cozy mystery

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

By Mystery Reads Curator Leave a Comment

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?

A Caterer’s Guide to Love and Murder by Jessica Thompson

By Mystery Reads Curator Leave a Comment

A wedding caterer, a florist…and a dash of poison.
“Wow, this dough is sexy!”
As their wedded bliss starts to show signs of serious strain, Violet and her new husband, Jake, put their feelings aside to focus on catering a wedding that could make or break her career.
When murder ruins the rehearsal dinner, and her sister, Greta, the florist, becomes the prime suspect, Violet risks everything to clear her – and still deliver the beautiful wedding her new friend deserves.
But will she be in time before the killer dishes out seconds?
A Caterer’s Guide to Love and Murder takes you on a culinary journey you won’t forget!

Targeted Age Group:: 20 – 65+

What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
When I discovered mystery novels with recipes, I knew I had found my niche!
I got to include my favorite recipes AND weave a complex mystery!

In The Beginning, There Was a Murder: An Amateur Female Sleuth Historical Cozy Mystery by P.C. James

By Mystery Reads Curator Leave a Comment

In The Beginning, There Was a Murder: An Amateur Female Sleuth Historical Cozy Mystery 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.

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.

Murder at Mile Marker 18 by Denise Jaden

By Mystery Reads Curator Leave a Comment

The widow of a mystery author and a cat who thinks he’s a dog are launched into their own investigations in this first-in-series cozy mystery.

“Denise Jaden delivers fun and charming mystery in Murder at Mile Marker 18 that every cozy lover will want to have on their shelf.” – Readers Favorite 5-star review

“The mystery is fast-paced and kept me reading through the night. The ending was a surprise and all the pieces fit together perfectly! I can’t wait for the next visit with Mallory and Hunch!” – Jerri Cachero from Cozy Mystery Corner Book Reviews

“This was a cute story with lots of humor throughout. I liked the characters, their interactions, and the pacing of the story line.” – Emily Pennington, Amazon Top 500 Reviewer

Perfect for fans of Molly Fitz and Christy Barritt…

An unlucky amateur sleuth, an adorable cop, and a cat with a hunch…

If anyone had told Mallory Beck she would become Honeysuckle Grove’s next unschooled detective, she would have thought they were ten noodles short of a lasagna. Her late husband had been the mystery novelist with a penchant for the suspicious. She was born for the Crock-Pot, not the magnifying glass, and yet here she is elbow deep in fettuccine, cat treats, and teenagers with an attitude, the combination of which lands her smack-dab in the middle of a murder investigation.

Maybe she should have thought twice about delivering a casserole to a grieving family. Maybe she should have avoided the ever-changing green eyes of her seventh-grade crush—now the most heart-stopping cop in town. Maybe she should have stopped listening to the insightful mewls of her antagonistic cat, Hunch, who most likely wants her to be the town’s next murder victim.

Whatever the case, Mallory Beck got herself into this investigation, and she has a distraught teenage girl counting on her to deliver the truth.

Start reading this new cozy culinary series today!

Targeted Age Group:: Adult

What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
I had been co-writing cozy mysteries with author Lee Strauss. Once I got the hang of plotting a good mystery, I was hooked and wanted to jump right into plotting my own solo series.

Featured Book: Miz Scarlet and the Holiday Houseguests by Sara M. Barton

By Mystery Reads Curator Leave a Comment

One of two perma-free books in the Scarlet Wilson Mystery Series!….Divorced parents who won’t stop bickering, a sassy teenager, and a killer stalking her are just what homicide investigator Laurencia “Larry” Rivera doesn’t need for Christmas! The short-handed state police investigator can’t get a handle on the latest murder case…things just keep going wrong. Is someone trying to intimidate Larry and her team, to protect the killer and prevent him from being caught?

Innkeeper Scarlet Wilson is a good friend. That’s why she invites the entire Rivera family to spend Christmas at the Four Acorns Inn. But a killer comes a-calling in the middle of their holiday preparations. “Miz Scarlet” may not have Larry’s professional cop training, but that doesn’t stop her from enlisting boyfriend Kenny Tolliver and Larry’s former partner, Max, to rescue the uncooperative damsel in distress. If only she stuck to guest services….Before the Rivera visit to the Four Acorns Inn ends, not only will a killer be sent packing, everyone will learn two things: the shocking reason for the bitter divorce of “The Spitball King” and the “Queen of Clean”, and how the granddaughter of a Red Sox assistant coach came to be named after a famous Yankee center fielder.

Buy Miz Scarlet and the Holiday Houseguests Here
Sara M. Barton’s Website
Follow Sara M. Barton on Facebook
Follow Sara M. Barton on Twitter

Featured Book: Escape to Osprey Cove by Luisa Marietta Gold

By Mystery Reads Curator Leave a Comment

FREE–10/4-5
What Doug finds in the secret compartment of his new red Corvette will forever change his life. It will also change Catherine’s. Doug and Catherine come from two different worlds. Catherine’s world is one of privilege and wealth. Doug grew up dirt poor and full of envy of others who had the things that he wanted but could not have. His goal was to one day have all the things he coveted. Their worlds collide when Catherine, VP of a large New York City marketing firm, hires Doug. As soon as Doug learns of Catherine’s wealth, he sees Catherine as his ticket to all the things he covets. After a whirlwind courtship, they are married.

Poor boy meets rich girl should have resulted in happily ever after — not exactly. Doug quickly learns he also covets independence. Events begin to unfold in each of their lives. For Doug, it is his mysterious discovery in the secret compartment of the Corvette. For Catherine, it is a business meeting with Alex Droxell at the Osprey Cove Lodge. When Catherine enters the beautiful and serene lodge, it’s as though she is entering another place and time. The lodge is an escape from the nightmare she is living back home.

Authors Note: The Osprey Cove Lodge series is uniquely written, spanning seven geographic locations from the scenic Canadian region of the Rideau lakes to the beautiful shores of the Caribbean. An interesting web of mystery develops as the characters’ lives intertwine. The setting for The Osprey Cove Lodge series was born from my love of the beauty of this region in Canada. The description of the lodge is so beautiful and inviting that you will want to pack your bags and head there. The series is written in a continuing fashion; please be sure to read the books in the order written.

Buy Escape to Osprey Cove Here

On St. Nick’s Trail by M K Scott

By Mystery Reads Curator Leave a Comment

On St. Nick’s Trail by M K Scott

Private Eye Nala Bonne and her trusty crime-fighting rescue dog Max spend their days surfing social media for telltale signs of disability fraud and philandering husbands, but when a lucrative opportunity to investigate something entirely different, Nala readily agrees to take the case.

The task: find a missing Santa impersonator

Unfortunately for her, someone is dead set against the search and will stop at nothing to drive Nala and Max out of town before their search even begins.

Can this dynamic duo locate the missing Santa before it’s too late?

Requiem for a Rescue Dog Queen by MK Scott

By Mystery Reads Curator Leave a Comment

Requiem for a Rescue Dog Queen by MK Scott

Pre-school teacher turned private eye Nala Bonne, and her opinionated dog, Max, have a nose for evil doings in Circle City. They’ve recently gone to the dogs, make that rescue dogs. Not everyone in Indianapolis has a soft spot for a homeless pup. Someone has it out for the dogs and the people who love them. A midnight call jolts Nala and Max into action as they rush to the aid of a local rescue dog queen, but it may already be too late.

Featured Book: Escape to Osprey Cove by Luisa Marietta Gold

By Mystery Reads Curator Leave a Comment

What Doug finds in the secret compartment of his new red Corvette will forever change his life. It will also change Catherine’s. Doug and Catherine come from two different worlds. Catherine’s world is one of privilege and wealth. Doug grew up dirt poor and full of envy of others who had the things that he wanted but could not have. His goal was to one day have all the things he coveted. Their worlds collide when Catherine, VP of a large New York City marketing firm, hires Doug. As soon as Doug learns of Catherine’s wealth, he sees Catherine as his ticket to all the things he covets. After a whirlwind courtship, they are married.

Buy Escape to Osprey Cove Here

Featured Book: Marseille by Angela Wren

By Mystery Reads Curator Leave a Comment

A spate of abductions and subsequent deaths in nearby départements have Investigator, Jacques Forêt, perplexed. Returning from extended leave to the news of a local kidnapping, Jacques is on the case immediately. And this time it’s personal.
But the case isn’t Jacques’ only worry. He has become more and more concerned about his partner Beth, but what can he do if she doesn’t let him help her?
The investigation into the murders takes him and his trusted assistant, Didier Duclos, to Marseille. Can Jacques find the kidnappers and release their captive before another body is added to the list of unexplained murders?
It’s a race against time.

Buy Marseille Here

Angela Wren’s Website
Follow Angela Wren on Facebook
Follow Angela Wren on Twitter
Angela Wren’s GoodReads Profile