Cozy mysteries is one of the many genres that I enjoy. You get a bit of the suspense of mysteries mixed with a little fun and humor to lighten the tone. Today I want to feature several cozy mysteries that were released just this month. Hopefully there will be one or more books that will catch your eye.
FRUIT OF ALL EVIL by Paige Shelton
Becca Robbins sells her farm-made jams and preserves at the local farmers’ market to make a living. But when a local lovely decides to tie the knot at the same market, someone else decides to make a killing—
When Becca’s best friend and fellow market vendor, Linda, asks her to be maid of honor at her wedding, she can’t say no. Setting up a wedding with a farmers’ market theme should be easy for someone like Becca.
However, before the vows can be spoken Linda’s future mother-in-law is murdered. It’s up to Becca and her down-home know-how to shut the lid on a canny killer.
This is the second installment in the Farmers’ Market Mystery series. The book also includes several delicious recipes in the back.
Author Paige Shelton’s website is www.paigeshelton.com
Fruit of All Evil by Paige Shelton, A Farmers’ Market Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2011, ISBN: 9780425240229, Paperback, 304 pages
FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my thoughts on this book.
FORMULA FOR MURDER by Diana Orgain.
Wanting a job she could do from home, first-time mom Kate Connolly decided to become a private investigator. She thought she’d found the perfect job - flexible hours, she can work with her newborn by her side, and being awake all hours of the night and day also works well for a PI.
Taking baby Laurie to have her first holiday photos made, mother and daughter are the victims of a hit-and-run, but escape unharmed. A witness identifies the car’s French diplomatic license plates, yet when Kate and her husband, Jim, try to get some answers, they get le cold shoulder.
While at the consulate they notice a pair of television reporters leaving the building. A few days later one of the reporters is found dead in Golden Gate Park. Kate is soon hired by the late reporter’s husband to get answers. Kate begins to search and finds there’s something going on at the French consulate that’s dirtier—and far deadlier—than any diaper.
This is the third installment in the Maternal Instincts Mystery series.
Author Diana Orgain’s website is www.dianaorgain.com
Formula For Murder by Diana Orgain, A Maternal Instincts Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2011, ISBN: 9780425239889, Paperback, 288 pages
FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my thoughts on this book.
A DEADLY CLICHÉ by Ellery Adams
While walking her poodle, Olivia Limoges discovers a dead body buried in the sand. Could it be connected to the bizarre burglaries plaguing Oyster Bay, North Carolina?
There is a distinct MO to the thieves pattern. At every crime scene, the thieves set up odd tableaus: a stick of butter with a knife through it, dolls with silver spoons in their mouths, a deck of cards with a missing queen. Olivia realizes each setup represents a cliché.
Who better to decode the cliché clues than her Bayside Book Writers group, especially since their newest member is Police Chief Rawlings? As the investigation proceeds, Olivia is surprised to find herself falling for the widowed policeman. However, an even bigger surprise could be in store for Olivia - her father may be alive. He was last seen 30 years ago.
This is the second installment in the Books by the Bay Mystery series. The book also features an excerpt from the next Books by the Bay Mystery, THE LAST WORD, coming soon from Berkley Prime Crime.
Author Ellery Adams’ website is www.elleryadamsmysteries.com
A Deadly Cliché by Ellery Adams, A Books by the Bay Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2011, ISBN: 9780425240236, Paperback, 304 pages
FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my thoughts on this book.
by Donald Bain, Jessica Fletcher
Young Cyndi Gabriel from Cabot Cove shows promise as a country-and-western singer/songwriter, so Jessica Fletcher and a local citizens committee send her on a scholarship trip to Nashville, TN, where she can benefit from professional instruction.
Weeks after Cyndi arrives in Nashville, everyone is stunned when she’s charged with the murder of a brash music producer. At the request of Cyndi’s mother, Jessica heads to the country music capitol to find some answers. She soon learns the victim was no country gentleman with his list of ex-wives, cheated partners, swindled singers, and ruined lives. Now it’s up to Jessica to uncover the truth, or poor Cyndi will never get the chance for an encore.
This is the first time in paperback for NASHVILLE NOIR. The book also features a preview of the next original Murder, She Wrote Mystery, SKATING ON THIN ICE.
Author Donald Bain’s website is www.donaldbain.com
Murder, She Wrote: Nashville Noir by Donald Bain and Jessica Fletcher, Obsidian, @2011, ISBN: 9780451232779, Paperback, 288 pages
FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my thoughts on this book.
A TOUCH OF GOLD by Joyce and Jim Lavene
Long before he became curator of the Duck Historical Museum, Max Caudle discovered its greatest treasure—a wooden chest full of gold he discovered washed up on shore. Tales of pirates and their booty have long been part of local folklore, but history is really made when someone fires a cannonball into the museum, destroying the building and killing Max, before looting the gold.
Injured in the explosion, Dae finds her abilities have been amplified, overwhelming her with intense visions every time she touches an object. Now if ex-FBI agent—and burgeoning beau—Kevin Brickman can help Dae decipher her visions, she just might be able to stop the modern-day buccaneer from killing again.
This is the second installment in the Missing Pieces Mystery series.
The website for the husband and wife writing team of Jim and Joyce Lavene, is www.joyceandjimlavene.com
A Touch of Gold by Joyce and Jim Lavene, A Missing Pieces Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2011, ISBN: 9780425240243, Paperback, 304 pages
FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my thoughts on this book.
There’s a farmers’ market, a new mother and her struggles, a writers group, country music, and pirates’ loot. Such a vast array of adventures. Anything here snag your imagination? Have you read any of these already? If so, share your thoughts on them.
Be sure to check back tomorrow for another review and a special surprise. Have a great Saturday and happy reading.
These are all good reads.
ReplyDeleteI'm not much a fan of cozies unless in the mood but some of these look good.
ReplyDeleteMason - Thanks for these suggestions. What I like about this selection is that there's such a variety of settings. That's the beauty of crime fiction: its variety. I'm going to have to check these out.
ReplyDeleteIt just amazes me what writers come up with. All cozies and all different with their own twist. The last one even has a touch of the paranormal.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the books, Mason!
Just finishing Fruit of All Evil and have really enjoyed it! I didn't read the first one, but didn't find that was a problem. Thanks for all the info!
ReplyDeleteAs you know, Mason, I adore cozies. I must add these to my TBR list - thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteAnn
So many great new cozies coming out - if only there were more hours in the day!
ReplyDelete