French Quarter Fright Night - A Guest Post & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome  Ricki James-Diaz to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Ricki on the pages of the Vintage Cookbook Mystery series. FRENCH QUARTER FRIGHT NIGHT is the third book in the series and was released earlier this month.

Hi, Ricki James-Diaz here, proprietor of Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbook and Kitchenware Shop in Bon Vee Culinary Museum, the largest mansion in New Orleans’ Garden District. I recently left Los Angeles and moved to NOLA, the city where I was born and lived until I was eight years old. I’ve given my life a jumpstart by fulfilling my dream of creating a store for people who share my fascination with cookbooks and kitchenware from past decades.

Why do I need to jumpstart my life, you ask? Well, I made some questionable choices in Los Angeles, like impulsively marrying a struggling, self-involved actor. With his career – and as it turned out, our relationship - going nowhere, Chris started filming dumb stunts and posting them on the internet. He took the name Chris-azy!, and suddenly became an internet star. Sadly, while doing the Marshmallow Challenge where the goal was to see how many marshmallows he could stuff in his mouth, he choked on one and passed away. We were separated but not divorced, which has led to my current status as a twenty-eight-year-old “young widow,” a term I’ve come to hate, along with the sort of patronizing tone people in people’s voices when they use it.

But my goal is to keep moving forward and I’m doing exactly that here in New Orleans. I’m co-parenting two adopted doggies with Virgil Morel, the extremely handsome former chef and current judge on America’s Next Top Southern Chef, who lives across the street from me and I happen to be dating; a couple of murders that involved Bon Vee haven’t stunted my shop’s success, thank goodness; and it’s Halloween in New Orleans! I haven’t celebrated here since I was a kid. I had the idea of turning Bon Vee into a haunted house at night, which the whole staff is incredibly excited about. The only problem is our nasty new neighbor next door, Miranda Fine. She’s the assistant to some actor who bought the house on a whim, it seems.

Oh no… oh no!

I just found out exactly who that actor is: Blaine Taggart, my late husband’s best friend and the man I consider responsible for Chris’s death. He’s the one who talked Chris into doing the stupid internet stunt that killed him. I thought Blaine was out of my life forever, and now he’s our neighbor? My life just got much more complicated.

But not as complicated as life for everyone here at Bon Vee is about to get.

We just discovered that the dummy in the prop tomb on our Haunted House tour isn’t a dummy. It’s the body of Miranda Fine. And it looks like her death was no accident. She was murdered.. And even though New Orleans proudly bills itself as “The most haunted city in America,” I’m guessing the killer wasn’t a ghost.

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Review

FRENCH QUARTER FRIGHT NIGHT by Ellen Byron
The Third Vintage Cookbook Mystery

New Orleans loves a holiday and it’s going all out for Halloween. With a multitude of activities all over town Ricki James-Diaz and her co-workers decide to get in on the action by transforming the Bon Vee  Culinary House Museum into a haunted house with tableaus inside the mansion and an old shed turned into a crypt outside. During the dress rehearsal the staff are shocked to find a real dead body inside the crypt. The victim happens to be the insufferable assistant of their new next door neighbor, the same woman making their lives a misery. With the New Orleans Police Department beyond busy with all of the Halloween happenings and since pretty much everyone at Bon Vee is a suspect it only makes sense they work together once again to solve yet another murder at their property.

Ricki's LA past comes back to haunt her in the third Vintage Cookbook Mystery. While preparing for her first Halloween in New Orleans since childhood she has to deal with neighbors causing problems and ultimately comes face to face with a person from her past she'd rather exorcise from her life. Add murder to the mix as well as hints to her own family mystery and it's another challenging time for Ricki James-Diaz.

I love Halloween and I really enjoyed seeing how the people of New Orleans and the characters of the Vintage Cookbook Mystery series celebrate. The matching costumes of Benny and Jenny, detailed descriptions of decorations, and the camaraderie of friends celebrating make me want to spend Halloween with them in the Big Easy.

I really enjoyed not only the mystery, but how Ricki and her co-workers investigate; working together, albeit with different methods. I appreciate how Ricki deals with disappointment in regards to her investigatory work and her relationships. I also liked learning more about Nina and seeing how she keeps Ricki on her toes. And, of course, I love the addition of Red.

Combining the celebratory atmosphere of New Orleans with a well plotted mystery FRENCH QUARTER FRIGHT NIGHT is the perfect mystery read to get you into the Halloween spirit!

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 French Quarter Fright Night (Vintage Cookbook) by Ellen Byron

About French Quarter Fright Night

French Quarter Fright Night (Vintage Cookbook)
Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series
Setting - the Garden District of New Orleans
Publisher: ‎ Severn House (September 3, 2024)
Hardcover: ‎ 256 pages

The third in the fabulous cozy mystery series with a vintage flair from USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award-winning author Ellen Byron.

Welcome to the Bon Veeevil Festival of Fear! Prepare for the spookiest night of your life . . .

It's Halloween in New Orleans, and the staff of Bon Vee Culinary House Museum is setting up a fantastic haunted house tour for their visitors. But when flashy movie star Blaine Taggart and his entourage move into the mansion next door, gift shop proprietor Ricki James-Diaz gets a fright of her own.

While Ricki is excited about the potential business the tours will bring to her vintage cookbook shop, she's less thrilled by former friend Blaine's arrival in town. Then Bon Vee's prop tomb becomes a real tomb for Blaine's nasty assistant, and suddenly everyone at Bon Vee is a murder suspect. There isn't a ghost of a chance one of them committed the crime, but with NOPD busy tackling the mischief and mayhem generated by the spooky holiday, it falls on Ricki and her friends to catch the killer.

As the Big Easy gears up for the Big Scary, it seems everyone has skeletons in their closets. Can Ricki reveal the shadowy killer before someone else becomes part of the Halloween horror show?

About Ellen Byron

 

Ellen is a USA Today bestselling author, Anthony nominee, and recipient of multiple Agatha and Lefty awards for her Cajun Country Mysteries, Vintage Cookbook Mysteries, and Catering Hall Mysteries (as Maria DiRico). Her new series, The Golden Motel Mysteries, recently debuted. 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. Visit her at Cozy Mysteries | Ellen Byron | Author  

Author Links:

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A Poisonous Palate - A Review

 Review

A POISONOUS PALATE by Lucy Burdette
The Fourteenth Key West Food Critic Mystery 

 

An e-mail asking Hayley Snow to look into a cold case of a missing person piques her curiosity. In the late 1970s Catherine Davitt and her friend, Victoria, left Michigan on a whim and wound up in a quasi commune in Big Pine Key. Victoria disappeared, never to be heard from again. Catherine has returned to the Keys to research Hemingway and his wives for her latest book on toxic love and decided to try, once again, to discover what happened to her friend. Cautious, nonetheless Hayley is intrigued and decided to help. How dangerous could it be, plus she could broaden her restaurant review range outside of Key West. Unfortunately, when the pair visit the hotel owned by one of the men in the group, they find him murdered. Perhaps this cold case isn't quite so cold!

 

I love a cold case and a very interesting one is presented in the fourteenth Key West Food Critic Mystery. I also like the fact that it gives Hayley an opportunity to investigate something without much danger, at least to start. What harm could come from looking into a missing person's case from thirty years prior? Unfortunately, a lot. Catherine's journal entries from 1978 gave a much needed look into the past, making Victoria more real. I appreciated Hayley's skeptical approach and the fact that she didn't automatically trust Catherine. I also liked how she managed to tie in her work as a food critic into her investigation. And of course, I really enjoyed the delectable food descriptions.

What I found most interesting was the unreliable narrator aspect of the book. While Hayley is the actual narrator and quite reliable, Catherine certainly isn't. Her story and behavior is suspect, indeed her whole demeanor is questionable, facts that kept me intrigued.

It was fascinating how the toxic relationships of the people involved in the commune dovetailed with the relationships Hemingway had with his wives. Indeed toxic love is the theme, not only for Catherine's new book, but A POISONOUS PALATE as well.

Grab some crab cakes with avocado and mango salsa or perhaps some profiteroles and prepare to be entertained as A POISONOUS PALATE heats up a cold case in this absorbing Key West mystery.

Currently Reading...

I am currently reading French Quarter Fright Night by Ellen Byron. This book is the third book in the Vintage Cookbook Mystery series and was released last week.

New Orleans loves a holiday and it’s going all out for Halloween. With a multitude of activities all over town Ricki James-Diaz and her co-workers decide to get in on the action by transforming the Bon Vee  Culinary House Museum into a haunted house with tableaus inside the mansion and an old shed turned into a crypt outside. During the dress rehearsal the staff are shocked to find a real dead body inside the crypt. The victim happens to be the insufferable assistant of their new next door neighbor, the same woman making their lives a misery. With the New Orleans Police Department beyond busy with all of the Halloween happenings and since pretty much everyone at Bon Vee is a suspect it only makes sense they work together once again to solve yet another murder at their property.

Poison in Piccadilly - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a new release that's on my TBR pile. Poison in Piccadilly by Kelly Oliver is the sixth book in the Fiona Figg and Kitty Lane Mystery series. It will be released September 14, 2024.

 Blurb:

1918 London

Is Fiona Figg ready to exchange her sleuthing cap for a bridal veil?

Fiona is set to tie the knot with her dashing flyboy, Archie Somersby. But, while Fiona is busy planning her happily ever after, side-kick Kitty Lane and a group of judo-chopping suffragettes are kicking up trouble at the Piccadilly Jujitsu Club.

When Kitty is found unconscious in the locker room during a high-stakes competition, Fiona must forsake her bouquets and bridal gown to investigate. Her sleuthing leads to a posh lady's luncheon where a mysterious death crashes Fiona's wedding plans.

To make matters worse, the arch-nemesis of all things matrimonial, Fredrick Fredricks is up to his old tricks, attempting to put the brakes on Fiona's journey down the aisle. Will he succeed in tripping up Fiona's wedding vows? Or will she finally say "I don't" to the charming devil?

With humor as sharp as a judo chop and suspense as tight as a wedding corset, Poison in Piccadilly invites you to matrimonial mayhem that will have you saying "I do" to laughter and "forever more" to page-turning suspense.

The book features real life suffragettes Sylvia Pankhurst and her bodyguards trained by Edith Garrud, who taught them jujitsu, which became known as Suffrajitsu.

Buried on a Sundae - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

BURIED ON A SUNDAE by Lena Gregory
The Fourth Coffee & Cream Café Mystery

Danika Delaney is attempting her third date with the dishy Detective Jake Barlow. After all, third time's the charm, right? Unfortunately, after a misstep on her part, he bails after a call from another woman. To lift her spirits she, Gwen, and Eli head for a night out at a popular new hot spot. But instead of  a fun night of drinks and dancing with friends she sees Jake cozying up to the owner's wife. Is he two, or even three timing her? Things get even worse when Danika finds a body in the sand. Could Jake not only be a cheat, but a dirty cop? He certainly couldn't be a murderer. Could he? Dani and her pals put their sleuthing hats on once more to get to the bottom of things. And Dani will hope against hope that it isn't three strikes you're out.  

Secrets, infidelity, dirty cops, and a crime boss come together to turn Dani's life upside down in the fourth Coffee & Cream Café Mystery. What I like best about this series is the humor. Days after finishing the book I still found myself smiling at the antics of Dani and her Scooby gang. But BURIED ON A SUNDAE is not just a funny story, there's a compelling mystery too. With lots of moving parts it was fascinating uncovering the clues to ultimately find the killer. 

What really makes the book special, however, are the characters. From the creepy Reggie to the intriguing club owner/crime boss, all of the players have incredible depth, even those whose roles are not that big. The heart of the series is Dani and her friends and family. From Uncle Jimmie who's always there to help, the smart, but incredibly klutzy Eli, the stalwart best friend Gwen, and Danika, a fiercely loyal and loving friend whose Coffee & Cream Café brings everyone together.

While BURIED ON A SUNDAE is one mishap after another for Dani, it remains a heartwarming story of trust. Laugh out loud funny yet heartfelt, BURIED ON A SUNDAE is an absolute delight!

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 Buried on a Sundae (Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries) by Lena Gregory

About Buried on a Sundae 

Buried on a Sundae (Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery 4th in Series
Setting - Long Island, NY
Publisher: ‎ Gemma Halliday Publishing (August 27, 2024)
Digital: Number of Pages 225

From author Lena Gregory comes a delicious new mystery...

Things have been looking up for Danika Delany's business—her uncle's old fashioned malt shop on eastern Long Island. But for her love life? Not so much. After a disastrous date with Detective Jake Barlow, Danika lets her best friends, Gwen and Eli, talk her into a night out at the hottest new nightclub in town. Only, while there, Dani finds her sort-of boyfriend secreted in the shadows on the beach behind the club with crime boss Patrick Johansen’s wife, Angelique! An upset Dani leaves without giving Jake a chance to explain, but when he doesn’t get in touch the next day, she takes a long walk along the beach to reevaluate her love life. That's where she suddenly stumbles across Angelique’s body buried in the dunes near where she last saw her with Jake. Sure that Jake is innocent—of murder at least—Danika and her friends set out to prove Jake had nothing to do with her murder and stop a killer...before they strike again!

About Lena Gregory

Lena Gregory is the author of the Bay Island Psychic Mysteries, which take place on a small island between the north and south forks of Long Island, New York, the All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries, which are set on the outskirts of Florida’s Ocala National Forest, the Mini-Meadows Mysteries, set in a community of tiny homes in Central Florida, and the Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries, which take place in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, New York.

Lena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, but she recently traded in cold, damp, gray winters for the warmth and sunshine of central Florida, where she now lives with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, and walking. Her love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night. She works full-time as a writer and a freelance editor and is a member of Sisters in Crime.

Author Links

• Newsletter: http://lenagregory.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9765d0711ed4fab4fa31b16ac&id=49d42335d1.
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Chaos at the Lazy Bones Bookshop - A Review

Review

CHAOS AT THE LAZY BONES BOOKSHOP by Emmeline Duncan
The First Halloween Bookshop Mystery

Capitalizing on the fact that an iconic Halloween movie was once filmed there Elyan Hollow has transformed itself into a year round Halloween themed town with shops such as Elyan's Mortuary and Deli Bottle Shop, Ghostly Gouda, and Baily Briggs' own Lazy Bones Books. Taking the reins of the family bookshop Bailey is spearheading the town's first literary festival, part of the town's popular Halloween festival. After a ghost hunting team wreaks havoc in her shop and her main speaker misses his first event Bailey needs to cool off. But instead of calm in the midst of the pumpkin maze she finds a dead body. As Bailey becomes a suspect she has to wonder, will her first literary festival be her last?

Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year, with cooler temperatures and all things spooky. Add a literary festival to a Halloween themed town and you can count me in! Bailey and her best friend Colby made a great first impression and there were also characters you loved to hate in Taylor and Hudson, people just looking to cause trouble. I liked how issues from the past resurfaced, including the mystery of Bailey's dad. The first Halloween Bookshop Mystery sets readers up for lots of interesting adventures to come.

A complex mystery, a unique Halloween setting, and a background of books make a fun start to a new series.

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Buried on a Sundae by Lena Gregory. This book is the fourth in the Coffee & Cream Café Mystery series and was released last month.

Danika Delaney is attempting her third date with the dishy Detective Jake Barlow. After all, third time's the charm, right? Unfortunately, after a misstep on her part, he bails after a call from another woman. To lift her spirits she, Gwen, and Eli head for a night out at a popular new hot spot. But instead of  a fun night of drinks and dancing with friends she sees Jake cozying up to the owner's wife. Is he two, or even three timing her? Things get even worse when Danika finds a body in the sand. Could Jake not only be a cheat, but a dirty cop? He certainly couldn't be a murderer. Could he? Dani and her pals have their sleuthing hats on once more to get to the bottom of things. And Dani will hope against hope that it isn't three strikes you're out.

The Poseidon Project - An Interview & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome E. William Podojil to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Bill writes the Herb Society Mystery series. The Poseidon Project is the first book in the series and was released last month.

Kathy: Molly Halloran has her bucolic retirement upended. Do you hope to have a peaceful retirement, one filled with adventure, or one somewhere in between?

Bill: I hope my retirement is filled with good health first and foremost, and lots of travel to places I’ve never visited. At this point, I hope to be able to continue my writing, as well as work on other projects. I plan to stay as busy as I can be and focus on crafting stories that captivate. I rarely watch television and get my escape through novels and hope I can give stories to other readers.


Kathy: In The Poseidon Project Molly and her friends have to race against the clock and travel halfway around the world to meet kidnappers’ demands. Hopefully you've never had to deal with kidnappers, but have you traveled around the world? Where are your favorite places to visit?

Bill: According to a major US airline that I’ve flown for most of my career, I have traveled about ninety times around the world in terms of my two million flight miles I’ve accumulated. I have been to every continent except Antarctica and over sixty-five countries. I lived in Europe for over a decade so that afforded me the opportunities to see so much. Favorite places so far have been French Polynesia, Peru, Italy, Greece, Vietnam, New Zealand and South Africa.


Kathy: What first drew you to thrillers?

Bill: Since I began reading, I’ve been pulled in by stories that involve suspense and mysteries. I always like to guess who or what the antagonist will be, plus any twists in the plot.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

Bill: I am working on a fictional biography/memoir about a very old character who looks back over his life, but somehow I turned that into a mystery without even trying. My stories have interpersonal relationships, romance, comedy, tragedy and things like that, but ultimately I end up back into mystery and suspense mode at least for part of it.


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

Bill: The Herb Society Mysteries is a series that features four retired friends who share a secret past and use their skills to solve a challenge. Joining the four women are two men who meet in book one and become romantically involved and help the four women solve their challenges. I have just submitted book 2 that involves aspects from book 1, but is a stand-alone story. My goal is to have a link between each of the books (characters, plots, bad-guys, etc.) but still work together. Through these stories, the characters evolve, change and experience many ups and downs just like in life.


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

Bill: My favorite character is Lukas Halloran, who is a secondary protagonist and son of one of the Herb Society women. I like Lukas because he’s handsome, rich extremely smart at technology and has a lifestyle many people envy, but deep down he still sees himself as the nerdy, awkward neurotic kid he was growing up. He analyzes everything, sometimes to his detriment, and uses logic over emotions most of the time. But when he uses emotions and falls in love with Taylor, he’s all-in, even though he doesn’t understand logically what that means.


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

Bill: My mom and her group of friends inspired the storyline. They are all former teachers who have had amazing careers, travels and interests. They still get together regularly, are active and still travel. One time I talked with the group and was amazed at all the things these women had accomplished individually and collectively and it inspired me to show how inside every retired or elderly person, is a collection of wild stories, adventures and memories. 

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

Bill: Well, like most authors, I sent out query letters and got a couple of responses back. When I signed the contract with the Wild Rose Press, they helped me edit and improve the story with their great team of artists, editors and professionals. They have been wonderful partners in bringing the story and series to life.


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

Bill: James Michener, Madeline Miller, Douglas Stuart and John Boyne would be at my dinner table. Each of these writers have written stories where I became completely immersed in the location, the time period and the culture in which the stories take place.


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

Bill: I am currently reading Hombrecito by Santiago Jose Sanchez


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

Bill: Travel is obviously something I love and especially learning about the place I’m visiting. Not just things to see, but customs, ghost stories, legends, historical events, food and things that make a place real. I also love to hike, work in my gardens and write.


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

Bill: Coke Zero, Sparkling Water, Espresso beans, eggs and good bread


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

Bill: I have three books minimum planned for the Herb Society Mysteries series, but if the books are well-received, I’ve got plenty of adventures I can write about for the series. My fictional biography is something I work on occasionally. Finally, I want to write a story about my three sons, all of whom were adopted internationally. We know next to nothing about their biological families since they were given up for adoption at birth. Two of my boys are from Guatemala and one is from Vietnam - three brothers born thousands of miles apart and how they grow up to be men with families of their own. In real life, they are young adults now and their own lives are starting to take off, so I’m not sure how I would tell the story. Any ideas anyone?


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

Bill: Storytelling is one of the most effective and human ways to impart information, history and culture. Ultimately, it is entertainment, escape, learning and how the stories, messages and words resonate with the reader. I absolutely love this part of my job.

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 The Poseidon Project (The Herb Society Mysteries) by E William Podojil

About The Poseidon Project

The Poseidon Project (The Herb Society Mysteries)
Mystery- Suspense - Adventure 1st in Series
Setting - Tucson, AZ and Dubai, UAE
Publisher: ‎ Wild Rose Press (August 26, 2024)
Paperback: ‎ 270 pages

Molly Halloran and her friends have a secret past. Their bucolic retirement is suddenly upended when Molly’s husband is abducted and held for a steep ransom. Now she, her friends, her tech executive son, Lukas and his Air Force pilot boyfriend must race against the clock and travel halfway around the world to meet the kidnappers’ demands. But when they learn why her husband has been abducted, they realize how high the stakes truly are. Molly and her friends now must face their past in order to save the future. But not only their futures; the world’s.

About E William Podojil

E. William is an international business executive and novelist. He has traveled extensively and visited over sixty countries while based in Europe and the USA. Podojil works as an executive business advisor, strategist, and coach while also pursuing his love of storytelling and writing. His second novel, The Poseidon Project, will be published in 2024 by The Wild Rose Press and is the first in a series of adventure thrillers. Podojil writes personal, humorous stories of his life and travels with his husband and three sons in his blog at www.ewpodojil.com.

Author Links Website/Blog Facebook Instagram X Threads

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In the Event of Murder - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

IN THE EVENT OF MURDER by Cynthia Kuhn
The Second Starlit Bookshop Mystery 

Everyone in Silvercrest, Colorado is excited for the Silvercrest Library Gala. Emma Stars is preparing for the classic mystery panel to be held at her family's bookstore as part of the event and is excited to attend the gala itself. This year the fundraiser is featuring stars from the popular television series Chasers, including hometown native Whitney Willton. Whitney's niece, Lyra, who also left Silvercrest for Hollywood, is joining her as event planner for the gala and associated events. But excitement turns to tragedy when Lyra is found murdered. However, the show must go on and Emma takes over as the event planner. As she and her nemesis and event chair butt heads, more problems plague the event. Is someone sabotaging the gala? Or targeting the Chasers cast? Emma will do her best to make the event a success as she quietly tries to solve the murder.

I really enjoyed the second Starlit Bookshop Mystery. Emma is a likable protagonist. She's smart, but has a few foibles. I also really like her aunt and sister, even though they have much smaller roles in this story. Meanwhile, Tabitha is the character we love to hate. She's the stereotypical mean girl who continues to believe she's the Queen Bee even as an adult. I admit to some satisfaction seeing her put in her place a few times.

IN THE EVENT OF MURDER is unique in that Lyra's murder is almost secondary to the gala preparation itself. She was murdered and Emma took over her role and the story concentrated on planning and executing the event instead of solving Lyra's murder. 

Despite all the pettiness and character assassinations, there was an element of romance as well. Ryan's transformation of the event space was magical and despite Emma's protestations, there may be romance ahead for her and there's definitely romance for a few other characters!

With Hollywood drama and Colorado common sense, IN THE EVENT OF MURDER is a high spirited mystery of jealousy and ruthless ambition.

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 In the Event of Murder (A Starlit Bookshop Mystery) by Cynthia Kuhn

About In the Event of Murder

In the Event of Murder (A Starlit Bookshop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series
Setting - Colorado
Publisher: ‎ Crooked Lane Books (August 20, 2024)
Hardcover: ‎ 304 pages

It’s the star-studded event of the season in Silvercrest, Colorado—but some of the guests might not make it to the last dance alive in the second charming installment of the Starlit Bookshop mysteries from Agatha Award-winning author Cynthia Kuhn.

Nestled on the banks of a breathtaking Rocky Mountain river and dotted with delightful boutiques and galleries, Silvercrest, Colorado, is a book lover’s paradise. Bookseller and literary event planner Emma Starrs is looking forward to attending the annual Silvercrest Library Gala, a glamorous evening with celebrities including the legendary Whitney Willton, currently on the hit crime show Chasers, and her niece, party-planner-to-the-stars Lyra Willton. Gala Week is full of exciting activities honoring both page and screen, and library board president Tabitha Baxter is basking in the glow of her successful launch—until Lyra is found dead.

With the gala only days away, the board asks Emma for help, despite Tabitha—her longstanding nemesis—bristling over the choice. Emma agrees, even though she is already in charge of a classic mystery panel at her family’s bookstore, Starlit Books, which turns out to have its own challenges. Meanwhile, Whitney, who is aware of Emma’s sleuthing skills, begs her to find the killer. The case grows more complex with the disappearance of several priceless objects, an attack on one of the attending celebrities, and other predicaments. Emma searches for clues while handling every unexpected twist and turn leading up to the extravagant affair. But when the guests step onto the red carpet, a killer still lurks in the shadows—and murder just might become the main event.

About Cynthia Kuhn

Cynthia Kuhn writes the Starlit Bookshop Mysteries, which focus on a bookseller solving crimes in an artistic mountain community, and the Lila Maclean Academic Mysteries, featuring a professor-turned-amateur-sleuth. Her work has also appeared in Mystery Most Diabolical, Mystery Most Edible, McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, Copper Nickel, Prick of the Spindle, Mama PhD, and other publications. For more information, please visit cynthiakuhn.net.

Author Links: 

Website: https://cynthiakuhn.net 

Blog: http://chicksonthecase.com  

Twitter/X: http://www.twitter.com/cynthiakuhn  

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