The Moonshine Shack Murder (A Southern Homebrew Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Publisher: Berkley (July 6, 2021)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages

 

Synopsis

 

In this intoxicating new cozy mystery series, the future for modern-day moonshiner Hattie Hayes looks bright–until death darkens the doorstep of her Moonshine Shack.

The Hayes family has made moonshine in Chattanooga since the days of Prohibition, and Hattie is happy to continue the tradition, serving up fun, fruity flavors in mason jars for locals and tourists alike. All signs indicate her new ‘shine shop will be a smashing success. What’s more, mounted police officer Marlon Landers has taken a shine to Hattie. For the first time ever, the stars seemed to have aligned in both her work and romantic life. But when a body ends up on her store’s doorstep alongside a broken jar of her Firefly Moonshine, it just might be lights out for her fledgling business.

The homicide detective can’t seem to identify the person who killed the owner of a nearby bar. The only witness is Hattie’s longhaired gray cat, and Smoky isn’t talking. When the detective learns that the victim and Hattie had a heated exchange shortly before his murder, she becomes her prime suspect.

Lest Hattie end up behind bars like her bootlegging great-grandfather a century before, she must distill the evidence herself and serve the killer a swift shot of justice.

 

 

 

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Review

 

I have always loved Diane Kelly’s books and was wondering if this series would rival her other series. The answer? Yes it does! I loved everything about this book – the characters, the moonshine, the animals, the quick wit and snarky dialogue, and even the town.

I never thought about moonshine as a career but was instantly intrigued and loved the descriptions of the different flavors. I want a moonshine shack in my town so I can taste the flavors! I thought it was great to have the recipe to be one that has been handed down the family and that an ancestor was arrested for making shine during prohibition.

I enjoyed meeting all of the characters and not sure if I can pick a favorite yet. Hattie is a strong self-assured business woman taking a chance on the moonshine business. Marlon is the hunky police officer that has a tie to Hattie’s family (no spoilers here!). Grandpa is spunky and cracks me up at every turn. Kiki, one of Hattie’s best friends, is snarky but loyal and I love that about her. There is also “Ace” the police detective that pulls no punches but I think she admires Hattie despite everything. I even liked Miranda, a waitress that worked for the owner that was murdered. And we can’t forget the four legged characters – Charlotte the police horse and Smoky, Hattie’s cat.

The dialogue is witty and even snarky at times and I loved it. I especially enjoyed learning about moonshine and want to know more. I especially understood the conversations between Hattie and Miranda regarding setting up a business, accounting, and the like since I work for a CPA that does this sort of thing.

The mystery is enticing and I wondered who might have done in the bar owner. There are many possibilities and I didn’t guess the right character as the killer. I thought something was up regarding the situation surrounding the killer and the victim, but I didn’t quite put it all togther. Looking back there are a few clues that might point you in the right direction, but nothing too obvious. The action really heats up near the end as the killer is revealed and Hattie finds herself in harms way.

There couldn’t be a cozy without a potential love interest for the protagonist. Hattie and Marlon are definitely interested in each other and I can’t wait to see where this goes.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Diane Kelly writes stories that feature feisty female lead characters and their furry, four-footed friends. Diane is the author of over 30 novels and novellas, including the Death & Taxes, Paw Enforcement, and House Flipper mystery series. In 2021, she’ll launch two new series, the Southern Homebrew moonshine series and the Mountain Lodge Mysteries.

 

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Giveaway

 

 

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Synopsis

 

When a dead body is discovered lying barefoot in a restaurant parking lot, detectives Angela White and Paul Conley are called in to investigate the strange and disturbing crime. The victim turns out to be Jay Sharma, the hotshot CEO of a famed AI company and tech powerhouse. Jay’s distraught wife can’t imagine who could want to kill him. But the deeper White and Conley wade into the evidence, the longer the suspect list grows.

The detectives soon come face-to-face with the dark and sordid world that lies just under Silicon Valley’s polished and pristine exterior. From jealous ex-lovers to rival tech giants, Jay has created powerful enemies, all of whom would be happy to see him dead–and all of whom have solid alibis.

White and Conley hit dead end after dead end. And when blackmail schemes and copycat murders come into play, finding Jay’s killer becomes increasingly more urgent. Can they catch a break, or will a murderer go free in Silicon Valley?

 

 

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Read for free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

Review

 

When Jay is found dead in a parking lot, the police investigate but are thwarted at nearly every turn. Nearly every suspect or witness is omitting facts and derailing the investigation into his death. Then others start dying. Is this the work of a serial killer? A copycat? Will they be able to figure out who killed this man? There are several storylines to follow throughout this novel.

I thought the author did a good job of hiding the killer because I certainly didn’t expect the outcome. Of course, when you don’t have all of the facts because all of the characters are lying, well it would be hard for anyone to do their job. But I think that is what made the story interesting because we don’t have all the facts and those facts are slowly revealed throughout the book.

I was surprised that once the killer was revealed that did not end the story. There was MORE! The last 10% definitely had some twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting. Let’s just say that everyone got what was coming to them in the end.

I could see this turning into a series featuring the detectives White and Conley. Although, a revelation at the end would make that not possible unless something changes. Or perhaps it would just mean a new path for the detectives. I enjoyed their banter and friendship and I think that interaction made them a stronger team.

If you like mysteries with twists, definitely give this book a whirl. We give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Vineet is a tech professional by day and has been a lifelong fan of mysteries, be it in books or on screen. He enjoys writing and creating a world of suspense that leaves his readers guessing until the end. With his debut novel, Barefoot in the Parking Lot, and the follow-up short story, The Stick, he has fulfilled his dream of becoming a published author. He lives in San Jose, California with his wife and twin boys and hopes to keep writing for years to come.

 

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Synopsis

 

Gluten-free baker Poppy McAllister is about to see the ugly side of beauty expos…

Easter weekend on the Jersey Shore is hopping. Poppy’s Bed and Breakfast is busier than ever, but she needs to leave things in the hopefully capable hands of Aunt Ginny–and paws of Figaro the black smoke Persian. She’s selling her paleo muffins and keto cookies at the Health and Beauty Expo in Cape May’s Convention Hall. Normally sharing a booth with the love of her life would be a treat, but she’s recently discovered secrets that throw her new romance into chaos.

But more secrets are about to be exposed at the expo. In his keynote address, prominent cosmetic surgeon Dr. Lance Rubin reveals his breakthrough anti-aging technology. Unfortunately, someone has one-upped him with a truly foolproof anti-aging formula: murder. With the plastic surgeon dead under his own UV mask, and bedlam reigning in the hall and back at the B&B, Poppy needs to follow a twisted trail marked by glowing footprints to unmask a killer…

 

 

This book releases June 29th, 2021. Available for pre-order now!

 

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Review

 

This is such a fun series and I couldn’t wait until the next edition in Poppy’s story was available to us…ok, it hasn’t been released yet but many thanks to the author for sharing an early copy so I didn’t have to wait too long.

As we discovered at the end of the previous book, Wine Tastings are Murder, Poppy decided that Gia was the man for her over Tim. However, she was in for quite a surprise when she learned that Gia was still married and his wife has shown up to try and reconcile. This definitely creates tension between Gia and Poppy and we see that throughout the whole book and both parties aren’t 100% honest with each other and trust has to be earned. Thankfully, the situation is resolved in this book and doesn’t drag onto the next installment. You will have to read the book to find out how this comes to fruition and Gia and Poppy are able to truly move forward in their relationship.

To top things off, Gia and Poppy are running a booth within the Beauty Expo that has come to town featuring Poppy’s gluten-free items and Gia’s coffee beverages. However, even that does not run smoothly for him with Tim nursing hurt feelings over losing Poppy to Gia and Gigi trying to cast aspersions on Poppy’s Paleo items. Gigi is not a likable character and has never been but she seems to ratch it up a level in this book.

There is of course a murder or two to be solved. There are some twists I didn’t expect and just when you think you know who the bad guy is, a new clue or scenario appears which caused me to rethink my original thoughts. I didn’t figure out the killer and this person wasn’t on my radar. There are quite a few possibilities and all with legitimate reasons but not enough to kill anyone. To top it all off, Poppy works with a long-time rival, Amber, to help solve the crime. Amber is a police detective and has always been a thorn in Poppy’s side. The animosity between the two can be seen throughout the book, but Poppy rises above it to help her out of a jam. Will this change their “friendship?”

And then there is a side story regarding Poppy’s best friend, Sawyer. I wondered if she was getting into trouble but the truth came out and it was like a weight was lifted from Sawyer’s shoulders because she didn’t have to mislead Poppy. It is an awwww type of situation so don’t worry about it causing any rifts.

The snark is still there and Joanne is quite the character with a biting wit. Of course Aunt Ginny is still causing trouble and even Figaro (the cat) has a love interest in Portia, a show cat.

This is such a fun series and I recommend starting at the beginning to truly follow the personal stories of Poppy, Tim, Gia, Ginny, and the biddies.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

Libby Klein graduated Lower Cape May Regional High School sometime in the ’80s. Her classes revolved mostly around the culinary sciences and theater, with the occasional nap in Chemistry. A few years ago, she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that forced her to remove gluten from her kitchen and adopt a Paleo Diet. Now her life revolves around coffee and bacon. When she’s not feeling sorry for herself that she can’t eat bread, she writes from her Northern Virginia office while trying to keep her cat Figaro off her keyboard. Most of her hobbies revolve around eating, and travel, and eating while traveling.

 

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Peaches and Schemes: A Georgia B&B Mystery
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books (May 11, 2021)
Hardcover: 304 pages

 

Synopsis

 

In Anna Gerard’s third delightful Georgia B&B mystery, Nina Fleet learns that despite the satin, lace, and buttercream trappings, weddings often prove to be anything but sweet…

 

Nina Fleet might be new to the innkeeping business, but she’s savvy enough to know that Cymbeline’s tourists aren’t enough to keep her fledgling bed and breakfast going. And so, Nina decides to tap into the destination wedding market by taking a booth at the Veils and Vanities Bridal Expo. The twice-yearly event is sponsored by the town’s two wedding pros: Virgie Hamilton, the sixtysomething owner of Virgie’s Formals, and Roxanna Quarry, a Gen X event planner and Nina’s new friend. But everything goes wrong during the expo’s fashion show, when Roxanna comes tumbling out of an oversized prop wedding cake, strangled to death by her own scarf.

Virgie is arrested for the crime, thanks to Nina’s statement to the police about having overheard the woman accusing her partner of embezzlement. Meanwhile, the situation grows tense with her sometimes nemesis and current tenant, the dashing out-of-work actor Harry Westcott. Harry is concentrating on plugging his most recent side hustle …but he’s not too busy to break the news to Nina that her ex-husband is engaged to be married again.

Certain that Virgie’s only offense is a bad temper, Nina decides to do her own investigating. First, however, she and Harry retrieve Roxanna’s now ownerless dog, planning to foster him until a new home can be found. But local gossip soon convinces Nina that others beside Virgie might have had reason to murder Roxanna. As Nina gets close to the truth, she’s putting her own life at danger. And when Virgie vanishes after being bailed out of jail by an unknown benefactor, Nina fears that if she can’t find the dress shop owner in time, tying the knot will take on a whole new meaning for them both.

 

 

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Guest Post

 

Back in the day, writers new to the mystery genre were told by the powers that be (a/k/a agents and editors) that they should kill off their book’s murder victim upfront, right there in chapter one.

Preferably on the first page of chapter one.

And even better if it happens in the first paragraph.

And thus, a generation of writers learned to do all sorts of plotting gymnastics to hit this goal, and many are still writing like this to this day. Sometimes, they pen the murder scene through the (unknown or not) killer’s eyes. Other times, they make the murder scene a prologue, with chapter one and the subsequent chapters a rewind back to what happened before that killing took place. Another way is for the victim to actually witnesses his or her own death. This often ends with the soon-to-be-corpse gasping out, you!, in horrified recognition before expiring. (This also necessitates another character jumping in and picking up the narrative in chapter two.)

In the hands of a skilled writer, all these techniques can work. But there’s one problem when the murder happens right off the bat. With the dead body sprawled right there on page one, the reader has had no chance to know the victim. And, thus, said reader has no emotional stake in the victim’s passing…or in the mystery surrounding their killing being solved.

To be honest, this lack of sentiment isn’t a big deal in a thriller or suspense novel. Victims in these books tend to be stock characters, and the bodies often pile up like cordwood. All these readers really care about is that the protagonist makes it to the end of the story with a minimum of bodily harm. But if you write cozy mysteries like me, you know that characters are as big a story driver as plot…sometimes even more so.

Bottom line, cozy mystery readers want to know and love (or hate!) the characters first before the author dispatches one of them. That ideally involves the future victim living his or her best life for a couple of chapters and interacting with the rest of the book’s characters. That way, when he or she meets the pointy end of a knitting needle or is found drowned in a keg of wine, it means something. The reader is now invested in what comes next, cares as much as the book’s sleuth about bringing the killer to justice.

Though, on the other hand, the reader doesn’t want to wait too long to get to the good part!

I must admit I’m guilty of letting my murder victims wander their books for a good chunk of pages before they meet their final fate. And while I’ve never been chastised by an editor or reader for that, I do have my concerns. Which is why, in my Georgia B&B mysteries, I’ve found a new trick of putting the body on page one without actually doing so.

These books are told in first person from the point of view of my innkeeper/amateur sleuth, Nina Fleet. And with this style of POV, Nina is basically telling us the story…relating what happened as it happens even though she’s actually looking back and already knows how the story goes, if that makes sense. As each book opens, I have Nina ruminate for the benefit of the reader about the fact that, yes, a murder will happen in these pages, though she is coy about revealing who it is. From there we launch into the story. Somewhere between pages fifty and seventy, we finally learn who that foretold dead body is. And then Nina and her cohorts band together for the rest of the book to find the killer.

I humbly think this technique works quite well in solving that “need a corpse on page one” dilemma. Does this workaround work for you? Are you okay with waiting a while before some character stumbles over the murder victim, or do you prefer to see your cozies serve up the dead body right from the start? Leave me a comment and let’s discuss.

 

 

About the Author

 

DIANE A.S. STUCKART is the New York Times bestselling author of the Black Cat Bookshop Mystery series (writing as Ali Brandon). She’s also the author of the award-winning Leonardo da Vinci historical mysteries, as well as several historical romances and numerous mystery, fantasy, and romance short stories. The first book in her Tarot Cats Mystery series is FOOL’S MOON, available in trade, large print, and Kindle versions. Her Georgia B&B Mystery series from Crooked Lane Books launched July 2019 with PEACH CLOBBERED, written as Anna Gerard.

Diane is a member of Mystery Writers of America and has served as the 2018 and 2019 Chapter President of the MWA Florida chapter. In addition to her mystery writing affiliations, she’s a member of the Cat Writers’ Association and belongs to the Palm Beach County Beekeepers Association. She’s a native Texan with a degree in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma, but has been living in the West Palm Beach FL area since 2006. She shares her “almost in the Everglades” home with her husband, dogs, cats, and a few beehives.

 

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A Ghost and His Gold
Supernatural Historical
Stand-Alone Novel
Publisher TSL Publications (1/27/2021)
Number of Pages 264 pages

 

Synopsis

 

After Tom and Michelle Cleveland move into their recently built, modern townhouse, their housewarming party is disrupted when a drunken game with an Ouija board goes wrong and summonses a sinister poltergeist, Estelle, who died in 1904.

Estelle makes her presence known in a series of terrifying events, culminating in her attacking Tom in his sleep with a knife. But, Estelle isn’t alone. Who are the shadows lurking in the background – one in an old-fashioned slouch hat and the other, a soldier, carrying a rifle?

After discovering their house has been built on the site of one of the original farms in Irene, Michelle becomes convinced that the answer to her horrifying visions lie in the past. She must unravel the stories of the three phantoms’ lives, and the circumstances surrounding their untimely deaths during the Second Anglo Boer War, in order to understand how they are tied together and why they are trapped in the world of ghosts between life and death. As the reasons behind Estelle’s malevolent behaviour towards Tom unfold, Michelle’s marriage comes under severe pressure and both their lives are threatened.

 

 

 

 

Lulu * TSL Books (UK)

 

 

About the Author

 

Robbie Cheadle has published nine books for children and one poetry book. She has branched into writing for adults and young adults and, in order to clearly separate her children’s books from her adult books, is writing for older readers under the name Roberta Eaton Cheadle.

Robbie Cheadle’s Sir Chocolate children’s picture books are written in sweet, short rhymes which are easy for young children to follow and are illustrated with pictures of delicious cakes and cake decorations. Each book also includes simple recipes or biscuit art directions that children can make under adult supervision. Her books for older children also incorporate recipes that are relevant to the storylines.

Roberta Eaton Cheadle’s supernatural stories combine fabulous paranormal elements with fascinating historical facts.

Children’s picture books – available as a square book and an A5 book (co-authored with Michael Cheadle):
Sir Chocolate and the strawberry cream story and cookbook
Sir Chocolate and the baby cookie monster story and cookbook
Sir Chocolate and the sugar dough bees story and cookbook
Sir Chocolate and the Condensed Milk River story and cookbook
Sir Chocolate and the Sugar Crystal Caves story and cookbook
Sir Chocolate and the Fondant Five story and cookbook
Sir Chocolate and the Ice Cream Rainbow Fairies story and cookbook

Middle school books:
Silly Willy Goes to Cape Town (includes five fun party cake ideas)
While the Bombs Fell (co-authored with Elsie Hancy Eaton)

Poetry book:
Open a new door (co-authored with Kim Blades)

Supernatural fantasy YA novel:
Through the Nethergate

Supernatural historical adult novel:

A Ghost and His Gold

Horror Anthologies (edited by Dan Alatorre):
Spellbound
Nightmareland
Dark Visions
Wings & Fire

Paranormal Anthologies (edited by Kaye Lynne Booth):
Spirits of the West
Whispers of the Past

Murder mystery Anthology (edited by Stephen Bentley)
Death Among Us

 

 

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Shrimply Dead (A Seafood Caper Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Publisher: Muddle House Publishing (April 12, 2021)
• Number of Pages 237 PAGES

 

Synopsis

 

When veterinarian and amateur naturalist Jasmine Garr is shot in her yard, residents of Shell Island press caterer River Holloway into investigating the homicide. River dons her amateur sleuth cap and sets out to discover who killed her former catering customer.

Between Jasmine’s estranged cousin, a rival veterinarian, a wild animal trapper, the chicken lady, and a real estate broker, River has plenty of suspects to consider. As she peels back the layers of Jasmine’s life, dangerous secrets come to light.

Jasmine’s orphaned kitty, Iris, along with River’s cat Major, and her husband Pete help River sift through the evidence. At the same time, River recently expanded her catering business. She must service her regular catering clients, plus provide fresh baked goods for Pete’s ice cream shop.

The killer follows River’s every move relishing the thought of another victim. Time is running out. Will River solve the murder before she becomes a cold dish?

 

 

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Guest Post

 

Jasmine’s Enemies

 

By River Holloway Merrick as interpreted by author Maggie Toussaint

 

When a catering client is shot in her own backyard, I didn’t trust the sheriff to get the right answer. After all, he’d missed the mark on two previous homicide cases, and Jasmine Garr deserved justice.

This past summer I’d brought meals to Jasmine’s house for her ailing mother. The catering contract lasted until her mother passed away six weeks ago. I very much enjoyed the company of Jasmine and her mom, and the naturally landscaped place she carved out of the woods was so serene and breathtaking. It was a pleasure to go there.

The news of Jasmine being shot in the back was all kinds of wrong. And that the killer had done it in her own yard seemed extra cruel and unusual. These facts led me to the conclusion that she’d known the person and let down her guard.

Fueled by a burning passion for finding the truth, I dug into Jasmine’s life. Turns out, I didn’t have to dig far to find people who had grudges against her. For instance, her estranged cousin was furious about having been denied her inheritance of the family property and heirlooms. Jasmine’s veterinarian coworker was upset with her for personal and professional reasons. Then there was the wild animal trapper that Jasmine occasionally partnered with for wild animal rescue. His interest in her was personal, but Jasmine turned him down cold. Another man was in her orbit, a real estate broker. It was unclear what his interest in Jasmine was, but as I was finding out, Jasmine could be cold to people she had little use for.

Her next-door neighbor, an elderly woman who raised chickens, was the one who found Jasmine. The cops were looking at all of the above as suspects, including the Chicken Lady. I’d purchased eggs from the Chicken Lady, who’d been a friend of my late mother, and she didn’t have a mean bone in her body. Then bad things happened to the Chicken Lady, and I wondered if this might be about the adjourning properties.

I have no professional training for solving crimes, but I have two things going for me. First, I was born and raised on Shell Island, and everybody knows me. Most loved my cooking and were always happy to see me, so I have an extensive personal network. Second, my knack for finding things has gradually stretched beyond my family. In addition to finding lost keys, phones, eyeglasses, and pets, I’d successfully solved other murder cases on the island.

My biggest problem with this case was finding the time to investigate. I’d just expanded my catering business into another area, and product demand grew by leaps and bounds every week. It was thrilling and hard work, and I had to schedule extra help to fulfill the orders.

But I made a promise to myself. No matter how busy I was, I’d find time to get justice for Jasmine.

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Southern author Maggie Toussaint writes cozy and paranormal mysteries, romantic suspense, and dystopian fiction, with twenty fiction novels published. A three-time finalist for Georgia Author of the Year, she’s won three Silver Falchions, the Readers’ Choice, and the EPIC Awards. She’s past president of Mystery Writers of America-Southeast chapter and an officer of LowCountry Sisters In Crime. She lives in coastal Georgia, where secrets, heritage, and ancient oaks cast long shadows.

 

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The Corpse Who Knew Too Much (A Food Blogger Mystery) 
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Publisher: Kensington (September 29, 2020)
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Food blogger Hope Early takes on a cold case that’s heating up fast . . .

Building on her recipe for success with her food blog, Hope at Home, Hope is teaching her first blogging class at the local library in Jefferson, Connecticut. She’s also learning about podcasts, including a true-crime one called Search for the Missing, hosted by Hope’s childhood friend, Devon Markham. Twenty years ago on Valentine’s Day, right here in Jefferson, Devon’s mom disappeared and was never found. Finally Devon has returned to solve the mystery of what happened to her mother—and she asks Hope to help.

The next day Hope discovers Devon’s apartment has been ransacked. Her laptop with the research on her mother’s cold case is missing, and Devon is nowhere to be found. When her friend’s body is later discovered in a car wreck, Hope is convinced it’s no accident. Clearly, Devon was too close to the truth, and the cold-blooded killer is still at large in Jefferson. Now it’s up to Hope to find the guilty party—before the food blogger herself becomes the next subject of another true-crime podcast . . .

Includes Recipes from Hope’s Kitchen!

 

 

 

Amazon – B&N –  Kensington – Kobo – Google Play

 

 

Guest Post

 

 

My Cold Case Obsession

by Debra Sennefelder

 

 

There were two inspirations for writing THE CORPSE WHO KNEW TOO MUCH. The first was my fascination with podcasts, and the second was my interest in cold cases.

I’m not sure where the interest in cold cases comes from. No one close to me has been a victim criminal case gone cold. Perhaps it’s the intrigue of an unsolved mystery. Or, maybe it’s the question of how a person can be here one day and gone the next with no one knowing what happened. That’s the question I explored in THE CORPSE WHO KNEW TOO MUCH.

Over the years, I’ve attended several writing conferences. The lineup of workshops ranged from topics of craft, research, publishing, and marketing. I always checked the research track first, hoping there was one on cold cases. If there’s one, I’m there in the front-row seat, taking notes and asking questions.

There was one conference where the afternoon session was led by the detective in charge of cold cases in his police department. He methodically went through how three cold cases were solved. It was fascinating to see how after decades, the truth surfaces and criminals finally face justice. His presentation was engaging, which left me with a list of follow-up questions. He graciously answered all my questions after the workshop. The next year when I attended the conference, I was disappointed that there wasn’t a similar workshop.

I understand that not every conference has workshops about cold cases which means I find myself tuning into television shows that focus on the topic. My favorite is Cold Case Justice. I’m glued to the television for the whole hour. What strikes me is how very ordinary all the people involved in the cases are. It reinforces that any one of us could be in the same situation given a series of unforeseeable events. I also watch a lot of ID channel for real-life case reviews, and one of my favorite television shows is Cold Case. Every now and again, I get to catch a rerun episode.

As an author, I find myself exploring one question repeatedly in my books – how well do you really know people. When the detective at the conference reviewed one of his cold cases, we learned that a woman had an important piece of information she never revealed, and that had led to an arrest. That woman was someone’s friend, daughter, possibly sister, or mother, and I’m curious if anyone in her life had suspected she held the key to solving a murder.

Are you fascinated by cold cases? If so, is there a case you’re particularly intrigued with? Let me know in the comments.

 

 

About the Author

 

Debra Sennefelder, the author of the Food Blogger Mystery series and the Resale Boutique Mystery series, is an avid reader who reads across a range of genres, but mystery fiction is her obsession. Her interest in people and relationships is channeled into her novels against a backdrop of crime and mystery. When she’s not reading, she enjoys cooking and baking and as a former food blogger, she is constantly taking photographs of her food. Yeah, she’s that person.

Born and raised in New York City, she now lives and writes in Connecticut with her family. She’s worked in pre-hospital care, retail and publishing. Her writing companions are her adorable and slightly spoiled Shih-Tzus, Susie and Billy.

She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and Romance Writers of America.

 

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Double or Muffin (A Merry Muffin Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
7th in Series
Publisher: Beyond the Page (February 23, 2021)
Paperback: 234 pages

 

Synopsis

 

In the new Merry Muffin Mystery, baker Merry Wynter must solve a disturbing crime among opera singers before the culprit decides it’s curtains for her . . .

 

When a reality TV show for aspiring opera singers descends on Wynter Castle, Merry’s got her hands full catering to the endless demands of the distinguished judges and ambitious contestants. Then mysterious rumors about the cast and crew begin to surface, suggesting that some of their performances may be filled with false notes. When a dogged reporter with an eye for scandal who’s been covering the competition is attacked and left for dead, Merry’s determined to discover who orchestrated the heinous deed.

Her long list of suspects is filled with eccentric personalities, including a promiscuous tenor known for making unwanted overtures, a pampered young prodigy and her meddlesome mother, and a quiet up-and-comer whose shadowy uncle may have ties to the underworld. As the musical contest and Merry’s investigation near their finale, she’ll have to act fast to keep a conniving contestant from plotting out her final act . . .

 

 

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Guest Post

 

Belling the Cat

 

By: Victoria Hamilton

 

There is an old fable about a group of mice who decide that to lessen the danger of a mouse-hunting cat, they would need to tie a bell around his neck to warn them of his approach. There is a moral to the tale, of course, about how easy it is to come up with a plan, and how difficult it can be to find a way to accomplish it.

That is particularly apt for a writer of mysteries. We often start out knowing what we need a character to do, but too often we’re not sure if it’s possible. And if it is possible, how to achieve it.

Pre-internet I’d spend hours at the library researching one tiny detail at a time, and failing that on the phone trying to track down an expert who could (and would!) answer a question. We’re fortunate indeed to find ourselves now in the age of online research capability. A partial list of topics I researched while writing Double or Muffin, #7 in my Merry Muffin Mysteries, is revealing, to say the least. It includes, but is not limited to: towns in Lithuania, steroid use among opera singers, types of kitchen knives, how to supply a craft services table for a TV production crew and, last but not least, how to get a camera on a cat.

Yes, a camera.

On a cat.

How do you do it? Well, the amusing answer is ‘very carefully’, but there are ways and means. And YouTube videos. If you like cats and you’re interested, just look on YouTube for ‘cat’s eye view cameras’ or something similar and you will find cats set loose in the world with cameras mounted on their backs.

How does that come in to Double or Muffin? If you read the Merry Muffin Mysteries you are familiar with Becket, the outdoorsy wandering ginger cat who survived a year in the wild before Merry arrived at Wynter Castle. You’ll just have to read Double or Muffin to find out what adventure Becket gets into this time! He’s quite the hero of the story.

So, dear readers, what is the weirdest thing (that you can openly confess to) you’ve looked up online? Tell me, do!

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Victoria Hamilton is the bestselling author of several mystery series including the national bestselling Vintage Kitchen Mysteries and Merry Muffin Mysteries. She does, indeed, collect vintage kitchenware and bake muffins. She drinks tea and coffee on writing days, and wine other times. It doesn’t do to confuse days. She crochets (a little), paints (a little) and reads (a lot). A solitary being, she can be coaxed out of her writing cave for brownies and cat videos.

She started her writing life as Donna Lea Simpson, bestselling author of Regency Romances, paranormal historicals and historical mysteries, and still has a soft spot for the Regency period.

If you Google ‘Victoria Hamilton’, you will find listed first a famous actress who starred as the Queen Mother in the series The Crown and as Charlotte Brontë in ‘In Search of the Brontës’. That’s not the Victoria who writes mysteries.

No, really, it’s not!

 

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Smothered: A Whipped and Sipped Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Publisher: D. X. Varos, Ltd. (February 16, 2021)
Paperback: 258 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Alene Baron doesn’t go looking for mysteries, they find her. When the highly disliked owner of a business neighboring the Whipped and Sipped Cafe turns up dead, the list of potential suspects is pretty long, including all of the members of his quarrelsome family. Missing wills, convenient accidents, and enough red herring to feed the lunch crowd spice up this tantalizing tale. As always, while pondering the evidence, Alene also comes up with creative vegan dishes to serve her customers and share with you.

 

 

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Review

 

Alene is back with her vegetarian/vegan cafe and coffeehouse, a cast of intriguing characters, and a mystery that you may or may not be able to solve before all is revealed.

I’m thankful that the author provides a list of characters at the beginning of the book with a brief bio on each one because there are many characters to keep straight! If you have read the first book, Battered, you will recognize many from that book, but there are many new characters to make this mystery interesting. There are characters that will make you crazy, some that you will empathize with, and others that you will love.

There are quite a few storylines in this book. There is the murder, disappearance of one of the staff from the cafe, Alene’s father’s stay in the hospital, and the budding romance between Alene and Frank.

There are quite a few red herrings in the book and I never would have suspected the killer. There are a few clues peppered throughout the book, but not many. Alene jumps to a lot of conclusions and never quite gets it right until the end and thankfully doesn’t put herself in too much danger.

I think my favorite character might be Cal, Alene’s father. He is suffering from a debilitating disease but has such a great outlook on life and what he is going through.

I do enjoy the Chicago setting and based on what I read, it sounds like most everything for Alene is close to where she lives and I feel like I am able to take a peek into her world.

This is a fun new series and we give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

G.P. Gottlieb has worked as a musician, a teacher, and an administrator, but she’s happiest when writing recipe-laced murder mysteries. Battered: A Whipped and Sipped Mystery and Smothered: A Whipped and Sipped Mystery take place in the spring and summer of 2019 and a third book in the series will center on a murder that occurs during the city of Chicago’s lockdown in May 2020. G.P. Gottlieb has always experimented in the kitchen and created her delicious vegan cookies and cakes in direct opposition to what she learned in courses at Chicago’s French Pastry School. She is a host for New Books in Literature, a podcast channel on the New Books Network, the mother of three grown children, and lives with her husband in a Chicago high-rise that is strikingly similar to the building portrayed in the Whipped and Sipped Mystery series.

 

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Giveaway

 

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Synopsis

 

Alene Baron is the proud owner of Whipped and Sipped, a café that offers healthful, delectable food and drinks. Her life consists of dreaming up new recipes, raising her three children, and arguing with her ex-husband–until her neighbor and close friend is murdered. She imagines nearly everyone she knows as a possible suspect. After a second attack, Alene is
determined to find the true killer … before she, or her family, become targets.

 

 

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Review

 

I do enjoy a good cozy especially if there is food involved and this book does not disappoint on the food aspect! Battered is set in a coffeehouse/cafe that servers vegetarian/vegan items and don’t worry, all of the recipes (or many of them) are at the end of the book and I’m sure you will want to whip up some of these dishes for yourself.

When you first start the book there is a list of characters with a brief bio on each of them (age, relationship, etc) and trust me when I saw that you will need this information because there are a lot of characters to keep straight in your head and how they are related to each other. But as you move through the book it will become easier to keep everyone straight. Despite the numerous characters, each plays a significant part in the storyline. They might be related to the deceased, or to Alene, or involved with the cafe. The personalities and traits of the characters are also varied and add some dimension to the story, even if it is a minor character. Alene tends to throw herself into the middle of the situation, which isn’t uncommon for a cozy. However, she tends to blurt out things that are supposition on her part and not fact. Not too uncommon when you have an amateur intent on solving the mystery.

There is a lot of information packed into this book. We learn the dynamics of Alene’s family, her friendship with Ruthie, the relationship with the neighbors and their dysfunctional families, and the story behind the employees at the cafe. You will find a lot of memories from Alene about events from the past that have an impact on where she is now in her life. I think some of the information would have been better doled out in future books to add to Alene’s background and further reveal how she ended up where she is today.

The mystery has some interesting twists that I did not expect before the killer was revealed. It all made sense when the details were laid out and there are a few clues that might get you to that point but probably not enough to point you in the right direction of the killer.

There is even a potential love interest for Alene, Detective Frank Shaw. The funny thing is that he was the police officer that took her to the hospital in the past when she gave birth to her youngest child since her (now ex) husband couldn’t seem to make it there.

I think there was only one thing that I didn’t quite understand. Ruthie is a vegetarian/vegan which would make sense since she is the chef at Alene’s cafe which is vegetarian/vegan. However, when Alene had a dinner for the family and friends of the neighbor that was murdered, she wouldn’t let anyone bring any meat products in so that Ruthie wouldn’t have to smell them. While that was a kind gesture, I would expect Ruthie to understand that some people do eat meat and wouldn’t have a problem with it being in the same room. She would obviously not eat that item.

Overall we enjoyed this mystery and look forward to the next in the series.  We give it 3 1/2 paws.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Already known for her imaginative baking and fabulous dinners, G.P. Gottlieb began writing throughout her varied career. After recovering from breast cancer, she turned to writing in earnest, melding her two loves, nourishment for mind and body in recipe-laced murder mysteries. She is also the host of New Books in Literature, a podcast of the New Books Network.

 

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