Candace Philmont Plays a Killer Tune

by Molly Ann Stratford

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Her music could make her famous. Her heart could make her vulnerable. And a killer could take it all away.

Twenty-one-year-old Candace Philmont is chasing one dream–to become a rockstar violinist. Nothing, not homelessness, her brother’s distractingly attractive best friend, or even a killer with the world’s worst sense of timing is going to stand in her way.

But minutes after her big break–and her first kiss–Candace is kidnapped. Now, Jake–part-time running coach, full-time trouble magnet–must rescue the girl of his dreams before it’s too late.

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Book Details

Genre

Romantic Suspense/Romantic Mystery

Subgenre

Celebrity / Rockstar, Holiday (Christmas, Valentine’s, etc.)

Series

Kisses and Capers in Rancho Invitado

Audience

New Adult

Bell Peppers

🫑🫑

Profanity

1 None

Violence

3 Moderate

Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco

3 Moderate

Publication Date

September 15, 2025

Language Versions

English

Fiction Form

Novel

Sensitive Themes

Addiction or recovery themes, Bullying or humiliation, Child abuse/endangerment, Death of a child, Divorce or marital separation, Grief or loss of a loved one, Gun violence / shootings, Kidnapping or abduction, Murder or attempted murder, Poverty or homelessness, Stalking or harassment

Perfect Romantic Mystery for fall!

With quirky fun main characters and side characters you’ve met in previous books this book pulls you along on another mystery trying to find a killer or three…or maybe they are all the same person? Who knows!?

If you want a romantic mystery where characters work through life’s challenges like poverty, neglect of parents, and homelessness with optimism, a little bit of sheer luck, and great friends at their side, you want this book!

It’s out today. It’s a great fall/Halloween time mystery.

A perfect read for the fall season!

A fun, cute cozy read. Loved Candace and her personality!

There’s hope in humanity.

This is a wild ride of mystery, intrigue, and young love. This is an entertaining and charming story. Jake and Candace have known each other for many years. Jake was best friends with Candace‘s brother, Trevor,
until one fateful night when the young men were mobbed in a rough part of town. Trevor was killed, and Jake was injured. Candace‘s life was forever changed and not just because she lost her brother. She lost her parents too.
In the story, Candace and Jake try to find their way back to healing and making the world right again. The story deals with gang violence, corrupt law-enforcement, homelessness, but it also shows compassion, forgiveness, and sweet love. It is a clean, no foul language story. It is part of a series, but can be read as a standalone. And my opinion, I thought there were some great teaching moments, and faith in humanity, under all the deceit. I was impressed with Jake’s family and Candace‘s friends that stood by them and supported them.

Can Stand Alone

This read well as a stand alone but now I want to go back and read the first two as well.

The story was interesting and kept you wanting to figure it out. I loved the caring admiration to balance the suspense.

Plus there was plenty of lines that had me smiling or on occasion unladylike snorting.

Content:
Style - Dual POV, Contemporary murder mystery & romance (older bro bff/ best friend lil sis, second chance)
Intimacy - Moderate (kisses, sitting on lap)
Language - None (“*$#^”)
Violence - High (murder, shootings, breaking legs)
Potential Triggers - deaths of loved ones, permanent injury, homelessness, abandonment, drug use, kidnapping

Cute and meaningful page-turner!

I’m very picky with my star ratings so I don’t rate many things 5 stars, but this was a solid 4!
I loved trying to piece together the mystery, all the while watching the character growth and dynamic of the two main protagonists. Molly did a great job of keeping readers engaged and eager to see what’s next in Candace’s storyline, and balanced out the heaviness of homelessness with humor throughout the book. Worth the read, and I can’t wait for more from this author!