Mystery Book Recommendations – September 2014

Comments

1. Lynn T. says

   September 27, 2014 at 9:03 pm

   This was a good month for reads that I enjoyed very much. The Wolfe Widow by Victoria Abbot was a fun read. I have read all three books in the series and while I enjoyed them all, this was my favorite.

   The Wolfe Widow:
   There is a knock at the door during dinner time at Vera Van Alst’s house and a tall mysterious women enters. The next day Vera fires Jordan from her book collecting job without an explanation. The indomitable glowering (a favorite word of cozy writers) Vera Van Alst turns into a meek pussy cat. What is going on? Jordan who is a fan of Archie Goodwin tries to channel thoughts about what Archie would do. Vera is a Nero Wolfe fan. Of course , Signora Flammetta Pantone, the cook, is urging everyone to “eat, eat, eat.” The book had good characters, humor and was a fun read.

   I was able to return to Darling Alabama this month with the Darling Dahlias and the Silver Bush Tree. I love this series. It is very mellow and cozy. If you like your mysteries with more of a thriller edge, this probably wouldn’t be for you. It is a laid back series. The time period is 1933 and the banks are failing and closing. This is the fifth book in the series. This book was more about the characters in the book than it was a mystery. The times are very hard. The bank in Darling is closed. What will happen to the town of Darling if the bank doesn’t reopen? Some of the characters are going through some big changes. One thing doesn’t change. The women in the Darling Dahlia gardening club are there for each other to celebrate the joys and sorrows. I savor every word as I read and I feel as if I know the characters. This series is one of my top three favorite series.

   Reply

   • Lynn T. says

     September 27, 2014 at 9:11 pm

     Correction to title-The Darling Dahlias and the Silver Dollar Bush

     Reply

2. MJ says

   September 27, 2014 at 11:35 pm

   September Recommendations -2014

   Murder of a Needled Knitter – Denise Swanson

   This book was a little different than the other books in the Scumble River series because it wasn’t set in Scumble River. It is set on a cruise ship (take note, Danna – this can go on the ‘Cruise Ship’ theme category).

   Newly married Skye and Wally are on their honeymoon aboard a cruise ship. Unbeknownst to them, Skye’s parents and best friend Tracy and husband, Owen, are also on the ship. May (Skye’s mother) is on board because there is a knitter’s convention. May has an altercation with the person in charge of the knitter’s group. As can be expected, this person is murdered and May is a suspect.

   Swanson writing talents are extended in this story as she encompasses all the descriptive writing about the scenery and activities involved on a cruise. She does a great job of making the reader feel like they are there (OR, feel bad because they aren’t!!). I assume she took the trip to do the research – how much fun was that!

   More so than in the other books of the series, this is a cerebral mystery. Lots of thinking and evaluation to reach a conclusion as to who is the culprit. The action is in the cruise activities, not necessarily in the pursuit of solving the mystery.

   I enjoyed this book because of all that. There was a narrow list of main characters – not all the extraneous ones we usually meet up with in Scumble River. It’s a fast read because you don’t want to put it down. I think it is one of the best stories in the series. Since it has a different, yet contained setting/characters, it can be read without reading all the previous books.

   FYI, Danna: In the back of this book there is an excerpt from the next Devereaux Dime Store Mystery book, ‘Dying for a Cupcake’, to be released March 2015.
   —————————————————–
   Well Red Then Dead – Terrie Farley Moran

   I am excited when I find a new series I like, written by a new author. The story is set off the Gulf coast of Florida, near Fort Myers. Sassy (middle name – Sassafras) and Bridgy own a breakfast/lunch café with a book themed tables. Of course there are shelves and shelves of books which they sell or lend. This cafe setting with books reminds me of Laura Child’s Cackleberry Club series.

   One of their elderly patrons (and member of the café’s book club) who owns island land is murdered. A battle ensues has to who inherits the land and if it should be kept as is (nature preserved) or allow luxury development to happen (a job/economic asset to the community).

   First of all, there is quite a diverse and exceptional group of characters who bring exciting aspects to the story. I like both Sassy and Bridgy – smart and intelligent women with a sense of fun and humor. If I don’t like the main characters within the first chapter, I don’t read any further.

   Next, the plot takes some interesting twists throughout the story. It keeps the reader ‘guessing’. Towards the end I kind of figured it out, but certainly didn’t know for sure. As per ‘formula’ there are two possible romantic connections for Sassy.

   This is an enjoyable read – I’m looking forward to the second book.

   ——————————————————–
   Marked Down For Murder — Josie Belle

   I enjoy all the books written by Jenn McKinley, et al. This one is under the pseudonym of Josie Belle. This author obviously has a highly creative mind to keep churning out several books a year (FOUR ongoing series!). She’s very prolific with plenty of imagination.

   The characters are well developed and appealing, with surprising growth and change. Maggie’s (protagonist) nemesis Sunny is again causing problems. Her father-in-law is murdered and Sunny is a person of interest. Even though this has developed as a ‘hate’ (well, perhaps strong dislike) relationship the Good Buy Girls (always on the lookout for great bargains to sell at Maggie’s second hand store) get involved in finding a solution. Sunny’s mother, Blair, is the big pain in this story, causing a lot of controversy.

   I’ve mentioned ‘fast reads’ in above recommendations. This story is a really quick read, not because it’s a ‘harrowing’ page turner, but because it moves so-o-o-o swiftly with its subplots and dialog. A couple of romantic side stories and a new baby add to the story’s dimensions. Actually the author wrapped up a several ongoing stories, so it wouldn’t surprise me if this series ended. But, we’ll see.

   ————————————————————————–

   To Fudge or Not to Fudge – Nancy Coco

   I enjoy this series set on scenic Mackinac (pronounced Mackinaw) Island in Michigan. BTW no cars are allowed on this island. This is the second book in the series, and I most likely also recommended the first book, ‘All Fudged Up’. Allie (protagonist) owns the family hotel and fudge shop (several fudge recipes are included – yum!).

   This may sound gruesome, but her dog finds bones of a skeleton buried in various spots. The challenge is to figure out who they belong to and how that person died. The bizarre ending is complex, thus difficult to figure out in advance.

   The characters are engaging, some a little offbeat I appreciate the humor/wittiness aspects written into the story. There are two possible romantic interests for the protagonist, thus following the cozy ‘formula’.

   This author does a credible job of writing stories when she uses her own creative abilities to develop and execute her own books, as she has done with this series.

   ——————————————————————–

   Nightmares Can Be Murder – Mary Kennedy

   This story starts out with a meeting of the ‘Dream Club’ (several women have gathered together to interpret/analyze dreams). WELL………………..you can just imagine how quickly I shut this book after the first few pages. BUT, because I have a lot of respect for this author, I picked it up again after a few weeks.

   Mary Kennedy brings a lot of intelligence to her books. In fact, I believe this is the best book I read this month. The reader (if they want to) can skip over much of the ‘woo-woo’ dream elements to the story. However, kudos to the author for originality in this story line.

   The characters are very complex with many layers. I immediately liked Tracey Blake (protagonist) who temporarily moves to Savannah, GA from Chicago to help her sister (Allison) with her vintage candy store (it’s not doing well).

   A member of the dream club is murdered, thus the group embarks on a mission to solve it. Kennedy goes ‘against the formula’ of two romantic interests………..there is only one! Noah, former FBI, now private detective, has also relocated to Savannah from Atlanta. Noah and Tracey were once a couple years ago when she, too, lived in Atlanta.

   I really couldn’t put this book down……………it’s truly a page turner. This is a smart cozy incorporating intriguing twists and turns with an ‘unguessable’ (my new ‘made up’ word) ending. The author is a clinical psychologist, and one can see her utilize these skills in her writing. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

   Reply

   • Danna - cozy mystery list says

     September 28, 2014 at 9:13 am

     MJ, I love your new made up word “unguessable”! (Also, thanks to you, I just added Denise Swanson’s Murder of a Needled Knitter to the Cruise theme.)

     Reply

   • Stash Empress says

     September 28, 2014 at 12:25 pm

     I always love reading your reviews MJ — your “read” list always seems to be my wishlist! (Wish you could just send me your books as you finish them LOL!)

     Reply

3. Stash Empress says

   September 27, 2014 at 11:43 pm

   Are we there already??? Where has this month gone????

   So in no particular order, here’s what I’ve been reading this month:

   Mary Daheim — Clam Wake (B & B series) – This series has been a favorite since the very first. At some point there were a couple of releases that weren’t quite up to snuff, and a lot of fans were concerned that the series was “on the skids” as unfortunately happens to many series after many years. But I’m happy to say that the last few, this one included, are back to the good old zany mysteries that we’ve always loved.

   B.B. Haywood’s Candy Holliday series:
   Town in a Pumpkin Bash
   Town in a Blueberry Jam
   Town in a Lobster Stew
   Town in a Strawberry Swirl
   This is a very enjoyable series which I have to warn you, should really be read in order from the beginning. Even though the author actually says that they are stand alone stories & you can start with any one, do yourself a favor & read them in order. I didn’t know this & the first one I read a few months ago was “Town in a Wild Moose Chase” – which is the 3rd in the series & which I liked very much but there were certain things I just didn’t “get” — there’s a definite “back story” going on & if you don’t know about it you definitely miss out on the significance of certain things. The next one I read was “Pumpkin Bash”, which comes after “Moose Chase” & though I understood a little more, there was a lot mentioned about the murder in the first book that I had not yet read (though the murders were not connected, so you could understand this book w/o having read the previous ones, but still…) So *then* I got my hands on the first one in the series, “Blueberry Jam” – and I was able to figure out the murderer based on which suspects were alive & well (& prospering!) in later books! Then I read the second one & of course was able to spot the murderer immediately, just based on things from later books – which I wouldn’t have been able to do if I’d started in order…. So – just saying – GREAT SERIES—can hardly wait till the next one comes out –but do read in order!

   Mary Marks — Forget Me Knot (Quilting Mystery)—This was a very good “first book” & I’ll probably enjoy the series very much. Like the characters. Would have enjoyed the plot more if I hadn’t just reread a favorite old series from 30 years ago that I’m assuming this author enjoyed as much as I did… just saying.. 😉

   G. M. Malliet — St. Just mystery series:
   Death of a Cozy Writer
   Death and the Lit Chick
   Death at the Alma Mater
   This was a new series to me, very enjoyable. The first one grabbed me by the title –how could I not like it??? Cozy writer that everyone loves to hate – all the “usual suspects” – “locked room mystery” (snow not disturbed all around) — great send off of the whole genre. The second in the series was my favorite, murder takes place at a mystery writer’s convention – at a lovely old Scottish castle – which is also a “locked room mystery” in that the automatic drawbridge was sealed shut at the time of the murder (power was out) hence the whole castle was in effect a “locked room” – LOVED IT!!!! Great “caricatures” of mystery authors! The third was also good, but since I have no knowledge of British university system, I didn’t get a lot of the references.(I still don’t know what a “bedder” is. Dormitory cleaning help maybe?)

   Isis Crawford — A Catered Fourth of July (Mystery with Recipes series) – another great installment in this series. The two sisters remind me a bit of Mary Daheim’s Judith & Renie in their youth.

   Maria Hudgins — Death of an Obnoxious Tourist (Dotsy Lamb Travel mystery) – first one I’ve read in this series, liked it immensely & plan to continue with this series (I’ve actually got the next one sitting on my Kindle, just waiting)

   Jeanne M. Dams — Day of Vengeance (Dorothy Martin series) – needs no saying, but I’ll say it again – LOVE LOVE LOVE this series!

   Tasha Alexander –Lady Emily mystery series:
   And Only To Deceive
   A Poisoned Season
   This series is new to me, I’m happy to see there are quite a number of them because I enjoyed it immensely. Love historical series, this one takes place in Victorian times, with good characters & good plots. (And wonderful clothes too – maybe that’s why I like historical mysteries!)

   Ellery Adams — as:
   J. B. Stanley — Black Beans & Vice — Supper Club Mystery
   J. B. Stanley — A Deadly Dealer — Collectibles Mystery
   Jennifer Stanley — Path of the Wicked — Hope Street Church Mystery
   I was curious to see some of the previous series by Ellery Adams under some of her other pen names.

   Daisy Goodwin — The Fortune Hunter – ok, this is not a cozy nor a mystery, but since it was mentioned here by someone else last month, I had to say that I’ve read it & LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Needed my Downton Abbey fix, I guess)

   Susan Wittig Albert — The Darling Dahlias and the Silver Dollar Bush (Darling Dahlias series)—This is a totally delightful series & I’m always thrilled when I get my hands on the newest installment.

   Ellery Adams — Murder in the Mystery Suite (Book Retreat mystery)—OK – THIS IS PROBABLY THE BEST NEW SERIES IN FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! First of all – I want to go there for a couple weeks vacation. I don’t care if they don’t have any murders when I’m there – I just want to move in there & chill LOL! Great location, great premise, great “back story” (if a bit unbelievable but hey – that’s what really cool fiction is all about!) Can’t wait for the next installment!!!!!

   Drop Dead Blonde — 4 shorts — Nancy Martin (Blackbird Sisters), Elaine Viets (Dead End Job series), Denise Swanson (Scumble River series), Victoria Laurie (Psychic Eye series) –I’m not really big on “shorts” – but this is good light reading. Two comments – the Dead End Job story is not actually about Helen, so don’t be disappointed, rather it’s a story that Helen’s landlady is telling her about something that happened in the past. And having said that I’m not big on “shorts” – I have to say that the Psychic Eye story was REALLY good – on par with her full length books.

   Grace Against the Clock — Julie Hyzy (Manor House series)—nothing to say beyond – its Julie Hyzy – that should speak for itself!!!! (And honestly, I was pretty much blindsided – didn’t see the ending coming at all!) (OK, I’ll say it – I love Julie Hyzy – her characters are wonderful & her plots are wonderfully crafted!)

   Now I have to add that there were another few books that I read & totally hated & so they’re not listed here & that’s why my monthly total isn’t as high as usual.

   In particular I have to vent about a book that I can only describe as a “wolf in cozy’s clothing”. It looked like a cozy – the title was a cozy-type title. The cover art was very cute & cozy-ish. The setting was very fitting for a cozy (in fact there’s a whole cozy series set in similar setting). The description on the back of the book read like a cozy. Even the manner of death seemed to fit a cozy (quasi-humorous place/way to die). The plot even seemed – on the surface—to fit the cozy “formula” — a “couple” goes on their day off to a “place of entertainment” where one of them discovers a corpse “in a funny situation”, then it turns out that the other person is the main suspect & the “body-finder” has to round up “zany cast of friends” to help find the real murderer. Sounds like a cozy, no???? Well I *thought* it was a cozy!!!!!!!!!!! Started reading & a couple pages in my “ick-o-meter” starts dinging… there was something there that wasn’t mentioned in any of the blurbs that was making me very uncomfortable – but I forged ahead… body found, check… other person suspected, check… turns out the vic was in the business of “etc. etc. & so on” some really ICKY stuff THAT DOESN’T BELONG IN ANY COZY. (Involving children, torture, slavery & other such nastiness) That was all she read. I was so sickened that I wanted to scrub my Kindle with bleach!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

   I think I may have to limit my reading to books that have already been listed on this site!!!!

   Reply

   • Margaret Anne says

     September 29, 2014 at 7:08 pm

     Stash Empress, thank you for sharing that the Candy Holliday mysteries really need to be read in order. I read Town in a Pumpkin Bash last October to get in a Halloween spirit, and although the book was good, I just didn’t get taken in by the series like I have with some others. I will have to add the first book into my ever-growing TBR pile.

     Reply

4. Cathy H says

   September 28, 2014 at 1:52 am

   Danna,
   I have just finished the Barking Detective Mystery series and what a hoot! A talking chihuahua rescue (speaks Spanish too) from LA makes it up to a Seattle shelter and is adopted by a recently divorced Geri Sullivan. Geri needs a job so she applies to be a private investigator and gets the job. The author is Waverly Curtis. Fun, fast, read. I guess the fact I have a chihuahua may have influenced me a wee bit. There are three books in the series with another to be released soon.

   Reply

   • Rob says

     September 28, 2014 at 12:39 pm

     Cathy: Aren’t Chihuahua’s a gas? I have a friend that has one named Zeus (of all things) and he is a delightful little guy of Black/Tan coloring and a personality that fits his name. Adorable, feisty and
     affectionate! He’ll be 10 years old Wednesday and I just got him a bag of Lean Treats (Veterinarian approved, of course).

     I have that series marked to read. I can’t think it would be anything but fun!

     Reply

5. Joyce Ann says

   September 28, 2014 at 2:35 am

   Out of Circulation by Miranda James is a mystery which sneaks up on you until you are totally intrigued and cannot put the book down. Its characters, including a 36 pound Maine Coon cat, are lovable and excentric. I can’t wait to read other books from A Cat in the Stacks Mystery series to revisit my new friends.

   Reply

   • Rob says

     September 28, 2014 at 12:40 pm

     I agree, Joyce Ann, but the whole series is great fun! I just ordered the newest one and I can hardly wait.

     Let me know how you liked the others in that series.

     Rob J

     Reply

6. Jeff says

   September 28, 2014 at 8:04 am

   I have just reread all of the Charles Paris mysteries by Simon Brett. I loved them when they first came out and was thrilled when, after a long rest, Brett wrote two more in the last few years. I have been so worried about what Paris was up to. I must say the books age very well. Wonderful sense of humor. I picked them all up used on Amazon for almost nothing. A guilty pleasure.

   Reply

7. Sheila says

   September 28, 2014 at 9:54 am

   Was I ever glad that I picked up and started reading the Kate Carlisle’s Bibliophile Mystery series. I was skeptical at first … after all what did I know about book binding. I am up to book 4 in the series. From Chapter 1 to the last chapter your interest is held.

   Kate Carlisle:
   Homicide in Hardcover
   If Books Could Kill
   The Lies that Bind

   Other books for the month which were just as much fun reading or rereading are:

   Marilyn Levinson
   Murder A La Christie

   Carol J Perry
   Caught Dead Handed

   Kathy Aarons
   Death is Like a Box of Chocolates

   Rosie Genova
   Murder and Marinara

   Victoria Thompson
   Murder on Astor Place

   Reply

   • Stash Empress says

     September 28, 2014 at 12:29 pm

     Ooh you’ve also got my wishlist on your “just read” list! Another person I’d love to get hand-me-downs from LOL!

     Reply

     • Rob says

       September 28, 2014 at 12:43 pm

       Dear “Stash”. I thought I’d add a few books (new series) by Connie Archer to your TBR list. A Spoonful of Murder, A Broth of Betrayal and A Roux of Revenge. Wonderful. Set in Vermont in a Soup Restaurant. Please let me know if you liked it. I feel responsible when I recommend a series.

       Reply

   • Kimmie says

     September 29, 2014 at 5:57 pm

     For anyone interested, Murder A La Christie is listing at $2.99 for the kindle version.

     Reply

     • Danna - cozy mystery list says

       October 2, 2014 at 12:53 am

       Kimmie, thanks!

       Reply

8. Margaret Anne says

   September 28, 2014 at 12:09 pm

   I had a fairly prolific month (for me) and enjoyed the majority of the books I read. My recommendations overlap a great deal with MJ’s, since I loved Well Read Then Dead by Terrie Farley Moran. I couldn’t put it down! I really liked the main character, Sassy, and I wouldn’t mind owning a book-themed cafe like hers. I also read both of Nancy Coco’s Candy Coated mysteries, which were very enjoyable, and I also read Jessie Crockett’s most recent Sugar Grove mystery, Maple Mayhem. I have found Crockett’s series to be very creative, and I appreciate the fact that the protagonist, Dani, did not need her love interest to come to the rescue and save her at the end.

   I just started a cozy that I am enjoying very much, so I can’t wait for October’s recommendations!

   Reply

   • Rob says

     September 28, 2014 at 12:44 pm

     Amen. I love to find out what other folks are reading.

     Reply

9. Davout says

   September 28, 2014 at 12:40 pm

   I love the Darling Dahlias, and in particular the newest one about the Silver Dollar Bush. The main reason I like the series so much is that they are different from other mysteries. I really care about these remarkable women from a remarkable time in our history. Gradually, I have come to appreciate what this generation truly had to go through plus the hint of mystery makes it enjoyable to read.

   Reply

10. Karen L. says

    September 28, 2014 at 2:03 pm

    I read a bunch of non cozy books this month. I did read two cozies that were new to me and were first in the series.

    Death of A Kitchen Diva by Lee Hollis: This book was funny, it had some quirky characters (the brother and his boyfriend, the sheriff were very funny). I found it to be a quick and entertaining read.

    All Fudged Up by Nancy CoCo: Loved the setting and the dog. Charlene the police dispatcher had me chuckling. The fudge recipes sound delicious and mouth watering. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

    Reply

11. Betti says

    September 28, 2014 at 3:13 pm

    I read a few non-cozies but of the cozies that I read a few of the best ones were:

    Do or Diner by Christine Wenger was my one of my favorites (not new, just new to me)

    Nightmares Can Be Murder by Mary Kennedy – quite good but raised some questions for me. I’ll be interested to see what direction the author takes the series

    Fat Cat at Large by Janet Cantrell was good and I think has potential to be better as the series progresses.

    Reply

    • Margaret Anne says

      September 29, 2014 at 7:10 pm

      Betti, I just started Fat Cat at Large (which was impulsively purchased for its adorable cover) and I also agree that it has the potential to become a great series.

      Reply

12. reginav says

    September 29, 2014 at 9:10 am

    September has been a great month for reading some very good mysteries. As I read each one I awarded it a WOW , pretty soon I had a lot of WOWs which only proves my initial statement.I think I will begin with the latest book I read “Wouldn’t It Be Lovely” by D.E. Ireland. As you might have deduced from the title, it featured Eliza Doolittle as the chief character with Professor Higgins as her side kick.I am not usually fond of Victorian mysteries but this was very good.WOW 2 Jane Haddam’s newest “Fighting Chance”. This takes Gregor to whole new level.WOW 3 Denise Swanson “Murder of a Needled Knitter”. Same cast of characters but in a whole new environment. I am a dedicated cruise lover, but I have never enjoyed such luxury as Skye did. WOW 4 includes 2 books that appealed to me personally. I am overweight and “The Fat Women Mysteries” by Sandra Noble hit home . I am always a sucker for American women of a certain age who move to England.Marty Wingate’s “The Garden Plot” meets this criteria and it is the start of a new series.Speaking of series, I mentioned previously that I read the latest Agatha Christie. Another book in a series to read is Lea Wait’s “Shadows on a Maine Christmas”.
    A couple of non mysteries that were excellent “Big Little Liars” by Liane Moriarty and Phillipa Gregory newest one “The King’s curse” I believe.

    Reply

    • Kimmie says

      September 29, 2014 at 6:14 pm

      The Fat Woman Mystery is listing at $2.99 for the kindle version if anyone is interested.

      Reply

      • Danna - cozy mystery list says

        October 2, 2014 at 12:53 am

        Again, Kimmie, thanks!

        Reply

13. reginav says

    September 30, 2014 at 8:39 am

    Add another WOW for September. Susan Rogers Cooper’s “Countdown”. Same cast of characters but a different plot line. In this one the sheriff’s wife plays an important role.

    Reply

14. Kathey says

    October 2, 2014 at 4:17 pm

    Terri Austin writes a series starring Rose Strickland. I was hooked about 1/3 of the way through the first book. They aren’t as cozy as some but they a re well written and I like the characters. My own books are also about twenty somethings but mine are a little more genteel. The writing in this series is excellent. I would start with Diner Impossible.

    Reply

    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      October 4, 2014 at 11:13 am

      Thank you, Kathey, for telling us about Terri Austin’s Rose Strickland Mystery Series. It’s interesting that you would tell us to start with the third book in the series. Is it a prequel?

      Reply

15. Anne says

    October 10, 2014 at 2:39 pm

    My best read in the wider genre was “Journey of Fear” by Eric Ambler. It’s an old thriller (and therefore no foul language, sadism etc.) written in 1940. A top British engineer finishes a job in Turkey and is on the way home ( dicey enough because its wartime) when he realises some-one is trying to kill him. Good plot, colourful characters and background – a really good read.
    I also recommend “Crooked Herring” by L.C. Tyler, new to me, but the latest in a series about a crime writer and his “Agatha Raisin-ish” agent. It’s a witty send-up of the world of crime writing but also quite a good “who-dun-it” in itself.

    Reply

16. jrv says

    October 21, 2014 at 1:45 pm

    I have probably mentioned these books before, but they are really worth a read. The location of these books take place in my favorite vacation spot, Maui. The main character is Pali Moon, a destination wedding planner. The atmosphere in these books is fantastic. It catches the spirit of the island and the Hawaiian way of life. Pali was raised by an “Auntie”, her mother’s best friend. She makes you feel like you are right there in the islands. The mysteries are interesting and the characters are wonderful. They should definitely be added to your site. The author is JoAnn Basett. The first in the series is “Maui Widow Waltz”. Another series is the Lalla Bains series by R.P. Dahlke….about a reluctant pilot running her father’s crop dusting business in Modesto. The mysteries are always interesting and Lalla is likeable. The first book in the series is A Dead Red Cadillac.

    Reply

    • Danna - cozy mystery list says

      October 21, 2014 at 4:47 pm

      JRV, thanks for telling us about JoAnn Basett again. Also, for telling us about R.P. Dahlke.

      Reply