Beatrice Ophelia is Flickering Out
Beatrice Sawyer is flickering out, for what might be the last time.
After being laid off yet again, Beatrice returns with her family to her childhood summer home to unwind. And maybe figure out how to move out of her parents’ basement. The town is hosting their inaugural Smallmouth Bass Festival as a last-wick effort to attract tourists, and Beatrice hopes volunteering might shed some light on her future.
At first, things seem to be brightening. Beatrice rediscovers the candle shop her grandmother once owned, and a new dream sparks to life.
Until she stumbles upon her estranged aunt dragging away the marina owner’s body.
When her grandfather insists on his daughter’s innocence, Beatrice must shelve her newfound dream and team up with her brother and childhood best friend to clear her aunt’s name. But as they dig deeper, Beatrice wonders whether their efforts will mend their family ties—or if she’ll fail to save her aunt and have to watch her family go up in smoke.
Release Date: March 17, 2026
What Readers Are Saying
Beatrice Ophelia Is Flickering Out is a strong, feel-good mystery with an undercurrent of love and loyalty. With a cozy harbor setting on Lake Erie’s fictional Thisbe Harbor, Gerig’s likable protagonist navigates her way through complicated family dynamics, a tentative romance, and finding her life’s path, all while solving a murder to bring her family back together and save her beloved town. You’ll close the book supremely satisfied but anxiously awaiting the next installment in the series.
Beatrice Ophelia is Flickering Out is a delightful cozy mystery full of warmth and wit. Beyond the clever twists, the story reminds us that family itself is a great mystery—and the greatest treasure of all. A wonderful debut!
From the very first line I knew this was going to be something special…The author’s heart and humor really shine through in the characters and the story, and I didn’t anticipate FEELING this book as much as I did. We laughed, we cried (talk about getting blindsided by emotion!). This is so much more than a cute and clever whodunit. This is a story about brokenness—shattered families, fractured friendships, crushed expectations—and the beauty of second chances. Fighting for family, and that family is worth fighting for. Being open to dream and leap into those seemingly crazy ideas with courage and faith.
I leveled with Beatrice harder than with any other character in a book in a long time, and I loved getting to tag along on her weekend adventure with her brother and Julian…
All in all, I was delighted. I can’t wait to visit Thisbe Harbor again!
I read an early copy of this book and loved it! I’m not usually a cozy mystery person, but the candles. The CANDLES! And it was more than seasonal scents that pulled me in. It’s a geniunely fun, clean mystery novel with good character arcs, small town lore, beautiful themes about family, and a clever twist. A fantastic cozy fall mystery!
What a delightful, cozy read! I could go on and on about the things that kept me turning pages—the quirky characters, the small lakeside town, the matcha lattes, the candles . . . and, of course, the mystery! This is a funny, charming story about courage, standing up for family, and doing hard things.
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THISBE HARBOR, OHIO?
Character Art & Descriptions
Beatrice Ophelia Sawyer
Age: 24
Favorite Things:
matcha, beaches. candles, books
Sleuthing Superpower:
her incredible penchant for nosiness
Theseus Sawyer
Age: 22
Favorite Things:
ghost hunting (don’t tell his parents), teasing Beatrice, and sleep
Sleuthing Superpower:
his forensics training classes he’s taken in college
Julian Laurent
Age: 24
Favorite Things:
jazz music, oat milk lattes, his early '90s Saturn
Sleuthing Superpower:
his knowledge of the townspeople
The Society of Amateur Sleuths
Grab a cup of tea, pull up a chair, and let’s chat! Writing isn’t an easy journey, but you don’t have to face the trek alone! I’m a mystery author sharing my quest to publication and encouraging writers to keep on in their writing adventures.