Murder at the Agency: A Cassidy Blayne Mystery
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting: Fictional town of Brighton Lake, Wisconsin
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rowan Prose Publishing, LLC
Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 11, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 244 pages

Synopsis

Who knew the marketing world could be so dangerous?

Just when it seems like everything in twenty-eight year old Cassidy Blayne’s life is falling apart, a thrilling coffee shop encounter leads to the opportunity of a lifetime. Landing her dream job as Creative Director with an elite advertising firm in a nearby lakeside town fills her with renewed purpose. She’s no longer going to allow herself to settle, and resolves to rebuild her life on her own terms.

But from the moment she steps foot out of the elevator, she senses things may not be as they seem at Turner & Nash Advertising. Despite her wariness, Cassie puts all her energy into landing her first big account. Arriving early on the day of the presentation, she’s shocked to find one of the owners dead and herself a suspect.

She embarks on a desperate search for answers, unknowingly putting her and the people she cares about in danger. As she pieces things together with some help from her spunky new roommate, twin childhood best friends, an uptight detective, and a gorgeous up-and-coming rock star, warnings and threats escalate. It’s clear the killer will stop at nothing to keep her quiet.

Cassie must risk everything to unravel the murder before someone takes her off the market for good.

Fans of “Olive You To Death” by Lynn Cahoon or “A Limited Edition Murder” by Lauren Elliott will enjoy “Murder At The Agency” by Kylie Forsythe.

“ An irresistible start to what’s sure to be a binge-worthy series.” -USA Today bestselling author Sarah Fox

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Guest Post

There’s nothing like solving an intriguing mystery alongside a smart, savvy sleuth while immersing yourself in the lives of loveable characters in a charming town that feels like home. To me, that’s a cozy mystery in a nutshell and why I love them so much.

Specifically, there are so many other elements that make a good cozy mystery. And there are so many kinds! From culinary mysteries to paranormal mysteries and everything in between. They’re all rich and unique. Most share a lot of commonalities, which lends to readers finding enjoyment in every sub-genre.

So, let’s talk tropes! MURDER AT THE AGENCY has many of my personal favorites. Here’s a few…

A likable, relatable amateur sleuth with an interesting career-

My main character, Cassie, is starting over after a trifecta of life changes. Despite her hardships, she maintains a positive outlook. She’s resilient, driven, loyal, and loves simple pleasures. She also has an aptitude for connecting with people in ways that make them want to open up to her, which is one thing that makes her a great sleuth. Her job as a Creative Director at a marketing firm is unique for the cozy mystery genre and was a lot of fun to weave into the story. Cassie’s making a fresh start, and you can’t help but root for her. And she’s not perfect! She doubts herself, is still coming into her own, finding her place in the world, and discovering her worth. Who can’t relate to that?

A quaint and charming small town at a cozy time of year-

The setting is so important in a cozy mystery. The time of year, the backdrop, the townsfolk, quaint shops and restaurants. My fictional town of Brighton Lake is actually inspired by a real town I love to visit- Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. I take a girls trip there every summer where we make candles, do wine tastings, lounge by the pool at the resort, and enjoy the beautiful outdoor scenery.

Murder at the Agency takes place in the fall. The leaves are changing, the weather is getting cooler, and there’s nothing that Cassie loves more than to grab a pumpkin spice latte, curl up on the couch with her cat, Cleo, next to the fire with a blanket and a good mystery. Bonus if there’s a fall candle burning. As a teacher, I relish my summers, but fall is my favorite season. With a new school year full of promise beginning, it always feels like a chance to start over. Since that’s exactly what Cassie is doing, I felt like it was the perfect time of year for her to embark on her next chapter.

Loveable side characters and close friendships-

Friendship is important to Cassie, and I enjoyed merging her past with her present through friendships. Together they combine to make a fun sleuthing group that I would want to be friends with myself. Each character has their own unique personality and issues they’re facing. As friends, they not only share serious conversations and sleuthing adventures, but they have fun together. They are a group I would want to be friends with, and my hope is that when you read MURDER AT THE AGENCY, you feel like you’ve been dropped into their circle and are solving the crime right along with them. There’s also a touch of romance in my cozy. It’s not the main focus, but I enjoy reading books that have characters not only finding themselves, but finding someone who values them for who they are.

There are others, but these are my favorites. I hope you enjoy the mystery, the town of Brighton Lake, and all of the characters who are ready to invite you into the start of a fun, new cozy mystery series that begins with MURDER AT THE AGENCY.

About the Author

Kylie Forsythe writes cozy mysteries with smart amateur sleuths, close-knit groups of friends, and a touch of romance. Kylie is also a fourth-grade teacher and resides in Illinois with her husband, two daughters, and a rambunctious Weimaraner. When she’s not teaching, you can find her spending time with the wonderful family and friends she’s been blessed with, cooking, enjoying a good  book or Hallmark Mystery movie, or crafting her next story.

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