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Cozy Mystery Book Recommendations – September 2015

I have been waiting and waiting for autumn to finally arrive! Our weather is still balmy down here in San Antonio, but at least this opens up the time when I start reading the Cozy Mysteries I have been putting off because of the appropriate seasons/holidays. I know it’s still too early, and I am making myself wait a little longer to read my Halloween Cozies, followed by my Christmas Cozies.

I am sooo looking forward to being able to read Margaret Grace‘s Manhattan in Miniature.  As I have said (more than once, twice, or even three times!) Camille Minichino/Margaret Grace/Jean Flowers/Ada Madison is one of my very favorite Cozy Mystery authors. But, since it’s a Christmas themed Cozy, I am waiting until November to read it, hopefully a little later than November 1 >>> if I can wait that long!

I am still spacing my favorite authors between new-to-me Cozy Mystery authors who I am trying. Right now, I’m back to one of my favorite authors: Mary V. Welk. Because I read so many other Cozy authors, I am way behind with my favorite authors’ books. Anyway, I am reading To Kill a King, which is only her third in the Rhodes to Murder Mystery Series. The next one (The Scarecrow Murders) is a Halloween themed Cozy, which I will be reading this Halloween season. I already recommended Mary V. Welk, so rather than repeat myself, I’ll point you to my earlier recommendation: Mystery Books Recommendations – January 2014.

Would you please tell us about the really good Cozy Mysteries you read this month, and please tell us why you liked them so much more than the other Cozies you read? These are the Cozies you think are even better than the others you read this month. The rest of us are always on the hunt for Cozy Mystery authors who write great Cozies! 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 September 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: Charmed Pie Shoppe Mystery Series

Donna Andrews: Meg Langslow Mystery Series

James Anderson: Inspector Wilkins Mystery Series (The Affair of the Bloodstained Egg, book #1)

Margot Arnold: Penny Spring & Sir Toby Glendower Mystery Series

C.C. Benison: Her Majesty Investigates Mystery Series

Simon Brett: Mrs. Pargeter Mystery Series

Deborah Brown: Paradise Mystery Series (Crazy in Paradise, book #1)

Ellen Byron: Cajun Country Mystery Series

Dorothy Cannell: Ellie Haskell Mystery Series

Peg Cochran (aka Meg London): Cranberry Cove Mystery Series

J.J. Cook (aka Joyce and Jim Lavene & Ellie Grant): Biscuit Bowl Food Truck Mystery Series

Maya Corrigan: Five-Ingredient Mystery Series

Catherine Coulter: FBI thriller Series (The Cove, book #1)

Cleo Coyle (aka Alice Kimberly): Coffeehouse Mystery Series

Krista Davis: Paws and Claws Mystery Series

Jana DeLeon: Miss Fortune Mystery Series

Kate Dyer-Seeley (aka Ellie Alexander): Pacific Northwest Mystery Series

J. Jefferson Farjeon: Stand Alone mysteries

Eva Gates (aka Vicki Delany): Lighthouse Library Mystery Series

Patrice Greenwood: Wisteria Tearoom Mystery Series (A Fatal Twist of Lemon, book #1)

Janice Hamrick: Jocelyn Shore Mystery Series

Dianne Harman: Cedar Bay Mystery Series (Kelly’s Koffee Shop, book #1)

B.B. Haywood: Candy Holliday Mystery Series

Dolores Johnson: Mandy Dyer Mystery Series

Diane Kelly: Paw Enforcement Mystery Series

Alice Kimberly (aka Cleo Coyle): Haunted Bookshop Mystery Series

Constance & Gwenyth Little: Stand Alone mysteries

Kylie Logan (aka Miranda Bliss & Casey Daniels): Chili Cook-Off Mystery Series

Karen MacInerney: Dewberry Farm Mystery Series

Ada Madison (aka Camille Minichino, Margaret Grace, & Jean Flowers): Sophie Knowles Mystery Series

Margaret Maron: Deborah Knott Mystery Series

Camille Minichino (aka Margaret Grace, Ada Madison, & Jean Flowers): Periodic Table Mystery Series

The Mulgray Twins: DJ & Gorgonzola Mystery Series (No Suspicious Circumstances, book #1)

Shirley Rousseau Murphy & Pat J.J. Murphy: Lee Fontana Mystery Series

Linda Reilly: Deep Fried Mystery (Filet of Murder, book #1)

Michael Robertson: The Baker Street Letters Mystery Series (The Baker Street Letters, book #1)

Barbara Ross: Clambake Mystery Series

Ian Sansom: Mobile Library Mystery Series

Charles Todd: Bess Crawford Mystery Series

Diane Vallere: Material Witness Mystery Series

Livia J. Washburn: Fresh-Baked Mystery Series

Mary V. Welk: Rhodes to Murder Mystery Series

Marty Wingate: Potting Shed Mystery Series (The Garden Plot, book #1)

[If you click on the author’s name (blue) link, it will take you to his/her page on the Cozy Mystery site. The pages have all of the authors’ books listed chronologically.]

I will list the authors and series that have been recommended, but I urge you to read the comments below so you can see the reasons other Cozy Mystery readers thought these were their best reads of the month.

♦To access more Cozy Mystery Books Recommendations, click on this link♦

P.S. I usually don’t comment on your recommendations since they speak for themselves.

Comments

  1. I read the first 3 books in the Cedar Bay Cozy mysteries by Dianne Harman. I found them a great read. The location, characters, recipes in the back of the book, are wonderful. I read the 3 books in 4 days (I was busy the one day or all would of been read in 3 days). Ms. Harman is not listed on your pages but I suggest you look into her books.

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      • I have been enjoying Joseph Jefferson Farjeon’s Golden Age detective novels “Thirteen Guests” and “The Z Murders.” Farjoen is rather hard to get but Poisoned Press (and perhaps others?) has been publishing some, starting with “Mystery in White.” Mr. Farjeon was the brother of Eleanor Farjeon, well known for her illustrations and writings as well. None other than Dorothy L. Sayers said she liked Farjeon’s “creepy skill,” so on the recommendation of one of the foremost Golden Agers, I would vouchsafe a hearty “second-the-motion.”

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  2. I read a number of good books this month. My two favorites were first books in new series. Berried Secrets by Peg Cochran is set on a cranberry farm in Michigan and the information about the process of harvesting cranberries was informative without taking over the story. The characters were interesting and I’m eager to read more adventures of the main character and her family. The other book that I really liked was Filet of Murder by Linda Reilly. It started in the usual way with a lost boyfriend and a lost job but I enjoyed the setting in a British style fish and chips restaurant in the Berkshires. I have been craving fish and chips since reading this and look forward to the next book coming out in the spring.

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  3. I’ve started reading Dorothy Cannell’s Ellie Haskell mysteries. What a humorous delight! Just pour a cup of really good tea and start reading.

    Also finished the first of Ian Sansom’s Mobile Library mystery. It’s more about culture-shock and a dealing with a town that rate’s a number 10 on the eccentricity meter. Very funny.

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    • Oh the Ellie Haskell series is probably one of the all time BEST humorous cozy series! The first one I read (many years ago) was “How to Murder Your Mother-In-Law” — how could anyone pass up a title like that? LOL! Immediately fell in love with the series — wish she would continue that series!!!

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  4. I’ve dived into reading all the Miss Fortune series by Jana DeLeon. Oh my goodness the characters are so much fun to read.

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  5. MUSSELED OUT by Barbara Ross, is number 3 in the Clambake Mysteries. Set in Maine in the Fall; the setting, places and characters are very well described. And Barbara Ross really does her homework with research, everything seems so authentic and realistic. My favorite part of her writing, is the conversations among the characters. It seems so real. My favorite characters are two supporting characters, Quentin Tupper and Le Roi the Maine Coon.

    TOWN IN A SWEET PICKLE by B.B. Haywood, again set in Maine and in the Fall. Another fun series and like The Clambake Mysteries, there is always a lot going on with in the story but it always fits together nicely. And Maine is important to the story.

    And my first Halloween themed of the season THE GHOST AND MRS MEWER by Krista Davis. Along with the Domestic Diva Mysteries, the Paws and Claws Mysteries are among my top favorites. I mean a pet friendly town, sign me up. But, this book is a clever mystery with just enough spooky to make it fun.

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  6. Last month I couldn’t access Word, thus unable to give the recommendations I had already written. The first four books are from that list. The second four are ones I read this month. There were others I also enjoyed, but I think eight books is already wa-a-a-ay too many to put in one list (especially since I can get so ‘verbose’ and perhaps boring!).

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    Long Upon the Land – Margaret Maron

    Wow! This author is a superb story teller (most likely I say that every time I recommend her books). In this latest story, she intertwines several narratives into one fantastic book. Parts of the story swing back to when her parents first met (even before), focusing on her mother. There is also an emphasis on the Knott family, which isn’t always the case in previous books.

    Deborah Knott’s (main character) father finds a body near a creek on their property. His death is suspicious and there are no shortage of suspects (including Knott family members), since he isn’t a well-liked person. As usual, the chapters are somewhat divided and written from both Deborah’s and Dwight’s (sheriff’s deputy and Deborah’s husband) viewpoints.

    The characters are exceptionally well-defined. The pacing is excellent. There’s a LOT of substance to this book and the storylines. It would be quite confusing to read this without reading several of the previous books in this series. The family background is so extensive and important to this story.

    BTW, this is the 20th book in the series and I’ve read them all. However I never caught on to the inside witticism of Deborah’s title until it was pointed out in this book — Judge Knott!! How dense am I? AND, how clever of Ms. Maron!

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    Book or by Crook — Eva Gates

    This is the first in a new series and a new-to-me author. First I’ll comment about the reason the protagonist (Lucy) has moved to this Outer Banks community from Boston, where she spent several summers as a child with her aunt and uncle. The norm that most authors use — you know, the ‘yada, yada’ is that the boyfriend/husband/ fiancé cheated, gambled, spent all their money, etc. WELL……….. Gates did a reversal of that theme! Lucy actually said ‘no’ to a marriage proposal, decided she wasn’t in ‘love’ and left town. Yes! Just think, she wasn’t ‘wronged’. What an atypical start for a cozy! Even more ‘atypical’ she’s from a very wealthy Bostonian family.

    One of the library board members is murdered during a party showcasing first edition Jane Austin series. In addition, some of these priceless books have been stolen. The head librarian is the main suspect.

    Lucy is a very appealing character. The author has ‘fleshed’ her out well with much introspective content. Several other characters are interesting as well, but will need more specificity/delineation in future books.

    The Outer Banks very scenic setting is well described in this story. It is a well-paced book, a real page turner with a somewhat surprising ending. OH, BTW, like in many cozies, there are the ‘typical’ TWO hunks vying for the protagonist’s attention!

    I really enjoyed this book. A great start to a new series. I’m really looking forward to the next book.

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    By Cook or By Crook — Maya Corrigan

    What are the odds of me reading these two books successively? Just look at those titles!

    I almost gave up on this book by page 49, but then it picked up. I knew I liked the characters, but I thought the story was a bit slow. Val Deniston is the ‘sleuth’ and the story is set near Chesapeake Bay. She works in the diner of a local tennis club and lives with her grandfather. She discovers the body of a fellow tennis player and many believe her cousin is the murderer. Val is being hounded/staled in this story and in details (or lack thereof) from an accident from her past.

    There are several disconnects in this story, but overlooking that, it comes all together. The author does a good job of laying out the clues and details as the story moves along. Nothing is ‘obvious’, keeping the reader guessing.

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    Slayed on the Slopes – Kate Dyer-Seeley

    I liked the first book in this series and found this second one equally enjoyable. There is much descriptive detail in this author’s writing, which I enjoy.

    Meg Reed, the protagonist is a journalist writing for an extreme sports magazine, set in the mountainous area of Oregon. In order, for her to ‘bluff’ her way through this job she must maintain the façade of being good at extreme sports. This provides many humorous and even some dangerous aspects to the story.

    This story is set in the fall, close to Thanksgiving time. A rescue team is meeting at a remote resort area for training. Meg is there covering the story. The very unpopular wealthy financier for this group is murdered. Many suspects abound. However, when the culprit is revealed at the end, it is a total surprise. Of course there is a mega blizzard to add to the ‘ambiance’ of the story.

    I really enjoy the characters in this well paced series. This author ties up the murder story line, but there’s a pervasive story line started in the first book, still weaving its way through the second book, and obviously will be part of the subplot in the next book (and who knows how many stories after that).

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    Plantation Shudders — Ellen Byron

    This is the first in the series and a new cozy author (former TV writer). I’ll keep this recommendation short………..but just know it’s well worth reading. An awesome start for this author. The characters are vivid and intriguing with interesting/intertwining backgrounds. Maggie has returned to her home town to help her parents with their struggling B&B (a plantation in Louisiana). There are two murders which Maggie feels compelled to solve. Suffice it to say, I REALLY enjoyed this book with its vibrant scenery and complex relationships.

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    Killer Jam — Karen MacInerney

    This is set in a small Texas community. Lucy Resnick, a former Houston Chronicle reporter, purchased her grandparents 10 acre farm. She raises produce, chickens, and has one cow she milks. An obnoxious elderly woman has the mineral rights to Lucy’s land and plans to exercise this right to drill for oil. She is found murdered at a community festival. Of course, Lucy is the main suspect by a lazy do-nothing sheriff. It’s pretty easy to figure out ’who dun-it’, but there is still much complexity to main story line.

    I thought it interesting that not once, but TWICE, Lucy mentions she enjoys Susan Wittig Albert’s ‘China Bayles’ series (don’t we all!). She states she admires China because she left the law profession to start her own herb business. Of course, it’s also set in Texas and both of these authors reside in Texas. Perhaps a little ‘side promotion’ for a fellow author.

    I have much admiration for MacInerney, enjoying her Gray Whale Inn series immensely. ‘Killer Jam’ is the first in a new series. I believe this series has great potential, with several enjoyable characters and interesting side stories.

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    Crushed Velvet — Diane Vallere

    Some have mentioned (on this blog) they don’t like settings with a fashion connection because it can be ‘shallow’. However, that’s not the case with this author. Although the pragmatist (Poly) owns a fabric shop called Material Girl in a small community near LA, she approaches a problem with great intellect.

    The co-owner (with his wife) of a tea shop is murdered. Since he’s not a well-liked person, there are several potential suspects. I did figure out the ‘whys and wherefores’ of the story half way through, but not the culprit.

    This author develops well rounded complex characters with a lot of depth. This is a huge plus to this series. Although explanations of fabrics can get winded at times, it’s easy to skip over if one is not interested.

    The romance angle is enjoyable as it develops throughout the series. This book is paced and plotted well, written with some humor.

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    Revenge of the Chili Queens — Kylie Logan

    I’ve read and enjoyed all the books that this author has written under this pseudonym. Several others have recommended them on this blog also. This author writes her various series with plenty of humor and some suspense. Generally the mystery story lines are very good and the characters a bit off-beat.

    There is a huge disconnect in this book, though. What was supposed to be a huge ‘secret’ throughout the series, isn’t so at the end of this story. I can’t explain it because it is counter-intuitive to the story line concept, thus not making any sense. HOWEVER, it really is just a minute detail. It DOESN’T detract from the mystery and other subplots which are well written.

    My MAIN reason for putting it on this month’s list is because of the setting. Since this is about traveling food (chili) trailers, they locate in a different town in each book. In this book, they are in San Antonio. YEP — TAKE NOTE, Danna! Even though this author lives in Cleveland, I thought she wrote descriptive settings well…………but what do I know? I’ve never been to San Antonio!

    This can be read as a stand-alone. In fact, I think it’s the best of the three books in this series, so far. A reader has a better understanding of the characters if he/she starts with book one. But this author describes character backgrounds adequately. So, Danna, you can add this book to your huge TBR pile and see if she does ‘justice’ to San Antonio. Of course, if I remember right (??), you said you’d rather read about locations you don’t know than locations you do know.

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  7. Have just finished reading my way through Deborah Brown’s Paradise series. Found it a fun read with likable characters, similar to Jana DeLeon’s Miss Fortune series. Speaking of which, I also enjoyed the new Miss Fortune, Hurricane Force. She finally admits everything to Carter and that made this one a little more serious, but not a whit less enjoyable.

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  8. I found a new-to-me author at the beginning of this month, that I really have to recommend!
    Well, technically, it’s authors. Plural. The Mulgray Twins. A pair of retired identical twin sisters, who have written several books featuring Deborah Jean (DJ) Smith and Gorgonzola, her drug-sniffing cat.
    Yes, her ‘cat’.
    DJ works for HM Customs and Revenue (Britain) and her now grown-up rescue kitten, Persepolis Desert Sandstorm (AKA Gorgonzola after her favourite treat) helps by sniffing out hidden caches of drugs.
    G. is a ‘rather moth-eaten’ red Persian with a serious aversion to her cat crate.
    I found the second book in the series – Under Suspicion – at a local charity sale for 50c and I’m now on the hunt for more!
    Enjoyable, well-written, light cozy mysteries with a seriously humorous streak. Highly recommended!

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  9. i just read 10 books by constance and gwenyth little. they are a rue morgue vintage wacky cozy mystery. they wrote 21 books.each book stands alone.each has the word black in the title.i liked all 10 books i read,

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  10. MJ – I’ve also read all of Margaret Maron’s wonderful Deborah Knott series and I didn’t figure out the meaning of her name until your post. Wow! Can’t believe I missed that because I think I’m really clever at noticing those types of “easter eggs.” My excuse is that I get so wrapped up in her stories, I am in a different world!

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  11. Three of the well written and enjoyable books I read in September…….

    The Oxygen Murder (Camille Minichino) This book is the last in the Periodic Table mysteries and I will definitely miss reading about what murder Gloria is trying to solve even though her policeman husband wants her to stay out of investigations.

    A Function of Murder (Ada Madison) Sophie Knowles is a math professor at a college and the mayor is murdered with a letter opener from the college. Favorite line in the book was… …”I started down the hallway toward my bedroom with my cup of tea, grabbing three paperbacks from my to-be-read pile on the counter, plus my e-reader, since I wasn’t sure exactly what reading mood I was in”. This sentence sure describes us cozy readers!

    A Dress to Die For (Dolores Johnson) I recently found this series at a used book store and have enjoyed reading the first 3 books. The sleuth owns a dry cleaners business and murders just have a way of coming into her life.

    Mrs. Pargeter’s Pound of Flesh (Simon Brett) Mrs. Pargeter goes to a health spa with her friend only as her support as Mrs. Pargeter is happy with her plump weight. While there she witnesses a body being taken out secretly at night. How she gets out of eating the healthy food and what she gets to eat instead is humorous. Mrs. Pargeter always has the help of her deceased husband’s associates who are willing to help search out infomation for her. Fun read.

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  12. I wanted to add to the comment about Camille Minichino as Margaret Grace and you’ll love Manhattan in Miniature. As usual, Gerry and her lovely and cute as a button Madison are delightful in this newest Miniature book series. I’ve read and enjoyed them all. I’m going to get Town in a Sweet Pickle by Haywood. Really enjoy the Candy Holliday books as well. I want to recommend Miranda James “Cat in the Stacks” mysteries as having a male sleuth is fun for a swap and Charlie and Diesel Harris are a winning combination. I’m not a cat fan but I could make an exception for Diesel.

    I’m also going to try some of the books you all have recommended.

    As always, it is fun to tune in to comments and see what everyone is reading.

    Rob

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  13. C.C. Benison — Death at Buckingham Palace (Her Majesty Investigates series) Over the last couple of months I went back to the beginning of the blog & worked my way forward till I finished. As a result I’m now addicted to Ma Jong solitaire on my Kindle! (The version for Kindle Fire is way cool!) I also added a LOT of books to my TBR pile along the way. This series, Her Majesty Investigates, by C.C. Benison really caught my eye & of course being 20 years old, no longer exists at my public library, so I had to BUY them (all 3 volumes, & wish there had been more!). So having read this book, what can I say — HM as sleuth — what could be better????? In the first book Canadian housemaid Jane Bee is present when the Queen literally trips over a dead footman — and the two partner to solve the crime. Now I’m pretty sure I *did* read them, (at least this particular title) way back when, though I didn’t remember any of the plot, but the maid trying to get chewing gum out of the Axminster rugs in Buckingham Palace did ring a bell. Great book, looking forward to (re)reading the other two.

    C.C. Benison — Death at Sandringham House (Her Majesty Investigates series) — 2nd volume in the series. Even better than the first. In this book Jane Bee is once again present when a dead body is discovered in the Queen’s presence — in this case the body is dressed up to look like the Queen herself — and wearing a valuable tiara which had gone missing some 50 years earlier!

    C.C. Benison — Death at Windsor Castle (Her Majesty Investigates series) — Third, and unfortunately final, volume in this series. This time the Queen finds a body run through with a ceremonial sword — in the throne room — immediately before the prestigious Order of the Garter ceremony is due to begin — and of course HM immediately thinks of our intrepid housemaid cum girl sleuth Jane Bee to help her solve the murder. I love this series, just wish Benison had written more than these three books!

    James Anderson — The Affair of the Bloodstained Egg Cosy (Inspector Wilkins series). First in a series, wonderful 1930’s English manor house party, includes foreign agents, a Texas millionaire, a mysterious baroness and a notorious jewel thief
    — and a couple of unexplained murders — great fun!!!!

    Michael Robertson — The Baker Street Translation (The Baker Street Letters series). I just came across this new-to-me series and totally fell in love with the premise. Reggie and Nigel Heath are brothers who lease law offices in a modern day London office building on Baker Street that includes the area where the famous 221B Baker Street would have been. Hence they are the recipients of the reams of mail that still come addressed to Sherlock Holmes. And sometimes they get involved in adventures as a result. This is the second title in the series & I made haste to reserve the other 3 volumes in the
    series at my public library.

    Donna Andrews — Lord of the Wings (Meg Langslow series) — What can I say — LOVE, LOVE LOVE!!!!!! One of my MOST favorite series — winning combination of wacky characters placed in wacky situations — soooooo much fun! I’ve been a fan of this series since the very beginning — and I have to say its unusual that an author can carry a series for so long (is this #19?) without it becoming stale. LOVED it!!!!

    Marty Wingate — Between a Rock and a Hard Place (Potting Shed series) — third and most recent installment of this series. And, imho, the best so far. 50+yo transplanted American gardener Pru Parke fulfilling her lifelong dream of following her roots to the UK, in the current story she is working on a research paper in Scotland — and preparing for her wedding — which ends up a total surprise to everyone — most particularly the bride herself — LOVE IT! Looking forward to the next book.

    Ellery Adams — Pecan Pies and Homicides & Lemon Pies and Little White Lies (Charmed Pie Shoppe series) — These are the 3rd & 4th titles in this series. I love this series — sleuth is Ella Mae LeFaye, owner of the “Charmed Pie Shoppe” — who has the magical power of baking emotions into her pies. The plots are imaginative & original & the characters are well defined & (mostly) sympathetic (well, except for the villains!) — my only concern is that the way the last book ended, it seems like the series is at an end? Though it did say that a new title will be released in 2016 — I just can’t imagine what will happen next!

    Janice Hamrick — Death Makes The Cut (Jocelyn Shore series) — this is the second in this series (there are only 3 titles). Sleuth is a high school history teacher in Austin TX. In this book she has to solve the murder of a teacher & good friend — while avoiding becoming the next victim.

    Unfortunately I also read what was the latest title in one of my oldest favorite series — and it proved to be a total lemon. What I CANNOT understand is how it garnered 96 positive reviews on Amazon — because of the 23 critical reviews — they basically all said the same thing that I was thinking — Who on earth wrote this book???? Because it certainly wasn’t penned by the same hand as the first 15 books in the series! Our formally classy & always professional sleuth is now repeatedly said to “shriek”, “snarl” & “growl” — as well as making statements that make virtually no sense at all. And the other previously well developed & well loved recurring characters are reduced to cardboard cutouts — even the “theme” has gone south — while the themed specifics in previous books made one literally drool, in this title they basically make one say, “seriously???” or “you’ve got to be kidding!” Really left a bad taste in my mouth!!! I’m wondering if this author’s other two long running series will take a hit as well in their new releases???? 🙁

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    • Margaret, there are nights when I simply cannot stop playing Mah Jong, even though I want to get back to my book. And thank you for not mentioning the author of the lemon. I so agree with what you said about some authors not being able to continue a series as long as Donna Andrews has done. Your lemon sounds like that author was just phoning it in for an editor who wanted to put the book on bookstore/library shelves. From what you have said in the past, I’m guessing you will give this author another chance. I, however, have become impatient with author’s who continue a series when it should have been put to bed. (50 page rule!)

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    • I wonder if authors sometimes ‘outsource’ some of their writings when they have a lot on their plate. Or, perhaps they want to give a relative/friend a chance at writing. I’ve noticed this on occasion with some authors I read. Sometimes the writing has turned so simplistic I think it was written by a teenager! And it’s in direct contrast to an author’s previous stories. I, too, find it very frustrating. BUT, I always give the author another chance with the next book.

      A couple of years ago Laura Childs co-authored a scrapbook mystery with Diana Orgain. I found it had a ‘different’ voice, and I didn’t like it as well. I like some books by Orgain, in fact recommended her new series a year ago. But I think when one author is stepping into the shoes of another author’s characters, etc. with an established series it’s just not the same (especially one as well liked as L. Childs). I believe it has a different tone, perhaps not up to the quality of the original author. A new scrapbook mystery will be released in a week. This time Childs has selected Terri Moran as her co-author. I suspect (but certainly don’t know) that Childs writes the outline and the co-author writes the dialogue/stories within the outline.

      I suppose some of this happens when an author ages or even dies and a ‘ghost writer’ continues with a popular series. I certainly could tell a difference when Margaret Truman wrote a book and when a ghost writer wrote it instead.

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  14. It appears there are four books in this series to date…

    The Wisteria TeaRoom series by Patricia Greenwood…this is a new series to me and is thoroughly delightful.

    A Fatal Twist of Lemon (Wisteria Tearoom Mysteries Book 1)
    A Sprig of Blossomed Thorn (Wisteria Tearoom Mysteries Book 2)
    An Aria of Omens (Wisteria Tearoom Mysteries Book 3)
    A Bodkin for the Bride (Wisteria Tearoom Mysteries Book 4)

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  15. Hello. What a wonderful site you have. I found you through a link on author Cleo Coyle’s website. I read widely and a friend at an indie bookstore suggested Ms. Coyle’s Haunted Bookshop Mysteries (published under the name Alice Kimberly) and her Coffeehouse Mysteries. I have read and very much enjoyed 3 of the HB books thus far and 6 of the Coffeehouse books, and I have been recommending both series to friends and family. I find Ms. Coyle’s mystery series are intelligently written and have a wonderful sense of place—a New England bookshop that is haunted and a landmark coffeehouse in New York’s historic Greenwich Village. The writing is excellent and the characters develop and grow in entertaining ways, even the minor characters, which I truly appreciate. Ms. Coyle makes me care what happens to them, which is why I can’t wait to continue with the next books in both series.

    In the past I have also read and very much enjoyed the books (and recipes!) by author Diane Mott Davidson (she just released a cookbook that I plan to get) and Susan Wittig Albert. I hope I did not go on too long, and I’m sure I’ll visit again. Thank you so much for this informative site!

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  16. My cozy recommendations for September are:

    “Paw and Order” (Paw Enforcement series) by Diane Kelly. This is the second book in the series, a cozy and humorous police procedural featuring Fort Worth, TX Police Officer Megan Luz and her K-9 partner Brigit. The pair are after a young con woman who is creating a mini crime wave at the Fort Worth Rodeo and Stock Show.

    “The Cat, the Devil, and Lee Fontana” by Shirley Rousseau Murphy and Pat J.J. Murphy. This is the first book of different series from Rousseau Murphy’s better-known Joe Grey mysteries. This series, set in the post-WW II 1940s, is co-authored by her husband Pat and is a bit different from the traditional mystery but is an interesting read.

    “The Fatal Funnel Cake” (Fresh-Baked Mysteries) by Livia Washburn. Phyllis Newsome and her friends wind up investigating the death of a popular cooking show host at the Texas State Fair in Dallas after the host is poisoned by a tainted sample of Phyllis’s blue ribbon-winning funnel cake.

    “Fry Another Day” (Biscuit Bowl Food Truck Mysteries) by J.J. Cook. Zoe Chase, her uncle Saul and her friends have entered a reality tv show food truck competition. But when several people involved in the competition are murdered or are subjected to sabotage, Zoe’s potential boyfriend Miguel becomes the prime suspect. So Zoe and friends must uncover the truth to clear his name.

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