How about you? Did you find a particularly good Cozy Mystery this month? Was it the type of Cozy that stands way out from the other Cozies you have read this month? If you did find a Cozy Mystery that good, would you please write a comment and tell us why you think this book is so much better than the rest of the Cozy Mysteries you read during May 2015? The rest of us would love to hear about it! Let’s face it, we’re all looking for a great Cozy Mystery read!
And, since some of you have read several Cozies this month that you think are terrific, would you please put the one you liked the very best at the top of your list? That way the rest of us will know that you think that Cozy is particularly greeeeeaaaaat!
As usual, please do not tell us about the Cozy Mysteries you read this month that you did not like.
What really good Cozy Mystery book did you read during May 2015 that you know the rest of us would enjoy reading, and why did you enjoy it?
Here are the current recommended authors who some of you have read and recommended this past month:
Lucy Arlington: Novel Idea Mystery Series
Heather Blake (aka Heather Webber): Magical Potions Mystery Series
Simon Brett: Mrs. Pargeter Mystery Series
Rita Mae Brown: Mrs. Murphy Mystery Series
Anne Canadeo (aka Katherine Spencer): Black Sheep Knitting Mystery Series
Janet Cantrell (aka Kaye George): Fat Cat Mystery Series
Kate Carlisle: Bibliophile Mystery Mystery Series
Laura Childs: Tea Shop Mystery Series
Hy Conrad: Mr. Monk Mystery Series
Ellen Crosby: Sophie Medina Mystery Series
Krista Davis: Domestic Diva Mystery Series
Peter Dickinson: Princess Louise Mystery Series (King and Joker, book #1)
Elizabeth J. Duncan: Penny Brannigan Mystery Series
Sally Goldenbaum: Seaside Knitters Mystery Series
Rebecca M. Hale: Cats and Curios Mystery Series
Victoria Hamilton (aka Amanda Cooper & Donna Lea Simpson): Vintage Kitchen Mystery Series
Charlaine Harris: Aurora Teagarden Mystery Series
Joan Hess: Claire Malloy Mystery Series
Sue Ann Jaffarian: Ghost of Granny Apples Mystery Series
Craig Johnson: Wait for Signs (12 Longmire stories in the Longmire Mystery Series)
Alex A. King: Kat Mafris Greek Mafia Mystery Series (Disorganized Crime, book #1)
Kylie Logan (aka Miranda Bliss & Casey Daniels): Murder at the orient express
G.A. McKevett: Savannah Reid Mystery Series
Max McCoy: Ophelia Wylde Paranormal Mystery Series (Of Grave Concern, book #1)
Staci McLaughlin: Blossom Valley Series
Liz Mugavero (aka Cate Conte): Pawsitively Organic Mystery Series
Meg Muldoon: Christmas River Mystery Series (Murder in Christmas River, book #1)
Jeanne Quigley: Veronica Walsh Mystery Series (All Things Murder, book #1)
Kathy Reichs: Temperance Brennen Mystery Series
Barbara Ross: Maine Clambake Mystery Series
Alexander McCall Smith: No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency 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 encourage all of you to read the comments below, since it’s a great way to “hear” about Cozies that stand out from the crowd.
♦To access more Cozy Mystery Books Recommendations, click on this link♦
P.S. I usually respond to all of the comments on the Cozy Mystery blog, but I don’t respond to the comments on these monthly recommendation entries because they speak for themselves!
Sheila in CT says
The month of May I read only Victoria Thompson’s Gaslight series (or I should say reading). I’m on book 12. Trying to get caught up so I am ready for Books 17 and 18 are released.
Stash Empress says
I have a few of those in my TBR pile of library books — sitting here a few months & *still* didn’t get to them!
Linda C says
Sheila, I was lucky to be able to find all but the first two Gaslight mysteries. I was able to read the books one after the other also. I have the new one on order.
Right now I am reading the Aunt Diminity books from the beginning. When I do this the characters in these books start to become old friends to me.
MJ says
May Recommendations – 2015
Danna asked us to list these recommendations in order of ‘favorites’. I have to admit the first three are equal ‘favorites’ to me. They’re different in their approach/methodology, but I enjoyed all three equally. I usually like to read at least one book from a new series each month, but didn’t do so this month.
A Finely Knit Murder – Sally Goldenbaum
This series epitomizes a true cozy with its homespun appeal. The detail in some books drive me nuts because it’s so inane (there were a couple I read this month and can’t recommend them because of it).
BUT, the detail in this series is so vivid you feel like you’re right there by the sea enjoying the delectable food (lobster is mentioned every other page – I was drooling!), drinks, and scenery. I don’t knit, but I want to be part of their group (ok, ok I’d learn if they let me join!). In addition, this author adds a cast of characters at the beginning of the book. Wow! I’m thoroughly impressed she takes the extra effort to do this – it’s so helpful to the reader.
In this story it’s fairly easy to see from the beginning who the victim will be. The focus is a school, its headmistress, and the board. There’s a lot of emphasis on education and the unique qualities this school offers. Anyone interested in education, especially teachers, will find this aspect of the story enjoyable.
Since the victim is not well liked there are several villain possibilities. I thought it fairly easy to figure out about half way through the book. However, the ruminations, discussions, clues, and story lines keeps one glued to the pages. An EXCELLENT read. Again, a COZY personified! Thank you, Ms. Goldenbaum.
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Musseled Out – Barbara Ross
Putting on clambakes is the family business of this of this series set in Maine. Protagonist Julia took a leave of absence from her NY job to help her family get the failing business back on track. In this book, she is at a crossroads, trying to decide to return to her NY position or stay with the family business.
This particular story is somewhat convoluted with many unexpected twists and a surprising ending. It’s a real page turner, making it difficult to put down. A ne’er do well with nefarious connections is murdered while on a boat. The owner of the boat has disappeared.
The characters with all their flaws/complexities, add so much to the enjoyment of the story. Kudos to the author, this series (and this book in particular) is a winner!
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Ghost Image – Ellen Crosby
This author does not write a light hearted w/humor mystery. It’s a compelling intricate mystery with an international flair – more intense than the usual cozy. Well known photographer Sophie Medina is the protagonist. She finds an internationally renowned friend murdered in a nearby DC monastery. She spends time in DC and London in her quest to find the culprit and why. There are numerous developments/turns to the plot – obviously written with an abundance of intellect. It is so-o-o-o good!
Included in this story are many descriptive facts about DC institutions……….not the usual, but the unusual. I found the info fascinating. Sophie is married to a former CIA operative. However, he is fairly non-existent in this story. I prefer there be much more interaction/collaboration between the two. In my humble opinion those dynamics add an appealing addition to storyline. I’m not in favor of the boyfriend/fiancé/husband being sent off on a far away ‘assignment’. I prefer they be an integral part of the story.
Ms. Crosby brings a lot of impressive creds to the table as a freelance writer for the Washington Post and former Moscow correspondent for ABC.
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Ming Tea Murder – Laura Childs
Many authors release their books consistently at the same time of year. Hyzy in January, Fluke and Swanson – late winter, Albert in April, Page and Goldenbaum usually in May, Sefton in June, etc., etc. Childs Tea Shop series is usually released in March, but this year it was released in May. This presents a dilemma when their story/setting is thematic. ‘Ming Tea Murder’ definitely has a Halloween theme with many holiday activities, décor, and costumes. So for those that want to read thematic books at the ‘right’ time, might want to hold off on this one until October.
I found this book to have a VERY slow start. But hang in there, because it picks up quickly about half way through. The murder takes place right at the beginning at a museum party. It’s become fairly ‘typical’ of this series to do just that One other observation, this story seems to have a somewhat of a different voice to it…………….not sure why. I wonder if anyone else noticed that (OR, am I just imagining it!).
The usual characters, as always, are appealing/enjoyable. And, the new characters are complex, thus quite interesting. However, the romance story line is different – Theo’s boyfriend is fairly weak and she dominates him (which is not the way her previous boyfriends have been portrayed). Hopefully he’ll move away and a better match will come about in forthcoming books.
It’s an engaging mystery with several culprit possibilities. The solution is somewhat of a surprise. And, as usual, it’s filled with a lot of interesting/illustrative info (aside from all the tea lingo).
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Postman Always Purls Twice – Anne Canadeo
Frankly, I didn’t ‘get’ the tie-in with the title. However, this plot is somewhat creative and enjoyable. The Black Sheep Knitters are excited that a movie company has chosen their town for filming. Several ‘accidents’ occur, setting this group on a path to find out why and how. I suppose you could say that Maggie is the main character, however what’s interesting about this series is that some of the other knitters also take a lead in solving the mystery. I kind of figured it out 2/3 the way through…………….but it still is a complicated (perhaps psychological) story.
In the author’s biography at the end of the book, Canadeo proudly lets the reader know she also writes under the name of Kathrine Spencer. She does this even though the series are of different genres and have different publishers. Kudos to her for NOT ‘hiding’ her other accomplishments!
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Comment: I really enjoyed some lengthy ‘acknowledgements’ in several books I’ve recently read. They almost read like a story in and of itself. Take the time to read them, it sometimes gives an insight into how the story was developed (Ross does this quite adeptly in ‘Musseled Out’).
I think an author who takes the time to thank those who help her achieve the final product moves up the ‘admiration’ ladder in my mind. Too many authors don’t take the time/trouble to do so (at least not publicly).
In fact, Barbara Ross thanked her agent, and in the next book I read (not listed here) that author thanked the very same agent. How ironic – one author is located on the east coast and the other in the Midwest
Paula Catherine says
I am very sorry to say I have finished all of the Charlaine Harris’s series featuring “Roe” Teagarden. I loved the series and wish there were additonal books in the series. It really is a terrific series and thanks to this blog I discovered it, so Danna, thank you.
MJ says
Paula Catherine, I also really enjoyed this series and was sorry she didn’t continue with it. It appears she’s had more success with her Sookie Stackhouse series, which I won’t read because it’s in a paranormal/vampire genre.
I vaguely (VERY vaguely, and could be wrong) remember Danna mentioned that the Aurora Teagarden series will be an upcoming TV movie (or perhaps series).
Paula Catherine says
You are correct about the TV series: it will be on the Hallmark mystery/ movie channel which is not the original Hallmark channel. In my area the movie channel is a premium channel and I do not subscribe.
I am with you: My days of reading/watching anything about vampire are over!
Anne says
Just this week I found a new to me cozy series. The Christmas River Mysteries. I was hooked immediately. I’m entering the description from Amazon because I’m not very good at writing reviews.There are four more so far and I read them all in a few days.
*******
Cinnamon Peters is one tough cookie.
Every year at Christmas River’s annual Gingerbread Junction Competition, pie baker extraordinaire Cinnamon aims to win, taking down any competitor who gets in her way. But when she finds a dead body in the woods behind her pie shop just days before the big competition, Cinnamon realizes that there’s much more to worry about than cookies, frosting, and gumdrops.
Someone’s out to bring Cinnamon down. And they’re playing dirty.
Only Cinnamon and a mysterious stranger who walks into her life one snowy evening can figure out the mystery.
But can they solve it before Cinnamon’s chances of gingerbread competition glory crumble?
MJ says
Anne, this series sounds like something I’d really enjoy. BUT (UGH!), it only comes in the Kindle version ……not even Nook!
Anne says
Oh dear that is not good. I wonder if the sharing option would work?
Stash Empress says
Well some months I couldn’t possibly rank them in order of “favorite” — but this month not so hard — hands down favorite for this month:
Joan Hess — Pride v. Prejudice (Claire Malloy series) — this is one of my very favorite series for many years –love the zany characters & situations they get into.
G.A. McKevett — Killer Gourmet (Savannah Reid series) — I just love this series — not sure why, since I have so very little in common with the sleuth — but her warmth & exhuberance & love of life (and food!) just shine through the pages & grab you LOL! Its the kind of series where you just love the characters & enjoy going along for the ride to see where they go & what they do.
Sue Ann Jaffarian — Ghost of a Gamble (Ghost of Granny Apples series) — I actually read this last month & somehow it got left off my list. I love this series starring Emma, a “ghost whisperer” and Granny Apples — the ghost of her great great (great?) grandmother, who is settling quite well into the 21st century & loves to watch TV & play detective.
Peter Dickinson — King and Joker (Princess Louise series). This new series has a very interesting twist — its based on an “alternate” history — where Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence *didn’t* die in 1892 (being succeeded by his younger brother whom we all know as King George V, grandfather of the current Queen Ellizabeth II of England) — so in this “alternate” history, Prince Albert Victor recovered from his bout of pneumonia & went on to become King Victor of England — and the sleuth in this story is his teenage great granddaughter, Princess Louise, daughter of the current King Victor, who solves a murder in the palace (in between doing her homework, dodging paparazzi & visiting her dotty grandmother). The premise alone is just to love!
Rita Mae Brown — Tail Gait (Mrs. Murphy series) — this is another old favorite series. While some of the titles in this series have been less than favorites, due to the author using her novels as a soapbox for her political views, this title is not like that at all. This one focuses on Revolutionary War history & alternately follows the story of a young British POW and the present day murder of a beloved history professor — and of course the two stories are connected & converge for a very satisfying ending.
Elizabeth J. Duncan — Slated For Death -(Penny Brannigan series). I like this series featuring a manicurist & spa owner in Wales. A cute “crossover” moment where one of the characters makes plans to visit his friend Alan Nesbitt in Sherebury (character from Jeanne M. Dams “Dorothy Martin” series). While I have no connection to Wales (nor have I ever had a manicure LOL) — something about this series just draws me in — I feel a pull to the people & place & just want to read more & more about them.
Kate Carlisle — Peril In Paperback (Bibliophile Mystery series) — this series is not new, but new to me, so I don’t know if the elements that caught my fancy are an ongoing part of the series, or unique to this particular book. In this story the sleuth (they don’t tell us why her name is Brooklyn!) is spending a birthday week with her friends at the home of one of the friends’ eccentric aunt — in a mansion with moving walls, trapdoors, holographic hallways & other “fun” traps for the unwary.. and then a murder occurs.. of course it does… 😉
Kate Carlisle — A Cookbook Conspiracy (Bibliophile Mystery series) — this is the next one in the series after Peril In Paperback — and while I had *thought* the series was new to me, while going through the listing on my library’s website, I discovered that the first in the series was in my “completed” list — so I guess I did read one of them before & just forgot? There are so many new series lately & so many overlapping “themes” that I’m having a hard time keeping them all straight! (But at least now I know why her name is Brooklyn!)
Also good & worth reading:
Liz Mugavero — A Biscuit, A Casket — (Pawsitively Organic series). I guess a crossover between “pet series” & “kitchen series” — the sleuth in this one cooks organic food for pets…
Janet Cantrell — Fat Cat At Large (Fat Cat series) — another pet/food fusion — new cozy series featuring — a cat that needs to lose weight… and lives in dessert shop… good luck with that, cat! Love that the author gives a nod to many other cozy writers by mentioning “people” that her characters know — that are the characters in other cozy series.
Staci McLaughlin –A Healthy Homicide (Blossom Valley series). Very enjoyable series set in an organic farm/spa. The sleuth is supposed to be PR person, but ends up doing everything from helping clean rooms to mucking out the pigs.
Lucy Arlington — Books, Cooks, and Crooks (Novel Idea series) — this is one where Lucy is still (half) Ellery Adams.
Victoria Hamilton — No Mallets Intended (Vintage Kitchen mystery) — I’ve read & enjoyed all the books in this series, but due to the overwhelming numbers of new “kitchen themed” cozies, I actually had to go to Amazon to see if I read the title before this or not, because I totally couldn’t remember some of the references! (And yes, I had!) I do like this series, just wish all the new series didn’t blend together so much!
MJ says
Stash –
With regards to your comment about the ‘crossover’ of characters between the Duncan and Dams mysteries, I noted that Penny Brannigan visits Dorothy Martin/Alan Nesbitt in Sherebury. She spends the afternoon with them (on pages 99 thru 111) in Dams latest release, ‘Gentle Art of Murder’. I find the collaboration between these two authors interesting. And of course, it’s fun to see a favorite character (however briefly) in another author’s story.These authors have been doing this for several books now.
Sorry I’m so late with this posting (you probably won’t even read it). But I just started reading the Dam’s book and when I saw the character crossover, I felt compelled to comment on your comment!
Stash Empress says
Of course I’m still reading — wouldn’t miss the comments for the world LOL!
How cool that they meet up in the Dams book! I actually have that one on my Kindle (from the library) waiting to be read next!!!
(Well… almost next! Currently reading Hannah Dennison’s Deadly Desires at Honeychurch Hall, which expires in 8 days, followed by Joanne Fluke’s Double Fudge Brownie Murder and Carolyn Haine’s Bone To Be Wild, both of which ALSO expire in 8 days. After that is the Dam’s book which expires in 10 days & also Kathryn Hall Page’s The Body in the Birches. That’s what happens when all the new books that I’ve had on hold forever suddenly all come available at the same time!) (I actually have another 3 library ebooks out, as well, but these are the MOST IMPORTANT LOL) (And the previous Brannigan title — Never Laugh As A Hearse Goes By should be appearing on my kindle any day now, since I’m next up for that one!)
Maria (BearMountainBooks) says
I really liked Disorganized Crime by alex a. king. Was a fun and funny cozy read. I’m off to read some paranormal this month. I have Frank Tuttle’s latest and also Hard Magic by Larry Correia. He’s more a fantasy writer–kind of more tough guy (like Robert Crais but with fantasy). I switch it up a lot. Love them all!
Margaret M. says
DIVA WRAPS IT UP, Domestic Diva Mystery; is one of my favorite series. I enjoy the setting, the characters and the fast paced read. Krista Davis is the master of the chapter ending cliff hangers that keep you reading. She also is great at weaving multiple mysteries into the story. And each book has many of the same characters but she always brings in new ones to keep things fresh.
A new-to-me-author/series TWISTED THREADS by Lea Wait. I love getting in at the beginning. The sleuth is a bit different from the main characters in the other books I read. She is a bit “edgier,” but I love her. It is set in the beautiful state of Maine. It was a nice fun easy read. I am looking forward to seeing where this series takes me in the future.
Another new favorite is MAYHEM
Margaret M. says
OOPS, cut myself off there! MURDER AT THE ORIENT EXPRESS by Kylie Logan. I started this series with the Halloween theme, which was the 3rd in the series. I quickly picked up the first two. This is such a witty series. Many laugh-out-loud moments. Crazy characters, the island setting and of course the murder and mayhem make this a great read. Again, another book that is hard to put down.
Leap Year Baby says
Anyone familiar with Fern Michael’s Sisterhood series? I don’t know if they qualify as a cozy. I haven’t read them but interested.
Linda C says
Leap year baby, I have read all of Fern Michael’s Sisterhood series and I myself would not classify this series as being ‘ Cozies.” As a matter of fact although I sort of like the series there is quite a lot of profanity and a lot of violence throughout the books. Some of the storylines in the books can be down right nasty.. So if you want a cozy you might not want to read this series.
Marja says
Alexander McCall Smith’s “The Handsome Man’s Deluxe Cafe” — latest episode in “The No. 1 Ladie’s Detective Agency” series. Grace Makutsi’s nemesis Violet Sephotho begins her review: “Where are the handsome men?”
Of course there is a mystery, philosophically reflected upon and compassionately solved by Mma Precious Ramotswe (and Charlie!).
“Wait for Signs” — six short stories in the “Longmire” series about Walt Longmire, Wyoming sheriff and best bud of Henry Standing Bear (owner of the bar, The Red Pony ‘and continual soiree’, which name I unabashedly love). These stories are cozy! One takes place at Christmastime and the last story combines wildlife and an Indian legend and made me laugh out loud! (However, if you object to “language” don’t read this because Deputy Victoria Moretti uses a lot of swears.)
Alice says
I, too, have been reading the Gaslight Series and am on the wait list at the library for newest book-Murder on Amsterdam….
I’m also reading the series of Ella Clah mysteries by Aimee and David Thurlo. This series takes place on Navajo Reservation in the four corners.
Hilary says
I have two favorites for the month, “Of Grave Concern” and “A Potion to Die For”:
“Of Grave Concern” by Max McCoy, book one of the Ophelia Wylde Paranormal Mystery series. Which is set in the post-civil war era old west, in the 1870s.
Ophelia Wylde grew up in Memphis, married as a teen and her beloved husband Jonathan was killed in the Civil War. Following the war people became fascinated with spiritualism, séances and other ways to communicate with the dead. This began first with war widows and other family members of fallen soldiers who were seeking ways to communicate with their lost loved ones. Then the movement spread into society as whole, so a Spiritualist or Medium cottage industry was born complete with businesses selling products and supplies for Mediums to hold “realistic” séances.
Since childhood Ophelia had occasionally seen ghosts and was personally haunted on and off by one ghost in particular whom she could communicate with. After Jonathan’s death she sought in vain to contact him and became a medium herself. She traveled as the Reverend Professor Ophelia Wylde, and while she could sometimes see ghosts, she faked her séances and earned her living by conning wealthy people who were fascinated by the spiritualism movement.
On her way to Colorado, she is arrested in Dodge City, Kansas in a case of mistaken identity, as she looked similar in appearance to the member of a notorious family of serial killers who owned an inn along a well-used wagon trail, who robbed and murdered their victims. A local lawyer secures Ophelia’s release on bail, and while she’s waiting to get the situation straightened out she sets up shop as a medium and spiritual lecturer in town. After a séance to contact the supposedly dead sister of a man goes wrong, he and his buddies abduct Ophelia one night while they are drunk and bury her in the local cemetery. While she is running out of air and is about to die, she starts hearing from the dead buried around her, including the laments of a young woman found brutally murdered several months back, the local constable is still trying to find the killer. The constable rescues Ophelia from her grave. She tells him about her newfound ability to communicate with the dead for real and she now has some important clues about the young woman’s killer. So the two set off to find the killer and bring him to justice, but there are supernatural forces at work protecting the killer and his employer and they must battle them first to see justice be done.
The old west setting was a nice change of pace from the average cozy and this was an enjoyable story to read, a good start to a series. I have book two, “The Spirit is Willing” in my TBR. The third book in the series, “Giving Up the Ghost” will be released in November.
“A Potion to Die For” book one of the Magical Potions mysteries by Heather Blake, was a fun read filled with quirky characters. The story is set in Hitching Post, Alabama, a tourist town famous for its wedding chapels. Carly Hartwell is a witch who specializes in healing and love potions. Her rival, her cousin Delia specializes in darker magic, selling liquid hexes. Delia stops by Carly’s shop to warn Carly she dreamed of her being in danger and minutes later the cousins stumble across the murdered body of Nelson Winston, a local lawyer, in the breakroom in the back of Cary’s shop.
The sheriff’s officer put on the case is Carly’s ex-fiancé Dylan Jackson and the pair still have feelings for each other. Nelson Winston was the attorney for local high school Coach Floyd Butts who’d been accused of embezzling funds from the youth baseball league, his name on checks from the fund made out to cash, signed by him, to the tune of $20,000. Coach Butts has always denied his guilt and claims he was set up.
Carly, with some help from friends and family, decides to investigate Nelson’s life and his efforts to clear the Coach’s name in order to figure out who killed him and to find out why the killer chose her shop in particular. She discovers Nelson had been making plans to move to Birmingham and work for a prominent law firm there, but then suddenly abandoned those plans. He also had a secret girlfriend whose identity is a mystery. The day Nelson died, he was due to receive a forensic handwriting analysis report on those checks supposedly written by Coach Butts, which was supposed to prove the coach’s signature was forged.
As Carly delves further into the case she uncovers hidden secrets about several friends and acquaintances and her sleuthing puts her and Delia in harm’s way. But she does uncover the truth about Nelson’s secret girlfriend, who was behind the theft of the baseball league funds, and who killed Nelson.
I read several other enjoyable mysteries this month I also highly recommend:
“Bones Ar Forever” by Kathy Reichs, a Temperance Brennen novel, set in Canada, which begins as the search for a prostitute in Quebec who’d stashed the dead bodies of newborns she’s had over the years in her apartment on Montreal. The trail quickly leads out to Edmonton in the Canadian Prairie, and then further up to Northern Canada and the town of Yellowknife. Tempe, Det. Andrew Ryan and RCMP officer Ollie Hastie (a one-time boyfriend of Tempe’s) discover some sad facts about the troubled life of the prostitute and how she and her family are pawns in a very dangerous game between crooked land claim miners and environmentalists.
“How to Paint a Cat” by Rebecca M. Hale, is from the Cats and Curios mysteries. This book starts off with the cliffhangers from the previous story. Spider Jones, a student intern at City Hall was murdered the same night the Mayor’s replacement was named. The mayor is now the new Lieutenant Governor. The interim Mayor who will finish out his term is Monty Carmichael the friend and wacky neighbor of Uncle Oscar’s niece. As Monty is preparing to be sworn in as mayor, Oscar and Sam Eckles are in hiding in a wilderness cabin, having been incorrectly linked as persons of interest in Spider’s murder.
In order to clear their names, Oscar, Sam and their friends send Oscar’s niece on a quest to study the underlying meanings and messages in New Deal era murals set around the city to understand why Spider was killed. An unlikely ally in this quest is the ghost of Spider himself. Local reporter Hox Finn was the last person to see Spider alive and well before he was murdered and this eats away at him. He sort-of joins forces with Oscar’s niece during her quest.
But as Monty is sworn in as the new Mayor, Spider’s killer still hasn’t been found, until a vital clue turns up in a most unlikely place.
“Mr. Monk and the New Lieutenant” by Hy Conrad is most likely the last Monk book in the series since Conrad no longer has the time to write the books and so far no replacement writer has come forward.
At the end of the previous novel Capt. Stottlemeyer’s partner Lt. Amy Devlin took a leave of absence, but she’s since decided to quit the force for good and take a job with the Boston PD. Stottlemeyer’s new partner is Lt. A.J. Thurman, the loudmouthed son of one of Stottlemeyer’s longtime friends, Arny Thurman, a retired police captain who is terminally ill. A.J. hates Monk which causes conflicts with their working together.
Natalie and Monk have been called onto fewer cases for the SFPD of late, so they’ve been focusing on their P.I. business and Monk finds perverse joy in tormenting the other small business owners in their strip mall.
Monk and Natalie accompany Stottlemeyer and A.J. to the wake for a local prominent judge whose death was supposed to have been caused by a nasty viral illness, but When Monk sees the judge in the coffin he notices the telltale signs of poisoning via wavy lines on the man’s fingernails. An autopsy reveals Monk’s observations were spot on. But Stottlemeyer is hit days later with the same supposed “virus”, which is actually poisoning and is treated in time at the hospital. Monk figures out the clever way the killer poisoned both men without them knowing it. But no one has a clue who the killer could be.
Then a threat letter is delivered to Stottlemeyer stating the killer is seeking revenge for ‘seven years ago’. So the focus falls on cases at that time where Stottlemeyer was the arresting officer and the murdered judge had presided over the trial. Randy Disher, whose police chief career in Summit, NJ is on the line due to a political mess, flies out to San Francisco to help on the case, complete with his police case journal for the year in question.
Monk is hoping Randy will quit his job in NJ and come back to the SFPD and be Stottlemeyer’s partner again, something Sharona wouldn’t mind seeing happen as she’s tired of life in NJ and misses San Francisco. But Randy is determined to hang onto his job in Summit. Further attempts are made on Stottlemeyer’s life and A.J. is injured as well during one of the attempts. So Monk, Natalie, and Randy wind up doing most of the detecting, following potential suspects, but things aren’t always as they seem and the real killer proves a sad shock to them.
Monk and Natalie must also deal with their own P.I cases, especially when a woman who hires Natalie to check on her supposedly cheating husband turns out to be a fake, and very elusive to find, and the supposed husband is really an openly gay lawyer with a long-term boyfriend.
In the end all the cases are resolved, and change is in store for Randy and Sharona, after Sharona receives some big news regarding Randy’s career in Summit.
Anne says
I only read one cosy last month but really enjoyed it – Simon Brett’s latest ,”Mrs Pargetter’s Principle.” It’s very light and humourus and somewhat in the vein of the Ealing comedies like “The Ladykillers” and “The Lavender Hill Mob.”
Jackie says
I am currently spending time with the Emersons as they return to the Lost Oasis in Guardian of the Horizon. The Amelia Peabody series is written by Elizabeth Peters.
Linda C says
Danna, I recently read “All Things MURDER” by Jeanne Quigley, a new-to-me writer, that I would like to recommend. This book sort of hit home in many ways.
Our main sleuth, actress Veronica Walsh,at some 50 years old has just wrapped up a long running part in a TV Soap Opera that has been cancelled leaving her without a job and little hopes at her age of finding employment in the near future.. Our sleuth returns home to help solve a murder mystery to fill in that time period of just having lost that job.
I had a similar experience 20 years ago. I had a job that I held for almost 30 years when my factory shut down because our work was sent overseas after NAFTA was passed. Our sleuth was in her 50s as was I. I was scared to death as is our sleuth. But that is where the similarity sort of ends. Our sleuth had millions of dollars to see her through, none of us in my factory did!
What made it really bad for me was just a year and a half earlier DH’s factory had shut down also for the same reason. In our 50s we both had to start COMPLETELY over. But we did. We both had to start over and learn entirely new jobs but we did!! That was 20 years ago.
We are both retired now some 7 & 8 years.
This was a very good book though. I really enjoyed it. I am really looking forward to the next book in the series.
Katia says
I’m very late to the party with this one, but still they are my favorite this month. While I’ve been doing my usual reading, I’ve also done something unusual for me and been watching a TV series. I was visiting friends in England and saw one episode in reruns that hooked me. It’s a very cozy series called Rosemary & Thyme. Set in some very beautiful gardens the protagonists are a couple of middle-aged gardeners who regularly stumble upon murders. They are delightful and the scenery is fabulous. It ran from 2003-2006 and I’m very sad to say that I’ve almost watched all of them. I’ve reached the point where I’m limiting myself to stretch them out.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Katia, we also are fans of the British television mystery series, Rosemary & Thyme. The entry I wrote about it is one of the entries that is most often visited since I put it up in 2006. It’s a delightful mystery show with two strong women as the leads, and the first two seasons are particularly terrific.