#Midweekmystery: Mining for Murder by Mary Angela

A Happy Camper Mystery

The South Dakota Gold Rush might be long over, but Zo Jones feels like she’s hit the mother lode when she and her friends browse an estate sale, where a rare old book about the history of Spirit Canyon is causing quite a commotion. In addition to local stories and secrets, the book may even contain the location of a famous stash of gold—a treasure worth killing for Canyon’s annual Spirit Spooktacular weekend is on, and for local amateur sleuth Zo Jones, it’s boomtime for business at her Happy Camper gift shop . . . until a murderer drops in for a browse.

Zo’s friend Maynard Cline wins the bid on the book, to the chagrin of many interested parties, including the historical society and college history department. But when Zo and Hattie head to Maynard’s mansion to borrow the book for a library event, the only thing they find is Maynard—at the bottom of the mountain. The valuable book is gone. Zo knows this must be murder because there’s no way a germophobe like Maynard would have voluntarily dived into a pile of dirt. Now she’ll have to dig into a new case, and go prospecting for a perpetrator

Mary Angela

Mary Angela

The Happy Camper Mysteries

Mary Angela is the author of the Happy Camper cozy mystery series, the Professor Prather academic mystery series, and several short stories. When Mary isn’t penning heartwarming whodunits, she’s teaching, reading, traveling, or spending time with her family. She lives in South Dakota with her husband, daughters, and spoiled pets. You can find out more about her loves, including her writing, at MaryAngelaBooks.com.
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Header Image: Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota

#Midweekmystery: Midnight Spells Murder by Mary Angela

Spirit Canyon’s annual Spirit Spooktacular weekend is on, and for local amateur sleuth Zo Jones, it’s boomtime for business at her Happy Camper gift shop . . . until a murderer drops in for a browse.

To celebrate Halloween at the Happy Camper, Zo schedules a talk by successful author and self-proclaimed witch Marianne Morgan. Although Marianne’s benign brand of witchcraft is more about feminine empowerment than black magic, her presence is still not welcomed by everyone. Then on a midnight stroll home, Zo spots what seems to be a new Halloween decoration propped up outside the Happy Camper. What she finds is not a mannequin but a dead Marianne, her lifeless body dressed in traditional witch’s garb. But why would someone send this good witch back to the spirit world permanently?

Soon Zo realizes that plenty of folks have motives for murdering Marianne. What’s worse, nosy TV newsman Justin Castle plans to broadcast a report associating Marianne’s murder with the Happy Camper. Zo calls on her partner in sleuthing, local forest ranger Max Harrington, to help her find the culprit before Justin’s report airs. Otherwise Zo’s business just might go bust. But to catch this killer, Zo will have to risk much more than just her reputation . . .

Mary Angela

Mary Angela

The Happy Camper Mysteries

Mary Angela is the author of the Happy Camper cozy mystery series, the Professor Prather academic mystery series, and several short stories. When Mary isn’t penning heartwarming whodunits, she’s teaching, reading, traveling, or spending time with her family. She lives in South Dakota with her husband, daughters, and spoiled pets. You can find out more about her loves, including her writing, at MaryAngelaBooks.com.
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Header Image: Spearfish Canyon, South Dakota

#TuesdayTip go back to school with these academic mysteries

Enter to win! One grand prize winner gets all five books. Five winners each get one ebook.

It’s back to school! I’m collaborating with four wonderful authors to bring you a giveaway opportunity.

And if you like academic mysteries, among the five of us, there are more than twenty books in our series:
Braxton Campus Mysteries by James. J. Cudney
Cassandra Sato Mysteries by Kelly Brakenhoff
Lila Maclean Academic Mysteries by Cynthia Kuhn
Professor Molly Mysteries by Frankie Bow
Professor Prather Mysteries by Mary Angela

When local big-shot Jimmy Tanaka, “The Most Hated Man in Hawaii,” pledges a huge donation to Molly’s college and then disappears, Molly’s bottom-line-obsessed dean tasks her with locating the missing mogul.
English professor Lila Maclean is thrilled about her new job at prestigious Stonedale University, until she finds one of her colleagues dead.Now she must act quickly to avoid failing her assignment…and becoming the next victim.
In sleepy Copper Bluff, South Dakota, English professor Emmeline Prather is enjoying a new semester. But when one of her students dies working on the fall musical, Prof. Prather has good reason to suspect foul play.
When Kellan Ayrwick returns home for his father’s retirement, he finds a body in Diamond Hall’s stairwell. Something is amiss on campus, but none of the facts add up. Can they find the killer before he strikes again?
Cassandra Sato traded her life in Hawai’i for a dream position in Nebraska. She expected the church casseroles, land-locked cornfields, and face-freezing winters. But  it’s her job that’s rapidly becoming a nightmare.

You’ll have over thirty entry options between Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Newsletter Sign-Ups and More.

The giveaway opens today on September 15th and will close at 11:59 PM EST on September 20th. We will randomly choose the winners shortly afterward and announce the winners on our websites and social media. You can also see the winners from the giveaway link once we select them. Good Luck to Everyone!

#Midweekmystery: Coming Up Murder by Mary Angela, A Bad Hair Day Cookbook by Nancy J. Cohen, and The Wipeout Affair by Rachel Neuburger Reynolds

Everything’s coming up roses for Professor Emmeline Prather. Her scholarly book is finished, spring term is coming to a close, and her love life is blossoming. Then the festival surrounding the exhibit of Shakespeare’s First Folio opens, bringing with it a tempest more dramatic than the bard’s.

In his panel presentation, actor and grad student Tanner Sparks contends Shakespeare isn’t Shakespeare, boasting that he can prove the long-debated theory that an aristocrat actually penned the sonnets and plays. His bombshell sets off an acrid debate among scholars. But were they upset enough to kill him? That’s what Em wonders when Tanner is found dead in Shakespeare’s Garden, his macabre pose inspired by a scene from Hamlet.

At her department head’s urging, Em sets out to find the killer. Suspects abound, and Em finds herself targeted by Shakespeare-themed threats. Undaunted, she persists, determined to solve the case before the end of the semester.


Character Interview

Q: Dr. Prather, welcome to Island Confidential. Can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself–maybe something they might not guess?

My name is Emmeline Prather, but my friends call me Em. I’m an assistant professor of English at the university in Copper Bluff, South Dakota. Readers might not know that I like fast cars and drive a 1969 Mustang convertible. I’m from Detroit. What can I say? I haven’t met a muscle car I didn’t like.

Q: Is there any character in Coming Up Murder you get along with particularly well?

Lenny and I get along swell, especially lately. We’ve been dating four months, and I’m surprised by how little we fight—except when I’m investigating a murder. Then he feels compelled to give me the usual warnings, which I promptly ignore.

Q:  Is there anyone you aren’t a big fan of…of whom you aren’t a big fan…you know what I mean.

Mrs. Gunderson (my elderly next-door neighbor) and I are resolving our conflicts one cookie at a time. I used to be irritated by her yapping dog, constant lights, and well-meaning advice. But now I understand I was being a little rash. Lights do deter criminals, and her dog, Darling, really isn’t that bad. He’s just old and cantankerous—like someone else I know. Ahem.

Q:  Which brings me to my next question. Just between you and me: What do you really think of your author?

She’s terribly devoted. I’ll say that. She cried when she finished this book, and I don’t blame her. What Lenny did, well, it was quite touching. My heart still skips a beat at the thought of it.

Q: Sorry readers, no spoilers, you’ll have to find out for yourself what Lenny did. Dr. Prather, what’s next for you?

I’ve solved four murders, so I think I’ll take a break. In the meantime, my author is starting a new series. This one is about a shop keeper, Zo Jones, who owns the eclectic Happy Camper gift store in the heart of the Black Hills National Forest. The first book, Open for Murder, will be out November 2020 by Kensington.  We’re both very excited!

Mary Angela

Professor Prather Mysteries, Happy Camper Mysteries

Mary Angela is the author of two cozy mystery series that have strong protagonists with soft hearts. Emmeline Prather is the witty young teacher in the Professor Prather series, and Zo Jones is the sassy sleuth and shop owner in the Happy Camper series (coming from Kensington in 2020). When Mary isn’t penning heartwarming whodunits, she’s teaching, reading, traveling, or spending time with her family. She’s the proud mom of two beautiful daughters and the shameless owner of two very spoiled pets. You can find out more about her loves, including her writing, at MaryAngelaBooks.com.
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Review

Coming Up Murder is the fourth Professor Prather mystery, but it reads just fine as a standalone.

When the book opens, we join Emmeline Prather at a high point, with her love life humming along and the much-anticipated Shakespeare exhibit about to start. Naturally, this being a murder mystery, things don’t run smoothly for long.

Like the earlier books, Coming Up Murder has an entertaining cast of characters, some you will root for, others you want to nominate as the next murder victim. But if you work in academia, you will recognize all of them.

There aren’t nearly enough academic murder mysteries in the world. With her fourth Professor Prather mystery, author Mary Angela helps to right this cosmic imbalance.

Professor Emmeline Prather is a likable and relatable heroine, and the academic shenanigans are understated if anything. Highly entertaining, and recommended for anyone who likes cozies with a light touch of satire.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Having a bad hair day? Whip out your whisk, snatch up your spoon, and prepare your palate. Inside the pages of this cookbook are recipes that will bring you good cheer. Enjoy 160+ tasty recipes from Nancy J. Cohen’s popular Bad Hair Day cozy mystery series. Included in this cookbook are excerpts, cooking tips, and anecdotes written by hairstylist and savvy sleuth Marla Vail. From appetizers to desserts, Marla offers cooking tips and tricks along with commentary about the dishes she prepares for her family. Whether you’re a skilled cook or an eager novice, this cookbook will unravel the mystery of cooking. Put on your apron and plan to make some killer recipes.

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About the Author

Nancy J. Cohen

Bad Hair Day Mysteries

Nancy J. Cohen writes the Bad Hair Day Mysteries featuring South Florida hairstylist Marla Vail. Titles in this series have been named Best Cozy Mystery by Suspense Magazine, won a Readers’ Favorite gold medal, placed first in the Chanticleer International Book Awards and third in the Arizona Literary Awards. Nancy’s instructional guide, Writing the Cozy Mystery, was nominated for an Agatha Award and won a gold medal at the President’s Book Awards from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association. When not busy writing, Nancy enjoys cooking, fine dining, cruising, visiting Disney World, and shopping.

Author Links
Website:  https://nancyjcohen.com
Blog: https://nancyjcohen.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyJCohenAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nancyjcohen
LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancyjcohen
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Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/njcohen/
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The Wipeout Affair by Rachel Neuburger Reynolds

There’s trouble in paradise, in the hilarious second book of the Red Frog Beach Mystery Series. When the body of a beautiful wealthy local is found at an isolated surf camp, the owner calls on Lexie to help him figure out who did it in this delicious whodunit. Reluctant sleuth Lexie first turns to the police, but her sudden access to a treasure-trove of island secrets convinces her it’s time to solve another murder on her own.

Rachel Neuburger Reynolds

Red Frog Beach Mysteries

Rachel Neuburger Reynolds is the author of the Red Frog Beach Mystery Series. Book 1, Drowning Lessons, was released on May 21, 2019, and the second in the series, The Wipeout Affair, was released on October 17, 2019. She’s also working on a separate series, The Evelyn Bay Murder Mystery series, and has written book one The Death Of A Classic. If all goes as planned you’ll be reading this in 2020. This is the first of book of seven in the series. Two of her plays have been produced in recent years. The Silencer, a cautionary tale about the perils of online dating, premiered at the Edinburgh Festival, followed by a run in New York. Nepenthe, a one-woman show about the 1960’s Hollywood-fication of the Holocaust had its premiere in London, and she is currently in talks about a film adaptation in 2021. Previous to her life of putting pen to paper, she produced theatre in New York City for fifteen years. Though she bounces back and forth between London in New York my headquarters is in Crowhurst on the South Coast of the UK.

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