Jan McCanless

The wonderful, quirky citizens of Beryl’s Cove, NC are at it again. Amateur sleuths Steve and Suzanne Thomas find themselves assisting local police chief, Nathan Sowinski with an automobile accident that turns out to be murder. His car careens out of control right in downtown Beryl’s Cove, and our beach bunch sets out to solve the crime. Their paths soon cross with drug runners, a smarmy lifeguard and an unsympathetic TV station executive. Meanwhile, the residents of the Cove carry on in the midst of personal crises, not the least of which is Steve’s broken leg. One of the more stable Cove marriages appears headed for the rocks, and police chief Sowinski gets news that really rocks his world, turning it upside down. Suddenly, the moon is full, and nothing or nobody is acting quite right.

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Published: April, 2015

ISBN: 978-1508820796

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That Beryl’s Cove bunch is back, this time in Las Vegas, where Steve and Suzanne are celebrating their wedding anniversary at the Mexicali Casino and Resort. Running into an old Navy buddy of Steve’s, they are called on to help solve another mystery when a dead body is discovered in a closet on the twelfth floor of the hotel.

They cross paths with Russian spies, double agents, and one very nasty CIA man. National Security could be involved unless they can beat the clock and solve the case. Soon more bodies turn up, and the local police work with our aging, out-of-shape and out-of-breath characters to solve the murders.

Exciting and intriguing, come along for another amusing high adventure you won’t want to miss!

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Published:

ISBN: 1-60474-795-1

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Who is stealing from the church in Beryl’s Cove, Mariner’s Chapel? Could it be a ghost wandering around the building and the underground caves that have been there since civil war days, or is it one of the many tourists in town for the summer.

Things disappear, pockets are picked and the police in this quiet Mecca are stumped. Calling on amateur sleuths and married couple, Steve and Suzanne Thomas, the plot thickens with confusion as to just why the Brown twins think they need an assisted living facility and why has the church’s sexton turned up murdered in broad daylight?

More exciting hi-jinks are in this latest installment of the Beryl’s Cove mysteries. So come along to coastal North Carolina and join the fun as the action takes us from Beryl’s Cove to the streets of Melbourne, Australia.

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Published: March 2014

ISBN: 978-1-4489-6009-5

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In this, the third outing for those amateur sleuths from Beryl’s Cove, North Carolina, the Thomases head out for Lexington, Kentucky, to see their race horse, Great Scott, run in the Kentucky Futurity.

Mischief is afoot as an Arab sheik and his nationalist Chinese cohort have designs on Scott’s stable mate, Emerald Wizard, and make plans to kidnap the big horse. Mistakenly, they take Great Scott instead, along with Suzanne, and Steve and Gregg set out on another adventure of crime solving, rescuing Suzanne just in the nick of time.

Back in Beryl’s Cove, the appearance of the town recluse, Skank Peterson, complicates the lives of all the cove residents, especially the Lorraines. Add to the mix the housekeeper of Suzanne’s and the Browns, who turns out not quite how “she” portrayed herself. Murder and mayhem follow, taking the reader up to the streets of inner-city Baltimore for the crime solution, affording the Beryl’s Cove reader another high adventure filled with excitement and humor.

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Published: March 2014

ISBN: 1-60836-934-X

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Welcome to Jan’s World, a land of offbeat characters, quirky relatives, and unusual happenings and events that have shaped and patterned author Janet McCanless’s world for many years now. In Wyatt Earp, G.A.P. Pickles and Thoughts of Home, she writes lovingly of the many, many people she has encountered, known for years, or by happenstance, she is related to in a way that will make you laugh, cry, or wonder aloud about. Her beloved South is not left unscathed either, and you will swear the same thing happened to you once as you read this delightful compilation of her newspaper columns, her magazine articles, and her humor presentations around the country. Why shed a tear, when laughing is so much more fun and easier on the brain, is her motto, and she never met an incident she could not find humor in. Come on along for the ride of a lifetime, and be prepared to be uproariously entertained and taught a few of life’s lessons along the way!

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Published: January 2012

ISBN: 978-1608623600

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Beryl’s Cove is a quaint little fishing village, tourist mecca on the coast of North Carolina. Its inhabitants cater to the tourists that flock to it every year, but, this year is different. Suzanne Coldwell has been a buyer for her parents’ antique shop for years, but, they are gone now, and, at age 50, she has to return to her native state to run the business. Hindering her efforts, and, those of her fellow merchants, is a series of vandalisms, and petty thievery. On the heels of a big storm that hits the area, is the appearance of a man who deals in Elvis memorabilia, Steve Thomas, from Norfolk. His past is shadowy, and, while falling hard for Suzanne, he seems to disappear just when she needs him the most. Beryl’s Cove is suddenly ablaze in a huge fire that destroys the town’s landmark, right in the center of all the village businesses. Rallying to assist in putting out the flames, Steve endears himself to Suzanne, just when a body is discovered among the ruins of the historical Murdoch mansion. As our couple fall in love, and, unite as amateur sleuths to solve the mystery of the fire and thefts, you will meet the interesting and quirky folks who live in Beryl’s Cove; the gorgeous business partner of Steve’s, who threatens Suzanne’s self esteem, an Elvis dealer who just can’t seem to get her name right, and an adorable cat named Elvis. Come along for an enjoyable adventure, and, meet the citizens of Beryl’s Cove, North Carolina.

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Published: July 2007

ISBN: 1-60836-934-X

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Jan McCanless has served up another delicious murder mystery, this time involving the unassuming, but, very capable Abbot Jerome from the Monastery of the Blue Ridge, located in Ridgeville, NC that just happens to be down the road a couple miles from the summer home of Steve and Suzanne Thomas. On a Mississippi cruise with his meddlesome sibling, a body is discovered hanging on the paddle wheel that sits off the stern of the boat. With just 72 hours before returning to port in New Orleans, the Abbot gets involved in solving the murder. With no one aware that he is a monk, he sets about to find the murderer, hindered by the women passengers who consider him fair game. Once back at the monastery, things do not go well, as Abbot and his new found friend, a federal agent, become embroiled in even more skullduggery, along with the group of monks and misfits that occupy the monastery. Come along for the cruise of a lifetime with our principals, and guest appearances along the way from that delightful Beryl’s Cove bunch, and of course, Dawg and Elvis, and their new friend, Max, the Basset Hound.

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Published: Jul-2007

ISBN: 1-60836-934-X

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They are back, that delightful bunch of folks from coastal North Carolina, in this, the last of the series of Beryl’s Cove mysteries. Steve and Suzanne Thomas are in their mountain retreat, when someone is killing the choir master and choir members of the local congregational church of Ridgeville. Because the first murder occurred in the Nest O Rest Lodge, just up the path from the Thomas home, naturally, our heroes are going to be involved. Steve’s best friend, from Navy days is visiting his sister’s lodge, and is called upon to help with the investigation, and add his own special insights and zaniness to the proceedings. When two more murder victims show up, the plot thickens, with a twist that sends the town reeling. Gregg and Steve need all the help they can get. When the hometown gang from the Cove show up for the 4th of July festivities, more adventure ensues when they end up stranded late at night on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Things are never quite settled, even when our two amateur sleuths return home, there is unfinished business and some shady dealings afoot Come along for this final, raucous adventure with the two best amateur detectives the old North State ever saw. Laugh and cry along with the citizens of Beryl’s Cove, and of course, Elvis and that donut munching bulldog, Dawg are here to add their own special touch to the story.

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Published: Dec-2012

ISBN: 1-60836-934-X

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A volume of collected humorous stories about the South

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Published: October 2013

ISBN: 978-1493114146

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Take an exciting plane trip to England, outstanding characters, and turbulence at 35,000 feet and you have the ideal setting for another outstanding mystery in author Jan McCanless’ mystery series set in Beryl’s Cove, NC. Murder in Midair, follows our lead characters as they solve the murder of an Egyptian national, aboard the flight to Europe, that finds the Thomas’ couple, plus their friend Brother Jerome from the Monastery of the Blue Ridge in North Carolina. With only 6 hours of flight time left. Our principals are scrambling to find the killer among the passengers on a British airliner; with so many to choose from, it becomes imperative that Steve and Brother Jerome work quickly. Once home from England - Brother Jerome’s life is in turmoil.

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Published: 2016

ISBN: 978-1522754879

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A delightful children’s story written by Jan’s brother Gregg Powell.

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Published: May 2011

ISBN: 978-1462607341

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That delightful bunch from Beryl’s Cover, NC, is back. This time Suzanne’s college reunion is coming up, and it promises to be exciting. All the grads will be taking a train excursion from the coast all the way through the Midwest to Chicago. Instead of the sightseeing and revelry they planned, however, the alumni are confronted with murder most foul. Amateur sleuth Steve Thomas, ably assisted by his gorgeous wife, realize they must solve this case and clear up the mystery, as multiple passengers go missing and the train inexplicably slows to a crawl.

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Published: soon

ISBN: 978-1530633517

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Promote yourself. If you can’t believe in your writing, how can you possibly expect anyone else to believe in it? Think about this, if you’ve gotten so far as to get something published, then, there must be something redemptive about your writing. Shore up your self-confidence, and go forth and promote! The more public appearances you make, the better you’ll be, and like they always say, practice makes perfect. That’s why it’s so important to write about what you know, what you’re passionate about. It’s easy to talk about something you feel strongly about, and remember this too, anyone showing up at your book signing, or personal appearance, is there to see YOU, so, give it all you got!! Thus writes Jan Mccanless in this small book in which she shares those secrets that have helped her sell thousands of her wonderful books.

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Published: May 2011

ISBN: 978-1462607341

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The Rising Son Temple of Peace has taken up residence in Beryl’s Cove, and the citizens are in an uproar. It’s a cult they all proclaim, and they don’t need that sort in town. They don’t know what to do about it, or how to get rid of them, and once dead bodies begin turning up the entire citizenry is in a rage, eventually even turning on poor Suzanne Thomas who owns the building that they use for their temple. Follow the action as our amateur married sleuths, along with Police Chief Nathan Sowinski as they attempt to find the murderers and get rid of the cult all at the same time. Once a suspicious fire burns the Temple down, it would appear that some of the locals made good on their attempt to run them out of town. The action of Murder for the Profit will take you from sleepy Beryl’s cove right up the eastern shore of Delaware as Sowinski and Steve close in on the perpetrators. Don’t miss any of the action in the latest Beryl’s Cove murder mystery, with all your favorite Cove citizens, including the irrepressible Dawg and Elvis.

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Published: December 2016

ISBN:

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“Darling, has the whole world gone crazy?” Steve asks. “No, Sweetheart, just our little corner of it.” So goes the sentiment, all the while frustrating Chief Nathan Sowinski and putting his job on the line. It’s all too much for him as a private yacht sinks off the coast of Beryl’s Cove, and the adventure begins. A federal agent being chased by other agents, vandalism in the campground, all the while poor Pastor Kapas tries diligently to put the Christmas Pageant together. Skullduggery and deceit are the fare of the day, in this, another hilarious romp from the beach bunch of Pykes County. Dawg and Elvis are always their charming selves, plus a few whacky characters that cross paths with our amateur sleuths, Steve and Suzanne Thomas. Come on along for the ride of a lifetime!

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Published: November 2017

ISBN: 978-1979833684

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You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, but, you’ll never be bored with Brother Jerome. Summoned to his favorite Aunt’s senior residence in England, with the promise of being told a deep family secret,Chip, Brother Jerome finds himself embroiled in a murder. Interacting with the residents of the Opera House, a home for retired entertainers, he meets the Lord and Lady of the house, as well as the sometimes off beat characters who live there. Teaming up with Chief Inspector David Reason, Chip assists any way he can in the solving of the case.

Learning of his parentage, Chip returns to his monastery in North Carolina, only to be called to Charlotte by his Bishop. While living in the Bishop’s opulent home, he is confronted by dark secrets of subterfuges, and has to come to terms with his own crisis of faith and calling.

Reaching an exciting, and unexpected denouncement, Murder at the Opera House will hold you spellbound while everyone’s favorite monk unravels the complication of his life, and solves a few mysteries along the way.

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Published: soon

ISBN: 9781796606706

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The best-selling author, speaker–and keen observer of life in the new century–writes with humor, joy, nostalgia and hope from keen insights she gained in the last century. In Bizarre Brain Drippings, Jan McCanless uses a series of reminiscences, observations and editorial comments to marvelously chronicle the changes she has experienced. She describes the hilarious and the poignant, the outrageous and the sublime. An acute observer, she writes with self-deprecating wit and sharp awareness. When we have finished these many short pieces, compiled from years of thoughtful journaling, we only wish she had more thoughts to share.

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Published: November 19, 2019

ISBN: 1630664952

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From darkest Africa, blood diamonds are mined and shipped to unscrupulous dealers around the world. Once in New York, a black listed dealer steals not only the diamonds, but the money used to buy them, and skips town. Somehow, he ends up in Beryl’s Cove, where he tries desperately to get enough money to escape the ‘little burg’, as he calls it. Suddenly, dead bodies turn up, and townspeaople end up disappearing.

A real puzzlement for our haggard police chief, Nathan Sowinski, and our two amateur sleuths. Busy with the the new wine bar that Suzanne has installed, STeve and the chief try to solve the mystery of the missing diamond thief, and the kidnapped citizens.

Old favorites return in this latest installment of the Beryl’s Cove mystery series, with some surprises thrown in . Dawg and Elvis are at their most charming best, as they once again enchant readers of this beloved series.”

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Published: Coming this Spring

ISBN: 1630665185

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The Stateline Motel sits right on the borders of Florida and Georgia ,and has seen much better days. Owned and operated by father and daughter, Bud and Jimmie Turner, nothing much happens there, and nobody stays there, anymore. That is, until one day, a tour bus full of New Yorkers veers far off course, and breaks down up the road from the motel.

Angry and quarrelsome, the bus riders are stranded at the Stateline, until a substitute bus and driver show up. They hate the place, is like one another, and can’t seem to get along, and then—a murder within the group. A friendly group of locals, along with the amiable sheriff set to work to solve the crime, and catch the murderer, who is surely one of the New Yorkers, all the while, a giant, menacing alligator is keeping them all cooped up inside.

Come along for another bumpy ride and, and, meet a new cast of characters from inventive mystery author, Jan McCanless.

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Published: Dec 23, 2021

ISBN: 978-1630665340

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Jan McCanless never saw a situation she couldn’t find humor in, and this book proves it. “I tried being serious once. It didn’t work for me!” These stories are from everywhere, gathered over time, Just to make you smile or laugh. Listed in Who’s Who as a premiere, Southern humorist. You’ll laugh until you cry, so go for it.

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Published: Dec 23, 2021

ISBN: 978-1630665333

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Moonshine money, an abandoned shack-that’s not empty, rusty lock boxes, strangers who aren’t who they say they are–and Confederate dollars. Jan McCanless is at it again with Steve, Suzanne, Rainey and Phil. This time they are on the hunt of a buried treasure, unaware that a killer is stalking them, planning to make the treasure his.

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Published: October 16, 2022

ISBN: 9781630665463

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Dreaming about a future with no limitations, a young girl recognizes a most important truth. Being me is best of all. I can be anything I want to be. Acclaimed children’s author and novelist Jan McCanless shares the dreams of every little girl who is empowered to dream and become.

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Published: August 27, 2023

ISBN: 630665754

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The bestselling author of mysteries and humor titles at long last offers up the tradition early-reader’s picture book she wrote decades ago.

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Published: January 26, 2023

ISBN: 1630665541

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Herbie and Butterbean are two friendly painted turtles who live in Carol Elizabeth’s aquarium. They are playful and sometimes mischevious. Most of all, they are a lot of fun.

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Published: August 24, 2023

ISBN: 1630665746

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With one or two exceptions all of these recipes are Jan’s, some have appeared in her books, and all of them without exception are delicious.

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Published: August 27, 2023

ISBN: 1630665762

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Check back for more books from Jan.

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Check back for more books from Jan.

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