Portrait of a Dead Guy,
A Cherry Tucker Mystery

Chosen as Amazon Prime Reading for Fall 2021. Woman's World Magazine 2018 Book Club Pick! 

Finalist for 2012 Daphne Du Maurier finalist, The Emily, and a winner of the 2011 Dixie Kane Memorial, Night Owl Reviews Top Pick 

​

TAP HERE TO DOWNLOAD A FREE FOUR-CHAPTER PREVIEW!

​

In paperback, hardcover, audiobook, Kindle and in Kindle Unlimited:

Tap for: Audible |  Kindle Unlimited |  Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  iTunes  |  Other Stores

​

"Portrait of a Dead Guy is an entertaining mystery full of quirky characters and solid plotting. Highly recommended for anyone who likes their mysteries strong and their mint juleps stronger!”

—Jennie Bentley, New York Times Bestselling Author of Flipped Out

​

In Halo, Georgia, Cherry Tucker is known for three things: her talent with a paintbrush, her big mouth, and her refusal to mind her own business.

When a controversial coffin portrait turns into a murder investigation, Cherry finds herself caught between small-town rivalries, family chaos, and a killer who would rather see her framed than finished. As she pushes past gossip, grudges, and her own missteps, Cherry’s determination to stand up for the underdog pulls her deeper into danger—and closer to the truth.

This is where Cherry’s journey begins: not as a polished sleuth, but as a stubborn, big-hearted artist learning that doing the right thing can come at a deadly cost.

​

Past Perfect Press, September 2017 (1st edition, Henery Press, August 2012)

 

PERFECT FOR READERS WHO LOVE

• funny, cozy mysteries with a strong female lead

• romantic comedy mysteries with light suspense

• small-town Southern settings with quirky characters

• amateur sleuth stories with humor and heart

• fast-paced mysteries with a touch of romance

 

FOR FANS OF:

• Stephanie Plum series

• Miss Fortune series

• Kenni Lowry Mysteries

• Body Movers series

• Only Murders in the Building

• Good Cop/Bad Cop

 

TROPES & THEMES 

• amateur sleuth

• small-town mystery

• Southern cozy mystery

• sassy female protagonist

• quirky cast of characters

• romantic subplot

• family drama

• underdog justice

• light suspense

 

CHARACTER ARC

Cherry Tucker is a talented but struggling portrait artist with a chip on her shoulder and something to prove. As she investigates her first murder, she begins to shift from reactive and impulsive to determined and purpose-driven—learning to trust her instincts, stand her ground, and fight for justice in a town that doesn’t always take her seriously.

​

SETTING

Set in the fictional small town of Halo, Georgia, the story captures a “country-fried” Southern atmosphere filled with eccentric neighbors, local politics, family entanglements, and deep-rooted secrets.

 

SERIES INFO

Portrait of a Dead Guy is Book 1 in the Cherry Tucker Mystery series, where each book delivers a complete mystery while building ongoing relationships, romantic tension, and character growth.

 

FAQ

Is this a cozy mystery?
Yes—this is a humorous Southern cozy mystery with an amateur sleuth, but with a slightly edgier, sassier tone.
Is there romance?
Yes, there is a light romantic thread that develops across the series.
Do I need to read in order?
Each mystery stands alone, but reading in order enhances the character relationships and emotional arcs.

What makes this series unique?
A sassy portrait artist heroine, a country-fried Southern voice, and a strong focus on character growth alongside humor and mystery.
 

"Reinhart is a truly talented author and this book was one of the best cozy mysteries we reviewed this year. We highly recommend this book to all lovers of mystery books."

— Mystery Tribune Magazine