Welcome to Clare Lockhart's Cozy World of Midlife Mysteries
If you love cozy mysteries featuring small towns, midlife sleuths, found family, paranormal elements, and a little magic, you’re in the right place.
I write stories where everyday heroines solve mysteries, forge deep friendships, and embrace second chances—often with a ghost or a wayward spell along the way.
It’s never too late for a fresh start, especially when midlife is when the real adventure begins.
A Ghostly Gift Awaits From the Midlife is Murder Series
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After a rough summer, Quinn Delaney is finally feeling good about her life. Her new cafe is bustling, and she’s gotten rid of her cheating husband.
Then a mysterious box shows up with surprising contents.
Quinn always does the honorable thing, so she and her best friend deliver the box to the rightful owner—a family who’s suffered a tragic loss—bringing happiness to everyone, right?
Wrong. Everything falls apart when she inadvertently starts a family feud. As tempers flare and family members tell stories that don’t add up, Quinn digs deeper to uncover the truth behind an ‘accidental death.’
Things go from bad to worse when she meets a troubled ghost who insists Quinn has put a woman in mortal danger.
They say no good deed goes unpunished, but surely Quinn couldn’t have given a killer a reason to strike again.
If you like sleuthing best friends, midlife debacles, and ghosts seeking justice, you’ll love this paranormal, cozy mystery in the Midlife is Murder series.
The Midlife is Murder Series
Come visit Bookend Bay where the coffee is spiced, the ghosts are cheeky, and midlife is murder.
Divorced cafe owner, Quinn Delaney, is going through a few changes. Some are welcome (an empty-nest and opening of her dream café) and some not so much (a sudden ability to see ghosts, an OCD twin from a parallel universe, and a rash of murders).
There’s little time to dwell on these absurdities because murder is afoot! Who knew Quinn’s paranormal visitors could be so useful? And with her best friend Toni at her side—murderers beware!
Available as eBooks, Paperbacks, Large Print, Audio, and in German
The Midlife is Magic Paranormal Mystery Series
Come visit Whalesback Cove—a quirky seaside town where midlife comes with a magical twist.
Addie Keane was hoping for a quieter chapter when she turned fifty. Maybe open a shop. Walk on the beach. Avoid drama.
Instead? She finds out she’s a witch. A cursed one.
With powers wrapped in conditions, a tangled family legacy, and a talking cat who may have been a monk in a past life.
But Addie’s got a big heart and a knack for helping people, so when murder comes calling (as it tends to in small towns), she leans into her magic, her newfound circle of friends, and a whole lot of courage. Because midlife might be messy … but it’s also magic.
The Holiday Hijinx Mystery Series
Canadian Cozies!
Cocoa… Carols... Chaos.
Rookie investigators Juliet Marlow and Lucy Cooper are on the run.
Taking jobs as Santa’s helpers in a small, northern town is the perfect peaceful hideaway, until…
…the holiday calm unravels faster than a string of lights shorting out.
And it turns out that you can’t hang up a sleuth hat like a Christmas stocking.
From missing treasures, to deadly smoothies, to Dear Santa letters that spark murder investigations…
…welcome to Spruce Harbour Lodge, where Juliet and Lucy discover unwrapping small-town secrets is harder than they think.
Find out if the magic of Christmas can keep our two runaways safe in Tinsel Tragedy (Book 1); Mistletoe Misdeed (Book 2); Festive Folly (Book 3) and Rest in Wreath (Book 4)
What Readers are Saying About the Midlife is Murder Series
"This story has many good life lessons, and great meaningful relationships."
"I love the notion of opening one's mind to new things we've never thought possible. And a reminder that it's never too late to consider reinventing ourselves."
"Clare Lockhart's writing style draws you in quickly and it feels like you're enjoying a cup of coffee with dear friends."
"I laughed out loud, held my breath in fear, and cheered Quinn and Toni on in their adventure."
"I felt like I knew the characters and was right beside them throughout the story."
"I really liked the idea of having a twin in a parallel universe that could pop in on the main character - just seems fun to me! The friendship between all the ladies trying to solve a murder, plus a ghost, sounded very genuine."
"This was such a good book! The story captured my attention right from the start! I had trouble putting it down. Can’t wait to start the next book in the series!"
"I was hooked from the first page and couldn't put it down. The suspense and twist and turns had me on the edge of my seat until the end. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. Highly recommend reading."
"I really enjoyed this book. It had so many twists and turns! It’s fun watching the characters evolve! On to the next book in the series!"
What Readers are Saying About the Midlife is Magic Series
"I didn't see it coming when the real murderer showed their true colors."
" Loved that one so much I'm getting the whole series...
50's are the new 30's!"
" Love these stories. Mystical touch and “experienced” women without coarse or degrading gratuitous elements. Very nice indeed. And such a great sense of suspense ."
"The author has created an amazing and unique plot to go with an imaginative group of characters making this hard to put down."
"I can relate to Addie's thoughts and feelings."
"I love the family dynamics at work in this series. This isn’t some happy-go-lucky story about finding out you are a witch and then taking on the world."
"I know a cozy mystery is working for me when I start imagining living in the community where it is set."
"This was a great storyline that I’m eager to see where it goes in the series!"
"I really enjoyed this book. It had so many twists and turns! It’s fun watching the characters evolve! On to the next book in the series!"