“I am currently reading Joanne Fluke’s Apple Turnover Murder (re-reading it to get my gear up for her next Christmas themed murder book.)”
Anita posted this comment on September 26, 2010. Well, Anita, I am doing the very same thing. I am gearing up for my holiday theme mysteries, and in doing so, I am finally reading some of the books that I have been “saving” for just this time of year. And by this I don’t mean that I am actually reading holiday-theme Cozies, but rather, I am reading the books that come before them… in preparation for the actual holiday Cozies.
As some of you may know, I am a huge fan of Camille Minichino‘s Periodic Table Mystery Series. The thing that first piqued my interest for this series is that it has a really strong, VERY smart woman as the main sleuth.
Gloria Lamerino (the sleuth) is a physicist who returns to her home town near Boston. Gloria, a consultant, works closely (yes, by this I mean she is employed… and also develops a romantic relationship) with one of the police detectives. Gloria’s main purpose is to explain the scientific data that the police need to know when some of their cases involve >>> scientific data. Of course, since Gloria is wonderful example of a Cozy Mystery sleuth… she doesn’t stop at just helping the police with the scientific details!
The Helium Murder (the second book in the series) is set during the Christmas season, as is The Oxygen Murder (the last book in the series.) But, since I only read Christmas themed books during the holiday season, I knew that I wouldn’t be reading this particular Cozy Mystery until December. And, since I was just about “caught-up” with Gloria’s exploits, and didn’t want that much time to lapse between the books in the series, I decided I wouldn’t read the preceding book in the series (The Nitrogen Murder) until now.
Long story, made even longer than I could have imagined: I am currently beginning The Nitrogen Murder so that I will “be ready” for The Oxygen Murder‘s Christmas themed setting. And, I am truly looking forward to both Cozies!
Anita, I know exactly what you mean!
Vickie B says
Thank you for introducing me to a new to me author. This series sounds good, especially getting ready for the holidays. As the season draws closer, the days get crazier, so I crave my cozies most of all in November and December.
Camille says
How nice to come upon this. I hope you enjoy oxygen in New York!
I’m busy with a 3rd series (the second has a miniaturist as sleuth) — a math teacher at a small New England college.
Thanks for your interest. Best to you — Camille/Margaret Grace/Ada Madison
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Hi Camille,
I’m looking forward to it. (And I forgot to mention that I am also a Margaret Grace follower!)
I keep checking to see when “Ada Madison” is planning to make her debut. I already have her little blip ready to be added to Ada’s page on the site:
Ada Madison
ACADEMIC MYSTERY Series:
Main Character: Sophie Knowles, College Professor, Beader, Massachusetts
Now, that sounds like fun! A smart beader from Massachusetts!
Stephanie says
I read the second in the Periodic Table series (the other one set at Christmas time) right around Christmas time last year. Unfortunately, there’s no way that I’ll be able to catch up to read the eighth in the series this year… Oh well – maybe next year!
The other book I read for Christmas time last year was Cyril Hare’s classic “An English Murder.” Nice thing about that one was it’s not a series so you don’t have to play catch up! I guess I’ll have to go through your lists again this year to find some other one-off Christmas mysteries since I’m not set to be caught up on any series this year.
Laura says
Stephanie: Oh, thanks for reminding me. I wanted to read “An English Murder” this season. Danna, be sure to let us know what new holiday books you will be reading this year. Now, off to amazon.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Stephanie AND Laura,
I read An English Murder (Cyril Hare) last year during the holiday season and absolutely loved it! Perfect Cozy setting… a mysterious estate, all sorts of possible suspects, and weather that makes it impossible to leave the mansion. What could be Cozier?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Vickie,
I love that the sleuth is a “normal” and very smart person… She isn’t a natural beauty who, of course, doesn’t know how gorgeous she is… She has friends who truly seem like real friends… In short, she is more like a “real person” who happens to be extremely bright, a 3-D Cozy Mystery character. (Also, a lot of her insights are particularly “human.”)