The John Smith Mysteries

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Insured to the Hilt

Reader Views Silver
Chanticleer Mystery &
Mayhem Semi-finalist
Silver Falchion “Top Pick” in Comedy
Global Book Award GOLD

In$ured to the Hilt (#1)

Everyone wants to make money off of insurance.

In In$ured to the Hilt, this includes a greedy claimant and her voluptuous daughter, an ambitious administrative assistant, a desperate insurance agent, and a man obsessed with maintaining his reputation. In the end, they are all “insured to the hilt,” some more literally than others.

“…a lively mystery filled with quirky characters (and) laugh-till-your-ribs-ache dialogue…”
—N.N. Light’s Book Haven

“I am eager to get my hands on more novels in the series, which I hope proves to be as exciting as this novel. Charlotte Stuart has planted the seeds for something entertaining, humorous, and well-paced.”
—Matt Pechey, Reedsy

“. . . balance of hard-boiled detective plotting versus the cozy, character-led drama and the subtle blend of wit and dry humor that ties the whole thing together.”
—K.C. Finn, Readers’ Favorite – 5 stars


In$urance to Die For

Global Book Award Finalist
Book Fest 3rd Place
Killer Nashville Comedy “Top Pick”

In$urance to Die For (#2)

In In$urance to Die For, nondescript claims adjuster John Smith finds himself with more enemies than Harry Potter. The local crows declare war on him. His mother gives him a kitten who hates him. He ticks off the company’s art appraiser by going behind her back for a second opinion. Then there’s the scam artist and, of course, the murderer.

“A slapstick mystery with heart—you’ll cheer on klutzy John Smith as he dodges crows, learns to cat parent, and chases down a killer.”
—Jennifer J. Chow, Lefty Award-nominated author of Hot Pot Murder

“While the whole story was written with an air of seriousness to the mystery, the crazy things John experienced daily gave this reader plenty to laugh at throughout the entire book. … Readers are sure to enjoy this heart-pounding, while also amusingly funny, mystery.”
—Diana Coyle, Feathered Quill

“I could sum up In$urance to Die For by Charlotte Stuart in one word. Fun. … I highly recommend this book to brighten up a dull day and put a smile on your face.”
—Lucinda E. Clarke, Readers’ Favorite


Insurance Blues

Global Book Award Finalist

In$urance Blues (#3)

Carnivorous plants.  A mink stole with two heads.  And a Victorian home with a secret. 

Nondescript claims adjuster John Smith takes on a greedy developer, a scam nonprofit, and an entire dysfunctional family.

While stuck in a malfunctioning car wash in his beloved yolk-yellow Saturn, John has an aha moment in which he suddenly knows how to trick Delia’s murderer into a confession à la a Nero Wolfe gathering of suspects.