This Magick Marmot (An Abracadabra Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
Publisher: Lyrical Press (April 7, 2020)
Paperback: Pages: 200

Synopsis

 

A fatal case of school spirit . . .

Kailyn Wilde, owner of the Abracadabra potion shop, feels some dread anticipating her ten-year high school reunion at the new hotel in New Camel—but it turns out even worse than she feared. Running into her very first boyfriend is pleasant enough. Chatting with Ashley—who still can’t let go of a tragedy that happened on prom night—is a bit more uncomfortable. But the worst part comes when one of Kailyn’s oldest friends is found dead in the ladies’ room.

Soon this upstate New York town is in an uproar. And with some help from time-traveling wizard Merlin—who has adopted an unusual and alluring creature as his familiar—it’s up to Kailyn to identify the alumnus most likely to commit murder . . .

 

 

Amazon  –  B & N

 

 

Review

 

I really enjoy this series especially Merlin.  He is a crackup and the shenanigans he gets into are priceless plus his interactions with Aunt Tilly are a hoot.  This man does love his desserts.

When I first picked up the book, I was a bit puzzled about the title because I had no clue what a marmot could possibly be and of course I didn’t go look it up ahead of time.  A marmot is a rodent, similar to a squirrel is my best explanation and Merlin has decided this is what is going to be his familiar…that is after a rocky start with other possibilities.

Kailyn has a rocky road with this murder.  She has to remember the passing of her childhood friend, Scott, in a tragic accident in high school and then at the 10 year class reunion, another friend is found dead.  This sets Kailyn off on the road to discover who might have killer her friend and what was the secret behind Scott’s death.  I honestly had no clue how this story was going to play out.  There are many potential suspects but none of them seemed to be the right fit.  When the truth is revealed, I was quite surprised and didn’t expect it to turn out the way that it did.

Travis is still around and in a relationship with Kailyn and it is a good thing he knows and understands her magick abilities.  They make a good team when investigating, but since Travis is a journalist, his investigative skills are quite different from Kailyn’s.  But it all works out in the end.

If you like magick and laughter, pick up this series and enjoy!  We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

About the Author

 

Sharon Pape describes her writing career as having two stages. Back in the dark ages, before computers were in every household, she had three paranormal books published. The first one was condensed by Redbook Magazine, the first paperback original they had ever condensed. Around the same time, Redbook published her first short story.

Then life brought her an unexpected challenge that went by the name of breast cancer. When her treatment was over, she became a volunteer for the American Cancer Society’s Reach to Recovery Program and went on to be the program’s coordinator for Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island. Several years later, with the help of her surgical oncologist and two other survivors, she started her own not-for-profit organization to provide information and peer support to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.

Once the organization was running smoothly and didn’t require as much of her time, she returned to her first love – writing. During this second stage of her career, she’s been writing cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist and a splash of humor.

 

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Synopsis

 

Claire DeNardo finally has her own detective agency, DeNardo and Son. The son, being her beloved dog, Charlie. Their first client is the wife of a wealthy Cleveland power broker who hires Claire to find her missing daughter. But Claire soon discovers her client’s family is hiding more secrets than there are sprinkles on Aunt Lena’s doughnuts—secrets that result in several murders.

This dangerously spicy case leads Claire to uncover a widespread criminal enterprise in which the names are changed to protect the guilty. Her easy-to-look-at fiancé, Police Detective Brian Corrigan, and his annoyingly stunning new partner, Abby, warn Claire to drop the investigation. But Claire is driven to uncover the truth and prove her client’s innocence, even if it puts her and her trusty sidekick, Charlie, in danger.

 

 

 

 

Review

 

Claire is a tough woman that isn’t afraid to get in there and solve the crime.  It’s a good thing she is a PI because that grants her a little more latitude with potential suspects.  They don’t think twice about answering her questions about the victims or potential murderers.  It doesn’t matter that her fiance is a police detective, he doesn’t like her poking her nose into his cases despite the fact that she is able to unearth details or clues that will help them solve the crime.

This is the first book that I have read in this series and I will say, start with book 1.  While the crime/mystery stands alone, there are details about her relationship with Brian and even the mob that isn’t fully explained in this book.  Setting that aside, I still enjoyed getting to know Claire, Brian, Ed, Lena, and the rest of the gang.  The mystery was well written and while the killer was someone I suspected, I didn’t read anything that really gave it away that it was this character.  There are several different situations happening throughout the book and I liked seeing how it all tied together in the end, or mostly anyway.

There is a character that is somewhat of a threat to Claire and Brian’s relationship, but not too much if these two lovebirds recognize her games and act accordingly.

Overall we thought this was an interesting book but would suggest starting with the first book to understand the relationship between all of the charcters.

We give this 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Carole is the author of the new cozy mystery series, The Terrified Detective. She has also written a number of stories for Chicken Soup for the Soul and other similar anthologies. She’s published several books of short stories. She currently lives in Dallas, Tx.

 

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Miranda and the D-Day Caper
Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Boutique of Quality Books (March 1, 2020)
Paperback: 338 pages

 

Synopsis

 

A modern day mystery with WWII tactics, old-time heroes and values, and the efforts of two amateur cousin sleuths from the Heartland.

On a sparkling spring morning in the Blue Ridge, small-town realtor Miranda Davis approached the tailgate market, intent on dealing with her whimsical cousin Skip’s unexpected arrival from New York. It turns out that Skip was on the run and, in his panic, grabbed his beloved tabby Duffy, recalling that Miranda had a recent part in solving a case down in Carolina. His predicament stemmed from intercepting code messages like “Countdown to D-Day,” playfully broadcasting the messages on his radio show over the nation-wide network, and subsequently forced to flee.

At first, Miranda tried to limit her old childhood companion’s conundrum to the sudden abduction of Duffy the cat. But the forces that be were hell-bent on keeping Skip under wraps by any means after he now stumbled close to the site of their master plan. Miranda’s subsequent efforts to decipher the conspiracy and somehow intervene placed both herself and her old playmate on a collision course with a white-nationalist perpetrator and the continuing machinations of the right-wing enterprise, with the lives of all those gathered for a diversity celebration in nearby Asheville and a crucial senatorial vote on homeland security hanging in the balance.

 

 

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Guest Post

A Guest Post from Skip

 

Hi, my name is Skip. You’re probably wondering why I’m writing this but I figure maybe if I can get it down on paper I can try to make some sense out of the predicament I’m in. Like how in the world I wound up in this little mountain town of Black Mountain a few miles east of Asheville when just a few days ago I was in the Big Apple of Manhattan filling in for an old acquaintance from the Heartland on his late night radio show.

First of all, I should explain that I’m an incurable storyteller. Very whimsical I might say. It just comes naturally to me. Second of all, I’ve done a lot of improv with a Second City troupe out of Chicago plus children’s theater.  In short, I’ve been trained to jump on anything that comes along and use it. Anything can be tapped and serve as a trigger. That’s the fun of it, that’s what gives you the great sense of freedom. Riding that wave into the unknown, making discoveries along the way. I love it, listeners and audiences love it. It’s kind of magic making something out of nothing.

At any rate, I’m about to go on following this pundit Russ Mathews who’s a kind of blowhard carrying on about how awful everything is and what this country needs is a big shakeup.  Sort of “Get them before they get you.” The other night, when he starts using World War II code—“D-Day is coming” words like that, I couldn’t take it any more. The minute he left the station after the five minute commercial break, I follow my opening kazoo signature theme doing a take-off on good ol’ Russ. I mean, I’m on the air to get all the insomniacs out there across the country to relax and hopefully go to bed. The last thing they need is to get all riled up by fear-monger Russ. So I start winging it, make it so D-Day is almost upon us, the center can’t hold, there’s a breach in the castle walls, we’ve got to take action. My ratings are going up almost immediately, call-ins are encouraging me like mad. My prospects are unlimited.

Next thing I know, I’m getting threatening phone calls. Back in my sublet in Hoboken, I receive a non-discloser form in my mailbox to sign or else. Shots are fired through my front window. To make the old long story short, I wind up grabbing my cat Duffy and hightailing it. Pretty soon, after being tailed to Pennsylvania, I try to shake them and head west and then due south.

Okay, I know what you’re thinking. But I’ve got a cousin Miranda, an old playmate back in the day in Indiana who, as it happens, has received some notoriety lately as an amateur detective.  And also happens to live in a little secluded mountain town. Maybe she can help, offer me a little advice, offer me her services.

Oh, didn’t I say? The phantom posse just made off with my ginger tabby Duffy.

 

 

About the Author

 

Shelly Frome is a member of Mystery Writers of America, a professor of dramatic arts emeritus at the University of Connecticut, a former professional actor and, all told, has written over twenty-five plays in addition to his articles and novels.

A frequent contributor of articles on all facets of creative writing and acting, Shelly appears in numerous periodicals including Southern Writers Magazine where he is the film columnist. He is also a contributor to writers’ blogs and websites in the U.S. and the U.K.

His fiction includes Twilight of the Drifter, The Twinning Murders, and Lilac Moon. His Hollywood crime caper Tinseltown Riff was released in March 2013. His latest crime novel Murder Run was just released in August.

Among his works of non-fiction are the acclaimed The Actors Studio and texts on The Art and Craft of Screenwriting and writing for the stage. Shelly lives in Black Mountain, North Carolina.

 

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A Small Town Can Be #Murder (Whistle Stop Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Publisher: Skye Bridge Publishing (December 21, 2019)
Paperback: 196 pages

 

Synopsis

 

You have all heard the story: big-city girl moves to small town and lives happily ever after. That’s not the forever-after Angel Delaight found when she moved to Whistle Stop, Minnesota. First her realtor is found dead in her new house, which is also rumored to be haunted. Then homeless animals began showing up at her door, along with a bevy of townspeople who seem to know what she is doing at all times. Not to mention a secret journal turning up during renovation, revealing more secrets hidden in this small community.

Will those secrets from the past put Angel’s life and those of her friends and family in danger? When the big-city girl meets a small town, it can be murder.

 

 

 Amazon – Kobo – B&N – Smashwords – Apple – Skye Bridge Publishing

 

 

Review

 

This book is not light on mysteries to solve!

Angel decides to leave the big city of Chicago and make her home in a small town.  She doesn’t expect to find herself in the middle of a murder investigation where her realtor is found dead by Angel herself and then the realtor’s brother is found dead.  To top it off, in the midst of remodeling her new property she finds diaries of someone that was held captive in the carriage house, but no one knows who she is which is kind of strange for a small town where everyone knows everyone else’s business.  And to further add to the story, a mother and her two daughters are on the run from an abusive husband/father.  And of course, you have to have a budding romantic relationship to round out the story.

I really enjoyed the complexities of this story.  I never felt like there were lulls in the story and while I didn’t guess the killer, I did have some suspicions about a few of the town residents.  There are quite a few subplots that rounded out the story and additional characters will make for interesting reads in future books in this series.  I love small towns and the camaraderie that they have with each other.  This town will be no different.

At the end is some history on Whistle Depot that was fascinating, so make sure to read the author’s notes.

Overall we enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next in the series.  We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

About the Author

 

A Bit About Me As An Impassioned Writer

As human beings, we are always a work in progress. From birth to death we live, hurt, laugh, cry, feel, and with all of those emotions we grow as people, as family members, and as friends. I am a dreamer and feel blessed to have the opportunity in my writing to pass those dreams on to others. I believe you are never too old to dream and to turn those dreams into a creative endeavor. I live in rural Minnesota and I am a wife, mother, and grandmother.

I have worn many hats throughout my life such as working as a waitress, nursing home activities person, office manager and finally a computer repair person eventually owning my own computer sales and repair business. I never forgot my love of writing and quit my computer business in 2012 after signing a contract with Cozy Cat Press for Granny Hooks A Crook, the first book in my Fuchsia, Minnesota Series.

Adding five more books to the Fuchsia Series, adding a Brilliant, Minnesota Series and writing a column for local newspapers feeds my writing creativity. This year the Whistle Stop series was born. Small towns have my heart and I hoped to convey that in my new series.

I also dabble a bit in watercolor painting and hope to eventually add pictures to my children’s book series, Granny’s In Trouble.

Oh, and did I tell you I like to be a little bit silly.

 

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EXECUTION IN E

 

A Gethsemane Brown Mystery, Volume 5

 

by

 

Alexia Gordon

 

 

Genre: Paranormal Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Henery Press

Date of Publication: March 24, 2020

Number of Pages: 252

 

 

Scroll down for the giveaway!

 

 

 

Romance is in the air. Or on the ‘gram, anyway.

When an influencer-turned-bridezilla shows up at the lighthouse to capture Insta-perfect wedding photos designed to entice sponsors to fund her lavish wedding, Gethsemane has her hands full trying to keep Eamon from blasting the entire wedding party over the edge of the cliff.

Wedding bells become funeral bells when members of the bride’s entourage start turning up dead. Frankie’s girlfriend, Verna, is pegged as maid-of-honor on the suspect list when the Garda discover the not-so-dearly departed groom was her ex and Gethsemane catches her standing over a body.

Gethsemane uncovers devilish dealings as she fights to clear Verna, for Frankie’s sake. Will she find the killer in time to save Frankie from another heartbreak? Or will the photos in her social media feed be post-mortem?

 

 

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Playlist to Execution in E

 

By Alexia Gordon

 

LISTEN HERE FOR FREE ON SPOTIFY!

 

(SPOTIFY ACCOUNT REQUIRED TO LISTEN OR REGISTER HERE FOR FREE)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broken Bones – KALEO

Old Number Seven – The Devil Makes Three

No Sugar In My Coffee – Caught a Ghost

When the Devil Calls – Blues Saraceno

Bang Bang – K’NAAN, Adam Levine

Singing Joy to the World – Fruit Bats

Everybody Walkin’ This Land – Paul Cauthen

Ain’t No Grave – Crooked Still

7^th Born Son – Blue Saraceno

Wicked Ones – Dorothy

Evil Is Comin’ – Dominic Marsh, Paul Miro

The Devil Wears a Suit and Tie – Colter Wall

The Plank – The Devil Makes Three

Hellfire – Barns Courtney

Haunted – The Eagle Rock Gospel Singers

How to See Ghosts or Surely Bring Them to You – Vincent Price

Raise Hell – Dorothy

If I Should Fall from Grace with God – The Pogues

Too Old to Die Young – Brother Dege

Gun In My Hand – Dorothy

Glitter & Gold – Barns Courtney

Graves – Whiskey Shivers

Beat the Devil’s Tattoo – Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

 

 

 

 

 

 

A writer since childhood, Alexia Gordon won her first writing prize in the 6th grade. She continued writing through college but put literary endeavors on hold to finish medical school and Family Medicine residency training. She established her medical career then returned to writing fiction. Raised in the southeast, schooled in the northeast, she relocated to the west where she completed Southern Methodist University’s Writer’s Path program. She admits Texas brisket is as good as Carolina pulled pork. She practices medicine in North Chicago, IL. She enjoys the symphony, art collecting, embroidery, and ghost stories.

 

 

 

 

  Website ║ Facebook ║ Instagram

 

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————————————-

 

GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

 

ONE WINNER

 

Signed copy of Execution in E + $10 Starbucks Gift Card + Gethsemane Brown Swag:

mug, stickers, pens, bookmark, combo bookmark/laser pointer, coasters, & more

 

MARCH 24-APRIL 3, 2020

 

(US ONLY)

 

 

 

 

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Check out the other blogs on this tour

 

3/24/20	Notable Quotable	Kelly Well Read
3/24/20	BONUS Post	Hall Ways Blog
3/25/20	Review	Chapter Break Book Blog
3/26/20	Excerpt	Max Knight
3/27/20	Review	Momma on the Rocks
3/28/20	Top Ten List	All the Ups and Downs
3/29/20	Playlist	StoreyBook Reviews
3/30/20	Review	Forgotten Winds
3/31/20	Series Spotlight	Jennifer Silverwood
4/1/20	Review	That’s What She’s Reading
4/2/20	BONUS Review	Missus Gonzo
4/2/20	Review	Reading by Moonlight

 

 

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Murder in the Cemetery: An Edmund DeCleryk Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Publisher: Cozy Cat Press (February 3, 2020)
Paperback: 279 pages

Synopsis

 

On a bright, spring afternoon the body of George Wright, a childhood friend of criminal consultant Edmund DeCleryk, is discovered at a cemetery where casualties of the War of 1812 are buried. After conducting an autopsy, the medical examiner determines that George has been murdered, the cause of death by poisoning. Lighthouse Cove Police Chief Carrie Ramos hires Ed to investigate, with his spunky wife, Annie assisting him.

Suspects include a physician’s assistant, college student and a family member, among others; however, George’s demise may be the result of secrets that have surfaced from the grave. You’ll discover what Ed found on the beach in Murder in the Museum and how that, and an artifact dating back to the early 1800s, are linked to this untimely death.

Annie loves to cook, and at the end of the book she shares recipes for meals she prepared for friends and loved ones.

 

 

 

 

Recipe

 

Ed and Annie DeCleryk enjoy entertaining in their backyard, which faces Lake Ontario. Following is a recipe Annie created for one of their picnics

 

Annie’s Gazpacho-Serves 8-10

 

Two unpeeled cucumbers, seeded and cut into chunks

Two red peppers, cored and seeded

4-6 plum or other meaty, ripe tomatoes

1-2 large red onions

4 minced garlic cloves

6 cups tomato juice

½ C. white wine, red wine or cider vinegar

½ C. extra virgin olive oil

1 T. coarse salt

1 t. ground black pepper.

 

In a food processor with a chopping blade, separately chop the cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes and onion and place in a large bowl. Keep pieces chunky and don’t over process. Add the remaining ingredients, mix together and chill. Will keep for a couple weeks or more if stored in the refrigerator in a large pitcher with a closed top.

 

 

About the Author

 

Karen Shughart studied English Literature at S.U.N.Y Buffalo, received a B.A. in Comprehensive Literature from the University of Pittsburgh and completed graduate courses in English from Shippensburg University. In addition to Murder in the Cemetery (book two of the Edmund DeCleryk Cozy mystery series), she is also the author of Murder in the Museum( book one of the series), two non-fiction books and has worked as an editor, publicist, photographer, journalist, teacher, and non-profit executive. Before moving to a small village on the southern shore of Lake Ontario, Karen and her husband resided in south central Pennsylvania, near Harrisburg.

 

 

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Frozen Stiff Drink: A Kellan Ayrwick Cozy Mystery
(Braxton Campus Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
Publisher: Gumshoe – A Next Chapter(March 18, 2020)
Digital Edition – ~270 Pages

 

Synopsis

 

A winter blizzard barrels toward Wharton County with a vengeance. Madam Zenya predicted the raging storm would change the course of Kellan’s life, but the famed seer never could’ve prepared him for all the collateral damage. Nana D disappears after visiting a patient at Willow Trees, leaving behind a trail of confusion. When the patient turns up dead and a second body is discovered beneath the snowbanks, Kellan must face his worst fears. What tragedy has befallen his beloved grandmother?

 

Kellan’s brother Hampton learns essential life lessons the hard way after his father-in-law accuses him of embezzlement. While trying to prove his innocence, Hampton digs himself a deeper hole that might lead to prison. Sheriff Montague wants to save him, but she receives the shock of her life as the past hurtles forward and complicates her future.

 

Between locating Nana D and solving the scandalous murder of another prominent Braxton citizen, Kellan and April’s worlds explode with more turmoil than they can handle. Too bad neither one of them knows what to do about the psychic’s latest premonition. The suspicious deaths happening around town aren’t ending anytime soon.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

James is my given name, but most folks call me Jay. I live in New York City, grew up on Long Island, and graduated from Moravian College. I’ve spent twenty years building a technology career in the retail, sports, media, and entertainment industries. I enjoyed my job, but a passion for books and stories had been missing for far too long. I’m a voracious reader in my favorite genres (thriller, suspense, contemporary, mystery, and historical fiction), as books transport me to a different world where I can immerse myself in so many fantastic cultures and places. I’m an avid genealogist who hopes to visit all the German, Scottish, Irish, and British villages my ancestors emigrated from in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Writing has been a part of my life as much as my heart, my mind, and my body. I decided to pursue my passion by dusting off the creativity inside my head and drafting outlines for several novels. I quickly realized I was back in my element growing happier and more excited with life each day. My goal in writing is to connect with readers who want to be part of great stories and who enjoy interacting with authors. To get a strong picture of who I am, check out my author website or my blog. It’s full of humor and eccentricity, sharing connections with everyone I follow—all in the hope of building a network of friends across the world.

When I completed the first book, Watching Glass Shatter, I knew I’d stumbled upon my passion again, suddenly dreaming up characters, plots, and settings all day long. I chose my second novel, Father Figure, through a poll on my blog where I let everyone vote for their favorite plot and character summaries. It is with my third book, Academic Curveball, the first in the Braxton Campus Mysteries, where I immersed myself in a college campus full of so much activity, I could hardly stop thinking about new murder scenes or character relationships to finish writing the current story. I can’t believe I’ve finished writing the sixth book in this series. Come join in the fun…

 

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Mysterious Merchandise (A Witch’s Thrift Shop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Novelwright Press, LLC (March 21, 2020)
Paperback: 142 pages

Synopsis

 

When a black cat crosses Alice Adelcraft’s path, her luck changes, as does her worldview, especially when she stumbles into A Witch’s Thrift Shop. The merchandise is mysterious, the customers are curious, and the sign on the door reads: Shoplifters will be hexed. It might all be a joke, but the body of a witch outside proves someone was dead serious. Can Alice discover who killed the witch before the magical community discovers she isn’t one of them?

 

 

 

Audible

 

 

About the Author

Astoria Wright is a cozy fantasy author and a poet who is inspired by rainy days, good books, and positive people. She is often found sitting by a window or in her backyard sipping tea or coffee and writing or reading cozy mysteries, fantasy novels, or poetry.

 

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Die Die Blackbird (A Piney Woods Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Publisher: Camel Press (January 14, 2020)
Paperback: 210 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Nora Alexander is finding her job exciting as she welcomes paranormal investigators Jack and Daisy Foley to the Tunie Hotel. They are trying to contact the ghost of Sam Houston not only for their internet production but because it is reported there is a stash of Santa Anna’s gold hidden somewhere. They are operating on the theory that Sam Houston visited a lady of the evening in Piney Woods and locate Red Ruth Inn where a parking lot now stands. Not only do these two stir the spirit world, but they also bother some of the town’s most established citizens including the town’s quilting group who doesn’t appreciate their overtaking of the hotel with ghost hunting equipment.

When a townsperson is murdered with suspected ties to the local gang, The Alamo Runners, Nora finds herself wanting to protect his wife and daughter all the while getting cryptic messages from beyond. Jack and Daisy aren’t the only ones with a connection to the other side.

 

 

 

Review

I do love East Texas especially the small towns that are a character all their own.

Nora has a lot on her plate and now she has to deal with ghost hunters taking over her hotel while in search of Sam Houston’s gold.  On top of that, her employee, Dominic, decides to make decisions on his own regarding these guests.  Needless to say, that doesn’t go over well, as it shouldn’t!  She also has the cranky fabric store owner, Grace, and the rest of the ladies in the quilting group.  They are quite the motley crew.

In this book, several characters end up dead and it is a mystery how they might be tied together and why they were killed.  The answer might surprise you as there are many possibilities but only one answer that surprised me when revealed.

I love the romance between Nora and Tuck continues and the twist at the end was a surprise.  Now I’m wondering what will happen in the next book.

I do wish there was a little more involving the ghosts or potential ghosts.  I really think that could have been expanded upon and hope it is in future books.  After all, Nora has seen Mr. Tunie and it could be quite a story with more ghosts making an appearance.

Overall, we enjoyed this story and give it 4 paws up.

 

About the Author

Teresa Trent writes cozy mysteries that take place in small towns in Texas. The Piney Woods Series came to be because her older brother worked in the hotel industry for over twenty years and would relate all the things and people he had experienced. Because Teresa loves history and a little bit of the paranormal, the Tunie Hotel was born! Teresa is also the author of the Pecan Bayou Cozy Mystery Series.

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Easter Hair Hunt (The Bad Hair Day Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
16th in Series
Publisher: Orange Grove Press (March 10, 2020)
Print Length: 233 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Hare today, dead tomorrow… Can a stylish sleuth pull a rabbit out of her hat to solve an Easter murder in this to-dye-for cozy mystery?

When hairstylist Marla Vail attends an Easter egg hunt at historic Tremayne Manor, she’s only there to fix hair for a client, Bonnie “Blinky” Morris. But when she’s asked to comb the grounds for leftover goodies, Marla discovers more than just a few dyed eggs. The dead body in the bunny costume is definitely not having a good hare day. And Blinky seems to have disappeared down a rabbit hole.

When trying to solve a murder, everyone needs a friend who’s all ears. For Marla, that’s her husband, homicide detective Dalton Vail. They make an eggcellent team. Dalton isn’t the kind to leap to conclusions, but with his wife seven months pregnant, and knowing Marla finds crime-solving to be irresistible, he worries about her running off on another hare-raising adventure.

Marla’s peeps are hoping for a happy ending, but she may have found a basketful of trouble this time. Can she crack the case before Blinky becomes the next victim?

 

Recipes Included!

 

 

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Guest Post

 

Postage Stamps are History by Nancy J. Cohen

 

 

In Easter Hair Hunt, my latest Bad Hair Day mystery, hairstylist Marla Vail and her homicide detective husband Dalton, interview a stamp collector to determine who might have had a motive for murder. Whereas Marla previously thought of postage stamps as mere pieces of paper, she gains a new appreciation for these collectors’ items as part of our national history and cultural representation.

In 1837, Sir Rowland Hill, the British Postmaster General, proposed that mail should go anywhere in Britain for the same rate. The sender would pay the postage, and payment was noted by placing a small piece of colored paper on the outside of the letter. This change was enacted in 1840. In 1847, the United States Post Office Department printed its first stamps.

Marla and Dalton chat with a stamp collector on the subject to learn more about a potential suspect. Here’s an excerpt from their conversation:

 

Jonny tucked his hands into his pants pockets. “The first perforated stamps appeared in 1857 in the United States. People have been collecting them ever since they were issued.”

“So their history is part of their value?” Dalton said.

Jonny gave a vehement nod. “Most definitely. Philately is the study of stamps, postal history, and related topics. You can be called a philatelist even if you don’t own any stamps. For example, a philatelist might study rare stamps that have a significant historical value, like the ones you see in museums. Postage stamps reveal more than the history of a letter. They can represent the history of a nation.”

“What draws people to collecting stamps?” Marla asked. “They’re essentially pieces of paper.”

“They’re so much more, my dear. Each stamp tells a story. They’re art, history, economics, and romanticism all in one. The introduction of special commemorative stamps drew even more interest to the hobby. The first stamp in this country that was issued to remember our history was in 1893 to commemorate Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the New World. These stamps can be worth thousands of dollars, depending on their condition.”

“Do collectors have a focus, like a particular area of interest?”

He nodded. “People might collect stamps from a particular country. Or they might pursue a certain topic, such as scenes with birds or famous scientists or sports. My specialty is stamps with flowering plants issued in the United States. These show our living botanicals from an American landscape perspective.”

“How do you sell them? Don’t you have to find other collectors who might be interested?” Marla couldn’t help becoming interested in the topic. She’d never really thought about the different pictures or meaning of a stamp.

“We sell them to a stamp dealer or offer them to a philatelic auction house. Most of us aren’t in it for the money, though. We want to learn more about the history, culture, science, and technology that the stamps illustrate.”

 

As Marla notes later to Dalton, someone indeed may have been collecting stamps for money. In fact, this angle could be a motive for murder.

 

Do you order special stamps or you buy whatever is standard at the post office?

 

Thank you Nancy for sharing that information about stamps.  I know my dad used to go and buy stamps and I can’t tell you everything we found after he passed!  It was interesting to see the stamps that he had purchased. – StoreyBook Reviews

 

 

 

About the Author

Nancy J. Cohen writes the Bad Hair Day Mysteries featuring South Florida hairstylist Marla Vail. Titles in this series have made the IMBA bestseller list and been selected by Suspense Magazine as best cozy mystery. Nancy has also written the instructional guide, Writing the Cozy Mystery. Her imaginative romances, including the Drift Lords series, have proven popular with fans as well. A featured speaker at libraries, conferences, and community events, Nancy is listed in Contemporary Authors, Poets & Writers, and Who’s Who in U.S. Writers, Editors, & Poets. When not busy writing, she enjoys fine dining, cruising, visiting Disney World, and shopping.

 

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