Breaker's Reef by Terri Blackstock

Police Chief Cade is ready to propose to Blair Owens, but his plan is complicated by the murder of a teenage girl. Sheila Caruso, ex-con mother to Sadie and Caleb, gets a job with an eccentric mystery writer who disturbs her with his crime scenes that seem to match the murder scene. Will Cade get Blair to the altar? Who is the murder victim? When Sheila's past catches up with her, will she be able to explain Amelia to Sadie? Good read. Good mystery. Sandy Penton