Thanks to Maddy’s social media savvy, Baby Cakes Bakery is becoming a huge success—so much so that she’s attracted the attention of her former nemesis, the fiancé-stealing Brandy Denton. When Brandy blows into New Bison like an ill wind and disrupts a vlog Maddy’s filming, their argument goes viral. After Brandy’s body is found in the freezer at Baby Cakes, Maddy instantly goes from viral sensation to murder suspect.
As Maddy is still reeling from the murder, a stranger shows up in the bakery claiming to have been a friend of Octavia. He believes Maddy is in danger. When a second body washes up on the lake shore, it seems clear someone’s out to kill to keep a secret—and it may have to do with her great aunt.
Maddy rallies her aunt’s friends, the Baker Street Irregulars; Sheriff April Johnson; and her veterinarian boyfriend Michael—not to mention her English mastiff Baby—to do some digging and root out whoever’s behind the killings . . .
Valerie (V. M.) Burns is an Agatha and Edgar Award-nominated author. She is the author of the Mystery Bookshop, Dog Club, RJ Franklin, and Baker Street Mystery series. As Kallie E. Benjamin, Valerie writes the Bailey the Bloodhound Mystery series. She is an adjunct professor in the Writing Popular Fiction Program at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA, and a mentor in the Pocket MFA program. Born and raised in northwestern Indiana, Valerie now lives in Northern Georgia with her two poodles. Connect with Valerie at vmburns.com.
Raising butterflies is peaceful and calm, until someone dies.
Majestic Monarch Butterfly Farm might flitter away forever. That is, unless Seneca James acquires the property next door. She and Winifred, her costume-wearing cat, have a fight on their hands. Their land sits next to a milkweed-covered field, essential for monarchs. If she’s unsuccessful in buying it, her precious, winged friends won’t survive. When people end up dead on her farmland, Seneca is suspected of murder.
What is it about the milkweed field that’s worth killing for? And who’s the murderer?
Ruth J. Hartman spends her days herding cats and her nights spinning mysterious tales. She, her husband, and their cats love to spend time curled up in their recliners watching old Cary Grant movies. Well, the cats sit in the people’s recliners. Not that the cats couldn’t get their own furniture. They just choose to shed on someone else’s.
Ruth, a left-handed, cat-herding, farmhouse-dwelling writer uses her sense of humor as she writes tales of lovable, klutzy women who seem to find trouble without even trying.
Ruth’s husband and best friend, Garry, reads her manuscripts, rolls his eyes at her weird story ideas, and loves her despite her insistence all of her books have at least one cat in them. See updates about her cozy mysteries at Ruthjhartman.com.
Bookstore owner and Michigander Samantha Washington is thrilled to see her debut historical mystery finally on the shelves, but a killer seems determined to steal away the spotlight . . .
While Sam wraps up her first whirlwind book tour, Nana Jo has kept Market Street Mysteries running smoothly. The last stop is a prestigious book festival in Sam’s hometown of North Harbor, Michigan. But not everyone thinks the guest of honor, bestselling author Judith Hunter, deserves stellar reviews. Sam witnesses nasty arguments between Judith and two different authors—who accuse her of plagiarism and sabotage . . .
When a publicist is poisoned during a cocktail reception, Sam wonders if the killer missed the intended target. It’s a twist that echoes the plot of Sam’s mystery, Murder at Wickfield Lodge. But fact can be stranger—and deadlier—than fiction. How much collateral damage is the killer willing to risk? With feisty Nana Jo and the girls from Shady Acres Retirement Village lending a hand, Sam tries to solve the case before the festival delivers another fatality . . .
Author Interview
Today we’re thrilled to have Valerie “V. M.” Burns to talk about her latest Mystery Bookshop mystery, Murder on Tour. As both a reader and writer of cozy mysteries, I especially enjoyed the book tour setting!
Valerie, can you tell us about the protagonist, Samantha?
Samantha Washington and her late husband Leon dreamed of quitting their jobs and opening a mystery bookshop. When Leon dies, Sam realizes that life is too short not to follow your dreams. So, she quits her job and she opens the bookstore. But, the bookstore was their shared dream. Sam also dreamed of writing British historical mysteries. Sam is now realizing the culmination of all of her dreams with the publication of her first mystery, Murder at Wickfield Lodge. Her life on tour as a published author is nothing like J.B. Fletcher from Murder, She Wrote. Still, Sam has found success with her bookstore and her writing. She has also opened her heart to love and is engaged. Life is good.
Is Samantha anything like you?
Samantha Washington dreamed of quitting her job and opening a mystery bookshop and writing British historical cozy mysteries because that’s my dream, too. We both have pushy older sisters. Plus, Sam and I both have two toy poodles.
So quite a bit in common then! Also I’d love to visit your mystery bookshop when it opens. How do you think you would you feel about Samantha if you met her in real life?
If I were to meet her in real life, I think we would be best friends.
Have you ever thought of killing someone that you know in real life–on the pages of a murder mystery, I mean?
YES! This is how I get my victims. Whenever someone makes me angry, I add them to the list of victims. I always change the names of the victims, but I leave the initials. I find it cathartic.
I’m definitely going to pay attention to the murder victims’ initials from now on. How about the setting of your story? Do you take liberties, or are you true to life?
The Mystery Bookshop Mystery series is set in the fictional town of North Harbor, Michigan. North Harbor is based on the real town of Benton Harbor. Because North Harbor is a fictional town, I can take a lot of liberties to make the setting work for my books. I have, however, included many details about the setting which are true to life.
When the movie or TV series is made, who plays the major parts?
Kerry Washington as Samantha WashingtonLoretta Devine as Nana JoTaraji P. Henson as Jenna RutherfordIdris Elba as Frank PattersonOR Djimon Hounsou as Frank Patterson
My dream cast would be Kerry Washington as Samantha Washington. Loretta Devine as Nana Jo. Taraji P. Henson as Jenna Rutherford, and Idris Elba or Djimon Hounsou as Frank Patterson.
What’s the worst and best advice you’ve heard or received as an author?
The worst advice I’ve received is from well-meaning people who tell me to do XXX (e.g. follow a detailed plot, get up at 4am to write, follow the trends, etc.). There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to writing. In my opinion, each person should do what makes them happy. Creating a detailed outline does not make me happy. In fact, when I tried to force myself to follow what others told me to do, it sucked all of the joy out of writing. Every person is different. Know what works for you and do that.
About the Author
Valerie (V. M.) Burns is an Agatha, Anthony, Edgar, and Next Generation Award Finalist. She is the author of the Mystery Bookshop, Dog Club, RJ Franklin, and Baker Street Mystery series. Valerie is a member of Crime Writers of Color, Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Dog Writers of America, and Thriller Writers International. Valerie has a Bachelor’s Degree from Northwestern University, a Master’s Degree in Business from the University of Notre Dame, and a Master of Fine Arts from Seton Hill University. In addition to writing, Valerie works as a manager at a call center, and is also a mentor in the Writing Popular Fiction MFA Program at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA. Born and raised in northwest Indiana, Valerie now lives in Northern Georgia with her two poodles.
An Alaskan tour guide is bracing for winter when she realizes that the wolves aren’t the only predators on the prowl.
With boat tours off the coast of Alaska shut down for the winter, tour guide Stacie Calder is joining the dedicated team at the Juneau Wildlife World, a wild animal sanctuary. Along with Sasha, her husky companion, she’s prepared to spend the long season in the scenic park. But not everyone is so chipper about the newcomers—least of all, Stacie’s new manager, Oliver Brownling. He constantly gives Stacie a hard time, specifically because she brought Sasha along with her. That is, until his mauled body is found in a remote part of the sanctuary containing wolves.
When it becomes clear that a human was responsible for the brutal murder, all eyes are on Stacie.
With the weather worsening, Stacie and Sasha are forced to stay at the sanctuary with the wolves—and her colleagues. As the storm gets worse, it’s clear that this killer has a taste for blood and may strike again. Will Stacie be able to find the murderer, or will the hunter become the hunted?
Lark O. Jensen is the pseudonym of Linda O. Johnston, a former lawyer who is now a full-time writer. Lark wrote Bear Witness, the first Alaska Untamed mystery for Crooked Lane Books, in 2022, and the second in the series, Cry Wolf, has just been published. Linda has also written the Barkery & Biscuits Mystery series and the Superstition Mysteries for Midnight Ink and the Pet Rescue Mysteries and Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime. Linda additionally writes for Harlequin Romantic Suspense, and her stories often involve dogs.
The first five Professor Molly mysteries, plus a bonus! This box set presents the first five Professor Molly mysteries in the order in which they are meant to be read and enjoyed:
The Musubi Murder: After a brutal year on the academic job market, Professor Molly Barda finally lands a teaching job. In Hawaii!
The Case of the Defunct Adjunct: Follow your dreams, and you’ll never work a day in your life. Because that field’s not hiring.
The Cursed Canoe: Seven women on the crew. Six seats in the canoe. Paddlers would kill to compete in the big race. What could go wrong?
The Black Thumb: It should have been a lovely summer afternoon.
The Invasive Species:It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature.
BONUS CONTENT: Alice Mongoose and Alistair Rat in Hawaii In The Invasive Species, we meet Alice Mongoose and Alistair Rat, protagonists of the classic children’s picture book series. When Alice Mongoose sails from India to a sugar plantation on the Big Island of Hawaii, she is shocked to learn what her new job entails. She decides instead to strike out on her own. When she meets the gentle and dapper Alistair Rat, she knows that she has found a friend in her new Hawaiian home. The Alice Mongoose and Alistair Rat stories are classic tales of adventure, resilience, and friendship, beloved to this day by children of all ages.
Includes the second six Professor Molly mysteries and an exclusive bonus short story with reporter Pat Flanagan and young Harriet Holmes!
Mother’s Day: Professor Molly is not thrilled at having to “tutor” (babysit) a spoiled rich kid. Especially not while she’s battling morning sickness, a meddling mom, and (as always) the Student Retention Office. But once inside the historic Brigham House, Molly realizes something is very wrong. And she has to decide whether to mind her own business and keep her job, or risk everything to prevent a murder.
The Nakamura Letters: Professor Emma Nakamura doesn’t believe in ghosts. So it doesn’t bother her (much) when she learns of a long-ago suicide in her remote upcountry rental house. She’s sure there’s a logical explanation for the disappearing items and the strange sounds in the night. Fortunately (?), Emma’s best friend Molly has news shocking enough to take Emma’s mind off the hauntings.
The Perfect Body: When Professor Molly attends Mahina State University’s exclusive donor dinner, she doesn’t expect to share a table with the insufferable Stephen Park. Turns out it’s one thing to invite your toxic ex-boyfriend to drop dead…it’s quite another when he takes you up on it.
The Fever Cabinet: Through no fault of her own, Professor Molly just got promoted to department chair. The Student Retention Office has her buried in paperwork. The college has just relocated to a former asylum. Molly’s dean has directed her to appease the department’s new star, the prickly Fiona Spencer. At least nothing else can go wrong. And then Fiona finds a body in her office.
The Influencer: There’s no such thing as bad publicity. Until it happens to you.
EXCLUSVE BONUS CONTENT: Death at the Effigy
It’s 1984. Young Pat Flanagan gets his first reporting job at San Diego’s second-coolest ‘zine, Voltaire’s Quill. But when Pat covers the opening night of a trendy new club, he witnesses a freak “accident” and has to choose: keep his eccentric editor Harriet and her advertisers happy, or find out the truth?
A 30-year-old skeleton. A missing girl. Will a deadly secret remain buried for ever?
Sergeant Keya Varma is delighted with her new part-time role as the Cotswolds’ Rural Engagement Officer. She’s also fulfilling her dream of opening a small neighbourhood café. But she gets herself into a stew with renovation works when builders unearth a young girl’s remains.
While Keya and her police colleagues gain ground reviewing the unsolved disappearance of a local girl, her brief taste of success turns to dust when a friend is found dead at her tea shop. Confusion over identities threatens to bury the investigation and our junior police officer is worried that justice won’t be served.
Can Keya dig into the mystery and uncover the real culprit?
Earl Grey and Shallow Graves is the first book in The Waterwheel Café series. If you’ve enjoyed the Dotty Sayers Antique Mystery series, then you’ll love meeting some of your favourite characters and making new friends in Victoria Tait’s intriguing British cozy mystery.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Victoria Tait
The Waterwheel Café Mysteries
I was born and raised in Yorkshire, UK, and never expected to travel the world. I’ve drawn on my experiences following my military husband to write cozy murder mystery books with vivid and evocative settings. My determined female sleuths are joined by colourful but realistic teams of helpers, and you’ll experience surprises, humour, and sometimes, a tug on your heartstrings.
I hope you enjoyed Keya’s first book. Why not join her and her friends as they solve more mysteries in my Dotty Sayers Antique Mystery series, also based in the Cotswolds. Visit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TMJFL7L
Do you like tea, cakes and books? Then why not join our TeaCozy Club for regular news and updates, and receive your free book gift at VictoriaTait.com
It’s hurricane season in New Orleans and vintage cookbook fan Ricki James-Diaz is trying to shelve her weather-related fears and focus on her business, Miss Vee’s Vintage Cookbook and Kitchenware Shop, housed in the magnificent Bon Vee Culinary House Museum.
Repairs on the property unearth crates of very old, very valuable French wine, buried by the home’s builder, Jean-Louis Charbonnet. Ricki, who’s been struggling to attract more customers to Miss Vee’s, is thrilled when her post about the discovery of this long-buried treasure goes viral. She’s less thrilled when the post brings distant Charbonnet family members out of the woodwork, all clamoring for a cut of the wine’s sale.
When a dead body turns up in Bon Vee’s cheery fall decorations, the NOPD zeroes in on Eugenia Charbonnet Felice as the prime suspect, figuring that as head of the Charbonnet family, she has the most to gain. Ricki is determined to uncover the real culprit, but she can’t help noticing that Eugenia is acting strangely. Ricki wonders what kind of secret her mentor has bottled up, and fears what might happen if she uncorks it.
In the second Vintage Cookbook Mystery, Ricki has to help solve a murder, untangle family secrets, and grow her business, all while living under the threat of a hurricane that could wipe out everything from her home to Bon Vee.
Ellen’s Cajun Country Mysteries have won the Agatha Award for Best Contemporary Novel and multiple Lefty Awards for Best Humorous Mystery. Bayou Book Thief will be the first book in her new Vintage Cookbook Mysteries. She also writes the Catering Hall Mystery series under the name Maria DiRico.
Ellen is an award-winning playwright, and non-award-winning TV writer of comedies like Wings, Just Shoot Me, and Fairly Odd Parents. She has written over two hundred articles for national magazines but considers her most impressive credit working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart. An alum of New Orleans’ Tulane University, she blogs with Chicks on the Case, is a lifetime member of the Writers Guild of America and will be the 2023 Left Coast Crime Toastmaster. Please visit her at https://www.ellenbyron.com/
Aztec gold artifacts from the 16th Century, a fake treasure map, and cryptic clues lead to a cave in the Canadian wilderness
Two cousins get together to investigate the death of a favorite uncle and to honor his legacy by fulfilling his dream to recover Aztec gold. They are thwarted in their efforts by greedy family members, a jumble of challenging clues, a prank from the grave, and unscrupulous treasure seekers.
What begins with a letter from the deceased leads to a wilderness adventure and ends with revealed secrets and a confession.
Charlotte Stuart, PhD, is an award-winning mystery writer who got her start in academia, left a tenured faculty position to go commercial fishing in Alaska, spent a frustrating year as a political speech writer, enjoyed time as a management consultant, and survived several years as a VP of HR and training.
Her current passion is for writing mysteries with complex characters and twisty plots. Books in her Macavity & Me Mysteries have won a Pinnacle Book Achievement Award, a gold Global Ebook Award, and a Firebird Book Award for humor. Two were NYC Big Book Distinguished Favorites, one was a finalist in Killer Nashville’s Silver Falchion contest, and Not Me! is currently a finalist in the Chanticleer Mystery and Mayhem competition.
Charlotte lives and writes on Vashon Island in the Pacific Northwest and is the past president of the Puget Sound Sisters in Crime.
Entertainment to Die For, a Sisters in Crime Los Angeles anthology, features stories by first-time authors and multi-published authors—all are killers (on the page, anyway). I’m looking forward to reading these 18 suspenseful tales and am thrilled to have my contribution, “Destination Wedding,” included!
In “Destination Wedding,” Professor Molly and her best friend, biology professor Dr. Emma Nakamura, take time away from Mahina State University to attend the wedding of Emma’s brother. But the from the venue (a faux-Japanese ryokan in remote Sleepy Valley, California), to the guest list, to a grisly rehearsal-dinner surprise, it’s far from the uneventful vacation Molly and Emma were hoping for!
Introduction by Sisters in Crime founder and best-selling author, Sara Paretsky.
Jenna Lawson is a cashier at the Blue Market convenience store where Birdie often shops. The two women have formed a strong bond to assuage the losses in their lives, and Birdie thinks of Jenna like the daughter she lost long ago. So, when Jenna goes missing, Birdie is determined to find out what happened to her.
As she works to unravel the mystery, a man at church, Neville Miller, shows interest in Birdie, leading her to wonder if the lonely days are finally coming to an end. But her ghostly husband, Walter, sure isn’t going to like it.
Birdie is on a hunt that may claim the ultimate price—her own life.
Born and raised in the beautiful Bluegrass state of Kentucky, Michelle Bennington developed a passion for books early on that has progressed into a mild hoarding situation and an ever-growing to-read pile. She delights in spinning mysteries and histories.
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