A three-hundred-year-old house should be full of metaphorical skeletons, not real ones.
But when Paisley Sutton is invited in to salvage the valuables from the attic of an old plantation house, she finds more than she expected amongst the Christmas decorations and trunks of old letters. As she begins to research, she discovers the story of this house has ties to almost everyone she knows, including her own family.
Can Paisley be brave enough to face the facts, and will facing them save her? (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle
It’s August in the Berkshires, and the area is suffering from a terrible drought. As wetlands dry up, the perfectly-preserved body of a local young man, missing for forty years, is discovered in Wolf Bog by a group of hikers that includes Kathryn Stinson. Who was he and what was his relationship with close friend Charlotte Hinckley, also on the hike, that would make Charlotte become distraught and blame herself for his death? Kathryn’s search for answers leads her to the discovery of fabulous parties held at the mansion up the hill from her rental house, where local teenagers, like the deceased, mingled with the offspring of the wealthy. Other questions dog the arrival of a woman claiming to be the daughter Charlotte gave up for adoption long ago. But is she really Charlotte’s daughter? And if not, what’s her game? Once again, Kathryn’s quest for the truth puts her in grave danger. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback
The discovery of an Amish bishop’s remains leads chief of police Kate Burkholder to unearth a chilling secret in The Hidden One, a new thriller from bestselling author Linda Castillo.
Over a decade ago, beloved Amish bishop Ananias Stoltzfus disappeared without a trace. When skeletal remains showing evidence of foul play are unearthed, his disappearance becomes even more sinister.
The town’s elders arrive in Painters Mill to ask chief of police Kate Burkholder for help, but she quickly realizes she has a personal connection to the crime. The handsome Amish man who stands accused of the murder, Jonas Bowman, was Kate’s first love. Forced to confront a painful episode from her past, Kate travels to Pennsylvania’s Kishacoquillas Valley, where the Amish culture differs dramatically from the traditions she knows. Though Bishop Stoltzfus was highly respected, she soon hears about a dark side to this complex man. What was he hiding that resulted in his own brutal death?
Someone doesn’t want Kate asking questions. But even after being accosted and threatened in the dead of night, she refuses to back down. Is she too close to the case—and to Jonas—to see clearly? There’s a killer in the Valley who will stop at nothing to keep the past buried. Will they get to Kate before she can expose the truth? Or will the bishop’s secrets remain hidden forever? (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Hardcover, Audiobook
Death Investigator Angela Richman suspects foul play when a disgraced resident of Chouteau Forest survives one car crash only to then be involved in another.
Until his Porsche careened off the road killing him instantly and not leaving much of him behind, Sterling Chaney was an influential member of Chouteau Forest – home of the one percenters. As the eulogies at his funeral commence, an unexpected guest interrupts . . . Sterling.
The story attracts widespread media coverage. Sterling’s the man who showed up late for his own funeral. He revels in the spotlight, until it’s revealed he earned his fortune via sordid means and exploiting the women who worked for him. It leaves him vilified and shunned by Chouteau society. Then there’s another fatal crash.
This time, Death Investigator Angela Richman is tasked with confirming that Sterling has perished. But her investigation reveals more questions than answers. Were both crashes merely accidents, or was someone doubly determined to kill Sterling? (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Hardcover
Two cousins who start a food stall at their local night market get a serving of murder in this first novel of a delicious new cozy mystery series by Jennifer J. Chow, author of Mimi Lee Gets a Clue.
When Yale Yee discovers her cousin Celine is visiting from Hong Kong, she is obliged to play tour guide to a relative she hasn’t seen in twenty years. Not only that, but her father thinks it’s a wonderful idea for them to bond by running a food stall together at the Eastwood Village Night Market. Yale hasn’t cooked in years, and she hardly considers Celine’s career as a social media influencer as adequate experience, but because she’s just lost her job at her local bookstore, she feels she has no choice.
Yale and Celine serve small dishes and refreshing drinks, and while business is slow, it eventually picks up thanks to Celine’s surprisingly useful marketing ideas. They’re quite shocked that their bubble tea, in particular, is a hit—literally—when one of their customers turns up dead. Yale and Celine are prime suspects due to the gold flakes that Celine added to the sweet drink as a garnish. Though the two cousins are polar opposites in every way, they must work together to find out what really happened to the victim or the only thing they’ll be serving is time. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook
In Holy Chow, the next mystery from bestselling author David Rosenfelt, the beloved characters—both human and canine—of this fan favorite series are back on the case with the author’s trademark wit and humor.
Retired lawyer Andy Carpenter’s calling has always been running the Tara Foundation. The dog rescue organization places hundreds of dogs in new homes every year. It’s added up to so many dogs and new owners that Andy can’t even do the math. But there’s one dog—and one owner—Andy will always remember.
About a year ago, Rachel Morehouse came to the foundation looking for a companion. In her sixties and recently widowed, Rachel wanted a senior dog that also needed someone. Andy took a liking to her, Rachel took a liking to Lion, an older Chow Chow, and the rest is history.
That is, until Rachel calls Andy begging for a favor: If Rachel dies, will Andy take care of Lion if her stepson cannot? Andy agrees, no questions asked, and promptly forgets about it… until he receives a call from Rachel’s estate to attend her will reading. Which is where he meets Rachel’s stepson, Tony, who is promptly arrested for his stepmother’s murder. And he wants Andy to prove his innocence.
Andy has continued to learn more about the woman he so greatly admired and the businesses she ran, and holy chow, was this woman impressive. The person who killed her deserves to be held accountable, and if Tony is to be believed, they’re still out there. And that possibility is too much for Andy to remain on the sidelines. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Hardcover, Audiobook
Living in a small town can be laid-back – or it can be murder.
When recent college graduate with an art major and no job prospects, Tansy Silver, suddenly inherits her deceased aunt’s Appalachian small-town lifestyle, she finds herself running a holistic herb shop business… and communicating back and forth in her mind with her wise(cracking) French bulldog companion Hank.
Life seems pleasant and low-key. Except… During one morning walk, Tansy and Hank come upon an odd sight. Rising up from the fountain in the town square, they spot a cheetah print high heel shoe attached to the leg of another shop owner, Rose Hampton. The rest of her body lies underwater in the fountain.
Murdered!
Who did it? Why? The new detective in town first suspects Tansy herself, but even more odd things happen. Every remaining shop owner on Main Street, including Tansy’s friend Millie, receives an anonymous bouquet of flowers dyed black. Who’s behind this? What’s really going on?
With Hank’s entertaining commentary showing up in her mind at key moments, Tansy starts putting together the puzzling clues that she stumbles into. But her efforts put her into real danger as she starts to close in on some answers. This amateur sleuthing isn’t for the faint-hearted. Can Hank get help in time?
Find out when you read The Foot in the Fountain Mystery: A Tansy and Hank Pet Psychic Cozy Mystery. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle
Travel agent Campbell Hale’s first boyfriend is back in Nashville for their high-school reunion – but murder, rather than love, is in the air . . .
“Fans of Diane Mott Davidson and Donna Andrews will enjoy this new series” – Booklist
Travel agent Campbell Hale might be flying solo at her twentieth-year school reunion, but that doesn’t mean she’s looking for love. Her almost boyfriend, homicide detective Sam Davis, has stood her up, with the terrible excuse that he has a murder to investigate.
So when she runs into her high-school sweetheart, Franklin “Fly” Young, who makes a point of telling her his marriage is in trouble, she’s not interested – but she can’t help but feel nostalgic. And more to the point, Fly is now a tech millionaire, and he has good news: he’d like her to take on his company’s travel account.
But then Campbell discovers the identity of Detective Davis’ murder victim: Fly’s company accountant. Was his death connected to the company, or is it a terrible coincidence? Soon Campbell is caught up in a nightmare – with her whole life on the line . . .
As well as being a twisty, tightly plotted mystery, with a warm-hearted, witty and loveable protagonist, FLYIN’ SOLO is a wonderful read for anyone who’s ever felt nostalgic for their first love. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Hardcover
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