Murder at the Agency - An Interview & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Kylie Forsythe to Cozy Up With Kathy today. Kylie writes the Cassidy Blayne Mystery series. MURDER AT THE AGENCY is the first book in the series and was released last month.

Kathy: In MURDER AT THE AGENCY Cassidy Blaine lands her dream job as Creative Director with an elite advertising firm. Have you ever landed your dream job?

KF: I have! From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I had a “classroom” set up in my basement and spent hours down there “teaching”. My dream came true when I got a 4th grade teaching position in the wonderful school district I had just done my student teaching in. 25 years later, I’m still there! Same grade, same classroom. I absolutely love it.

Kathy: After Cassidy finds one of the owners dead and herself a suspect she gets help from her new roommate. Have you ever had a roommate? Do you think they'd help out of your became a murder suspect?

KF: I actually lived alone for most of college. (I wanted to, believe it or not,) But for one year, I did have a roommate. She was studying to be a teacher too, so we were a great fit. She would absolutely help out if I became a murder suspect! She’d make it her mission and I know, she’d give the police a run for their money, lol.

Kathy: She also gets help from twin childhood best friends. Are you still friends with anyone from your childhood?

KF: Yes. One of my very best friends and I have been friends for 35 years. We met back in 5th grade. I didn’t know her very well at the start of the year. But when she got a kidney infection and was hospitalized, my heart went out to her and I wanted to cheer her up. So, I wrote her a letter. Someone must have taken it to her because the day she came back, she thanked me. We’ve been close friends ever since, and she’s my favorite person to bounce plot ideas off of.

Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

KF: I loved cozy mysteries even before I knew they were a thing. Maybe it started with Scooby Doo… I loved the mystery, the clues, the friend group, the suspense (without being too scary), the way the bad guy was always caught in the end. As I got older, I devoured Nancy Drew books and would tune in every week for Murder She Wrote. After years of reading cozies and watching Hallmark mysteries, I decided to write my own!

Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

KF: No, not currently.

Kathy: Tell us about your series. 

KF: MURDER AT THE AGENCY is the first book in The Cassidy Blayne Mystery series. It centers around a woman who (not by choice) is starting over. New town, new job, new life, new friends (mixed with some old friends). Everything is looking up. But when her boss is murdered and she becomes a person of interest, she realizes it could all come crashing down if she doesn’t find out who the real killer is, and fast. With help from her friends, she sets out to do just that.

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

KF: I had so much fun creating my characters, and I love all of them. But I think my favorite is Cassie, my main character. She’s the kind of person I’d want to be best friends with, someone who’s loyal, positive, sarcastic, smart, hardworking, kind, tenacious, fun, and doesn’t back down easily. Another reason is that she’s not perfect. She’s going through some stuff and because of that, she’s cautious with taking chances on herself. You can’t help but root for her to not only solve the crime, but realize her worth and go for the things that make her happy.

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

KF: In addition to reading cozy mysteries, I also love to watch Hallmark mysteries. I think I’ve gotten inspiration from all of them. Specifically though, the setting of MURDER AT THE AGENCY, Brighton Lake, is inspired by a real life place I love to visit-Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. I take a girls trip there every summer where we get pedicures, make candles, do wine tastings, lounge by the resort’s pool, eat at delicious restaurants, and take in the beautiful scenery. It’s such a quaint, beautiful lakeside town. They have fun festivals, there’s a path around the lake in the backyards of beautiful mansions. When I thought about the perfect place for Cassie to start over, I knew it had to be somewhere like this.

Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

KF: I’ve always wanted to write and publish a book. Life was busy, but I spent years filling notebooks with ideas for this series. Plot ideas, characters, names for places, all of it, and thought maybe someday I’d give it a go. Then a few years ago, while my students were busy crafting their own stories, I mentioned that I wanted to write a book. They told me I should, to which of course, I responded by listing all the reasons why I couldn’t-it’s scary, I don’t know how, what if no one likes it, etc. And wouldn’t you know? They used my own words on me, reminding me of all the times I told them that they could do anything they put their minds to, no dream was too big, and you won’t know if you don’t try. They were right. What was I waiting for? I started drafting MURDER AT THE AGENCY that very day, and I thought “how cool for my daughters and my students to watch me live out my dream”. Hopefully, it encourages them to take risks and do the same.

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

KF: Agatha Christie, Nora Roberts, Stephen King, and C.S. Lewis.

Kathy: What are you currently reading?

KF: I usually have a couple of books going, a physical book or ebook as well as an audiobook. Right now I’m currently reading AWL SHOOK UP, book 4 in the Hometown Hardware Mystery series, by Paula Charles. I’m listening to DEATH AT A SCOTTISH HALLOWEEN, book 5 in the Scottish Isle Mystery series, by Lucy Connelly. The narrator is amazing with the accents! I also love to read ARCs and post reviews for other authors, and most often have one of those going too.

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

KF: I love to read, spend time outside by my pool, plant flowers, watch Hallmark movies, spend time with friends and family, make my house cozy, and oddly, I also love to clean and organize. Oh, and I love to write!
 

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

KF: Iced coffee, dark chocolate, salty snacks, and a bottle of wine.


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

KF: I’m currently writing book 2 in my current series, which continues Cassie’s professional journey, personal growth, and relationship with her circle of friends (as well as with a budding love interest). And you can probably guess that another murder will throw a wrench into things…

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

KF: My favorite thing about it is meeting and getting to know other cozy mystery lovers. Whether they are readers or other authors, I’ve found the cozy mystery to be such a warm, welcoming place where authors build each other up and you can find camaraderie with fellow readers. It’s also exciting to hear from people who have read my book. Their positive words and encouragement means the world to me. 

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 Murder at the Agency: A Cassidy Blayne Mystery by Kylie Forsythe

About Murder at the Agency

Murder at the Agency: A Cassidy Blayne Mystery
Cozy Mystery 1st in Series
Setting: Fictional town of Brighton Lake, Wisconsin
Publisher: ‎ Rowan Prose Publishing, LLC
Publication Date: ‎ August 11, 2026
Print Length: ‎ 244 pages

“ An irresistible start to what’s sure to be a binge-worthy series.” -USA Today bestselling author Sarah Fox

Who knew the marketing world could be so dangerous?

Just when it seems like everything in twenty-eight year old Cassidy Blayne's life is falling apart, a thrilling coffee shop encounter leads to the opportunity of a lifetime. Landing her dream job as Creative Director with an elite advertising firm in a nearby lakeside town fills her with renewed purpose. She’s no longer going to allow herself to settle, and resolves to rebuild her life on her own terms.

But from the moment she steps foot out of the elevator, she senses things may not be as they seem at Turner & Nash Advertising. Despite her wariness, Cassie puts all her energy into landing her first big account. Arriving early on the day of the presentation, she's shocked to find one of the owners dead and herself a suspect.

She embarks on a desperate search for answers, unknowingly putting her and the people she cares about in danger. As she pieces things together with some help from her spunky new roommate, twin childhood best friends, an uptight detective, and a gorgeous up-and-coming rock star, warnings and threats escalate. It's clear the killer will stop at nothing to keep her quiet.

Cassie must risk everything to unravel the murder before someone takes her off the market for good.

Fans of “Olive You To Death” by Lynn Cahoon or “A Limited Edition Murder” by Lauren Elliott will enjoy “Murder At The Agency” by Kylie Forsythe.

About Kylie Forsythe

Kylie Forsythe writes cozy mysteries with smart amateur sleuths, close-knit groups of friends, and a touch of romance. Kylie is also a fourth-grade teacher and resides in Illinois with her husband, two daughters, and a rambunctious Weimaraner. When she’s not teaching, you can find her spending time with the wonderful family and friends she’s been blessed with, cooking, enjoying a good book or Hallmark Mystery movie, or crafting her next story.

Author Links: 

Facebook: facebook.com/KylieForsythe,Writer  

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

Website: kylieforsythe.com  

Bookbub: Bookbub/KylieForsythe  

Newsletter: https://kylieforsytheauthor.substack.com/\  

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/53583099.Kylie_Forsythe  

Purchase Links: Books2Read Amazon B&N Bookshop.org

The Mysterious Case of the Missing House - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING HOUSE
By Michele Pariza Wacek
The Fourth Redemption Detective Agency Mystery 

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

Once again oddness and zaniness ensues in Redemption, Wisconsin. That being said, the impossible and wacky are treated with logic, mostly, and respect, and it turns out a missing house isn't such an oddity after all. THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING HOUSE is the fourth book in the series and you need not have read the previous books to enjoy this one. I should warn you, however. Jerome is a jerk! It doesn't really show too much in this book, but trust me. Knowing that makes certain things more understandable. I feel for Emily, love Nick, and think Tilde and Mildred are a hoot! I'd certainly want these guys on my side if I was in trouble.  

Funny, but still showing a considerable amount of depth, THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING HOUSE will make you laugh while taking an honest look at  family and relationships while proving the seemingly impossible just might be possible after all. 

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

 The Mysterious Case of the Missing House (The Redemption Detective Agency) by Michele Pariza Wacek

About The Mysterious Case of the Missing House

The Mysterious Case of the Missing House (The Redemption Detective Agency)
Cozy Mystery 4th in Series
Setting - Redemption, Wisconsin, in the 1990s
Publisher: ‎ Love-Based Publishing
Publication Date: ‎ July 15, 2026
Number of Pages 177

Emily has a big decision in front of her. But before she can make it, Amelia Clark, one of Aunt Tilde's friends call The Redemption Detective Agency with an emergency. Apparently Amelia can't get a hold of her niece, who's been house sitting, and she's worried that her niece forgot to water her rose bushes. Should be fairly straight forward, right? Drive to the house, see if the niece is there, and make sure the roses aren't dead as well. Except...the house is no longer there. It's now a fancy health club. Nor is the niece. Needless to say, Emily has no choice but to figure out what happened to Amelia's house and her niece before she makes any decisions about her career. Or her love life. A spin-off from the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series! The Redemption Detective Agency is a funny, twisty, romcom cozy mystery series set in the 1990s featuring silver sleuths solving cold cases, cats, dogs and an opposites attract love triangle. Great for fans of the Thursday Murder Club.

About Michele Pariza Wacek

 

A USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author, Michele taught herself to read at 3 years old because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours) but she does spend much of her time writing stories now. Mystery stories, to be exact. They’re clean and twisty, and range from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix. If that wasn’t enough, she posts lots of fun things on her blog, including short stories, puzzles, recipes, and more, at MPWNovels.com. Michele grew up in Wisconsin (hence why all her books take place there), and still visits regularly, but she herself escaped the cold and now lives in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona, with her husband and southern squirrel hunter Cassie. When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading, hanging out with her dog, or watching the Food Network and imagining she’s an awesome cook. (Spoiler alert, she’s not. Luckily for the whole family, Mr. PW is in charge of the cooking.)

Author Links Website Facebook Instagram

Purchase Link - Amazon

Currently Reading...

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

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

The Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall - A Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway

Review

THE BELL TOLLS AT TRAEGER HALL 
By Jaime Jo Wright

Traeger Hall is a mansion haunted by the past, perhaps even cursed by its cruel and vindictive owner. In 1890 Leopold Traeger had a stranglehold on Newton Creek, Wisconsin. He owned the sawmill, the bank, as well as several other endeavors. Then he and his wife were brutally murdered inside the home. His will decreed his ward, Waverly Pembrooke leave the house with only the clothing with which she arrived and Traeger Hall be sealed for one hundred years. Over a hundred years have passed and Newton Creek is no longer a vibrant community and the Hall remains sealed. Jennie Phillips has arrived in town, inheriting Traeger Hall, one of her father's acquisitions. But a skeleton on the property and a unique codicil thwart Jennie's plans. Has the evil of two men passed down into the house? Will opening Traeger Hall mean the discovery of treasure or will it open the world to the evil trapped inside?

Subtle unease, unspoken danger that makes the hair on your arms raise, knowing that things just aren't right infuse this atmospheric novel. What is it that haunts Traeger Hall and Newton Creek itself? Ghosts are real, but are they just the impressions left by the evil of men?

Traeger Hall is itself an allegory. What will you find if you dare to enter? Hidden secrets, lost masterpieces, should it be sealed forever, opened up, or razed to the ground? What does that mean for the people involved, including the reader? 

I really enjoyed the period detail, manners, and stifled repression of the historical portion of the book. However, I did feel a bit cheated when I discovered one trope used as its resolution, although it did explain a lot and brought things full circle. The 1950 interviews added a unique perspective. As for the modern aspect, I appreciated how the repression continued and how it slowly released, just as it did in the 1890. I liked the modern day ending, which served also as a beginning.  

THE BELL TOLLS AT TRAEGER HALL is a winding journey of self discovery where emotions and secrets boarded up, just like Traeger Hall itself.

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THE BELL TOLLS AT TRAEGER HALL

by Jaime Jo Wright

October 20 - November 14, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

An abandoned estate encased in stagnant darkness . . .
A haunting legacy intent on silencing all within reach . . .

In 1890, the ominous tolling of the bell announces that death has come to Traeger Hall, leaving orphaned Waverly Pembrooke to piece together the puzzle behind her uncle's and aunt's murders. Bound by the terms of her uncle's eccentric will, Waverly finds herself alone in a manor shrouded by death and questioning the reasons for her uncle's paranoia. A madness hovers over Traeger Hall, and Waverly--as well as the people of nearby Newton Creek--are ill-prepared for the woe that has descended.

In present day Newton Creek, whispers of a family curse still cling to the century-old, abandoned property of Traeger Hall. When Jennie Phillips takes possession of the estate after her mother's passing, she is intent on solving the mystery of the Traeger murders. Yet a modern cold case suggests that untimely deaths and mysterious occurrences still plague the property. And as thorny truths surface, Jennie realizes the dark legacy threatens not only the town and the Traeger descendants . . . but also, chillingly, Jennie herself.

Book Details:

Genre: Dual Timeline Gothic Suspense
Published by: Bethany House Publishers
Publication Date: October 21, 2025
Number of Pages: 336
ISBN: 9780764243806, paperback
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | Baker Book House

Read an excerpt:

 

 

Author Bio:

Jaime Jo Wright is the author of thirteen novels, including Christy Award-winner and ECPA bestseller The Vanishing at Castle Moreau, Christy Award and Daphne du Maurier Award-winner The House on Foster Hill, and Carol Award-winner The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. Jaime has also written two Publishers Weekly bestselling novellas. She lives in Wisconsin with her family and fabulous felines.

Catch Up With Jaime Jo Wright:

JaimeWrightBooks.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads - @JaimeJoWright
BookBub - @JaimeJoWright
Instagram - @JaimeJoWright
Threads - @JaimeJoWright
YouTube - MadLit Musings
Spotify - MadLit Musings

 

Tour Participants:

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THE BELL TOLLS AT TRAEGER HALL by Jaime Jo Wright (book + gift card)

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Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading The Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall by Jaime Jo Wright. This standalone novel was published last week.

Traeger Hall is a mansion haunted by the past, perhaps even cursed by its cruel and vindictive owner. In 1890 Leopold Traeger had a stranglehold on Newton Creek, Wisconsin. He owned the sawmill, the bank, as well as several other endeavors. Then he and his wife were brutally murdered inside the home. His will decreed his ward, Waverly Pembrooke leave the house with only the clothing with which she arrived and Traeger Hall be sealed for one hundred years. Over a hundred years have passed and Newton Creek is no longer a vibrant community and the Hall remains sealed. Jennie Phillips has arrived in town, inheriting Traeger Hall, one of her father's acquisitions. But a skeleton on the property and a unique codicil thwart Jennie's plans. Has the evil of two men passed down into the house? Will opening Traeger Hall mean the discovery of treasure or will it open the world to the evil trapped inside?

At Death's Dough - A Review

 Review

AT DEATH'S DOUGH by Mindy Quigley
The Fifth Deep Dish Mystery 

The winter cold and snow makes the offseason difficult for businesses in Geneva Bay, Wisconsin. Restaurant owner, Delilah O'Leary is evening struggling to get reservations for the Valentine's Day holiday. That's one reason she jumps on board the town council's idea of a Gangsters of Geneva Bay tour, although she knows her boyfriend Capone, yes, related to that Capone, will not be happy. She has staff to pay, however, and if that means highlighting the fact that her restaurant was a mob front for Rocco Guanciale and featuring Rocco's Guanciale on the menu, so be it. But slow business isn't the only thing worrying Delilah. Several women are aglow with new mysterious romances, even Great-Aunt Biz. And then, of course, there's the dead body she, Sonya, and Biz found while ice fishing. Not to mention Capone's ne'er do well cousin whose visit Capone's mom wants to keep quiet. Will Delilah be able to make it through the offseason without losing her business or her boyfriend? 

Pride, hope, and love make the gears grind and shift in the fifth Deep Dish Mystery. I love how the Delilah and Son family is just that, a family. They may bicker, but ultimately will do anything for each other. I love how they work together like a well oiled machine, whether it's dinner service or solving a mystery. I loved the historical aspect, a favorite subject of mine, if not Delilah and especially loved how everything came together. 

AT DEATH'S DOUGH runs the gamut from romantic, family, and business problems, community involvement, and social class treating each with varying degrees of humor and gravitas. When one of the family is taken hostage I was horrified; it's a personal nightmare for me. Thank goodness for the resourcefulness, bravery, and determination of everyone!

There's also food. I loved the descriptions, even Harold's feast of reconciliation and am pleased that there are recipes included, though not for Harold's feast. Even if you have no intention of making any of the recipes found at the end of the book, you still need to read them! Written from the point of view of different characters each recipe is a story in itself...and a very funny one at that! 

A wintry mystery filled with gangsters, good food, and great friends AT DEATH'S DOUGH is a laugh out loud mystery with heart and a special cat named Butterball. 

Currently Reading...

I'm currently reading At Death's Dough by Mindy Quigley. This book is the fifth book in the Deep Dish Mystery series and will be released next week.

The winter cold and snow makes the offseason difficult for businesses in Geneva Bay, Wisconsin. Restaurant owner, Delilah O'Leary is evening struggling to get reservations for the Valentine's Day holiday. That's one reason she jumps on board the town council's idea of a Gangsters of Geneva Bay Tour, although she knows her boyfriend Capone, yes, related to that Capone, will not be happy. She has staff to pay, however, and if that means highlighting the fact that her restaurant was a mob front for Rocco Guanciale and featuring Rocco's Guanciale on the menu, so be it. But slow business isn't the only thing worrying Delilah. Several women are aglow with new mysterious romances, even Great-Aunt Biz. And then, of course, there's the dead body she, Sonya, and Biz found while ice fishing. Not to mention Capone's ne'er do well cousin whose visit Capone's mom wants to keep quiet. Will Delilah be able to make it through the offseason without losing her business or her boyfriend?

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Ghost - A Review & Giveaway

 Review

THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING GHOST
By Michele Pariza Wacek
The Third Redemption Detective Agency Mystery 

When Emily Hildebrandt takes the call from a new client for the Redemption Detective Agency she thinks it's a case of missing husband. And it is...sort of. It's just that the missing husband has actually been dead for a decade and it's his ghost that's missing! While Emily is ready to call it quits and even Mildred seems to agree, Aunt Tilde is adamant they help her old friend Ruth and if that means finding a missing ghost, so be it!

Peculiar things happen in Redemption, Wisconsin. A new case for the Redemption Detective Agency starts off as a missing husband then morphs into a missing ghost, a con, and murder! I loved how the mystery progressed from one issue to another with the zany antics of Aunt Tilde, Mildred, and Nora making me shake my head and laugh! The root of the story is a sad one. A grieving widow desperately missing her late husband and being cruelly taken advantage of. Sadly, elder abuse is common and comes in many forms, despicable scams such as the one  here are too common. I love how each problem led to a new avenue to investigate and each resulting answer led to a satisfying conclusion.

Emily is the wonderful level headed office manager who does her best to keep things running smoothly at her aunt's detective agency. I love how, even as she tries to reign the others in, she fulfills their requests even as she has her doubts. I wonder what Trisha is scheming and Emily needs to dump Jerome. He's a condescending ass. She's picked up on a few red flags, but she keeps dismissing them. I can't wait for her to finally realize he's a jerk and let him have it before completely walking away. 

I absolutely adore this series. The banter, the wacky dialogue that can make your head spin as well as Emily's will have you in stitches. Don't get me started on ghost butts. But at the bottom of it all is the heart. The kindness. Which Emily seems to forget. The ending made me so mad. Not the solution of the mystery, but what happened afterward. I can only hope that Emily will come to her senses and realize what really matters. 

THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING GHOST is a fast paced madcap mystery with heart. You'll find yourself laughing then smiling as the pieces come together. I'm eagerly awaiting the Redemption Detective Agency's next case! 

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 The Mysterious Case of the Missing Ghost (The Redemption Detective Agency) by Michele Pariza Wacek

About The Mysterious Case of the Missing Ghost

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Ghost (The Redemption Detective Agency)
Cozy Mystery 3rd in Series
Setting - Redemption, Wisconsin in the 1990s
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Love-Based Publishing (September 2025)
Number of Pages ~200

Emily Hildebrandt is learning to settle into some of the very strange cases that come through The Redemption Detective Agency’s door.

Like Aunt Tilde’s friend Ruth who claims she’s lost a ghost.

How does one lose a ghost? Apparently when the ghost decides to walk out the door.

But, to make matters more complicated, it’s not just any ghost but the ghost of Ruth’s dead husband. Who was murdered decades ago under very suspicious circumstances.

Emily has no choice but to go back in time and figure out what really happened to Ruth’s husband, in order for everyone to rest in peace.

A spin-off from the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series! The Redemption Detective Agency is a funny, twisty cozy mystery series set in the 1990s featuring silver sleuths solving cold cases. Great for fans of the Thursday Murder Club.

About Michele Pariza Wacek

 

A USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author, Michele taught herself to read at 3 years old because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours) but she does spend much of her time writing stories now. Mystery stories, to be exact. They're clean and twisty, and range from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix. If that wasn't enough, she posts lots of fun things on her blog, including short stories, puzzles, recipes and more, at MPWNovels.com. Michele grew up in Wisconsin (hence why all her books take place there), and still visits regularly, but she herself escaped the cold and now lives in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona, with her husband and southern squirrel hunter Cassie. When she's not writing, she's usually reading, hanging out with her dog, or watching the Food Network and imagining she's an awesome cook. (Spoiler alert, she's not. Luckily for the whole family, Mr. PW is in charge of the cooking.)  

Author Links: 

Website https://MPWNovels.com  

Facebook https://Facebook.com/MichelePWauthor  

Instagram https://instagram.com/themichelepw  

Purchase Link Amazon

Sour Crime Donuts - A Spotlight

Today I'd like to shine a spotlight on an upcoming release. Sour Crime Donuts by Ginger Bolton is the tenth book in the Deputy Donut Mystery series and will be released next week.

Blurb:

Emily feels like a protective big sister around bubbly twenty-something Izzy—a new regular whose enthusiasm for peaches and cream donuts is surpassed only by her dream to start her own business. As if blown in by an August breeze, Izzy pulls Emily into her plan to buy a property at the edge of town to grow and sell fresh produce. But she’s not the only fan of Deputy Donut’s peachy delights . . . or the only patron vying to own the lush parcel of land. And the competition is fiercer than the two women imagined . . .

Petty squabbles turn deadly when a developer with a mean streak is found murdered on the vacant stretch of land. Worse, Emily’s signature donuts are spotted nearby, leading to several potential suspects who could have left their sugar-frosted fingerprints all over the crime scene—including the mayor, a handsome out-of-towner, and even sweet-to-the-core Izzy. When her detective husband discovers poisonous ingredients in the discarded desserts, a shocked Emily must reveal holes in a collection of very fuzzy facts and nab the killer before someone else takes their last bite . . .

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Dog Walker - A Guest Post, Review, & Giveaway

I'm pleased to welcome Emily Hildebrandt to Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can fine Emily on the pages of the Redemption Detective Agency Mystery series by Michele Pariza Wacek. THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING DOG WALKER is the second book is the series and was released last week.

Musings From Emily Hildebrandt about “The Mysterious Case of the Missing Dog Walker”

Let me begin by saying I’ve never been a dog person. Nor have I ever been a detective.

I like order. And calmness. I’m happiest when everything is in its proper place and I have a tidy to-do list where I can cross tasks off as I complete them.

Dogs and investigations are none of those things. There’s always an air of chaos and messiness surrounding both being a detective and having a dog.

Which is why this particular case was so aggravating. Not only was I the one in charge of the case, but it was a case about a missing dog.

Except I was told the dog wasn’t missing. Actually, that’s not true. I was told the dog never existed in the first place.

Ugh. Talk about things not being neat and tidy.

Anyway, despite being everything that I hate, I have found myself starting to warm up to being both a dog person and a detective.

Much to my surprise.

Let’s start with becoming a dog person. I never thought I would EVER own a dog, much less a large, scruffy, yellow lab mix that sheds constantly.

And yet…I now have Scout. Although, in all fairness, Scout chose me.

He was a stray who wouldn’t let anyone touch him until I came around. And it’s a good thing he did, because I never would have cracked this case without his help.

Which leads me to becoming a detective. I’m discovering that I have a bit of knack for investigating. I never dreamed this would be the case, but it seems I’m pretty good at cracking cases.

And, dare I say it, I’ve even discovered that I’m enjoying it.

Just a little. I still prefer my spreadsheets and checklists and bringing order to a chaotic detective agency. But I’m finding it’s a nice break to get my hands dirty with a case or two. 

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THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING DOG WALKER is Book 2 of The Redemption Detective Agency, is a funny, twisty, romcom cozy mystery series set in the 1990s featuring silver sleuths solving cold cases, cats, dogs and an opposites attract love triangle. Great for fans of the Thursday Murder Club. 
**************************************************************

Review

THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING DOG WALKER 

By Michele Pariza Wacek
The Second Redemption Detective Agency Mystery 

 

Emily Hildebrandt continues to find herself in the most mind boggling situations since moving to Redemption and becoming the office manager of her Aunt Tilde's detective agency. A dog that may or may not have existed and may or may not have gone missing, a husband who may be a rotten cheating scoundrel with a wife who is way too interested in an influential family are not the themes of a television show, but rather the new cases of the Redemption Detective Agency. While her aunt and friends prepare for their stakeout, including who's bringing what in the way of snacks, Emily starts to look into the case of the dog who went missing a year ago. However, she comes up with more questions than answers.

 

The second Redemption Detective Agency Mystery brings lots of laughs as Emily tries to navigate the confusion and outlandishness that is the detective agency and its "detectives". Quick comments that go round and round, at times I felt I was in the middle of an Abbot and Costello routine, and laughing just as hard. The aunt, the cousin, what dog, who? I'm still grinning. I also am enjoying the romantic aspect...or non romance as it were. I know where, or more importantly who, Emily should be placing her attention, despite Mildred. I have a feeling more is going on with another character-and it's not good. 

 

I'm really drawn to the uniqueness that is Redemption. I love learning more about its past and can't wait as more comes to light. I have a feeling there's a lot more shadiness coming and hope the Redemption Detective Agency is ready for it. I also enjoy that the series is set in the 1990s. At one point Emily was trying to memorize something on a sheet of paper and I was thinking why doesn't she quickly take a picture of it with her phone. Then it dawned on me this was the 90s. Heck, in 1990 I didn't even have my own computer let alone a mobile phone and was sending my film out to be developed! I certainly appreciate the difficulty of detecting without our current tools.

 

Lots of laughs, quirky characters, and a puzzling mystery make THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING DOG WALKER a fantastic fast paced read. I love this series and can't wait to learn more about this mysterious town that truly is one of the characters.

 

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 The Mysterious Case of the Missing Dog Walker (The Redemption Detective Agency) by Michele Pariza Wacek

About The Mysterious Case of the Missing Dog Walker

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Dog Walker (The Redemption Detective Agency)
Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series
Setting - 1990s Wisconsin
Publisher: ‎ Love-Based Publishing (June 18, 2025)
Print Length ~200 Pages

Emily Hildebrandt is not having a good week.

First off, she’s tasked with looking for, of all things, a missing dog. And not just any missing dog, but one owned by the aunt of Nick Stewart’s girlfriend, Trisha.

Like she wants anything to do Nick. Ever. She’s dating someone new and ready to take her life back.

Except…that missing dog case takes a strange turn when the owner tells her she never had a dog.

Why would Trisha lie about a missing dog? Or is Trisha’s aunt the one is lying?

As Emily digs deeper into the case, she uncovers far more than she bargained for.

A spin-off from the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series! The Redemption Detective Agency is a funny, twisty cozy mystery series set in the 1990s featuring silver sleuths solving cold cases. Great for fans of the Thursday Murder Club.

About Michele (PW) Pariza Wacek

A USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author, Michele taught herself to read at 3 years old because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours) but she does spend much of her time writing stories now. Mystery stories, to be exact. They're clean and twisty, and range from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix. If that wasn't enough, she posts lots of fun things on her blog, including short stories, puzzles, recipes and more, at MPWNovels.com.

Michele grew up in Wisconsin, (hence why all her books take place there), and still visits regularly, but she herself escaped the cold and now lives in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona with her husband and southern squirrel hunter Cassie.

When she's not writing, she's usually reading, hanging out with her dog, or watching the Food Network and imagining she's an awesome cook. (Spoiler alert, she's not. Luckily for the whole family, Mr. PW is in charge of the cooking.)

Author Links: 

Website https://MPWNovels.com  

Facebook https://Facebook.com/MichelePWauthor  

Instagram https://instagram.com/themichelepw  

Purchase Link Amazon  

It will be available on Kindle Unlimited soon. The 1st book in the series - The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive is now available on Kindle Unlimited. 

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Shake-speared in the Park - A Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway

 Review

SHAKE-SPEARED IN THE PARK by Joy Ann Ribar
The Second Bay Browning Mystery 

 

The Spring Semester may have ended, but school isn't over for Professor Bay Browning. To fulfill volunteer requirements for Flourish College, Bay is assistant director of the school's summer production, a Shakespeare inspired play she co-wrote. With a short production time the set is being constructed as the actors rehearse. A scream pierced the night. Talon Hunt has fallen from the unfinished balcony after a mock sword fight. Was this a tragic accident or something more? There's more drama around the actors than in the play itself! Bay will have to keep her eyes and ears open as she discovers more about the elite of Angel Bird Bluff than she'd care to know.

 

Things are different for the wealthy and the second Bay Browning Mystery enters that world of legacy students and privileged adults who can seemingly make problems disappear by throwing money and power around. It's a story of how wealth can shape families, how scapegoats can be found, and underdogs championed. It also shows how some people are able to grow while others stagnate. and still others regress.

 

There's a lot to love in SHAKE-SPEARED IN THE PARK, a confounding mystery, intriguing characters, interesting dynamics, and more. As a former theatre major I loved the concept of a college's summer theatrical production, especially one that weaves the works of Shakespeare into a new play. I also loved how Posey, Cass's new boss decided on a Shakespearean theme for her party along with a game I'd love to play. And what a party it was. I enjoyed the interactions between Bay and Detective Downing as her production was plagued, not only by death, but by less serious mishaps as well. I appreciate the way she works with him to solve the crimes as well as how her sister brings her skills to the table.

SHAKE-SPEARED IN THE PARK is an exquisitely wrought mystery combining the worlds of the elite and academia with a theatrical background. This is fast becoming a favorite series and I can't wait to dig into the next one!

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

SHAKE-SPEARED IN THE PARK

by Joy Ann Ribar

March 17th - April 11, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

A BAY BROWNING MYSTERY

 

When Bay Browning helps direct the Flourish College summer theater production, “Shakespeare’s Couch,” she doesn’t plan for murder at the first practice.

Someone wants revenge against the elite cast members, as more terror unfolds on stage and backstage with each rehearsal. What should be a lighthearted parody on The Bard and his characters is cursed from the start, even without someone shouting “Macbeth” in the theater. Detective Downing takes charge of the crime, but Bay and her puzzle-solving cohort, Jen Yoo, follow their own script behind the scenes. Cassandra, Bay’s extraordinary sister, makes her own dramatic entrance on the case. After all, Cass is now the personal assistant to one of the elites living the high life on the bluff above Prairie Ridge. How many tragic scenes will be scripted before the villain faces the final curtain?

Praise for Shake-speared in the Park:

"A clever cozy that reads like an elusive buried treasure, that, once uncovered, shines with a burnished gold. Shakespearean scholars can revel throughout, as a college summer play, Shakespeare’s Couch, features a myriad of familiar characters, representing their plays. A costume party with more Shakespearean identities milling about provides sheer fun and frolic. The best part, however, is the thorough depiction of humanity, characteristic of Ribar’s writing. Even secondary characters come alive with strengths and foibles that delight and endear."
~ Saralyn Richard, author of the Detective Parrott mystery series, Bad Blood Sisters, and Mrs. Oliver’s Twist

"Ribar serves up wicked, clever fun in 'Shake-speared in the Park,' the second installment in her Bay Browning mystery series. A young man with much promise falls from a stage-prop balcony. He's dead when he lands, but that's not what killed him. Was his brother, the wayward son, involved? His best friend? Or one of the wealthy equestrian crowd? Then, another death, this time in a greenhouse. It's like 'Knives Out' meets Agatha Christie. Suspects abound. Two sisters—one a killer magnet, the other an ex-con—are determined to find out. The escalating tempo keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the end!"
~ Laurie Buchanan, author of the Sean McPherson crime thriller novels

"In this fast-paced mystery and nod to Shakespeare, the murderous shenanigans would please the Bard himself! Professor Bay Browning’s play rehearsals go awry with deadly weapons, poisons, and just about anything else a playwright might use to scare or 'off' someone in dramatic fashion. As in 'Romeo & Juliet,' differences of class and money between families put a small Wisconsin college and Bay in the crosshairs. Replete with a twisty costume party, this novel opens the curtain on an entertaining theater production with actors poised to take their final bow, pun intended. Ribar balances scenes effectively between amateur detectives Bay and her sister Cass, the latter a plant aficionado and former prison inmate. To borrow from the Bard, 'To read or not to read?' The answer is easy: This is fun."
~ Christine DeSmet, author, Fudge Shop Mystery Series and Mischief in Moonstone Series

Book Details:

Genre: Blended Mystery: Traditional Mystery with Paranormal Twists
Published by: Wine Glass Press
Publication Date: February 2025
Number of Pages: 359
ISBN: 9781959078272 (ISBN10: 1959078275)
Series: Bay Browning Mysteries: Book Two
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

Carillon Tower Park was buzzing with activity when Bay arrived for rehearsal. Desmond Carver, the director, was only steps ahead of her, so she dashed to catch up. Bay smiled at his signature bobbing walk on those extra-long legs that might belong to a pro basketball player instead of a theater professor.

“Desmond, hey. Looks like the students are psyched about the show.” Bay nodded toward the outdoor theater area where a portable tech booth had been set up. People inside were testing spotlights and sound effects.

The stage was midway through set construction showing false stone walls and two framed second story balconies. Someone was sweeping the stage free of pine needles, while a couple of others were taping the floor where furniture would go. Bay waved at Jen Yoo, her art professor friend, who was painting a flat with some students.

“It’s a positive sign when they show up early. Believe me, once we’re in the trenches, some will find reasons not to show up at all.” Desmond set a stack of scripts on one of the seats near the middle of the theater. “Actors,” he said using air quotes around the word.

Bay’s optimism didn’t dwindle. She was pleased with the turnout for auditions, considering it was a summer production, meaning many students were gone or working. The fact she and Desmond had backups for the main roles revealed enthusiasm for the show.

Desmond handed her a theater badge and key for the rooms beyond the stage. “By the way, in case I forget later, thanks so much for volunteering to help with the play. It can be a thankless job.”

Bay grinned but wondered why Desmond was being so pessimistic. He wasn’t close to retirement, maybe ten years older than Bay, and she’d pegged him as carefree and upbeat. Then again, in the two years she’d been a Flourish professor, she’d had a handful of short conversations with him.

At seven p.m. on the dot, the clock tower bell rang out the hour and Desmond spoke through a megaphone he’d brought to rehearsal. “Let’s get going. We start on time. We end on time. That’s my number one rule.”

To Bay’s surprise, every student hushed without delay. She’d heard Desmond was respected, and he knew these students from past plays. Many were seniors doing a final postgraduation show before entering the real world.

“For the first few rehearsals, we’re going to need to work around the set builders and the tech crew setting up lights and testing sounds. This isn’t a typical show. Summer theater is a shortened schedule, so we’re putting an entire production together in short order.” Desmond handed printed schedules to Bay, who passed them out to the actors and crew.

It wasn’t quite June, thankfully, because performances were marked for the last week of that month, just past the celebration of Midsummer on June twenty-fourth.

“You’ll notice on the schedule that all lines must be memorized by June tenth. That’s two weeks, my friends. Let’s make it happen.” Desmond used his teacher voice. Even Bay snapped to attention.

“Places everyone. We’ll start with the prologue and go straight through from act one as far as we can until eight-thirty. The script notes some introductory music, but we won’t add that for a couple of weeks. Proceed, Kitt.”

Bay and Desmond watched from the back third of the theater, taking notes as lines were delivered, stopping when necessary to help with enunciation or cadence. At the end of the second act, Desmond announced a seven-minute break, then headed to the tech booth to talk about lighting.

Bay noticed he seemed nervous about the tech crew being run by an intern. His normal production partner, Leo, another theater professor, was spending summer break in New York City at a Broadway intensive master class. Leo recommended a theater grad student from Madison to take his place.

As lights flashed on and off in different positions, Bay watched the techies at the booth. Desmond pointed at the script as intern Evan made notes, then flashed the light Desmond asked for. Bay noticed Evan’s body posture: alert, attentive, like a golden retriever eager to please. In contrast, Desmond alternated running a hand through the twists on top of his head, placing his hands on his hips, then rubbing the back of his neck before repeating the moves again.

“That looks intense.” Jen Yoo was sitting by Bay, a clean paint brush in one hand.

“Hey, Jen. Yes, I’ve never seen this side of Desmond. How about you?”

Jen shrugged. “I haven’t worked on a summer production in some time. The younger Desmond was laid-back. But some of us lose our patience as we age. Thankfully, I don’t have that problem.” She snickered.

Bay turned her full attention to Jen. “Why are you working on this production, anyway?”

“Two reasons. One: It fulfills my volunteer hours for the whole year. Two: It’s a show you wrote. I’m proud of you and want to see how it turns out.” Jen leaned her head over to meet Bay’s.

With break wrapping up, chatter from the stage echoed around the quiet outdoors. When a commotion ensued, Bay chalked it up to high energy from a new show, the honeymoon period. But then a loud thud sounded, someone began shrieking, and a cacophony of shouts and running feet ensued.

Bay, Jen, and Desmond ran to the stage, with the tech crew close behind. The adults vaulted onto the stage where the lead actor, Talon Hunt, lay crumpled in a twisted heap.

“Everybody back up,” Desmond shouted.

“He fell off the balcony,” one of the students called out.

“I didn’t mean to. We were goofing around, practicing a duel.” Jackson Lange knelt over Talon, his chest heaving, his face distraught.

Desmond, Jen, and Bay knelt beside Talon too, and Jackson stood up and looked away. Desmond checked Talon’s pulse, shook his head, listened for a heartbeat, and shook his head again. Bay called 911.

“Let’s straighten him a bit so I can do CPR.” Desmond motioned for Jen and Bay to get on either side of his legs and they gingerly turned him.

Desmond was still administering chest compressions and breaths when the emergency team arrived to take over. Thirty minutes later, the EMTs pronounced Talon dead.

***

Excerpt from Shake-speared in the Park by Joy Ann Ribar. Copyright 2025 by Joy Ann Ribar. Reproduced with permission from Joy Ann Ribar. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

Joy Ann Ribar is an RV author, writing on the road wherever her husband and their Winnebago View wanders. Joy’s cocktail of careers includes news reporter, paralegal, English educator, and aquaponics greenhouse technician, all of which prove useful in penning mysteries. Her cozy Deep Lakes Mysteries, feature baker/vintner Frankie Champagne, who moonlights as an investigative reporter. Joy’s Bay Browning Mysteries blend edgy, traditional, and paranormal elements twisted around classical literary themes. Joy loves to bake, read, research wines, and explore nature. Her writing has received awards and recognition from WWA, PenCraft Book Awards, Book Fest, Reader’s Favorite, and Chanticleer Cozy and Not-So-Cozy awards.

Catch Up With Joy Ann Ribar:

JoyRibar.com
Joy's Substack
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub - @ribarjoy
Instagram - @authorjoyribar
Facebook - @JoyRibarAuthor

 

 

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