I'm currently reading The Holiday Photo Murder by Jeanne Quigley. This book is the third in the Robyn Cavanagh Mystery series and was released yesterday!
While still working as an accountant, it's her flourishing photography business that is even more exhilarating for Robyn Cavanagh. Since becoming the photographer for Linden Acres farm, she's become Garland, New York's premiere photographer. Robyn is thrilled to be the official photographer for publisher Natalie Hoffmann's holiday party. Bookends is elegantly decorated for the season and Robyn is able to take a multitude of photos highlighting the magnificent estate along with the guests. Unfortunately, the festivities are cut short when Russell Nowak, Natalie's significant other, is found dead. Did the killing have to do with Russell's plans to develop in
Garland, Natalie's publishing company, or was the reason more personal? Having been instrumental in solving two previous murders, Robyn decides to see if she can solve this one.
I'm happy to allow Mollie Hunt to take over Cozy Up With Kathy today. Mollie writes the Crazy Cat Lady Cozy Mystery series. Cold Case Cat is the twelfth book in the series and was released last month.
As I was plotting my latest Crazy Cat Lady mystery, Cold Case Cat, I found myself enamored with the idea of creating a senior cat rescue where the bulk of the action would happen. Following is a deeper look into what moved me to feature this theme in my story.
MUSINGS ON AN OLD CAT SANCTUARY By Mollie Hunt
Many cat owners give up their feline companion at the first sign of illness. They have their reasons. They may not be able to afford the terrific expense of vet care, special foods, and medications. When a cat begins to decline, the cost can be prohibitive for people who are trying their best to get by as it is. Illnesses may require a commitment over and above the normal feeding and scooping of litter boxes. And then there are people just don’t want to deal with an elder cat, preferring to turn them in for a younger model, but we won’t talk about them.
Shelters and humane societies do what they can, but face it—kittens are a better adoption risk than a scruffy old cat with health issues. Thankfully there are some kind folks who step up for those more labor-intensive cats, but not enough.
If I were rich, I would establish a sanctuary for old cats.
Cats of a senior age often get passed over in the shelters if they are even taken in. My sanctuary would be an environment of plenty for each individual cat; a place where they could live out the remainder of their lives, all needs met, surrounded with love. Being no spring chicken myself, I would hire staff who loved cats to do the bulk of the tasks. I would pay them well and get to know them. I would recruit dedicated volunteers whom I would lavish with perks. Everyone, both feline and human, would be happy.
There would be a hospice wing for those cats on their way to the Rainbow Bridge. They would be treated with respect as they neared their passing. It would be hard to lose them, and we would grieve each one as we scattered their ashes in the sanctuary gardens.
Yes, a sanctuary would be a more than worthwhile project for someone with the means to make it happen.
But I’m not a millionaire, so chances of that dream ever materializing are none. All I can do is the next best thing. I can write about it. Maybe my new Crazy Cat Lady mystery, Cold Case Cat, which involves a shelter for senior cats, will inspire someone to say to themselves, “An old cat sanctuary! What a great idea! I think I’ll start one.”
Why is it important to improve an old cat’s life as it comes to an end?
The short answer—because if we are able to do something to make them comfortable in their old age, it would be cruel not to. How we treat our companion animals is a reflection of our own values. Compassion, respect, and kindness aren't just for them; they reveal our true character. To love and care for animals is to show the best of what humanity can be.
I believe it’s with small kindnesses that we save the world. As for my stories, everyone needs a happy ending from time to time.
"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated" (attributed to Mahatma Gandhi)
"The heart of a man can be judged by his treatment of animals" (attributed to Arthur Schopenhauer or Immanuel Kant).
Cold Case Cat (Crazy Cat Lady Mystery)by Mollie Hunt
About Cold Case Cat
Cold Case Cat (Crazy Cat Lady Mystery) Cozy Mystery 12th in Series Setting - Oregon Independently Published Publication Date: October 29, 2025 Number of Pages - 237
An injustice done, a murder unpunished.
It’s Pride Month in Portland Oregon, but instead of hanging rainbow flags and streamers, Lynley finds herself obsessed with a cold case murder. Starting work at the Cat Park, a sanctuary for senior and hospice cats, is challenging enough for Lynley, but then she learns the founder of the Park was murdered and the murder never solved. Lynley's cat-like curiosity won't let her leave the case alone.
But why is the Park's new owner so fiercely opposed to Lynley's sleuthing? What's making the Director of Philanthropy grumpy all the time? Who is sneaking around listening at doors? The dead woman’s ancient cat Silver has a twinkle in her eye, but she isn't telling.
As Lynley’s granddaughter and her beau make plans for their upcoming wedding, Lynley has other things on her mind. Something is going on at the Park. Is there more to her new job than playing with cats?
About Mollie Hunt
Cat Writer Mollie Hunt is the award-winning author of two cozy series: the Crazy Cat Lady Mysteries featuring a sixty-something cat shelter volunteer who finds more trouble than a cat in catnip, and the Tenth Life Paranormal Mysteries involving a ghost cat. Her Cat Seasons Sci-Fantasy Tetralogy presents extraordinary cats saving the world. She recently released a COVID memoir which she calls, "a tale of a plague and politics, of depression and inspiration, and an ode to the very real and healing presence of cats." In her spare time, she pens a bit of cat poetry.
Mollie is a member of the Oregon Writers’ Colony, Sisters in Crime, the Cat Writers’ Association, Willamette Writers, and Northwest Independent Writers Association (NIWA). She lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and a varying number of cats. Like her cat lady character, she is a grateful shelter volunteer.
CRESCENT CITY CHRISTMAS CHAOS by Ellen Byron The Fourth Vintage Kitchen Mystery
As Ricki James-Diaz prepares Miss Vee's Vintage Cookbook and Kitchenware
Shop for Christmas her boyfriend, Chef Virgil Morel, has exciting news.
He's creating and producing a holiday special featuring the food of New
Orleans and filming it right at Bon Vee. As producer he can hire his
own production team and was able to coax a talented cameraman out of
retirement-Luis James-Diaz, Ricki's father! Thrilled that both of her
parents have come from Puerto Vallarta and will be staying in town
through the holidays Ricki can't wait to spend time with them and
perhaps jog some memories out of her mom regarding her birth
mother. While her adoptive parents have been nothing but supportive when
it comes to Ricki's quest to find more information about her birth
parents things change when Ricki discovers that Phyllis Gibbs, who
worked in medical records at the hospital where Ricki was born, is alive
and well and living in New Orleans. The mere mention of the woman's
name shuts her mother down and a brief meeting with the woman even puts
Ricki on alert. When Phyllis is found dead the next morning everyone is
stunned and when her death is deemed suspicious Ricki is nervous, for if
a list was made of people who wanted Phyllis dead her parents' names
would be right on top!
The Vintage Kitchen Mystery series keeps getting better and this fourth outing is my favorite thus far! It's wonderful having Ricki's parents in town and I love how her mom gets right into sleuth mode! Theo's furtiveness made me wonder what he was up too and I was considering something nefarious. The Krewe drama was fascinating-and I'm so glad I never had to deal with anything like that growing up.The ending of the mystery was exciting and satisfying, but the end of the book itself was a true Christmas gift! What a wonderful ending and beginning in one.
I love the vintage cookbook aspect to this series. Like Ricki. I also collect old cookbooks. I love looking through them even though I rarely if ever cook them. I enjoy reading the recipes included in CRESCENT CITY CHRISTMAS CHAOS. I find the recipe for almond soup most intriguing, even though if I stay true to form I won't bother trying to make it! That being said, I really appreciate having these recipes available.
CRESCENT CITY CHRISTMAS CHAOS is a delightful Christmas mystery celebrating food, family, and friendship in the heart of New Orleans!
It's Christmas. It's cozy. It's culinary. It's chaos! It's the fourth book in this fabulous mystery series with a vintage flair from USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award–winning author Ellen Byron.
Have yourself a merry little . . . murder?
Ricki James-Diaz gets the best present ever when her parents arrive in New Orleans for the holidays. Not only is it a chance to catch up, it’s also an opportunity to jog her mom Josepha’s memory about Ricki’s adoption. The details have always been shrouded in mystery. And Ricki understands why when she learns her mother was blackmailed for years, simply for not wanting to lose her precious daughter.
But digging into the past soon lands the James-Diaz clan in water hotter than a big pot of gumbo! When the woman who extorted Ricki’s mom is found dead at her home, Josepha becomes the primary suspect. Now Ricki has another murder to solve, and tracking down a killer in Crescent City is going to take a miracle.
Luckily, ‘tis the season! And Ricki has all the staff at the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum on hand to help. Can she prove her mother’s innocence and have the case wrapped up in time for Christmas?
Since Eugenia was possibly the last purist on the planet who refused to put up a single strand of Christmas lights before Thanksgiving, the day after turned into an all-hands-on deck day of decorating for the holidays instead of Black Friday. Ricki was grateful to landlady Kitty Kat for hosting her parents, freeing her up to turn Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbook and Kitchenware into a must-shop holiday destination.
Olivia Felice, Eugenia’s granddaughter—which made her another of Ricki’s newly discovered cousins—blew into the shop through its mullioned glass French doors. Miss Vee’s was located in a lovely room formerly known as the nineteenth century mansion’s “Ladies Parlor.” Pale green damask covered its walls and ornate molding painted white encircled the room. A glistening chandelier dangled from an intricately carved ceiling medallion. The instant Ricki had stepped foot in the parlor it felt like the perfect home for a gift shop dedicated to sharing the culinary past with fans of all things vintage.
“Ugh, I’m so glad to be here and out of the school library. Can I tell you how much I hate finals?” Olivia accompanied the statement with an eye roll and flip of her thick, dirty blonde ponytail. A junior at Tulane majoring in Communication, she’d added a minor in Psychology, motivated by a recent misjudgment of someone’s character that had almost led to her death. She’d transitioned from intern to Ricki’s sole part-time employee and lifetime young friend as well as relative.
“I’m glad you’re here. I could use help decorating this.” Ricki motioned to an artificial Christmas tree that exceeded her petite height by a foot. “I think I’ve bought up food-themed ornaments at every thrift shop in town. I thought we could fill in with smaller kitchenware items like these old measuring spoons.” She held up a set of nesting tin spoons. “Every item on the tree will be for sale, so I’m going with white lights. Colored lights would be too busy.”
“I’m on it.” Olivia reached into one of two big boxes loaded with holiday paraphernalia. She pulled out a long strand of tiny white lights. “And no, I haven’t heard anything from a krewe.”
“I was afraid to ask.”
While Ricki was born in the Big Easy, she’d moved to Los Angeles as a child when Josepha met and married Luis. She was still learning the ways of the quirky city she now called home. Olivia had educated her on the machinations of krewes, the organizations responsible for the city’s elaborate Mardi Gras parades and balls. The krewes chose local young women, mostly debutantes, for their courts. While carnival season didn’t officially kick off until January 6th—Twelfth Night—invitations to join the courts were delivered much earlier via a “court call” paid to the future queen and maids by representatives of the krewe. New Orleans may celebrate the winter holidays in a big way, but to Ricki, the local greeting of “Happy Almost Mardi Gras!” made the city’s priorities clear.
Olivia threaded the lights through the tree’s branches. “I honestly don’t care if I get a court call or not. I might even say no if they ask me to be on one.”
“Liar,” Ricki teased.
A fierce squawking disrupted the conversation. Ricki and Olivia dropped what they were doing to peer outside the shop’s bay window, where they saw Bon Vee’s resident peacocks Gumbo and Jambalaya chasing co-worker Theo Charbonnet—Eugenia’s nephew and yet another cousin to Ricki—across the mansion’s verdant green side yard.
“You OK?” Ricki called to Theo.
“I read somewhere that the Victorians put stuffed peacocks on top of their trees instead of stars or angels,” he called back. “Think about it.”
He disappeared around the corner.
The women left the window and resumed decorating. “Have you noticed Cousin Theo’s been acting more weird than usual?” Olivia asked as she added a second strand of lights to the tree.
“I wouldn’t call it weird,” Ricki said. “More like he’s being squirrelly. Secretive. I think he’s up to something.”
“That’s a scary thought.”
Ricki nodded in agreement. While she and Theo had achieved a rapprochement, she still wasn’t sure she could completely trust him.
“So, your parents are really nice,” Olivia said, providing a change of subject.
“Oh, thanks. They’re the best. I’m so glad you got to meet them.”
“Are you going to do anything special while they’re here? Like, a swamp tour or something?”
Ricki, who was about to hang a ceramic beignet ornament, paused. “Actually . . . since Dad will be busy on the TV shoot, I thought Mom and I could work together and dig up clues about my bio mom.”
Ricki had been abandoned as an infant New Orleans’ infamous Charity Hospital, her teen mother disappearing after giving birth. She thanked the universe for Josepha, a NICU nurse who fell in love with the parentless baby and adopted her, parenting as a single mother until she met and fell in love with Luis, who happened to be in town working on a film.
Ricki adored her parents beyond belief, but questions about her past drove her to seek answers. So far, she’d learned that Genevieve Charbonnet had secretly given birth to a baby who would have been Ricki’s grandparent. Her friend Mordant, who’d added private investigator to a list of occupations that included haunted tour guide and Bon Vee handyman, had tracked down the father of Genevieve’s baby. Sadly, he’d died at the age of twenty-four of a rare heart condition.
Ricki resumed hanging ornaments. “Mordant hasn’t been able to come up with any leads since he discovered my great-grandfather’s grave. And I haven’t come across any new connections on my genealogy sites. I thought I’d drive Mom around to some of the places from when we lived here and see if anything jogs a memory that might be useful.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’m starving.”
Ricki grinned, amused by Olivia’s 180-degree turn to her own needs. “You keep decorating, I’ll get us a snack.”
She left the shop and headed down the mansion’s capacious center hallway. Cookie waved from the beautifully appointed living room, which she was showing off to a group of tourists. Bon Vee was currently low on both tour guides, who were paid part-timers, and docents who volunteered their time, so Cookie and other staff members had been drafted to lead tours.
Ricki gestured to her and Cookie detached from her group. “I’m making a run to the café. You want anything?”
“An iced coffee would be great. It’s on me.” Cookie reached into the phone pocket of her leggings and extracted a twenty. She gave it to Ricki. “Plenty more where this came from,” she said in a low voice. “This group’s a mix of Houston and Dallas-ites, or whatever you call ’em. We just started the tour and they’re already trying to out-tip each other to prove their city is better.”
“Nice.”
“I want to buy Nat the best Christmas present I can, so I need these groups to make it rain.” Cookie rubbed her thumb to her index and middle finger, indicating money. She was dating the neighbor next door to Bon Vee and determined to make him the future Mr. Cookie Yanover. “Any idea what you’re getting Virgil?”
“Not a clue,” Ricki said. “I better get to the café before it closes.”
Ricki continued down the hallway, embarrassed by her obvious change of subject and feeling guilty because she hadn’t even thought about getting Virgil a gift. It’s because our relationship is so new, she told herself, batting back the insecurity that led her to fear she and the handsome, successful chef weren’t destined to go the distance.
*
By the time Olivia reluctantly left a few hours later to continue studying for finals, Miss Vee’s was decorated to the point of kitschy. No shelf was left untouched by thrift shop Santas, nutcrackers, ornaments, and a variety of small artificial trees in materials ranging from silvery mylar to one made of oyster shells wired together as branches. Ricki’s favorites were the items that were Louisiana-themed, like the alligator nutcracker wearing a Santa hat, which claimed a space next to a ceramic ornament of Santa riding an alligator.
“You could put together a whole display of gator items.”
Ricki started, not realizing she had company. She turned to see Josepha. “Mom, hey.” The women hugged.
“I thought your dad might wanna have dinner, but he and Virgil still have a lot to go over. He’s taking a break, though.”
Josepha indicated the bay window. Ricki glanced out of it and saw Luis doing a series of choreographed movements in slow motion. “Dad’s still doing tai chi?”
“Yup. It relaxes him. And Lord knows that man could use some relaxing.” Josepha delivered this in a droll but affectionate tone. “Anyhoo, I thought me and my darlin’ daughter might go out for dinner.”
“A giant yes to that.” A thought occurred to Ricki. “I just want to make one stop on the way.”
Ricki locked up the shop and led her mother to the small staff lot where she parked her Prius. They followed Washington Avenue past lovely historic homes swathed in holiday lights and garlands, eventually reaching Claiborne Avenue, a much less scenic thoroughfare of dollar stores, gas stations, and fast-food restaurants. Ricki made a right on Tulane Avenue, followed by two more right turns that placed them in front of what was once Charity Hospital, rendered uninhabitable after Hurricane Katrina and now on the cusp of a new life as Tulane University’s new downtown medical school. Scaffolding covered the center of the massive twenty-story edifice, but even at the tail end of twilight much of the building’s 1930s structure was still evident and impressive despite years of decay.
Josepha stared out the car window, her expression unreadable. “Why are we here?”
“You haven’t been to New Orleans in so long. I thought maybe seeing Charity again might bring back memories.”
“About your bio mom.”
Ricki nodded. Josepha clasped her hand and held it tight as she continued to stare out the window. She and Luis had been nothing but supportive in Ricki’s quest for answers about her past but Ricki sensed her mother’s pain as she took in the abandoned monolith where she’d once pursued a career she loved.
The two were silent for several minutes. “I wish I could remember something that would help,” Josepha finally said in a husky voice. “All I keep seeing is your tiny body in the NICU and how my heart broke for you and how that turned into burning, all-consuming passion to be your mama.”
“Oooh . . .” Ricki fought back tears. “I’m sorry, Mom. I shouldn’t have brought you here.”
“Nothing to be sorry about, baby girl.” Josepha gave Ricki’s hand another squeeze then released it. “I’m glad to see the old place and know it’s gonna be brought back to do good things in this city. Hey, we’re not too far from Mother’s restaurant here. I could go for one of their oyster po’boys.”
“Let’s do it,” Ricki said, knowing a change of subject when she heard one.
Ricki circled back to Tulane Avenue. As they drove, Josepha cheerfully recalled memories inspired by locations they passed. Ricki noted that none involved Charity or her experiences as a nurse. Ricki mused that perhaps it was too painful for Josepha to recall that time in her life. But another thought loomed larger: Josepha was hiding something.
And what she was hiding was tied to Ricki’s birth.
***
Excerpt from Crescent City Christmas Chaos by Ellen Byron. Copyright 2025 by Ellen Byron. Reproduced with permission from Ellen Byron. All rights reserved.
Author Bio:
Ellen Byron is a USA Today bestselling author and recipient of multiple Agatha (Best Contemporary Novel) and Lefty (Best Humorous Mystery) awards for her Cajun Country Mysteries (published by Crooked Lane), Vintage Cookbook Mysteries (Berkley and Severn House), Catering Hall Mysteries (Kensington, as Maria DiRico) and Golden Motel Mysteries (Kensington). She is also an Anthony Award nominee and an award-winning playwright.
Byron spent twenty-five years writing TV hits like Wings, Just Shoot Me, and Fairly OddParents, plus pilots for all the major networks, before segueing into writing humorous mysteries. She blogs with Chicks on the Case, is a lifetime member of the Writers Guild of America, and serves on the national board of Mystery Writers of America. But she’ll always consider her most impressive achievement working as a cater-waiter for the iconic Martha Stewart.
A native New Yorker, Byron is a graduate of Tulane University and lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband, daughter, and a rotating crew of rescue pups.
TWINKLING TREE TROUBLE by Iris March A Succulent Sleuth Mini Mystery
It's the holiday season and for Molly Green one of the best parts is the arrival of the fresh Christmas trees she'll be selling at Patty’s Plant Place. With the help of her sister May, husband, and dedicated staff the trees are set up, various other plants are potted and selling fast, and holiday workshops being held getting everyone into the holiday spirit. The nest day Molly is surprised to see the front row of Christmas trees have Christmas trees lights! While the trees are behind fencing, the barrier is made so that trees can't be taken out, but a person could get in. The trees look lovely, but her staff deny putting any lights up. So who decked out the trees?
If you're looking for a charming light-hearted mystery without a murder TWINKLING TREE TROUBLE is just the ticket. I can picture the magical scene of those pine trees with sparkling lights and am immediately put in a better mood. This is a purely positive puzzle. No thefts, no murder, nothing nefarious. And the reveal will have you grinning with pleasure.
This Succulent Sleuth Mini Mystery is a short story; a very short story. You could easily read it in one sitting. That being said, the story is really fleshed out and the characters dimensional. It helps if you've read other books in the series to get a feel for the characters and setting, especially in such a short story, but it's not at all necessary. I wish I could go to Patty's Plant Place, immerse myself in those
particular plant nursery scents, perhaps take a wreath making class.
TWINKLING TREE TROUBLE is a charming short story sure to get you into the holiday spirit.
I'm pleased to welcome Kari Lee Townsend back to Cozy Up With Kathy. Kari starts a new series with THE WELL-KEPT SECRET. The first Wishville Mystery was released last month.
Kathy: A fan of the Sunny Meadows Mystery series, I was delighted to see you start a new series. Was there a specific inspiration for this series?
KLT: Thank you! I’ve always adored cozy mysteries with a twist of the extraordinary, and The Well-Kept Secret grew from my love of small towns in the Northeast with big secrets. The idea sparked when I imagined what would happen if a magical wishing well sat at the center of a quirky New England town—and what if the person guarding it wasn’t entirely human? From there, Wishville, Vermont, and my half-human, half-Dweller heroine, Lyra Wells, came to life.
Kathy: I love paranormal mysteries and fantasies. What do you think makes them so popular?
KLT: I think they offer the best of both worlds—literally! Paranormal and fantasy cozy mysteries let readers experience the comfort of a cozy town, friendship, and community, while adding a shimmer of wonder and danger just beneath the surface. It’s the thrill of asking “what if” in a world that feels familiar. We all crave a little magic once in a while.
Kathy: Wishville, Vermont has forest festivals, quirky locals, and a centuries-old wishing well. I love festivals of all sorts and would love to attend a forest festival. Have you been to something similar?
KLT: I’ve attended plenty of fall harvest festivals and renaissance fairs, and each time I’m enchanted by the mix of nature, creativity, and community. WishFest in my books was inspired by those events—the laughter, the flicker of lanterns in the trees, the smell of fried dough and pine needles. I wanted readers to feel like they were right there, wandering through the forest with a cup of mulled cider and a mystery unfolding nearby.
Kathy: Lyra Wells is the half-human, half-Dweller Guardian of the Well. She must keep the peace between the mortal world and the magical realm of Elarion. Would you fancy such a job?
KLT: Honestly? It sounds equal parts thrilling and exhausting! I’d love the magic and the connection to nature, but the responsibility of keeping two worlds from falling apart might require more coffee than I can handle. Still, I think Lyra’s role speaks to something a lot of people understand. Balancing two parts of ourselves and trying to find harmony in the process.
Kathy: Wishville's well allegedly grants one wish each season. If given the opportunity, would you make a wish here?
KLT: I would! There's something so magical about making wishes and hoping they come true. I’d probably wish for continued inspiration and time to write all the stories swirling in my head. (And maybe for my characters to behave once in a while!) But mostly, more time with my pets. I wish they lived a lot longer than they do.
Kathy: When it comes to writing I understand there are 2 general camps-plotters, who diligently plot their stories, and pansters, who fly by the seat of their pants. Are you a plotter, a panster, or do you fall somewhere in between?
KLT: I’m a proud plantser—half plotter, half pantser. I love a solid roadmap before I start, but once I begin writing, the story often takes delightful detours. My characters tend to whisper (and occasionally shout) new directions, and I’ve learned to trust them. Some of my favorite twists were happy accidents.
Kathy: Authors are required to do a lot of their own marketing, especially for a new release. What's your favorite part of marketing your work? What do you dislike about marketing?
KLT: I love the creative side like designing graphics, countdowns, and promotions that allow me to connect with my readers. It’s an extension of storytelling, just visual and interactive. What I dislike is how time-consuming it can be. I’d rather be writing magical murder scenes than wrestling with algorithms!
Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books?
KLT: Absolutely! THE WELL-LAID TRAP, book two in The Well-Kept Secret series, arrives next 1-20-26. It follows Lyra, Chief Holden Thorn, and Dweller enforcer Calderis as they investigate the disappearance of a beloved physical therapist before the Summer WishFest—only to uncover a crack in the barrier between worlds. After that will be THE WELL-HIDDEN CLUE out 5-12-26 and THE WELL-PLACED LIE out 8-4-26. I will eventually get back to my other series, but for now I'm riding the fantasy cozy mystery train and hope you will all will join me on this journey.
Thank you so much for having me. For a list of all of my works and social media links, check out my website karileetownsend.com
THE WELL-KEPT SECRET by Kari Lee Townsend The First Wishville Mystery
Lyra Wells straddles two worlds. With a human father and Dweller mother she's part of both worlds yet doesn't fully belong in either. After her father's death and mother's disappearance the Well has chosen Lyra as its guardian. She's responsible for ensuring the four festivals happen each year in Wishville, Vermont thus keeping the treaty between humans and Dwellers intact and the worlds at peace, even though the human world has no recollection of the Dweller world below. But when the new chief of police wants to lower the number of festivals, saying they bring an unacceptable increase in crime Lyra knows she has to act quickly. Unfortunately, the chief isn't the only problem. Something is off and trouble is coming. When antiques dealer Samuel Greer is found dead next to the well Lyra realizes that trouble is already here and about to get worse. Fissures have opened and she sees Dwellers amongst the humans at the current Spring WishFest. It also seems as if the well's magic is blocked. If Lyra can't solve murder the well will not grant its spring wish, the treaty will be broken, and war will erupt once more.
I really enjoyed my first visit to Wishville and Elarion. Wishville, that mortal town filled with wacky characters, differs greatly from the more regal and solemn Dweller world. I like how Chief Thorn slowly opened himself up to possibilities. I'm not a fan of love triangles, but the dynamics between Lyra, Thorn, and Calderis are interesting. As Lyra isn't fully of either world, neither is a perfect match, yet now they must all work together-things could get very interesting! There's plenty of humor to keep you giggling, especially when the Wellies are in the scene, and I love how Vex keeps Lyra grounded, in a sarcastically humorous way.
Wonderful world building, a sassy cat (well half cat half Whispen), a hint of romance, and a bit of magic make THE WELL-KEPT SECRET an enchanting start to a new series.
The Well-Kept Secret (A Wishville Mystery)by Kari Lee Townsend
About The Well-Kept Secret
The Well-Kept Secret (A Wishville Mystery) Cozy Fantasy Mystery 1st in Series Setting - Wishville, Vermont Publisher: Oliver Heber Books Publication Date: October 28, 2025
A Spring Festival. A Magical Murder. A Secret Buried Beneath the Well.
Wishville, Vermont looks like a storybook postcard—complete with forest festivals, quirky locals, and a centuries-old wishing well that allegedly grants one wish each season. But for Lyra Wells, the magic isn’t just folklore—it’s her full-time job. As the half-human, half-Dweller Guardian of the Well, Lyra must keep the peace between the mortal world and the magical realm of Elarion. That means overseeing every seasonal WishFest, keeping tourists entertained, and pretending her glowing cat sidekick isn’t judging everyone.
But when an all-too-nosy antique dealer is found mysteriously dead by the well—and a rare memory crystal is discovered at the scene—the fragile treaty between worlds begins to unravel, and the ethereal Dweller chief enforcer isn't happy. As the townsfolk whisper about curses and coincidences, something ancient stirs beneath the surface—and it’s not ready to stay hidden.
About Kari Lee Townsend
National Bestselling Author, Agatha, RT Reviewers Choice & Golden Duck Award Nominee. Kari lives in Central New York with her husband & 3 Samoyeds. She's a lover of wine & travel (especially cruising), obsessed with reality TV, loves to try new things, and thinks there's nothing better than getting lost in a good book with at least some element of mystery, romance & humor. She writes cozy mysteries & upper middle grade as Kari Lee Townsend, as well as suspense, romance, romantic comedy & women's fiction as Kari Lee Harmon. She's most known for her Sunny Meadows Mysteries, Kalli Ballas Mysteries, and a crossover series featuring Sunny, Kalli, their detectives, and their crazy families! The Tasty Trio and Greek Mamas are her favorite characters to write about. Granny Gert is based on her late grandmother and Great Grandma Tootsie is based on her husband's late grandmother who lived to be nearly 109 years old!
I'm currently reading Crescent City Christmas Chaos by Ellen Byron. This book is the fourth in the Vintage Cookbook Mystery series and was released yesterday!
As Ricki James-Diaz prepares Miss Vee's Vintage Cookbook and Kitchenware Shop for Christmas her boyfriend, Chef Virgil Morel, has exciting news. He's creating and producing a holiday special featuring the food of New Orleans and filming it right at Bon Vee. As producer he can hire his own production team and was able to coax a talented cameraman out of retirement-Luis James-Diaz, Ricki's father! Thrilled that both of her parents have come from Puerto Vallarta and will be staying in town through the holidays Ricki can't wait to spend time with them and perhaps jog some memories out of her mom regarding her birth mother.While her adoptive parents have been nothing but supportive when it comes to Ricki's quest to find more information about her birth parents things change when Ricki discovers that Phyllis Gibbs, who worked in medical records at the hospital where Ricki was born, is alive and well and living in New Orleans. The mere mention of the woman's name shuts her mother down and a brief meeting with the woman even puts Ricki on alert. When Phyllis is found dead the next morning everyone is stunned and when her death is deemed suspicious Ricki is nervous, for if a list was made of people who wanted Phyllis dead her parents' names would be right on top!
I'm pleased to welcome KittyKai to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find KittyKai on the pages of Rock a Bye Bye Baby by Debbie de Louise. This book is the sixth book in the series.
Meow and Purrs. This is KittyKai, the calico cat from Rock a Bye Bye Baby who lives at the Cobble Inn. I’m actually a series regular on the Cobble Cove Mysteries. My first appearance was in Love on the Rocks when I was brought back from Hawaii after the sheriff and my lady eloped. Since then, I’ve teamed up with Sneaky the Library Cat to help the humans in the books solve crimes. The main humans we help are Alicia, the director of the Cobble Cove Library, and Sheriff Ron Ramsay. Of course, my human, Abigail Ramsay, who her friends call “Gilly,” also gets involved in our cases. She is a bad influence for Alicia, according to Alicia’s husband, John, the co-author of a mystery series and editor on the Cobble Cove Courier. The humans don’t realize that we’re helping them, but the other pets in the book and the readers can see our conversations in italics and follow along.
Now that I’ve brought you all up to speed, I’ll discuss our current book. Rock a Bye Bye Baby features two mysteries. The first is that of an abandoned infant who is left on Alicia and John’s doorstep. The second is the murder of elderly poker playing men, one of whom is John’s father, Mac. The first man murdered, Bert, was writing a novel that seemed to be about his life and those of his four friends who, besides playing poker every week, served with him in Vietnam. Sneaky and I figured out early on, along with the sheriff, that this book had something to do with Bert’s murder. Below is an excerpt featuring me and KittyKai planning our investigation of the mysteries.
Gilly let Sneaky in this time. “I heard you were here last night, Mr. Sneaky. I guess you want to see KittyKai again. Let me fetch her.” In a few minutes, the patio door opened and KittyKai came out.
“Sneaky. You’re back.”
“I came as quick I could, but I fell asleep in a bush. I had a tough time last night. There’s been a murder, KittyKai. A guy named Bert. I don’t know much about him or what happened, but Ramsay is on the case. He was at a house a few blocks away with Gilly and Alicia. There were two young women with them.” As he filled her in, his tail whipped back and forth in excitement.
“Hold your whiskers, Sneaky. I know all about it and more. Gilly was talking with Ramsay before he went to the station. Bert was a poker player with Mac and two other men. He was shot in his house, and Ramsay thinks it had something to do with a book he was writing that’s missing. Money might be missing, too. The girls you mentioned are Bert’s granddaughter and Billy’s girlfriend, Cindy.”
“Good work, Kit. What’s our next move now that we have two mysteries to solve?”
KittyKai found a spot in the sun and rolled on her back.
“This isn’t a time for sunning.”
“Anytime is a time for sunning, Sneaky. It also helps me think.” She sat back up. “The only thing I can think of right now is that both of us need to keep our eyes and ears open to what’s going on. Ramsay is sure to tell Gilly everything that he finds, or she’ll get it out of him another way. You have to see what Alicia turns up. Knowing her, she’ll be consulting with Gilly to find the killer and the baby’s parents.”
Sneaky suddenly remembered the ring he’d taken from the dead man’s house. He’d spat it out when he’d fallen asleep, but he still had it. He’d carried it to the inn and dropped it at the cat door. “KittyKai, there’s something I need to show you. It’s outside. Follow me.”
“How pretty,” KittyKai, like Gilly, was attracted to pretty things. She was known to walk off with items guests left at the inn; hair ties, ribbons, bracelets, and other trinkets. She always brought them to Gilly to return, but it was fun finding and carrying them around.
“I found this in the dead guy’s house. I don’t think it was his.”
“It isn’t. It’s a lady’s ring. You should show it to Gilly, or I will.”
Sneaky passed it to her. “Alright. It could be a clue. Gilly will share it with Ramsay.”
“Maybe not, Sneaky. You know how she and Alicia do their own investigating.”
“True. They often find the killer before the sheriff. Anyway, besides showing Gilly the ring, what’s our next move?”
“I know you’re going back to the library tomorrow, Sneaky. I can drop by your house tonight, and I can let you know what Gilly makes of the ring.”
“I like that plan, Kit, but will you be able to get out?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll find a way. I’ll follow a guest or try to get one of Gilly’s boys to let me on the patio, so I can use my cat door.”
“Sounds good.” Sneaky rubbed whiskers with the calico. She purred and gave him that sultry look through her green eyes.
There you have it. Me and Sneaky working together again to help solve crimes. Our photos are even on the cover of the book. However, there’s more to these mysteries than we expected with quite a few suspects and several twists. I hope you’ll pick up a copy soon to see for yourself.
Rock A Bye Bye Baby: A Cobble Cove Mysteryby Debbie De Louise
About Rock A Bye Bye Baby
Rock A Bye Bye Baby: A Cobble Cove Mystery Cozy Mystery 6th in Series Setting - Upstate New York Publisher: Solstice Publishing (September 25, 2025) Print Length: 250 pages
When a newborn baby is left on Alicia and John’s doorstep, Sheriff Ramsay sets out to find the parents, but his investigation is put on hold when Mac’s elderly buddy, Bert, is found murdered in his home. The top suspects are Bert’s poker pals who served with him in Vietnam, his ex-wife, and a woman who cleans his house.
Alicia and Gilly team up again to locate the baby’s parents and Bert’s killer while Sneaky conducts a private investigation with Gilly’s cat, Kittykai. Who will find answers to these double mysteries, and are they connected in some way?
About Debbie De Louise
Debbie De Louise is an award-winning author and retired reference librarian. She's a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters-in-Crime, International Thriller Writers, the Cat Writers’ Association, and the South Carolina Writers Association. She’s published over twenty books including three cozy mystery series, a romance, standalone mysteries, a time-travel novel, and a collection of cat poems. Her stories and poetry appear in over a dozen anthologies. Originally from Long Island, she moved to South Carolina where she now lives with her husband, daughter, and three cats. Learn more about Debbie and her books by visiting her website at https://debbiedelouise.com
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