“Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.”

— Groucho Marx

Fire at Will’s

First book of the Estela Nogales Mysteries

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The house next door explodes in a gasoline-fueled blaze, sending psychologist Estela Nogales and an eclectic collection of neighbors racing to fight the flames. Once the fire is quelled, residents of the village of Arroyo Loco must conduct their own investigation to find the arsonist living among them. What begins as speculation over coffee becomes a more urgent and dangerous search when a body is discovered, another neighbor turns up missing, and a shocking secret is revealed. Too often joined by Estela’s irrepressible border collies, residents must negotiate the rules of a dysfunctional homeowners’ association (aren’t they all?) as they try to solve the mysteries before anyone else falls victim.

Reviews for Fire at Will’s

“Estela emerges as a spunky character with a wry sense of humor and a astute eye for describing the residents of Arroyo Loco (a moniker that as you read, becomes more apt).”– Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Reviewer

“… one of those well-done mysteries that keeps the reader guessing throughout, then when all is revealed, it adds up perfectly and you wonder why you hadn’t figured it out for yourself.” – Marilyn Reynolds, author of the Hamilton High series, realistic teen fiction

“Cherie O’Boyle knows how to turn a reader upside down as she weaves a story I couldn’t put down.” – Meredith Linden, Owner, Editorial Wizard

“The characters are intriguing, many of the lines are very funny, and the mystery is a good puzzle.” – Todd Borg, author of the Owen McKenna Tahoe Mysteries

“With humor and keen insight into human nature, author Cherie O’Boyle offers up a clever cozy mystery filled with a varied and quirky cast of characters…each…a classic slice of the diverse California lifestyle. O’Boyle’s inventive homage to the HOA rules-gone-crazy communities springing up all over the country makes Fire at Will’s laugh-out-loud fun!” – Chanticleer Book Reviews

“There are twists & turns galore in this mystery. I was kept guessing almost to the very end. I look forward to reading Iced Tee, another book of this author’s soon.” – InJoyful Book Reviews/Facebook website.

Fire at Will's (Estela Nogales #1)

Second book of the Estela Nogales Mysteries

Iced Tee is the Winner of the 2015 Mystery & Mayhem “Small Town Cozy Mystery” Award from Chanticleer Book Reviews

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The community freezer is opened, revealing the frozen corpse of an elderly neighbor. It is a peaceful spring morning along Arroyo Loco’s oak-studded canyon, but there is growing dissension in the community. The old homes and friendly porches are being threatened with demolition in favor of gated California McMansions. Controversy simmers, then boils over when the community freezer is opened, revealing the frozen corpse of an elderly neighbor stuffed into what has become an icy crypt. Residents each have their own theories, and the air is rife with recriminations after the gruesome discovery.

Book Club Discussion Questions

How do your pets contribute to your life and make it better? Can you think of examples or ways other than comic relief and cuddles (and those are not insignificant!).

How and when do you set aside your own comfort levels and wants in order to contribute to the well-being of a larger community? Attending the meetings of a book club count! 

Think about some examples of things you first learned about someone at their funeral. What will people learn about you at your funeral that they didn’t know before?

Do cats know their names?

Iced Tee

Reviews for Iced Tee

“Ms O’Boyle’s wit and plot development make Iced Tee a great read. I loved it and recommend it to everyone! Even the border collies have input to solving the case.” – Nancy E. Exley

“Another winner! In Iced Tee the lively interaction among the mostly dysfunctional Arroyo Loco ‘family’ continues. Cherie O’Boyle created characters that we love or we love to hate, they are quirky, they are goofy, and they are anything but boring.” – Jonel J

“After having read and throughly enjoyed Fire at Will’s, I was wondering if I would like Iced Tee as much; I was not disappointed. Ms. O’Boyle weaves the mystery of who killed Tee with beautiful descriptions of the environment, characters and plot. Just when I thought I had figured out the story, Ms. O’Boyle adds twists and turns which keep me very interested in the story. I hope Ms. O’Boyle continues to produce these Estela Nogales mysteries.” – Gail Sanabria

Iced Tee (Estela Nogales #2)

Missing Mom

Third book of the Estela Nogales Mysteries

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Everyone’s best friend, Nina, disappears, leaving only faint traces and ominous evidence. No one knows where she and her Lexus have gone, or what happened to her money. While the residents of Arroyo Loco may be quirky and prone to bickering, they always snap into action to protect one another, at least as long as Freda keeps those pastries coming. Once again, Estela Nogales and her neighbors must search for answers, and fast, fearing one of them may be next.

Reviews for Missing Mom

“Both as a PI and as an author and reader, I have always found searching for a missing person to be a more satisfying plot than a murder investigation, because it at least might have the happy ending of finding that person. This is a great “Where is she?” story about one of the residents of Arroyo Loco, which is a place I love to visit. Can’t wait for the next book in the Estela Nogales series.” – Pamela Beason, author of The Only Witness

“Yes!!! A mystery for intelligent people who like puzzlers and don’t require the blood and gore that most mysteries offer. It’s so satisfying to watch Estela, her neighbors and a detective search for clues to solve a mystery, using their brains and insight into human behavior. It’s a great read!” – Nancy Flagg

“Another rollicking visit to Arroyo Loco. I enjoyed this book maybe even a little more than the other two, if that is possible. I love the way … the book flows, so much so that it is hard to put down, therefore I missed some sleep!” – Vivian Rambo

“I enjoyed Missing Mom the best out of the Estela Nogales Mystery Series. The first two were engaging, quirky & a build up for Missing Mom. I got to know the characters from the ‘Crazy Canyon’ and they grow on you! Looking forward to the next book! I especially liked the California Coast location where the mysteries take place.” – Carole Chancellor

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4)

Fourth book of the Estela Nogales Mysteries

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Estela Nogales is caught in the middle when the perfect murder sets off chaos during final exams week. Together with Detective Muñoz, who is stymied by the lack of evidence and witnesses scattering for the summer, Estela must use her acute powers of observation to help identify the killer. One calamity after another disrupts the investigation, and Estela is pursued at every turn by the mysterious figure in the hat, even home to Arroyo Loco where a fresh set of crises are unleashed.

Deadly Disguise

Reviews for Deadly Disguise

“When Estela teams up with Detective Muñoz to investigate the suspicious death of Professor Freuhauf, she discovers that the university where she works is nearly as crazy as the community that she lives in. Seemingly, everyone wanted to get rid of the victim, and all for good reasons. It was fun to follow the twists and turns in another entertaining story in this charming series. Keep ‘em coming, O’Boyle!” – Pamela Beason, Author of The Only Witness

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4)

The Boy Who Bought It

NEW Fifth book of the Estela Nogales Mysteries

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University psychologist, Estela Nogales is all set for a relaxing summer break, maybe join a gym, adopt a new hobby, or curl up with a few good books. The fun she anticipates does not include identifying the dead body her dogs discover washed up on the beach. And she certainly has no reason to expect the mystery will lead her right back to the quiet neighborhood of Arroyo Loco and her friends there. The boy who bought it may have gotten what was coming to him, and at the hands of those he wronged, but as the investigation unravels the clues, there turns out to be more to the story.

Reviews for The Boy Who Bought It

“Have read all of the Estela Nogales series and found all to be quirky and funny mysteries. Reader gets to know and love the characters in each and every book. Main character has me laughing out loud. Hope Ms O’Boyle continues the series.” — JD Allen, author of 19 Souls

“Another fun mystery featuring Estela Nogales and her sense of humor. I enjoyed this book and just wished it had lasted a bit longer.” — Sara McKinley

“Settling down into a comfy chair and curling up with O’Boyle’s latest offering is a treat. This fun who-done – it has an absorbing cast of characters (do wild boar count as characters?) and an energetic pace. You never know where the investigative adventures of Estela Nogales will lead, but you do know she’s gonna weave a great story as she works to round up the suspects and solve the mystery of the dead boy on the beach.” — Joan Waters

“Easy to read, and filled with amusing wit, the characters and story kept me involved throughout. The descriptions of the Central CA coast were so real. I could imagine Estela’s dogs walking along the foggy beach or running through the hills to round up sheep. Well written. The story could have had more depth, and been more developed, but then we are dealing with teenagers here! It was very enjoyable reading and I can now rest easy knowing another mystery has been solved in Arroyo Loco (I love that place!) Looking forward to the next book!” — Kathleen McCoy

“I love settling down with a glass of wine and reading Estela’s latest adventures. I want to know what Shiner and Scout are doing, and I have come to enjoy those crazy neighbors in Arroyo Loco. How did they let those folks at the top of the hill move into their community? Hmmm. Read it and find out what is going on to keep Estela from enjoying her summer off.” — Jonel Jorgensen

“Delightfully absorbing! The mystery part of the book is fresh and captivating. And, the main character Estela’s forays into sheepherding and birding are educational and humorous. It’s a winner!” — Nancy Flagg

NEW Sixth book of the Estela Nogales Mysteries

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Arroyo Loco goes crazy …

The final episode of the enchanting and entertaining, not to mention award-winning Estela Nogales Mystery series. In All Tied Up our friend Estela, her neighbors, and her fearless border collies are at it again, solving a whole series of mischievous goings on in the tiny town of Arroyo Loco. Freda’s tomatoes are taken, homes are broken into, and Helen’s wandering cat Mocha is released from his catio again. Who could the culprit be, and what is the motive for all this mayhem? Solving these mysteries keeps the whole town hopping, everyone fearing they might be the next victim.

All Tied Up

Reviews for All Tied Up

“Time to say a sad goodbye to Estela and her friends. I enjoyed the series. I felt right at home here and lived right along side of the people in the community of Arroyo Loco. I enjoy how the author uses words very cleverly yet naturally. I have read the other books written by this author also and have enjoyed all of them. I am now waiting for the next one.” — Vivian Rambo