What do you think?
Rate this book
Footnotes of a Murder: A Cozy Mystery Rooted in Truth
She came for rest and relaxation. She got crime scene tape, suspicious stares, and a basset with a flair for drama.
Third-grade teacher Maggie Rose was ready for tropical breezes, not body bags. But one wrong turn in the Hawaiian jungle lands her face-down beside a dead professor—with half the island’s secrets suddenly stacked against her.
The local cops are ready to close the case, the villagers are keeping their lips zipped tighter than Aunt Winnie’s purse at a yard sale, and Maggie’s only ally lives a continent away. Her only help comes from a basset hound puppy named Columbo—equal parts charm, drool, and an unshakable belief that barking counts as detective work.
With a cryptic flash drive, a suspiciously sentimental scrapbook, and a suspect list that reads like a who's-who of bad intentions, Maggie’s tropical vacation is turning into a crash course in survival.
If she can’t crack the case before the real killer vanishes, she might be trading in her leis for orange jumpsuits. Paradise has never looked so dangerous—or so delightfully devious.
Perfect for fans of laugh-out-loud cozy mysteries, very determined sleuths, and page-turners with more twists than a plumeria lei.
Third-grade teacher Maggie Rose was ready for tropical breezes, not body bags. But one wrong turn in the Hawaiian jungle lands her face-down beside a dead professor—with half the island’s secrets suddenly stacked against her.
The local cops are ready to close the case, the villagers are keeping their lips zipped tighter than Aunt Winnie’s purse at a yard sale, and Maggie’s only ally lives a continent away. Her only help comes from a basset hound puppy named Columbo—equal parts charm, drool, and an unshakable belief that barking counts as detective work.
With a cryptic flash drive, a suspiciously sentimental scrapbook, and a suspect list that reads like a who's-who of bad intentions, Maggie’s tropical vacation is turning into a crash course in survival.
If she can’t crack the case before the real killer vanishes, she might be trading in her leis for orange jumpsuits. Paradise has never looked so dangerous—or so delightfully devious.
Perfect for fans of laugh-out-loud cozy mysteries, very determined sleuths, and page-turners with more twists than a plumeria lei.
157 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 15, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 29, 2026
This next installment of the "Footnotes of" series have Maggie, and soon Nora too in Hawaii; trying to have an understanding who killed the man (professor Grant) that Maggie literally stumbled upon on her wandering around in her first day on Hawaii.
The way she faced the dead body, and later other episodes related were more like annoying -- like in being scared as if some voodoo entity was following her ... in a book that clearly was not horror, and not magic either.
Nonetheless, towards the end we do face a bit of a "magical" with trees and vegetation aprting to let Maggie and the others see the path to their destination. Well ... not very trustworthy...
The book it pretty fool of sentences that were suppose to have ... wit (I suppose); but eventually ended to be more like annoying than fum
Like this one: "Columbo strutted like a dog who'd jsut solved inflation ad snack shortages in one bold move" .... yeah.
It was not a bad read, but also not very entertaining either.
The way she faced the dead body, and later other episodes related were more like annoying -- like in being scared as if some voodoo entity was following her ... in a book that clearly was not horror, and not magic either.
Nonetheless, towards the end we do face a bit of a "magical" with trees and vegetation aprting to let Maggie and the others see the path to their destination. Well ... not very trustworthy...
The book it pretty fool of sentences that were suppose to have ... wit (I suppose); but eventually ended to be more like annoying than fum
Like this one: "Columbo strutted like a dog who'd jsut solved inflation ad snack shortages in one bold move" .... yeah.
It was not a bad read, but also not very entertaining either.
January 20, 2026
Hawaii, a puppy, and a murder — what more could I ask for from a cozy mystery? Vacationing Maggie arrives in Hawaii and, before she has time to unpack, finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time, as she discovers a dead body and becomes a murder suspect. Great characters, Hawaiian legend, friendships, and Columbo the basset hound puppy make this an entertaining and interesting read.
July 17, 2025
Third-grade teacher. Maggie Rose is looking for a relaxing vacation when she leaves for Hawaii for three weeks. What she didn’t expect was to get arrested after finding the body of Professor Richard Grant in the jungle. After being released, Maggie and her best friend Nora search for answers of who murdered Grant and why. What they find is a mystery involving cultural heritage vs. entrepreneurship.
This book started out strong with the author setting the stage and developing the main characters. But then it hit some bumps in the road after the first few chapters. Some of the scenes seemed disjointed or didn’t move the plot forward in a meaningful way. The author used lots of humor (which there is nothing wrong with doing), but at times it felt forced or overdone. That said, the stories seemed to get back on track and flowed a bit more smoothly. Full disclosure, I was reading an ARC version of the book, so this issue may have been fixed in the final version. Overall, I liked the premise of the story and thought it had potential. I would give it 3 1/2 stars.
*I received an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This book started out strong with the author setting the stage and developing the main characters. But then it hit some bumps in the road after the first few chapters. Some of the scenes seemed disjointed or didn’t move the plot forward in a meaningful way. The author used lots of humor (which there is nothing wrong with doing), but at times it felt forced or overdone. That said, the stories seemed to get back on track and flowed a bit more smoothly. Full disclosure, I was reading an ARC version of the book, so this issue may have been fixed in the final version. Overall, I liked the premise of the story and thought it had potential. I would give it 3 1/2 stars.
*I received an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
August 2, 2025
When Maggie, a third grade teacher, goes to Hawaii for vacation the last thing she expected was to stumble across a dead body and then be arrested for the murder! Released from custody but told not to go anywhere she finds herself in a state of shock. Not knowing what else to do she calls her best friend Nora who upon hearing the story flies to Hawaii right away to be with her. While waiting for Nora Maggie finds herself at a bookstore owned by Carl and his wife. Upon seeing how stressed Maggie was they gave her a Basset Hound puppy to help calm her down. Determined to prove her innocence Maggie along with her clue sniffing Basset Hound and her best friend Nora set out to sort through the numerous suspects who might want him dead while learning what the native peoples fought to keep hidden and protected from destruction. This is a great cozy mystery with a fun loving mischievous pup that if he isn’t sniffing out clues then he is getting into trouble his hijinx will keep you entertained while trying to figure out who did it!!
Cherie
Cherie
July 18, 2025
Maggie, a teacher, has gone to Hawaii for a holiday. She arrives and immediately goes to a festival. She is talking to someone when they hear a noise, so, naturally Maggie goes to investigate. She drops her camera on a dead man. She is arrested by let go later. The next day she goes into a book shop & gets given a Basset puppy. Because he seems to be able to find things she calls him Columbo. Columbo gets into lots of mischief but helps solve a lot of things that have puzzled Maggie. A lot of this book is a great read about the importance of culture to the people and the land. Something a lot of this world would benefit from following.
February 16, 2026
More of a YA story. 2 stars for me.
Normally I would give this 2 stars because I didn't really enjoy it, but I did finish it, and others may enjoy it. I feel this is more of a YA book than one for adults. Some places the characters were inside a room they shouldn't be in, and the next paragraph they were someplace else. I also found it hard to believe that 3rd graders were that advanced. The 2 saving graces to the book were the basset hound puppy antics and no grammatical errors. I won't bother with any other books by this author.
Normally I would give this 2 stars because I didn't really enjoy it, but I did finish it, and others may enjoy it. I feel this is more of a YA book than one for adults. Some places the characters were inside a room they shouldn't be in, and the next paragraph they were someplace else. I also found it hard to believe that 3rd graders were that advanced. The 2 saving graces to the book were the basset hound puppy antics and no grammatical errors. I won't bother with any other books by this author.
July 18, 2025
I thought this was a wonderful story. I started reading it, not knowing that it was related to a short story I had read and enjoyed on Book Funnel. The story was interesting and, in some passages, almost poetic. The characters were well described with Nora being the comic. I loved her wisecracks; I laughed every time she started them. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend anyone to read it. Also, Cooper was the star of the book.
July 17, 2025
If you have read "Footnotes of a Friendship" the prequel - you will love to see how the friendship continues into this story! I love how Janell's books always give mystery mixed with fun mixed with a life lesson!! Definitely a great read - have to say Columbo stole my heart and made me laugh more than once!! Can't wait for the next book to see what they get into next!
August 9, 2025
Bassett hound sleuth!
Maggie goes to Hawaii and stumbles over a dead Professor. Then she is gifted a mischievous Bassett hound and the laughs begin! A great story about history, the legacy of sandalwood trees and the investigation to prove her innocence. On her Hawaiian vacation, joined by her best friend, they look for the truth together. A fun story!
Maggie goes to Hawaii and stumbles over a dead Professor. Then she is gifted a mischievous Bassett hound and the laughs begin! A great story about history, the legacy of sandalwood trees and the investigation to prove her innocence. On her Hawaiian vacation, joined by her best friend, they look for the truth together. A fun story!
October 29, 2025
Maggie sets off for a vacation in paradise. But finds murder instead, with the help of her friend Nora & Columbo, her new puppy, they start to piece together some clues. Will they be able to figure everything out? A very Hawaiian adventure from Janell Sandler that will keep you intrigued until the very end.
January 3, 2026
Laughter, intrigue, and Lore
Janelle is a new author for me. I love Hawaii. In this book, we find a 3rd grade teacher on sabbatical falsely accused of murder, a sleuthing Bassett hound, the lifetime friendship, and traditional lore of Hawaiian ancestors.
Janelle is a new author for me. I love Hawaii. In this book, we find a 3rd grade teacher on sabbatical falsely accused of murder, a sleuthing Bassett hound, the lifetime friendship, and traditional lore of Hawaiian ancestors.
November 8, 2025
Trying too hard to be mysterious…
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews