Buttercream Betrayal

Cupcake Catering Mystery Series, Book # 5

Kim Davies

5 Stars

Synopsis:

Intent on getting their two mischievous dogs under control, Emory Martinez and her half sister, Vannie, join a group dog training program led by Shawn Parker. With a graduation certificate just within grasp and a party to celebrate their hard-won achievements, what could go wrong? For starters, their two dogs have decided to wreak havoc during the party and tempers flare. It turns out not everyone is pleased with the dog trainer and his mother, the condo association president. Whispers of the mother and son’s misbehavior, or worse, fly amongst the barks, whines, and growls of the canines.

When Emory finds the body of Mrs. Parker amidst an explosive situation, it becomes apparent there is more truth to the whispers instead of just gossip. Could one of the canine-loving participants be responsible? Or an outsider who hated her heavy-handed rule over the condo homeowners? Emory, Vannie, and octogenarian Tillie must sift through the clues to find out who has been betrayed and who has decided to take justice into their own hands.

Recipes included!

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed.  Emory, Vannie and Tillie get along very well and are always happy to play sleuths when the need arises.  And the need arises when the condo homeowners president is found murdered.  And when her son is also murdered they know they are in for some intense snooping.Let’s see if tehy are up to the job. 

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions kept me engaged throughout the entire book.The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read.  The mystery is well plotted and it was difficult to solve.   

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery.  I really like this series and I cannot wait to read the next one.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book and provided my honest review.

Turn The Dial For Death Jeremy Vine

The brand-new murder mystery in the Sunday Times bestselling series.

***

An impossible death.

A seaside town on the brink.

Stay tuned for murder…

Sidmouth is gearing up for summer – but murder is all year round…

When a doctor is found dead in the woods, shot through the heart with a crossbow, his wife is the prime suspect, despite an ironclad alibi. Desperate to clear her name, she appeals to radio presenter Edward Temmis for help.

But Edward has troubles of his own. With his beloved radio station in crisis and a mysterious motorbike crash on the seafront, the doctor’s death is the least of his worries.

Edward, Kim and Stevie must reunite on a treacherous path to uncover the truth. Can they solve the case before everything tumbles down?

Perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Anthony Horowitz and Agatha Christie-style murder mysteries.

‘A fabulous sequel’ Janice Hallett

‘Funny, charming and gripping’ Suk Pannu

Jeremy Vine’s book ‘Murder on Line One’ was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 2025-05-05. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Audiobook

The Bones Of Logan Rock Sally Rigby

An archaeological dig on the wild Cornish cliffs was supposed to uncover ancient history. Instead, it has exposed a grave that was never meant to be found.

When human remains are found at the excavation site near Logan Rock in Treen, Cornwall, Detective Lauren Pengelly is called to investigate. These bones don’t belong to some Bronze Age settler – they’re the remains of a sixteen-year-old girl who vanished at a beach party in 1996, a night of bonfires, cheap cider and a killer who has gone unchecked for thirty years.

But before Lauren and her partner, DS Matt Price, can unravel the truth behind the girl’s disappearance, another body is found at the base of the cliffs. Someone is willing to commit murder to keep the past hidden… and they’re not finished yet. As the body count rises, Lauren must untangle three decades of lies before the killer silences anyone who might expose the harrowing truth.

Get ready to be totally hooked! Fans of Angela Marsons, Rachel McLean and J M Dalgliesh can’t get enough of this series.

What readers are saying about The Bones of Logan Rock:

“The Bones of Logan Rock is an absolute emotional, harrowing, realistic psychological thriller that’ll make you binge read all night long.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Utterly Captivating!…With the perfect blend of tension, teamwork, and hope, this one will stay with you long after the final page… I’d gladly give it ten stars. An absolute must-read!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“… had me hooked from the very first page, and I ended up devouring it in just one day… This was a gripping, fast-paced read that delivered exactly what I was hoping for—and more. I’m already looking forward to the next book!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“A gripping, atmospheric crime thriller that proves you can jump into a series midstream and still have a fantastic experience.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“ Wow, the story hooked me immediately and I was completely immersed in the mystery until the very end.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Absolutely brilliant. Perfect setting in beautiful Cornwall, interesting story and credible characters, especially the CID team. I highly recommend this.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook

Murder On The Fit And Fabulbous Cruise Denise Jaden

A cruise full of workouts, wellness… and one deadly workout gone wrong.

Cruise ship photographer Olivia Ocean expected her latest assignment on the Moonlit Majesty to mean sunshine, smoothies, and scenic photoshoots—not a celebrity bodybuilder crushed beneath a sabotaged weight machine.

When Gage “The Granite” Gienger’s after-hours workout turns fatal, Olivia and her clever rescue cat Pickle are pulled into another high-seas mystery. Security Manager Miles Blackwell is as steady and sharp as ever, though even he can’t shake the feeling that something about this case doesn’t add up.

Was the trap set for the hot-headed fitness model?

The wellness guru with a dangerous secret?

Or someone who was never meant to be near the gym at all?

Meanwhile, Olivia’s dear friend Eleanor, the ship’s elderly librarian, is attacked onshore in Europe while researching rare book forgeries. Miles and Olivia race to find her, even though they have reason to believe the killer onboard may strike again.

With tensions rising, secrets surfacing, and another “accident” looming, Olivia must rely on her camera, her instincts, and one clever cat to expose a killer before the cruise loses another passenger.

If you love cozy whodunits with clever sleuths, charming ships, and cats who save the day, set sail with Olivia Ocean today.

Sun, sea, and sabotage—just another day aboard the Moonlit Majesty. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback

To The Ehd Of Reckoning Josheph Moldover;

After a traumatic brain injury alters a curmudgeonly psychiatrist’s mind—leaving him agitated and confused but obsessively observant—he enlists his reluctant son to help investigate a colleague’s mysterious suicide . . .

Twenty-three-year-old Lukas Moore has returned to his hometown of Faith, New York, and left his burgeoning acting career behind to care for his father. Dr. Richard Moore is a psychiatrist known for being nearly as misanthropic as he is brilliant, but a recent traumatic brain injury has left him dependent on his begrudgingly attentive son and has changed his worldview in unexpected ways. Attuned to the slightest detail, Dr. Moore now sees mysteries where other people see settled facts—nowhere more so than in the disappearance of his former colleague and neighbor Dr. Jason Grant.

One year ago, Jason’s shoes, watch, and car were found beside a nearby lake and no trace of him has been found since. The obvious conclusion was suicide, despite Jason’s youth, wealth, and successful career as a child psychiatrist. Only two people question his fate: Richard, obsessed with fragments of memory, and Misty, Jason’s younger sister and Lukas’s high school girlfriend.

When Misty asks for the Moores’ help in finding out what really happened to her brother, Lukas takes the chance to resolve his father’s obsession and to reconnect with someone he may still have feelings for. As Lukas, Richard, and Misty are drawn into the puzzle, however, they are forced to confront the secrets behind both Jason’s disappearance and Richard’s injury. Sometimes the deepest mysteries are found in the people we think we know best. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Hardcover

Ihe Secret Of Ravens Valley Linda Norlander

Fanny Porter, besieged rural community librarian, ends a video call with her friend Liza Johnson with the cryptic words “You know I’m in deep, and it’s scaring me.” Several days later, she is found dead on a lonely county road near the town of Ravens Valley.

At the funeral, Liza and her neighbor, Mrs. Wilkens, discover a town cloaked in fear. People are afraid to attend the funeral because Fanny was embroiled with a powerful group trying to ban books in the library. But the fear goes deeper in a community dependent upon the Santos Brothers Farm for its survival. When Goldie, Liza’s cat, is poisoned, Liza and Mrs. Wilkens race against time to discover the secret of Ravens Valley. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

Things Are As The Be P. M. Raymond

“P.M. Raymond is a bright new star in the world of speculative fiction. Not to be missed.”—S.A. Cosby, author of BLACKTOP WASTELAND

2024 SISTERS IN CRIME ELEANOR TAYLOR BLAND WINNER AND CLAYMORE AWARD FINALIST

THINGS ARE AS THEY SHOULD BE and other words to die for is an interconnected Southern gothic noir journey from Reconstruction New Orleans to a present-day landscape of terror. Each story invests the reader in a setting and characters that traverse the fringes of the Louisiana swamps, pool halls in New Orleans, and attics filled with boxes of cherished memories, each tale patinaed with desperation and death.

An exploration of greed, vengeance, and generational trauma in tales that center Louisiana and its rich history of the wicked, the haunted, and the unforgiven who refuse to rest. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback

Walnut, Brownies and Murder Lucinda Race

In Oak Hollow, every recipe comes with a dash of mystery…

A family crest, a tray of walnut brownies, and one deadly engagement party…

Former FBI analyst turned baker Temperance Matthews is finally settling into her brand-new kitchen in Oak Hollow. With her best friend Josie by her side, her loyal dachshund Hank underfoot, and a fresh batch of Aunt Lottie’s famous walnut brownies in the oven, life is starting to feel sweet again.

But when an extravagant engagement party at the Oak Hollow Hideaway Inn ends in murder, Temperance once again finds herself balancing brownie trays and police tape. With Officer Casey Butler encouraging her sleuthing ways, she digs into the Posey family’s past—where secrets, scandals, and symbols lurk beneath the polished surface.

Can Temperance serve up justice before another life is lost, or will her second chance at happiness crumble under the weight of a killer’s schemes?

Walnut Brownies & Murder is the third book in the Little Bakery Cozy Mystery Series, featuring Temperance Matthews. It can be read as a standalone.

• “If you love Stephanie Plum and Fortune Redding, meet your next favorite heroine.” (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Hardcover

Ghosts Of Autumn Donna Clancy

Summer is coming to a close. An early, powerful Northeaster has hit Anchor Point. The extreme high tides have uncovered the bones of a long hidden ship on Jay’s private section of the beach. Keeping the ship’s existence a secret until the brothers can decide what to do with it proves harder than it sounds.
Collectors want a piece of the bones and treasure hunters want to dig up the area looking for any valuables that might have washed ashore with the ship. One of Jay’s employees disappears while standing guard and hasn’t been heard from since.
To make matters worse, Roland is extremely agitated that the ship has made an appearance. He knows things that he doesn’t want to share , not even Jay. With what Roland knows, will the history of Anchor Point be forever changed? Will Roland finally trust someone with his secrets or will the ship’s bones and it’s hidden stories return to the mercy of the ocean for another hundred years? (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

Deadly Ties Kathi Daley

Cottage on Gooseberry Bay is a heartwarming mystery series about finding answers, fostering hope, and building lasting friendships while embracing the magic of life by the sea and small-town celebrations.

In Book 21, Ainsley is left reeling after the sudden death of one of her clients, Teyana Trenton, who came to Gooseberry Bay searching for answers about her biological parents. What initially appears to be a tragic rollover accident—one that also claims the life of the town’s beloved fire chief—soon proves to be something far more sinister. Evidence reveals that the vehicle was intentionally forced off the road and into the gully below.

As Ainsley, Parker, and Dani begin untangling the circumstances surrounding Teyana’s past and the fatal crash, they uncover a web of long-buried secrets connecting both victims—secrets far more complicated than anyone imagined. With the annual Gooseberry Festival in full swing—complete with a bake-off and the town softball game—long-hidden truths begin to surface, threatening to shatter lives and change the community forever. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook

NEW THRILLER SERIES by Bestselling Author of All June Left Behind and The Dime Box

Bri Watters has always loved Paris, yet she never imagined she’d be forced to flee to the City of Lights to escape the shadow of her past crimes. But when her brother Ty is arrested for accessing confidential patient files at the Vermont hospital where they both work, Bri can’t risk being caught in the crossfire.

From the safety of her Paris hotel room, Bri learns that Ty’s crimes may be much worse than she feared. Police remain tight-lipped, and her parents and perfect older sister Amber are divided about Ty’s guilt. Bri wants to trust her brother, yet he’s been in trouble before.

Mysterious texts force Bri to investigate from abroad and she finds herself entangled in a web of deception, blackmail, and murder. Pressures mount, and she races home, one step ahead of the police, and bands together with family, her best friend Zuri, and crack PI Art Visser to dig into Ty’s claim of innocence.

Will Bri uncover the truth before it’s too late? And who is the sinister figure threatening to expose her secrets to the world? (Amazon)

Editions

A Cute Little Murder Molly Harper

She used to be the sidekick. Now she might be the only one who can survive.

As teens, Harlow Drake and Lainey Piper built an online fandom solving small-town crimes. Harlow was the star, Lainey the behind-the-scenes genius (and often, Harlow’s scapegoat). Years later, Harlow’s hosting a hit true crime tv show. Lainey? She’s working in forensics. Well, forensic accounting . . . from home. In pajamas. With her cat.

But when Harlow faces significant backlash over fumbling a case, she needs a quick win—like a special investigation into the decades-old disappearance of a starlet from a once-glamorous, now decrepit island hotel. The catch? It’s bankrolled by Deke and Bryce of DBag Games, who are looking to shed their “frat bro” reputations. As long-time fans, they have one requirement for their funding: Lainey has to play the sidekick again.

Lainey is wary, but the offer is a lifeline in a sea of unpaid student loans. After reaching the Crossings Hotel, she realizes she’s not content to be Harlow’s helper anymore. As the cold case heats up, a crew member falls over dead, presenting Harlow and Lainey with a more modern mystery: what secrets does this hotel hide within its walls?

With sabotage, hidden staircases, and a killer in their midst, Lainey steps into the spotlight and takes charge of the investigation. It’s up to her to crack the case—as long as she can stay alive. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Paperbacl, Audiobook

Murder Under A Bitter Moon Abigail Keam

Mona Moon adores Kentucky Derby week, enjoying all the festivities. She is hosting a ladies’ tea and a Derby breakfast herself. The celebration at Moon Manor will include her former professor and mentor, Dr. Beryl Farris. Mona is delighted to have an old friend visit, but is concerned when Dr. Farris confesses that someone has been threatening her. Worried, Mona assigns Pinkertons to protect the professor.

The night before the Kentucky Derby race, Mona is preparing to attend Ed Bradley’s famous Derby Ball. The entire Mooncrest Farm is aflutter with excitement and gaiety for the upcoming event. Celebrities, politicians, and prominent citizens will be enjoying shrimp grits, burgoo, cornbread, country ham, and mint juleps while dishing the latest gossip at this yearly event. Mona’s anticipation is dashed when she discovers Dr. Farris is missing! And Mona fears the worst!

Murder Under A Blue Moon
Murder Under A Blood Moon
Murder Under A Bad Moon
Murder Under A Silver Moon
Murder Under A Wolf Moon
Murder Under A Black Moon
Murder Under A Full Moon
Murder Under A New Moon
Murder Under A British Moon
Murder Under A Bridal Moon
Murder Under A Western Moon
Murder Under A Honey Moon
Murder Under A Cold Moon
Murder Under A Mystic Moon
Murder Under A Bitter Moon
Murder Under A Dark Moon

AWARDS
2010 Gold Medal Award from Readers’ Favorite for Death By A HoneyBee: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery
2011 Gold Medal Award from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Drowning: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery
2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By Drowning: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery
2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By A HoneyBee: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery
2017 Finalist from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Design: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery
2019 Honorable Mention from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Stalking: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery
2019 Top 10 Mystery Novels from Kings River Life Magazine for Murder Under A Blue Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Mystery
2020 Imadjinn Award for Best Mystery – Death By Stalking: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery
2022 Finalist in Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Historical Category – Murder Under A Full Moon
2022 Finalist the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Historical Category – Murder Under A New Moon
2022 Death By Chance: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Cozy Mystery
2022 Top Ten Mystery Novel by Kings River Life Magazine for Murder Under A Bridal Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Mystery
2022 Top Ten Mystery Novel by Kings River Life Magazine for Murder Under A British Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Mystery(Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle

A Death In The Dark Ellie Alexander

An assistant athletics coach is found murdered at Redwood Grove High School and all evidence points one way—but the Novel Detectives are about to face their most puzzling case yet.

When beloved local teacher and track coach Josh Bynum stumbles into the Secret Bookcase distressed and with no memory of the previous night, Annie and Fletcher’s instincts tell them something doesn’t add up.

As the duo delve deeper into the tight-knit world of high school athletics, they uncover a web of secrets. Between ambitious parents, suspicious fundraising activities, and a star athlete with a lot to lose, everyone has something to hide.

Annie and Fletcher will need all their investigative skills and the support of their Redwood Grove friends if they’re to solve this mystery. Has Josh been set up? And what if there’s a clever killer somewhere in their beloved hometown, who might decide to target them next?

Perfect for fans of Lauren Elliott, Merryn Allingham and M.C. Beaton, this latest installment in Ellie Alexander’s new series combines small-town charm with a twisty ‘just one more chapter’ mystery that will keep you guessing until the final page.

Readers adore Ellie Alexander’s cozy mysteries:

“Absolutely loved this!!! I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and had no idea whodunit until it was revealed… I love a good twist!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Kept me glued to the page as I raced to find out whodunit. A winner!” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Ellie Alexander has done it AGAIN!! As cozy mysteries go this is one of the coziest… So good I devoured it in one sitting.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Knocked me out of my seat!!! Loved this… eagerly waiting the next… Five stars hands down.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“ELLIE ALEXANDER HAS A NEW SERIES!!!!! I immediately wanted to hop on a flight to Redwood Grove… The characters and the setting seemed so real.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Ellie Alexander has once again proven herself as the queen of cozy mysteries.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“I have loved every series Ellie has written so far and this one did not disappoint! I truly was hooked and I stayed up way too late because I just needed to finish the book.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“A definite must-read for all book lovers, and fans of cozy murder mysteries.” Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook

The Bush Tea Murder Ashley-Ruth Bernier

Culinary journalist Naomi Sinclair is cooking up a maelstrom of trouble upon her return to the blue waters of her native Saint Thomas.

A new cozy mystery set in the US Virgin Islands, this charming amateur sleuth will enrapture readers of Joanne Fluke and Carrie Doyle.

Food journalist Naomi Sinclair doesn’t expect a side of murder with her passion fruit juice. But when her return to Saint Thomas heralds a series of troubling cases, ranging from petty theft to cold-blooded murder, that threaten her tight-knit community, that is exactly the kind of unsavory treat she must sink her teeth into.

Luckily for her neighbors, Naomi is as adept at solving puzzles as rolling johnnycake dough—a good thing, since her island community, though small, keeps serving up plenty of trouble. With the help of her friends and her crush, Mateo, Naomi must navigate the tumultuous turquoise waters of life in the Caribbean, all as her beloved father battles an illness that keeps tugging her back to her island amid her rising career stateside.

Rich with mouthwatering recipes, lush landscapes, and a hefty dose of fun under the sun, The Bush Tea Murder has all the ingredients to make up the perfect beach read. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kiindle, Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook

Would I Lie To You Nicole Blades

“My favorite kind of thriller: edgy, intriguing and twisty.”—Laura Dave, New York Times bestselling author

Would I Lie to You? is a thrilling spy-next-door story that may have you cheering for all the wrong people, perfect for fans of Finlay Donovan and Killers of a Certain Age.

What if a covert, high-stakes cat burglar is given one last job before she can retire, but the gig is to steal the classified code to an innovative genetic editing tool her unaware husband is developing?

Ask anyone about Lucille “Lu” Barlow and they’ll tell you that she’s a loving wife and mom, fire-body Pilates studio owner, and kind neighbor. But none of them know the true Lu. Because Lu is a liar and a thief—albeit reluctantly lately. She’s been part of a dangerous, deeply covert crime syndicate for the last thirty years, with a string of incredible, international heists under her belt and a shoebox full of fake passports, weapons, cash stacks, and skeletons.

But when her unsuspecting husband, Harry, accepts a lucrative job at the nation’s leading biotech company, it means moving the family from her familiar Brooklyn base to the well-heeled New England town of Partridge Hollow. Lu sees it as her shot to finally retire from crime life, something she’s wanted since her son’s birth eight years ago. But Partridge Hollow isn’t what it seems either. Lu quickly discovers that her new Stepford Wives–esque neighbors each have their own secrets hidden inside their mansions, into which she occasionally creeps.

She also uncovers the most scandalous truth of all: that this move for her husband’s career was orchestrated by her illicit employer. Worse, she’s tasked with stealing the heavily protected code for a tool Harry is developing.

Fans of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, Counterfeit, and Killers of a Certain Age will devour this book! (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook

A Blue Ribbon Murder (Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
Setting – Connecticut
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beyond the Page
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 31, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 260 pages
Paperback
ISBN-13: 9781966322467
Digital
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1966322443
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GPT7LN4H

Purchase Links
Amazon   B&N   Kobo

WORD ON THE STREET:

A Blue Ribbon Murder (Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries)
by T. C. LoTempio

My rating for A Blue Ribbon Murder by T.C. LoTempio is four stars. I do recommend this book as it kept me guessing. Ms. LoTempio is a great author. She gets you to think while reading her books.
~Baroness’ Book Trove

Ms. LoTempio’s storytelling shines throughout the series, and I recommend every book for fans of cozy mysteries and cat lovers alike. A Blue Ribbon Murder is a highly entertaining cozy mystery, filled with fabulous feline characters and their wonderful human companions.
~Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book

BOOK:

When the organizer of a major cat competition is murdered and the grand prize is stolen, Shell McMillan will have to claw through the clues to catch a killer . . .

The Kitty Club Cat Show has come to Fox Hollow, and everyone from casual cat lovers to competitive breeders has shown up for the contest. Pet shop owner Shell McMillan has two cats entered, and like everyone else she has her eye on the grand prize, a vibrant red leash with a solid gold cat-head figurine attached. As the judging begins, cat owners clash and the fur flies, until a power outage throws the whole arena into darkness. But when the lights come back up, the event’s organizer is found dead and the grand prize is missing.

Shell knows the obvious suspect is the victim’s stepson, who’s up to his neck in gambling debts and would kill to get his hands on his inheritance. But there are plenty of disgruntled competitors to consider too, including some who had an old score to settle with the victim. Every clue is catnip for Shell, especially as she puzzles out whether the thief and the murderer are the same person. Either way, with two crimes to solve and a killer on the loose, she’ll have to tread carefully so that her dreams of Best in Show don’t end with Rest in Peace . . .

AUTHOR;

While Toni Lotempio does not commit – or solve – murders in real life, she has no trouble doing it on paper. Her lifelong love of mysteries began early on when she was introduced to her first Nancy Drew mystery at age 10 – The Secret in the Old Attic.  She and her cat pen the Nick and Nora mystery series originally from Berkley Prime Crime and now with Beyond the Page Publishing.  They also write the Pet Shop Series and the Tiffany Austin Food Blogger series and brand new Cozy Bookshop Mysteries!

You can cat-ch up with them at ROCCO’s blog, www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com or her website, www.tclotempio.net

Social Media Links
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GIVEAWAY:

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The Murder Before Christmas

Charlie Kingsley Mysteries, Book #1

Michele Pariza Wacek

5 Stars

Synopsis:

If you’ve got a problem, Charlie Kingsley probably has a tea that’ll help make it right.

EXCEPT when it comes to love. She does NOT do love potions.

Not even for Courtney, her pregnant new client who showed up three weeks before Christmas seeking a love potion because her husband was cheating on her.

So, Courtney asked about poison, instead.

She said she was joking. That’s what happens between wives and husbands. They get angry and talk about killing each other. They don’t really mean it.

It seems to make sense … until Courtney’s husband turns up dead on Christmas Eve.

He was poisoned, of course.

And who is the number one suspect? Courtney. Of course.

But did she actually do it? Or is she being set up?

It’s up to Charlie to sort through all the twists and turns in a case that gets more complicated the deeper she digs.

Meet Charlie. Better known as “Aunt Charlie” from the award-winning Secrets of Redemption series. She’s back, making teas and solving cases in this funny, twisty, cozy mystery series set in the 1990s in Redemption, Wisconsin. (less)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed.  Charlie sells teas for anything that ails you.  One of her clients, Courtney, asks Charlie for a love potion to get her husband to be in love with her again. But Charlie does not do love potions.  So the client asks Charlie for some poison.  The client tells Charlie she is only kidding, but when her husband dies from poisoning, Charlie is not so sure.  Charlie decides to find the killer herself, but it will not be easy.  Pat, one of Charlie’s friends, helps her in her search.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning.  I really enjoyed watching Charlie work on the mystery and hearing what she is saying.  The mystery is well plotted and not easily solved.  There were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider and that made the mystery more intriguing.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery.  I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

I received a copy of the book from BookFunnel and the review is my own opinion.

Buried In The Stacks

The Haunted Library Mysteries, Book #3

Allison Brook

5 Stars

Synopsis:

Librarian Carrie Singleton is building a haven, but one of her neighbors is misbehavin’. Can resident spirit Evelyn help Carrie catch the culprit who made her a ghost?

In winter, the Haunted Library is a refuge for homeless townspeople. When a group purchases a vacant house to establish a daytime haven for the homeless, Carrie offers the library as a meeting place for the Haven House committee, but quickly learns that it may be used for illegal activities.

As the new Sunshine Delegate, Carrie heads to the hospital to visit her cantankerous colleague, Dorothy, who had fallen outside the local supermarket. She tells Carrie that her husband tried to kill her—and that he murdered her Aunt Evelyn, the library’s resident ghost, six years earlier.

And then Dorothy is murdered—run off the road as soon as she returns to work. Evelyn implores Carrie to find her niece’s killer, but that’s no easy task: Dorothy had made a hobby of blackmailing her neighbors and colleagues. Carrie, Evelyn, and Smoky Joe the cat are on the case, but are the library cards stacked against them? (Goodreads)

Review:

I love this series, each book just gets better.  The characters are well developed and well rounded, and Carrie has some great friends.  I was shocked to see who the victim was, I was definitely not expecting that. I was happy that Evelyn, the library ghost, was more prevalent in this book.  And Carrie shared some important news with her boyfriend, Dylan, and he did not go running for the hills.   

The writing style flows smoothly and it helped define the characters very clearly by their actions and words.  The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and this brought the library alive in my mind.  These descriptions pulled me into the story right from the beginning.

I like the fact that the author took a social issue and wrote about it compassionately.  Homelessness is a big problem and the author touched on it and some solutions.  I was happy that this issue was addressed.

The mystery was well plotted and was not easily solved.  There were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider.  I was not completely convinced who the culprit was until it was revealed at the end.

I would highly recommend this book, and series, to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery.  And if you like ghostly cozy mystery, like I do, then you should read this series.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

Frosted Yuletide Murder

A Cupcake Catering Mystery, Book #4

Kim Davis

5 Stars

Synopsis:

 Set against the holiday cheer of twinkling lights, costumed carolers, and a festive line of extravagantly decorated boats participating in the annual Christmas boat parade in Newport Beach, California, cupcake caterer Emory Martinez finds that the grinch has crashed the party. Together with her sister Carrie, Emory is catering a delectable feast of holiday cupcakes and cookies aboard a luxury yacht for the new Mrs. Blair Villman and her guests.

Sparks fly when Carrie comes face-to-face with the hostess, who just happens to be Carrie’s high school frenemy, and old grievances are dredged up. Adding fuel to the fire, Blair’s stepson brings his mother, the former Mrs. Villman, to the party. Instead of celebrating holiday cheer, someone seems intent on channeling the Burgermeister Meisterburger and shutting down Blair’s party permanently. When Emory finds a body aboard the yacht, she needs to discover who iced the victim before the Scrooge ruins not only her livelihood but her freedom as well.

Includes delicious holiday recipes. (Goodreads)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed.  Emory and her sister, Carrie, are catering the food and cupcakes for a yacht party.  When they find out that the hostess for the party is an enemy of Carrie’s from high school, things are  not good.  When someone is killed, things get worse.  Emory has to figure out who  the murderer is before their catering business takes a big hit. On a positive note, Emory and Carrie are going to meet their half sister and get to know her.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the beginning.  The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read.  The mystery was well plotted and there were enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through.  The mystery was not easily solved and that is just how I like my mysteries.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery.  I have enjoyed all of the books by this author and you will too.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book and provided my honest review.

Kansas City Breakdown M. E. Proctor Russell Thayer

May 1952.

Mobsters, molls, and muscle are meeting in Kansas City to carve out territory, make deals, assert influence. They come from Chicago, Dallas, New Orleans, Detroit … By plane, by car, and, in the case of mid-level heavy Mike Abati, by train from San Francisco.

The FBI sees an opportunity. A chance to get close to the man, gather information, and have eyes and ears on the conference. A honey trap.

Tom Keegan, San Francisco PD homicide detective, knows the right woman for the job. She’s smart and cool. Seductive. Fearless. A rare and fiery combination of brass and sass. Would she agree to put her life on the line? If her cover is blown, she’s dead.

Besides, Vivian Davis, aka professional assassin Gunselle, doesn’t do favors for cops.

But Tom’s doing the asking and it makes Vivian’s heart beat a little faster.

The job isn’t all it appears to be. It comes with a side of betrayal. Because, after all, a girl has to look out for herself.

Kansas City Breakdown is the sizzling follow-up to Bop City Swing, and the new joint project of Russell Thayer, author of the Gunselle stories, and M.E. Proctor, author of the Declan Shaw PI series.

Cowboy Jamboree Press
good grit lit. (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback

Cat On A Hot Tin Woof Spencer Quinn

Join Chet the dog, “the most lovable narrator in all of fiction” (Boston Globe), and his human partner Bernie as they scramble to solve a case exposing the dark side of internet fame.

Chet the dog is less than enthusiastic about the Little Detective Agency’s next case. Chet and his human partner, PI Bernie Little, have been hired to find a missing person—only the missing person is a cat. Miss Kitty, an internet sensation, has disappeared, and Chet and Bernie have been hired to find her before her many followers realize something is wrong.

Miss Kitty belongs to Bitty, a sweet teenage girl who lives with her mom. Bitty and her mother are struggling financially, but the arrival of Miss Kitty and the chance discovery of her social media appeal has changed everything. Bitty now has sponsors, a high-powered agent, and all the tools needed to thrive online, and real money is flowing in. At least, it was. With Miss Kitty gone, the family’s income is on the line.

The case presents a slew of challenges for Chet and Bernie. For one thing, a potential witness is a pig named Senor Piggy who may be in possession of an important piece of evidence. For another, it seems like a possible perp has been killed twice—and there’s evidence implicating Bernie in the crime. (Amazon)

Editioins Available: Kindle, Hardcover, Audiobook

Pickleball Can Be Murder Susan Santangelo

Every Wife Has A Story

Carol Andrews hates to exercise. Poppy Hollister hates Carol Andrews. When the two have a heated encounter on the local pickleball court, and their cars have a too-close encounter in the facility parking lot, Poppy retaliates by suing Carol for over $2 million. Now Carol hates Poppy Hollister even more than she hates to exercise.

Tension between the two ratchets up even more when Poppy is suspected of murdering her estranged husband and begs Carol for help. The complications keep right on coming in this laugh-out-loud mystery with more twists and turns than a bowl of rotini pasta.

“Susan Santangelo serves up a winning 11 points in Pickleball Can Be Murder. Even readers who’ve never picked up a pickleball paddle will enjoy this one!”–Leslie Meier, New York Times Bestselling author of the Lucy Stone mystery series

“Amateur sleuth Carol Andrews finds herself in a bit of a pickle when she crosses paths with fierce and fearsome pickleball player Poppy Hollister. Pickleball Can Be Murder is another fun read in Susan Santangelo’s Baby Boomer mystery series.”–Rosie Genova, author of the Italian Kitchen Mysteries (Amazon)

Editions Available: Paperback

The Lost Summer Wendy Corsi Staub

A girl’s vanishing draws a detective into the crimes and mysteries of her own past in a shocking novel of psychological suspense by the New York Times bestselling author of The Fourth Girl.

Detective Sergeant Midge Kennedy and her lifelong pals Talia and Kelly have reunited on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the disappearance of their friend Caroline, hoping to put that summer of loss behind them. But as the season draws to a close in Mulberry Bay, Midge is plunged into a missing person case with unsettling ties to the past.

Ordinarily, she wouldn’t suspect foul play when a sixteen-year-old girl is just a few hours late getting home on a beautiful summer afternoon. But her investigation yields a shocking glimpse of a familiar face, and mounting coincidences link Sarah Greene’s vanishing to Caroline’s.

The clues lead to Haven Cliff, an abandoned Gilded Age estate that’s been the stuff of cursed legend for generations. It’s also Kelly’s new home, restored after decades of ruin. Midge suspects that the wooded grounds hold the key to Sarah’s fate and Caroline’s. But will Haven Cliff—and Midge herself—give up long-buried secrets? (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook

Three Bengal Kittens Phillip Schott

A girl’s vanishing draws a detective into the crimes and mysteries of her own past in a shocking novel of psychological suspense by the New York Times bestselling author of The Fourth Girl.

Detective Sergeant Midge Kennedy and her lifelong pals Talia and Kelly have reunited on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the disappearance of their friend Caroline, hoping to put that summer of loss behind them. But as the season draws to a close in Mulberry Bay, Midge is plunged into a missing person case with unsettling ties to the past.

Ordinarily, she wouldn’t suspect foul play when a sixteen-year-old girl is just a few hours late getting home on a beautiful summer afternoon. But her investigation yields a shocking glimpse of a familiar face, and mounting coincidences link Sarah Greene’s vanishing to Caroline’s.

The clues lead to Haven Cliff, an abandoned Gilded Age estate that’s been the stuff of cursed legend for generations. It’s also Kelly’s new home, restored after decades of ruin. Midge suspects that the wooded grounds hold the key to Sarah’s fate and Caroline’s. But will Haven Cliff—and Midge herself—give up long-buried secrets? (Amazon)

Editions Available: Kindle, Paperback, Audiobook