Murder in the Mix - An Interview, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Carolyn Eichhorn to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Carolyn writes the Gina Morrison Mystery series. MURDER IN THE MIX is the first book in the series and was released last year.

Kathy: In MURDER IN THE MIX we meet Gina Morrison, a ghost writer living in Baltimore. Have you ever been interested in writing about celebrities, either as a ghost writer or under your own name?

CE: I think I was more interested in being friends with food network celebrities, rather than writing about them, but I really do enjoy the idea of helping someone express themselves without taking over as my own voice. Ghostwriters have to almost become the best version of the client and tell their story authentically, so it was cool to hear Gina's voice, Marisol's voice and then see a few examples of the finished product.

Kathy: Gina is penning the memoir of celebrity chef Marisol St James. Before writing this book were you familiar with the restaurant industry?

CE: I had some limited and very poorly executed restaurant experience in my twenties. I was not a good server! I did have a summer working in a restaurant kitchen when I was sixteen and I was a bit of a disaster - I cut myself a lot and once got shut into the walk in. These days I have become a good home cook, but I could never cut it in a commercial kitchen.

Kathy: Do you enjoy cooking? If so, do you have a favorite recipe? 

CE: I love cooking! We have several dishes in regular rotation at home. One favorite is a pan seared/oven roasted pork tenderloin with a mushroom sauce, garlicky rice with shredded carrot and onion cooked in chicken stock, and roasted broccoli with parmesan herb breadcrumbs.

Kathy: What first drew you to mysteries?

CE: I read all my school's Nancy Drew books, then all the library's. Then it was Agatha Christie, then Dick Francis, Barbara Michaels, Rex Stout. I love the puzzle and the idea that all the information is there if we can only see it, but as much as I'd like to play armchair detective, I also like the surprising twist.

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

CE: I have a collection of corporate cubicle based horror/thriller stories and a few others that are more suspense than mystery, but I believe most good stories have mysterious elements that unfold.
 

Kathy: Tell us about your series.

CE: MURDER IN THE MIX is the first Gina Morrison mystery. The next book has her working on a writing project at a retreat in the mountains where dangers interfere with the creative process. Because Gina works with clients in all sorts of fields, she can have lots of adventures in different settings. Future books may have Gina dip into the business self-help arena and themed entertainment/hospitality. I think she would bring a fun perspective to those areas with some creative mysteries.

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

CE: I really like Mark, Gina's mystery writing friend. Through him, I get to explore some of the quirky characteristics of the mystery genre.

Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?

CE: I was sitting in a panel at Bouchercon many years ago, listening to authors discussing writing partnerships. The idea appealed to me - bringing different areas of expertise together, but as anyone who has ever worked on a group project in school knows, aligning efforts like that can be a challenge, so that idea became a ghost writer character and her list of clients collaborating on projects.

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

CE: I worked on MURDER IN THE MIX for a long time and at some point you just have to put it out in the world and start the next project. It's easy, I think to hold on - to wait to "be discovered" but like most things, to get the result you want often means taking initiative and just moving forward.

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

CE: Agatha Christie, Stephen King, Jane Austen, Harlan Coben.

Kathy: What are you currently reading?

CE: DYING TO LIVE HERE by Shelley Marsh

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

CE: I love going out to eat, traveling to new places (but NOT CAMPING), watching cooking competition shows, and hanging around at home.

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

CE: Good ice cream, ingredients for emergency emotional support cookies, iced tea, and bacon.

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

CE: I have the next few Gina stories lined up, but if inspiration strikes, I'd love to start a new series.

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

CE: I love the random ideas that come to me that could be worked into a story. This can be overheard conversations or unusual actions by a stranger or almost anything that strikes me as odd. There's an excited enthusiasm when the ideas flow that makes me almost giddy.

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

Review

MURDER IN THE MIX by Carolyn Eichhorn
The First Gina Morrison Mystery

Gina Morrison is a ghost. Ghostwriter, 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.

MURDER IN THE MIX is a story of discovery and growth. Discovery, not just of the killer, but discovery of self. Through the story Gina not only learns about other people, their relationships and how they intersect, but also her own life. And, while escaping death, Gina leans to live.

I really enjoyed this fast paced mystery. Though marketed as a cozy, I would disagree and, with more graphic descriptions and no real sense of community, would classify it as a traditional mystery. I liked the characters and how Gina's work as a ghostwriter melded with the murder mystery. It was fascinating watching things come together and I liked how the mystery pursued Gina rather than the other way round. I envy Drew's organization and hope we get to learn more about Jo in future books.

Exciting, with memorable characters and lots of twists and turns, MURDER IN THE MIX is a delicious start to a new series.

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

 Murder in the Mix (A Gina Morrison Mystery) by Carolyn Eichhorn

About Murder in the Mix

Murder in the Mix (A Gina Morrison Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Settings - Baltimore, Savannah, NYC
Publisher: ‎ Grounds for Suspicion
Publication Date: ‎ October 21, 2025
Print Length: ‎ 272 pages

When Gina Morrison agrees to pen the memoir of celebrity chef Marisol St James, she expects high-pressure deadlines, diva behavior, and decadent dishes-not murder. But when Marisol is found dead in her restaurant's kitchen, Gina's literary aspirations take a back seat to her survival. Between a cutthroat industry, simmering secrets, and the demands of Marisol's unfinished manuscript, Gina becomes entangled in a web of lies, rivalries, and danger. Worse still, Marisol's killer may be keeping tabs on Gina to ensure she doesn't write too much.

About Carolyn Eichhorn

Carolyn Eichhorn is a mystery novelist and former Disney Imagineer whose work blends suspense, humor, and heart. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and has published short mystery fiction and essays. Based in the mountains of Western North Carolina, she draws inspiration from small towns, big secrets, and the stories people tell to survive.

Author Links: Website Facebook Instagram Grounds For Suspicion LinkedIn Threads  

Purchase Link: Amazon - Bookshop.org B&N

Currently Reading...

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.

The Hindenburg Spy - An Interview & Review

I'm happy to welcome L.A. Chandlar back to Cozy Up With Kathy. Laurie writes the Lane Sanders Mystery series. THE HINDENBURG SPY is the fourth book in the series and was released last month.

 

Kathy: In THE HINDENBURG SPY Lane visits several jazz clubs and is treated to the music of people who are now legends of the jazz scene. With a musician father and love of Ken Burns I am quite familiar with several of these jazz artists, including Chick Web. If you could only see one of these performers live who would it be, Billie Holliday, Josephine Baker, or Ella Fitzgerald.

LAC: Only one?!? Haha, like choosing your favorite child. Well, I’d have to say Josephine Baker. I love her vitality, her kindness, and her power. She led a fascinating life and backed up her strong beliefs with strong actions. So seeing her in real life would be amazing. I know I’d be just as happily rattled as Lane was when she met her! 

Kathy: Lane enjoyed a lot of historic experiences in the fourth Lane Sanders Mystery. Tell me, would you rather go dancing at the Savoy, take a trip on the Hindenburg (not THAT trip), have lunch at the Algonquin Round Table, or infiltrate the Cloud Club? 

LAC: Though I love to dance and the Savoy would be dreamy, I’d take the ride on the Hindenburg. I don’t think we have anything today that can compare. When Lane takes that ride, she knows that airplane travel will be happening soon —Pan Am already had clipper service possible to Europe, but the US was waiting for England’s approval. England was trying to catch up to America’s air service beforehand. And she realizes that speed always eclipses the experience. Especially in America. Lane is already certain that the experience of lightly floating above Europe, able to ascend and descend at the captain’s will to see the famous sights below, was something that would not last long. Then you add on the romance and the elegance of that floating airship…I’d love to have experienced it. 

Kathy: I was intrigued to read about the "creation" of chicken and waffles. Researching The Hindenburg Spy were there any interesting facts that surprised you? 

LAC: So many! That’s why I love research so much. I am always learning something. With that particular scene —chicken and waffles— I was delighted to learn that it came out of the jazz culture and mixing late night / early morning dining. I love it when I come across tiny details that end up being something ordinary that becomes extraordinary. Or when you put facts together and you find a surprising understanding. For instance, I knew that on Roosevelt Island (a slip of land between Manhattan and Queens – used to be called Welfare Island), there was what used to be called a “lunatic asylum.” I knew I wanted to feature it in my books and I do. But after I’d researched it for a while, I learned that it was the place that a hero of mine, journalist Nellie Bly, did a huge investigative journalism piece by getting committed to infiltrate. It was her gusty work revealing the horrible treatment of the mentally impaired (and sometimes not impaired – it was grossly easy for men to commit any woman who didn’t cooperate) within those doors.

I was also surprised by some of the social justice and early civil rights movements that were happening in the Thirties. The Savoy itself was an influential, integrated dance hall and the stories and images that come from those days are hypnotic. The art of dance and music brought people together whether they were uptown or downtown, Black or White, Protestant or Catholic… What mattered was if you could dance. I love highlighting women and men who did big things but didn’t get all the glory in the history books. I give a cameo in The Pearl Dagger to Jane Bolin whom Fiorello appoints as the first Black woman judge and then in Hindenburg Spy the fantastic Eunice Carter. She was the first Black woman prosecutor and it was her work that took down the infamous Lucky Luciano. The DA Thomas Dewey got more fame from it than she did. But I have to say, the prosecutors today definitely know all about her! There’s a plaque in 100 Center Street of her and a current ADA told me all about her. And I loved writing about Dead Shot Mary. She is highlighted in earlier books – one of the first women detectives. She made over 1000 arrests in her career and headed up the pick pocket squad. She was a better shot than most of the men which was fabulous to discover. 

Kathy: Was there a specific inspiration for this story? 

LAC: Well I knew that this book would feature the actual Hindenburg disaster because it happened right in the timeline of this book. But as I read and appreciated the high concept novels of Susan Elia Macneal in Winston Churchill’s Secretary and Mariah Fredericks’s The Lindbergh Nanny, I decided why the heck not place Lane right on it? The Hindenburg crash actually had more survivors than deaths. It was shocking that such a wildly violent disaster could have anyone survive let alone the majority. This theme is part of the heart of Lane’s stories. I always write about beauty out of adversity and I felt that it was an important message of survival. 


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

LAC: I am currently developing a draft for her next adventure at Coney Island! In real life, Fiorello’s first wife (and this is mentioned in earlier books) died at a young age. He was certain that it was the doing of a fortune teller influencing her – a kind of self-fulfilled prophecy. He harbored a lot of grief and ill will for fortune tellers and created a law that their shops could not be on the street level. To this day palm readers and fortune tellers are mostly in basements or upper floors off the street. So I’m going to mess with this whole thing and I think I’ll call it The Fortune Killer. We’ll see – I’ll keep you posted. 


Kathy: When it comes to writing I understand there are 2 general camps-plotters, who diligently plot their stories, and pantsers, who fly by the seat of their pants. Are you a plotter, a pantser, or do you fall somewhere in between? 

LAC:  I cannot fully plot out a book to save my life. So I’m mostly in the pantser category. However, I tend to follow a timeline then circle back to pantsing, then add more to a timeline, then circle back again. I tried plotting but for me, the soul of the novel completely dies. I believe it’s because my own creativity is in tune with flow and on-the-scene character creation. What I mean is, I get the best ideas and dialog when I’m in the moment with the characters. They continually “surprise” me because as I’m writing, I’ll get great ideas or even pivot major points because a character comes up with a sentence that changes EVERYTHING.

But I am also a student of studying what brings me joy in reading and writing, which is more in tune with plotting. For instance, in the middle of writing Hindenburg, I had this fantastic plot, wild action, surprising scenes…and there was a big part of me that was bored! I couldn’t figure out why. I started to chat about it with my husband and it dawned on me that I was missing the teamwork that Lane has with her colleagues and family. But she was on the Hindenburg thousands of feet in the air, I couldn’t just add them all to the airship. So I came up with the idea of using the radiograms between them and then having scenes that go back and forth with them at home in NYC and her on the ship.

It did two things: One, I was instantly so much happier and interested. I realized I deeply feel the connection between my characters and when it’s missing, I’m personally BORED even in the middle of the most actiony action scenes. Secondly, it gave me the idea of how unhappy Lane must feel working on her own. I ended up making that a major character arc of hers. She learns about herself in that she’s just not happy when she’s not being her true self and though Lane’s never taken her team for granted, she learns to love them all even more profoundly. I also enjoyed writing the POV chapters from some of her friend’s perspectives. I love that they knew Lane really well and were even making bets with each other about her actions. LOL 


Kathy: Authors are required to do a lot of their own marketing, especially for a new release. What's your favorite part of marketing your work? What do you dislike about marketing? 

LAC: I love the people part of marketing. Like this interview, going to conferences, etc. The part I dislike the most is trying to figure out algorithms and what works / what doesn’t. Sometimes that is truly disheartening. So I focus on the things that bring me life and I keep on writing. I also enjoy speaking and I have several lectures and workshops that I give on a variety of topics including history (I have one on jazz, Josephine Baker, and the Hindenburg; the history of holiday traditions; and several on the psychology of creativity and creative writing). 


Kathy: Will you share any other upcoming books? 

LAC: Yes! I have a great new book coming out at Thanksgiving this year: THE LOST STORIES. “Based on true holiday events that changed the course of history.” I adore this book. It’s a modern day novel about an investigative journalist —Lara Smith— who is tasked with what she thinks will be a fluff assignment to write about the hidden holiday stories behind the traditions. She struggles with celebrating holidays because she’s been through a lot of hardship and as a journalist has seen the worst of the worst. So just how do you “do” a fluffy holiday? But as Lara meets with historians and ancestors of the people behind famous hymns, events, and even poems, she learns that holidays have some grit even in the midst of the lights, the candy, and the frou frou. So in the midst of the novel, the reader is taken back in time to be an eyewitness to these events like the WWI Christmas Truce, the first Rockefeller Christmas tree during the Depression, the first radio transmission in 1906, the Korean war hero who became known as the Jewish Santa Claus, and how the end of the Civil War and Lincoln’s assassination happen over Passover and everything weaves together to create one of the most beloved of all time hymns. Lara learns that her editor was right: this just might be the most important story of her life.

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

Review

THE HINDENBURG SPY by L. A. Chandlar
The Fourth Lane Sanders Mystery 

Lane Sanders' boss, Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, is on the warpath when he hears two young boys are being held in jail after witnessing a murder. While the boys finger a well known mob boss as the trigger man, Lane and her compatriots aren't so sure. A hit in broad daylight is not his style and he would never do the dirty work himself. Lane can think of one person who would love to take the man down and take over his turf, her nemesis Daphne Franco. While visiting various jazz clubs to get the word on the street Lane finds that other gangs are antsy and everyone feels something big is brewing. Then she hears words that fill her with dread, Hindenburg hit. While she has an extraordinary team in New York City, everyone realizes that this a mission for Lane and only Lane. Heading to Europe to board the Hindenburg Lane knows it's up to her to stop the death and destruction that Daphne is surely planning.

Excitement abounds in the fourth Lane Sanders Mystery! While a general sense of unease occupies the first part of the book (Who's trying to frame Uncle Louie? What's going on with Valerie?) danger soon increases exponentially until the heart stopping climax aboard the Hindenburg!

I love how Lane's team are more than friends, they're family. They easily work together playing to each other's strengths. Even when apart they rely on each other.

One of the things I love most about THE HINDENBURG SPY, indeed this whole series, is the historical detail. Small details or a tiny historical footnote are given their moment in the spotlight. The Lane Sanders Mystery series brings history to life and I love feeling as if I'm a part of it!

Captivating, jaw dropping, and ultimately satisfying THE HINDENBURG SPY is a fast paced time bomb of a mystery. 

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

 BIO: L.A. Chandlar is the award-winning author of the Lane Sanders MYSTERY SERIES. She’s been nominated for the Agatha, Lefty, Macavity and Anthony Awards; and winner of Suspense Magazine’s Crimson Scribe and GANYC Apple Award. She’s been living and writing in New York City for over 24 years and has been speaking for a wide variety of audiences including a women’s group with the United Nations. Laurie has also worked in PR for General Motors, is the mother of two boys, and has toured the nation managing a rock band. She is a fierce advocate for women’s rights. She loves coffee and wine; and hates thwarted love and raisins.


 

 

Social Media Links: 

My website: https://www.lachandlar.com
Newsletter: https://www.lachandlar.com/subscribe
https://www.instagram.com/lachandlar/
https://www.facebook.com/lachandlar/
https://bsky.app/profile/lachandlar.bsky.social
https://www.threads.net/@lachandlar
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7656965.L_A_Chandlar
https://www.pinterest.com/lachandlar/
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/l-a-chandlar

Currently Reading...

I just finished reading The Hindenburg Spy by L. A Chandlar. This book is the fourth in the Lane Sanders Mystery series and was released last week.

Lane Sanders boss, Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, is on the warpath when he hears two young boys are being held in jail after witnessing a murder. While the boys finger a well known mob boss as the trigger man, Lane and her compatriots aren't so sure. A hit in broad daylight is not his style and he would never do the dirty work himself. Lane can think of one person who would love to take the man down and take over his turf, her nemesis Daphne Franco. While visiting various jazz clubs to get the word on the street Lane finds that other gangs are antsy and everyone feels something big is brewing. Then she hears words that fill her with dread, Hindenburg hit. While she has an extraordinary team in New York City, everyone realizes that this a mission for Lane and only Lane. Heading to Europe to board the Hindenburg Lane knows it's up to her to stop the death and destruction that Daphne is surely planning.

Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library - An Interview, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Amanda Chapman to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Amanda writes the Mrs. Christie Mystery series. MRS. CHRISTIE AT THE MYSTERY GUILD LIBRARY is the first book in the series and will be released next week.

Kathy: In MRS. CHRISTIE AT THE MYSTERY GUILD LIBRARY we meet Tory Van Dyne who works as a book conservator at Manhattan’s Mystery Guild Library. Is this a job that you would be interested in having?

AC: Honestly, I can’t imagine any job better than the one I’m doing now (i.e., writing mysteries). But if I had to choose another one, it would absolutely be book conservator. I love books. I particularly love old books (which explains why I still have all my Nancy Drews and all my mother’s Agatha Christies). What could be more rewarding than to bring a book back to life? Even if it sometimes means literally vacuuming up silverfish and bookworms (yes, they are a real thing!) hiding between the pages. 


Kathy: Tory meets a woman who claims to be the ghost of Agatha Christie! Do you believe in ghosts? 

AC: Well, as Agatha Christie once wrote in her short story “The Hound of Death,” “the supernatural is only the natural of which the laws are not understood.” Goodness knows, I don’t understand them. That being said, I stand with the great British master of the ghost story, M.R. James himself: “Do I believe in ghosts? I am prepared to consider evidence and accept it if it satisfies me.” 


Kathy: If you could have someone who has crossed over come back to help you, who would you choose? 

AC: Let’s see… Oh yeah, I know. Agatha Christie. Definitely Agatha Christie. 


Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries? 

AC: Well, it wasn’t so much what as who. And the who was my mother, a lifelong mystery addict who passed her habit on to me. For which I will be forever grateful.

But what keeps me going back to mysteries (and writing mysteries) was perhaps best said Stephen Sondheim. Sondheim had a deep fascination with mysteries (which he often used in his work), pointing in particular to “Agatha Christie’s mysteries, the kinds of things where you know that it’s all going to be neatly wound up at the end and everything’s going to make logical sense. I think that’s why murder mysteries are popular, is this defense against chaos.” I’m with Mr. Sondheim on that! 

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres? 

AC: No, I am and always will be married to mysteries. 


Kathy: Tell us about this first book in your new series. 

AC: In short, it’s about Tory Van Dyne, a book conservator at Manhattan’s Mystery Guild Library, and a woman claiming to be Agatha Christie on holiday from the Great Beyond joining forces to catch a killer.

The longer version is that Tory is really not thrilled when she discovers a woman in the library’s Christie Room who then calmly introduces herself as Agatha Christie, politely requests a cocktail, and announces she’s there to help solve a murder—that has not yet happened.

But as soon as Tory determines that this is just a fairly nutty Christie fangirl, her socialite/actress cousin Nicola gets caught up in the suspicious death of her less-than-lovable talent agent. Nic, as always, looks to Tory for help. Tory, in turn, looks to Mrs. Christie. The woman, whoever or whatever she is, clearly knows her stuff when it comes to crime.

Aided by an unlikely band of fellow sleuths—including a snarky librarian, an eleven-year-old computer whiz, and an NYPD detective with terrible taste in suits—Tory and the woman claiming to be her very much deceased literary idol begin to unravel the twists and turns of a murderer’s devious mind. Because, in the immortal words of Miss Jane Marple, “murder is never simple.” 


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

AC: I love them all. But I have to admit that Tory is closest to my heart. For one thing, she’s the most down-to-earth member of a decidedly eccentric old-money New York family, in that she actually has a job. Plus, she’s not yet over a fairly recent trauma. As a result, she’s determined to leave up-town society -- and that trauma -- behind and live basically as a recluse. Or what she calls “a safe, sane, sensible life.” But it’s not long before Tory realizes that “my safe, sane, sensible life was as dead as a body with a knife in its back in one of Dame Agatha’s own mysteries.” To watch Tory come back to life and back into life has been such a joy for me. 
 

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

AC: On the dead side, the Queen of Crime (obviously) and Dorothy L. Sayers (creator of the wonderful Lord Peter Wimsey/Harriet Vane mysteries). On the living side, Louise Penny (for her delightful -- and a little bit supernatural -- Three Pines/Inspector Gamache mysteries) and Anne Cleves (Vera anyone?). 


Kathy: What are you currently reading? 

AC: I’ve just discovered via my Kindle a wonderful series, the Mr. and Mrs. North mysteries, written in the 1930s and ‘40s by the husband-and-wife team of Frances and Richard Lockridge. Every book is clever and witty and features a remarkable number of cocktails imbibed while sleuthing. (I should point out that there are also more than a few cocktails imbibed in Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library.) I’m only on number 5 in the series out of 26 (!), so I am set for at least a couple of weeks (I read really, really fast.) 


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

AC: Honestly, I’m the most boring person on earth. All I do is read. Mostly mysteries. 


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

AC: Cold-brew coffee, because how can anyone write a book without coffee? Real parmigiano Reggiano cheese to be freshly grated over pasta, because pretty much all I cook is pasta. A bottle of pinot grigio, because all that cocktail talk aside, I don’t really like cocktails. But I really like wine. And Irish butter, because it’s the best butter in the world and when there’s absolutely nothing left in the fridge to eat, you can always make pasta with butter and cheese. And have it with a glass of pinot grigio.

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

AC: I’m already writing (actually, I’m almost finished with) Book Two of the series, which I am absolutely loving. And I’m coming up with ideas for more… Stay tuned!

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

AC: Honestly, my favorite thing about being an author is writing. It’s an absolute joy. I love coming up with new ways to kill people (haha, just kidding). But most of all, I love my characters. I have so much fun with them. Just wait until you meet Tory’s flighty actor cousin Nicola Van Dyne. (As Nic herself would say, “I love love love her.”) And Tory’s best friend, the exceedingly well dressed and very snarky librarian, Adrian Gooding, “who believes in exactly nothing, not even the keto diet.” And “the hot detective” as Adrian refers to Detective Sebastian Mendez-Cruz, kindly not taking off points for the unfortunate suits. And our eleven-year-old Irish computer whiz, Mairead Butler, unofficial secretary of what she insists on referring to as “Agatha Inc.” And finally, that absolutely charming crime-solving genius, Mrs. Christie herself, “whoever and whatever she might be.” I’ll leave that up to you… 


Kathy: Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.

It’s been an absolute pleasure! As Nic would say, I loved loved loved your questions.

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

Review

MRS. CHRISTIE AT THE MYSTERY GUILD LIBRARY By Amanda Chapman
The First Mrs. Christie Mystery

Tory Van Dyne lives a quiet stable life. While she has some issues, that she is working through thank you very much, she is the normal one in her eccentric wealthy family. She's happy living and working in the townhome her grandmother gave her running the Mystery Guild Library on the main floors, working as a book conservator in the basement, and living in private quarters on the top floors. Tory starts to question her sanity when she meets a woman in the Christie Room, a woman who claims to be Agatha Christie herself! To top it off she says she's there to help solve a murder mystery! A poisoning sets off warning bells and when Tory's effervescent cousin, Nic's, agent dies they wonder. Could it be murder? When a second person dies under mysterious circumstances there's no longer much doubt. With the help of Mrs. Christie, Tory and her friends start to piece together the clues and work to solve a murder mystery!  

I loved, loved, loved this book! Agatha Christie coming back to help solve a murder mystery. Quirky friends. Monied old New York. A smidge of romance. What more could you ask for? Oh yeah, an incredibly complex, intricately plotted mystery. MRS. CHRISTIE AT THE MYSTERY GUILD LIBRARY delivers on all accounts! 

I was delighted to meet Tory, a protagonist who's vulnerable, yet strong, naive, yet knowledgeable. Flighty Nic is charming, despite her faults, the hot detective is smart and kind in addition to being hot, Adrian is a wonderful foil, and Mairead is a very special kid! And then there's Agatha Christie herself. From Tory thinking Mrs. Christie must be a fan girl, well, fan woman, to Adrian who doesn't believe in anything, the progression of belief in Mrs. Christie is wonderful. More than helping solve a murder or two, Mrs. Christie helps people become better. The characters are all incredibly unique, each with their own foibles and strengths. Even the minor characters. I was most impressed with Norman and I can't forget the drag stewardesses. 

I love how quotes are incorporated, not only at the start of a chapter, but in actual dialogue! The amount of research necessary to find just the right Agatha Christie quote to seamlessly and appropriately fit in conversation is somewhat awe inspiring! 

Smart, funny, and able to tug at the heartstrings MRS. CHRISTIE AT THE MYSTERY GUILD LIBRARY is a phenomenal start to a new series. 

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

 Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library (Mrs. Christie Series) by Amanda Chapman

About Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library

Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - Greenwich Village in New York City (primarily near Washington Square)
Publisher: ‎ Berkley
Publication Date: ‎ August 26, 2025
Print length: ‎ 368 pages

Book conservator Tory Van Dyne and a woman claiming to be Agatha Christie on holiday from the Great Beyond join forces to catch a killer in this spirited mystery from Amanda Chapman.

Tory Van Dyne is the most down-to-earth member of a decidedly eccentric old-money New York family. For one thing, as book conservator at Manhattan’s Mystery Guild Library, she actually has a job. Plus, she’s left up-town society behind for a quiet life downtown. So she’s not thrilled when she discovers a woman in the library’s Christie Room who calmly introduces herself as Agatha Christie, politely requests a cocktail, and announces she’s there to help solve a murder— that has not yet happened.

But as soon as Tory determines that this is just a fairly nutty Christie fangirl, her socialite/actress cousin Nicola gets caught up in the suspicious death of her less-than-lovable talent agent. Nic, as always, looks to Tory for help. Tory, in turn, looks to Mrs. Christie. The woman, whoever or whatever she is, clearly knows her stuff when it comes to crime.

Aided by an unlikely band of fellow sleuths —including a snarky librarian, an eleven-year-old computer whiz, and an NYPD detective with terrible taste in suits—Tory and the woman claiming to be her very much deceased literary idol begin to unravel the twists and turns of a murderer’s devious mind. Because, in the immortal words of Miss Jane Marple, “murder is never simple.”

About Amanda Chapman

Amanda Chapman (aka Amy Pershing) is a lifelong mystery lover and wordsmith. Under the name Amy Pershing, she is also the author of the Cape Cod Foodie mysteries. An enthusiastic fan of traditional mysteries and of New York City, she found herself wondering, “What if someone recreated Agatha Christie’s personal library -– even to the furnishings and architecture — in New York City? What would happen in that space?” And thus MRS. CHRISTIE AT THE MYSTERY GUILD LIBRARY -- the first in a new series -- was born.

Author Links: 

Website www.amandachapmanauthor.com  

Follow Amanda Chapman on Facebook  

Follow Amanda Chapman on Instagram 

 Follow Amanda Chapman on Goodreads

Purchase Links PenguinRandomHouse - Amazon - B&N - Bookshop.org - Kobo

 

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library by Amanda Chapman. This book is the first in the Mrs. Christie Mystery series and will be released next week. 

Tory Van Dyne lives a quiet stable life. While she has some issues, that she is working through thank you very much, she is the normal one in her eccentric wealthy family. She's happy living and working in the townhome her grandmother gave her running the Mystery Guild Library on the main floors, working as a book conservator in the basement, and living in private quarters on the top floors. Tory starts to question her sanity when she meets a woman in the Christie Room, a woman who claims to be Agatha Christie herself! To top it off she says she's there to help solve a murder mystery! A poisoning sets off warning bells and when Tory's effervescent cousin, Nic's, agent dies they wonder. Could it be murder? When a second person dies under mysterious circumstances there's no longer much doubt. With the help of Mrs. Christie, Tory and her friends start to piece together the clues and work to solve a murder mystery! 

A Fatal Waltz - A Review

 Review

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

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

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

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

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

Currently Reading...

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

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

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!

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

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?

The Socialite's Guide to Sleuthing & Secrets - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

THE SOCIALITE'S GUIDE TO SLEUTHING & SECRETS by S. K. Golden
The Third Pinnacle Hotel Mystery 

Though she'd prefer to be in her room at the Pinnacle Hotel with just her pets as companions, Evelyn Murphy has agreed to eat lunch in the Gold Room with her friend Henry. While admiring a tiara that was just delivered to her, ladies at a nearby table ask her to join them. As the hotel owner's daughter, Evelyn graciously sits with them and is soon given a sales pitch from Lois Mitchel, leader of the Ladies Love to Sparkle. As Evelyn peruses their costume jewelry catalog, Lois suddenly collapses. While it looks as if Lois suffered from a deadly allergic reaction, Evelyn's first thought is murder. While Evelyn Murphy has great difficulty with many aspects of her life, one thing she does well is find things...and that includes murderers.

THE SOCIALITE'S GUIDE TO SLEUTHING & SECRETS brings readers back to the Pinnacle Hotel, a luxury hotel in 1958 New York City and home to the Evelyn Murphy. Still reeling from the departure of her lover, Evelyn has been backsliding, refusing once again to leave the hotel. But, when faced with another death, one where the woman fell right on top of her, she focuses on what she does best. It's fascinating to watch Evelyn's methods, her relationships with others, and her ultimate successes. I loved her plan to trap the killer!

In the first book in the Pinnacle Hotel Mystery series I found Evelyn Elizabeth Grace Murphy contrived, especially with her speech, thank you ever so much. However, she's growing and by this third book we can see the character she's cultivated slowly fading as she's slowly letting her true self out. She even is just Evelyn Murphy now. Of course, it's slow going, but she's trying to be a better person.

The mystery was complex with multiple moving parts. a possible murder, a jewel thief, and a journalist looking to start trouble. The search to discover more about her mother's murder adds depth and more intrigue.

Humorous, yet imbued with pathos, THE SOCIALITE'S GUIDE TO SLEUTHING & SECRETS is a skillfully crafted mystery bringing 1950s style to a novel that's simply the ginchiest!

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

 The Socialite's Guide to Sleuthing and Secrets (A Pinnacle Hotel Mystery) by S. K. Golden

About The Socialite's Guide to Sleuthing and Secrets

The Socialite's Guide to Sleuthing and Secrets (A Pinnacle Hotel Mystery)
Historical Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series
Setting - 1958 New York City
Publisher: ‎ Crooked Lane Books (March 11, 2025)
Hardcover: ‎ 288 pages

Hotel heiress Evelyn Murphy is on the hunt for a cunning killer and a mysterious thief in the third Pinnacle Hotel mystery, perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen and Ashley Weaver.

New York, 1958. When Evelyn’s mail is delivered during a luncheon in the Gold Room, she’s surprised to find she has received a diamond tiara, which catches the attention of a costume jewelry sales team lunching nearby. Their leader, Lois Mitchel, is especially interested, but by the end of the lunch, Lois has choked and fallen into Evelyn’s lap—and by the end of the day, she’s dead.

The papers report on the death the next day, while also spreading news of a Gentleman Thief who’s been leaving behind a red pocket square after robbing the city’s wealthiest. Determined to figure out what happened to Lois, Evelyn devotes herself to the investigation.

The truth is as rare as a diamond and just as hard to crack, and Evelyn swiftly discovers that this particular mystery is multifaceted, too. From costume jewelry hawkers to wannabe Robin Hoods and a detective in residence at the Pinnacle, nothing is simple. But neither is Evelyn—and this case is hers to solve.

About S. K. Golden

S.K. Golden writes cozy mysteries and crime capers. Born and raised in the Florida Keys, she married a commercial fisherman. The two of them still live on the islands with their five kids (one boy, four girls — including identical twins!), two cats, and a corgi named Goku. Sarah graduated from Saint Leo University with a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Administration and has put it to good use approximately zero times. She’s worked as a bank teller, a pharmacy technician, and an executive assistant at her father’s church. Sarah is delighted to be doing none of those things now.

Author Links: 

Website https://www.skgoldenwrites.com/  

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

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

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22010011.S_K_Golden  

Purchase Links - Amazon B&N Bookshop.org Penguin RandomHouse Kobo 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading The Socialite's Guide to Sleuthing and Secrets by S. K. Golden. This is the third book in the Pinnacle Hotel Mystery series and will be released next week. 

Though she'd prefer to be in her room at the Pinnacle Hotel with just her pets as companions, Evelyn Murphy has agreed to eat lunch in the Gold Room with her friend Henry. While admiring a tiara that was just delivered to her, ladies at a nearby table ask her to join them. As the hotel owner's daughter, Evelyn graciously sits with them and is soon given a sales pitch from Lois Mitchel, leader of the Ladies Love to Sparkle. As Evelyn peruses their costume jewelry catalog, Lois suddenly collapses. While it looks as if Lois suffered from a deadly allergic reaction, Evelyn's first thought is murder. While Evelyn Murphy has great difficulty with many aspects of her life, one thing she does well is find things...and that includes murderers.

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading The Great Gatsby Murder Case by David Finkle. 

Daniel Freund is overjoyed when he discovers a 1953 edition of The Great Gatsby in a pile of free books. A collector, he had been on the look out for that particular edition. Hurrying home to reread the book, he begins to notice something strange. Certain words appear to glow. The text is sending him a message. Someone has been murdered. Taking it as a sign Daniel begins to investigate, but did the book belong to the victim? Or the murderer?

A Fatal Reception - A Review

 Review

A FATAL RECEPTION by Kathleen Marple Kalb
The Fourth Ella Shane Mystery 

 

While the Duke is abroad opera diva Ella Shane agrees to perform in a special gala recital, hopefully getting her mind off the minutia of her upcoming wedding. While the performance goes well, the reception afterward turns horribly wrong when Mr. Larimer is killed. Mrs. Aline Corbyn claims she killed the magnate in self defense, but the society matron isn't known for truthfulness and things don't appear quite right. As Ella continues her own wedding preparations she plans to keep her eyes and ears open so that justice will be served.

 

I loved absolutely everything about this book. A FATAL RECEPTION is the kind of book that keeps you so captivated that you don't want to stop reading. I was mad that I couldn't read it all in one sitting, instead having to leave that special world in order to do mundane household chores, like laundry, and go to work. Numerous threads are skillfully intertwined, the murder, the wedding, the other wedding, the Polish prince, the printers. There's drama, angst, comedy, and a thrilling action packed finale.

 

A FATAL RECEPTION is a perfect combination of multifaceted characters brought to life in a compelling story. I laughed, held my breath, and cheered. I can't wait to see what happens next!

Currently Reading...

I just finished reading A Fatal Reception by Kathleen Marple Kalb. This book is the fourth in the Ella Shane Mystery series and was released yesterday!

While the Duke is abroad opera diva Ella Shane agrees to perform in a special gala recital, hopefully getting her mind off the minutia of her upcoming wedding. While the performance goes well, the reception afterward turns horribly wrong when Mr. Larimer is killed. Mrs. Aline Corbyn claims she killed the magnate in self defense, but the society matron isn't known for truthfulness and things don't appear quite right. As Ella continues her own wedding preparations she plans to keep her eyes and ears open so that justice will be served.

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.

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

 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.

Inferno on Fifth - A Review

 Review

INFERNO ON FIFTH
By Marlie Parker Wasserman 

 

In 1899 the Windsor Hotel in Manhattan was a grand edifice seven stories high taking up an entire city block housing visitors and wealthy New Yorkers alike. Everyone was in a celebratory mood that St. Patrick's Day and Irish music filled the air as the parade began. But as the parade got close to the hotel, smoke filled the air. Bystanders looked up in shock to see women hanging out of the hotel windows, some jumping as flames shot out of the building. Screams rent the air. In less than two hours there was nothing but rubble and almost 100 people were dead. INFERNO ON FIFTH follows events leading up to and following the blaze. What could have caused such devastation?

 

I love history as well as mysteries and INFERNO ON FIFTH combines both in an intriguing story inspired by true events. Each chapter is written from the viewpoint of one of the people whose life was affected by the fire, from hotel guests and staff to investigators, with thoughts and opinions from neighbors and others. Despite all these views, there is a cohesive story, the various threads weaving into a solid whole. It's fascinating to see the disparity between the focus of the stories, from the three wealthy young women who held their fathers in high esteem to the entire robbery storyline. I appreciated the way Marguerite Wells dealt with the aftermath of the fire, determined to try to discover what really happened that fateful day and was impressed with her investigation.

A great work of historical fiction makes me want to research the truth behind the story. INFERNO ON FIFTH did just that, leading me down the rabbit hole as I discovered pictures and even a letter written by Mrs. Pope to her sister detailing the fire.

INFERNO ON FIFTH is a captivating tale that will transport you to the Gilded Age while it forces you to question your own ethics and mortality.

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

About the Author

 

Marlie Parker Wasserman writes historical crime fiction, after a career on the other side of the desk in publishing. In addition to Inferno on Fifth, she is the author of The Murderess Must Die and Path of Peril. Marlie lives with her husband in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She is a member of the Historical Novel Society, Sisters in Crime, and the Triangle Chapter of Sisters in Crime.

Website:marliewasserman.com