No Roast for the Weary - A Review & Giveaway

Review

NO ROAST FOR THE WEARY by Cleo Coyle
The Twenty-First Coffeehouse Mystery

Manager and master coffee roaster Clare Cosi is worried. With a troubling economy and many people working remotely the Village Blend has noticed a dramatic decrease in business. The truth is the coffeehouse is in financial trouble. In order to turn things around the baristas decide to restart the Writer's Block Lounge. The upstairs portion of the shop would transform into a place where writers could work, bounce ideas off each other, and hopefully buy lots of coffee and pastries! As the crew try to implement their plan one of their regulars is in a coma. Mr. Scrib came in daily for a coffee and to give Esther a poetry challenge. At least until he appeared to have a psychotic break. When he returned to look for his notebook, he was attacked in the alley. Could what's happened to Mr. Scrib be related to the murder of a member of the original Writer's Block Lounge? Will Clare be able to close a cold case, solve the current attack, and keep the Village Blend solvent?

I've loved Clare Cosi for years and this book made me love her even more. Dedicated to the Village Blend and her baristas, she's loyal, smart, and savvy. She also treats others with respect. This twenty-first Coffeehouse mystery touched on some serious topics and I appreciated that mental illness, drug addiction, and the people dealing with these issues were treated with respect.

The relationship between Esther and Mr. Scrib was heartwarming and I love Wacker! I also enjoy seeing Clare's relationship with Mike, and how it differs from her relationship with Matt. I wanted to smack Matt and loved how Clare ultimately handled the situation with Driftwood. I highly approve of Madame's new beau and the tips he shared with the writers were not only great, but eminently useful. I may just utilize some of the ideas myself!

The mystery was baffling and the last few chapters had me shocked. You'll be on the edge of your seat wondering what will go wrong...and who is behind all of the problems.

Temperamental artists, cut throat entrepreneurs, and a scramble to save a historic landmark that happens to be home make NO ROAST FOR THE WEARY a fast paced caffeinated mystery. Grab yourself a coffee and perhaps a Twinkie Tribute cupcake and prepare yourself for a fabulous read, just don't try a Kismet!

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No Roast for the Weary (A Coffeehouse Mystery) by Cleo Coyle

About No Roast for the Weary

No Roast for the Weary (A Coffeehouse Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 21st in Series
Setting - New York
Publisher: ‎ Berkley (April 1, 2025)
Hardcover: ‎ 368 pages

When the Village Blend opens a Writer's Block Lounge, a cold case crime turns up the heat on Clare and her crew in this gripping new entry in the beloved Coffeehouse Mystery series from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle.

As much as master roaster Clare Cosi adores coffee, the landmark shop she manages won't survive if she doesn't sell enough of it. So when the Village Blend's customer traffic grinds to a halt, she turns to her staff for creative ideas, and the Writer's Block Lounge is born.

Madame, the eccentric octogenarian owner of the shop, is upset by this news. Years ago, a group of accomplished writers used the shop's second-floor lounge to inspire each other, but the group disbanded when something dark occurred. Though that history is shrouded in mystery, Clare presses forward...

Soon the Village Blend tables are filled with aspiring novelists, playwrights, and poets, all happy to be coaxed, cajoled, and caffeinated by her coffeehouse crew. Clare admires the stamina of these scribes, many of them toiling at night jobs—driving taxis, tending bar, ushering for Broadway—while penning projects during the day.

Then one of their fictions turns fatal when a shocking secret leads to a deadly end. Unless Clare can untangle this mystery, uncover the truth, and stop a desperate killer, she fears more of these weary writers may be marked for eternal rest. ~ Includes a knockout menu of recipes.

About Cleo Coyle

CLEO COYLE is a pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her husband, Marc Cerasini. Both are New York Times bestselling authors of the long-running Coffeehouse Mysteries and Haunted Bookshop Mysteries, now celebrating more than 20 years in print. With more than one million books sold, their works have been translated into Spanish, Japanese, and Czech; received multiple Best of Year selection honors from reviewers; and have been recommended by Booklist as among the best culinary mysteries for core library mystery collections. Alice and Marc are also bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for Lucasfilm, NBC, Fox, Disney, Imagine, Toho, and MGM. They live and work in New York City, where they write independently and together, wrangle their rescue cats, drink a lot of java, and cook like crazy. Connect with Cleo at CoffeehouseMystery.com

Author Links: 

Webpage: https://www.coffeehousemystery.com/  

Free Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/cleocoylerecipes/newsletter  

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CleoCoyle  

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/cleo-coyle  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/51488.Cleo_Coyle  

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

Purchase Links: Amazon Barnes & Noble Kobo Google Play Bookshop.org 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading No Roast for the Weary by Cleo Coyle. This book is the twenty-first in the Coffeehouse Mystery series and was released last week.

Manager and master coffee roaster Clare Cosi is worried. With a troubling economy and many people working remotely the Village Blend has noticed a dramatic decrease in business. The truth is the coffeehouse is in financial trouble. In order to turn things around the baristas decide to restart the Writer's Block Lounge. The upstairs portion of the shop would transform into a place where writers could work, bounce ideas off each other, and hopefully buy lots of coffee and pastries! As the crew try to implement their plan one of their regulars is in a coma. Mr. Scrib came in daily for a coffee and to give Esther a poetry challenge. At least until he appeared to have a psychotic break. When he returned to look for his notebook, he was attacked in the alley. Could what's happened to Mr. Scrib be related to the murder of a member of the original Writer's Block Lounge? Will Clare be able to close a cold case, solve the current attack, and keep the Village Blend solvent?

Some New Year Advice

As the new year begins I thought we could do with some advice for the year ahead. I posed the question to several characters from mystery series and this is what they said:

 

“Happiness in life is not about getting what you want, it’s about loving what you get.”

~ Zell, eighty-one-year-old amateur sleuth in the Magical Mystery Book Club series by Elizabeth Pantley. CAROUSELS AND CHARACTERS will release January 15th. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DGVX668R

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Advice from Ella Shane's hard-working Irish Aunt Ellen: 

"When in doubt, do something constructive."   

Mentioned in A Fatal Reception, the most recent Ella Shane mystery, recently named to the 2024 Reviewer Favorites list at Aunt Agatha's, available here: A Fatal Reception: An Ella Shane Mystery a book by Kathleen Maple Kalb

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The new year is a chance to refresh and recharge. Like a well-balanced meal, make sure to nourish every part of yourself—your mind, body, and spirit. Cook a meal that brings you joy, share it with those you love, and savor every moment. Food, like a good book, has the power to bring people together and create lasting memories.

Allie Katz from the Literary Dining Mysteries by Daryl Wood Gerber
https://darylwoodgerber.com/

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Advice from Jitty from the Sarah Booth Delaney series by Carolyn Haines --

"Don't come a knockin' if the van is rockin'."

https://carolynhaines.com/

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Until recently, I haven't had many successes in my life, unlike my twin sister, Allie. Oddly, I never give up hope. At New Year's, I like to remind myself, as Scarlett did, "Tomorrow is another day." Anything can happen - in love, at the wine bar I manage, or with solving the occasional homicide that presents itself - and it might be something good.

Cece Barton
DEADLY CRUSH by Edith Maxwell, which released in November, is the second Cece Barton Mystery from Kensington Publishing.

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Advice for 2025 from Jocie Müller, Age 10, from Vintage Kitchen Mysteries by Victoria Hamilton:  

"You can never make too many puns. Did you know that there's this kid in my class who collects candy canes? They're all in mint condition! Do you know what I use to write my puns? A pun-cil! So... make more puns in 2025. It's going to be a particularly punny year."

Watch for Jocie and the whole family in the latest Vintage Kitchen Mystery, 'Cat Got Your Tongs' coming from Victoria Hamilton Mysteries in March, 2025!

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Declan from the "Hammerhead" Jed Mystery series by A. J. Devlin has this to say:

“At least I ain’t afraid o’usin’ me balls!”

This is what Declan says to get Jed to take the case in Bronco Buster — it’s also a pretty spot on take on his outlook on life — “quit being’ a wanker and ‘man up’ might be the take away underneath the Irish slang. 

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Hello and Happy New Year! My name is Lucy Berberian. I’m taking a break as manager from my family’s Mediterranean restaurant, Kebab Kitchen, to ponder my New Year’s resolution. This year, after a lot of thought, I decided to try something different. Instead of my typical “eat healthier and lose extra pounds” resolution (because working in a restaurant is too tempting), I decided to pick a cause that’s special to me and regularly volunteer to help others. I wish you all a happy and healthy 2025!

The Kebab Kitchen Mysteries by Tina Kashian
http://tinakashian.com/

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"Last year was a bit rough in Watchogue, but tough years always end, and new years always begin, bringing their own share of ups and downs, their own challenges and successes. My advice would be, remember the good times and celebrate your victories, even the small ones."

 --Danika Delaney -
The Coffee & Cream Mystery series by Lena Gregory
http://www.lenagregory.com/

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If I were to recommend the cultivation of any one virtue in the New Year, it would be the practice of mindful listening. I think there's always a temptation to be the speaker, the entertainer, the one soaking up the limelight, but it is in the practice of listening to others that we gain understanding and empathy of our human nature. It's aided me tremendously in my writing, opened the door to many new friendships, and even helped me solve a murder or two along the way.

Jessica Fletcher and Barbara Early
Murder, She Wrote: Snowy with a Chance of Murder by Jessica Fletcher, Barbara Early: 9780593820049 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

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“Survive everything—and do it with style.”

~ With love from "Madame" of The Coffeehouse Mysteries by Cleo Coyle
New Release Coming April 2025: No Roast for the Weary

To learn more or pre-order: https://cleocoylebooks.com/2024/12/05/21-no-roast-for-the-weary-by-cleo-coyle/

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Pay attention to your dogs and cats. They sense things that we don’t.

From Holly Miller, the protagonist in THE WAGTAIL MURDER CLUB by Krista Davis, coming on February 4th. 

https://www.kristadavis.com/

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My mom Eileen always tells me, “Don’t borrow trouble, Kate.” I have no idea what she means—with our family, trouble is on permanent loan!

—Kate Buckley, THE JIG IS UP by Lisa Q. Mathews
https://www.lisaqmathews.com/

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As for me, I'll encourage you to take time for yourself, enjoy life as best you can, and to paraphrase Declan-use your balls!

Bulletproof Barista - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

BULLETPROOF BARISTA by Cleo Coyle
The Twentieth Coffeehouse Mystery

The Village Blend has seen its share of celebrities, but Clare Cosi is star struck when comedian Jerry Sullivan decides to film at the coffeeshop. The excitement quickly fades, however, when Driftwood Coffee sets up shop right outside their doors. Then Clare becomes aware of "accidents" plaguing the show. While Jerry brushes off the incidents, Clare is ready to believe that someone is sabotaging the production. But who? Clare will have to keep her baristas safe and the cast and crew caffeinated as she tries to uncover the culprit. 

I've enjoyed the Coffeehouse mysteries for almost two decades but this, the twentieth novel, knocked it out of the park. Like the Village Blend pastries, nothing is stale. The mystery is fresh with apparent insider knowledge of show business and filming. There are clues mixed in with red herrings, action laced with humor, and character depth and development...along with depravity. The dirty dealings of Driftwood made me grit my teeth and grrrr. That's just one instance indicating how invested I am in these characters.

I loved the storyline with its aging comedian and young pop star odd couple filming a television series that ultimately is a story of redemption...at least for some characters. The plot was reality based, at least the reality that is show business, and kept me intrigued, not only by wondering what the Player would do next, but what the endgame really was.

Smart sleuthing and perfect pacing with scenes that will give you an adrenalin rush BULLETPROOF BARISTA is a stellar mystery full of caffeinated goodness that will keep you quickly turning the pages.

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 Bulletproof Barista (A Coffeehouse Mystery) by Cleo Coyle

About Bulletproof Barista

Bulletproof Barista (A Coffeehouse Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 20th in Series
Setting - New York
Berkley (November 14, 2023)
Hardcover: ‎ 352 pages

When a film crew’s location shoot delivers an actual shooting, Clare Cosi finds herself at the scene of a true crime in this showstopping entry in the beloved Coffeehouse Mysteries from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle. Only Murders in Gotham, the smash-hit streaming program, is famous for filming in authentic New York locations and using real New Yorkers as extras. For its second season, they’ve chosen to spotlight the century-old Village Blend and its quirky crew of baristas. Shop manager and master roaster Clare Cosi is beyond thrilled, especially when her superb bulletproof coffee lands her a craft services contract for the production. Madame, the eccentric octogenarian owner of the landmark shop, reveals an old kinship with the star of the show, comedian Jerry Sullivan. Now a Hollywood legend, Jerry frequented the Blend during his early years performing in Greenwich Village comedy clubs. But the past may hold more than nostalgia for Jerry. Suspicious accidents begin plaguing his shoot. Then a real bullet is fired from a stage gun, and Clare becomes convinced something sinister is afoot. While Jerry’s production moves to exciting new locations, Clare keeps the coffee flowing—and her investigation going—even as a murderer lurks in the wings. But can she root out the rotten player in this Big Apple production before the lights go out on her? Includes a stellar menu of surefire recipes! "A wonderful series with plenty of local color, great characters, and a setting so real that readers will be scouring the streets of Greenwich Village looking for the real Village Blend."—The Mystery Reader "Clare and company are some of the most vibrant characters I've ever read."—Mystery Scene

About Cleo Coyle

CLEO COYLE is a pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her husband, Marc Cerasini. Both are New York Times-bestselling authors of the long-running Coffeehouse Mysteries and Haunted Bookshop Mysteries, both celebrating 20 years in print. With more than one million books sold, their work has been honored with starred reviews and multiple best-of-year list selections by reviewers. Alice and Marc are also bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for Lucasfilm, NBC, Fox, Disney, Imagine, Toho, and MGM. They live and work in New York City, where they write independently and together. Connect with Cleo at CoffeehouseMystery.com

Author Links: 

Webpage: https://www.coffeehousemystery.com/  

Free Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/cleocoylerecipes/newsletter  

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CleoCoyle  

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/cleo-coyle  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/51488.Cleo_Coyle 

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

Purchase Links: Amazon Barnes & Noble Kobo Google Play Bookshop.org Indiebound 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Currently Reading...

I just finished reading Bulletproof Barista by Cleo Coyle. This book is the twentieth in the Coffeehouse Mystery series and will be released next week. 

The Village Blend has seen its share of celebrities, but Clare Cosi is star struck when comedian Jerry Sullivan decides to film at the coffeeshop. The excitement quickly fades, however, when Driftwood Coffee sets up shop right outside their doors. Then Clare becomes aware of "accidents" plaguing the show. While Jerry brushes off the incidents, Clare is ready to believe that someone is sabotaging the production. But who? Clare will have to keep her baristas safe and the cast and crew caffeinated as she tries to uncover the culprit.

The Ghost Goes to the Dogs - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

THE GHOST GOES TO THE DOGS by Cleo Coyle

The Ninth Haunted Bookshop Mystery

Quindicott, Rhode Island, and Buy the Book in particular, has gone to the dogs. In honor of St. Francis Day, the local university is spreading their celebrations into town and the Paw-some reading group has convinced Penelope Thornton-McClure to host Pet Mystery Week at her shop. Jane Cunningham, a core member of the group, was instrumental in arranging many of the activities, but it's her dog, Sparky that gets Pen's attention. Barking outside the bookstore, he leads Pen and her son Spencer to Jane, lying on the sidewalk, shot...but alive. While the Chief of Police believes it's simply a hunting accident, Pen is doubtful, and ghostly PI Jack Shepard agrees.

 

You get twice the mystery and twice the fun in a Haunted Bookshop Mystery. I love the dual mystery as how Jack teaches Pen how to solve the mystery in her time by sharing one from his. Vivid descriptions, especially of Penny's 1940s clothing immerse me in that time. The wrestlers from Jack's time still have me grinning-I want to throw some pickles! 

 

While I am most definitely a cat person, I love dogs too and was happy to meet Sparky in the ninth Haunted Bookshop Mystery. It was heartwarming to see that slice of Americana - a boy and his dog...even if it was just temporary. It was also fun watching people who don't really know about dogs handle the rambunctious pup.

Not everything is what it seems in THE GHOST GOES TO THE DOGS. However, I cottoned on to several clues, and I even solved the last line of the riddle well before Penny. I also had a fairly good idea of what was going on behind the modern mystery, at least one aspect of it, but I still didn't know who dun it until the very end! This ability to solve the mystery along with the protagonist made a great read even more enjoyable and reminded me of works from the Golden Age of detective fiction.

With laughs, thrills, and ghostly chills THE GHOST GOES TO THE DOGS is a doggone fun tale!

 

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The Ghost Goes to the Dogs (Haunted Bookshop Mystery) by Cleo Coyle

About The Ghost Goes to the Dogs

The Ghost Goes to the Dogs (Haunted Bookshop Mystery)
Paranormal Cozy Mystery 9th in Series
Setting -‎ Rhode Island
Berkley (May 2, 2023)
Mass Market Paperback: ‎ 320 pages

A stray dog leads bookseller Penelope McClure and her gumshoe ghost on a chase for a cunning criminal in this brand-new entry in the "UTTERLY CHARMING" (Mystery Scene) Haunted Bookshop Mysteries from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle.

Pet Mystery Week brings brisk business to Penelope's Rhode Island bookshop, but a real mystery comes barking at her door when a lost dog turns up in a panic. Pen and her son Spencer follow the furry fugitive to a wooded area where the dog's owner lies unconscious. Mrs. Cunningham is a warm-hearted widow who volunteers at the animal shelter and runs Buy the Book's pet lovers book club. Why would anyone shoot such a sweet soul?

The police believe it's an accident, a shot by a careless deer hunter, but Pen remains skeptical. To straighten out this doggone mess, she whistles for the ghost of PI Jack Shepard, an expert in hounding as well as haunting. Jack has a dog story of his own, a case from the 1940s that may help Pen sniff out clues to her present predicament. Yet even with Jack's hard-boiled help, Pen may not be able to stop the killer from striking again or letting this whole case go to the dogs...

About the Author 

CLEO COYLE is a pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her husband, Marc Cerasini. Both are New York Times-bestselling authors of the long-running Coffeehouse Mysteries and Haunted Bookshop Mysteries, now celebrating nearly 20 years in print. With more than one million books sold, their work has been honored with starred reviews and multiple best-of-year list selections by reviewers. Alice and Marc are also bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for Lucasfilm, NBC, Fox, Disney, Imagine, Toho, and MGM. They live and work in New York City, where they write independently and together.

Author Links: 

Webpage: https://www.coffeehousemystery.com/cleos_haunted_bookshop.cfm  

Free Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/cleocoylerecipes/newsletter  

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CleoCoyle  

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/cleo-coyle 

 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/51488.Cleo_Coyle  

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

 

Purchase Links: Amazon Barnes & Noble Kobo Google Play Bookshop.org Indiebound 

 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading The Ghost Goes to the Dogs by Cleo Coyle. This book is the ninth in the Haunted Bookshop Mystery series and was released yesterday.

Quindicott, Rhode Island, and Buy the Book in particular, has gone to the dogs. In honor of St. Francis Day, the local university is spreading their celebrations into town and the Paw-some reading group has convinced Penelope Thornton-McClure to host Pet Mystery Week at her shop. Jane Cunningham, a core member of the group, was instrumental in arranging many of the activities, but it's her dog, Sparky that gets Pen's attention. Barking outside the bookstore, he leads Pen and her son Spencer to Jane, lying on the sidewalk, shot...but alive. While the sheriff believes it's simply a hunting accident, Pen is doubtful, and ghostly PI Jack Shepard agrees.

The Ghost and the Stolen Tears - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

THE GHOST AND THE STOLEN TEARS by Cleo Coyle
The Eighth Haunted Bookshop Mystery 

When bookshop owner Penelope Thornton-McClure visits her friend Fiona at the Finch Inn, she enters a world of chaos. An internet influencer is screeching that her jewels have been stolen. Norma, a nomadic woman currently working as a housekeeper at the inn and helping out at the bookstore, is soon accused of the crime. No one who knows her thinks Norma could be guilty, but when she disappears things look grim. PI Jack Shepard isn't as sure of Norma's innocence, but he knows that those jewels bring nothing but trouble, having worked a case involving them before he was killed. Now Jack and Pen, with the help of some friends, will have to figure out just who stole the Valentino Teardrops. 

While the mystery is first rate, it's the characters that make THE GHOST AND THE STOLEN TEARS so special. From Pen and her aunt to her bickering buddies and most of the residents of Quindicott, they all create a cozy environment where you want to spend time. While I'm not a huge fan of children in my mysteries I do like Spencer. I especially like how his school project entwined with the mystery. It's the  relationship between Pen and Jack that is the heart of this series, however. What's especially unique about their relationship is how Jack is able to bring Penny into his former world through her dreams. Instead of just telling her stories or giving her clues, Jack brings her into his world to explore, experience, and learn from his past. She's actually able to live it and bring the knowledge back to apply it to the present day mystery. By allowing her to do this readers also get the benefit of a historical mystery mixed with a modern day cozy. 

There's so much I love about this series, not least of which is a certain ghostly detective. In addition to great characters I love the wordplay found in the Haunted Bookshop Mystery series. From the noirish speech of Jack to the fact that a woman with a teardrop trailer is suspected of stealing the Tears of Valentino, tidbits such as these enhance the writing and the story.

Multiple mysteries past and present entwine themselves in THE GHOST AND THE STOLEN TEARS with surprises happening in all timelines. Carefully plotted clues and characterizations come together creating a confounding mystery to tickle the little grey cells. With missing jewels and a woman on the run THE GHOST AND THE STOLEN TEARS is a hauntingly good read.

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 The Ghost and the Stolen Tears (Haunted Bookshop Mystery) by Cleo Coyle

About The Ghost and the Stolen Tears

The Ghost and the Stolen Tears (Haunted Bookshop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 8th in Series
Berkley (October 4, 2022)
Mass Market Paperback: ‎ 288 pages

Norma is a modern-day nomad. Living out of her van and teardrop trailer, she revels in self-reliance, solitude, and reading in the glorious peace of nature. Jovial, wise, and scrupulously honest, she's become an uplifting presence in the little town of Quindicott, Rhode Island, where bookseller Pen is thankful to have her part-time help. But it's Norma's other job, working as a housekeeper at the Finch Inn, that gets her into terrible trouble. Norma is accused of stealing jewels from a guest's room: the legendary Valentino Teardrops, an antique necklace and earring set, inherited by a young socialite. Pen doesn't believe Norma is guilty of the crime—though the evidence is distressingly strong. And when the spirited Norma vanishes before her arrest, Pen turns to another spirit...

Jack Shepard, PI, may have been gunned down decades ago, but his memory hasn't been ghosted. Back in the 1940s, those same Valentino Teardrops starred in a bizarre case of betrayal and murder. From the look of things, history is about to repeat. Now Jack is back on the job, and Pen is eternally grateful.

About Cleo Coyle

CLEO COYLE is a pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her husband, Marc Cerasini. Both are New York Times bestselling authors of the long-running Coffeehouse Mysteries—now celebrating eighteen years in print. They are also authors of the nationally bestselling Haunted Bookshop Mysteries, previously written under the pseudonym Alice Kimberly. Alice has worked as a journalist in Washington, D.C., and New York, and has written popular fiction for adults and children. A former magazine editor, Marc has authored espionage thrillers and nonfiction for adults and children. Alice and Marc are also both bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for Lucasfilm, NBC, Fox, Disney, Imagine, and MGM. They live and work in New York City, where they write independently and together.

Author Links

Webpage Free Newsletter Facebook Twitter BookBub Goodreads Instagram

Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Penguin Random House - BAM

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Currently Reading...

I just finished reading The Ghost and the Stolen Tears by Cleo Coyle. This book is the eighth in the Haunted Bookshop Mystery series and was released earlier this month.

When bookshop owner Penelope Thornton-McClure visits her friend Fiona at the Finch Inn, she enters a world of chaos. An internet influencer is screeching that her jewels have been stolen. Norma, a nomadic woman currently working as a housekeeper at the inn and helping out at the bookstore, is soon accused of the crime. No one who knew her thinks Norma could be guilty, but when she disappears things look grim. PI Jack Shepard isn't as sure of Norma's innocence, but he knows that those jewels bring nothing but trouble, having worked a case involving them before he was killed. Now Jack and Pen, with the help of some friends, will figure out just who stole the Valentino Teardrops.

Honey Roasted - A Review

 Review

HONEY ROASTED by Cleo Coyle
The Nineteenth Coffeehouse Mystery 

The swarm of bees descending upon the Village Blend is like something our of a horror film. The truly scary thing is Clare and Matt's discovery of the bees actual home. Their hives have been destroyed and their keeper, a good friend of Madame's, is sprawled on the balcony below. Not believing the police's assumption that this was a suicide attempt, Clare decides to figure out what she can while entrusted with the bees care. Will she be able to sort out the mystery of the bees as well as her issues with her fiance?  

I love bees so having a mystery featuring these beneficial guys is the bees knees! I also love learning and the nineteenth Coffeehouse mystery doesn't disappoint. Bee police? Who knew?! Cowboys in NYC? And the recipes included at the back of the book? There are so many delicious sounding delights included it's almost as if you're getting a free cookbook along with your mystery. And make no mistake, there's a great mystery here.

The nineteenth Coffeehouse Mystery if filled with characters we know, but who still manage to surprise us. There are twists and turns in this inventive plot with both the mystery and the relationship issues keeping me on high alert. Ultimately, HONEY ROASTED teaches us that appearances can be deceiving and communication is vital.

A highly caffeinated mystery, HONEY ROASTED proves to be a honey of a tale.

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Honey Roasted by Cleo Coyle. This book is the nineteenth in the Coffeehouse Mystery series and will be released February 1, 2022. 

The swarm of bees descending upon the Village Blend is like something our of a horror film. The truly scary thing is Clare and Matt's discovery of the bees actual home. Their hives have been destroyed and their keeper, a good friend of Madame's, is sprawled on the balcony below. Not believing the police's assumption that this was a suicide attempt, Clare decides to figure out what she can while entrusted with the bees care. Will she be able to sort out the mystery of the bees as well as her issues with her fiance?

The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

THE GHOST AND THE HAUNTED PORTRAIT by Cleo Coyle
The Seventh Haunted Bookshop Mystery

When Penelope Thornton-McClure and her friends drive out to pick up some paintings for her book shop's big event on cover art, she doesn't expect Seymour to fall in love with a haunting painting, which may be haunted. Captivated by what appears to be an early work of local legend, Seymour scoffs at the rumor that the painting is cursed. But a flat tire on a rainy night and the death of its seller are just the start of misfortunes for Pen and her friends. A case from PI Jack Shepard's past may help Pen as cover art, shady business dealings, and murder converge in this charming Rhode Island town.

Hardboiled and softboiled mysteries combine as 1940s PI Jack Shepard assists bookshop owner Penelope McClure in a new mystery. Readers not only get a thrilling cozy mystery, but a historical hardboiled PI mystery softened somewhat by the addition of the 21st century bookseller. The two mysteries run parallel with ties to each other and a means for Pen get a better understanding of her current problem. We can see how the past colors the present and future, in more ways than one.

Nothing is cut and dried in this seventh Haunted Bookshop Mystery. I like how Pen follows red herrings herself and make mistakes while searching for the truth. Although Jack was guiding her from the onset, reminding her that things aren't always what they seem, Pen and readers alike jump to some wrong conclusions leading to more than one surprise. 

I'm so happy to once again welcome Jack back. This gruff, but charming PI has me enthralled once again. I love how he is able to travel with Pen, but more, he can become a living breathing man when he brings Pen into his memories via her dreams. It's a fantastic method that both develops the plot and their relationship.

In addition to the fictional tale, there's a real caveat in THE GHOST IN THE HAUNTED PORTRAIT. It's a sad fact that there are plenty of shady people in the publishing world and I'm pleased that this book takes an honest look at bad practices that haunt the publishing industry more than ghosts or curses. Reading this mystery may help one fledgling writer or artist avoid the real life monsters out there.

THE GHOST AND THE HAUNTED PORTRAIT is a diabolically clever mystery with a reminder to never judge a book by its cover. It's a smart witty mystery, that also gives sage advice. I love this book and this series and look forward to seeing what Pen gets up to next. And Jack...I'll see you in my dreams.

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 The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait (Haunted Bookshop Mystery) by Cleo Coyle

About The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait

The Ghost and the Haunted Portrait (Haunted Bookshop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 7th in Series
Publisher: Berkley (May 4, 2021)
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages

Bookshop owner Penelope Thornton-McClure and her gumshoe ghost team up to solve the stunning mystery at the heart of a madwoman’s self-portrait in this all new installment from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle.

While gathering a collection of vintage book cover paintings for a special event in her quaint Rhode Island bookshop, Penelope discovers a spooky portrait of a beautiful woman, one who supposedly went mad, according to town gossip. Seymour, the local mailman, falls in love with the haunting image and buys the picture, refusing to part with it, even as fatal accidents befall those around it. Is the canvas cursed? Or is something more sinister at work?

For answers, Pen turns to an otherworldly source: Jack Shepard, PI. Back in the 1940s, Jack cracked a case of a killer cover artist, and (to Pen’s relief) his spirit is willing to help her solve this mystery, even if he and his license did expire decades ago.

About Cleo Coyle

CLEO COYLE is a pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her husband, Marc Cerasini. Both are New York Times bestselling authors of the long-running Coffeehouse Mysteries—now celebrating eighteen years in print. They are also authors of the nationally bestselling Haunted Bookshop Mysteries, previously written under the pseudonym Alice Kimberly. Alice has worked as a journalist in Washington, D.C., and New York, and has written popular fiction for adults and children. A former magazine editor, Marc has authored espionage thrillers and nonfiction for adults and children. Alice and Marc are also both bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for Lucasfilm, NBC, Fox, Disney, Imagine, and MGM. They live and work in New York City, where they write independently and together.

Author Links: 

Webpage: https://www.coffeehousemystery.com/cleos_haunted_bookshop.cfm  

Free Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/cleocoylerecipes/newsletter  

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CleoCoyle 

 BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/cleo-coyle  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/51488.Cleo_Coyle  

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

Purchase Links: Amazon Barnes & Noble Kobo Google Play IndieBound 

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Brewed Awakening - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on an upcoming release. Brewed Awakening by Cleo Coyle is the eighteenth book in the Coffeehouse Mystery series and will be released Tuesday, December 3, 2019.

Jacket Copy:

When coffeehouse manager Clare Cosi awakens on a bench in Washington Square Park, she has no idea she's been missing for days, or that her friends and family have been frantic with worry. Now that she's back, everyone is overjoyed, including a handsome NYPD detective who claims to be her fiancé. But to Mike Quinn's crushing distress, Clare doesn't remember him, or much of anything about the last fifteen years of her life.

Clare's missing memory is tied to a crime she witnessed. An acquaintance of Clare's elegant employer--and fellow member of an exclusive Gotham circle known as "The Ladies Who Brunch"--invited Clare to her posh hotel to sample gourmet wedding cakes. After their indulgent tasting, they headed to the parking garage, where a camera captured a masked figure with a gun confronting the hotel heiress with Clare looking on. Did the kidnapper take Clare, too? The camera went dark, just like Clare's memory. Soon authorities grow suspicious. Is Clare really a victim? Or merely acting like one? Evidence is mounting that she set the woman up.

To clear her name, Clare must find a way to reclaim her memories and rescue the heiress before this high-stakes crime ends in tragedy. Otherwise, instead of walking down the aisle, Clare may find herself perp-walking to prison as an accomplice to kidnapping and murder.

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.

The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller - A Review and Giveaway

Review

THE GHOST AND THE BOGUS BESTSELLER by Cleo Coyle

The Sixth Haunted Bookshop Mystery

Jack Shepard, the ghost of a 1940s private detective is back on the scene. A slightly snobbish customer has fled Buy the Book, unpaid novel in hand. It's more than the theft that concerns Penelope Thornton-McClure, it's the older woman's reaction to the latest bestseller. Concerned, Pen, accompanied by Jack, tracks the woman down. What they discover is a slightly decrepit apartment, a talking bird, and a dead body. While it appears that the troubled customer committed suicide, the scene doesn't quite add up. Pen and Jack agree-it's murder!

Almost fifteen years ago I met a man. He was a little rough around the edges, but dashing, charming, and mysterious. I developed a major crush. Oh, I knew it would never work out between us, after all, he was dead...and fictional, but that didn't stop me from dreaming. Then he disappeared. For ten years I didn't hear from him, you might say he ghosted...but now Jack Shepard is back and better than ever!

After a ten year hiatus, the sixth Haunted Bookshop Mystery continues as if practically no time had passed and while readers may appreciate more subtleties if they've read the previous books in the series, especially how Jack and Pen met, it is certainly not necessary to appreciate this captivating new mystery that is both timely and timeless.

Cleo Coyle skillfully weaves a mystery filled with intersecting stories, past and present. It gives a look at literary snobbishness and academic condescension in the face of mass popularity as well as the perils of publishing. What's fascinating is how Jack shows cases from his past that shed light on the current mystery. The way in which Jack and Pen can be together is magical, and a fun trip to the 1940s for readers. But the mystery is just part of it. 

THE GHOST AND THE BOGUS BESTSELLER illustrates how past choices can affect the present. It deals with love and loss, courage and partnership. Jack's been helping Pen, not only solve crimes, but believe in herself, heal herself and learn to love again. Welcome back, Jack.

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The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller (Haunted Bookshop Mystery) by Cleo Coyle

About the Book

 

The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller (Haunted Bookshop Mystery)  

Paranormal Cozy Mystery 6th in Series  

Berkley (September 25, 2018) Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages ISBN-10: 0425237451 

Penelope Thornton-McClure and her bookshop's ghost-in-residence Jack Shepard are back on a new case in this delightful paranormal mystery from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle.

A big bestseller leads to small town trouble.

Bookshop owner Penelope Thornton-McClure didn't believe in ghosts, until she was haunted by the hard-boiled spirit of 1940s private investigator Jack Shepard. Now Jack is back on the job, and Pen is eternally grateful...

After an elegant new customer has a breakdown in her shop, Penelope suspects there is something bogus behind the biggest bestseller of the year. This popular potboiler is so hot that folks in her tiny Rhode Island town are dying to read it--literally. First one customer turns up dead, followed by another mysterious fatality connected to the book, which Pen discovers is more than just fiction. Now, with the help of her gumshoe ghost, Pen must solve the real-life cold case behind the bogus bestseller before the killer closes the book on her.

About the Author

 

Cleo Coyle is a pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her husband, Marc Cerasini. Both are New York Times bestselling authors of the Coffeehouse Mysteries--now celebrating nearly fifteen years in print. They also write the nationally bestselling Haunted Bookshop Mysteries, which were originally published under their second pseudonym, Alice Kimberly (The Ghost and Mrs. McClure, The Ghost and the Dead Deb, The Ghost and the Dead Man's Library, The Ghost and the Femme Fatale, The Ghost and the Haunted Mansion). Alice has worked as a journalist in Washington, DC, and New York, and has written popular fiction for adults and children. A former magazine editor, Marc has authored espionage thrillers and nonfiction for adults and children. Alice and Marc are also bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for Lucasfilm, NBC, Fox, Disney, Imagine, and MGM. They live and work in New York City, where they write independently and together. You can learn more about Cleo, her husband, and the books they write by visiting www.CoffeehouseMystery.com.

Author Links:

Visit Cleo online: www.coffeehousemystery.com  
Friend Cleo on Facebook:www.Facebook.com/CleoCoyle  
Follow Cleo on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cleocoyle/  

Purchase Links Amazon B&N Kobo Google Play BookBub

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Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading The Ghost and the Bogus Bestseller by Cleo Coyle. This book is the sixth in the Haunted Bookshop Mystery series and was released last week. After 10 years, Jack is back!

Jack Shepard, the ghost of a 1940s private detective is back on the scene. A slightly snobbish customer has fled Buy the Book, unpaid novel in hand. It's more than the theft that concerns Penelope Thornton-McClure, it's the older woman's behavior. Concerned, Pen, accompanied by Jack, tracks the woman down. What they discover is a slightly decrepit apartment, a talking bird, and a dead body. While it appears that the troubled customer committed suicide, the scene doesn't quite add up. Pen and Jack agree-it's murder!

Location, Location, Location

While characters and plot are of extreme importance in a mystery series, its location can often play an important role as well. The vibe of a book may change if the setting is set in a small town rather than a big city or is urban instead of rural.

A series may be set in a real location. The White House Chef Mysteries by Julie Hyzy, for example, are set in Washington DC while Betty Hechtman has a setting in Los Angeles, California; Tarzana to be more precise. Writers must be careful when using real locations. Inaccuracies in the setting may be picked up by readers familiar with the area. Artistic license aside, nothing annoys me more when I see glaring errors in book.

Some cities are characters unto themselves; San Francisco, New Orleans, and New York City are iconic places that bring their own style to the story when mysteries are set there. Juliet Blackwell brings the magic of San Fransisco to her Witchcraft Series. The vibe of New Orleans can be felt in the Piece of Cake Mysteries by Jacklyn Brady and Laura Childs' Scrapbooking Mysteries. You can feel the rush of New York City in Cleo Coyle's Coffeehouse Mysteries.

Some authors create fictional towns. In this way they can set the stage exactly as they need it, creating the perfect town for them. Oftentimes they will set this fictional town near real places-to add verisimilitude and pull interest for readers attracted to those real locations. Lorraine Bartlett's Victoria Square mysteries are set in McKinley Mill, New York. While you won't find this town on a map, it is based on a real town, and the books sometimes talk about the nearby real cities of Rochester and Buffalo.

Some authors use a variety of locations in a single series.The Passport to Peril series by Maddy Hunter features a travel organization-so each book goes on a trip. Changing settings like this also makes all the murders a little more plausible as well. We don't have to willingly suspend our disbelief as much. It's a bit more likely to stumble across murders worldwide than to have them all occur in your own small town backyard.

I enjoy settings both fictional and real. I love to read about places I've been...or wish to go... and I especially love books set in towns I know and love. What about you? Do you enjoy reading mysteries is settings you know, or do you prefer to explore the unknown?

Long Running Series

I'm always a little sad whenever I finish a book I really like. Sad that the adventure is over and I have to say goodbye to new friends. The wonderful thing about cozy mysteries is that they're usually series-so when you finish one, you know you'll meet up with everyone again for the next adventure.

Unfortunately, some series are short lived. In some cases, this result is not desired by the author either. The book doesn't sell well and the publisher won't publish further stories in the series. Happily, the advent of e-books and self publishing has allowed some authors to continue their series even when the publisher says no. Sometimes the series ends because, tragically, the author died. Barbara Burnett Smith wrote the Purple Sage Mysteries and had just started a new beading series, Bead on Trouble when she died. A second book in that series, Beads of Doubt, was published, finished by another author. 

Some series have a set ending by the author. Carole Nelson Douglas intends to go through the entire alphabet with her Midnight Louis series. After the first two books, Catnap and Pussyfoot, the titles follow the alphabet-Cat on a Blue Monday. She's currently on W with the 2012 release of Cat in a White Tie and Tales. Kate Kingsbury also had an ending with her Pennyfoot Hotel series; although that's not quite true in that four years after the series ended she began bringing those characters back in Christmas mysteries.

Long running series are great in that you truly get to know the characters. Seeing how the characters change and grow can be amazing and wonderful. At the start of the series by Elizabeth Peters we meet Amelia Peabody, a single lady in Victorian England who is finally free to travel. By the most recent book in the series Amelia is married with grandchildren! We've also seen the political and archeological changes in Egypt. Crocodile on the Sandbank was published in 1975 with A River in the Sky released in 2010. There are currently 19 books in this series.

So what makes a series long running? Although time does count for something (the Amelia Peabody series continued for 35 years and although the author is 85 years old, she's still with us-so there may yet be another book in the series!) to me it's the number of books in the series that makes it long running. For me, a series must have at least 10 published books in order to be considered a long running series.

There are problems with long running series. Unfortunately, I've found a few clunkers in some of my favorite series. I suppose when you write that many books, some are bound to be not as great. When it first started, I adored the Mrs. Murphy series by Rita Mae Brown; every book was great. Then there was a horrible clunker. I didn't give up on it, and Rita Mae Brown got back on track with some wonderful books which I recommend. There are currently 20 books in the series which began with Wish You Were Here in 1990 with the 21st scheduled to be published in June 2013. What's interesting is that the clunker sits half way through the series.

So what are some other long running series? Cleo Coyle currently has 12 books in her Coffeehouse Mysteries. Laura Childs has two long running series. The Tea Shop Mysteries started with Death by Darjeeling in 2001 and the 14th in the series will be released in March 2013. Her Scrapbooking Series just makes the cut with her 10th book in the series, Postcards from the Dead published in 2012. There are 17 books in Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swenson series with the 18th to be published in February 2013. Two of these are actually novellas, found in holiday collections with stories with other authors, but still, more than enough to make a long running series. There are 16 books in Diane Mott Davidson's Goldy Bear series. Kate Collins started her Flower Shop Mysteries with a 2004 publication. There are now 13 books. There are 17 books in the Aunt Dimity series by Nancy Atherton starting with Aunt Dimity's Death back in 1992 with the 18th due in April 2013.

As you can see, there are plenty of long running series out there-and many series which I hope will become long running. Do you have a favorite long running series? Which current series do you hope become long running ones?

Holiday Mysteries...And Contest Winner

Believe it or not December is here and with it the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. What better way to help get in the spirit than to read a holiday mystery!

Many years ago my cousin in California introduced me to the Pennyfoot Hotel Mysteries by Kate Kingsbury. This fabulous series takes place in Edwardian England. Cecily Sinclair is a widow who runs the Pennyfoot Hotel with the help of her hotel manager, Baxter. What drew me in, even more than the mysteries themselves, was the relationship between Cecily and Baxter. There is an undeniable attraction, yet class barriers, among other things stand in their way. I loved how the series progressed and was sad to see it end. Then a Christmas miracle occurred. Cecily, Baxter, and the Pennyfoot crew return each year at Christmastime. Unfortunately for them, fortunately for us, murders keep interrupting their holiday festivities. While the first 12 books in the original series are tighter and more compelling, the following holiday mysteries are an enjoyable Christmas treat! Room with a Clue (1993) is the first in the series, No Clue at the Inn (2003) starts the yearly Christmas mysteries with The Clue is in the Pudding as the most recent, published just last month!

What's Christmas without cookies? Hannah Swensen bakes up cookies for her shop, The Cookie Jar in Lake Eden, Minnesota in the series penned by Joanne Fluke. A few of these take place at Christmastime, including Plum Pudding Murder and the novellas included in Gingerbread Cookie Murder and Candy Cane Murder. The books also include recipes!

You might like a cup of coffee with that Christmas cookie. If so you might like to read Holiday Grind by Cleo Coyle or her upcoming Coffeehouse Mystery, Holiday Buzz, which will be released Tuesday. Of course, one lucky reader of this blog has won an autographed copy of that very book.

I used random.org to determine the winner, and the winner is Kimberlee, with comment #1. Congratulations. Thanks to everyone who entered.

Currently Reading...

A few weeks ago I went to the library across town. I don't go their often, as it's not only all the way across town, there's no easy way to get there. It's a small library, but they have a fantastic mystery section. So every once in a while I head out and stock up-getting more books than I can possibly read, and renew, renew, renew. That being said, I'm reading my way through those books, before I start the ones in my own library.

I'm currently reading Bitter Harvest by Sheila Connolly. This book is the 5th in the Orchard Mystery series. Meg Connolly lives in Granford, Massachusetts, attempting to make a go of an old apple orchard. The apples have been harvested and a winter storm is approaching as the novel opens.

Don't forget to read my previous blog post, The Coffeehouse Mystery Series, and leave a comment on that post. One reader will be randomly chosen to win an autographed copy of Holiday Buzz by Cleo Coyle. Comment by midnight (Eastern Standard Time) December 2 (that's Saturday night/Sunday morning) 2012 to be eligible.