We’d love to read about your favorite Cozy Mystery books for the month of June. If you have more than one Cozy you think is particularly good, please put the one you liked the most at the very top of your list.
Please do not tell us about the Cozy Mysteries you did not like.
What really good Cozy Mystery book did you read during June 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:
Barbara Allan: Trash ‘N’ Treasures Mystery Series
Lorna Barrett (aka Lorraine Bartlett & L. L. Bartlett): Booktown Mystery Series
Jenna Bennett (aka Jennie Bentley & Bente Gallagher): Savannah Martin Mystery Series
Claudia Bishop (aka Mary Stanton): Hemlock Falls Mystery Series
Lawrence Block: Bernie Rhodenbarr Mystery Series
Duffy Brown: Consignment Shop Mystery Series
Kate Carlisle: Bibliophile Mystery Series
Nancy Coco (aka Nancy J. Parra): Candy-Coated Mystery Series
Kate Collins: Flower Shop Mystery Series
J.J. Cook (aka Joyce and Jim Lavene & Ellie Grant): Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery Series
Isis Crawford (aka Barbara Block): Mystery with Recipes Mystery Series
Mary Daheim: Emma Lord Mystery Series
Jeanne M. Dams: Dorothy Martin Mystery Series
Krista Davis: Domestic Diva Mystery Series
Hannah Dennison: Honeychurch Hall Mystery Series
Mae Fox & Jan Fields: Vineyard Quilt Mystery Series
Emma Jameson: Lord and Lady Hetheridge Mystery Series (Ice Blue, book #1)
Sofie Kelly (Sofie Ryan): Magical Cats Mystery Series
Annie Knox (aka Wendy Lyn Watson): Pet Boutique Mystery Series
Joyce and Jim Lavene (aka J.J. Cook & Ellie Grant): Missing Pieces Mystery Series
Joyce and Jim Lavene (aka J. J. Cook & Ellie Grant): Peggy Lee Garden Mystery Series
Edith Maxwell (aka Maddie Day & Tace Baker): Local Foods Mystery Series
Julie Moffett: Lexie Carmichael Mystery Series (No One Lives Twice, book #1)
Tim Myers (aka Elizabeth Bright, Melissa Glazer, Chris Cavender, Casey Mayes, Jessica Beck, & D.B. Morgan): Candlemaking Mystery Series
Kathryn O’Sullivan: Colleen McCabe Mystery Series (Foal Play, book #1)
Katherine Hall Page: Faith Fairchild Mystery Series
Nancy J. Parra (aka Nancy Coco): Baker’s Treat Mystery Series
Penny Pike (aka Penny Warner): Food Festival Mystery Series
Linda Reilly: Deep Fried Mystery Series (Fillet of Murder, book #1)
M.L. Rowland: Search and Rescue Mystery Series (Murder Off the Beaten Path, book #2)
Annelise Ryan (aka Allyson K. Abbott): Mattie Wintson Mystery Series
Jeff Shelby (aka Jeffrey Allen): Moose River Mystery Series
Ashley Weaver: Murder at the Brightwell
[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 try to respond to all of the comments on the Cozy Mystery blog except for the comments on the monthly recommendation entries because they speak for themselves!
booklass says
Black and Blue by Emma Jameson. Fourth, I believe, in the series. Amusing banter, very British.
MJ says
June Recommendations – 2015
Ripped From the Pages – Kate Carlisle
I just finished this book on Saturday and it went to the top of the list as my choice for best book I’ve read this month. While their SF home is being renovated, Brooklyn and Derek return to Dharma, the CA wine country commune where her family lives. I REALLY missed this BIZZARE family in the last book, so I was excited to see they are all included in this story. Carlisle is a very detailed writer. Since the main character (Brooklyn) restores old books, there is extensive info about the process. I’m not interested in that, so there are many paragraphs I can skip over. However, much detail in the story line has an interesting historical aspect. A stash of art objects and antiques is found in a cave, brought to this community by some French citizens, relocating there when they escaped France during a Nazi invasion. A body is found in the cave – murdered some 70 years ago.
Since Saturday was very dreary, rainy (over 2.5” – ugh!), and windy (gusts over 50mph – ugh!), I didn’t go anywhere and read most of it in one day. It is a page turner, but not necessarily a ‘quick read’ because the detail slows down a story. I LOVE the central characters which are all richly developed. The plot(s) are somewhat complex, but intriguing and engaging. There is quick witted dialogue, plus several humorous family situations – so-o-o enjoyable.
My favorite books in this series are (1) those that are set in Dharma involving Brooklyn’s wacky family, (2) those teaming Derek (Brooklyn’s super spy boyfriend) with her in the solution of the mystery (WONDERFUL interaction between the two, plus great dialogue/banter), AND with that, (3) throw in a dash of the mysterious Gabriel. These three components hit the jackpot in a terrific/enjoyable read. Perfect! Kudos to the author for one of the best stories (perhaps the best) in this series! LOVE it! (And, yes, it can be read out of sequence fairly easily.)
Comment: BTW, it is somewhat ironic that three books I’ve read this month (all new releases) have an art and antique theft/relevance to the plot!
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Body in the Birches – Katherine Hall Page
This is a strange book from this author in this series. Don’t get me wrong – it is very good. Page is an excellent story teller and writer. However, I’m not sure it can really be defined as a ‘mystery’. Yes, a murder occurs, but there is NO investigation by Faith (series protagonist). A solution occurs at the end, but only because another murder attempt is made. And, Faith isn’t even ‘present’ when this takes place. It reads far more like a novel than a ‘mystery’. The mystery storyline is very passive.
This is a story about families, set in Maine during 4th of July festivities. One storyline centers around Sophie Maxwell and her dysfunctional family with all their complexities. An aunt recently died leaving the decision as to who will inherit the family compound up to the uncle. All family members come to Maine to try to persuade the uncle they should be the one to inherit, causing much angst and competition. However, I take issue with the romance storyline. Sophie is a highly intelligent lawyer who gave up her ‘ideal’ job for ‘the love of her life’. After a nine month relationship she finds him in bed with someone else. Of course, that ends the relationship. BUT what highly intelligent woman would then jump into another relationship with a man she’s only known a few weeks, calling him ‘her beloved’? I call her ‘desperate!
BUT, then this is FICTION and oftentimes an author will create unbelievable situations (or take ‘literary license). I only mention this because it is so highly unusual for this very intellectual author to ‘dumb down’ a character. However, since this is the 22nd book in the series and the first time I’ve noticed a ‘gaff’ like this, I guess her batting average is very good!
The second storyline is about Faith and her children. They are staying with the mother of a friend while their island home is being renovated. Tom (husband) is called out of town to help his ailing mother – so is not present in this story. (We all know ‘liberties’ can be taken with ‘fiction’, but how does a minister get every summer off to spend it in Maine?) The children are 15 and 12, thus gaining some independence to the chagrin of Faith.
Again, it is a very good read, with a lot of vivid portrayals – something this author excels at. Be sure to read the acknowledgements at the end……………..it details how Ms. Page decided to write this story in this particular way. It certainly is an outlier in the series. It definitely can be a ‘stand alone’ – no need to read the previous books in the series to enjoy this one.
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Gentle Art of Murder – Jeanne Dams
Danna will be pleased at the length of this book – 216 pages!!! It is a very well-paced book, not all of Dams books in this series are. The story focuses on the Arts Dept. at a local university in Sheresbury, England. A much hated dept. head is found dead in an elevator shaft. Dorothy Martin (protagonist) and her husband (former police chief) are present when the body is found. Obviously they feel it important to ‘investigate’. Another faculty member goes missing. There are numerous twists and turns to the story, which makes it an intriguing/enjoyable mystery. As always, the characters are complex and well developed.
Penny Brannigan (character from Elizabeth Duncan’s series) makes an ‘appearance’. She visits Dorothy and Alan for an afternoon in Sheresbury. An interesting crossover tie between these two author’s series.
It’s a good read!
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Fillet of Murder – Linda Reilly
This is a first in new series book. I’m not sure why I’m recommending it, except that I liked it. It has fairly typical scenarios. Protagonist Talia Marby quits a job in Boston she disliked (typical) and ends a 4 year relationship with an egocentric boyfriend (typical). She goes back to her hometown and helps a friend in a Fish n Chips diner while seeking another professional position (somewhat typical). The proprietor of a neighboring shop is murdered (typical).
The writing in the beginning is somewhat slow/trivial. I considered putting it down, but I was drawn to the characters, which are effectively fleshed out. THEN it proceeded quickly, becoming a real page turner. I didn’t want to put it down. The conclusion is really unexpected.
However, all-in-all, I really liked it because it was a ‘feel good’ book. In other words, when all was said and done, I wore a happy smile. I still think of it with warm feelings. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.
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Farmed and Dangerous – Edith Maxwell
I hesitate to recommend this book because it is laden with a lot of organic farming detail. HOWEVER, it is a good mystery story with an array of interesting characters. Cam (protagonist) is savvy and intelligent She manages an organic farm in Massachusetts. This is set in January with snow/blizzards. So those that like to read winter themed books in winter, you may want to hold off on this one.
An adversary to many in this community is murdered in an assisted living facility. Since Cam’s great-uncle lives there, she has a vested interest in seeking a solution. TWO CROSSOVER’S in this book. Cam mentions getting some Maple Syrup from Dani Greene in N.H. (character from J. Crockett series). She also buys some ‘Pawsitively organic pet food’ for a dog (Liz Mugavero’s series)!
So far there has been a predictability with each book in this series – Cam always finds herself in two harrowing situations. The story moves along quickly with some interesting twists to the plot. As for all the organic info – I skip over it. I really enjoy this series because it is smart, smart, smart!
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Fatal Chapter – Lorna Barrett
Hmmm………………….this book is certainly difficult to expound upon without giving anything away. In the ninth book of this series there are personality transplants (perhaps turnabouts is a better word). Also with this book, this series pivots and sets a different direction – a transformation of sorts.
I wondered how far in advance an author plans future books. Would she plan 9 or 10 books ahead? A huge revelation in this series started in a previous book, but I don’t know if it was the first one, the fifth one, or the last one (and, I’m not going back to read them all again to find out).
The ‘mystery’ plot is ok, but it’s the other story lines I found more intriguing, holding my interest page after page. There’s a lot of fascinating character interaction, but no ‘romantic’ story line. I disagree with the ending (most likely you will, too). It’s a shocker, somewhat unusual for this author and a cozy, but it is what it is.
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Threads of Deceit – Mae Fox, Jan Fields
What a delightful book with a totally different take on the amateur sleuth (Julie Ellis). She has a ‘questionable’ past where she retrieved antiques, and in a Robin Hood way would give them away.
Deceit and subterfuge’ come easily for this protagonist. She and her friend Hannah move to a small MO town to ‘hide’ because in her last adventure she irritated the mob.
She lands a position running a B&B and Hannah is the cook. A historian comes to town to excavate a ship. His friend is murdered and the search for a solution begins. Julie uses her masterful (??) skills of picking locks, etc. to acquire information.
I think I picked up this book to read because it was recommended on this site. It’s very fast moving, witty, smart, and a thoroughly enjoyable read. It is fairly short with just over 200 pages. I couldn’t get a ‘fix’ on the authors, though (NOTHING is mentioned about them in the book). It appears the second author (Fields, in this case) varies with each book. And, if you read the title page, this series is created by somebody totally different.
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Oh Say Can You Fudge – Nancy Coco
Flourless to Stop Him – Nancy Parra
This list is getting WAY too long, so I’ll mention these books together because they are by the same author. ‘Oh Say Can You Fudge’ is set on Mackinac Island (MI) during July, w/emphasis on the 4th – perfect timing to read this book now! The creative/inventive plot involves fires being set around the area. Allie is the amateur sleuth and ‘fudge maker’. Several interesting fudge recipes are included.
‘Flourless To Stop Him’ is the gluten free bakery series, set in KS. Toni is the protagonist. A body is found in the bathtub of a local inn. The room is registered to Toni’s brother. LOTS and lots of ‘family interaction’ in this book. HOWEVER it is set at holiday time with numerous references to xmas activities, decor, gifts, etc. The reader may want to hold off on this one for a few more months.
Both books have enjoyable, winsome characters (LOVE grandma in the gluten free series). Both have exciting plot twists, the fudge series story has a particular unexpected ending.
Comment: I haven’t read the third (just released) book, ‘Body of Evidence’ by Parra yet. This is second book in the series she writes with J. Hyzy. But I wanted to comment that this author had three books (from three different series) released in the space of two months!! Couldn’t the publisher (Berkley/Penguin) of ‘Flourless To Stop Him’ wait until the Fall to release a holiday themed book? ‘Body of Evidence is also published by Berkely/Penguin, whereas the fudge shop series is published by Kensington (probably the reason for the pseudonym).
Danna - cozy mystery list says
(MJ, 216 pages >>> My kind of Cozy! Also, you could very well have a point regarding the pseudonyms!)
Rob says
Danna et all: I have been reading Claudia Bishop’s Hemlock Falls series and enjoy all that I have read so far. Mary Stanton is the
author and Bishop writes a few series under that pen name-all delightful, including the goat and the turkey. I am really hooked on the Hemlock Falls series and characters though. So I have ordered everything my library can get it’s hands on-hopefully all as I can’t afford to buy any right now. Am working on Dread on Arrival and Murder Well Done. I have “A Steak in Murder” in my purse. You can see what I mean. This series is a winner and I’m not done scarfing them all up.
A happy day when I have my dog’s belly being petted in one hand and Claudia Bishop in the other! True Bliss.
I hope you all have a safe and happy July 4th.
Rob
Stash Empress says
I love reading MJ’s reports because, among other reasons, you’re reading all the books I’ve got on my TBR list LOL. In this case I read a couple of the same & find your comments on the Katharine Hall Page title very interesting. I too read that book this month & totally loved it. I didn’t realize — til I just read your review — that it was indeed written differently from her previous titles. However I love her rich character development & have been watching her children grow up since birth, so those parts of the story were very interesting & enjoyable to me — perhaps they would not have been so if I had not read all the (many) previous titles in the series. (And I did not notice Sophie calling anyone her “beloved” — I thought she was in a rather adversarial relationship with the new man practically till the very end — how did that get by me???)
However I did not read the acknowledgements at the end that you mention & have already returned the book to the library & now am very curious as to what I missed there!!!
Kim says
Wonderful reviews from MJ. I so appreciated the time you took to share your insights ….not everyone is so motivated and kind enough to make that effort.
On a slightly different topic..I am increasingly appreciating how the setting in which I read enhances not only the immediate experience but also the memory of it. I love to curl up in the sun on our porch, ice tea on the table with my book stash ready to be explored. Equal to that is my bed, lots of pillows and a pile of books beside me. I remember my childhood library which had creaky wooden floors, the smell of old books and the latest Nancy Drew waiting for me.
I am looking forward to checking out your recommendations …
ChloeT says
I’m still looking for a repeat of Chocolate Chip murder mystery. I forget the whole name. I think it was supposed to be tonight, but I can’t find it.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
ChloeT, I just checked the Upcoming Television Mystery Movies for June 2015 and see that Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery will be one tonight, at 6:00 PM Central time zone.
ChloeT says
I watched, I’m still not clear on the name, Murder She Baked, a Chocolate Chip Mystery. It was enjoyable. But I like the Aurora Teagarden movie more. A Bone To Pick. I’d like to see more of these movies. And I’d like to know if any of these cozy books are available on Kindle?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
ChloeT, all of the Cozy Mystery books the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel has aired are available in Kindle format:
Charlaine Harris: A Bone to Pick AND Real Murders
Joanne Fluke: Chocolate Chip Murder
Peter King: The Gourmet Detective
Sheila in CT says
In the month of June I completed getting caught up with my favorite author: Victoria Thompson
Murder on Sisters Row
Murder on Fifth Avenue
Murder in Chelsea
Murder in Murray Hill
Murder on Amsterdam Avenue
Looking forward to her next installment – Murder on St. Nicholas Avenue.
I also read The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss by Krista Davis and enjoyed it immensely.
Rob says
Sheila, Have you read “Murder on 5th Avenue-the newest is very good as well. I like Thompson a lot and you can see the relationship with Sarah and Frank developing as well. A great series. If you like that kind of social statement of the times, you might like Anne Perry’s Thomas and Charlotte Pitt’s and William and Hester Monk’s Victorian and Edwardian mysteries. If you want to see how Thomas and Charlotte started, try The Cater Street Hangman.
Sheila in CT says
Rob. I have read all of Victoria Thompson’s Gaslight series (some of them twice). Thanks for mentioning the Anne Perry’s series. I’ll add them to my TBR list.
Jonathan says
This month I read a lot of great mysteries but I mainly caught up on the two larger series that I’m really enjoying now; the Flower Shop series and the Domestic Diva Series.
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Snipped in the Bud, Acts of Violets, A Rose from the Dead, and Shoots to Kill — all by Kate Collins
I really love this series. The first book wasn’t anything special, but from the second on all of the books have been above average, enjoyable reads that you can read quick. When I read a book I don’t want it to take me 10 minutes to get through a sentence, I want a book that I can enjoy and get into relatively quickly, and these books perfectly fit that bill. Highly recommend this series!
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The Diva Digs Up the Dirt, The Diva Frosts a Cupcake, The Diva Wraps it Up, The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss — all by Krista Davis
Another lighthearted but very good mystery series. These mysteries were wonderful and complex from book one. I finally am caught up in the series but I can’t wait for the next one! Again, I highly recommend this!
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In Hot Water — J.J. Cook
I really enjoyed the first two books in this series and this one was no let down! If you’re looking for a fun mystery with a ghost and a setting that is different, this is the series for you. I’m looking forward to the next one!
Margaret M. says
I LOVE The Consignment Shop Mysteries by Duffy Brown, DEMISE IN DENIM did not disappoint me. Very clever mysteries with other related “stories” mixed in. As always very fast paced with so many laugh-out-loud moments. I always have trouble putting the book down once I start reading. The characters are colorful, quirky and fun. And it is set in Savannah, a beautify city, and she writes it as it is; it is almost like another character.
I am currently reading DEATH OF A CRABBY COOK by Penny Pike. So far so good. It is a pretty easy read and the main characters Darcy and Aunt Abby are very likeable. Cousin Dillion is pretty funny. This is a new to me series, it takes place in San Francisco (another visited city I love) and I wish the city played more of a part in the story. But the it is pretty witty and I am enjoying it.
Lynn T. says
Murder at Honeychurch Hall by Hannah Dennison
How well do you know your mum? Kat Stanford thought she knew her mother very well. Iris (Kat’s mum) is recently widowed after 49 years of married life. Kat has decided to leave her television job and start an antique store. She plans living with her mother above the store in London. When phoning her mother, she finds out that her mother has purchased a dilapidated carriage house about 200 miles from London. Her mother has recently broken her hand. Kat travels to see and help out her mother. She also hopes to find out what in the world is going on and to bring her mother back to London.
It turns out that Iris has many secrets that Kat and her father did not know. This book is just plain fun. Kat and Iris relationship had me smiling. Iris was always surprising her daughter. The location was Devon, England and on the estate of Honeychurch Hall. The Honeychurch family has lived there for many generations and the servants are all relatives of past Honeychurch servants. They are all eccentric and zany. The discovery of a murdered person happened in the second half of the book.
I enjoyed this book very much. It seems to me that the author must have enjoyed herself writing this story. I can see her writing with a smile on her face. I thought of Charlotte MacLeod when I read this book as I could always see her writing with a smile on her face.
Stash Empress says
I totally adored that book, like you say it was just plain fun! This month I read the second book in the series — Deadly Desires At Honeychurch Hall. By all means get your hands on it as soon as possible — you won’t be disappointed!
Paula Catherine says
I am addicted to the novels by Barbara allan’s Trash – Treasure series. They are wonderful, interesting and the characters are totally flawed and very likable.
I have also discovered The Mattie Winston Series by Annelise Ryan. She is a nurse, as I am and her writing is very detailed about her employment in the Medical examiners office which may be a turn off for some, but not for me!
So many times the protagonists in a cozy mystery are perfect, with perfect figures, the most up to date fashions, and perfect employees so they can be MIA from their place of business. Not so much with these two series. Very enjoyable and a big thank you to Danna for having them on the Cozy Mystery list.
janie says
A Watery Death by Jim & Joyce Laverne…the missing pieces mysteries. Make sure you start from the first mystery. They are wonderful along with the Renaissance Fair Mysteries…next installment due June 7th.
Stash Empress says
Yes it was amazing & yes the next Ren Fair book is next on my list — I’m just crazy about the Lavenes & their many series — I just wish I knew how they manage to be so prolific — AND to keep so many stories straight!
Stash Empress says
Actually read quite a fair amount of good books this month (as well as some lemons!). And I think a record number of new releases — What can I say — the Library Fairy was very good to me this month!
Annie Knox– Groomed for Murder (Pet Boutique series) — This is the second in the series, but new to me. Another pet/food fusion,
centers around a boutique that sells pet items, including homemade pet treats (yes, *another*one!) — however I actually enjoyed it very much & plan to locate the first one in the series to get caught up. (And yes, I did figure out almost immediately “who dunnit”, but didn’t know the reason why till it comes out at the end).
Mary Daheim — The Alpine Zen (Emma Lord series). While I haven’t been too thrilled with the last few titles in this long running series, I had to read this one because it was supposed (assumed?) to be the last of the series & I wanted to see how it ends. Well I was pleasantly surprised, this title was actually a lot better than some of the previous titles — and while some things do seem to get tied up by the end, it turns out that this is *not* the end of the line.
According to the author’s blog, she will continue to be writing the series (and we all have to wait to see how she will be naming them going forward, since she’s already used up the letters A-Z in the
26 existing titles!)
Isis Crawford — A Catered Xmas Cookie Exchange (Mystery with Recipes series) (and that’s pretty funny, considering how very MANY mystery series include recipes!!!!) — another good adventure with Bernie & Libby, this time trying to find out who murdered an elderly cookie baker & went to great lengths to make it look like an ordinary traffic accident.
Joyce and Jim Lavene — Killing Weeds (A Peggy Lee Gardening Mystery) — this is the newest installment in this series by the Lavenes and they just seem to get better and better. In this title a seemingly unrelated series of crimes all seem to come back to Peggy Lee & it looks like someone is trying to destroy everything she holds dear — from scamming and vandalizing her business, to framing her son for murder, to killing her favorite tree — in her own home — this time it seems to be personal — but who could possibly hate Peggy Lee that much?
Joyce and Jim Lavene — Buried by Buttercups (A Peggy Lee Gardening Mystery) (novella) — short in the Peggy Lee series, good fun, too short.
Joyce and Jim Lavene — A Watery Death (A Missing Pieces Mystery) — this is the latest in the Missing Pieces series, which is one my favorite of the Lavenes’ series — and again — they just seem to get better and better with each installment! In this one we have merfolk accused of murder, a time traveling grandmother and a pet
psychic — does it get any better? (Oh and I love this — Dae gets a visit in her store from Peggy Lee, her husband Steve & dog Shakespeare from the Peggy Lee series by the same authors. I just love that!)
Denise Swanson — A Finger in Every Lie (standalone short story). Very well written short story with engaging characters — wonder if its a toe in the water with an eye towards possibly developing a new series?
Hannah Dennison — Deadly Desires at Honeychurch Hall (Honeychurch series) — this is the second installment in this series. I just LOVE this series — its like Downton Abbey set in the modern day — with a host of wild & wacky characters roaming the halls — SO MUCH FUN!!!
Sue Ann Jaffarian — The Silent Ghost (Ghost of Granny Apples) (novella) & Dummy of a Ghost (novella) These are both novellas that focus on Kelly Whitecastle, who seems to have inherited her mother Emma’s powers — and the help of the ghost of Granny Apples as well. I just love Granny Apples, no matter who the rest of the
characters are!
Donald Bain, Jessica Fletcher — Killer in The Kitchen (Murder She Wrote series) — the latest in this dear old favorite series. We all love Jessica. Need I say more?
Jeanne M. Dams — The Gentle Art of Murder (Dorothy Martin). This is the newest release in this old favorite series & doesn’t disappoint. This time Dorothy Martin & her retired police detective husband Alan Nesbitt are searching for a murderer in the art college. One of the things I love about this series, is that even though it does
take place in current time, and everyone does own cellphones (mobiles) and computers & so on — the technology is downplayed & the books have the feel of old time mysteries, such as Miss Marple & those times.
Carolyn Haines — Bone to Be Wild (Sarah Booth Delaney series) & Smarty Bones. Working my way backwards through this series, mainly because I happened to come across Booty Bones a few months ago (which was the newest release at that time), picked it up & loved it — so decided to work my way backwards. Now I have to tell
you that while I loved both of these, if you’re going to read them both, by all means do read Smarty Bones FIRST (which I didn’t do, due to what was available at my library first) — because while not all the books are spoilers for previous books, in this case Bone to Be Wild relies heavily on the backstory of Smarty Bones — so when I
started Smarty Bones, I realized I already knew whodunnit — which was someone I would have never guessed if I hadn’t read the other book first! But one of the things I love about this series is that the stories are multi-layered — in other words — its not just — body found, murderer found, story over — rather — there are a number of things going on at once — so even if someone is not the murderer, they might be involved in some other crime going on — or might not even be who you think they are….
Elizabeth J. Duncan, — Never Laugh as a Hearse Goes By (Penny Brannigan series) — This is another series I love. Something about the way the characters are portrayed — even though I have no connection to Wales — and have never had a manicure 😉 — I’m somehow drawn to these characters & their lives & want very much
to know what happens to them.
Susan Wittig Albert — Bittersweet ( China Bayles series) — another new release — excellent storytelling once again. Susan Wittig Albert never disappoints.
Diane Vallere, Kendel Lynn, Gigi Pandian –Other People’s Baggage (3 interconnected novellas, which are in turn prequals to 3 different series — Diane Vallere’s Mad for Mod series, Kendel Lynn’s Elliot Lisbon series, and Gigi
Pandian’s Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt series) This book was soooo cool! It begins with 3 sleuths, traveling to three different locations, and their coincidentally identical vintage suitcases being mixed up at a luggage hub — so each one ends up arriving at her destination with the suitcase that, when opened, turns out to belong to someone else & subsequently ends up using the contents of that suitcase, or portions thereof, in the solving of their individual mysteries (in one case using the other sleuths clothing as disguise while trying to escape thieves). Each of these novellas is a surprisingly good read in itself (novellas are frequently one dimensional, these
actually have quite good storylines & character development) — and each one serves as the prequal to a series about that sleuth. Interestingly enough, this was one of those “almost freebies”that I picked up when it was 99cents for kindle — and I’m soooo glad I didn’t end up purging it just because I’ve never read anything by any of these authors before!
Katherine Hall Page — The Body in the Birches (Faith Fairchild series). Yet another new release, another long running favorite series. Although I admit I did guess the killer in this one, the book is masterfully told & well worth reading (as are all of her titles).
D.E. Ireland — Wouldn’t It Be Deadly (Eliza Doolittle & Henry Higgins series). What can I say — this book was sooooooooooo GOOD!!!! Eliza Doolittle & Henry Higgins solve a murder — can it get better than that????
Lucy Burdette — Death With All The Trimmings (Key West Food Critic series). While I frequently guess the murderer in this series, this one totally got me by surprise. Very good story, love the characters, besides the murder, sitting on the edge of my seat to find out — does Hayley lose her job or not? Does her mother marry Sam or not. Does Hayley EVER get a serious boyfriend or not????
Susan* says
A book from an older mystery series that I’ve just discovered, is Tim Myers’ ‘Waxed Over’, from his ‘Candlemaking Mysteries’ series. Well written, actually, and I really enjoyed it.
The (food) recipe in the back – for a dessert mentioned in the book – came as something of a surprise, but it’s a fairly simple one, and it does sound yummy, so even though I’m no cook, I might just try it out one of these days!
LindaMH says
I’m recommending two of my favorite books/series this month.
Unfinished Business by Jenna Bennett
Savannah Martin wakes up on her wedding day only to find the groom missing. Rafe is nowhere to be found. Although Savannah briefly wonders if Rafe has developed cold feet, deep in her heart she knows something bad has happened to him. With the help of Tamara, her favorite detective, and Wendell, Rafe’s boss, she sets out to find her groom.
I really enjoy this series. Unfinished Business is such a great read. I like the fact that this author has allowed her protagonist to grow. Over the length of this series, Savannah has gone from being a Southern Belle who needs someone to take care of her to being independent and strong. There are a lot of book couples I like, but Rafe and Savannah absolutely get my vote for favorite book couple! I’m looking forward to the honeymoon novella, which will be out soon.
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No Woman Left Behind by Julie Moffett
The latest book in the Lexi Carmichael series is filled with action, and I couldn’t put it down. Lexi is a computer geek with amazing skills. She used to work for the government but now works for a private company. When a cybercriminal mastermind seeks revenge against Lexi, every government agency wants her help to catch him. She is sent with a small contingent of Navy SEALS to save the day.
The books in this series don’t contain the requisite small town cozy locale so I was hesitant to include this series in my recommendations, but the books do boast a group of likable characters that care and support each other. The stories are well written and fast-paced; the last two were so good I was forced to read them in one sitting. LOL Lexi is a great lead character. She is such a nerd; the social graces many times confuse her. The author frequently takes her out of her comfort zone, which causes Lexi to grow and change with each new adventure. She’s smart, completely genuine, and is loyal to those she loves. She is very likable. The next book is due out in December—I can’t wait!
Hope everyone has a wonderful July!
Glenda W says
Kathryn O’Sullivan’s 3 books, “Foal Play”, “Murder on the Hoof”, and “Neighing with Fire” are all really good books I’ve discovered recently. They are set in the Outer Banks (Corolla) of NC. I have been to the Outer Banks so I enjoy reading these as I recognize where places are and can picture where she is. Also, it’s an interesting perspective because the main character is a female fire chief. Throw in the Corolla Wild Horses and these are just right up my alley.
Kathryn O says
I’m delighted that you’ve discovered my series, Glenda! Thank you for your lovely comments. I’m glad I captured the Outer Banks for you. I, too, love the OBX as you could probably tell. Happy reading! – Kathryn
Barbara says
Murder at the Brightwell by Ashley Weaver
If you like to step back to some 1930 mysteries with some 21st century sophistication, I suggest this book and soon to be series. There is romance, murder, mystery, cads, playboys, etc. This is the first in the series and I’m very much looking forward to the publication of Death Wears a Mask in the fall. Don’t know how I found this book and series–maybe it was sitting out in the “New Mysteries” at the library!
Ceelee Sunshine says
I just discovered the Magical Cats mystery series by Sofie Kelly! Love it! A must read for cat fanciers!
Mark says
I read The Murder Pit (A Moose River Mystery Book 1) by Jeff Shelby. I previously read the author’s Stay At Home Dad series, so I thought I would enjoy this one, and I was right. I loved the main character’s sense of humor and way she handled tough situations. There was also a great reason for her to actually be solving the mystery (which I won’t give away here). Best of all it was free on Amazon Kindle! However, I enjoyed it so much I know I will be purchasing the rest of the series.
Anne says
I read only one “cosy” last month but I can recommend it – “The Burglar who Counted the Spoons” by Lawrence Block. The “burglar” is a bookshop owner (always a good start for me) in New York who also is an old fashioned “cat burglar” on the side. He gets a commission… Interesting characters and dialogue, plot a bit confusing but maybe that’s just me.
I’ve read a few thrillers by Lawrence Block in the past but have only just come across his “cosies.”
Cathy Ace says
I finally managed to get a copy of the The Handsome Man’s De Luxe Cafe…and read it too! It was a delightful read – still crisp writing, still the need to find out what happens to who, still the sensation of dust in the air and heat on the skin…highly recommended (with a cup of tea!).
Hilary says
My cozy recommendation for the month for June was also the only mystery I read for the month, since everything else I read were non-fiction reference books.
“Murder Off the Beaten Path” by M.L. Rowland, is book two of the Search and Rescue Mystery series.
Gracie Kinkaid is a volunteer for the Timber Creek, California Search and Rescue Team. Her current day job is Program Director at Camp Ponderosa, a summer camp owned by a Los Angeles mega church. The camp has multi-week summer programs for kids as well as running short corporate retreat type programs for adults. Gracie also runs the rope climbing course and especially enjoys working with the campers who are children from disadvantaged backgrounds. She finds her work with the kids extremely rewarding. Her best friend, Jett McKenna, is the camp’s kitchen manager. The camp is run by Jay Wilson, who is also a lay minister and he’s assisted by his creepy, lecherous brother Eddie.
A local teen girl goes missing from her home one night and local law enforcement, the Timber Creek Search and Rescue team and citizen volunteers search the valley and local mountains for her for several days to no avail. After the search is called off, Gracie goes back to her day job at the camp, but she’s soon called back on a SAR rescue mission to recover the body of a driver killed when her car went over an embankment on the side of a mountain. To Gracie’s shock and horror the dead woman turns out to be her best friend Jett.
At first Jett’s death is thought to be an accident, but after Gracie finally gets around to checking the messages on her home phone’s answering machine, she discovers Jett left a cryptic message about discovering some sort of corruption shortly before she died. So Gracie thinks her friend’s death was most likely caused by foul play.
She begins quietly investigating the goings on at Camp Ponderosa and discovers fraud, illegal activities and a lot of dysfunctional and unsavory doings involving camp employees and their families, and this eventually leads her to the killer. There’s also a link to the vanished teen Gracie and the rest of law enforcement are trying to locate as well.
There are a lot of potential suspects but this wasn’t a novel where you’d easily figure out whodunit part-way through the book. While the killer’s accomplice after-the-fact was no surprise, the person who actually killed Gracie’s friend Jett came as a surprise to me.
Book three in this series, “Murder on the Horizon” will be released in early August.
Shirley says
I don’t know if this is the proper place to ask a question of book lovers but, I am looking for a book and cannot remember the Author or Title.
I just got started reading and something happened to my pc and lost it.
It was about a woman that had a goat farm and some of her friends dropped by and they noticed the goats surrounding something by a tree in the pasture.
As it turned out it was the bodies of a man and woman who had either been murdered or suicide.
That is as far as I got. Hopefully someone has a better memory than me. I have asked a question before and had a quick response. Thank you all in advance. By the way, I love The Cozy Mystery Site.
Ceelee Sunshine says
Hi…I am replying from the email so I don’t know if you got the answer yet. Could the goats be sheep? I read a book awhile ago called DYEING WISHES by Molly Macrae which part of the Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery. I remember it well because of the scene of the sheep who were looking at something and the group went to look at what the sheep were seeing and they found the bodies.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ceelee Sunshine, thank you so much! I just checked to make sure it isn’t Claudia Bishop’s The Case of the Ill-Gotten Goat, which it is not…
Ceelee Sunshine says
You’re welcome! That one was fairly easy since I had read it myself. I got it from Booksfree.com so I was able to go back and look at past orders to see if it was truly the one. With an opening scene like that I knew it was going to be a great read! I was not disappointed!