Book Review: Death For Sale By Erik S. Meyers

It’s holiday time in Berry Springs, where many come together to enjoy good food, drink, and the company of friends.

Unfortunately, death is among the mix as people get mysteriously ill at the town’s Thanksgiving dinner. Deaths follow, and Sally must race to discover the truth before more people die off.

Coupled with worry for her aging parents, she is overwhelmed with the pressure and emotions, but she’ll push through to solve the crimes and restore peace to the town.

*****

Sally Witherspoon is enjoying her life in the Arkansas Ozarks. She’s dedicated to her biker bar and loves being a part of the community in Berry Springs. However, when the Thanksgiving festivities brings unexplained deaths, she is once again plunged into an investigation. Is it just a case of bad food poisoning hitting the older residents of the town or is something more sinister at play.

This was my introduction to Erik S. Meyer’s Sally Witherspoon Mystery series. Death For Sale is book 3 with Death in the Ozarks and Murder on the Mississippi being books 1 and 2 respectively. However, I felt that whilst reading the first two in the series would have enriched my experience with this novel, it didn’t place me at a disadvantage in terms of knowledge. It can stand alone.

At the beginning, we meet Sally as she is providing the bar service for the town’s Thanksgiving event. I loved Sally from page one. She’s a woman in her 50’s who knows who she is, has seen her share of ups and downs and was brave enough to take the steps in her life to be better. The other characters in the book were a wonderful mixed bunch of personalities. We meet Annette, Magda, Carol Arnold, Belle, Randall Wentworth, Rose, Mark Soder, Dr. Wiggams, Joanna and Roy. I liked some more than others. I am not going to say who though as I don’t want to give too much away. Like Sally, I grew very fond of these people and like her, I was worried about who would fall victim to the horrible things going on in Berry Springs.

The setting itself sounded so beautiful. I have often wondered what it would be like to live in a small town like Berry Springs and in this novel, I got a small glimpse into that experience. I’d like to be there minus the murder though.

At around 295 pages, I read this novel in one sitting but that had nothing to do with its length. The plot was engrossing from chapter one right through to the last page. There was a sinister feeling that built as the story progressed and, like the people within, I couldn’t tell who was going to be affected next and that, of course, made me want to keep turning the page. The mystery was riveting, and I felt it was a mixture of Holmes and Marple. Sally likes the puzzles as do I. This book is basically my kind of crime/mystery novel.

Death For Sale is a gripping crime novel with a smart, likeable, relatable lead character and a believable narrative. It’s perfect for the quiet evenings where you want to escape into a mystery for a while. I loved it. Books 1 and 2 have been added to the TBR pile and I can’t wait to see what Sally faces next.

About Erik S. Meyers –

Currently in Vienna, I’m an American abroad for years and years who has lived or worked in six countries on three continents, the longest in Germany. I’m an award-winning author and communications professional with 25 years of expertise in a variety of corporate roles, Reading and writing are my passions, when I’m not hiking one of the amazing trails in Austria or elsewhere.

I am the author of the Sally Witherspoon mystery series, an historical novel, a business book and a short story anthology. I also have a horror script I’m looking to market. It was a semi-finalist at the 2024 Los Angeles Crime and Horror Film Festival.

Say hello via my website, Goodreads, Instagram and Facebook. 

Death For Sale is book 3 in The Sally Witherspoon Mystery series and was released by Level Best Books in January 2026. Click to buy on Amazon UK, Amazon US, Barnes & Noble and Waterstones. 

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.