You ask what do these things have in common..…mystery, murder and mayhem of course. Each month Berkley Prime Crime and Obsidian release numerous cozy murder mysteries that have a vast array of themes. This month is no exception to that rule.
CLOAKED IN MALICE by Annette Blair
I discovered this series several years ago just before the release of the second installment and devoured both within a couple of days. The wait for the third seemed forever and I’ve waited for each additional book with the same bated breath (so to speak).
As always the wait for CLOAKED IN MALICE was well worth it. Author Annette Blair has created such intriguing and well-developed characters in Maddie and her friends that you feel you know them. The story draws you in and you don’t want to leave Vintage Magic and the group of friends that grow with each story.
Maddie adores vintage clothes and that’s why she opened Vintage Magic. However, she sometimes has visions when she touches articles of clothing. Maddie is beginning to get wore out from the experience but can’t refuse to help Paisley Skye when she asked for help with her past. Besides Paisley bears a striking resemblance to Maddie’s friend, Dolly Sweet.
When Maddie touches Paisley Skye’s exquisitely crafted child’s cloak, the vision she receives is of the ugliest sort: a decades-old case of kidnapping and murder. To give herself more time to investigate, Maddie enlists the help of her FBI Agent boyfriend Nick and takes Paisley into her home. But when Dolly suddenly skips town, Maddie realizes that uncovering the folds of Paisley’s past will reveal more than one vintage crime.
CLOAKED IN MALICE is the fifth installment in the Vintage Magic Mystery series, but is a stand alone book. Each chapter in the book begins with a bit of clothing trivia and vintage bag tips are included at the end. In addition, readers get a sneak preview of the next Vintage Magic Mystery release, OPERATION PETTICOAT, coming soon from Berkley.
The other installments in the series include: A VEILED DECEPTION (January 2009), LARCENY AND LACE (August 2009), DEATH BY DIAMONDS (July 2010), and SKIRTING THE GRAVE (July 2011).
Author Annette Blair’s website is http://www.annetteblair.com
Cloaked in Malice by Annette Blair, A Vintage Magic Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2012, ISBN: 978-0425251430, 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 review.
BEEF STOLEN-OFF by Liz Lipperman
Jordan McAllister longed to be a sportswriter, not a food critic. She doesn’t know a flank steak from a filet mignon yet she dishing out the dirt as the culinary reporter for The Ranchero Globe in Ranchero, Texas.
Jordan McAllister soon catches the eye of cattle baron Lucas Santana, who invites her to the Cattleman’s Ball, hoping a positive review for the ball might boost the county’s sagging beef sales.
Santana wants Jordan to enjoy herself so he sets her up with cowboy Rusty Morales. But instead of two-stepping the night away, Jordan winds up in the emergency room and Morales is DOA. Jordan can’t help but get involved when Morales’ mother begs for her help.
This is a fun series that is fast-pace with twists and turns along the way. Author Liz Lipperman has created a strong and delightful protagonist in Jordan. She’ll make you smile and shake your head at the same time.
BEEF STOLEN-OFF is the second installment in the Clueless Cook Mystery series, but is a stand alone book. It includes delicious recipes from Jordan’s column such as Brenda Sue’s Chicken Salad, Myrtle’s Better Than Sex Cake, and Bella’s Beef Stroganoff. The first installment in the series is LIVER LET DIE (October 2011).
Author Liz Lipperman’s website is http://www.lizlipperman.com
Beef Stolen-Off by Liz Lipperman, A Clueless Cook Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2012, ISBN: 978-0425251423, 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 review.
A SINISTER SENSE by Allison Kingsley
Visions of the future and turning into people’s thoughts come naturally to Clara Quinn thanks to her inherited Quinn Sense.
Unfortunately, it offers no insight into her love life—or lack thereof—especially where hardware store owner Rick Sanders is concerned. But even though she’s still nursing a broken heart, Clara offers Rick a home for his troublesome dog, Tatters.
But Tatters is the least of Rick’s problems when a dead body is discovered in the back of his truck. The victim was seen in the hardware store—and bludgeoned to death with a hammer stolen from there. Clara believes Rick is innocent, but she’s not sure whether that belief comes from the Quinn Sense in her head or simply from a desire in her heart.
What’s not to like about a bookstore setting and a protagonist that has visions? Author Allison Kingsley has crafted a well developed protagonist in Clara and given her a group of quirky friends for a well balanced read. The Raven’s Nest Bookstore is the perfect setting and invites readers back to enjoy more.
A SINISTER SENSE is the second installment in Raven’s Nest Bookstore Mystery series, but is a stand alone read. The first installment in the series is MIND OVER MURDER (September 2011).
Author Allison Kingsley’s website is http://www.doreenrobertshight.com/. Allison Kingsley is the pseudonym for Kate Kingsbury.
A Sinister Sense by Allison Kingsley, A Raven’s Nest Bookstore Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2012, ISBN: 978-0425251416, 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 review.
PIES AND PREJUDICE by Ellery Adams
A new series to tempt not only your mystery senses, but your taste buds as well.
When the going gets tough, Ella Mae LaFaye bakes pies. So when she catches her husband cheating in New York, she heads back home to Havenwood, Georgia, where she can drown her sorrows in fresh fruit filling and flakey crust.
However, her pies aren’t just delicious. They’re having magical effects on the people who eat them—and the public is hungry for more. Discovering her hidden talent for enchantment, Ella Mae makes her own wish come true by opening the Charmed Pie Shoppe.
But with her old nemesis Loralyn Gaynor making trouble, and her old crush Hugh Dylan making nice, she has more than pie on her plate. and when Loralyn’s fiancé is found dead — killed with Ella Mae’s rolling pin ― it’ll take all her sweet magic to clear her name.
PIES AND PREJUDICE is a delightful start to the Charmed Pie Shoppe Mystery series. Author Ellery Adams has created a group of entertaining characters that will make you wish you lived in Havenwood. The story moves at a good pace, keeps you in suspense, and will have you eagerly awaiting the next serving.
The book includes a number of yummy recipes such as Charmed Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie and Charmed Shoofly Pie. In addition, readers get a sneak preview of the next Charmed Pie Shoppe Mystery, PEACH PIES AND ALIBIS, coming soon from Berkley.
Author Ellery Adams’ website is http://elleryadamsmysteries.com
Pies and Prejudice by Ellery Adams, A Charmed Pie Shoppe Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2012, ISBN: 978-0425251409, 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 review.
IN A WITCH’S WARDROBE by Juliet Blackwell
Lily Ivory is living her dream of owning a vintage clothing store — and practicing magic on the side. But when she encounters a sinister sleeping spell, Lily comes face-to-face with a nightmarish evil.
Taking a night off from running her successful San Francisco clothing store, Lily attends a local art deco ball where vintage fashions steal the show. But when a young woman at the event falls under a mysterious sleeping sickness, Lily senses that a curse was placed on the woman’s corsage.
Before Lily can solve the woman’s magical ailment, she’s asked to assist in investigating a string of poisonings in the Bay Area Witchcraft community. She’s gained the trust of the local covens by supporting women’s charities through her clothing store. But soon, Lily suspects that one of her new acquaintances might not be so well intentioned and could be dabbling in dark magic and deadly botany.
Author Juliet Blackwell does a superb job of blending humor, paranormal elements and a bit of murder mystery together for an entertaining read. Lily is a fun protagonist with a touch of spunk that you’d want on your side. It’s an easy read that will keep you guessing.
IN A WITCH’S WARDROBE is the fourth installment in the Witchcraft Mystery series, but is a stand alone book. The other installments in the series include: SECONDHAND SPIRITS (July 2009), A CAST-OFF COVEN (June 2010), and HEXES AND HEMLINES (June 2011). In addition, Juliet also writes the Haunted Home Renovation Mystery series. This book includes a sneak preview of her next release, MURDER ON THE HOUSE, slated for release in December by Obsidian.
The website for author Juliet Blackwell (aka Julie Goodson-Lawes, aka Hailey Lind) is http://www.julietblackwell.net. As an added bonus, you can Read an Excerpt from IN A WITCH’S WARDROBE.
In a Witch's Wardrobe by Juliet Blackwell, A Witchcraft Mystery, Obsidian, @2012, ISBN: 978-0451237477, 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 covers for these cozies are always so beautifully detailed, don’t you agree? Thanks for stopping by today. Hope I’ve sparked a bit of interest for you.
Mason - Oh those are some fun-sounding mysteries. I just love the title Pies and Prejudice. I'm glad you enjoyed them. They do sound like interesting and fun reads.
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