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Cozy Mystery Books Recommendations – October 2012

Yes, indeed, it’s that time of the month again! Time for us to share both the new (to us) authors we have discovered and/or the authors we follow. These are authors who we have read during the month of October, who we think are so good, we just want to tell everyone. (Or at least everyone who reads the Cozy Mystery blog!)

I’m going to begin by telling you about Spencer Quinn‘s Chet and Bernie Mystery Series, which is my October 2012 mystery book recommendation. I am only a little more than half-way finished with the first book in the series (Dog Gone It) but I enjoyed the prequel story and this half of the book so much, that I simply had to tell you all.

Let me start by saying that I had been contemplating reading this series ever since the first book in the series was published back in 2009. But, as with a lot of new-to-me authors, I felt like I follow so many authors already, that I sort of put this series on the back burner. All that changed when I listed the first book in the series (and then the prequel story to the series) on the Kindle Free and Kindle Cheap mystery book list. I quickly added Spencer Quinn to my long Kindle queue.

When I finished the current mystery book I was reading, I went through my rather long list of Kindle books, and thought it might be a good time to give Chet a try. I know I should say Chet and Bernie, but I have to be honest, reading a book with the first “person” narration coming from a “canine person” intrigued me. And, I am doggone happy I tried this series!

I have a deep-seated passion for dogs, and this dog hits all the right notes for me. As I mentioned, the narrator is a dog. This dog is personified just the way we used to think Sprite was. For those of you dog (and cat) owners out there, you probably know exactly what I am saying. How often do you think you know exactly what your pet is thinking?

Chet’s attention span is rather short, he is easily distracted, he is loyal beyond that word’s description, he has his own agenda – yet is passionate about following his co-worker’s plans (and by co-worker I mean his owner, although I don’t think Chet sees their relationship quite that way!), and he eats hot dogs that have been sitting under couches with much gusto; in short, Chet’s your typical dog… almost.

The only difference between Chet and a “typical” dog is that he was a K-9 school attendee. (Notice I didn’t say “graduate”>>> but you know how I feel about posting a SPOILER.) Oh, and another difference between Chet and a “typical” dog is, of course, your typical dog doesn’t narrate mysteries. (I have to admit, there was one rather harrowing part in the book in which I had to keep reminding myself that Chet and Bernie is an ongoing series, so I knew everything would turn out OK. But, again, no SPOILER here.)

Do not be fooled by the idea of a dog narrating the mystery. This is not a mystery series that is suitable for children. This is definitely a mystery series written by an adult, for adults. But, so far, other than that one tense, small part, I have felt good while reading this mystery. Chet makes me smile. So, I guess you could say that Spencer Quinn makes me smile. I think that the Chet and Bernie Mystery Series might make you smile!

*****

I will add the recommended authors to this entry as they come in. (Please do not tell us about the authors you did not like.) Thank you!

What Cozy Mystery book (or author) have you read during October 2012, and why did you enjoy it (or him/her)?

Here are the current authors who some of you have read this past month, and wanted to tell the rest of us about:

Susan Wittig Albert: Darling Dahlias Mystery Series

Jeffrey Allen: Stay at Home Dad Mystery Series

Lucy Arlington (aka Jennifer Stanley & Sylvia May): Novel Idea Mystery Series

Jessica Beck: Donut Shop Mystery Series

Melissa Bourbon:Magical Dressmaking Mystery Series

Laura Bradford (aka Elizabeth Lynn Casey): Amish Mystery Series

Michael Brandman (Robert B. Parker’s successor): Robert B. Parker’s Fool Me Twice

Duffy Brown: Consignment Shop Mystery Series

JoAnna Carl (aka Eve K. Sandstrom): Chocoholic Mystery Series

Laura Childs: Tea Shop Mystery Series AND Scrapbooking Mystery Series

Kate Collins: Flower Shop Mystery Series

Lesley Cookman: Libby Sarjeant Mystery Series

Susan Rogers Cooper: Milt Kovak Mystery Series

Cleo Coyle: Coffee House Mystery Series

Philip R. Craig: Martha’s Vineyard Mystery Series

Isis Crawford (aka Barbara Block): Mysteries with Recipes Mystery Series

Jeanne M. Dams: Dorothy Martin Mystery Series

Dianne Mott Davidson: Goldy Bear Mystery Series

Ruth Dudley Edwards: Robert Amiss Mystery Series

Tim Ellis: Parish & Richards Mystery Series (#1 A Life for a Life)

Joanne Fluke: Hannah Swensen Cookie Jar Mystery Series

Shelley Freydont: Celebration Bay Mystery Series

Anne George: Southern Sisters Mystery Series

Carolyn Hart: Nela Farley Mystery Series

Ellen Hart: Jane Lawless Mystery Series

Veronica Heley: Ellie Quicke Mystery Series

Ellen Elizabeth Hunter: Magnolia Mystery Series

Judith K. Ivie: Kate Lawrence Mystery Series

Miranda James (aka Jimmie Ruth Evans, Honor Hartman, & Dean James): Cat in the Stacks Mystery Series

Sofie Kelly: Magical Cats Mystery Series

Janice Law: Anna Peters Mystery Series (A Safe Place to Die)

Meg London (aka Peg Cochran): Sweet Nothings Vintage Lingerie Mystery Series

Susan Elia MacNeal: Mr. Churchill’s Secretary

Jenn McKinlay (aka Lucy Lawrence & Josie Belle): Cupcake Bakery Mystery Series

Spencer Quinn (aka Peter Abrahams): Chet and Bernie Mystery Series

Cynthia Riggs: Martha’s Vineyard Mystery Series

Sara Rosett: Ellie Avery Mystery Series

Paige Shelton: Country Cooking School Mystery Series

Denise Swanson: Scumble River Mystery Series

Victoria Thompson: Gaslight Mystery Series

Elaine Viets: Dead-End Job Mystery Series

Peggy Webb: Southern Cousins Mystery Series

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

Comments

  2. I am going to recommend the following books :
    1. “Buried in a Book” by Lucy Arlington. This book is set in a literary agency in North Carolina. The person murdered was thought to have been just a lowlife street bum, not even worth anyone seeking justice for the guy’s murder. This is supposed to be a debut for this writer or sleuth. That isn’t really made clear anywhere that I could find. Very good first book anyway. Hopefully there will be more on this series.
    2. “Fool Me Twice”, a Robert B. Parker Jesse Stone Novel, written by Michael Brandman. This is a typical Jesse Stone novel. But since I love this series the book is once again excellent. Michael Brandman seems to be able to pull the continuation of Robert Parker’s Jesse Stone fairly well. We will see if that can continue.
    3. “A Catered Halloween” by Isis Crawford. This book has our sleuth sister-set, Bernie and Libby Simmons setting up their catering business in a haunted house. Very good Halloween story.

    • Lucy Arlington is the pen name of two authors writing together: Sylvia May (Buried in a Book is her first mystery) and Jennifer Stanley, who has written a number of cozy mysteries in several series. I really enjoyed this book, too.

  3. Only one mystery this month but it was a good one. Webb’s Double Tropical Trouble. Very zany. I thought of it as a far-out Nancy Drew. Only one distant murder which is only occasionally referred to. I’d say the murder is more of a reason for the story, rather than its focus. Plenty of sexual references but no actual sex. I think I remember some curse words but not many, at any rate and no real violence although quite physical. I’d recommend to anyone that they take a look at the Webb’s series and see if they might enjoy it. I plan to finish the series gradually when I’m in the mood for a nutty, funny story.

  4. Also, I’m starting Ann George’ Murder on a Girl’ Night Out. I think I’ll like it very much as it seems a cheerful, funny story where you get to know a few characters quite well. It’s the first of her “Southern Sisters” series.

  5. i only read 5 books in october. so here it goes:

    1. Miranda James’ File M for Murder which i started at the end of september and finished in october.

    2. Meg London’s Murder Unmentionable i loved it . it was great, cannot wait to read the next one

    3. Duffy Brown’s Iced Chiffon. it was delightful and a refreshing read.

    4. Jenn McKinlay’s Red Velvet Revenge. I love anything about food since i love to eat.

    5. Jessica Beck’s Powdered Peril. I love this series. the recipes are wonderful.

    Basketball season has started and the m school’s carnival is next week. I just got home from a ballgame. Have one tomorrow, one thursday and homecoming on friday. that is 4 this week and wed. is only night home. so reading is on the back burner. but always have a book with me at these events.

  6. This month I have read Elaine Viets’ Helen Hawthorne dead end mysteries. I love the messes she gets in and how murder just seems to find her all the time. I also have read Victoria Thompson’s Sarah Brandt series Murder on Fifth Avenue. I love the time period that she uses in this series. I have also discovered Laura Childs Teashop Series and love the Charleston setting. I love how easy all of these stories are to read.

    I have a question for fellow readers. Does anyone have a system of tracking the books that you have read and ones that you want to read? Right now I have a journal that I use. But would like to have a database that I can add to and have it more mobile when I go to the library or bookstore. Any comments would be appreciated.

    Danna, Thank you for all you do. I have found so many new writers and series by browsing your site. When the internet is down or I am away from the computer, I miss your site. Once again thank you.

    Karen

    • Karen, I am so glad you are enjoying the site. I will pose your question about tracking books on a future blog entry. I’ll bet there will be some good suggestions.

    • I track my books on http://www.librarything.com. It is easy to enter books (they pull from many databases, including Amazon and the Library of Congress). You can sort them into collections, such as My Library and Books Read but Unowned as well as creating your own collections. You can start entering books for free, after a certain number (I think 200) there is a cost, but it was fairly minimal.

  7. I read a couple of disappointing books this month. One was the sixth in a series I became progressively disappointed with. Finally on page100 it was so sl-o-o-o-w, I gave up! The characters were lackluster and boring. The story had no ‘oomph’ and even the romance(s) were as dull as dishwasher! Luckily I got the book from the library. I took it back and crossed this series off my list! Then I started in on the 3rd book in a series I was enjoying. There are many positive aspects to this series. I was excited about the first half of the book, it was engaging and fast paced. BUT it went downhill from there. The rest of the story just plugged along in a very ‘methodical’, non-creative way. The rest of the writing was very unimaginative. I finished it, but UGH, I can’t recommend this one.

    I decided to go to the library and browse their shelves. I came across a book by Laura Bradford, ‘Hearse and Buggy’. It piqued my interest because of the book (Plain Death) I enjoyed last summer by Amanda Flowers. Both are Amish stories. It they were strictly Amish, I probably wouldn’t have read either one. But it is the combination of English and Amish characters that make them interesting reads. In addition, I discovered that Laura Bradford also writes under the name of Elizabeth Lynn Casey, an author I enjoy. So I decided to give it a try.

    I’m not quite finished with it, but it looks like a winner. It is set in an Amish community in Pennsylvania. The main character moves from NYC to this community after a recent divorce (this is a ‘typical’ background story by many authors). She currently lives in her aunt’s B&B and decides to open a craft/gift type shop in this tourist town. By merging two cultures the author is able to create complex characters and the interactions make for great story lines. I think I figured out ‘whodunit’, but the people keep the story enjoyable. If I had to compare the two, I found the Flowers book (Plain Death) more complex with deeper understanding of the Amish, but Bradford’s Hearse and Buggy (so far) is delightful, charming and well paced. I’m glad I discovered this book and it’s a nice way to round out the month!

    Earlier in the month I read the following new releases from ‘tried and true’ series:

    Even though they’re usually released in the fall, Laura Childs Scrapbooking series almost always centers on the Mardi Gras venue, as does her 10th book in this series, “Postcards From the Dead”. Most of us have sung the praises of the various Laura Childs series for quite awhile now. Others may be more astute than me and differ with my opinion, but I have, as of yet, to notice a decline in the creativity of her books, even though she write three series concurrently. One of the reasons this series is enjoyable is because of the New Orleans setting with its vibrant culture/rich scenarios. The main sleuth’s nemesis is murdered, which creates some interesting twists and turns. I also like the absurdity and amusing aspects of the characters in this series. Childs always creates a VERY strong female lead, as is Carmela, owner of a scrapbooking store. As normal for this author, the sleuth gets herself into dangerous situations (without smart thinking). BUT it is a pleasurable well-paced read.

    Another series I enjoy is the Chocoholic Mysteries by JoAnna Carl. The 14th in this series, “Chocolate Moose Motive” was just released. I was surprised as to how short this book was – around 200 pages. This series is set in western Michigan and the main character (Lee) is the accountant for her aunt’s chocolate making store. (YUM!) This time Lee reaches into the past to solve a mystery involving some very captivating (and somewhat eccentric) characters, with exciting twists to the plot. Since there is emphasis on new/different people, this particular story in the series misses the interaction between the normal litany of enjoyable characters.

    Sometimes an author incorporates an affectation, disease, or psychological disorder, etc. into the storyline to further educate the reader. “Mistletoe, Merriment, and Murder” by Sara Rosett does this with the topic of ‘hoarding’. I found it enlightening, especially with a topic of which I had little or no understanding. Since the sleuth (Ellie) is a ‘professional organizer’ the topic fits (with compassion) into the story without being overbearing. Rosett introduces a new ‘willful’ character (‘eventually’ likeable) into the story. It will be interesting to see if she continues to utilize her in future storylines. Her settings are always on a military base, this one is in Georgia. For those interested in ‘holiday themes’ this is set in December, but not really ‘thematic’. The story moves along slowly at times, but all in all is an engaging mystery. I usually like to follow a series from first to last, but this book can definitely be read ‘out of order’, without any loss to continuity.

  8. I really enjoyed If Mashed Potatoes Could Dance by Paige Shelton. Betts runs a cooking school in Broken Rope, Missouri with her Grandmother. The school actually is her grandmother’s school. This book has foodies, murder and an ax wielding ghost. Broken Rope has two mysteries – one from the past and one from the present.
    Broken Rope has an infamous past so tourists come to visit to take in the history. Betts and Grams can see and talk to the ghosts from the past in Broken Rope. This book has an ax wielding ghost named Sally Swarthmore who appears with a scent of lavender. Sally asks for Betts help. I am not normally a paranormal mystery fan but I do like this series very much. I liked both mysteries in this book but the past mystery was my favorite.
    I enjoyed If Fried Chicken Could Fly (the first in the series) so I purchased the 2nd book right when it came out. Both of the ghosts in her two books are quite engaging and likable.
    With the town’s history, there could be a lot of stories coming out of Broken Rope.
    I like her writing so much in this series, that I am going back to read her Farmer’s Market series. I did read the first book in this series (Farmer’s Market) about a year ago. Paige Shelton might be one of my favorite new contemporary cozy authors.

    Normally I read a book and then wait awhile to read the next book in the series. Not so with the Darling Dahlias.
    Last month I shared that I loved the Darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree. I just read The Darling Dahlias and the Naked Ladies and I savored every word. I have the DD and the Confederate Rose on order at the library. I love the time period and the garden group. Their friendships are special. I even printed out the map of Darling Alabama so I can visualize where people live and where the business buildings are. It is on the author’s website. It is a very gentle cozy mystery series. Just think this is one series that I will be caught up with soon!

  9. I’m reading the “Parish & Richards” series by Tim Ellis. I love the characters – the mysteries are well developed and convoluted enough to keep me reading long past my bedtime. And then eager to get into the next one. So far there are seven – I’m well into the fourth.
    I came across the first title when Amazon sent me a “pop-up” of “similar to” another British mystery on Kindle I had purchased.
    I read that one: “A Life for a Life” and just had to get the others. They are cheap and are long. The first is 342 pages. Apparently it was first self-published and then picked up by a publisher.
    The murders are a bit more gory than most cozies but nothing like the police procedural mysteries.

  10. My choice for this month is Carolyn Hart’s newest book What the Cat Saw. I have loved her books and writing since I read the first book in the Death on Demand series years ago. This book has a cat named Jugs who wittnesses the death of his owner . Nela is helping out her sister for a week and stays at the apartment of the dead cat owner looking after the cat and working at the museum/foundation where the dead owner (and her sister ) worked. Nela and the cat can read each others minds which is unnerving for Nela as Jugs communicates to her how his owner was murdered. The story is well written and a great read . I can’t wait for the next one! Well worth picking up.

  11. Have you read any of the Jesus Thief series written by J. R. Lankford? I just finished the 3rd book in the series, “The Sacred Impostor,” and just have to say WOW! I would strongly recommend this book to all!

  12. I started my Autumn/Halloween reading in September and I am still going.
    I started this month with FOUL PLAY AT THE FAIR by Shelley Freydont. It was a very enjoyable read, many twists, turns and red herrings. There was a bit of touching human drama thrown in as well and nice character development. And a very surprising ending (in my opinion) which I will not give away. I am in the Capital Region of NYS and this takes place in a fictional town in the Lake Champlain region so there were a few fun local references.
    I also read MURDER ON THE GHOST WALK by Ellen Elizabeth Hunter. This was a hard book to find but glad I’m did. I love all the realism with the accurate locale description. Again a book with alot of that human drama. More than one murder (which I like) and the second murder victim was a surprise to me. Many suspects, which kept me guessing. Nice easy, enjoyable read.
    I also read MURDER ON OLD MAIN STREET by Judith K. Ivie. Again she creates realism with the accurate locale description. The female sleuths “are of a certain age” and very strong, independent and professional and have a great relationship with each other. I found it fast paced with some interesting side stories.

    • I can not believe I forgot to mention this:
      I was checking out Judith K. Ivie’s website and found something AMAZING, she donates the proceeds from every paperback sale to Our Companions Domestic Animal Sanctuary in Connecticut. I already love this series and intend on continuing it, but even if I didn’t I would be buying her books.
      I make charity raffle baskets for my local shelter and I am going to purchase a few of her books for one of our “Cozy Night With A Good Book Basket”.

  13. Found at my favorite used book store – A safe place to die by Janice Law. Never heard of her, but her protagonist is Anna Peters who provides security to clients. Interesting characters at least in the book I found.

  14. I really enjoyed Mr. Churchill’s Secretary by Susan Elia MacNeal. It was a wonderful WWII book, very evocative of the period with a plot involving Nazi sympathizers and Irish nationalists.

    On a lighter note, I read the latest in Peggy Webb’s Southern Cousins mystery, Elvis and the Blue Christmas Corpse. Part of the story is narrated by the basset hound who believes he is the reincarnation of Elvis. Very fun!

  15. Danna and Karen

    Several years ago when the Palm handhelds were “big” items I had one. There were lots of companies making programs that could be used on the computer and “synced” to the handheld Palm. One of these was by WakefieldSoft and was called BookBag Plus. It was (and still is, I feel) one of the best and most versatile programs for cataloging books, keeping track of those read by titles or authors, books wanting to read, dates, times places, prices, by format or categories (ie, romance, mystery, cozy, etc.). I would always have my Palm with me in a bookstore (new or used) and would never forget ones I would be looking for or if I might have already read it in the past. Alas, the Palm eventually died and is not being made anymore but the Desktop PC program is still in use and I think still available to purchase for a small amount. I would be totally lost if I ever lost the program on my PC so it is always among the programs that I keep “backed up” periodically. Their website is wakefieldsoft.com.

    • Thanks, for the info, Pat. I just keep my lists on my computer desktop, using alphabetized Microsoft Word folders. That way I can add and delete, strike through, etc. whenever I want. Now that I am buying all of my books for my Kindle, I don’t have to print out those lists anymore.

  16. Here is a list of the books I read in October.

    Kate Collins
    Evil in Carnations
    Sleeping with Aemone
    Dirty Rotten Tendrils
    Night of the Living Dandelions
    To Catch a Leaf
    Can’t wait for 11/6 when “NIGHTSHADE ON ELM STREET” comes out. Also Kate has another book “SEED NO EVIL” which is suppose to be out August 2013.

    Sofie Kelly
    Curiosity Thrilled the Cat
    Sleight of Paw
    Copycat Killing.

    Melissa Bourbon
    Pleating for Mercy.

    Enjoyed all of the books I read in October.

  17. Just finished Popped Off by Jeffrey Allen, 2nd in the Stay at Home Dad series. A mystery without a murder, but with great caracters and humour. Duece Winters (dad) is coach for his five year old daughters soccer team. When the leagues coffers are cleaned out, he must find the money to keep the team playing. I look forward to the next instalment of this series.

  18. i looked at the list and there are about 5 or 6 authors that I don’t read but will add them to the list.

  19. Do you hear anything about the next SF series to come from Ronald Tierney. Love his City references, and a fun sleuth team in Carly and Noah.

    • No, I’m sorry, Maggie, I don’t know anything about Ronald Tierney’s upcoming mysteries.

  20. Every month I swear I will keep a list of books I read that month, but then I forget. This is a partial reconstruction of my October list. Some comments about some of them. Jeanne Dams, her usual series which I like. Ruth Dudley Edwards, I already analysed that one. Lesley Cookman, her series I began by downloading one of her books on my Nook and found I wanted the rest of them. I now have ordered the last 2 of them. Frances Devine on my Nook, too sweet for my taste. Veronica Heley, again a very satisfactory series. Will she ever resolve her problems with her daughter? Denise Swanson, previously commented on. Ellen Hart, not her usual style. Susan Rogers Cooper, not her newest one, but one from her Sheriff series, very appropriate for our time. That’s all folks.

  21. Boy, that’s a whole lot of mystery authors we have recommended for the month of October. Thank you for telling us why you think we might be interested in reading some of these authors.

    I am going to see about trying three of them who are new-to-me authors. I am hoping that next month I may be able to recommend at least one of them.

    Thanks, again!

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