L.K. Vernon

Author of Death by HOA

Retired CEO Kate Warner thought she’d earned a quiet life after taking an early retirement from her company, Waggles.com.Her neighborhood, Sunhaven, was supposed to be paradise, with its manicured lawns, perfectly stained fences, and an HOA board actually doing something good–making changes to turn their lush landscaping into a more water-wise haven that would save the residents money on their HOA dues.But when Kate’s best friend and President of the HOA is brutally murdered, Sunhaven’s carefully kept secrets begin to seep out.As the police investigation stalls, Kate can’t resist sticking her nose in and noticing the clues investigators are ignoring. With her sharp instincts and her loyal Westy mix, Mr. Tuttles, by her side, Kate starts asking questions the Sunhaven neighbors would very much prefer remain unanswered.Because in Sunhaven, everyone has a motive.Death by HOA is a witty cozy mystery that proves murder doesn’t always lurk in dark alleys—sometimes it hides behind beautifully trimmed hedges, landscaping disputes, and the facade of friendly neighbors.

About

L.K. Vernon is a retired NASA engineer who found herself with too much time after her kids moved out, so she volunteered to serve as the neighborhood’s HOA President. As far as she knows, nobody wants to murder her…yet. Vernon has had several short stories published and was once nominated for a Pushcart Prize in Fiction. When she's not looking at budgets or signing invoices for the HOA, she can be found walking her three dogs around the neighborhood and thinking of all the reasons somebody might want to murder her.

Contact

Email: [email protected]
Threads: @luraellen
Bluesky: @luraellen.bsky.social

Kate Warner

Kate Warner is a recently retired CEO with a sharp mind and zero patience for incompetence. When her best friend is murdered, Kate dives headfirst into the HOA's tangled web of secrets and suspects. Driven by loyalty and instinct, she won’t back down, even when the killer turns their sights on her.

Mr. Tuttles

Mr. Tuttles is a happy-go-lucky Westie Mix who believes that every dog is a friend waiting to happen and that every person might have a treat in their pocket. Mr. Tuttles loves sweet tea on hot summer days, walks on the beaches of the local dog parks, and helping with the cooking every single night. Tuttles knows his jobs: to keep the squirrels and bunnies out of the yard, to provide comfort to his people when they seem stressed, and to defend his house when there is a threat.

Stormy

Stormy is a Norwegian Forest Cat who is unafraid of dogs, especially Mr. Tuttles, and has disdain for her new owner. Or, does she own the house now? Her daily schedule is to wake up at 4 AM for an early morning sprint around the house, bat jewelry off of nightstands at 5 AM, and then unroll all of the toilet paper at 6.