New Releases For The Week Of November 29th, 2020–Part 2

In this third and final novella, Julie Sinclair once more puts her investigative skills to the test to halt potential housing development in the sleepy village of Yetts Bank. Will time run out while she trawls through documents and ancient maps, or will she succeed in preventing unwanted expansion of her village?

However, a more serious investigation looms for our inquisitive writer when she discovers a letter which, if followed up, could seriously impact on her quiet life. Should she ignore its contents, or will curiosity and badgering from her friends coerce her into even more investigation?

A Letter for Julie should re-engage readers of A Case for Julie and A Break for Julie with close friends, Liz and Maggie, and the incorrigible postmistress, Jessica Morris. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

Do YOU love a good old-fashioned MURDER … but with a rather unhealthy dose of MEDICINE?

When one of Dr Cathy Moreland’s patients attends the surgery with a disturbing story of marital tension, accompanied by a suggestive bruise on her upper arm, the doctor is understandably concerned. The young woman confides that she is afraid of her husband, a local farmhand, but refuses to allow the doctor to help any further.

The following week, Dr Moreland, both overworked and strained, is horrified to hear of a fatal shooting on the local farm estate, and even more so when she realises that the woman and her husband are at the very centre of the tragedy. Was the shooting an accident, or is something more sinister taking place in the sleepy Scottish countryside?

Dr Moreland must draw on all of her courage to uncover the truth, even if it means risking, not only her own mental health but her life.

SHOOTING PAINS is a thrilling murder mystery that will keep the reader guessing, and re-guessing, right up to the end. If you enjoy British Classic Crime, with an unhealthy dose of medicine, then you’ll relish Mairi Chong’s third novel in the Dr Cathy Moreland Mystery series. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback

Martha Parker runs a small private detective agency in Glasgow with her two sisters, Helen and Geri. They specialise in catching cheating partners and those playing away from home. 
The Parkers are hired by the reclusive wife of a wealthy banker she suspects is breaking their vows, but when he shows up murdered, it’s up to Martha, Helen and Geri to prove the wife’s innocence in their most dangerous case yet.

“A sparkling slice of crime fiction from Whitelaw – Goodies, baddies and laughs aplenty” — Marion Todd

“A brilliant, sharply funny read, so refreshing to read a crime novel that also makes you laugh” — Lisa Hall (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback

A peaceful village. A buried secret. A gripping new crime novel for 2020.

“Beyond brilliant as usual from the inimitable Ms Brookes. Highly highly recommended.” Anne, Goodreads.

When private investigator Carlos Jacobi arrives in the Peak District to spend Christmas with his sister, he doesn’t anticipate his ex-police dog unearthing a body in the local woods. Why would someone murder a seemingly harmless old man?
The dead man’s wife hires Carlos to investigate the murder after the police had fobbed her off when she reported him missing. Carlos soon discovers fractured relationships, family secrets and villagers with something to hide.

To top it all, the man in charge of the investigation is someone Carlos had hoped never to meet again. Memories of their time in Afghanistan still haunt him. Bad blood between the two men threatens to cloud the investigation as neither can bury the past. DCI Terry Masters is livid when Carlos is hired, and takes it personally. He orders his sergeant to make sure the private investigator is kept out of the loop or face consequences, not knowing that Carlos and DS Fiona Cook are old friends.

Meanwhile, Carlos unravels lies and motives among the seemingly innocuous village population. When his dog, Lady makes another grisly discovery, the suspense heightens.
Carlos teams up with his old friend to get to the bottom of this frustrating case.

Fans of Faith Martin, Joy Ellis, LJ Ross, Damien Boyd, Frances Evesham and David Blake will love this new series.

What readers say:
“This is a story that had me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. It has twists and turns that I didn’t see coming.”
“I could not put this one down. I loved the characters and found this a fast paced book with lots of twists.”
Murder and lies in the Peak District.
Bestselling author, Dawn Brookes does it again. The book is packed with rich characters, a deep and engaging plot that keeps you turning the pages.
A classic crime masterpiece from a gifted author.
Brilliant insight into coercive control. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback

A missing teenager, a mysterious cult and a case of mistaken identity – just another day’s work for Epiphany Bloom.

Epiphany ‘Pip’ Bloom is down on her luck. She can barely afford cat food, and just because Most has three legs doesn’t mean he eats any less. So she absolutely can’t afford to mess up her latest temp job. But when she walks through the door of the private investigation firm, her new boss mistakes her for a missing persons expert. He then charges her with finding Matty Price – the teenage son of two A-list celebrities – who has mysteriously disappeared from his home in Kensington.

It ought to be a disaster, but Pip reckons it’s actually an opportunity. She’s always been curious (nosy, her mother calls it) and has an uncanny knack for being at the wrong place at the right time (she doesn’t want to know what her mother thinks of that). After years of trying to find something she’s good at, has Pip managed to walk straight into the job she was born to do?

She owes it to herself and poor missing Matty to find out.

But searching for Matty takes Pip into the strange, intimidating world of the rich and famous. And it soon becomes clear that some of these people’s love for themselves doesn’t extend to their fellow humans.

As Pip investigates further, she realises the question isn’t whether Matty ran away – it’s whether Pip will find him alive and make it home safely herself…

An absolutely brilliant, light-hearted cozy mystery for fans of M.C. Beaton, T E Kinsey, Lauren Elliott and Joanne Fluke, featuring an irresistible new heroine.

Readers are loving The Kensington Kidnap

‘Epiphany Bloom is my new favourite female sleuth!… What a wonderful character… I am looking forward to more from this author!’ Netgalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘It’s a giggle a minute joining Pip in her adventures… addictive and amusing… I just loved Epiphany Bloom. She’s a fabulously funny, frivolous character who can make the sun shine even on the most gloomy of days… Fans of cozy mysteries should find this book a sheer delight!’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Refreshing when you discover a new series where you can’t decide which character you adore more’ Books ’n Whatnot ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What a great read… [Pip] really grew on me and by the end I was a complete fan. The storyline is totally unbelievable but brilliant all the same…. The writing style was funny and assured and the storyline moved at a great pace. I can’t wait to read more books by them.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I really loved this book, and super excited to know it’s book one of a series! Pip is such a likeable character, she is such an accident prone woman but her heart is in the right place… Such a quirky story that keeps you gripped, making you want more and more. I can’t wait for book two! Highly highly recommended.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I had a great time reading this book. Pip is such a quirky character, and her antics made me laugh out loud… I’m looking forward to reading more in this delightful series.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Epiphany “Pip” Bloom is quite a quirky heroine who seems to have a history of poor choices when it comes to jobs and men. Her inner dialogue often made me laugh… A smoothly paced plot kept me turning the pages.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I love British mysteries, they truly take you away for a while and always seem to have quirky characters, like Pip herself. I’m looking forward to the next entry in this series as only Pip can get herself into these kinds of messes and come out smelling like a rose.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook

“Mel had explained to me the whole concept of organic gardening, all about nature and balance and natural enemies. So if the Japanese could send us their beetles, why couldn’t they send us a Mothra to eat them? Import quotas?“

After decades of marriage, motherhood, and grandmotherhood, Cat Caliban has become Cincinnati’s newest, oldest, funniest detective-in-training. Death does a land office business in Millins County, Tennessee. Everybody knows why, but talking about it can get you killed, too. When a whistleblower is killed on his way to tell what he knows, Cat comes to town to dig up buried secrets at a toxic waste disposal site. Meanwhile, while Cat fights killers in Tennessee, the organic garden behind the Catatonia Arms is fighting its own losing battle with cats, dog, weeds, and insects, and none of the villains is committed to a fair fight. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback

“When you thought about it, I’d pulled off a miracle getting Franny to attend Fred’s funeral in tears rather than picketing it in Birkies.“

After decades of marriage, motherhood, and grandmotherhood, Cat Caliban has become Cincinnati’s newest, oldest, funniest detective-in-training. During the sixties, Cat was too distracted by the war on the home front between her activist daughter and her husband to pay attention to the antiwar movement. But doves, like pigeons, come home to roost, and Franny’s visit to her mother coincides with the murder of a former antiwar activist during a new round of demonstrations. When Cat discovers secrets from the past, someone tries to force her underground – permanently. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Paperback

“Me, I want it on the record now that I do not want to die hot and sweaty on a gym floor, surrounded by the smell of gym socks and sneakers.”

After decades of marriage, motherhood, and grandmotherhood, Cat Caliban has become Cincinnati’s newest, oldest, funniest detective-in-training. Since no case is too insignificant, Cat takes on a lost kitten challenge for the neighborhood’s preeminent teen entrepreneur. But that leads to a more prominent case: who murdered local high school basketball hero Julius “Juky” Kay, star forward of the Oscar Robertson Rattlesnakes? Soon Cat is crutch-deep in corruption, having sustained her first sports injury while investigating Juky’s death. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Paperback

“Suspicion is second nature to any woman who’s raised three kids.”

Meet Cincinnati’s newest, oldest, funniest detective-in-training. After decades of marriage, motherhood, and grandmotherhood, Cat Caliban is looking for a new career. Detective work seems a logical choice. So, she sells her suburban house, buys an apartment building in a “transitional” neighborhood, and begins her training, only to discover a dead body in an upstairs apartment. What’s the connection between a murdered homeless woman and the Golden Age of Hollywood silent movies? Cat must discover it before the killer can strike again.

In this first book of the popular Cat Caliban series, Cat assembles her colorful cast of helpers and neighborhood hangers-on. This senior sleuth challenges stereotypical portrayals of older women generally and older women detectives in particular. This book is rated PG-13 for language. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback

A summer festival ends in disaster for chef sleuth Nell Drury in this gripping historical mystery full of dark secrets, disturbing discoveries and page-turning twists.

1926, Kent. Chef Nell Drury is busy with preparations for Lady Ansley’s luncheon to welcome Wychbourne Court’s new neighbours, Sir Gilbert and Lady Saddler. The couple’s arrival has led to much rumour and intrigue swirling around the village, particularly with regards to the mysterious Lady Saddler.

Sir Gilbert belongs to a new artistic movement, the Artistes de Cler, and is organizing a summer festival in the grounds of Spitalfrith Manor, where the Clerries will gather to reveal their Africa-inspired paintings. The whole village is invited and buzzing with excitement. But at the festival itself, Nell witnesses some strange and disturbing events, and when a terrible discovery is made the following day, she is horrified to learn that Lord Ansley’s valet has been arrested. Can Nell clear his name while also confronting a face from the past? (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Hardcover

FROM THE #1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF HOLY ISLAND AND IMPOSTOR

A SECRET KEPT FOR A THOUSAND YEARS…

After the dramatic theft of a priceless artefact from Durham Cathedral, the rest of the world believes that DCI Ryan and his team were able to recover and return St. Cuthbert’s cross to its rightful home. But Ryan knows the cross he recovered was a fake—far from being over, their problems are only just beginning…

Just as Ryan and his team begin to unravel the truth behind the spate of mysterious thefts, something even more priceless is stolen—something that can never be replaced.

As the nationwide manhunt continues without success, Ryan is thrust into despair—until he realises the answer lies not in modern policing but in an age-old secret known only to a chosen few. To recover what’s been lost, he must first crack ‘Cuthbert’s Code’, following the trail of a long-dead saint across the wild, unpredictable hills and valleys of the borderlands.

Can Ryan find what he’s looking for, before it’s too late?

He’s going to need a miracle…

Murder and mystery are peppered with romance and humour in this fast-paced crime whodunit set amidst the spectacular Northumbrian landscape.

“LJ Ross keeps company with the best mystery writers” – The Times

“A literary phenomenon” – Evening Chronicle

“LJ Ross is the Queen of Kindle” – Sunday Telegraph (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

Christmastime in Little Leaf Creek is a time for the Christmas fair, festive decorations and another dead body….

Cassie Alberta is settling into her new life in Little Leaf Creek. She is making some good friends and is loving spending time with her next-door neighbor’s cheeky dog and mischievous goats. The small town is abuzz with excitement, not only is Christmas just around the corner but a television show is filming an episode in town. But then a crew member is found murdered.

Cassie joins forces with her grouchy ex-cop next-door neighbor and they decide to do a little investigating of their own. But Cassie is distracted from the task at hand when her new love interest starts acting very suspiciously.

Can Cassie help catch the killer so Christmas can go off without a hitch? Is her new romantic relationship over as fast as it began?

Recipe included: Gingerbread Cookies

Action in Little Leaf Creek is the fast-paced fourth book in the Little Leaf Creek Cozy Mystery Series. If you like unexpected twists and turns, lively personalities, and a never-ending list of suspicious characters, then you’ll love Cindy Bell’s heartwarming whodunnit.

Buy Action in Little Leaf Creek to start solving the murder today! (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback

If you can’t beat them, join them.

Octogenarian Myrtle Clover is so annoyed by the infighting at tiny Bradley, North Carolina’s town council meetings that she decides on a radical course of action: she’ll run for the open seat on the council. After all, she taught most of the elected officials—she should be able to enact some order.

But order apparently isn’t in the works. This becomes clear when a fellow candidate is found . . . murdered.

Myrtle and her senior sidekick Miles must uncover the killer before someone else becomes a lame duck. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback

Charlie Rhodes has spent her entire life wondering who her birth parents were, why they abandoned her, and where the magic she’s been learning to hone came from.
She’s finally going to get some answers.
With proof that the new member of the Legacy Foundation is really her brother, Charlie sets off to visit Salem with him and her boyfriend Jack Hanson. She’s never been to the city before and finds that the history swirling is only one of the things that has her excited.
Not long after landing, a body is strung up in Salem Common, and witnesses say it was ghosts doing the dirty work. Jack is intrigued enough to call in the rest of the team. Since Charlie’s parents are supposedly taking refuge within the city limits, the investigation makes for a nice cover.
It’s not long before Charlie realizes that there’s more going on in Salem than witches and white magic. Something dark is festering under the surface, and whatever it is seems to be taking aim at her.
Charlie wants answers. She’s also afraid to get them. During the search for what she’s lost, though, she becomes more determined than ever to hold onto what she has.
There’s evil afoot, and a woman who looks like an older version of Charlie is stalking the group. Could the two things be connected? Charlie won’t leave until she knows for certain.
Salem’s history might be coming back to haunt those who venture into the city and it’s up to the Legacy Foundation to figure out why … that is if they survive long enough to uncover the answers.
Hold onto your broomsticks, because it’s going to be a witchy ride. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Audiobook

It’s Christmastime in Shady Corners, and Aurora “Rory” Aspen is ready to sleigh the season with her fabulous holiday parties.

Rory has known she was a witch since toddlerhood. And it’s been all good—she has a knack for enhancing the natural magic surrounding holidays and uses that to its full advantage to spruce up her parties. She has a great life, with a supportive dad and a sweet but zany best friend.

But then the small-town sheriff keels over into the Christmas tree at one of her events. Rory’s ex-boyfriend, Cam, whom she absolutely has not been pining over . . . much . . . is accused of the murder. Unable to resist his pleas for help, Rory branches out to find the real killer and get Cam released.

As if that wasn’t enough to do, Rory’s absent mom pops up like the ghost of Christmas past. And she’s got news that could change Rory’s life forever. Add to that a strangely knowledgeable Santa with a sack full of dubious advice, a missing corgi, and a sweet but trouble-making German shorthaired pointer, and it looks like Rory’s in a jolly big pile of trouble!

Can Rory keep it together long enough to figure out who’s really on the naughty list? Or will she get run over by a reindeer and left for dead herself?

Claus for Concern is the first book in the delightful and funny new Aurora Aspen Magical Holiday Mysteries series. If you like clean, cozy, small-town holiday murder mysteries with magic and heart, this series is for you. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback

Brandy just wasn’t sure…

…if the wedding would ever happen.

Would this murder ruin it again?

Ava had known Brandy since they were kids. She had a gift for knowing when people lied to her. Brandy never did. When her FBI trained friend transferred back from New York to the New Orleans office, her first call was to her old friend. The ad for the apartment looked promising, so off they went.

It wasn’t the best neighborhood.

They could tell by the two gun shots.

And just like that, there was a murder to solve.

Dante has made Captain of Homicide, but he still can’t seem to keep his old neighbor and childhood sweetheart from meddling in cases. Who killed Carlos and Nina, and more importantly, why was Brandy going to marry Jiff?

The clues, lies, antics, and a Giant Schnauzer, will keep you guessing, because Brandy and Ava can’t be fooled.

Get it now. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback