Book picks similar to
Mailboat: Book One by Danielle Lincoln Hanna


mystery
mystery-contemporaneous
novels
in-the-us

Senlin Ascends


Josiah Bancroft - 2013
    Immense as a mountain, the ancient Tower holds unnumbered ringdoms, warring and peaceful, stacked one on the other like the layers of a cake. It is a world of geniuses and tyrants, of airships and steam engines, of unusual animals and mysterious machines.Soon after arriving for his honeymoon at the Tower, the mild-mannered headmaster of a small village school, Thomas Senlin, gets separated from his wife, Marya, in the overwhelming swarm of tourists, residents, and miscreants.Senlin is determined to find Marya, but to do so he'll have to navigate madhouses, ballrooms, and burlesque theaters. He must survive betrayal, assassins, and the long guns of a flying fortress. But if he hopes to find his wife, he will have to do more than just endure.This quiet man of letters must become a man of action.The first book in the stunning and strange debut fantasy series that's receiving major praise from some of fantasy's biggest authors such as Mark Lawrence and Django Wexler.

Coming to Rosemont


Barbara Hinske - 2012
    Dealing with the financial and emotional wreckage left in Paul's wake, she is stunned to learn he inherited an estate known as Rosemont in the seemingly-serene Midwestern town of Westbury. Seeking a fresh start and a quiet, solitary life, she moves halfway across the country to make Rosemont her home. Before she can unpack her first box, she's knee-deep in a battle against political corruption, where defeat and retreat are not an option. Still bearing the scars of betrayal, will she find joy, romance and possibility in Westbury?Coming to Rosemont is the first book in the Rosemont series.

The Advocate


Teresa Burrell - 2009
    The search for her brother and her career as a juvenile court attorney collide when she defends a nine-year-old whose father will go to any length to obtain custody. Sabre finds herself immersed in a case with too many unanswered questions. Her quest for the truth takes her coast to coast and five years into the past. Confronted with mysterious clues and strange occurrences, Sabre is threatened by someone wanting to make her suffer the unbearable anguish of losing everything-including her life. As Sabre's passion to find the answers intensifies, she discovers a twisted history of desperation, deceit, and revenge. And she discovers how obscure and treacherous the truth can be.

Diamonds, Teak, and Murder


A.M. Ialacci - 2019
    It is a huge transition, especially as she is now the sole caregiver for her younger autistic brother. But when the yard foreman mysteriously ends up dead at work, she can’t resist being pulled into the mystery. Plenty of people had reason to want Ty Guthrie dead, but he had been kind to her as a kid, and even the sheriff’s department thinks there may have been foul play. Despite the possibility of alienating all of her co-workers and risking her livelihood, Allie becomes a consultant on the case to discover the murderer in their midst.The deeper she digs, the more secrets she unravels, and the killer turns his sights on her, and even worse, her brother. At odds with law enforcement and the DA while a massive hurricane bears down on the coast, the only thing that matters is that her brother is in danger. With everything to lose and time running out, it’s up to Allie alone to stop the killer, or die trying.

Sunset in the Mists - The Dark Draws the Curtain (The Evynsford Chronicles #1)


Julianne T. Grey - 2018
    First the dead ship rolled into the dock, then fog swallowed the community and then the disappearances occurred. One child vanished from her bed before sunrise. Then twin brothers did not return from their chores. As the cries for the local watchmen to do something – anything – grew, so did the number of abducted children. By the time the local watchmen called to Preston for professional constables, there were more children missing than accounted for in the panicked township. When Inspector Arthur Eldermann arrives in the mist-choked community, not a single child under the age of thirteen but older than three remains, and there are no witnesses, no bodies and no clues as to why. The Inspector, a lapsed clergyman of cold demeanor and sneering wit, has his work cut out for him among the surly and insular townsfolk. His one ray of hope lies in Miss Regina Hollferd, governess of the rural schoolhouse, whose dedication and knowledge may hold the key to the disappearance of so many of her students. Her zeal and diligence begin to touch something in Inspector Eldermann long left to the dark, and he finds himself enthralled and repelled in equal measure by the soft-spoken yet potent woman. He will need all the help he can get, as things are moving in the mists around Evynsford, and the great wheels of a dark, terrible engine have already been set in motion. Can daring, wit and rekindled faith find the stolen children and perhaps even forestall the shadow looming ever closer?

Murder, Mayhem & Madness in Christmas River


Meg Muldoon - 2013
    Oh my! Welcome to Christmas River, a small town in central Oregon where the spirit of Christmas never dies. And where intrigue, romance, danger, and excitement are around every corner. Cinnamon Peters is one tough cookie. Every year at Christmas River’s annual Gingerbread Junction Competition, pie baker extraordinaire Cinnamon aims to win, taking down any competitor who gets in her way. But when she finds a dead body in the woods behind her pie shop just days before the big competition, Cinnamon realizes that there’s much more to worry about than cookies, frosting, and gumdrops. Someone’s out to bring Cinnamon down. And they’re playing dirty. Only Cinnamon and a mysterious stranger who walks into her life one snowy evening can figure out the mystery. But can they solve it before Cinnamon’s chances of gingerbread competition glory crumble? The Christmas River Cozy Mystery Box Set includes the books Murder in Christmas River, Mayhem in Christmas River, and Madness in Christmas River.

Dr Siri Paiboun Mystery Collection: The Merry Misogynist, Love Songs From A Shallow Grave, Curse Of The Pogo Stick, Anarchy And Old Dogs, Disco For ... Thirty Three Teeth, The Coroner's Lunch


Colin Cotterill - 2011
    

Potions and Predicaments


Morgan Vale - 2020
    The arrogant new girl Starla has it out for her and her mom’s more interested in her (lack of) love life. Things go from bad to worse when Kat finds her shop ransacked and rarest items stolen.Oh, and one more thing: Starla turns up dead.Suddenly the prime suspect in a murder investigation, will Kat and her magic be enough to clear her name? Or will she have to enlist the town’s most notorious (and handsome) informant to uncover the truth?Joined by her bubbly best friend Pepper and her familiar Albus, she'll have to use every trick and tincture at her disposal. There’s a killer on the loose, and she might be next.If you like humorous paranormal cozy mysteries full of snarky cats and sassy witches, then you’ll devour Potions and Predicaments, the first full-length novel in a fun new series. These are clean reads with no swearing, gore, or adult situations, so curl up and enjoy!

Mystery in the Secluded Mansion


Cynthia Raye - 2020
    One day, she receives an invitation from a high-tech entrepreneur, offering her six invaluable antique books from his collection and a free long weekend at his North Carolina Mountain Mansion. The invitation is also extended to her fiancé, Drake Rivenbark, who has just been qualified for the PGA Tour. The offer, although suspicious, is hard to pass on. What is it that awaits the couple in the secluded mountain mansion?The weekend will quickly turn sour when a terrible snow storm effectively imprisons the couple in the mansion, along with the rest of the visitors. Suddenly, the rationale behind this meeting feels extremely suspicious to April and Drake, especially when they discover secrets that the guests would kill to keep buried. An enigmatic game begins between seemingly unrelated people, and the couple will be called to discover their host's dubious motives. Will they succeed before time runs out?April and Drake must grapple with what seems to be an impossible puzzle and find the answer, before it's too late. Will they be able to find their host's hidden agenda and survive the weekend on the snowy and secluded mansion?"Mystery in the Secluded Mansion" is an intriguing cozy mystery novel of approximately 60,000 words. No cliffhangers, just pure captivating mystery.

Code of the Forest


Jon Buchan - 2012
    Wade turns for help to Kate Stewart, a young lawyer who has left a large law firm for a fresh start on her own in Georgetown. These two fiercely independent souls form a wary alliance for the legal battle that follows. It s a fight that shows them the power of connections good and bad to change their lives forever.

Beezley and the Witch: Books 1-3


Willow Mason - 2019
    After the coven excommunicates me, I need to find a new job. So when I see a sign asking for an assistant - only witches need apply - I feel my fortunes might be trending up. Sure, there's a murder to solve, a killer on my tail, and my new boss is a French Bulldog, but at least it's not working checkout in a supermarket. Beezley and I soon form a private investigation service to help with the weird and wonderful cases Fernwood Gully has to offer. Join us as we chase leads into danger and back out again, with the help of some black magic and an occasional chewy dog treat. This boxed set contains the following titles: Selective Spells Vexatious Voodoo Muddled Mutt

Watermark


Michael Hewes - 2016
    But it’s not what the storm took away that gets Matt’s attention – it’s what it left behind. Deep in the debris under what remains of his house, something has washed up that makes Matt the central target in a deadly conspiracy involving some very high-profile players. Not knowing who to trust, Matt must turn to his eccentric neighbor, his high school buddy, and ultimately his estranged wife to try and help him stay one step ahead – and alive – long enough to bring some order back into his life.

The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair by Joël Dicker (Book Analysis): Detailed Summary, Analysis and Reading Guide (BrightSummaries.com)


Bright Summaries - 2015
    It recounts the investigation of Marcus Goldman, a successful novelist, who attempts to clear the name of his former professor, accused of having murdered a young girl. This practical and insightful reading guide includes:    • A complete plot summary   • Character studies   • Key themes and symbols   • Questions for further reflectionWhy choose BrightSummaries.com?Available in print and digital format, our publications are designed to accompany you in your reading journey. The clear and concise style makes for easy understanding, providing the perfect opportunity to improve your literary knowledge in no time.Shed new light on your favorite books with BrightSummaries.com!

Jewelweed


David Rhodes - 2013
    After serving time for a dubious conviction, Blake Bookchester is paroled. As Blake attempts to adjust, he reconnects with Danielle Workhouse, a single mother whose son, Ivan, explores the woods with his precocious friend, August. While Danielle goes to work for Buck and Amy Roebuck in their mansion, Ivan and August befriend Lester Mortal, a recluse who lives in a melon field; a wild boy; and a bat, Milton. These characters — each flawed, deeply human, and ultimately universal — approach the future with a combination of hope and trepidation. Jewelweed offers a vision in which the ordinary becomes mythical, the seemingly mundane transformed into revelatory beauty.

Say You're Sorry


Melinda Leigh - 2017
    Now, surrounded by family, she’s finally found peace and a promising career opportunity—until her babysitter is killed and her neighbor asks her to defend his son, Nick, who stands accused of the murder.Tessa was the ultimate girl next door, and the community is outraged by her death. But Morgan has known Nick for years and can’t believe he’s guilty, despite the damning evidence stacked against him. She asks her friend Lance Kruger, an ex-cop turned private eye, for help. Taking on the town, the police, and a zealous DA, Morgan and Lance plunge into the investigation, determined to find the real killer. But as they uncover secrets that rock the community, they become targets for the madman hiding in plain sight.In a new series from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh, former prosecutor Morgan Dane faces the most personal—and deadly—case of her lifetime.