There will be one new series starting in February 2020 by an established site author.
Maria DiRico (aka Ellen Byron) will be releasing Here Comes the Body, the first in her new Catering Hall Mystery Series. This series will star newly single Mia Carina, who was recently widowed after her unfaithful husband’s boat sank. She takes this opportunity to return to her childhood neighborhood of Astoria, a part of Queens in New York City, where she plans on working at Belle View, her father’s catering hall. Unfortunately, some of her family’s less than savory history has come back to haunt Mia and her father, and when a body is discovered at a bachelor’s party they catered – and Mia’s father seems the most obvious culprit to the police. Though this will be the first series under the name Maria DiRico, site visitors are more likely to recognize the name Ellen Byron, the author of the Cajun Country Mystery Series starring Maggie Crozat, the manager of an old family plantation turned into a bed and breakfast in Louisiana.
For more new Cozy Mystery Series, check out the New Cozy Mystery Book Series page on the site.
Nora-Adrienne says
Ellen and I talked about the new book on a recent signing trip she made to NYC.. She laughed when I mentioned the name of the Mafia owned hall where my youngest daughter got married. She agreed it could be just like the one in the book. LOL
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Nora-Adrienne, it certainly sounds like an interesting setting for a Cozy!
Anne says
I received a review copy of this book and it was a great read. Such a unique plot and great characters we haven’t really seen before. I read it in one sitting.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Anne, thanks for the recommendation! I’m sure there are a lot of envious people here.
Cecile says
Can’t wait to read both of her series! They sound wonderful!!!!!
Ingrid says
I am thoroughly enjoying the Cajun Country series and look forward to reading the new series by Ellen Byron/Maria Carina. I like her writing and a NYC setting will likely prove much different from Louisiana. And there’s likely to be food involved. Yay!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ingrid, I’m also looking forward to an Ellen Byron book set in a new location – it’s always nice to shake things up a bit!
MJ says
We’ve all commented MANY, many times about using pseudonyms. We’re pretty much in agreement that as readers, we don’t really like it. Sometimes it is confusing, if not difficult, to find all the titles a favorite author (and their various pseudonyms) has written. It appears Byron is upfront about writing this new series, but many authors aren’t (or can’t be per publisher instructions).
Since Ellen often reads and contributes to this blog, perhaps she can tell us why it was necessary to use a pseudonym. I noticed this news series is published by Kensington, whereas her other series is from Crooked Lane. Does a new/different publisher demand a different name? Some authors have been able to keep their original name even though they’ve changed publishers.
Will Ellen still own the copyrights in this new series, or does the publisher own it under the author’s pseudonym? I’m really just curious. Some authors have commented they’ve lost rights to continue publishing a series when the publisher has owned the copyrights. In other words, they can’t find another publisher or self-publish. Some publishers have even found another author to continue writing a series, if they chose to do so, when they own the copyrights.
Since I’ve enjoyed all the books in the Cajun Mystery series, I’m looking forward to this new series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
MJ, while I wouldn’t speak for Ellen, the reasons I’ve heard in the past is usually that it’s a request of the publisher. My understanding is that there will be at least one more entry in the Cajun Country series, so I certainly hope there hasn’t been a falling out regarding rights to that series.
Linda MH says
I love Ms. Byron’s Cajun Country Mystery series so I’m really looking forward to her new series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda, so am I!
Mg Harrelson says
Love Cajun Country Series!
I’ll definitely check out her newest series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Mg, I’m definitely going to have to check this one out as well!
Ellen Byron says
Thank you so much! The series, inspired by aspects of my own life, is so much fun to write. I hope you all enjoy it!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ellen, if it’s anything like your previous works, I’m sure we’ll all love it. Thank you both for writing and for being part of this community.
Diane Davis says
Love the Cajun series! Looking forward to this one!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Diane, so am I!
Bek says
As much as I’ve enjoyed Ellen’s previous “Cajun Country” series, this is going on my “MUST HAVE” list! Do you happen to know if there are any recipes included?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Bek, yes, according to the listing, there will be some recipes included!
Sandy says
I read all the Cajun series. I loved the characters and setting so much. Will read your new series for sure.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sandy, I’m sure a lot of site visitors will be picking this one up!