Book picks similar to
The Slay of the Santas by Kacey Gene
mystery
cozy-mystery
series-1
holidays
Powdered Murder
A. Gardner - 2015
But Patrick isn't back in town to mess with her head. He's in town with his celebrity tart of a fiancée for a secret wedding at the Pinecliffe Mountain Resort – the very establishment where Essie works. Essie is roped into becoming a stand-in bridesmaid by her sister Joy, the resort's Assistant Event Coordinator. But Essie has more than just her resurfacing feelings for the groom to worry about when she finds one of the bridesmaids dead at the hotel spa. Essie searches for the killer, and with a list of suspects ranging from an undercover reporter to the Mayor's gossipy wife, it isn't an easy feat. Especially with a nosy landlady, and a meddling ex in-law with a fondness for nudism. But after she becomes the killer's next target, Essie realizes all her evidence points to the most unlikely person. Will she get it right before the big ceremony, or will the fresh mountain powder become her permanent resting place? **Recipes Included**
Sweet Saboteur
C.A. Phipps - 2020
But when a murder in Cozy Hollow points to the café as a likely cause, Scarlett must put all fears aside to solve the mystery before everything she’s fought to keep is lost—or worse!Cozy Hollow might never be the same again.The Cozy Café mysteries are light, cozy mysteries featuring a family-focused café owner who discovers she’s a talented amateur sleuth—and a magnet for animals.Other books in the series:Book 1 Sweet SaboteurBook 2 Candy CorruptionEnjoy a FREE sweet treat recipe in every book!
Small Town Taxi (Honey Walker Adventures Book 1)
Harriet Rogers - 2019
Honey has a few goals in life. Her first is to hustle enough fares and tips to pay the rent and buy those red sequined spike heeled slut shoes she lusts after. Her next goal is to kick her budding relationship with police Lieutenant Jon Stevens into high gear. Honey's problem is that dead bodies and live thugs keep getting in the way of her goals. While she admires the Lieutenant's well formed rear end, the Lieutenant is busy chasing the bad guys who are busy chasing Honey. When Honey's new best friend Belle, former prostitute and wife to one of the dead bodies, is kidnapped by the local mafia, Honey sets out to rescue her. Follow Honey as she drives her taxi through a big hole in the local crime scene.
Potion Problem
Linnea West - 2019
Along with her twin sister Lavender and niece Diggy, their job is to help the paranormal world with problems, big and small. But their first case isn’t small. The leader of a coven has been murdered and it is up to them to solve it. Just as they are easing into the case, Lavender is kidnapped and Vinnie and Diggy are left to solve the case on their own. The only problem is that Vinnie is a non-magical witch and Diggy is only part way through witch training. Will they be able to solve the case and look for Lavender at the same time? Read Potion Problem, the first book in the four book Halloween Helper’s Cozy Mystery series as Vinnie and Diggy work to get Lavender back while helping the paranormal world.
Case of the Strawberry Cream Stabbing
Jessica Lansberry - 2017
After losing her husband, Beatrice thought her days of adventure were over, but then she meets a handsome debonair man who turns out to be a conman and murdered days later. Armed with her two quirky best friends and a sarcastic handsome police detective, Beatrice must solve the murder mystery before the crime gets too close for comfort! Case of the Strawberry Cream Stabbing is the first of these cozy mysteries new releases. There are absolutely no sex, gore, curse words or cliffhangers in these murder mystery books. This is an easy read about a retired school teacher and amateur sleuth who lives in a retirement community filled with colorful personalities. If you like cats and wise-cracking parrots, you'll enjoy these cozy mysteries for kindle. Although this book is part of a cozy mystery series, it can be read as a standalone book.
Murder at the Snowed Inn (Claire Andersen Murder for All Seasons Cozy Mystery Series Book 1)
Imogen Plimp - 2020
She knew her fresh start would be exciting, but she never expected it to be tinged with enthralling adventure, romance that’s sweet as sweet can be … and murder!Adorable and resilient, former NYC chef Claire Andersen is no stranger to second chances. She and her stock trader husband George had decided long ago to trade in their life of ambition for one of quaint & quiet adventure—by opening up a cozy neighborhood coffee shoppe on the ground floor their Brooklyn brownstone. He was the coffee-connoisseur, she was the baker extraordinaire. Claire was so happy, she could just die. But fate had other plans—it came for her husband instead.After George’s passing, Claire decides (with a nudge from her doting foster daughter Al) to trade in her life of brews and baked goods for breakfast—bed and breakfast, that is! And what better setting in which to start over than Galway, Maryland—a charming, snowy mountain town (and favorite cross-county ski destination of Claire’s youth).All is well in Claire’s new B&B venture—and with her new oven constantly in use, it’s mouth-watering, even—until her first guest is murdered in-house. It’s not long until one of the suspects Claire questions about the murder winds up dead, too. Suddenly, Claire finds herself starting over yet again—and trading in her hostess hat (she’d just dusted it off, too!) for a secret life as an amateur sleuth.But it’s not all B&B business and bodies: Claire also finds herself in the throes of not one, but two potential romances—each more toe-curling and butterflies-in-the-stomach inducing than the other.Alongside her trusty new pal Evelyn (who’s feisty enough to make anyone blush) and her faithful bloodhound Rupert, Claire races the clock to get to the next victim—before the killer does. And she knows she’d better hurry. Because if the killer catches her first, she might run out of second chances.Author's Note: This book contains a non-binary character whose preferred pronouns are they/them. If the notion of a non-binary character (and its resultant use of grammar) is offensive, then this book is not for you!
Cream Caramel and Murder
K.E. O'Connor - 2019
‘I truly loved the characters in this book, they were so vivid and fun!’ Amazon review. Holly Holmes loves her new job working in the kitchen at Audley Castle, home to the eccentric and wealthy Audley family. With her faithful corgi cross, Meatball, by her side, she enjoys a quiet life full of baking, researching old recipes, and trying any fun fitness fad – weighted hula hoop, anyone? When the bumbling, and cute, Lord Rupert Audley requests some of her scrumptious desserts for his school reunion, she happily gets baking. Everything is going great until Meatball discovers a hand sticking out of the ground, Princess Alice faints, and Holly gets stuck in the spotlight for murder! If Holly can’t clear her name, she’ll lose her amazing new life in the beautiful Audley St. Mary, Meatball will go back to the animal shelter, and her freedom will be history. *** Welcome to a new cozy culinary mystery series, full of desserts, murder, and puzzles for you to solve. Meet baker, Holly Holmes, Lady Philippa who has an uncanny ability to predict murder, the ditzy Princess Alice, and a cast of quirky, fun characters who will entertain you throughout this book. Enjoy mystery, friendship, puzzles, and lots of tasty treats as you indulge in this delicious read. Written in American English (by a British author – so excuse the occasional British phrase!) This is a clean, cozy culinary mystery with only a small amount of peril and danger. The killer always gets their just desserts!
Death by Pink Flamingo
Elisabeth Crabtree - 2014
Everyone in Hatter’s Cove is talking about her. They’re convinced she knocked off her sweet and kindly old uncle for her inheritance and if that weren’t bad enough, one person seems determined to make her pay for her supposed crime. Sylvia Sutton, her business partner and the other co-owner of the hotel, will stop at nothing to prove Anna’s guilt. Despite Anna’s love and affection for her Uncle Max, Sylvia’s convinced that Anna is a cold blooded murderer and has made it quite clear to anyone that will listen that she will put Anna behind bars if it’s the last thing she does. So, when Anna stumbles upon Sylvia’s dead body in the middle of the night and accidentally puts her fingerprints all over the murder weapon, there seems to be only one logical thing to do . . . bury the body and pretend she didn’t see anything. At least, that’s what her ex-boyfriend thinks. The same ex she’s loved since grade school. The same ex who left without saying good bye nine years ago. The same ex who suddenly reappeared that day. And the same ex who seems awfully anxious to get rid of the body.
Murder in Blue Moon Bay (Posey Moon Murder Mystery Book 1)
Constance Hope - 2017
Every book will be a stand-alone with its own story and ending, but will be set in Blue Moon Bay---a sleepy little town on the coast of South Carolina, and its inhabitants. In this book, Posey and Suze play amateur sleuths when a murderer strikes too close for comfort. They soon find themselves on the trail of the killer; not a cold trail, but one so hot they may get burned. If you like cozy mysteries filled with interesting and sometimes eccentric characters, plenty of humor and enough twists and turns, thrills and chills to satisfy any mystery lover, you'll like the Posey Moon Murder Mystery series. BONUS RECIPES in every book!
Wicked for Hire
Lotta Smith - 2016
Being cleared of any wrongdoing didn’t stop the medical school from expelling her, and it didn’t rid her of the unfortunate nickname Grim Reaper. Luckily, having a rep as the harbinger of death isn’t a total resume killer. Rick Rowling, Special Agent for the FBI’s Paranormal Cases Division recruits her to work for the Bureau. But the sexy, brilliant, outrageous loose cannon proves to be just as untouchable as the mysterious creature or creatures that may be responsible for the seemingly unsolvable murder that becomes their first case together. Instead of treating patients, Amanda’s life becomes a test of her patience and a wild ride into the wicked paranormal world where her new boss runs the show. Together they face a ghoulish force that could destroy the entire city and a grueling family dinner that could leave Amanda contemplating harakiri. It’s a battle of life and debt [student debt, that is] and saving the world has never been so funny.
He said, She said "Murder"
Jeramy Gates - 2015
Her husband Joe is a rugged but somewhat broken ex-cop. Together they share the struggles of running a detective agency, maintaining a solid marriage, and raising a baby. The results may be funny, suspenseful, romantic, and sometimes frightening—but they always end with a surprising twist.In book one, the Shepherds take on a cold case hoping to make a quick buck and pay some bills. With a baby on the way, they need every penny they can get. Their investigation into the mysterious death of a murdered teen deepens when they learn she wasn't alone: There was a second victim. Worse yet, the trail of bodies may go back decades, and the killer is still on the loose. As the bodies pile up, so does the danger. Someone knows what they're up to and will do anything to stop them - even if it means killing again. The Shepherds are starting to wonder if they should have taken this case. Unfortunately, it's too late now...
Throw a Monkey Wrench
Karen Chester - 2016
She’s hired to throw a housewarming party for the brash and arrogant Tony Barnet, who’s eager to impress the big end of town. But when the party ends in disaster, Tony is quick to blame Emma, and the subsequent rumors spell doom for Emma’s business. Thank goodness she still has the job of planning Sean and Madison’s wedding. Sean, one of the notorious McCluskey clan, is about to marry Madison, the beautiful daughter of the rich and powerful Whites. But when Tony Barnet is killed, the police swiftly arrest Sean McCluskey. Though the evidence is damning, Emma is convinced her friend is innocent. With Sean facing prison, the wedding in jeopardy, and her fledgling business in danger of tanking, Emma must unravel the mystery and expose the real killer before it’s too late. The Emma Cassidy Mystery series: Book 1: Throw a Monkey Wrench Book 2: Pushed to the Limit Book 3: Murder Most Likely (coming in 2016)
Chili to Die for
Lilly York - 2015
From the slow southern dialect to the crazy drivers, Willow finds herself at odds with what most call “southern charm.” She becomes obsessed with cook-offs and bake-offs, wanting those trophies for her mantle. With the chili cook-off just around the corner, Willow manages to provoke one of the judges to a fit of road rage. When that judge ends up face down, dead, in a bowl of Willow’s chili, police chief Grice looks to the newest town resident as his number one suspect. Willow must find out who wanted Ms. Delonda Posey dead before the good citizens of Turtle, OK run her Yankee bottom out of town.
Bribing Saint Anthony
Rita Moreau - 2014
A missing husband. A plot to blow up a national treasure. Fortune telling aunts. Mary Catherine, MC for short, didn’t move as the Queen of Boca Vista, Babbs La-Fleur, placed a pile of cash, which appeared out of a purse she knew cost more than her car, smack dab in the middle of her desk.Word at all the cocktail parties was that MC had a skill that came in handy for an aging socialite going through a divorce. She was good at finding cash in hidden bank accounts. Cash to pay for a nip and tuck and a new identity: Cougar. Hired that day by Queen Babbs to find her bad boy husband, Charlie, MC was back on familiar ground, tracking down bad guys through clues left in the DNA of their paper life. Asking her Aunt Sophia to read the family fortune telling cards might have helped. Instead, the paper trail Charlie left takes MC from a murder in the world of rich socialites to working with covert government agents deep in the world of counter terrorism.Praise for Bribing Saint Anthony Review from Sheldon Siegel "I had a chance to read Bribing Saint Anthony on a recent flight. It was a great read! I don't have a lot of time to read for fun these days, and your story was a treat. You have a nice touch, and MC is an engaging lead. Reminded me a bit of Carl Hiaasen--What is it about Florida, anyway?!? Keep up the good work!" Cheers from San Francisco, SheldonSheldon Siegel is a New York Times best-selling author of the critically acclaimed legal thriller series featuring Mike Daley and Rosie Fernandez, two of the most beloved characters in contemporary crime fiction.
Wedding Cake Wipe Out
Donna Doyle - 2018
The wedding of Calmhaven’s most beloved daughter. A sinister slice of cake criminality. This sounds like a perfect case for Molly Gertrude Grey! Who in Calmhaven does not know Molly Gertrude Grey, the gentle ageing owner of the Cozy Bridal Agency? But Molly and her enthusiastic assistant, Dora Brightside, have more talents than just matchmaking. They are amateur sleuths with a nose for trouble! When poor Abe Mortimer, the town Mayor, keels over during the wedding reception of his dear daughter, Miss Molly is certain it’s no accident. Her intuition tells her that something disturbing is afoot. Seedy characters arriving on the scene, old ghosts from a shady past, and a grasping son-in-law with ulterior motives, lead Molly into the crosshairs of Calmhaven’s most frightening conspiracy. The clues pile up, but the culprit remains at large! Will Molly and her assistant Dora be able to solve the case before Abe Mortimer ends up in the mortuary? Will Calmhaven’s secrets remain unspoken and revengeful grudges slip back into the shadows? Wedding Cake Wipeout is a Christian Culinary Cozy Mystery that will keep you guessing until the very last page. If you like light, clean, Cozy Mysteries with a cat-loving sleuth, quirky characters, and unexpected surprises you will love Wedding Cake Wipeout, the first Molly Grey Mystery to hit the shelves. No cliffhanger, swearing, gore or graphic scenes, just good, clean cozy fun...