Shot Through the Book (Lighthouse Library Mystery Book # 12) by Eva Gates

In the twelfth installment of the Lighthouse Library mysteries, Lucy McNeil is back on the case, but this time she’s on the case alone.

The upcoming YA book festival at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library is bringing in renowned authors from all over the world. When best selling author Todd Harrison unexpectedly visits librarian Lucy McNeil at her Outer Banks beach house after a meeting, she is puzzled by his presence, since they’re virtually strangers. After she steps inside to get him a drink, she’s shocked to discover that he’s been murdered on her deck in the few minutes she left him alone. 

Not knowing why he wanted to meet with her in private, or how someone managed to kill him in the time it takes to make lemonade, Lucy is determined to help with the investigation and figure out what happened. WhenHeather Harrison, Todd’s widow, shows up in town, her motivations aren’t inspired by grief. She’s intending to use her husband’s tragic death to launch her candidacy for state senator and her first order of business is to go after the local police force–and Lucy herself.

Caught between an intrusive fan club mourning Todd, squabbling authors fighting for prominence in his absence, and a politically ruthless widow, Lucy must roll up her sleeves and and catch the killer before the chapter closes on justice.  (Summary via Goodreads)

Shot Through the Book by Eva Gates is the twelfth book in her Lighthouse Library Mystery Book series.  I have read almost all of them and honestly can say I am a HUGE fan.  Once you begin reading you are totally engrossed in the story and will not want to leave when you get to the end of the book.

In Shot Through the Book Lucy and the gang at the Bodie Island Lighthouse Library are organizing a YA (young adult) book festival with local authors and plenty of fun activities for all.  After one of the meetings Lucy has the night to herself as her husband Connor is at a dinner for his mayoral role.  She is looking to relax and enjoy her alone time. Then the doorbell rings and Todd Harrison, one of the authors scheduled for the festival, is at the door.  He claims he needs to talk to her.  Unfortunately while Lucy is in the house getting drinks while Todd waits on the deck  someone shoots Todd with an arrow killing him !!!

And that is only Chapter one !!!

Of course Lucy wants to know who killed Todd as much as the police want to solve the murder.  But Todd's widow starts politicing saying she is running for state senator more than she wants to find out who killed her husband.  This causes a lot of problems for Lucy and Detective Sam Watson.  Todd's widow, Heather, starts trouble all over Nags Head.  The major one is when the police chief tells the detective that he needs to stay away from Lucy because Heather says the police can't solve cases without the help of a civilian.

Regardless as to what Heather says and what the Captain believes, Lucy is still going to look into Todd's murder because he was killed on her deck with her inside the house !!

Todd had a devoted fanbase and the local fanclub is constantly showing up at Lucy and Colin's house to pay their respects .... Lucy is looking into them to see if one of the fans may have killed Todd.  There is also his wife, can't rule her out, his publisher, the other two local authors that will be attending the book festival, and any number of other people she doesn't even know about.

Lucy hardly knew Todd and cannot think of a reason why he would show up at her house to talk .... but that doesn't stop her from looking into it.  Hey, it's the twelfth book so that shouldn't surprise readers at all !!!!

I just love this series.  I know there aren't any lighthouses that fit an entire library, breakroom, children's center, offices, and an apartment at the top but it's fun to picture !!!  When you open up any of these books, your imagination will be on overload picturing the library, Lucy and Colin's house, and the town ... and you know that if it was real and existed you will be packing to go for a visit.

The Catalyst (An Annabelle Sweeting Mystery) by LK Billips

Annabelle Sweeting has come to London. Set in a steampunk world, a country girl with a quirk for gears and fashion makes her way through the busy streets in the hopes of discovering herself. What she does discover, however, are two dashing men vying for her attention, an unexpected series of murders, and an underestimated talent for being in the middle of it all. Can she navigate her way through the haughty ton, help the handsome Constable Weston solve the murders, and not get killed herself?  (Summary via Goodreads)

The Catalyst by LK Billips is a delightful story, even though there is murders to be solved, with an electic group of characters.

In The Catalyst main character Annabelle Sweeting moves to London to live with her cousin Jaime to pursue her passion.  She makes all of her own outfits using bold colors and fabrics as well as nuts, bolts, and gears making her a very unique and one of a kind dresser.  She hopes to open up a shop or do something with her creations.

Little does Annabelle know that she would meet some amazing people and get herself in the middle of a murder investigation !!  Annabelle meets Nathan while just getting off train when he tries to pickpocket her.  After a brief conversaton, she decides he will be helpful while she is there and hires him immediately.  She also meets Constable Weston there as well.  Little does she know how important the two are going to be to her.

Before Annabelle has enough time to unpack and settle in at her cousins they are invited to a party at the Thetford Estate where she meets more interesting people ... some she will find out are jealous and manipulating individuals.

One thing that sets this book apart from other books is that it is set in 1817 and there is a gentleman Miro who builds "bots" (in this story they are flying robots that have multiple features and are different mythical creatures).  While at the above mentioned party she catches the eye of one of them which is a manticore and Miro insists that she take it home.  Annabelle names it Purgatorio and it will also play a big part throughout the story. 

Also during this party Annabelle is drawn to the band playing, especially the fiddler player.  The next morning Annabelle is out for a walk with Purgatorio when she comes across Constable Weston.  The two proceed to a nearby garden where they come across the fiddler from the party the night before dead and staged like she is dancing.

Annabelle and Constable Weston are about to be thrown into a very disturbing case .....

Oh there is so much I could tell you but I really hope that you grab your copy and go on this ride with them.  There is so much to love about the book, the characters, the outfits, the parties, the case, the relationships, the food and so much more !!!  One thing I really loved was that Billips gives the chapters names/headings that entice the reader even more !!!

I am very excited to dig into the next book, The Coggery, to see what trouble Annabelle gets herself into.

 

Put Another Crime in the Jukebox ( A Sunny Side Up Mystery Book # 2) by Misty Simon

Welcome to the Sunny Side Up Diner, where the jukeboxes jive and the secrets thrive...

With her dream of opening a diner in her small hometown realized, Jax Tapman finally feels like her life is on the right track. She and her best friend and business partner, Dani, have lots of customers. Things are promising with her new boyfriend, Eliot. And she's looking forward to a relaxing evening at the local movie theater with Dani and her bestie's mom. Unfortunately, there's one thing that can always ruin a gal's good mood—murder.

When the curtain goes down on the film, Jax finds a woman's dead body in the front of the theater. Worse yet, the victim was last seen alive in a knock down drag out fight with Dani’s mom. Suddenly Dani's desperate, her mom's a suspect, and Jax finds herself caught up in another murder investigation that has her in way over her head. She quickly finds that diving into the history of the two older women is not as easy as whipping up the fluffy pancakes everyone loves on a Sunday morning. Between the secrets, lies, and a pair of mysterious keys Jax finds hidden in her vintage jukebox, she's not sure who to trust. With her friendship on the line and danger closing in, it's up to Jax to uncover the truth...or die trying.

"This new series is off to a great start. Misty does an excellent job showing readers all the details of the small town, the diner, and a cast of entertaining characters."
~ Kings River Life Magazine

"Readers cannot help but fall in love with this first book!!! Simon has you laughing out loud... I, for one, look forward to more books in the series!!!!"
~ Cozy Mystery Book Reviews   (Summary via Goodreads)

It is no secret that I loved the first book in the Sunny Side Up Mystery series, Diners, Drive-In's and Lies, so it also shouldn't come as a surprise that I couldn't wait to dive into this second book.

In Put  Another Crime in the Jukebox Jax and Dani just want to put everything they have into running the diner they couldn't wait to co-own.  This has been a dream since they started working there in high school.  And now it is their's and they solved the murder that Jax's Aunt Hildy was a suspect of, so all is good .... but not for long.

Jax and Eliot are going on a double date with Dani and Ian who she met online.  Jax and Eliot have only been "dating" for a few weeks and are up for anything and this way they can make sure Ian isn't a complete loser.  Unfortunately things don't start off well when they all witness Dani's mother in a heated argument with June, a woman that worked in the local bank.  The fight is broken up, Dani's mother leaves, and the foursome can go on their movie date.  Sadly after the movie ends, June is found dead in the back of the theater .... and they all witnessed Nancy, Dani's mother, threaten June a few hours ago.

So now Jax and Dani again see themselves working on another murder in town even though Jax's detective father is more than capable of doing his job.  Dani was there for Jax when Aunt Hildy was in trouble and they did have a good networking system within the diner so they put the employees on guard to listen to anything the customers might be saying regarding the murder.

Luckily for this case Jax and Dani also have Eliot and Ian to help which allows everyone on get to know each other ... and why not over a murder investigation.  

This case will test Dani a lot.  Her and her mother do not have a great relationship and her mother is not an easy person to get along with, even her husband will agree.  Nancy expects the impossible and expects it immediately no matter how hard the foursome is working.

Readers, I hope, will enjoy this series as much as I do.  The characters are relatable, the town is one you will want to visit, and you will definitely want to eat out while there.  So grab your copy and sit back in your comfy chair with a snack and a drink and enjoy !!!!

 

Friends are Forever (Sgt. Windflower Mysteries Book # 16) by Mike Martin

Peace is precious in Grand Bank. So is justice.

Sgt. Windflower Mysteries — Bestselling and Award-Winning Light Mysteries

#1 Bestselling Cozy Mystery on Amazon

Winner of the Bony Blithe Award for Best Light Mystery

Silver Medallist at the Reader’s Choice Awards


Shortlisted for LOLA 2024 Must-Read Book of the Year

Welcome back to Grand Bank, where community is everything—and nothing stays hidden for long.

As Winston Windflower and his RCMP colleagues gather in Marystown, Newfoundland, to celebrate promotions and milestones, trouble is brewing far beyond the banquet hall. A sophisticated heist operation—led by international mobsters and local biker gangs—is sweeping through the province, hitting banks and businesses in a coordinated crime spree that leaves more than just empty vaults behind.

In Book 16 of the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series, bestselling author Mike Martin returns readers to the beloved, fog-kissed coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, where the bonds of family, friendship, and community are as strong as ever. But even in the coziest corners of Grand Bank, danger can creep in like the tide.

Whether you're a longtime fan or meeting Sgt. Windflower for the first time, you’ll be swept up in a mystery rich with charm, warmth, por’ cakes, movie nights, and the unmistakable magic of a lighthouse that’s long overdue for a facelift.

★★★★★ Praise for the Best-Selling and Award-Winning Sgt. Windflower Mysteries ★★★★★“Be prepared to be charmed by Windflower, a food-loving sergeant who could possibly be Canada’s most polite Mountie.”— Halifax Chronicle-Herald

“Another full-faceted Windflower mystery which brings community, causes, and protective instincts to life in a swirl of dilemmas and responses that will especially attract readers and libraries seeking superior Canadian-based intrigue and characters whose personal lives shine as much as the mystery.” — Midwest Book Review

“Master storyteller Mike Martin has created a singularly unique concept in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series by blending police procedures with Cree spiritual traditions. The series abounds with life lessons. He has cleverly crafted an elaborately complex series wisely presenting a myriad of human foibles and the challenges faced by his protagonist.” — The Reading Room

“If you love murder mysteries that are well-crafted, majorly entertaining, and interesting enough to keep you reading way past your bedtime, I can recommend trying the latest Sgt. Windflower Mystery.” — Perfect at Midnight Blog

“Readers cannot get enough of Windflower and this series. Fall in love with the relationships, the cases, the town—and when they talk about food… I highly encourage you to grab a snack and a drink, go to your comfy seat, and dig in.” — Cozy Mystery Book Reviews

“The Sgt. Windflower Mystery series is so much more than just stories about criminals and the amazing police force that catch them.  (Summary via Goodreads)

When you read books in a series there isn't a lot to say as the number of books increases.  Friends are Forever is the sixteenth book in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series written by Mike Martin.  Hopefully by now you are as big a fan as I am ..... if not you have some catching up to do.  Don't worry it will be worth it !!

I have said it before that I could read a book with just following Sgt. Winston Windflower around.  He has a pretty busy life between his personal and professional lives.  He is married to Sheila, they have two daughters, a dog and a cat.  Windflower is always changing jobs within the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, luckily right now he is back in Grand Banks where he and Sheila call home.   Sheila use to be the mayor but now has other things keeping her busy and the girls keep her on her toes.  Windflower has some great friends through work and through Grand Banks.  Windflower is also a dream weaver, as were his aunt and uncle, which is interesting in the story to see how things relate.

Okay that is just to give you a little history into this series in case you haven't read any of the previous books or needed reminding.  Now let's get to Friends are Forever ....

In Friends are Forever Eddie Tizzard is being promoted to Sergeant and will be working out of the Marytown Headquarters and his partner Carrie will be working there also.  Unfortunately while they are at the ceremony with other officers a group of masked men are robbing multiple businesses ... one being a bank where they left the bank manager tied up.  Sadly once they begin their investigation, the criminals are long gone.

Things take a turn when they find the bank manager, Tom Rideout, dead. And when they look into it, it seems that Tom was more involved in things than they first thought. This case is going to take them on a wild ride for sure !!

I would love to say more but I feel that what I want to talk about is crucial to the story and would ruin it for the readers.  I will leave you with this .... I am thankful that I know the author, through emails, and I have been able to voice my concerns and feelings even though there is nothing he can do seeing as it's already written, published and done but it helps me move on.  Seriously SIXTEEN books .... you're not just a fan but it becomes a part of you.  I hope that is how you feel with this series or any series, even books in general.

Vice and Virtue (A Layla Virtue Mystery Book # 1) by Libby Klein

Layla Virtue, a blue-haired, 30-something recovering alcoholic and former cop is trying to reinvent herself as a musician—between AA meetings, dodging eccentric neighbors at her trailer park, and reconnecting with her rock star dad—in this unforgettable new mystery brimming with hilarity and heart for readers of Margot Douaihy, Jane Pek, and Darynda Jones.

Layla is taking her new life one day at a time from the Lake Pinecrest Trailer Park she now calls home. Being alone is how she likes it. Simple. Uncomplicated. Though try telling that to the group of local ladies who are in relentless pursuit of Layla as their new BFF, determined to make her join them for coffee and donuts.
 
Meanwhile, since her first career ended in a literal explosion, Layla’s trying to eke out a living as a rock musician. It’s not easy competing against garage bands who work for tacos and create their music on a computer, while all she has is an electric guitar and leather-ish pants. But Layla isn’t in a position to turn down any gig. Which is why she’s at an 8-year-old’s birthday party, watching as Chuckles the Clown takes a bow under the balloon animals. No one expects it will be his last . . .
 
Who would want to kill a clown—and why? Layla and her unshakable posse are suddenly embroiled in the seedy underbelly of the upper-class world of second wives and trust fund kids, determined to uncover what magnetic hold a pudgy, balding clown had over women who seem to have everything they could ever want. Then again, Layla knows full well that people are rarely quite what they seem—herself included . . .   (Summary via Goodreads)

Libby Klein is the author of the very popular and well loved Poppy McAllister Mystery series and with nine books in the series there is a lot to love.  She has provided readers with great storylines, lovable and quirky characters, unique murders and so much more.  I know, as a fan who has read all of the books in this series, I would read anything Libby wrote.

Vice and Virtue is the first book in her new Layla Virtue Mystery series and although it is quite different than the Poppy series, there are similar aspects readers will appreciate.  Both main characters are strong women who need to be reminded of that in order for them to believe it, they both are works in progress also.  Where Poppy has her Aunt Ginny who tries her every nerve, Layla has her father who does that.  Poppy has a small supportive group of friends and family to help her navigate life where Layla has been pushing everyone away but is starting to change that.

Okay let's talk about Vice and Virtue .....  Main character Layla is living in a run down trailer park after losing her job as a police officer, working on getting her life back on track with attending AA meetings as well as getting whatever gigs she can get as a singer/guitarist.  

Unfortunately while working at a kid's birthday party for a rich family, the clown they hired to entertain the kids dies.  It looks like it was a heart attack but Layla soon learns that it wasn't.  She has a brief encounter with her old precinct which almost pushes her over the edge.  And to make matters worse, there are a few ladies in her AA meeting that want to be friends with her, she has a hard time with trusting people, but ends up letting them in and they begin to "investigate"  Chuckles the Clown's murder .... off the record of course.

In Vice and Virtue there is a lot going on but Libby writes it so beautifully that you have no trouble keeping up.  I know when I read a book and get really into it, I can picture the scenes, the people and everything else.  The stage is set perfectly for whatever books follow in this series.  

I have left out some key components within this book because I want you to have as much fun as I had when you read it.  I can't tell you everything now, can I ??

Yes the Layla Virtue Mystery series is quite a bit different from the Poppy McAllistey Mystery series and that's good.  It allows readers to see another side to the author and really we never know what authors have bouncing around in their brains ..... 

So go grab your copy of Vice and Virtue and let me know what you think.  Happy Reading !!!!

 

Murder Runs in the Family by Tamara Berry

Amber thought she had troubles before her grandma was arrested for murder…

Amber Winslow's life has taken a serious turn for the worse. When an impulsive decision forces her to flee her former life carrying nothing but the clothes on her back, she heads to the sunny state of Arizona and the luxury accommodations of her grandmother's retirement community. Never mind that Amber's never actually met her estranged and eccentric grandmother.

As soon as she sneaks her things into Seven Ponds (a place she technically doesn't qualify for and definitely can't afford), she's shocked to learn that George Vincent, a.k.a. the Admiral, was found dead the very night of her arrival. Much to Amber's dismay, no one seems particularly distraught over the news of the Admiral's death or the disappearance of his prize pet tortoise. All anyone can talk about is a missing Vincent family heirloom, and they're quick to blame Jade for both the Admiral's murder and the theft of the priceless ring.

Amber doesn't want to admit the woman she's just met—and who accepted her without question—could be a villain, and she's determined to clear her grandmother's name no matter the cost.  (Summary via Goodreads)

In Murder Runs in the Family by Tamara Berry main character Amber has nowhere to go when she decides to leave her boyfriend Bones.  All she wanted to do was become a private investigator like him and all he had to do was fill out the paperwork but he refused.  So she took his "lucky charm", her clothes and hopped on a bus and went somewhere to see someone she has never met .... her grandmother.  Amber's mother has always said how evil she was but Amber couldn't go home and had nowhere else to turn.

Luckily her grandmother was nothing like what  Amber thought she would be and was very surprised to learn that her grandmother and her group of friends at the retirement community have a podcast centered around cold murder cases.  Unfortunately soon after she arrives the Admiral, a member of the group is found dead inside the podcast studio and Amber's grandmother is at the top of the suspect list.

And if all that isn't crazy enough, the Admiral's pet tortoise is missing and when his children show up at Seven Ponds to claim their father's belongings, a ring that costs three million dollars is missing also.  

Amber dives head first into finding out who killed the Admiral and where the ring and tortoise are with the help of her grandmother and friends.  And when the cops show up and arrest her grandmother for murder she will take all the help she can get even from Bones when he show up. 

Readers will be kept entertained in Murder Runs in the Family as soon as you open the book.  Berry has a great cast of characters for readers to love.  You may even become attached to the tortoise and even Bones ... As soon as you finish reading this book you are going to be wanting the next book to see where the crazy train is going next.