Gayle Trent Books In Order

Publication Order of Myrtle Crumb Books

Publication Order of Daphne Martin Mystery Books

Publication Order of Down South Café Mystery Books

Publication Order of Embroidery Mysteries Books

Publication Order of Ghostly Fashionista Mystery Books

Publication Order of Kinsey Falls Books

Publication Order of Victoria Square Mystery Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Mossy Creek Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

Gayle Trent is a full time author who also writes under the name Amanda Lee. She lives in Virginia with her husband, son and daughter. Prior to being an author Trent worked within accounting and legal roles but now describes herself as ‘a full-time writer/editor/mom/wife and chief cook and bottle washer’. She is renowned for her ‘cosy mystery’ style of writing and has created three series of books that capture the imagination and encourage creativity whilst entertaining along with a standalone novel.
Gayle is also involved in blogging and it her passion for embroidery, baking and writing are clearly seen on her blog. She can also be found on a number of other blogs where she gives some fascinating insights regarding writing tips and lets us in on her favourite recipes.

After stepping out of the long daily commutes of her previous jobs, that took her away from her family, she has found the space to combine great ‘cosy mystery’ story writing with the hobbies that she gets so much joy out of. Each of her well thought out novels consists of a strong female character that is usually involved in something normal when a crime strikes in such a way that they have to get involved. These characters have been expertly brought to life using thoughtful back stories, conversations that show their emotional sides and their genius thought processes to solve the various mysteries.

The Daphne Martin Cake Decorating series

In this series Gayle Trent brings together two of her favourite passions, baking and mysteries, and weaves them into an enthralling story. The book’s main character, Daphne Martin, heads back to her hometown in Southwest Virginia to start her life over following a very traumatic divorce. After leaving her abusive ex husband behind and in prison she decides to follow her dreams and open a cake-decorating business, Daphne’s Delectable Cakes. Little does she know what surprises are awaiting her.
Each of the Daphne Martin tales that makes up this series expertly brings together a believable narrative, culinary tips, crime solving and a rocky relationship with her mother in a unique and very entertaining way.

Take for example the first book of the series ‘Murder Takes the Cake’ where Daphne has just opened her Cake business. On delivery of her first cake to a paying customer, Daphne comes across the body of the town gossip, Yodel Watson. From that moment the fingers seem to point to the new baker in town as the culprit but as she puts it ‘I just delivered the cake’. Trent takes the reader on a culinary journey by using some fantastic writing to illustrate the way that Daphne works hard on the crime to clear her name whilst establishing herself in her old home town. This particular story goes a long way in setting the backdrop to the rest of the Cake Decorating series.

The Embroidery Mystery series

The Embroidery Mystery series is Gayle Trent’s set of ‘cosy mystery’ novels that she pens under the pseudonym of Amanda Lee. The series is structured around thirty year old Marcy Singer, who opens an embroidery specialty shop after recently moving to the Oregon Coast following a relationship ending badly.

After Marcy is embarrassed by being stood up at the altar she sets out to rebuild her life in Tallulah Falls with her pet Wolfhound after much encouragement from her friend Sadie, who lives and works in the town. But as the dream begins to become a reality not everything is at seems in this wonderfully crafted series that combines mystery with another one of Trent’s loves, needlework.
The first book of the series, The Quick and the Thread, lays down a great backdrop for some enchanting mystery tales in the set. In this particular book we find Marcy working hard to get her new store, open to the public. She creates a fantastic welcoming opening night for the community she is hoping to become a part of, unfortunately the party is gate crashed by the previous owner of the store, Tim Enright. The following morning, after making some very strange claims during the opening ceremony, Enright is found dead in Marcy’s store. From this point on the Seven Year Stitch becomes a crime scene and Singer’s idyllic dream is shattered. Determined to not let this ruin her vision of a new life, Marcy takes the investigation into her own hands to find out what has really happened at her new store and to clear her name.

Trent manages to create another astounding series with The Embroidery Mysteries and clearly shows that she is a well rounded author who is able to take her passions and unite them with some great storytelling.

Myrtle Crumb Mystery Series

Gayle Trent’s third series the Myrtle Crumb Mystery Series of books are based around a female amateur detective in her sixties called Myrtle Crumb. These accounts not only follow Myrtles crime solving skills but provide insight into her interactions with the people of her neighbourhood. Trent skilfully develops the relationship between Crumb, her daughter and her granddaughter whilst creating unique and surprising twists to each of the stories in this delightful series.

Trent has created an attractive, interesting and yet quite complex character in Myrtle Crumb, she is a young 60 year old with especially strong opinions which allow for some humorous moments as well as the tense and awkward encounters with locals. Unlike the previous series of books, the Myrtle Crumb Mysteries do not try to combine any other hobby or pastime with the narrative instead they consist of pure mystery and a host of fascinating relational insights.

It is strikingly obvious that Gayle Trent has a natural talent at bringing together well crafted narratives, with all its twists and turns, and the pastimes that provide her pleasure. What she offers to the world are novels that are easy to read that contain entertaining characters, intricate relationships, creative storylines and tales that allow the reader to be immersed in a different world.
So, what are you waiting for! If you are a book reader, then you stumbled upon the right place. Her books captures the reader’s in many ways.

One Response to “Gayle Trent”

1. Billie Brown: 7 months ago

   Will you continue the embroidery series. It was terrific!!!

   Reply