The Girl and the Clock Tower Murder

See more by Cynthia Varady

Available at Select Retailers

In the magical town of Pandemonium, where enchantment and mystery intermingle, the death of Matt Hader, the head of the clock tower committee, sends shock waves through the community. Found in a locked room at the top of the town's iconic clock tower, Matt's murder is as baffling as it is gruesome, leaving no clear leads but plenty of suspects.


Enter Mahogany: a pragmatic and fiercely independent young woman harboring a family secret that has her questioning her very identity. With her shapeshifting demon familiar, Bazgul—a sarcastic tarantula who never hesitates to voice his opinion—Mahogany is determined to uncover the truth behind Matt's murder.

Joining her are Evelina, her fae best friend and the town's favorite barista, whose knack for brewing truth-telling pastries proves invaluable; Guy Miller, a witty and enigmatic ghost that only Mahogany can see and hear; and Tony Applegate, the charming newcomer with a shadowy past that threatens his budding friendship with Mahogany and Evelina.

The suspects are a colorful lot, each with their own motive to kill Matt:

  • Saree Fenquoth, the jealous wife, simmering over Matt's lingering attachment to his ex-wife, Lilac Delldini.
  • Whit Briteba, a passionate activist, determined to change the clock tower's chimes and rid the town of Matt's influence.
  • Ace Hitchers, Matt's colleague, whose mounting gambling debts to the Remus Brothers, raises more than a few eyebrows.
  • Lilac Delldini, Matt's fiery ex-wife, who left him for Whit but remained entangled in his life.
  • The Remus Brothers, notorious gangsters with ties to an underground gambling ring—and more secrets than the clock tower's ancient gears.

As Mahogany and her friends dig deeper into the tangled web of secrets and lies, they must navigate Pandemonium's eccentric community, dodge the stern and sharp-eyed Detective Teresa Sawyer, and uncover the truth before they themselves become targets.


The Girl and the Clock Tower Murder is a witty and spellbinding cozy mystery filled with magical twists, colorful characters, and a heroine who's learning that sometimes, uncovering the truth means embracing who you really are.

About the author

Cynthia Varady

Cynthia Varady is an award-winning short story writer and creator of the Pandemonium Cozy Mystery series.

She earned her BA in English Literature from Sonoma State University and her Masters in Library and Information Science from San Jose State University. She is passionate about out-of-the-box education, reading banned books, DIY, crafting, growing food, and rooting for the underdog. Cynthia's first book, The Girl with the Uninvited Ghost, is available across the web. Her second book, The Girl and the Clock Tower Murder, is available on Valentine's Day, 2025.