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I just finished reading Where There's Smoke... by E. J. Copperman. This book is the second in the Haunted Paint Store Mystery series and was released yesterday.

Books have always been important to Laura Meehan and libraries a safe haven. That's why, after moving back to her hometown and taking over her father's paint store, she volunteers at the local library one night a week. The day after Laura learns that someone is threatening the librarians, accusing them of giving pornography to children, someone sets a fire in the children and young adult section of the library. Fortunately the library was closed at the time so no one was hurt. Unfortunately, Evelyn, the head librarian, was seen walking away from the library early that morning and no one has seen her since. While she might not consider Evelyn a good friend, Laura admires her and intends to find her, especially when the arson investigator seems to think that Evelyn set the fire herself!. With the help of her tech savvy husband and the ghost of her father, a former police detective, Laura will set out, not only to find Evelyn, but prove her innocence.

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I just finished reading The Mysterious Case of the Missing House by Michele Pariza Wacek. This book is the fourth in the Redemption Detective Agency Mystery series and was released earlier this month.

The Redemption Detective Agency is not your normal detective agency. While Emily Hildebrandt has been using her office management skills in an attempt to bring a modicum of organization and sanity to the office, she hasn't been entirely successful. Her Aunt Tilde runs it more like a hobby than a business, rarely even accepting payment. And neither Tilde, nor her friends Mildred and Nora, is a licensed private investigator. That's why Emily is filling our a job application for the school district, although she hasn't been successful in completing that either. When the phone rings with a new case it seems fairly straight forward. Tilde and Mildred's old friend Amelia Clark has been on a cruise and is worried that her niece, Brandy, hasn't been watering her rose bushes. So Emily and the others drive to Meli's house only to find it isn't there. Instead there's a country club and spa! Only in Redemption could a house disappear. With a missing house and a missing niece will the Redemption Detective Agency be able to discover what happened?

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I'm currently reading All Aboard for Murder by Ellen Byron. This book is the third in the Golden Motel Mystery series and will be released next week.

The towns of Foundgold and Goldsgone are celebrating the birthday of Angus Sprockles, the man made the area a historic site. From the opening of a time capsule to the Sprockles Railroad Halloween-themed fundraiser for the Historical Society featuring former child star Dougie Keefer. After a wonderful event the last of the organizers are ready to take the train ride back only to find Moses Sprockles dead on the track. With murky jurisdiction, multiple law enforcement agencies soon descend upon the scene. Dee Stern, former screenwriter and new motelier is more than happy to leave this murder to the professionals. That is until her dad asks her to investigate the death of his friend. Did the murder have something to do with the silver spike from the time capsule? Or perhaps something related to Moses' work as a notary? With the Golden Motel once again associated with murder Dee and her partner, Jeff, will don their sleuthing hats and try to solve another murder.

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I just finished reading The Case of the Christie Wedding Affair by Kelly Oliver. This book is the fourth in the Detection Club Mystery series and was released last month.

Some proprieties are necessary - the reading of the banns in preparation of marriage, for example. There's no mandate on where the banns need to be read, however, so in order to avoid noisy reporters Agatha Christie decided to have her banns read for three weeks on the remote Isle of Skye. Braving turbulent seas Eliza Baker and Theo Sharp join Agatha and Dorothy Parker, along with Agatha's young daughter and secretary. What they didn't realize was that the wedding party was sharing the lodge with a hunting party led by the obnoxious Lord Blackwood. When he didn't return from the days hunt with his companions, none of his party seem concerned, least of all, his wife. But Eliza's brain is turning - nearly everyone in the hunting party had reason to want the man dead. In addition, the Reverend and people from the lodge are acting strangely. Did someone murder Lord Blackwood? With Theo by her side Eliza will sift through clues and motives, but is she ready to face the truth the island is so desperately trying to hide?

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I just finished reading A Delicious Deception by Lucy Burdette. This book is the sixteenth in the Key West Food Critic Mystery series and will be released next week.

When Sheriff’s Deputy Darcy Rogers appears at the doorway of Hayley and Nathan's new home asking for a favor Hayley is surprised and her husband is furious. Darcy wants the very pregnant Hayley to bring a young woman to the county's safe exchange place to pick up her daughter. The neutral location is also home to the county jail,with an animal farm open to the public and video surveillance so while Nathan is upset, Hayley is happy to help. After all, with all of those precautions already in place, plus Darcy nearby, what could go wrong? Quite a lot as Reba, the young woman disappears, the husband is murdered, and the little girl goes missing. Will Nathan have an aneurysm before murdering Darcey? Will Hayley solve the murder before giving birth? Grab some fresh Key West eats and find out!

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I just finished reading The Well-Broken Promise by Kari Lee Townsend. This book is the fifth in the Wishville Mystery series and was released yesterday.

Spring is a time of growth and renewal, but not this Spring. In Wishville, Vermont this Spring is bringing death. The old birch tree is dying and a schism is opening the earth disrupting the connection between the human world of Wishville and the Dweller world of Elarion. Guardian of the Well, Lyra Wells can feel the difference in the earth and subtle changes are becoming not so subtle as even Wishville residents are noticing a change. Though the Spring WishFest is in progress many people want to stop the wishes. When a flashy reporter from Lulu's past appears things get even worse as he adds flames to the fire with his inflammatory headlines. But the worst happens when a scientist, more eager than is good decides to use a probe to test and amplify vibrations. After a second unauthorized attempt in the middle of the night he's found dead beneath the birch. The Fearless Four, Lyra Wells, Police Chief Thorn, Enforcer Calderis, and psychic reporter Lulu will not only have to determine who killed him (Human? Dweller? Rebel?) but attempt to fix the rift before it destroys both worlds. 

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I just finished reading Deadly Ruse by Kate Parker. This book is the fourteenth in the Deadly Series and was released yesterday.

In July 1943 with her husband assigned to North Africa Olivia Redmond and their son Stevie are living in the Coswolds with her good friend Esther. That is until she gets a call from British spymaster Sir Malcolm. Livvy is to report to Trent Park House just outside of London. The house has been turned into a Prisoner of War Camp for German generals, completely bugged with German speakers listening in the basement. Livvy is to teach sketching classes to the generals in the hopes of getting them relaxed and talking. The first surprise is seeing Oberst, now General, Bernhard as a prisoner. The second is the discovery of one of the POWs killed and stuffed in her art cabinet. Livvy soon finds herself dealing with stolen jewels, a plot against England, and another assault. Will she be able to convince the Germans she's merely an art teacher as she tries to solve the secrets of Trent Park House and a murder? Or will she be the next to be silenced? 

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I'm currently reading Recipe for Murder by Marla A. White. This book is the second in the Pine Cove Mystery series and today is its release day!

Hurt that Jackson Thibodeaux has remained in New Orleans former LAPD officer turned innkeeper Mel O'Rourke is spending more time with Deputy Sheriff Gregg Marks and is enjoying it, much to her annoyance. Jackson suddenly returns with a wild story that he found a fellow student murdered at their culinary school, the same woman his mother says he was dating. Police have ruled it a suicide, but Mel has her doubts, especially with someone taking shots at Jackson. But how can she look into the situation when she's over a thousand miles away and no longer a cop? How can she deal with both Gregg and Jackson back in her life? Not to mention plumbing issues! Mel will have to juggle it all along with her wacky family and the music festival coming to town. Finding a killer might be easier.

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I'm currently reading Death of an Antiquarian by Rose Kerr. This book is the second in the Mia Reid, Archaeologist Mystery series.

Pleased with the progress of her exhibit of Aztec artifacts at the Lakeview City Museum, archaeologist Mia Reid is happy to accompany her grandmother to a special sales event at Timeless Treasures, a local antique store. She's even happier that Luke Forbes, her significant other will be arriving in Canada soon as Interpol has him on assignment training local police about theft of artifacts. The following morning Tim Fraser, owner of Timeless Treasures, is found dead at his desk, poisoned. With ties to his family Mia becomes involved, soon discovering that Tim appeared to be linked with  a major smuggling ring. As police investigate, with help from Luke, Mia begins to receive notes threatening both her and her gran if she doesn't back off. Will they stop a smuggling ring and catch a killer or will a murderer strike again?

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I just started reading A Necessary Death by Terri Karsten. This book is the first in the Tucker’s Crossing Mystery series and was released last fall.

With changeable weather traveling in the spring of 1763 is unpleasant at the best of times and these were definitely not the best of times. After the death of her seafaring husband Penelope Corbitt lost everything, including her lovely house in Philadelphia, to his heretofore unknown gambling debts. Now she and her children, sixteen year old Nebby and nine year old Nathaniel, are forced to move to Boston to live with the sister she hasn't seen in a decade. Not only that, her boorish brother-in-law is escorting them. When the storm worsens the rain soaked road proves too much and their coach overturns. While the coachman works to get the carriage upright Penelope and her family walk to the nearest inn. Penelope's first thought is to use the necessary, but when she opens the privy door she discovers a man inside...a dead man.

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I'm currently reading Dungeons and Danger by Elizabeth Penney. This is the second book in the Ravensea Castle Mystery series and was released yesterday! 

The chill October winds bring a lot of activity to Ravensea Castle. A team of ghost hunters is staying at the castle to find proof of the Ravensea ghosts get their television series aired. Also staying at the castle is Professor Tweedy who believes a treasure is located somewhere on the property. Nora Asquith, herbalist and innkeeper, well, castlekeeper, has to keep on her toes. The ghost hunters and the professor have a history, and it's not pleasant. Plus, everyone seems to know about the possible treasure. Keeping an eye on her guests becomes a priority to prevent either ghost or treasure hunter from injuring themselves or each other on the property. In addition, Ravensea is hosting a Viking Festival. Led by her brother Will, over five hundred people will descend on the property in Viking costumes to enjoy food, festivities, and Will's mead. With her father providing  the historical details for both groups, her sister helping out with the guests, and the ghosts playing their part surely everything will work out. Won't it? 

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I'm currently reading The Last Fatal Hour by Jan Matthews. 

Leona Gladney has secrets. She was a soldier in the Civil War and is currently an author trying to please a new husband and Brooklyn society. When her husband's business partner absconds with their money life gets more difficult. Dealing with her mercurial husband, Leona is also distraught when her good friend Daphne dies and she's accused of stealing her jewelry. Could Daphne's grandson be behind her death? What about those Spiritualists? Leona is determined to clear her name, but is someone just as determined to see her suffer?

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I'm currently reading Hot Wings and Homicide by Carmela Dutra. This book is the second in the Food Truck Mystery series and was released yesterday!

Kluckin’ Good is doing brisk business and Beth Lloyd is delighted to have her food truck at the Flavors of the Bay Food Festival. Her twin brother, Seth, is not as pleased in his cow costume passing out samples and fliers promoting their new sliders. The first shock arrives when Beth's ex-boyfriend shows up. Brad has moved back to town, reinventing himself as a food critic. After more than one public confrontation, the second shock comes when Beth finds Brad's body on the festival grounds. Although several people had issues with the critic, police are eyeing both Beth and Seth, even as the festival promoter is saying that the death is just an accident. With a murder charge looming, Beth and her bestie, Rylie, once again start referencing their favorite true crime podcast as they are determined to find the real killer.

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I'm currently reading First Daughter by Marlie Parker Wasserman. This standalone work of historical fiction was released last month.

It was supposed to be a joyous day. Away from the Washington D.C. crowds President Grover Cleveland and his family are spending time at Gray Gables. His wife, Frances, has just given birth to their third daughter, but cries of joy soon turn to horror. Ruth, the Cleveland's eldest child, has gone missing. Is the three-year-old simply hiding, or has she been taken? Fortunately, Ruth is found, but the woman who took her ran off before she could be caught. While the President wants the matter kept quiet, his wife wants to do everything possible to find the woman before she can try again. Despite a new baby, a husband who's ignoring her concerns, and secret service men who think she's hysterical, Frances Cleveland is determined to find the abductor and keep her family safe!

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I just finished reading Murder in the Mix by Carolyn Eichhorn. This book is the first in the Gina Morrison Mystery series.

Gina Morrison is a ghost. Ghost writer, that is. Still, living amongst boxes, even though she's been in her apartment for years, rarely going out, rarely even doing anything, she's hardly living. But everything changes when she starts to meet with celebrity chef Marisol St James in order to pen her memoir. Marisol is a woman who knows how to live. She's gracious, kind, and embraces life. That is until she is brutally murdered in the kitchen of her restaurant. Stunned, Gina soon finds herself on the run. Someone is after the information she has and will stop at nothing to get it.

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I'm currently reading Death for Sale by Erik S. Meyers. This is the third book in the Sally Witherspoon Mystery series and was released earlier this year.

Thanksgiving is Sally Witherspoon's favorite holiday and she's excited to spend the day with the majority of  Berry Springs, Arkansas at the Grand Hotel. With Joanna catering the dinner the buffet is jammed packed with delicious food - roast turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, the works! Sally and her crew, along with some temporary bartenders, are serving the drinks while also enjoying the scrumptious spread. After the satisfying event Sally is woken in the early morning hours by a phone call from Sergeant Soder. Several party goers seem to have gotten food poisoning and some have even been hospitalized. Was there something wrong with the food? Could the fruit in some of her cocktails have been tainted? When one person dies and the police consider the death suspicious Sally once again gets out her pen and notebook determined to help solve another murder.

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I'm currently reading The Night Nurse and the Jewel Thief by Marilee Dahlman. This book will be released April 16, 2026.

Nancy Norman's life changed the night of the fire. Certainly she faced some changes prior to that, like when her husband left her, but nothing compared to what transpired after the fire. After forty years as a nurse Nancy was ready to retire, but after losing her home in the fire the offer of a one night job at triple the rate was too good to pass up. But things get strange quickly. First she keeps getting alerts from the SeniorLOVE app that Sinclair, the man she swiped right, was nearby. Then after weird messages from her car nav when she arrived at the mansion of billionaire Gnut Berdqvist the temperature had dropped and there was snow and ice; not uncommon in Minnesota, but certainly not in the middle of summer, Minnesota or not! Nancy is soon faced with the snobby Claude who hired her and, more disconcerting, GHOST, the mansion's artificial intelligence operating system. With her beloved cat Dr. GoldenPaw by her side Nancy will attempt to follow the odd rules and care for her patient, but who knows what will happen next.

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I'm currently reading Lafitte Lives by Christi Keating Sumich. This historical mystery was released earlier this year.

After the loss of three of his five children to yellow fever Tobias Whitney sold his bookshop and lived in a miasma of grief. Taking a job as sexton at St. Louis Cemetery No. 2 Tobias tends to the graves, appreciating the silence and solitude despite the stench of a New Orleans summer in 1831. Noticing a bow on the nameplate of one of the mausoleums Tobias intends to repair it, but finds it hollowed out and a journal inside. Written in French, a language he is unable to read, Tobias shares his discovery with his wife. With Mary Catherine translating the journal tells the story of Jean Lafitte, written by his step-brother Dominique You. Even better than the adventure yarns he usually reads, Tobias learns that Lafitte did not die when everyone believed. The journal reveals many secrets about the legendary man, but will it also lead to treasure?

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I just finished reading The Shrew Detective: The Case of the Pilfered Pearls by Margi Preus, illustrated by Junyi Wu. This book is the first in The Shrew Detective Mystery series and will be released May 19.

Minerva, the Shrew Detective, loves her cozy home in the forest. Admiring her walls decorated with wonderful words from a dictionary she found, she ponders the big mysteries of life and the universe while enjoying lots of snacks. One day her cousin, Tenacity, rushes in desperately needing a detective or surely murder and mayhem will follow. Minerva goes with her, but balks when Tenacity starts to leave the forest. Even worse - she is going into the house...with humans! A pearl necklace belonging to the human woman has gone missing and the woman's already called in an exterminator to place traps around the house. If the necklace isn't found in twenty-four hours she will have the house fumigated! Thus the possible murder of all of the animals who also call the house home. From the chipmunk in the drainpipe and the mice in the walls to the flying squirrels in the attic and Tenacity herself, all are in danger! Will Minerva be able to find the necklace in time?

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I just finished reading Vengeance in Venice by Erica Ruth Neubauer. This book is the seventh in the Jane Wunderly Mystery series and will be released next week.

After an impromptu wedding in Scotland, nearly getting killed on a business trip in India, and becoming bored back in London, Jane Wunderly and Redvers decide to go on an actual honeymoon. Traveling to Italy their romantic trip takes an unexpected turn when Aunt Millie and her husband check into the very same hotel! They have been invited to Venice and a costume party by Millie's new friend, socialite Clara Morton, and insist that Jane and Redvers accompany them to the event. Surprised by the dilapidated looking palazzo they're stunned by what waits for them inside. It's a carnival with acrobats and even a Tarot reader, who just happens to be a young woman Jane met years ago in India. Even more shocking than the half dressed hostess with a boa constrictor draped around her is the dead body of her ex-husband in the garden. With Clara accusing Deanna, the Tarot reader, of murder Jane and Redvers find themselves spending their honeymoon on the hunt for a killer.