Rock shops and geodes are a lot alike. While both may have dusty, rugged exteriors, the insides can contain dazzling treasures.  

Set in a rock shop, the Stone Cold series follows Morgan Iverson as she builds a new life for herself in the Colorado mountains. Morgan doesn't know much about fossils and rocks, and even less about homicide. She has to learn fast if she's going to keep the rock shop in business, and herself alive.

​The Stone Cold series is available in paperback and e-book format.
This fun and fanciful map was created by artist Mary Bass.

Stone Cold Dead 
Book One

 Business at the Rock of Ages is as dead as the fossils cluttering the shop’s dusty shelves. Morgan Iverson, recently widowed and jobless, expects managing the family rock shop for two weeks will be more vacation than work. But when she arrives, her brother slaps the keys in her hands and announces he’s never coming back. 
​
     Her first day in charge, two pet donkeys escape. While rounding them up, Morgan discovers the body of a Goth teen. Her association with the sensational murder case leads to threats upon her life. She suspects the killer wants to eliminate the only witness to the crime. The problem is, she didn’t see anything. Unless she can dig up the identity of the murderer, Morgan’s life won’t be worth a pile of fossilized dinosaur dung.

ISBN # 978-1432827434‏
Five Star - Gale/Cengage 

Reviews:
Publishers Weekly
 "Readers will look forward to seeing more of this endearing and strong protagonist." ​

Jason Half​
"It’s a winning mix of mystery, character, and snowbound setting, and by the story’s conclusion, the reader hopes that Morgan Iverson will remain as the adoptive shop owner in Golden Springs, and that doing so will bring the promise of future adventures."​

 Stone Cold Case     Book Two

Rock shop owner Morgan Iverson’s discovery of human remains reopens a cold case and unhealed wounds in a Colorado mountain town, while her find of a rare gemstone sparks a dangerous treasure hunt. 

Fifteen years ago, prom queen Carlee Kruger vanished. When Carlee’s mother asks Morgan to investigate her death, the clues seem as convoluted as the coils on a fossilized ammonite. The hunt for the truth heats up as the local newspaper editor helps Morgan uncover the past. The rock shop’s mascot donkeys and an elderly cowboy chase after a Sasquatch look-alike who may hold the key to Carlee's death. Whoever knows what happened to Carlee will do anything to keep the truth buried.   

In book two of the Rock Shop Mystery series, amateur sleuth Morgan Iverson digs into gemstone prospecting to solve a Stone Cold Case.

ISBN # 978-1432830991
Five Star - Gale/Cengage 

Reviews:
 A TiffyFit's Reading Corner 
"This is a wonderful mystery with a lot of stories going on underneath the main storyline. I loved getting to know the characters and the little intricacies that made them stand out as real people."

 J Bronder Book Reviews 
"If you like mysteries, look no further. The Rock Shop Mystery series is one that you have to check out."​

Stone Cold Blooded Book Three


When Colorado rock shop owner Morgan Iverson's reclusive neighbor is blown to bits, the police believe he stumbled into his own trap. His granddaughter claims he was murdered, and asks Morgan and newspaperman Kurt Willard to find his killer.

Everything goes wrong as Morgan’s budding romance with Kurt is threatened by the unexpected appearance of his Hollywood ex-wife, her teenage boy band lookalike employee vanishes, and Kurt’s opponent in a heated campaign for city council accuses him of attempted murder.

When alien hunters invade, searching for creatures near the rock shop, Morgan is happy to escape to a big mineral and fossil show in Denver. Until her hopes for success there turn to disaster.

In book three of the Rock Shop Mystery series, a Triceratops brow horn may hold the key to solving a prospector’s Stone Cold Blooded death.

​ISBN # 978-1893035348
Encircle Publications LLC

Reviews:
Mark Baker - Carstairs Considers
"I was so glad to return to Morgan’s world for Stone Cold Blooded.  These characters have wormed their way into my heart, and I truly enjoy my time with them.  Couple that with an interesting mystery and you have another winner."

​L. C. Hayden
"Dilts’ easy flowing style makes for an easy and fast read. It’s a book to definitely enjoy. I know this is the third in the series, and I plan to buy the first two. Yes, the book is that entertaining. "​

Bruce Most
"Stone Cold Blooded starts out with a bang--literally--and keeps going to the end. Fans of cozies will enjoy the small-town setting and the cast of humorous and mostly likable characters, especially Dilts' protagonist Morgan who continues the challenges of running her rock shop. And keep your eye out for some strange unidentifiable creatures."