Avery Denning just wanted a bed, a bath, and a break from the Pacific Crest Trail.

Instead, she finds a murdered woman at the foot of a Little Free Library.

Arriving in the mountain town of Lily Rock for the Fourth of July weekend, Avery plans to rent a room from Stella Rawlins—a friendly local known for her love of books and quiet acts of defiance. When Stella is killed by a sabotaged firecracker hidden inside her library, Avery becomes the discovery witness…and an immediate suspect.

With parades planned and tensions rising over which books belong on public shelves, Lily Rock’s only police officer, Janis Jets, has her hands full. Olivia Greer, a constabulary consultant with a gift for listening, offers Avery a place to stay—and a chance to explain how she ended up at the scene of the crime.

As Avery begins asking questions, she uncovers a secret network of Little Free Libraries, anonymous religious threats tucked inside children’s books, and a second shocking death that turns the case deeply personal. Along the way, she reconnects with Brad May—older, steadier, and quietly trying to make a better life—awakening feelings Avery thought she’d left behind.

Soon it’s clear this isn’t just about books.
It’s about control, belonging, and who gets to decide which stories are worth protecting.

Armed with sharp instincts, a knack for noticing what others miss, and the growing realization that her outsider status may be her greatest strength, Avery steps into a role she never expected: amateur sleuth.

But in Lily Rock, asking the wrong questions can be deadly…and staying might mean risking her heart as well as her life.

Dead Drop in Lily Rock launches a new mystery series set in the beloved Lily Rock universe—perfect for listeners who love small-town whodunits, strong women sleuths, and cozy mysteries with heart.