Emily George: A Cold Dose of Murder

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Cannabis Café #3

Just a disclaimer for this review: this book is a part of the Cannabis Café mystery series by Emily George, and legalized cannabis and its uses are major theme in A Cold Dose of Murder. If you find that topic off-putting, please stop reading. Right now. Medical use is the primary motivation, but responsible recreational use is also portrayed. As the book cover, and many characters, emphasize: consume responsibly. This goes for reading about it, too. If you know legalized cannabis isn’t something you are comfortable with, do not read this review or the book. Not every book is for everyone. For those who do not mind or perhaps even enjoy seeing legalized cannabis normalized and represented, this is indeed a review and book for you. read more

Jean-Luc Bannalec: An Island of Suspects

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Brittany Mystery #10

An Island of Suspects is Jean-Luc Bannalec’s tenth book in his Brittany mystery series. The main character is Commissaire George Dupin, who works along with his team of investigators to solve various mysteries throughout Breton. An Island of Suspects focuses on the island of Belle-Île, and the murder of a wealthy and well known sheep farmer Patric Provost. Mr. Provost was actively being blackmailed and the deadline for payment came just before the discovery of his body. Almost as soon as they start investigating it’s clear that the victim was not at all liked in his community. Even his own employees seem to outright hate him. Mr. Dupin is soon faced with the realization that he has an entire island of suspects. read more

E.L. Johnson: Winter’s Poison

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Winter Murders #1

There are not many mysteries set in the tumultuous court of King Stephen (1096-1154). A Winter’s Poison by E.L. Johnson is certainly the first I have personally read. It follows teenage Baker’s daughter Bronwyn, adept in the kitchen herself, as she is pulled into it making a fairly routine delivery. A nobleman named De Grecy orders fancy white rolls from her father’s shop on a whim, and Bronwyn discovers they are intended for the king and queen only when she arrives to drop them off. However, as she is departing, she sees a cloaked figure fiddling with the food and tries to report it to the head cook. It’s clear that someone has added mushrooms to the top of the rolls. read more

Amanda Flower: I Died for Beauty

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Emily Dickinson #3

This may be my favorite in this series to date.  The perfect blend of setting, character and story really sing in this novel, which takes place during a very cold and snowy winter in 1857 Amherst, Massachusetts.  While Amherst is now famous as Emily Dickinson’s birthplace and home, in 1857 Emily was just an eccentric member of the prominent Dickinson family, with scraps of writing spilling out of her pockets. And, in these novels, a penchant for sleuthing.

While today we experience cold and snowy winters, in 1857, those things made a much bigger difference in people’s lives.  The cold and snow meant there were fires going all the time which also meant a greater chance of house fires.  The snow cut off train deliveries (and travel) so food stores were hoarded.  For the poor, the situation was worse, as the cold meant their firewood supply may not have kept up with the need to keep warm. read more

Author Interview: Connie Berry

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I was lucky enough to do interviews for the late, great Mystery Scene, sadly no longer even accessible online.  One of my favorites is this interview with Connie Berry, who writes a binge worthy series set in England.  I’m publishing it here because Connie’s latest book,  A Collection of Lies, is nominated for an Agatha this year.  

Connie’s Kate Hamilton books feature an American antiques dealer who has family ties in England through her British husband.  As the series opens she’s a recent widow visiting her Scottish sister in law, and she meets an English man who will change her life.  He’s a Detective, naturally.  Berry’s books are a wonderful combination of tricky plots, rich characters, and beautiful settings, and for anyone who adores a British village mystery, this is the series for you. Each novel focuses on a story in the past, often highlighting some specific antique element.  In the latest novel, that element is lace making and fabric restoration.  I binged the entire series this summer. read more

Jeanne M. Dams: Murder of a Recluse

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Oak Park Village #3

I read the first book in this series, Murder in the Park, when it came out in 2021.  It stuck in my head, and when I picked up the latest book four years later, the place and characters came back to me right away.  Set in a Chicago suburb in the 20’s, the books follow now new bride Elizabeth Wilkins.  She’s separated herself at last from a difficult and controlling mother and is finding life as a young bride very pleasant.  She and her husband are building a house and are making space for his Aunt Lucy in their new home. read more

Tarquin Hall: The Case of the Elusive Bombay Duck

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Vish Puri #6

You may not know that the world’s greatest detective is Delhi based Vish Puri, but if you read this sweetly sunny book you will immediately find yourself fascinated by his family and work life.  As the story opens, Vish has just been named “International Detective of the Year,” but, unfortunately, the “confidential” news has leaked prematurely, and his office is quickly deluged with congratulatory phone calls and sweets.  Even worse, his mother phones to inform him that she plans to accompany him and his wife to London for the award ceremony, which an unwelcome associate has also pledged to attend. read more

Danielle Arceneaux: Glory Daze

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Glory Broussard #2

This series, featuring an absolute genius creation of a main character is a delightful breath of fresh air. Glory Broussard, of LaFayette, Louisiana, is a divorcee of a certain age who suffers from arthritis, loves the Commodores (and really, who doesn’t?), and works part time as a bookie in her favorite coffee shop on Sunday afternoons.

She’s shocked when her ex’s new wife, Valerie, shows up at her “place of business” on a Sunday and asks her to track down Sterling, her former husband.  Even though she’s had as little to do with her successor as possible, she finds herself agreeing. read more

Patrice McDonough: A Slash of Emerald

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Dr. Julia Lewis #2

This new series featuring a female doctor in Victorian England is one to enjoy.   Protagonist Dr. Julia Lewis began the first book called out on a criminal case, and by this one, the second,  the police have quickly learned that although she may be female, she can help them solve difficult problems.  Of course she also has a regular practice,  but the focus of the books is her work with the authorities, specifically one very attractive yet damaged Inspector.

While I loved the first installment, it was jam packed, as are many scene setting series debuts,  while this sequel benefits greatly from a more focused plot.  As the story opens, Dr. Julia is called in to perform a pelvic exam on a woman who was assaulted while walking close to an army barracks.  Under British law at the time, the woman was required to be examined for infectious disease, while the man was not, and Inspector Tennant asks Julia to perform this exam, thinking it will be easier for the victim when conducted by a member of the same sex. She agrees. read more

Julia Buckley: A Dark and Stormy Murder

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Book 1 of 5 in the Writer’s Apprentice series

Lena London has found her dream job: assistant to her all-time favorite romantic suspense writer Camilla Graham. Offered an interview upon graduation, Lena is immediately hired by Camilla and she and her cat Lestrade move into Graham House in Blue Lake, IN. Lena can’t believe her luck. She and Camilla bond almost instantly and Lena begins helping her edit/coauthor her newest book. The beautiful house is a dream home located on a hill overlooking eponymous lake in Blue Lake, filled with German Shepherds (Heathcliff and Rochester, of course), a cook, and a secret room. The town itself is quaint and friendly and Lena starts to make friends and settle into her dream career. read more