It may sound a little odd, but cozy mysteries are a fun read. Murder is never fun, but a cozy mystery gives a little light-hearted look at circumstances surrounding murders and suspense. With that in mind, I’d like to highlight several cozy mysteries that were released earlier this month. Hopefully there will be one or more that sparks an interest for you.
HOW TO SURVIVE A KILLER SÉANCE by Penny Warner
Party-planner and amateur sleuth Presley Parker returns in HOW TO SURVIVE A KILLER SÉANCE. Mixing fun and fund-raising seems the perfect job for Presley, which is why she started her Killer Parties event-planning business. But her previous parties pale in comparison to a spooky séance and a creepy crime...
Presley’s newest gig is a séance party at San Jose’s famous Winchester Mystery House. Her client, Jonathan Ellington, plans to use the event to unveil his new “4-D” holographic technology, which will bring former owner Sarah Winchester “back from the dead.”
However, the stunt backfires when a disembodied voice accuses Ellington of infidelity in front of his wife and business associates, and the techie who’s monitoring the holograph is found murdered. Suspicion falls on Ellington, but as Presley tries to get at the truth, she doesn’t need a Ouija board to tell her someone wants to scare her to death...
This is the third installment in the Party-Planning Mystery series, but is a stand alone book. Each chapter begins with a party-planning tip and there is a ‘how-to’ guide in the back giving instructions on how to host the perfect ‘killer séance party.’ In addition, readers get a sneak peak at the next installment in the series, HOW TO PARTY WITH A KILLER VAMPIRE.
Author Penny Warner’s website is www.pennywarner.com
How to Survive a Killer Séance by Penny Warner, A Party-Planning Mystery, Obsidian, @2011, ISBN: 9780451232793, Paperback, 320 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.
BEAGLEMANIA by Linda O. Johnston
Author Linda O. Johnston has given us the delightful Kendra Ballantyne Pet-Sitter Mysteries, now she has created a new protagonist, Lauren Vancouver, and begins the new Pet Rescue Mysteries.
Lauren Vancouver is the head of HotRescues, a no-kill animal shelter north of Los Angeles, but it’s often human nature that puts her in the path of danger. Just like when she helps rescue four adorable beagle puppies that were dumped down a drainpipe at a nasty puppy mill. Lauren’s pretty sure she knows who is responsible. Efam Kiley, one of the mill’s employees, has a history of dog abuse—and a bone to pick with Lauren. And when he’s found dead at HotRescues after threatening her, Lauren becomes the prime suspect. She’ll have to sniff out the real killer to keep herself out of a cage.
Author Linda O. Johnston’s website is www.lindaojohnston.com
Beaglemania by Linda O. Johnston, A Pet Rescue Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2011, ISBN: 9780425240212, 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.
SEALED WITH A KILL by Lucy Lawrence
Autumn in New England brings out the changing leaves, and the leaves bring out the tourists. When the serenity of cozy Morse Point is disturbed by a grisly murder, the season will bring out the townspeople’s true colors.
When Brenna Miller gets stuck as the tour guide for a group of leaf peepers, she tries to make the best of it. They can collect leaves for Brenna’s decoupage class. This will be a great draw for the shop she runs with her boss and best friend, Tenley Morse. But it’s hard to stay enthusiastic after the trail leads them straight to a dead body.
Brenna has nothing to do with the investigation this time until she learns the victim was a business partner of Tenley’s father’s. Now it’s up to Brenna to ensure that Morse Point’s namesake family doesn’t take the fall before the crafty killer puts the finishing touches on the perfect crime.
This is the third and final installment in the Decoupage Mystery series. The book also features decoupage tips, techniques, and project ideas.
Lucy Lawrence is the pseudonym for Jenn McKinlay and her website is www.jennmckinlay.com
Sealed With A Kill by Lucy Lawrence, A Decoupage Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2011, ISBN: 9780425240250, Paperback, 240 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.
BEGGING FOR TROUBLE by Judi McCoy
Ellie Engleman is a professional dog walker and is constantly getting tangled up in her clients’ lives one way or another.
When Ellie, New York City’s most enterprising dog walker, goes to see one of her clients perform in a show, the screams aren’t just for the fantastic dance numbers. It seems one of her favorite clients, Rob Chesney, makes his living as a famous drag queen. When Ellie gets free tickets to his latest show, she can’t resist the opportunity to drag along her tough-guy NYPD boyfriend, Sam, to watch Rob strut his stuff and embarrass her man.
A murder happens backstage and Rob is discovered kneeling over the dead body with the weapon in hand. Sam is ready to arrest him, but Ellie knows he’s innocent. She’s determine to get the truth out of the only witness, a dog named Bitsy. Taking Bitsy to a dog psychic might not be standard procedure, but it may stop a killer from biting again.
This is the fourth installment in the Dog Walker Mystery series. Readers also get a sneak peak at the next installment in the series, TILL DEATH DO US BARK.
Author Judi McCoy’s website is www.judimccoy.com
Begging for Trouble by Judi McCoy, A Dog Walker Mystery, Obsidian, @2011, ISBN: 9780451232786, Paperback, 336 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.
MURDER OF A BOOKSTORE BABE by Denise Swanson
Who could be driven to kill by books and sweets? While school psychologist Skye Denison eagerly anticipates the grand opening of a new bookstore called Tales & Treats, many of Scumble River’s most outspoken citizens want to shut down the owners before they even open — and one is angry enough to commit murder.
Dropping off some books at Tales & Treats, Skye trips over a toppled bookcase, which has crushed a woman beneath its weight. While police search for motives, Skye sees the messy aftermath of a half-baked plot to murder somebody else.
Skye is juggling her own busy life, but when all the clues lead to dead ends, she turns up the heat on her own investigation ... and stumbles upon the deadly secret that got this bookstore babe done in. And if Skye isn’t careful, the killer just might make her the sequel.
This is the 13th installment in the Scumble River Mystery series. Readers are also treated to a sneak peak at the next installment in the series, MURDER OF A CREPED SUZETTE.
Author Denise Swanson’s website is www.deniseswanson.com
Murder of a Bookstore Bade by Denise Swanson, A Scumble River Mystery, Obsidian, @2011, ISBN: 9780451232809, Paperback, 272 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.
Hope there is something here that will spark an interest and have you reading. There are so many wonderful books available. Do you have a 'must have' list or a 'wish list' to keep track of all the new releases that you don't have yet?
I'm looking forward to reading these books! Several friends of mine are in this group. I do have a wish list and a list of books I want to read in a notebook. Thanks for sharing, Mason!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun! The first one grabbed me, especially!
ReplyDeleteMason - These really do look like interesting reads. I think I'm particularly drawn to Murder of a Bookstore Babe. Thanks so much for sharing these!
ReplyDeleteCozy mysteries let me get my fix on murder and mayhem, don't give me nightmares, and allows me a learning curve on added goodies such as cooking or antique stores.
ReplyDeleteThey all sound like great reads.
-T
Beaglemania has an adorable cover. Can't resist a cover with a dog on it. It's going on the list.
ReplyDeleteAnn
I've read all except one and they were all good reads.
ReplyDeleteDo I have a list? Yes, an excel file with over 150 books that I'm eager to read.
What fun reads you have chosen for today's post. Thanks for highlighting them.
ReplyDeleteLou
These sound interesting. I'll have to give them a looksie.
ReplyDeleteSome more great looking books for me to add to my "wanna read" list. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteLove mysteries! All of these look like fun reads. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI see what you mean with the *fun* look at murder. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Mason .. I must get more methodical with my list .. an excel list sounds a good idea, or perhaps a category on Evernote - if I can get my head round it.
ReplyDeleteThese would be ideal to have to read by my mother's bedside .. as she's asked that I spend more time with her .. cozy murders?!
Cheers - Hilary
BEAGLEMANIA cover is adorable!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely fun, but I am not sure it is FAIR to dish up so many temptations in ONE post ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for this I was just wondering last night what cozy mysteries means. I do like the cover of beaglemania.
ReplyDelete