Book picks similar to
Miz Scarlet and the Imposing Imposter by Sara M. Barton
cozy-mysteries
mystery
mystery-thriller
cozy
A Dead Red Cadillac
R.P. Dahlke - 2011
But when her trophy red Cadillac is found tail-fins up in a nearby lake, the police ask why a widowed piano teacher, who couldn’t possibly see beyond the hood ornament, was found strapped in the driver’s seat. Reeling from an interrogation with local homicide, Lalla is determined to extricate herself as a suspect in this strange murder case. Unfortunately, drug running pilots, a cross-dressing convict, a crazy Chihuahua, and the dead woman’s hunky nephew throw enough road blocks to keep Lalla neck deep in an investigation that links her family to a twenty-year old murder only she can solve.
Murder in Tropical Breeze
Mary Bowers - 2015
When Vesta Cadbury Huntington, one of its oldest, wealthiest and most eccentric citizens, dies in her sleep, nobody is surprised except for Vesta herself. It wasn't her time, and she didn't appreciate being bumped off into the Land of the Dead prematurely. The granddaughter of an archaeologist, she calls upon an Egyptian goddess for help. Bastet, the protective cat goddess, responds, and Taylor Verone, Tropical Breeze's modern-day cat rescuer, is going to help - whether she wants to or not.
Strawberry Crunch & Murder
Lori Woods - 2018
With her new dessert shop opening soon, Molly is excited to be following her dream. The last thing she expects is to be caught up in the solving the murder of the town’s bully. Using her former investigative journalism skills, and with the help of the handsome police officer, Molly makes it her mission to find the killer before they strike again. Book 1 in the Sweet Treat Cozy Mystery series, which can be read in one to two hours! Perfect for a lunchtime read or if you want to enjoy a quick light-hearted read, with a parrot-loving amateur sleuth, set in a seaside town with quirky characters. No cliffhanger, swearing or gory scenes!
Carnations and Deadly Fixations
Abby Reede - 2019
A small town with busybodies and open secrets. Can a new girl in town start a new life before a murder investigation ends it? Tracy Adams had three things going for her in her just-above-average boring life namely: 1. A good job 2. A good job... that she liked 3. A good job that she liked... and that paid VERY well When she lost her job and had to move back to the small town where she grew up, it seemed like her life had lost all purpose. Helping out at her aunt's floundering floral shop seemed like the perfect distraction before she decided what to do next. When her aunt's competition, a nasty and egotistical know-it-all is found dead, the rumor mill in Fern Grove goes into overdrive. With an important piece of evidence linking Tracy to the scene of the crime, she becomes a person of interest in the murder investigation. This leaves her feeling vulnerable and confused. Moving back to Fern Grove was meant to be the start of a new life but this murder mystery is fast ending what has hardly begun. Will she retain her wits and piece together the clues that will lead her to the killer? If you want to enjoy a light-hearted read, with an amateur female sleuth and a gripping murder mystery with a touch of romance, then you'll love Tracy Adams and all the friendly and not-so-friendly characters in Fern Grove. No cliffhanger, swearing or graphic scenes! Buy Carnation and Deadly Fixations to discover how events unfold in this cozy murder mystery.
Stuck on Murder
Lucy Lawrence - 2009
But when the mayor's body is found stuffed in a trunk at Morse Point Lake, it's up to Brenna to clear her enigmatic landlord's name of murder-before his fate is signed, sealed and delivered.
The Tycoon Murderer
Maureen Driscoll - 2018
When Josie Matthews buys a Victorian mansion with a notorious past, she hopes to turn it into a successful inn. While she expects all the headaches of renovating an old house, she isn't prepared to be sent back in time to the site of a double-murder which occurred at the mansion in 1929. While the murders were never solved, they were believed to have been committed by Wall Street financier, David Remington, forever known as the Tycoon Murderer. At the height of the Roaring Twenties, David Remington has invited several friends and acquaintances to a house party, including a Chicago bootlegger and his moll, a Broadway playwright and his best friend, a corrupt U.S. Senator and his wife, a handsome silent screen star and a disgruntled federal agent. After a mysterious woman arrives uninvited, guests start dying one-by-one, making everyone wonder who will be next. Determined to solve the murders before being sent back to her own time, Josie investigates the crimes and tries not to be the next victim. But the biggest mystery is whether David Remington was falsely accused or whether he truly is the Tycoon Murderer. THE TYCOON MURDERER is a time-travel romance/cozy mystery with a retro flair. It contains mild violence, humor and a great deal of bootleg booze.
Crossed by Death
A.C.F. Bookens - 2021
When salvage expert and historian Paisley Sutton crawls into an abandoned store with a house attached, she certainly isn’t expecting to find a body on site. But soon, her discovery sends Paisley on an expedition through history that links this murder to the one that led the previous owners to abandon the building in the first place. And someone doesn’t want her to salvage this story from the wreckage. Can Paisley preserve herself and her young son while also uncovering the stories that matter most?
Matrimony in Christmas River
Meg Muldoon - 2019
It’s one year before the infamous Gingerbread Junction murder scandal, and Cinnamon Peters is feeling downright Grinch-like this holiday season. After her cookie house crumbles in the annual Gingerbread Junction Competition, the pie baker extraordinaire wants nothing more than to shut herself in her house for the rest of December and be left alone. Unfortunately, she’s got a friend’s wedding to attend this New Year’s Eve, a wedding gingerbread castle to build, and that unpopular pie shop of hers isn’t going to run itself. But when the best man is found face down in a ditch days before the wedding, it’s clear that somebody’s out to ruin the event. Can Cinnamon figure out who’s trying to sabotage the wedding before it’s too late? Matrimony in Christmas River is a heartwarming holiday mystery perfect for readers who can’t get enough of Cinnamon Peters and the cozy, feel-good world of Christmas River. This mystery is a prequel to Murder in Christmas River in the Amazon bestselling Christmas River Cozy Mystery Series.
Sweet Revenge
Maisy Morgan - 2019
What she didn’t plan on was bringing Tripp, her less than thrilled fourteen-year-old grandson with her. Soon after their arrival, things start happening fast. First, Tripp gets attacked by a cat named Sweet Feet. Then the town reveals some of it’s deep, dark secrets, and, to Mary’s surprise, Preston, a local police officer, asks her out on a date. But, halfway through their date, they get interrupted…by a murder. And it wasn’t just any murder…it was the beloved local pastor. Turns out Mary and Preston make quite the detective duo. Even Tripp gets in on the detective work. But now he’s in danger. Who would want revenge on the local pastor? And will Mary be able to get to Tripp before he becomes the next victim? And how does Mary get that rainbow cake to taste so darn good?
The Eleventh Hour
Anina Collins - 2016
But now one of the town's most important citizens has been found murdered, and everyone's life is suspect. What begins as a friendly wager with her old friend Officer Derek Hampton soon becomes far more for Poppy, and she turns to Alex Montero for help, but the enigmatic former Baltimore cop's quiet way hides as many secrets as each suspect they encounter. Everyone in Sunset Ridge has something to hide, but Poppy and Alex are determined to uncover the identity of the murderer. They just have to watch that they don't become the next victims. Look for the rest of the Poppy McGuire series too! After Hours (Poppy McGuire Mysteries #2) Top of the Hour (Poppy McGuire Mysteries #3) The Darkest Hour (Poppy McGuire Mysteries #4) Happy Hour (Poppy McGuire Mysteries #5)
Invitation to Murder
Beth Prentice - 2016
When Alexandra Anderson is invited to a work place reunion at the television station where she formerly worked, she's excited to catch up with old friends. And the theme of the reunion is a Murder Mystery Party, so that should be fun, right? Wrong! Alexandra's first horror is coming face-to-face with her ex-boyfriend and his brand new, gorgeous wife. Second, the party happens to coincide with one of the worst storms of the season, knocking out utility lines and cell service. And when her less-than-beloved ex-boss becomes the Murder Party's fake victim, Alexandra and her "team" are tasked with solving the fake murder before anyone else. The only bright spot? The sexy cameraman on Alex's team with the sparkling blue eyes and soft, full lips. But what starts out as a game becomes all too real when Alexandra stumbles upon the actual dead body of her ex’s new wife. Did someone take the game too seriously? Is there a real murderer among the party-goers? Can following the clues to a fake murder help Alex solve a real one? Trapped by the storm, with "players" disappearing and time running out, Alex finds herself in the middle of a deadly game of cat and mouse... where not everyone will make it out alive! "If you're looking for a great way to spend a lazy day of summer or a wonderful reason to snuggle up with your fur baby, this is a great read." —Night Owl Reviews Books by Beth Prentice: Killer Unleashed Invitation to Murder
Knife Skills
Julie Adler - 2014
Smart-mouthed Trudi is definitely no foodie: she knows nothing about fine dining, surviving happily on peanut butter and breakfast cereal. But the murder of the most famous chef in town — killed with a cooking knife — presents an opportunity: if Trudi can prove her skills as a reporter, she can return to the news desk where she belongs. In a tight-knit California foothills community of cooks, caterers and wine snobs, can Trudi make her way through a new world of delicious food and drink? And can she track down the murderer — or will he find her first?
The Wickenham Murders
Amy Myers - 2004
This is the premise on which Peter Marsh – a former policeman invalided out of the force – and his daughter, Georgia, base their investigations into unsolved past murders. In 1929, in the village of Wickenham, Kent, Davy Todd was charged with murdering Amy Proctor, middle-aged daughter of the local doctor. As Marsh & Daughter begin their investigations, a skeleton is found in the woods of Wickenham Manor Hotel. Two seemingly unconnected events – yet Georgia and her father feel intuitively that there must be a link, and together, they set out to find it . . . ‘Fascinating subject matter, cozy characters, and tempting prose highly recommend this first title in an intriguing new British series.’ – Library Journal AMY MYERS has been a full-time writer since 1988, and has written a wide range of novels from historical sagas and contemporary romance to crime. She is married to an American and lives in Kent. Many of her novels have been published under the name of Harriet Hudson. Amy is also the author of the successful Tom Wasp murder mystery series.
Lucy and the Valentine Verdict
Rae Davies - 2014
Lucy is looking for love with her cowboy detective boyfriend, Peter, at a Valentine's Mystery Weekend Retreat. Kiska is looking for treats. Motivated by a bet with Peter, Lucy goes all out to solve the mystery, but things go wrong and Lucy finds herself a suspect once again - and not for a pretend crime. Will she get through the weekend without winding up in handcuffs? Will she win the bet? And what about Peter? What surprise does he have planned for Lucy on this most romantic weekend of the year? Set in Helena, Montana, a capital city with a small town feel. Other books in the Dusty Deals Mystery Series... Loose Screw Cut Loose Loosey Goosey Let Loose Loose & Lethal: Dusty Deals Mystery Series Box Set: Books 1 -3
Promotions & Poisons
Laina C. Turner - 2020
Presley has to clear her name before not only does she lose out on this big promotion, but even worse - she ends up in jail!Do you love cozy mysteries with a quirky, strong female lead that just can’t keep her nose out of police business? Do you enjoy a touch of romance with your cozies? Then the Presley Thurman series is for you!
The Presley Thurman Cozy Mystery Series
Prequel: Promotions & Poisons (listed as Book 14)Book 1: Stilettos & ScoundrelsBook 2: Necklaces & NoosesBook 3: Handbags & HooligansBook 4: Mistletoe & MurderBook 5: Gems & GunshotsBook 6: Tiaras & TexansBook 7: Cupids & CrooksBook 8: Vows & VictimsBook 9: Romance & RevengeBook 10: Accessories & AlibisBook 11: Bats & BlingBook 12: Weddings & WeaponsBook 13: Diamond & DisguisesBook 15: Keys & Kidnappers Book 16: Icicles & Icepicks
Other cozy mystery series by Laina Turner:
The Spencer University Cozy Mystery SeriesThe Read Wine Bookstore Cozy Mystery Series