When Searching For Cozy Mysteries ...

You can never go wrong with Berkley Prime Crime/Obsidian when looking for a cozy murder mystery to satisfy your need for a fun read. Each month they release a number of intriguing books and March is no exception.

Among the books released this month is an interesting new series from New York Times bestselling author Denise Swanson.

LITTLE SHOP OF HOMICIDE by Denise Swanson

A Devereaux's Dime Store Mystery
Obsidian, 272 Pages
ISBN-13: 9780451236180
Paperback, $7.99 

In this debut installment of the Devereaux’s Dime Story Mystery series, readers are introduced to protagonist Devereaux Sinclair. Dev is the happy new owner of the adorable old-fashioned five-and-dime shop in her small Missouri town.

However, when a revenge-crazed cop accuses Dev of murdering her ex’s fiancèe —  and the murder weapon is found with her fingerprints all over it — Dev’s store, and her life, quickly turn from charmed to troubled. Desperate to clear her good name, Dev enlists her two longtime pals, Poppy and Boone, to help investigate. The sexy new guy in town, Jake Del Vecchio, decides to help as well and it doesn’t hurt that he’s a deputy U.S. marshal.

However, Dev has to fight her attraction and find the real killer because is she doesn’t, this five-and-dime owner will be serving twenty-five to life. 

This is a fun read with a protagonist and group of friends you’ll want to know more and more about. Author Denise Swanson has created a zany new series that promises to be a laugh a minute.

Author Denise Swanson’s website is http://www.deniseswanson.com

 

Another wonderful release this month is the second installment in the delightful Library Lover’s Mystery series.

DUE OR DIE by Jenn McKinlay

A Library Lover's Mystery
Berkley Prime Crime, 304 Pages
ISBN-13: 9780425246689
Paperback, $7.99 

Protagonist Lindsey Norris, Briar Creek’s library director, returns in the second installment in the Library Lover’s Mystery series. 

Answering tricky reference questions is excitement enough for the library director. Until a murder is committed in her cozy hometown of Briar Creek, Connecticut, and the question of who did it must be answered before someone else is checked out—for good. 

Carrie Rushton, the president of the Friends of the Library has been accused of murdering her husband. The evidence is stacking up against Carrie, but neither Lindsey nor the Briar Creek crafternoon club is buying it.

When a nor’easter buries the small coastal town, the police are too busy digging out the locals to investigate the murder. With the help of her crafternoon friends and an abandoned puppy they name Heathcliff, Lindsey has to solve the question of who murdered Rushton before the killer closes the book on Carrie.

Once again author Jenn McKinlay returns us to the wonderful world of Lindsey and her library. This is a fun, fast-pace read that will keep you guessing. The book also features reading group recommendations; a sneak peek at the next installment in the series, BOOK, LINE, AND SINKER; and recipes including one for ‘Nancy’s Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits.’

Jenn McKinlay is the pseudonym for author Lucy Lawrence. The author’s website is http://www.jennmckinlay.com

 

The other book in this delightful series is BOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING (July 2011).

One of my favorite sidekicks returns this month in the third installment of the Portrait of Crime Mystery series.

SKETCH A FALLING STAR by Sharon Pape

A Portrait of Crime Mystery
Berkley (Prime Crime), 304 Pages
ISBN-13: 9780425246696
Paperback, $7.99 

Rory McCain never needed a partner to create a likeness of a suspect when she was a police sketch artist. But now working as a sleuth, she’s got the ghost of Zeke Drummond to help illustrate her investigation. Zeke’s no rookie at the work, he’d been a marshal 134 years earlier.

When the “Way Off Broadway Players” get swept up in a flash flood while sightseeing in Arizona, Rory’s aunt Helene and her fellow amateur thespians survive—with the exception of Preston Wright. The victim was actually a womanizing scam-artist who duped nearly everyone in the troupe, as well as an ex-con who operated under various aliases. 

While Preston’s death was deemed to be an “act of nature,” Rory can’t discount the possibility that human nature may have contributed to his drowning. But even as she investigates the cast of characters to find out which one played the villain, Rory is finally on the verge of solving a cold case—the murder of her ghost partner, Zeke. 

This is a delightful story with a enjoyable protagonist and a lovable ghost sidekick. The banter between the two is endearing making the story believable despite Zeke’s condition. Finding answers to both murders brings closure for one and more understanding for the other.

The other books in this series include: SKETCH ME IF YOU CAN (August 2010), and TO SKETCH A THIEF (June 2011).

Author Sharon Pape’s website is www.sharonpape.com

FTC Full Disclosure - These books were sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review them. However, receiving these complimentary copies did not influence my review.

Hope you find something here to grab your interest. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Sunday Salon: SKELETON LETTERS, FLIPPED OUT, & MURDER OF A CREPED SUZETTE

Time slips quickly by before we realize it. Here we are with the first week of October already gone and time for Sunday Salon where we share our thoughts on the books we’re read.

This week I’d like to share a review and feature a couple of great releases from Berkley Prime Crime. So today’s post will be all about cozy mysteries as we get ready for Halloween later this month. Reach for that cup of coffee (or other beverage), get comfortable in your chair and read over these books in hopes of finding more good reads to add to your TBR stack.

SKELETON LETTERS By Laura Childs

Sometimes declining a book because it doesn’t fall under the genre you read or deals with a hobby you don’t fancy could result in you missing out on a wonderful read.

That was my mistake when author Laura Childs first came out with her Scrapbooking mystery series. Even though I enjoyed Childs’ other books greatly and the new series dealt with mystery, I didn’t scrapbook and couldn’t see myself reading anything dealing with that. Oh, how very wrong I was. You don’t have to love (or even like) scrapbooking to enjoy this series.

SKELETON LETTERS is the 9th installment in the series and is a stand alone book. Childs blends enough background information to keep new readers informed, while reminding returning fans of previous encounters by the protagonist and her group of zany friends.

Protagonist Carmela Bertrand and her closest friend, Ava Gruiex, are in the historic St. Tristan’s Church when they hear a scream and see a hooded figure strike a woman. When they go to give assistance, they discover Byrle Coopersmith has been killed and an antique crucifix stolen.

While she may be the proprietor of Memory Mine Scrapbooking shop, Carmela has a talent for getting involved in murder investigations. Getting a reputation as an amateur sleuth, Carmela always drags Ava, owner of Juju Voodoo, into harm’s way right along with her. Since Byrle was a member of Ava’s scrapbooking group, it’s only natural that she begin doing a little snoopy on her own. As she and Ava start looking into the murder and theft, they may need to call upon all the patron saints to help them just stay alive, much less catch the killer/theft.

Childs has brought back her wonderful characters, put them together with an intriguing plot and the colorful backdrop of New Orleans’ French Quarter for a delightful read. Childs brings the sights, sounds and smells of New Orleans to life with her vivid descriptions. In addition, she dots scrapbooking tips and techniques throughout the story but doesn’t overwhelm the non-scrapbook reader. She also divvies up some delicious and yummy New Orleans-style recipes like Carmela’s Chicken Jambalaya and Bayou Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp.

SKELETON LETTERS will keep you intrigued from the first paragraph until the very end. There’s plenty of suspense with bits of humor now and then to keep the story cozy and not to dark despite the dead bodies that keep turning up.

Author Laura Childs’ website is www.laurachilds.com. Other books in the Scrapbooking Mystery series include: KEEPSAKE CRIMES, PHOTO FINISHED, BOUND FOR MURDER, MOTIF FOR MURDER, FRILL KILL, DEATH SWATCH, TRAGIC MAGIC, and FIBER AND BRIMSTONE.

Skeleton Letters by Laura Childs, A Scrapbooking Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2011, ISBN: 9780425243893, Hardcover, 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.

FLIPPED OUT by Jennie Bentley

Inheriting her aunt’s old Maine cottage has led Avery Baker down a new career path—home renovation. Finding a property’s hidden potential has rewards and challenges—not to mention certain unanticipated dangers. Like murder... 

Avery and her hunky handyman boyfriend Derek Ellis are renovating another house in Waterfield, Maine. But it’s not just any house. It belongs to local news anchor Tony “the Tiger” Micelli—and it’s a quaint cottage with limitless possibilities. Even more exciting is that the makeover is going to be filmed as part of a home renovation TV show. 

Unfortunately the road to cable TV fame is a bumpy one: this DIY spins into a DOA when Tony’s corpse is found at the cottage, flat on his back and not from natural causes. Turns out there were a few people who wanted Tony dead, and that the murderer might have his sights set on a few more Waterfield residents. That means it’s up to Avery to nail the killer. Before someone yells "Cut!" and it's all over. 

Author Jennie Bentley draws in and you feel a part of this community. Her characters are witty and fun-loving and the storyline flows smoothly. 

FLIPPED OUT is a great way to tackle those DIY projects without all the headaches. This is the 5th installment in the Do-It Yourself series, but is a stand alone read. The book also contains home-renovation and design tips such as how to make your own window boxes.

Author Jennie Bentley’s website is www.JennieBentley.com. The other books in the Do-It Yourself Mystery series are: FATAL FIXER-UPPER, SPACKLED AND SPOOKED, PLASTER AND POISON, and MORTAR AND MURDER. 

Flipped Out by Jennie Bentley, A Do-It Yourself Mystery, Berkley Prime Crime, @2011, ISBN: 9780425244074, 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 feature.

MURDER OF A CREPED SUZETTE by Denise Swanson

When megamillionaire and imitation cowboy Rex Taylor proposes building a country music theater in Scumble River, everyone’s ready to do the boot-scootin’ boogie except school psychologist Skye Denison. She’s been asked by Suzette Neal, Rex’s assistant and a rising country star, to investigate her mother’s suspicious death twenty-seven years earlier. No sooner does Skye agree to help than she finds Suzette literally flattened — and very dead. 

This has fast become a case of two questionable deaths, and suspicion seems to be hovering over Suzette’s inner circle: Rex’s jealous wife, a mysterious man in a black pickup truck, and the sizzling-hot singer Flint James, who also happens to have been Suzette’s bitter rival for country-western fame. With a honky-tonk full of suspects and a tangled web of motives that stretches back two decades, Skye has two options: Rise to the occasion or end up as flat as a crêpe. 

Author Denise Swanson returns with her delightful characters to entertain and keep you in suspense. MURDER OF A CREPED SUZETTE is the 14th installment in the Scumble River Mystery series, but is a stand alone book. 

Author Denise Swanson’s website is www.deniseswanson.com. The other books in the Scumble River Mystery series include: MURDER OF A SMALL-TOWN HONEY, MURDER OF A SWEET OLD LADY, MURDER OF A SLEEPING BEAUTY, MURDER OF A SNAKE IN THE GRASS, MURDER OF A BARBIE AND KEN, MURDER OF A PINK ELEPHANT, MURDER OF A SMART COOKIE, MURDER OF A READ BAD BOY, MURDER OF A BOTOXED BLONDE, MURDER OF A CHOCOLATE-COVERED CHERRY, MURDER OF A ROYAL PAIN, MURDER OF A WEDDING BELLE, and MURDER OF A BOOKSTORE BABE.

Murder of a Creped Suzette by Denise Swanson, A Scumble River Mystery, Obsidian, @2011, ISBN: 9780451235008, 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 feature.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. What did you read last week and/or what are you reading this week. 

BTW, in case you haven’t noticed I’ve added a BOOK REVIEW page on the upper left-handed sidebar. I can’t add tabs to this template so I have to add pages. Anyway, the page is for reviews that I haven’t posted here yet. I have a number of wonderful authors guest blogging here this month so I thought I’d post my extra reviews on this new page. So far I have reviews of WHERE ALL THE DEAD LIE by J.T. Ellison and THE WINTERS IN BLOOM by Lisa Tucker. Check back from time to time for new reviews. Hope everyone has a great week and thanks again for stopping by.