A Justified Murder by Jude Devereau

Kate lives with her famous writer aunt, Sarah and Sarah's "adopted" grandson, Jake.  After solving a complicated  and dangerous murder case in their hometown of Lachlan Florida they a determined to stay out of the sleuthing business. When a sweet old lady is brutally murdered in their town, they try not to get involved, but circumstances, and their reputations, keep dragging them in.  As they reluctantly follow one clue after another they discover that nothing is as it seems and that even their best friends hide dark secrets.

This is the second in the Medler mysteries.  I enjoyed the first one and I enjoyed this one as well. Devereau is good a writing snappy dialog between the three main characters.  There is a tantalizing romantic tension between Kate and Jack, that keeps the romance lover in me engaged.  The plot is also well crafted, with plenty of twists and turns, right up to the last page.  This is a fun cozy mystery with a tiny splash of tabasco. (2019, 330 p.)