Book picks similar to
Organized for Christmas Wishes by Ritter Ames
christmas
novella
part-of-a-series
mystery-cozy
A Shot of Murder
Brenda Gayle - 2020
But when the story is murder, will she end up above the fold or buried in the back?1948: Kingston, Canada—Charley Hall knows she’s a better reporter than any man in the newsroom. Frustrated to be demoted to the women’s page so her job on the city beat can be given to a returning soldier, she refocuses her energy into locating her brother who disappeared after his latest bender. She’s horrified when her search leads to the woman last seen with him, found dead with a bullet in her neck.Driven to catch the killer and clear her brother’s name, Charley encounters a mysterious cop from out of town who’s showing an intense interest in the case. But as she uncovers the victim’s murky past, tracking down the shooter could land the intrepid journalist in the obituaries.Can this gutsy gal prove her investigative skills and live to tell the tale?A Shot of Murder is the first book in the atmospheric Charley Hall historical mystery series. If you like strong female protagonists, period pieces, and small-town misdeeds, then you’ll love Brenda Gayle’s compelling whodunit.Buy A Shot of Murder to bring justice to the front page today!
Happiness is a Smoking Gun
Alaine Allister - 2016
An eccentric aunt. An unsolved murder.Out of work reporter Clarissa Spencer is being stalked by a stray cat. She can't cook to save her life, her garden is an overgrown mess and her chocolate chip cookie addiction is out of control. Then to top it all off, she gets struck by lightning.Clarissa thinks she has it bad - until she learns the town mayor has been murdered. Okay, so it could be worse...Clarissa makes it her mission to expose the true killer before her arch nemesis - an infuriatingly handsome reporter from the city newspaper - can. Unfortunately, solving a murder is easier said than done...especially with the lunacy in Clarissa's life!
Euphoria Lane
Tina Swayzee McCright - 2015
On day one, she finds the body of the Homeowners’ Association president. Day two, she discovers the property manager is her former fiancé. Day three, the new president begins his campaign of violation letters to force her to move. Day four, her sister, the owner of a detective agency, needs her help with the investigation of the murder. And day five, a full-scale neighborhood war! Author Interview: Q: How would you describe cozy mysteries? A: To me, cozy mysteries are set in a small town or community, the mystery is solved by an amateur sleuth, there usually isn’t any graphic violence, and any romance is considered sweet. In Euphoria Lane, the complex has two hundred condos in the suburbs that are set apart from the rest of the city by a wall, this makes it a small community. Q: Where did you get the idea to write Euphoria Lane? A: I live in a community with an HOA, and from time to time there have been issues. I also have friends and family who have told me horror stories about their HOAs. It didn’t take long to realize that these boards have too much power. I decided to write a cozy mystery where the HOA has taken enforcing the rules to the extreme, but their actions are still possible in the real world. Q: Would you consider serving on a homeowners’ board? A: Believe it or not, I was on the board several times. I commend the members who serve in an attempt to better their communities. Unfortunately, I have also witnessed the verbal abuse these board members have received from upset neighbors. In this series, I explore possible solutions. Q: How are your romantic cozy mysteries different from other cozy mysteries? A: My stories include significant romantic elements: there is a couple with a conflict that keeps them apart, they discover they are the best version of themselves together, and eventually find a way to overcome the conflict. They do all this while my female amateur sleuth solves a mystery. In my Homeowners’ Association Mystery, there is a different romance in each story, but the main couple, Andi and Luke, continue to take their relationship to a deeper level. In Super Jax, we begin with her superpower origin story and touch on these romantic elements that will continue to build over the series. Keywords: mystery, romantic mysteries, cozy mystery, cozy mysteries, romantic cozy mysteries, culinary cozy mysteries, amateur sleuth, female sleuth, suburbs, small town, clean romance, sweet romance, Arizona, Arizona mystery, homeowners' associations, humorous, murder, thriller, detective, suspense, romantic suspense, fun, friendship, female protagonist, sister, dating, relationships, dating, singlehood, single women, comedy, private investigators, suburban
A Corpse in A Caravan
Benedict Brown - 2020
The campsite's eccentric inhabitants have other ideas though and she is quickly sucked into a world of middle-class scandals and petty jealousies.After one of her neighbours is found dead, Izzy suspects foul play and begins to shake up the tiny community to see what truths will fall out. A warm and witty murder mystery with a quirky but cunning sleuth. Izzy Palmer is part Miss Marple, part Bridget Jones."A Corpse in a Caravan" is a spolier-free, standalone Izzy Palmer novella which takes place after the events of her first novel "A Corpse Called Bob"Praise for "A Corpse Called Bob""Really, really enjoyed this book. Izzy Palmer is a sparkler of a character, she almost fizzes off the page."K Webster "...a classic whodunit with a hilariously quirky heroine. I couldn't put this book down." Lottie G "Such an excellent book. Kept me guessing and kept me chuckling to myself right to the end."MrsBee
Magic and Mystery: Bundle Book 1
Lily Webb - 2019
So when she gets a job offer in the middle of nowhere, Zoe jumps at the chance to make a name for herself only to find her new home is teeming with magic and paranormal beings—and those aren't its only secrets. During a heated election for Head Witch, the most powerful position in town, Zoe’s predecessor was buried alive—and accusations are flying faster than broomsticks. Despite her editor’s orders to leave the story alone, Zoe can’t resist. From the front-running witch with a secret to the mysterious vampires pulling strings in the shadows, Zoe knows the truth is just under the surface. So after she discovers she has rare telepathic abilities, Zoe realizes she's the only one who can keep digging. Will Zoe’s powers lead her to the murderer and the scoop of a lifetime? Or will they send her to an early grave?
Spellbooks and Stakings, Book 2:
Zoe Clarke is going back to school. After learning she’s telepathic and risking her life to solve a paranormal murder, she’s been invited to the prestigious Veilside Academy of Magic to sharpen her newfound powers. But not all the students are spellbound by Zoe, and it isn’t long before she realizes the Academy is brimming with exceptional witches and warlocks—who are as cutthroat as they are talented. So when Zoe’s new favorite vampire professor is found in a pile of ash, all spell breaks loose. Between troublemaking witches and a jealous staff, Zoe knows whoever the murderer is, they aren’t finished handing out suspensions. Can Zoe work her magic to reveal the killer? Or will she fail the ultimate test?
Alchemy and Arson, Book 3:
Zoe Clarke’s life just keeps getting better. After repeatedly risking her life to solve a rash of paranormal murders in Moon Grove, Zoe’s become a household name. But her newfound attention isn’t all magic. Zoe knows she’s made enemies along the way and that they aren’t above pouring gas on her troubles. So when one of Moon Grove’s most prominent witches dies in an inexplicable house fire, hysteria ignites—and Zoe finds herself standing in the ashes. From the psychedelic new alchemist in town to the werewolves running shady businesses, Zoe’s certain someone’s trying to torch her reputation. And when another building spontaneously combusts, Zoe knows she’ll have to walk through fire and brimstone to stop the arsonist. Can Zoe stamp out the killer before they strike again? Or will she go up in flames? Other Books in the Magic & Mystery Series: Heists and Homicides, Book 4 Covens and Coffins, Book 5 Voodoo and Vanishings, Book 6
A View to a Chill (Maizie Albright Star Detective, #3)
Larissa Reinhart - 2018
The seventh in the award-winning Cherry Tucker Southern Cozy Mystery series and the third in the Maizie Albright Star Detective series.“If you love southern settings with plenty of sweet tea and eccentric characters, the meetup of these two heroines is epic. Not only did I race through the pages, but I immediately headed over to Amazon to download the first book in the series.” — Barb Taub, humor writer and author of the Null City seriesMay Your Days Be Cherry & Albright…When Halo's most notorious artist, Cherry Tucker, thinks she sees a crime through her bedroom window, her feverish claims are ignored by her family. Trapped in bed, influenza is the least of her problems. Deputy Luke Harper can't be found. She can’t tell fevered dream from reality. And a very bad Santa knows Cherry’s spotted his Christmas killing. It's going to take a Christmas miracle for Cherry to recover.Meanwhile, ex-celebrity and #WannabeDetective Maizie Albright’s determined to help an elderly woman find her missing granddaughter despite her private investigator boss (and not-so-secret crush) Wyatt Nash’s claims that the grandmother’s annual plea is nothing but a dangerously wild goose chase. This holiday, Maizie’s search takes her away from her family and Nash to Halo, Georgia, where a storm threatens her nerves and her quest. When a deviant Santa learns Maizie’s looking for the granddaughter, he put Maizie on his naughty list. This Santa may get his holly jollies from murder.**First appeared in THE 12 SLAYS OF CHRISTMAS***Books in the Cherry Tucker Humorous Mystery Series in order:A CHRISTMAS QUICK SKETCH (prequel in SLEIGH BELLS & SLEUTHING) PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY (#1)STILL LIFE IN BRUNSWICK STEW (#2)HIJACK IN ABSTRACT (#3) DEATH IN PERSPECTIVE (#4)THE BODY IN THE LANDSCAPE (#5)THE VIGILANTE VIGNETTE (novella)A COMPOSITION IN MURDER (#6)A VIEW TO A CHILL (#7)A MOTHERLODE OF TROUBLE (#8, 2020) Books in the Maizie Albright Star Detective series in order:15 MINUTES16 MILLIMETERSA VIEW TO A CHILL (novella)NC-1718 CALIBER (2019)
Mercy & Mayhem
Ava Mallory - 2015
A new job posting halfway across the country promises to satisfy one of those needs, but when her patient's spouse dies within minutes of meeting her, she will soon find out that she's going to need a lot more than car repairs. What was touted as the friendliest town in America soon turns on her and it will be up to her to connect the dots and find the true murderer, but doing so will be no easy feat. With memory impaired witnesses, a meddling medical staff, and a cast of characters dead set on keeping their community free of strangers, Mercy will need a little help from her loved ones and a lot of luck to get herself out of this jam or risk losing everything she's worked so hard to achieve. Find out what happens when mayhem becomes synonymous with Mercy in this humorous, slightly irreverent Cozy Medical Mystery novel!(This a previously-published edition of ASIN B010EJQT6K, which is located at: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4....)
Reduced Ransom!
Mike Faricy - 2018
FREE on Kindle Unlimited. Mickey and Dell, two long suffering halfwits come up with the idea of kidnapping at a bargain basement price. What could possibly go wrong? Well, maybe a victim who doesn't want to be returned, another with a husband who doesn't want her back, one who's tougher than her kidnappers, and another who's entirely the wrong person. Not to mention local thug Huey Evans who is looking to settle a score. Reduced Ransom! Faricy at his hilarious best. Check it out... He's done it again, Reduced Ransom!, don't miss it! Irish Gazette The first in this new series, hurry up and get the next one out! Crime Scene A wonderfully entertaining read! Bookish Review
True Blue Murder
Elise M. Stone - 2016
The former librarian has developed her first hybrid, a plant with unusual deep blue flowers, and hopes to win a first place ribbon. Maybe even best in show. But her excitement turns to dread when the aggravating Bette Tesselink, her fiercest rival, turns up dead, and she becomes the logical suspect. There’s never been a murder in the village of Rainbow Ranch, and it soon becomes apparent that the young Chief of Police is in over his head. Under pressure from the mayor, Lilliana is afraid he’ll arrest her in order to close the case. Her only option is to begin her own investigation and find the murderer before she winds up in jail.
The first in a new cozy mystery series sure to engage you with its fascinating characters and twisty plot.
Movie Scripts and Madness
Melissa Baldwin - 2017
She just never thought she would be living in one.An aspiring actress, she left her normal life in Phoenix for the bright lights of Hollywood. Taking a job as the marketing assistant to a miserable boss at Blossom Studios, she believed this job would eventually open the door into the movie industry. When she finally gets her hands on an audition script, she refuses to let anything stand in her way. What she doesn’t expect is the return of her arch nemesis, the attention of the very dashing actor, Grayson Ellis and finding the body of the nosy receptionist. Before she knows it, Kendall finds herself embroiled in the mysterious events that are happening at studio. With each unfortunate incident including the disappearance of her boss, Kendall is right in the middle of it all. Could the answer be hidden in the canceled movie, Off the Pacific, or has the answer been in front of her the entire time? It’s obvious that someone has set out to destroy Blossom Studios and they will do whatever it takes to succeed. Kendall realizes that she must solve this mystery in order to prove her own innocence and possibly save her own life.
Murder in Mystic Grove
S.F. Bose - 2018
Cramming her Mini Cooper with clothes, cozy mystery books, and her two cats, Snap and Sammy, Liz drives cross country to her family's Bed and Breakfast in Mystic Grove, Wisconsin. Liz has many secrets connected to her work at Worldhead that she can't share with anyone. All she wants now is time to think and a little peace and quiet. However, she also needs a paying job. Soon Liz is working in town as an intern for Sam Nolan Private Investigations. When a longtime Mystic Grove resident is murdered, fear cuts through the village. Liz is shocked when she learns that her divorced mother's boyfriend, Ben, is a key suspect in the murder. When her mother calls to hire Liz and Sam to clear Ben's name, Liz hesitates. Her demanding mother has never asked for her help before. Liz and Sam take the case. They chase down leads, following the evidence as it twists and turns through Mystic Grove and beyond. With all of the lies and deception they find, Liz realizes that Mystic Grove isn't the innocent village she remembered. More threatening events convince Liz that the killer is still in Mystic Grove. Can Liz find the killer before he strikes again?
Fit to Be French Fried
Celia Kinsey - 2019
When an unlikeable retiree passes out while walking home from Felica's food truck, everyone dismisses the incident as a simple medical emergency, but Felicia's not convinced. Someone had a hand in Mrs. Dunn's collapse, and Felicia is determined to find out who and why.
Clocks Locks and Danger: A Button Up Detective Agency Cozy Mystery #1
Lizzie Lewis - 2020
Sam Jones was a detective with the local CID, and Janika is determined to prove he was murdered. Realising she has detective skills of her own, she trains to be a private investigator, and sets up an office above the Button Up coffee shop owned by Abi Wells, a girl she knew at school as Abi Button.Calling her business the Button Up Detective Agency, Janika sets out to find her own cases to investigate, having been warned by the police not to investigate her husband’s murder. But that’s something she can’t resist when the opportunity arises. When things turn nasty, who can she trust?Told by Janika Jones, this is a slightly darker cozy mystery spin-off from the series of six Abi Button Cozy Mystery Romance books, also by Lizzie Lewis. Although mainly about Janika, she interacts with many of the main Abi Button story characters.
A Dead Man and Doggie Delights
Aleksa Baxter - 2020
With her faithful Newfie, Miss Fancypants, at her side, Maggie is determined to find the real killer and clear her grandpa's name.Assuming he isn't the actual killer, of course...
A Blooming Fortune
Stephen John - 2019
Fortune, Ida Bell and Gertie run into roadblock after roadblock before they receive help from an unexpected source. The victim's highly eccentric brother and sister arrive in Sinful with their own suspicions and a very special set of skills. A Blooming Fortune is filled with twists and turns as Fortune and her new friends work to unravel the mystery.This book was previously released in as "Devil's Helmet," and rose to number one position in KindleWorlds, in January 2018. This version has been re-edited with new material added.What readers have said about Stephen's other Miss Fortune books:Of the many other authors who contribute to this series Stephen John is one of my favorites. He continues with the main characters and weaves a series of intrigue and chaos into his story.I have now read a few of these stories by this author and this one I enjoyed most of all. The regular characters are back, joining a couple of newbies who prove to be interesting as well. Once again, the crime solving aspect of the story proves intriguing. It left me fulfilled and more than ready to read the next chapter in this particular writer's Miss Fortune setting. Great stuff.I absolutely love this series! Fortune has lost a dear friend which broke my heart, but she has also made some new friends as well. As always there is comedy, action, and a dash of love tossed in.Definitely a must read!While staying true to Ms. DeLeon's canon, Mr. John carves out a very nice niche for himself. I've come to really enjoy his stories featuring these characters and this one is a doozy.A well-structured mystery, and probably the most literary of the Kindle Worlds Miss Fortune Mysteries I've read so far. I loved this book as much as I loved the original books by Janet DeLeon. I wish he would write more.