Muskets, Mutts, And Murder (A Samantha Davies Mystery Book # 8) by S.A. Kazlo

Spring has finally sprung in Wings Fall, New York and Samantha Davies-Johnson along with her fellow rug hookers, the Loopy  Ladies, are participating in an annual reenactment at a local pre- Revolutionary War fort, Fort Henry, as camp followers. The Loopy Ladies instead of rug hooking are doing their patriot duty and are knitting hats for veterans. A number of their significant others are among the reenactors and will be recreating the battle between the French and the British. Sam's newish husband, Hank, who is the lead detective on the Wings Falls Police and her Southern Belle cousin, Candie Parker-Hogan's husband, Mark, the Mayor of Wings Falls, are newly minted reenactor soldiers participating in the event. 

All seems to be going well until Orville Garber and Wesley Munro get into a heated argument as to who should fill the recently vacated commander of their unit, a prized position. Wesley feels it should go to him since he is descended from the original commander of the fort. Sam has her hopes on Orville getting the honor as he was her much-loved high school math teacher. 

As the day progresses, a mock battle is held. After all the musket smoke clears, a French reenactor is found dead on the battlefield. Only gunpowder charges were to be used at these events. Who used a real musket ball and why? Unfortunately for Orville, the musket ball is traced back to him by the three slashes he etches into his musket balls identify it as his. Samantha can't believe the kind and patient man who helped her all those years ago to pass math would do such a thing.

To add to Samantha's stress, her beloved dachshund, Porkchop, is behaving in a very unwelcoming manner towards his girlfriend, Nina, Hank's miniature bulldog. Can Sam figure out what has caused Porkchop's change of affection towards his BFF before any fur flies and at the same time prove Orville innocent before the real murderer targets her?  (Summary via Goodreads)

I could live in Wings Falls, I would totally fit in immediately.  If only it were a real place and not the setting of the Samantha Davies Mystery series written by S.A. Kazlo.  And with Muskets, Mutts, and Murder being the eighth book, I'm pretty sure I would know my way around this delightful town .... and I would try to stay clear of the murders and the investigations but with Sam and her cousin Candie being my best friends, I can't promise that.

In Muskets, Mutts, and Murder Sam and Candie are hanging around with their Loopy Ladies group knitting hats to go to local veterans while their husbands, lead detective of Wings Falls Police Department, Hank and the town Mayor, Mark, participate in an re-enactment at the local British fort.  They think the re-enactment of the French and British battle goes well until one of the participant's is laying on the ground when the smoke clears.

Even though the talk around the incident is that the gentlemen suffered an ankle injury, Sam knows that to be incorrect when the coroner arrives.

Sam also knows that even though she is married to the lead detective, there will be no secrets spilled during pillow talk so when her old math teacher is arrested for the murder, her and Candie will do what they can to fill in the blanks.

I cannot stress it enough how awesome this series is.  Not only will readers fall in love with Wings Falls and the businesses, but the people are a huge part of it as well.  Just hanging out with Sam and Candie at their favorite table at Sweetie Pie's or all of them at The Smiling Pig would be a treat.  And even though I am more of a cat person, I would love cuddles with Sam's dog,Porkchop, Hank's dog, Nina and Candie's dog, Annie. And who couldn't listen to Candie's southern talk all day ?

Truffle Trouble (An Amish Candy Shop Mystery # 10) by Amanda Flower

Combining the sugar rush of candy making with a fascinating look at Amish life, a quirky whodunit, and a sweet romance between chocolatier Bailey King and Sheriff Aiden Brody, Amanda Flower’s USA Today bestselling Amish Candy Shop Mysteries continue, as summer wedding season comes to the village of Harvest, Ohio…

Horror d'oeuvres

Summer is finally upon the village of Harvest, Ohio, nestled in picturesque Amish Country, and folks are abuzz over their very own Bailey King’s upcoming June wedding. The Amish Candy shop owner and star of TV’s Bailey’s Amish Sweets is marrying Holmes County Sheriff Aiden Brody. To sweeten the occasion will be a scrumptious giant chocolate truffle wedding cake, made especially for the happy couple by Bailey’s New York City mentor, Jean Pierre. Other than the risk of the ring bearer, Jethro the pig, taking a bite out of the confection, what could go wrong?

As it turns out, a food-related disaster does befall the day. But with Bailey in the mix, it’s nothing so pedestrian as a peckish pig. At the reception, a wedding guest dies after sampling the hors d'oeuvres. Café owner and new caterer Darcy Woodin, who made all the food except the desserts, is pegged by police as the number one suspect. Even more incriminating, the victim is one of Darcy's ex-boyfriends . . .

Still, Bailey is friends with Darcy, and she’s certain the young woman is innocent. Even before the first dance with her new husband, Bailey’s on the case. Can she help solve it in time for her honeymoon—or will a killer try to end her happily ever after before it’s even begun . . .?

Recipe included!   (Summary via Goodreads)

The Amish Candy Shop Mystery series by Amanda Flower is a great series to get lost in, there is so much to love, and with Truffle Trouble being the tenth book in the series, I think you are guaranteed a good read !!

In Truffle Trouble Bailey and Aiden are finally getting married and everyone is invited !!  Harvest Square is going to be the place to be, for all of Harvest, Ohio.  Not only are friends and family invited but the English and Amish communities are invited as well.  And with Bailey as popular as she is and Aiden being the County Sheriff, it is going to be the event of the year.

Unfortunately, that is not true when Bailey goes into the kitchen and finds the caterer, and her friend, Darcy, standing over a dead body ..... on Bailey's wedding day !!

Obviously, the newlyweds postpone their honeymoon so that Aiden can work the case.  Luckily, they didn't go on their trip because Bailey finds her grandmother collapsed on the floor of the candy shop the next day.  

There is so much going on that I cannot imagine Bailey being able to think straighten, especially when she is roped into helping with the Summer Soiree which is scheduled for later in the week when she should be on her honeymoon.  She does it only because it gives her a chance to talk to the people involved seeing as the murdered victim was one of winery owners as well as a participant on the event.

Every time Bailey thinks that she has narrowed the suspect list down she finds out something else about someone and that adds to the list.  However, she is determined to find out who killed Jason and clear her friend's name.

Readers cannot help but love this series. With the characters, the town, the Amish and English communities working together and the animals, Jetro especially, will pull you in !!  Once you start reading, you will not want to stop ... my advice to you is make sure you have chocolate on hand.

Death On Location (Sam Lawson Mystery series Book # 5) by David K. Wilson

Entertaining, funny and suspenseful, Death on Location is the fifth installment in the popular Sam Lawson Mystery series by David K. Wilson.

When the alligator-eaten remains of an 80s TV star are discovered while filming a movie in the East Texas swamps, local detective Sam Lawson is hired to find out if the actor was just an unfortunate midnight snack or the victim of murder.

However, the producer who hired Sam has a plot twist of his own. He insists that one of the movie’s actors shadow Sam to see how a real detective works. Josh Cole, known for his straight-to-cable romantic comedies and aww-shucks personality, is eager to learn and Sam soon finds he can use his celebrity status to his advantage. The two soon form an unlikely partnership that has them investigating beautiful actresses, a giant Bigfoot and a local drug kingpin. From alligator-infested swamps to a Dallas strip club, Sam and Josh retrace the victim’s final days in hopes of shining a spotlight on the murderer.

But while Sam is busy solving this murder, a serial killer from his past is lurking in the shadows… with his eye on Sam’s fiancé.  (Summary via Goodreads)

Death on Location by David K. Wilson is the fifth book in the Sam Lawson Mystery series and you cannot help but love the main character and with him switching from being a police officer to a private investigator will have you loving him more ... if that is possible.

In Death on Location Sam is hired by the producer of a movie that is filming in the area when one of the actors is found dead.  The body, or parts of the body after what looks like an alligator attack, is found on site where the movie is being filmed and the producer wants it solved immediately.  So, even though Sam's old co-workers are on the case, he is hired.  Unfortunately, Sam is provided a "partner", Josh Cole another actor from the movie.  Josh has always done romance movies, and this is his first as a detective.

Even though they are an unlikely pair, they work together well and play off each other's weaknesses.  And when the police make an arrest on the case, Sam can't help but feel that they are wrong, so he and Josh still investigate.  Luckily, they do or the real killer would have gotten away .....

There is more going on in Sam's life also that keeps interfering, but he is able to stay on course and work everything out even when the other case he is working on takes a turn .....

The Sam Lawson Mystery series is a captivating series to get hooked on, there is so much to love.  Even though Sam can be rough at times, you know he is focused and determined and cares which makes you love him more.  I highly recommend grabbing your copy and digging in.

A Scoop of Deceit (Coffee & Cream Cafe Mystery series Book 7) by Lena Gregory

 From author Lena Gregory comes another decadently delightful cozy mystery ...

Spring has finally sprung on the south shore of eastern Long Island, New York, and Danika Delaney is ready to take a break from running her old-fashioned malt shop, the Coffee & Cream Café, to help her mom start planting for the season. With visions of colorful tulips and delicate daffodils in mind, Danika and her mother browse through the local garden center, where they can’t help but notice a confrontation between out-of-towner Sebastian Krane and the local cashier. Unfortunately, as Krane storms off, aggravated and not paying attention, he hops into his BMW, and crashes right into Mrs. Delaney as she’s backing up in her borrowed pickup truck. As if that weren't enough to put a damper on her sunny mood, Krane then has the nerve to file a lawsuit against her. But when Dani shows up at his mansion to try to straighten things out, she finds him dead, with a knife in his back. Apparently, someone had it out for Sebastian. Someone other than her mother. A fact Dani she sets out to prove with the help of her sidekicks, Gwen and Eli, wading through a slew of shady suspects from the victim's stormy past. Can Dani clear her mother's name and find the truth behind Krane's murder? Or will Dani be in danger of pushing up daisies herself this spring?

What critics are saying about Lena

"Readers are going to fall in LOVE. I can tell you right now that this series is going to be a huge success!!!"
~Cozy Mystery Book Reviews

"I didn’t want it to end!"
~Kings River Life Magazine

"Author Lena Gregory sure didn’t disappoint. She cooked up a tale so tasty I devoured it!"
~Lisa Ks Book Reviews   (Summary via Goodreads)

A Scoop of Deceit is the seventh book in the Coffee & Cream Cafe Mystery series by Lena Gregory and seeing as this is a cozy mystery series, I would like to talk about some other things within this book and series.

In this series you have main character Danika, Dani, her enormous family, her tight circle of friends, the business her uncle gave to her to run, the adorable town they all live in and a dreamy detective.

Dani has taken over her uncle Jimmie's ice cream shop and turned it into Coffee & Cream Cafe serving ice cream and tasty coffee drinks.  Even though Uncle Jimmie "retired", he still spends a lot of time there allowing Dani to hang out with her best friends, Eli and Gwen.  And with Eli dating Dani's sister Meghan, they are getting closer.  Plus, it helps when the friends have sleepovers, Meghan usually makes a killer dinner .... because, yeah, they are most likely discussing the latest murder in their little town.  Another thing that is great with this series is that no matter what is going on on Sunday, the entire family, and it is big, along with some friends, all gather at Dani's mom's house for Sunday dinner.

Now in A Scoop of Deceit Dani goes with her mom and aunt to the local garden center to pick up plants for Dani's mom to plant. Unfortunately, as they leave, they are involved in a car accident with a gentleman who isn't very nice.  Even though they know it was his fault, he threatens to sue.  Luckily no one was hurt but the next day when Dani goes to Mr. Krane's house to try to talk him out of suing her mom, they find him dead, with a knife in his back.

And once Dani, Eli and Gwen start looking into Mr. Krane and his life, they realize the suspect list is longer than you could imagine and they find it hard to feel sorry for him. And even though dreamy detective Jake keeps telling Dani to leave the investigating to him, she still gets in hot water .... but for a good reason.

I would read this series without the murders and Dani working the cases, but there would have to be a reason for the detective's presence, he has to be there.  This series could easily be a romance series .... I would be all for that !!  But I'll stick with it as a cozy mystery series as it is intended.

Spellbound by Murder (A Mystic Hollow Bookshop Mystery Book 1) by Stacie Ramey

Gilmore Girls meets Charmed in this spellbinding cozy mystery featuring a magical bookshop run by three generations of women.

When her grandmother suffers a nasty fall and asks for help managing the family business, coffee-addicted single mother Veronica Blackthorne moves her sixteen-year-old romcom-obsessed daughter to Mystic Hollow, Connecticut. Veronica is ecstatic to return to New England, but when she arrives, she quickly finds out that Mystic Hollow Books, her grandmother’s pride and joy, needs more than a little TLC.

Hoping to save the bookstore from a big box rival, Veronica enlists her sometimes-mentor and sometimes-crush Adam Whitford, a controversial but popular author, as the keynote speaker to kick off a literary festival that will hopefully bring in a new wave of customers. But when Adam turns up dead, all that romantic potential turns into a nightmare as Veronica becomes the prime suspect in his murder.

As the local sheriff investigates his murder, Veronica decides to take matters into her own hands to solve the case and clear her name. With the bookstore’s future on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Until her gran reveals the biggest secret of all–the bookstore is magical and it was a botched love spell that led to this entire mess.

Witty and heartfelt, this mystery explores the price of magic and how it might be heftier than one can hope, perfect for fans of Amanda Flower and Nina Simon.  (Summary via Goodreads)

Spellbound by Murder is the first book in Stacie Ramey's A Mystic Hollow Bookshop Mystery series and I loved it and I think you will also.

In Spellbound by Murder main character Veronica who is living in Florida with her teenage daughter Phoebe gets a call from her grandmother that she needs Veronica to come home to Mystic Hollow.  She claims that she took a bad fall and needs help with the family bookstore.  But when they arrive it seems Gran is fine, but Veronica overlooks that little lie because she really is happy to be home and Phoebe seems to like it also.

They are just in time to help finish organizing the literary festival and Veronica comes to the rescue when the keynote speaker cancels.  She is able to get a friend and author to come take her place.  Veronica and Adam have a little history, so she agrees to meet him in the bell tower the one night .... unfortunately, she gets there just as he goes over the edge.  

When the local sheriff, Mack, zones in on Veronica as a suspect, she obviously is going to do what she can to prove her innocence.  Little did she know that she would have two tech savvy teenage girls, her grandmother, an owl and the magic surrounding the bookstore and Mystic Hollow.

I am a fan of magic, who isn't since Harry Potter was published, and when you can add it to solving a murder .... yes please !!  And it doesn't matter who many stories you read with magic in them, they are all different and draw the reader in, like they have a spell attached to them.

I highly encourage you to read this book and put it on your watch list for future books.  I'm sure it will cast its spell on you ......

Dazzling Death (A Cosmetic Crimes Mystery Book 4) by Arlene Kay

When faded movie star Teagen Doyle swans into Harbor Bay, trouble follows her. She lures artist Marketta Davis into joining her and proceeds to seduce Marky’s fiancé, Dr. Roddy Park. Disaster ensues when billionaire Brendan Doyle storms into town, determined to reclaim his wife. Murder, lust, and larceny confound Harbor Bay until the intrepid sleuths from Poppet intervene.  (Summary via Goodreads)

In Dazzling Death, the fourth book in the Cosmetic Crimes Mystery series written by Arlene Kay, main character Marky Davis is just trying to enjoy and life her life.  Unfortunately, that is not to be ...

When Teagen Doyle, who was a soap opera star years ago and her husband come to town, everyone goes crazy !!  Teagan and Brendan take residence at Madge Stone's estate and Marky dislikes her instantly which should be fine, they do not run in the same circles.  But for some reason Teagan is drawn to Marky and especially to Roddy, Marky's fiancé and hires both of them.  She hires Marky to paint her portrait and Roddy to be the face of her latest business venture, Teagan's Tinctures.  But Teagan has more in mind for Roddy as she goes about seducing him .... 

Although Marky's heart is broken, she tries to put Roddy and Teagan out of her mind and focus on her business, Poppet.  Sadly, that changes when Teagan dies during a romantic dinner with Roddy !!  Marky doesn't approve of what he did but she knows deep down that he is not capable of murder, so she decides to try to prove his innocence.

However, before she can get anywhere with Teagan's murder, something else happens in their little town of Harbor Bay that sends Marky rolling.

Readers will fall in love with this story instantly.  You will love the characters and all their sass, the town, the businesses and all the craziness within.  Trying to solve Teagan's murder will be difficult so I would just encourage you to sit back and let the story draw you in and ride it through.

Murder at an Irish Session (Irish Village Mystery Book # 12) by Carlene O'Connor

As pregnant Siobhán O’Sullivan awaits bringing her new life into the world, she’s bringing new life to her village of Kilbane in County Cork, Ireland, with a music and matchmaking festival. But one matchmaker is about to find out that Cupid’s arrow can be fatal in the latest Irish Village Mystery from USA Today bestselling author Carlene O’Connor.

Siobhán loves to see the joy playing trad music brings to her brother Ciaran, but his concern that he’ll never find a mate pulls at her heartstrings. So, she proposes that Kilbane host a music and matchmaking festival to draw single trad musicians. While renowned matchmaker Liam Noone plays Cupid with his Lucky Book, music—and hopefully love—will fill the pubs and the autumn air.

Turning over his precious Lucky Book to Siobhán for safekeeping, Liam takes the stage to introduce matched musician couples who will kick off the festival in the
town square. Suddenly all goes black. When the lights come back on, the matchmaker has met his maker, impaled through the heart with an arrow made from the sharpened bow of a bass.

Was it the fiddle player, the flute player, the drummer, the piper, the squeeze box player, or the bass player who struck a sour note? Garda Siobhán and her husband Macdara must pick up the tempo to make whoever committed this crime of passion face the music…  (Summary via Goodreads)

Even though Siobhan has her hands full, with her new promotion to Detective Sergeant as well as being pregnant with twins, she will always look after her siblings and their happiness.  And in Murder at an Irish Session, the twelfth book in Carlene O'Connor's Irish Village Mystery series, the focus is on her younger brother Ciaran.

Seeing as Ciaran is a fiddler player and interested in music, when Siobhan learns of a matchmaker who combines music and love, she works with him and his assistants to host a festival in Kilbane.  The host, Liam, brings his two assistants as well as a group of couples that he successfully matched a year ago to town.

Unfortunately, at the beginning of the festival there is a lighting problem and when it is fixed and the lights come back on, Liam is dead, shot in the heart by bow and arrow.  Readers may think that this would be an easy case to solve, but with this being O'Connor's twelfth book, she knows what she is doing .... and she will have you guessing until the very end.

I am a huge fan of mysteries and cozy mysteries; however, I never try to solve the case.  Although there have been a few times where I was pretty sure I knew who the guilty party was.  I like to relax and read the story and just get lost in it all.  O'Connor knows how to write the story keeping readers on the edge of their seats.  And I hope you are a fan of this series as well and have come to love Siobhan, her family and Kilbane as much as I have.  If not, you have plenty of time to catch up.

Casket Case (Cynthia Shade Mystery series Book #1) by Lee James

Cynthia Shade. That's her name. She has ADHD and cynophobia. That's just a fancy way of saying she's terrified of dogs. Not all dogs mind you, just the tiny ones that come at you with their razor-sharp fangs and frenzied eyes. To make it worse, she can't find a job, rather, she can't keep a job, and she's about to be evicted. Just when she gets a glimmer of hope she's blackmailed into trying to solve a murder.

Wait-what?

Cue the handsome sheriff who awakens real interest in perpetually single Cynthia, and a cast of crazed suspects. One of whom is determined she doesn't make it out of this adventure alive.  (Summary via Goodreads)

In Casket Case by Lee James Cynthia Shade is just trying to live her life the way she wants to even though she is avoiding calls on her cell from collection agencies and she never knows if the lights will turn on in her apartment.  Cynthia has a dream and the only person who understands is her uncle Garrett.  And it looks like she might just get that dream come true.

Uncle Garrett has a food truck for Cynthia, yeah it needs some work, but she can see herself running her very own business in it.  Unfortunately, when she takes it for a test drive, she gets on a road where she has trouble turning it around.  And when she is in a driveway getting ready to back up, the crazy owner comes out yelling at her.  To make matter worse, when she is out of the truck, the truck starts to move on its own right over into the neighbor's very expensive water fountain.  And to make matters even worse when she meets the neighbor after tackling her from the moving food truck, she is brought into her house to find the woman's husband dead in the kitchen !!!

Sam insists that she didn't kill her husband.  She received a text from. him, rushed home and found him dead.  And because Cynthia doesn't have any money to pay for the damages done to the fountain, Sam ropes her into helping prove her innocence.  But Cynthia soon learns that Sam's live was full of secrets and lies and doesn't know what to believe.

Casket Case is captivating from the very first chapter.  You cannot help but fall in love with Cynthia and the rest of the characters.  You will love the storyline and want to read as fast as you can to see who killed Sam's husband. And you will even like the Sheriff.  I could not put the book down once I opened it and I'm sure that will be the same for you.

A Field Guide to Murder by Michelle L. Cullen

A cranky widower and his spirited caregiver team up to solve his neighbor’s murder in this charming and original mystery, perfect for fans of Richard Osman and Benjamin Stevenson.

Once a globe-trotting anthropologist, Harry Lancaster is now certain that all his grand adventures are behind him. Recently widowed and suffering from a fractured hip, Harry spends his days and nights behind a pair of binoculars, nose-deep in his neighbors’ affairs. His millennial caregiver, Emma, is determined to get him out of his armchair and back into the world.

Fate intervenes when Harry’s mysterious neighbor Sue phones, pleading for help. But instead of rescuing her, Harry and Emma find Sue dead: poisoned, days after a break-in at Sue’s house. Harry resolves to find out what happened, and Emma insists on going along for the ride. Together, they discover motives and suspects abound in Harry’s quaint condominium community—putting them both in the crosshairs of a cold-blooded killer.

Readers of Kristen Perrin and Deanna Raybourn will be charmed by this quirky, cross-generational murder mystery.  (Summary via Goodreads)

I had so much fun reading A Field Guide to Murder by Michelle L. Cullen.  I did not want it to end.  You cannot help but fall in love with Harry and Emma.

In A Field Guide to Murder main character Harry is recovering from injuring his hip from a fall and he has Emma as his temporary caregiver.  Harry lives on Lakeview Lane with a cast of colorful and fun neighbors.  Unfortunately, one day one of his neighbors, Sue, calls him and is having trouble talking and breathing.  Luckily Emma is there so she rushes over to help until the paramedics arrive.  Sadly, it is too late and Sue passes away.  But Harry believes that she said she was poisoned during the distressing phone call.

When the detective informs Harry that Sue's death is ruled an accident and closes the case, Harry knows that something isn't right.  It takes a while but eventually Emma comes around to that conclusion also and the two team up and begin investigating the neighbors. During this investigating harry learns that he doesn't know his neighbors like he thought he did.

Emma, who was a critical care nurse but needed a change so she went into the caregiving job, is having some personal issues that are weighing heavily on her.  Harry doesn't want to overstep so he tries to help in his own unique way.

I love Harry and Emma together and hope that they continue working together or at least keep their friendship going.  They complimented each other very well throughout the story.  Getting to know them as well as the neighbors on Harry's street was fun and having the murder case centralized helped me keep track of things.  I look forward to whatever Cullen comes up with next.

Mastermind for Murder (A Merry Wrath Mystery series Book # 38) by Leslie Langtry

From USA Today bestselling author Leslie Langtry comes a laugh-out-loud story of spies, spoofs, and sleepers cells in middle America!

When one of the girls in ex-CIA spy turned Girl Scout leader, Merry Wrath Ferguson's, scout troop insists that there’s a sleeper cell in Who’s There, Iowa, Merry laughs it off. After all, she was an actual spy! What would a middle school kid know about things like that? Of course, the fact that it’s Betty, the most dangerous thirteen-year-old on the planet, does give Merry a little pause. But seriously, in a town of about five thousand people, a group of foreign terrorists would stand out…right?

Or so she thinks, until the CIA quietly asks Merry and her former handler Riley to look into it. It doesn’t help that inept-beyond-all-belief FBI agents Summer and Winter (yes, their real names) are also looking into it, or that Merry’s buddy, CIA assassin Hilly, plays hooky from an assignment to help out—by sending the hapless Abed (CIA flunkie and Girl Scout cookie junkie) to float the flounder in her place. Still, Merry thinks this is nothing more than a wild goose chase until a mysterious, elderly woman is murdered. Now, Merry has second thoughts and finds herself in a race to unravel the woman’s past and find the sleeper cell, before she becomes the next target.

What critics are saying about Leslie Langtry's

"I laughed so hard I cried on multiple occasions! Girl Scouts, the CIA, and the Yakuza... what could possibly go wrong?"
~ Fresh Fiction

"Darkly funny and wildly over the top, this mystery answers the burning question, 'Do assassin skills and Girl Scout merit badges mix…?'"
~ RT BOOKreviews

"Mixing a deadly sense of humor and plenty of sexy sizzle, Leslie Langtry creates a brilliantly original, laughter-rich mix of contemporary romance and suspense."
~ Chicago Tribune

"Langtry gets the fun started from page one."
~ Publisher's Weekly  (Summary via Goodreads)

When there are thirty-eight books in a series, is there really anything to say ? Obviously, this author and this series is a success ..... 

The series that I am referring to is the Merry Wrath Mystery series and the author is Leslie Langtry.  And she has just released Mastermind for Murder which is the thirty-eighth book in this series. 

I'll be honest I have not read all of the books in this series, but I have read enough to know that this is a unique and fun series, and I can see why people are drawn to it.  And you can bet that I will continue reading it as best as I can.  Now let's talk about the insides of the books ...

In Mastermind for Murder main character Merry Wrath, who is an ex-CIA agent married to Rex, who is a detective, and runs a Girl's Scout Troop with her best friend Kelly is looking for a sleeper cell in her hometown of Who's There, Iowa.  But when Merry and her CIA assassin friend Hilly are out looking for the sleeper cell, they find a dead body in a little development just outside the town.

So, it would seem Merry, as always, has her hands full but that's not really the case.  Dealing with her middle school aged Girl Scout Troop who are extremely intelligent as well as one of them is the actual mayor of Who's There, keeping her assassin friend on a short leash, she always seems to have to solve the murders that occur .... or I mean help the police solve the murders. 

The Merry Wrath Mystery series has so much to love, and it is so different from other cozy mysteries that you can't help but be drawn to it.  And with Mastermind for Murder being the thirty eighth book in the series, it looks like there is a lot to love!!!

The Coggery (An Annabelle Sweeting Mystery Book # 2) by LK Billips

The second book in the Annabelle Sweeting Mystery series finds our heroine in the midst of a turbulent romance, a undetermined career path, and a new set of murders to solve.

To say things have become rocky between Annabelle and Constable Weston would be an understatement. Can the two put their personal lives on hold to work together? Can they help Nathan Starling discover who is hunting his old team of pickpocketing orphans, or will Annabelle give up investigating and leave the city completely? Find out now!  (Summary via Goodreads)

When I read The Catalyst by LK Billips, the first book in the Annabelle Sweeting Mystery series, I didn't know what to think.  The book is set in London in the 1800's but some aspects seem ahead of the times.  The main character Annabelle makes outfits using nuts and bolts and metal pieces that she gets from a trash pile behind a business.  And she has a unique "pet" Purgatorio which is a mechanical flying creature that can do so much.  The only normal thing about the story is that she helps the police with a murder and she butts heads with the constable.

Now I have just finished reading the second book in this series, The Coggery, and I am again not sure what to think.  This is not to say I didn't like the stories, I did, I thoroughly enjoyed them and quickly got lost in them.  They are definitely different and I think readers will love them as well.

In The Coggery Annabelle and Nathan, a young boy she has taken in are doing a little investigating on a previous case when Nathan comes across the body of a dead girl.  They are in the poor section where it is dangerous, especially for the misfortunate children to which the deceased, Gwennie, was.  Nathan knows this area too well as that is where he used to live until Anabelle saved him from it.  Now he will do whatever he can to help the others.

Even though Annabella and Constable Weston are not on good terms since they didn't agree on their last case, she knows that he will do everything in his power to find justice for Gwennie.  Unfortunately, before they can do that, more children are found dead.  They will find themselves working with some abnormal characters and taken down a dark path .....

I read a lot of books and can usually write my thoughts out with no problems but for some reason it's hard to wrap my head around these books.  Don't get me wrong .... there is a lot I can say, I just don't want to give much away.  There is a lot within these two books that have a surprising and exciting factor to it that if I write about it, it will ruin it for the reader.  I wish I could just say to go grab your copy and start reading but I feel I have to say something.  I hope that I have provided enough intrigue for you.

Critters and Crimes (Magical Cozy Mystery Book Club series Book # 11) by Elizabeth Pantley

 A quaint riverside town holds many secrets ... and the only ones who’ve seen it all are the critters. This book club dives (literally!) into the pages of a cozy mystery. The quirky group must solve the mystery to get out of the book. It’s so much fun - you’ll wish you had a book club like this!

In this journey, they choose a book set in a lovely riverside town. They land in a charming neighborhood and find they are part of a local book club. They are having a great time – and then a dead body shows up. (Of course it does!)

The clues to what happened come to them in a unique way – via the critters in the house.

As usual, the club finds plenty of time to enjoy the unique setting of their journey, as they solve the mystery – one critter at a time.

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REVIEWS for book 10 in this PUZZLES & PREMIERES

5 STARS!
“The heart of this series lies in its extraordinary cast of characters, particularly the members of the Book Club—including the unforgettable Frank, a talking cat.”

5 STARS!
“I’m hoping that Pantley has a million of these books left to write. I can’t imagine any other books that have kept my interest this long. The characters are so much fun, and the story line is always fresh and exciting."

5 STARS!
“I loved this book. I think it might be the best yet, have I said that before? Probably, but the books in this series just seem to get better and better.”

5 STARS!
“It’s a wild and wonderful journey! I was swept away out of my daily life, along with the book club. It was just the respite I needed, and so much enjoyed!”

5 STARS!
“I laughed (thanks, Frank and Zell), gasped (those twists!), and couldn’t stop turning the pages. The setting was vivid and fun—I could practically feel the cold mountain air and see the glittering festival lights.”

5 STARS!
“I could not pull myself away and spent every waking moment (and some when I might usually be sleeping), reading voraciously to find out the answer to the mystery and reach the end… and it was worth every single second!”

5 STARS!
“Well-written with well-developed characters and a fast-paced plot. The series premise is both original and fun. I was totally drawn into this captivating story and kept hooked from beginning to end.”

~ ~ ~

This book is part of a magical cozy mystery series of 11 books and growing.

Each book can be read as a standalone but are much more fun in order.

Available in eBook, paperback, Kindle Unlimited, and audiobook.

Join Elizabeth’s mailing list and get a free book from her Magical Cozy Mystery Book Club series.  (Summary via Goodreads)

I have been a fan of the Magical Cozy Mystery Book club series by Elizabeth Pantley since the first book so you can imagine how I feel after reading Critters and Crime, the eleventh book.

Every time I open one of the books in this series I am whisked away on an adventure just like the members of the book club, except I don't have to leave my couch .... although I think I would enjoy the different places they wind up in.  I could probably help with the murder solving aspect, and I sure would love the no calories eating they get to do.

Anyway, I am getting off track, which is something the members do a lot of as well.  

In Critters and Crime Frank, who is the library cat, is promoted to full-fledged book club member and as new member he talks the others into letting him pick the book for their next adventure.  Frank wants one with animals, so Sebastian brings back Clues from the Critters and Frank approves and the rest of the group does too.

The group finds themselves in Rivershade and LOVE what the book has done to the Snapdragon Inn and love the little town as well.  They find that they are members of a nonmagical book club and go to a meeting.  There they meet the host Lillian as well as the other members.  It is not until they go to Lillian's again that they find Lillian in the kitchen talking to her husband who is dead on the floor.

The group is soon very confused when Lillian insists that Harold died due to mismanaging his heart medication.  She also gets the coroner to agree and then makes plans to go stay with her sister asking the group to watch her house and take care of the numerous pets of Harold's.

It doesn't take long for Frank to dislike the choice seeing as no one can communicate with him and all they hear from him is meow.  That is until he finds that Harold's pets do talk and Paige and the rest can talk with them as well.

I know I say it after reading each new book in this series, but I think Critters and Crimes is now my favorite.  Not only is this a rather captivating series but you get to laugh a lot throughout the books.  You fall in love with the characters, want to be a part of their magical book club and travel with them .... and that is saying a lot of me because I HATE to travel. (I know I'm weird like that lol)

I hope that you are a fan as well and if you aren't you have eleven books to read and escape with.

May Contain Murder (Chef Paul Delamare Mystery Book #2) by Orlando Murrin

Worse things happen at sea.
Paul Delamare has been roped into accompanying his old friend on a luxury cruise aboard the magnificent superyacht Mal de Mer. It’s all plain sailing until his friend’s priceless necklace is stolen, and everyone falls under suspicion.

Every chef for himself.
As Paul races to catch the thief, the ship begins to drift off-course, veering into the storm-lashed mid-Atlantic. Then one of the passengers is found dead in mysterious circumstances, in a pool of coffee and surrounded by cake crumbs.

Voyage of the damned.
It’s all hands-on deck to catch the killer, but Paul soon discovers guests and crew are harbouring deadly secrets. And if he can’t get to the bottom of the mystery soon, he’ll be sleeping with the fishes.  (Summary via Goodreads)

You would think that if a crime, like theft or murder, occurred on a yacht it would be easy to solve.  Well in May Contain Murder it is anything but easy !!

May Contain Murder is the second book in the Chef Paul Delamare Mystery series by Orlando Murrin and Chef Paul is in way over his head.  Chef Paul has been invited by his dear friend Xera to help write her memoir.  Xera has just gotten married, and a small group of family and friends are traveling with the newlyweds on an Atlantic cruise and Paul is included so they can begin their writing journey.  

Unfortunately, shortly into the cruise a very unique and expensive necklace the groom, Sir Billy, gave to this bride, Xera, is stolen out of their cabin.  But before they can figure out where it is or who stole it, Xera is found dead the next morning.

Paul knows that something isn't right with the scene but has no authority and it is all a hunch plus the captain of the boat has the authority and dictates how to handle it.  Xera's death is ruled an accident, and things are to continue as normal as they can.

Luckily for Xera Paul will do whatever he can to find out what really happened to her ... no matter how dangerous it gets !!  Sadly, he is among strangers and doesn't know who he can trust or if he can trust anyone.

May Contain Murder is such an interesting read.  With everyone stuck on the yacht, not being able to leave, you would think it would be easy to keep track of everyone ... but that is not the case for Paul.  It's a good thing readers aren't there and can sit back and relax while they tag along with everyone and you don't have to worry about getting seasick.

The Devil in the Details (A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery Book # 11) by Vicki Delany

The game is once again afoot in Vicki Delany’s 11th Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mystery, when birthday festivities end in freezing cold murder.

Gemma Doyle is excited about celebrating Jayne Wilson’s big day. It’s supposed to be a day marking not only the birthday of Jayne, her partner in crime, but also that of the Great Detective himself. Following the festivities at the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, Gemma heads for the Blue Water Café, the site of Jayne’s party. To make things even better, Jayne’s wedding is only a week away.

But the much-anticipated affair quickly turns to disaster with the presence of the bride and groom’s respective exes in attendance and other unruly guests. With drama at every corner, Gemma and Jayne take a break on the chilly deck overlooking the ocean when they spot the body of a party attendee floating in the water below.

As Detective Ryan Ashburton takes a closer look at the guest list, Jayne’s wedding is in peril, especially when it is revealed that her fiancé, Andy, is a prime suspect. With the police closing in and more lives on the line, it’s up to Gemma to keep Andy from prison and save Jayne’s wedding day from ruin.  (Summary via Goodreads)

Jayne and Andy are getting married !!!  And Gemma and Ryan are in the wedding party !!!  

The Devil in the Details is the eleventh book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series by Vicki Delany and I am a huge fan, as I hope you are also.  There is a lot to talk about so let's go ....

Like I said Jayne, who is Gemma's best friend and business partner is getting ready to marry Andy.  Gemma co-owns and runs the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop as well as part owner of Mrs. Hudson's Tea Room.  Her best friend Jayne is part owner of the Tea Room. her fiancé Andy owns the Blue Water Cafe while Gemma's boyfriend is a detective.

Unfortunately, a week before the wedding while they are celebrating Jayne's birthday at the Blue Water Cafe, an uninvited guest goes over the railing on the deck into the cold water.  Gemma and Andy jump in to save her, but they find out later she passed.  The police have their sights on Andy once they find out that the deceased, Tina, was his ex-girlfriend. 

Jayne, of course, asks Gemma to do what she does best and prove Andy's innocence.  But before Gemma can decide if Tina's death was an accident or murder, there is a definite murder, and she gets run down by the killer.  Gemma goes to question Robbie, who was also at the birthday party working as a waiter, but she is too late.

Gemma will not be able to rest until she figures out what happened to both Tina and Robbie, and she needs to make sure that Jayne and Andy get their perfect wedding day.  

Readers cannot help but love this series.  You fall in love with everything within this series and this book just intensifies that feeling.