There will be one new upcoming Cozy Mystery series by an established site author with their first releases in March!
Gigi Pandian will be releasing Under Lock & Skeleton Key, the first in the Secret Staircase Mystery Series. The first in what promises to be an architecturally based mystery series will start out with one of the most classic mystery premises of all time, the locked room murder. Tempest Raj is heading back to her childhood home in California, and it’s only a matter of time before she also returns to her father’s construction company specializing in eccentric architecture like hidden passages and (as mentioned in the series name) secret staircases. But when a former coworker turns up dead in a passage that was supposedly sealed for over a century, she’ll need to use all of her architectural and mystery solving prowess to determine the killer. Pandian is also the author of the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery Series starring an antiquarian adventurer and the Accidental Alchemist Mystery Series starring an alchemist in Oregon.
I won’t be discussing this one as much because it doesn’t look particularly “Cozy”, but Wendy Roberts will also be releasing Burning Hope, the first in her Red Hooper Mystery Series. Despite having paranormal elements (a popular element in many Cozy series), this one looks more like a thriller to me… but it might be worth picking up nevertheless.
For more upcoming Cozy Mystery Series, check the New Mystery Series page!
thetarotman says
I must say, I AM very intrigued about the “Secret Staircase Mystery Series,” and look forward to checking out the “Accidental Alchemist Mystery Series,” too.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Tarot, personally, I always find it nice when something with a bit of a different twist comes out in a Cozy, and this definitely sounds like it fits in that category.
thetarotman says
Yes, it does, Danna.
I AM already at Chapter 3 of the prequel, “The Mystery of Rum Runner’s Lane.” I can already see the complicated relationship Cassie has with her sister, Lacey. Not unlike the complicated relationship another Lacey, has with her sister, Nora, of the “Nick & Nora Mysteries,” by T. C. LoTempio.
In the meantime, I AM also reading “Death by Vanilla Latte,” by Alex Erickson, which is the fourth in the “Bookstore Cafe Mysteries.” I missed this series very much, but so far, have not had the opportunity to drink a vanilla latte while reading it in public; yes, just another example of my warped sense of humor (smile).
Crow says
I wish there were a term for cozy-adjacent mysteries — those that don’t fit the parameters of the cozy definition but are still likely to be appreciated by many modern cozy readers. It would help in finding new authors to read (and I’m always looking for more).
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Crow, I know what you mean – the sometimes questionable borders between sub-genres can be tricky to deal with when you’re running a site like this!
Kelli Roberts says
I got an ARC of Under Lock and Skeleton Key and it was really fun! A wonderful multicultural family, great food, amazing architecture and lots and lots of magic. I can’t wait to see what comes next!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kelli, I’m glad to hear that this one is worth looking forward to!
thetarotman says
And I think I just heard one of my TBR stacks topple to the floor! HA!!
Ellen Byron says
I’m excited to share that I’ll be interviewing Gigi virtual via Mysterious Galaxy on March 15, time TBD. Gigi is a close friend, and I can’t wait to chat with her about this fantastic new book and her impressive writing journey.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ellen, thanks for letting us know about that – I’m sure there are plenty of site readers interested in hearing this sort of thing!