New Releases For The Week Of July 18th, 2021–Part 1

In the hilarious new novel in the best-selling Detective Varg series, an eminent art historian is framed and the ace investigators of the department of sensitive crimes are on the case.
 
Detective Ulf Varg is a man of refined tastes and quite familiar with the art scene in Malmö. So when art historian Anders Kindgren visits the Department of Sensitive Crimes to report a series of bizarre acts that have been committed against him, Ulf and his team swing into action. Fish stuffed into the vents of Kindgren’s car and a manipulated footnote in a recent publication would be cause enough for an investigation, but when a painting Kindgren had confidently appraised as genuine is later declared to be a fake, it’s clear that someone is out to tarnish his reputation.
 
Meanwhile, Ulf is also weathering personal issues, which quickly spiral out of control. When his lip-reading dog, Martin, engages in a contretemps with a squirrel that results in a grievous wound, Ulf must rush Martin to the veterinarian and weigh the merits of cosmetic surgery for animals. And later, when Martin’s blood is found in the back of Ulf’s classic Saab, Ulf finds himself the subject of a departmental investigation.
 
In the end, Ulf will have to muster all his detective skills and bureaucratic cunning to restore Kindgren’s reputation—as well as his own. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook

S.C. Perkins’s Fatal Family Ties is the captivating third mystery in the Ancestry Detective series, in which Texas genealogist Lucy Lancaster deals with murders in both the past and present.

Lucy is just about to tuck into a plate of tacos at her favorite Austin joint, Big Flaco’s, when she gets an unexpected visit from her former—and least-favorite—co-worker. Camilla Braithwaite hasn’t gotten much friendlier since the last time Lucy saw her, but that doesn’t stop her from asking a favor. In her hand is a newspaper feature on an ancestor, a civil war corporal—and a liar, according to the article. Charles Braithwaite is depicted as a phony and a deserter, and Camilla wants Lucy’s help clearing his name.

Lucy would prefer to spend her free time with her new beau, special agent Ben Turner, but takes the case, making no promises that Camilla will like the outcome of her investigation. Camilla leads Lucy to the Texas History Museum, where their first clue is a triptych painting, passed down in the Braithwaite family for generations, one panel of which has disappeared. But before Lucy can get much further, a member of the Braithwaite family is murdered in his own bed, and another panel of the painting found missing.

There are no shortage of suspects among the Braithwaite clan—including Camilla herself. This case will take Lucy to Houston and back again as she works to find the truth, and catch an elusive killer. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Hardcover, Audiobook

Even as war rages, there are deep secrets lurking in the heart of Buckingham Palace…

Windsor, 1942. War rages through Great Britain. Anna Duckworth, former lover of Prince George, Duke of Kent, is found dead after an enemy bomb blast at her country home. When courtier Guy Harford is called to dispose of incriminating love letters between Anna and the Duke, it becomes clear that there’s more to the story than anyone is prepared to reveal.

As the court begins to whisper of a lone gunshot heard in the house that day, another gruesome death befalls the royal circle. With the bodies stacking up, Guy rejoins his old accomplices, East End burglar Rodie Carr and undercover agent Rupert Hardacre, to unmask the dangerous secrets lurking beneath the glittering Crown.

But with tensions rippling from London to Tangier as the Allied Forces prepare to invade North Africa, and Guy’s reputation in the Palace hanging in the balance, can he solve the mystery before more heads roll? (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook

“Dark, visceral and disturbing, this highly suspenseful and beautifully written thriller is totally gripping from start to finish. A hugely impressive debut.” —Alex Michaelides, author of The Silent Patient and The Maidens

A literary thriller from stunning new talent Greg Buchanan, Sixteen Horses is a story of enduring guilt, trauma, and punishment, set in a small seaside community the rest of the world has left behind.

In Ilmarsh, England, local police detective Alec Nichols discovers sixteen horses’ heads on a farm, each buried with a single eye facing the low winter sun. After Veterinary Forensics expert Cooper Allen travels to the scene, a pathogen is discovered lurking within the soil, and many of those who have come into contact with the corpses grow critically ill.

A series of crimes comes to light—disappearances, arson, and mutilations—and in the dark days that follow, the town slips into panic and paranoia. Everything is not as it seems. Anyone could be a suspect. And as Cooper finds herself unable to leave town, Alec is stalked by an unseen threat. The two investigators race to uncover the truth behind these frightened and insidious mysteries—no matter the cost. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook

As spring returns to the Cotswolds, so too does Thea Solocombe to house-sitting. She has agreed to look after Lucy Sinclair’s new home in Northleach while Lucy is away. Thea soon meets several of the locals and the neighbours who seem to irritate Lucy so much, and comes to the conclusion that Lucy is far from popular herself.

When a man’s body is found in Northleach, Thea needs all her wits about her. The man’s death is not as straightforward as it seems, and at the heart of the mystery are secrets betrayed and exacted revenge. Thea is once again caught up in the underhand dealings played out in the idyllic countryside. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Hardcover

Felicity Koerber’s bean to bar chocolate shop on Galveston’s historic Strand is bringing in plenty of customers – in part due to the notoriety of the recent murder of one of her assistants, which she managed to solve. Things seem to be taking a turn for the better. Her new assistant, Mateo, even gets along with Carmen, the shop’s barista turned pastry chef. Felicity thinks she’s learning to cope with change – right up until one of her friends gets engaged. Everyone’s expecting her to ask Logan, her former bodyguard, to be her plus one. But even the thought of asking out someone else still makes her feel disloyal to her late husband’s memory — so maybe she hasn’t moved on from her husband’s death as much as she thought.

Felicity isn’t planning to contact Logan any time soon. Only, Felicity finds ANOTHER body right outside her shop – making it two murders at Greetings and Felicitations in as many months. That night, Mateo disappears, leaving Felicity to take care of his pet octopus. The police believe that Mateo committed the murder, but Felicity is convinced that, despite the mounting evidence, something more is going on, and Mateo may actually be in trouble.

When Logan assumes that he’s going to help Felicity investigate, she realizes she’s going to have to spend time with him – whether she’s ready to really talk to him or not. Can Felicity find out what happened to Mateo, unmask a killer, and throw an engagement party all at the same time? (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback

Praise for the Donut Shop Mysteries by Jessica Beck

“A delight. Suzanne Hart is a lovable amateur sleuth who has a hilariously protective mother “and” great donut recipes! Readers will have a blast with this book.” –Diane Mott Davidson, “New York Times” bestselling author of “Fatally Flaky”

“A tribute to comfort food and to the comfort of small town life. With great donut recipes!” –JoAnna Carl, author of “The Chocolate Cupid Killings”

“If you like donuts–and who doesn’t?–you’ll love this mystery. It’s like a trip to your favorite coffee shop, but without the calories!” –Leslie Meier, author of the Lucy Stone mysteries “New Year’s Eve Murder” and “Wedding Day Murder”

“The perfect comfort read: a delicious murder, a likeable heroine, quirky Southern characters–and donut recipes!” –Rhys Bowen, Agatha and Anthony award-winning author of the Molly Murphy and Royal Spyness mysteries

“A yummy new treat in the culinary mystery genre. Skillfully weaving donut recipes throughout a well-plotted story, the author proves that life after divorce can be sweet; all you need are good friends, your own business, and comfort food. Delicious!” –Tamar Myers, author of “Death of a Rug Lord “and “The Cane Mutiny”

“A sugary concoction that provides readers a glimpse through the donut hole of living in a small town.” –Harriet Klausner, “Genre Go Round Reviews”

“Along with the hilarious plot, author Jessica Beck treats the readers to a few recipes strategically placed within the novel. “Sinister Sprinkles” will keep you guessing until the very end.” –“The Mystery Librarian

DONUT DISTURB, Donut Mystery #53
From New York Times Bestselling Author Jessica Beck

When a murder happens onstage during the dress rehearsal for Max’s new play, Suzanne and Grace must dig into the lives of the cast and crew to see who may have just ended the production before it could even begin.

Recipes included! (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

Sydney Whitmore, a forensic psychologist living in San Francisco, moves home to Shipwreck Island, and the resort owned and operated by her family, after tragedy strikes leaving her struggling for a way to make sense of things. After finding out about the assault of an old friend, which has left him comatose, she renews her relationship with Ezra Reinhold, a reclusive billionaire who enjoys poking around in cold cases and has the means to hire the best people to find the answers no one else has been able to.

In book 2 in the series Syd is asked to help a man regain his memories after showing up a decade after he went missing with no memory of where he’d been since disappearing from his home when he was eight. Meanwhile, she continues to look for answers relating to Riley’s attack, which seems an impossible task, until Kelly invites her to a meeting with Ezra’s group who all pitch in to offer insight.

Bonus Material: Text and photos for Emily by the Sea and Emily’s Kitchen contributed by Christy Turner (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback

What’s more satisfying than waffles and maple syrup? Murder…

For ex-spy Charlotte Mission, life in the cozy town of Gossip, Texas, is anything but boring. With a retired spy grandmother for company, an inn to clean, kittens around every corner, and guests to keep happy, she’s living a perfectly normal life.

But Charlotte has a secret.

She’s Gossip’s first and only ‘fixer.’

With her particular set of skills and a secret armory at her disposal, Charlie’s the person folks around town come to when they’re in deep, seemingly irreversible trouble. And after the owner of the local bakery is slapped in cuffs on trumped-up charges, she’s on the job.

Everything’s going to plan until Charlie’s client is found murdered in her cell. And with a new detective in town who’s not afraid to make arrests on a whim, she’s got her work cut out for her.

Can she solve the Case of the Waffling Warrants before she winds up in jail? Find out in the first in a brand-new cozy mystery series by bestselling author, Rosie A. Point. Grab your copy now! (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

Al De Duco is a man with a not so pleasant past,
A Chicago past that included being a very high-profile figure in the mob.
But he left that all behind when his boss, a mob leader, was murdered.
Now he has a new life in Seattle that includes an adoring wife and being on the right side of the law as a private investigator.
Even if his methods for solving cases can be somewhat unorthodox at times,
He’s the happiest he’s ever been, and then the call comes.
A friend from his mob days needs his help.
And will it cost him the new life he’s made?
Tough choice.
Sometimes it’s hard to make peace with the past.
But when murder is imminent, nice to know there’s a dog to watch your back!

Join Al, his old friends, and a dog named Hero, as they try to prevent another murder. Hopefully not Al’s.

This is the 17th book in the Northwest Cozy Mystery Series by a USA Today Bestselling Author. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

How well do we know the people we love?

When Lilian Hathaway is named as the chief suspect in a murder enquiry, her granddaughter Eliza drops everything to rush to her side. After a string of crushing defeats, professional golfer Eliza is facing a career crisis of her own. She seizes the opportunity to hide away with Lilian at Clifftops Hotel, the family’s home on the Isle of Wight, determined to defend her beloved nanna’s innocence.

But just how innocent is Lilian?

As the evidence starts to mount up, Eliza turns amateur sleuth in a race to uncover the truth. Family loyalty is stretched to the limits when she discovers a series of events in her grandmother’s past which could have far-reaching consequences, not just for Lilian but also for Clifftops, and Eliza’s own future.

A Crisis at Clifftops is a fun and original cosy mystery, set against the backdrop of an old-fashioned seaside resort and featuring a feisty heroine who quickly learns life outside the sporting arena doesn’t always follow the rules. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

Helen Spencer’s got a problem with stolen cars.

What do you get when you cross 1960s supermodels, jealous neighbors and envious businessmen with the Beatles, their wives and girlfriends, and the music of the Summer of Love? A whole bunch of suspects…

The one thing you can’t do is panic.
So why was I panicking?
Because John Lennon’s psychedelic Rolls Royce had just been stolen…and I was in charge of it not getting stolen!
George Harrison roared up in his silver Aston Martin, hands on the wheel, brown hair on his collar, cocky look in his eyes, “Get in, Helen. They want a chase, let’s give it to them.”
—from The Beatle Car Bandits—

The Beatle Car Bandits … 1965-69…Helen moves out of Liverpool as the Beatles move to London…and working with the Beatles she stumbles across a dastardly plot to steal the Beatles’ cars … one at a time or all at once? She’s on the case…and she’s got one job to do…match wits with the mysterious car thieves and foil their plot. Make that ten jobs to do…

She’s out on her own now…can she still come through for the Beatles, or will their cars, including John’s world famous and head turning psychedelic yellow Rolls Royce, disappear forever? With car chases, drag races, studies at Oxford, college loves and bursting space rockets, Helen has her hands full in a hilarious adventure through the late 1960s.

John revved his engine more. The others looked at him.
Then Paul started revving his Austin.
Ringo stalled his red Facel, then restarted it.
George held firm, both hands on the wheel.
—from The Beatle Car Bandits—

And today in her Florida home Scotland Yard’s Inspector Tuffle has been asking a lot of questions about the 60’s, Helen and the Beatles. Can Helen figure him out, too? Or, is his inquisition leading up to Helen’s arrest, for stealing what she knows she took?

Click BUY NOW!

Praise for A Cozy Beatles Mystery Series: “A Fun Read”…”Witty Dialogues”…”I Loved All The Characters”

The Cozy Beatles Mystery Series:

• A Cozy Beatles Mystery: Larceny in Liverpool (#1)
• Mayhem for Her Majesty (#2)
• The Beverly Hills Beatles Burglary (#3)
• The Beatle Car Bandits (#4) (Amazon)
• Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback

Death follows the mysterious Penny Nicols like it was her shadow.

Shaking it seems impossible – or is it?

Penny befriends two podcasters of the paranormal as she does her best to keep her unique gifts from killing anyone and everyone she meets. In the form of a Raven, death omens roar in her wake, causing her to skirt the edges of society in her tiny house on wheels.

Will life ever be normal for Penny Nicols? Or does death have other plans?

Fall into friendship with Penny in this convenient boxset containing books 1,2 & 3 – just remember: The Raven is watching. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle