Murder at Cottonwood Creek (Stella and Lyndy Mystery series Book # 7) by Clara McKenna

 

Far from England and their beloved Morrington Hall, Viscount “Lyndy” Lyndhurst and his American wife, heiress and equestrian Stella Kendrick—now Lady Lyndhurst—find fossils and murder in Montana . . .

Led by his passion for paleontology, Lyndy’s father, Lord Atherly, has traveled all the way to Montana, to explore the fossil-rich horse ranch owned by Stella’s mother, Katherine, and her second husband, Ned Smith. Urged by Lady Atherly to look after her husband, Stella and Lyndy follow in his wake. Stella is excited to be reunited with her mother, and Lyndy is eager to experience the real “Wild West.” Both are equally thrilled to participate in a fossil dig.

But when a local man who was guarding the dig site overnight is found the next morning dead in a creek bed, the couple fear his death may not have been an accident—especially when things get wilder still. The paleontologist on the dig has his notebook stolen, several fossil bones disappear, and a second body is found in the research tent.

No one is above suspicion—a rival paleontologist up to some skullduggery, members of their own crew, even Lord Atherly himself. Stella and Lyndy must keep digging to unearth the clues that will expose a killer in their midst—before more bones must be buried . . .  (Summary via Goodreads)

I have not read any of the Stella and Lyndy Mystery books and starting with Murder at Cottonwood Creek, the seventh book, may not have been ideal.  However, it sure was an exciting story !!!  I realize there are things that "went over my head' because there is a lot of history going back six books but quite frankly it doesn't matter.  I still fell in love with it all.

In Murder at Cottonwood Creek main characters Stella and her husband are traveling to Montana to bring some horses to Stella's mother's ranch.  While there besides visiting with her mother, her mother's husband, and their son (Stella's brother who she hasn't met), they will be seeing Lyndy's father who is there on a paleontologist dig.  

Unfortunately, soon after they arrive a local man helping at the dig site is found dead.  Stella doesn't believe that the man was just drunk and fell down the embankment to his death even though the coroner is ruling it an accident.  Sadly, Stella has had too much experience with dead bodies and death to ignore things.

While she tries to wrap her head around that, there are more incidents, accidents and questionable things that suggest something bigger is occurring .....

Murder at Cottonwood Creek, like I said is the seventh book in the Stella and Lyndy Mystery series written by Clara McKenna and if you are like me and just hearing about it, I hope you will take the time to go back and read the previous books.  If not, I hope you will follow the series and read any future books.  I know that is my plan going forward.  This book was full of exciting storylines, lovable characters and moved at a nice pace so that you are able to thoroughly enjoy it all .... although I guess the pace is up to you.

Hawaiian Holiday Homicide (Aloha Lagoon Mystery Book # 26) by Rosalie Spielman

 From author Rosalie Spielman comes a cozy Christmas caper !

For marine biologist Nelly O’Hare, "Mele Kalikimaka" on the island of Kauai means enjoying the holiday with her cute golf pro boyfriend, Jack Frango, getting ready for her bestie, Kiki Hepburn’s, wedding, and lots and lots of Hawaiian rain. Nelly is excited for it all—even the rain.

Mr. and Mrs. Barrington, Kiki’s high society parents, have come to Aloha Lagoon for the holiday and the wedding. Unfortunately, they've brought along some not-so-welcomed guests in tow. But when the rude and cantankerous couple create havoc among the wedding party, everyone is shocked when they're found dead on the golf course. Even more shocking is that the only people present at the scene at the time of the crime are Mr. and Mrs. Barrington—and Jack.

Nelly tries to stay out of the ensuing investigation, but despite her best efforts, she's soon drawn in by the murderer on the loose. The victims' adult children, their conniving female friend, and the family’s big-tipping lawyer all had a reason to want the couple gone, but it’s going to take some careful snooping to figure out who the putter-wielding killer really is. Will Nelly be able to find the truth before her friend's nuptials? Or will the wedding be derailed as the murderer strikes again...

What critics are

"This cozy series will hook you so you’ll want to read all that came before!"
~ Book review Crew

"Spielman has a magnificent imagination!! She sure has a knack with creating stories that have you coming back for more!! "
~ Cozy Mystery Book Reviews

"This was such a fun mystery with the perfect setting for armchair travel. I wish I could visit Aloha Lagoon (without the murder). I read this quickly and was sorry to say goodbye to the characters and setting. Thankfully there are many books available in the series and more publishing in the future."
~ Kings River Life Magazine


About Aloha
There's trouble in paradise...
Welcome to Aloha Lagoon, one of Hawaii's hidden treasures. A little bit of tropical paradise nestled along the coast of Kauai, this resort town boasts luxurious accommodation, friendly island atmosphere...and only a slightly higher than normal murder rate. While mysterious circumstances may be the norm on our corner of the island, we're certain that our staff and Lagoon natives will make your stay in Aloha Lagoon one you will never forget!  (Summary via Goodreads)

With twenty-six books in the series and a website dedicated to it, readers cannot help but love the Aloha Lagoon Mystery series.  This series has a number of authors who write for it, most with multiple books.  Each book, regardless as to who the author is, has a few things in common ... the resort and the businesses surrounding it and Detective Ray Kahoalani because there is always a murder.

In Hawaiian Holiday Homicide, the twenty-sixth book, written by Rosalie Spielman main character Nelly O'Hare is preparing for her best friend's wedding.  Nelly and Kiki have known each other since college, and both chose Kauai in Hawaii to live and work.  And they both met the loves of their lives there even though Kiki and Dex are farther along since they are going to be married on Christmas Eve.

When Kiki's parents arrive in their private jet, they have more people than expected.  They have brought friends Mr. and Mrs. Stronzo, her son, his son and a girlfriend of one of them.  Kiki is going to just go with the flow and let nothing upset her or get in the way of her special day.  Unfortunately, no one knew there would be a DOUBLE murder !!!

Nelly's boyfriend Jack, who is a golf pro for the resort golf course agrees to caddie for the Barrington's and the Stronzo's but somehow while Jack is on an errand to get waters and the Barrington's have stepped away to look at the ocean, both Mr. and Mrs. Stronzo turn up dead.  It is apparent that Mr. Stronzo is murdered due to the injury to his head, but it is unclear as to how Mrs. Stronzo died.

All Nelly should be doing is working as well as making sure Kiki stays calm and her wedding goes off as planned. But somehow, she cannot help herself and she is soon suspecting everyone .... except the person she should have until it is almost too late !!

The Aloha Lagoon Mystery series has so much to love.  Having multiple authors contributing to it keeps it fresh and interesting.  And you will find yourself loving Detective Ray even though he is there to solve a murder.  It is too bad that the Aloha Lagoon Resort isn't real because this girl, even though I hate traveling, would totally go there !!

Tea & Trouble (A Bookstore Cozy Mystery Book # 3) by Lucinda Race

Bookstore owner Lily Michaels still doesn’t know which kind of witch she’s going to be. She’s planning to read fortunes at her parents’ tea booth at the Fall Festival in the small town of Pembroke Cove, Maine. Is that her gift? Her snarky familiar, Milo, isn’t a lot of help. Lily’s mother warned her that reading the leaves would change someone’s life. Lily’s ready to make some changes of her own. Her relationship with Detective Gage Erikson—a.k.a. Detective Cutie— seems to be stuck in the perpetual friend zone. Maybe it’s time she went on a real date with someone else, like the new guy in town, Dax Peters.

Gage would like nothing more than to go on a real date with Lily, but romance will have to take the back burner when he’s is called to investigate another murder. Someone cut short the life of successful rose grower, Dean Hartley. Since when does horticulture lead to homicide?

Gage would be thrilled if Lily stuck to reading tea leaves and stayed out of trouble, but that’s just not in her puzzle-loving personality. Why were all the garden club members arguing with Dean at the festival? When Lily teams up with Gage once again in the race to resolve the rose-grower’s murder, can she continue to keep both her feelings and her magic a secret from Gage? Or will roses finally lead to romance for them?  (Summary via Goodreads)

I fell in love with Lily and Gage in the first book in the Bookstore Cozy Mystery series, Books & Bribes written by Lucinda Race and couldn't wait to see what trouble Lily would get into in Catnaps & Crime, the second book.  And now I have just finished Tea & Trouble, the third book and the trouble continues to boil over !!

In Tea & Trouble we get right into ... Lily recently found out she was a witch , her cat is her familiar and talks, and there are more witches living in Pembroke Cove, Maine then she realized .... including her aunt and her best friend, oh and her dad !!!  But I am getting away from the point.  So Lily is working a booth at the Fall Festival, they are selling her mom's homemade tea blends and Lily is reading customer's tea leaves, for fun. (not a lot of people know who are witches and that they have special "powers") 

After observing a commotion at anothet booth, Lily decides to intervene and suggests to Dean, who has a flower booth there, to come have a cup of tea and she would read his tea leaves.  Neither of them had any idea how spot on Lily's reading would be when she saw a broken sword and he shows up dead later that dad from a pair of pruning shears to the chest !!!

Even though Lily has been successful in helping her best friend Detective Gage Erikson in the past, he continues to lecture her to stay away from his crime scenes and investigations.  This time she has a loophole, she insists that she will not go alone to the scene .... and she doesn't, she gets her other best friend Nikki to tag along.

Readers will love this series and everything within.  You will love Lily as the main focus as she tries to come to terms with being a witch as well as learning who else is a witch in her town,  To learn that your cat can talk ... yes please !!!  Also you will love Gage and the way he handles Lily.  You cannot help but also love their relationship and seeing it unfold !!  And having chapters dedicated to each of their viewpoints is genius !!  It really allows readers to see the story from both of them.  

Death on Dickens Island (The Books on the Beach Mysteries Book # 1) by Allison Brook

A divorced sleuth in her thirties must bring peace back to her small town after a murder tears neighbors and family members apart in this series debut from Agatha Award-nominee Allison Brook, perfect for fans of Cynthia Riggs and Eva Gates.

Delia Dickens has come home to Dickens Island, a small island in the Long Island Sound, after a twelve year stint in Manhattan. She’s looking forward to helping her father revitalize the general store that the family owns as well as curating a small book nook. Most importantly, she wants to reunite with her 15 year old son. But Dickens Island isn’t the peaceful town Delia remembers–and she might be in more danger here than she ever was in the big city.

Delia’s Aunt Reenie and Uncle Brad, both prominent community leaders, are at odds over the sale of a farm and its future use. This has created friction, not only in their marriage, but amongst the citizens of the town. When a young woman, new to the town council and friendly with Brad, is found murdered, everything escalates and reaches a new boiling point.

With Reenie and Brad both suspects in the case and at each other’s throats, the townspeople start to take sides. When the ghost of her grandmother visits her, Delia learns how past events have impacted the present and it is up to her to expose the farm’s sordid secrets, in order to catch a murderer and restore peace to her beloved island.  (Summary via Goodreads)

I am a fan of The Haunted Library Mystery series by Allison Brook so when I saw that she had started a new series, I knew I had to check it out.  And seeing as The Books on the Beach Mystery series is centered on an island and also has a ghost, I couldn't wait !!  And the first book Death on Dickens Island does not disappoint !!

In Death on Dickens Island readers are introduced to Delia Dickens who has returned to the island named after her family.  She has been away for too long and is back to live in the house her grandmother left to her and to raise her fifteen year old son, Connor.  When she was divorcing Connor's abusive dad, she left Connor with her parents on the island to keep him safe not knowing it would be twelve years before she took him back ... and now she is back on the island also.

Delia is working with her father at the family's general store trying to get him to modernize it a bit but he is fighting her with her every suggestion.  Not only is there conflict between them but her aunt Reenie kicks her uncle Brad out of the house after they have been fighting a lot.  Aunt Reenie is the town manager and Brad is the head of the town council so they tend to argue but with a huge piece of land coming up for sale on the island, they both want different things for it.  Then a woman that Brad is friends with ends up murdered and Delia needs o know what is going on with her family and the island.

The Books on the Beach Mystery series is sure to be a huge success .... this first book sets things nicely for future books.  You will love the characters, they live on an island, there's a ghost, Delia has a secret room in her house, there's a murder and so much more !!!  I could tell you more about Death on Dickens Island but I think you should go grab your copy and dig in ......

Killer Commission (Cindy York Mystery series Book #7) by Catherine Bruns

Sometimes a commission check comes with a price that’s too high to pay…

After a hectic summer, real estate agent Cindy York is ready to relax and enjoy the autumn season with her family. She’s especially looking forward to a second honeymoon vacation with her husband to celebrate their silver anniversary.

But business must come before pleasure. When Cindy sends agent Olivia Lamphere in her place to show a house and the woman turns up dead, she promises her husband to stay out of the investigation. After another agent Cindy knows is murdered, she's forced to break that promise. What is the connection between the two women and why is she receiving threatening notes as well?

Can Cindy discover who’s making the deadly deals before she winds up the next victim?  (Summary via Goodreads)

The Cindy York Mystery series by Catherine Bruns will give you anxiety ... in a good way.  This series is full of so much excitement that you will breeze through reading it and will be shocked when you get to the end ... for two reasons, one because you are at the end already and two for the ending.  Bruns always has nail biting endings !!  

In Killer Commission Cindy and her husband Greg are celebrating their twenty-fixth wedding anniversary and going to go on a cruise.  That is if they can get through the next week .... easy peasy.  Not .....

Cindy gets a call to show a house that she has listed for sale.  She is a realtor at her best friend Jacques' real estate office.  The caller is very insistent, unfortunately both Cindy and Jacques have other obligations so they ask a fairly new co-worker to do.   Later that night Cindy gets a call from a neighbor of the house for sale regarding a car in the driveway. When Cindy goes over to check, she is shocked to find Olivia dead in the car.

Officer Brooks, who is well aware of the trouble that Cindy and Jacques can get into regarding his cases, is adamant that they stay out of it.  They agree until something else happens that makes Cindy realize that she was most likely the intended target ......

Catherine Bruns is one of my favorite authors.  Her books and series are such fun to read.  You can relate to the people (hopefully not the murders), they are people you would love to know and hang out with.  The jobs and careers that they have seem like tons of fun also. And yes she does have a knack with making you want to solve the murders as well.  And with Killer Commission being the seventh book in this series there is a lot to love !!!!

Dying Cry (Timber Creek K-9 Mystery Book #10) by Margaret Mizushima

A killer lurks in Colorado’s snowy high country in Dying Cry, the tenth thrilling installment of award-winning author Margaret Mizushima’s Timber Creek K-9 mystery series.

Newlyweds Mattie and Cole Walker are teaching Cole’s daughters how to snowshoe in a remote canyon when a shattering scream pierces the air. They know that somewhere ahead, someone has been injured or worse. Cole takes the girls while Mattie and Robo go deeper into the canyon to search for the source of the scream. 

From a distance, Mattie and Robo see a shadowy figure at the base of a cliff, but a rockslide buries the person under layers of stone and shale before they can provide help. Desperate to uncover the individual in case they’re still alive under the rock, their efforts are in vain. The victim is already dead. When they investigate the canyon rim from which the person fell, they discover evidence that indicates the fall was no accident. To make matters worse, the victim was one of Cole’s friends. 

The Timber Creek County investigative team springs into action, uncovering a trail of greed that leads to a killer who threatens Mattie’s cherished new family and tests her with the most difficult task she’s faced in her duty as a K-9 handler. (Summary via Goodreads)

With ten book in Margaret Mizushima's Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series I am happy to say that I have read most of them, only missing out on a few.  And I can tell you that I am a huge fan, love the characters, the town, the relationships, and the drama and murders !!

Dying Cry, the latest book, starts with main character Mattie spending a weekend with her new husband Cole, his two daughters and their dogs doing wintery activities at a local resort.  Unfortunately their weekend ends with them hearing a scream while snowshoeing and when Mattie goes to see what it was, she notices a human form in the snow.  But before she can get to it a rock avalanche occurs burying the person.

Luckily with help Mattie is able to uncover the person.  But Cole recognizes it as the husband of his veterinary assistant.  Tess is at the resort with her husband Tom who is there for work seminars through his job as manager of the local bank. Tom was supposed to be at a building used for seminars and such a ways away from the cliff he fell from ... which brings up lots of questions for Mattie and her team.

When Tom's death is ruled a homicide, Mattie has to put personal feelings aside and focus on why someone would want to kill Tom.  Cole, being the supportive partner and husband that he is, does whatever he can to help .....

Readers cannot get enough of this series !!  You fall in love with Mattie and her partner Robo and as soon as you start reading one of the books, you cannot help but w
ant a murder to occur so you can see them in action.... knowing it isn't real.  

A Wonderful Christmas Crime (Christmas Tree Farm Mystery Book # 6) by Jacqueline Frost

Innkeeper Holly White has a lot to be joyful about this season, until an attempted robbery throws the town into suspicion in the sixth installment of the Christmas Tree Farm mysteries from bestselling author Jacqueline Frost.

As Christmas descends on Mistletoe, Maine, Holly White has an extra gift for the a new baby on the way. Her husband, Sheriff Evan Gray, has been worried about her elevated blood pressure and Holly has agreed to take this year easy. Being idle has never been one of Holly’s gifts, so when Evan surprises her with tickets to the town-wide dinner, she and her many cravings thank him. But when a thief tries and fails to steal an antique ornament from the dinner’s holiday display, it’s clear that someone is on the naughty list. 

The thief manages to escape, but after dinner, Holly spots their lifeless body. It’s clear that someone in town was keen to kill them. Evan is less than jolly to find his wife at the scene of yet another holiday homicide and asks her to promise that she’ll leave the investigating to the police. But Holly has never been one to turn down a challenge and has to get creative with the help of a few of her friends in order to find this killer.

Will she and her friends be able to stop the killer, and uncover the motive behind the attempted robbery, or will the killer strike again and paint the town a bloody red?  (Summary via Goodreads)

The Christmas Tree Farm Mystery series written by Jacqueline Frost is definitely a fall tradition for me .... seeing as the series is published in the fall, it gets you in the Christmas spirit early and adds the extra touch of solving a murder.   A Wonderful Christmas Crime is the sixth book in this series and hopefully you have read all of the previous books and a huge fan as well.  If not I can guarantee you will want to start reading them and catch up.

In A Wonderful Christmas Crime main character Holly and her friends and family are busy with everything Christmas as the family business is centered around the holiday.  Everyone, that is, except for Holly's husband Evan who is the local sheriff.  Fortunately Mistletoe, Maine is usually low with crime .... except for Christmas time it seems.

Holly and pretty much everyone in town is participating in the progressive dinner but when they are at their friends cafe, they witness a fight.  Holly, Libby, Cookie and Caroline decide to go back to the cafe and check on Alice but they end up finding a dead body and Alice with blood on her hands !!

Holly knows that Alice is innocent but Evan has insisted that she sit this investigation out and stay safe.  We all know she will try but she can't help it .....

I would read this series even if there wasn't a murder to solve.  I could hang around the tree farm drinking hot cocoa and playing all the fun games they have scheduled.  And I could shop in Santa's Village and eat at Caroline's cupcake shop and just hang out with everyone !!!    

There is so much to love within this series, there is something for even the pickiest reader to enjoy !!  So grab your copy, a hot beverage and a sugary treat and settle in ......

The Write Way to Die (Murder By the Book Mystery series Book # 1) by Beth Prentice

From USA Today bestselling author Beth Prentice comes a brand new series filled with humor, romance, and deadly deceptions...

A writing retreat. A famous author. A deadly fall.

Aspiring novelist Aubrey Jackson never expected her big break to be wrapped in crime scene tape. Invited to an exclusive writer’s retreat hosted by the legendary author Willow Fox, Aubrey was excited to sharpen her plot twists and finally finish her first book. But when Willow is found dead—pushed from a third story window—the peaceful getaway turns into a real-life investigation.

With a retreat full of suspects, and the police pointing the finger at one of her best friends, Aubrey’s instincts kick in. After all, she’s read enough murder mysteries to know this wasn’t an accident! So with her writer buddies, Ellie and Spencer, by her side, she sets out to find a killer!

Only problem? The sharp detective with gorgeous eyes and enough muscles to be on a magazine cover, who has a frustrating determination to arrest the wrong person.

Can Aubrey uncover the truth before the killer writes her off for good? Or will her first big break end in a plot twist she never saw coming?

And don't forget to pick up Aubrey Jackson's debut novella, Murder for Shore!   (Summary via Goodreads)

The Write Way to Die is the first book in the Murder By the Book Mystery series by Beth Prentice and it has a lot to love .... a story that grabs you instantly, a cast of strong characters, one stronger than the other as they are a murderer, a great setting for this first of hopefully many in the series, a story within a story, plus much more !!!

In The Write Way to Die main character Aubrey is going on a weekend writing retreat with her best friend, Elle and another good friend Spencer.  Another good friend of Aubrey and Elle's is co-hosting the event with a popular author that they cannot wait to spend time with and learn from .... unfortunately Willow, the author, is found dead outside and Aubrey is the one to find her !!!

It is soon ruled murder as she was pushed from her third floor room window.  And with the retreat consisting of authors and individuals that want to be authors, everyone is talking and they all have their own ideas.  Except one of them is most likely the murderer so .....

Aubrey is there to work on the story that she is writing, a cozy mystery, so when she can't focus on her writing she wonders about Willow's murder and cannot help but start to do her own investigating.  And Elle and Spencer are just as bad and go along with it all.  Even though Aubrey gets in too deep and the handsome detective is constantly telling her to stop !!

Prentice has a great foundation with this first book in this series.  There is so much to love as I stated already.  And the way that she ends this story, you know you are in for it all and be waiting for the next book ... I know I will be.

Murder For Shore (Saltwater Bay Secrets Mystery novella) by Beth Prentice & Aubrey Jackson

From USA Today bestselling author Beth Prentice & Aubrey Jackson, the subject of the "Murder by the Book Mysteries," comes a cozy beachside mystery full of intrigue, danger, and just the right amount of salt in the air!

Daphne Wright thought the biggest challenge at her newly inherited beach house in Saltwater
Bay would be battling the sand in her coffee. But when a human skull washes up with the morning tide, she’s suddenly pulled into a deadly mystery lurking beneath the waves. As secrets bubble to the surface, and the small town’s past proves as treacherous as the shifting sands, Daphne must navigate a tide of lies before the killer strikes again.

Want more Aubrey Jackson? Pick up The Write Way to Die, and learn how she wrote her first novella amidst her own real-life mystery!  (Summary via Goodreads)

Murder For Shore may be a novella but it reads like a full length novel.  You get a glimpse of Murder For Shore when you read The Write Way to Die which is the first book in the Murder By the Book Mystery series.  But you don't have to read it because you get all of it in the novella but it is neat to see it unfold in the main characters mind.

In Murder For Shore main character Daphne returns to Saltwater Bay when she inherits the beach shack that her grandmother leaves her.  Before she even gets to unlock the door her neighbor comes over and shows her the human skull that washed up in the recent storm.  The head is soon identified and Daphne decides to look into the case when it is determined that the person was murdered and he apparently had dated her grandmother.  

Unfortunately Daphne is going to uncover some things that people in town may not want uncovered and she may be in way over her head ....

Author Beth Prentice will have you invested as soon as you start reading and you will be glad it's a novella so you can read it in one sitting because as soon as you start reading, you will want to find out what happens.

Murder at the Moulin Rouge (A Blackwell & Watson Time-Travel Mystery Book # 5) by Carol Pouliot

Paris, 1895. When a cancan dancer at the Moulin Rouge falls to her death from the top of one of Montmartre’s highest staircases, the police dismiss it as an accident. But, Madeleine was one of Toulouse-Lautrec’s favorite models, and the artist is certain she was murdered. Enter Depression-era detective Steven Blackwell and 21st-century journalist Olivia Watson who travel back in time to Paris to hunt down the killer. Before long, they learn that a second dancer—a ballerina and favorite model of painter Edgar Degas—has died. Two dancers dead in two weeks. Two artists grieving. Is the killer targeting young dancers, or, does this case involve the enigmatic Paris art world?

From the moment Steven and Olivia arrive, Steven is out of his element. The small-town cop has no idea what techniques the French police use in 1895. Worse, he has no official status to investigate murder in one of the world’s largest cities. The sleuths soon discover disturbing secrets at the Paris Ballet. And when Olivia insists on going undercover to visit a suspect’s house alone, Steven fears he’s made the biggest mistake of his life.

Travel back in time with Steven and Olivia, as they enter the back-stabbing world of dance in one of the world’s greatest cities. Murder at the Moulin Rouge is their most daring and dangerous case to date.   (Summary via Goodreads)

I am a huge fan of time traveling books, I think they are so fun and when you add a murder to solve with a touch of romance, I'm totally 100% in !!  And author Carol Pouliot does it perfectly with her Blackwell & Watson Time-Travel Mystery series.

Steven Blackwell is a detective in the early 1930's while Olivia Watson is a journalist/researcher small business owner in 2015.  They are able to time travel between times by walking over the threshold in a bedroom in the house they both own in their timeframe.  They are able to venture out together in both timeframes and Olivia helps Steven with his murder cases.

In the fifth book in the series, Murder at the Moulin Rouge, they are going to go way out of their comfort zones when Steven's deceased mother knocks on his door .... and she is a lot younger.  A friend of her's in Paris in the year 1895 needs help.  A dear friend of his has died, the case was ruled an accident but Henri knows it wasn't.

Before they can even comes to terms with the fact that Steven's mother can time travel as well, they agree to go to 1895 Paris and try to investigate and help Henri.  Obviously this is going to be the toughest case they have ever worked on .... what do they know about the year 1895 other than what they may have learned in history class ?  That doesn't stop them from diving in head first, working with the local detective, meeting very interesting people and spending time with Steven's mother ... which isn't wierd at all !!!

I'll admit Murder at the Moulin Rouge is not my favorite book in this series.  I love spending time with Steven and Olivia no matter where and when they are but I wasn't a fan of Paris. The storyline was captivating and interesting and I was glad they solved the case and were able to return to their own timeframes.  I also now know that in future books I will not be surprised wherever they end up traveling to .... looks like nothing is off limits for this duo and I look forward to the next book to see where they go and who they meet.

Murder Pays a Call (A Keri Armstrong Cozy Mystery Book # 1) by Nancy J. Cohen

Personal concierge Keri Armstrong will accept almost any job, but solving murders wasn’t on her to-do list—until now.

When personal concierge Keri Armstrong swings by her favorite client’s mansion to drop off groceries, she expects a heartfelt chat along with a cup of tea—not Fiona Sullivan dead in bed and her room ransacked. Though police chalk it up to a botched robbery, Keri isn’t so sure. Whispers around town suggest Fiona wasn’t as adored as Keri had believed, and many of the philanthropist’s so-called friends in affluent Sunny Grove, Florida seem glad she’s gone.

Keri refuses to let Fiona’s memory be reduced to malicious gossip. Armed with a keen eye, insider access, and a fully charged tablet, she sets out to uncover the truth. Soon her file of suspects grows faster than her to-do list. Between sneaky neighbors, resentful relatives, and tight-lipped charity board members, Fiona left behind a trail of frenemies who’d happily skip her memorial brunch.

As Keri digs deeper, she discovers her late mentor had a gift for extracting people’s secrets and using them like fine china—carefully storing them until they could serve a purpose. But Fiona also kept a few skeletons in her own walk-in closet. Now, with danger creeping closer, Keri must race to crack the case before her number comes up next… and Murder Pays a Call.

A Fresh Pick at FreshFiction.com!

“Fans of award-winning author Nancy J. Cohen’s long-running Bad Hair Day Mysteries will be thrilled to learn there’s a new sleuth in town.” Lois Winston, author of the bestselling and award-winning Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries.  (Summary via Goodreads)

I fell in love with the Bad Hair Days Mystery series written by Nancy J. Cohen so when I found out she started a new series, I was very excited !!!  And boy has she started this new series off with a bang !!

Murder Pays a Call is the first book in her Keri Armstrong Cozy Mystery series.  This series follows main character Keri in her personal concierge business.  She helps others make their lives easier and simplier.  Unfortunately when Keri finds one of her favorite customers who is like a grandmother to her dead in her bedroom and it is ruled murder, she jumps right into looking for the killer.

Sadly Keri soon learns that Fiona wasn't liked by all and was downright mean to many.  Keri doesn't want to believe that but as the list of suspects continues to grows, she is going to have to face facts ....

As with the Bad Hair Day series Cohen provides readers with a strong main character that you immediately are drawn to and love.  And I know that Murder Pays a Call is the first book in this new series but Cohen knows how to end the story to ensure that readers will be back for more.

Murder at Cape Costumers (Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery Book # 7) by Maddie Day

In Agatha Award-winner Maddie Day’s delightfully spooky Cozy Capers Book Group mystery, it’s Halloween, and Cape Cod bike shop owner Mackenzie “Mac” Almeida and her book club must unmask a killer…

Just in time for Halloween, a new costume shop has opened on Main Street in Westham, Massachusetts. Cape Costumers is a cut above the usual seasonal pop-up stores with their flimsy mass-produced outfits and cheap plastic masks, mostly due to co-owner Shelly, a former Broadway costume designer. But when Shelly discovers her elderly boyfriend Enzo—a Broadway star who retired to Westham—dead of unnatural causes, Halloween suddenly gets a lot scarier.

Sleuthing, Mac has found, is a lot like riding a bicycle: once you learn how, you never forget. Far from being spooked, Mac and the members of the Cozy Capers Book Group put down their weekly book selection and put their heads together to see past a bag of tricks and find a malice-making murderer who’s hiding in plain sight . .  (Summary via Goodreads)

Murder at Cape Costumers, the seventh book in the Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series, has multiple stories to follow which will keep you reading for sure. 

If you've read any or all of the previous books in this series by Maddie Day, you know that main character Mac cannot stay out of trouble.  When there is a murder, whether she knew the victim or the suspects, she will begin investigating ... but don't worry, she has the Cozy Capers book club watching her back .... hopefully.

On the morning after Halloween Enzo, a gentlemen that was a recent customer at Mac's Bike's is found dead on his deck still wearing his skeleton costume.  Before the death is determined to be murder or natural causes, Mac is already looking into things.

In Murder at Cape Costumers not only is Mac looking into Enzo's murder but her sister-in-law and two small children are visiting.  Unfortunately Jamie, Tim's sister, goes out one night claiming to be meeting a friend for dinner and never returns.  This leaves Mac and Tim looking after Ella and Luca.  Luckily Ella and Mac's niece Cokey become fast, best friends and Mac's family is there to help until Jamie returns.  Tim and Mac, both being business owners try to settle into their new home life but, of course, Mac needs to make sure her hometown and it's residents are safe .... so until she knows who killed Enzo and they are arrested, she will still stick her neck out ..... 

Murder at Cape Costumers, in my opinion, is different than the others as it digs deeper into the family aspect and has a storyline that draws from that.  Not only are we working on a murder but a missing loved one as well.  I personally got emotional with Jamie's disappearance and that could be because after six books, Tim is fictional family.

Regardless as to what drew you into this series or what draws you in, I know you will enjoy your time spent with Mac, Tim and the rest of the town of Westham.

Murder at an Irish Wedding (Irish Village Mystery Book # 2) by Carlene O'Connor

The O Sullivan clan of County Cork, Ireland, are thrilled to be catering the matrimonial affairs of a celebrity couple until a cunning killer turns an Irish wedding into an Irish wake . . .

"Any wedding is a big deal in the small village of Kilbane even more so when the bride is a famous fashion model. It is also good for business. Not only has customer traffic picked up at Naomi s Bistro, Siobhan O Sullivan and her five siblings have a full plate catering for the three-day affair. And Siobhan s own beau, local garda Macdara Flannery, gladly steps in as best man after the groom s first choice makes a drunken arse out of himself.

Even if he hadn't been disinvited to the wedding, the original best man wouldn t have been able to show. He's been found murdered in the woods, casting a pall over the nuptials. And when a second member of the wedding party is poisoned by a champagne flute engraved with Macdara's name, the garda goes from being best man to prime suspect.

With a killer at large and a string of robberies plaguing Kilbane, Siobhan feels more than a little protective of her village. She vows to clear Macdara's name, but the suspect list is as long as the guest list. Like the bride walking down the aisle, Siobhan needs to watch her step. For as she gets closer to unveiling the truth, the murderer is planning a very chilly reception for her . . .

PRAISE FOR "MURDER IN AN IRISH VILLAGE"

If Janet Evanovich and Maeve Binchy wrote a book together, "Murder in an Irish Village"would be the result. 

This one is delicious fun. Laurien Berenson, author of"Live and Let Growl"

A lively debut . . . The cheeky and close-knit O'Sullivans are sure to appeal to cozy fans, who will also appreciate the warmth and spirit of the people of Kilbane. "Publishers Weekly"

A smart whodunnit in an idyllic locale. I dare you not to be charmed by sleuth Siobhan and her siblings, the O Sullivan Six. Barbara Ross, author of"Fogged Inn"

This entertaining combination of Maeve Binchy s old-world Irish charm and Janet Evanovich's roguish humor is a smart, fast-paced read. Devotees of the Hibernian mysteries of Dicey Deere and M.C. Beaton will toast this debut with a pint of Guinness. Slainte! "Library Journal" (Summary via Goodreads)

I am a huge fan of books centered around Ireland.  If I liked to travel, Ireland would definitely be at the top of my list ... but seeing as I hate to travel and get anxiety when I have to visit family in Florida I will live inside books.  And the Irish Village Mystery series by Carlene O'Connor is one of the best ones to get lost in.

I fell in love with the first book in this series, Murder in an Irish Village, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on the second book.

Murder at an Irish Wedding brings an interesting group of people to the Kilbane Castle for a wedding.  Alice is a famous fashion model and also the bride.  She, along with the groom Paul, and their small wedding party and parents are staying at the Kilbane Castle to celebrate their love and have the ceremony.

Unfortunately on the morning after a night out drinking, Kevin, Paul's best man is found dead in the woods and it is definitely murder !!  Main character Siobhan is there delivering some of her family's bistro's brown bread so she immediately goes into investigator mode .... especially when her boyfriend/police officer, Macdara, is on the suspect list.  Macdara is long time friends with Paul and asked to step in as best man.

Paul and Alice are determined to get married no matter what !!  Even when everything and it seems everyone is against it !!

Readers cannot help but love this series and this edition is a repackaged trade paperback reissue so if you are like me and just becoming a fan, I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.  And I hope you will continue reading because as you'll see when you get to the end of Murder at an Irish Wedding, things are going to be changing for Siobhan and her siblings ..... and it's going to be a hoot for sure !!!!

Death Whisk (Cookies & Chance Mysteries Book # 15) by Catherine Bruns

From USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bruns comes the next dangerously delicious Cookies & Chance mystery!

Full time baker and part time sleuth, Sally Muccio, is looking forward to an impromptu getaway at Bella Vita, a charming local inn recently renovated by an old friend of her father’s. Sal’s been asked to provide treats for Bella Vita's open house and, in addition to the extra dough she’ll earn, her entire family is invited to spend the night at the bed and breakfast for free.

But after a winter storm knocks out the power and Sal stumbles across owner Guido Sorrentino’s lifeless body, the night becomes something directly out of a horror movie. Sal fully intends to leave the investigation to the police...that is, until her father’s life becomes endangered as well! Who wanted Guido dead and what does her father have to do with it? Was Guido a member of organized crime? And why was he acting like he had a death wish? With a crowd of angry and bitter relatives busy celebrating his death instead of mourning, it quickly becomes apparent that there are too many suspects to count. It's up to Sal to find a killer before she’s treated to a taste of death herself!

Recipes Included!

What critics are

"A fantastic cozy mystery!"
~ InD'Tale Magazine

"I want to visit more with all of the quirky characters just to see what crazy and outrageous things they will do next!"
~ Fresh Fiction

"The Cookies and Chance Mystery series is more than just a series....it's a family !! Once you read the first book, you are hooked and feel like a member of the crazy Muccio family."
~ Cozy Mystery Book Reviews     (Summary via Goodreads)

What can you say about a book when it is the fifteenth book in a series ?  Well..... a lot actually.

Death Whisk is the fifteenth book in the Cookies & Chance Mystery series by Catherine Bruns and by far my favorite series.  This series is so much more to me then just stories.  When I open one of these books, I am home with my family.  The Muccio and Donovan families are a part of me .... you cannot help but love them and the craziness they get into !!!

And in Death Whisk we get to see a whole different side to Sally's father, Domenic.  Something I don't think we could have ever imagined !!!  

In Death Whisk Sally and Josie have been asked to provide cookies for an open house.  A friend of Domenic's from when he lived in Italy has bought and renovated a bed and breakfast and he has invited a selection of people to attend the open house and spend the night before the grand opening.  Sally, who is almost due to delivery her second child and Mike will be in attendance along with everyone else except Gramma Rosa who stayed home to watch the other children.

Unfortunately in the middle of the night Sally and Mike go to Guido's suite with an issue and find him dead.  And maybe with all the excitement, or maybe that's just how the family is, Sally goes into labor !!  As you know Sally can handle anything .....

Instead of being able to just rest and enjoy her family with the new addition, Sally is drawn into the murder investigation.  She claims to do it because her father is involved somehow and she knows that he isn't telling them everything, but we know she can't help herself !! 

I just love this series and look forward to when the latest book gets published so that I can dig in.  There is so much to love !!  You cannot help but love the families and the relationships.  No matter what is going on, whether it is family dinner with Gramma Rosa's cooking, a murder, hanging out with Sally and Josie at the bakery, or spending time with Sally and Mike, you will enjoy it.  And Bruns knows how to keep your blood pumping and you on the edge of your seat !!!

A Murder Most Fowl (A Food Truck Mystery Book # 1) by Carmela Dutra

A food truck run by twins serves up a clucking good murder in this cozy debut mystery, perfect for fans of Lucy Burdette and Joanne Fluke.

When their late aunt Dolly passes away, twins Beth and Seth Lloyd inherit a chicken themed food truck. Despite the challenges, the siblings rise to the occasion, even going as far as signing up their truck Kluckin’ Good to compete on a top cooking show and ruffle a few feathers for some good publicity. But the competition goes from heated to lethal when a contestant is found dead.   

With the elimination competition becoming far too literal, Beth and Seth will need all the help they can get to get out of the frying pan without landing in the fire. Relying on their assistant-turned-friend Rylie for help, they’ll have to follow the bread crumbs to untangle a very twisted case before either one of them is put on the chopping block.  

This humorous series debut with a mouthwatering mystery will charm readers and keep them guessing right until the not-so-bitter end.  (Summary via Goodreads)

I had so much fun reading A Murder Most Fowl, the debut book in the Food Truck Mystery series by Carmela Dutra.  I totally rate this a 12 out of 10 stars !!  

In Murder Most Fowl twins Beth and Seth Lloyd have signed up for a food truck competition.  Their Aunt Dolly left them the Kluckin' Good chicken food truck and even though Beth does most of the work with Seth working at getting his law degree, she has her best friend Riley helping.  

Unfortunately before things can really get under way in the competition, one of the contestants dies.  It is ruled a heart attack but Beth is not convinced.  Even though she and Benji were not friends, some things do not add up so this puts her on alert.

Ohhhhh.... there is so much more within the story that I want to tell you but I don't want to take away from you reading it for yourself and hopefully having the same reaction as I did.

Dutra has the beginning of a great series that I am sure will receive a lot of fans !  The food truck setting has so much potential and don't get me started on the friendships and other relationships brewing !  Not only are you on the edge of your seat reading the excitement, there will be times that you will laugh out loud !!  You cannot help falling in love with Beth and Seth and the way they are towards each other.  And they have the best friendship with Riley, she completes them !!!

I highly recommend grabbing your copy and digging in.  Plan a snack and a drink, a comfy blanket and staying up past your bedtime with this book !!!