Gotta Love A Mystery Series

Anyone who stops by Thoughts from time to time knows I enjoy returning my attention to favorite cozy mystery series and that I love to find new series as well.

This month the folks at Berkley Prime Crime and Obsidian have a number of established series with new releases. In addition, they have several new series making their debut. Today I’d like to talk about a returning favorite and two new series that I definitely will be following. 

PERIL IN PAPERBACK by Kate Carlisle

Book-restoration expert Brooklyn Wainwright is an amusing and spunky protagonist I enjoy visiting with again and again. A book lover, Brooklyn may have met her match and then some in Grace Crawford, the wealthy and eccentric aunt of her neighbor, Suzie Stein. It seems Grace has a book obsession.

Brooklyn is invited to Grace’s fiftieth birthday party. A retired founder of a major video game corporation, Grace has decided to have an old fashion house party to celebrate the big 5-0. She turns her Lake Tahoe mansion into a fun house, full of everything from pinball machines and giant props to secret passageways and trap doors. Brooklyn is most excited to catalog Grace’s extensive collection of rare paperback pulp fiction.

As the fun gets underway, a séance is held but things go drastically wrong when the lights flicker and a guest is killed. It appears death was caused by a poisoned cocktail meant for Grace. Apparently the roman á clef Grace has written about her life is the reason for the attempted murder and could possible hold the key to the killer’s identity as well. It’s up to Brooklyn to stop the murderer before the fun house turns into a house of horror.

Author Kate Carlisle has created a cast of zany and lovable characters readers are drawn to. Their quirks and flaws make them realistic and the kind of people you wish you could meet.

PERIL IN PAPERBACK is a delightful story with just enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. The story flows at a steady pace making it easy to get lost in the reading.

PERIL IN PAPERBACK is the sixth installment in the Bibliophile Mystery series, but can be read alone. The book contains a sneak peek at the next installment in the series, A COOKBOOK CONSPIRACY, slated for release in June 2013 from Obsidian. The other installments in the series include: HOMICIDE IN HARDCOVER (February 2009), IF BOOKS COULD KILL (February 2010), THE LIES THAT BIND (November 2010), MURDER UNDER COVER (May 2011), and ONE BOOK IN THE GRAVE (February 2012).

Author Kate Carlisle’s website is www.katecarlisle.com

Peril in Paperback by Kate Carlisle, A Bibliophile Mystery, Obsidian, @2012, ISBN: 978-0451237620, 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 SPOONFUL OF MURDER by Connie Archer

With cool weather not far off, a book featuring murder, mystery, mayhem and soup recipes is a book lover’s dream.

When her parents are killed in a car wreck, Lucky Jamieson has to return to the small tourist town of Snowflake, Vermont. She’s faced with taking over the family restaurant, By The Spoonful, as well as deciding what to do with her parents’ home. In addition, there is her grandfather Jack to consider. He’s been showing signs of Alzheimer’s.

Adding to her problems, a tourist is found frozen to death behind the restaurant. But when her soup chef, Sage DuBois, is arrested for the murder, Lucky knows it’s time for her to take action.

Author Connie Archer has created an enchanting tourist setting with Snowflake and filled it with delightful characters. Lucky is a protagonist who starts off showing her vulnerable side due to her parent’s death and the decisions facing her, but she quickly shows a strong and spirited side.

This is a fun new series to follow no matter what the weather is outside. A SPOONFUL OF MURDER contains a number of yummy recipes and a sneak peek at the next installment in the series, A BROTH OF BETRAYAL, coming soon from Berkley Prime Crime.

Author Connie Archer’s website is www.conniearchermysteries.com

A Spoonful of Murder by Connie Archer, A Soup Lover’s Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2012, ISBN: 978-0425251478, 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.

ALLERGIC TO DEATH by Peg Cochran

As readers turn their attention to healthier menus, it’s only natural that mystery protagonist would do the same.

Author Peg Cochran’s new protagonist Gigi Fitzgerald is the owner of a diet catering business, Gigi’s Gourmet De-Lite. All seems to be going well for Gigi until one of her signature dishes causing the death of restaurant reviewer Martha Bernhardt.

It seems someone has tampered with one of Gigi’s recipes adding peanut oil. It’s up to Gigi to cut through all the fat and find the real killer before her business dries up.

ALLERGIC TO DEATH is a fun read with well-developed characters. The pace is steady and filled with plausible twists and turns. There’s also a dash of humor to lighten the drama.

This is the first installment in a delightful new series. ALLERGIC TO DEATH also includes De-Liteful Diet Tips and delicious (and healthy) recipes that will tempt any eater.

Author Peg Cochran’s website is www.pegcochran.com. Peg Cochran is the pseudonym for Meg London.

Allergic to Death by Peg Cochran, A Gourmet De-Lite Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2012, ISBN: 978-0425251461, 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 review.

Do you enjoy finding new series that have a theme? Aren’t these book covers fabulous? Have you looked real close at them to see all the little hidden images? Thanks so much for stopping by today. Wishing you a fun Monday filled with great reading.