Yes, that’s right… Camille Minichino (aka Margaret Grace) is my latest Cozy find… My friend (from my last blog entry) did not steer me wrong! (Thank you, Cora!)
I just finished Murder in Miniature (the first in Grace’s Miniature Mystery Series) and I am currently reading The Hydrogen Murder (the first in her Periodic Table Mystery Series), which gives me nine more cozies to look forward to reading. I love discovering new authors who I can play “catch-up” with, since that leaves me with a bounty of books to enjoy before having to wait (+/-) a year for her next mystery.
Camille Minichino writes the way I think… She has a logical sequence to her story lines. Just when I find myself wondering about something, so do her main characters! I love that! She doesn’t rely on what I call the “idiot plot” which has the main character finding out a bit of information and keeping it from the reader until the very last page of the book. (I hate that!) I love the fact that Minichino lets us play along with her main characters as they sleuth through the given mysteries.
I love the small town feeling in both of her cozy mystery series. (Of course, only having read the first in her Grace series and not being finished with the first in her Minichino series, I can’t vouch for the following books’ locations.) Everyone knows everyone, they have histories that have been shared at one point in their lives.
I love all of her characters so far. Love the fact that the author hasn’t had to “get my attention” with unnecessary swearing… Love the fact that the heroines/sleuths in both series know what they want out of life, and even though they are retired,they have very full lives, which don’t consist of only sleuthing.
As I said at the beginning of this entry… I am always excited about finding a new Cozy author to follow. I’m glad my friend told me about her, and I’m glad Minichino / Grace is writing such good Cozies!
Dru says
Wow, I was just introduced to her books and it’s on my tbr shelf.
Camille Minichino/Margaret Grace says
What a nice welcome home from the Malice Domestic convention in Crystal City, VA, where all cozies were given a place of honor!
I hope the next 7 Periodic Table mysteries and the next 2 Miniature Mysteries will continue to please Danna.
If it’s not too intrusive here, I’d like to offer a couple of presents to readers of this blog: a miniature reading/crime scene. Just use DANNA’S LIST as the subject if you’re interested, and send to camille@minichino.com by June 3. I’ll draw a name soon after. (If Danna is among the entries, I’ll send one to her separately!) I promise there will be NO other follow-up except notice of the next book if you choose.
For samples of scenes I’ve donated to auctions and shipped to other drawing winners, you can visit the gallery at http://www.dollhousemysteries.com.
It’s always a great honor to hear from readers. Thanks for the chance to meet you this way.
Best, Camille/Margaret
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Hi Camille/Margaret,
First of all, thank you for writing. I am guessing that you had a great time at the Malice Domestic convention. (Tomorrow’s blog entry has all of the nominated/winning authors.)
So far your books have really been a welcome addition for me. My friend (who recommended you) has been enjoying your books for a while, and when you commented on the Dollhouse Miniatures, Doll Making, and Teddy Bears theme, I thought it would be a great time to try one of your books… One book led to a second, and now I am planning on reading all of them. (I’m glad to see you have a fourth Miniature Mystery coming out soon!)
I hope that some of the people who read this blog enter your drawing. What a nice idea!
Thanks, again, for writing AND for the generous offer of your miniature reading/crime scene drawing!
-V- says
Added the first one to my Wanton Book List to search out this afternoon on a hunting trip at B&N…..
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Vickie, I always love discovering new Cozy authors who I really enjoy!