Sticks and Bones - A Spotlight

With the new year just a few days away, I thought I'd shine a spotlight on a book set during this holiday. Sticks and Stones by Carolyn Haines is the seventeenth book in the Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery series. If you're unfamiliar with this great series Them Bones is the first, published in 1999. Doggone Bones is the most recent book in the series, the twenty-ninth, and was published back in May. Ode to the Bones will be the next book in the series and will be published in May 2026! 

Blurb:

Private investigator Sarah Booth Delaney and her friends are celebrating New Year’s Eve at the party of the year, a smashing Winter Garden party at the Prince Albert Hotel. It’s a dazzling success…until Frangelica “Sister” McFee walks through the door. Sarah Booth knew Sister in college, before Sister became a bestselling author and moved to New York, and fame and fortune don’t seem to have tempered her arrogance and cruelty.

Sister’s latest book is a memoir about the death of her mother and brother many years ago. Now, a film about the book is in the works, and a film crew has descended upon Zinnia, Mississippi, to tell the complete tale. The film crew soon realizes there may be more to the story than meets the eye—or is told in Sister’s memoir—and they hire Sarah Booth to discover the absolute truth about those deaths so many years ago. But Sarah Booth quickly realizes that someone is desperate to keep the truth hidden and will go to any lengths necessary to protect a long-held secret.

Two Truths and a Murder - A Review

 Review

TWO TRUTHS AND A MURDER by Colleen Cambridge
The Fifth Phyllida Bright Mystery

Phyllida Bright is an exceptional housekeeper competently running Mallowan Hall, the home of Agatha Christie and her husband, Max Mallowan. She's also become quite adept at detecting, recently solving several murders. It's her investigatory prowess that lands her at The Rollingbroke's dinner table, not as a servant, but as a guest. Vera Rollingbroke believes that her husband is having an affair and is certain that Miss Genevra Blastwick is the other woman and she wants Phyllida to prove she's correct. After dinner the brash Generva coyly suggests that she has witnessed a murder, only she didn't realize it was a murder at first. The other guests, Phyllida included, believes she is just trying to be the center of attention and no one takes her seriously. But the next morning Generva's sister, Ethel, is dead, run over while walking home from the party. And it wasn't an accident. Someone must have mistaken her for her sister, meaning that there actually was a murder and someone from the dinner party must be the killer. Between running her household staff and dealing with her feelings for a certain chauffeur Phyllida Bright will have to solve two murders - that of Ethel Blastwick and the original murder that led to Ethel's demise. 

I absolutely love the Phyllida Bright Mystery series and this latest addition is a standout. With word getting out that Phyllida is a better investigator than the local constabulary, it's no wonder people look to her for help. But as she investigates possible infidelity, then murder, she discovers truths about Bradford, Myrtle, and her own feelings. She also discovers horrible truths she can barely comprehend.

I especially enjoy how Phyllida continues her duties as a housekeeper and how the staff know more than she thinks they do! They all work together, even helping Mr. Dobble. Intelligent writing, wonderful characters, and more than once surprise kept me reading long into the night.

TWO TRUTHS AND A MURDER is a twisty mystery filled with psychological angst. Yet there's also a lot of humor and love. In all a fantastic addition to a wonderful series.

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Murder at Cottonwood Creek by Clara McKenna. This book is the seventh in the Stella and Lyndy Mystery series and was released at the end of November.

It's a family affair when Lyndy's father, Lord Atherly, travels to Montana to search for fossils. The dig happens to be on Ninebark, the ranch owned by Stella's mother, Katherine, and her husband. While Lord Atherton is in his element and Stella is thrilled to spend time with her mother, there's trouble brewing on the ranch. Short tempers, stolen property, and the death of a hired hand are just the start of the problems. While the coroner makes certain the death is deemed an accident neither Stella nor the sheriff are so sure. With wily characters around every corner Stella and Lyndy will have to keep their eyes and ears open if they want a happy ending! 

Murder at Donwell Abbey - A Spotlight

In honor of the holiday season I'm going to shine a spotlight on another recent release on my TBR pile. Murder at Donwell Abbey by Vanessa Kelly is the second book in the Emma Knightly Mystery series.

 

Blurb:

Emma’s spirits are elevated after she and husband George Knightley host a joyful holiday celebration at the Hartfield estate. But it’s instantly a bitter January when her father makes an unexpected announcement—he and Miss Hetty Bates have decided to marry. Not only must Emma relinquish her role as mistress of the household, but also accept the reality that the excitable Miss Bates will become her stepmother . . .

More unwanted news arrives during an extravagant betrothal ball at Donwell Abbey, the grand Knightley estate where Emma and George will soon permanently reside. Nearly every villager in Highbury revels in the dazzling affair—except Emma’s hardworking lady’s maid, Prudence Parr. To Emma’s horror, Prudence is found dead, sprawled across the stones of the library terrace . . .

The woman’s tragic fall is quickly ruled a terrible accident and whispers circulate around personal troubles leading up to her untimely demise. But Emma’s instincts tell her that something far more sinister is at play. Now, Highbury’s matchmaker-turned-sleuth vows to outwit a cunning criminal before an innocent man loses his freedom—or Donwell Abbey plunges into a darker mystery . . .  

A Murder in the Making - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a recent release that's on my TBR pile. A Murder in the Making by Victoria Laurie is the second book in the Magical Trinket Mystery series.

Blurb:

Dovey didn’t expect to fall in love after the age of 200, yet she can’t stop thinking about Grant “Gib” Barlow, the gorgeous FBI agent who helped her crack her last case. A romance with an unbound is obviously a terrible idea, but for Gib, it could be fatal—because Dovey’s employer, Elric Ostergaard, arguably the most powerful mystic in the world, also happens to be her longtime lover.

Alas, Dovey’s efforts to steer clear of Gib become impossible when her best friend, fellow mystic, and unapologetic romantic, Ursula Göransdotter, tricks them into a lunch date—during which Gib is alerted that a fellow agent has been murdered in his own home. The state of the crime scene, and of the body, seem to defy logic—but Dovey immediately recognizes the Crushing Curse, which could only be cast by a supremely powerful mystic—like her boss. When another agent is killed in the same manner, Dovey races to find Elric for answers.

Meanwhile, the FBI body count rises, and it becomes clear that a rogue mystic is targeting the unbound agents, but why? What ensues is another missing magical trinket, a tense confrontation with Elric, a shocking discovery about Gib, and grave danger to all involved—forcing Dovey to navigate realm-crossing love triangles, supernatural power struggles—and ultimately, her own surprisingly vulnerable heart . . . 

A Mysterious Christmas Collection - A Guest Post, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome both Charlie Kingsley and Emily Hildebrandt to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Charlie in the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series and Emily in the Redemption Detective Agency Mystery series, both penned by Michele Pariza Wacek. Sometimes they each appear in each other's mysteries and such is the case in A MYSTERIOUS CHRISTMAS COLLECTION. 

Charlie Kingsley: I’m so glad we can sit down together. Would you like some tea? Oh, wait, you’re more of a coffee gal, aren’t you?

Emily Hildebrandt: I definitely prefer coffee over tea. No offense as I know you make a lot of teas.

CK: None taken. I prefer tea but I drink coffee as well, especially when I’m in the middle of a case and haven’t had much sleep.

EH: Nothing beats coffee then.

CK: Exactly. So, we’re finally in a mystery together.

EH: Yes, and it’s about time. As you can imagine, I’ve heard so much about you.

CK: I hope it was good.

EH: Are you serious? You’re everyone’s inspiration! All I hear is good things!

CK: Well…err…look, I’m sure it’s not like that. It’s just because The Redemption Detective Agency is a spin off from the Charlie Kingsley Mysteries, that’s all.

EH: I think there’s more than that going on. But yes, I’m sure Mildred and Aunt Tilde both appearing in one of your earlier Charlie Kingsley Mysteries definitely had something to do with it. How was it working with both of them?

CK: It was…interesting. Mildred was sure her next door neighbor was a vampire. I was a little worried she was going to show up on his doorstep with a stake.

EH: What, you mean she didn’t do that?

CK: It was touch and go for awhile. And Tilde is definitely very enthusiastic at the idea of being a detective. I know Pat isn’t exactly sold on the idea of Tilde owning a detective agency, but I don’t think it’s such a bad idea. There are an awful lot of unsolved cases in Redemption, it’s probably a good thing to have someone willing to look at them.

EH: Well, I suspect we’re not going to have the same touch you do with our cases, but hopefully we’ll still make you proud.

CK: Don’t be silly. You already make me proud. I’m just thrilled Michele finally started listening to me and went down the cozy mystery path, otherwise all this would have been missed!

Check out not one but TWO Christmas cozy mysteries in A MYSTERIOUS CHRISTMAS COLLECTION, one from Charlie Kingsley Mysteries (Secret Santa Murder) and one from The Redemption Detective Agency (The Mysterious Case of the Dead Elf).

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Review

A MYSTERIOUS CHRISTMAS COLLECTION by Michele Pariza Wacek
Short Stories from 
The Charlie Kingsley Mystery Series and The Redemption Detective Agency Mystery Series 

A MYSTERIOUS CHRISTMAS COLLECTION is comprised of two short stories, Secret Santa Murder and The Mysterious Case of the Dead Elf. The former is part of the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series while the latter is from the Redemption Detective Agency series, but both have their characters crossing over.

In Secret Santa Murder Charlie is invited to a Christmas pot luck and Secret Santa exchange-except the majority pf people invited had to cancel at the last minute and Pat, the hostess, has filled the party with people not normally invited to parties. When one of the guests drops dead it's up to Officer Brandon Wyle to start the investigation, with Charlie's help, of course.

The Redemption Detective Agency has a new case in The Mysterious Case of the Dead Elf. Although an adult, Mindy is scared of Santa.When she was a little girl an elf dropped dead in front of the crowd while she was seeing Santa. Since then she can't bear the thought of visiting Santa, but doesn't want to deprive her own daughter of that joy. Though officials declared the death an accident, rumors persist that it was murder. Will Emily and the gang be able to solve this cold case and bring back holiday joy? 

I really enjoyed both of these quick reads, while I'm up to date in the Redemption Detective Agency series I haven't read any of the Charlie Kingsley mysteries. Even with no prior knowledge I was able to jump right in and appreciate everything going on-so feel free to start here even if you are unfamiliar with these series! I now intend to go back and read Charlie's stories. I was already a huge fan of the Redemption Detective Agency and this short story cemented that love. Though short, there's depth to both of these stories and with humor and a hint of romance, a fine mystery in each.

You get two for one with A MYSTERIOUS CHRISTMAS COLLECTION, two delightful short mysteries bringing characters from two series together in a great holiday collection.

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A Mysterious Christmas Collection: A Charlie Kingsley/Redemption Detective Agency Crossover Christmas Cozy Mystery Anthology by Michele Pariza Wacek

About A Mysterious Christmas Collection

A Mysterious Christmas Collection: A Charlie Kingsley/Redemption Detective Agency Crossover Christmas Cozy Mystery Anthology
Cozy Mysteries
Setting - Wisconsin
Publisher: Love-Based Publishing
Publication Date: ‎ November 19, 2025

Number of Pages: 150

In this charming Christmas cozy mystery collection, you get not one but TWO Christmas mysteries--one from the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series (Secret Santa Murder) and one from The Redemption Detective Agency (The Mysterious Case of the Dead Elf).

Even better, the characters in both series will make a crossover appearance in the other mystery.

Here's a peek of each story:

Secret Santa Murder: A Secret Santa party goes off the rails when a guest is murdered after opening their gift. Can Charlie get to the bottom of who did it in this locked door mystery?

The Mysterious Case of the Dead Elf: Emily and the gang take on a case to help a young mother get over her childhood Christmas trauma. Can they go back in time and solve the mystery of a dead elf to save Christmas before it's too late?

Includes TWO Christmas cookie family recipes!

The Charlie Kingsley Mysteries

The Charlie Kingsley Mysteries is funny, clean & twisty cozy series takes place in the 1990s in Redemption, Wisconsin. They're perfect if you enjoy small town cozy mysteries with quirky characters, pets, tea, culinary, a touch of romance, 1990s nostalgia and loads of fun. If you like books by Agatha Christie, Louise Penny and Maddie Day, you'll love these books.

The Charlie Kingsley Mysteries is a continuing series with books that are standalone and can be read in any order.

The Redemption Detective Agency

A spin off from the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series. This cozy romcom mystery series also takes place in the 1990s and features a fish out of water amateur sleuth, pet detectives, a cast of silver sleuths (some you'll recognize from the main series), cold cases and a hefty dose of romance. Think The Thursday Murder Club meets Bridget Jones's Diary, but in small town Wisconsin. Also great for fans for The Golden Girls (if they started solving mysteries), Only Murders in the Building (without a podcast and takes place in Wisconsin) and Murder She Wrote.

All the books are clean, twisty and funny. They can be read in any order but to get the best experience, I would recommend starting with Book 1, The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive.

About Michele Pariza Wacek

A USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author, Michele taught herself to read at 3 years old because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours) but she does spend much of her time writing stories now. Mystery stories, to be exact. They're clean and twisty, and range from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix. If that wasn't enough, she posts lots of fun things on her blog, including short stories, puzzles, recipes and more, at MPWNovels.com.

Michele grew up in Wisconsin, (hence why all her books take place there), and still visits regularly, but she herself escaped the cold and now lives in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona with her husband and southern squirrel hunter Cassie.

When she's not writing, she's usually reading, hanging out with her dog, or watching the Food Network and imagining she's an awesome cook. (Spoiler alert, she's not. Luckily for the whole family, Mr. PW is in charge of the cooking.)

Author Links:  

Website https://MPWNovels.com  

Facebook https://Facebook.com/michelepwauthor 

Instagram https://instagram.com/themichelepw

Purchase Link - Amazon 

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Two Truths and a Murder by Colleen Cambridge. This is the fifth book in the Phyllida Bright Mystery series and was released October 28, 2025.

Phyllida Bright is an exceptional housekeeper competently running Mallowan Hall, the home of Agatha Christie and her husband, Max Mallowan. She's also become quite adept at detecting, recently solving several murders. It's her investigatory prowess that lands her at  The Rollingbroke's dinner table, not as a servant, but as a guest. Vera Rollingbroke believes that her husband is having an affair and is certain that Miss Genevra Blastwick is the other woman and she wants Phyllida to prove she's correct. After dinner the brash Generva coyly suggests that she has witnessed a murder, only she didn't realize it was a murder at first. The other guests, Phyllida included, believes she is just trying to be the center of attention and no one takes her seriously. But the next morning Generva's sister, Ethel, is dead, run over while walking home from the party. And it wasn't an accident. Someone must have mistaken her for her sister, meaning that there actually was a murder and someone from the dinner party must be the killer. Between running her household staff and dealing with her feelings for a certain chauffeur Phyllida Bright will have to solve two murders - that of Ethel Blastwick and the original murder that led to Ethel's demise.