Mini-mystery first time story subscription gift

The Portrait of Deception: A Small-Town 3-Month Cozy Mini-Mystery

The Portrait of Deception: A Small-Town 3-Month Cozy Mini-Mystery

$35.99 USD

$42.00 USD

Murder, mystery, and one very unimpressed cat—can Lydia crack the case hidden behind the canvas?

The story unfolds over 6 letters
Letters mailed twice per month (6"x9" envelopes)
Interactive elements with each letter
Tiger gives you his own sassy take on the case with each letter

In stock

Edition

3-Month Serialized Story | 2 Letters per Month
All-in-One Story Box | All 6-letters shipped together

More payment options

A snail mail cozy mini-mystery delivered 2 times per month over 3 months, or in an All-in-One Gift Box!

A stolen portrait, a deadly toast, and a secret someone would kill to keep buried—welcome to Huckleberry Hollow, where history has a way of turning deadly.

I thought an evening at the Huckleberry Hollow Historical Society’s auction would be nothing more than good company, a few overpriced antiques, and a free glass of wine.

I was wrong.

I’m Lydia Bellweather—journalist, amateur sleuth, and perpetually finding myself in the middle of mysteries I never planned to solve.

One minute, I was watching a ruthless collector gloat over his latest acquisition—the prized portrait of Eleanor Holloway—and the next, Elias Farnsworth was collapsing mid-toast, poisoned before he could claim his prize.

The police have their suspects, but something doesn’t add up.

Maybe it’s the missing piece of the portrait, the whispers of a long-buried family scandal, or the way certain guests at the auction seemed a little too relieved by Elias’s untimely demise.

One thing’s for sure—Detective Harris is already tired of me poking around. But with my notebook in hand, my best friend Molly by my side, and my grumpy Persian cat, Tiger, providing his usual brand of judgment, I won’t stop until I find the truth.

Because in a town like Huckleberry Hollow, history never stays buried for long.

Perfect for fans of: Small-town intrigue, quirky characters, and a cozy mini-mystery with a feline sidekick that adds his own brand of grumpy charm to the investigation.

Story Tropes:

Puzzling crime element
Quirky side characters
Multiple suspects
Unsympathetic victim
Light humor
Community Connections
Sidekick Pet
Red Herring
Murder
Gossipy Best Friend
Cop or other authority figure that discourages amateur sleuth

So much fun! I plan to read it again

So much fun! I plan to read it again. Thank you for a fun story escape.
Best, Alice

Dear Alice,

Your review absolutely made my day! Knowing The Portrait of Deception gave you that perfect story escape - and that you want to read it again - is the highest compliment I could receive!

Thank you for sharing your experience. Reviews like yours remind me exactly why I love creating these handwritten adventures. Here's to many more cozy mystery escapes by lanternlight! ️

With gratitude,
Dawn

I loved this small town mini-mystery!

I loved this small town mini-mystery. I'm already invested in the characters since I receive Murder at The Sugar and Spice Bakery so I loved watching Lydia crack another case. Tiger is a delight as always. It's amazing how all the pieces come together.

Hi Rachel,
Thank you for this amazing review! ️ I'm so thrilled you loved The Portrait of Deception and that you're already so invested in Lydia's world. It makes my heart happy to know Tiger continues to delight you - he does have quite the snarky personality.
Your observation about how all the pieces come together means everything to me as the storyteller. Thank you for being such a loyal cozy mystery lover and for sharing your experience!

Happy sleuthing! ✨
Dawn

Perfect gift for the busy BFF who has everything

She totally loves it!
I am now the best giftgiiver in her world.
Frequent enough to keep her interested without intruding on her time. Short even timeline to keep her end of year schedules on track.

Thank you so much for sharing this! We love hearing that The Portrait of Deception made the perfect gift for your BFF. It means the world to know she’s enjoying the mystery without the time crunch. You just made our day (and hers)! ️

Fantastic Little Mystery

The Portrait of Deception: A Small-Town 3-Month Cozy Mini-Mystery absolutely delivered on every count! I opted for the all-in-one story box and I’m so glad I did—I couldn’t wait to unravel the mystery, and once I started, I couldn’t put the letters down.
The immersive storytelling and charming small-town vibe made it the perfect way to unwind after a long day. It struck the perfect balance of intrigue and coziness, keeping me both relaxed and completely hooked.
If you're looking for a unique and engaging way to spend your evenings, this delightful short mystery is a gem.

Thank you so much, Latasha! We’re thrilled you enjoyed every twist and cozy moment in The Portrait of Deception. It’s wonderful to hear the story box brought both relaxation and intrigue to your evenings. Your kind words mean the world to us! ️✨

Fun and Intriguing

I am only two letters into the mystery, and I am enjoying it immensely. The clues are keeping me guessing!

Thank you so much, Bethany! We’re delighted you’re having fun with The Portrait of Deception, even a few letters in. Hope the mysteries keep you guessing till the very end!

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Product options	Edition 3-Month Serialized Story \| 2 Letters per Month, All-in-One Story Box \| All 6-letters shipped together
Product vendor	Letters by Lanternlight
Product tags	3-Month Mini Mystery , Cozy Mystery , huckleberry hollow , story
Product collections	Cozy Mysteries, Huckleberry Hollow, Three-month stories

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The Portrait of Deception: A Small-Town 3-Month Cozy Mini-Mystery

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