ALEXIS KOETTING
THE BOOKS
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“Encore, a polished debut filled with spontaneity and twists: The story is one part amateur sleuth, one part, police procedural, an astute blend of ‘I was waiting for that to happen’ and ‘oh, my God!’”
~Don Graves, Canadian Mystery Review
"ENCORE is a quintessential Canadian mystery, a truly enjoyable who-done-it with a dramatic flair."
~Dave Butler, author of the Jenny Willson Mysteries
“A fine time in the company of the well-matched detecting duo in Koetting's debut.”
~Kirkus
Encore
ISBN: 9781432831233
​Published 2015 by Five Star™ Publishing (Hardcover and EBook)
ISBN: 97817711802635
Published 2018 by Iguana Books (Paperback)​
FINALIST - 2016 Arthur Ellis Award
FINALIST - 2016 Bony Blithe Award
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The word encore means again; once more. It refers to a second achievement that surpasses the first.
In theatre, it is used as a call for a repeat performance.
When television turned stage actress Bella James relocates to the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake to perform at the renowned Shaw Festival theatre, she is only looking to step out of the spotlight of television celebrity and onto the stage. What she finds instead are long buried human remains in the yard of her seasonal rental. Upon learning that hers is the same house where a woman was brutally attacked thirty years earlier, Bella becomes convinced the two events are inextricably linked and that a deeper story was buried along with the bones. With the help of a detective desperate to prove his worth, Bella begins asking questions that should have been asked decades earlier about a victim no one seems to have missed. In doing so, she soon finds herself embroiled in a dangerous drama both on and off the stage.
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Encore is a fast-paced cozy mystery that combines humor, heartbreak, and plenty of suspense. Set in the picturesque town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Encore offers a backstage look at life in the theatre along with plot twists that will surprise and delight even the best armchair sleuth.
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Available in Hardcover, Paperback, Ebook, and Kindle
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Check out this interview I did about Encore with Lisa Wayman, author of the historical novel, Longing For Home. P.S. You'll meet Moustache :)
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“Encore is a debut that deserves a sequel, perhaps even a series. It’s a new generation cozy that digs deep into the painful circumstances that lead to murder. A crackling good read.”
~Don Graves, Canadian Mystery Review
Triple Threat (Book 2 in the Bella James Series)
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ISBN: 9781771802574
Published 2018 by Iguana Books
A threat is a declaration of intent to cause harm, pain, injury, or punishment.
The word triple indicates something that consists of three parts or that occurs three times.
In the theatre, the term Triple Threat refers to someone who can sing, dance, and act.
Actress Bella James has her hands full juggling her roles at the acclaimed Shaw Festival Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake (where she will be performing her first starring role in a musical) and that of Artist-in-the-Classroom at the local high school. When the popular teacher with whom she is assigned to work is found hanged in his office, Bella and Detective Sergeant, Andre Jeffers set out to investigate his death and soon find themselves entwined in a series of webs that not only challenge their ideas of religion, sexuality, and vengeance, but also threaten to destroy even more lives.
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Bella and Jeffers are joined by many returning characters from Encore (including Dr. Gorgeous and, yes, Moustache!!) as well as some new faces who will make you laugh, cry, and keep you guessing until the very end.
Available in Paperback, E-Book, and Kindle
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I went live during the launch of Triple Threat. Check out the video to hear readings from the book and a few other treats. (Don't worry, about the orientation, it flips right side.)
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“Alexis Koetting has created a uniquely Canadian sleuth in Bella James. Plots are suspenseful, the writing sharp and wry. The duo of Bella James and Sergeant Jeffers will keep you guessing ‘til the curtain comes down. My review gives Bella two thumbs up!”
~Sheilagh Guy Murphy, multi-award-winning writer and winner of The Writers Union of Canada 2019 Short Prose Competition
Revival (Book 3 in the Bella James Series)
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ISBN: 9781777442309
Self-Published 2020 through IngramSpark
FINALIST - 2020 Indies Today Awards
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HONORABLE MENTION - 2021
Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards
The word revival refers to the restoration of a being to life, consciousness, vigour, or strength.
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In the theatre, it is a term for a new production of an old play.
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Cold cases, buried secrets, and a race against time to bring the truth to light—one that reveals just how far people will go to get what they want and protect what they have.
When the body of a young woman discovered in a dumpster has surprising connections to a number of dead and missing women, Detective Sergeant Andre Jeffers enlists celebrated actress, Bella James to work undercover to expose a black-market network before it can add to its list of victims. As they close in on the truth, Bella and Jeffers’ worlds are rocked by shocking discoveries and devastating revelations.
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In this third book of the Bella James series, readers are again treated to the humour and heart they have come to love, as well as all the surprising twists they have come to expect. Set in beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake and filled with characters familiar and new, Revival brings the series to a new level and will leave you on the edge of your seat.
Available in Paperback, E-book, and Kindle
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Here's a little sneak peek I released during the pandemic. Enjoy.
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