The Nest - by Hal Glatzer (Paperback)

About the Book

In a cozy with a twist, an older couple is forced to find out who killed their landlord, without exposing a secret of their own.

Book Synopsis

"The Nest" is a new kind of cozy, with a fresh take on a classic setup; a breezy adventure mystery, set in the present day.

Herman and Teddie (née Theodora) are a playful, affectionate couple in their sixties who alternate the narration in first-person voices. One morning, they discover the body of the landlord under their apartment's balcony. Everyone says it was an accident, but the homicide detective believes it was murder, and starts building a case against Herman and Teddie.

To clear themselves, they set out to discover what really happened. But they are not the typical husband and wife one finds in traditional cozies. They have a secret they must conceal and protect.

Forced by circumstance to go sleuthing, but never having done it before, they naively follow a trail of criminal mischief in the city. A series of suspicious incidents makes them realize that there are intrigues in the apartment house itself. Neighbors with motives for their landlord's murder keep piling up.

The deeper they probe, the more they suspect that a limited-liability corporation is behind the murder. But LLCs can legally conceal their members' and investors' names. To identify who's responsible they have to skirt the law. Unexpectedly, they discover the truth about an ongoing scandal involving the chief of police. Which makes them realize that revealing too many secrets could backfire, exposing that secret of their own!

Just when they think they've got all the answers, they fall into a trap. Though they escape the threat to their lives, in a wild and risky way, another serious challenge looms: They still have to convince that skeptical homicide detective that what they've learned-whodunit, how, and why-is really the truth--without exposing their own secret.

Review Quotes

"A mystery with adult themes. The villains are well-rounded characters. All main characters, including antagonists, are unique and fully fleshed out with compelling, layered motivations and traits. Secondary characters are unique and have a meaningful purpose. This book is exemplary in production quality and cover design. The cover appears to be professionally designed and is compellingly related to the content and genre of the book."

--Writer's Digest

"Captivates from the first page to the last with its poignant storytelling and vivid characters. Glatzer masterfully weaves a tale of family, secrets, and the enduring bonds that hold us together. A truly gripping read that explores the complexities of love, loss, and redemption."

-- Alan R. Warren, NBC Newsradio Los Angeles and bestselling true crime author

--Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award

"Only Murders in the Building meets The Joy of Sex!"

--Mystery author Nancy Hughes

"An interesting romp in the hay. Tangled relationships among mature consenting adults . . . with a murder mystery in the midst."

--Mystery author Elizabeth Crowens

"A shocking surprise in the first chapter is the first of many twists in this entertaining mystery. Hal Glatzer combines homicide, sex and skulduggery into story that will keep you turning the pages. An enjoyable romp!"

--Morley Swingle, former prosecutor; true-crime author

"There is murder, intrigue, and a complicated cast of characters in this unique mystery. The plot thickens with humor and danger as their secret-and those of many others-are revealed. An absorbing read for those who are looking for something a little different."

--Mystery author Carol Binkowski [Caryl Janis]

READERS' FEEDBACK:

"Smart and delightful. Wonderful as a happy distraction from our world today and for that needed mental getaway. Strongly recommend and I'm looking forward to the sequel [The Office Wife]. Enjoy!"

"This was an engaging story and an enjoyable read! I loved how they went about asking questions and digging for answers. I'd highly recommend this book as long as you're willing to accept that the main characters are having an affair."

"A fun read. This murder mystery reflects the complexities of affairs, marriage, and unintended consequences. It is for a mature reader as the central characters defy clichés about relationships. These sixty-somethings are multi-dimensional, courageous in living their truths, embracing their sensuality, their curiousity, humor and tenderness even when it's unconventional. I could see this as an original Netflix or Prime series."