Essentials of Homicide - A Spotlight & Giveaway

Essentials of Homicide (The Aromatherapy Apothecary Series) by Kim Davis

About Essentials of Homicide 

Essentials of Homicide (The Aromatherapy Apothecary Series)
Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series
Setting - California
Publisher: ‎ Harbor Lane Books, LLC.
Publication Date: ‎ September 8, 2026
Print Length: ‎ 284 pages

Hollywood has descended on Oak Creek Valley to film a murder mystery. Carissa Carmichael, owner of the Aromatherapy Apothecary, has a front-row seat to the bad-boy leading man’s escapades as she works with the production to bring soothing essential elements to the stressed-out crew.

When the movie set becomes a true crime scene, Carissa’s best friend becomes the star suspect. Instead of enjoying the thrills of lights, camera, and action, she’s thrust into untangling the secrets of the glamorous actors who all seem to hide something. While working behind the scenes to sniff out clues and clear her best friend’s name, Carissa must apply pressure and find the killer before someone else is written out for good.

About Kim Davis

Kim Davis writes the Aromatherapy Apothecary cozy mystery series, the award-winning Cupcake Catering cozy mystery series, along with The Board Game Chronicles, a middle-grade fantasy series. She is also one of the bloggers at Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen, where she indulges her passion for food and creating unique cupcake flavors. She lives in Southern California with her husband and very rambunctious mini Goldendoodle, Missy, who has become an inspiration for several plotlines… that is, when Missy lets her sit down to write. Kim Davis is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Author Links: 

Website: http://kimdavisauthor.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kim-Davis-Author-1532277473479031/  

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20202599.Kim_Davis  

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kim-davis-899e51b0-5661-401c-98b1-ec4c2973d58a  

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/kimdavishb/  

Mystery Lovers' Kitchen: https://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com/  

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kimdavisauthor

• Purchase Links: Amazon Other online book retailers: https://books2read.com/u/31v6p7

Sneak Peek - The Well-Guarded Truth

I had hoped to post my review of The Well-Guarded Truth today, but I haven't quite finished it. But here's a sneak peek!

Fall WishFest is here, but that's not the most exciting thing happening in Wishville, Vermont, at least for Lyra Wells and the Fearless Four. A question has been popped and Chief Elder Vaerion has ventured from the underground world of Elarion. His departure gives rival factions the perfect opportunity to set a boundary claim in motion. In the human world of Wishville suspicious things are happening within the Historical Society with interest in certain historical documents. Not only that, subtle differences are occurring throughout the festival, copies that aren't quite right and sabotage in the chili cook-off tent. But more than that, Harrison Pike who came to town to check certain historical documents is found dead at the bottom of the stairs of the Historical Society building, and his fall was not natural. Lyra, Guardian of the Well, will work with the rest of the Fearless Four to discover who wanted history erased and why, before both worlds collapse and chaos reigns.

Death of a Grill Master - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a recent release that's also the end of a series. Death of a Grill Master by Lee Hollis is the nineteenth and final book in the Hayley Powell Mystery series.

Blurb:

Hayley and her husband are snuggled into a secluded spot on Maine’s rocky shoreline to take in the big fireworks display on Frenchman’s Bay. But when they find Hank Desmond’s body floating in the darkness, it looks like summer is ending with a bang—from a gun registered to a rival BBQ chef.

Despite the evidence, Hayley thinks there’s more to the story than a gunshot from a disgruntled pit master. Unfortunately, the new police chief, just arrived from Boston, is more interested in layoffs than in listening to Hayley’s theories. So she starts grilling anyone she can to find out what happened on the party boat that Hank was aboard earlier in the evening—accompanied by his much-younger wife and a sleazy seasonal resident. There are also some competitors who’ve been skewering Hank, owner of the BBQ joint The Smokehouse, for his business practices, including the owners of a diner and a food cart.

Hayley just hopes that when the smoke clears, she’ll be able to serve up the real culprit to the cops—and bring the temperature down in this picturesque town . . .

Includes delectable recipes from Hayley’s kitchen!

Murder at the Toy Soldier - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a fairly recent release. Murder at the Toy Soldier by Maddie Day is the eighth book in the Cozy Capers Book Group Mystery series.

 

Blurb: 

Mac is extra busy these days as she and Tim do their best as working parents of a preschooler and a baby, not to mention Mac’s participation in the Cozy Capers book group. With Ella’s 4th birthday approaching, Mac uses her lunch break to shop for a gift at the Toy Soldier, which is run by June Fadiman.

Behind the counter is Zia Carven, a young woman Mac recognizes as a shopper at the Free Grocery food pantry Mac’s father sponsors. Zia finds Mac a kid-sized gardening toolkit Ella will love and offers to gift wrap it. In a rush, Mac plans to pick it up after work. But at 5:30, she finds Zia slumped over the counter, dead, dried blood on a toy rifle nearby. The first police officer to arrive is June's son, August. Then June arrives and is upset to find the police won't allow her inside.

Mac’s mother, Astra, confides that she’d been trying to help Zia, and now the police want to speak with her, which worries Mac. Then Mac discovers that Zia had been in town searching for her birth mother, which only multiplies the questions—and the suspects. Just one thing is certain: Mac and the book group will have to double down to find a killer who isn’t playing around . . . 

Murder on Threadneedle Street - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on an upcoming release. Murder on Threadneedle Street by Andrea Penrose is the tenth book in the Wrexford and Sloane Mystery series and will be released next week.

 Blurb:

Lord Wrexford and Charlotte’s growing family ensures that life is a source of constant adventure. The addition of Wrexford’s half-sister to their household is proving an unexpected delight. But some surprises are less welcome—and trouble strikes when Hawk, one of the young boys in their care, arrives home distraught after learning that his new drawing teacher has been found murdered on Threadneedle Street.

Fletcher Campbell’s death could be dismissed as a random robbery turned violent. But as an artist herself, Charlotte suspects there’s more to the case than meets the eye. Closer examination reveals that a distinctive ring was taken from the victim’s finger. With Hawk pleading for the family to help solve the crime, Charlotte and Wrexford suddenly find themselves entangled in a fiendish mystery that harkens back to a decade-old scandal that nearly brought down the government.

It seems Campbell’s brother was the infamous leader of a counterfeiting gang that swindled the Bank of England. Most were apprehended, but forged banknotes remain a problem. Now, the Bank of England has offered £20,000 to anyone who can use the newly-invented engineering technologies to create the Inimitable Banknote—a complex design that cannot be counterfeited.

It’s a prize that could tempt anyone, and Wrexford and Sloane’s investigation turns even more fraught when one of their closest friends falls under suspicion. The deeper they probe, the more treachery comes to light. For when a lie so easily masquerades as truth, danger may be much closer than they think . . . 

The Quilt Whisperer Investigates - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a new series. The Quilt Whisperer Investigates by Peggy Ehrhart is the first book in the Quilt Whisperer Mystery series and was released last week.

 Blurb:

As Associate Director and Curator of Special Collections at the Yates Museum, Caroline is excited to pick up a prized antique quilt from Nancy Critchley, one of Banburyport’s wealthiest residents, for an upcoming exhibit. . . . Until she discovers Nancy dead on the floor of her beautiful Federalist home. The muslin bag that held the quilt is empty. On the table is a napkin smeared with what appears to be tomato juice—in a design that may have been Nancy’s final message.

Garret Seldon, the town’s new police detective, pinpoints museum intern Amber Foster as the top suspect. Amber’s blog is sharply critical of the Critchley family, among other prominent citizens from Banburyport’s past, for exploiting less fortunate residents in order to gain their riches. But could long-ago sins really have spurred someone to stab Nancy with a pair of sewing scissors?

All of Banburyport is abuzz with theories, including the regulars at Farrow Square Coffee. A humiliated caterer, a developer angered by Nancy’s work with the Historical Preservation Committee, disgruntled family members—there are plenty of possible motives and suspects. And then there’s the missing quilt, a priceless creation that’s almost 200 years old.

Caroline and her good friend and landlady, Libby, are convinced of Amber’s innocence. And somewhere among these tangled threads, Caroline knows there’s a pattern to be uncovered, one that ties together the colorful secrets of Banburyport’s past and present . . .

INCLUDES RECIPES AND A QUILTING PATTERN!  

Malice in Puzzle Land - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a recent release. Malice in Puzzle Land by Roz Noonan is the third book in the Alice Pepper Lonely Hearts and Puzzle Club Mystery series. 

 

Blurb:

Alice is excited that the library is going to host its first-ever speed-puzzling competition—until time runs out on a prominent local woman. Glamorous realtor to the rich, Babe Kinkaid, is found floating in her own infinity pool. What police first suspect is an accident or medical crisis turns out to be a homicide when the autopsy reveals that Babe has been shot.

Babe’s complicated love life leaves no shortage of suspects—including two ex-husbands and a fiancé. Then there’s her family, complete with a spoiled daughter, a ne’er-do-well son, and an always overlooked sister. All of them have the same motive: Babe’s massive inheritance.

Alice faces a ticking clock in this investigation. There are a lot of moving pieces, and before she can shake loose a killer, an explosion and disappearance throw the town into even more of a tumult. It’s up to Alice to click all the clues into place before those nearest and dearest to her become the next victims . . .  

Bubble, Bubble, Tea & Trouble - A Spotlight

I love autumn and spooky season, so I thought I'd shine a spotlight on this new release. Bubble, Bubble, Tea & Trouble by Vicki Delany is the seventh book in the Tea by the Sea Mystery series.

Blurb:

When Lily stumbles across five middle-aged women gathered in a dark corner of the tearoom for a “book club,” she firmly reminds them that the inn’s no-smoking policy also applies to their oddly ritualistic candles. As they head outside, Lily overhears them chalking their bad luck up to the absence of their leader, Katya. Whatever they’re doing, it certainly isn’t reading—and their cover is starting to sound like weak tea . . .

While they enjoy Lily’s homemade banana bread the next morning, they make their intentions clear—grilling Lily about any past paranormal activity in the cliffside mansion. Their attempts to contact spirits have been falling flat, it seems, and the mysterious Katya is catching the heat. Levelheaded Lily thinks the real reason is that there’s no such thing as ghosts.

But Lily’s pal Bernie has found another explanation: the half-baked spirit-seekers have the wrong house. The haunted reputation belongs to the place next door—where Lily’s gardener boyfriend is currently staying. But before they can inform the luckless ladies, the missing medium shows up—dead on the rocks at the bottom of the cliff. Now, Lily has two jobs: serving afternoon tea, and solving a murder before someone else gets sent to the great beyond . . .  

A Cyclist's Guide to Poppies & Predicaments - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on an upcoming release. A Cyclist's Guide to Poppies & Predicaments by Ann Claire. This book is the third in the Cyclist's Guide Mystery series and will be released Tuesday.

Blurb: 

Sadie Greene has broken her streak—her crime streak, that is. For months, her bicycle tours through France have been blissfully uneventful, marred only by the occasional punctured tire or crushed croissant. Thus, when Sadie takes on a last-minute booking for a bridal party, she expects love, laughter, and champagne toasts. But more than pre-wedding jitters come along for the ride.

A bossy bride, rowdy party games, and a tagalong stranger threaten to turn Sadie’s carefully planned itinerary into a tour de farce. She can shift gears to keep the bride happy, but she can’t please everyone. A road-rager targets the group. So does a killer. To add to Sadie’s horror, the murder victim is found wearing the bride’s tiara.

Death in the Dillweeds - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a book I happened across that looks quite interesting! Death in the Dillweeds by Kristy Tate is the first in the Apothocary Shop Mystery series and was released this week!

Blurb:  

Welcome to Blue Heron Bay, where the tea is herbal, and the gossip is lethal.

After years as a cruise ship chef, Amelia Bellamy returns home to inherit her grandmother’s Victorian house, a bad-tempered Maine Coon, and an apothecary shop full of strange old remedies.

Then a local football coach turns up dead in the herb garden during Gram’s funeral wake.

Now Amelia, her first-love-turned-sheriff, and four meddling septuagenarians known as the Silver Sisters are hunting a killer in a town where everyone has secrets—and some recipes were never meant to be uncovered.

Because in Blue Heron Bay, even innocent herbs can leave a bitter aftertaste.

Sconed to Death - A Spotlight

Sconed to Death (A Crochet and Crumpets Mystery) by Betty Hechtman

About Sconed to Death

Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series
Setting - Indiana
Publisher: ‎ Severn House
Publication Date: ‎ June 2, 2026
Print Length: ‎ 224 pages

A brand-new series from the queen of culinary cozies. Full to the brim with crochet, crumpets, and crime! The perfect ingredients for murder . . . Annie Hart has transformed the yarn shop she inherited into a thriving business and tea shop. Now she needs to sell it so she can move back to LA. She just has to ensure that young Toby Swanson is kept on as the supplier of their famous scones. Annie decides to secretly enter Toby in a new reality TV cooking show. But his application video takes a deadly twist when Annie and her business partner, Gray, discover a body on the beach while filming. Even worse, it looks like the young woman had been enjoying Toby’s cherry scones and the shop’s rose tea before her death. With the help of her misfit group of local yarn artists, can Annie find a killer and save her reputation? Readers who love super cozy culinary mysteries will eat up this new charming cozy mystery series.

About Betty Hechtman

 

Despite completing a Fine Arts degree, all Betty Hechtman ever wanted to be was a writer. She wrote a weekly column in her college newspaper and later wrote magazine and newspaper pieces, along with short stories and a prize-winning screenplay. She has published over thirty books across four cozy mystery series, all of which have yarn craft. She lives with her family in Southern California  

Author Links: 

Website: https://www.Bettyhechtman.com  

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

Blog: https://www.killerhobbies.blogspot.com  

Purchase Links Amazon Barnes and Noble

A Poisonous Pour - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a recent release. A Poisonous Pour by Maddie Day is the third book in the Cece Barton Mystery series and was released this week!

 

Blurb:

It’s Memorial Day weekend and Sonoma County’s Alexander Valley is buzzing with activity. For Cece, business at Vino y Vida is going great, as is her romance with new beau, Benjamin. Meanwhile, Cece’s neighbor, Richard Flora, is stirring up controversy with his newest article, an exposé of Regan Greene, power-hungry director of a valley district organization. Also in the mix is the town’s big classic car show, paired with wine tastings . . .

At the show, Cece spots Regan, who is displaying her restored green ’72 Thunderbird convertible. As Cece pours tastes, she witnesses several heated discussions with Regan—including an argument with wine afficionado and new Colinas hardware store owner Greg Jardis. Otherwise, all goes smoothly—until Sunday brings shocking news. Regan has been murdered . . .

Rumors fly that Richard may have orchestrated the homicide—or even committed it. But Cece knows that’s absurd. And others in Cece’s orbit seem to have discomfiting connections to Regan, from Cece’s employee, Dane, to her winemaking teacher’s sister, Yolanda, to Colinas Mayor Guittierez. And after Yolanda visits the wine bar, Benjamin says he recognizes her from a road race.

Determined to clear Richard’s name, and failing to extract any clues from detectives, Cece once again enlists her twin, Allie, as her partner-in-sleuthing. But they’ll have to act quickly, before the trail goes
sour . . .

Murder Under a Bitter Moon - A Spotlight & Giveaway

Murder Under A Bitter Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Historical Cozy Mystery by Abigail Keam

About Murder Under A Bitter Moon

Murder Under A Bitter Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Historical Cozy Mystery
Historical Cozy Mystery 
15th in Series 
Publisher: ‎ Worker Bee Press 
Publication Date: ‎ April 20, 2026

Mona Moon adores Kentucky Derby week, enjoying all the festivities. She is hosting a ladies’ tea and a Derby breakfast herself. The celebration at Moon Manor will include her former professor and mentor, Dr. Beryl Farris. Mona is delighted to have an old friend visit, but is concerned when Dr. Farris confesses that someone has been threatening her. Worried, Mona assigns Pinkertons to protect the professor.

The night before the Kentucky Derby race, Mona is preparing to attend Ed Bradley’s famous Derby Ball. The entire Mooncrest Farm is aflutter with excitement and gaiety for the upcoming event. Celebrities, politicians, and prominent citizens will be enjoying shrimp grits, burgoo, cornbread, country ham, and mint juleps while dishing the latest gossip at this yearly event. Mona’s anticipation is dashed when she discovers Dr. Farris is missing! And Mona fears the worst!

About Abigail Keam

 

Award-winning author Abigail Keam writes the Mona Moon Mystery Series—a rags-to-riches 1930s mystery series, which weaves real people and events into the story. “I am a student of history and love to insert historical information into my mysteries. There is an addendum at the end of the mystery to give more information. My goal is to entertain my readers, but if they learn a little something along the way—well, then we are both happy.” Miss Abigail currently lives in a metal house with her husband and various critters on the Palisades bordering the Kentucky River.  

AWARDS 2010 Gold Medal Award from Readers’ Favorite for Death By A HoneyBee 2011 Gold Medal Award from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Drowning 2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By Drowning 2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By A HoneyBee 2017 Finalist from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Design 2019 Honorable Mention from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Stalking 2019 Murder Under A Blue Moon voted top ten mystery reads by Kings River Life Magazine 2020 Finalist from Readers’ Favorite for Murder Under A Blue Moon 2020 Imadjinn Award for Best Mystery for Death By Stalking 2022 Finalist in Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Historical Category – Murder Under A Full Moon 2022 Finalist the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Historical Category – Murder Under A New Moon 2022 Death By Chance: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Cozy Mystery 2022 Top Ten Mystery Novel by Kings River Life Magazine for Murder Under A Bridal Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Mystery 2022 Top Ten Mystery Novel by Kings River Life Magazine for Murder Under A British Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Mystery 

 THE MONA MOON MYSTERY SERIES 1930s Historical Mysteries Murder Under A Blue Moon I Murder Under A Blood Moon II Murder Under A Bad Moon III Murder Under A Silver Moon IV Murder Under A Wolf Moon V Murder Under A Black Moon VI Murder Under A Full Moon VII Murder Under A New Moon VIII Murder Under A English Moon IX Murder Under A British Moon X Murder Under A Bridal Moon XI Murder Under A Western Moon Murder Under A Honey Moon Murder Under A Cold Moon Murder Under A Mystic Moon  

Author Links: Official Site Facebook Instagram Pinterest Amazon TikTok  

Purchase Links: Amazon B&N Kobo Google Books

Truffle Trouble - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on Truffle Trouble by Amanda Flower. This book is the tenth Amish Candy Shop Mystery that will be released this week.

Blurb:

Horror d'oeuvres

Summer is finally upon the village of Harvest, Ohio, nestled in picturesque Amish Country, and folks are abuzz over their very own Bailey King’s upcoming June wedding. The Amish Candy shop owner and star of TV’s Bailey’s Amish Sweets is marrying Holmes County Sheriff Aiden Brody. To sweeten the occasion will be a scrumptious giant chocolate truffle wedding cake, made especially for the happy couple by Bailey’s New York City mentor, Jean Pierre. Other than the risk of the ring bearer, Jethro the pig, taking a bite out of the confection, what could go wrong?

As it turns out, a food-related disaster does befall the day. But with Bailey in the mix, it’s nothing so pedestrian as a peckish pig. At the reception, a wedding guest dies after sampling the hors d'oeuvres. Café owner and new caterer Darcy Woodin, who made all the food except the desserts, is pegged by police as the number one suspect. Even more incriminating, the victim is one of Darcy's ex-boyfriends . . .
Still, Bailey is friends with Darcy, and she’s certain the young woman is innocent. Even before the first dance with her new husband, Bailey’s on the case. Can she help solve it in time for her honeymoon—or will a killer try to end her happily ever after before it’s even begun . . .?
 

Death at a Firefly Tea - A Spotlight & Giveaway

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on the latest Tea Shop Mystery. Death at a Firefly Tea by Laura Childs is the thirtieth book in the series and was released earlier this month.

 Death at a Firefly Tea (A Tea Shop Mystery) by Laura Childs

About Death at a Firefly Tea 

Death at a Firefly Tea (A Tea Shop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery 30th in Series
Setting - South Carolina
Publisher: ‎ Berkley
Publication Date: ‎ March 10, 2026
Print Length: ‎ 336 pages

A brazen killer sparks Theodosia Browning’s sense of justice in this latest installment of the New York Times bestselling series.

As fireflies dazzle like tiny glowing lanterns, tea maven Theodosia hosts an elegant evening tea on the patio of the Tangled Rose B and B. But in this gentle darkness an intruder has made their way in and slipped deadly drugs into the baked Alaska of Mrs. Van Courtland, one of Charleston’s local grande dames. Shocked by this brazen act, urged on by Mrs. V’s grieving son, Theodosia begins her own shadow investigation. Soon, she finds herself at odds with a greedy developer, the questionable residents of Honey Badger House, a vengeful ex-daughter-in-law, ne’er do well relatives, and a housekeeper who knows all the secrets.

As Theodosia hosts a Moulin Rouge Tea and a Queen Victoria Tea, her tea sommelier Drayton is assaulted by a masked stranger and the fiancé of Mrs. V’s son is kidnapped. It’s only at the Starry Starry Night black tie ball that Theodosia stumbles upon the killer and gets pulled into a dramatic life and death chase.

About Laura Childs

 

 Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fundraising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs. Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are: The Tea Shop Mysteries – set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She’s also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn’t rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston. The Scrapbooking Mysteries – a slightly edgier series that takes place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans’ spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here! The Cackleberry Club Mysteries – set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe’s undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.  

Laura’s Links: Website – Facebook  

Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Bookshop.org – PenquinRandomHouse

Side Hustle - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a book being released tomorrow. Side Hustle by Wendy Gee is the second book in the Carolina Crossfire Mystery series.

Blurb:

Action 7’s viewers count on Sydney Quinn to expose corruption in Charleston. When a former firefighter takes two paramedics hostage, Sydney persuades her detective pal to let her interview the guy in return for gathering intel. Inside, Sydney finds the body of her friend, a local insurance executive, who the hostage taker blames for terminating his worker’s comp benefits. Despite the obvious motive, he says he’s being framed for the woman’s murder. Sydney’s investigation uncovers massive identity theft and cyber-embezzlement. Derailing a network of hackers should be routine, except she’s haunted by memories of a Taliban firefight from her time embedded with Marines in Iraq. And when those dark memories bubble up, the only thing holding them at bay is driving fast cars, eating fast food, and swatting fast balls at the batting cage. Eventually, Sydney must rely on her instincts and intellect to prevent further damage.

The Mysterious Death of Junetta Plum - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a fairly recent review that's on my TBR pile. The Mysterious Death of Junetta Plum by Valerie Wilson Wesley. This book is the first in the Harriet Stone Mystery series and was released in December of last year.

 Blurb:

1926: Harriet Stone, a liberated, educated Black woman, and Lovey, the orphaned, biracial 12-year-old she is bound to protect, are Harlem-bound, embarking on a new, hopefully less traumatic chapter in their lives. They have been invited to move from Connecticut by Harriet’s cousin, Junetta Plum, who runs a boardinghouse for independent-minded single women.

It’s a bold move, since Harriet has never met Junetta, but the fatalities of the Spanish flu and other tragedies have already forced her and Lovey to face their worst fears. Alone but for each other, they have little left to lose—or so it seems as they arrive at sophisticated Junetta’s impressive brownstone.

Her cousin has a sharp edge, which makes Harriett slightly uncomfortable. Still, after retiring to her room for the night, she finally falls asleep—only to awaken to Junetta arguing with someone downstairs. In the morning, she makes a shocking discovery at the foot of the stairs.

What ensues will lead Harriet to question Junetta’s very identity—and to wonder if she and Lovey are in danger, as well. It will also tie Harriet to five strangers. Among them, Harriet is sure someone knows something. What she doesn’t yet know is that one will play a crucial role in helping her investigate her cousin’s murder . . . that she will be tied to the others in ways she could never imagine . . .  and that her life will take off in a startling new direction. . . . 

Catering to Nobody - A Spotlight

As an adult, what was the book that introduced you to cozy mysteries? For me it was Catering to Nobody by Diane Mott Davidson published in 1990. Please note that this is a new cover, quite different that the original.

 

Blurb: 

Even though working a wake isn’t Goldy Bear’s idea of fun, the Colorado caterer throws herself into preparing a savory feast featuring Poached Salmon and Strawberry Shortcake Buffet designed to soothe forty mourners. Her culinary efforts seem to be exactly what the doctor ordered . . . until her former father-in-law, gynecologist Fritz Korman, is struck down—and Goldy is accused of adding poison to the menu. Now, with the Department of Health impounding her leftovers, her ex-husband trashing her name, and her business close to being shut down, Goldy knows she can’t wait for the police to serve up answers. She soon uncovers more than one skeleton in the closet, along with a veritable slew of unpalatable secrets—the kind that could make Goldy the main course in an unsavory killer’s next murder.
  

Other covers:

I think this first one was the cover when I read it. 

 

 

 

A Poetic Pox - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on a book that has it's digital release today! A Poetic Pox by Samantha Larsen is the third book in the Lady Librarian Mystery series. You may have read Samantha's guest post for the release of the audio version of this book back in July and I hope you'll read my review which will be coming in March! 

 

Blurb:

1786, England. It is the twelve days of Christmas and Mrs. Tiffany Lathrop is happily juggling her duties as a new mother and a librarian to Catharine, the Duchess of Beaufort. Her employer receives a mysterious letter from an old paramour, the Marquess of Harwood, who is the biological father of Catharine’s son. He promises to leave his estate and fortune to Beau if he can see the boy before he dies.

Her elder son Thomas Montague has a terrible cold, so Catharine asks Tiffany to accompany her and Beau. When they arrive at the dilapidated abbey, they discover a dead body—only it isn’t the marquess, but his valet! Lord Harwood is alive, but unconscious with suspicious looking pox marks on his hands. Tiffany wonders if the marquess is really dying, or if it is all poetic revenge? Especially when she discovers the secrets that haunt Rosedean Abbey.

Between breastfeeding and dirty diapers, Tiffany must discover who killed the valet and attempted to murder the marquess before anyone else dies.

Cold Snap - A Spotlight

Since we're in the midst of an Arctic blast with plenty of snow I thought I'd shine a spotlight on Cold Snap by Maureen Jennings. This book is the third in the Paradise Café Mystery series and has been patiently waiting on my TBR pile.

Blurb:

November’s rain in Toronto 1936 has turned into December’s cold snap. Charlotte Frayne escapes being hit by a mud-splattered car racing round the corner at Queen and Spadina. The stranger who saves her turns out to be the man her boss, Mr. Gilmore, has helped to escape Germany and is now a refugee in need of shelter.

In a world still recovering from the War to End All Wars and the Spanish Influenza pandemic that killed fifty million people worldwide, and still in the throes of the Great Depression, Stephen Lucas is not just any refugee from the Nazi regime; he is in possession of information that could alter the course of history — but only if seen by persons in power and if acted upon. In a surprising twist of fate, Charlotte’s estranged mother reappears, wanting assistance in locating the son she gave up at birth twenty years before. Despite her turbulent feelings about her mother, Charlotte agrees to investigate, having no idea that the two cases will connect in surprising ways.

Back at the Paradise Café, Christmas draws near and Charlotte’s beau, Hilliard Taylor, and his partners are in disagreement about the holiday concert. With her beloved grandfather in the mix, there’s no telling whether the show will end in good tidings or anarchy.