You can choose your friends, but you sure can’t choose your relatives.
It’s been a busy year for real estate agent Cindy York. She’s excited to be making a killing at selling houses and in the middle of planning a surprise 50th birthday party for her husband, Greg. If this wasn’t enough to deal with, Greg’s younger sister Annette, who’s been estranged from the family for 20 years, makes an unexpected visit to celebrate the event. Annette asks Cindy for help finding a house to rent. She claims she wants to get to know her loved ones again, but Cindy suspects the woman is hiding something.
When Annette’s troubled past catches up with her in a hurry and leaves an innocent bystander dead, Cindy must step in and find a killer. If Cindy can’t close this deal quickly, someone she loves will pay the ultimate price. (Amazon)
Review:
Cindy is busy with working at her real estate job, planning a fiftieth surprise birthday party for her husband and taking care of her family. When her husband’s estranged sister comes to visit things get a little tricky. Cindy wants to find his sister a place to rent while she is visiting. Cindy finds her a place but before long his sister’s landlord is killed. Now on top of everything else, Cindy has to find the killer.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. I really enjoyed the fact that Cindy is a mom and has a great family. Most of the cozies I read do not have families and it is a nice change. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery is well plotted and not easily solved. There were a lot of suspects to consider and clues to sift through.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. You should do yourself a favor and read this book, as well as all of her other series.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book and provided my honest review.
Josiah is working in her honeybee yard when she hears a commotion coming from her horse pasture. She rushes toward the uproar and comes upon a huge, enraged Texas Longhorn bull. The massive beast is angrily snorting, pawing the turf, and threatening a prized Thoroughbred stallion, Comanche. Getting the bull to calm down is no small task and in the end, Josiah has a busted fence and a barn door ripped off its hinges. Once the bull is secure, Josiah hurries to confront the bull’s owner only to discover he is dead and lying in a pool of his own blood.
The police naturally assume the bull is responsible for the man’s death, but Josiah has her doubts. She is convinced foul play is involved and works to save the Texas Longhorn from being “put down.” Will she solve the murder and save the Longhorn in time?
The Josiah Reynolds Mystery Series Death By A HoneyBee Death By Drowning Death By Bridle Death By Bourbon Death By Lotto Death by Chocolate Death by Haunting Death By Derby Death By Design Death By Malice Death By Drama Death By Stalking Death By Deceit Death By Magic Death By Shock Death By Chance Death By Poison Death By Greed Death By Theft
AWARDS 2010 Gold Medal Award from Readers’ Favorite for Death By A HoneyBee 2011 Gold Medal Award from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Drowning 2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By Drowning 2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By A HoneyBee 2017 Finalist from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Design 2019 Honorable Mention from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Stalking 2019 Top 10 Mystery Novels from Kings River Life Magazine for Murder Under A Blue Moon 2020 Imadjinn Award for Best Mystery – Death By Stalking 2022 Finalist in Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Historical Category – Murder Under A Full Moon 2022 Finalist the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Historical Category – Murder Under A New Moon 2022 Death By Chance: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Cozy Mystery (Amazon)
Award-winning author Abigail Keam writes the Mona Moon Mystery Series—a rags-to-riches 1930s mystery series which includes real people and events into the story line. The series is about a cartographer who is broke and counting her pennies when there is a knock at her door. A lawyer, representing her deceased uncle, announces Mona has inherited her uncle’s fortune and a horse farm in the Bluegrass. Mona can’t believe it. She is now one of the richest women in the country and in the middle of the Great Depression!
Abigail Keam is an award-winning and Amazon best-selling author who writes the Josiah Reynolds Mystery Series about a Southern beekeeper turned amateur female sleuth. The Last Chance For Love Series tells of strangers who come from all walks of life to the magical Last Chance Motel in Key Largo and get a second chance at rebuilding their lives, and The Princess Maura Fantasy Series.
One thing Miss Abigail loves to do as an author is to write real people and events into her stories. “I am a student of history and love to insert historical information into my mysteries. My goal is to entertain my readers, but if they learn a little something along the way—well, then we are both happy. I certainly learn a lot from my research, and I hope my readers come away with a new appreciation of beekeeping from my Josiah Reynolds Mysteries.”
AWARDS
2010 Gold Medal Award from Readers’ Favorite for Death By A HoneyBee: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery
2011 Gold Medal Award from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Drowning: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery
2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By Drowning: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery
2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By A HoneyBee: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery
2017 Finalist from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Design: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery
2019 Honorable Mention from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Stalking: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery
2019 Murder Under A Blue Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Mystery voted top ten mystery reads by Kings River Life Magazine
2020 Finalist from Readers’ Favorite for Murder Under A Blue Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Mystery
2020 Imadjinn Award for Best Mystery for Death By Stalking
2022 Finalist in Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Historical Category – Murder Under A Full Moon
2022 Finalist the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Historical Category – Murder Under A New Moon
2022 Death By Chance: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Cozy Mystery
PASSIONS
Besides loving history, Kentucky bourbon and chocolate, Abigail loves honeybees and for many years made her living by selling honey at a farmers’ market. She is an award-winning beekeeper who has won many honey awards at the Kentucky State Fair including the Barbara Horn Award, which is given to beekeepers who rate a perfect 100 in a honey competition.
A strong supporter of farmers’ markets and local food economy, Miss Abigail has taken her knowledge of beekeeping to create a fictional beekeeping protagonist, Josiah Reynolds, who solves mysteries in the Bluegrass. While Miss Abigail’s novels are for enjoyment, she discusses the importance of a local sustainable food economy and land management for honeybees and other creatures.
She currently lives on the Kentucky River in a metal house with her husband and various critters. She still has honeybees.
Minerva figured an old, wealthy family like the Bairds would have a few skeletons in the closet. She just didn’t expect the tree guy to dig one of them up. But when the century-old remains of a mysterious Baird relation are found on the grounds of the family’s famous estate, Minerva is eager to once again delve into history and unearth the truth.
Until the murdered woman’s granddaughter comes to Tybryd, and winds up murdered herself. Now the deeper Minerva digs into the past, the more dangerous the present becomes. And the more bizarre. As she and her indomitable dog Plantagenet sift through the secrets buried with those bones, they dredge up arcane treasures, enigmatic maids, the Titanic, and … witchcraft?
Impenetrable as the terrain may seem, Minerva will have to uncover the pieces of two women’s lives, broken and buried more than a hundred years apart. Because if she can’t, she might just end up six feet under. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback
The Inquisitor has returned, and this time there are no more disguises or deception. Unless Blair surrenders to him, he’ll wipe Fairy Falls off the map and see to it that the entirety of the magical world falls under his command.
Can Blair outwit her worst enemy one final time? Or is this truly the end of the line for Blair, her newfound family and friends, and the life she’s built for herself in Fairy Falls?
Witch to the End is the final book in the Blair Wilkes Mysteries series. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback
Despite her endless attempts to pull Blair Braden back into hunter life, Lily Walker and Blair are fast becoming friends. The only thing they don’t see eye-to-eye on is Blair’s retirement.
And Blair is retired, thanks very much.
But when Pearl Walker, aka Granny Ice Queen, aka the matriarch of the hunters, selects Blair to be the new liaison between the shifters and the hunters, Blair’s hiatus from hunting is no longer permanent. When Pearl says ‘jump’, nobody keeps their feet on the ground. Not even the long-retired Blair.
As Blair scrambles out of retirement, she finds herself having insanely powerful visions and an irresistible desire to help the objects of them. As soon as she meets the man in her first vision, she can’t stop thinking about him. The handsome alpha wolf wants nothing to do with her, but at least she can help save his pack. These are precisely the kinds of complications she has no inclination for.
Meanwhile, Lily seems intent on keeping up with Reed, the second-in-command of Lachlan’s wolf pack. The chip on his shoulder really ought to deter her, but after attending her first pack shift, Lily is hooked on Reed and the pack.
And speaking of the pack, Lachlan’s now acting weird. Meggan knows why, but she’s not telling. Blair will get to the bottom of it, or else her bestie baby daddy will have to tangle with her new familiar-slash-annoyance. Time to find out if Gil the gnome can do more than just keep Blair on her toes. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle
It’s Valentine’s Day in Port Sunset and romance, fun, and murder are in the air. Yep, murder. I’m Millie Wentworth the assistant General Manager of the Gulf Palms Resort. And since our sleepy beach town comes with a body count to rival any big city, I’m an amateur sleuth on the side.
The hotel is hosting a Masquerade Ball and half the attendees are dressed as Cupid. When someone is shot through the heart with a bow and arrow there is no shortage of suspects since Cupids are everywhere. And the victim was so awful lots of people had reason to do her in…seriously…LOTS. Including me.
As usual Detective Green’s laser focus is aimed at the wrong suspects. When my fun-loving grandmother Lulu, Spud the corgi, and I discover another body we need to find the real murderer pronto. Can we catch the killer Cupid before they strike again? (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback
Jerome, Arizona, is an old mining town turned hipster tourist destination. When an old friend, Kirby McDaniel, calls Libby asking for help filling in at her massage business in the town’s haunted hotel, Libby loves the idea that she and Greg can make this into a much-needed romantic getaway. Kirby’s cottage is cute, the town is full of activities, and Libby’s massage schedule is not heavily loaded—perfect!
Immediately, they meet pushy Cheryl Basque, the Murder Mystery Weekend coordinator. Apparently, MMW is the event of the year in Jerome, and this year’s theme is a 1920s Jazz Club Mystery. Kirby had signed up and now with her sudden departure, the coordinator lures Libby, Greg, and Shadow the black Lab to join the festivities.
From the first day, they meet interesting townsfolk and one thing quickly becomes apparent. Everyone has had issues with the local dog groomer. Which becomes a real problem when the hated groomer, Patricia Olivia Simpson, turns up murdered and Shadow is the prime suspect! The bakery owners, the brewmaster duo, the hotel manager, and MMW’s coordinator all join the suspect list as Libby and Greg start asking questions. It seems no one is sorry old POS is gone. But it’s the discovery of the second dead body that shocks everyone to the core.
The haunted hotel—from its creepy old elevator, to the resident ghosts, and whoever is wreaking havoc on the massage therapy room every time Libby leaves it unattended—is the spooky backdrop for more than one crime. And Libby, Shadow, and Greg find themselves right in the thick of the mystery.
Between her massage therapy sessions, participating in the murder mystery game, being spooked by hotel ghosts, and running down a list of suspects who all had motives to kill Tricia, will Libby and Greg actually find their romantic time together? Twists and turns are everywhere, and you’ll hold your breath, wondering when the next surprise will jump out at you.
Praise for the Libby Madsen Cozy Mysteries:
“A fun read from first page to last … an impressively original and deftly crafted read”—Midwest Book Review
“Readers know what a sucker I am for dogs, and the Libby Madsen mysteries are some of the best. I love, love, love Shadow and Libby and the adventures they get themselves into. Jennifer J. Morgan is destined to be one of the brightest new stars in the cozy mystery scene!” – Connie Shelton, USA Today bestselling author
“I’m hooked on this series. Completely adore Libby and Shadow (her companion black Lab pup—so adorable!). Without giving any spoilers at all, I couldn’t put the book down once amateur sleuth, Libby Madsen, was on the search. The suspense amid so many suspects, I never did figure out how it would all turn out. Overall, it’s a clean read–appropriate for all ages.” – lovereadingmysteries, 5 star online review
“This cozy mystery series has become one of my favorites! Libby Madsen, along with Shadow her dog … Alexis, her best friend/business partner, and her family … and the gorgeous forest ranger, Greg! I love the friend group! And Jennifer doesn’t disappoint in her second book of the series … I find myself turning pages just wanting to know what happens next. Hope the next title comes soon…” – 5 stars on Barnes & Noble
“After meeting Libby and Shadow, Greg, Alexis and JJ, and the other great characters in this series, I couldn’t wait to get right into this second book. Excellent action, just as in the first one—a great overall whodunit!” – avidmysteryfan, 5 stars online review
“Shadows in the Forest will leave satisfied mystery buffs looking eagerly toward the next Libby Madsen story.” – The Midwest Book Review (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback
When the body of a judge is found in a back alley, the future of a beloved event is thrown into jeopardy. With the police investigation going nowhere fast, Elizabeth Blau takes matters into her own hands.
Elizabeth and her brother enter a local homebrewing contest with a winning idea: her fancy brews paired with his artisan cheese. Blau Brewing is a hit and the votes come streaming in. Elizabeth daydreams of the top prize in her pocket–until a gruesome discovery grinds the festival to a halt.
As they delve deeper into the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, Elizabeth uncovers a web of secrets and rivalries among the brewers. With time running out and the contest hanging in the balance, Elizabeth must race to uncover the truth before she has to pour her dreams down the drain.Set against the picturesque backdrop of small-town life, The Dead Swede is a cozy mystery filled with the characters you’ve come to love from The Sheridan County Mysteries. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback
When their toy poodle Bessie finds a famous architectural designer dead in the Myriad Hotel’s greenhouse, Hector and Pamela Jackson’s attendance at the rooftop gala make them witnesses to a crime scene.
With the elevators suddenly inoperable, our couple must determine which of the guests is the killer before the culprit escapes – or another guest ends up dead.
The fourth of The Myriad Mysteries – a mild, fun mystery series set in a fictional 1920’s Chicago.
No graphic violence, sex, or foul language No animals are harmed. Nothing ugly. The books are diverse in every way and friendly to all of good cheer. (Amazon)
A pattern of murder. A threadbare case. Can our psychic sleuth pick out the guilty before time spools out?
Mitzy Moon is finally tying the knot. And she’s loving the whole town’s excitement for their upcoming big day. But when their tailor is found buttons up behind a jazz lounge, the almost-newlyweds will have to hem in a murderer before their dreams rip apart at the seams.
Knowing they’ll get no help from the new sheriff in town, the couple embarks on a tightly woven undercover assignment. But Mitzy fails to heed ominous warnings from her mentor, Ghost-ma, and her entitled feline. When another body drops, she could be the next target erased by the mounting powers in the darkness…
Can Mitzy and Erick unravel the twisted clues, or will their wedding be eclipsed by a funeral?
Bells and Bombshells is the first book in the hilarious new paranormal cozy mystery series, Harper and Moon Investigations, a spinoff from the popular Mitzy Moon Mysteries. If you like snarky heroines, supernatural intrigue, and a dash of romance, then you’ll love Trixie Silvertale’s wedded whodunit.
Buy Bells and Bombshells to stitch up a killer today! (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback
There’s not enough fondant in Willow Hollow to cover her amateur mistakes, especially when her familiar is accused of murder.
Bub, a black cat familiar, knows that some spells are not meant to be spoken aloud. But when tempted by his favorite fondant-frosted cake with catnip sprinkled on top, he’s not one to keep his mouth shut during the time of the full moon.
Someone’s using the cake decorating contest as sweet revenge, and suspects point blame toward one another. Despite her quirky magic and off-kilter, ghost-raising abilities, Harper Dade must rally her sleuthing skills to solve the mystery of the cake-decorating contestant’s murder before every witch in Willow Hollow loses their familiar, and the town bans Bub and his pals from Willow Hollow forever.
Despite Harper’s witchy glitches and the murder mystery, Crank, the mechanic, intends to sweep Harper off on a romantic getaway in his classic flying wizard car. But his new familiar—a first for the wizard—puts a wrench in their dating plans.
If Harper cannot clear Bub, the Better Witching Bureau will banish the familiars and snuff out her magic. She’ll be forced to leave her beloved aunt, say goodbye to her new wizard mechanic boyfriend, and live in a world where cake icing holds no magic at all. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle
When a series of mysterious deaths spoil the Christmas season in Crozet, Virginia, Mary Minor “Harry” Harristeen and her beloved cats and dogs lend the police a helping paw in this exciting holiday mystery from Rita Mae Brown and her feline co-author Sneaky Pie Brown.
Christmas is coming and Harry’s to-do list is a mile long. The days are filled with delivering holiday baskets to neighbors in need, chopping down the perfect tree with her best friend, Susan Tucker, and hunting for that elusive special gift for her beloved husband, Pharamond “Fair” Harristeen. Harry also decides to try her hand at dog showing, enrolling her handsome Irish Wolfhound puppy Pirate in classes to prepare for a future exhibition. Through it all, holiday cheer—and plenty of treats for Pirate—keep spirits high.
But the holidays aren’t cheerful for everyone. Harry’s friend on the police force, Cynthia Cooper, warns that the season can bring an uptick in crime. Her words prove tragically prescient when Harry and Susan discover the body of a man by the side of the road, dead, without any clues to his identity. One suspicious death is bad enough, but when Cooper reports that two more bodies have been found, also unidentified, Harry knows trouble is afoot. The autopsies for all three bodies reveal the presence of a deadly drug. Could their deaths have been accidental, or is a devious killer on the prowl?
With help from her feline sidekicks, Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, as well as Tee Tucker the corgi and Pirate, Harry vows to find the answers and stop the spate of deaths so that all of Crozet can have a very merry Christmas. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Hardcover, Audiobook
A heartwarming cozy mystery series about losing everything, taking a chance, and starting again.
After suffering a personal tragedy Abby Sullivan buys a huge old seaside mansion she has never even seen, packs up her life in San Francisco, and moves to Holiday Bay Maine, where she is adopted, quite against her will, by a huge Maine Coon Cat named Rufus, a drifter with her own tragic past named Georgia, and a giant dog with an inferiority complex named Ramos. What Abby thought she needed was alone time to heal. What she ended up with was, an inn she never knew she wanted, a cat she couldn’t seem to convince to leave, and a new family she’d never be able to live without.
In book 22 in the series, someone is going around town vandalizing merchants who have received a negative review on the new social media site everyone is talking about. Initially it seems like a mere annoyance, but things begin to escalate, and Colt fears that the trend will lead to someone’s death.
Meanwhile, Vaness Blackstone from Firehouse Books is heading out of town and leaves her spunky Aunt Lou in charge. When the bookstore becomes the most recent victim of the Holiday Bay Prankster, Lou joins Abby and Georgia in their quest to track the troublemaker down. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook
Let’s do the time loop… again?
Wisteria is caught in a time loop.
Everything is repeating, Groundhog-Day-style, but only one supernatural has noticed.
Zirconia Cristata Riddle, the vampire matriarch of the Riddle family, is awake and alone in a world full of people who can’t move forward or make new memories.
Someone ought to do something about it. Or at least find out who’s behind this endless loop.
Solving this mystery is a job for someone who enjoys playing detective, such as Zirconia’s daughter, Zara. But Zara’s in no state to fix a giant kerfuffle like this. She can’t even get her boots to match.
It’s up to one woman to save the world using nothing but her powers, her wits, and her impeccable style.
Note to series readers: Wisteria Wildcard is book 15 in Angela Pepper’s bestselling Wisteria Witches Mysteries, picking up six months after the events of book 14, Wayward Wisteria. This story is told from the point of view of Zirconia Riddle, Zara’s dark-haired vampire mother. Book 16 returns to the POV of Zara. Thank you for making this series a bestseller in book and audiobook. We hope you enjoy this wildcard of a story! (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle
When Victoria Sedgewick’s cousin falls under suspicion for a crime she did not commit, Victoria must protect her. But with a new danger arising at home and trouble threatening her friendship with Branwell Keats, will Victoria be too distracted to prevent a horrific tragedy? (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle
Birthdays, fundraisers, and… murderous ducks?
Winifred Page-Lopez breathes a sigh of relief and shakes off any worry about a big splash for her forty-second birthday. Estes Park’s annual duck race fundraiser is sure to have tourists flocking to town and spending a fortune on raffle tickets—keeping everyone way too busy for a surprise party. But so many squeaking yellow duckies is enough to send her irascible chubby corgi, Watson, well… ducking for cover.
Another sort of surprise bubbles to the surface, however, as the winning ducks swim down the river. These bright rubber toys aren’t as wholesome as they appear, sending townspeople pecking at one another with rumor, gossip and outright physical altercations. And members of Fred’s beloved family are right in the middle of this puzzle.
The fallout from recent dangers gives Fred much to contemplate, but pleas from all sides pull her into solving this mystery. Fred knows she’ll have to ruffle some feathers to get answers, but following Watson’s nose may reveal more buried secrets…
(This culinary cozy mystery includes a recipe for luscious lemon poppyseed cake.) (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback
Dragons, Crime, and Cats. Small town life is never dead—or is it?
I, Azure Rune, a chili aficionado, will win the chili cookoff this weekend. My human protector might doubt me, due to the “disgusting anchovies” I add each year.
But she is mistaken. My new secret ingredient is just the game changer I need—if I can find it. Why is it, every time I have something special someone feels the need to move it?!
Join me in my search for the perfect chili, and enjoy the recipe for yourself! I promise, you’ll agree. A fantastic way to end a chilly day.
Azure’s Hill Country Mysteries, is a spin off short story series where Azure is the sleuth on the case. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle
THREE days to do a job TWO people dead set against her finding the truth and ONE dead body she never expected! It should’ve been a simple business trip, followed by several days of tropical sunshine, fabulous scuba diving, and frosty mai tais. What Jennifer got instead was international intrigue, danger all around her, and the very real possibility of winding up in a foreign jai! With the clock ticking, she has to find a killer who will do anything to cover up their crime.
If you like travel mysteries, this one is for you! It’s got clean language, and is only rated PG because hey, there’s a murderer running around in this book. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle
What do burgers, a detective, and a vegan have in common? Murder…
Christie Watson, private investigator, has never been this busy. Pets keep going missing, the local police have asked her to find out who’s behind a series of… meat thefts, and her cousin, in what appears to be a fit of heat-induced insanity, has decided to open a competing private investigation firm.
Christie figures life can’t get any more complicated, and she’s fine with that.
Until a local vegan activist is murdered right in front of her best friend’s Burger Bar. And there’s only one suspect.
Christie’s ex-detective boyfriend who hasn’t got an alibi.
With the pressure mounting, Christie has to get to work and prove that her boyfriend didn’t do it even as the police tell her it’s time to stay out of it.
See if you can figure out whodunit before Christie does in the fourth installment of the Sleepy Creek Cozy Mystery series! Grab your copy today. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle
When Maui’s biggest local surfing event of the year hits the island, Charlie plans on sticking to the sidelines, cheering for Zoe, safely away from the water. But on day one of the competition, a body washes up on shore, and it’s one of Vesper’s ex-boyfriends.
With Vesper quickly emerging as one of the prime suspects, Charlie, Dot and Rosie jump into action to clear the former surfer’s name and find the real killer. But Jake is in charge of the case, and their new relationship is about to be dealt a challenge as they decide to take different tracks.
Add to this the problem of the gangsters in Seattle, and Charlie has her hands full. Will she save her relationship with Jake and solve the case, saving Vesper’s freedom in the process? Or will the killer get to her first, causing Charlie to wipe out—permanently? (Amazon)
Fairies are trending hard, especially when it comes to fairy garden décor in Walmart and Target and on Amazon. The latest installment in the nationally bestselling Daryl Wood Gerber’s Fairy Garden mysteries is a perfect read for Laura Childs readers and all fans of whimsy and charm.
With a theater foundation tea and an art show planned at Violet Vickers’s estate, Courtney is hired to create charming fairy gardens for the event. It’s not so charming, however, when her best friend Meaghan’s ex-boyfriend turns out to be Violet’s latest artistic protégé. Even worse, not long after Meaghan locks horns with him, his body is found in her yard, bludgeoned with an objet d’murder.
There’s a gallery of suspects, from an unstable former flame to an arts and crafts teacher with a sketchy past. But when the cops focus on Meaghan’s business partner, who’s like a protective older brother to her, and discover he also has a secret financial motive, Courtney decides to draw her own conclusions. Fearing they’re missing the forest for the trees, and with some help from Fiona the sleuthing fairy, she hopes to make them see the light . . .
Praise for Daryl Wood Gerber’s A Sprinkling of Murder
“Enchanting series launch from Agatha Award winner Gerber. . . . Cozy fans will wish upon a star for more.” —Publishers Weekly
“A winner. . . . Fans of Laura Childs’ work will enjoy.” —Booklist (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook
In Korina Moss’s Curds of Prey, murder again comes to Yarrow Glen, and cheesemonger Willa Bauer must be the predator… before she becomes the prey.
Yarrow Glen’s favorite cheese shop, Curds & Whey, gets to be a part of the social event of the season: Summer Harrington’s wedding. Cheesemonger Willa Bauer is going all out for the wedding shower’s cheese bar. But the eagle-eyed Harrington family is proving to be a pain in her asiago. A last-minute tasting ends in disaster when one of Willa’s potential beaux, Roman, gets in a fight with the groom. Then the shower arrives, and while there’s anything but love in the air, there is plenty of cheese. Oh, and Roman… again. The day officially ends in disaster when Willa finds the groom—who also happens to be the mayor’s nephew—in the stable, dead as a dodo. At the mayor’s request, Willa must follow the trail of cheese curds to find a killer while continuing to walk a tightrope between two of Sonoma Valley’s most powerful families. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook
Retired schoolteachers Liz, Pat and Thelma are back at their usual table at the Thirsk Garden Centre café with a brand-new mystery to solve…
Curious white envelopes have been delivered to friends and neighbours. Inside are letters revealing the deepest secrets they have tried to hide.
As one by one, careers are ended, marriages destroyed and no one is beyond suspicion, the three friends decide enough is enough. They must take matters into their own hands before more damage is done.
But as they work to uncover the truth, they begin to wonder just how far someone will go to silence this poison pen…
Could a murderer be in their midst once again?
The second totally addictive and page-turning cosy mystery featuring these very unlikely sleuths. Fans of Agatha Christie and Midsomer Murders will be hooked from the very first page.
Readers love this book!:
‘A charming read with a cast of characters you’ll really connect with’ Faith Martin, author of A Fatal End
‘The ingredients for the perfect modern cosy crime: intrigue, characters you care about and a good dollop of humour‘ Ian Moore, author of Death and Croissants
‘As delightful as it is deadly, A Pen Dipped in Poison is a feel-good, fun and fabulous cosy mystery that had me utterly gripped from page one. J.M. Hall proves once again he’s one of our very best cosy mystery writers. I absolutely loved it’ Jonathan Whitelaw, author of The Bingo Hall Detectives
‘A gently quirky cosy mystery with plenty of twists and turns, and an intriguing cast of characters – some endearing, some not so much!’ Fiona Leitch, author of The Cornish Wedding Murder
‘Malice and mayhem spur a school reunion of three modern Marples – and some of their Thirsk community learn a lesson they’ll never forget!’ Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, author of A Murder of Crows
‘So brilliant… I loved this so much! Perfect cosy crime – I am a big fan of this author!’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘Three Miss Marples for the price one! Extremely well-drawn characters… the plot is carefully assembled… the writing is so good… I loved this story!’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘I could not put this book down! What a perfect book…! I loved the three main characters… I highly recommend.’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
‘This book would make a great movie! The characters are likeable and quirky, the story moves quickly and this talented author leaves us wanting for more…!’ NetGalley review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook
When one of her readers asks for advice following a suspected murder, Victorian countess Amelia Amesbury, who secretly pens the popular Lady Agony column, has no choice but to investigate in this first book in a charming new historical mystery series.
Amelia Amesbury—widow, mother, and countess—has a secret. Amelia writes for a London penny paper, doling out advice on fashion, relationships, and manners under the pen name Lady Agony. But when a lady’s maid writes Amelia to ask for advice when she believes her mistress has been murdered—and then ends up a victim herself—Amelia is determined to solve the case.
With the help of her best friend and a handsome marquis, Amelia begins to piece together the puzzle, but as each new thread of inquiry ends with a different suspect, the investigation grows ever more daunting. From London’s docks and ballrooms to grand country houses, Amelia tracks a killer, putting her reputation—and her life—on the line. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook
Ana Karras is running from her past.Catalina Reyes is running toward hers.Washington is trying to stop them both.A rogue Cuban assassin is heading for Washington. A CIA operation is mounted by the Whitehouse to stop the attack. The only hope to avert a war with Havana is a former FARC guerilla plucked from hiding to search for her parents. What was Operation Perro? Why does everyone want Ana Karras and Cataline Reyes dead? The answer is Hemingway. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback
The latest installment in the new Jane Wunderly Mystery series featuring an American widow turned private investigator in 1920s England.
When vibrant American widow Jane Wunderly arrives in 1920s Turkey in search of her father, she finds a country redefining itself after the fall of the Ottoman Empire—and a deadly criminal who can’t escape the past . . .
Istanbul, 1926: After her archeologist father makes a clandestine journey abroad, Jane and the dapper Mr. Redvers trace his footsteps while signs of danger loom back home in the United States. They’re greeted at their destination by Aunt Millie and unsettling news: Professor Wunderly was on a mission to locate the lost heart of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent—a legendary relic from the Ottoman Empire said to possess potent mystical powers—then vanished completely, leaving behind his unpacked luggage, a perplexing riddle, and an eerie mystery Jane must solve to keep her loved ones safe.
What starts off as a clear-cut investigation becomes an intercontinental game of cat and mouse as Jane realizes a gang of nameless figures have been stalking her every move from Turkey to Hungary. And it seems even helpful friends can’t be trusted for long when a man is stabbed to death on the Orient Express to Budapest. With Redvers by her side and few clues to rely on, Jane’s desperate search for her father leads to centuries-old secrets and an unidentified enemy who could make her disappear like the missing Sultan’s heart . . .
Erica Ruth Neubauer spent eleven years in the military, nearly two as a Maryland police officer, and one as a high school English teacher, before finding her way as a writer. She has been a reviewer of mysteries and crime fiction for publications such as Publishers Weekly and Mystery Scene Magazine for several years, andshe’s a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America. Erica Ruth lives in Milwaukee, WI. (Amazon)
Once again, Vi and friends are out and about. This time, they’ve come to a lovely little seaside carnival to visit friends they haven’t seen in a while.
They watched the clowns, witness the acrobats, visit the strange and unusual, and invite the psychic to a small party. Instead of a journey or a windfall, they’re told to beware. Is it a surprise their minds turn to crime? Hardly. And when a murder takes place, they have to follow the steps of what happened and prepare for the most unsuaul crime they’ve seen yet. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle
The newlyweds are back from Hawaii! Lacey and James are learning to navigate their new life as a married couple, but that hasn’t slowed down the intrigue and murder in Port Danby. When a man’s body is discovered inside the Hawksworth Manor, a question arises. Was it an accident or murder? Lacey is sure she knows the answer. It’s time to take off the sunglasses and swimsuits and dive back into a murder investigation. Lacey has a hard time concentrating on this one because her parents are in town and people close (very close) to her have some big news to toss her way. Will Lacey be able to find a killer amongst all the chaos in her personal life?
Book 20 of the Port Danby Cozy Mystery series
More books in the series:
More in the series: 1. Marigolds and Murder 2. Carnations and Chaos 3. Mistletoe and Mayhem 4. Roses and Revenge 5. Tulips and Trouble 6. Dahlias and Death 7. Peonies and Poison 8. Hyacinths and Homicide 9. Crocuses and Crime 10. Sunflowers and Sabotage 11. Lavender and Lies 12. Freesias and Foul Play 13. Cornflowers and Corpses 14. Jasmine and Jealousy 15. Shamrocks and Shenanigans 16. Thistles and the Unthinkable 17. Holly and Horror 18. Violets and Vengeance 19. Daisies and Destruction 20. Lilacs and Liability 21. TBA (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback
When you get to my age you can’t convince your friends to help you move by bribing them with a few slices of pizza. Even though my friends are witches that could easily get the job done, I’ve been forced to pack up all my own boxes and have them driven across town.
In every direction there seems to be another problem that needs fixing, especially in this old house I’ve moved into. Despite my grandmother’s ghost insisting that it was a waste of money I had every intention of hiring an interior designer, or at least that was the plan until I stepped into a local design studio and found that the owner had been murdered.
The façade that Kettle Harbor is an idyllic seaside town is beginning to crumble, and if I can’t round up the paranormal pests that are plaguing this place then we risk revealing our magic to the locals. It turns out that the victim’s ghosts is haunting the crime scene and is less than cooperative, but if I help her figure out what happened then maybe she can help me choose color schemes for the dining room, it’s worth a shot, right?
Whispers of a werewolf on the loose have captured the imaginations of local hikers, prompting my friends to take action. We soon learn that the rumors are true, and this creature’s bite is much worse than its bark.
I have so many questions, but not many answers. Oh, and there’s a new police officer in town threatens to ruin everything. I’m in over my head, but thankfully I’m not in this alone. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindl
A Valkyrie with Haphazard Magic
A Fallen Angel Seeking Redemption
An Unlikely Crime-Solving Duo
When Meg Mefford is found murdered in Mystic Cove, Kara is eager to join in on the investigation. Why? Because the number one suspect, as far as she is concerned, is Dagon Vulter–the very fairy she is trying to take down for her mom’s murder. But it doesn’t take long before Zane and Kara realize more than just Dagon may have wanted Meg dead. As the two detectives move farther and farther away from Dagon being the killer, Kara can’t let go of her need to punish Dagon and seek her own justice for her mom’s murder. Can Kara separate her need for revenge and put the true killer away? Or will her desire for vengeance blind her to the truth? (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback
What if he’s just not that into you because he’s already dead?
With the newly promoted Sergeant Walker away in Edinburgh, Mary Plunkett has decided to put on her big girl pants and tackle the dating scene. Things have changed a little since she last donned her low-waisted jeans and took someone out to the Dancing. Against all odds, she ends up meeting someone she actually likes. Then the worst thing possible happens: she is ghosted.
Of course, everyone knows that that means he’s just not that into you, but Mary is convinced that something terrible has happened to him. And when she turns out to be right, it’s another case for the detective skills of the Wronged Women’s Co-operative. What if he’s just not that into you because he’s already dead?
With the newly promoted Sergeant Walker away in Edinburgh, Mary Plunkett has decided to put on her big girl pants and tackle the dating scene. Things have changed a little since she last donned her low-waisted jeans and took someone out to the Dancing. Against all odds, she ends up meeting someone she actually likes. Then the worst thing possible happens: she is ghosted.
Of course, everyone knows that that means he’s just not that into you, but Mary is convinced that something terrible has happened to him. And when she turns out to be right, it’s another case for the detective skills of the Wronged Women’s Co-operative. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle
**Amazon and USA Today Best Seller in Cozy Mysteries** **”The funniest and most exciting apple orchard cozy yet. I laughed so loud I woke my husband!”
The smell of a fire burning in the hearth; a red-faced child laughing in line at the coffee shop; two old friends gabbing as they chop apples for a homemade pie.
Pine Grove, NY is the kind of place city people go on vacation and decide to move to after three perfect days meeting friendly people, eating great food and relaxing in the quiet of nature.
But murder complicates matters.
And when a high-profile county employee turns up dead in the town’s pristine little pond, it’s up to local sleuths Teeny, Miss May and Chelsea to solve the crime. Teeny is a chihuahua in the body of a woman. Miss May is a retired prosecutor with a love for justice. And Chelsea is doing her best to keep up, get her life back on track, and maintain the happy in America’s happiest little town.
You’ll love this cozy mystery because everyone loves cozies with comedy, heart and suspense.
Grab your copy today. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback
Discover how events unfold in the latest murder mystery in Fern Grove. Will Tracy help to find a cunning killer who’s determined to remove all obstacles in their path or will she become the killer’s next victim?
If you want to enjoy a light-hearted read, with an amateur female sleuth and a gripping murder mystery with a touch of romance, then you’ll love Tracy Adams and all the friendly and not-so-friendly characters in Fern Grove.
No cliffhanger, swearing or graphic scenes!
Get your preorder copy of Peony and a Scary Irony to discover how events unfold in this cozy murder mystery. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle
I am NOT going up in one of those
When the Cairncroft Hotel suffers an outbreak of petty thievery, having a detective agency onsite comes in handy. But is there more to it than petty theft?
Meanwhile, a string of deaths reminiscent of Aunt Claire’s captures Daisy’s attention—could there be a serial killer loose in Cairncroft?
And will Daisy persuade Sam to go up in a hot air balloon?
MURDER & MAYHEM AT THE CAIRNCROFT HOTEL is the third outing of Sam & Daisy’s cozy mystery series, following on from the success of “The Murder Hotel” and “The Cairncroft Detective Agency”.
AS EVER, THE ENDING IS A KILLER… (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle
Stella Kirk refuses to be put off by Detective Aiden North’s lack of enthusiasm and personal struggles. A body has been discovered at the bottom of a grave not yet inhabited by the intended owner, and two residents of Harbour Manor are missing-this according to her father, who no longer recognizes her when she visits. Stella battles to connect the dots and establish a link.
Growing old is not for the faint of heart and growing old alone increases the struggle.
Follow Stella Kirk as she dissects the challenges of caring for the elderly, discovering the opportunities available to take advantage of the vulnerable. Murders may or may not have been committed. You be the judge. (Amazon)
You can choose your friends, but you sure can’t choose your relatives.
It’s been a busy year for real estate agent Cindy York. She’s excited to be making a killing at selling houses and in the middle of planning a surprise 50th birthday party for her husband, Greg. If this wasn’t enough to deal with, Greg’s younger sister Annette, who’s been estranged from the family for 20 years, makes an unexpected visit to celebrate the event. Annette asks Cindy for help finding a house to rent. She claims she wants to get to know her loved ones again, but Cindy suspects the woman is hiding something.
When Annette’s troubled past catches up with her in a hurry and leaves an innocent bystander dead, Cindy must step in and find a killer. If Cindy can’t close this deal quickly, someone she loves will pay the ultimate price. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback
In this spellbinding continuation of the Kitchen Witch Mystery series by New York Times bestselling author Lynn Cahoon, witchcraft trainee Mia Malone summons tasty dishes and unearthly murder suspects . . .
Before Mia Malone can sip tea at Time for a Cuppa, the charming new shop in Magic Springs, Idaho, her life changes course in downright supernatural ways. First her blossoming catering business and cooking school get a boost with the addition of an enchanting cake decorator. Then she catches the attention of the tea shop owner herself, local coven member Mahogany Medford, who’s set on immersing Mia in a twisted mystery that appears all but unsolvable without a special kind of help . . .
Still reeling from the recent loss of her mother and believing there was more to the abrupt death, Mahogany urges Mia to cast light on the truth. But old secrets might come back to haunt her in an investigation that demands conjuring up phantoms from the past on the property of Mia’s Morsels. Now, wearing Gran’s protective stone and empowered by a circle of trusted confidants, Mia must reveal who—or what—killed Ms. Medford as another deadly surprise brews!
Includes Recipes!
Praise for Lynn Cahoon
“One Poison Pie deliciously blends charm and magic with a dash of mystery and a sprinkle of romance.” —Agatha Award–winner Daryl Wood Gerber (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook
What would happen if a medical emergency broke out in the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, where millions of dollars in freshly made paper bills are kept?
Ed Thomas was the operator of the sheet-cutting machine and had just pressed the stop button when he fainted. Paramedicsarrived too late; he had already flatlined. A sad case of a heart attack victim, or so it seemed. But his daughter contacted Dr. Jill Quint, Forensic Pathologist, P.I., and winemaker, to investigate her father’s death. Before Dr. Quint could examine Ed’s remains, they were stolen from the Medical Examiner’s office by a fraudulent mortuary crew. After rummaging through Ed’s apartment and finding a series of threatening letters he had received, it became apparent that someone wanted him dead.
Uncover what happened to Ed Thomas in Mint Death, the fourteenth book in the Jill Quint, MD Forensic Pathologist series. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle
The latest novel in the acclaimed Bangalore Detectives Club series finds amateur sleuth Kaveri Murthy uncovering a new murder during the blood moon eclipse.
When new bride Kaveri Murthy reluctantly agrees to investigate a minor crime to please her domineering mother-in-law—during the blood moon eclipse, no less—she doesn’t expect, once again, to stumble upon a murder.
With anti-British sentiment on the rise, a charismatic religious leader growing in influence, and the fight for women’s suffrage gaining steam, Bangalore is turning out to be a far more dangerous and treacherous place than Kaveri ever imagined—and everyone’s motives are suspect.
Together with the Bangalore Detectives Club—a mixed bag of street urchins, nosy neighbours, an ex-prostitute, and a policeman’s wife— Kaveri once again sleuths in her sari and hunts for clues in her beloved 1920s Ford.
But when her life is suddenly put in danger, Kaveri realizes that she might be getting uncomfortably close to the truth. So she must now draw on her wits and find the killer . . . before they find her. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Hardcover
A murder in Big Sky Country. A missing sorceress. A new witch on a mission…
I’m getting used to life on this supernatural ranch in Montana. The days actually feel pretty routine. I take care of my flower shop, ride my horse, and snuggle with my new cat. A girl can’t complain about any of that, can she?
But when a mysterious book about demons causes BIG problems, I have to admit that my life on this ranch is anything but normal…
A guy tried to summon a demon and wound up dead because of it. Now it’s up to me to figure out what happened. The owner of the ranch wants answers—and justice—and I’m supposed to help him get both. If I fail, I’m going to have to say goodbye to all these new things I’ve come to love. My magic included.
The book on demons might also carry a clue about a sorceress who disappeared from this ranch many years back. My work’s cut out for me. I won’t let that scare me, though.
I’ve climbed in the saddle, so to speak, by picking up my gran’s spellbook in the first place. Like any good cowgirl, I’m ready for the ride. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback
“Loved it!” -Theresa Bakken
Josiah is working in her honeybee yard when she hears a commotion coming from her horse pasture. She rushes toward the uproar and comes upon a huge, enraged Texas Longhorn bull. The massive beast is angrily snorting, pawing the turf, and threatening a prized Thoroughbred stallion, Comanche. Getting the bull to calm down is no small task and in the end, Josiah has a busted fence and a barn door ripped off its hinges. Once the bull is secure, Josiah hurries to confront the bull’s owner only to discover he is dead and lying in a pool of his own blood.
The police naturally assume the bull is responsible for the man’s death, but Josiah has her doubts. She is convinced foul play is involved and works to save the Texas Longhorn from being “put down.” Will she solve the murder and save the Longhorn in time?
The Josiah Reynolds Mystery Series Death By A HoneyBee Death By Drowning Death By Bridle Death By Bourbon Death By Lotto Death by Chocolate Death by Haunting Death By Derby Death By Design Death By Malice Death By Drama Death By Stalking Death By Deceit Death By Magic Death By Shock Death By Chance Death By Poison Death By Greed Death By Theft
AWARDS 2010 Gold Medal Award from Readers’ Favorite for Death By A HoneyBee 2011 Gold Medal Award from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Drowning 2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By Drowning 2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By A HoneyBee 2017 Finalist from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Design 2019 Honorable Mention from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Stalking 2019 Top 10 Mystery Novels from Kings River Life Magazine for Murder Under A Blue Moon 2020 Imadjinn Award for Best Mystery – Death By Stalking 2022 Finalist in Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Historical Category – Murder Under A Full Moon 2022 Finalist the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Historical Category – Murder Under A New Moon 2022 Death By Chance: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Cozy Mystery (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback
Vik Island weight-loss group, Losers Club, is on the mainland for the Police Scotland Bravery Awards and, even better, they’re staying in a posh hotel. With housekeeping trollies full of free stuff just lying about the place, waiting for the unwary pilferer, Mrs Hubbard’s only regret is that she didn’t bring her biggest handbag.
Diet sheets have been abandoned and Gordon’s dungarees are straining at the seams, so what could be nicer than a gentle stroll up Bennachie to offset all those breakfast sausages? Anything. Anything could be nicer because this is no gentle stroll.
When the Losers stumble upon the body of a young woman on the hillside, they quickly become entangled in a web of deceit surrounding local road protestors. The very police officers awarding them for bravery seem determined to write off the death as a drug overdose, and it is up to Losers Club to convince them otherwise.
Soon, the hunt is on for an elusive whistleblower, and the Losers find themselves pitted against the establishment. As the conspiracy deepens and the bodies start piling up, they realise that they can trust no one. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle
In the villa of a passionate collector of Egyptian antiquities, strange incidents begin to occur around a mysterious statue of the cat goddess Bastet. Finally there is a tragic accident, and the owner of the house loses his life in a bizarre turn of events.
Luckily, Athos and Pearl are guests at the villa, together with their two humans, and they start to investigate … but this case may prove to be the most difficult yet for the furry detective duo. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback
“Welcome to Butterfly Island! Enjoy our sandy beaches, sapphire blue waters, and achingly beautiful sunsets. We can’t wait to welcome you to the safest and most relaxing destination in the Caribbean…”
Kameron Achebe has always valued her strength and independence. As a teenager, she dreamed of competing with her country’s Olympic tae kwon do team. And when her dreams were destroyed by those closest to her, she ran, determined to find happiness on her own terms.
A decade later, Kameron and her boyfriend Paul are settling down on Butterfly Island to prepare for the arrival of their first child. After a shocking revelation about Paul leaves Kameron hurt and angry, matters go from bad to worse when she’s accused of using her martial arts skills to murder a local bully. For her future, and for the future of her family, only one thing matters now. Can she prove her innocence beyond the shadow of a doubt? (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle
A smart security system, a stalker, and some secrets…
There’s a stranger—or two—in town, putting retired spy Irma Abercrombie even more on edge than usual. She still hasn’t tracked down Igor Ivanovitch, the gun-for-hire who escaped his jail cell earlier in the summer. And after things go south at a banquet to celebrate Snookie Smith’s recent gardening triumphs, the blame looks like it’s going to be cast at Irma’s feet.
When one of those out-of-towners is found dead on a lonely stretch of Beaver Island road, Violet thinks she’s off the hook, investigation-wise, when there’s no technology connection. But after she discovers that a newly engaged friend is on the island for a month-long sojourn, things get a bit stickier. Her buddy is gearing up for a bash to celebrate her impending nuptials, but what if a stalker has followed the bride-to-be to Beaver Island?
After some excitement on the island ferry knocks Irma for a loop, Violet has to pinch-hit for her on a mini mission that almost lands her in the slammer. As a confrontation approaches, Violet isn’t sure whom to trust…or where to find safe harbour. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback
A cynical tarot card reader seeks to uncover the truth about her friend’s mysterious death in this delightfully clever whodunit, “a delicious blend of suspense and madcap humor” (Library Journal, starred review).
For Katie True, a keen gut and quick wit are just tools of the trade. After a failed attempt at adulting in Chicago, she’s back in the suburbs living a bit too close to her overbearing parents, jumping from one dead-end job to the next, and flipping through her tarot deck for guidance. Then along comes Marley.
Mysterious, worldly, and comfortable in her own skin, Marley takes a job at the mall where Katie peddles Russian tchotchkes. The two just get each other. Marley doesn’t try to fix Katie’s life or pretend to be someone she’s not, and Katie thinks that with Marley’s friendship, she just might make it through this rough patch after all. Until the day when Katie, having been encouraged by Marley to practice soothsaying, reads the cards for someone who stumbles into her shop. But when she sneaks a glance at his phone, she finds more than intel to improve her clairvoyance. She finds a photo. Of Marley. With a gunshot wound to the head.
The bottom falls out of Katie’s world. Her best friend is dead? Who killed her? She quickly realizes there are some things her tarot cards can’t foresee, and she must put her razor-sharp instincts to the ultimate test. But Katie’s recklessness lands her in the crossfire of a threat she never saw coming. Now she must use her street smarts and her inner Strength card to solve Marley’s murder—or risk losing everything. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a lady in danger must be in need of rescue, but whether she wants to be rescued is up for debate—for fans of Evie Dunmore and Netflix’s Bridgerton from the bestselling author of A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem!
England, 1867: Miss Poppy Delamare is living a lie. To escape an odious betrothal, she fled to London where she’s been hiding as the unassuming secretary Flora Deaver. However, when her beloved sister is accused of murder, Poppy cannot leave her to the wolves. Only a most unexpected—and unwelcome—collision interrupts her journey home . . .
Despite a rather dismal first meeting, Joshua Fielding, the Duke of Langham, has no intention of abandoning a lady in need. But he’s not above asking a favor. A fake betrothal will give Poppy and her sister the power of the dukedom and protect Langham from the society misses intent on becoming his duchess.
Yet the longer the ruse goes on, the more Poppy and Langham realize how false their first impressions were—and the less pretend their engagement feels. But before Langham can propose in truth, their search reveals a tangled web of lies and betrayals. With time running out, can Poppy and Langham find the real culprit—before Poppy becomes the next victim? (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook
Charmed meets Murder, She Wrote in this fast-paced, quirky cozy mystery series with a paranormal twist, featuring a fledgling witch who owns a crystals shop, her magickal family, and rivaling enchanted realms. Sure to appeal to fans of Heather Blake and Traci Wilton.
THE NEW PARANORMAL
When Violet Mooney’s coworker and fellow witch calls to say that their Connecticut crystals shop, The Full Moon, has been selected as a vendor at the Spring Equinox Fair, it’s welcome news. Ever since she learned about her magickal ancestry, Violet has been struggling to learn her craft while staying out of trouble. It’s no easy feat when her family seems to be the target of a power-grab within the realm, putting the entire magickal community on edge—and setting Violet on a mission . . .
With her investigation conjuring more questions than answers, Violet tries to focus on the Fair, which is being run by one of her personal heroes. Horatio Hale is a proponent of ethical crystal mining, but apparently not everyone is a fan. Violet is shocked when she goes to attend a meeting and finds Horatio dead—with an axe stuck in his chest. To uncover the motives behind the mayhem in both the mortal and magickal worlds, Violet is going to need more than a crystal ball. And it’ll take all the powers she’s been honing—plus some she didn’t know she had—to save herself . . .
Praise for Witch Hunt
“Zippy and fun, with an otherworldly hook that’s further enhanced by characters with a little magic of their own.” —Kirkus Reviews (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook
In this fresh and witty cozy mystery series set amid an extended Italian-American family in Astoria, Queens, catering hall owner and amateur sleuth Mia Carina must solve a murder on the set of a reality show.
The June events schedule at Belle View is busting out all over—proms, graduations, and of course, weddings. There are unexpected bookings too, including a casting call for the pilot of Dons of Ditmars Boulevard. But soon, Mia’s fears about the cheesy reality show are confirmed . . .
Belle View quickly becomes the site of a sea of wanna-be goombahs and phony girlfriends, and some of Mia’s friends insist on getting in on the action. The production company owner and his executive producer ex-wife—who’s also very minor British royalty—have assembled a motley crew that does as much infighting and backstabbing as the on-screen “talent.” Even so, it’s a shock when a dead body is found in the pool house of a local mansion rented by the show . . .
Murder might boost the ratings. But Mia intends to make sure the killer gets jail time, not airtime . . .
Italian recipes included! (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook
Two months into her position as Assistant Principal Paul’s secretary, Naomi Front enjoys the feeling of finally having a solid job and a new life away from her ex. Ella, her teen, has a best friend and is finding her place. Their neighbors, Barbara and Ingrid, have adopted them as family.
Life should be good, but work is not.
Dealing with faculty bickering and irate parents nit-picking, Naomi wonders if she wants to keep this job. Add in the fact the school is preparing for yet another levy, and financial headaches are thrown into the mix.
When Naomi is sent to the archives in the basement, she finds the body of Tom Werner. All-around jerk and quick to temper, the baseball coach doesn’t seem like a person anyone in Fayette will miss.
The school is closed until Chief Mooney can solve the case. Unlike the last time Naomi found a corpse, she’s asked to help with this mystery. As someone who works the front office, she’s an insider this time. Being included doesn’t mean it’s easier. With a runaway witness and foiled evidence, it seems impossible to figure out who killed Tom.
Ella, Barbara, and Ingrid join forces to sleuth their way through this whodunit, racing against time so classes can be resumed. Despite their team effort, they wonder if they’ll find the killer or lose more time down dead-ends of old drama that should remain in the past. (Amazon)
If y’all love holidays, small towns, undying relationships, southern food, animals, and a smidgen of homicide, THIS cozy mystery series is for you.
CELEBRATE GOOD CRIMES
When amateur sleuth and town journalist, Violet Rhinehammer, stumbles upon a dead body during the Hip Hop Hurray Easter Festival, she knows she has to get to the bottom of things.
As she delves deeper into the mystery, she discovers that one of the bunnies auditioning for the top spot was seen running away from the scene of the crime. With the added pressure of keeping her identity as the town’s Merry Maker a secret, Violet must work quickly to uncover clues and find the killer before they strike again.
But the investigation takes a delicious turn after some clues turn up at bake-off competition. Could one of the baking contestants have motive to commit murder over a prize-winning dessert?
Is this a case of chocolate bunny betrayal, or is there something even darker at play?
Violet encounters a cast of colorful characters, including rival bunnies competing for the top spot, a demanding Easter Bunny, and a group of mischievous bakers vying for the top baker spot. With twists and turns at every corner, Violet must use all of her skills and wit to solve the case before the killer hops away. (Amazon)
Review:
It is about time for the Hip Hop Hurray Easter Festival and Violet is getting into the season. When a dead body turns up during the celebration, Violet has a murder on her hand. She has a lot of suspects to consider, including human bunnies and bakers. She will have to figure it out before her mama takes the rap.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. I really enjoy the Southern sayings and behaviors of Violet and her Mama. The mystery was well plotted and there were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. Grab your copy and enjoy!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book and provided my honest review.
A Flicker of a Doubt (A Fairy Garden Mystery) Cozy Mystery 4th in Series Setting – California Kensington Cozies (March 28, 2023) Paperback : 320 pages ISBN-10 : 1496741277 ISBN-13 : 978-1496741271 Digital ASIN : B0B6DBQ5CM
I’m so excited to be a stop on the blog tour for author Daryl Wood Gerber and her new book A Flicker of a Doubt. It is the fourth book in her A Fairy Garden Cozy Mystery.
A Flicker of a Doubt (A Fairy Garden Mystery) by Daryl Wood Gerber
I highly recommend A Flicker of a Doubt by Daryl Wood Gerber. It’s a magically enchanting cozy mystery with a charming setting, a variety of well-written characters, and a twisty mystery to solve. I’m excited to read the next book! ~Christy’s Cozy Corners
If you like a clean cozy mystery with interesting characters, a beautiful setting, and a mystery that keeps you guessing, you need to pick up A Flicker of a Doubt. Heck, start at the beginning of the series. I give this five stars, and now I’m off to catch up on the first three! ~The Plain Spoken Pen
If you love all things magic and are looking for a super engrossing and entertaining cozy mystery, you might want to give Daryl Wood Gerber’s A Flicker of a Doubt a try. ~The Book Decoder
A Flicker of a Doubt is the fourth book in Daryl Wood Gerber’s Fairy Garden Mystery series. Featuring fairies, cats, and a wonderful cast of characters, A Flicker of a Doubt is anotherslam-dunk cozy mystery. ~Sapphyria’s Books
A Flicker of Doubt by Daryl Wood Gerber is a delightful tale. It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series, but I encourage you to read all the books in this imaginative series ~The Avid Reader
I really enjoyed the expansion of the fairy world’s rules and relationships that are explored in this book. I really appreciate all the gluten-free sweet treats in the back of the book! Overall, A Flicker of a Doubt is an enchantingly whimsical cozy mystery perfect for fantasy fans. ~Diane Reviews Books
Fairies are trending hard, especially when it comes to fairy garden décor in Walmart and Target and on Amazon. The latest installment in the nationally bestselling Daryl Wood Gerber’s Fairy Garden mysteries is a perfect read for Laura Childs readers and all fans of whimsy and charm.
With a theater foundation tea and an art show planned at Violet Vickers’s estate, Courtney is hired to create charming fairy gardens for the event. It’s not so charming, however, when her best friend Meaghan’s ex-boyfriend turns out to be Violet’s latest artistic protégé. Even worse, not long after Meaghan locks horns with him, his body is found in her yard, bludgeoned with an objet d’murder.
There’s a gallery of suspects, from an unstable former flame to an arts and crafts teacher with a sketchy past. But when the cops focus on Meaghan’s business partner, who’s like a protective older brother to her, and discover he also has a secret financial motive, Courtney decides to draw her own conclusions. Fearing they’re missing the forest for the trees, and with some help from Fiona the sleuthing fairy, she hopes to make them see the light . . .
Agatha Award-winning author Daryl Wood Gerber is best known for her nationally bestselling Fairy Garden Mysteries,Cookbook Nook Mysteries, and French Bistro Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she penned the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries. In addition, Daryl writes the Aspen Adams Novels of Suspense as well as stand-alone suspense. Daryl loves to cook, fairy garden, and read. She has a frisky Goldendoodle who keeps her in line. And she has been known to jump out of a perfectly good airplane and hitch-hike around Ireland alone. You can learn more on her website: httsp://darylwoodgerber.com
I’m so excited to be a stop on the blog tour for authors Joyce Proell and Brenda Whiteside and their new book Candy, Cigarettes, and Murder. It is the seventh book in her Barks and Beans Cafe Cozy Mystery.
Candy, Cigarettes, and Murder (Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery) by Brenda Whiteside and Joyce Proell
Candy, Cigarettes, and Murder is the debut novel in authors Joyce Proell’s and Brenda Whiteside’s new Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery cozy mystery series. I was hooked from the start. ~Guatemala Paula Loves To Read
Attention to detail and character development are things I look for when reading, and Candy, Cigarettes, and Murder had me turning the pages in this cozy mystery to see whodunnit. ~Novels Alive
Whew! What a ride! Don’t let the dead bodies keep you away from this book – lots of suspense and you will be wanting to know more as each page progresses. ~Literary Gold
It’s a birthday weekend with the gift of murder.
Recently widowed, Emma Banefield looks forward to a getaway birthday weekend with her free-wheeling sister, Nicole Earp, sipping chocolate martinis at the peaceful, historic Dulce Inn. When a rude stranger, a nasty food critic, and a madhouse of temperamental artists greet them, all hope for a tranquil weekend evaporates faster than dew on a hot desert morning.
Overlooking the riotous atmosphere is doubly hard after Em discovers the body of a hotel guest, and a second murder affects Nic personally. Now, entrenched in a caper that pits them against a surly detective, they cozy up to a hotel staff hiding dangerous secrets to uncover clues to the killer.
Using their smarts and love of all-things mystery, will the Chocolate Martini Sisters solve the crime ahead of the obstinate Chief Detective or find themselves trapped in the middle of a third murder?
Before the waitress could open her mouth, Shaw bit into her. “What is the sauce on this chicken supposed to be?”
“You ordered the Southwest Chicken in Chipotle Cream.”
“I’m quite aware of what I ordered, young woman. What’s your name?”
“Karen, sir.”
“Karen what?”
“G-Gonzalez. Karen Gonzalez.”
“Well, Ms. Gonzalez, instead of telling me something I already know, why don’t you tell me what a chipotle cream should taste like?”
The young woman’s bottom lip trembled, and her eyes sparkled with unshed tears.
“Do you know?”
Nic braced her hands on the table, ready to spring to the hounded girl’s rescue. “What a jerk.”
“I don’t know how he can complain.” Her sister spoke around a mouthful. “It’s what I ordered, and the sauce is delicious.”
“Em—”
“Sit back and eat. No need for you to make a scene.” She swallowed and feathered fingers in the air. “We’ll have a word with the manager on how well Karen responded and leave her a good tip. That’s a better way to seek justice for her than disrupting everyone’s meals.”
Two tables over, Karen’s shoulders hunched and her chin dipped before the haughty restaurant critic. “Could I get you something else, sir?”
“If I’d wanted something else, I would’ve ordered it.” The veins in his temples bulged. “Get me the chef. Now!”
“Yes, sir.” The server hustled out of the dining room.
“I hope the head chef is the type to light fireworks rather than bend over backwards for the ass.” One glance at Em told her she didn’t feel the same.
Her sister released a sigh. “This is supposed to be a quiet dinner in the ambience of a fine hotel. The start of a relaxing weekend.”
“Good grief, Em. You don’t get this kind of entertainment without paying for it. This is like dinner theater.” She shoveled in a healthy bite of mushrooms and beef, giving an appreciative hum to accompany her chewing.
The double doors of the kitchen flew open. Out came a stocky man dressed in a double-breasted white jacket with gold buttons, black slacks, and a burgundy ascot at his throat. If the outfit didn’t clue the restaurant patrons as to his profession, the poufy chef’s hat hanging to one side would. Like a charging bulldog, he tore a path directly to Shaw, clasped one hand in another in front of him, and nodded his head. “I’m Head Chef Grayson Payne. What seems to be the problem?”
Joyce Proell is the award-winning author of Amaryllis, Eliza and the Cady Delafield mysteries: A Deadly Truth, A Burning Truth and A Wicked Truth. Along with her husband and little dog, Nellie, she lives in Minnesota in her very own little house on the prairie. She loves to hear from readers.
Brenda Whiteside is the award-winning author of romantic suspense, romance, and cozy mystery. After living in six states and two countries—so far—she and her husband have settled in Central Arizona. They admit to being gypsies at heart and won’t discount the possibility of another move. They share their home with a rescue dog named Amigo. While FDW fishes, Brenda writes.
Riley Rhodes returns in the second delicious cozy set in a New England ice cream shop, Meri Allen’s Mint Chocolate Murder!
When Udderly Delightful Ice Cream shop manager Riley Rhodes is summoned to Penniman’s Moy Mull Castle, it’s the cherry on top of a successful summer season. The gothic pile built by an eccentric New England Gilded Age millionaire has been transformed into a premiere arts colony by Maud Monaco, a reclusive former supermodel. As part of Moy Mull’s Fall Arts Festival, Maud is throwing a fantasy ice cream social and hires Riley to whip up unique treats to celebrate the opening of an exhibit by Adam Blasco, a photographer as obnoxious as he is talented.
As Penniman fills up with Maud’s art-world friends arriving for the festival, gossip swirls around Blasco, who has a dark history of obsession with his models. Riley’s curiosity and instincts for sleuthing – she was a CIA librarian – are piqued, and she wonders at the hold the cold-hearted photographer has over the mistress of Moy Mull.
But when Adam is found dead behind the locked door of Moy Mull’s dungeon, Riley realizes there’s more than one suspect who’d wanted to put the malicious photographer on ice. (Amazon)
Review:
Riley Rhodes is the manager of Udderly Delightful Ice Cream shop and things have been going very well. When she is asked to provide delicious ice cream treats for the opening of a famous photographer she is all in. When said photographer is found murdered Riley decides she has to try and figure out who the killer is. It will not be easy, the murder happened behind a locked door.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and because of these descriptions I was pulled into the story from the very beginning. I really enjoyed hearing the story about the Weeping Lady, I thought it was very interesting. The mystery is well plotted and there were enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a well crafted cozy mystery. Get caught up with Riley and the ice cream shop because book three will soon be released.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
We’re just inviting you to take a timeout into the rhythmic ambiance of our breakfast, brunch and/or coffee selections. We are happy whenever you stop by.
![Murder & Mayhem At The Cairncroft Hotel (Samantha & Daisy Cosy Mysteries Book 3) by [A.J.A. Gardiner]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51JPlqhUtfL.jpg)
I am NOT going up in one of those
mjbreviewers 