Mummy's Locket - An Interview & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Nan S. Russell to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Nan writes the Mallory Grayson Mystery series. MUMMY'S LOCKET is the first book in the series and was released earlier this year.

Kathy: In MUMMY'S LOCKET Mallory Grayson retreats to a quiet town after losing everything. Have you ever had to rebuild your life? 

NSR: The closest to “losing everything” happened when I was a child. Our house burned down within weeks of moving to California for my brother’s health. For a long time, we didn’t have a car, or furniture, or a TV. My father was unemployed for months, and I started school with just one dress, which on the first day of school I got black paint on. At Christmas, my only present was a well-worn doll my mother found abandoned at a park.

Kathy: The mummified body of her long-lost great grandmother pulls Mallory into a mystery. Do you have any family mysteries? 

NSR: Yes. Some are bigger mysteries than others, and I’d imagine there are some I don’t know about yet. Luckily none of them involve murder.

Kathy: Are you interested in genealogy and/or the secrets of your family's past? Do you have any jewelry that's been passed down through generations? 

NSR: Yes to both. At different times in my life, I’ve done genealogy research. Both my mother and aunt were active pursuers, and I inherited binders about their findings. So, I focus on my father’s side since less has been captured. I’m definitely a jewelry lover. And family jewelry holds a special place. I cherish the items that have been passed down and will continue the tradition. I incorporated one such item, a wedding ring, which Mallory discovers in the story.

Kathy: What first drew you to mysteries? 

NSR: My aunt gave me a Nancy Drew mystery when I was in fourth grade. Mystery has been my go-to genre ever since. I love the puzzle element of noticing the clues and solving the mystery, ideally before the ending is revealed.

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres? 

NSR: Yes. I write non-fiction and have five published books on topics of leadership, trust, and career development.

Kathy: Tell us about your series.  

NSR: Mallory Grayson Mysteries is a series where the past and present collide. Think twenty-first century “Cabot Cove,” where a reluctant millennial sleuth and her memorable cohorts, need historical elements to figure out whodunit and why.

Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why? 

NSR: The protagonist, Mallory Grayson is my favorite. Mostly because we have a few things in common. We’re both introverts, run a vintage business, and relish historical context.

Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series? 

NSR: The book evolved from my encounter with bog bodies while visiting the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin. I was entranced by what stories those lost souls unveiled about the life they lived. That morphed into the idea of a series where the past and present collide, and real history is gingerly woven into the story to enable the solving of the murder.

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work? 

NSR: I always knew I wanted to write and after leaving a successful corporate career I started my Act 2 career – writing. First, writing non-fiction, and then fiction. It took me six years to birth MUMMY'S LOCKET, my first novel. I never considered the option not to publish. I wanted to bring thought provoking and entertaining stories to readers who enjoyed solving traditional/cozy mysteries.

Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite? 

NSR:  Mary Higgins Clark: 51 bestselling mysteries, and I’m pretty sure I read them all. Shaki Gawain, whose personal development books enhanced my thinking. Eleanor Roosevelt, who besides being a first lady, wrote 33 books, both fiction and non-fiction. And Ken Follett, 44 books, whose historical novels are memorable and eye-opening.

Kathy: What are you currently reading? 

NSR: Typically, I have three books going – one fiction, one non-fiction, and one about writing. Currently, I’m reading YESTERYEAR by Caro Claire Burke, Eve: HOW THE FEMALE BODY DROVE 200 MILLION YEARS IF HUMAN EVOLUTION, by Cat Bohannon, and GOOD WRITING by Neal Allen and Anne Lamott. I post a review on my website every month about one of the books I read that month. (www.nanrussell.com)

Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us? 

NSR: I’m an avid reader, nature lover, quote and vintage collector, Disney fan, seasoned traveler, music enthusiast, and forever learner. And I have grandchildren who bring me great joy.

Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry. 

NSR: Diet Coke, ice-cream, protein bars, olives.

Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series? 

NSR: I was fortunate to receive a three-book contract from my publisher, Next Chapter. The second book in the series, ONE DEADLY POSTCARD, will be out in 2027. And the third book, A BROKEN OLD WATCH is targeted for 2028. After that, I’d loved to keep that series going or develop a split off with one or more of the characters.

Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author? 

NSR: Readers who like my work and pause to let me know. Just like my musician father shared his soul through music, writing gives voice to mine. Since I’m an introvert, writing enables me to express my thoughts and ideas. However, being an author is different. Not because of being published, but being public. There is a raw vulnerability that comes with sharing. Still, I’m eager to know if my words touched your heart, the story drew you in, a character was relatable, you were entertained, solved the mystery, or closed the book with thoughts that stayed around or you wanted to think about. I’d love to hear from you. 

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 Mummy's Locket (Mallory Grayson Mysteries) by Nan S. Russell

About Mummy's Locket

Mummy's Locket (Mallory Grayson Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - New York State
Publisher: ‎ Next Chapter
Publication Date: ‎ May 25, 2026
Print Length: ‎ 308 pages
Paperback Publication Date: ‎ May 1, 2026
Print Length: ‎ 306 pages

The truth doesn’t stay buried forever. After losing everything, Mallory Grayson retreats to a quiet town, hoping a vintage shop and a fresh start will help her rebuild her life. But when the mummified body of her long-missing great-grandmother is discovered, Mallory is pulled into a mystery. Clues hidden in heirlooms, a secret room, and a past lover’s return offer answers … if she’s willing to risk everything to uncover them. In a story steeped in secrets and history, her courage may be the only thing that can break the curse. The past and present collide in MUMMY'S LOCKET, the first book in the Mallory Grayson Mysteries series by Nan S. Russell.

About Nan S. Russell

With both a bachelor’s and master’s in psychology, Nan S. Russell was fired from her first professional job. Taking a minimum wage position to pay the rent, sixteen promotions later, she decided to end a successful corporate career as a Vice President of a multibillion-dollar East Coast company, to pursue a life dream to live and write from the Rocky Mountains, first in northwestern Montana and now along the Front Range of Colorado. With a desire to help others live their dreams, too, she turned her real-world experience into writing award winning non-fiction career and business books and articles, and became a speaker and consultant on leadership, trust, and culture development. But she always knew she wanted to write fiction, too. That point arrived during the pandemic pause which provided the catalyst for rethinking her writing and its purpose, sparking the decision to move towards fiction with more time to study the craft, take online classes, hone skills and work on her first novel. Now, she is living her second dream: Writing mysteries. Mummy’s Locket is her debut novel and the first in her Mallory Grayson series. More at www.nanrussell.com.

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• GoodReads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/940006.Nan_S_Russell

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The Soufflé Also Rises - A Review

 Review

THE SOUFFLE ALSO RISES by Lauren Johnson
The First Lizi Cleverly Midlife Badass Detective Novel 

A stifling marriage led to an acrimonious divorce and after that things got even worse. At 54 Lizi Cleverly had to rebuild her life, and finding a new job during the recession of 2008 wasn't easy. Finally landing a position at Whole Foods Lizi was making the best of it until a poor emotional reaction that included cartons of eggs ended it. Lizi then made the decision to really start over. She would move to Paris for three months to do what she always wanted - write. Unfortunately, her move wasn't without her own disasters including lost luggage and a stolen purse. She's reconnected with a former lover, but he's just been arrested...again. She's left holding his bag and what she finds inside could either solve all her problems or, more likely, create a whole new set of issues.

Almost everything that could go wrong for Lizi Cleverly does. What goes right is finding a great friend in Frankie, finding a way to make a difference in life, and finding herself. While Lizi finds herself in some outrageously unbelievable situations, I didn't mind. It was fun escapism, but escapism with a message. Tackling issues such as homelessness the first Lizi Cleverly Midlife Badass Detective Novel also highlights the ability of people to help, and shows that one good deed can lead to a revolution of caring and assistance.

Less of a detective novel and more of a finding oneself novel THE SOUFFLE ALSO RISES includes a Ponzi scheme, jewel heists, the mafia, and some dodgy people, along with some famous ones. There's a mystery with hints of both spy and thriller novels along with lots of laughs.

Part screwball comedy, part coming of age (even if that age is midlife), and part mystery/thriller THE SOUFFLE ALSO RISES is a fun romp through Paris. I can't wait to read more of Lizi Cleverly's exploits.

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading The Soufflé Also Rises by Lauren Johnson. This book is the first in the Lizi Cleverly Midlife Badass Detective series and will be released next month.

A stifling marriage led to an acrimonious divorce and after that things got even worse. At 54 Lizi Cleverly had to rebuild her life, and finding a new job during the recession of 2008 wasn't easy. Finally landing a position at Whole Foods Lizi was making the best of it until a poor emotional reaction that included cartons of eggs ended it. Lizi then made the decision to really start over. She would move to Paris for three months to do what she always wanted - write. Unfortunately, her move wasn't without her own disasters including lost luggage and a stolen purse. She's reconnected with a former lover, but he's just been arrested...again. She's left holding his bag and what she finds inside could either solve all her problems or, more likely, create a whole new set of issues.

Masked Intentions - A Guest Post, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to share a page from the diary of Bobbi Brooks. You can find Bobbi on the pages of the Camera Club Mystery series. MASKED INTENTIONS is the second book in the series and was released

Dear Diary,

It’s been a couple of days, and I’m sorry I haven’t written. I just couldn’t. It’s impossible to wrap my mind around everything that’s happened.

As I write this, I’m sitting on my porch swing wrapped in my down comforter watching the sun rise over the mountains. It’s so beautiful and peaceful that I can almost imagine that everything is okay. That everything is normal.

But it’s not.

So yeah, I’m questioning my life choices—again. Maybe that’s not fair. It’s not like I ever really stopped questioning them. Maybe I shouldn’t have moved here. Who would have thought that tiny little Stonebridge, Vermont would be more dangerous than Boston?

I suppose I should start at the beginning.

Two nights ago, the Harvest Festival kicked off with the masquerade party on the village green. It started off so well! I mean, seriously, nothing can rival October in Vermont. Cool, crisp fall air and the mountains ablaze with autumn foliage. Even after the sun went down, the red, orange, and yellow paper lanterns in the event tent mimicked the autumn leaves so perfectly. I was so proud of Alicia and the festival committee for all they did. And oh, you wouldn’t have believed the costumes! I was dressed as Annie Leibovitz, hoping some of her brilliance might rub off on me!

The band was playing, everyone was dancing, and all of us in the camera club were busy snapping photos. And then…

The scream.

There’s no other way to put it. Alicia and I were standing in line for a hot apple cider when we heard it. We’d just been joking about how Emma and Connor were wearing coordinating costumes—as if they totally aren’t dating. But what do I know? I’m only her mom, and she’s made it clear that I’m to Stay. Out. Of. It. (picture me zipping my lips)

Anyway… Alicia and I sprinted out of the event tent, and… I’ll never be able to erase the image of Emma cradling poor Iris. We thought the young woman must have tripped and fallen into the fountain. If only.

When Emma came home for the festival this weekend, I’m sure she was expecting a break from her nursing duties. Instead, as soon as we helped her move Iris to dry ground, she got right to work performing CPR. I have to admit, I was so proud to see her in action. I only wish the outcome had been different.

Oh, and I should probably also mention something—only because I’m still a little shaken by it. But it’s really not important. At least, that’s what I’m telling myself. Anyway… You must remember me mentioning a man last June. You know, the one I saw at The Crow—tall, piercing green eyes—the one who nearly made me fall off my barstool. Well, he moved to Stonebridge. Not that I care or anything. Not at all.

So yeah, I met him last night—in person. Let’s just say it was majorly awkward. That is, I was majorly awkward. And seriously, I’m completely bewildered. I don’t know what to do. It’s clear he and Nate have already become good friends. Huge yikes. The last thing I need in my life is a ridiculously handsome Irish guy who makes my heart race and turns me into a bumbling idiot.

But I’m way off topic.

Back to Iris. If you haven’t already guessed from my ramblings, she’s dead—murdered. It’s completely unthinkable. Now, with the dreaded Detective Cram poking that beaky nose of his around Harmony and her housemates, Harmony has asked me to help. I wanted to tell her, “no way.” I really, really did. Of all people, Harmony should know better. Besides, it’s not like I’m a detective or anything. But you know me. Like it or not, I can’t let her down.

There’s a murderer in Stonebridge, and everyone in the club is on board to help me investigate. The Stonebridge Keep It Snappy Shutter Club is on another case! Stay tuned. 

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Review

MASKED INTENTIONS by Kara Lacey
The Second Camera Club Mystery 

It's autumn in Vermont, the leaves are at their peak, the tourists are arriving en masse, and the Keep it Snappy Shutter Club, led by Bobbie Brooks, is ready to capture everything on film. Stonebridge’s annual harvest festival is off to a fun start with a masquerade party on the village green. But the good times quickly end when Iris is found unresponsive after apparently falling into the fountain. And then Mackenzie is rushed to the hospital! While Mackenzie is certain she made an error while foraging and ate poisonous mushrooms by mistake, Iris' fall was no accident, she was murdered. Now Bobbie and her camera club will search through their film for clues. Will Bobbie find a murderer or will the killer put an end to her first?

MASKED INTENTIONS is a study in relationships and choosing how the past shapes the present and future. Evolving relationships are at the heart of the story, indeed the mystery itself. 

I'm happy to be back in Stonebridge, Vermont, especially in autumn. There's a lot going on in the second Camera Club Mystery with an ambiguous murder, (who was the actual target?) a myriad of suspects, and a few subplots. I appreciate how every aspect was deftly handled with no one thing overshadowing another. I still like Bobbie, though I wish she's just face up to her reactions to a certain Irishman. I'm pleased to see that Emma has matured since the first book in the series.

MASKED INTENTIONS is a complex mystery that looks at relationships, desire, and murder with autumnal flair. Grab a cozy blanket and have your camera at the ready as you settle in for this delightful sophomore outing!

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 Masked Intentions: A Camera Club Mystery by Kara Lacey

About Masked Intentions

Masked Intentions: A Camera Club Mystery
Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series
Setting - Vermont
Publisher: ‎ Level Best Books
Publication Date: ‎ January 27, 2026
Print Length: ‎ 270 pages Paperback

It’s autumn in Vermont, and the mountains are ablaze with color, just in time for Stonebridge’s annual harvest festival. The village is swarming with leaf-peeping tourists, and the celebration is off to a jubilant start as residents gather for their favorite kick-off event: a masquerade party on the village green. But the crisp fall air turns chilling when a party guest is found lifeless and another is whisked away in an ambulance, on the verge of death.

Photographer Bobbie Brooks vows to leave the investigation to the professionals until a tearful plea from a friend causes her to shift her focus from merriment to murder. The Stonebridge Keep it Snappy Shutter Club is on another case as Bobbie plunges into the world of herbal poisons and masked motives. The truth is concealed in the details captured through her lens. But as everything comes into focus, Bobbie finds herself in danger once again. Can she unmask the killer before the killer zooms in on her?

About Kara Lacey

Kara Lacey is the author of the Camera Club Mysteries. Along with her husband, she lives in a tiny village nestled in the beautiful Green Mountains of Vermont—the inspiration for her novels. Kara is a photography enthusiast who also enjoys hiking, skiing, and getting cozy with a good book. When she’s not at her laptop creating havoc for her characters, you can find her rambling through the forest with her husband and spirited Labrador retriever, camera in hand.

Kara is a member of Sisters in Crime, Sisters in Crime-New England.

Author Links: 

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Purchase Links - Amazon - Bookshop.org - B&N - Kobo

Troubled Water - An Interview, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Kassandra Lamb to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Kassandra writes the Aging Ain't for Wimps Mystery series. TROUBLED WATER is the first book in the series and was released last month.

Kathy: In TROUBLED WATER we meet Amy Bridges Parker, who at 71 has to resist her domineering sister’s attempts to take over where her subtly controlling and recently deceased husband left off. Have you had to deal with "loved ones" trying to run your life?

KL: For the most part, no, but there is one relative, who shall remain nameless, who occasionally calls me a controlling female dog when he’s trying to guilt me into doing something his way. We finally had a big blow-up a few years ago, and I tend to keep my emotional distance now, while being cordial on the surface.

My awareness of the nuances of controlling men comes more from my work as a psychotherapist. I had plenty of clients with supportive, wonderful husbands, but there were also quite a few with the controlling kind.


Kathy: Your Aging Ain't for Wimps Mystery series features senior citizens. As I get older myself, though a smidge over a decade younger than Amy Bridges Parker, I can attest to that sentiment, aging ain't for wimps! Why do you think senior sleuths are popular? Or do you think that they're not popular? I know I enjoy seeing older protagonists.

KL: I think we can thank Jessica Fletcher and the Murder, She Wrote TV show, from the 1980s and 90s, for the popularity of senior sleuths. I suspect it tickles people’s fancy to see an older person—who’s supposed to be slow and not all that with it—actually outsmart the bad guys.

In this series, I’m really enjoying the back and forth between Amy and the sheriff (who’s about half a decade younger). The sheriff knows his job, but Amy knows the town of Heron Shores, where she’s lived all her life. So she makes connections sometimes that he would have missed. By the end of this first story, he is beginning to respect her opinions and insights.


Kathy: Amy knows that her sister Clara was a mean girl back in high school. Did you have to deal with any mean girls?

KL: Oh yes, in junior high school. But they weren’t called “mean girls” back then. They were the “popular” girls. And if they didn’t like you, then there had to be something wrong with you. It never occurred to us less popular girls that they only liked their own friends, who flattered and looked up to them. And that there was really nothing wrong with us.

Fortunately, my county rearranged the school districts as I was entering high school, so I got a fresh start. The “popular” kids at my new school were more mature and tended to be nice to everyone, not just their crowd of friends.


Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

KL: I’ve written three mystery series in several sub-genres now—traditional, cozy, and police procedurals—and I decided to come back to cozies. They are more fun and easier to write, I guess because the characters don’t take themselves quite so seriously.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

KL: I like to challenge myself by trying new things periodically, so I did write some romantic suspense stories under the pen name of Jessica Dale. But I decided I preferred writing mysteries with a touch of romance as a subplot, rather than trying to balance the mystery and romance the way one is expected to in romantic suspense.


Kathy: Tell us about your series. 

KL: This series, The Aging Ain’t for Wimps Mysteries, is about the women of my generation—those born in the 1950s—who were raised for the first decade of their lives with traditional gender roles. Then the women’s liberation movement picked up speed and during our adolescence, the messages changed dramatically. We went from hearing, “be nice, go along to get along, stick to girls’ toys/jobs” to “be strong, be independent, you can do anything you set your mind to.” I wanted to explore the inner struggle that those conflicting messages created. Some of the women of my generation are still “finding themselves” in old age, as they become less concerned about what others think and use the wisdom they’ve gained through the years to put certain things in perspective.

Also, the female protagonists of my other series were all younger than myself, in their thirties or forties when those series started. They are dealing with developing relationships, careers, and whether or not to have children. This time, I wanted to highlight the things that senior citizens tend to focus on—the increasing physical limitations of aging, how to get along with grown children, and, sadly, sometimes adjusting to widowhood.


Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

KL: My favorite character in this series, so far, is the grumpy cat. She’s the protagonist’s sister’s cat, and she’s foisted on the protagonist, Amy, when her sister is killed. Amy starts out disliking the cat; she even calls her Nuisance instead of Misty—her sister’s name for her.

But over the course of the story, Amy realizes there are reasons why the cat is taciturn. And she begins to become attached to the animal. And in Book 2, Nuisance is going to help Amy solve the mystery.


Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series? 

KL: Yes. As I realized I was running out of story ideas for my C.o.P. on the Scene police procedurals (I have two books left to write in that series), I considered retiring completely, as in stop writing fiction. But when I envisioned my life without writing, I became quite bored just thinking about it. That’s when the thought popped up that I could write about what I know best at this stage of my life—old age!


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

KL: While attending my first writers’ conference back in 2011, I was asked a variation of that question by an established author. “Why do you want to get your work published?” (This was after he’d asked me if I was a writer, and I’d stammered out a very hesitant yes.) I thought about his second question for a beat or two, then said, “I have to publish my books. I have no choice. Otherwise, my characters will die a slow death inside my hard drive.”

We writers create these characters and they are like real people to us. But what keeps them alive is having their stories read by others. Every time a reader picks up one of my books and starts reading, she/he is bringing my characters to life again.


Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?

KL: Oh, wow, that’s a tough one. One would be Stephen King, not because of the horror stories he writes; they aren’t really my thing. But because of the book he wrote called On Writing, that was half memoir, half craft book. Reading about his writer’s journey was quite inspiring. I’d love to talk to him in person.

And I’d have to include Sue Grafton and JA Jance, two of my favorite mystery writers.

Plus, my childhood inspiration, Laura Ingalls Wilder. Not because her books were extremely well written—they’re good but not fantastic; they tend to drag in places. And sadly, she reflects the prejudices toward Native Americans that were prevalent at that time. But as a child, reading the stories of her life in that era showed me that I could write my stories. If she could overcome the limitations placed on women during her lifetime, then indeed, I could certainly “do anything I set my mind to.”


Kathy: What are you currently reading? 

KL: I’m on Book 2 in a mystery series about a park ranger in Hawai’i (love that setting), by Tori Eldridge. And I’m also working my way through a series of historical mysteries set in Los Angeles in the 1870s, by Anne Louise Bannon.


Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?

KL: Besides reading, I love games like Mah Jongg and card games. Canasta is my favorite. I also play solitaire online to wind down in the evenings, before watching TV or reading.


Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.

KL: Cheese, Pure Leaf Iced Tea, whole wheat bread, and dark chocolate, not necessarily in order of importance.


Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?

KL: I have ideas for the next two books in the Aging Ain’t for Wimps Mysteries. One is a locked room mystery. And I’m sure other ideas will come to me.

And I’m also working on Book 7 in the police procedural series. It’s a Halloween novella titled The Night of the Living Bled. I’m almost finished the first draft of that book.


Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?

KL: Editing! I love seeing a first draft slowly turn into a polished story. Getting all the rough edges sanded off and such, until the story is all shiny and as perfect as I can get it.

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Review 

TROUBLED WATER by Kassandra Lamb
The First Aging Ain't for Wimps Mystery 

Amy Parker's seventy-first birthday was off to a good start. Her husband, Charles, had given her a new dishwasher and was going to prepare her a steak dinner, even though she would have preferred shrimp. Unfortunately, her birthday dinner never happened as Charles never woke up from his nap. While his death was bad enough, even worse was the arrival of her bossy older sister, Clara, laden down with baggage and her cat! Before Amy could wring Clara's neck she found her dead body. And this time, it wasn't natural causes. Not too many people would shed a tear over Clara's death, but who would actually want to kill her? With two funerals to plan, an unexpected visitor who could change everything she thought about the past, and someone trying to kill her, Amy's seventy-first year is off to one heck of a start!

TROUBLED WATER looks at relationships and perceptions.Sometimes it's just easier to give in, to avoid the argument, make the loved one happy, and keep the peace, but as Amy Parker turns seventy one she begins to realize just how controlling her husband and sister were. She also realizes she's free to do exactly what she wants now, including having shrimp for dinner.

I really enjoyed the first Aging Ain't for Wimps Mystery. I really like Amy, despite her not being a cat person. I found all of the characters engaging, the mystery intriguing, and the themes important. There were plenty of surprises and I appreciated the balance between dealing with all of the changes in her life and considering a murder. For at first Amy wasn't investigating, until the killer set their eyes on her. I love how she brought Brent into her search for the truth and I appreciate their relationship. Even when they disagreed, they had each other's back. Of course, I love Misty.

Smart and funny with important subtext TROUBLED WATER provides an entertaining start to a new mystery series.

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 Troubled Water: An Aging Ain't for Wimps Mystery by Kassandra Lamb

About Troubled Water 

Troubled Water: An Aging Ain't for Wimps Mystery
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - Northern Florida
Publisher: ‎ Misterio Press LLC
Publication Date: ‎ July 28, 2026 Digital Paperbacks will be available too!

What does it say about you when your coming-of-age story begins at seventy-one? Amy Bridges Parker asks herself that question as she resists her domineering sister’s attempts to take over where her subtly controlling and recently deceased husband left off. Then her sister Clara turns up dead! And a young man claiming to be the grandson of Amy’s first husband—the one who died in Vietnam fifty-two years ago—gives the sheriff a prime suspect. The boy had a grudge and must have gone after the wrong sister. Amy isn’t convinced. She can’t really explain why, but she likes the young man. And she knows better than most that her sister, a mean girl back in high school, had plenty of old enemies. But who hated Clara enough to actually kill her? Or did the killer get the wrong sister after all?

About Kassandra Lamb

Kassandra Lamb has two loves: writing and psychology. In her youth, she discovered that writers need day jobs in order to eat. Partial to food, she studied psychology. Now retired from a career as a psychotherapist and college professor, she spends most of her time in an alternate universe with her characters. The magic portal to this universe (i.e., her computer) is in Florida, where her husband and dog catch occasional glimpses of her. Kass has authored over 40 books, including four mystery series and a romantic suspense trilogy.

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A Murderer's Guide to Mardi Gras - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

A MURDERER'S GUIDE TO MARDI GRAS by Ellen Byron
The Fifth Vintage Cookbook Mystery 

It's Mardi Gras season in New Orleans and that means it's time to party! Ricki James-Diaz is especially excited as this will be her first season celebrating as an adult. Not only that, her boyfriend, Virgil, is this year's king of the krewe of Chew and so she and her Bon Vee friends will be right in the midst of the action. What Ricki didn't realize was the time commitment involved, not only with krewe of Chew, but the myriad of other krewes, parades, and activities. Not to mention the cost! All this socializing gains Ricki some new friends, notably Jessica Fortier, whose husband, Jax, is captain of the krewe of Chew. After a krewe event that featured Jessica in a physical fight with Jax's mistress Jax is found dead. The spouse is always a suspect, especially after such a public altercation, so Jessica asks Ricki to look into things, after all, this isn't Ricki's first murder. But with a new detective on the case Ricki finds herself persona non grata. Will she solve another murder and survive Mardi Gras season?

A MURDERER'S GUIDE TO MARDI GRAS made me long to visit New Orleans and even contemplate a trip to enjoy the Mardi Gras revelry in person. The descriptions were so lush, with exquisite detail I felt transported. Since I don't like crowds I'm happy to enjoy the festivities vicariously. In addition to the environment, I enjoy hanging out with Ricki and her friends. Funny, quirky, each with a good heart, they're a joy to spend time with, even if that time is in a book. Of course, there's drama too with Virgil's ex back on the scene, mean girls, and murder!

An exquisitely plotted mystery with the backdrop of Mardi Gras makes A MURDERER'S GUIDE TO MARDI GRAS an absolute delight. Grab some king cake and settle in for the fun of the fifth Vintage Cookbook Mystery.

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About A Murderer's Guide to Mardi Gras

A Murderer's Guide to Mardi Gras (Vintage Cookbook Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery 5th in Series
Setting - Louisiana
Publisher: ‎ Severn House
Publication Date: ‎ August 4, 2026
Print Length: ‎ 240 pages 

It's cozy. It's culinary. It's Mardi Gras madness! It's the fifth book in this fabulous mystery series with a vintage flair from USA Today-bestselling and Agatha Award–winning author Ellen Byron.

Step 1: join a killer krewe

It’s carnival season in New Orleans, and Ricki James-Diaz and her friends from Bon Vee are dressing up for Mardi Gras. They’ve joined the notorious krewe of Chew to support Ricki’s chef boyfriend, Virgil, who is to be crowned this year’s king. It’s all fun, throws, and over-the-top outfits until the krewe’s captain is found strangled with his own medallion.

Step 2: survive the festivities

The prime suspect is Ricki’s friend, the deceased’s wife who discovered he was cheating on her. It seems a straightforward case, but Ricki isn’t so sure. The krewe’s leader had many enemies including his mistress, his krewe co-founder who he ousted, and his college friend whose girlfriend he stole. One thing’s clear, Ricki’s at the center of yet another murder investigation. And if she’s not careful, her first Mardi Gras could also be her last . . .

Perfect for fans of Joanne Fluke, these delightful mysteries bring New Orleans to life with fun characters and delicious recipes. This series is a must-read for culinary cozy lovers!

About Ellen Byron

Ellen is a bestselling author, Anthony nominee, and recipient of multiple Agatha and Lefty awards for her Cajun Country Mysteries, Vintage Cookbook Mysteries, Catering Hall Mysteries (as Maria DiRico), and Golden Motel Mysteries. She is also an award-winning playwright and non-award-winning writer of TV hits like Wings, Just Shoot Me, and Fairly OddParents, but considers her most impressive achievement working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart.

A native New Yorker, Ellen is a graduate of Tulane University and lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband, daughter, and a rotating crew of rescue pups. Visit her at http://www.ellenbyron.com/.

Author Links: 

Newsletter: https://www.ellenbyron.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellenbyronauthor/ https://www.facebook.com/CateringHallMysteries/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenbyronmariadirico/  

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ellen-byron https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maria-dirico

Goodreads: Ellen Byron (Author of Plantation Shudders) | Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19130966.Maria_DiRico  

Purchase Links – Amazon –Bookshop.org – B&N – Hudson Books –

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