Welcome!
I'm Gayle Leeson, and I write the Ghostly Fashionista mystery series, the Down South Cafe mystery series, the Kinsey Falls chick-lit series. With Lorraine Bartlett, I've co-written two books in the Victoria Square series with more to come! Thank you so much for dropping by. Please take a minute to look around.
Truffles and Tragedy
Down South Cafe owner Amy Flowers learns her chocolate truffles might not be the only things her patrons find "out of this world."
When her cousin, Jackie, asks her to give a presentation to her online class, Amy thinks all she has to worry about is speaking before a group. But then the nitpicky professor collapses. He has been murdered, and hot-tempered Jackie is the prime suspect. Some online forums are even speculating that the professor was an extra-terrestrial, so Amy must sort out fact from fiction to get to the truth.
Certain the real killer is setting Jackie up, will Amy be able to outwit the killer and save her cousin?
Reviews Are In!
Author Gayle Leeson gives the reader some great characters and a great plot/storyline. I enjoyed meeting Amy. I love a book with likable characters and Amy is one.
~My Reading Journeys
Gayle Leeson grabs your imagination and whisks you away to the Down South Cafe before you can blink!
~A Wytch's Book Review Blog
The author does a great job disguising the murderer and the motive along with everything else related to the mystery.
~Sapphyria's Books
Full of tension and devious twists, maybe even some alien intervention, the whole story mixes into a delicious concoction.
~Laura's Interests
I have been in love with this series since book one and it just keeps getting better . . . A total must-read series for fans of cozies with a culinary theme. I totally loved it so I give it 5/5 stars
~Books a Plenty Book Reviews
Despite the fact that a man was murdered, I still managed to smile most of the way through the book (especially when Aunt Bess was up to her usual feisty antics). Amy and crew are fabulous as always, and the mystery was very well-plotted and layered.
~Reading Is My SuperPower
I do love these characters . . . Homer is still my favorite. His Heroes of the Day are always inspiring and uplifting.
~Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book
The characters who work at Amy's Down Home Cafe are very close, like family. I find that to be endearing . . . When the reveal of the killer took place, I was surprised as it was not what I expected.
~Melina's Book Blog
The mystery was well plotted and there were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider. There were some red herrings thrown in and it was not easily solved. I did not know who the murder was until it was revealed at the end.
~MJB Reviewers
Fruit Baskets and Holiday Caskets
Christmas comes with chaos—and a murder—in the fifth book in the Down South Café cozy mystery series!
Amy Flowers thinks her biggest problem is going to be creating an enormous cake dummy to mount atop her car for Winter Garden’s upcoming Christmas parade. But when one of Roger's employees is murdered, making the float is the least of Amy’s worries. Her childhood friend is a prime suspect, Aunt Bess is making a new Pinterest board: Things That'll Probably Kill Me, and her boyfriend's mother is insisting on helping Amy make three-hundred-seventy-five sugar cookies to hand out along the parade route.
When Amy starts trying to clear Roger of the murder, she unexpectedly finds herself involved in international intrigue. How will our favorite café owner outwit sophisticated criminals who want to deck the halls with her head?
Designs On Murder
Praise for DESIGNS ON MURDER
"In DESIGNS ON MURDER, Gayle Leeson sketches a stylish plot accessorized with a spectral fashionista sidekick. This series debut is a delight!" -Diane Vallere, national bestselling author
“As a sucker for a fun ghost story, I can say Gayle Leeson’s DESIGNS ON MURDER scores on many levels including a spunky entrepreneur and a charming setting. Now that I’ve read the first one, I’ll be counting the days until the next in the series arrives.” --Lorna Barrett, author of the New York Times Bestselling Booktown Mysteries
"The mystery was well planned out and had a few red herrings to keep you guessing. But when you get the piece of information that helps make things click a bit more, you realize just how brilliantly it was laid out. I am looking forward to seeing how this series builds from here. " - Cindi, Goodreads Reviewer
Praise for Hightail It to Kinsey Falls
Hightail It to Kinsey Falls by Gayle Leeson is a charming story about family, love, relationships and friends. This is such a heartwarming story, with lovely characters whom I enjoyed meeting very much, with realistic situations. I particularly liked that it is such a close-knit community where they care deeply for each other. Beautifully told, full of good old values it was a pleasure to read. I am looking forward to many more stories in the future. - Aleksandra R.
This is a novella and not a cozy (even though the author does write cozies) but it was so enjoyable! I think what I liked best was the conversion of a former mall into micro apartments with retail on the first floor. I have read about this and think it is brilliant marketing and a great way to use an abandoned building. There were so many great characters in this story and I can only see more depth to the characters to be developed over future books. Jade has trust issues but I think she learns to overcome them in this book. She has a fantastic grandmother that I think anyone would want to welcome into the family. And the story would not be complete without a handsome male that works his way through Jade's apprehension and into her heart. And then there is Perry the Possum....he has a minor role but it is what brings everyone together. I can't wait to see what is next for this series. We give it 5 paws up - Leslie S.
What a fun series! Jade and her grandma Millie, and of course yummy Caleb, are an interesting group. Throw in the rest of the gang and it is hopping. The only thing I didn't see much use for was the ex-girlfriend showing up, and the cruel boy from high school. Didn't see the need for their actual showing, as the description worked enough. Other than that, I really enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down. Would highly recommend and look forward to the next in the series. - Kaye T.
I liked all of the characters that I met and am looking forward to spending more time with them in future books. I really enjoyed the fact that the characters were a mixture of ages: some were senior citizens and some were millennials. It was kind of heartwarming to see the younger people caring for and being concerned with the welfare of the older ones.The author did a great job in creating the setting: an assisted living retail community of the Kinsey Falls. I was really intrigued by this concept and thought it was a great idea. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through most of the book I felt like I was right there, walking in the knitting shop and seeing all the beautiful colors and textures. It pulled me into the story right from the beginning. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted women’s fiction. This was a feel-good story and I am looking forward to reading the next one in the series. - Mary B.
Very fun enjoyable book, perfect for a light beach read. It all takes place in a small community where they’ve turned an old mall into small apartments for seniors and young professionals. When one of the seniors finds a baby opossum and takes it to the pet shop for advice on what to do, she meets a charming young man she thinks would be perfect for her shy nervous granddaughter. Contemporary light romance in a small community setting. I really enjoyed it and am looking forward to book two. - Rachel V.
I loved this book! It is a wonderful view in to what will be a hit series! Take an abandoned shopping mall, turn it into an apartment building with all the necessary stores for your living needs and you have a wonderful, new way of living! Business, friendship and love abound in this book! It is an easy, quick read, one that you can finish in an evening. I highly recommend it and I am waiting for the next one! - Debbie P.
Praise for The Calamity Cafe
(Reviews for all books on the book page)
"CALAMITY CAFÉ is a delightful cozy mystery by Gayle Leeson that will leave you wanting more. After reading the first book in this new series, "Down South Café," you'll be drooling over the delicious southern dishes Amy is serving up. And Ms. Leeson includes some of those recipes at the end of the book. A great summer read . . . can't wait for the next one!"
- Viki Ferrell, Fresh Fiction
"I absolutely loved The Calamity Cafe!!! This book was a well-written mystery, with charming characters and down-home recipes that will make your mouth water."
“Leeson's first in a new series gives readers everything they could ask for in a pleasing summer read. Likeable and relatable characters are in abundance, as is a fascinating mystery that needs to be solved.” – Lauren DuBois, RT Book Reviews
"We are treated to a murder mystery and some romantic overtones… If you’re looking for a fun summer read, this would be a wonderful choice." - Book Babble