Book picks similar to
Snowflakes, Cakes & Deadly Stakes by Erin Johnson
mystery
fiction
christmas
cozy-mystery
The Mystery of the Blue Dolphins (A Dog Detective Series Book 1)
Sandra Baublitz - 2014
Clarissa's amateur sleuth uncle has died, evidently from a heart attack. But was the death truly an accident? An anonymous note hints that her uncle was murdered, and now Clarissa and Paw are determined to sniff out the truth. Soon the duo find themselves nose deep in their uncle's final baffling case: the theft of the fabulous Blue Dolphin diamonds. Clarissa's determination to find her uncle's killer leads her deep into a world of glittering gems and deadly secrets, where each new discovery threatens to bring her to the notice of a ruthless murderer who will stop at nothing to cover his tracks. Can Clarissa and her detective dog Paw crack the case, or will they become the killer's next victims? This is a 5200 word short story/mini mystery. Read time is approx. 30 minutes.
Frozen Fear: Murder In Season - Book 1
Anne Shillolo - 2020
But injured cop Claire Beckett is right in the path of a killer. The death of a look-alike friend brings murder right to the front door of Claire’s quaint log cabin. After being shot in the line of duty she’s spending the winter in cottage country to recover, but it’s more than a vacation. Much more. The picturesque village of Falcon Lake serves up murder, kidnapping, a mysterious new neighbor, and a blizzard of clues and suspects. When Detective Constable Claire Beckett decides to spend the winter up north with her partner’s dog, Kojak, mistaken identity leads to a web of death and corruption that may lead all the way back to the city where Claire is still on the payroll. For the moment. An evening visit to Marina’s Café brings more than latte and dessert. Claire visits with her artist friends and enjoys some music, but by the end of the night, one person is dead. The local police are working hard, but Claire thinks the ‘crime of opportunity’ theory is all wrong. Falcon Lake just doesn’t seem like the kind of place where thugs wait outside the local businesses to rob them. She’s determined to find out who killed her friend Kayla, and why. Her neighbor is newcomer Miles Gallagher, and he’s distant and as chilly as the winter weather. But helping Claire stay alive and stop a killer may thaw his heart. Meanwhile things aren’t adding up for Claire at work. The tragedy of her boss’s ambush, where she herself was injured, is being laid at her doorstep. How can she clear her name and get back to work? Book 1 of the Murder In Season cozy mystery series.
Ghost of a Chance
Yasmine Galenorn - 2003
She never set out to be a detective, but once word gets out that she can communicate with the dead, there's no turning back... When the ghost of Susan Mitchell asks for Emerald's help in convicting her own murderer, Emerald can't refuse. Along with her friends-an ex-supermodel and a cop-and her new love interest, Emerald must search for clues to put the killer behind bars, and Susan's tortured soul to rest.
Witch Way to Nightshade
Penny Brooke - 2021
But she hadn’t perceived the extent of her powers…or the fact she was a witch.An elderly woman moving in across the street sets off a series of events that leads to Salem attending Nightshade Village, a college for women with “special abilities.”But upon arrival at the bizarre school, just as Salem’s true purpose reveals itself, tragedy strikes, and one of their own dies mysteriously.Will Salem be able to use her growing powers to solve the mystery surrounding the witch’s death? Or will her own life be in jeopardy before she can realize her full potential?Join Salem Donovan in the Nightshade Village series, a paranormal cozy mystery featuring a witch sleuth, magic and mayhem, and a mystery to solve.
Marshmallows and Murder: A Comedy Cozy Mystery (Mom and Christy's Cozy Mysteries Book 7)
Christy Murphy - 2018
Read in any order. Fletcher Canyon is hosting its first fair! But when Christy finds a dead body and the mayor becomes the prime suspect, the town's reputation nosedives.Meanwhile, Christy's relationship with DC Cooper slips into crisis mode after an awkward interview with a TV reporter. Can Mom and Christy save the mayor, Fletcher Canyon's reputation, and Christy's relationship with DC?Find out in this cute, comedy cozy.
The Gargoyle's Secret
Linn Chapel - 2020
When Laurel Bachmann arrives at Stonehaven Manor to craft a feature article on the historic coastal mansion near Bar Harbor, Maine, the talented young photojournalist quickly learns that the owner of Stonehaven resents her intrusion upon his privacy.Matters grow even worse when she stumbles upon a buried mystery that could cause a news sensation and ruin the Chevalier family’s sterling reputation.But that’s not the only enigma, for Marc Chevalier himself seems to be harboring more than one secret.A cozy paranormal mystery set on the rugged coast of Maine, The Gargoyle’s Secret has two mysteries wrapped up in one tale, with a touch of paranormal romance (for those readers who like a bit of romance to go with their mysteries) and a very unusual gargoyle.
Wicked Days
Lily Harper Hart - 2015
She certainly doesn’t need to second guess her life, or her witchy ways ... that is until Shadow Lake’s newest police detective enters her life. Jack Harker is haunted by a past he refuses to talk about, and he’s not looking forward to a future with anyone – especially a sassy witch with boundary issues. Jack and Ivy find their paths crossing on a regular basis when a dead body is discovered on the edge of Ivy’s property. Jack doesn’t want any romantic entanglements, but there’s just something about Ivy that keeps drawing him in. When the truth is finally revealed, Jack has to decide what he believes – and he has to do it before a murderer turns his attention to Ivy. Can Ivy heal Jack’s wounds? Will she even get a chance to try?
Murder Most Pumpkin
Stella Berry - 2019
He will take whomever he can.
He’ll take an animal each Halloween. But he’d rather have your children if he hears them scream.
So, when resident witch Morgana finds the body of a man with a pumpkin for a head on Halloween, she instantly recognizes what it’s supposed to be. The trouble is that the body in question had upset a lot of people, most notably by destroying everyone else’s pumpkins in order to take first prize at the village show.She knows she should leave it to the police to figure out, but it wasn’t the pumpkin that killed him, it was the knife in his back, and the knife belongs to her.
Pumpkin Pies & Potions
Polly Holmes - 2020
Funny thing is, you’d be right.Camille Stenson, the grumpiest woman in Saltwater Cove is set on making this year’s Halloween celebrations difficult for everyone, but when she turns up dead and my best friend is on the suspect list, I have no choice but to find out whodunit and clear her name.Amongst the pumpkin carving, abandoned houses, and apple bobbing, it soon becomes apparent dark magic is at play and I must use all my newfound witches’ abilities to find the killer before another spell is cast.Step into Evelyn Grayson’s magical world in the first book of the Melting Pot Café series, a fun and flirty romantic paranormal cozy mystery where the spells are flowing, and the adventure is just beginning.If you like witty witches, cheeky talking cats, and magical murder mysteries, then you’ll love Polly Holmes’ light-hearted Melting Pot Café series.
Cozy Up To Death
Colin Conway - 2020
The cute shop has a loyal customer base as well as an ornery cat.Unfortunately, Brody doesn’t know the first thing about running a legitimate business, he doesn’t want to be in the small town, and he hates cats. On top of all that, he hasn’t read a book since high school.When a cute woman walks into the store, he thinks his bad luck is about to change. But as she starts asking about the previous owner’s whereabouts, his safe new existence begins to unravel.For Brody Steele is a man with a secret he must protect at all costs. The U.S. Government has invested a lot to keep it hidden, and his enemies will stop at nothing to expose him.Does happiness or death await Brody in this charming seaside community?If you like stories with a solid male lead, wonderfully odd characters, and a troublesome cat, then this book is for you.
Once Upon a Crime
Mona Marple - 2018
Light and cozy, the book introduces our female amateur sleuth, the village of Waterfell Tweed, and a whole host of quirky characters! Each book in this series can be read as a standalone (but is better enjoyed if read in order), and is free from swearing, sex, violence and cliffhangers.
Mrs Pettigrew Sees a Ghost
Katherine Hayton - 2019
New town. New ghost!Fifty-two-year-old Emily Curtis wants a job so she can rebuild her shattered life. One year ago, a devastating car accident stole her occupation, her home, and half her mind.Working in the charity shop of a small town in rural New Zealand seems ideal... until she awakens a ghost! Since the annoying spirit won't move on until her murderer is found, Emily sets to work. However, the ethereal Mrs Pettigrew doesn't remember dying, let alone who killed her.With family remaining close-lipped and old employees keeping secrets, it'll take more than Emily's newfound ability to talk to the dead to solve the crime.Mrs Pettigrew Sees a Ghost is the first book in a new paranormal mystery series. It contains ghosts and murderers but is free of the following evil spirits:No Swearing No Gore No Graphic ScenesThis series is written in New Zealand English, which features mainly British spelling variants.
Perils in Provence
Carolyn L. Dean - 2018
A dangerous past life. A new mysterious boss. An old chateau with some very suspicious characters. Jennifer was happy working as a baker at the Ravenwood Inn, but when fate comes calling in the form of Gable Landon, she’s ready to jump at the new career he offers. Soon she’s globetrotting from Oregon to Bruges, then on to Provence to assess a rundown property her boss might want to buy. The charm of southern France and its food and landscape is almost intoxicating, and it doesn’t hurt that she’s made a new friend, a French bulldog named Orly. What Jennifer hadn’t expected, though, was stone cold murder. Clean language, and only rated PG because hey, there’s a murderer running around in this book.
On a Witch and a Spell
Misty Bane - 2019
It does not need to be read prior to starting the series
Drusilla “Granny” Rathmore is having the worst week of her life. First, her daughter died at the hands of witch hunter; then her son-in-law decided to hightail it out of town with her baby granddaughter in tow. Now, she's a woman - er, witch - on a mission. No, it’s not disposing of the beast that took her daughter away, she’s already done that. Instead, Granny is tasked with performing an important ceremony. One that will hide her granddaughter's true identity and give her the chance at a normal, non-magical life... except, Granny's Spell Book is missing on the very day she needs it most. As if she doesn’t have enough to worry about, she'll have to contend with her daughter’s arch nemesis, a new Police Chief, a sea witch, and find her missing Spell Book. Oh, and sneak a few friends out of jail.
On A Witch And A Spell is a short, humorous cozy mystery read filled with magic; a mystery or two; and snarky, no nonsense main character and her friends.