When an acclaimed scholar and musician is found murdered on the Twombly College campus where her husband teaches chemistry and forensics, Emory Crawford emerges as the most inquisitive, persistent and clever amateur detective since Miss Marple. This cozy mystery is the first book in the Emory Crawford Mysteries Series. (Summary via Amazon) Emory Crawford is a wife, a mother, a homemaker, a volunteer, an avid reader, a musician, a friend. Emory Crawford is not a detective or anything close to that.....or so she thought. Emory's husband is a college professor and she loves being a college professor's wife. She loves Twombly College and volunteers on campus whenever she can. Her latest volunteering job places her at the Welcome table for a week-long Midwest Anthropological Studies Society's conference. Not only is she greeting the attendees but her and her husband, Jebbin, are involved in the opening ceremony. Archie, a friend of Emory and Jebbin, has written a book pertaining to the field and will be a big part of the conference. Unfortunately he is found in a garden murdered just after the opening dinner. The local authorities are looking to have the case solved before the week-long event concludes putting Jebbin and his friend Chatty is a tough spot researching and working in the lab. Emory decides to "help" out by talking to some of the others in attendance. Emory is certain that she has solved the murder and knows who the murderer is......until he is found murdered in one of the gardens on campus as well. Can she really solve the case, especially now that there are 2 murders ? She was told that she has the "gift".... what does that actually mean ? The Devil's Music by Pearl R. Meaker is a very interesting story about music and death and how they come together. Even though it is a rather "dark" topic, you will not feel like you are in the dark. Meaker keeps you going right along side Emory as she wanders around campus playing Miss Marple...... Review by Missi S.
What does it take to make a law-abiding, outgoing, philanthropic woman murder her only son? Sean's misdeeds began with the thefts of school kids' lunches and toys, and escalated to womanizing and blackmail. The town's reputation is in jeopardy. His mother puts up with it for twenty-seven years, four months and seventeen days-then she snaps.Claire devises a plan to poison him.Trouble is, she buys the plant, from which she derives the poison, in a good friends' shop. When Payton comes under suspicion for the murder, Claire descends into deep depression. She's committed one murder to protect her town, will she commit another to protect her friend? (Summary via Goodreads) Sackets Harbor is a quaint little town with tourist shops, restaurants, a marina and wonderful people. In Sackets Harbor everyone knows everyone and they take care of each other. Sackets Harbor is a great place to visit and live....except for one thing.....Sean Adams. Sean Adams has lived in Sackets Harbor his entire life and has been a thorn in everybody's side......especially Claire's. When Payton Winter's moves to town and opens Payton's Place - Exotic and Domestic Plants, it seems she unknowingly opens a window of opportunity for more than one member of the community a way to remove the thorn. Unfortunately it puts Payton right in the middle of the investigation when Sean and his racing partner are found murdered during the first saliboat race of the season. When the murder weapon is found to be poison from a plant that has been sold in Payton's store, Sergeant Espinoza will not rest until he captures the killer nor will he let Payton. How can you find a murderer in a town full of people who wanted the deceased dead ? Payton decides to take it upon herself to do some snooping and asking around. Will she be killed next ? Can she save this town and the people that are dear to her before it's too late ? Cindy Davis will keep you guessing and wondering from page one until the end of Lethal Dose of Love. Don't be so sure you know who the murderer is until you read till the end. There is such a twist in the end that will be sure to blow your mind !!! Review by Missi S.
SUMMER PRESCOTT BOOKS is thrilled to announce the release of the long-awaited 3rd book in The Diner of the Dead Series: Sinister Strawberry Waffle!!!!
Just when it seems that things have finally quieted down for diner owner Sonja Reed, a threatening note, which is slipped under her door, spurs a series of spine-tingling events. When a simple landscaping project goes terribly awry, and a local businessman is murdered, Sonja finds herself in the midst of her most perplexing and dangerous mystery yet. (Summary via Goodreads) Another great fast paced read that I couldn't put down. This series has me hooked! Each of these books are full of mystery,suspense,and of course murder. This one has even more awaiting you, secrets long buried, frightening nightmares for Sonja, and the spirit world ready to lend a hand. Loved this book!
Sonja has decided it is time to give the outside of the diner a facelift. She has asked a local company Merrill, Macklin's Landscaping and more to take care of all the weeds and dead grass. Then something strange happens and both Sonja and Bill Merrill are given warnings to not do the job and to hire someone else? Weird??? Little do both of them know that someone wants to keep not only the grass dead but one or both of them! Lots of twists and turns that will have you on the edge of your seat in the small town where things go bump in the night.
I am looking forward to book four. Review by Penny M.
Kate Fox is living the dream. She’s married to Grand County Sheriff Ted Conner, the heir to her beloved Nebraska Sandhills cattle ranch, where they live with Kate’s orphaned teenage niece, Carly. With the support of the well-connected Fox Clan, which includes Kate’s eight boisterous and interfering siblings, Ted’s reelection as Grand County Sheriff is virtually assured. That leaves Kate to the solitude and satisfaction of Frog Creek, her own slice of heaven.
One night Kate answers a shattering phone call from Roxy at the Bar J. Carly’s granddad Eldon, owner of the ranch, is dead and Ted has been shot and may never walk again. Kate vows to find the killer. She soon discovers Ted responded so quickly to the scene because he was already at the Bar J . . . in Roxy’s bed. And to add to her woes, Carly has gone missing.
Kate finds out that Eldon was considering selling his ranch to an obscenely rich environmentalist. Some in town hate the idea of an outsider buying up land, others are desperate to sell . . . and some might kill to get their way. As she becomes the victim of several “accidents,” Kate knows she must find the killer before it’s too late. . . . (Summary via Goodreads) All Kate wants to do is work the ranch taking care of the new calves, help her husband get re-elected as Sheriff and be there for her niece Carly. But in one night everything changes ! ! Carly's grandfather, Eldon, is murdered, Ted is also shot and Carly is gone. Now Kate needs to find Carly and find out who killed Eldon and shot Ted. Unfortunately while she is doing her own investigating she uncovers some secrets that change how she feels towards the man she has loved forever. How can she prove his innocence when the whole town knows the secret and the last person she wants anything to do with who has the power to destroy everything wants to team up with her in the investigating ? Stripped Bare, A Kate Fox Mystery, by Shannon Baker takes you to a place far into the country where the cows outnumber the townfolk and daily life is hard work but as long as your family has your back, you can handle anything !!! Review by Missi S.
SUMMER PRESCOTT BOOKS is thrilled to present: Marinated Murder - Book 4 in The Bandit Hills Series by Cozy author Blair Merrin!!!
Progress is a good thing…until it reveals secrets that have been long hidden. When a historic home is torn down to make room for a new hotel, Cassie and Dash once again find themselves caught up in solving a murder case, and the town of Bandit Hills is rocked by a sad tale of anguish and deception. Will the couple solve the case before the murderer can strike again? Find out in this latest enthralling installment of The Bandit Hills Series. (Summary via Goodreads) Delicious is the best way to describe book four. Things are heating up in Bandit Hills not only because of ghosts but long buried secrets that some may kill to keep buried. On the yummy side, Bonnie has found a cookbook with recipes that will make your mouth water reading. Perfect cook out BBQ!
Cassie and Dash are at the diner and become caught up in another murder mystery when someone comes in saying there's a dead body at the Waverly house. Dash ends up going and tells Cas to hang back and call Phil. Phil gets there pretty quick but the interesting thing is the call that Cassie gets from Dash asking her to come to the scene? This definitely has her interest peaked until she gets there only to find an object that was supposed to be with Bonnie beside the dead body! Wholly Cow! How did it get there??? Well, I guess that's Bandit Hills for ya. Soon Cassie will become even closer to the object and the ghost attached to it to try and solve this murder and prevent another. This book had me guessing all the way through and I was shocked at the end. Review by Penny M.
Cait's friend Alex who we met in The Cat of Christmas Past returns to Madrona Island a vastly changed man. It seems that wealth has made an impact on his personality and not in a good way. During one of the legendary parties Alex has become famous for throwing one of the guests dies and it looks as if Alex may have blood on his hands. Cait and Cody set out to prove Alex's innocence with the help of Ebenezer, the cat we met in The Cat of Christmas Past. (Summary via Goodreads) Another amazing 5 star book by Kathi Daley. The Great Catsby is book 8 in the Whales and Tails series. A cozy series not to be missed. This book like all of the others grabs you from page one and has you hooked till the last page. I love that some characters from previous books have come back to Madrona Island, especially Ebenezer the mysterious cat. He has a knack for helping Cait solve mysteries as well as saving her from bad guys.
In this book Alex, a friend of Cait's has come back to Madrona Island a changed man. He has done a full 180 and is now quite frankly acting like a rich snob! That is until after one of his wild parties he ends up the prime suspect in the murder of a guest.
Besides Alex, Cait has a lot on her plate with her mom getting married and her sister Cassie not taking all the changes as well as her mom would like. YIKES! This is a touchy subject. Poor Cait. She is in the middle of everything but Ebenezer is here to help. This wonderful cat was introduced to us in The Cat of Christmas Past and is back to help. Before long Cait maybe over her head and Ebenezer maybe the only one who can save her from the real killer. Grab your copy of this great series! You will love it! Review by Penny M.
SUMMER PRESCOTT BOOKS is thrilled to present: One Cuppa Brew - Book 1 in The Thyme for Tea Series!!! The fantastic debut book by Cozy author J. Louise Powell.
‘Pastor’ Iris Marsha Potts is a retired minister who loves nothing more than spending her golden years sharing her love of tea, coffee, and good books with the people of Perdido Key, FL. When her friend William becomes the suspect in the murder of a newcomer to their retirement community, Iris’s heart wars with her instinct, as the rather mysterious gent tries to clear his name. Can she trust him? What does she really know about her friend, and why won’t he open up about his past? Friends, family and the local police are all put to the test in this suspense-filled first book of the Thyme for Tea series, and the ‘Pastor’ finds herself in the middle of trying to solve a murder, making the time for a cup of tea and her favorite yoga class along the way! (Summary via Goodreads) This book is a new series that will have you grabbing a cuppa tea and reading. It is a fun mystery that keeps you guessing till the end. This is a Christian Cozy that everyone can enjoy. Love how the main character is able to minister to her patrons as they grab a tea/coffee and a good book.
Iris Potts, Pastor as she is called, is a retired minister who is enjoying life running her dream Tea/ Bookstore in Perdido Key, Florida. When things go sideways for her friend William she doesn't realize just how upside down her life will become. William is accused of murdering the new comer to the retirement community. Now Pastor is trying to figure out whether or not to trust William who is very standoffish about his past and find a killer. Thank goodness Andy her son has come to help his mom and try and keep her safe..
I am looking forward to reading more of this series. Review by Penny M.
When a treasure hunt leads to deadly plunder, it's up to glass shop owner Savannah Webb and her trusty investigative posse to map out the true motives of a killer . . .
It's the dog days of summer in St. Petersburg, Florida, and Webb's Glass Shop proprietor Savannah Webb has an eco-friendly plan to help locals escape the heat--a recyclable bottle-crafting workshop taught by reticent store manager Amanda Blake. Turns out, the class is a bigger smash than expected, thanks in part to a pair of staggeringly old bottles brought in by snorkeler Martin Lane . . .
Linked to a storied pirate shipwreck, the relics definitely pique Savannah's interest. But intrigue turns to shock when Martin's lifeless body washes ashore the next morning, another glass artifact tucked in his dive bag. With cell phone records connecting Amanda to the drowning, Savannah must voyage through unchartered territory to exonerate her colleague and capture the twisted criminal behind Martin's death . . . (Summary via Goodreads) Great cozy mystery! Cracked to Death is book three in A Webb's Glass Shop mystery. I have not had the pleasure of reading books one or two but will be changing this very soon. I really enjoyed book three and look forward to the others.
Savannah Webb is the owner of Webb's Glass Shop in St. Petersburg, Florida where the sun is hot and the mystery even hotter. Amanda, the store manager is having her first class on up cycling bottles when a class member brings in a couple antique bottles from a recent dive. He tells Amanda that he found them in the area where the legendary pirate, Jose' Gaspar is rumored to have buried treasure. (I am a huge history geek and loved how the author intertwined this pirate legend into the story.) Amanda doesn't want to use the bottles in the class until she finds out more about them. This is where things turn upside down for Amanda. Martin the client who brought the antique bottles to class ends up dead on the beach! Things begin to unravel even more when the police find out about all the texts between him and Amanda. Everyone thought she didn't know him??? She has now become the prime suspect. Now she has to have faith in her friends to investigate to clear her name. It doesn't help her case that she has been very erratic lately so they have an uphill battle trying to clear her. She has a lot on her mind with her mom's health. The team really needs to find the real killer before he or she strikes again. On the plus side they get to look for buried treasure and find out more about the allusive pirate Gaspar. AaaaRrrrGggHhhhh! Review by Penny M.
A witch. A murder. A wedding dress? Dylan Apel is having one heck of a summer. She knows her hand-made clothing is special, but magical? Discovering that she's a witch is bad enough, but when Dylan realizes there are folks who’ll kill to possess her witchy powers— that’s enough to make a girl want to hide out in the back of her boutique. Only problem is, Queen Witch is in town, itchin’ to make sure Dylan learns to cast spells, and this witch won’t take no for an answer.
Dylan must learn fast—someone just killed her best client with a poisoned gown meant for Dylan. Was it the tall, mysterious hottie in black, who's suddenly everywhere she goes? After all, the first thing Roman Bane says is he doesn't like witches. Is he here to save her, or kill her?
Dylan is barely getting a handle on her new powers when she finds herself surrounded by witches bossing her this way and that, local police nosing about, and wary clients—death by clothing is not good for business. And the solstice is coming … a time when witch powers are at their peak. Can Dylan survive the chaos long enough to figure out her new life? (Summary via Goodreads) I have found a new series that is a must read! 5 stars just aren't enough for this debut book. What is not to love in a cozy full of magic, mystery, and WITCHES! Scared Witchless (Bless Your Witch) is the first book in this magical new series. Started this book and read it straight through. Once you start the author's writing has you wanting to know what is going to happen next and then you are hooked.
Dylan Apel and her sister Sera own shops in their little town and are doing what they love. Dylan owns a clothing store while Sera owns a scrumptious bakery. They are full of family, hard work, and Magic??? Dylan has been told many times that her shop is magical but little did she know that it is because she and her sister Sera are witches. Although her little sister Reid has no magic she definitely makes up for it in wit and love of family. This family is about to get a huge wake up call when the dress that Dylan made for herself ends up killing a customer that tries it on! In steps Queen Witch Em telling the girls they have powers that people are willing to kill them for. WOW! No pressure or anything. Now Dylan must learn her powers quickly before she or her sisters become dead witches. These sisters learn a lot about family and their abilities in this great new world created by Amy Boyles. Looking forward to many more adventures from the Apel sisters. Review by Penny M.
