A Fatal Waltz - A Review

 Review

A FATAL WALTZ by Kathleen Marple Kalb
The Fifth Ella Shane Mystery 

It's September of 1900 and Ella Shane is back in New York City for her Metropolitan Opera debut, happily living in her townhouse with her new husband, Gil. Life is never quiet for the opera diva and her duke, at least not for long. Gil is asked to look into a decades old dalliance of the Prince of Wales which just may upset the entire line of succession. Add to that the prospect of blackmail when their good friend Paul is taken by police from a house of ill repute, a house run by his sister...when his only sibling is a brother. Whether as an opera diva, a duchess, or disguised as her cousin's younger brother, Ella will dive headlong into any investigation to help those who matter to her. Will it be enough? 

The Ella Shane mysteries have it all, compelling characters, a touch of humor, a little romance, all combined in a well crafted mystery. I like how Ella and Gil maintain their separate identities, even investigating separate issues, yet come together to assist each other and make an even better team. Raw emotion will tug at your heartstrings, while other situations will have you giggling. I love Ella as Eddie and I admit Connor does make me swoon a bit.

I also appreciate historical mysteries that touch on pertinent issues in today's world. In A FATAL WALTZ we meet a transgender character. This addition does not try to force modern day issues into the past, it simply acknowledges a timeless truth, and highlights it with historical accuracy and a unique storyline.

Nefarious characters will challenge our friends in A FATAL WALTZ, a beguiling tale with intersecting mysteries that will keep you guessing.

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Shudder Pulp by Vanessa Westermann. This book is the second in the Charley Scott Mystery series and was released earlier this month.

As autumn turns ever closer to Halloween things are getting spooky in Oakcrest. Inspired by the legend of the local lake monster Charley Scott is turning her art gallery into an immersive event; a terrifying one at that. When Laura bursts in drenched saying she's been attacked by the lake monster and that it's Charley's fault, Charley is stunned. But she's more stunned when Laura's body is found dead near her brother's marina a few hours later. In her short time in town Laura managed to anger a multitude of people, but who would want to kill her? With Charley's relationship with chocolatier Matt Thorn intensifying the two will begin to investigate. But secrets are even more dangerous than lake monsters and may just destroy them.

The Sketchy Christmas Tree - An Interview, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Lucy Carol to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Lucy writes the Cozy Mystery Holiday series. THE SKETCHY CHRISTMAS TREE is the first book in the series and was released last month.

 

Kathy: THE SKETCHY CHRISTMAS TREE is told from the point of view of Sir Percival, who happens to be a cat. Why choose to have a cat as your protagonist instead of a human? 

LC: It’s because my real life cat, also named Sir Percival, inspired me. My Sir Percival loves to lay across my forearms while my hands are typing out my current story, although, he’s too heavy to allow it for more than a few minutes. He’s adorable and a complete clown. But when he goes into imaginary playtime, he wildly zooms back and forth like a crazed superhero on a desperate mission to save the day. I often wondered if he had an inner story that he was playing out. I was so charmed by the notion that he’s playing pretend, I got the idea to write out some murder mysteries, and use him as the detective who figures it out, and saves everyone! I’m sure he would love it if he could read. Lol!

Kathy: The town of Bisque, in particular Sir Percival's neighborhood, is a close knit community. I love the whole concept of a neighborhood Christmas party. Did you ever live in a neighborhood like this? Would you like to? 

LC: Yes, I’ve been lucky enough to have experienced that, years ago. And one year we were the ones to host it. There was so much food! Everyone brought something, and I had set up the table with make-your-own cocktail spirits, and wine. Quickly the table was loaded down with holiday foods and cheer. Our small house was so packed with people I could barely get to the dining table to swap out an empty tray of hors d’oeuvres for a new tray of fresh from the oven goodies. And yes, I had to look up proper spelling of hors d’oeuvres just now, haha. Conversations from every corner blended in with Christmas music, and I could hear laughter throughout the house. It was madness, but I loved every minute of it.

Kathy: I love Sir. Percival's attitude toward the sketchy Christmas tree as well as other sketchy trees. While my other cats don't mind plants and my Mystic doesn't bother the Christmas tree he makes it so I am unable to have houseplants anymore. Sigh. Are you able to have plants and cats? 

LC: No, and I share your sigh! I love plants and flowers, but Sir Percival chews on them the moment my back is turned. I had a beautiful bouquet in a vase of water, sitting on my desk. Sir Percival likes to nap on my desk while I write. He was showing marvelous restraint, ignoring the flowers and falling asleep. So I felt safe to run into the other room to refill my coffee. And … you guessed it … when I got back the vase was on it’s side, water all over the desk, and a flower in Sir Percival’s mouth. No more bouquets. If someone sends me one, I put it right outside my sliding glass door so I can still see it every day.

Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries? 

LC: I started reading kid’s mysteries when I was about seven years old. I always had my nose in a book. My tastes obviously changed as I grew older, but I grew to miss the simplicity of those childhood books. I eventually realized that the cozy mystery genre is more gentle, like those earlier books, but more complex for an adult mind. I read Agatha Christie and Janet Evanovich, and enjoyed those kinds of stories.

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres? 

LC: I do. Mostly fantasy romance. I hope to publish in that genre.

Kathy: Tell us about your series.  

LC: In the whimsical small town of Bisque, filled with fur babies and friendly faces, the unthinkable can still happen, and somewhere a body drops. But also in Bisque, Sir Percival, a dapper cat detective with a gentleman’s code, stands sentinel. THE SKETCHY CHRISTMAS TREE is the first in a series of novellas that each have a different holiday theme.

I also write the Madison Cruz Mystery series. This series has a young woman sleuth, and a romantic side story that arcs over the course of the series. Madison is an actress, her mother is FBI, her grandmother is ex-KGB, and I have a blast writing the dialogue dynamics of this trio. It has over a thousand positive reviews and ratings. There are currently 6 books in that series. I’m considering marrying her off to her love interest, and starting a new series with them as a married couple. So much trouble and fun to get into together! Full disclosure: Clean words, no gore, violence is pretty mild. This series is technically a cozy mystery series, but there are moments when it’s barely a cozy due to the mildly steamy nature of Madison gradually falling in love. The sex is kept behind closed doors, with details left to your imagination.


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

LC: Right now, it’s Sir Percival! I’m having so much fun trying to see the world through the eyes of a brilliant cat detective who has to sneak out of the house to go investigate his latest case. I can’t wait for you to see what he gets into next.

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

LC: Agatha Christie for cozy mystery, and Sarah J. Maas for fantasy. And I’d bet those two would get along great.

Kathy: What are you currently reading? 

LC: Currently I’m reading TWO TWISTED CROWNS by Rachel Gillig. She’s a new-to-me fantasy romance author. I should probably invite her to dinner too!

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

LC: Right now I’m so busy with my gardening hobby, I’m sore every day, lol. I’m planting a lot more vegetables and flowers than usual. I also love jigsaw puzzles, and of course reading. There’s never enough time in a day for all the books.

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

LC: In the fridge there’s always half & half for my coffee, and butter for the popcorn. In the pantry there is always pasta to cook on a moment’s notice, and jars of marinara or alfredo sauces. This is making me hungry!

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

LC: Yes, and yes!

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

LC: Letting my imagination run amok!

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Review

THE SKETCHY CHRISTMAS TREE by Lucy Carol
The First Cozy Mystery Holiday

Brook and Theo Potter live a quiet and unassuming life in the quaint town of Bisque. They believe that their cat, Sir Percival, only goes outside with them in a wheeled cat carrier. Sir Percival has other ideas. You see he is a suave feline with a nose for detection. He also has a way to get outdoors to investigate when the needs arises and the night after a shifty tree arrives in his house, the need arose. Now Sir Percival will require the assistance of a new canine friend to solve a mystery and protect a neighbor.

THE SKETCHY CHRISTMAS TREE is an extraordinarily fast read. Both fast paced and short you could easily finish it in one sitting. Despite that, there is solid character development, especially with Sir Percival and Fidget. I love Sir Percival, a cat through and through he's stylish, good looking, and knows his worth. He had me laughing with his ability to be distracted, his thoughts about trees, and his method of leaving the house. His humans are a bit silly, but I think that's the point. 

The story was well crafted with multiple mysteries to muddy the waters. I appreciated how Sir Percival lay out the facts as he knew them to help him, and readers, solve the mysteries. I especially loved the puzzle of the "ghost" as well as its resolution.

THE SKETCHY CHRISTMAS TREE is a quick fun read that brings the joy of community and Christmas together with the help of a smart cat and a cute pup! 

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 The Sketchy Christmas Tree: A Christmas Cozy Mystery (Cozy Mystery Holidays) by Lucy Carol

About The Sketchy Christmas Tree

The Sketchy Christmas Tree: A Christmas Cozy Mystery (Cozy Mystery Holidays)
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - Pacific Northwest
Fevered Publishing (April 22, 2025)
Print length: ‎ 109 pages

Out on a limb for a killer!

In the whimsical small town of Bisque, filled with fur babies and friendly faces, lives a dapper cat detective, Sir Percival. With his keen intellect, a flair for the dramatic (and of course impeccable grooming), he believes he embodies the essence of a gentleman.

One fateful night, all seems well as Christmas lights and glittering snowflakes usher in a peaceful end to the day. But perched atop a towering Christmas tree, Sir Percival's vigilant gaze spots a shadowy intruder lurking near a home down the street! His concern for the spirited little dog who resides there, compels him to embark on a daring nighttime escapade. But the shocking discovery in the little dog's backyard is more than just a mischievous intruder--it's a dead body.

Determined to solve the mystery and protect their humans, Sir Percival enlists the help of his newfound friend, Fidget. Together, they unravel clues that lead them through a web of betrayal, eccentric neighbors, and buried secrets!

About Lucy Carol

Lucy Carol's top priority is to entertain you, and keep you turning pages. She writes mysteries for those who like it fun, fast, and don't mind losing a little sleep. Living and writing in the Pacific Northwest, she loves martinis, flowers, dancing, a good lipstick, and cake.

Author Links: 

Website https://lucycarol.com/  

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lucycarolauthor/  

Purchase Links - Amazon Books 2 Read

 

GET A FREE COPY OF The Sketchy Christmas Tree: A Christmas Cozy Mystery (Cozy Mystery Holidays) by Lucy Carol

Click HERE - Sign up for Lucy Carol's Newsletter and receive your Free Copy!

A Pawsome Summer for Murder - A Guest Post & Giveaway

I'm happy to allow Candie Parker- Hoganto to take over Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Candie on the pages of A Pawsome Summer for Murder by S. A. Kazlo. This book is the seventh in the Samantha Davies Mystery series and was released earlier this month.

Good morning, Candie Parker-Hogan here. And yes, I’m as sweet as my name implies. How’s the weather where you call home? Here, in upstate New York, where I live with my hubby, Mark Hogan, it’s colder than one of my Memaw Parker’s stares when I did something to upset the poor darlin.

Speaking of my dear memaw, she and Grandpop Parker raised me from the time I was five years old, when my parents were killed in an automobile accident, on their farm in Hainted Hollar, Tennessee. I spent my childhood playing in the fields, chasing fireflies, and fishing in the farm’s pond. Because I was orphaned at such a young age. I wasn’t blessed with any siblings but my bestie and cousin, Samantha Davies, would spend the summers with me on our grandparents’ farm. We were practically raised together during those sweet summer days.

About fifteen years ago, after breaking up with fiancé number eleven I moved north to Wings Falls New York to be near Samantha. And no, I am not a hussie. All my ex’s and I have remained good friends over the years. And being the refined Southern Belle that I am, I don’t kiss and tell either.

After I moved north, I was hired as the part-time secretary for the mayor of Wings Falls, Mark Hogan. I had given up trying to find Mr. Right, but couldn’t resist Mark’s charms and finally broke my “no dating” rule and went out with him. Well, one thing led to another, and we finally got hitched. I guess twelve is my lucky number.

I’m not only his secretary but I also write romance novels. My newest one, A Hot Day in Paradise, is doing quite well if I don’t say so myself.

Mark and I live in a big ol’ purple painted Victorian-style home, purple being my favorite color.

We have two pets that share our home—a calico cat named Dixie, and a rescue pup of indeterminate breed named Annie. Since I’m past the baby carriage days, and don’t ask how old I am as a Southern lady never tells her age, Dixie and Annie are our fur babies.

Along with my cousin, Samantha, we are hookers. Now don’t go rolling your eyeballs into your cranium. We are rug hookers. We belong to a group called the Loopy Ladies and love to pull loops of wool and fashion them into beautiful mats and rugs.

Wings Falls, where I live, is near a tourist town, Lake George. During the summer Mark and I battle the vacationers and take advantage of the thirty-two-mile-long lake. We stroll the streets and shoreline, sit by the lake and watch boats sail by. During the Fall we become leaf peepers and view the changing leaf colors of the forests that populate the Adirondack Mountains. Winter is time for skiers, but I’m more of a lodge bunny.

The last thing I’ll tell you about myself is this cousin of mine, Sam, has a nasty habit of pulling me into murder investigations. For some reason she keeps stumbling over dead bodies and I can’t leave her out there to discover who the murderer is all by herself. I mean we’re family and I can’t resist her when she pleads for my help. Could you?

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 A Pawsome Summer For Murder (Samantha Davies Mystery) by S. A. Kazlo

About A Pawsome Summer For Murder

A Pawsome Summer For Murder (Samantha Davies Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 7th in Series
Setting - New York
Publisher: ‎ Adk Foothills Publishing (May 1, 2025)
Paperback: ‎ 218 pages

It's summer in Wings Falls, New York and Samantha Davies is geared up for the annual trout tournament sponsored by Al Gorman, owner of the Sport's Shop. Sam, along with her Southern Belle cousin, Candie Parker-Hogan, are determined to beat the pants off their significant others, Sam's new fiancé, Hank Johnson, a detective on Wings Falls police force and Mark Hogan, Candie's husband. The ladies feel they have a secret weapon-they learned from the best fisherman in Hainted Hollar Tennessee, Grandpop Parker. Sam once won a trophy for the largest fish in the Fins and Tails Fishing Derby. To Sam's surprise instead of reeling in the day's biggest catch, she "hooked" into the body of the town's most vocal activist, Luna Wheeler. Raylene Carrigan, owner of a traveling doggie daycare Sam uses for her lovable dachshund, Porkchop, becomes a prime suspect, when it becomes known Luna tried to shut down the town's doggie park she depends on for the pets in her care. Since Sam has successfully helped solve murders in the past, Raylene begs her for help to prove her innocent. Sam reluctantly agrees but knows her fiancé won't be happy with her involvement in yet another murder case. Determined to help Porkchop's buddy, Sam starts digging for clues only to discover that Luna, with her over-zealous demands to many of the town's businesses to recycle, upset more than a few of her friends. Can Sam land Luna's murderer before she gets 'hooked' by the killer?

About S. A. Kazlo

Syrl, a retired teacher, lives in upstate New York with her husband and two lively dachshunds. She writes the Samantha Davies Mystery series, featuring Samantha Davies and her loveable dachshund, Porkchop. When not writing she is busy hooking, rug hooking that is, and enjoying her family. Her newest book, number seven in the series, A Pawsome Summer For Murder, was released May 1, 2025

Author Links: 

Website – https://www.sakazlo.com/  

Blog – https://www.sakazlo.com/blog  

Twitter-@sakazlo  

Instagram- sakazlo  

Facebook- sakazlo  

LinkedIn- sakazlo  

Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Smashwords – Kobo – Bookshop.org 

 

Murder on the Mississippi - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

 

MURDER ON THE MISSISSIPPI by Erik S. Meyers
The Second Sally Witherspoon Mystery 

Sally Witherspoon is ready for a vacation! After the traumatic events six months prior when her best friend and business partner was murdered Sally is ready to leave her biker bar in the Ozarks in capable hands and take a cruise down the Mississippi. The boat tour is an intimate affair with only eight other passengers and a small crew. Perhaps its the bartender in her, but Sally is keen to learn more about her shipmates as well as the crew. Truth be told, she misses investigating murder. When Jim, one of the least likable of the group, declares his seafood allergy then appears to die from anaphylactic shock Sally is eager to investigate. Will her questions be seen as helpful or will Sally find herself on the wrong side of the police...and a killer?

I like Sally and the idea of taking her away from Berry Springs. I also appreciated the concept of her riverboat cruise, the hidden history tour. However, I didn't care for this traveling Sally. She seemed so ingratiating, wanting so much to get to know people she appeared more socially awkward and annoying. Even more so as she strove to prove she could help solve the murder. The people she wanted to be friends with on the tour were even worse, especially the "influencer" who seemed to only speak in shrieks or squeals. 

The murder was complex, even in its method and the investigation unique. I enjoyed how Sally gathered a team to help her. There were some astonishing twists and surprises, though when finally revealed I thought the motive a bit weak for everything that was done. It made for quite an exciting ending though!

With an unusual set of characters MURDER ON THE MISSISSIPPI touches on societal issues even as it entertains. I look forward to seeing Sally back in the Ozarks, certain that she will soon find a new mystery to solve.

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MURDER ON THE MISSISSIPPI

by Erik S. Meyers

April 28 – May 16, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

 

Amazon | Goodreads

THE SALLY WITHERSPOON MYSTERY SERIES

 

Six months after the events in Death in the Ozarks, Sally Witherspoon is trying to put that terrible time behind her. She books a river cruise down the Mississippi to get away and relax.

Unfortunately relaxation is not to be as as she's called on to get to the bottom of a mysterious death that occurs on board.

A combination of Cheers bartender and Miss Marple, Sally Witherspoon is as determined as ever to solve it.

Praise for Murder On The Mississippi:

"An enjoyable, but deadly cruise down the Mississippi that will keep you in suspense from start to finish! A relaxing trip down the river that turns into a nightmare for main character Sally Witherspoon is a delightful mystery for readers... Lots of twists make for an entertaining read. And like Sally, once it’s over, I’m ready for the next adventure. Looking forward to more in the Sally Witherspoon series!"
~ Ivanka Fear, author of the Blue Water Mysteries and Jake and Mallory Thrillers

Book Details:

Genre: Traditional Mystery, Cozy Mystery
Published by: Level Best Books
Series Links: THE SALLY WITHERSPOON MYSTERY SERIES on Amazon & Level Best Books

Also, Don't Miss...

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads

DEATH IN THE OZARKS

 

A cross between Agatha Christie's Miss Marple and a Cheers bartender, Sally Witherspoon, a 50-something accountant turned biker-bar owner, loves solving puzzles. Up to now, she has focused on helping neighbors and friends find lost jewelry, lost pets, and lost loves.

But when she finds her best friend and business partner, Bill Arnold, dead in a dumpster behind her bar on a Saturday night, she needs all her wits and grit to find out who did it.

And she won't stop until she does.

 

Author Bio:

Currently in Austria, Erik S. Meyers is an American abroad for years and years who has lived or worked in six countries on three continents, the longest in Germany. He is an award-winning author and communications professional with over twenty-five years of expertise in a variety of corporate roles. Reading and writing are his passions, when he is not hiking one of the amazing trails in Austria or elsewhere.

Catch Up With Erik S. Meyers:
www.ErikMey.com
Medium - @erikmey
Goodreads - @erikmey
Instagram - @erikmeyauthor
Facebook - @ErikSMeyersAuthor

 

 

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway!

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1. 05/01 Nanas Book Reviews MURDER ON THE MISSISSIPPI Review

2. 05/03 Book Reviews From an Avid Reader MURDER ON THE MISSISSIPPI Review

3. 05/03 Jodys Bookish Haven THE SALLY WITHERSPOON MYSTERY SERIES Showcase

4. 05/04 Guatemala Paula Loves to Read MURDER ON THE MISSISSIPPI Review

5. 05/09 Cozy Up With Kathy MURDER ON THE MISSISSIPPI Review

6. 05/10 The AR Critique MURDER ON THE MISSISSIPPI Review

7. 05/12 Country Mamas With Kids MURDER ON THE MISSISSIPPI Review

8. 05/12 fuonlyknew MURDER ON THE MISSISSIPPI Review

9. 05/13 5 Minutes for Books MURDER ON THE MISSISSIPPI Review

10. 05/14 Books, Ramblings, and Tea THE SALLY WITHERSPOON MYSTERY SERIES Showcase

11. 05/15 Books R Us THE SALLY WITHERSPOON MYSTERY Guest post

12. 05/15 Melissa As Blog MURDER ON THE MISSISSIPPI Review

13. 05/16 Novels Alive MURDER ON THE MISSISSIPPI Review

14. 11/11 Book Reviews From an Avid Reader DEATH IN THE OZARKS Review

15. 11/12 Books, Ramblings, and Tea THE SALLY WITHERSPOON MYSTERY SERIES Showcase

16. 11/12 Its All About the Book DEATH IN THE OZARKS Review

17. 11/13 Country Mamas With Kids DEATH IN THE OZARKS Review

18. 11/15 Books to the Ceiling Podcast reading

19. 11/15 Guatemala Paula Loves to Read DEATH IN THE OZARKS Review

20. 11/15 Novels Alive DEATH IN THE OZARKS Review

21. 11/16 The Mystery of Writing THE SALLY WITHERSPOON MYSTERY SERIES Guest post

22. 11/19 Cozy Up With Kathy THE SALLY WITHERSPOON MYSTERY SERIES Interview

23. 11/19 Jodys Bookish Haven THE SALLY WITHERSPOON MYSTERY SERIES Showcase

24. 11/20 5 Minutes for Books DEATH IN THE OZARKS Review

25. 11/20 Nanas Book Reviews DEATH IN THE OZARKS Review

26. 11/21 Silvers Reviews THE SALLY WITHERSPOON MYSTERY SERIES Showcase

27. 11/22 Cozy Up With Kathy DEATH IN THE OZARKS Review

28. 11/25 Literary Gold THE SALLY WITHERSPOON MYSTERY SERIES Showcase

29. 11/29 Binge Reading Books THE SALLY WITHERSPOON MYSTERY SERIES Showcase

30. 11/30 Words by Webb DEATH IN THE OZARKS Review

31. 12/01 Ink. Readsalot DEATH IN THE OZARKS Review

32. 12/03 bookwormbecky1969 DEATH IN THE OZARKS Review

33. 12/10 The AR Critique DEATH IN THE OZARKS Review

34. 12/14 Celticladys Reviews THE SALLY WITHERSPOON MYSTERY SERIES Showcase

35. 12/16 Books R Us DEATH IN THE OZARKS Guest post

36. 12/19 Melissa As Blog DEATH IN THE OZARKS Review

37. 12/20 fuonlyknew DEATH IN THE OZARKS Review

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Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading A Fatal Waltz by Kathleen Marple Kalb. This book is the fifth in the Ella Shane Mystery series and was released last week.

It's September of 1900 and Ella Shane is back in New York City for her Metropolitan Opera debut, happily living in her townhouse with her new husband, Gil. Life is never quiet for the opera diva and her duke, at least not for long. Gil is asked to look into a decades old dalliance of the Prince of Wales which just may upset the entire line of succession. Add to that the prospect of blackmail when their good friend Paul is taken by police from a house of ill repute, a house run by his sister...when his only sibling is a brother. Whether as an opera diva, a duchess, or disguised as her cousin's younger brother, Ella will dive headlong into any investigation to help those who matter to her. Will it be enough?

Vacations Can Be Murder - A Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway

 Review

VACATIONS CAN BE MURDER:
A TRUE CRIME LOVER'S TRAVEL GUIDE TO NEW ENGLAND
VOLUME 1
By Dawn M. Barclay 

 

True crime enthusiasts who like to travel, even if it's only via armchair, will appreciate VACATIONS CAN BE MURDER: A TRUE CRIME LOVER'S TRAVEL GUIDE TO NEW ENGLAND VOLUME 1. This handy book gives each state its own chapter which is then divided into sections: basic crime statistics and brief segments about the crimes followed by a sampling of true crime books set in that state. The next section includes various places to see including accommodations, restaurants, and other attractions. Addresses, websites, and current hours and prices are also given as well as more snippets about the crimes that took place there. The last section for each state features the itineraries, multiple ones for each state giving driving directions to a set of true crime sights. As with any travel book the problem is that they can easily become outdated. Information such as prices and hours of operations can change quickly and the author urges people to call before making any definitive plans. In addition, the stories remain the same even if restaurants and tour companies fade away.

 

The book includes notorious true crime cases, such as Lizzie Borden and Kitty Genovese, and historical cases such as the Salem Witch trials and the Boston Strangler, however a large number of the cases are tawdry murders which only die hard true crime fans, or those with some association, would be interested. I personally wouldn't care to visit the site where a man repeatedly stabbed his neighbor, though I may want to pay respects nearby where a woman was hanged for witchcraft.

 

This book is exceedingly well researched with a wonderful bibliography and index at the end. I really enjoyed reading about the haunted restaurants and hotels and found those bit even more interesting than some of the true crime sections.

 

Well organized and easily readable VACATIONS CAN BE MURDER: A TRUE CRIME LOVER'S TRAVEL GUIDE TO NEW ENGLAND VOLUME 1 is an enjoyable travel guide for fans of true crime and those interested in more unique travel destinations.

 

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VACATIONS CAN BE MURDER

A TRUE CRIME TRAVEL GUIDE TO NEW ENGLAND

by Dawn M Barclay

April 28 - May 23, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

Vacations Can Be Murder

 

As Close as You Can Get to True Crime While Still Breathing!

For the true crime lover—finally, a travel guide from an award-winning travel journalist and suspense author that gives you the down and dirty on exactly where the major crimes occurred, and where the bodies are buried. For aficionados of paranormal, prison, and tombstone travel, there’s a goldmine of tourism suggestions for you here as well.

Along with summaries of the major crimes committed in New England, you’ll discover where to find the best crime and ghost tours; which hotels and restaurants are former jails, courthouses, or harbor paranormal activity; where infamous criminals are/were jailed, and which venues and attractions might feed your fancy for murder and justice. Reading lists in each chapter will guide you to books expounding on the crimes discussed.. Best of all, suggested itineraries bring all the pieces together to help you traverse New England’s criminal landscape in an organized and entertaining way. Up for a true crime road trip? Let Vacations Can Be Murder be your ultimate travel guide.

Praise for Vacations Can Be Murder:

"The perfect reference book for the U. S. crime traveler. Barclay rounds up a collection of known and obscure crimes, arranged by geographic area, that features museums, cemeteries, hotels, prisons, and private properties. She even offers itineraries, murder tours, a location-specific list of true-crime books, victim resources, and some ghost stories. This travel guide is a gem. Be packed and ready before you start reading because you’ll want to go explore."
~ Katherine Ramsland, author of Darkest Waters, The Nutcracker Investigations, and How to Catch a Killer

Vacations Can Be Murder Trailer:

Book Details:

Genre: True Crime, Travel
Published by: Level Best Books
Publication Date: March 25, 2025
Number of Pages: 340
Series: Vacations Can Be Murder, Book 1
Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads

Read an excerpt from Vacations Can Be Murder: A True Crime Lover’s Travel Guide to New England:

This is from the Crime Summaries section of the Connecticut chapter. The actual addresses of these crimes are all included in the Itineraries section of the chapter.

Hartford may be considered one of Connecticut’s most dangerous cities, but its suburbs have seen their fair share of crime over the years.

The Hartford Witch Trials occurred between 1647-1663. In all of Connecticut, there were 43 trials and 16 executions, many in Hartford and three in Wethersfield. On May 26, 1647, Alice (Alse) Young of Windsor was the first to be executed. Servant girl Mary Johnson was the first to confess to witchcraft in Connecticut but was likely coerced by extensive torture. She was executed somewhere between 1648-1650 (reports vary).

In 1839, The Amistad criminal and civil cases were tried at Old Statehouse in Hartford. The case revolved around a mutiny by, and subsequent charging of, 53 Mende African men, women, and children who had been captured and were being transported between Sierra Leone and Havana, Cuba aboard the ship to serve as slaves. The story was the subject of the Steven Spielberg film, Amistad. Several other Connecticut locations connected to the trial can be found at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/travelamistad/visit.htm.

Joseph “Mad Dog” Taborsky was a murderer sentenced to death after a string of brutal robberies and murders in Hartford and West Hartford in the 1950s. He was sentenced twice to be executed for two different crimes, but the first conviction was overturned due to the mental competency of a witness, his brother Albert, testifying against him. (Albert was later declared insane.) In December 1956, a little over a year after his release from prison, Taborsky launched a 14-month murder spree that killed gas station attendant Edward Kurpewski and customer Daniel Janowski, package store owner Samuel Cohn, shoe store customers Bernard and Ruth Speyer, and pharmacy owner John M. “Jack” Rosenthal. The second conviction stuck, and he died in the electric chair in 1960, the last execution in Connecticut until that of Michael Bruce Ross in 2005.

In 2004, Matthew Steven Johnson was convicted of the 2000 and 2001 slayings of three female sex workers he murdered—Rosali Jimenez (33), Aida Quinones (33), and Alesia Ford (37)—who were all found dead in the Asylum Hill neighborhood of Hartford. Each of the women had drugs in their system and were found with their bodies stomped upon, strewn with Johnson’s semen, and with their pants pulled down around one leg. Johnson was found guilty and sentenced to three consecutive 60-year sentences at the Cheshire Correctional Institution.

Lazale Ashby became one of the youngest prisoners on Connecticut’s death row for kidnapping, raping, burglarizing, and murdering his neighbor Elizabeth Garcia in 2002, when he was just 18. He was suspected of another Hartford rape, as well.

Ashby has actually been tried and sentenced three times for Garcia’s murder, the final time in 2023, when he confessed to the crime. Now that Connecticut has abolished the death penalty, he’s been sentenced to 46.5 years in prison. In addition, he was convicted and received a 25-year sentence for the 2003 fatal shooting of 22-year-old Nahshon Cohen of Manchester, whose body was found on a street in the city’s North End.

Speaking of Manchester, in August of 2010, the city became the location of a mass shooting at a beer distribution company, Hartford Distributors. Disgruntled former employee Omar Thorton, forced to resign after video evidence revealed he’d been stealing and reselling the company’s beer, fatally shot eight coworkers and injured two others. He then committed suicide on site. Those who knew him cited racism as the reason for his upset, but these allegations were disputed by the firm and not substantiated by the investigation that followed.

William Devin Howell’s rape and murder spree, which started on New Year’s Day in 2003, took place in Seymour, West Hartford, and Wethersfield, as well as New Britain. Triggered by a fight with his girlfriend, Howell succumbed to years-long rape fantasies, Referring to himself as the “Sick Ripper,” he would lure female drug addicts, unlikely to be missed, into his “murder mobile.” There, he would rape them, often videotaping bizarre sex acts, before murdering them and disposing of the bodies in a seldom frequented area behind a strip mall in New Britain which he called his “garden.” He was arrested in North Carolina and plea-bargained his way into a fifteen-year sentence for the manslaughter of Mary Jane Menard. However, new evidence that surfaced while he was already in jail earned him six consecutive life sentences (360 years in prison) to be spent at the Cheshire Correctional Institution.

In 1986 at the Jamaican Progressive League, a club in Hartford’s North End, Bonnie Foreshaw stopped to get a beer and ended up committing a murder that bought her the longest jail sentence ever handed down to a woman in the state. Having endured a lifetime of sexual and spousal abuse, when Hector Freeman offered to buy her a drink and wouldn’t let up when she turned him down, the encounter triggered her. She drew her handgun to fire a warning shot, but Freeman protected himself by using a pregnant woman, Joyce Amos, as a human shield. Foreshaw’s bullet killed her accidently.

Foreshaw spent the majority of her jail time at the York Correctional Institution in Niantic where author Wally Lamb taught a writing class for prisoners. Lamb took up her cause, believing she’d been over-sentenced, and thanks to his help, Foreshaw was granted clemency after serving just 27 years of a 49-year sentence. Once released, she changed her name to Bonnie Jean Cook and helped other ex-convicts adjust to life on the outside until her death in 2022.

All of these murders pale in comparison to the crimes of Amy Archer-Gilligan. While she was charged with five deaths (though only tried for one), she may have killed as many as one hundred. Archer-Gilligan ran the Archer Home for Elderly People and Chronic Invalids in the Hartford suburb of Windsor, where countless older residents were bilked out of money and then poisoned by arsenic, including the murderer’s own husbands. Other locations tied to Archer-Gilligan include Newington, where she and her first husband James Archer lived with John Seymour until he died, and then they transformed the home into Sister Amy’s Nursing Home for the Elderly. In 1917, she was convicted of the murder of Franklin Andrew and sentenced to death by hanging, but she appealed. During a second trial in 1919, she pleaded insanity and was convicted of second-degree murder, earning her a life sentence. In 1924, she was transferred to the Connecticut General Hospital for the Insane in Middletown, where she remained until her death in 1962. The play Arsenic and Old Lace is loosely based on her story.

Also in Hartford, the Circus Fire that killed 168 persons and injured 412-700 others through trampling and asphyxiation occurred on July 6, 1944 (“The Day the Clowns Cried”) and is considered one of the country’s worst fire disasters. The Big Top Tent was coated in paraffin plus gasoline or kerosene for waterproofing; therefore, it was highly flammable. On top of that, some of the exits were blocked by animal chutes. Arson was suspected; others blamed a carelessly tossed lit cigarette. A mentally ill man named Robert Dale Segee, 21, of Circleville, OH, confessed to setting the fire, as well as up to 30 other blazes in Maine, New Hampshire, and Ohio. He later recanted his confession and was never tried in Connecticut. However, Segee was indicted and convicted in Ohio on two charges of arson and served eight out of a four-to-forty-year jail sentence. He died in 1997.

Finally, on May 18, 1988, Billy “Hot Dog” Grant, a bookie who was in charge of Connecticut safe houses for New York’s five families, was reportedly murdered in the parking lot of the Westfarms Mall in Farmington. Grant, who had owned Augie and Ray’s Hot Dog and Hamburger shop in East Hartford, and later the South End Seaport restaurant on Franklin Avenue, was suspected of having given up details of the hiding spot of the brother of a mafia boss. He is supposedly buried underneath a Farmington residence.

***

Excerpt from Vacations Can Be Murder by Dawn M Barclay. Copyright 2025 by Dawn M Barclay. Reproduced with permission from Dawn M Barclay. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

Dawn M. Barclay is a veteran travel trade reporter and an award-winning author who writes nonfiction under her own name and fiction as D.M. Barr. Her first nonfiction book, Traveling Different: Vacation Strategies for Parents of the Anxious, the Inflexible, and the Neurodiverse (Rowman & Littlefield, 2022) received a starred review from Library Journal, and won the 2023 Lowell Thomas Gold Award from the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation, Honorable Mention from the American Society of Journalists and Authors (Books that Make a Difference), and first prize in the Maxy Awards. When not writing, she edits for various authors and publishers, creates book trailers, ghostwrites (nonfiction only!), plays competitive trivia, rescues senior shelter dogs, travel, reads, and apparently, drives her family nuts...but they won't admit it, of course, since she knows a lot about murder.

Catch Up With Dawn M Barclay:

www.VacationsCanBeMurder.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
Instagram - @authordmbarr
Facebook - @TrueCrimeTravelGuides

 

 

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway!

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1. 05/02 dianas_books_cars_coffee VACATIONS CAN BE MURDER Review

2. 05/06 Cozy Up With Kathy VACATIONS CAN BE MURDER Review

3. 05/07 Jodys Bookish Haven VACATIONS CAN BE MURDER Review

4. 05/09 Novels Alive VACATIONS CAN BE MURDER Review

5. 05/10 Guatemala Paula Loves to Read VACATIONS CAN BE MURDER Review

6. 05/12 Book Corner News & Reviews VACATIONS CAN BE MURDER Review

7. 05/13 Country Mamas With Kids VACATIONS CAN BE MURDER Review

8. 05/14 FullyBookedInKentucky VACATIONS CAN BE MURDER Review

9. 05/15 Bibliosizzle VACATIONS CAN BE MURDER Review

10. 05/17 drinkscoffee_readsbooks VACATIONS CAN BE MURDER Review

11. 05/18 Celticladys Reviews VACATIONS CAN BE MURDER Review

12. 05/19 fuonlyknew VACATIONS CAN BE MURDER Review

13. 05/20 The AR Critique VACATIONS CAN BE MURDER Review

14. 05/21 Wall-to-wall Books VACATIONS CAN BE MURDER Review

15. 05/22 Tartan Teapots and Books Croft VACATIONS CAN BE MURDER Review

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A Stone Cold Murder - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

A STONE COLD MURDER by Kris Bock
The First Reluctant Psychic Mystery 

Petra Cloch has the gift of psychometry. By touching objects she can discern the feelings and even some basic thoughts of whoever previously held the items. Sometimes a gift is more like a curse. Not having complete control of the ability, nor wishing others to think she's crazy, Petra prefers to keep to herself, enjoying the company of her animals rather than trying to form friendships. But when she moves from Seattle to New Mexico to work in the Banditt Museum, replacing their recently deceased geologist, things change. While cleaning her new office she picks up a crystal specimen and is flooded with images and feelings...all negative. Perhaps her predecessor's death wasn't so natural after all. Performing his job, living in the house he rented, is it possible she could be in danger? Compelled to find out more about the man, Petra starts to wonder about new co-workers. Could these friendly people actually become friends or is one of them a killer?

Petra inherits a lot from her predecessor, mainly a lot of problems. Getting a fresh start, but not wanting to get close to others, unless maybe she does, it's no wonder Petra has doubts about her new job. Add to that her new co-workers, well, pretty much everyone she meets in town, is a bit...different. But so is Petra. Her special ability is fascinating. I love her menagerie of pets, and yes, rats are wonderful pets. I appreciate how she prefers to keep to herself and I love how the others intend to draw her out and make her part of the group.

The mystery was unique and so well done. Her psychometry gives her clues, but not enough to know what exactly is going on. I love how she slowly investigates, how she slowly begins to trust, and how she gradually starts to accept her gift. Plenty of suspicious characters and red herrings keep readers on their toes.

Quirky characters in an unconventional museum pulled me in to this captivating mystery. I loved this series debut and I can't wait to return to the Banditt Museum!

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A Stone Cold Murder (Reluctantly Psychic Murder Mystery) by Kris Bock

About Stone Cold Murder

A Stone Cold Murder (Reluctantly Psychic Murder Mystery)
Cozy Psychic Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - New Mexico
Publisher: Tule Publishing (April 28, 2025)

Print length: ‎ 218 pages

She hates her gift – but it just might save her…

Geologist Petra Cloch can touch an object and sense the emotions of the people who’ve held it. It’s a miserable way to live. She studied rocks because they rarely ‘talk’ to her and she’s dodged friendships so she won’t need to explain her gift or feel like a voyeur. But when she takes a job as the rock and mineral curator at an unusual western history museum and picks up a jagged crystal in her new office, flashes of rage, fear and death hit hard.

Everyone says her predecessor died in a car crash, but what if he was murdered? Under normal circumstances, Petra would never become involved, but what if the previous curator died because of something he did on the job? She could be next. Petra knows she’ll need evidence, not her psychic sense she hides. Can she trust her chatty colleagues who invite her to lunch and to join a book club? And what about the far too watchful Sheriff who keeps showing up unexpectedly…

About Kris Bock

Kris Bock writes mystery, suspense, and romance, often with Southwestern landscapes. In the Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. This humorous series starts with Something Shady at Sunshine Haven, which made Barnes & Noble's list of “Handpicked Favorites You'll Love!” Kris’s romantic suspense novels include stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue. Readers have called these novels “Smart romance with an Indiana Jones feel.”

Learn more about Kris’s books or sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter and get an Accidental Detective short story and other freebies. Then every two weeks, you’ll get fun content about pets, announcements of new books, sales, and more.

Author Links: 

Website https://www.krisbock.com/  

Author newsletter signup https://sendfox.com/KrisBock  

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4735592.Kris_Bock  

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kris-bock  

Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/author/krisbock  

Mastodon https://mastodon.social/@KrisBock  

BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/krisbock.bsky.social  

With hotlinks: Website Author newsletter signup GoodReads Author Page BookBub Amazon US page or Amazon UK page Mastodon BlueSky  

 

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Cover Art - A Review

 Review

COVER ART by Vanessa Westermann
The First Charley Scott Mystery 

 

Quaint shops and peaceful lakeside living make Oakcrest the perfect place for Charley Scott's pop up art gallery. Charley is also happy to be spending time with her sister, sharing the cottage they inherited from their grandparents for the summer. But her stay is troubled by the arrogant Andrew Clarkston who threatens to squash her gallery. Sure enough Kayla, her childhood friend and wife of Andrew, pulls out of the show. On a positive note there is a shop offering amazing chocolates and an intriguing chocolatier. Matt Thorn, the chocolatier, is equally beguiled by Charley even as he deals with the recent death of his father and the secrets he held. But when Andrew is found dead, tampered chocolates by his side, Charley and Matt are drawn in to investigate the murder, even as someone continues to warn Charley off. Will they uncover Oakcrest's secrets or will someone stop them...permanently?

Long held secrets and flaring tempers collide in the first Charley Scott mystery. While a number of characters make for interesting suspects the primary characters are fun. I enjoyed the banter and flirtation between Charley and Matt and the realistic relationship between Meghan and Alex, showing the good and not so good aspects of cohabitation. I also enjoyed Charley and Meghan's relationship, though I'd be tempted to smack Meghan on more than one occasion. But Meghan's behavior is part of her charm, I suppose, and that sisterly bond is a special mix  of love, loyalty, and annoyance. I can't forget to mention Cocoa, the sweet dog who can get into trouble. I appreciated how the story progressed and while I generally don't care for multiple points of view, the way in which Charley and Matt shared perspectives was effective and didn't take me out of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the slow revelations, secrets from the past coming into the open to the detriment of some and the healing of others.

A compelling mystery fraught with tension as well as a distinct sense of place make COVER ART is an engrossing read and a fantastic start to a new series.

Shudder Pulp - An Interview

I'm pleased to welcome Vanessa Westermann to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Vanessa writes the Charley Scott Mystery series. SHUDDER PULP is the second book in the series and will be released May 3, 2025.

Kathy: In SHUDDER PULP Charley Scott is creating an immersive pulp art installation based on the local lake monster legend. I love learning about local legends! We have several near me and not too terribly far from me is Champ-the lake monster who lives in Lake Champlain. Do you have any legends local to you?

VW: The local legends that inspired SHUDDER PULP are historical rather than recent. While researching the cottage country setting, I learned about Kingstie, the 175-foot serpent in the water near Kingston Harbour, and the monster that was seen in the Bay in Belleville, Ontario. Sightings of both lake monsters were reported in local newspapers in the 19th century.

It’s hard to entirely dismiss these legends as fiction and that’s wonderfully eerie. Marine biologists acknowledge that the Great Lakes do harbour mysteries: prehistoric fish and reptiles that have adapted to the waters and thrived for centuries. I couldn’t help but wonder what might lurk under the surface of Charley’s lake…


Kathy: Charley teams up again with chocolatier Matt Thorn to investigate the murder of the newcomer who previously she had been attacked by the monster. I wouldn't mind teaming up with a chocolatier for many reasons...including chocolate. I love handmade specialty chocolate. Sponge candy is a local treat here and a favorite chocolate shop made raspberry flavored sponge candy this year! Do you have any favorite types of chocolate?

VW: Dark chocolate is my weakness! The chocolates in the Charley Scott mysteries are inspired by Centre & Main Chocolate Co’s flavours. The Gin & Tonic chocolate bar from Cover Art can be purchased from them, and so can the chocolate-coated maple sponge toffee from SHUDDER PULP. Researching the chocolate flavours is, as you can probably imagine, a real hardship!


Kathy: Was there a specific inspiration for this story?

VW: The title and general plot were inspired by Shudder Pulp dime magazine stories. The ‘shudder pulp’ formula of horror stories had one rule: All supernatural events had to be explained away in the end as nothing more than tricks played by the villain to cover his or her tracks. Although these original pulp stories were gruesome and menacing, I thought the idea would work well for a cozy mystery. Why not have the killer try to cover their tracks with supernatural elements, and blame the murder on a legendary lake monster?


Kathy: Are you able to share any future plans for Charley?

VW: I’m currently working on book three of the Charley Scott mysteries, which is set in winter. The murder is a death by polar plunge. Charley gets drawn into a series of cottage country winter adventures that become increasingly dangerous. She must brave the elements to figure out whodunnit.


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?

VW: I’m a plotter, but I like to leave myself some freedom to discover the story as a draft. I normally flesh out my characters and come up with key plot points before writing. The magic happens, however, when characters react to challenges. Their responses often surprise me and take the story in new directions that I couldn’t have planned in advance. One of my favourite writing quotes is from Ray Bradbury: “Remember: Plot is no more than footprints left in the snow after your characters have run by on their way to incredible destinations.”


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?

VW: I actually enjoy all aspects of marketing because I get to finally share the story I’ve been working on for so long. I have the most fun creating Instagram posts that invite readers into the characters’ world. For example, I recently posted a glimpse into Charley’s sketchbook, sharing two pages she might have created to plan her Shudder Pulp art exhibit.


Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books?

VW: Cormorant Books is republishing my first mystery, titled AN EXCUSE FOR MURDER, along with the sequel, TURNING THE PAGE ON MURDER, in 2026. The series is set in England and features amateur sleuth and bookstore owner, Kate Rowan. This series combines elements of the cozy mystery genre with romantic suspense. In TURNING THE PAGE ON MURDER, Kate has given up on crime fiction after falling for a killer when she finds her great-aunt holding a bloody knife at a murder scene. Kate reluctantly teams up with Gary, the man who broke her heart, to find out whodunnit. Their search for the truth sends them on a high stakes treasure hunt through downtown London, from the safe deposit boxes in Selfridges department store to the Reading Rooms of the British Library.

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Author Links:

Website: www.vanessa-westermann.info

Instagram: @vanessawestermann_

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Murder on the Mississippi by Erik S. Meyers. This is the second book in the Sally Witherspoon Mystery series and was released April 15, 2025.

Sally Witherspoon is ready for a vacation! After the traumatic events six months prior when her best friend and business partner was murdered Sally is ready to leave her biker bar in the Ozarks in capable hands and take a cruise down the Mississippi. The boat tour is an intimate affair with only eight other passengers and a small crew. Perhaps its the bartender in her, but Sally is keen to learn more about her shipmates as well as the crew. Truth be told, she misses investigating murder. When Jim, one of the least likable of the group, declares his seafood allergy then appears to die from anaphylactic shock Sally is eager to investigate. Will her questions be seen as helpful or will Sally find herself on the wrong side of the police...and a killer?

To Slip the Bonds of Earth - A Spotlight

In honor of the Malice Domestic Mystery Convention help this past weekend I thought I'd shine a spotlight on the Agatha winner for best historical mystery. To Slip the Bonds of Earth by Amanda Flower is the first book in the Katharine Wright Mystery series.

 Blurb: 

December 1903: While Wilbur and Orville Wright’s flying machine is quite literally taking off in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina with its historic fifty-seven second flight, their sister Katharine is back home in Dayton, Ohio, running the bicycle shop, teaching Latin, and looking after the family. A Latin teacher and suffragette, Katharine is fiercely independent, intellectual, and the only Wright sibling to finish college. But at twenty-nine, she’s frustrated by the gender inequality in academia and is looking for a new challenge. She never suspects it will be sleuthing…

Returning home to Dayton, Wilbur and Orville accept an invitation to a friend’s party. Nervous about leaving their as-yet-unpatented flyer plans unattended, Wilbur decides to bring them to the festivities . . . where they are stolen right out from under his nose. As always, it’s Katharine’s job to problem solve—and in this case, crime-solve.

As she sets out to uncover the thief among their circle of friends, Katharine soon gets more than she bargained for: She finds her number one suspect dead with a letter opener lodged in his chest. It seems the patent is the least of her brothers’ worries. They have a far more earthbound concern—prison. Now Katharine will have to keep her feet on the ground and put all her skills to work to make sure Wilbur and Orville are free to fly another day.

Murder at Meadows Lake Clubhouse - A Guest Post, Excerpt, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Soup to Cozy Up With Kathy. You can find Soup on the pages of the Soup the Paranormal Kitten Mystery series. Murder at Meadows Lake Clubhouse is the first book in the series and was released last month.

 

Murder at Meadows Lake Clubhouse Character Guest Post

By Soup the Supernatural Kitten

Meow! I’m Soup, the supernatural kitten from Murder at Meadows Lake Clubhouse. It’s a pleasure to be here to share an excerpt of my witty dialogue from the book. Before I do, I’d like to explain what a supernatural kitten is and how I became one. I was brought back from the dead by Rose Fairchild’s deceased husband and cat. They didn’t actually bring me back, but they instructed me on my mission which was to become Rose’s guide in her new life after she moved to a community in South Carolina called Meadows Lake.

After I was given my second chance (and don’t mistake this for one of my nine lives), I received special powers to help me help Rose. These included a human brain (although I still have cat instincts), the ability to talk and teleport, and a sixth-sense (that isn’t as strong as Rose’s who experiences visions). I’ll also remain a six-month-old kitten even though I was saved when I was six-weeks old.

Maybe I explain this better in this excerpt from the book when I introduce myself to Rose after she’s moved into her house and her neighbor brought over a tuna casserole for her. It’s not the first time she’s seen me because I’d also appeared on the community’s website and gave her a glimpse when she toured the place before making her decision to move. It’s also after she had a dream about her dead husband, Harvey, who told her he was sending a guide to her:

Digging into the tuna casserole, Rose took a bite. It was tasty. She was about to have another forkful when a young girl’s voice interrupted her. “Can I have some of that?”

She hadn’t locked the door, but she didn’t expect someone to come barging in. It wasn’t Lucy. The voice sounded younger, like a child’s. She turned in the direction of the speaker, but no one was there. Then she saw the orange flash again. But this time, the kitten didn’t run. It jumped up onto the table and faced her.

“Excuse my manners. I know I shouldn’t be up here, but I wanted to get your attention. May I have a bite?”

Rose nearly fainted. The ginger cat was talking. How could that be? Maybe the move had been too much for her, and she was hallucinating.

“Cat got your tongue? Sorry. I should introduce myself so we can meet officially.” The cat held out her paw. “I’m Soup, your guide to Meadows Lake.”

“Guide?” Rose recalled that Harvey said a guide would be helping her, but she never imagined a talking kitten.

The cat drew back its paw. “I see you’re not prepared for me. Let me explain. Your husband, Harvey, and your cat, Moxie, gave me a second chance. Cats are supposed to have nine lives, but I didn’t even have one. I died when I was drowned as a wee kitten shortly after I’d finished nursing my mom. My brothers and sisters were drowned with me. I’m not sure about my mother, but I’m afraid she suffered the same fate.”

Rose was so much in shock that she hardly listened to the kitten calling herself Soup’s story.

“I know this sounds weird to you but trust me. I’m here for you. I was already special, as red tabbies—or ginger cats—are generally male. Only twenty percent are female. But after I died, I was brought back with special powers, a human brain, and the ability to talk. I’ll also stay a kitten forever, but luckily, I returned at six months old instead of six weeks. I can still be hurt and die because I’m not a ghost.”


I hope you enjoyed that excerpt. You might also like to read the interview I did on Sneaky the Library Cat’s blog. Check it out here: https://wp.me/p7XcB0-1ss. 

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 Murder at Meadows Lake Clubhouse (Soup the Supernatural Kitten Mysteries) by Debbie De Louise

About Murder at Meadows Lake Clubhouse

Murder at Meadows Lake Clubhouse (Soup the Supernatural Kitten Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - South Carolina
Publisher: ‎ Independently Published (March 25, 2025)
Paperback: ‎ 254 pages

Widow and retired realtor, Rose Fairchild, is gifted with a sixth sense. Moving from Long Island to a community in South Carolina, Rose is reluctant to leave the house she shared with her husband Harvey and her cat Moxie before they died, but a strange vision of a disappearing kitten on the community’s website intrigues her.

When Rose arrives in the Meadows Lake community, she meets two singles her age: Grant, a real estate agent and widower, and Blake, the divorced Fallsview sheriff. She also meets the orange cat of her vision who introduces herself as Soup and claims to be sent by Rose’s husband as a guide for her new life.

Soon after, a murder takes place at the clubhouse. The victim is the restaurant cook who wasn’t well liked, and Rose becomes involved in the sheriff’s investigation, only to receive a written threat to stop snooping around. Will her visions help her solve the case... or will she need help from her supernatural kitten?

About Debbie De Louise

Debbie De Louise is an award-winning author and a retired reference librarian. She is a member of Sisters-in-Crime, International Thriller Writers, and the Cat Writers’ Association. She writes two cozy mystery series, the Cobble Cove Mysteries and Buttercup Bend Mysteries. She’s also written a paranormal romance, three standalone mysteries, a time-travel novel, and a collection of cat poems. Her stories and poetry appear in over a dozen anthologies. Debbie also writes articles for cat magazines. She recently moved from Long Island to South Carolina, where she lives with her husband, daughter, and three cats. Learn more about Debbie and her books by visiting her website at https://debbiedelouise.com

Author Links: 

Website/Blog/Newsletter Sign-Up: https://debbiedelouise.com  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debbie.delouise.author/  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Deblibrarian  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2750133.Debbie_De_Louise  

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2bIHdaQ  

All Author: https://allauthor.com/author/debbiedelouise/ 

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbiedelouise/  

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/debbie-de-louise  

Debbie’s Character’s Chat Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/748912598599469/\  

Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog: https://Sneakylibrarycat.wordpress.com  

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