It’s hard to make a fresh start when you’ve got a reputation for death…
Welcome to the Ruthless-the-Killer Mysteries
When Ruth Smythe moves to the small Aussie coastal town of Pelican Bay, a new beginning seems like a great plan. But a body in her shed, an inconvenient romantic attraction, and a secret childhood reputation as a ‘harbinger of death’ get in the way.
Deliciously twisty Aussie cozy mysteries with heart, humour and a slow-burn romance that will wreck you in the best way…
Start with Book 1, Dead Ahead, or click here to grab your free copy of the prequel short story Peck Pocket!
Warning: these books contain banter that may make you snort your coffee!
Start here
It's hard to make a fresh start when you've go a reputation for death...
Ruth is desperate for a new beginning, but a body in her shed, an inconvenient romantic attraction, and a secret childhood reputation as a 'harbinger of death' get in the way.
New release
Murder, romance and a cockatoo with no filter. What could possibly go wrong?
Ruth Smythe is still getting used to small-town life when she stumbles on a body at Pelican Bay’s annual Easter egg hunt.
Two bodies in just a few weeks is bad enough—but it gets worse when Dan Rivers is arrested for murder.
Coming soon
Murder, movie-making, and mayhem—what more could a girl want?
When a body turns up on Shona’s film set, Ruth doesn’t want to get involved. But Shona has asked for help, and the killer might still be on set. Ruth has never been good at walking away—even with a true-crime podcaster on her heels.
"'Dead Ahead' is a fun, absorbing read that kept me guessing. I loved the cast of small-town characters and the spunk of Ruth, the lead character. Looking forward to reading the second book in the series!"
Amazon reviewer
"I really, really enjoyed MOSTLY DEAD. The mystery is complex with lots of red herrings and lots of unexpected threads that lead all over the murder board. There’s incredible love and support from friends and family along with a lovely slow burn romance and a nasty bad guy to hate. Doug the cockatoo is absolutely hilarious!"
Amazon reviewer
Grab a free Ruth Smythe short mystery!
Escape to Paris with Ruth and Shona in Peck Pocket, a feel-good prequel to the Ruthless-the-Killer Mysteries.
Hi, I’m Susan J Bruce.
I’m a former veterinarian turned author and I write mystery and suspense stories with heart and humour.
If you love stories where characters discover courage they didn’t know they had, you’ll like my books. If you like a laugh along the way, you’ll find my Ruthless-the-Killer cozy mystery series suitably snort-worthy. I’m having so much fun writing it.
You’ll also find animals in my books. Lots and LOTS of animals.
I blame my vet days.
My writing group once challenged me to write a short story that didn’t contain any animals. I failed…
