I always find it exciting when a favorite author begins a new series. Being a long-time fan of Ritter Ames (and her real-life Honey!), I was thrilled to dive into Frugal Lissa Finds a Body, the first in the Frugal Lissa Mystery series.

Mom of two young boys and wife of a globe-trotting photojournalist, Lissa is the master of stretching a dollar. She operates a successful blog helping other moms and families get the most for their money and plenty of tips, tricks, and coupons, as well. Her days are carefully orchestrated chaos, so the last thing she needs is her blonde Lab, Honey, dashing into a neighbor’s garage–presumably after another neighbor’s cat. Well, wait, I take that back. Truly, the last thing Lissa needs is to go in after her dog and find a body pinned to the ground with a tent pole.

Frugal Lissa Finds a Body has a different feel from many of the other cozy mysteries I have read. Less romantic subplot and not as much danger around every corner. Rather, readers are treated to a scarily realistic puzzle–how did Lissa’s home get listed on a list of soon-to-be-foreclosed-upon properties–and two smart, capable sleuths (Lissa and her BFF, Abby) who follow the information to untangle the mysterious knot.