Dakota Green is back in Aubergine for her 10 year high school reunion, some quality time with her maybe/maybe not boyfriend, Chief of Police Charlie, and the reading of her newly discovered father’s will. She anticipates a somewhat relaxing weekend until one of her former classmates suddenly dies during the reunion & she’s thrown into a murder investigation. Can she help Charlie solve the case before it’s too late, all while keeping her sanity with everything else on her plate or will everything spin out of control?

While I didn’t realize that this was the second book in the Dakota Green series, I didn’t find that I was completely lost. Kristen Bird did a great job of giving book one (A Beauty Queen’s Guide to Murder and Mayhem) summaries throughout without making it feel like a complete retelling of the first story. It gave enough of Dakota’s backstory where following along with the current relationships was easy.

I really like Dakota’s character & found that she was extremely relatable in a lot of aspects. While she had confidence and strength, she also had insecurities relating to her romantic relationship with Charlie and wasn’t afraid to let those be seen. She was fiercely loyal to Lacy and determined to do whatever possible to make sure she was okay in the end & didn’t shy away from her new found sister, Savilla, even though it was not something she planned on.

The storyline itself was easy to follow and had enough twists to keep the reader guessing. I would definitely categorize it as a cozy mystery. It was quick enough where you didn’t get bored but long enough where it had enough plot to keep you intrigued. I would definitely read more about Dakota’s next case if there’s a book three.

***Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with an ARC for my honest opinion***

An Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamonds was another triumph from Kristen. Such a fun book which the genre cozy mystery was made for. Loved every page ❤️

A high school reunion, so called friends getting together for fun and laughs. Then you throw in a murder with many suspects.
This is exactly what happens when Dakota Green returns home to see her Aunt Dee Dee Meet up with some friends for her reunion. Only things don’t go the way Dakota wants them to. Since this is a second book in a series, it was a little hard for me to find out who everybody was. Dakota was hiding a secret from everyone. The secret it’s in the and that she is the daughter of a prominent family. As she helps her so called sheriff boyfriend Charlie Strong solve this murder, she must also wonder if there is a murder among these so called friends. Dakota knows this is not going to be easy. Plus she has to try and discuss with her aunt and Charlie a job offer that she would be foolish to turn down. Plus the identity of her father will really add tension for Dakota.

I loved the character of Dakota. I wish I would have read the first one so I could get the whole picture of Dakota. This was a fun mystery. Many colorful character that made me want more. I would definitely read the first one and continue with the series if there was more. The town and characters are quirky and I enjoy that. Plus I had no idea who the killer was.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. I look forward to more from Kristen Bird.

🎩 Diamonds and Deadly Deceptions: Unveiling Secrets at the Reunion Dance 🎉

1. Murder, Mysteries, and a Reunion Dance Floor Catastrophe 🎶
Kristen Bird drops us into Dakota Green’s world with “An Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamonds.” Dakota returns to her quaint hometown of Aubergine, Virginia for a high school reunion, only to find herself at the center of a murder mystery when a reality TV star bites the dust.

2. Dakota Green: The Heiress with More Than Jewels to Uncover 🔍
Our protagonist Dakota juggles veterinary school and long-distance romance with a local sheriff, while unraveling family secrets that could redefine her life. Bird crafts a relatable, sleuthing heiress who’s a joy to follow through the twists and turns of a murder investigation.

3. Small-Town Secrets: The Coziest Whodunit with a Sharp Edge 🕵️‍♀️
This second installment in the Dakota Green Mystery series boasts plenty of hometown charm paired with sharp humor. The cozy mystery formula gets a sparkling makeover with secret inheritances, playful séances, and a ticking-clock suspense as Dakota races to clear her best friend's name.

4. Reunion Shenanigans: From Long-Lost Diamonds to Long-Forgotten Rivalries 💎
The high school reunion backdrop allows Bird to weave interpersonal drama seamlessly with the murder plot. The colorful cast, a mix of beloved recurring characters and fresh faces, keep the tension vibrant and engaging.

5. A Dash of Romance: Love in the Time of Investigation 💌
Dakota’s relationship with Sheriff Charlie Strong adds a delightful mix of small-town romance to the mystery. Their evolving dynamic is both heartwarming and filled with gentle tension, adding layers without overshadowing the central whodunit.

Final Thoughts 📜
"An Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamonds" is a fun and stylish cozy mystery that’s bound to delight fans of the genre. With its blend of humor, intrigue, and a touch of old-fashioned glamour, Kristen Bird’s latest novel is hard to put down. If you’re a fan of clever plots, engaging heroines, and murder mysteries seasoned with a sprinkle of romance, this is the next book for your shelf! 💍

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the arc of this book. A Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamond is the second book in the A Dakota Green Mystery Book series. If you have not read the first book in the series I recommend reading it first to have some background on the characters. In this book Dakota returns to Aubergine for a high school reunion and there is a murder. This book is a cozy murder mystery and also moves along the story for the main characters. I enjoyed this book and finished it in two sittings. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Reality TV star drops dead at the reunion?? Childhood BFF is the main suspect?? Oh don’t worry—Dakota’s got a murder to solve and a diamond to find before midnight.

📚 Reasons to Read An Heiress’s Guide to Death and Diamonds
A cozy murder mystery – From blackmail and fake séances to secret inheritances, Dakota’s got her hands full in Aubergine.


Reunion – A former reality star is dead, and old high school secrets are spilling fast.


Ticking clock – Dakota has until midnight to solve a murder and decide if she’ll claim a legacy that could destroy her.


Swoony small-town romance – Between the dreamy sheriff and a shocking discovery about her past, Dakota’s life may never be the same.
Earlier this year I read A Beauty Queen’s Guide to Murder and Mayhem, and immediately looked to see if there were any more. This one is coming out in June and I think Dakota Green is a main character I can’t wait to read more about. Sure there were times where you wondered why she didn’t put the pieces together like you probably will, but it doesn’t really matter here. This book is fun, the characters are memorable, and it’s just an enjoyable way to spend your time!

Title: An Heiress’s Guide to Death and Diamonds
Series: Dakota Green Book #2
Author: Kristen Bird
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: June 10, 2025
My Rating: 3.7 Stars
Pages: 270

Book two in the Dakota Green Mysteries begins a few months after the conclusion of Book One “A Beauty Queen’s Guide to Murder and Mayhem with a second visit to Aubergine, Virginia, and the Rose Palace.
I read and enjoyed the first book... The blurb posted - it is perfect for fans of small-town mysteries with big laughs -- and yes it delivered!

Dakota Green is home to attend her ten year high school reunion as well as deal with some family business and spend time with local sheriff and possible boyfriend Charlie Strong. What she hadn't planned was to be thrown into another murder investigation or to have to once again try to prove the innocence of someone close to her! With a whole graduating class to choose from and a victim who had ruffled more than a few feathers Dakota knows she has her work cut out for her and that's before she even has a chance to discuss a once in a lifetime job offer with her aunt!
And the adventure begins . . . .

About the author ~ Kristen has lived coast to coast, but with her extended family in north Alabama, her roots run southern deep. She teaches high school English and writes in local coffee shops near her home outside of Houston. In her free time, she likes to visit parks with her three daughters, watch quirky films with her husband, and attempt to keep pace with her rescue lab-mi

I enjoyed reading Ms. Bird’s “A Letter From the Author’ - It is always fun hearing the author’s personal side in writing a story. And yes we readers are also excited as well as anxious to find out the next chapter in the lives of Dakota and Charlie and of the other folks in Aubergine.


Want to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this enjoyable eGalley.
Audiobook Publishing Release Date scheduled for June 10, 2025.

This is a fun cosy mystery with a sassy main character! Dakota is at her high school reunion event, desperately counting the minutes before she can she, when one of her former classmates collapses. Can she help Sheriff partner Charlie solve the mystery, and clear best friend Lacy's name?

This is the second in a series, and you definitely need to read the first one before this if you intend to read them both. I hadn't read the first, but now don't have to as the story from number 1 was VERY clearly revealed in this! It's always quite disappointing when a book rehashes the complete story of a previous, but I do understand why that had to happen in this case as the story follows closely on timewise. That all said, I loved Dakota, and Savilla's word mix ups were brilliant. I will definitely look out for book 3.

An Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamonds is a fun, fast-paced mystery full of small-town secrets, sharp humor, and just the right touch of drama. Dakota is a smart, relatable heroine juggling family revelations, murder, and romance—all while trying to clear her best friend’s name. The mix of glamour, gossip, and a glittering whodunit kept me turning pages, even if some twists were a bit over the top. A sparkling cozy mystery with heart and style—I’ll definitely be reading the next one!

Dakota Green returns, somewhat reluctantly, to her hometown to attend her 10th class reunion. She tells herself that she will stay the obligatory one hour, then leave. However, when a classmate dies suddenly on the dance floor, Dakota is pulled into the investigation as a witness, but also as the girlfriend of the local sheriff.

It took me a long time to read this book, not because it was hard, but because the story just did not hold my attention. I enjoyed the characters enough to keep going, but the pacing of the book was sluggish.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

In An Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamonds (Dakota Green Mysteries #2) by Kristen Bird, Dakota Green reluctantly attends her high school reunion only to stumble upon a murder at the Rose Palace. When her best friend becomes the prime suspect, Dakota's loyalty compels her to investigate the secrets swirling among rekindled acquaintances, long-held family secrets, and a missing diamond. Dakota must untangle the clues before time runs out, while dealing with a surprising inheritance. This engaging small-town mystery combines suspense, moments of sharp wit, and a captivating whodunit.

A welcome aspect of this second installment is the return of beloved characters from the first book, alongside the introduction of new individuals. It was a joy to follow Dakota, a resourceful and independent amateur sleuth, as she delves into Brett's murder while exploring the hidden histories and potential motives within the Rose Palace.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to fans of cozy mysteries who appreciate strong, relatable female characters, a touch of clever humor, and a distinctive setting like the intriguing Rose Palace. An Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamonds is a delightful and engaging continuation of the Dakota Green series, and I eagerly anticipate Dakota's next adventure!

Thank you to Storm Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

An Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamonds by Kristen Bird is the second book in the Dakota Green Mystery Series, and while I haven’t read the first installment, I found it easy to catch up on the backstory and fully enjoy this one. The story begins with Dakota Green attending her high school reunion, where reality TV star Brett Brinkley dies under suspicious circumstances. With plenty of possible suspects in the mix, Dakota is determined to uncover the truth, especially to help clear her childhood best friend, who was being blackmailed by the victim.
Adding another layer to the story is Dakota’s budding relationship with the town sheriff. As a relatively new couple, they’re still navigating their dynamic, which adds a nice touch of personal drama. I also appreciated the secondary storyline involving Dakota and her inheritance, which tied seamlessly into the main mystery. The charm of this mystery lies not just in its engaging plot but also that I didn’t figure out the killer’s identity before the big reveal.
Overall, this book is an entertaining whodunit with a strong main character and a storyline that balances intrigue with personal stakes.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

An Heiress’s Guide to Death and Diamonds by Kristen Bird is a sharp, lively follow-up in the Dakota Green Mystery series that delivers everything cozy mystery lovers want—and then some.

Dakota Green returns to her hometown of Aubergine, Virginia, expecting nothing more than awkward high school reunion conversations and maybe some flat beer. Instead, she finds herself in the middle of another murder investigation when reality TV star and hometown golden boy Brett Brinkley drops dead on the dance floor. When Dakota’s childhood best friend is accused of the crime, Dakota doesn’t hesitate to dive back into sleuth mode—this time while juggling veterinary school, a strained long-distance romance with the town’s sheriff, and the recent bombshell about her true parentage. Oh, and let’s not forget a missing $75 million diamond and an inheritance tied up in family drama.

Kristen Bird nails the small-town atmosphere, crafting a setting where secrets hide behind every smile, and loyalty is a complicated thing. The supporting characters—quirky, flawed, and full of personality—bring the town of Aubergine vividly to life. Dakota herself is the perfect balance of wit, resilience, and relatable uncertainty, making her a heroine you can’t help but root for.

The murder mystery is tightly plotted, filled with believable red herrings, genuine twists, and just the right level of emotional stakes. Bird handles humor and heart with equal skill, giving readers a story that’s as fun as it is smart. The tension between Dakota’s old life and her future ambitions adds real depth without slowing down the story’s momentum.

While the inheritance subplot is layered and at times almost takes center stage, it ultimately ties back into the main mystery and Dakota’s evolving understanding of who she is—and who she wants to be.

If you love Janet Evanovich’s humor, Elle Cosimano’s fast-paced plotting, or the cozy cleverness of Only Murders in the Building, this series is a must-read. Kristen Bird has created a world you’ll want to come back to again and again. I can’t wait for book three.

Final verdict: A sparkling, smart mystery full of heart, humor, and high-stakes secrets. Add this to your TBR immediately.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

I love An Heiress's Guide to Death and Diamonds! I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I love the characters! Charlie and Dakota, Lacy and Anton...I want to be friends with them. Lots of twists and turns... I never saw the ending coming! If you like mysteries, add this one to your shelf. Now!

Lots of laughs and groans, plenty of angst, and coming home for a reunion can be a really bad idea. Things are a lot different now that her mom is gone and the killers from the Beauty pageant murder are in prison, but murder happens anyway and the victim is a really disgusting piece of work. A rich old man has died and she has to be on hand for the reading of the will, finds out she is half owner of a nearly bankrupt estate, and her friend is really her half-sister. Enough things happening with assorted boyfriends and insights into past events to drive anyone to distraction. Addictive read that just keeps moving along. Loved it.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Storm Publishing courtesy of NetGalley. Pub Date Jun 10, 2025
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High school reunions can be murder; literally.

Our favourite daughter of Aubergine is back in town for her 10 year high school reunion, revisiting some memories that are better suited to stay in high school along with sweaty gym socks. After winning the town's famous beauty pageant, Dakota Green is finally finishing veterinary school but she owes it to her best friend Lacy (and the upcoming willing reading of her newly discovered father) to return to town. When hometown golden boy turned reality star Brett Brinkley suddenly chokes on the dance floor, it seems that there's more secrets in the small town than anyone could have imagined.

I have been waiting with bated breath for the return of Dakota, Lacy, Savilla and crew after reading the first book of the series. Kristen Bird does not disappoint with her follow-up book. Filled to the brim with a fast-paced story, well-developed characters, and real-world issues, this book is a must have for your bookshelf.

The books in this series always fly by to me, and I love that you can clearly picture people in your own life mirrored in the book's characters. It brings a feeling of bookish camaraderie to the experience, while also trying to solve the mystery along the way.

I cannot wait for book 3, and hopefully many more to follow!

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

This is the second in the series and as enjoyable as the first. The books are a little bit madcap with amazingly odd and unique characters dancing around the key characters. There is a death and there is a diamond as the title suggests, and yet somehow they both seem secondary to the character development and the tidbits of each suspect's private life as it is gently revealed, and each has reasons for murder. The running background story about being an heiress adds flavour and keeps the plot moving, and gives the characters reasons to interact. A fun and actually quite joyful book despite the murder!!

Another thrilling whodunit adventure in Aubergine and The Rose Palace with our favorite female main character and soon-to-be a doctor in veterinary medicine who also has a knack for detective work, Dakota Green. Five stars all around, I loved it.

Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked this author’s last book. This one was just as fun and full of story as the last. I really like this author they’re becoming an instant buy for me. I love the pace, humor, and heart behind the story.