Well, I’ve been holding off on this longer than I should… quite a few questions by Cozy Mystery readers have started to pile up. Here’s hoping that some of our keen-minded readers can help these people find their forgotten favorites!
From Lenda…
I have been trying to remember which mystery writer includes recipes that also list the gluten free version. All I can remember is that the writer is a woman.
EDIT: Numerous readers have suggested Nancy J. Parra‘s Baker’s Treat Mystery Series. Others have suggested Daryl Wood Gerber‘s Cookbook Nook Mystery Series. Catherine suggested Libby Klein‘s Poppy McAlliester Mystery Series, which features a gluten-free baker. Debby suggested Lorna Barrett‘s Booktown Mystery Series, which does include recipes.
From Carole…
I am trying to remember the name of the author who wrote a few mystery books about an older woman who ran a salvage business in the Sacramento area. I think the character’s name was Henry O. or something like that.
EDIT: Actually, Carole found the answer to her own question – the author is Mary Bowen Hall. Several others have suggested the Henrie O. Series by Carolyn Hart, but at least in this case that isn’t the answer! (Still might be worth looking at though!)
From Robert…
Trying to find name of author who wrote about a Florida keys murder mystery. She was a district attorney, her boyfriend was a cop.
EDIT: Not many suggestions on this one yet… Amy suggested it could be Barbara Parker‘s Suspicion Mystery Series, which stars Miami lawyers.
From Glen…
some books about a couple of elderly men, a bit scatterbrained maybe? Or maybe just a bit naive. They do solve mysteries, and the books are very funny. They’re older books and out of print now. In fact, out of print for quite awhile…
EDIT: Not too many possibilities for this one yet either. Rickee suggested this could be the Peculiar Crimes Unit by Christopher Fowler. Lydia suggested it might be from Phoebe Atwood Taylor, either the Asey Mayo Mystery Series or the Leonidas Witherall Mystery Series.
From Neater…
I’m looking for a cozy mystery series about a Golden retriever female dog trainer and kennel owner In New York. She lives on a compound with her family. She travels to dog shows around the country. Her whole family is involved with the dogs…
EDIT: Several possible answers, but not a strong consensus on this one yet… Marsha suggested Laurien Berenson‘s Melanie Travis Mystery Series, though there are some differences (poodles and Connecticut instead of golden retrievers and New York). Amy suggested Carol Lea Benjamin‘s Rachel Alexander Mystery Series, which does feature a dog trainer in New York, but not necessarily a focus on golden retrievers either. Rhonda suggested the Dog Lover Mystery Series, by Susan Conant.
From Este…
… took place onboard a harbored ship, I believe during a will-reading or murder mystery dinner. The book was part of an existing series that normally is not onboard ships. I believe the MC was a caterer or chef for the party…
EDIT: S’more Murders, an entry in Maya Corrigan‘s Five-Ingredient Mystery Series, might be the answer to this one – a suggestion by the author, actually, as well as several readers. Rickee suggested the Diane Mott Davidson Goldy Bear Mystery Series, which stars a caterer. And Amy suggested the author could be Faith Martin.
Thanks in advance! I will add anything that seems like it is probably the answer to the post!
Marsha B. says
Wow Danna… you’d have to have an incredible brain to answer those type of questions! As I have read SO MANY books over the years, the plots do tend to run together.
Possibly tho, the answer to Neater’s question may be Laurien Berenson. Not positive, but her books are sort of that, except the dogs are poodles.
Best wishes!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marsha, a few things look off, but that isn’t impossible with this sort of question, so I’m putting it up as a potential answer. Hopefully the questioner will be able to verify at some point.
Tari Hann says
The gluten free series could be the older Baker’s Treat series by Nancy J. Parra aka Nancy Coco. There were only three books, and I have no idea if there were recipes but knowing this author and how she includes them in her Candy-Coated mysteries, I’d almost bet that there might be recipes in these.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Tari, that could be the answer – the question is vague enough that I’m not totally sure, but I’m going to put it up as a possible solution.
Robin Elizabeth Jarrad says
Danna: Avery Aames includes a few gluten free recipes in her Cheese Shop books as one of her characters has to have gluten free food. Charlotte Bessettes cousin Matthew has a daughter, I think it is Amy, that has to eat gluten free. I think at least one if not two recipes in each of the cheese shop books has those included in the back of the book.
Melissa G says
The Baker’s Treat Mystery Series by Nancy Parra might be what you are looking for, although her recipes night be strictly gluten free. I have her books on Audible so didn’t listen to the recipes being read aloud.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Melissa, thanks! That could be the answer – I’m putting it up as a possibility.
Zarayna Pradyer says
I can’t help in answering any of these queries but, the snippets are all so intriguing, I want to read the books!
I am wishing everyone success in their treasure hunt!
Thanks, Danna.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Zarayna, thanks for the well-wishes!
Linda Szymula says
Lenda, Check out the Nancy J. Parra series ‘A Baker’s Treat Mysteries”. She has a gluten free bakery in the heart of Kansas wheat country.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda, that could be the answer! I’m putting it up as a possibility.
Gene says
Like them all. Always look forward to the new list!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Gene, thanks!
Anna R says
For Lenda-
I’m guessing it is Daryl Wood Gerber.
She contributes both Regular & Gluten-free versions of recipes on the Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen blog (recipe blog by 12 cozy mystery writers):
https://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com/
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Anna, that’s a possibility! I’ll put it up as a potential answer.
janie says
For Lenda. I think you are asking about a series called Baker’s Treat mysteries. She lived somewhere in the midwest and ran a gluten free bakery. The first one was Gluten for Punishment, the author is Nancy J. PARRA
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Janie, that certainly sounds plausible, so I’m putting it up as a potential answer.
Virginia says
Daryl Wood Gerber adds Gluten free recipes in her books. Plus the stories are great!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Virginia, that’s a definite possibility, so I’m putting it up as a potential answer!
Blarney says
Carole — Carolyn Hart wrote a series about a woman who was known as Henrie O — but, she was a retired reporter, not someone who ran a salvage business. Don’t know if that is the series you are looking for or not.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Blarney, thanks – looks like Carole figured it out herself though! She had the character’s name off.
Novella says
Danna, I’m curious about the series Glen is asking about? What exactly is his question?
He says “he has” the books but the post trails off. Is he looking for more in the series? I’d like to know what series he is talking about please, thanks!
Sorry, more questions! ☺
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Novella, I’m pretty sure he’s looking for the series and that was an error in the question.
Glen says
The two older men books I was looking for turned out to be by Kenneth Hopkins, and he only did about 4 in this series. I have three. They were great books! And my middle name is Mary. Female, sorry about the confusion! The old guys are 79 and 81, so I guess they are allowed to be a bit dotty, as the English would put it.
Barb E says
Carolyn Hart has a series with Henry O as the main character. Not sure about the salvage business part though.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Barb, thanks! It sounds like she found her own series eventually, though, so I’ve posted that answer instead. She was wrong on the character’s name, which threw a lot of people off.
Rickee Dozier says
The Henry O. mysteries are by Carolyn Hart, but I don’t recall her running a salvage business in Sacramento. Carolyn Hart writes southern mysteries, I think.
The only caterer character I know of is by Dianne Mott Davidson who is based in Colorado. The character is named Goldy and she runs a catering business, which I think is called, Goldilocks Catering, where everything is just right. ???
Is the ‘two older men’ mystery, the Peculiar Crimes Unit? they’re English, and have their own ways of solving crime. Humorous, too. I don’t know if this series is out of print. I’ve enjoyed the two I’ve read.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Rickee, those all seem like possible answers, so I’ve put them up. Thanks!
Maya Corrigan says
For Este: S’more Murders, the 5th of my Five-Ingredient Mysteries, starts with a death on a boat during a murder mystery dinner catered by my main character. I’m not sure if it’s what you’re looking for. The dinner is a re-creation of the last meal on the Titanic, and it takes place on a yacht in the Chesapeake Bay.
~Maya Corrigan
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Maya, thanks! I’ll put that forward as a possible solution!
Lyndith Mills says
I think the gluten free series is by Nancy J. Parra – Baker’s Treat Mysteries. Lyn M.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lyndith, that seems like a possibility! I’ll put it up as a potential solution.
Debby Toth says
Recipes – Lorna Barrett, Lorraine Bartlett – that was the first time I saw recipes at the end of a book. There may be other also.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Debby, that’s a possibility, though it doesn’t seem to focus on gluten-free. I’ve put it up as a potential answer.
Julie V says
I think Carole might be looking for the “Emma Chizzit” mystery series by Mary Bowen Hall. Emma is an older woman who runs a salvage business in Northern California, The character is described as a “Marjorie Main” type character who dresses in old clothes, drives a truck, and has a cat named ‘sourpuss’. Not available as Ebook, out of print, used copies only. Four books in the series: Emma Chizzit And The Queen Anne Killer; Emma Chizzit & the Sacramento Stalker, Emma Chizzit and the Napa Nemesis, and Emma Chizzit And The Mother Lode.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Julie, you’ve got it right – Carole actually found this one eventually, so I’m sure it’s the answer!
Libbykat says
Nancy Parra does gluten free recipes in her Baker’s Treat Mystery series.
Libby Klein
Daryl Wood Gerber/Avery AAmes has a lot of gluten free recipes on website but not sure if they’re actually all featured in her mysteries series. She does have recipes in her books.
https://darylwoodgerber.com/gluten-free-recipes.php
There may be others but these came to mind first.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Libbykat, thanks for the suggestions! Both seem possible, so I’ve put both up as potential answers.
Janice G says
In response to Lenda, Daryl Wood Gerber includes gluten free instructions for the recipes in her Cookbook Nook series as well as in the Cheese Shop series she wrote under the name Avery Aames. Hope this helps.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Janice, that seems like a good potential answer, so I’ve put it up as a possibility!
Katariina says
Lenda
Nancy J Parra has a gluten free series
Gluten for Punishment & more. It’s very good!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Katariina, that’s a possible answer! I’ve put it up as such.
MaryB says
Daryl Wood Gerber has some gluten-free versions of her recipes including her famous Blondies in A Sprinkling of Murder.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Mary, that seems possible, so I’ve put it up as a potential answer.
Amy S says
The Gluten Series – is it Nancy J Parra? (Lenda). And is the question from Estes the author Faith Martin? The golden retriever mystery questions is the author Carol Lea Benjamin? Is the Florida Keys mystery Barbara Parker?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Amy, those all sound like potential answers, so I’ve put them all up! Thanks!
stellans says
Carolyn Hart had a series based on a character known as Henrie O; it’s been so long since I read it I don’t remember if she had anything to do with salvage or not.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Stellans, the questioner here actually found it eventually, but thanks for the suggestion!
Kathleen Kendler says
The last one is Maya Corrigan. The series is A Five-Ingredient Mystery. There are 7 books so far.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kathleen, that is a possibility – I’ve put it up as a potential answer.
Sally Fortney says
Daryl Wood Gerber has gluten free recipes. Also check The Mystery Lover’s Kitchen website, which she is on. Stay safe and well.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sally, that seems possible! I’ve put it up as a potential answer. You stay safe as well.
Catherine says
Libby Klein – Poppy McAllister has gluten-free desserts because the main character is on a paleo diet for gluten intolerance.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Catherine, that’s a possibility! I’ve put it up as a potential answer.
Brooke says
Maya Corrigan’s S’more Murders fits the bill for a cozy mystery that takes place on a yacht during a Titantic themed murder mystery game.
In reference to the gluten free recipes, could that be Nancy Parra’s Baker’s Treat Mysteries (Gluten for Punishment was one)? The series follows a gluten free baker in Kansas who solves murders.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Brooke, those both seem like possible answers, so I’ve put them both up as such!
Rho says
Your site is a life-saver during these last four months of stay at home time. I’ve been wracking my brain to remember the author or titles of a series about a Scottish policeman who plays the bagpipes and rides a motorcycle. Can anyone help me find this series again? He has a group of eccentric people around him in the station and the town.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Rho, I think you might be looking for the Inspector Torquil McKinnon Mystery Series, by Keith Moray. The first entry is The Gathering Murders.
Rhonda says
The dog trainer books sounds like Susan Conant’s Dog Lover series. Her parents were well known for their golden retrievers. She has malamutes and is a trainer.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Rhonda, that seems plausible. I’ll put it up as a possibility.
Susan* says
Danna, Carol Lea Benjamin’s Rachel Alexander is actually a PI, not a dog trainer – although in at least one book she is trying to train her bull terrier, Dash, as a cadaver dog.
She’s doing it on her own though, not as a profession. Sorry! : (
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susan, it doesn’t seem terribly likely… still, I’m going to leave it up, as this one really doesn’t have what looks like the “right” answer to me yet – assuming the person asking was right about all of the details.
Lydia Medici says
Could the elderly men be from one of Phoebe Atwood Taylor’s series? Either Asey Mayo, or Leonidas Witherall. From the 1930s and 1940s and reprinted in the 1970s.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Lydia, those are both possibilities! I’ll put them up as potential answers.
Cheryl Malandrinos says
It is great how you coordinate this and readers get answers they are looking for. It’s an awesome way for other to find new authors, too. Thanks for sharing.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Cheryl, you’re welcome! I hope that it can help people reconnect with old favorites.