Book picks similar to
Crimes on Campus by Susan Harper
mystery-cozy
first-in-series
novella
mystery
Murder in Aspen Notch
Kathleen McKee - 2019
Now newlyweds, they’d decided to relocate to Aspen Notch, a small town in the Poconos, where they could enjoy the mountain vistas and a restful retirement. Out of the blue, Alan was offered an interim position as chief of police, Aspen Notch’s only cop. Thinking it would be an easy gig in a quiet town, Sue encouraged Alan to accept the job while she focused on the renovations to the home they bought. They were barely settled before Sue found a dead body, inherited an unruly puppy, and was sent a death threat. Would Sue be able to help Alan solve the crime before the killer made good on the warning? Murder in Aspen Notch, an engaging whodunit, is the first book of the Aspen Notch Mystery series.
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.
Dead on Account
Mariah Kingdom - 2015
For Rose Bennett, banking consultant turned private investigator, the event shouldn’t be more than a headline in a newspaper. Except that Rose is investigating a bank fraud at the East & Northern Bank, and Pandora Mitchell’s evidence is the key to her enquiries. As Rose begins to uncover evidence of Pandora’s involvement in the fraud, her colleagues at the bank begin to close ranks. Soon old acquaintances from the past begin to look more like enemies than friends, and as word spreads that Rose is assisting DI George Mulligan to investigate Pandora’s disappearance, someone makes it pretty clear that her presence in the town isn’t welcome.But as the days pass, and fears for the missing girl grow, there’s more at stake than a bank’s reputation, and Rose doesn’t scare that easily …*Previously published under the title Collusion
Run Aground
Christy Barritt - 2021
. .Med student Kenzie Anderson, tired of letting others chart her future, accepts a job as second steward aboard Almost Paradise. But when she finds the captain dead before the charter even begins, her plans seem to capsize.Jimmy James Gamble senses something vulnerable and slightly naive about Kenzie when he finds her on the docks. Realizing danger may still be lingering close, he uses his hidden skills to earn a place on the charter. But being there causes him to risk everything—especially as more suspicious incidents occur.As they set out to sea, Kenzie and Jimmy James both wonder if they’re in over their heads. They must figure out how to stop a killer before anyone onboard is hurt . . . otherwise, both their futures might just run aground.Lantern Beach Mayday is a three book series. Other books in this series are:Dead ReckoningTipping Point
Charmed to Death
Constance Barker - 2020
Her Beagle familiar Gus teleports and talks, that is, only to those in the supernatural persuasion. Her best buds Percy, the local news reporter and gossip can hear whispers from yards away, and Millie, the local alpaca owner, makes all sorts of clothing from her enchanted animal's wool. Of course the garments give the buyer the warmth, peace and comfort they need.While things have been pleasant since the seasonal opening of the Farmer's Market, a scream breaks through the crowd. A murder of one of their own vendors has occurred. Elle and Gus take matters into their own hands and paws, much to the annoyance of the hot detective Jason, panther-shifter.Also on hand are some of the regular Farmer's market vendors with their bevy of delightful goods. Join the community and see what happens in the first Farmer's Market Witch Mystery Series book.
Mercury Rising
Jerusha Jones - 2016
Combine the resulting murder investigation with mysterious nighttime kayak trips, politicians run amok, nosy neighbors, and culinary lessons for her blue-haired teenage tagalong, Willow Ratliff, and Eva has her hands full. It doesn’t help that the police detective on the case is handsome, annoying, and more than willing to match her snide remarks with witticisms of his own. Soon, Eva is a walking repository of other people’s secrets. It’s not a role she ever asked for, and it just might prove lethal.
Murder is Elementary
Diane Weiner - 2014
What a joy to be able to attend the holiday concert without worrying about how her chorus will perform. But wait. Where's the principal? Susan offers to check, only to find the principal lying dead on her office floor. Of course, now that she's retired she has time to help the local police (one of whom is her daughter) solve the mysterious crime. Did the principal die of natural causes? The bruise on her face doesn't seem severe enough to be fatal. What about that funfetti cupcake sitting on her desk? Could she have been poisoned? Susan has just found the perfect retirement activity, much to her daughter's chagrin. And when the principal's teenage daughter, one of Susan's all time favorite students, asks for help - how can she say no? Little does she realize that this crime will take her far from the schoolhouse doors, as she investigates a mystery that extends back into one family's painful past.
I'm Going to Kill that Cat!: Start reading this cozy mystery right away!
F. Della Notte - 2018
Is this oddball detective team Heaven-sent? Busybody Mrs. B has her heart in the right place—even if her nose isn’t. As the housekeeper and assistant to Father Melvyn Kronkey, she knows everything about everyone in their little Catholic church. But when a public spat fueled by a mischievous pussycat leaves one parishioner dead and another the prime suspect, an old woman’s freedom depends on her snooping. Sorting through the victim’s pilfered journal, with help from an uncannily intuitive cat, the amateur sleuths uncover a shadowy trail of vice. But when the sanctuary suffers a break-in and a mysterious prowler is spotted around town, exposing the truth could send them to an early appointment with St. Peter. Can Mrs. B, Father Melvyn, and their feline friend nab the culprit before the church’s reputation goes to Hell? I’m Going to Kill that Cat is the deliciously intriguing first book in the Housekeeper Mystery cozy series. If you like character-driven stories, quirky personalities, and crime-solving kitties, then you’ll love F. Della Notte’s furry ball of fun. Buy I’m Going to Kill that Cat for a holy rolling whodunit today!
Secrets in a Bottle
Shelly West - 2019
She's been struggling to make it in Boston when a call beckons her down to the cozy seaside town of Wallace Point. Now's her chance to meet a grandmother she never knew--if Grandma survives, that is!Grandma is in a coma after an apparent break-in at her antique store, leaving Abigail to run Whodunit Antiques in her absence. The locals are very protective of Grandma, their de facto town matriarch, making Abigail wonder... just who is this woman?When Grandma wakes up, a mystery unfolds, starting with a dead body, a broken ship in a bottle, and a historical maritime rivalry. Will Abigail uncover the centuries-old secret that put Grandma in the hospital? And will Abigail learn why her mother kept her away from Grandma for all these years?The Whodunit Antiques series is fun, quirky, and, most importantly, cozy! So settle into your favorite chair, preferably with a cup of hot cocoa in hand, and get ready to escape into a town whose residents are always up to mischief, and where pirates run amok.
Raspberry Ripple Murder
Abby Byne - 2016
The only drawback to her new life as a baker is the dead electrician in her kitchen.Was the electrician the victim of a tragic on-the-job accident, or is there something much more sinister afoot? It’s up to Bitsie to find out with a little help from her sister-in-law, her recently-retired-from-the-police-force brother, and her too-handsome-to-be-real shop assistant.It’s not easy finding a murderer when your most compelling clue is a half-eaten raspberry ripple cupcake, but perhaps a pleasantly-plump cupcake connoisseur is the perfect woman for the job.
Scoop Away
S.Y. Robins - 2015
Everything is riding on the Cow & Moon launch going as planned. With all of Amber's life savings poured into the business she has no plan B. When, on the day of the official launch, a women drops dead in the middle of store, Amber is not only in danger of losing her business - she is a prime suspect. Taking matters into her own hands, Amber decides to investigate the case herself. She needs to clear her own name, and she needs to save the business she has worked so hard to start. When she meets Ryan, the cute barista/manager of a competitor's store, Amber really has to put her instincts to the test. Could Ryan be the one to blame, or is Amber not seeing what is right in front of her nose?
Tea and Cupcakes: Twelve Book Cozy Mystery Collection
Katherine Hayton - 2020
Mutiny on the Bayou
Shari Hearn - 2015
While there they search for clues proving the judge who sentenced them received kickbacks from the company running the camp. But they soon discover a crooked judge is the least of their concerns.Someone may have been murdered.Join Gertie, Fortune and Ida Belle as they try to solve the mystery of The Mutiny on the Bayou (Sinful Stories Book 2).A WORD FROM THE AUTHOR: Mutiny on the Bayou was first published on September 18, 2015 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
Candy Canes & Corpses
Abby L. VandiverMona Marple - 2018
Candy Canes & Murder is a festive boxed set of twelve (12) cozy Christmas mysteries. A limited edition of never-before-published holiday whodunnits written by WSJ, USA Today and best selling authors. Fun, short stories that will put you in the mood for everyone's favorite time of the year. Pre-order your copy today! Abby L. Vandiver Sonia Parin Dianne Harman Tonya Kappes Kathryn Dionne Sylvia & Leigh Selfman Jenna St. James Constance Barker Mona Marple Ani Gonzalez Zanna Mackenzie Tricia L. Sanders
Agatha Christie Investigates Omnibus
Alison Joseph - 2018
“Wickedly clever - written with a sharp eye and elan. Guaranteed to make every Agatha Christie fan smile.” - Peter James
Murder Will Out (Agatha Christie Investigates Book 1): 1923. The Great War is over, but the ghosts of the dead still linger. Agatha Christie was one of the lucky ones - her husband returned from the conflict - and for her, and her local neighbours, life has resumed. Agatha is beginning to gain some notoriety for her crime writing and she is busy working on her latest novel. But then her neighbour tells her there has been a real ‘murder at the vicarage’ - a young man, Cecil Coates, has been poisoned, and due to Christie’s expertise, the neighbourhood wants her to investigate. What secrets and lies are lying beneath the village’s tranquil exterior? Can Agatha Christie use her imagination to draw the murderer out?
‘Christie herself is the fulcrum of this highly diverting piece, delivered with all the quirky skill that is Joseph’s trademark.’ - Barry Forshaw, Crime Time.
Hidden Sins (Agatha Christie Investigates Book 2):
Summer, 1925
Life is starting to go back to normal after the shock of the Great War.
Agatha Christie, now a successful crime author, is holidaying in Cornwall.
And when her husband, Archie, has to leave early, she decides to use her alone time to work on a romance novel.
But it isn’t long before she finds herself thrown back into the world of murder and intrigue.
A fellow guest at Agatha’s hotel is murdered in the early hours of the morning, and all guests become suspects.
Agatha soon discovers that there is far more going on in the sleepy Cornish town than first meets the eye. Her enquiries unearth tales of ghosts, secret affairs and mysterious ship wrecks.
Tension escalates amongst the residents of the hotel when they realise that the murderer is somewhere in their midst.
Can Agatha Christie unmask the identity of the killer before anyone else becomes a victim?
‘Christie herself is the fulcrum of this highly diverting piece, delivered with all the quirky skill that is Joseph’s trademark.’ - Barry Forshaw, Crime Time.
‘Clever and intriguing - a must for all Agatha Christie fans’ - Peter James
Death in Disguise (Agatha Christie Investigates Book 3):
Some people want to be fooled…
1920s, London
Agatha Christie, the famous detective writer, is struggling to come to terms with her divorce. So much so that she can barely bring herself to say the word.