Book Review: THE BODY BUSINESS (A Samantha Newman Mystery Book 1) by Gay Yellen

About the Book (from Amazon)

A missing friend... A jealous rival... 

An investigator with motives of his own. With a great job and a steady guy, Samantha Newman has it made until her best friend at work disappears and doubt creeps in. Is there some ugly reality behind her firm's success?

When she turns to the FBI for help, they send Carter Chapman, a man on a mission, and it doesn't include a headstrong corporate executive with her own set of problems. But after a terrible event puts them on the same path to discovery, they each have to decide if some secrets are worth the price. 

Fast-paced, fun, and full of surprises, The Body Business is Book 1 in the Samantha Newman Mystery Series from award-winning author, Gay Yellen. 

Review 

Samantha is putting pieces together, yet doesn't know what the puzzle will reveal. There's a sleazy co-worker who started on the job at the same time as Sam and immediately told Sam to stay out of her way. Then people start disappearing or dying suddenly. Most recently, it's Sam's best friend. For days, she hasn't returned Sam's calls. At the same time, she's broken up with Derek, who she brought into the company and is rising fast to the top. She doesn't trust him or anyone else. She sends a message to the FBI.

Yellen has a fine, well-developed cast of characters. As she tells the story, I had to agree with Sam that something was off. The FBI agent who finally responds has his own agenda, but comes around to Sam's thinking soon enough. The plot moves at a quick pace and the ending makes sense. If you like mysteries with multiple subplots, lots of action, and twists and turns, you'll enjoy this book. It kept my attention and the other two books in the series are now on my TBR list.

AMAZON

About the Author 

Gay Yellen began working life as a stage and TV actor, then moved behind the camera for the American Film Institute (AFI) as Assistant to the Director of Production. A former magazine editor and national journalism award winner, she was contributing book editor for Five Minutes to Midnight (Delacorte), an international thriller and New York Times Notable. 

Her award-winning Samantha Newman Series of romantic mystery novels includes The Body Business, The Body Next Door, and The Body in the News. 

Gay lives in Texas. She loves connecting with book clubs and community groups in person and online. You can contact her through her website or at GayYellen@gmail.com    

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A Glimpse of Killer Nashville and Bouchercon in Nashville, TN

The last few weeks (8/22-9/2), I attended Killer Nashville and Bouchercon - both writer's conferences, and both in Nashville, TN. The major difference is that Bouchercon caters to fans (readers) as well as writers. This was my first Killer Nashville and I met some interesting people. The first photo below is the cozy mystery panel I was on along with CB Wilson, JD Webb, DL Mitchell, and Kay DiBianca, with Susan Parker moderating. Of note, DL Mitchell won the Silver Falchion Award for Cozy Mystery. It was a fun panel and CB Wilson explained succinctly that a cozy mystery was "a Hallmark movie on steroids." Would you agree with that?

The second was romantic suspense vs. romantic mysteries. That panel included Kathleen Caraway, Lynessa Layne, me, and Gay Yellen. I just finished a book by Gay Yellen - review coming soon. 

Between the two conferences, my husband and I enjoyed Gatlinburg, before returning to Nashville for Bouchercon. We visited the Great Smoky Mountain State Park and stayed in a cabin near the park. This is the sunrise from our deck. 

This is my third Bourchercon and they've all been a little different. Bouchercon 2024 was held at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville. If you've never been to this hotel, it is phenomenal (and larger than life) with a conference center.  I attended a number of panels, saw some people I met at Killer Nashville and previous Bouchercons and made new friends.  

One of the panels I most enjoyed was entitled "Take Me Out to the Ball Game." The panel was moderated by Linda Hurtado Bond, and the panelists were Harlan Coben, Tom Farrell, Elise Hart Kipness, Andrew Welsh-Higgins, and Jonathan Brown. Very entertaining and informative. Not exactly cozy, but I'm a fan of Coben and may have to try some of these other authors.

I participated in a panel on Sunday morning - "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" moderated by Sara Glenn, along with Nicole Asselin, Carolyn Eichhorn, and MS Green. The focus was on cozy mysteries, why we write them, and where we get our ideas. It was a fun panel and I now have more authors to add to my TBR list.

I enjoyed my 10 days in Tennessee, but I came home exhausted and won't be doing back-to-back conference weekends again any time soon. In between, I ready many books so reviews will be coming slowly but surely.

New Release: A WEEKEND GETAWAY, ANOTHER MURDER (Sheridan Hendley Mysteries #10) by Christa Nardi

About the Book

A weekend getaway leads an amateur sleuth and her detective husband down a treacherous trail. 

With Maddie away on a high school trip, Sheridan and Brett are looking forward to some alone time – and a long-needed break from work and crime. To that end, they rent a cabin in the woods, planning to enjoy nature and hike the trails in the adjacent state park. But their plans are soon derailed by the appearance of a frantic dog, its owner nowhere in sight. 

The insistent dog leads them to an injured couple and a lifeless body. Sheridan and Brett are quick to offer assistance, both to the injured and the local authorities. The hike was challenging enough, but the trail left by the killer is filled with twists and turns, bringing with it new threats and danger. 

AMAZON

New Release priced at $0.99 through 9/1/2024.

Read an excerpt:

From Chapter 1:

The cabin was nicely appointed and provided a comfortable space. We dropped everything inside, put away the food stuffs, filled our water bottles, and went exploring. 

“They didn’t lie about the quiet, and it’s very well kept up, both the cabin and the area. I’m impressed.” 

Brett scanned the area. “Me, too. You up for trying out a trail?” 

“Sure. The signage with colors reminds me of the arboretum at Cold Creek. Black would be the hardest trail, so let’s start with the blue.” 

He rubbed my back. “We’ll work our way up to the black one. I’m not sure how many trails there are and which trails end in the park itself. I think they all do.” 

I chuckled as I stepped over a tree root. The further into the trail we walked, the less sunlight passed through the trees. It almost seemed spooky. We paused to drink some water and decide which way to go at a fork in the path and no signage. A dog barked, startling me. I looked around, and so did Brett. 

“Where are you, sweetie? Come here.” Brett shook his head and studied the trees and brush. I called again and spotted a small white dog. The dog barked and turned around. 

“Wait!” I started after him and stopped. “Come here, sweetie. Let’s see if you have a tag so we can find your human.” 

He came toward us, and I crouched. He barked and took off. This time he was close enough I could see his leash. I dove for it and missed, colliding with the ground. Brett helped me up, and we moved in the direction the dog disappeared. 

“He has a leash. His owner may be hurt. Let’s follow him.” 

I nodded. That path turned uphill and curved. Every so often, the dog came back, barked, and kept going. I heard a scratchy voice and turned to Brett. He nodded. “A woman. There’s a chance she’s hurt.” 

He put on speed, and I trailed behind. The dog barked and whined as we approached a clearing. A woman laid alongside a man on the ground. The dog went to the couple and came back to us, barking and panting. I spotted what appeared to be a body further away. 

“I have a gun and I know how to use it.” The woman’s voice was raspy. “I tried to call the police, but my fall smashed my phone. Michael’s unconscious.” 

Brett put his hands up. “Ma’am. We’re only here because your dog led us to you. We mean you no harm. I’m a detective with the State Police. That looks like a gun someone in law enforcement might have. Are you law enforcement?” 

Her shoulders relaxed a bit, she put the gun down, and her lips trembled. “It’s Michael’s gun. Michael’s a detective in Beckman Springs. Can you call for help, please?” 

“I’m Sheridan. I’ll call for you. Do you know the best way to direct them here?” 

“Black trail. I don’t know how else.” She leaned over the man and cringed. 

“Ma’am, are you hurt? Can you tell me what happened?” Brett moved to the man to check him out. He wasn’t moving. 

“I’m Stacie. We were coming up the trail from that side.” She pointed in the opposite direction we’d come from. “Jasper growled and pulled on his leash. I tried to hold him, but he got loose. Michael moved forward. I heard Jasper yelp and rushed over."

Excerpt from A Weekend Getaway, Another Murder. Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved.

About Christa Nardi 

Christa Nardi (pen name) is an accomplished writer and an avid reader. Christa has authored the 5-book Cold Creek cozy mystery series with the spin-off series featuring the protagonist, Sheridan Hendley, a professor and psychologist. She also authors the Stacie Maroni series and the Izzie Di Sante series. She co-authors the Hannah and Tamar Mystery series for teens and young adults with Cassidy Salem. 

Her blog, Christa Reads and Writes, spotlights and reviews books by many other mystery writers. When not reading or writing, Christa enjoys travel with her husband, and playing with her dog and three grand-daughters. She supports dog rescue. You can contact Christa:

Amazon Author Page ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook 

Twitter/X ~ BookBub ~ Pinterest ~ Instagram

   

Book Review: LAST GIRL MISSIING (A Detective Callie Ford Mystery Book 1) by K.L. Murphy

About the Book

She wanted to avenge her father. She needed to save herself. 

When Detective Callie Forde is called to the home of a missing teenaged girl, she doesn't initially suspect foul play. Hampstead is a quiet college town. It's safe—if you don't count the other girl. But as the hours wear on with no sign of Natalie, the police are forced to consider the teenager might have been abducted. 

No one is more surprised than Callie when all their leads are eerily similar to that of another case, the five-year-old cold case that ended with a botched investigation, a shooting, and her father in a wheelchair. Determined not to make the same mistakes he made, Callie races to find the girl, avenge her father, and maybe, stop history from repeating itself.  

Review

Callie Ford returns home, determined to find the person responsible not only for the missing girl of the past but for the devastating effects on her father. She's now the detective he once was and another girl is missing. The trail of clues reminds her of the previous case and she asks her father questions about the case, though initially he's not very responsive. Callie's uncovering secrets, some going back to the original case. Her search for the killer now puts Callie in danger. 

The story has all the elements of a thriller and at the same time, her struggle with her father is poignant. It is well-written, the pace is good, and character development is strong. The suspense and tension kept me reading. This is the first in a series and I'm looking forward to the next in the series. 

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

AMAZON

About the Author 

K.L. Murphy is the award-nominated author of Her Sister’s Death, a 2023 Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Mystery and the January 2023 Once Upon a Book Club Pick. 

She is also the author of the Detective Cancini Mystery Series: A Guilty Mind, Stay of Execution, and The Last Sin. Her short stories are featured in Deadly Southern Charm and Murder by the Glass. Last Girl Missing, the first book in her new crime series, published in July of 2024.

Book Review: ONE OF YOU (Tower District Mysteries) by Lorie Lewis Ham

One of You (Tower District Mysteries) Mystery 2nd in Series Setting – The Tower District of Fresno, CA 

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mystery Rat’s Books (June 4, 2024) 

About the Book 

With her life on the California Coast behind her, Roxi Carlucci is beginning to feel at home in the Tower District—the cultural oasis of Fresno, CA—where she now lives with her cousin P.I. Stephen Carlucci, her pet rat Merlin, a Pit Bull named Watson, and a black cat named Dan. She has a new entertainment podcast, works as a part-time P.I., and is helping local bookstore owner Clark Halliwell put on the first-ever Tower Halloween Mysteryfest! The brutal summer heat is gone and has been replaced by the dense tule fog—perfect for Halloween! 

She just wishes everyone would stop calling her the “Jessica Fletcher” of the Tower District simply because she found a dead body when she first arrived. But when one of the Mysteryfest authors is found dead, she fears she jinxed herself! The Carlucci’s are hired to find the killer before they strike again. Will Mysteryfest turn into a murder fest? How is the local gossip website back, and what does it know about the death of Roxi’s parents? 

Review 

The Mysteryfest is stressful enough without the murder. As the story builds up, Ham gives the impression that the murder - and, of course, there's a murder - will be of the one no one has a kind word for. Not wanting to give it away, but with a small cast of "celebrities" and the erstwhile publisher and tyrant, it's all about jealousy and competition. Or is it? The Tower gossip tweets are back and it's not clear whose offering the hints or why. She or he might know the answer.

This is the second in the Tower District Series, but easily read as a stand-alone. Roxi's still trying to get her bearings but is in the thick of things trying to figure out who the killer is and why. The main characters are well-developed; the quirky ones are definitely quirky. This was a fun read. Cozy mystery lovers will enjoy the Tower District Series. 

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way. 

The Tower District Series

One of Us

One of You

About the Author 

Lorie Lewis Ham lives in Reedley, California and has been writing ever since she was a child. Her first song and poem were published when she was 13, and she has gone on to publish many articles, short stories, and poems throughout the years, as well as write for a local newspaper, and publish 7 mystery novels. 

For the past 14 years, Lorie has been the editor-in-chief and publisher of Kings River Life Magazine, and she produces Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast, where you can hear an excerpt of her book (link below).

You can learn more about Lorie and her writing here:

Website ~ Facebook ~ Instagram ~ GoodReads 

KLRTwitter/X - Lorie Lewis Ham Twitter/X 

Purchase Links 

Amazon ~ Barnes&Noble ~ Kobo 

Universal Buy Link 

Watch the Podcast of One of You

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Book Review: ESCAPE FROM DEVIL'S DEN (Harlequin Romantic Suspense) by Bonnie Vanak

Romantic Suspense 

Setting – Florida and North Carolina 

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harlequin Romantic Suspense (July 23, 2024) 

Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 272 pages 

ABOUT THE BOOK 

She’s found the perfect disguise… Until he uncovers the truth! 

FBI agent Jace Beckett goes undercover to infiltrate the motorcycle gang Devil’s Patrol. But he never expected to encounter his stunning former fiancée, Kara Wilmington, hanging around the criminal organization. 

The gorgeous businesswoman is determined to protect her property—and her family—when she finds out that her cousin is involved with the DP. But as Kara and Jace relentlessly pursue the DP’s ruthless jewel-theft ring, it’s not only Jace’s cover that’s at risk. It’s their lives… 

REVIEW 

Jace Beckett has gone to a great deal of trouble to be accepted by the DP. He's FBI with a military background. Cold and calculating in his quest to gain access to the mystery man, Marcus, who is a domestic terrorist and using the outlaw motorcycle gang to get what he needs. Only this job gets personal when he discovers his ex-fiancée, Kara, may be the next victim of the DP.

The story behind Kara and Jace is revealed in bits and pieces - the secrets they both withheld - as the tension rises in the DP. The story moves at a steady pace, with twists and turns, and suspicion abounds as to who they can trust. It kept my interest as I tried to figure out who was behind the threat and the target. It's well written and the characters, especially Kara and Jace, are well-developed. One or two surprises pop up. There is sexual content (limited, but there),so readers beware.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Bonnie Vanak is a multi-published author of paranormal, historical, and suspense romance novels. After a career in journalism, she became a writer for an international charity, traveling to poor countries like Haiti to write about issues affecting the poor. 

When the strain of her job demanded a diversion, she turned to her childhood dream of writing books. Bonnie lives in Florida with her husband and rescue dogs. 

Author Links 

Website ~ Facebook 

Purchase Links 

Amazon ~ Apple ~ B&N ~ Kobo ~ Harlequin 

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GROUNDS FOR MURDER : Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries by Lena Gregory, Read by Eleanor McCormick

Audio Book Book Blast 

Grounds for Murder: Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series 

Setting – Watchogue, Long Island, New York 

Audiobook (May 21, 2024) 

Publisher – Tantor Audio 

Listening Length – 6 hours and 55 minutes 

ASIN : B0D324Q1S7 

Audio CD ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CZ2KWM4M 

Gemma Halliday Publishing (November 21, 2023) 

 

About the Book

From author Lena Gregory comes a tasty new mystery with a killer twist… 

Danika Delaney is thrilled to have taken over her uncle Jimmie’s old fashioned malt shop on eastern Long Island and is working hard to make it her own. In an effort to increase business, Danika invites a mystery writer to the Coffee & Cream Café for a discussion and book signing. Things seem to be going well, until a guest shows up and confronts the author, accusing him of plagiarizing his work. 

Embarrassed by the incident, Danika goes to the inn where the writer is staying the following morning, hoping to apologize and offer him another chance to return. What she finds instead is his dead body—beside a cup of poisoned coffee! Now it’s up to Danika to find out who wanted to silence the author… before the killer decides to write Danika a not-so-happy ending! 

About the Author

Lena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, but she recently traded in cold, damp, gray winters for the warmth and sunshine of central Florida, where she now lives with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, and walking. 

Her love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night. She works full time as a writer and a freelance editor and is a member of Sisters in Crime.

Author Links 

Newsletter ~ Website ~ Facebook ~ Facebook Page  

Twitter/X ~ Goodreads ~ Pinterest    

Purchase Links

Amazon ~ B&N ~ Kobo 

Audiobook Coming Soon!

Release Date June 25, 2024

Book Review: MY SISTER'S GRAVE (Tracy Crosswhite Book 1) by Robert Dugoni

About the Book:

Tracy Crosswhite has spent twenty years questioning the facts surrounding her sister Sarah’s disappearance and the murder trial that followed. She doesn’t believe that Edmund House—a convicted rapist and the man condemned for Sarah’s murder—is the guilty party. 

Motivated by the opportunity to obtain real justice, Tracy became a homicide detective with the Seattle PD and dedicated her life to tracking down killers. When Sarah’s remains are finally discovered near their hometown in the northern Cascade mountains of Washington State, Tracy is determined to get the answers she’s been seeking. 

As she searches for the real killer, she unearths dark, long-kept secrets that will forever change her relationship to her past—and open the door to deadly danger.

Review

This was an intriguing story, with conflict and tension around every corner. Tracy is determined to reopen the case surrounding her sister's disappearance. She's reviewed all the evidence and with so many inconsistencies, she believes the man was framed. She enlists the help of a high school friend, now an attorney, to help. The case is reopened and the tension only increases. 

Dugoni has weaved a tale that keeps you guessing and wondering who the bad guy is. The pace is steady and then picks up after all the other surprises and twists that pop up. The ending makes sense. This is the first in the Tracy Crosswhite and the first in this series of 10 I've read. I'm looking forward to the second and hoping to get to know Tracy better now that she has closure and can move forward.

AMAZON

The Tracy Crosswhite Series

My Sister's Grave

Her Final Breath

In the Clearing

The Trapped Girl

Close to Home

A Steep Price

A Cold Trail

In her Tracks

What She Found

One Last Kill

New Release: JEALOUSY, JITTERBUG & MURDER (A Stacie Maroni Mystery, Book 10)

About the Book: 

A bungled kidnapping, three young women - one killed, and a dance studio. 

When Stacie Maroni is mistakenly abducted, she fears for the life of the intended victim. The young woman, who worked at the same company as Stacie, soon turns up dead. With the kidnappers afraid Stacie can identify them, threats lurk around every corner. 

Add in the victim’s two friends and a tech company with a dance-oriented employee program. A quick lesson in the jitterbug provides more clues as Stacie navigates the twists and turns of the murder. 

New Release special price, this week only: $0.99 

AMAZON

Read an excerpt from Chapter 1:

Wherever I was, it was dark, cold, and damp, making my skin crawl and my head ache. That might work for mushrooms, not for me. I couldn’t see anything, but sensed someone had blindfolded me. When I tried to remove the blindfold, I realized my hands were tied and for some reason I couldn’t lift them to my face. 

I closed my eyes and visualized my day. It had been a workday and a busy one at that. With our relationship deepening, Detective Michael O’Hare and I traveled to New York to see my dad and his wife, get away from work, and go skiing. Unfortunately, that meant three days of work to catch up on. Nothing out of the ordinary. 

 I remembered talking to Rosie, my administrative assistant, as I left our area and the shock of the cold wind as I ventured outside. I could tell I still had on my puffy coat. I had only the vaguest memory of someone covering my nose and me fighting back. Obviously, I didn’t win that fight. My dog, Jasper, came to mind, and I hoped somebody figured out I was missing. 

A door slammed and I froze. 

Excerpt from Jealousy, Jitterbug & Murder. Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved.

Today only, the first in the Stacie Maroni Mysteries, Prestige, Privilege & Murder, is FREE!

Stacie Maroni Mysteries 

Prestige, Privilege & Murder  

Foundations, Funny Business & Murder Deception, Denial, & Murder  Connections, Conflict, & Murder 

Holidays, Hijinks & Murder  

Temptation, Trouble & Murder  

Keepsakes, Karma & Murder  

Marriage, Malice & Murder  

Bitterness, Betrayal & Murder  

Jealousy, Jitterbug & Murder 

About the Author

Christa Nardi is an avid reader with her love of mysteries beginning with Nancy Drew and other teen mysteries. She’s shifted to more contemporary mystery and crime authors over time, along with cozy and traditional mysteries. She especially enjoys cozy mysteries with less gore and no graphic violence. She is a member of Sisters in Crime. 

Christa supports animal rescue and other charities. When not reading or writing, Christa enjoys travel, playing with her dog, and spending time with her granddaughters. 

You can find Christa Nardi at: Amazon, Goodreads, X/Twitter, BookBub, Pinterest, and Facebook. You can contact her at cccnardi@gmail.com.  

Cozy Mystery FREE Book Blast 

Would you like a free cozy mystery or more? Here’s over 150 free cozies (at least in the US) for your reading pleasure, including Prestige, Privilege & Murder. One day only – today April 25th – a great opportunity to fill your eReader. 

Book Review: DEADLY GAMBLE - A World War II Mystery by Kate Parker

Deadly Gamble: A World War II Mystery Historical Cozy Mystery 

11th in Series 

Setting – Lisbon, Portugal in 1941 

Publisher ‏ : ‎ JDP Press (April 16, 2024)

About the Book  

In 1940s Portugal, everyone is willing to trade secrets if the price is right. 

Britain stands alone against the forces of Nazi Germany. Livvy Redmond is a young newspaperwoman determined to serve Britain’s spymaster in the face of danger. When she arrives in neutral Lisbon, she discovers a city full of spies, refugees, and the secret police. 

At an elegant party to meet a double agent, Livvy witnesses him fall to his death from a balcony and must now determine what secrets he wanted to pass her. Further complicating matters, she must guard the man’s young daughter from sinister people trying to kidnap the girl. 

Gambling on the assistance of British embassy staff, Livvy commits to uncovering the truth while keeping the orphan safe. With spies and traitors lurking around every corner, Livvy must race against time to learn the secret someone has already killed to keep hidden – and is willing to murder again to protect. 

Book Review 

Livvy is doing her best to connect with the man who insists he has information the Allies will pay dearly for. She gets close enough to get his blood all over her, while the killer stole the ledger. With the man gone, Livvy realizes why he requested a woman to receive the information - his 4 year old daughter, Anna. Livvy arranges to take care of Anna, until someone can find her mother in England. 

This is a slice of what might have been happening as Portugal tried to remain neutral while Germany breathed down their throat. Stewart is a great help and Livvy figures out what Anna is singing - in English - and a disaster is averted. Only the Portuguese government wants someone to blame and Livvy (and Stewart) have to figure out the real killer, and fast, so Livvy can return home.

Historical fiction, murder, and lovely characters. Parker provides the backdrop and her characters are well-developed. For anyone who likes cozy mysteries or WW II fiction, will enjoy this book.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way. 

Purchase Links

Amazon ~ B&N ~ Kobo ~ Apple

About the Author 

Kate Parker grew up inside the Beltway, when DC was a sleepy southern city and you could walk along the sidewalk directly in front of the White House. Now you can’t get within a block of the White House, and it takes Foggy Bottom and the Pentagon to house even part of what the Old State, War and Navy building held. All this fed Kate’s love of history.

With retirement, Kate moved to North Carolina and took up writing historical mysteries. Now with a career spanning over a decade, Kate is a USA Today bestselling author and the Deadly Series is her longest-running series. She lives with her daughter and a 110-pound puppy. 

Author Links 

Website ~ Facebook

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Book Review: PERIL IN PINK (Hudson Valley B&B Mysteries) by Sydney Leigh

Peril in Pink (Hudson Valley B&B Mysteries) 

Cozy Mystery 

1st in Series 

Setting – Hudson Valley, New York 

Publisher: ‎Crooked Lane Books (March 19, 2024) 

ABOUT THE BOOK 

Everything is coming up rosé for innkeeper Jess Byrne until a murder on opening weekend gives her B&B’s killer vibe a whole new meaning. 

Schitt’s Creek meets Only Murders in the Building in this sparkling debut mystery. 

It’s the grand opening of The Pearl B&B in Hudson Valley, and owner Jess Byrne has prepared the ultimate, Insta-worthy welcome, complete with her ex-boyfriend—reality singing sensation Lars Armstrong—performing live. 

As guests check in and mimosas are poured, Lars arrives with his stepdad-turned-manager Bob in tow. But things go south when Bob is found dead, and Lars is the prime suspect. 

After a desperate plea from Lars, and knowing the reputation of her B&B is at stake, Jess agrees to help clear Lars’ name, but the more she digs, the less sure she is that he’s innocent. Especially when he’s found at the scene of another murder. 

With the guests under lockdown, the B&B in the press for all the wrong reasons, and a killer on the loose, Jess is in over her head. With the help of her best friend and business partner Kat, Jess is determined to uncover the truth before Lars is put behind bars and The Pearl is permanently cancelled. 

 

REVIEW

Jess, Kat, her brother Nate, and his wife Sara have their hands full with the grand opening of the Pearl B&B, decorated in pink. The Pearl is full and thaat should mean success and a celebration for Jess with a detective on the police force. Only, the man who broke her heart, Lars, volunteered to give a free concert as part of the opening. Hence, the place is packed and busy. 

Along with Lars and his step-father Bob, who nobody likes, two of the girls (now women) who picked on Jess in high school and made her life miserable arrive as well. Kit tries to help, Sara is a bit odd, and everyone is telling Jess not to fall for Lars again. Then Bob is killed and Lars is the primary suspect. Jess has mixed emotions but doesn't believe he's the killer. 

With all the conflict, the roadie, the sister-in-law, the bullies from high school, a second musician who actually does perform, and a myriad of other characters, there's something around every corner to keep the story going and keep the reader guessing as to the killer and the real motive is. Definitely a great start to a series, and a B&B should provide fertile ground for more to come.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way. 

Purchase Links

Amazon ~ B&N ~ Bookshop.org ~ Kobo

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

Sydney Leigh spent several years running a seasonal business, working in the summer so she could spend cold months in cool places. Now she writes modern cozy mysteries and thinks about murder. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and served on the board of Crime Writers of Canada from 2018-2021. She does a blog post once a month on The Stiletto Gang. 

Author Links 

Website ~ The Stiletto Gang ~ Facebook  

Twitter/X ~ GoodReads ~ Instagram    

 

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Book Spotlight; THE WITLESS PROTECTION PROGRAM (A Catering Hall Mystery) by Maria DiRico

About the Book 

Mia Carina has steered her Italian-American family’s Astoria, Queens, catering hall, Belle View Banquet Manor, into becoming the borough’s premiere party site, and nothing could make her happier—except her boyfriend proposing. There’s just one presumed-dead obstacle in the way . . . 

A strong, independent woman and respected entrepreneur, Mia never imagined she’d pine for a marriage proposal. Yet lately, with her beloved Shane, she’s on tenterhooks. It’s especially surprising, considering Mia’s first husband, Adam, was a philandering grifter, assumed lost-at-sea after a boating disaster. But everyone knows what happens when you assume . . . 

While working a huge wedding expo in Manhattan, Mia is shocked to spot the man who nearly destroyed her life. The one who’s supposed to be sleeping with the fishes. But she loses him in the crowd. And when it happens again the next day, it’s time for an emergency meeting with the family—and the Family. Because if Adam is alive, Mia is still married . . . 

Everyone wants Adam dead. Everyone except Mia. She’s dealt with enough police for a lifetime. Mia needs to be a divorcée, not a widow. But someone out there disagrees, and if Mia doesn’t discover who, she may never be free to marry Shane—or anyone else . . . 

Italian recipes included! 

Purchase Links 

Amazon ~ B&N ~ Kobo ~ Bookshop.org ~ Kensington

The Catering Hall Mysteries

Here Comes the Body (Book 1)

Long Island Iced Tina (Book 2)

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder (Book 3)

Four Parties and a Funeral (Book 4)

The Witless Protection Program (Book 5)

About the Author 

Maria DiRico is the pseudonym for Ellen Byron, author of the award-winning, USA Today bestselling Cajun Country Mysteries. Born in Queens, New York, she is a first-generation Italian-American on her mother’s side and the granddaughter of a low-level Jewish mobster on her father’s side. She grew up visiting the Astoria Manor and Grand Bay Marina catering halls, which were run by her Italian mother’s family in Queens and have become the inspiration for her Catering Hall Mystery Series. 

DiRico has been a writer-producer for hit television series like Wings and Just Shoot Me, and her first play, Graceland, appears in the Best Short Plays collection. She’s a freelance journalist, with over 200 articles published in national magazines, and previously worked as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart, a credit she never tires of sharing. 

A native New Yorker who attended Tulane University, Ellen lives in Los Angeles with her husband, daughter, and two rescue dogs. 

Author Links 

Website ~ Chicks on the Case ~ Facebook ~ Twitter 

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