April is winding down, so now is the time to talk about our favorite Cozy Mysteries that we read in the last month.
Unfortunately, this has been another bad month for me in terms of reading – I haven’t had time to read any Cozies for me to recommend this month.
As always, you can go to the Most Popular & Recommended Cozy Mystery Series page on my Cozy-Mystery site for my full write-ups on each of these great Cozy series.
So, what have you been reading that you can recommend in April? Please be sure to tell us why you liked these Cozies so much. I know we’re all always on the lookout for more particularly good Cozy Mystery authors! (If you have a lot of Cozies you think are great, please post the ones you like the most at the top of the list.)
As always, please do not tell us about the Cozy Mysteries you did not like.
What really good Cozy Mystery did you read during April 2018 that you want the rest of us to know about, and why did you enjoy it?
Here are the current recommended authors who some of you have read and recommended this past month:
Susan Wittig Albert: China Bayles Herbal Mystery Series
Lucy Arlington (co-written by Jennifer Stanley & Sylvia May): A Novel Idea Mystery Series
Lorna Barrett (aka L. L. Bartlett & Lorraine Bartlett): Booktown Mystery Series
Cynthia Baxter: Lickety Splits Ice Cream Shoppe Mystery Series
M. C. Beaton: Hamish MacBeth Mystery Series
Lillian Bell: A Funeral Parlor Mystery Series (first entry A Grave Issue)
Juliet Blackwell (aka Hailey Lind): Witchcraft Mystery Series
Duffy Brown: Consignment Shop Mystery Series
Julia Buckley: Writer’s Apprentice Mystery Series
Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli (aka Elizabeth Lee): Little Library Mystery Series
Lynn Cahoon: Farm-to-Fork Mystery Series
Bailey Cates (aka Bailey Cattrell & Cricket McRae): Magical Bakery Mystery Series
Becky Clark: Mystery Writer’s Mystery Series (first entry Fiction Can Be Murder)
Jane K. Cleland: Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery Series
Peg Cochran (aka Meg London): Cranberry Cove Mystery Series
Kate Collins: Flower Shop Mystery Series
Cate Conte (aka Liz Mugavero): Cat Cafe Mystery Series
Kathi Daley: Zoe Donovan Mystery Series
Krista Davis: Pen & Ink Mystery Series
Vicki Delany (aka Eva Gates): Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery Series
Jana DeLeon: Miss Fortune Mystery Series
Alex Erickson: Bookstore Cafe Mystery Series (first entry Death by Coffee)
Amanda Flower (aka Isabella Alan): Magical Bookshop Mystery Series
Sarah Graves: Death by Chocolate Mystery Series
Tarquin Hall: Files of Vish Piru Mystery Series
Nell Hampton (aka Nancy Coco and Nancy J. Parra): Kensington Palace Chef Mystery Series
Betty Hechtman: Crochet Mystery Series
Nancy Herriman: Mystery of Old San Francisco Mystery Series
Miranda James (aka Dean James, Jimmie Ruth Evans, & Honor Hartman): Southern Ladies Mystery Series
Sofie Kelly (aka Sofie Ryan & Darlene Ryan for Young Adult): Magical Cats Mystery Series
G. M. Malliet: Max Tudor Mystery Series
Jenn McKinlay (aka Josie Belle & Lucy Lawrence): Cupcake Bakery Mystery Series
Carlene O’Connor: Irish Village Mystery Series
Anne Perry: Pitt Mystery Series
Deanna Raybourn: Veronica Speedwell Mystery Series
Dorothy St. James: Southern Chocolate Shop Mystery Series
Sarah Shankman: Samantha Adams Mystery Series
Paige Shelton: Scottish Bookshop Mystery Series
Denise Swanson: Chef-to-Go Mystery Series
T.C. LoTempio: Nick and Nora Mystery Series
Linda Wiken (aka Erika Chase): Dinner Club Mystery Series
Jacqueline Winspear: Maisie Dobbs Mystery Series
Debbie Young: Sophie Sayles Village Mystery Series (first entry Best Murder in Show)
[If you click on the author’s name (blue) link, it will take you to his/her page on the Cozy Mystery site. The pages have all of the authors’ books listed chronologically.]
I will list the authors and series that have been recommended, but I urge you to read the comments below so you can see the reasons other Cozy Mystery readers thought these were their best reads of the month.
♦To access more Cozy Mystery Books Recommendations, click on this link♦
P.S. I usually don’t comment on your recommendations since they speak for themselves.
Jo Anne Yerkes says
Working on Cleo Coyle, Claire Donally. Allyson Abbott. Just went to a library book sale and got 5 books from authors I haven’t read yet and then 2 books from the library.
DaShannon Lovin says
I love the Cleo Coyle! I read On What Grounds #1 last month but I’ve read #4 Murder Most Frothy, #7 Espresso Shot, #10 Murder by Mocha, and #12 Holiday Buzz. Fun series!
Nancy says
You’ve mentioned Anne Perry’s books previously, so I think this counts……Her newest book, Twenty-One Days, is the beginning of her new series featuring Daniel Pitt, the son of her previous series stars Thomas and Charlotte Pitt. I love her books, and this one does not disappoint. I’m looking forward to the next one!
Bek says
As always, I’ve come to a series late. I just read the entire “Vish Piru, Most Private Detective” series by Tarquin Hall. There are only four books in the series, and the latest came out in 2013, so I am only slightly hopeful that there will be another.
Set in New Delhi, this series is not only well written with excellent mysteries, it is also a fascinating glimpse into life in modern India. The characters are complex and fun, the settings are exotic, and OH JOY OF JOYS, the last two books contain authentic Punjabi recipes! I’ve alreadly found on online Indian grocer, and am ordering such exotic as garam masala, chapati, ghee, and authentic covered earthenware baking dishes! Butter Chicken, here I COME!
Barbara Mesa says
I have been Reading books by Kathi Dailey. She has several series such as the: the Zoe Donnoven series, the Whales and Tails series, the Sand And Sea series, the Writer’s Retreat Southern Mystery series, and many more.I just discovered her not too long ago so I am enjoying reading my way through all her series’.
Sharon says
I am currently on book 7 of the Betty Hechtman Crochet Mystery Series “If Hooks Could Kill”. I have loved them all. Great mysteries based in book store and now yarn store too!
Hanna says
I read Sarah Shankman’s Now Let’s Talk of Graves. It takes place in New Orleans of the late 80s (was written in 1990) before Katrina, of course. What I liked most is the way she described (captured?) the character of New Orleans and of the inhabitants. Easy reading and page turners. What still catches me in mid paragraph is when the heroine is searching for a telephone..
Carol K. says
I have been reading Lorna Barrett’s A Booktown Mystery. I just finished Book Clubbed and A Fatal Chapter. She makes her characters believable and likeable. I really care what happens to them. Her books are interesting, and I always want to see what happens next. At the same time I don’t need a paper and pencil to take notes to remember who is who and what is going on. They are captivating without being intense.
Julie F. says
I read a couple long-running series in April, and they were a chore to read. But I read a couple “first in a new series” that I truly enjoyed! Becky Clark’s “Fiction Can Be Murder” was funny and kept me guessing until the very end. Cynthia Baxter’s “Murder With a Cherry on Top” is another new entry that has a fresh feel to it. Of course, then there was Duffy Brown’s “Lethal in Old Lace”, she never disappoints except it’s been too long since the last Consignment Shop mystery, looking forward to the next in the Cycle mystery as well.
Julie F. says
Ack! How could I have forgotten “Playing with BonBon Fire” by Dorothy St. James??? Enjoyed the second installment just as much as the first.
sandir says
I have three to recommend this month – all new series for me.
Meow if It’s Murder by L C LoTiempo (Nick and Nora #1) – I was surprised at how much I liked this one. I figured it would be silly (and yes, the cat does play Scrabble LOL) but I was really engrossed at the end and couldn’t put it down.
Night of the Living Dandelion by Kate Collins (Flower Shop #11) – This has everything I like – humor, fun characters, and many more in the series to look forward to.
Played by the Book by Lucy Arlington (Novel Idea #4) I admit I picked this book just because I liked the cover and I did figure out the killer before the end (rare for me!) but it was just a really good story.
Looking forward to everyone elses’ recommendations!
Leslie T. says
I read the latest China Bayles, Queen Anne’s Lace by Susan Wittig Albert. Also two more Maisie Dobbs, Pardonable Lies and Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear. I also enjoyed Gail Honeyman’s Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine.
MJ says
April Recommendations – 2018
Queen Anne’s Lace – Susan Wittig Albert
Well……….this certainly is an interesting departure from Albert’s normal writing. To make it clear – Albert has an outstanding way of putting words on paper and this is no exception.
There are two alternating stories (and is written in alternating chapters). One story harkens back to the late 1800’s. The Duncans built the house where China’s shop is now located. So in a way this is a work of ‘historical fiction’. Mr. Duncan dies in a train accident.
That leaves Annie Duncan fending for herself, needing a way to make a living. She is a talented lace maker and starts a business where she is recognized for this talent throughout the state. The story goes on as she falls in love with a neighbor.
China has gone through boxes in an old storeroom and finds pictures and newspaper articles about this family, originally owning the home. The story takes on a ‘ghostly’ feature, which Albert has written previously, on occasion.
There are several other stories to follow in this book, but NO murder. It still is a mystery story, but really reads like a fiction novel, not a cozy.
For those interested in hand crafts, there is a focus on lace making. As always, a discussion on herbs, this time with an emphasis on those used in family planning in the 1800s. Some of that detail was quite interesting.
For those (like Danna) who are ‘crafty’ and like historical fiction, I think you’d especially enjoy this story even if you read it out of sequence. Albert always brings the reader up to speed on the characters at the beginning of each book.
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Murder In An Irish Churchyard — Carlene O’Connor
Something I forget to mention when recommending some books is the research aspect. Some authors do a vast amount of research and it most likely takes an enormous amount of time. O’Connor is one of these authors……………………many accolades to her for this tremendous effort. The same goes for Susan Wittig Albert, whose book I recommended above. Hats off to both of them. 🙂
The characters in this series are particularly engaging. A young family that sticks together to operate a diner after the loss of their parents. It’s really what keeps me coming back to each of the books (this is the third one).
At 25, Siobhán O’Sullivan has returned to her family after she went to college to become a ‘garda’ (policeman) in her hometown. Her detective boyfriend walked out when she left for college because she never consulted with him about her decision. The reader can feel his hurt and pain.
Americans are in this community making a film of their roots. One of them is murdered. Siobhan works on this case with her former boyfriend, but they won’t/can’t speak about their previous relationship because it could interfere with their business relationship. I know I’m explaining this VERY poorly, but that really is the interesting and absorbing thread throughout the story. So in this book it’s this ‘romance’ angle (or lack thereof) that keeps the reader turning the pages.
LOVE this protagonist………..very smart and intuitive. She is by far the ‘star’ of the book. The story moves along so well, I read it in just two days. There are some twists and the culprit does not become apparent until the last few chapters. There are many historical aspects to this story.
I have been getting a little tired of the Irish and Scottish cozies, but this is an excellent read. Again, it’s the characters that drive the story. I can hardly wait for the next book!
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Tart of Darkness – Denise Swanson
This is the first book in a new series set in Illinois. Dani inherits a mansion from a friend of her deceased grandmother. Mrs. Cook originally planned on developing it as a B&B. But Dani decides to rent some rooms to students from a nearby university and operate a catering business and a lunch-to-go service. The three girls who rent the rooms also help Dani with her business.
A murder happens after an event that Dani has catered. The detective assigned to the case sets his sites on Dani as the murderer. He has a previous grievance with Dani and wants to get even. The head of security at the university is the uncle (Spencer) of one of the girls renting a room from Dani. Of course, there is an attraction between Dani and Spencer.
Ok…….that’s the basics. There is a tie in with the Scrumble River series. But I didn’t read the book Swanson released last fall, so was surprised at some info revealed from that series in this book.
In the three series I’ve read by this author, the lead characters all have the same descriptions. Same-o, same-o. But luckily I like each of these characters, so I read on. This story is intense in parts and is a good mystery. ………..very difficult to put down. Sometimes
I really wanted to page ahead a few chapters to ‘see what happened’ (but didn’t). Also she writes this story as she did her other two series, alternating the narration of the chapters.
The romance angle moves WAY too fast and is a bit of a reach, pretty unrealistic! It’s somewhat of a surprise because Swanson usually moves the romance angle in her series very slowly.
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Wedding Cake Crumble — Jenn McKinlay
This is the tenth book in the Cupcake series. The total focus is on Angie’s and Tate’s wedding. However, murders are happening to the people employed for the wedding. At first they believe it has something to do with their wedding, but find out another person is using the same people (which gives an alternate explanation).
OK…….many of us have enjoyed each and every one of the books in this series, and this book delivers much the same ‘adventures’ with wit/humor. Ironically, again, there is a mention of the characters from her other series (the one I think [??] is now defunct). 🙁
A methodical plot, some weird characters, and a well written story………what’s not to like!!
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Who Moved My Goat Cheese — Lynn Cahoon
This is the first in a new series by this author. I picked it up after reading the Albert book, since there’s quite a difference in tone………..light, fast moving, and relatively short (only 174 pages).
Angie and Felicia move from San Francisco to a small Idaho town to open a restaurant. Angie lived with her grandmother in this community, so there is a connection with the residents. Her grandmother has died and left Angie her home. The restaurant is to be a farm to table type, so all their food will be locally sourced.
Angie meets a (somewhat cantankerous) goat cheese maker and wants to use his products in her restaurant. He is murdered.
I enjoy both of these characters……….smart and savvy and obviously great business women. Cahoon always injects humor into her writing and dialogue which makes it really a fun read. The pacing is excellent. It’s fairly easy to figure out the culprit early on, .but the story is still entertaining.
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Marinating in Murder – Linda Wiken
I think I’ve gone on too long for one month (some might even say ‘windy’!). So I’ll just ‘mention’ this book. Although it’s listed last on this list, it’s as enjoyable as the previous three. Friends, fun, food, murder, ALL the elements for a pleasurable read…………..and it certainly is!!
It’s the third book in this series (I think the best, so far). To fully understand the development of the characters, this series should be read sequentially.
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Whew………….DONE, AT LAST!!! Just happened to have read several good books this month. 🙂
Robert Alvarez says
Danna, I completely understand.
Personally, for me, books (as well as music) are like oxygen. I must read something, at least once a day, as well as listen to music.
Recently, I began reading the following:
1. “Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti,” by Bailey Cates (Number 2 in the “Magical Bakery Mystery Series);
2. “Death by Tea,” by Mr. Alex Erickson (Number 2 in the “Bookstore Cafe Mystery Series;” and yes, my warped sense of humor is such that, when I read this book in public, I drink tea);
3. “A Magical Match,” by Juliet Blackwell (Number 9 in the “Witchcraft Mystery Series”);
I have also resumed reading “Curiosity Thrilled the Cat,” by Sofie Kelly (Number 1 in the “Magical Cats Mystery Series”).
Incidentally, I AM a huge lover and user of the following: #crazyforcozymysteries
DaShannon Lovin says
I felt the need to drink Tea when reading Death by Tea and coffee when reading Death by Coffee! Part of the experience…
Susy says
I have not read anything by Alex Erickson yet, but if he is similar in nature to Bailey Cates and Juliet Blackwell, I would probably enjoy his books. I will have to look for one cheap to check him out.
Michelle says
I read Denise Swanson’s Tart of Darkness this month. It was great. She references characters from her Scumble River series which I have also read and enjoyed. I am already anticipating the next book in this series.
Barb says
I read some new or new to me series books. I loved Grave Issue by Lillian Bell – a Funeral Parlor Mystery. It was it was fun, unique and ended with a cliffhanger. Then I read Cate Conte’s Cat About Town. JJ the cat is a great character – and so are the humans. Next was Color Me Murder by Krista Davis. I like all her books and this new series didn’t disappoint. And also I read the first two of Dorothy St. James’ Southern Chocolate Shop series – Asking for Truffle and Playing with Bon Bon Fire. They were a little different, quirky, and totally enjoyable.
Janice G says
I read a lot this month including new books in some favorite series. I recommend Berried at Sea by Peg Cochran, the latest in her Cranberry Cove series. I thought that the series was cancelled but this seems to be self published.
Other books that I enjoyed were Lost Books and Old Bones by Paige Shelton; Wedding Cake Crumble by Jenn McKinley; Lord of the Pies by Nell Hampton; Marinating in Murder by Linda Wiken; In Prior’s Wood, the latest in an always interesting series by G.M. Malliet; and Antique Blues by Jane K. Cleland, as always a fascinating look into the world of antiques and collecting.
I also found The Sophie Sayles Village Mystery series by Debbie Young on Kindle. The books remind me a lot of Nancy Atherton’s Aunt Dimity series – very little mystery but a lot of information on the people who live in a little Cotswold village. Sophie has inherited a cottage from her great aunt, a noted travel writer who she visited often during her childhood. Planning to sell the cottage, she is surprised by how many people remember her from her visits. Sophie ends up getting a job in the local bookstore, becoming very involved with the community and with the handsome young owner. The first four books were a pleasant, fun read.
m
SM says
Are the books in the new release lists hard cover or paperback? Is there a list of new paperback releases?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
SM, I list new releases when they first come out, regardless of format. I don’t keep another list specifically for paperback releases.
DaShannon Lovin says
Alex Erickson Death by Tea, I’ve read Death by Coffee after meeting him at Cincinnati’s Books By the Banks. I have Death by Pumpkin Spice waiting for the fall. I like the cozy mystery series because they are quick and easy to dip in and out of during a hectic spring!
Melanie says
I loved all of the cozy series that I read this month, so I’m recommending them all.
“A Dark and Stormy Murder” and “Death in Dark Blue” (Writer’s Apprentice Mystery Series by Julia Buckley). I absolutely LOVE this series! It’s one of my top three favorites so far. I find the main characters to be likeable, the premise is interesting, and the setting is quaint and beautiful. Lena London gets a job assisting famous novelist Camilla Graham, and with the job comes room and board in Camilla’s Gothic manor. Sam West is Lena’s love interest. I adore Sam, and him and Lena as a couple. Each chapter in this series begins with an excerpt from the novel that Camilla and Lena are currently working on that relates to that chapter. I love this little extra…it’s sort of like a novel within a novel. I’m eagerly anticipating the next release, “A Dark and Twisting Path”, which is scheduled for August. Julia Buckley wrote on her website that she recently signed a contract to write the fourth and fifth book in the series, so I’m happy that it’ll be continuing for at least a couple more books.
“Crime and Poetry” and “Prose and Cons” (Magical Bookshop Mystery Series by Amanda Flower). I like the cozies with magical themes, and this one is no exception. Violet Waverly returns home after an extended absence, and stays to take over as caretaker of her grandmother Daisy’s bookshop and all that comes with it. The bookshop is magical and helps Violet solve the mysteries. This series takes place in the fictional town of Cascade Springs, NY…a pristine, enchanting tourist attraction along the Niagara River, a short distance from Niagara Falls. One of my favorite characters is Sadie, one of Violet and Daisy’s friends who owns a vintage clothing boutique across the street from their bookshop, and an aspiring writer who is a member of a small, local writer’s group that meets at the bookshop. I enjoyed the mysteries of both books…especially the second book. I didn’t know who the murderer was until the reveal…I liked that!
“A Most Curious Murder” and “She Stopped for Death” (Little Library Series by Elizabeth Kane Buzzelli). This is a very quirky series that I started out with tepid feelings towards, but it grew and grew on me, and I ended-up really enjoying it. Jenny Weston returns home to Bear Falls, Michigan after her life (including her marriage) in Chicago falls apart. Upon her arrival she discovers her mother’s little library destroyed, and then eventually there is a bigger mystery to solve when a body is found in the neighbor’s yard. The neighbor is Zoe Zola, a successful author and little person…she is small in stature, but has an enormous personality. Zoe is the quirkiest of the characters, and at first I found her to be annoying, but by the end of the first book she became my favorite character! I thought the mysteries of both books were plotted out really well, and were a bit intricate which made them all the more interesting. Each book’s mystery had many layers to sift through and really made the reader think. I had the mystery figured-out in both books, but not entirely, and that’s one of the things that make the stories so good to me. I thought the first book was great, and I liked the second book even better. I’m looking forward to the next release, “In Want of a Knife”, which is scheduled for September.
Margaret StashEmpress says
Well for once I actually read NOTHING this month (!!!!), what with life, the universe, and everything else getting in my way, but I also never got around to posting the few I read in February & March, so here they are:
M.C. Beaton — Death of an Honest Man (Hamish
MacBeth series) Next installment in favorite old series. Victim is newcomer to the area who prides himself on speaking his mind to all & sundry (hence “honest man”), which of course means Hamish is hard pressed to find someone who DIDN’T want to kill him.
Deanna Raybourn — A Treacherous Curse (Veronica Speedwell series) Newest in this series — I love Veronica Speedwell, female Victorian adventuress. In this one she has to find a murderer & debunk a so-called Egyptian mummy curse. This is one series I strongly urge you to read from the beginning (because I didn’t) and situations that are common knowledge in second and third books (and basis of plot of second) are part of the big secret in the first — if you’ve read the second first, you won’t enjoy the first so much because you’ll already know the “big secret” that gets revealed at the end.
Vicki Delaney — The Cat of the Baskervilles (Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series) This is probably my favorite “new” series (and you know I’m not a fan of “new” series because they’re frequently copies of “old” series). Gemma Doyle runs the Sherlock Holmes bookshop and is very much of a modern day Sherlock in the way she observes and notes and deduces things. In this book she has to solve the murder of an aging actor to save her best friend’s mother from being arrested.
Miranda James — Bless Her Dead Little Heart and Fixing to Die (Southern Ladies Mystery series) In January I read the second book in the series (Dead With The Wind) because my reading history showed I’d already read the first. And though I could remember the vague premise of the first — I couldn’t remember the story at all — so this month I reread the first (Bless Her Dead Little Heart) and so glad I did because now a lot of relationships make more sense! Also read the third (Fixing to Die). Now I’m not a huge fan of cat and/or dog heavy mysteries, I do enjoy this series because the dog and cat don’t completely take over the story (Unlike Diesel, whose series this is a spinoff from). I love the two elderly sisters solving mysteries. Great stuff. REALLY REALLY REALLY wish though that the author would bring back his Simon Kirby-Jones series — now THAT was a series with an original premise!!!!
Sarah Graves — Death by Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake (Death by Chocolate series) As mentioned by another reviewer (last month?) — this is the first in a “new” series — except the characters themselves aren’t new — they’re brought over from the author’s previous Home Repair is Homicide series. Now that series is finished & Jake Tiptree and her best friend Ellie have opened a bakeshop, hence “new” series — but with old characters & old backstories — which I wish the author had fleshed out a bit more, since I really don’t feel like rereading the whole previous series to remember all the previous character interactions. So they now have a bakeshop — and a murder occurs — of course it does — and Ellie is the prime suspect — of course she is — and Jake must solve the murder — of course she must & so she does, amid all kinds of other family emergencies going on. Good read, just wish previous backstory was explained a bit more.
Then there was one more book I read, can’t remember the name, but I’m sure you’ll recognize it by the plot. Newly single woman goes back to old hometown to run food service business with relative. A murder occurs on their premises & our sleuth must solve it before the local cops railroad her relative for the murder. She does so with the aid of her two boyfriends, one who is a sort-of cop and one who is not-a-cop. You know the one right? Well its got a beverage & some baked goods on the cover, now you know it, right?????
That was only partially tongue in cheek, as I’m very disappointed in the author (who has previously written original work) for jumping on the copycat series bandwagon. Ok, rant over. Baby crying. Bye now!
Linda MH says
Margaret,
Loved your write-ups for the Sarah Graves book and the “no-name” book! Thanks for starting my day with a laugh. Have a great day!!
MJ says
Margaret,
I was the one who posted the recommendation for the Sarah Graves ‘new’ series last month. I agree totally with your assessment – 100%!
Hopefully the author reads this blog and will do a MUCH better job of character background info in the next book!!
Nicole H says
I read Jana Deleon’s Soldier’s of Fortune. Funny with a decent story and not overly silly stuff. She is my pick me up out of a ugh mood author. I have read other books this month but didn’t keep track of them. Right now I am reading Murder at 42nd Street Library by Con Lehane and it is pretty good.
This monthly round up post is the greatest. Thank you to all that list your “have reads”.
Margaret StashEmpress says
Somehow missed these two on my list:
Nancy Herriman — No Pity for the Dead (Mystery of Old San Francisco series). Second in series, following No Comfort for the Lost. Celia Davis is a British born nurse running a free medical clinic for the poor women of San Francisco in the early 1900’s. A body turns up in a basement and Celia tries to uncover the truth to prevent her close friend’s husband from being arrested for the crime. A very strong independent female sleuth in a time when women weren’t supposed to be strong — or independent.
Miranda James — Digging Up the Dirt (Southern Ladies series). This is actually the third in the series, a storm overturns a huge old tree and a body is found buried in the roots. The sisters have to solve a murder and story of disappearances that occurred when they were young.