reveal An Ugly Scandal . . . And Even Uglier Motives For Murder. As A Brutal Storm Surges Up The Coast, Darby Must Salvage The Deal, Find The Killer—and Somehow Stay Alive.

[doudera] Expertly Weaves A Tale Of Suspense On A Maine Island, Where Murder And Real Estate Are An Explosive Combination.-tess Gerritsen, new York Times Bestselling Author Of the Mephisto Club

here's A Fast-paced And Well-told Story With A Smart, Savvy Real Estate Agent As The Heroine, Solving Crimes While Making Sales. Bring On The Next One!-barbara Corcoran, Real Estate Contributor For Nbc's today Show And Author Of nextville: Amazing Places To Live The Rest Of Your Life

publishers Weekly

doudera's Appealing Cozy Debut Introduces Darby Farr, A Half-asian San Diego Realtor. On Hearing Her Realtor Aunt, Jane, Is Dying, Darby Heads Home To Hurricane Harbor, Maine, To Help Her Aunt's Assistant With Jane's Last Sale—the Fairview Estate Owned By Old Brother And Sister Friends Of Darby's, Mark And Lucy Trimble. Bostonian Peyton Mayerson, The Head Of Pemberton Point Weddings, Has Made An Impressive Offer, But Backup Buyer Emerson Phipps, A Prominent Boston Surgeon, Is Sure He'll Be Fairview's New Owner. Before The Multimillion-dollar Sale Can Go Through, Someone Bludgeons Phipps To Death In The Property's Garden Shed. Lucy, Who's Found Hurt Near The Crime Scene, Becomes A Suspect. While Real Estate Matters Slow The Narrative In Places, The Author Does A Good Job Portraying Darby In Her Efforts To Make Peace With Her Childhood Past And Solve A Murder On A Picturesque Maine Island. (apr.)

"Red-hot real estate agent Darby Farr has spend years trying to forget her hometown of Hurricane Harbor, Maine--especially the painful memories of being raised by her controlling aunt following her parents' tragic deaths. Then one morning, she learns her aunt is dying, and the calculating woman has one final demand: clinch the multimillion-dollar sale of Fairview, a breathtaking waterfront estate."--p. 4 of cover When a malicious local scuttles the sale of a Maine island estate by digging up an obscure deed restriction, and the back-up buyer is found hacked to death, realtor Darby Farr must salvage the deal, piece together this deadly puzzle, and somehow stay alive