Category: Mystery

Bookmarked for Murder by V.M. Burns

Posted December 11, 2019 by Marsha in Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Series / 0 Comments

Amateur sleuth Samantha Washington’s shopping trip to Chicago takes a deadly detour when a man is murdered on her bus . . .

After some post-Christmas retail therapy in the Windy City, mystery bookshop owner, and historical whodunit novelist Sam Washington is returning home to North Harbor, Michigan, on a chartered bus. With Nana Jo and her gal pals Irma, Dorothy, and Ruby Mae from Shady Acres Retirement Village along for the ride, it’s a lively trip.

But one passenger is not so lively—a gentleman Irma befriended is found dead in his seat after an unscheduled stop. The ladies immediately shift gears to find out who punched his ticket, while Sam slips into the driver’s seat to make sure Nana Jo and her crew steer clear of fatal conclusions.

Titles in the Mystery Bookshop series include – The Plot is Murder – Read Herring Hunt – The Novel Art of Murder – Wed, Read and Dead – Bookmarked for Murder –

Have a Deadly New Year by Lynn Cahoon

Posted December 6, 2019 by Marsha in Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Series / 0 Comments

Chef Angie Turner of The County Seat—Idaho’s finest farm-to-table restaurant—is preparing a private dinner in the mountains during ski season, but the trip’s about to go downhill

It’s a rockin’ New Year for Angie and her crew as they cater a bash for a famous band—and as a bonus, they’ll get to stay at the singer’s Sun Valley house for a whole week once the party’s over. But there are hints of discord, and the event hits a sour note when one of the musicians is found with a drumstick in his chest.

Is this a case of creative differences turned lethal or is there another motive at play? Angie’s jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire as she and her fellow foodies try to solve the case before the killer comes out for an encore.

Titles in the Farm to Fork Mystery series include – Who Moved My Goat Cheese? – Killer Green Tomatoes – One Potato, Two Potato, Dead – Have A Deadly New Year (novella) –

Murder at Icicle Lodge by J.D. Griffo

Posted December 2, 2019 by Marsha in Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Series / 0 Comments

Seasoned Italian-American Alberta Scaglione can whip up a traditional dish for any occasion. But when an impromptu vacation turns deadly, can she sift out the deadly ingredient?

When her granddaughter lands a reporting gig at the grand opening of the luxurious Icicle Lodge, Alberta and friends tag along for a week of much-needed R&R amid the snowcapped hills of northeastern Pennsylvania. But the idyllic winter getaway becomes a nightmare after the gang discovers blood on the ice—and the dead body of celebrity guest Pamela Gregory, a frosty Olympic gold medal figure skater who won herself more enemies than fans . . .

With a killer on the loose, multiple suspects, and a blizzard on the way, Alberta must now race to crack a bone-chilling case . . . before the outspoken Ferrara ladies get served murder: family style!

Titles in the A Ferrara Family Mystery series include – Murder on Memory Lane – Murder in Tranquility Park – Murder at Icicle Lodge –

A Murderous Tangle by Sally Goldenbaum

Posted November 30, 2019 by Marsha in Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Series / 0 Comments

Birdie, Nell, Cass, and Izzy are prepping their coziest handiwork for a holiday gathering in Sea Harbor, Massachusetts. But as murder makes waves in their tightly knit coastal village, can the Seaside Knitters prevent a deadly trend from catching on?

While the Seaside Knitters get ready to showcase their new Danish-inspired event, locals can’t stop talking about Tess Bean–a bright-eyed environmental activist with a way of charming both animals and humans alike. Birdie’s granddaughter is mesmerized by ethereal Tess’s passion for saving the earth and ocean, and even Izzy’s old Irish setter becomes attached to the young woman’s gentle touch.

Except not everyone is a fan of Tess and her strong opinions, especially after she starts questioning the “clean” practices of small-business owners. So when a popular bar owner whom Tess publicly calls out for bad practices is found dead from a fall off his club’s deck, it’s not long before she tops the suspect list for murder.

In addition to a murderer walking their streets, the knitters are also grappling with an unusual wave of thefts up and down Harbor Road. Now, as Birdie’s granddaughter struggles to protect her mentor’s reputation, the Seaside Knitters must solve a dangerous mystery that not only threatens to unravel the fabric of their community and the approaching holiday, but also the lives of those they care about the most.

Titles in the Seaside Knitters Society Mystery series include – Patterns in the Sand – How to Knit A Murder – A Murderous Tangle –

Bluebell’s Christmas Magic by Marie Laval

Posted November 29, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Mystery / 0 Comments

A flick of a feather duster and a sprinkle of Christmas magic …

Cassie Bell is used to mess. Her cleaning business, Bluebell Cleaning, is well known in the Cumbrian village of Red Moss. However, now it’s almost Christmas and Cassie has a slightly messier situation to deal with than she’s used to.

She’s been hired to help Stefan Lambert, an injured army helicopter pilot who’s staying at the local Belthorn Manor whilst he recovers. Stefan resents Cassie’s interference and is definitely not looking for Christmas cheer. But Cassie prides herself on sparkling surfaces – so, can she bring some festive sparkle to Stefan’s life too?

Bittersweet by C. J. Carmichael

Posted November 23, 2019 by Marsha in Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Series / 0 Comments

Murder in a small town is always personal.

Local longtime librarian, Sybil Tombe, is missing, abducted from her home on the outskirts of the isolated ranching town of Lost Trail, Montana. An elderly neighbor reports seeing a gray-haired, bearded man driving up to Sybil’s house the night she disappeared. Newly-minted Sheriff Zak Waller can’t think of a less likely target for a crime.

When an older man is reported lurking around a young girl at the local grade school, Zak wonders if this man could also be Sybil’s abductor? The descriptions of the men are similar—but what could be the possible link between a young girl and 60-year-old Sybil?

Peeling back the layers of Sybil’s life, Zak discovers Sybil is a master at keeping secrets, especially her own, and these secrets may now be threatening her life as well as the life of an innocent child.

As Zak and his team work to uncover the truth, he also has to deal with issues in his romantic relationship with deputy Nadine Black, and mete justice to a respected town citizen who has been sheltering his criminal past for too long.

Titles in the Bitter Root Mysteries series include – Bitter Roots – Bitter Truth – Bitter End – Bittersweet

Talk to the Paw by Melinda Metz

Posted November 12, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Mystery, Series / 0 Comments

SHE’S PUTTING HER LOVE LIFE ON PAWS
Jamie Snyder is thirty-four and single but NOT ready to mingle. After suffering through The Year of the Non-Commital Man, The Year of the Self-Absorbed Man, and The Year of the Forgot-to-Mention-I’m-Married Man, Jamie’s ready to celebrate The Year of Me–and MacGyver, of course. MacGyver is an adorable tabby with a not-so-adorable habit of sneaking out at night and stealing things from the neighbors. That’s right, MacGyver is a cat burglar. He’s still the only male Jamie trusts–and the only companion she needs . . .

BUT HER CAT HAS OTHER IDEAS
MacGyver knows his human is lonely. He can smell it. It’s the same smell he’s noticed on their neighbor David, a handsome young baker who’s tired of his friends trying to fix him up. But now MacGyver’s on the case. First, he steals something from David and stashes it at Jamie’s. Then, he steals something from Jamie and leaves it with David. Before long, the two are swapping stolen goods, trading dating horror stories, and trying not to fall in love. But they’re not fooling MacGyver. When humans generate this much heat, the cat is out of the bag!

Titles in the Mac series include – Talk to the Paw – The Secret Life of Mac – Mac on a Hot Tin Roof –

Don’t Breathe a Word by Christie Craig

Posted November 5, 2019 by Marsha in Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Series / 0 Comments

Police detective Juan Acosta doesn’t only carry scars on the outside. He’s filled with guilt and anger ever since his undercover job led to the murder of those he loved the most. Now he’s living for one thing: revenge. That is until Juan meets his beautiful new neighbor.

Vicki Holloway prides herself on being capable and independent, but her life is turned upside down when her sister Sara is killed by an abusive ex. Fearing for the safety of her niece, Vicki, and the little girl goes into hiding…resurfacing in Texas with new identities.

Juan finds his once-frozen heart thawing around Vicki, but he knows she’s hiding something. Juan needs answers, but Vicki isn’t talking. She has to keep her secrets if she wants to keep Bell safe, which means resisting her growing feelings for the sexy, scarred man next door. But when Juan’s quest for justice brings danger to her door, divulging the truth might be the only thing that keeps her alive.

Titles in the Texas Justice series include – Don’t Close Your Eyes – Don’t Breathe a Word –

Includes the bonus novella “Hot Target” by April Hunt!

Christmas Cow Bells by Mollie Cox Bryan

Posted October 18, 2019 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Series / 0 Comments

Christmas is a time for new beginnings, so after her big breakup, Brynn MacAlister takes the gouda with the bad. With her three Red Devon cows, she settles in bucolic Shenandoah Springs, eager for a new life as an organic micro-dairy farmer and cheese-maker. Then her dear cow Petunia’s bellows set the whole town on edge. But it isn’t until Brynn’s neighbor, Nancy, dies in a mysterious fire that her feelings about small-town life begin to curdle . . .

It seems some folks were not happy with Nancy’s plan to renovate the Old Glebe Church. But is a fear of change a motivation for murder? As a newcomer, Brynn can’t ignore the strange events happening just on the other side of her frosty pasture—and soon on her very own farm. Suddenly Christmas doesn’t feel so festive as everyone demands she muzzle sweet Petunia, and Brynn is wondering if someone wants to silence her—for good.

Titles in the Buttermilk Creek Mystery series include – Christmas Cow Bells –

Witch Myth Yew Hollow by Alexandria Clarke

Posted October 13, 2019 by Marsha in Mystery, Paranormal Cozy Mystery, Series, This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments

Morgan Summers hates talking to ghosts, but when the victim of a ghastly murder asks her for help from beyond the grave, Morgan can’t say no.

Soon, Morgan herself is blamed for the murder, and the town is out for blood. Can Morgan clear her name, discover the real killer, and help her new ghostly friend cross over to the next life?

Titles in A Witch Myth Cozy Mystery series include – Witch Myth Yew Hollow (a combination book with #0 and #1 together) – Wild Fire – Witch Myth Christmas – Siren Song – Lost Magic –

Here Comes Santa Paws by Laurien Berenson

Posted October 9, 2019 by Marsha in Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Series / 0 Comments

It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Connecticut, but Melanie Travis finds surviving this December may take a real Christmas miracle when a yuletide murderer comes to town

As Melanie attempts to deck the halls in a house overrun by pampered Poodles, her event planner friend, Claire, is busy playing Santa—beard, and belly not included—for the wealthiest clientele on Connecticut’s Gold Coast. A personal shopper gig in the affluent town of New Canaan seems like business as usual. Except Claire’s stylish stint comes at a higher price than she bargains for when she stumbles over her newest customer’s dead body on the job. Named a prime suspect for murder, she begs for Melanie’s help, then vanishes like cookies and milk on Christmas Eve . . .

Determined to track down Claire, Melanie, and her nosy Aunt Peg dash into a dizzying investigation that leads to even more questions. Why was homicide victim Lila Moran, a secretive woman with an untraceable past, permitted to live on a well-known socialite-turned-recluse’s private estate, and is Claire keeping her own incriminating secrets under wraps? Now, with a grinchy New Canaan detective on their case and disturbing clues piling up like presents beneath the tree, the crime-solving duo must rein in a sinister Kris Kringle before they’re the next ones on someone’s deadly wish list.

Titles in the Melanie Travis Canine Mystery series include – Underdog – Dog Eat Dog – Hair of the Dog – Watchdog – Hush Puppy – Unleashed – Once Bitten – Hot Dog – Best in Show – Jingle Bell Bark – Raining Cats & Dogs – Chow Down – Hounded to Death – Doggie Day Care Murder – Gone with the Woof – Death of a Dog Whisperer – The Bark Before Christmas – Live and Let Growl – Murder at the Puppy Fest – Wagging Through the Snow – Ruff Justice – Bite Club – Here Comes Santa Paws –