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Stealing is easy. Facing the truth is harder.

Rory never planned to get caught.

Taking things—small things, meaningless things—has always been how she stays in control. When everything else feels too loud, too messy, too much… she takes. And for a moment, it works.

Until it doesn’t.

After one mistake goes too far, Rory is forced into community service at a local thrift store—the last place she wants to be. But it’s there she meets Mae: confident, sharp, and impossible to fool. Mae sees through Rory’s excuses almost immediately… and doesn’t let her hide behind them.

The more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to keep her distance.

Because Mae isn’t just a distraction—she’s a risk.

As Rory’s carefully managed world begins to unravel, so do the truths she’s been avoiding: the pull she can’t seem to resist, the feelings she doesn’t fully understand, and the fear of what happens if anyone sees her for who she really is.

But habits don’t disappear overnight.

And when one impulsive choice threatens to undo everything—her mother’s trust, her fragile new relationships, and the possibility of something real with Mae—Rory is forced to face the one thing she’s always avoided:

herself.

Because this time, getting caught might be the least of her problems.

  • messy choices and real consequences

  • a slow-burn, high-stakes connection

  • secrets that won’t stay buried

  • identity, risk, and the cost of being seen

Dead in the Water: A Tegan Reese Mystery

A small-town murder. A dark secret. A park ranger caught in the middle.

Park ranger Tegan Reese longs for a peaceful life in Habinaw, Nebraska, but inheriting a fortune from her ex-fiancé has thrown her world into turmoil. When local gym owner JD is found dead in his pool, Tegan is reluctantly drawn into the investigation. As she digs deeper, she begins to fear for her own safety—someone seems to be watching her every move, and the closer she gets to the truth, the more dangerous things become.

At first, the evidence points to recently fired maintenance man Karl Simonsen, but when Tegan uncovers connections to a 30-year-old cold case involving the disappearance of local teenager Laura Thompson, she realizes the mystery goes much deeper. As the investigation intensifies, Tegan discovers that the killer may be closer than she ever imagined—and she might be the next target.

With help from her loyal friends and family, Tegan must navigate a web of deceit where evidence vanishes and alibis crumble. She must uncover the truth before the killer buries the past, and her, forever.

  • The book twists and turns, as any good mystery must, and the conclusion was satisfying and kept me guessing right up to the very end. Shelly Nosbisch has delivered a great debut novel and strong female protagonist. I look forward to reading more from her.

    -Chris P.
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  • A cozy mystery, indeed! I found myself flying through this book because I just had to see what happened next. Tegan is such an intriguing main character with a good heart and a passion for the truth. I knew I was in for a mystery, but I loved the romance in this story as well. I just had to find out who did it. Was it her uncle? Best friend? New beau? Such a good read and I can’t wait for Tegan’s next adventure.

    —Caroline A.

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  • A fun mystery book with a few twists and turns! It kept me up late…I couldn’t put it down!!! Definitely will be reading the next book!

    —Amber P.
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  • This is a very well written cozy mystery. Tegan is a complex character, but very relatable. The small town vibe & outdoor setting really worked well in the story. I am looking forward to the next book in the series by Shelly Nosbisch!

    —Amazon Customer
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

There’s been a murder at Mallet State Park…

Tegan Reese, a resilient 27-year-old park ranger, is trying to leave the heartbreak of her past behind. Recently jilted at the altar by her ex-fiancé Ivan, Tegan finds solace working in the serene surroundings of Mallet State Park. But when she learns that Ivan has a new fiancée, the peaceful park becomes the setting for a mysterious death.

 During a hayrack ride one evening, Tegan stumbles upon Ivan’s lifeless body near the park’s property line. The local sheriff, fueled by Tegan’s history with Ivan, deems her the prime suspect. Now Tegan must unravel the truth to clear her name before she becomes the next victim of a justice system that seems convinced of her guilt.

 Amidst the bustle of the Hunter’s Moon Expo weekend, Tegan forms an uneasy alliance with Tracy, Ivan’s current fiancé. They are determined to unearth the real murderer and find justice for Ivan. Can they set aside their differences and work together to expose the secrets hidden within the park’s boundaries?

  • This is such a fun mystery (as was the first book in the series)! Loved all the twists and turns. The characters and setting are what make this series--the people feel like real people I know and I love getting to know the townsfolk who interact with Tegan as she builds her relationships and her detective skills. Can't wait for the next one!

    —M.K. P.
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  • Fun cozy mystery with a colorful cast of characters. I enjoyed the plot and twists and turns. I'm looking forward to the next Tegan Reese Mystery!

    —Rochelle R.
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

  • Such a great book. As a Nebraska native I love the hometown references. Great mystery with a strong female heroine. Couldn’t put it down.

    —MMW
    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐