Book picks similar to
Deadly Desires by Joyce Lavene


mystery
apuntados
cookbooks
cozy-food

Where There's Smoke: Charlie Walden's First Case


Peter Murphy - 2017
    But he soon finds himself struggling to keep the peace between three feisty fellow judges who have very different views about how to do their job, and about how Charlie should do his.And as if that’s not enough, there’s the endless battle against the ‘Grey Smoothies’, the humourless grey-suited civil servants who seem determined to drown Charlie in paperwork and strip the court of its last vestiges of civilisation.No hope of a quiet life then for Charlie, and there are times when his real job – trying the challenging criminal cases that come before him – actually seems like light relief. If you like Rumpole of the Bailey, you'll love Walden of Bermondsey Praise for Walden of Bermondsey 'No one writes with more wit, warmth and insight about the law and its practitioners than Peter Murphy. He has no equal since the great John 'Rumpole' Mortimer' - David Ambrose'Though his exasperation is sometimes palpable, what triumphs over everything is his sense of humour. And it is the humour that makes Walden of Bermondsey such a delightful read. Think of him as what Rumpole would be like if he ever became a judge, and you get some idea of his self-deprecating wit and indomitable stoicism. Add a dash of Henry Cecil for his situation and AP Herbert for the fun he has with the law, and you get a sense of Peter's literary precedents' - Paul Magrath

Thing of Darkness: A 1920s Historical Mystery (A Smith Investigates Mystery Book 2)


Beth Byers - 2021
    

A Perfect Cup of Tea


P. Bodi - 2016
    Customers are always stopping by to ask her for help finding herbal remedies and natural products to help them live a healthier life. One morning while opening her store, the local Police showed up to ask a few questions about one of her customers that died from a suspicious death. Could it be murder?

A Witchy Boxed Set


D.S. Butler - 2017
    A Witchy Boxed Set contains the first two books in the Harper Grant Series: A Witchy Business and A Witchy Mystery. A Witchy Business The small town of Abbott Cove holds a secret… It’s home to the Grant family of witches! Harper Grant is happy working at Archie’s Diner as she tries her best to avoid the attentions of the town’s gossips. However, when a body turns up during Abbott Cove’s annual festival, she begins to understand her family isn’t the only one hiding secrets. With the help of the new swoon-worthy police officer, Joe McGrady, Harper finds herself on the trail of the perpetrator. Will Harper uncover the killer’s identity before it’s too late? A Witchy Mystery Harper Grant is trying to get out of attending yoga classes with her sister, when she makes a gruesome discovery. Grandma Grant is intent on causing her usual mischief, and the townsfolk of Abbott Cove cause Harper no end of trouble as she tries to help the most difficult ghost she has ever had to deal with. With the help of police officer, Joe McGrady, Harper finds herself on the trail of the perpetrator. Will Harper uncover the killer’s identity before anyone else is murdered?

A Bazaar Murder


Amy Phipps - 2015
    Heartbroken and wounded by his betrayal she agrees to move in with her grandmother, Margaret. After being volunteered to help with the church bazaar Amanda and Margaret stumble over the body of Florence Hardy. Juniper Falls wealthiest woman not to mention rudest. As the list of suspects keeps growing by the minute the girls recruit neighbor and Ex-Sheriff Henry and eccentric gossip-loving Olive to help investigate. Along with a little help from a St. Bernard named Twinkie they may just catch a killer.

The Complete Deemer: Lover Man, Lush Life, Don't Explain


Dallas Murphy - 2014
    In the Edgar-Award finalist Lover Man, Artie becomes a reluctant detective when his ex-girlfriend is killed. "The writing is flip and sophisticated," New York Times In Lush Life, Artie falls for a sexy pool player whose sleazy ex-husband has disappeared with $14 million of his company's assets. Now Artie finds himself in the middle of wild caper involving the mob and the CIA. "A bouncy, quirky, funny mystery...more twists and turns than a New York cab driver running up the meter," Washington Post In Don't Explain, Jellyroll has become the target of death threats from crazed stalkers, so Artie takes him to a remote island, only to discover their hideaway is overrun with an assortment of colorful killers. "An outstanding series," Publishers Weekly

Murder on Display


Thea Cambert - 2021
    Like murder.Esme Gardner isn’t a trend setter—or a trend follower, for that matter. She likes her comfortably messy apartment, insists on a reliable internet connection at all times, and has never baked a loaf of sourdough bread or knit a pair of mittens in her life. Esme is a potato chip loving artist who appreciates a good walk-in closet.When her new friend, Ethan MacKinnon, proposes that she join him to spend Christmas in a tiny house in the middle of nowhere so that they can make money blogging about their ‘tiny house experience,’ Esme is not the least bit interested. Unfortunately, she needs money, and the job pays well, so with a little push from her friend Charlotte, Esme heads out to the tiny house on Big Wolf Lake with Ethan—a man she barely knows.Pretending to be into minimalism isn’t easy, but their job is to demonstrate the joys of hygge—the Danish art of coziness—so Esme and Ethan press on and things are actually going pretty well . . . until they discover a body. Things take a turn for the worse when the pair realizes that they’re snowed in…with a murderer on the loose.Can they solve the crime and nab the killer in time for Christmas?

Murder on the Sinful Express


Shari Hearn - 2018
    But fiction becomes reality when one of the book club members is poisoned. Will Fortune, Gertie and Ida Belle catch the perp before she strikes again? Or will one of them become her next victim?Murder on the Sinful Express (Sinful Stories Book 7) is set after the events of Hook, Line and Blinker, book ten of Jana DeLeon's Miss Fortune series.A WORD FROM THE AUTHOR: Murder on the Sinful Express was first published on January 19, 2018 as part of the Miss Fortune Kindle Worlds program (which ended in July of 2018). It is now part of the Miss Fortune World published by J&R Fan Fiction. I wish to thank Ms. DeLeon for graciously allowing other writers to explore their own writing in a most Sinful way.Sinful Stories is a series of stories written by Shari Hearn within the Miss Fortune World featuring Fortune, Gertie and Ida Belle. They may be read in any order; however, they do follow the timeline of Jana DeLeon's Miss Fortune series with regard to Fortune's relationship with Carter. With the earlier books in the series, Carter doesn't know Fortune's true identity. As Jana DeLeon's series changes with regard to Fortune's continued threat from Ahmad, future stories within Sinful Stories will reflect those changes.Currently, the stories within Sinful Stories include:Nearly DepartedMutiny on the BayouOverdueNearly BelovedRematchLeaving SinfulMurder on the Sinful Express

Pea Pod Murder


Kerry Sharp - 2016
     Suzie is super smart, very successful and flawed, she believes herself to be unlovable. She has taken her company ‘Artificial Robotics’ from an idea to a multibillion pound sale. Released from twenty five hour working days, the repressed desire to find and destroy her Father’s murderer has re-emerged as a driving passion. Her Father’s case is cold, her route around insufficient data, is to design a cutting edge case management solution and sell it to the Metropolitan Police, so she can plunder their data. Owen was a personable, successful police officer, whose abilities were rewarded, by a rapid rise in rank to Chief Superintendent. That was until his wife and daughter were destroyed by a bomb meant for Owen. Owen no longer has a desire to live. He is seeking a path to oblivion, eschewing friendship and support in his dark quest. Suzie’s complicated plan progresses, she is seconded as a Detective Sergeant, to trial her software. On being tasked to solve a violent murder, Suzie’s singular focus is subverted by her desire to find justice for the violated victim of the crime. As the truth relating to the murders is slowly revealed, Owen who doesn’t want love comes closer to Suzie who can’t be loved. Will their budding friendship be allowed to blossom, or will death or the dark sides of their natures intervene. <

Mrs. Fix It Mysteries Books 6-10


Belle Knudson - 2016
    Her twin boys, Jason and Jared, have graduated college and moved back to town, and her Mrs. Fit It business is going strong. It would seem life couldn't be better. Until... NAILED DOWN MURDER Kate discovers the local baker dead in her car. It's night. There's no one around. And Cookie Halpert didn't die of natural causes. PAINT IT DEAD When a local ex-con with deep roots in this town winds up dead in the parking lot of Daisy's diner, a world of trouble emerges that once again pits Kate against her Police Chief husband. CLAMPED ON MURDER Another dead body turns up in Rock Ridge, this time in a quaint room at the local inn. Rather than call the police, the innkeeper, Amelia knows just who can fix this: Kate Flaherty. TOOL KIT CLUES When a plucky reporter by the name of Jenna Johansen is shot dead, it would seem the reporters aren't just covering the news, but causing it. And Kate will have to use every tool in her kit to catch the killer. WRENCHED IN MURDER The prison warden, Grant Conover has been shot in the head and when Kate barges into his office ready to demand answers she knows he can supply, she is struck with the irreparable truth: her son, Jason might very well end up behind bars.

Private Eyes


Rene Fomby - 2017
    In less than 48 hours, his best friend has a date with the needle, the kind of date you don’t walk away from with a kiss. Moose has to find out who framed his pit bull buddy for the savage slaying of a French poodle — and then convince the humans that he’s nailed the right guy. But with no leads and little evidence to go on, there’s only one person in Chicago that has a prayer of hunting down the real killer in time: Antonio Gattogrosso, legendary proprietor of the Feline Detective Agency. Fat Tony. The rave reviews are pouring in: "It's a great summer read. Just like me, you'll want to keep an eye out for it!" - Fisheye Martinez "I predict it will be a smashing success, dahlinks!" - Madame LuLu, astrologer to the stars "Buy dis book if you knows what's good for youse." - Fat Tony Gattogrosso

Savannah Martin Mystery: Books 7-9


Jenna Bennett - 2015
    But when her perfect husband turns out to be a lying, cheating slimeball—and bad in bed to boot—Savannah kicks the jerk to the curb and embarks on life on her own terms. With a new apartment, a new career, and a brand new outlook on life, she’s all set to take the world by storm. If only the world would stop throwing her curveballs... KICKOUT CLAUSE - #7 When Shelby Ferguson, Savannah’s ex-husband’s new wife, begs Savannah’s help in figuring out what’s going on with Bradley, Savannah can’t in good conscience say no. Shelby has no one else to turn to, no one to whom she can admit that her marriage is on the rocks and that Bradley may be straying. But helping Shelby turns out to be just the tip of the iceberg. With two different sets of buyers vying to purchase Mrs. Jenkins’s house, and an escaped prisoner targeting Savannah, she has more than enough to deal with. And that’s before TBI rookie Manny Ortega is shot down in cold blood. With Savannah’s boyfriend Rafe Collier, and their friend, homicide detective Tamara Grimaldi, busy looking for Manny’s murderer, it’s up to Savannah to juggle buyers and adulterers and vandals and lawyers, and come out on top... without losing her Southern Belle poise or her life in the process. PAST DUE - #8 The sins of the past are coming due, and someone has to pay... Savannah Martin’s high school reunion is supposed to be a fun weekend of catching up with old friends and parading her boyfriend—Sweetwater bad boy Rafael Collier—in front of everyone who used to sneer at him back in the day. Not even the daily battle she’s waging with morning sickness can douse Savannah’s anticipation. But when Rafe won’t come to Sweetwater, Savannah has to face her old schoolmates without his support. And her best friend Charlotte isn’t as happy for Savannah’s new relationship as Savannah had hoped. And when a dead body turns up in the Colliers’ old mobile home in the Bog, Savannah is thankful to be on her own. The sheriff is always looking for a reason to shove Rafe back behind bars, and a fresh homicide is just the excuse he needs. But when another murder takes place at the reunion, even the threat of jail can’t keep Rafe away. Soon old classmates are dropping like bowling pins, and Rafe and Savannah are scrambling to catch up with a killer hell bent on making sure old enemies pay for old sins... all while trying to stay one step ahead of Sheriff Satterfield and the Columbia PD. DIRTY DEEDS - #9 With hotels in downtown filled to capacity months in advance, real estate agent Savannah Martin decides to pick up some extra money renting out her empty East Nashville apartment. She’s living with her boyfriend, and the place is just sitting there, begging to be put to use. But when her latest tenant ends up dead—strangled in Savannah’s bed by what might have been a paying customer—the promise of easy money quickly turns sour. As the hunt for the killer leads to their shared hometown of Sweetwater, Tennessee, Savannah’s boyfriend, TBI agent Rafe Collier, is tapped to help with the investigation.

The Deadly Jellybean Affair


Carrie Marsh - 2017
    The Deadly Jellybean Affair guarantees you another head-spinning murder mystery adventure by a retired witch. What secrets lie behind the brutal murder? And can she uncover them without drawing attention from the killer? A Retired Witch… A Cruel Murder… Can a few old tricks solve a crime? Left a very comfortable widow after her dear husband passed, Mary Tuttle has many abilities, some of which have allowed her to open the doors to her dreams, a bead shop by the name of Beads and Baubles. But when she stumbles across the body of a dead Morhollow party-girl, Mary discovers that there are much deeper secrets behind the attack of her newly hired employee, who was beaten, bruised, and hidden just out of plain sight. There is no questioning the fact that Mary is compelled to solve the case and find the killer… But she will need to return to her roots to do it. Faced with the realization she will have to dust off her spell books, consult with her domestic cat, and be sure to steer clear of the police investigation, Mary knows she will have to play things carefully to find out the truth.But she will need to return to her roots to do it. Of course, it would be a lot simpler if the Captain of the Morhollow Police Department didn’t happen to be her son. Can Mary narrow down the long list of suspects before giving herself away? Or will she take one too many risks and place herself in the sights of a killer?

A Murderous Valentine (Admiral Shackleford Mystery #1)


Beverley Watts - 2021
    Having been instrumental in improving the lives of so many (his words - others might be inclined to call it something slightly different...), he was struggling to reignite the spark in his own love life with the feisty Mabel. Short on ideas, he decides to gatecrash his much put upon former Master At Arms and best friend Jimmy Noon's Valentine idea and ends up in the middle of a murder mystery weekend... where real murder is on someone else's script. Stranded in the middle of nowhere with a hotel full of potential murderers, the unstoppable duo embark on a series of blundering escapades in an attempt to uncover the Murderous Valentine... The Admiral and Jimmy may be more Laurel and Hardy than Holmes and Watson, but can they catch a murderer...? This humorous cozy mystery short read is the first in The Admiral Shackleford Mysteries.

Mishaps and Murder (A Myrtle Lake Cozy Mystery Book 1)


Constance Barker - 2021