A Maze of Murder (The Belinda Drake Mysteries, #1)
Kate Krake - 2019
In her new life in Blackthorn Springs, she’s got everything she needs, even if she is the world’s most incompetent witch.When her neighbor turns up dead, Belinda recognizes the Mortis Curse, one of the most evil spells known to witch kind. At the same time, the life she thought she’d left behind starts knocking at her door.Now she must find the killer before her quiet existence descends into darkness.A Maze of Murder is the first novel in the intriguing Belinda Drake supernatural mystery series. If you like fast-paced mysteries and witty heroines with a charming ensemble of supernatural friends, then you’ll love this magical series from Kate Krake.
Die Laughing 2: Five More Comic Crime Novels
Ben Rehder - 2014
He's working a routine case, complete with hours of tedious surveillance, when he sees something that shakes him to the core. There, with the subject, is a little blond girl wearing a pink top and denim shorts—the same outfit worn by Tracy Turner, a six-year-old abducted the day before. When the police are skeptical of Ballard's report—and with his history, who can blame them?—it's the beginning of the most important case of his life.LAST CHANCE LASSITERPaul LevineIn this prequel to the “Jake Lassiter” series, the linebacker-turned-lawyer faces overwhelming odds. Fired from his job and dumped by his girlfriend, Lassiter rents a grungy law office in a Miami Beach parking garage. What else could go wrong? Well, he could be disbarred for punching out his own client. As for cases, the down-and-out lawyer has only one. Lassiter represents Cadillac Johnson, an aging rhythm and blues musician who claims his greatest song was stolen by a top-of-the-charts hip-hop artist. The evidence is long gone and chances of winning are slim. Except for one thing. “If your cause is just,” Lassiter says, “no case is impossible.”CLIENTParnell HallStanley Hastings couldn't be happier. He had his first paying client, and the assignment was straight out of a forties noir movie, tailing the man's cheating wife and snapping pictures of her at a motel. If only he hadn't fallen asleep on stakeout. When he wakes up the woman is dead, the murder weapon is in his car, and a small town police force straight out of In the Heat of the Night has him cast in the Sidney Poitier role. To clear his name—and get paid—Stanley will have to figure out who his client is, who killed the woman in the upstate motel, and who was the resultant corpse!RADIO ACTIVITYBill FitzhughFM rock deejay Rick Shannon has just been fired from his latest Classic Rock station. He’s thinking it’s time to get out of radio once and for all. But when a famous deejay disappears in Mississippi, Rick gets a job offer to take over the slot. So he packs his bags and moves back to his home state where he comes across a tape of an illegally recorded phone conversation that might explain the fate of the missing deejay. Rick starts looking into the matter, and before you can say “Stairway to Heaven” he’s uncovered a scheme of blackmail, arson, murder, and a major FCC violation. Based on an illegal recording made by the author (and former FM rock deejay), Radio Activity redefines classic rock.CALABAMA Steve BrewerWhen a speeding Corvette flies over his head, leaving him without a scratch, Eric Newlin decides it's an omen and his life is about to change. He's right. Within days, he's broke, homeless, unemployed and getting divorced. He falls so far that he ends up involved in a kidnapping scheme with hillbilly crimelord Rydell Vance. Leavened with dark humor, CALABAMA takes a wry look at California's rural, redneck interior, a bitter, precarious place where it's easy for an outsider's life to spiral out of control.
Lupine Lies
Karen MacInerney - 2020
You won't be able to put this seaside cozy mystery story down!
Keep the Ghost
Scott Kelly - 2015
She's met a couple of experts, and they've sold her on faking her death - wiping the slate clean, emerging a new person. But, she needs a witness. When Kayla begs, Sean gets roped in. I mean, nothing too serious: just lie about when he last saw her. Except, things fall apart in a hurry. The police don't see an accident, they see murder - and Sean is their suspect. She's vanished, and he's facing prison. His only hope is to chase Kayla's trail and reach out to the enigmatic strangers who make a life out of pretending to be dead. They call it enlightenment, but Sean calls it crazy. But at least they have a plan, even if the first step is to kill himself. Will Sean have the strength to take the plunge? And if he does, who will come out the other side?
Murder Goes to Church
C.D. Jarmola - 2011
Kool-Aid and kids. Will the stains on the carpet ever come out? Is it contagious? But the most desperate thought churning through Chrissy Chronister’s mind was a hysterical mantra of “Please, don’t die. Please, don’t die. Please, don’t die.” But she did anyway.When Chrissy Chronister agrees to help in her small community church’s vacation Bible school she knows that it will be a hectic week of making crafts, telling stories and singing songs. However, she never expects it to land her in the middle of a murder investigation with her friends, fellow church members and possibly even herself being the prime suspects.Chrissy is a spunky, petite blonde (all adjectives she hates) mother of eleven-month-old, Lukas, along with her husband, Luke, living in south Georgia.As the newest church member Chrissy is stuck with the team teacher from hell, Ramona Snyder, a self-centered thorn in the flesh at United Community Church. However, she also is the richest woman around and her tithe is all that keeps the church solvent.The theme for the week is “God’s Beautiful World,” emphasizing saving our ecology. Thus, everyone has his/her own labeled eco-cup to be used each day during snack time. Day one Chrissy is already hearing Ramona making threats that she will be withholding her money from family members and causes if things do not change to her specifications.By the end of the second day Chrissy is holding a dying Ramona in her arms.The evidence shows that Ramona’s eco-cup has been poisoned. The only people with access are fellow members of UCC including Bro. Michael, the pastor accused of embezzling, his wife Melanie, John, whose farm Ramona foreclosed on, his pregnant teenage daughter Peggy, who Ramona disdained, Scott the youth minister, who Ramona had accused of having inappropriate relations, Emilie Anne the church secretary, Deacon Melvin, Ramona’s own children, Suzanne and Rick, and her husband Max.Chrissy is unwillingly drawn into the investigation. She tries to distance herself, but motherhood forces her back where she unintentionally finds clues through the help of her mischievous son. Due to Lukas’ baby monitor, blankie, tipping over trash cans, getting into ladies’ purses, crawling places he shouldn’t and destroying the story of Abraham and Isaac from his storybook, Chrissy finds skeletons that her fellow parishioners thought were deeply buried.Will Chrissy and baby Lukas solve the crime before the uncovered secrets tear their little church apart?
Murder on Vancouver Island
Kathy Garthwaite - 2019
Detective Inspector William Gibson of the Vancouver Island police investigates… The victim is found by a maintenance worker on the university campus. Despite being brutally murdered, there is a little other evidence; just a blood-spattered baseball bat and a condom placed under the body. When the police discover that the victim, Robbie Spencer, was a closet homosexual, DI Gibson becomes convinced it was a hate crime. However, co-workers are apparently nonplussed by the events, regarding the investigating officers with suspicion and disdain. Is the perpetrator one of them? Gibson concentrates on a party held at the university the night before, one that he in fact attended. A fight had broken out between the guests. Can the two events be linked? MURDER ON VANCOUVER ISLAND is free with Kindle Unlimited and coming soon in paperback. The sequel, MURDER AT LAKE ONTARIO, also featuring DI William Gibson, will be available soon on Kindle. If you enjoy crime fiction by Melinda Leigh, Rachel Caine, and Kendra Elliot, you’ll love this atmospheric murder mystery set against the stunning backdrop of Canada’s west coast.
Murder and Cake: By Royal Appointment
Luna Snow - 2016
She is also a little overweight but she doesn't care. After winning 'The Great British Cake-Off' she is invited by Royal Appointment to bake a cake 'fit for a Queen' - for Queen Elizabeth's 90th Birthday celebrations no less. Not is all as it seems at Buckingham Palace. Who is the creepy Alf Jeffries who seems to be stalking her and what abou the other chefs gathered at the Palace to prepare a great banquet for the birthday celebrations? When the Queen's famous diamond tiara is stolen - things start to hot up in the kitchen. When a body is discovered Jane fears for her life, but who can she trust amongst the motley group? Find out in this cozy mystery filled with mayhem, murder and of course lots of cake.
Haunt Flashes
Leigh Selfman - 2015
The only problem is, the place is already inhabited. By a ghost. A suave, 1940's movie star ghost who may have been an insanely jealous murderer back when he was still alive.Can Arden survive long enough to help her ghostly roomie deal with his unfinished business and move on? And more importantly...can she do the same for herself?Haunt Flashes is a clean, romantic comedy, cozy mystery.
Blood on the Bulb Fields
Judith Cranswick - 2009
As if coping with difficult passengers were not enough, one of them disappears in mysterious circumstances. Suddenly a full-scale investigation is in swing headed by the autocratic Peter Montgomery-Jones who doesn’t make Fiona’s job any easier. The reason quickly becomes clear. The missing man was undercover on the trail of diamond smugglers. When his body turns up Fiona must face the fact that she has a murder in her party.The body count quickly mounts up when they move on to Amsterdam and Fiona needs to work out which of her passengers is the killer before she becomes his next victim.
Bad Sons
Oliver Tidy - 2014
He is expecting to spend time helping his aunt and uncle pack up the stock of their second-hand bookshop in preparation for a happy retirement. He arrives in Dymchurch on a miserable April night to find his relatives missing without word or clue regarding their whereabouts. As events unravel, the attitude of the local police pushes David into searching for answers to the questions surrounding his family’s disappearance. To get them he will look death in the face and owe his life twice over to a woman he hardly knows… Some Amazon comments on the Romney and Marsh Files: “As with the others in the series the author sets a good pace with interesting character elements and a plot which keeps you interested throughout.” “This is the third book of the Romney and Marsh series I have read or should I say devoured in less than a week.” “Excellent book. I hope this is not the last book in the Romney and Marsh series that Mr Tidy writes. Really enjoyed all three books.” Some comments on the Acer Sansom novels: “I raced from the first Acer Sansom novel 'Dirty Business' to ‘Loose Ends’ and most certainly have not been disappointed.” “Having rated Dirty Business as his best yet only yesterday, I then picked up this title. All I can say is I have been completely blown away.” “I have just finished reading Dirty Business and Loose End and they are the two best books I have read recently.”
The Sea Breeze Cottage:
Amy Rafferty - 2020
Along the way, Jennifer and her family will discover the true meaning of trust and friendship as they learn to open their hearts to love.The Sea Breeze Cottage. A La Jolla Cove Series is a heartwarming, edgy, and all-around entertaining read filled with romance, excitement, intrigue, butterflies, and adventure.This must-read book rekindles hope after a tragic loss, trust after bitter heartache, shows that life lessons are learned throughout your life and that finding your soulmate has no time or age limit.An ageless inspiring adventure romance that can be enjoyed by everyone.La Jolla, a hilly sea-side coastal town, perched along the rugged shores of the Pacific Ocean forms part of the city of San Diego. Having spent the summers there with her Aunt, it was the place Jennifer had called home as a young girl. It had always been a place filled with the happiest of memories and times for Jennifer. Even as an adult, La Jolla was Jennifer’s haven and place to recuperate from the fast-paced world of New York where she had moved to so she could pursue her career after law school.Now a single mother of three children and a messy divorce behind her, her safe haven is scarred by a tragic accident that rips a hole in her world. Not only does she lose someone she loves dearly, but she unwittingly gets tangled up in a web of betrayal, mystery, and lies.The Sea Breeze Cottage. Book 1 is the first in a series of sun, mystery, and romance. Join Jennifer, her family, and friends as they learn that even the closest of families have secrets. Get tangled in the many twists and turns Jennifer, along with her family, starts to unravel as they dig up buried family pasts to reveal shocking revelations.Fall in love with each of the characters as they each play their part in the mysteries of the cove. Follow them through their heartaches, betrayals, and adventures as they find a way to open their hearts and let true love in.
FOOD TRUCK MYSTERIES: Books 6-10 (A Cozy Mystery Bundle)
Chloe Kendrick - 2016
A THIEF OF ANY MAN Maeve Kinkaid, owner of the food truck Dogs on the Roll, prides herself on her financial management skills, until she realizes that someone is pilfering small amounts from the register. As she begins to take steps to stop the thefts, she learns of a larger plot that could put her business in jeopardy. But when murder enters the picture, she worries she could lose more than just her money... JUSTICE IS SERVED When food truck owner Maeve Kinkaid is asked to be in her friend Gina’s wedding, she expects to come in taffeta, not in her truck...but she winds up catering the event with the help of her Basque boyfriend, Land Mendoza. One of the guests dies with a hot dog in his pocket and Maeve has to solve the crime before the police try to link the unsavory murder to her catering firm. A GRAVE CONCERN When some of the homeless men near Government Square are not what they seem to be, food truck owner Maeve Kinkaid is driven to find out what’s going on. Her investigation takes her into the odd world of Capital City’s art district and the potentially dangerous world of the local political scene. Maeve and Land mingle with the rich, but they quickly learn that money doesn’t solve all problems…especially not the violent kinds. FIVE WILL GET YOU TWENTY Life is good for food truck owner Maeve Kinkaid. She’s engaged, making good money, and buying a third truck. When Maeve decides to park her latest food truck next to those of mogul Ryan Pohler, odd things begin to happen. The pranks are minor at first, but as they escalate in frequency and severity, Maeve begins to wonder if Pohler is behind the attacks. Of course, Maeve can’t leave something like this alone and investigates the incidents. Even with everything she’s whipped up in the past, she isn’t prepared for what she’ll find. DEADLY BELOVED Food truck operator Maeve Kinkaid has her hands full preparing for her wedding, but she thinks she has everything under control…until she meets a woman who claims to be her fiancé wife. As if that doesn’t complicate things enough, Maeve gets caught up in an deadly espionage plot and is forced to solve puzzles that will save lives, including her fiancé’s. Does she have a quick enough wit to stop an assassination and still say, “I do?”
The Case of the Black Tulips
Paula Harmon - 2018
Struggling to support herself after her father's disappearance, Katherine has neither time nor money to solve the mystery alone. She has no choice but to seek help from a woman she has only just met; awkward socialite Connie Swift.As the letters become increasingly frantic, this unlikely team of amateur detectives must learn to work together, while struggling to navigate the rigid rules of Victorian propriety, their families’ expectations, and the complicating interference of men.Confronting danger as they venture into new and frightening territory, Katherine and Connie risk arrest, exposure, and even their reputations to solve the Case of the Black Tulips. Can they solve the mystery before someone gets killed....or they kill each other?The Case of the Black Tulips is the first book in the Caster & Fleet mystery series, set in 1890s London.
A Stoneybrook Mystery Collection: A Cozy Mystery Box Set Books 4-6
Eryn Scott - 2020
That all changes when the front-runner is murdered, and Hadley's friend Mickie becomes the main suspect. Positive she can help clear her friend's name, Hadley begins sifting through the clues.Snow is on the ground and fear is in the air. What should've been a friendly competition has turned deadly. As tension rises in Stoneybrook, Hadley teams up with Luke to make sure this case is solved before the competition ends in another murder.A Juicy Murder: Book 5A new juice bar in Stoneybrook has the town on a delicious health kick. When a woman is found strangled outside the shop, the townspeople swear they've never seen her before.But someone among the locals is lying. They not only recognize the woman but had motive to silence her.Hadley and her twin have three mysteries to solve. Who is the mysterious woman? Why did someone want her dead? And will finding these answers put their lives at risk too?A Glazed Finish: Book 6The annual River Run is a fall favorite in Stoneybrook. Participants end the race with a commemorative mug from local potter, Josie Cobb. But when one of the mugs is shattered over Josie's ex-husband's head and he's found dead along the riverside trail, the sheriff is sure the potter finally snapped.To make things worse, the dead man had flowers and an engagement ring with him, only months after the ink dried on his divorce to Josie.Hadley cannot believe the generous local artist would do such a thing. Before the authorities make a huge mistake, Hadley has to prove Josie's innocence. This trail of clues is about to lead Hadley to uncover a big secret in her small town
The Walker on the Cape (Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series Book 1)
Mike Martin - 2012
At first everyone thinks it's a heart attack or stroke. But then it is discovered that he was poisoned. Who would do this and why? Finding that out falls to Sergeant Winston Windflower of the RCMP along with his trusted side-kick Eddie Tizzard. Along the way they discover that there are many more secrets hidden in this small community and powerful people who want to keep it that way. Windflower also discovers two more things; a love of living in a small community that is completely different from his up-bringing in a remote Indian reserve and maybe the love of his life. He gets a taste of East Coast food and hospitality as well as a sense of how crime and corruption can linger beneath the surface or hide in the thick blanket of fog that sometimes creeps in from the nearby Atlantic Ocean.