Book picks similar to
Christmas, Spies & Dead Guys by Jennifer Fischetto
mystery
novella
books-i-wrote
next-in-a-series
The Wedding Cake Murder (The Arizona Summers Mysteries Book 1)
Susan Keene - 2019
Is it a murder or an accident? Arizona Summers and her psychic dog Nutmeg love to solve crimes. The new chief Keith Wesley makes it clear he doesn’t want her help. Once he realizes Arizona is the go-to person with whom the townspeople share their deepest and darkest secrets. The handsome new chief tries to get back in Arizona’s good graces but she doesn’t make it easy. It’s hard for Ary to keep the restaurant she owns running smoothly when her mother, Emma causes chaos at every turn. Even her Aunt Sandy, who referees her sister and niece, shakes her head at Emma’s shenanigans. Join the fun and the humor of this great mystery series. Get your copy today.
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.
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
Murder Casts Its Spell
Margaret C. Morse - 2016
Attorney Petra Rakowtiz lives in a world much like ours...except that her latest client is a wizard. In a society divided into those with magic and non-magic powers, Petra finds herself on the non-magical side of the equation, instead opting for a career making sure that all people—powerful or powerless—get the justice they deserve. Only her ideas of justice are tested when Petra's first murder case falls into her lap after her lead investigator is arrested for killing his ex-girlfriend. While Petra wants to believe he's innocent, her client conveniently keeps "forgetting" to tell her anything that makes him look bad. Suspects begin to pile up, including one who would kill to keep his secret and one who tempts Petra to let her guard down and fall in love again. And the fact that the accused is a wizard sends the press on a hate campaign, claiming his powers are enough to make him a danger to society. Petra might agree that magic can be unpredictable...especially when she suddenly posses those powers herself for the first time. With the Wizard Council threatening to lock her up for her inability to control her new power, and her client's life on the line if she doesn't prove him innocent, Petra has to make the real murderer appear before she herself disappears. "The book will make you believe in the power of magic in all of us...and the power of love! A really clever mystery wrapped in a fantastically fun new world." ~ Gemma Halliday, New York Times bestselling mystery author
A Chihuahua in Every Stocking
Waverly Curtis - 2014
Geri Sullivan and Pepe—her talking Chihuahua—vow to rescue this bonita canine named Chiquita. But tracking the pooch’s scent through a Pacific Northwest winter wonderland isn’t easy, especially when the trail leads to an elf who’s been mortally mauled! Geri and Pepe must save little Sophie’s Christmas and find this muy naughty dognapper . . . and stir up a little Christmas magic along the way!
Praise for the Barking Detective Mysteries
“Pepe is a delight!” —RT Book Reviews (4 stars)“Move over, Scooby-Doo, there’s a new dog in town!” —Jennie Bentley“A fun twist on the typical P.I. partnership.” —Simon Wood15,500 Words
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.
Murder by the Bay
Tonya Kappes - 2016
The Blossom Bay Short Series is a series of short stories based on the characters of Blossom Bay. Some of the short stories will be mystery, some will be romance, while others will be woman's fiction. One thing is for sure, each short story with have the fun and charm of the Tonya Kappes novels you are use to reading. Murder By The BayJulia France has had a reoccurring dream of the same house for years. On her way to meet up with a group of friends for a get-away weekend, the dream house appeared right before her eyes. Lucky her! The house was not only a bed and breakfast for the quaint community, it was for sale! Julia knew it had to be fate and bought the house. Blossom Bay Inn is open for business and Julia's dream come true has come to a halt when someone is found dead at the Inn. Is Julia's dream over before it even started?
Six Merry Little Murders
Lee Strauss - 2019
Dressed in her finest Parisian low-waisted gown, feather-topped tiara, and T-strapped Italian leather shoes, Ginger is ready to host the delectable event.It's a jolly good time, until someone chokes on the pudding.Is it an accident or is it murder? And can Ginger unravel the mystery before the church bells ring and New Year's Day dawns?Karen MacInerney - SLAY BELLS RINGIt's Christmastime on Dewberry Farm, and homesteader Lucy Resnick is busy bundling mistletoe bunches and cedar swags for the Buttercup Christmas Market when a neighbor's houseguest keels over right next to her peach orchard. Was it a stray bullet from a hunter that took him out? Or did a guest at the fancy ranch next door decide to scratch somebody off his or her Christmas list? It's up to Lucy to unwrap the mystery… before the holiday killer strikes again.CeeCee James - CHRISTMAS AT BAKER STREETIn this Baker Street spin-off, Oscar and Cecelia find themselves and the guests snowed in this Christmas holiday. What should be all sugar cookies and hot cocoa takes a drastic turn when one of the guests turns up cold—as in stone cold dead. With no help in sight, the two hope to find the killer before anyone else gets iced out, including them.Nancy Warren - CAT'S PAWS AND CURSESIn this classic closed room mystery, someone is murdered during a knitting class. But how was it possible? Lucy Swift and her band of undead knitters must catch the culprit before there's a second Christmas catastrophe!Molly Fitz - MEOWY CHRISTMAS MAYHEMIt's Angie's first Christmas as a pet owner, and she can't wait to celebrate with Octo-Cat, Paisley, and Nan. All it takes is a little finely-crafted trickery to get her crabby tabby into the local pet supply store for a special photo opportunity with Santa. Unfortunately, the jolly old soul is found dead in the stock room before he ever gets the chance to say "cheese." Angie and her motley crew of sidekicks need to work fast to find the culprit and prevent any further suspicious holiday slaying... Otherwise, the most wonderful time of the year could end up becoming the most murderous season Blueberry Bay has ever seen.Addison Moore - CHRISTMAS FUDGE FATALITYMy name is Lottie Lemon, and I see dead people. Okay, so I rarely see dead people, mostly I see furry creatures of the dearly departed variety, aka dead pets, who have come back from the other side to warn me of their previous owner's impending doom.The holidays have arrived and the Jolly Holly Tree Lot is hosting a special event that has the entire town bustling to get a picture with the jolly old elf himself. And I'm just as anxious as anyone to get to the front of the line, but that body I stumble upon threatens to take the joy right out of the season.
The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies
Laura Levine - 2010
Playboy Dr. Preston McCay is playing the role of the gingerbread cookie when he "accidentally" falls to his death during the final act. Now Jaine must figure out if one of the doctor's jealous lovers was capable of murder.
Dough Knot Murder: A Christmas Short Story
CeeCee James - 2019
What should be all sugar cookies and hot cocoa takes a drastic turn when one of the guests turns up cold—as in stone cold dead. With no help in sight, the two hope to find the killer before anyone else gets iced out. Including them. "I love the Baker Street Series!" "Good mix of characters to keep you turning pages & looking forward to next." "Reward yourself by making some of the recipes included!!!" Previously published as part of the boxed set titled Six Merry Little Murders. This short story has been newly edited with and expanded.
Be sure to read through the end to catch a few special recipes including Cecelia’s Christmas morning bread, a little something from Oscar, and my own secret Chicken Pot Pie! Plus a note from me! This story is special to me (I share a bit more about that at the end), and I hope you love this grumpy, darling man as much as I do! It turns out, the world would be a better place with a few more Oscars and Cecelias. Other books in the series include- Cherry Pie or Die Cookies and Scream Creme Brulée To Slay Drizzle of Death Slash in the Pan Terror on Top A clean, cozy read. No graphic violence, sex, or strong language.
Murder Trims the Tree: Christmas Novella
Deb Baker - 2011
"A hoot with a heart." Cozy Library"A delight to read. In addition to the engaging mystery, it's a wonderful story of the love of family and friends.” Mysterious Review"One of the most memorable heroines in recent crime fiction." Lansing State Journal
The Blonde Before Christmas: a Barb Jackson Mysteries holiday short story
Anna Snow - 2015
Private Investigator Barb Jackson thought she'd seen it all. But when a last minute shopping excursion leads Barb and her best friend Kelly to a dead Santa Claus beneath the shopping mall Christmas tree, she realizes that not everyone in town is filled with holiday cheer. Jilted lovers, angry elves, and a whole slew of harried shoppers stand between Barb and the truth. But this is one blonde who won't give up that easily! It’s up to Barb and her friends to find the killer and save Christmas before the Santa Claus Killer claims another victim... The Barb Jackson Mysteries: Bubblegum Blonde (book #1) Blondes' Night Out (short story in the "Killer Beach Reads" collection) The Blonde Before Christmas (holiday short story) What critics are saying about Anna Snow's books: "This author knows suspense and how to place just the right amount of comedy to keep us reading. The combination is gripping and pulls a readers attention." —Night Owl Reviews "Will keep you spellbound until the very last page." —The Romance Reviews "A fast and enjoyable read, with plenty of emotion and passion." —Dark Diva Reviews
Be Still My Beading Heart: A Glass Bead Mini-Mystery
Janice Peacock - 2016
Did she forget where she parked the Ladybug as she rushed to deliver her handmade glass beads, or has the beloved car been stolen? Searching the streets of Seattle, Jax and her best friend, Tessa, face some unsavory characters. Jax regrets not having a date on the most romantic day of the year after spotting Ryan, Seattle's newest--and hottest--cop and running into Zachary, the stern yet sexy detective. She must take matters into her own hands to find the Ladybug and salvage her love life, and do it before the day is over. SPECIAL BONUS MATERIAL: Included with this short story are sample chapters from High Strung, Book 1 in the Glass Bead Mystery Series, and A Bead in the Hand, Book Two in the Glass Bead Mystery Series.
Until Death Do Us Tart
Holly Plum - 2016
Bakery owner Joy Cooke is known around town for her scrumptious cakes, flaky pastries, and her killer chocolate tart. But when Joy's client, a batty bride-to-be, learns her ex-boyfriend is dead after eating one of Joy's desserts, the bakery becomes the center of a murder investigation. With the help of a spacy assistant and a fluffy cat named Cheesecake, Joy sets out to find the murderer. Her investigation points to her number one competitor in town, but would Joy's rival Maple McWayne resort to murder to put her out of business?
Murder & Spice and Everything Nice
Caryn Thomas Mitchell - 2017
Baby books in the nursery, entertaining books in the dining room and romance reads in the ladies boudoir. It looked like it would work out great right up until the moment that the leader of a local religious cult turned up dead in the driveway. Soon his wife is dead as well.Through no fault of her own, Ivy feels she has to meddle...uh help, investigate. It's not at all because the lead investigator is her high school crush. It's because her livelihood is at stake. After all, who wants to shop at a bookstore where people keep dying? This is a novella, the perfect length to read in an afternoon in your favorite cozy chair.