Two New Cozy Murder Mystery Series And A Giveaway

When you’re looking for a cozy murder mystery, you’ll find the folks at Berkley Prime Crime/Obsidian have a good selection to pick from with numerous new titles released each month.

This month there are 2 new mystery series I’d like to share my thoughts on. In addition, I’m highlight a few new installments in existing cozy mystery series. Thanks to Kayleigh and the great folks at Berkley, I have 1 copy of ENDANGERED and 1 copy of DOUBLE BOOKED FOR DEATH to giveaway. Just leave a comment on this post by 8 p.m. (EST) on Saturday, Dec. 31. Be sure to mention which book you’d like to win and include your e-mail address if it’s not in your profile.

ENDANGERED by Pamela Beason

What would you do if in helping someone you actually contributed to a devastating event for a family instead?

That’s the situation Summer ‘Sam’ Westin finds herself in. Sam is a wildlife biologist and writer. On her way to photograph cougars in the Heritage National Monument, Sam encounters a young boy. Hearing a woman call for the child, Sam heads to the camp sites with the youngsters in tow. Before reaching it, she sees a man who is also calling the child’s name. She points the boy in the direction of the man and takes off to find her cougars. Only later does Sam discover the young boy has disappeared.

A media frenzy erupts and speculation has it the boy has been killed by the cougars Sam helped rehabilitate. Knowing this can’t be true, Sam sets off to find the boy and save the cougars. She’s joined by FBI Special Agent Starchaser ‘Chase’ Perez.

Time is growing short as they go up into the high country to search the canyons and mesas. Will they find answers in time to save the boy and Sam’s beloved cougars? What about the growing attractions between the two?

ENDANGERED is an adrenaline-driven story from beginning to end. The action is fast-pace with keep you on the edge of your seat suspense.

Author Pamela Beason has created a feisty, driven protagonist in Sam that readers will adore. Sam loves the outdoors and can hold her own. In addition, the author creates a photograph with her words placing the reader in the beautiful landscape Sam explores. She gives vivid and breath-taking details of the canyons and mesas.

This is the first installment in the Summer Westin Mystery series and I look forward to Sam’s next adventure, BEAR BAIT. There’s a sneak peak included in this book.

Author Pamela Beason’s website is http://pamelabeason.com
 
Endangered by Pamela Beason, A Summer Westin Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2011, ISBN: 978-0425244982, Paperback, 320 Pages
 
FTC Full Disclosure - This was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. 

DOUBLE BOOKED FOR DEATH by Ali Brandon

Inheriting a Brooklyn bookstore from her Great-Aunt Dee put Texan Darla Pettistone on a new and adventurous path.

Darla’s first encounter was meeting and adjusting to Hamlet. The large black cat came with the inheritance and serves as the store mascot. He has a unique personality and deals with the customers in unusual ways.

Darla’s thrilled to host a book signing for a hot bestselling author. But when the author dies during the signing, Darla worries even though it’s ruled an accident.

Hamlet sneaks his nose in and uncovers clues that suggest the accident was no accident. It’s up to Darla and Hamlet to find the killer before more lives are lost including their own.

Author Ali Brandon has created lovable and quirky characters you’ll want to return to time and time again. Darla is a fun protagonist with realistic charm. Hamlet is adorable and a delight, especially if you’re a cat lover.

DOUBLE BOOKED FOR DEATH pulls you in from the first page and holds you captivated till the end. It’s a fast-pace, fun read with suspense and intrigue. It will have you wishing you could physically stop by Pettistone Fine Books and visit with Darla and Hamlet.

Looking forward to the second installment in this new series.

Author Ali Brandon’s website is http://alibrandon.com

Double Booked For Death by Ali Brandon, A Black Cat Bookshop Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2011, ISBN: 978-0425244975, 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 review.

 

THE LAST WORD by Ellery Adams

Olivia Limoges and the Bayside Book Writers are excited about Oyster Bay’s newest resident: bestselling novelist Nick Plumley, who’s come to work on his next book. 

But when Olivia stops by Plumley’s rental she finds that he’s been strangled to death. Her instincts tell her that something from the past came back to haunt him, but she never expects that the investigation could spell doom for one of her dearest friends... 

This is the third installment in the Books by the Bay Mystery series, but is a stand alone read. The other books in the series include: A KILLER PLOT and A DEADLY CLICHÉ.

Author Ellery Adams’ website is http://elleryadamsmysteries.com

The Last Word by Ellery Adams, A Books by the Bay Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2011, ISBN: 9780425245002 , Paperback, 320 Pages
 
FTC Full Disclosure - This was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

 

THE COCOA CONSPIRACY by Andrea Penrose

Lady Arianna’s gift of a rare volume of botanical engravings to her husband, the Earl of Saybrook, has something even more rare hidden inside—sensitive government documents which would mark one they hold dear as a traitor of King and country. 

To unmask the villain, they must root out a cunning conspiracy—armed only with their wits and expertise in chocolate... 

This is the second installment in the Lady Arianna Regency Mystery, but is a stand alone read. The first book in the series is SWEET REVENGE.

Author Andrea Penrose’s website is http://andreapenrose.com

The Cocoa Conspiracy by Andrea Penrose, A Lady Arianna Regency Mystery, Obsidian, @2011, ISBN: 9780451235312 , Paperback, 336 Pages
 
FTC Full Disclosure - This was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

 

DEAD BOLT by Juliet Blackwell

Turner Construction’s latest restoration project is a historic Queen Anne Victorian in San Francisco. This time general contractor Mel Turner has to work around the owners who insist on sticking around—along with some ghosts that insist in their own way that the work stops... 

The ghosts aren’t the only ones standing in the way of the renovations. A crotchety neighbor, Emile Blunt, secretly wants this house, and could be behind some of the disturbances. But when Emile is found dead, it’s Mel who appears guilty. Now she must restore the building—and her reputation—before it’s too late. 

This is the second installment in the Haunted Home Renovation Mystery series, but is a stand alone read. The first installment in the series is IF WALLS COULD TALK.

Author Juliet Blackwell’s website is http://www.julietblackwell.net

Dead Bolt by Juliet Blackwell, A Haunted Home Renovation Mystery, Obsidian, @2011, ISBN: 9780451235305 , Paperback, 336 Pages
 
FTC Full Disclosure - This was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Hope everyone is having a safe and Happy Holidays.