New Releases For the Week Of December 20th. 2020–Part 2

It’s Easter 1993, and the gang is going to Las Vegas for Angie’s surprise wedding. Noah is attempting to recover from a bad bout of the flu–and his disastrous Valentine’s Day, and is not all that excited to meet his new relatives: Cotton Preston and his three grown daughters. They’re staying at Lucky Days casino, a hotel with notorious mob connections… and family connections. It’s only then that Noah and his friends realize his future step-father might just be a mob lawyer. Things get worse from there with a mysterious appearing (and disappearing) suitcase full of cash, an aunt who’s not an aunt, a crazed redhead and… Wilma Wanderly. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

A Christmas ghost story – Chronicles of St Mary’s style! For fans of Doctor Who and Jasper Fforde… and A Christmas Carol.

Where better for the annual festive jump than the chance to experience a real Victorian Christmas?

On the longest night of 1895, a terrible storm rages above Harewood Hall. Max, Markham and an injured Peterson are welcomed in by the Harewood family, but soon realise that, in true St Mary’s style, they couldn’t have arrived at a better moment. For tonight marks the Ordeal of the Haunted Room. Dum … dum … dum …

Every Harewood heir must endure one terrifying night alone in the Haunted Room before he can inherit the family seat. Legend says that a ghost will murder anyone who isn’t the true successor.

Henry Harewood’s ordeal will begin at midnight and end at dawn, but it isn’t long before everything goes horribly wrong…

Readers love Jodi Taylor:

‘Once in a while, I discover an author who changes everything… Jodi Taylor and her protagonista Madeleine “Max” Maxwell have seduced me’

‘A great mix of British proper-ness and humour with a large dollop of historical fun‘

‘Addictive. I wish St Mary’s was real and I was a part of it’

‘Jodi Taylor has an imagination that gets me completely hooked‘

‘A tour de force’ (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Audiobook

“Very entertaining. Highly recommended for the permanent library of any reader who appreciates a well-written mystery with twists and an intelligent plot. You will not be disappointed. Excellent way to spend a cold weekend!”
–Books and Movie Reviews (regarding Murder in the Manor)

A VILLA IN SICILY: FIGS AND A CADAVER is book #2 in a charming new cozy mystery series by bestselling author Fiona Grace, author of Murder in the Manor, a #1 Bestseller with over 100 five-star reviews (and a free download)!

Audrey Smart, 34, has made a major life change, walking away from her life as a vet (and from a string of failed romance) and moving to Sicily to buy a $1 home—and embark on a mandatory renovation she knows nothing about.

Audrey is busy working to open the town’s new shelter, while also renovating her own problematic home—and dating again. With the help of friends, she begins taking in sick strays. But not everyone in town is grateful for her services, and she soon makes unexpected enemies.

When Audrey gets a tip about an injured dog near the coast and goes to find him—she finds the dead body of a powerful local instead.

Can Audrey, now a suspect, solve the crime and clear her name?

Or will her Sicilian dream fall apart?

A laugh-out-loud cozy packed with mystery, intrigue, renovation, animals, food, wine—and of course, love—A VILLA IN SICILY will capture your heart and keep you glued to the very last page.

“The book had heart and the entire story worked together seamlessly that didn’t sacrifice either intrigue or personality. I loved the characters – so many great characters! I can’t wait to read whatever Fiona Grace writes next!”
–Amazon reviewer (regarding Murder in the Manor)

“Wow, this book takes off & never stops! I couldn’t put it down! Highly recommended for those who love a great mystery with twists, turns, romance, and a long lost family member! I am reading the next book right now!”
–Amazon reviewer (regarding Murder in the Manor)

“This book is rather fast paced. It has the right blend of characters, place, and emotions. It was hard to put down and I hope to read the next book in the series.”
–Amazon reviewer (regarding Murder in the Manor)

Book #3 in the series—VINO AND DEATH—is now also available! (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

Roger Riccard, one of the most respected Sherlock Holmes authors, has again taken pen in hand to bring forth the third set of five adventures in a new series of short stories for your entertainment.

The Kaiser Role – Picking up where The Case of the Gunsmith of Sherwood left off, Mycroft Holmes insists that his brother follow and stop the Heligoland rebel, Lady Lydia Wyt, in her plot against Kaiser Wilhelm II.

The Trinity Leprechaun – A mythical creature invades the campus of Trinity College. Holmes is engaged to find out why; and what is the purpose of the ‘gifts’ left behind?

The Monique Mystery – Just what was the case that brought Mary Morstan’s employer to Sherlock Holmes so many years before The Sign of Four?

The Notable Musician – Famous American bandleader, John Phillip Sousa, has an urgent case for the great detective to solve before he gives a Command Performance.

The Origami Mystery – Why is someone after a collection of Japanese paper sculptures?

Sit back and enjoy reading this third volume of A Sherlock Holmes Alphabet of Cases, and watch out for Volume 4 (P to T) coming soon.

Praise for Roger Riccard:

‘Roger Riccard is an extremely good pastiche writer. Personally, I think the best since the late Val Andrews passed over Reichenbach’ – Joel Senter, publisher of the Sherlockian E-Times

Roger Riccard is an American author. Having graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and History from California State University, his career spans teaching, journalism and business writing. Inspired by his British ancestry, he took an interest in the works of Arthur Conan Doyle from an early age, later writing Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Poisioned Lilly and Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Twain Papers. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Rosilyn. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

You’re invited!

It’s the wedding everyone in Fletcher Canyon has been waiting for. The bride is beautiful. The groom is nervous, and…

There’s a dead body. 

But no need to worry, Mom and Christy are on the case.  (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

The big day is on the way, and Holly’s got the jitters.

She also has a house full of royal vampires out for blood.

When Lacey Vaughn comes back to Beechwood Harbor, she sure knows how to throw one heck of a welcome back party.

Catch up with Holly and her gang of paranormal pals in Men Love Witches, the eleventh book in the Beechwood Harbor Magic Mysteries series by Danielle Garrett.

Welcome back to Beechwood Harbor, the small town where witches, vampires, shifters, and werewolves all work, play—and mostly—get along! (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

Welcome to Castle Drummond for the 5th MacNaughton Clan Gathering!

The MacNaughton Clan Gathering is proceeding as you might expect, with plenty of kilts, tartan, ceilidh dancing, haggis and whisky. Oh, and down in the walled garden – a pretender to the estate with a knife in his back. 

Jessica Greer is attending the event in her role as The Dalkinchie and Drummond Herald reporter. Now, unfortunately, she’s also the person who discovered the body. Randall McNaughton hasn’t made himself very popular in the short time he has been in Scotland, and it’s up to Jessica along with the police duo of Detective Inspector Gordon and Special Constable Murdo Smith to sift through the evidence and find the true killer. Could Laird Gillespie MacNaugton really be capable of murder to protect his estate? 

The third book in the popular Dalkinchie Mysteries series. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

Haunted woods, suspicious campers, and another mysterious murder! Continue Adelaide’s story with book two of Twilight Hollow. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

Charming Springs – Where every day is colder than a witch’s kitty!

Reluctantly powerful witch Indie Warren is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Okay, it’s more like she’s stuck between the charming, hunky leprechaun and the brooding reaper with the crooked smile.

But Indie finds herself distracted despite her current relationship woes, drawn to the mysterious hot springs that have quite literally shown up out of thin air. And in a town cursed with eternal winter, nothing screams front page-worthy than an excuse to break out your bikini…

As the editor of the local newspaper, Indie really has her work cut out for her when a resident frog shifter turns up facedown in the springs. She and her best friend Goldie immediately start hunting for clues.

Where did the hot spring come from and how did their victim end up dead within its rotten-smelling waters?

And perhaps more importantly, can she and Goldie keep their supernatural neighbors from skinny-dipping in the deadly hot springs?

A Cold Case Spoiled (Ice Witch Mysteries, book 3) is a lighthearted paranormal cozy mystery. Find out what happens next! (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

Ain’t no mountain high enough,
Ain’t no river wide enough,
Ain’t no witches bad enough,
To keep me from getting to you.

Ember McNair is back on the case, and it’s more personal than ever. Her sister Ash is missing, and another killer is on the loose in small town Louisiana.
As Ember struggles to connect the dots and solve the case, she must contend with a band of hot-rodding rebels, a land-grabbing real estate tycoon, and fostering a child who may be possessed by the forces of darkness.

Joined by her amnesiac Sheriff husband—and wolf shifter—Cedric, her feline familiar Kali, and a grown man who prefers to be referred to as Hanky Bob, Ember is beset with a profusion of suspects and a confusing web of cluses both magical and mundane.

But this ain’t Ember’s first rodeo.

She’s cracked the case and defeated the villains before, and she’s determined to do so again.

Even if it turns out the villain and her missing sister are one and the same… (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

Locked up for murder, but is the detective a killer?
When Dotty’s friend DS Dave Banks is arrested for murdering his partner, Dotty refuses to believe he is guilty.
Is Dave being framed?
Can Dotty and her friend unravel the case Dave was secretly working on to find out who is behind the evil shenanigans?
More importantly, will it put their lives at risk?
Murder, mayhem and mystery make this the perfect ingredients for another thrilling cozy mystery featuring Dotty and her friends.
Perfect for fans of LJ Ross and Faith Martin. This is book 6 in the Dotty Drinkwater Mystery series but can be read as a standalone (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

She’s little. She’s feisty. Spoiler alert, she’s not the killer.

Move to Hollywood. Catch her big break. Become a movie star. Nowhere on Becky Robinson’s to-do list does it say discover a dead body or become the prime suspect.

Becky’s first day on set is anything but glamorous. Between coffee runs and walking the star dog, she discovers the body of a prominent actress. Not exactly how she pictured seeing her name in the papers. And they didn’t even spell it right.

After finding evidence at the crime scene, the cops are on her trail and a Hollywood hunk is in the hot seat.

To clear her name and discover whodunit, Becky rubs elbows with Tinseltown insiders. With the help of her best friend and an adorable puppy, they attempt to expose the killer before he claims his next victim.

———————————–

Prime Time Murder is the whimsical first installment in the Hollywood Whodunit cozy mystery series.

If you love clumsy heroines, a Hollywood backdrop, quirky suspects, and an adorable rescue puppy this series is for you! (aAmazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

When a violent storm blasts England’s south coast, it’s up to retired Italian detective Giuseppe Bianchi to sift through the devastation and piece together the tragic events left behind in the storm’s wake.

Giuseppe Bianchi’s brief visit to Bexhill-on-Sea has become an extended stay. He is loath to return to his home in Rome because of the haunting images that made him leave in the first place. 

During his morning walks along the seafront with Beagle, Max, he meets Edward Swain, who becomes Giuseppe’s walking companion. They form a friendship of sorts and find they have a similar outlook on life.

But the devastating events of a single night lead Giuseppe to question the truth about Edward Swain. Teaming up with young journalist, Christina Rossi – his cousin’s daughter – Giuseppe learns about the brutal reality lurking behind the day-to-day life of families in the local community. And as the story unravels Giuseppe is reminded how anger and revenge can lead to the most dreadful of crimes.

After the Storm is the second novel in the Giuseppe Bianchi mystery series – the much awaited sequel to Crossing the Line.
Grab your copy today and enjoy the intrigue of traditional English mystery, cleverly combined with a continental twist.

‘A riveting mystery, packed with intrigue, atmosphere and vintage charm. 
Escapism at its purist.’
Helen Cox
Romance, Adventure and Escape fiction writer, and author of non-fiction titles, courses and masterclasses on all aspects of creative writing.

‘A charming character-driver crime story, full of mystery, intrigue and period detail.’
Tom Bromley, author, editor of fiction and non-fiction titles and Director of Fiction for the Professional Writing Academy, 
the founding director of the Salisbury Literary Festival

‘A dashing Italian detective. A very English mystery. What more could you want?’
Christoffer Petersen, author of Greenland crime novels and Arctic thrillers (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

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Book 3 in the Dog Town USA Cozy Mystery Series features a mysteriously fun winter “tail” readers won’t soon forget!

The cozy Pacific Northwest town of Dog Mountain is happily humming this December as residents prepare for the season of light.
But when celebrity and controversial pet treat industry guru Madison Shaw is found dead at the bottom of the historic Howliday Inn’s staircase one chilly morning, ace reporter Winifred Wolf finds herself covering a national story.
Was Madison’s fall just a tragic accident?
Or is there more to the story than meets the eye?
Freddie, Lt. Sam Sakai, and their trusty mutt Mugs sniff out a compelling winter-themed mystery in this riveting and heartwarming chapter of the bestselling Dog Town USA Cozy Mystery Series. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

This time the ghost is the least of Tamsyn’s troubles

Something about Summerhaven’s historic church gives Tamsyn the willies, and she’s pretty sure it’s not just her fear of being burned at the stake as a witch. Even so, when the cool new priest asks her to bake cookies for the dedication of a new church bell, it’s hard to say no. But when a body is discovered during the ceremony along with a ghost in distress, it seems Tamsyn’s uneasiness wasn’t so unfounded after all.

Between solving a cold case and pursuing a surprising connection to her mother, Tamsyn already has her hands full. However, life at the Pinecroft Inn is never that simple. Aunt Gwen’s magic has gone all wonky, for starters. Plus, Aunt Gwen’s boyfriend is teaming up with Noah for some secret shenanigans, with a little supernatural help from Lillian and Gus.

Then there’s the fact that while the inn’s guest list looks like a who’s who of America’s upper crust, Tamsyn can’t shake the suspicion something fishy is going on as floor boards creak and keys go missing in the dead of night. To make matters even worse, there’s a funny smell coming from the chimney. If Tamsyn doesn’t get to the bottom of it all soon, they’ll be lucky if the whole island isn’t blown to smithereens.

Will Tamsyn figure out what’s really going on at the island church before it’s too late?

Don’t miss the fifth book in the Witches of Pinecroft Cove series of paranormal cozy mysteries! (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback