Asylum Murders - A Review

 Review

ASYLUM MURDERS by Michael G. Colburn
The Second Lady Black Mystery 

Lady Edith Black made the mistake of intimating that she was bored. She soon gets wrapped up in an investigation that's exciting, dangerous, and deadly. The theft of the Parliamentary Mace, body parts being found around the city, and a woman beaten nearly to death and unlikely to regain consciousness has Detective McElroy feeling the pressure, especially as  most of the force wishes he'd stayed in London. Calling on his friend, Edie Black, to help him with the interviews he at least has a friendly face he can trust. Though she doesn't know it, people from Edie's London past are also residing in Melbourne. The dangerous and duplicitous Henderson, the tricky Rohwedder, now with a new persona and trade, and her good friend Britina. Britina, forced to enter the novitiate in London, has been transferred to Australia where she's been assigned to work at the Kew Asylum. Britina soon discovers that horrible things are happening at the asylum. Will she be able to help, or will she be the one needing help?

The second Lady Black Mystery is filled with seemingly disparate things - body parts washing up in the city, theft of a parliamentary mace, and a missing woman. What I like best is the way these separate mysteries meld together creating a complete mystery. I enjoyed the relationship between Edie and Detective McElroy, helping, protecting, and trusting. Britina's journey was fascinating and I'm happy she took on a major role in this story. I also really enjoyed the minor characters, who weren't minor at all. Ralphie and Sammy, Dr. Tharp, and Kirb are well drawn out characters who are vital to the story. 

ASYLUM MURDERS is a well plotted mystery containing thrills and the stark realities of 1890s Australia with enough humor to balance the horrors. As someone who currently works in a psychiatric center it was fascinating to read about the Kew Asylum, even a fictional version. I appreciated the look at "new" treatments and how surgeons were trained at that time.

With lots of moving parts ASYLUM MURDERS is a thrilling historical mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat. 

A Poetic Pox - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a book that has it's digital release today! A Poetic Pox by Samantha Larsen is the third book in the Lady Librarian Mystery series. You may have read Samantha's guest post for the release of the audio version of this book back in July and I hope you'll read my review which will be coming in March! 

 

Blurb:

1786, England. It is the twelve days of Christmas and Mrs. Tiffany Lathrop is happily juggling her duties as a new mother and a librarian to Catharine, the Duchess of Beaufort. Her employer receives a mysterious letter from an old paramour, the Marquess of Harwood, who is the biological father of Catharine’s son. He promises to leave his estate and fortune to Beau if he can see the boy before he dies.

Her elder son Thomas Montague has a terrible cold, so Catharine asks Tiffany to accompany her and Beau. When they arrive at the dilapidated abbey, they discover a dead body—only it isn’t the marquess, but his valet! Lord Harwood is alive, but unconscious with suspicious looking pox marks on his hands. Tiffany wonders if the marquess is really dying, or if it is all poetic revenge? Especially when she discovers the secrets that haunt Rosedean Abbey.

Between breastfeeding and dirty diapers, Tiffany must discover who killed the valet and attempted to murder the marquess before anyone else dies.

Currently Reading...

I just finished reading The Well-Laid Trap by Kari Lee Townsend. This book is the second in the Wishville Mystery series and was released last week.

Wishville's Summer WishFest is underway, but half-human, half-Dweller Lyra Wells senses an uneasy undercurrent. As Guardian of the Well it's Lyra's job to make sure the festivals run smoothly and the Well grants one wish. Doing so ensures peace between Elarion, world of the Dwellers, and Wishville, Vermont, whose residents no longer remember the existence of the underground world. But in the midst of the bunting and the sugar is something much more dangerous. A breach in Elarion that holds an entity bent on destruction, an elixir that seems to be causing miraculous recoveries, and a missing townsperson have Lyra, Police Chief Holden Thorn, and Chief Enforcer of Elarion Calderis working together to discover who is behind the plot and stop them before evil is released and the worlds begin to battle once more.

Cold Snap - A Spotlight

Since we're in the midst of an Arctic blast with plenty of snow I thought I'd shine a spotlight on Cold Snap by Maureen Jennings. This book is the third in the Paradise Café Mystery series and has been patiently waiting on my TBR pile.

Blurb:

November’s rain in Toronto 1936 has turned into December’s cold snap. Charlotte Frayne escapes being hit by a mud-splattered car racing round the corner at Queen and Spadina. The stranger who saves her turns out to be the man her boss, Mr. Gilmore, has helped to escape Germany and is now a refugee in need of shelter.

In a world still recovering from the War to End All Wars and the Spanish Influenza pandemic that killed fifty million people worldwide, and still in the throes of the Great Depression, Stephen Lucas is not just any refugee from the Nazi regime; he is in possession of information that could alter the course of history — but only if seen by persons in power and if acted upon. In a surprising twist of fate, Charlotte’s estranged mother reappears, wanting assistance in locating the son she gave up at birth twenty years before. Despite her turbulent feelings about her mother, Charlotte agrees to investigate, having no idea that the two cases will connect in surprising ways.

Back at the Paradise Café, Christmas draws near and Charlotte’s beau, Hilliard Taylor, and his partners are in disagreement about the holiday concert. With her beloved grandfather in the mix, there’s no telling whether the show will end in good tidings or anarchy.

Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle - A Guest Post, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Gabby Heart to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Gabby on the pages of the Mysteries of a Heart series by Celeste Fenton. CAPTIVE HEART AT BRANTMAR CASTLE is the second book in the series.

 

Gabby Heart on Curiosity, Courage, and Accidentally Falling for the Dangerous Option
By Celeste Fenton

If you’d asked me a few years ago what I wanted out of life, I would have said something sensible.

A quiet routine. Family. Familiar faces. Predictable days. Work that I love. The occasional buying trip through New England. Certainly not any adventure that involved criminals, hidden tunnels, or people trying to kill me.

I was very committed to being safe.

In Lost Heart in King Manor, I lived a life that was comfortable and contained. I ran Ocean Current, the family gift shop, with my mother. I illustrated children’s books. I taught art. Basically, I stayed in my lane. And I certainly didn’t go looking for trouble—unless you count poking around family secrets that probably should have stayed buried. (In my defense, they started it.)

Somewhere along the way, something shifted. I discovered my inner Miss Marple!

By the time Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle begins, I’ve stopped pretending I’m not drawn to mystery. I like the puzzle. The chase. The way pieces fall into place when you pay attention. I don’t seek danger for the thrill of it—but I won’t lie and say the adrenaline doesn’t wake something up in me.

There’s a moment, when you’re chasing answers, when fear and excitement blur together. That moment? I live for it now. (I also complain loudly while doing it. Growth doesn’t mean silence.)

That same shift happened in my love life.

In Lost Heart, Rick felt like the obvious choice. Safe. Steady. Protective. The kind of man who makes you believe nothing bad will happen as long as he’s nearby. And after years of dealing with emotional baggage, that kind of safety was appealing. Like ordering a decaf at 3 in the afternoon and passing on dessert.

Rick and I made sense. Everyone agreed. I agreed.

But “makes sense” and “sets your pulse racing” are not always the same thing.

Enter Jay.

Jay challenged me from the beginning. Intellectually, verbally, emotionally. He didn’t try hard to impress me—he assumed I’d keep up. Which was irritating. And compelling. Like ordering an espresso spiked with bourbon and a slice of blueberry pie. With whipped cream.

He also has blue eyes that make it very difficult to think clearly. Or breathe. Or remember what I was saying. Add electricity to the mix—literal electricity, metaphorical electricity—and my hair frizzes like I’ve stuck my finger in an outlet. It’s very undignified.

It’s not just attraction with Jay (though, let’s be honest, there’s plenty of that). He pushes me to step forward when I tend to retreat. We meet in the middle—usually with banter, occasionally with sparks, and sometimes with me pretending I’m calm while my pulse is spiking.

By Captive Heart, I’m learning that trust isn’t something you either have or don’t—it’s something you practice. To choose what feels true instead of what feels safe. I’ve learned—sometimes painfully—that challenge doesn’t mean danger for danger’s sake. Sometimes it means growth. Sometimes it means stepping into the unknown because staying still would be the real risk.

That realization didn’t come easily. I made assumptions. I misread situations. I let fear narrate when I should have asked questions. Trauma has a way of convincing you that pulling back is wisdom.

Sometimes it is.
Sometimes it’s just fear in a better outfit.

Jay never demanded anything from me. He waited. He showed up. He stayed present even when I pulled away. That kind of patience is its own kind of courage.

And when I finally stopped running—from danger, from mystery, from love—I realized something important: I don’t want a life that’s merely comfortable. I want one that challenges me to be brave. Curious. Alive.

So now I investigate. I ask questions. I step forward instead of back. Not just in the next mystery. I do it now when it comes to love, I’m learning that the safest choice isn’t always the one that feels calm—it’s the one that asks you to grow.

If that means mystery, intrigue, and a little danger?
Apparently… I’m in.

And Celeste Fenton—if you’re listening—am I done with Rick? Is it Jay? I think it’s Jay… right? I’m okay with that. More than okay. I’m putting my trust in you.

Just don’t ask me to crawl through anything with snakes. Or spiders. Or climb anything too tall. Or anything slimy. And please don’t promise I won’t shiver when Jay looks at me with those damned blue eyes. Some growth takes time. 

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Review

CAPTIVE HEART AT BRANTMAR CASTLE by Celeste Fenton
The Second in the Mysteries of a Heart Series 

Gabby Heart and her best friend Abe are excited to be in Scotland and staying in an honest to goodness castle! Sure it's business, Abe is working on a new Children's book series and Gabby is getting inspiration for her illustrations, but it's also an exciting girls trip packed with fun and snacks. Unfortunately it's 2020 and the world has something else planned for them. Rumors of a plague confuse them, but the escape of two prisoners from a nearby prison is more worrisome, especially after they discover a dead body on one of their ramblings. Meanwhile, back home, teenaged boys are going missing and COVID has begun to rear it's ugly head. When news arrives that family members have COVID the women are desperate to return home, and friends have a plan for their return, but criminals, fanatics, and even COVID itself have plans as well.

 

A castle with creepy sounds, more than one desperate rescue attempt, relationship drama, and plenty of sex make for lots of excitement around every corner in CAPTIVE HEART AT BRANTMAR CASTLE. Gabby has become a bit of an adrenaline junkie with a penchant for solving puzzles. She's also unexpectedly become a dog person and I love little Darcy! The bickering, the camaraderie, and the care these people show for each other and their community stand out to make this book special. So much so when something unexpected happens near the end of the book I was absolutely stunned! 

 

There are lots of characters and even though I had read the first book in the series I had difficulty remembering exactly who some of the characters were, as well as their relationship to each other. There are also several subplots and therefore lots of moving pieces. I questioned the necessity of some, but grudgingly came to see their purpose. 

 

Even after finishing the book, my mind is back in the early days of COVID-19. I was an essential worker, so I was still going to work, driving on almost deserted roads, staying away from everyone afterwards. I say this just to prepare readers who may be triggered.

 

Fast paced, jaw dropping, and with enough humor to balance the excitement CAPTIVE HEART AT BRANTMAR CASTLE is a thrilling read.

 

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 Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle: Mysteries of a Heart Series by Celeste Fenton

About Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle

Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle: Mysteries of a Heart Series
Cozy Mystery - Romantic Suspense 2nd in Series
Setting - Dost Island (off the coast of Massachusetts) and the Scottish Highlands
Publisher: ‎ Independently Published
Publication Date: ‎ September 22, 2025
Hardcover Print Length: ‎ 305 pages Paperback Print Length: ‎ 389 pages

Gabby Heart travels to a remote Scottish castle with her best friend, Abe—a bestselling children’s author—expecting misty views, historic charm, and quiet time to plan their next book series. But Brantmar Castle holds more than ghosts of the past. When the women are taken hostage, Gabby must rely on her instincts, her resilience, and the help of men who may not deserve her trust to survive. Meanwhile, on Dost Island, young residents are vanishing without a trace. As those left behind scramble for answers, unsettling clues emerge—leading to a dark motive no one could have predicted. From the storm-swept highlands of Scotland to the rocky shores of New England, Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle blends mystery, emotional grit, simmering romance, and humor, in a story where secrets run deep... and time is running out.

Two mysteries. One fight for survival. And danger closing in from both sides of the sea.

A slow-burn romantic suspense with an edgy cozy mystery twist peppered with humor, Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle is perfect for fans of strong women over 40, amateur sleuths, brooding men with buried secrets, and adventure in small seaside towns and exotic locales hiding deadly truths.

About Celeste Fenton

My writing is fueled by a lifelong love of mystery and a fascination with the complexities of the human heart. As a widow, mother of adult twin sons, proud grandmother, dog lover, and semi-retired educator, I believe I have enough real-world experience to weave imagination with insight to create stories rich with emotion and suspense.

When I'm not writing, reading, or plotting another plot twist, I like to explore small towns across America—setting out solo for month-long adventures much to the awe (and occasional alarm) of family and friends. My latest obsessions include escape rooms, mastering the perfect miter cut for a DIY bathroom remodel, training my cavalier spaniel to do a high five, and making the impossible decision of where to travel next.

Author Links: 

Website https://celestefenton.com  

Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/stores/CELESTE-FENTON/author/B0F5HTW7RK  

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@CelesteFentonWrites  

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575815274859  

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

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@celestefenton?lang=en  

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/celeste-fenton-33811a357/  

X https://x.com/CFentonWrites  

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/celeste_fenton/  

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/1923908781  

Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N

Tell-Tale Treats - A Review

 Review

TELL-TALE TREATS by Jennifer J. Chow
The Third Magical Fortune Cookie Mystery 

It's a girls' weekend when former high school friends led by Ashlyn Cook, the Queen Bee herself, rent out Pixie Inn. Felicity Jin is happy to provide a never ending supply of baked goods for the event while her boyfriend, Kelvin is outfitting the B&B with his floral designs. That night the owner of the inn calls Kelvin in a panic, but when he and Felicity arrive they find a water leak is the least of their worries. Ashlyn is dead. Was this a tragic accident? With Detective Sun on the case it must be something more. Felicity and Kelvin will be sure to make themselves useful-whether it's delivering treats from their stores, providing a shoulder to lean on, or picking up clues to catch a killer.

With the release of the third Magical Fortune Cookie Mystery I was happy to find myself back in California drooling over almond cookies and pineapple buns. 

TELL-TALE TREATS looks at how friendships can change, what people will do for love, and how love and friendship can sour. It also shows how family doesn't need a blood, or even human, connection. Family is who is there for you, in good times and bad and who gathers round your dining room table. 

I enjoyed the mystery and especially appreciated how Whiskers and two other furry friends helped solve the crime as well as provide love and affection. While I knew early on a certain someone was bad news, and a big liar, I was unsure of motive. I liked how Felicity and Kelvin worked together to get to the bottom of everything. 

It's interesting to note that since Felicity and Kelvin became a romantic couple the investigation has become a team effort. It's no longer Felicity investigating with help from her friend Kelvin, instead the two of them do everything together. This works at the moment, as they are a great team. I only hope this coupling doesn't diminish Felicity's power. 

With delectable Chinese baked goods and a hint of magic TELL-TALE TREATS provides a scrumptious mystery that's to die for. 

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Tell-Tale Treats by Jennifer J. Chow. This is the third book in the Magical Fortune Cookie Mystery series and will be released next week.

It's a girls' weekend when former high school friends led by Ashlyn Cook, the Queen Bee herself, rent out Pixie Inn. Felicity Jin is happy to provide a never ending supply of baked goods for the event while her boyfriend, Kelvin is outfitting the B&B with his floral designs. That night the owner of the inn calls Kelvin in a panic, but when he and Felicity arrive they find a water leak is the least of their worries. Ashlyn is dead. Was this a tragic accident? With Detective Sun on the case it must be something more. Felicity and Kelvin will be sure to make themselves useful-whether it's delivering treats from their stores, providing a shoulder to lean on, or picking up clues to catch a killer.

In Skein Sight - A Guest Post, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Jemma Wilkinson to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Jemma on the pages of the Clear Creek Mystery series. IN SKEIN SIGHT is the fifth book in the series and will be released this week!

Hi! I’m Jemma, from the Clear Creek Mysteries. If you’re familiar with our town, you might know me as the owner of Black Sheep Yarns & Woolies.

One of my friends told me that mysteries and yarn are the same, if you look hard enough. Yarn is easy to tangle. If you’re not careful, you'll end up with a knot that takes hours to fix. It’s the same with investigations. When you blunder around without any idea what you’re doing, there’s a good chance you’ll make everything worse.

We were talking over coffee this morning about my latest tangle with trouble, and she asked what kind of yarn cozy mysteries would be. It was an interesting question, and one I hadn’t really thought about before.

Since things are slow in the yarn shop today, let’s talk about it!

I think cozies would be self-striping yarn. The kind that looks predictable in the skein, then throws a bright streak at you when you're not paying attention. Mysteries work the same way. They settle in nice and calm, then drop a body at your feet. Or a clue.

Or, sometimes, a threat.

But the stories are cozy. There can’t be anything, well, graphic or bloody. Which means we don’t want a yarn that’s scratchy. It doesn’t even need to be something sturdy that will stand the test of time. What matters most is how it feels.

This yarn has to be thick, and soft, and squishy. Worsted weight, at a minimum, but Aran would be better. And it should be spun from angora, or alpaca, with a little bit of silk for strength, and just enough nylon to help it keep its shape.

Cozy mysteries need to feel the same way—soft enough to curl up with, but with enough structure to hold together when things get twisted.

It would be the kind of yarn I reach for without thinking. Familiar. Steady. The promise that if I work through any tangles, I'll get something luscious at the end.

And now my fingers are itching to pull a skein off the wall and cast on a new knitting project. Maybe a nice shawl to wrap myself in the next time I pick up a cozy mystery. 

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Review

IN SKEIN SIGHT by Rebecca McKinnon
The Fifth Clear Creek Mystery

 

Jemma Wilkinson knows she's a disaster in the kitchen, but she's a whiz at making videos so she and her good friend, Chef Leandro, are going live to promote his upcoming cooking class. But happiness from their successful video turns to astonishment when a pompous man comes into the kitchen saying that it's his kitchen and he's the head chef! When Jemma then finds the wanna be chef dead, Leandro immediately falls under suspicion. Determined to not allow her friend to be railroaded, Jemma starts her own investigation and soon finds lots of people angry with the arrogant man. Will she be able to find the real killer, or will she once again become the killer's next target?

 

I loved the fifth Clear Creek Mystery, a novel that's at once funny, yet realistic, showcasing wonderful friendships while also delivering a well plotted mystery. The characters are well crafted and I love how the friends work together. I also appreciate the frustrations they have with each other, especially when it comes to investigating a murder. I had a feeling I knew the killer's identity fairly early on, but that did not decrease my interest or enjoyment one bit! I liked watching everyone uncover clues and follow leads as I listened to my gut...and a few well placed clues.

 

With humor and heart IN SKEIN SIGHT provides a delightful mystery that's both cozy and exciting!

 

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In Skein Sight (Clear Creek Mysteries) by Rebecca McKinnon

About In Skein Sight

In Skein Sight (Clear Creek Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery 5th in Series
Setting – Rocky Mountains 
Independently Published
Publication Date: ‎ January 23, 2026

Spring has sprung in the Rocky Mountains, and Clear Creek is celebrating the arrival of the new season and increased tourism with a host of events — including a special cooking class taught by Jemma’s good friend, Chef Leandro.

When a knit-wit chef barges into Leandro’s kitchen insisting it’s now his, sparks fly between the two. It seems that everyone wants the new chef gone, but no one expects Jemma to find the man stabbed through the heart.

Leandro’s knife skills — and his argument with the dead man — make him the obvious suspect. But Jemma’s ready to cross needles with the Sheriff and anyone else who tries to place the blame on her friend.

With the killer’s eyes on Jemma from the start, she needs to weave in the ends before things unravel!

About Rebecca McKinnon

 

Rebecca McKinnon enjoys playing with her imaginary friends and introducing them to others through her writing. She dreams of living in the middle of nowhere, but has been unable to find an acceptable location that wouldn’t require crossing an ocean.  

Author Links:  

Website: https://rebeccamckinnon.com/  

Newsletter Sign-Up: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/47h2c6u3z6  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccamckinnon_author/?hl=en  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rebecca-McKinnon/956145304405426?ref=hl  

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4993788.Rebecca_McKinnon 

Purchase Link - Amazon

Trapped and Tested - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

TRAPPED AND TESTED by Sharon Marchisello
The Second DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery 

DeeLo Myer's niece Demi is thrilled when a DNA site connects her with a possible brother. But DeeLo has her reservations when she meets the too smooth Kwintone, especially when he's assigned to help her trap several community cats for the Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return Program. Not only does he show up late, he's dressed in a suit and takes off early! But when she sees his car by the side of the road with his phone inside she gets worried. A brief search leads her to a man bleeding on the ground calling for help. Before she knows it DeeLo is dealing with local politics, animal testing, and murder. Will she be able to solve the crime, save the cats, and stay out of jail? 

I really like DeeLo. She's smart, capable, and has a mission. I still can't stand Demi, although I like her a bit more by the end of the book, and I still don't like Barry, who's showing he's even more of a jerk than I thought in the first book! The mystery was compelling, especially as we learned more and more about the victim. And the mystery was not just the murder, there was also the mystery of Demi's birth father. Is Kwintone really her half brother? And what about....no spoilers. I also appreciated the local politics aspect of the story. Several surprises kept me intrigued with a major shock that I still have difficulty comprehending, especially as we'll have to deal with the consequences in future books.

As an animal lover with five rescue cats of my own, I truly appreciate the fact that this series deals with TNVR (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return) as well as the needless use of animal testing and the unscrupulous ways some people obtain animals for testing. There is no preaching or proselytizing, just facts.

Lots of moving parts make TRAPPED AND TESTED a compelling mystery that deals with social issues as it entertains.

*********************************************************************** 

 Trapped and Tested: A DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery by Sharon Marchisello

About Trapped and Tested

Trapped and Tested: A DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery
Cozy Mystery 2nd in the Series
Setting – Georgia
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Level Best Books
Publication Date : December 16, 2025
Pages 274 

When DeeLo’s niece, Demi Myer, tries to find her father on an ancestry site, she meets Kwintone, a half-brother with a few secrets. After getting a speeding ticket, Kwintone is assigned to community service in the Pecan Point Humane Society’s Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return program—trapping cats with DeeLo on the new Oakwood Studios lot. The disinterested trainee leaves abruptly on his first night, and later DeeLo finds his car abandoned beside the road, phone on the seat.

Where is Kwintone, and is he connected to the stabbing of the CEO of Neuroscience Laboratories—a medical research facility that tests its products on cats?

DeeLo is still determined to change the county’s animal ordinance to support TNVR, but is the newcomer candidate she backs for the open commissioner slot involved in a murder?

About Sharon Marchisello

Sharon Marchisello is the author of the DeeLo Myer cat rescue mystery series, which began with Trap, Neuter, Die. She is a long-time volunteer and cat foster for the Fayette Humane Society (FHS) with a Master’s in Professional Writing from the University of Southern California. She also published three mysteries with Sunbury Press—Going Home (2014), Secrets of the Galapagos (2019), and Murder at Leisure Dreams - Galapagos (2025). Sharon has written short stories, a nonfiction book about personal finance, training manuals, screenplays, a blog, and book reviews. She is an active member of Sisters in Crime, the Atlanta Writers Club, and the Hometown Novel Writers Association. Retired from a 27-year career with Delta Air Lines, she now lives in Peachtree City, Georgia, and serves on the board of directors for the Friends of the Peachtree City Library.

Website: sharonmarchisello.com (https://smarchisello.wordpress.com/)  

Social Media Links:  

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

Twitter/X https://twitter.com/slmarchisello  

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4297807.Sharon_Marchisello  

Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonmarchisello  

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

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sharon-marchisello

   

Critters and Crimes - A Review

 Review

 

CRITTERS AND CRIMES by Elizabeth Pantley
Book 11 of the Magical Cozy Mystery Book Club Series

It's a very special day for the book club and Frank is especially excited to enter a book world where animals appear to play a major role in the story. Upon their arrival in Rivershade the gang is delighted by the picturesque town.They soon discover they're part of a book club in the story and are surprised that they are already known to the characters. Lillian is the wonderful hostess, but Frank soon discovers he's just a "regular" cat. The book characters can't understand him! Not only that, though Lillian shares her house with lots of animals, she doesn't care for them, they are her husband's, and they aren't speaking either! This has Frank giving the book they're in Zero stars!!! On their second day they go to visit Lillian and discover her standing over her husband's dead body. This must be the murder the gang is here to solve, but it's being treated a natural death. Will the gang discover it's truly murder? If so, who among the characters they just met could have done the dead? Paige, Atticus, Frank, and the rest of the crew will look for clues, enjoy the charming setting, eat lots of snacks, and hopefully solve a murder so that they can return home.

I always enjoy going with the Magical Cozy Mystery Book Club into a new book. The mystery in CRITTERS AND CRIMES is more slow paced than usual. They aren't even sure the body at the start is a murder they're supposed to solve. Most of the characters act guilty and make good suspects, even if they can't figure out a motive at first. Lillian's behavior is decidedly suspicious and as they learn more about Harold, multiple motives start piling up.

Frank had me in stitches when he gave the book zero stars! From the highest expectations to reality. The good news is that Harold's animals grew to trust the book club and...but no spoilers from me. I loved how they finally got involved and helped solve the crime. I think my favorite character in Rivershade was the smallest. It's interesting how the relationship between Paige and Atticus is evolving. Will they become more than friends?

With a slower pace and characters who really care about each other CRITTERS AND CRIMES is a wonderful escape that will make you laugh, then smile, as you enjoy a good puzzle.

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Trapped and Tested by Sharon Marchisello. This book is the second in the DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mystery series.

Dee Lo Myer's niece Demi is thrilled when a DNA site connects her with a possible brother. But DeeLo has her reservations when she meets the too smooth Kwintone, especially when he's assigned to help her trap several community cats for the Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return Program. Not only does he show up late, he's dressed in a suit and takes off early! But when she sees his car by the side of the road with his phone inside she gets worried. A brief search leads her to a man bleeding on the ground calling for help. Before she knows it DeeLo is dealing with local politics, animal testing, and murder. Will she be able to solve the crime, save the cats, and stay out of jail?

A Reader's Interview with Cozy Up With Kathy

During my Welcome to Winter Online Book Party I offered an opportunity to interview me. Reader Hilary Flanagan took up the challenge.

Hilary: For those of us who are not as familiar with your origin story, what first drew you to cozy mysteries and how did that evolve into Cozy Up with Kathy?

Kathy: I've always been a reader, probably inevitable as an only child with parents who loved to read! My dad collected Hardy Boys mysteries, so I was introduced to them...it didn't hurt when the Hardy Boys TV series came out in the 1970s! I was a huge fan of Alfred Hitchcock so was thrilled to discover Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators, yes Hitch was originally in those books! Fast forward several decades in which I never stopped reading. I was living in Austin, Texas and working as a police officer when I learned about Sisters in Crime. I joined the local chapter and the rest is history. I started the Cozy Up With Kathy blog and corresponding Facebook after I moved back to Western New York. I knew some authors and wanted to work on my writing. The rest, as they say, is history.

 

Hilary: What types of discussions or events in the group have generated the most excitement and participation? How do you see that/those evolving in the new year?

Kathy: The Cozy Up With Kathy Party Page is a bit different than other groups. Several years ago Facebook started to target live events on pages, people who commented "too much" were placed in Facebook jail and were banned from posting or commenting for a while. This was destroying parties. I had the idea to hold parties on a group page, rather than a regular page, as I noticed lots of posts from people in groups weren't being targeted. Si I created the Cozy Up With Kathy Party Page. My idea worked! That being said, I never intended the group page to be a big thing, it was just a location to host the few parties I held each year. I also offer it to the authors with whom I work to use for their own promotions. If I had more time in the day I would expand it, but for now I have the 2 big parties: My Halloween Spooktacular and my Welcome to Winter. If I have time I will sometimes host small parties in the spring and summer.
 

Hilary: What do you value most about the Cozy up with Kathy group, and what do you think makes the group uniquely special?

Kathy: I think The Party Page is special in that it's focus is just parties. It is not active at other times so members aren't inundated with posts. We also have the direct interaction with a variety of authors.


Hilary: Are there any specific themes or subgenres you see on the rise for cozy mysteries and any recent releases in those subgenres you encourage readers to check out to test those waters?

Kathy: In general certain subgenres remain prevalent, the Culinary Cozy and the Paranormal. Culinary mysteries are probably the most common and even books that I wouldn't classify as cozies sometimes include recipes! I appreciate that some books are adding more mature themes. I'm not talking mature as it comes to increased sex or violence, but mature as in thoughtful, pertinent to today's world, more thought provoking.

Hilary: Any emerging authors or hidden gems from the community that are worth highlighting to readers with all levels of cozy experience and all heights of TBR piles?

Kathy: Most of the authors I read are considered mid-listers. They may be popular in the cozy community and their books sell well-but they're not well known to the casual reader. In fact, although I real a lot of mysteries, the books I read are rarely even nominated for awards. I don't think I read one that was nominated in Bouchercon. I do slightly better with Malice Domestic and the Lefties, but not much. This is one of the main goals of Cozy Up With Kathy-getting the word out about great books by wonderful authors. That being said, here are some authors I love who may not be as well known as others: Maureen Klovers, Jeanne Quigley, Kate Parker, L. A. Chandlar, Lissa Redmond, and Eleanor Kuhns.
 

Hilary: What feedback do you think matters most to writers, and what is the best way for us readers to offer it?

Kathy: I think the best feedback for writers is to leave reviews and talk up their books. Recommend them to friends, family, and co-workers. Buy their books, check them out at libraries and request them if libraries don't offer them already!

Hilary: If you could host one live cozy event (virtual or in person) - what would it look like and who would be on your surprise panel/guest list?

Kathy: I would love to host a live cozy event. But as a former President of Murder on Ice I know that is no easy task. So I would love for someone else to organize a huge mystery party in Western New York! I would happily moderate a panel or two. There would be food and goodie bags for all-including me! What's more likely would be a virtual panel, especially as friends and favorite authors live all over...including in Tasmania! It would be hard to choose authors, so I'd have to invite via panel. I'd love a historical panel with L. A. Chandlar, Kate Parker, Clara McKenna, Erica Ruth Neubauer, Colleen Cambridge, Eleanor Kuhns, Mary Winters. Heather Redmond...uh oh, that panel is getting big. Can you tell I love historicals? I'd love a humorous group with Ellen Byron, Vivien Chien, A. J. Devlin, and Michele Pariza Wacek, I couldn't forget the authors who are my actual friends in real life, Lissa Redmond and L. J. M. Owen. And I'd hate to forget favorite authors such as Cleo Coyle, Gigi Pandian, Daryl Wood Gerber, Maureen Klovers. Oh there are so many. It would have to be a multiday event at a hugs place!

Hilary: Is there any particular group tradition or engagement pathway that you would love to see every member participate in at least once?

Kathy: I would love to have readers leave comments on my blog: https://cozyupwithkathy.blogspot.com/. It would also be nice to have more interaction on my Cozy Up With Kathy page, not the Party Page, but the regular page: https://www.facebook.com/CozyUpWithKathy.
 

Hilary: Is there a book or series you wish more cozy readers talked about and why?

Kathy: There are a lot of fantastic series out there and I'd love to get the word spread about a few of them. I'll start with the Rita Calabresa Mystery series by Maureen Klovers, the Ella Shane Mystery series by Kathleen Marple Kalb, two series by Jeanne Quigley- the Veronica Walsh Mysteries and the Robyn Cavanagh Mystery series, and the Deadly Series by Kate Parker...for starters! These are all fantastic mysteries that don't get a lot of promotion and a lot of people are simply unaware that they exist!


Hilary: What 2026 releases are you most excited about for the cozy community?

Kathy: So many! I'll start with Vivien Chien's CRIME RANGOON, the next Mrs. Claus Mystery by Liz Ireland, VENGEANCE IN VENICE by Erica Ruth Neubauer, the next books in multiple series by Daryl Wood Gerber, and the same with Cleo Coyle. I could go on, but you get the idea.


Hilary: If you could wave a magic wand and change any one thing about the cozy mystery community, what would it be and why?

Kathy: That we'd have time to read all of the wonderful books out there!

Marie Conner, A Leading Lady - Cover Reveal & Excerpt

 

Marie Conner, A Leading Lady: Her Life and Civic Leadership in a Bygone Era by Elle Mott

COMING IN MARCH!

About Marie Conner, A Leading Lady

Marie was born a girl. That was only her first mistake, according to her father.

In an era when daughters and wives are not supposed to be concerned with matters outside the home, Marie is determined to prove him wrong. To do this, she must break down barriers placed on women in society, overcome difficulties that befall her, surpass hardships from the Great Depression, and then face an inevitable relocation.

Marie steps into her community and into the hearts of many people to give her time and help with their needs. She wants nothing in return other than her father's acceptance as a worthy woman and yet, she gains much in return, even if it is not her father's praise. This is Marie’s story—of a rise from her girlhood angsts to become a leading lady—and much more.

COVER REVEAL

An Excerpt:

Marie’s documented written words from December 1952 are shared in

Chapter 15

“Love”

Pages 207 – 208

I opened the shop at 10:30. The first thing of course is building a fire in a wood heater. The wood is rather wet, no kindling and no axe. But we always get it started. By this time, we have quite a group of people in the shop. They are there for various reasons. Saturday, 89 people came to the shop. Some came for help, some out of curiosity, and some to buy. Today the first thing I must do is drive nearly to Berline to aid a lovely old couple. It is nearly 1 p.m. when I arrive back in Lebanon.

            We prepare a hasty lunch in our little kitchen and as I try to eat a few bites I receive the most wonderful gift that could have come to the shop. Our telephone had arrived. Nothing was ever needed more. The number is 7042. I felt my day had been full. Also, during this time, I interviewed three people while I was at a cup of tea and a sandwich, trying to get a bite in now and then. I was able to help all three people due to those who had made purchases during the morning. You see, the shop is a place to help one another. The one who pays helps the one who needs and the one who gives the articles helps the other two and I am sure the giver is repaid by the joy she brings. 

            Since the opening of the shop, I have had a dream of a sewing room, but we have never had time to get the room cleaned out because it was the room where things needing repair or cleaning was kept. Now the barn that is directly behind the shop has been almost completed so that we were able to remove these things to there. With one helper and so many to wait on it seemed an impossible task. But again, a wonderful thing happened. A mother and daughter who are old friends of mine walked in and offered to help. We certainly could use them, and they worked all afternoon. Several old people without transportation wanted boxes of things delivered so my trusty pick-up and I were out in the rain off and on all afternoon, so you can imagine how time flies when we are that busy. My closing time came only too soon. We had not completed the renovation of the room needed for sewing. I went to the home of a helper who had to stay home all day with two grandchildren. Her daughter relieved her of this job in the evening, so she and I went back down after a bite to eat, and at 12 midnight, we had the room in apple pie order and now my dream has come true. Anyone who has an hour or so to spare and wants to drop in and do some mending or tie quilts will now be able to do so.. Of course, all I need now is a sewing machine and ironing board for this room. I purchased a nice machine from a woman who needed money, but someone needed the machine so badly and of course I now do not have one.

            Saturday, a beautifully dressed person came in and looked around and asked, “What is this place?”

            She understood what I meant when I answered her. “It is the heart of Lebanon.”

*********************************************************************** 

About Elle Mott

Elle Mott writes creative nonfiction. This is her third book. She is the author of “Out of Chaos: A Memoir” and “People Helping People.” Her other writing pieces have been featured in literary journals, news magazines, and anthologies. She has a background working in libraries, both at the college level and, for more than ten years, at the public library in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. While library work is her livelihood, writing is her passion. Elle grew up in Oregon and now makes her home in the suburbs of northern Kentucky with two cats and several pet birds.

Author Links:

Website: https://ellemottauthor.com  

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elle-mott-author  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellemott.author  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/elle_mott  

Kofi: https://ko-fi.com/ellemott  

Purchase Links - Coming Soon