Faith on the Rocks

When widow and retired special education teacher, Daisy Arthur, takes up romance writing with a quirky group of aspiring authors, she finds herself tangled in merry mayhem that suddenly turns quite deadly. Then, instead of pursuing her romantic interests, she must go in search of a killer or risk becoming the group’s next victim.

Enter Gabe Caerphilly, father of one of her old students and a single, police lieutenant with Littleton Colorado’s finest. Daisy sees Gabe as having definite Mr. Right potential. Unfortunately, Gabe sees her as a prime murder suspect. What’s a woman to do?

Readers will enjoy a quick cozy read with this debut novel introducing a pun-loving amateur sleuth who’s looking for clues and romance in all the wrong places.

Reviews . . .

“entertaining first novel … Gabe, the single father of one of Daisy’s special-needs students, lends some romantic interest … cozy fans will look forward to seeing more of Daisy.” Publishers Weekly

“A Colorado widow with dreams of a writing career finds that sleuthing just might be her metier.  Malik’s debut mystery offers some interesting characters along with enough motives to make everyone in Littleton look suspicious.” Kirkus Reviews

“Malik shows great promise as a debut novelist.  Her characters are fun and quirky, and I kept chuckling right through to the end. A great read!” Joan Johnston, New York Times best-selling author of Wyoming Bride

Sliced Vegetarian

In the middle of the night, widowed and retired special education teacher, Daisy Arthur, goes to the supermarket with her former student, Ginny, Ginny’s boyfriend, Brian and Ginny’s dad, the scrumptious police lieutenant Gabe Caerphilly, only to find Brian’s advocate–murdered. Could the special needs man have killed his friend?

Daisy investigates, and enjoys adventures with grocery store mischief, multiple suitors, flabby wordsmithing, and vegetarians who eat ice cream and cookies.

Sliced Vegetarian is the second in Daisy’s cozy mystery series set in Littleton, Colorado. Readers may enjoy revisiting several friends from Faith on the Rocks, as Daisy stumbles through to find out who killed the vegetarian in this tale of too much.

Reviews . . .

“This is one meaty little mystery.  There’s both charm and suspense in this satisfying cozy.” Sandra Dallas, New York Times best-selling author

“Intricate and suspenseful, Sliced Vegetarian will keep readers guessing to the end!” Wisconsin Bookwatch

“…framed with the issues faced by developmentally delayed adults and details of grocery-store management, this mystery also explores the romantic life of a fifty something widow…” Booklist

“No matter how you slice it or dice it, Sliced Vegetarian is a tasty treat for cozy mystery readers.” Ellen Byerrum, author of the Crime of Fashion mysteries