The Sketchy Christmas Tree - An Interview, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Lucy Carol to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Lucy writes the Cozy Mystery Holiday series. THE SKETCHY CHRISTMAS TREE is the first book in the series and was released last month.

 

Kathy: THE SKETCHY CHRISTMAS TREE is told from the point of view of Sir Percival, who happens to be a cat. Why choose to have a cat as your protagonist instead of a human? 

LC: It’s because my real life cat, also named Sir Percival, inspired me. My Sir Percival loves to lay across my forearms while my hands are typing out my current story, although, he’s too heavy to allow it for more than a few minutes. He’s adorable and a complete clown. But when he goes into imaginary playtime, he wildly zooms back and forth like a crazed superhero on a desperate mission to save the day. I often wondered if he had an inner story that he was playing out. I was so charmed by the notion that he’s playing pretend, I got the idea to write out some murder mysteries, and use him as the detective who figures it out, and saves everyone! I’m sure he would love it if he could read. Lol!

Kathy: The town of Bisque, in particular Sir Percival's neighborhood, is a close knit community. I love the whole concept of a neighborhood Christmas party. Did you ever live in a neighborhood like this? Would you like to? 

LC: Yes, I’ve been lucky enough to have experienced that, years ago. And one year we were the ones to host it. There was so much food! Everyone brought something, and I had set up the table with make-your-own cocktail spirits, and wine. Quickly the table was loaded down with holiday foods and cheer. Our small house was so packed with people I could barely get to the dining table to swap out an empty tray of hors d’oeuvres for a new tray of fresh from the oven goodies. And yes, I had to look up proper spelling of hors d’oeuvres just now, haha. Conversations from every corner blended in with Christmas music, and I could hear laughter throughout the house. It was madness, but I loved every minute of it.

Kathy: I love Sir. Percival's attitude toward the sketchy Christmas tree as well as other sketchy trees. While my other cats don't mind plants and my Mystic doesn't bother the Christmas tree he makes it so I am unable to have houseplants anymore. Sigh. Are you able to have plants and cats? 

LC: No, and I share your sigh! I love plants and flowers, but Sir Percival chews on them the moment my back is turned. I had a beautiful bouquet in a vase of water, sitting on my desk. Sir Percival likes to nap on my desk while I write. He was showing marvelous restraint, ignoring the flowers and falling asleep. So I felt safe to run into the other room to refill my coffee. And … you guessed it … when I got back the vase was on it’s side, water all over the desk, and a flower in Sir Percival’s mouth. No more bouquets. If someone sends me one, I put it right outside my sliding glass door so I can still see it every day.

Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries? 

LC: I started reading kid’s mysteries when I was about seven years old. I always had my nose in a book. My tastes obviously changed as I grew older, but I grew to miss the simplicity of those childhood books. I eventually realized that the cozy mystery genre is more gentle, like those earlier books, but more complex for an adult mind. I read Agatha Christie and Janet Evanovich, and enjoyed those kinds of stories.

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres? 

LC: I do. Mostly fantasy romance. I hope to publish in that genre.

Kathy: Tell us about your series.  

LC: In the whimsical small town of Bisque, filled with fur babies and friendly faces, the unthinkable can still happen, and somewhere a body drops. But also in Bisque, Sir Percival, a dapper cat detective with a gentleman’s code, stands sentinel. THE SKETCHY CHRISTMAS TREE is the first in a series of novellas that each have a different holiday theme.

I also write the Madison Cruz Mystery series. This series has a young woman sleuth, and a romantic side story that arcs over the course of the series. Madison is an actress, her mother is FBI, her grandmother is ex-KGB, and I have a blast writing the dialogue dynamics of this trio. It has over a thousand positive reviews and ratings. There are currently 6 books in that series. I’m considering marrying her off to her love interest, and starting a new series with them as a married couple. So much trouble and fun to get into together! Full disclosure: Clean words, no gore, violence is pretty mild. This series is technically a cozy mystery series, but there are moments when it’s barely a cozy due to the mildly steamy nature of Madison gradually falling in love. The sex is kept behind closed doors, with details left to your imagination.


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

LC: Right now, it’s Sir Percival! I’m having so much fun trying to see the world through the eyes of a brilliant cat detective who has to sneak out of the house to go investigate his latest case. I can’t wait for you to see what he gets into next.

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

LC: Agatha Christie for cozy mystery, and Sarah J. Maas for fantasy. And I’d bet those two would get along great.

Kathy: What are you currently reading? 

LC: Currently I’m reading TWO TWISTED CROWNS by Rachel Gillig. She’s a new-to-me fantasy romance author. I should probably invite her to dinner too!

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

LC: Right now I’m so busy with my gardening hobby, I’m sore every day, lol. I’m planting a lot more vegetables and flowers than usual. I also love jigsaw puzzles, and of course reading. There’s never enough time in a day for all the books.

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

LC: In the fridge there’s always half & half for my coffee, and butter for the popcorn. In the pantry there is always pasta to cook on a moment’s notice, and jars of marinara or alfredo sauces. This is making me hungry!

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

LC: Yes, and yes!

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

LC: Letting my imagination run amok!

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Review

THE SKETCHY CHRISTMAS TREE by Lucy Carol
The First Cozy Mystery Holiday

Brook and Theo Potter live a quiet and unassuming life in the quaint town of Bisque. They believe that their cat, Sir Percival, only goes outside with them in a wheeled cat carrier. Sir Percival has other ideas. You see he is a suave feline with a nose for detection. He also has a way to get outdoors to investigate when the needs arises and the night after a shifty tree arrives in his house, the need arose. Now Sir Percival will require the assistance of a new canine friend to solve a mystery and protect a neighbor.

THE SKETCHY CHRISTMAS TREE is an extraordinarily fast read. Both fast paced and short you could easily finish it in one sitting. Despite that, there is solid character development, especially with Sir Percival and Fidget. I love Sir Percival, a cat through and through he's stylish, good looking, and knows his worth. He had me laughing with his ability to be distracted, his thoughts about trees, and his method of leaving the house. His humans are a bit silly, but I think that's the point. 

The story was well crafted with multiple mysteries to muddy the waters. I appreciated how Sir Percival lay out the facts as he knew them to help him, and readers, solve the mysteries. I especially loved the puzzle of the "ghost" as well as its resolution.

THE SKETCHY CHRISTMAS TREE is a quick fun read that brings the joy of community and Christmas together with the help of a smart cat and a cute pup! 

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 The Sketchy Christmas Tree: A Christmas Cozy Mystery (Cozy Mystery Holidays) by Lucy Carol

About The Sketchy Christmas Tree

The Sketchy Christmas Tree: A Christmas Cozy Mystery (Cozy Mystery Holidays)
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting - Pacific Northwest
Fevered Publishing (April 22, 2025)
Print length: ‎ 109 pages

Out on a limb for a killer!

In the whimsical small town of Bisque, filled with fur babies and friendly faces, lives a dapper cat detective, Sir Percival. With his keen intellect, a flair for the dramatic (and of course impeccable grooming), he believes he embodies the essence of a gentleman.

One fateful night, all seems well as Christmas lights and glittering snowflakes usher in a peaceful end to the day. But perched atop a towering Christmas tree, Sir Percival's vigilant gaze spots a shadowy intruder lurking near a home down the street! His concern for the spirited little dog who resides there, compels him to embark on a daring nighttime escapade. But the shocking discovery in the little dog's backyard is more than just a mischievous intruder--it's a dead body.

Determined to solve the mystery and protect their humans, Sir Percival enlists the help of his newfound friend, Fidget. Together, they unravel clues that lead them through a web of betrayal, eccentric neighbors, and buried secrets!

About Lucy Carol

Lucy Carol's top priority is to entertain you, and keep you turning pages. She writes mysteries for those who like it fun, fast, and don't mind losing a little sleep. Living and writing in the Pacific Northwest, she loves martinis, flowers, dancing, a good lipstick, and cake.

Author Links: 

Website https://lucycarol.com/  

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

Purchase Links - Amazon Books 2 Read

 

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Murder at the Dog Park - A Guest Post & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Rochester to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Rochester on the pages of DEATH AT THE DOGPARK by Neil S. Plakcy and Joanna Campbell Slan. This book, comprised of two novellas, was released last month.

Rochester’s Puppyhood
A Golden Retriever Mystery Prequel
Copyright 2024 Neil S. Plakcy. All rights reserved. 

 

My name is Rochester, and I am not one of those talking dogs who narrate mystery novels. I’m just a golden retriever with a nose for crime, and I have a human who is smart enough to take the clues I provide him with and bring bad people to justice.

You’d be surprised how many bad people we run into in the small town where we live, and the college conference center that Steve runs. I’ve run out of toes to count them on—nineteen since he and I first hooked up four years ago.

I don’t like to complain, but I had a rough puppyhood. Born in a litter of twelve, I had to push my way forward to get my share of mama’s milk. For a long time after that, I had a tendency to gobble my food, afraid some other dog might come along and steal it.

Then I had to suffer having a red bandanna tied around my neck as I posed for pictures in the hope that some human would buy me.

Yes, I was originally sold, like a bag of dog chow. The young couple who purchased me were too busy with their own lives, and their newborn baby, to give me proper training and exercise, and after only a few months they got tired of my enthusiasm, my need to get out into the world to pee and sniff, and the golden hair that flew off me at the slightest wiggle of my growing body.

I’ve always loved going out in the car, so I wasn’t suspecting anything the day they asked me to hop in the back of their minivan. I sat up on my hind paws to look out the back window, not realizing that was going to be my last view of the place I’d called home for six months.

Instead of going to the park or the veterinarian’s office, we stopped at a big square building that reverberated with the sounds of dogs barking and howling. A nice lady took my leash and led me into the back of the building, and tried to put me in a cage.

Now, I’d been crate-trained, so I was accustomed to the small surroundings. But my crate at home had a cushion, and I could look through the bars to see my human pack. But this cage was all metal and had no cushion, and there were strange dogs on both sides.

I planted my paws on the ground and resisted being pushed into the cage, but the lady was stronger than she looked and she shoved me inside and closed the door.

I sat at the front of my cage peering through the wire, wondering where my humans were. It took me a whole day to realize they weren’t coming back. Even so, every time humans came through looking at the dogs in their cages, I kept hoping to recognize a familiar smell. That maybe they’d changed their minds.

But they never came back, and eventually I forgot what they looked like and smelled like. I didn’t like the shelter. Too many other dogs competing for attention, and the smells were overwhelming for a sensitive nose like mine. I slept on concrete, inside a wire cage, with only a water bowl for company. Every day, humans paraded past me as if I was an exhibit at a county fair, commenting about my square head, and the pile of fur that was always around me. (I tend to shed when I’m nervous.)

The most frequent comment was about the size of my paws. Some humans thought I might be part Great Pyrenees because they were so big, and others were frightened that I’d grow too large. One man even called me Howard Huge. I rarely growl, but that comment got a snarl from me.

I was pleased when Caroline Kelly took me out of my cage for a brief walk. She was a lovely human, older than my previous humans and hopefully more mature. and I loved the way she smelled, how soft her hands were, and how she came down to my level to pet me. I did my best to make her love me in the half-hour we walked around the outside yard, and I romped around her.

I remember she knelt down beside me and whispered in my ear. “What a handsome boy you are,” she said. “Would you like to come home with me?”

Would I ever!

She gave me the name Rochester, after a romantic hero in a book she loved. She confided in me, especially after she’d had a bad date. “I’m going to take myself off the marriage market,” she said. “Dogs never come home drunk. They never complain about your cooking and they’re happy when your friends come over.”

By the time I went home with her, I’d taught myself to do my business outside (my previous owners hadn’t bothered with any training). She rewarded me with treats, and loved to take long walks with me. She didn’t mind brushing me, often while we snuggled on the floor listening to the happy pop music she liked. A few times we even danced, me on my hind legs, her holding my paws.

At last, I felt like I’d found my true home. But then one day we were out walking on a long strip of land that connected our community, River Bend, to the main street. We had park on both sides of us, so there was a lot to sniff, and I had my head down to the ground when I heard a couple of very loud noises.

Suddenly Caroline fell to the ground and let go of my leash. She wouldn’t get up even when I licked her face and barked at her. I took off back toward River Bend to find someone to help her.

I was lucky that the first human I found was her next-door neighbor, Steve Levitan. I’d met Steve a couple of times before and he didn’t seem to like me very much, because he thought I was too wild.

He grabbed my leash and let me drag him back to Caroline’s body. My poor human was dead, and I had nowhere else to go, so Steve’s friend Rick, the police detective investigating her murder, convinced him to let me stay with him for a few days.

That was just enough time to convince him to help me find the people who killed Caroline, and to get him to fall in love with me the way Caroline had. He’d been through a bad time himself, and I like to think I taught him how to love again and move forward with his life.

With me taking the lead, of course.

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 Death at the Dogpark Kindle Edition by Neil S. Plakcy & Joanna Campbell Slan

About Death at the Dogpark 

Death at the Dogpark
Cozy Mystery
Publisher: ‎ Samwise Books (March 13, 2025)
Paperback: ‎ 192 pages

Two gripping novellas explore murder, mystery, and mayhem at the local dog park in this unique collection from authors Neil S. Plakcy and Joanna Campbell Slan.

In "Dog's Punishment," Steve Levitan and his intuitive golden retriever Rochester uncover dark secrets when investigating the death of a controversial dog trainer. After Melissa Kawamoto is found dead at the local dog park, Steve must untangle a web of professional rivalries, stolen patents, and bitter grudges to catch a killer who turned a revolutionary training method into a deadly weapon.

In "Lamb Chopped," craft store owner Kiki Lowenstein's peaceful morning at the dog park turns horrific when her Great Dane Gracie digs up a severed hand. The discovery pulls Kiki into a disturbing investigation involving missing pets, corrupt officials, and a shadowy network trafficking shelter animals to research facilities. With help from her homicide detective husband, Kiki must expose the truth before more animals—and humans—become victims.

Both stories showcase the unbreakable bonds between humans and their canine companions while delivering clever mysteries filled with twists, turns, and compelling characters. A must-read for fans of cozy mysteries and anyone who believes dogs have an uncanny ability to point us toward the truth.

About Neil S. Plakcy

 

I've wanted to be an author since I was about sixteen, when a high school assignment on A Separate Peace showed me how powerful writing can be. At the University of Pennsylvania I studied creative writing with Philip Roth and Carlos Fuentes; I went on to receive my MFA from Florida International University. My first published novel was Mahu, about a Honolulu homicide detective dragged out of the closet during a tough case. I put a lot of myself into Kimo Kanapa'aka, the hero, and yet he’s very much his own character, and much better than I am! He has had a powerful hold on my imagination for many years. I love writing about him and hope to keep doing so for a long time. He’s also the source of my favorite reader question. A few years ago, someone emailed to ask if he was circumcised. My first reaction was “Man, I’ll bet Stephen King doesn’t get questions like that.” But then, his are probably even weirder. I went online and did some research and discovered that at the time Kimo was born, hospital circumcisions were common. So there you go. My path to publication was a long and checkered one, as is the case with many authors. My first published stories were magazine erotica, and I still like to keep my hand in (no pun intended) with that kind of writing. But for the most part now I write mystery and romance—all my books seem to have both those elements, though in different proportions. I began writing the golden retriever mysteries because I spent so much time walking my golden, Samwise (yes, I’m a Tolkien geek). He had so many funny habits and such a strong personality that I just knew I had to write a book that featured a dog like him. (Fortunately, Sam had no habit of finding dead bodies.) I live in Hollywood, Florida now, with my partner and our golden retrievers, Brody and Griffin.  

Author Links:

WEBSITE: www.mahubooks.com
BLOG: http://mahubooks.blogspot.com
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001JP4EL6
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/neil.plakcy
GOODREADS: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/126217.Neil_Plakcy
PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/neilplakcy/boards/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/NeilPlakcy
BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/neil-s-plakcy
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/neilplakcy/
LINKED IN: www.linkedin.com/in/neilplakcy
SUBSTACK: https://substack.com/@goldendad
THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@neilplakcy
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@neilplakcy
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@plax1612
Amazon Author Profile: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B001JP4EL6

 

About Joanna Campbell Slan

Joanna is a New York Times Bestselling, USA Today Bestselling, and Amazon Bestselling author as well as a woman prone to frequent bursts of crafting frenzy, leaving her with burns from her hot glue gun and paint on her clothes. And the mess? Let’s not even go there.

Otherwise, Joanna’s a productive author with more than 80 written projects to her credit. Her non-fiction work includes how to books, a college textbook for public speakers, and books of personal essays (think Chicken Soup for the Soul).

Currently, she writes six fiction series: The Kiki Lowenstein Mystery Series (Agatha Award Finalist, contemporary, St. Louis setting, crafting), the Cara Mia Delgatto Mystery Series (contemporary, Florida setting, DIY, and recycling), the Jane Eyre Chronicles (Daphne du Maurier Award Winner, 1830s England, based on Charlotte Brontë’s classic), the Sherlock Holmes Fantasy Thrillers (late 1800s, based on Arthur Conan Doyle’s books), the Tai Chi Mystery Series (featuring a mature female amateur sleuth!) and the Friday Night Mystery Series (set in Decatur, IL in 1986 with a spunky female heroine.)

A former TV talk show host, college teacher, and public relations specialist, Joanna was one of the early Chicken Soup for the Soul contributors. She won a Silver Anvil for her work on the original FarmAid concert to benefit farmers.

In her ongoing quest never to see snow again, Joanna lives with her husband and their Havanese puppy, Jax, on an island off the coast of Florida.

Author Links: 

Newsletter sign up: https://joannacampbellslan.substack.com/publish/home
Street Team sign up: https://joannacampbellslan.com/
Website — https://joannacampbellslan.com/
Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/JoannaCampbellSlan
Facebook Group — https://www.facebook.com/groups/1602372550058785
Twitter — https://twitter.com/JoannaSlan
Amazon Author Page — https://amzn.to/3uF3h0g
Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/JCSlan/
Goodreads — https://www.goodreads.com/joannacampbellslan
Bookbub — https://www.bookbub.com/profile/joanna-campbell-slan
LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/JoannaSlan
Pinterest — https://www.pinterest.com/joannaslan/

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A Fatal Honeymoon - A Review

 Review

A FATAL HONEYMOON by Kathleen Marple Kalb
The Fourth and a Half Ella Shane Mystery 

 

A honeymoon in Niagara Falls is a perfect getaway for Ella Shane and her Duke. The Grand Niagara Resort may be a bit stodgy and some of the other occupants unpleasant, but honeymooning incognito has its perks. An evening at the theatre is nothing new for the pair, but what's unusual is that Ella isn't performing. When a shot rings out onstage, the bullet is real and the victim, an audience member, is dead. Believing the actor who fired the gun to be innocent of murder, Ella and Gil will have to uncover the real killer.

A FATAL HONEYMOON may be a novella, but there's a lot of intrigue going on. In addition to the murder of the despicable Horace Maitland, there's the investigation that brought the honeymooners to the Falls in the first place-a favor for a friend of the Duke. While this mystery can certainly be read as a standalone novel readers familiar with the series will enjoy it even more, especially when it comes to the relationship between Ella and the Duke.

I've loved Ella Shane from the start. A street smart Irish-Jewish girl who rose from poverty with talent and a lot of hard work knows something about bigoted behavior and I am as angry as she at the attitude of some of the other hotel guests. Like Ella, I wouldn't have minded landing a good right cross if the opportunity arose. As for the thrilling fight...

 

Jam-packed with intrigue, action, and surprises A FATAL HONEYMOON is a marvelous mystery set against an iconic backdrop.

Loch Ness Murder - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a book related to one I just finished. Loch Ness Murder by Michele Pariza Wacek is the second book in the Charlie Kingsley Novella series. Note, there is a series of Charlie Kingsley Novellas and a series of Charlie Kingsley Novels. As of 6:30pm eastern October, 19, 2024 the e-book version of this novella was free!

Blurb:

Redemption wouldn’t be Redemption without something weird going on in one of its lakes.

In this case, residents are torn between it being a Loch Ness Monster (named “Locky”) or some other water-based supernatural creature.

So, to set the record straight, two scientists come to investigate.

But then one of them is found dead.

Specifically, drowned.

In the lake.

There are teeth marks on the body … and they appear to be from an actual Loch Ness Monster.

Charlie has no choice but to dive headfirst into this investigation, before another victim surfaces.

Murder Under the Mistletoe - A Review

 Review

MURDER UNDER THE MISTLETOE by Erica Ruth Neubauer
The Fourth and a Half Jane Wunderly Mystery 

It's Christmastime and Redvers has decided to bring his fiance, Jane, to his ancestral home to meet his father. While Jane is well aware the two aren't close, the couple are surprised to learn that his father is engaged and plans to wed the widow Evelyn on Christmas Day. Evelyn runs hot and cold, but there's no mistake that Redvers' aunts dislike the woman. The aunts also intimate that the deaths of the widow's previous two husbands may not have been entirely natural. After Jane and Redvers start asking questions an accident occurs followed by a murder. Coincidence? The couple must get to the truth to save Redvers' father and possibly their own future wedding. 

It's always a challenge meeting the family of your significant other, especially when your fiance isn't close to his father, there's a surprise woman in the wings, and energetic aunts are nearby. I loved the glimpses we got of Redvers childhood and the boy he once was. I absolutely adore Redvers' aunts and hope we get to see more of them. I also love how they mesh with Aunt Millie!

I love everything about the Jane Wunderly Mystery series and this Christmas novella is the sprig of holly on the plum pudding! It's delightful in every way. The relationship, dare I say partnership, between Jane and Redvers is wonderful and I enjoy the manner in which they work together.

MURDER UNDER THE MISTLETOE is a delightful holiday novella featuring a house full of relatives, surprises, and Christmas cheer.

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading Murder Under the Mistletoe by Erica Ruth Neubauer. This book is the fourth and a half book (it's a novella) in the Jane Wunderly Mystery series. 

It's Christmastime and Redvers has decided to bring his fiance, Jane, to his ancestral home to meet his father. While Jane is well aware the two aren't close, the couple are surprised to learn that his father is engaged and plans to wed the widow Evelyn on Christmas Day. Evelyn runs hot and cold, but there's no mistake that Redvers' aunts dislike the woman. The aunts also intimate that the deaths of the widow's previous two husbands may not have been entirely natural. After Jane and Redvers start asking questions an accident occurs followed by a murder. Coincidence? The couple must get to the truth to save Redvers' father and possibly their own future wedding.

Hexes and Hooligans - A Review

 Review

HEXES AND HOOLIGANS by Elizabeth Pantley
A Magical Mystery Book Club Novella 5.5

In their latest adventure the Magical Mystery Book club is transported to a college town inhabited by gnomes. The town is preparing for the Honeybee Moon Festival but tragically several students have been infected with a virus that has hideously disfigured them, at least by gnome standards of beauty. In the guise of visiting professors the book club gang will have to determine what caused the virus. Could it be a hex? Is someone trying to eliminate pageant contestants? The gang will have to work fast as the festival is fast approaching and more students are succumbing each day!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and inside beauty is just as important as physical appearance. That is the lesson found in HEXES AND HOOLIGANS, the fifth and a half Magical Mystery Book Club book. That and make sure you're certain before you start accusing people of things!

I enjoyed visiting a land inhabited by gnomes, something different than the usual paranormal excursion. It was also interesting to see how, though she enjoyed being seen by others, that benefit hampered Mollie's ability to investigate. 

HEXES AND HOOLIGANS is a novella that falls between books five and six of the Magical Mystery Book Club series, thus being book 5.5. As such it's a bit shorter. I like the shorter length every now and again, however, things weren't as flushed out as usual. I was left wondering about certain characters and their behaviors at the end. Still, I did enjoy the story.

While filled with fun and laughs there's a deeper message in HEXES AND HOOLIGANS. Sit back, return to school, celebrate with gnomes, and perhaps take something more with you when you're done.

Genies and Gibberish - A Review

 Review

 GENIES AND GIBBERISH by Elizabeth Pantley

The First Magical Mystery Book Club Novella

(Magical Mystery Book Club 4.5)

It's time for the Magical Mystery Book Club to choose another adventure. This time they decide to head to modern day Arizona for a paranormal mystery. Not sure what they'll discover the Snapdragon gang find themselves walking up to an ultra modern mansion on a mountain. With an obvious and ostentatious display of wealth their host, Martin Shuttlewort, is an uncouth boor. Surprisingly, the man hosts a book club whose other members are neighbors and staff...each with anger and disdain for him. Partway through the meeting the housekeeper begins to scream. Martin has fallen to his death. The Snapdragon crew will have their work cut out for them since no one, except perhaps Celeste, liked the man. Add two genies to the mix and things get even more complicated!

The Magical Mystery Book Club meets up and mixes with another book club in this, their first novella. A slightly shorter story, the club also isn't at their full number of members. And while this book certainly works as a standalone, you'll appreciate things more if you have read the other books in the series; at least the third.

I appreciate how every member of the Magical Mystery Book Club is important, each bringing his or her own gifts to their adventure. While a true ensemble, I like how one member often gets a chance to shine just a bit more. GENIES AND GIBBERISH gave Moonbeam some time in the spotlight and it is wonderful to see her excel in her role. She's fiercely determined, and smart enough to craftily outsmart the genies at their own game. I enjoyed the glimpse we had into the Genie world, with special thanks to Mollie. The mystery itself was unique with its unlikable victim and a host of possible suspects. 

 

There was a bit of an odd vibe to the story however. It may have been the concept of half wishes or perhaps the fact that none of the book characters (as opposed to the Snapdragon gang) were very nice, and some were downright strange-I still don't quite get Trixie and Juliette. There was even something slightly off with the police.

The best part of a book club is the food and both sets of book club members embrace this idea. The delightful descriptions of the delectable food is a favorite aspect to the Magical Mystery Book Club series, that and the genuine love and friendship of its members. I love spending time with them, seeing them enjoying each other's company, even as they sometimes poke fun. Nothing is done out of meanness or spite, however, making this a truly feel good series.

Be careful what you wish for! GENIES AND GIBBERISH is a cautionary tale that is also a fun mystery filled with good food, friends, and plenty of laughs.

Gingerdead House - A Review

 Review

GINGERDEAD HOUSE by Nancy Warren
A Great Witches Baking Show Novella

Being part of the Great British Baking Contest has made Poppy Wilkinson a bit of a celebrity. As such she's encouraged to participate in a charity event over the holidays. Thus Poppy finds herself in Bath, participating in a Gingerbread House competition. Thoughts of a more relaxing baking experience are dashed when Poppy finds a militant organizer, bad feelings among the contestants, and a possible cheater! When a fellow contestant winds up dead, Poppy will use her skills to not only complete her gingerbread construction, but uncover a murderer as well! 

I love the Great British Bake Off, the Great Witches Bake Off, and Christmas so this standalone holiday whodunnit is perfect. It doesn't matter where in the series you are when you read this as there are no spoilers. Although it may help to have read the first one, even that isn't necessary to enjoy this novella. It's short, so you can easily read it in between your own bakes, or holiday busyness.

Despite it's brevity there's a full fledged mystery with great characters and fascinating descriptions of Bath and its historic buildings which become the theme of the competition. I loved meeting Catherine Palmer and the clever and adorable stray dog, both of whom make the story more meaningful and fun.

Heartwarming with plenty of laughs GINGERDEAD HOUSE makes a delightful holiday treat.

A Pickle of a Murder - A Review

 Review

A PICKLE OF A MURDER by Melissa Bourbon
The First Foxy Ladies Mystery 

With a flamboyant wardrobe and an unlit cigarette, Hattie Juniper Pickle knows her own mind. She also knows something is up when her dull as dishwater second ex-husband shows up out of the blue, with her first ex-husband, who also happens to be her third ex-husband, following on his heels. Telling her exes to come back later, Hattie is relaxing at home after a date when she hears someone messing around by her old loblolly tree. Going outside to chase them away she's stunned to find ex #2 under her tree-dead. Gathering her friends, the foxy ladies, Hattie is determined to discover what brought her ex to town and who killed him!

Having read the Book Magic Mysteries I was familiar with Hattie Juniper Pickle. Indeed, she was a secondary character so bright she deserved a series of her own and she got it in the new Foxy Ladies Mystery series. But have no fear, even if you haven't read the book series, you'll have no problem jumping in to Hattie's adventure.

I loved this quick read that brought me back to Devil's Cove. Though short, there was plenty of scintillating detail, red herrings, and enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing.

A PICKLE OF A MURDER is a fast paced colorful novella that proves that age is just a number.

What Not to Wear to a Graveyard - A Book Blast!

What Not to Wear to a Graveyard (A Resale Boutique Mystery) by Debra Sennefelder

BOOK BLAST

About What Not to Wear to a Graveyard

What Not to Wear to a Graveyard (A Resale Boutique Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
A Resale Boutique Mystery Novella
Lyrical Press (September 8, 2020)
Print length: ‎ 97 pages

After trading her Manhattan digs for her upstate hometown, fashionista Kelly Quinn has big plans for her grandmother’s consignment shop. But this All Hallow’s Eve someone is already dressed to kill . . .

A socialite’s missing dog has made front page news in Lucky Cove—complete with a hefty reward. But between renovating the consignment shop, planning her costume for a 1970s themed Halloween party, and scouting a location for a fashion shoot, Kelly doesn’t have time to search. Yet a visit to the local colonial-era cemetery—ideal for the moody atmosphere she’s after—soon turns up the precious pooch. Kelly’s looking forward to collecting the check—until she makes a gruesome discovery in an abandoned farmhouse: The dog’s owner, stabbed through the heart.

Kelly can’t help wondering why Constance Lane was traipsing around the farmhouse in stilettos. But as Kelly gets decked out in a vintage disco caftan, that isn’t the only fashion misstatement spooking her. Hidden in the dead woman’s past is a secret that could be the motive for the murder. And as the Halloween party gets started, even a menacing clown and a threatening bearded lady can’t keep Kelly from trick or treating for the truth—even if it means her last dance . . .

About Debra Sennefelder

 

Debra Sennefelder is the acclaimed author of the Food Blogger Mysteries, the Resale Boutique Mystery Series and the upcoming Cookie Shop Mystery series. An avid reader who reads across a range of genres, mystery fiction is her obsession. Her interest in people and relationships is channeled into her novels against a backdrop of crime and mystery.

Her first novel, THE UNINVITED CORPSE (A Food Blogger mystery) was published in 2018.When she’s not reading, she enjoys cooking and baking and as a former food blogger, she is constantly taking photographs of her food. Yeah, she’s that person.

Born and raised in New York City, where she majored in her hobby of fashion buying, she now lives and writes in Connecticut with her family. She’s worked in retail and publishing before becoming a full-time author. Her writing companion is her adorable and slightly spoiled Shih-Tzu, Connie.  

Author Links:  

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pzv3VJ  

Website: http://bit.ly/2lQwSNi  

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2qjwHyT  

BookBub: http://bit.ly/2mkLpnz  

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2DpMPE8  

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2EQh6da 

Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo -

Enter a Wizard, Stage Left - A Guest Post, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Connie Di Marco to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Connie writes the Zodiac Mystery series. ENTER A WIZARD, STAGE LEFT is a novella prequel to the series.

Theater Settings
By Connie Di Marco

ENTER A WIZARD, STAGE LEFT, is a novella (in ebook format) set before the beginning of the Zodiac Mysteries. Writing this was a unique experience for me, because I’ve never thought about nor attempted a novella. I’ve only written full-length mysteries.

The title of the novella is a reference to stage directions and came about because this mystery is set at a theater, the newly renovated Theatre Mars where a first production of Agatha Christie’s Appointment with Death is about to open.

It made sense to set this mystery at a theater, because it was important to feature Gloria Bonatti, Julia’s grandmother. Gloria was a seamstress most of her life and before she retired, the owner of a small dress shop in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood. Gloria’s been sought out and hired to create costumes for this 1930’s drama. That’s unusual for her because she only rarely takes on alterations for close friends and neighbors. But Gloria, now in her seventies, loves the wardrobe of that time period and has happily thrown herself into the project.

Now, to backtrack a bit. I cut my teeth on all those wonderful Golden Age classics by authors like Christie, but also authors such as Josephine Tey, Ngaio Marsh and Marjorie Allingham, all of whom have written mysteries set at theaters. I’ll add Dorothy Sayers to that list. I’ve loved her mysteries but sadly, I don’t recall a theater mystery written by Sayers. I think I must have been unconsciously channeling my memories of those wonderful books, and didn’t realize till I finished my story, put it aside for a few weeks and went back to read it again.

Of course, even though my story is quite different, I have to admit, I “lifted” the plot of APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH to suit my purposes and for that I am eternally grateful to Dame Agatha. And grateful to her for all her wonderful stories featuring Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot! But when I returned to read and edit ENTER A WIZARD, STAGE LEFT, I very modestly felt my little novella was a true nod to all those Golden Age classics. I hope everyone enjoys this story and is very careful which theater invitations they accept in the future.

Happy reading! And stay tuned for the next full-length Zodiac mystery, SERPENT'S DOOM, to be released in April 2022!

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Review

ENTER A WIZARD, STAGE LEFT by Connie Di Marco
A Prequel to the Zodiac Mystery Series 

Julia Bonatti is holed up at her Grandmother Gloria's house grieving the sudden and tragic death of her fiancé. In order to bring Julia back to the land of the living, Gloria asks her for help delivering costumes to the theatre. Gloria, a retired seamstress, is in charge of costumes for the new production of Agatha Christie's Appointment with Death. Staying for the dress rehearsal Julia is impressed by the performance, but worried about actions off the set. With nasty diva demeaning everyone and an affair between castmates, this play is courting trouble.

With an undergraduate degree in theatre I love reading mysteries with a theatrical backdrop. Add a hint of astrology and you've got me hooked. The bonus is seeing what Julia was like just after her fiancé's death and witnessing her motivation to learn astrology. I loved seeing what Gloria was like at this time, not to mention Kuan. Plus we get to see how a little family member came into the fold.

While this prequel gives insight into the character of Julia Bonatti ENTER A WIZARD, STAGE LEFT also provides readers with a tautly written mystery. Great characters, veiled clues, and an adrenaline fueled search create a dynamic and enthralling read.

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 Enter a Wizard, Stage Left (A Zodiac Mystery) by Connie di Marco

About Enter a Wizard, Stage Left

Enter a Wizard, Stage Left (A Zodiac Mystery)
Traditional Mystery Prequel Novella
Suspense Publishing (October 26, 2021)
Print length ‏ : ‎ 111 pages

Julia Bonatti wasn’t always a crime-solving San Francisco astrologer. She was a young woman, engaged to the love of her life, preparing for a teaching career when tragedy struck. Her fiancé was killed in a hit and run accident. As Julia struggles with her loss and attempts to find meaning in her life again, she takes refuge with her grandmother Gloria. But there’s little time for grief or rest because Gloria, a retired seamstress, needs Julia’s help. Gloria’s been hired to create costumes for a production of Agatha Christie’s Appointment with Death at the newly opened Theatre Mars in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood.

Theatre Mars is a stunning jewel, the cast is supremely talented and the script is brilliant. What could go wrong? Julia gets the first hint of trouble when her new friend, the owner of The Mystic Eye bookshop, warns that all might not go well. Opening night will take place during the dark of the moon, the last three days before the new moon, a time that bodes disaster for any new project. The dire prediction comes true when the lead actress is murdered before the final curtain, echoing the play itself. Julia discovers a vital clue to the murder, but a clue that puts Gloria’s life in grave danger. Can Julia rescue her grandmother before it’s too late? And will a black cat play a leading role?

About Connie di Marco

With the Zodiac Mysteries, featuring Julia Bonatti, a crime-solving San Francisco astrologer, Connie di Marco has combined her fascination with astrology and her love of writing mysteries. Writing as Connie Archer, she’s the national bestselling author of the Soup Lover’s Mysteries from Berkley Prime Crime. You can find her excerpts and recipes in The Cozy Cookbook and The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook. She is a member of International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime. She lives in Los Angeles but dreams constantly of the San Francisco fog.

Author Links:

Website: http://www.conniedimarco.com/

Blog: http://www.conniedimarco.com/blog/

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/zodiacmysteries/

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3HdGb25

Twitter: @Connie di Marco

GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14751339.Connie_di_Marco

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

Purchase Link - Amazon

 

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