A trip to the Lake District proves to be anything but idyllic when Dorothy and Alan investigate a mysterious death.
Dorothy Martin and her husband, retired chief constable Alan Nesbitt, jump at the chance to holiday in the beautiful Lake District when Alan’s old friend, Christopher Prideaux, invites them to visit him in Grasmere.
A party at Christopher’s cottage is the perfect way to meet the locals, but one stands out – accountant Donald Atkinson, an egoist hoping to become a politician, clearly isn’t popular among his fellow villagers. When he’s found mysteriously dead during the Fell Race, could his demise be due to a sudden, fatal medical emergency, or was it murder? Dorothy and Alan find themselves catapulted into a disturbing case that will lead them back in time, and to a terrible, scandalous secret that someone is determined to keep hidden. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Hardcover
Outer Banks librarian Lucy is working on an art show at the library when paintings–and people–start to go missing, in this 11th Lighthouse Library mystery from national bestselling author Eva Gates.
When a traveling show of impressionist art comes to Nags Head, North Carolina, librarian Lucy and the staff at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library are inspired to create an educational display about art history. Their launch of the display is a huge success, but the morning after, they discover that a reproduction of a famous painting has gone missing.
No one knows why anyone would bother stealing it: the picture is of no value–the real, priceless painting is under lock and key at the art show itself. Lucy gets an invite to the glitzy opening night for the real show, where she notices unusual tension among the show’s organizers. Then, the man scheduled to give the welcoming speech fails to arrive, and a party-goer is discovered drowned in a fish pond.
Meanwhile, Louise Jane is totally captivated by Tom Reilly, a handsome, charming art dealer lurking at the edges of the receptions on both nights. Tom slipped away from the party early, and he cannot be located by the police. Who, Lucy asks, is Tom Reilly, the shadowy figure threatening to break Louise Jane’s heart?
Something is afoot in Nags Head, and it’s up to Lucy and her friends to get to the bottom of it before it’s not just paintings being framed. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook
With her life on the California Coast behind her, Roxi Carlucci is beginning to feel at home in the Tower District—the cultural oasis of Fresno, CA—where she now lives with her cousin P.I. Stephen Carlucci, her pet rat Merlin, a Pit Bull named Watson, and a black cat named Dan. She has a new entertainment podcast, works as a part-time P.I., and is helping local bookstore owner Clark Halliwell put on the first-ever Tower Halloween Mysteryfest! The brutal summer heat is gone and has been replaced by the dense tule fog—perfect for Halloween!
She just wishes everyone would stop calling her the “Jessica Fletcher” of the Tower District simply because she found a dead body when she first arrived. But when one of the Mysteryfest authors is found dead, she fears she jinxed herself! The Carlucci’s are hired to find the killer before they strike again. Will Mysteryfest turn into a murder fest? How is the local gossip website back, and what does it know about the death of Roxi’s parents?
Praise for the first Tower District Mystery One of Us–
I just love Roxi, her cousin Stephen, and the setting of the book in the Tower District. I’m already looking forward to Roxi’s next adventure.
Cleo Coyle, author of The Coffeehouse Mysteries
Lorie Lewis Ham hits one out of the park with her first book in the new Tower District Mysteries series. Literary Liz
A solid debut mystery with a likable protagonist and a great setting. From the smooth writing to the intricate plot, there are a lot of things to like about One of Us…With little profanity, violence, or sex, this light mystery should appeal to a variety of readers across the genre.
Terry Ambrose, author of the Seaside Cove Bed and Breakfast Mysteries (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle
***Hannah Dolby’s latest instalment of the adventures of Lady Detective Violet Hamilton is available for pre-order now!***
Violet Hamilton is no ordinary lady…
She is a Lady Detective, who spends her time solving mysteries and unveiling scandals in the bustling seaside town of Hastings and St Leonards, a popular spot for the Victorian middle classes.
But when the body of a local woman is found on the beach, Violet’s efforts to investigate are blocked at every turn.
Is that because, as a woman, she can’t possibly be allowed to think or act for herself? Or is it because someone sinister has Violet in their sights?
Jane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes in this delightful mystery of manners that will steal your heart, and transport you to a world of seaside scandal and moonlit balls; dubious doctors and duplicitous crooked lords; adventurous escapades and stolen kisses. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback
Things go awry for Katie Bonner when her former mother-in-law, Margo, throws a housewarming party at her lakeside rental and one of her guests ends up dead in the water. Maxwell Preston was a devoted husband–and a not-so-great dad. He was a beloved pharmacist who didn’t take care of his ramshackle property, which is destined to be a hot commodity on Victoria Square when his heir puts it up for sale. But most of all, Preston was a stranger to the others who attended the party.
Meanwhile, Nona Fiske takes charge of Victoria Square big summer extravaganza—a disaster in the making as what little power she’s seized has gone straight to her head. The Davenport sisters have their own agenda, and they’ve not only been poking around to find out more about the dead man, but what other mischief has been going on around the Square.
So, who killed Maxwell Preston and why? That’s what Katie wants to know—and she’s willing to risk everything to find out. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback
Dax and Callahan have drifted south now, Dax working on a small construction project for the owner of the Paradise Bed & Breakfast in Key West, while Callahan makes himself at home, scrounging the occasional gourmet fish dinner and chumming around with the island’s Hemingway cats. But trouble soon shows up when Ginger Browne, the inn’s owner, discovers that a guest has perished in their nicest suite.
Liberty Anderson was a pretty young woman with plenty of money and the urge to party, and one of the men she approached in a local bar the night of her death just happened to be Trout Richardson, owner of a struggling boat charter business and Ginger’s friend. Within a short time, most of the other guests have vacated the B&B, leaving Ginger to worry about the bills and about Trout’s involvement with the dead woman.
The police aren’t looking at any of the really important clues, Callahan thinks, after his preliminary examination of the body and the contents of the victim’s purse. And Trout seems unusually wary of having cops asking questions of him. Will Callahan be able to find out what really happened and restore Ginger’s business before the posturing local police detective bungles the case entirely, and could it be true that there’s a spy in their midst?
A previous version of this story was published in 2018 as Trouble in Paradise
* * *
Praise for Rebecca Barrett’s books:
“Great fun reading. Loved it!” Nancy Collings, 5 stars on Amazon
“This book and the whole series is amazing. I loved every one of them.” Chris KP, 5 stars
“As I read, I could marvel again at how skilled the author is at adding in the clues and the twists and turns.” – 5 stars for The Rat Catcher
“The cat’s narrative hooked me…….a delightful read! I highly recommend it!” 5 stars online review
“I love this series. I love the idea that each takes place in a different location.” Erin Dougherty, online review (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Audiobook
From USA Today bestselling author Gin Jones comes a southern tale of murder and deceit…
The Three Sisters B&B in the heart of Kentucky’s bourbon country is starting to flourish—thanks to the hard work of Jess Walker and her two sisters, Em and CJ.
With a big auction coming up at the horse farm next door to the B&B, there’s an overflow crowd at both properties. And while the sisters may love the full rooms, the workload is enough that the middle sister, Em, sneaks away for a much needed break with the horse she boards at the farm. Only instead of her horse, what she finds in the stall is the dead body of the farm’s beloved vet!
The incompetent sheriff assumes it was a tragic accident, but the sisters have trouble believing it…even before the victim’s new, handsome young partner arrives and insists it was murder. Em, Jess, and CJ vow to find the truth, no matter what it may take.Together they uncover a variety of likely suspects, including the farm’s manager, a B&B guest, and a horse buyer who was banned from the auction. Before long, it’s not just a miscarriage of justice to worry about, but the imminent danger of another Bluegrass Homicide, this time at the B&B.
“Gin’s writing style and wonderful characters made an entertaining page-turner.”
~ Kings River Life Magazine
“Readers will thoroughly love reading My Old Kentucky Homicide. You will want to move into the B&B so that you can be a part of the experience. Jones knows how to paint the picture for readers so that you will feel like you are right there with the guests sitting on the front porch or the veranda.”
~ Cozy Mystery Book Reviews (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback
Cozy Quilts and Deadly Secrets. Can the Cozy Quilts Club untangle this web of deception before an innocent suspect is caught in its threads?
When Meghan Doherty discovers the lifeless body of her roommate, Lily Sullivan, in their apartment, she becomes the prime suspect, and the lead detective considers the case closed.
After calling 911 to report Lily’s death, Meghan’s next call is to her lifelong friend, Sarah Pascal. That’s good news for Meghan because Sarah and her fellow sleuths of The Cozy Quilts Club have solved three murders even though the police had run out of clues and suspects.
As the Cozy Quilts Club attempts to clear Meghan’s name, they must untangle the web of deceit, drugs, and dirty cops that had been Lily’s double life.
Can they learn the truth and expose the real killer before it’s too late? Join the Cozy Quilts Club in the latest installment of A Cozy Quilts Club Mystery series, Caught in a Spider’s Web. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback
Stormy Morgan is flying high. She’s engaged. She’s used to her new routine. She’s even learning about being a witch. All of that changes when a local podcaster’s house goes up in flames and a body is found inside.
Carl Winslow was not a nice man. He spent his time stalking local family vloggers so he could cast aspersions on their life choices. One family in particular draws his ire, and he fights with them the night of the fire. Are they to blame for the podcaster’s death, though?
Stormy and her fiancé Hunter Ryan are on the case, and the further they dig into Carl Winslow’s life, the more they realize that nothing in Shadow Hills is as it seems.
Stormy was already working against forces she didn’t see coming. There’s a conspiracy of people who were apparently waiting for her to manifest her powers working against her, though. They have plans for her. They also had plans for Carl.
As evidence begins mounting, it points to one particular person. Only Stormy is convinced it has to be someone else. She’s determined to get to the source of the death and destruction wreaking havoc on her once quiet small town.
She has to survive to find her answers, though, and that’s not a given.
It’s a race against the clock. Either Stormy finds what she’s looking for and stops Shadow Hills’ most recent threat, or everybody suffers in the wake of yet another bout of magical mayhem.
Who will survive? You’re about to find out. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Audiobook
Two ageing actors attempt to solve a murder after a body is found on the set in this witty, fun whodunnit, perfect for fans of Thursday Murder Club and Death & Croissants.
In 1970, on the set of downmarket sitcom ‘Floggit and Leggit’, leading man Edward Lowe stumbles across the body of a woman, apparently the victim of a tragic drowning accident. But there’s something about her that rings the faintest of bells in Edward’s head and, convinced the woman has been murdered, he enlists the help of his co-star John le Breton to investigate further. Crossing the country and back again during gaps in filming, the two men uncover both a series of murders in the modern day, and links to another unfortunate death during the War. As the body count mounts, Edward and John face a race against time to save the innocent victims of a serial killer… (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback
What are cursed artifacts, a talking cat, and a dead body doing in the sweet little town of Citrus Grove? That’s what spirited shopkeeper Rebecca Cuthbert wants to find out, and she had better do it fast because she’s the prime suspect in the murder of the town’s shadiest antiquities dealer.
It’s a troubling start to her reunion with her long-lost grandfather and a far cry from the Southern California vacation she was expecting. So far, nothing in Citrus Grove is quite what it seems. Not her grandfather, who suspiciously disappears at the strangest times, not his curious antique shop, which has more secrets than customers, and certainly not the oddball neighbors, with their hidden motives and questionable connections.
As Rebecca races against time with her new feline friend to uncover the truth behind a mysterious murder, she finds herself tangled in a web of danger and deceit as captivating as Queen Cleopatra herself. With help from unexpected allies and an often-exasperating, yet undeniably handsome detective, Rebecca must outwit the cunning killer before she becomes the next victim.
Dig into this delightful series of cozy mysteries filled with quirky humor, friendships, ancient mysteries, and magic. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle
Sometimes a day off…
Turns into a really off day.
Dogwood Donuts owner and amateur sleuth, Maggie Mission, finally has a day off and decides to go to the farmer’s market, where she has an odd encounter with two women who seem strangely interested in her purchases.
When one of the women shows up in her shop and rudely causes a scene, Maggie is convinced that she’s up to something and discovers that she’s planning to open a food truck…right across the street.
Maggie’s frustration with her soon to be competitor turns to suspicion when the woman’s body is found.
It looks like Maggie is being framed for murder, which only serves to intensify her determination to get to the truth.
Hopping mad when her own food truck goes missing soon after the murder, Maggie sets out on a quest for the truth. What she uncovers is more than she bargained for.
Can she solve the crime and save the day? Find out in this twisty-turny Culinary Cozy Mystery! (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback
First Comes Love, Then Comes Murder features nineteen juicy tales of revenge, betrayal, bad breakups, and a few I dos and some I don’ts.
Each short story takes ruthless relationships to an all-new level in all kinds of places like destination weddings, riverboat cruises, wineries, bachelorette parties, creepy stalkers, cheating spouses, and sneaky friends trying for their own version of happily ever after. So, settle in for some love stories with a twist of revenge, infidelity, and murder.
Featuring the writing talents of Teresa Inge, Heather Weidner, Debra H. Goldstein, Grace Topping, Maggie King, Ellen Butler, Kristin Kisska, Shawn Reilly Simmons, Marilyn Levinson, Sandra Murphy, Mary Dutta, Diane Fanning, Libby Hall, Frances Aylor, K.L. Murphy, Eleanor Cawood Jones, Leah St. James, Sheryl Jordan and Allie Marie.
Nineteen talented authors have lent their pens to whisk you away to a variety of venues in search of who done it. Woe to the man or woman who places the heroes and heroines in harm’s way as they solve these mysteries. Clever twists and turns make this a delightful read. What foul means has joined together – let the clever reader unveil the clues.
Nan O’Berry
USA Today’s Best Selling Author (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback
“If you are looking for an engaging travelogue filled with travel suggestions, RV tips and dos and don’ts – then I Sleep Around is it. With a humorous undertone at times, Sue Ann honestly writes about her dream of traveling solo and the challenges, both mechanically with her RV, and psychologically it has been. It’s a rewarding tale of living her dream and sharing so others can do the same.” – Kelli Harms, Marketing and PR Manager, Winnebago Industries
With no camping or RV experience, author Sue Ann Jaffarian decided to chuck her life in Los Angeles for a life on the road in a van. Newly retired from her long-time career as a paralegal, she got rid of most of her belongings, packed up her laptop, and embraced a new adventure of traveling the country and writing full-time, adding travel writing to her career as a popular mystery novelist.
Not always sunshine and unicorns, her experiences gave her more self-reliance, a new appreciation of nature, and a love for the quirky, interesting, and thought-provoking. I Sleep Around chronicles her first two years on the road and the time leading up to taking this bold step. All while her friends and family thought she had lost her mind. (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback
Murder, dark family secrets, and the unwavering bond of sisterhood— regardless of the cost
Beth Ralston, a paralegal in Portland, Oregon, would rather be racking up billable hours than mingling at an office party— especially when her sister Lindsay, aka her plus one, is a no-show.
After making her obligatory rounds, Beth returns to her office to find that her boss, who she’ d talked with moments before, has been murdered. She sees a woman fleeing the scene. Wait— was that Lindsay? Unable to catch up to her in time, Beth waits for the police to arrive and notices that Lindsay has left her phone behind with an unsent text message to Beth displayed on the screen: “ Don’ t ask. Don’ t follow.”
Lindsay is unreachable for days, and when Beth starts to come under suspicion for the crime, she decides that waiting is impossible. While retracing Lindsay’ s steps, determined to bring her home, Beth uncovers what her sister, an investigative reporter bent on changing the world, was trying to expose— corruption, secrets, and betrayal on an unimaginable level. Revealing the truth might bring back the one person she’ s desperate to find— but it could also destroy the only life and family Beth’ s ever known.
Perfect for fans of Gregg Olsen and Karin Slaughter (Amazon)
Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook
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