Although I have been doing a lot of summertime reading, this month I have focused on a few new-to-me authors. In fact, right now I have been trying another new-to-me author, and I just have not gotten to the point yet of being able to decide whether I can recommend this author, or not.
So, it’s the time when the rest of us would love to hear about books you’ve read this month that you really enjoyed. If you have one or two Cozy Mysteries that you read during August that you think the rest of us should definitely know about, please drop us a comment telling us why you liked the book(s) >>> so we can take a look at it/them. If you have a few more than two, go for it! Please list the ones you liked the most at the very top of the list, that way we’ll know those are the ones you liked the best!
As usual, please do not tell us about the Cozy Mysteries you did not like.
What really good Cozy Mystery book did you read during August 2015 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:
Ellery Adams: Book Retreat Mystery Series
Barbara Allan: Trash ‘n’ Treasures Mystery Series
Lucy Arlington (aka Susan Furlong): Novel Idea Mystery Series
Nancy Atherton: Aunt Dimity Mystery Series
Richard L. Baldwin: Murder at the Ingham County Fair (possibly not Cozy)
Lorna Barrett (aka Lorraine Bartlett & L.L. Bartlett): Booktown Mystery Series
Kathleen Bridge: Hamptons Home & Garden Mystery (Better Homes and Corpses, book #1)
Emily Brightwell: Mrs. Jeffries Mystery Series
Frances Brody: Kate Shackleton Mystery Series
Ellen Byron: Cajun Country Mystery Series
Lynn Cahoon: Tourist Trap Mystery Series
Dorothy Cannell: Florence Norris Mystery Series
Kate Carlisle: Bibliophile Mystery Series
E.J. Copperman (aka Jeffrey Cohen): Haunted Guesthouse Mystery Series
Isis Crawford (aka Laura Bradford): Mystery with Recipes Mystery Series
Lila Dare (aka Laura DiSilverio & Ella Barrick): Southern Beauty Shop Mystery Series
Krista Davis: Paws and Claws Mystery Series
Krista Davis: Domestic Diva Mystery Series
Wendy Sand Eckel: Murder at Barclay Meadow
Amanda Flower (aka Isabella Alan): Appleseed Creek Mystery Series
Susan Furlong (aka Lucy Arlington): Georgia Peach Mystery Series
Carolyn Hart: Death on Demand Mystery Series
A.L. Herbert: Mahalia Watkins Soul Food Mystery Series
Lee Hollis: Hailey Powell Food & Cocktail Mystery Series
Julie Hyzy: White House Chef Mystery Series
Darynda Jones: Charley Davidson Series (First Grave on the Right, book #1) (paranormal romantic suspense)
Jerusha Jones: Mayfield Mystery Series (Bait & Switch, book #1)
Sofie Kelly (aka Sofie Ryan): Magical Cats Mystery Series
Joyce and James Lavene (aka J.J. Cook & Ellie Grant): Pumpkin Patch Mystery Series
Kylie Logan (aka Miranda Bliss & Casey Daniels): League of Literary Ladies Mystery Series
Dixie Lyle: Whiskey, Tango, and Foxtrot Mystery Series
Mary Marks: Martha Rose Quilting Mystery Series
Margaret Maron: Deborah Knott Mystery Series
Jenn McKinlay (aka Josie Belle & Lucy Lawrence): Hat Shop Mystery Series
Carlene O’Neil: Cypress Cove Mystery Series
Katherine Hall Page: Faith Fairchild Mystery Series
Sandra Parshall: Rachel Goddard Mystery Series (The Heat of the Moon, book #1)
Hannah Reed (aka Deb Baker): Scottish Highlands Mystery Series
Maggie Sefton: Knitting Mystery Series
Denise Swanson: Scumble River Mystery Series
Leann Sweeney: Cats in Trouble Mystery Series
Lea Wait: Mainely Needlepoint Mystery Series
[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 won’t be commenting on your recommendations since your comments speak for themselves!
Brandy says
This month, I read Death of a Christmas Caterer and Death of a Cupcake Queen, both by Lee Hollis. The Hayley Powell Food and Cocktails Mystery series has a really fun cast of characters, interesting story lines, and yummy recipes. Bummed there are only 7 books in the series!
Paula Catherine says
I have been reading the White House Chef cozies by Julie Hyzy. They are great! The characters are true throughout the series. One I thought was particularly wimpy but thankfully he has been kicked to the curb! I love reading about the care and decision that is required of the Chef and staff on a daily basis. Ms. Hyzy does a terrific job with this series.
I have also finished Lila Dare’s series that takes place in the south. Grace Ann is a hair stylist who has returned to her home town after a divorce. I am hoping there will be more books in the series.
MJ says
As I finish reading a book, I usually write my comments at that time, while it’s still fresh in my mind. Then I keep it in a file in Word. HOWEVER, over a week ago my internet provider had several interruptions throughout the state by cut cables (or something like that). At first I could get Word files on a limited basis. Now I can’t access it at all. Thus the comments on books I had already written aren’t available to me. (And, I REALLY don’t want to take the time to rewrite them.)
I read the following three books in the last ten days. I’ll include the others (or some of them) in next month’s recommendations (assuming I can get this all ‘fixed’!).
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A Plain Malice – Amanda Flower
This is the final book (4th) in the Appleseed Creek Mystery series (which I finally got around to reading). I’ve often sung the praises of this series and this final installment does not disappoint. The publisher cancelled the series, so Ms. Flower self-published this book.
The characters are multi-faceted and so well developed. The story is intriguing, as there is conflict between the ‘English’ and the Amish. A tour bus from Mississippi is touring Amish country through three states. While in this small Ohio community two people suddenly die while observing a milking operation on an Amish farm.
Since this is the final book, the last page is somewhat predictable. However, the murder mystery is not. With clues, the reader can figure it out about 3/4 through the book, but it still is somewhat of a surprise.
This whole series is quite an enjoyable/informative read!
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One Foot in the Grape — Carlene O’Neil
I hadn’t heard of this author before and after looking at her web page it appears this is her first published book. Her bio states she is a former TV writer.
This book is set in a small community in California wine country. Penny Lively, the main character, is a former photojournalist who has returned to this community to take over a small winery after the death of her aunt. An old friend (Antonia) of her aunt’s asks Penny for her help in discovering who is trying to contaminate some of the wines at her own winery, the largest in the area.
There’s depth to many of the complicated characters. I liked the main characters from the beginning of the book. The action keeps this compelling story moving along at a rapid rate. There is descriptive writing of the area’s scenery and of the various wines. In addition, this author injects a little humor into her writing.
An author rises on my ‘esteem ladder’ when she mentions the main character is listening to NPR/PBS — obviously highly intelligent!!! O’Neil does so on page 117. In my estimation (at least based on this criteria) she now joins the ranks with other authors mentioning this same thing (Page, Maron, and Burdette) . Each of their protagonists/sleuths are also ‘highly intelligent’!!
Kudos to the author for an engaging FIRST book – hopefully this series will be a successful one. I’m looking forward to her next book.
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Murder in the Paperback Parlor – Ellery Adams
This is a book for all literary lovers. There are many quotes from several classics throughout the story. The author has utilized her creativity skills in developing an original concept for this story.
Jane Steward, a young widow and mother of 6 yr. old twin boys, is the VERY smart and savvy protagonist. She manages a hotel type mansion, set in the fictional touristy town of Storyton, VA. A romance writer’s conference is scheduled for Valentine’s Day week (take note, Danna). Of course, one of the writers is murdered.
However, it’s the side story (although, one could argue this is the more important story of the book) which makes this series so very interesting/creative. It involves a secret room in the mansion, housing several rare books. Several employees are highly trained to protect this room, including Jane. Of course, this adds to the complexity of the characters. It’s well-paced and a page turner, although some parts of the writing can get bogged down.
Ironically their are comments about author pseudonyms and ‘male authors’ writing in what one might consider a female genre!
I’ll take issue with one aspect of this series, though. I’m guessing that this author (Adams/J. Stanley) isn’t a mother because in both the first book and this one, there are scenes in which the 6 yr. old twins are left on their own and aren’t supervised. In this book, after Jane has some treats with her sons on Valentine’s Day in the kitchen of the mansion, she watches (from the mansion kitchen window) as they go across the yard with their treat bags to their own home. My reaction is, “no one is at their home to watch/babysit them!”. Six year-olds are way too young to be left unsupervised! I know, I know it’s fiction and a tiny issue, but any mom of small children should know better.
This is an exciting read, written by an author with a very creative mind.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
MJ, it sounds like you are experiencing an internet nightmare! I would be lost without all the files I keep all over my computer’s desktop
I was so glad to read your comment about Amanda Flower self-publishing a final installment for her Cozy Mystery fans. I wish some of the authors whose publishers dropped them several years ago (when it seemed like they were doing some very heavy-duty internal cleaning!) would self-publish more books in their series, or at least final installments that wrap their series up.
LindaMH says
Danna,
I, too, wish authors who have had series dropped would consider self publishing (even if it is just one more book to wrap things up). I’m sure it would be time-consuming and possibly costly to do so, but their readers would be so grateful. Kudos to Amanda Flower for doing this.
LindaMH says
MJ,
Thanks for reviewing One Foot in the Grape. I bought it on the day it was released and then stuck it in the middle of my TBR pile. Based on your review, I think I’ll move it up to the top. I love intelligent protagonists! So sorry you are having issues with your internet provider. Those kinds of things make me sooooo crazy!! Hope things get straightened out soon.
LindaMH says
I read lots of good books this month. These are my three favorites:
Plantation Shudders by Ellen Byron
This is the first book in the new Cajun Country Mystery series. What a fun read! Maggie Crozat returns home to Louisiana after the life she made in New York falls apart. Along with other activities, she helps out at her family’s B&B. Two elderly guests die within minutes of each other, and it is proven that one of them was murdered. When evidence points towards Maggie’s grandmother, and the stress of the situation is causing health issues for her mom, Maggie knows she needs to find the killer before her family loses everything.
I really enjoyed this book. It has all the elements I look for in a cozy mystery: likable characters, a great setting, a mystery that keeps you guessing, and the beginnings of a lovely romance. There are plenty of possible suspects (all with secrets) but not so many that the reader can’t keep them straight. Plantation Shudders is an entertaining debut to what I think will be a wonderful series. I’m looking forward to the next book.
Murder at Barclay Meadow by Wendy Sand Eckel
Recently separated Rosalie Hart has left her home and failing marriage and has moved to Barclay Meadow, a farm situated on the Cardigan River in Maryland. She finds the body of a young college student floating in the river near her home, and after learning a bit about the victim, begins to suspect the death isn’t an accident. When the sheriff refuses to investigate, she teams up with her new friends to find justice for the young woman.
I very much enjoyed Murder at Barclay Meadow. The story is well written, the location is lovely, and the characters are quite engaging. I really liked Rosalie. At times her sadness makes her vulnerable, which makes the reader want to see her succeed all the more. She’s sweet, kind and thoughtful and is working hard to reinvent herself after 20+ years of marriage. I enjoyed meeting her new friends and hope the author further explores their backgrounds in future books, and as with most cozy mysteries, there is the potential for possible romance. I found this to be an enjoyable debut.
Tried & True by Jerusha Jones
Tried & True is the fifth and last book in the Mayfield Cozy Mystery series. It is a great finale to an intriguing and delightful series. Nora, our protagonist, has worked diligently throughout this series to outwit Skip’s (her missing husband) money laundering clients, and she has been very successful so far. She is capable, intelligent, and thinks quickly on her feet. She only has a couple of Numeros left (she has assigned a number to each bad guy), and with the help of her good friends, devises a plan to get rid of the remaining criminals.
This book is filled with exciting moments, some sadness, and a very happy and satisfying ending. The author has surrounded Nora with a wonderful group of secondary characters. I’ve grown attached to all of them and will miss spending time with these people. This is a series that definitely needs to be read in order.
Hope everyone has a wonderful September!
Margaret M. says
I tried out a first in the new A Hamptons Home and Garden Mystery; BETTER HOMES AND CORPSES by Kathleen Bridge. I love the title! And since I love Montauk (the Hamptons are okay) where the main character Meg lives I thought I would give it a try. It is a fun mystery. Meg is likable and it had a bunch of those “dark and stormy night…..” kind of scenes. This story had that nice traditional mystery feel. My only complaint is there was a little too much misplaced romance. I just felt like it was stuck in there on, maybe, the editor’s request? But, if I could have taken that out, it was really a great story.
I am currently reading the GHOST AND MRS MEWER the second in the Paws and Claws Mysteries by Krista Davis. I love this series and although it is a Halloween theme and I am reading it a bit early; I could not wait to read it. I started it yesterday and have 100 pages left. Like the Domestic Diva Mysteries, these books are hard to put down. And I am always disappointed when I finish them; I wish they were longer.
Wanda Clsre says
Just read the latest installment of Krista Davis’ Domestic Diva. I just love this series! It’s all about chocolate (recipes included)?
Margaret StashEmpress says
This month I’ve been lucky to read quite a few really great books — many new releases in some of my very favorite series — and also some great new “first in series” books that left me looking forward to the next release.
Nancy Atherton — Aunt Dimity and the Summer King (Aunt Dimity series) — This is my all time favorite “feel good” cozy series. Sort of the flannel bunny of all cozies. This title involves cottages in the village mysteriously remaining empty, a visit from some awful aunts, and “The Summer King” a mysterious reclusive neighbor, that nobody but Lori has ever seen. Great fun!
Barbara Allan — Antiques Swap (Trash ‘n’ Treasures series) — This is one of my favorite “wild & wacky” cozy series. The further (mis)adventures of Brandy Borne & her mother Vivian. I just love so much about this series, its just too funny!
Isis Crawford — A Catered Mother’s Day (Mystery with Recipes) (I wonder what made them give the series that name, in that its pretty hard to find a cozy mystery these days WITHOUT recipes!!!) Another good story with sisters Libby & Bernie, who remind me very much of (a younger version of) the two cousins in Mary Daheim’s B & B series. This one really had me fooled till the very end — I swallowed the red herring — hook, line & sinker!
Joyce & James Lavene — Give ’em Pumpin To Talk About (Pumpkin Patch series) Joyce & Jim Lavene have another winning series here, chock full of tasty mystery ingredients. City girl Sarah coming home to the farm, grandparents who vanished without a trace 16 years previously, a mysterious homeless squatter (or is he?), rumors of hidden Confederate gold — and a few freshly dead bodies — all add up to a suspenseful page turner (screen swiper?) that I just couldn’t put down. Special bonus was a visit from Peggy Lee and her husband (of Peggy Lee Garden Mystery fame). Since Peggy’s husband Steve is a FBI agent who will try to aid Sarah in tracking down the missing grandparents, there’s a good chance we’ll see more of them in future books.
Carolyn Hart — Don’t Go Home (Death on Demand series) — I have loved this series for many years, and like most of the fans was very disappointed when the author announced that this would be the last title in the series. Thankfully she has reconsidered and the word is now that Annie and Max *will* return — HOORAY! In this book Annie has to solve the murder of a local bestelling author who comes home to Broward Rock to announce that the characters in his best selling book are all based on real life people in his life — and to expose their best kept secrets.
Dorothy Cannell — Death at Dovecote Hatch (Florence Norris series) — Cannell is also the author of the Ellie Haskell series, one of my long time favorite humorous mystery series. This book is the second title in the Florence Norris series (following Murder at Mullings) which has a totally different flavor than the Haskell series. The best way to describe this series – imagine Mrs. Hughes (housekeeper at Downton Abbey) as a sleuth…. In this title Florence sees a woman about to throw herself onto the railway tracks & pull back at the last moment. Later that day the same woman is found murdered in London and Florence has to get to the bottom of it…
Elaine Viets — Checked Out (Dead End Job series) — And yet another new release in one of my favorite series! This story involves Helen going undercover to solve a mystery revolving around a library.
M. C. Beaton — Agatha Raisin’s first case — novella prequal to the Agatha Raisin series. Normally I don’t care for novellas, but this one was quite good — had a definite mystery story, good plot, didn’t see the end coming at all. But more than that, it gave an insight into Agatha’s beginnings & actually made me like her! Until now, I’ve loved the books & read every one — but didn’t actually care for Agatha herself. After reading this, I’ve got a new sympathy for her & actually do like her! Who knew??? 😉
J.J. Cook (Joyce & Jim Lavene) — Hero’s Journey (Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade series) (novella) — Fire Chief Stella Griffin has to contend with a series of linked arsons and thefts while searching for the Fire Brigade’s missing Dalmation puppy Hero — who has been seen at the scene of one of the mysterious fires.
Victoria Laurie — Sense of Deception (Psychic Eye series) — Abby Cooper is a professional psychic & consultant to the FBI. In this book she is convinced of the innocence of a woman on death row for the murder of her own child — Abby is the only one who believes her innocent & has only a few days to find proof and solve the murder before the final appeal is denied & the woman is put to death.
Rhys Bowen — Malice at the Palace (Royal Spyness series) — One of my most favorite most loved series, so thrilled to finally get my hands on the new release! Georgie Rannoch, impoverished and 35th in line to the British throne is frequently at the mercy of her various relatives — including her cousins– the King and Queen — who ask her to discreetly solve mysteries. LOVE IT!!!!!
Kate Parker — The Vanishing Thief (Victorian Bookshop series) & The Counterfeit Lady & The Royal Assasin — This series is new to me — and I loved it so much that I read the first 3 volumes back to back — and can hardly wait for more! Georgia Fenchurch owns a bookshop in Victorian England, but also solves crime as part of the “Arcivist Society” (no, they don’t tell us how it got its name, I wish they would!) — which frequently has her working “undercover” among the upper crust of Victorian society to solve murders.
Joyce & Jim Lavene — Be My Banshee (Purple Door Detective Agency series) — First in another great new series by the oh-so-prolific Lavenes. Sunshine Merryweather is a young witch (only 75 or so) who runs the Purple Door Detective Agency, specializing in solving paranormal crimes. Her partner (a werewolf) has been mysteriously murdered so she now needs to hire a new partner — and to solve his murder. Enter a misplaced banshee named Aine….. (And no review of this book would be complete without mention of Jane, Sunshine’s secretary, who is a mouse… who shapeshifts into a woman… due to a magical “mistake”… )
Marty Wingate — The Garden Plot (Potting Shed Mystery series) & The Red Book of Primrose House — This series was new to me, I’ve now read the first two in the series & have the 3rd waiting on my kindle. Fifty-something American gardener Pru Parke moves to England to fulfil her lifelong dream of being head gardener on a major estate while tracking down her family roots. And solve murders. Very reminsicent of the TV series “Rosemary and Thyme”, though there is only the one sleuth here.
Julie Hyzy — All the President’s Menus (White House Chef series) — I love this series! This time White House chef Ollie Paras has to deal with temperemental visiting foreign chefs, assasination attempts, and put together a major formal dinner — all while shorthanded due to a government sequester.
Shelley Freydont — A Gilded Grave (Newport Gilded Age series) — First in a new series. LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! Even though it was over 400 pages, I loved every minute & can’t wait for more in this series. Great setting, great characters, love the sleuth (spunky debutante Deanna Randolph who isn’t quite ready to accept the “grown up” world of the idle rich woman of her day), gripping plot, couldn’t put it down.
Julie Hyzy — Grace Cries Uncle — (Manor House series) — I love both of Julie Hyzy’s series, though they’re both so different. This was a great installment in this series, there’s a mysterious *something* that everyone is after, including fake FBI agents & assorted strangers showing up at Grace’s door. It all ties in somehow to her sister Liza, who is trouble any way you look at it.
Lynn T. says
Margaret-Your recommendation of A Gilded Grave hooked me. It sounds really good. It is getting other good reviews too. I am ordering it for my Kindle. Thanks! There are so many books out there, I would have missed trying this book.
Mary g says
Hello. My latest cozy read for the summer was Katherine Hall Page’s ….The Body in the Birches….her 22nd Faith Fairchild mystery. (Now that’s an impressive record for a cozy writer!). The usual enjoyable cast of characters, now with a bit of teenage angst from son Ben, a murder of a beloved housekeeper, lots of 4th of July preparations and celebrations, some great recipes and an ending you don’t expect. This author is one of my favourites, always a good read with characters you would really like to meet, or have as a neighbour.
Rob says
I read your comments and have to admit that even though I’m not a mom, I agree with MJ, I think twins of that age are too young to be left unsupervised, also but as I said, I’m not a mom.
I did read that series also and I agree that it is a good read. I am always sorry when a book ends. I have to wait for what seems like forever to see a new book out by that author. There is a reason they are our favs, isn’t there?
I hope I can put a plug in for one of my favorite authors? A Victorian cozy by Emily Brightwell. She is so good that I read them over again while waiting for the new one! The newest, Mrs. Jeffries Wins the Prize is out early in 2016. But I am busy taking classes to re=up my tax preparation skills so I can both prepare taxes and be a receptionist in my office. Going on 15 years with H & R Block and I always look forward to a new season.
I hail from Michigan but I spent 10 years in Texas so I was in San Antonio in November of ’85’ and my family and I went to the River Walk and it was decorated for Christmas. We took the boat down the river walk and spotted a Mexican restaurant (is there any other kind=it is my favorite)! So we went there for dinner and it was, as you could expect-fabulous! We also saw the Alamo mission. I can attest to what Danna says about Texas weather. It is more bearable in the Spring and Fall. Winter isn’t bad unless you get a freak (for them-any snow or ice is freakish) snow storm which we had in ’83’.
One of our Michigan authors that I have recently discovered, Richard L. Baldwin is very good and I just finished “Murder at the Ingham County Fair”. I’ve gone on to request more of his work. I don’t know how the rest will be so I just wanted to give him a mention.
Rob J
Fur Everywhere says
I love that you invite readers to recommend books!
The cozy mystery I read in August I love most was The Cat, the Sneak, and the Secret by Leann Sweeney. I love that it has cats as part of the main characters in the book. I also loved that I didn’t know who committed the murder until the very end. The book is written in such a way that I felt I was part of the story! This was the first of Leann Sweeney’s books I’ve read. It’s the 7th book in the Cats in Trouble Mystery series, but it can definitely be read as a stand-alone. I highly recommend this one, especially if you love cats. 🙂
MJ says
Fur Everywhere, I just finished reading (10 minutes ago) The Cat, the Sneak and the Secret. I’m NOT much of a cat/kitten fan, BUT I am a Leann Sweeney fan. I’ve read all the books in this series and in her Yellow Rose series, enjoying them all.
I think there’s a bit too much emphasis on the ‘cats’ in this series. HOWEVER Ms. Sweeney always writes a good mystery. Her main characters are engaging with a lot of warmth, depth, and substance.
I always feel sad, when there’s loss of a familiar recurring character. Although I think (??) I can figure out why — it’s probably because of the direction Ms. Sweeney plans to take with future books. There are several twists and turns to the plot with the culprit somewhat of a surprise. AND, the final chapter is the best (for those of us that have been following the ‘romance saga’ from book one)!
Fur Everywhere is right — it can be read as a stand-alone. Sweeney does a good job of explaining character backgrounds. But to fully understand the complexities of the characters, I prefer to start with the first book.
I just wanted to reiterate Fur Everywhere’s comments — it is really a good read (even if you don’t care for cats!).
Kimmie says
I read three books during August, but only two are worthy of recommending. Both are 1st books in their respective series. These books are comprised of everything a cozy should be: Quirky characters that you either like or dislike, a great mystery story and some back story info to go along with it, cozy location and some funny moments sprinkled throughout.
**Thanks to the reader who recommended Kylie Logan’s series last month! The 1st book was wonderful and I have purchased the others in the series!**
Mayhem at the Orient Express by Kylie Logan (League of Literary Ladies Series)
Murder of a Small Town Honey by Denise Swanson (Scumble River Mystery Series)
mary says
Hi Linda, I read Murder With Fried Chicken and Waffles and I liked the book and I think the best line in the book was from Wavonne: She said she looks like a Gold Digging Heifer! I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good cozy mystery.
Mary says
Hi Linda, I read Peaches and scream just recently and it was a very good book. I loved the peach recipes at the end of the book. I would recommend this book.
Mary says
Hi Linda, I read E.J. Cpperman’s A Chance Of A Ghost and Old Haunts They were both good books and the things Alison has to go thru because of her ghostly companions Paul and Maxie. It will make you laugh out loud at some of her antics! I would recommend this book to anyone who would like a good read.
Marla says
I was on a reading vacation, but many books were not cozies. The ones that were are:
Ripped from the Pages by Kate Carlisle
Played by the Book by Lucy Arlington
A Fatal Chapter by Lorna Barrett
Purl Up and Die by Maggie Sefton
Poisoned Ground by Sandra Parshall
The ladies I go on vacation with have agreed that Sandra Parshall is an excellent read. We differ opinions on the rest of my list, but Sandra Parshall is tops!
Hilary says
I read five mysteries this month and they were all good reads I highly recommend.
I read two ‘first in a series’ books:
“A Taste Fur Murder” (Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot Mysteries) by Dixie Lyle. The was a clever, quirky, and humorous paranormal mystery. The scenes involving the ghost animals in the pet cemetery were highly imaginative. I loved this book and am looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
“First Grave on the Right” (Charley Davidson Series) by Darynda Jones. Charlotte “Charley” Davidson is a cross between Stephanie Plum and Melinda Gordon from the Ghost Whisperer tv series. Charley is a P.I. and police consultant for the Albuquerque PD, but she can also see and talk to the dead because she’s the Grim Reaper. She’s the person who must help the dead cross over into the light and sometimes that includes solving their murders first. Like Stephanie Plum, Charley has her own “Ranger”, but his name is Reyes and he’s a bit “otherworldly”. This was a hard-to-put down, fun read.
The others were books from the middle of series I very much enjoy reading: “The Diva Digs Up the Dirt” (Domestic Diva Mysteries) by Krista Davis, “At the Drop of a Hat” (London Hat Shop Mysteries) by Jenn McKinlay, and “Copycat Killing” (Magical Cats Mysteries) by Sofie Kelly.
Terrym says
I read two books this month that I really liked:
Off Kilter by Hannah Reed
Eden Elliott goes to Scotland to research a book. On the flight over, she meets Vicki Macbride. The mystery begins right away when Vicki is accused of murdering the local sheep shearer. Vicki is in Scotland because of her father’s funeral. She inherits because she is the only child of his first marriage. The children of his second marriage are upset and this leads to several suspects. I liked the characters but I also liked the setting of Scotland, I felt like I was there. This is the first book of this series but I hope there are more.
Gone but Knot Forgotten Mary Marks A quilting mystery
This is the third book in this series and I have liked each one. Martha Rose is a quilter and with the help of her friends, Lucy and Birdie, they solve murders. Martha is a well developed character and she feels like a real person. Martha is shocked when she receives a phone call that her childhood friend Harriet Oliver has passed away and Martha is the executor. Martha has not heard from her friend for over 20 years but she is surprised she has been a wealthy recluse for many years. Martha digs in to her friend’s death and finds another body and also has to solve the mystery of missing items especially a valuable quilt.
Kathie says
Read the new Margaret Maron, Long Upon the Land. Well written as always, but the treat is the backstory on how Judge Deborah’s upper crust Mother met and married her bootlegger Father.
Janice says
I read a number of good books this month some of which have already been mentioned. I read the newest Lynn Cahoon book, Killer Run. I enjoy the relationships between all of the characters in this series and the ocean setting. Lea Wait’s new book, Threads of Evidence, was also very good. I like the fact that the main character is a woman with doubts and flaws rather than the confident superwoman of some series. The first book in a new series Better Homes and Corpses by Kathleen Bridge introduced a new element that I haven’t seen before in a cozy (I won’t give it away since the author introduces it part way into the story) and it made for an interesting read. I also very much enjoyed Plantation Shutters by Ellen Byron. I have a problem with books set in the environment of old Southern plantations if they glorify the past without acknowledging the terrible human suffering that is part of that history. The author did a very nice job of addresssing this issue without be heavy handed. I’m looking forward to the next book in both of these new series.
Ruth says
I was given a bag of books by a friend and found Frances Brody’s first and Second novels. These were a great find for me and I love reading them both. Like Winspear, this is a female detective in end of WWII out in the country side seeking answers to lost soldiers, and generally life in English counties. I am looking forward to reading all of her books.
Joppy says
An author I’ve just discovered, and devoured all four (currently) available e-books on a recent holiday in Dorset, is Issy Brooke, who writes cozies based around my home county of Lincolnshire in the UK.
They are under the generic title of “Some Very English Murders” and feature an ‘incomer’ to a small town who, in the first book, stumbles across a body and it goes from there. She is pushy, nosy, doesn’t take advice/instruction easy (especially the police orders to keep out of things) and goes to town questioning anyone with any connection to the current case.
The author has a website – http://www.issybrooke.com
Recommended.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Joppy, thanks for telling us about Issy Brooke‘s Some Very English Murders Mystery Series.
Ruth says
Thanks for the cozy suggestion to this new author! I love when the first book is so good that you devour everything written by them. I will follow up on it!