There'll Be Shell to Pay (A Haunted Shell Shop Mystery Book # 2) by Molly MacRae

When she’s not selling seashells by the North Carolina seashore from her shell shop, Maureen Nash is a crime-solving sleuth with a ghost pirate for a supernatural sidekick . . .

Maureen is still getting used to life on Ocracoke Island, learning how to play the “shell game” of her business—and ghost whispering with the spirit of Emrys Lloyd, the eighteenth-century Welsh pirate who haunts her shop, The Moon Shell. The spectral buccaneer has unburied a treasure hidden in the shop’s attic that turns out to be antique shell art stolen from Maureen’s late husband’s family years ago.

Victor “Shelly” Sullivan and his wife Lenrose visit the shop and specifically inquire about these rare items. Not only is it suspicious that this shell collector should arrive around the time Maureen found the art, but Emrys insists that Sullivan’s wife is an imposter because Lenrose is dead. A woman’s corpse the police have been unable to identify was discovered by the Fig Ladies, a group who formed an online fig appreciation society. They’re meeting on Ocracoke for the first time in person and count Lenrose among their number, so the woman can’t possibly be dead.

But Lenrose’s behavior doesn’t quite match the person the Fig Ladies interacted with online. Now, Maureen and Emrys—with assistance from the Fig Ladies—must prove the real Lenrose is dead and unmask her mysterious pretender before a desperate murderer strikes again . . .  (Summary via Goodreads)

I fell in love with Come Shell or High Water, the first book in the Haunted Shell Shop Mystery series by Molly MacRae, and was looking forward to the next book.  There'll Be Shell to Pay, the second book in this series did not disappoint !!!  MacRae makes readers fall in love with everything within this series !!

Maureen's late husband Jeff and his family have ties to Ocracoke Island and when Maureen finds out that the Moon Shell shop was willed to Jeff or his heir, she decides to visit it and falls in love with the shop, the island, her neighbors, the cat and ghost that came with the shop and so much more.

Unfortunately Maureen and her neighbors, brother and sister duo, Glady and Burt, seem to get involved in "helping" Captain Tate in solving the murder cases ... with the help of the resident ghost Emrys.

In There'll be Shell to Pay Maureen returns to the island after packing up some belongings from her old house.  She is looking forward to unpacking and making the apartment above the shop cozier.  But it isn't long before Maureen is pulled into a murder case, especially when her resident ghost was able to write a note to Captain Tate and signed her name to it.  Usually Emrys is floating around the shop or apartment as he is "tied" to the shell that the shop is named after.  Seeing as Maureen is the only one that can see and communicate with him, she has to figure out where he is.

I don't want to say much more because I don't want to give away too much.  You really need to read the book so you can be swept away to the island and enjoy everything it has to offer.

MacRae is able to open the readers imagination.  While you read this book and the first one, you will have no problems "seeing" everything and may even feel like you have sand in your toes.  I would love to venture to Ocracoke Island and stay for a bit.  And boy, oh boy, the way that she ends There'll Be Shell to Pay !!!  Dang, now I have to wait to see where she takes the story next .... but that's okay, I'll be ready !!!!!

Grave Words ( Deadly Deadlines Mystery #2 ) by Gerri Lewis

In the second installment of the Deadly Deadlines mysteries, obituary writer Winter Snow faces her biggest challenge yet when the body of a homeless man is found in a burning building and her best friend is the main suspect; perfect for fans of Eva Gates and Kate Carlisle.

Winter Snow has had it! With her business in a death drought, her best friend Scoop implicated in a string of arsons, and an obituary listing Winter herself as deceased, her life is heating up. But just as she’s trying to cool things down, she receives her newest assignment: an obituary for Chester, a homeless man found in a burning building.

Promising the local funeral home manager that she will have the obituary by the deadline, Winter is stonewalled at every turn, failing to discover Chester’s last name, or where he came from. When it is discovered that Chester was murdered and that the fire was set to cover it up, all fingers immediately point to Scoop. Not only is Scoop a person of interest in the arsons, he was also the last person to see Chester alive.

As more nails are pounded into Scoop’s coffin, Winter’s uncle Richard hopes to help by inviting the notorious town gossips, The Nosy Parkers, to a neighborhood food fest. Unfortunately, the breadcrumbs they toss set murder in motion.

More determined than ever, Winter must figure out the twists and turns of the case to clear Scoop’s name, putting her on a deadly deadline to solve the murder and avoid meeting the same grave consequences. (Summary via Goodreads)

Grave Words is the second book in the Deadly Deadlines Mystery series written by Gerri Lewis.  This is the first book that I have had the pleasure of reading, although I can imagine the excitement that occurred in the first book, The Last Word.  Regardless whichever book you read, you will be swept up in the story immediately.

In the Deadly Deadlines Mystery series main character Winter Snow has a unique profession as an obituary writer.  She gets hired to help families by getting to know them as well as the person who died so that she can write a very personal and fitting obituary.  However when readers open Grave Words it seems that there is some confusion because an obituary that she wrote for a cliente was sent with Winter as the deceased person and not the over one hundred year old who did pass away.

Meanwhile while she is trying to work out that issue and get it fixed, it looks like her best friend Scoop is being looked at as the culprit in a few arsons in town.  And when, in the latest fire, a homeless man, Chester, is found, things don't look good for Scoop.  

Winter is asked by her friend Carla who works at the funeral home to write an obituary for Chester even though no one knows much about him and trying to get even his last name is going to be difficult.   And Winter's boyfriend Kip, who is a detective on the force, tries to get her not look for answers.

Besides the murders, arsons and Winter trying to do her job, which is another thing, there is a lot that will pull readers into the story.  You will love her close circle of family and friends.  You will love Winter's determination with her job making sure that every one of her obituaries is written so that whoever reads them will know the life that person lead. 

I cannot say enough about this story and this series to entice you to grab your copy and dig in.  I honestly feel that you will enjoy it !!!  Happy Reading !!!

Death of the Hula Girl (Aloha Lagoon Mystery Book # ) by Catherine Bruns

From USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bruns comes a deadly dance in paradise!

After a brief brush with Hollywood and fame, Carrie Jorgenson is happy to be back in her adopted hometown of Aloha Lagoon, Hawaii, serving up pineapples and poi to her beloved regular customers and vacationing tourists alike at the Loco Moco Café. She's once again surrounded by good friends, her fur baby Benny, and reunited with her true love, Keanu.

But all is not perfect in paradise.

Shortly after Carrie's happy homecoming, Keanu’s gorgeous ex-girlfriend, Tammy, shows up for the Aloha Lagoon’s weekly luau, ready to hula dance her way into everyone’s hearts. Carrie can’t help but feel a little intimidated by her graceful moves and obvious charm. However, when Tammy collapses at the end of her dance, things go from awkward to awful. Suddenly the luau is a crime scene and everyone is a suspect in the death of the hula girl. To make matters worse, Tammy was holding a secret over Keanu’s head, which shoots him straight to the top of the suspect list. Carrie will need to stay cool, stand by her man, and prove his innocence before their lives erupt like a volcano!

Delicious Hawaiian recipes included!

What critics are saying

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

"You are going to want to visit Aloha Lagoon Resort as much as possible, and you will not want to leave!"
~ Cozy Mystery Book Reviews

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)

The Aloha Lagoon Mystery series published by Gemma Halliday Publishing is a GREAT series to read, enjoy, follow and fall in love with !!!  This series is written by multiple authors.  They have the resort and surrounding shops, restaurants, and other businesses in common as well as Detective Ray.  Then the author has their own story that they create with a slue of characters and businesses that they center around along with the murder .... 

Death of the Hula Girl is the twenty-fifth book in the series and the third one written by Catherine Bruns.  It centers around Carrie Jorgenson who moved to Kauai, Hawaii, to start a new life that was low on the drama side.  She gets a job waitressing at the Loco Moco Cafe where she meets Keanu Church.  Carrie has been living there for about a year and has a steamy relationship with Keanu, enjoys her job and has a small circle of friends.  

In Death of the Hula Girl Carrie has been away from the island to film a movie in Hollywood.  Yes, it's exciting but she realizes that thet isn't her big dream anymore.  She wants to be with Keanu doing what they have been doing.  Unfortunately before Carrie and Keanu can have their alone time, he is called back to the resort to help with the luau since the Loco Moco Cafe is supplying the food. Carrie goes along to help out but before the luau starts Carrie meets Tammy who insists that she is Keanu's girlfriend.  Tammy is there to perform with the hula dancers at the luau that night but wants to talk with Keanu.  

Carrie has nothing to worry about until Tammy ends up dead.  And yeah, you guessed it, Keanu is a suspect.  Luckily only for a hot minute.  But that doesn't stop Keanu and Carrie from looking into her death.  And to make things even better, Detective Ray is actually looking to them to help instead of his usual yelling at them to stay away !!  

As I have read every book in this series, and hope you have also or will be starting, there is so much to love about it.  I really wish the Aloha Lagoon Resort actually existed because this hate to travel girl would make an exception.

Check out the series, it has it's very own website !!

https://www.gemmahallidaypublishing.com/aloha-lagoon-mysteries

Sick as a Dog (A Veronica Kildare K-9 Mystery Book # 3) by Tracy Carter

Echoes of a past tragedy haunt Veronica Kildare as she and her talented search and rescue and drug detection dog, Leda, are drawn into an investigation surrounding odd fish and wildlife deaths in the Colorado wilderness by her friend, Kimana, an award-winning freelance investigative reporter. The mystery surrounding this backcountry region only deepens when Leda discovers the body of a dead woman in the area under scrutiny and the district wildlife manager is targeted in a devious attack.

While Veronica also trains a conservation canine and a 911 call center therapy dog who are desperately needed as service animals, and searches for lost hikers in peril, her entire team is soon involved in trying to uncover the identity of the murder victim and the reason for her violent death. Veronica and Leda tenaciously follow the trail of the criminals who have brutally disrupted the serenity of the Repentant River, and it eventually becomes clear that the ominous events originate from more than one source and the villains have far-reaching national and international connections. Can Veronica and her team decipher the sources of the evil that have turned the wilderness deadly in time to prevent further tragedy?  (Summary via Goodreads)

Author Tracy Carter is going to give me a heart attack !!  Sick as a Dog is the third book in her Veronica Kildare K-9 Mystery series and dang !!!  She knows how to write an amazing story that keeps readers on their toes, turning the pages as fast as they can.

Okay in Sick as a Dog readers get to see Veronica and her dynamo dog Leda in action immediately as they have been brought in to find a missing hiker.  They work well with everyone involved especially Sgt. Tim Donovan and Leda finds the missing hiker and they are able to get him to safety and on his way to the hospital.

Veronica and Leda have a great circle of people that are there for whatever situation comes their way.  They have Tim, his wife, Sylvia, and their two sets of twin girls plus Veronica's dad and her employee Michael who is like the brother she never had.  Oh and let's not forget all the dogs .... (Veronica owns Dogged Pursuit K-9, a dog training business)

Veronica is called by Kimana, a freelance investigative reporter, that Margo the district wildlife manager of a local area is looking into possible contamination that is running into a river killing the fish.  Little do they know the extent of the situation and how things unfold !!

I know that Veronica is not real and the peopleand the cases and situations did not happen but if it were true and there was a chance, I would totally be there to be a part of it all .... even though I am a cat person.

Not only does Veronica run her business with the help of her dad who has a house on the property and Michael who lives in an apartment in the training facility, but she is always called to assist in missing person cases, and as you will see in this book, other crazy cases.

There is so much that I could tell you and believe me I would love to but I think you need to read it for yourself so you can enjoy the rollercoaster ride !!!  But I will say this .... the way that Carter ends this story is opening up for the next book and I can almost guarantee that you will be as shocked as I was .... but if you have read the other two books, she has hinted at things and we knew it was only a matter of time.

 

  

A Pawsome Summer For Murder ( Samantha Davies Mystery Book # 7) by S.A. Kazlo

It's summer in Wings Falls, New York and Samantha Davies is geared up for the annual trout tournament sponsored by Al Gorman, owner of the Sport's Shop.  Sam, along with her Southern Belle cousin, Candie Parker-Hogan, are determined to beat the pants off their significant others, Sam's new fiancé, Hank Johnson, a detective on Wings Falls police force and Mark Hogan, Candie's husband. The ladies feel they have a secret weapon—they learned from the best fisherman in Hainted Hollar Tennessee, Grandpop Parker. Sam once won a trophy for the largest fish in the Fins and Tails Fishing Derby.

To Sam's surprise instead of reeling in the day's biggest catch, she "hooked" into the body of the town's most vocal activist, Luna Wheeler.

Raylene Carrigan, owner of a traveling doggie daycare Sam uses for her lovable dachshund, Porkchop, becomes a prime suspect, when it becomes known Luna tried to shut down the town's doggie park she depends on for the pets in her care. Since Sam has successfully helped solve murders in the past, Raylene begs her for help to prove her innocent.  Sam reluctantly agrees but knows her fiancé won't be happy with her involvement in yet another murder case.

Determined to help Porkchop's buddy, Sam starts digging for clues only to discover that Luna, with her over-zealous demands to many of the town's businesses to recycle, upset more than a few of her friends. Can Sam land Luna's murderer before she gets 'hooked' by the killer?  (Summary via Amazon)

A Pawsome Summer For Murder is the seventh book in the Samantha Davies Mystery series written by S.A. Kazlo and every time a new book is published I cannot wait to open the book and spend some time with Sam and her friends in Wings Fall.

A local business, Al's Sports Shop, is hosting a catch and release trout tournament.  When you catch a fish, if it worthy of winning, they take a picture and they return it to the river.  Sam and her cousin Candie have decided to make things interesting with their significant partners. Sam is engaged to Detective Hank Johnson and Candie is married to Mark, the Mayor of Wings Falls.  The bet was girls against boys and  whoever caught the biggest fish had to buy for dinner at The Smiling Pig.

Unfortunately when Sam hooks a dead body instead of a fish, the tournament ends.  On the end of Sam's hook is activist Luna Wheeler ... and she didn't end up in the river by accident, she was murdered.

Sam has "helped" the police in the past, only because she is curious and usually asked for help by someone on the suspect list.  So when Raylene, owner of Adirondack Pawfari doggie daycare, asks for help, Sam cannot say no.  After all Sam's dog Porkchop and Candie's dog Annie, love her, her doggy treats and spending time at the doggie park.

Sadly Sam and her side kick Candie soon find out that Luna harassed a lot of business owners as well as any animal related businesses.  So any one of them could be guilty ... but Sam cannot believe that they could have done it.

On a happier note .... We tend to focus on the murder but there are other things going on as well.  Mainly getting Sam to set a date for the wedding,  Sam has cold feet because her previous marriage ended with her husband cheating on her.  Although she knows that Hank would never do that, she still hesitates.  Luckily most of the suspects own businesses they need to hire for the wedding.  So she can do both.  Dang it we are back to the murder.

Well I guess I will end by suggesting you go and get your copy of A Pawsome Summer For Murder and spend some time with Sam and everybody in Wings Falls.  Kazlo ends this book with a crazy, surprising ending that will have you flabbergasted !!!

   

  

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.