Books by Lou Collins

Though it’s summer, Chloe Essex is rehearsing the theatre company’s birthday spectacular—The Nutcracker! But when the Sugar Plum Fairy’s priceless tiara vanishes, she only has hours to find it before the play opens.
With temperatures and tensions rising, the cast and crew discover the spotlight reveals more than anyone bargained for. Chloe must navigate a hotbed of rivalries and mishaps to unravel the mystery and save her last performance.

Can she solve the crime or will the curtain on Chloe’s career and history’s most unconventional Nutcracker fall forever?

Dive into this laugh-out-loud contemporary British cozy mystery full of twists, turns, and surprises that are sure to keep you guessing until the final act!

As the clock ticks down to her 50th birthday, Chloe Essex prepares to unveil her exciting new business venture in the quaint village of Speckled Hill. But her perfect celebration turns into a nightmare when she discovers her best friend dead in the marquee just hours before the event.

Accused of murder, Chloe must navigate suspicious business dealings, cat fights and tangled love affairs to clear her name and salvage her reputation. 

With secrets buried deep beneath a sea of Botox, Chloe must unmask the murderer before they bring the final curtain down on her life. 

Join Chloe in “The Only Way is Murder,” a humorous British contemporary cozy mystery where Miss Marple-meets-Barbie. But be warned, when laughter, intrigue and murder combine, survival depends on unlimited supplies of fake tan and a vat of builders’ tea.

Chloe Essex Cozy Mysteries, by author Lou Collins, is a funny, clean, small-town, female amateur sleuth series. While each mystery is a standalone, the series is best read in order to avoid spoilers!

Escape to the idyllic village of Gormsey, nestled on the picturesque coast of Asteria. But for Ted, this quiet haven holds a dark secret—one that will change his life forever. When his attempt to flee his abusive father ends in a shocking murder, Ted is thrust into a world of deceit and lies within his own family.

As his sister faces a grim fate, Ted must navigate treacherous waters to uncover the truth. But with trust crumbling and suspects emerging, he soon realises that no one is above suspicion. From supposed allies to his own kin, Ted must unravel the tangled web of deceit and bring the killer to justice before it's too late.

But as he delves deeper into his family's dark past, Ted realises that the consequences of his actions may be more devastating than he ever imagined. Can he unravel the truth before it destroys his family?

Full of unexpected twists and turns, The Death of Hope is a gripping tale that reveals the origins of the man who would become the Custodian of the Great Library of Scolaris. Fans of new adult dystopian adventures will be enthralled by this first chapter, racing towards an inevitable confrontation with the truth.

Welcome to Scolaris, where knowledge is power, creativity is forbidden, and ignorance is the price of peace.

Meet Quill, a servant in the Great Library, for whom the pursuit of knowledge is irresistible. Little does she know, her thirst for truth will lead her down a dangerous path.

When she stumbles upon a lifeless body and her master is accused of murder, her idyllic world is shattered. With her makeshift family in danger, she sets out to clear her master's name and uncover the dark secrets lurking in the shadows of her society.

As she delves deeper into the elite circles of Scolaris, Quill discovers that everyone has something to hide. The truth is buried beneath layers of deception and danger, from trophy wives to enigmatic detectives. With time running out and danger at every turn, she must navigate a treacherous web of lies, theft, and blackmail to uncover the truth. But with each revelation, she learns that the knowledge she seeks may be her downfall.

Will Quill unravel the mystery in time to save herself and her loved ones? Or will the truth consume her and change her world forever?

Rally behind Quill in this gripping tale of intrigue, betrayal, and self-discovery that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. This new adult dystopian mystery is a must-read for fans of luxurious world-building, unexpected twists, and unforgettable heroines. If you enjoyed the heart-pounding action of The Hunger Games or the thrilling dystopian world of Divergent, don’t miss The Death of Knowledge.

From author Lou Collins, comes the second in series amateur sleuth mystery with a dystopian twist for fans of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple, Umberto Eco's The Name of the Rose, Midsomer Murders and Death in Paradise.

When the City of Scolaris’ most influential man vanishes without trace, Quill develops a serious case of déjà vu. With her dream of becoming a scholar at stake, Quill is the only one who believes a crime has been committed. While Quill searches for answers, she unravels a web of petty rivalries and political corruption.

As tensions rise, the ruling council is placed in protective custody, only to find one of them murdered. Knowing there’s a killer among them, Quill races against time to outwit the powerful elites and protect the family she’s created with her mentor.

As Quill ditches the posse of power-hungry politicians to search for the truth, she makes a shocking discovery - the killer was under her nose all along. With her future and the city’s reputation on the line, Quill will stop at nothing to find the truth and bring the killer to justice.

If you love luxurious world-building and a twist and turn, everyone's a suspect whodunit with a one-of-a-kind heroine, oddball suspects and a cunning adversary, you will love The Death of Light.

Delve into this puzzling amateur sleuth mystery series and sleuth-along with Quill, as she uncovers the secret dark underbelly of her not-so-cozy world.

As the Serene Maiden departs for Asteria, Quill embarks on an exciting journey aboard the magnificent ship. But as the tranquil waters give way to dark secrets and hidden dangers, she finds herself facing her most challenging mystery yet...