Dead by Dinner: A Clara Callaway Mystery by Lillian Dore

A Cozy Mystery Short Story 

Journey back to 1920s England, and join young Lady Clara Callaway and her lady’s maid, Alice Hart, as they go detecting together!

Clara Callaway had never seen a dead body before, so when Malcolm Wexley fell face down in his main course, it came as something of a shock. For a few terrible moments, Clara almost laughed. 

Lady Clara Callaway had expected that evening’s dinner party to be a dull affair as usual, so when Malcolm Wexley drops dead during dinner, it does liven things up a bit. But between politics, gambling and womanizing, Price has made a lot of enemies—and therefore a lot of suspects! 

Unable to resist doing some detecting of their own, Clara and Alice soon discover that they make a perfect team, hunting out clues and admissions that the police miss. With some help from their ever-ready chum Giles Fairweather, the duo work to uncover the truth. 

But their game becomes more serious when the abbey’s butler, is blamed for the crime. With few people willing to take the man’s side, can they solve the case before a potentially innocent man is convicted?   (Summary via Goodreads)

If you don't want to get into a long book or just have a little time to kill, Dead at Dinner by Lilliam Dore is perfect for you !!!  You can read this short murder mystery in a few hours or less.

I found it to be very refreshing.  A story that is set over the course of an evening.  People gathering for a weekend of events begin by having drinks then sitting down for dinner.  Unfortunately one of them will not get up from the meal.  

Although it is a short story, it is definitely not lacking anything !!  I thoroughly enjoyed Dead at Dinner and look forward to reading her next story Dying to Vote.

Review by Missi S.

The Mountain Man's Dog by Gary Corbin

In the small town of Clarkesville, in the heart of the Oregon Cascade Mountains, a humble forester stumbles into the complex world of crooked cops and power-hungry politicians… all because he rescues a stray, injured dog on the highway.

Lehigh Carter never really meant to adopt the dog. But his ex-fiancée, Stacy McBride, convinces him to do it, with a promise to help. Their rekindled romance angers her father, state Senator George McBride, who sees her backwoods suitor as a blemish on his carefully created political image. It also sets off a chain of events that entangle Lehigh in a life-or-death conflict with the senator’s hardnosed campaign treasurer, Paul van Paten, who had his own plans for Stacy’s future.

The Mountain Man’s Dog is a briskly told crime thriller loaded with equal parts suspense, romance, and light-hearted humor, pitting honor and loyalty against ruthless ambition and runaway greed in a town too small for anyone to get away with anything.  (Summary via Goodreads)

The Mountain Man's Dog is the first book in hopefully a long series by Gary Corbin. If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would! This is a fast paced amazing thriller that takes you on a roller coaster ride from the start. You have everything from intrigue and danger, corrupt cops and crooked politicians to some romance.

For Lee Carter(Lehigh) Oregon's Cascade Mountains are not only home but his livelihood. He is a logger that takes care of 350 plus acres for his family as well as 500 plus for other customers. He is a busy man and he loves it. On his way into town to get groceries his life is turned upside down when he spots a limping yellow hound dog in the road. Now mind you Lehigh doesn't like dogs! He thinks they are a nuisance especially since he had a bad experience as a kid with his Uncle Ted's GSD's that bit him. But alas his kind heart takes over and he puts her in his truck and takes her to Mt. Hood Sheriff's office thinking he will drop her off and be done. No such luck! He has to transport her to Clarksville Animal Hospital where coincidentally his old flame Stacy McBride works. WOW is all I can say. Things get down right interesting when these two see each other after 12 years. 

Complicated doesn't even describe the fireworks about to happen. Between Paul her politically hungry "boyfriend " and her father State Senator George L. McBride who hates Lehigh btw things in this little town are about to erupt.

On the positive side Stacy get's Lehigh to adopt Lucky by kinda tricking him and maybe a little white lie. But deep down does Lehigh really want Lucky? Time will tell. Lehigh doesn't know what hits him when his life goes south and things become life and death situations! Will he be able to keep everyone he cares for safe?

Will good triumph over evil in this small town??? 

I am so grateful to have had the honor to read and review this amazing book. I can't wait for book two.

Review by Penny M.

Honey BBQ Murder (Darling Deli, #10) by Patti Benning

SUMMER PRESCOTT BOOKS is thrilled to present: 
Honey BBQ Murder - Book 10 in The Darling Deli Series!!! 

After making Darrin the manager of Darling’s DELIcious Delights, deli owner, Moira Darling, has been able to enjoy some much needed time off, which means more time to spend with Maverick, David, and Candice. All is well, until she receives a tearful call from the husband of the woman who owned Keeva - the missing dog that she found in the woods behind her house. Keeva’s owner has been murdered, and the husband doesn’t want to keep the dog. Though she is sad for the woman who died, Moira jumps at the chance to get Keeva, the Irish wolfhound, back and drives down to Kentucky to pick her up. Keeva falls ill shortly after she arrives in Maple Creek, and Moira fears for her own life when an intruder comes to call in this latest book of The Darling Deli Series.  (Summary via Goodreads)


Another great book from Patti Benning. Honey BBQ Murder is book ten in The Darling Deli Series. I have loved this series from the start. The characters have developed into a bunch of old friends. Love the relationship between Moira and David as well as how much Candice has grown into such an independent woman. The storyline is nonstop excitement cover to cover.

Moira has hired a manager, Darrin, to take over a few days a week to decrease her hours. Now she can have some downtime and enjoy her new home and spending more time with David, Candice, and Maverick. You know what they say about well layed plans!  Moira gets a very surprising call from Rick Coleman, Chelsea's husband who owns Keeva. He tells her that Chelsea has been murdered and he wants her to take Keeva because he can't bear to look at her. It reminds him too much of Chelsea. He knows Moira will take great care of her. Moira jumps at the chance to get Keeva back and heads to Kentucky. When she gets there she looks thin. Rick tells her that she hasn't been eating or drinking that she is depressed. 

This is when things go down hill and Moira's good luck runs out! Keeva is very sick and could be the only witness to her owners murder??? Strange things start to happen at the house when someone breaks in and ransacks it. Now she doesn't feel safe in her own home. Has she somehow gotten in the middle of something she can't get out of this time??? 

This cozy will make you want to read and eat at the same time. The cooking that Moira does sounds scrumptious. Looking forward to the next installment in The Darling Deli series.

Review by Penny M.

Horse of a Different Murder: Book 2 in The Bandit Hills Series by Blair Merrin

SUMMER PRESCOTT BOOKS is thrilled to present: 
Horse of a Different Murder - Book 2 in The Bandit Hills Series!!! 

Cassie and Dash find themselves in the midst of trying to solve a mysterious murder with the help of a local horse whisperer, after one of Bonnie's ranch hands disappears. Spooky situations are the norm in Bandit Hills, and this fast-paced tale will have you on the edge of your seat - wondering what could possibly happen next!  (Summary via Goodreads)

What a great series! Horse of a Different Murder is book two in The Bandit Hills series. These books get better and better. I loved the first but this is now my favorite. The stranger the better in Bandit Hills, "That's Bandit Hills for ya."

The characters is this book are so much fun. Their personalities are quirky, funny, and a little bit eccentric. They are perfect! Cass and her mom, Julia run The Miscellanea a second hand consignment boutique in the heart of Bandit Hills. I love Cass's cat, Xerxes a giant Persian who is very mischievous and has a tendency to trip Cass from across the room??? Spooky! But "That's Bandit Hills for ya."

Things seem to be off in the store when Xerxes starts acting stranger than usual. Meanwhile, in walks Xander Cruz a very handsome rancher that lives next to Bonnie. He is known as a horse whisperer and is in demand when strange things start to happen at Bonnie's ranch. Wouldn't you know it, another dead body is found in Bandit Hills. Cass and Dash are in the middle of another murder investigation. But this time their time at the rodeo may be up. Will they be able to solve this case before another person is found dead or before they are???

I can't wait to read book three. I love where the characters are heading.

Review by Penny M.

The Wicked Waffle (The Diner of the Dead, #1) by Carolyn Q. Hunter

SUMMER PRESCOTT BOOKS PUBLISHING is thrilled to present the debut Cozy Mystery from author Carolyn Q. Hunter!!! 

When aspiring author, Sonja Reed, leaves her "dream job" in New York City to return to her hometown of Haunted Falls, Colorado, she immediately find herself pulled into investigating a murder that has rocked the quiet, peaceful town. What she encounters in her investigation will make you pull up the covers and lock the doors!  (Summary via Goodreads)

Wonderful start to a new series!  The Wicked Waffle will have you entranced not only because of the great story line but the yummy waffles. I am very excited about this new series and love the story line and characters. 

Sonja leaves her dream job in New York to go back home to Haunted Falls, Colorado. Not only because her dream job turned out to just be a glorified coffee grabber instead of writing but her mom had some interesting news. When she does arrive home things aren't exactly as when she left. 

Her favorite diner has closed down. How things change in a year. She is heartbroken since this diner was such a part of the community. The small town is also dealing with a murder just as she arrives. What are the odds??? Peaceful Haunted Falls isn't quiet anymore. She ends up in the middle of the investigation much to the dismay of Sheriff Thompson.

I loved the twists and turns throughout the book. It has tons of chills and thrills that will have you sleeping with the lights on. Great paranormal mystery. Looking forward to book two.

Review by Penny M.

Grilled For Murder (A Country Store Mystery) by Maddie Day

Robbie Jordan may have had reservations about the murder victim, but she still needs to turn up the heat on a killer if she wants to keep her new restaurant open for business…

In the charming small town of South Lick, Indiana, Robbie has transformed a rundown country store into the runaway hit Pans 'N Pancakes. But the most popular destination for miles around can also invite trouble. Erica Shermer may be the widow of handsome local lawyer Jim Shermer's brother, but she doesn't appear to be in mourning. At a homecoming party held in Robbie's store, Erica is alternately obnoxious and flirtatious--even batting her eyelashes at Jim. When Erica turns up dead in the store the next morning, apparently clobbered with cookware, the police suspect Robbie's friend Phil, who closed up after the party. To clear Phil and calm her customers, Robbie needs to step out from behind the counter and find the real killer in short order… (Summary via Amazon)


If you are anything like me when you read books, you "get" into the book.  And when I say "get" into the book, I mean you can actually see everything, feel everything, smell everything.....it's like you are IN the book.  Maddie Day's Country Store Mystery series has that impact on me.  As I read the story I feel like I am right there....and it's such a nice setting to be in.

Grilled For Murder, Book two in this series, finds Pans 'N Pancake owner Robbie with a dead body in her country cookware store / restaurant. Erica Shermer has returned home to stay so her parents and sister hold a welcome home party for her at Pans 'N Pancakes to celebrate.  But the morning after the party when Robbie goes in to open up the restaurant she finds Erica dead on the floor near the pickle barrel and her front door window shattered.  After witnessing some of the goings on at the party and after, it is apparent that Erica wasn't liked by quite a few people.  But is one of them capable of murdering her ?  And why leave her in Robbie's restaurant ?

When Phil, Robbie's dessert maker and friend is taken in for questioning on the murder, Robbie jumps  
into high gear to prove his innocence not knowing she is putting herself in danger also.

How can she help solve the murder when everyone she comes into contact with seems to dislike Erica ?  Even her own parents said she was difficult.  But who would have wanted her dead and why ?  When the State Police are brought in to investigate the murder, Robbie finds herself unable to concentrate on anything else.  She needs to find out who murdered Erica in her store and soon.....before she becomes next on the murderer's list......

Review by Missi S.

Maddie Day is a pseudonym  for author Edith Maxwell.  Check out her website for all her great books.  


http://www.edithmaxwell.com/

Murder Most Malicious (A Lady and Lady's Maid Mystery) by Alyssa Maxwell

In post–World War I England, Lady Phoebe Renshaw and her lady's maid, Eva Huntford, step outside of their social roles and put their lives at risk to apprehend a vicious killer. . .

December 1918: As a difficult year draws to a close, there is much to celebrate for nineteen-year-old Phoebe Renshaw and her three siblings at their beloved family estate of Foxwood Hall. The dreadful war is finally over; eldest daughter Julia's engagement to their houseguest, the Marquis of Allerton, appears imminent; and all have gathered to enjoy peace on earth, good will toward men.

But the peace of Foxwood Hall is shattered on the morning of Boxing Day, when the Marquis goes missing. Not entirely missing, however, as macabre evidence of foul play turns up in gift boxes given to lady's maid Eva Huntford and a handful of others. Having overheard her sister and the Marquis in a heated exchange the night before, Lady Phoebe takes a personal interest in solving the mystery.

As the local constable suspects a footman at Foxwood Hall, Phoebe and Eva follow the clues to a different conclusion. But both young women will need to think outside the box to wrap up this case--before a cornered killer lashes out with ill will toward them. (Summary via Amazon)


It's amazing how much work authors put into a book, a story.  As the reader we never realize it while we are reading it.  We just pick up the book and read it. We just read and enjoy the story.

I thoroughly enjoy all of Alyssa Maxwell's historical mystery books.  So much thought and research is put in them that you actually learn things while you read.

In Murder Most Malicious, Maxwell's first book in her A Lady and Lady's Maid mystery series, I felt like I was right there along side Phoebe and Eva as they gathered clues as to the whereabouts of the Marquis of Allerton, Lord Henry.

Lord Henry and Lady Julia, the oldest granddaughter of the Earl of Wroxly, are overheard arguing on Christmas night by Phoebe and a few servants.  The next morning Lord Henry is no where to be found.  Is Lady Julia to blame for his disappearance ?

When some of the Christmas boxes are opened the next day, Boxing Day, some of the receivers are "gifted" with something of Lord Henry's causing the police to be summoned.

While Constable Brannock and Inspector Perkins search the estate property of Foxwood Hall, Phoebe and Eva do their own investigating to prove the innocence of employed Footman George Vernon.

Who will solve the case first and at what cost ?

Review by Missi S.