by: Cindy Quayle
Series: Claire O’Keefe Mystery
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: February 24, 2026
Welcome to Osage Springs, where small-town charm meets big trouble.
When Claire O’Keefe’s father suffers a stroke, she puts her plans to teach overseas on hold and returns home to Osage Springs, Arkansas. Between caring for her parents and reconnecting with her roots, she expects a quiet few months—until a chance encounter at the grocery store changes everything.
An old high school classmate, now an English teacher at Lakeside High, asks Claire to fill in during her maternity leave. It sounds simple enough—grading essays, managing teenagers, and maybe sneaking in a lakeside walk or two. But when a fellow teacher is found dead in Beaver Lake, the sleepy Ozark town turns tense, and Claire once again finds herself drawn into a mystery she can’t ignore.
This time, the sheriff’s department is asking for volunteers to aid the search, and Claire can’t resist lending a hand. But as secrets rise to the surface, she begins to wonder if the lake is hiding more than just one deadly truth.
Can Claire help solve the case before the next body surfaces… or will she be the one caught beneath the calm, cold water?
I’m doing well, which in my life usually means no one has found a body today. So that feels like a win.
Well, that’s good. Please tell me about yourself.
I’m Claire O’Keefe, a thirty-year old English as a foreign language teacher who has taught in Bahrain, Indonesia, Korea, and a few other places where I have adventurously tried the local cuisine, like lionfish tacos in Cozumel. I love traveling, scuba diving, strong coffee, and a good mystery novel. I recently moved back to Osage Springs, Arkansas, after my dad had a stroke. I’m an only child, so helping my mom take care of him was not really a question.
Can you please tell us about some people we’ll meet in your story?
Oh, absolutely. You’ll meet my parents, who are both unforgettable in very different ways.
My mom, Mona, is originally from Korea and shows her love through food and gentle wisdom. Sometimes that wisdom comes with a side of overprotectiveness and a second helping of rice I did not ask for.
My dad, Tim, is a retired law professor who still lectures like he has a classroom full of students. He also tells bad dad jokes and knows random legal facts, such as exactly how many wild animals you can legally own in Arkansas.
I’m also dating Aidan Filipowski, whom I met on a scuba diving trip in Cozumel. Aidan is laid back, smart, and handsome. Every time I see him, my heart skips a beat. He’s also a criminal defense attorney, which means he understands the legal side of my sleuthing tendencies and occasionally reminds me not to commit obstruct justice. In the past, I may have gone around law enforcement, but in Lies Are Better at the Lake, I’m actually working with the local sheriff’s department, which is a nice breath of fresh air.
Tell me about a defining moment in your life.
Moving overseas to teach for the first time changed everything. Going from a small town in Northwest Arkansas to living in another country was both terrifying and exhilarating. Standing in front of a classroom full of students who expected me to know what I was doing forced me to grow up quickly. It gave me independence, confidence, and just enough bravery to ask uncomfortable questions. Which, as it turns out, is a very useful skill when murders start happening.
What’s your most prized possession?
My dive log. I have logged over 300 dives, and every single one feels like a memory I do not want to lose. Thankfully, I’ve migrated everything online because paper and ocean water are not the best combination. I like having proof that I have voluntarily jumped into deep water with sharks and lived to tell the tale. It puts small-town drama into perspective.
Why do you feel the need to put on your sleuthing hat and investigate murders?
Because I cannot ignore injustice. Especially when it involves someone I care about. When something feels off, it sticks with me like a pop quiz I forgot to study for.
Also, I blame my dad. Growing up with a law professor means you learn to question everything. Once I start pulling on a thread, I have to see where it leads. Even if it leads somewhere dangerous.
What can readers expect from Lies Are Better at the Lake?
Small town secrets. Complicated friendships. A lake that looks peaceful but definitely is not.
On the surface, everything seems calm and charming. Underneath, there are grudges, lies, and motives swirling around like an undertow. Readers can expect twists, heart, humor, and hopefully a few moments where you gasp and say, “Wait. What?”
Claire, thank you so much for your time.
Thank you for having me. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I just overheard something suspicious… and I really should stop eavesdropping. But… I probably won’t.
Purchase Lies are Better at the Lake from:
(Affiliate Links Used)
The Claire O’Keefe Mystery Series:
When she is not writing, Cindy teaches ESL part-time and draws inspiration from her love of travel and the underwater world. An avid scuba diver, she enjoys exploring new dive sites and weaving the sights, culture, and atmosphere of each location into her stories. Cindy enjoys connecting with readers and is active on social media, where she shares updates on her writing life, travel adventures, and upcoming Claire O’Keefe mysteries.
Places to find Cindy Quayle:
You can follow the Lies are Better at the Lake Blog Tour here.
No comments:
Post a Comment
STOP!
Comments that include links to other sites, or names including links WILL BE CONSIDERED SPAM AND DELETED.