Last updated on May 7, 2026
Already read Book 1 in the Jorinde Schuiters Mysteries series? Book 2, A Crooked Sixpence, is now on sale for the first time at 50% off!
Do you love historical fantasy AND cozy mysteries? Then this book is for YOU!
All Jorinde wants is to make a success of the business her father left to her.
Then the weatherworker hired to fill the sails of her barge as it travels upriver is found dead.
Almost everyone on the barge, passengers and crew, seems to have had a reason to be angry with the dead man. Can Jorinde discover which of them is a murderer, prevent them from killing again to hide their crime and get everyone else safely to their final port on time?
A sprinkle of magic, a reluctant sleuth and a boatload of suspects combine in this compelling cozy mystery with a historical fantasy setting.
Content Warning: as well as the level of violence you’d expect in a cozy murder mystery, this book contains references to past physical abuse and coercion into criminal activities, but without explicit on-page descriptions.
Where to buy:
https://www.aliciawarne.com/death-on-the-loper
The setting
Death on the Loper is book 1 in the Jorinde Schuiters Mysteries. This fun cozy mystery series is set in a world (very) loosely based on the Dutch Golden Age, with the addition of weatherworking magic, a skill possessed by some people which allows them to control the elements: air, water, fire and earth. Weatherworking in this world in largely used for practical tasks: it creates wind to drive sailing ships and power windmills and calls up rain clouds to ensures crops get enough water. But, of course, it has other uses….
Praise for Death on the Loper
Kobo: Fun, cozy read
Nicely paced plot, good mystery, enjoyable characters. Even though it takes place on a cargo river ship, there is tea! This made for a nice afternoon read! Lots of room for more books in the series.
Amazon: Fabulous book! Intriguing cozy mystery!
This is an excellent book! It’s rare to find a story about a river barge journey and this book is a treat! The well developed characters and interesting storyline make for a delightful read. There is enough magic in this fantasy world to add depth to the story while also allowing the world to operate in a realistic manner.
Smashwords
Likeable characters and an interesting mystery in an even more interesting world. The fantasy setting has many medieval characteristics, yet also features several contemporary societal challenges. The story struck just the right balance between coziness and realism for my taste, making for an enjoyable read!
About the author
Alicia can’t remember a time before she could read – and she’s been making up stories of her own for almost as long.
After spending 30 years working as a technology journalist and marketing copywriter, Alicia decided to pursue a long-term goal of writing a series of engaging and entertaining cozy mysteries.
She currently lives in Gloucestershire in the UK. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys gardening, walking and travelling.
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AI Disclaimer: No AI was used in the production or marketing of this book.