amateur sleuth

Black Jade – A Daiyu Wu Mystery by Gloria Oliver

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Could an old-fashioned ballgown be used to commit murder?

Daiyu Wu is aware that fear of the Yellow Terror has made her nationality a rare breed in the Lone Star State. Being Chinese and blind makes her doubly unique in 1930 Dallas. Despite these impediments, anyone who dismisses her for either fact does so at their peril.

One day, at her family-owned laundry business, Dai detects the scent of burned garlic. With the help of her companion, Jacques, the source is soon discovered. It is a green ballgown. The gown has money pinned inside it to pay for the cleaning, but oddly, it came with no address label to identify its owner. Her extensive knowledge leads Dai to believe someone has committed murder using arsenic. The perpetrator is trying to use White Laundry to hide the evidence. But no mention of foul play turns up in the newspapers, and there’s not enough proof to convince the police there’s been a crime.

Her curiosity and intellect stimulated like never before; Dai ignores the possible consequences and sets out to solve the mystery with the help of her canine companion, Prince Razor, and her confidant, Jacques Haskins. It’s either that or let the killer get away with it — assuming a spoiled popinjay, his jealous self-appointed girlfriend, and Dai’s overprotective parents don’t get in her way.

A Daiyu Wu Mystery – Book 1

Targeted Age Group:: 14+

What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
As an author, all my novels up to date have been standalone's. I figured it was about time I tried my hand at a series. 😛 This is also my first stab at a cozy historical mystery. Several of my favorite authors not only wrote fantasy and science fiction but also mysteries. Several of my fantasy and ya fantasy novels already had mystery elements, so I decided to branch out. History is fascinating and a cozy would be a great way to explore some of it. 🙂

Frayed Ends by Sally J. Ling

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Frayed Ends by Sally J. Ling

Leaving her hectic job as a news producer in Washington, D.C., was never part of Randi Brooks’ plan, but when she learns of her parents’ tragic deaths, she has no choice but to rush home to Boca Raton, Florida. When she finds out their deaths weren’t accidental, things take a turn toward the dangerous. Toss in a fire and theft at the family-owned fabric store and upholstery shop and an unscrupulous real estate developer willing to do whatever it takes to get her property, and things become deadly.

To complicate matters more, a mysterious but handsome man living in the guest house and an attractive detective harboring a high school crush are both vying for Randi’s affection.

While Randi struggles to make some difficult decisions regarding her parents’ business, her job in D.C., and her conflicting feelings toward both men, the three of them must find out who murdered Randi’s parents before the killer strikes again.

Featured Book: The Vanishing of Owen Taylor by Kyle Michel Sullivan

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Was it murder? Suicide? Or did Owen Taylor disappear to avoid prosecution for rape? No one knew, and his one plea for help was a cryptic note sent to his nephew, Jacob Blaine … at his old address in Copenhagen.

Jake was not having an easy go of it, right then. He was stuck in Texas, his estranged mother was battling cancer, his dream job in Denmark wanted him to come back … NOW, and what was worse — his lover, Antony, was acting as if he wanted to end things between them. It was shredding him inside.

But Jake owed a lot to Uncle Owen, so he made a quick trip to Palm Springs to see what he could do … and found a city being torn apart by a religious organization named PSALMS. Owen had fought them with some success … however, his disappearance changed the whole dynamic.

The more Jake dug into what was going on, the more he found lies, deceit and treachery. Some very wealthy interests were revving up hate and distrust of the city’s gay population, and behind it all was a shadowy figure who would do everything possible to keep their true motives hidden.

Even if that meant making Jake vanish, as well.

This is a follow-up to Rape in Holding Cell 6.

Buy The Vanishing of Owen Taylor Here

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Miss Riddell and the Heiress by P.C. James

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Miss Riddell and the Heiress by P.C. James

A lost fortune. A desperate hunt for answers. Can a persistent investigator unearth the truth and save a life?

Sydney, Australia, 1977. Miss Riddell just survived a mind-numbing audit. So when she’s approached by an Australian woman seeking to prove she’s entitled to inherit an affluent English estate, the amateur sleuth is tickled by the chance to crack an easy case. But when she heads to England and discovers the aristocratic claim has no substance, she didn’t expect her dissatisfied client to follow… or the danger she would attract.

Helping the Aussie further her cause, Miss Riddell believes there’s nothing left to uncover until she saves the woman from a hit and run. And with her keen eye spotting threats lurking in the shadows, the talented accountant is determined to expose a secret worthy of murder…

Can Miss Riddell unravel a sinister scheme before someone’s greed sends the poor soul to her grave?

Miss Riddell and the Heiress is the intriguing fourth book in the Miss Riddell Cozy Mystery series. If you like whip-smart heroines, compelling clues, and sensational twists, then you’ll love P.C. James’ captivating tale.

In The Beginning, There Was a Murder by P.C. James

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In The Beginning, There Was a Murder by P.C. James

A secret liaison. A violent murder. Can one woman solve the crime without joining the body count?
Northern England, 1953. Pauline Riddell has grand ambitions for her future at the armament factory. So, when her closest workmate reveals a salacious affair with a married man, Pauline refuses to risk her career by listening to the scandal. But she’s shaken to her core when the police arrive with news of her best friend’s homicide.
Desperate for justice, Pauline’s insistent poking into the investigation only makes her the prime suspect. And now to clear her name, she must unravel a web of deadly clues entangling her in a sinister plot.
Can Pauline catch the killer before they strike again?

A Murder for Christmas by P.C. James

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A Murder for Christmas by P.C. James

A Murder for Christmas is the third in the popular Miss Riddell Cozy Mysteries series.

Miss Riddell has returned to her parents’ home to nurse her sick mother. It’s Christmas 1962, northern England, and the worst winter for decades. If that isn’t bad enough, there’s a crime spree in the village, a forged will that will bring ruin to the neighborhood, and her first love, a roguish cousin, has just been murdered.

Can Miss Riddell solve the mysterious crime wave before she becomes one of its victims?

Featured Book: Temporarily Out of Luck by Vicki Batman

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Great job. What man? And murder. Newly employed at Wedding Wonderland, Hattie Cooks is learning the industry from a woman she greatly admires. When her former brother-in-law is found dead in his luxury SUV, all fingers point to Hattie’s sister, who is planning her own I Dos.
Detective Allan Wellborn is caught between a rock and a hard place—Hattie’s family and investigating the murder of a well-connected Sommerville resident, the same loser who was once married to Hattie’s sister. Determining who’s the bad guy—or gal—isn’t going to be easy and sure to piss off someone.
Can Hattie beat the clock to find out who murdered Tracey’s ex before she is charged with the crime and her wedding is ruined?

Buy Temporarily Out of Luck Here

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The Arms of Death: Loch Lonach Mysteries with a Scottish Slainte, Book One by Maggie Foster

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An ICU nurse unable to save one of her patients finds herself far too close to finding out why in this unique blend of culture and crime from a Best of Texas Books Award-winning author.

Book One in the Loch Lonach Mysteries with a Scottish Slainte series

Ginny Forbes is a nurse with an insatiable curiosity, a special talent for critical thinking, and a gift for getting into trouble. When one of her ICU patients dies unexpectedly, she finds herself on the trail of a centuries-old secret.

Ginny is no stranger to investigation. Her hobby requires ferreting out and fitting together the traces of her ancestors, to create a mosaic of their lives. She knows how to dig and she knows how to read between the lines.

When a handsome newcomer offers to help, she allows him to tag along, but reports back on his actions to her long-time boyfriend, also an historian and genealogist.

Following the clues seems no more than a lark, but between the cause of death and the growing jealousy of her two helpers, Ginny is about to find out just how dangerous idle curiosity can be.

A page-turning mystery packed with suspense perfect for fans of Miss Marple, Lord Peter Wimsey, and Brother Cadfael.

Read what people are saying about The Arms of Death:

“I loved this book. As an avid mystery fan, I’m pretty particular about my authors. Maggie had me by page four, and it was a page turner from there. The book had the perfect amounts of suspense and romance, always a good combination. I look forward to book two of the series.” Amazon Reader, Sally S.

“A jolly romp with a strong mystery and excellent characterisation. The setting is marvelous, adding a lot to the atmosphere of the story.” UK reader

“Miss Marple but with a strong Scottish theme. Enjoyed it very much!” UK reader

“Murder and mayhem is part of the legacy of the House of Forbes. Ms. Foster weaves a page-turning mystery of twists and turns with a complex yet logical plot that leads to a satisfactory and realistic conclusion.” Bart Forbes, President, Clan Forbes Society, Inc.

“A very well-plotted and enjoyable mystery. Highly recommended.” The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

FIRST PLACE BEST MEDICAL THRILLER – Texas Association of Authors 2019, Best of Texas Books Awards.

SILVER MEDAL WINNER – 2019 PenCraft awards for Writing Excellence.

FINALIST – Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2019

Targeted Age Group:: 12 and up

What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
The best writing advice I ever got was, "Write the book you are dying to read." I love murder mysteries. Can't get enough of them. And I love writing them as much as I love reading them.

In The Beginning, There Was a Murder by P.C. James

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In The Beginning, There Was a Murder by P.C. James

When her best friend is murdered, Pauline Riddell finds she must take the law into her own hands if she is to see justice done.

It’s northern England, 1953, rationing is still in place and the Cold War is heating up. Her fiancé is out in Korea, where thankfully that war is winding down, and she’s just setting out in adult life working at a local armament factory. She’s hard-up, everyone is, but Pauline can see better times ahead, a home, a family, a responsible job, and she’s preparing for that future. Then her friend, Marjorie, is stabbed to death.

At first, Pauline is only concerned with helping the police. She’s intelligent and resourceful but also inexperienced, just out of school and still believing the world runs in trustworthy ways.

Then she finds the police think they’ve caught her friend’s killer and they’re winding down the investigation. Pauline now realizes this is a world where you can’t always leave things to others, you have to get involved yourself. But, as she investigates and puts pressure on the police for more action, she finds the killer wants her out of the way and the police have come to suspect she killed her friend.

Can she catch the killer before she either faces the same fate as Marjorie or is hanged for killing her?

Featured Book: Late for Love by MK Scott

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The senior sleuths love a good laugh, but this conundrum is no laughing matter. A missing journalist, an African Grey parrot, and a possible mob connection sound like the beginning of a bad joke. Unfortunately, there is no punchline and no one, aside from the seniors, who would dare to take the case on.

Will their first chance to handle a case on their own prove to be way too much for them to handle, and more importantly, could this first be their last?

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