2019 - A Look Back

I'm excited to enter 2020 as I reminisce about the year 2019. I enjoyed welcoming new authors to the blog and renewing acquaintances with others. I discovered many new series and continued savoring many others. While the number of books I loved is too daunting to list...and I cannot commit to naming my top ten as there are too many variables to consider, I thought I'd at least make note of some favorites.

I was delighted to start several new series in 2019. A Dream of Death by Connie Berry, A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder by Dianne Freeman,  Peach Clobbered by Anna Gerard, And Then There Were Crumbs by Eve Calder, The House on Hallowed Ground by Nancy Cole Silverman, and Death by Committee by Alexis Morgan were real standouts!

I also really enjoyed Southern Sass and Killer Cravings by Kate Young, Steeped in Murder by Kirsten Weiss, Designs on Murder by Gayle Leeson, Belinda Blake and the Snake in the Grass by Heather Day Gilbert, Murder's No Votive Confidence by Christin Brecher, and Mrs. Morris and the Ghost by Traci Wilton.

Of course I couldn't wait for new books in series I already loved and was thrilled to read 3 books in Carolyn Haines' Pluto's Snitch Mystery series. I had only recently discovered this fantastic Gothic paranormal mystery series and caught up. The most recent book is A Visitation of Angels, which was the only one actually published in 2019. I was also excited to read the second Rose Gallagher Mystery by Erin Lindsey, A Golden Grave, another historical mystery with a paranormal bent. Speaking of historical mysteries, The Pearl Dagger by L.A Chandlar, Deadly Deception by Kate Parker, and both of Peg Cochran's follow ups in her Murder, She Reported series, Murder, She Uncovered and Murder, She Encountered were top notch.

Gigi Pandian's latest Jaya Jones mystery, The Glass Thief, made me giddy at the ending and Vivien Chien gave two new Noodle Shop mysteries leaving me constantly craving Chinese food. Two Barnabas Tew novels had me laughing at the bumbling Victorian detectives as they dealt with Mayan and Hindu gods. Sarah Fox gave another standout with her fifth Pancake House Mystery, Crepe Expectations and Lena Gregory's fourth Bay Island Psychic Mystery, Spirited Away, had me on the edge of my seat.

I look forward to jumping into the new releases of 2020 as well as books I may have missed!

Murder, She Encountered - A Review & Giveaway

Review

MURDER, SHE ENCOUNTERED by Peg Cochran

The Third Murder, She Reported Mystery

It's 1939 and the World's Fair has come to New York City. Elizabeth "Biz" Adams and her newspaper partner, Ralph Kaminsky, take the train to Queens to report on a robbery at the Fair, but what they find is a murdered woman. As the pair work to get the scoop, Kaminsky's health takes a turn for the worse. Determined to make him proud, and to prove she can do things on her own, Biz continues the investigation while he recuperates. Surely, the hot dog vendor is innocent, especially when so many others look guilty. If the murder wasn't perplexing enough, Biz also has the conundrum of her relationship with Detective Sal Marino. One thing's for certain, Elizabeth Adams is ready to assert her independence and live her life on her own terms.

1939 was an amazing year, fantastic movies were released (THE WIZARD OF OZ and GONE WITH THE WIND are just two) and my dad was born. Needless to say I was pumped to read about Biz's 1939 adventures at the World's Fair. The descriptions of the Fair made me feel as if I was actually there, feeling the heat and venturing into the World of Tomorrow although I was eighty years in the past. This special setting made the mystery that much more intriguing. The mystery led Biz and Kaminsky into the lives of some very interesting characters, from the Dupont girls playing tug of war with nylon stockings to residents of Hell's Kitchen. 1939 was also a historic year in Europe as Hitler invaded Poland. Hints of what was to come can be found on the pages, from a co-worker's fear for his family to the comments made by Biz's brother's new girlfriend; hints that add authenticity along with a somber note for those of us who know the future.

I really like Elizabeth and would like to think we'd be good friends. She could have an easy life, but she eschews upper class convention and that gilded cage and instead makes a life for herself. Not only does she have a job, but she's good at it. Biz is everything you want in a protagonist. She's smart and resourceful as well as loyal and determined. She also has a few flaws. I like her developing relationship with Marino and, like her, wonder where it will lead. Times are changing and so is she.

MURDER, SHE ENCOUNTERED is an engaging mystery that captures the essence of the year 1939, from the optimism of tomorrow to the concerns in Europe, from sticking with tradition to striking out on one's own.

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Murder, She Encountered (Murder, She Reported Series) by Peg Cochran

About Murder, She Encountered

 

Murder, She Encountered (Murder, She Reported Series) 

Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series  

Alibi (December 3, 2019) Print Length ~230 Pages

A gutsy Manhattan socialite encounters murder and corruption at the World’s Fair in this captivating historical cozy mystery for readers of Victoria Thompson, Susan Elia MacNeal, and Rhys Bowen.

New York City, 1939. A rising star at the Daily Trumpet, Elizabeth “Biz” Adams has been sent to the World’s Fair—billed as the “World of Tomorrow,” a look toward a brighter future even as the drumbeats of war grow louder—to cover a robbery. What she stumbles upon instead is a dead woman, dumped into the Aquacade’s pool with a nylon stocking wrapped around her neck.

Elizabeth snaps a photo as the police arrest Joey Dorman, a gentle young hot dog vendor who made no secret of his obsession with the murder victim. Even though she’s thrilled that her photo makes the front page, the fear and confusion evident on Joey’s face are haunting. So Elizabeth vows to prove his innocence—or his guilt—with her partner at the Daily Trumpet, Ralph Kaminsky. Meanwhile, her romance with Detective Sal Marino is heating up, and Elizabeth is more determined than ever to follow her heart.

But when Kaminsky’s efforts to expose the real killer land him in the hospital, Elizabeth is forced to continue the investigation on her own. And as she tries to narrow down the long list of suspects, she discovers a dark secret running through the Fair—a secret some would kill to protect.

Look for all of Peg Cochran’s delightful mysteries featuring Elizabeth Adams, which can be read together or separately: MURDER, SHE REPORTED MURDER, SHE UNCOVERED MURDER, SHE ENCOUNTERED

About the Author

Mystery writing lets Peg indulge her curiosity under the guise of “work” (aka research). As a kid, she read the entire set of children’s encyclopedias her parents gave her and has been known to read the dictionary. She put pen to paper at age seven when she wrote plays and forced her cousins to perform them at Christmas dinner. She switched to mysteries when she discovered the perfect hiding place for a body down the street from her house.

When she’s not writing, she spends her time reading, cooking, spoiling her granddaughter and checking her books’ stats on Amazon.

A former Jersey girl, Peg now resides in Michigan with her husband and Westhighland white terrier, Reg. She is the author of the Sweet Nothings Lingerie series (written as Meg London), the Gourmet De-Lite series, the Lucille series, the Cranberry Cove series, and the Farmer’s Daughter series.

Author Links: Website – http://www.pegcochran.com/  
Newsletter Sign Up – http://www.pegcochran.com/newsletter-signup.html  
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pegcochran  
Twitter – https://twitter.com/@pegcochran  
GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5352603.Peg_Cochran  
BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/authors/peg-cochran  

Purchase Links: Amazon B&N Kobo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Murder, She Uncovered - A Review

Review

MURDER, SHE UNCOVERED by Peg Cochran

The Second Murder, She Reported Mystery

Despite being a socialite, Elizabeth "Biz" Adams is proud of the fact that she's a working woman, and even prouder that's she's been promoted. Now an official photographer for the Daily Trumpet Elizabeth and her crime reporter partner, Kaminsky, are called to Long Island after a devastating hurricane leaves hundreds dead. But it wasn't the hurricane that killed the Irish maid, Noeleen. She was murdered. As the duo investigate they find themselves discovering more bodies, and possibly uncovering more murders.

Smart characters in a changing society form the backdrop to this historical mystery. I love the way the relationship between Biz and Kaminsky is evolving into a great friendship. They instinctively reach out to help each other, sometimes knowing what the other needs first and doing what they can to provide it.

This second Murder, She Reported Mystery focuses on expectations: those thrust on you from society and your parents. What do you do when their expectations don't meet your own needs and desires? Indeed, your own values? Biz is just one of the characters facing this type of dilemma.

The mystery is riveting, with lots of historical detail and red herrings galore. There's even another suspicious death that serves as a subplot! Shocking possibilities become even more profound when pregnancy, mental illness, and religion are brought into the equation.

MURDER, SHE UNCOVERED kept me riveted from the opening raindrops to the devastation of the Great North East Hurricane and its aftermath. A complex mystery, a commentary on society, and an emotional tempest make this book a captivating read.

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Murder, She Uncovered (Murder, She Reported Series) by Peg Cochran

About the Book

Murder, She Uncovered (Murder, She Reported Series)  

Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series  

Alibi (May 28, 2019)  

Print Length ~230 Pages 

An intrepid 1930s Manhattan socialite uncovers deadly secrets during an assignment to the Hamptons in this riveting historical cozy mystery for readers of Victoria Thompson, Anne Perry, and Rhys Bowen.

Westhampton, 1938. To the dismay of her well-to-do family, Elizabeth “Biz” Adams is quickly establishing herself as a seasoned photographer over at the Daily Trumpet. Growing more confident in her decision to pursue a career, Elizabeth is thrilled when she and her reporter sidekick, Ralph Kaminsky, are sent to Long Island to cover the story of a young maid found dead in one of the glamourous summer homes in the devastating aftermath of the Great New England Hurricane—also known as the Long Island Express.

At first it’s assumed that the young woman was caught in the terrible storm, but when a suspicious wound is found on the side of her head, the police suspect murder. The maid’s death becomes even more tragic when it’s discovered she was pregnant, and with Elizabeth and Kaminsky at the scene of the crime, the Daily Trumpet scoops all the other papers in town.

The young woman’s boyfriend emerges as the likeliest suspect. But as Elizabeth follows the story, she begins to wonder whether someone in the household of the maid’s employers might be responsible—someone who’ll stop at nothing to keep the truth about the baby’s paternity hidden. . . .

About the Author

Mystery writing lets Peg indulge her curiosity under the guise of “work” (aka research). As a kid, she read the entire set of children’s encyclopedias her parents gave her and has been known to read the dictionary. She put pen to paper at age seven when she wrote plays and forced her cousins to perform them at Christmas dinner. She switched to mysteries when she discovered the perfect hiding place for a body down the street from her house.

When she’s not writing, she spends her time reading, cooking, spoiling her granddaughter and checking her books’ stats on Amazon.

A former Jersey girl, Peg now resides in Michigan with her husband and Westhighland white terrier, Reg. She is the author of the Sweet Nothings Lingerie series (written as Meg London), the Gourmet De-Lite series, the Lucille series, the Cranberry Cove series, and the Farmer’s Daughter series.

Author Links:
Website – http://www.pegcochran.com/  
Newsletter Sign Up – http://www.pegcochran.com/newsletter-signup.html  
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/pegcochran  
Twitter – https://twitter.com/@pegcochran  
GoodReads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5352603.Peg_Cochran  
BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/authors/peg-cochran  

Purchase Links: Amazon B&N Kobo

2018 - A Year of Reviews in Review

As 2018 draws to a close I thought I'd take a look back at some of the great books I was privileged to read.

By the time the year ends I will have read at least 91 books. The most books I've read in a year, primarily due to me overextending myself...and also because so many interesting books are being published!

I was introduced to a lot of new series this year. I think my favorite is one that cannot fully be categorized. It's a historical, a paranormal, and a comedy all rolled up in a traditional mystery: the Barnabas Tew Mystery series by Columbine Noonan. I actually read the first two in the series this year. Barnabas Tew and the Case of the Missing Scarab and Barnabas Tew and the Case of the Nine Worlds are a delightful romp through mythology and great mysteries.

It should come as no surprise that I am partial to historical mysteries as well as paranormal ones.  MURDER ON MILLIONAIRES' ROW by Erin Lindsey also fits both of those categories. 

Vampires are quite popular and I was delighted to discover a Vampire Mystery series. THE VAMPIRE KNITTING CLUB is the first in this series by Nancy Warren. Other top paranormal entries this year include A MAGICAL MATCH by Juliet Blackwell, CLAIRVOYANT AND PRESENT DANGER by Lena Gregory, and the new Magic Garden Mystery series by Amanda Flower which starts with FLOWERS AND FOUL PLAY.

I also love Gothics and THE BOOK OF THE BELOVED by Carolyn Haines fits that bill.

A historical series that really stood out for me is the Art Deco series by L. A. Chandlar. This series really should be read in order so start with THE SILVER GUN and continue with THE GOLD PAWN. Other historical mysteries that stood out this year include DEADLY FASHION by Kate Parker, MURDER, SHE REPORTED by Peg Cochran, and TURNING THE TIDE by Edith Maxwell. I also adore series that combines the present with the past. PAST AND PRESENT by Judy Sheluk is the second Marketville Mystery and I read all three of the Dr. Pimms Intermillennial Sleuth Mystery series by L.J. M Owen this year: OLMEC OBITUARY, MAYAN MENDACITY,  and EGYPTIAN ENIGMA.

The return I was most excited about was seeing Jack Shepard again. I waited ten years to hear from my PI and was thrilled for his return in THE GHOST AND THE BOGUS BESTSELLER by Cleo Coyle.

I also love food and was thrilled to find two new series showcasing Chinese and Mediterranean restaurants. I love Vivien Chien's Noodle House Mystery series, not only for her great characters and intriguing mysteries, but the setting, Cleveland, Ohio, where I once lived. Start with DEATH BY DUMPLING and continue with DIM SUM OF ALL FEARS. Baklava is one of my favorite desserts and, although known for their hummus bar, I might be able to find some in Tina Kashian's Kebab Kitchen Mystery series. Start with HUMMUS AND HOMICIDE and continue onto STABBED IN THE BAKLAVA. Want some breakfast? I love Sarah Fox's Pancake House Mystery series. The fourth book in this series was released this year, YEAST OF EDEN. She also started a new series, the Literary Pub Mystery series. I really enjoyed WINE AND PUNISHMENT. When speaking of food we can't forget beverages and I love the Whisky Business Mystery series by Melinda Mullet. DEADLY DRAM, the third book in the series, was released this year.

I'm fond of several religious mysteries and was delighted to discover Sister Agnes. You can find her in the Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn Mystery series by Jane Willan. Check out my review of the second book in the series, THE HOUR OF DEATH.

New books in favorite series also include LETHAL IN OLD LACE by Duffy Brown and TOUCAN KEEP A SECRET by Donna Andrews.

If you like short stories, you mustn't miss Gigi Pandian's THE CAMBODIAN CURSE & OTHER STORIES: A JAYA JONES TREASURE HUNT MYSTERY COLLECTION.

I read many more delightful mysteries and I know that I'm leaving out some great ones...but I hope you enjoy seeing some of the books that meant a lot to me this year. I'm certain that 2019 will bring even more great reading.

Murder, She Reported - Review

Review

MURDER, SHE REPORTED by Peg Cochran

The First Murder, She Reported Mystery

It's Manhattan in 1938 and Elizabeth Adams believes there's more to life than hosting parties and looking for a "suitable" husband. While her parents are aghast, Elizabeth is happy to be working at a newspaper, although being a Girl Friday isn't exactly what she had in mind. But her time in the Wellesley photography club pays off when Elizabeth fills in as a photographer for veteran reporter Ralph Kaminsky. Their trip cover to a high society debut turns into a crime story when the "It" girl finds her stepmother shot to death in the ladies room. As Elizabeth and Kaminsky pursue the story will they scoop the news, or will Elizabeth face social ruin...or worse?

MURDER, SHE REPORTED shows the dichotomy of New York City in 1938.The effects of the stock market crash and the possibility of war color this world, imbuing it with a sense of gravitas. Yet there is still a sense of style and glamour. Its inhabitants struggling not only to make do, but to flourish. Elizabeth "Biz" Adams is the perfect protagonist straddling both worlds, that of the haves and the have nots. She's a wealthy young woman who has drive and ambition and is open to new things is a world coming to terms with itself. Author, Peg Cochran skillfully brings Biz out of her comfort zone and we witness Biz's reactions as her world grows. The relationship between Biz and Kaminsky is wonderful, the veteran reporter and the new kid. And what a character Kaminsky is! His drive, street smarts, and fun idiosyncrasies make him a joy to read. And I'm not just saying that because he has a variation of my last name! He and Biz make a great duo.

I love the historical detail. The description of the Waldorf Hotel, the Chock full o'Nuts, and the various foods and fashion of the time really paint a picture in my mind and I feel as if I'm there. I'd love to try the Stork Club Cocktail!

MURDER, SHE REPORTED is a fantastic start to a new series. It opens a window to the past and creates a mystery that is timeless.

Currently Reading...

I just finished reading Murder, She Reported by Peg Cochran. This book is the first in the Murder, She Reported Mystery series and was released July 31, 2018.

It's Manhattan in 1938 and Elizabeth Adams believes there's more to life than hosting parties and looking for a "suitable" husband. While her parents are aghast, Elizabeth is happy to be working at a newspaper, although being a Girl Friday isn't exactly what she had in mind. But her time in the Wellesley photography club pays off when Elizabeth fills in as a photographer for veteran reporter Ralph Kaminsky. Their trip cover to a high society debut turns into a crime story when the "It" girl finds her stepmother shot to death in the ladies room. As Elizabeth and Kaminsky pursue the story will they scoop the news, or will Elizabeth face social ruin...or worse?

Spotlight - No Farm, No Foul

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a new series. No Farm, No Foul by Peg Cochran is the first in the Farmer's Daughter Mystery series and was released this month.

From the back cover:

On her blog, The Farmer's Daughter, Shelby McDonald is growing her audience as she posts recipes, gardening tips, and her experiences raising  two kids and running Love Blossom Farm in the small western Michigan town of Lovett.

Working the farm is demanding but peaceful-until that peace is shattered when the minister's wife is murdered on Shelby's property during a fund raiser for a local church, But the manure really hits the fan when Shelby's good friend veterinarian Kelly Thacker emerges as the prime suspect. Shelby decides to dig in and find the murderer by herself. As more suspects crop up, she'll have to move fast-before someone else buys the farm...

Recipes Included.

Peg Cochran - An Interview and a Recipe

I'd like to welcome Peg Cochran to Cozy Up With Kathy.  Peg writes the Gourmet De-Lite mysteries. Steamed to Death, the second in the series, was just released!

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

PC: That’s a tough question! I’d start with Jane Austen and hope our manners were up to snuff! P.D. James is a brilliant writer and has had an interesting life that would make for good conversation. Mary Higgens Clark—we have something in common (although I don’t write best sellers)—she was also widowed and left to raise her children. We’ve both been lucky enough to remarry wonderful men. I heard her speak once, and I think she would be great fun at a dinner party. Looks like I need to throw a man in there or this is going to be a hen party! How about Stephen King? I’m not a horror fan, but he writes eloquently about the writing process, and I’d love to ask him some questions.

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

PC: Olive oil, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, canned tuna—all of which we buy in bulk from Sam’s Club!

Kathy: What drew you to writing cozy mysteries? What inspired you to write the Gourmet De-Lite Mysteries?

Kathy: I’ve always been a big reader of cozies and traditional mysteries—starting with Agatha Christie. I knew what was expected in a cozy, and I like the fact that they are more about solving the puzzle than grossing out the reader with a lot of blood, gore and violence. And, it turned out that my “voice” is perfect for cozies. I chose to write the Gourmet De-Lite mysteries because I love to cook, and it gives me the opportunity to write about food. Most foodie cozies are about decadent foods—chocolate, cakes, pies, muffins. I wanted to do something different, something that would emphasize good quality healthy eating.

Kathy: Do you have a favorite character in your series? A character that is fun to write?

PC: I like writing about my main character, Gigi Fitzgerald. I like to think she’s a relatively ordinary person, like most of us, trying to keep it together and struggling to make ends meet. I have a new character in the third book in the series, Iced to Death, that I really enjoyed creating, but I can’t talk about that yet!

Kathy: When you're not writing cozy mysteries what do you do for fun? Any hobbies?

PC: I love to cook! (I also love to eat!) I read when I have downtime. I don’t have any hobbies other than cooking. I failed miserably at knitting and crocheting and needlework requires better eyesight than mine! I love spending time playing with my granddaughter or taking my Westie, Reg, for long walks.


Peg has graciously shared one of her recipes!


Pad Thai


Peanut Sauce


5 ounce can of evaporated milk

1/3 cup smooth peanut butter

2 TBL soy sauce

1 tsp. grated ginger (I love the stuff in jars that's already grated for you)

***

8 ounces dried, thin rice noodles (available in most ethnic sections of your local supermarket)

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup Splenda or sugar

2 TBL ketchup

1 1/2 TBL soy sauce (I prefer the low sodium kind)

1 lime wedge

1/2 tsp Sambal Oelek or Sriracha (chili paste available in the ethnic section of your grocery store or Asian markets)

2 TBL vegetable or olive oil

2 chicken breasts cut in half horizontally and then into bite-sized pieces

2 garlic cloves, minced or put through a garlic press

1 large egg, beaten

1 can bean sprouts, rinsed

1 bunch green onions, sliced

1/2 cup chopped peanuts


Place ingredients for peanut sauce in blender and blend until smooth.

Soak rice noodles according to package directions.

Combine water, Splenda, ketchup, soy sauce, juice of 1 lime wedge (or a squirt of lime juice), and chili paste in small bowl and mix. Set aside.

Heat oil in skillet and add garlic. Cook briefly until garlic begins to color slightly. Add chicken and cook, stirring, until opaque, approximately five minutes. Stir in noodles and pour ketchup mixture over noodles. Cook approximately 2 minutes until sauce is absorbed.

Push noodles to one side of skillet and add beaten egg. Stir until egg is cooked, then mix into dish. Add bean sprouts, 1/2 cup green onions and 1/4 cup chopped peanuts. Stir until mixed.

Place on serving plate and mix with peanut sauce. Sprinkle remaining green onions and peanuts on top.

Enjoy!