Patrice McDonough: Murder by Moonrise

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Dr. Julia Lewis #3

In 1867 London, the Isle of Wight was a holiday destination, one even favored by the royal family.  Queen Victoria had a home there and was often in residence.  In our story, Dr. Julia Lewis is vacationing on the Isle of Wight with her grandparents and missing and wondering about Detective Richard Tennant, who has been abroad and on the hunt for a villain for months.  She hasn’t heard from him and alongside worrying that he’s OK, she’s also worried that she was too forward, and that he doesn’t feel about her as she does about him. read more

Stacy Hackney: The Primrose Murder Society

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Paperback Original

The Primrose Murder Society is the first adult mystery by Stacey Hackney, who has previously written two middle grade books. Indeed, this mystery also prominently features a kid – main character Lila’s rebellious little girl, Bea. When we meet mother and daughter, they’ve lost just about everything but each other. Lila’s well to do husband, Ryan, has been caught committing fraud and has abandoned them to run from the law. No one in Lila’s upper crust circle believes that she didn’t know about the crimes, and she has been shunned from society. read more

Tim Sullivan: The Politician

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DS George Cross #4

I love a good police procedural, especially ones with an interesting main character like Tim Sullivan’s  DS George Cross.  Not so comfortable with humans he’s at home with facts, figures and making connections, because, like Detective Monk, he’s neurodivergent in a way that makes him both good at his job and extremely annoying to those around him. This series is huge in the UK and the US publisher is slowly releasing them stateside.  This is installment four in the series, and although it’s the first I’ve read, it stands comfortably on its own, with the characters and relationships clear. read more

Lilli Sutton: A Long Dark Night

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A Long Dark Night is the second novel by Lilli Sutton, and it follows her debut stand alone that was of a similar mold – a harsh story of survival with themes of family, resilience, and ambition. Nina’s story, however, is also a murder mystery. Coming home when the corona virus shuts down the world, Nina is estranged from her parents and siblings and has been running her own restaurant. Her family lives in isolated Whitespur, Alaska, and has limited access to any form of technology, especially cell service. Before, her mother wrote her letters, but Nina eventually stopped answering them. Her mother never acknowledged her success. read more

Lucy Connelly: The Curious Case of the Poisoned Professor

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Series debut

You can’t help devouring Lucy Connolly’s yummy books like a really good bar of chocolate.   This first installment of her new series finds the central character, former journalist Dr. Gwen Griffiths, returning to Wales to become a professor at the very place where she attended university.  After the layoffs and contractions endured by newspaper staff everywhere, she’s certain she’s found a secure berth at a new place when her old friend Carolyn, now the dean, recruits Gwen to run the journalism department with a real-world edge. read more

Victoria Houston: The Wolves are Watching

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Lew Ferris #4

I forget about these books in between reads, but I’m a fan.  Whenever I pick one up I’m always drawn in by a great read, and what’s better than that?  Lew – or Llewellyn – Ferris is the sheriff of Loon Lake, Wisconsin, and she’s an avid fisherwoman, something that’s woven through all the books.  She’s been dating the town dentist for awhile, sharing a cozy trading off houses type relationship with him.  Doc also enjoys fly fishing.  So far, so cozy, but these books aren’t quite cozy, though they have many, many cozy elements to them. read more

Patricia B. McConnell: Away to Me

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Debut

This is an excellent debut from animal behaviorist Patricia McConnell, whose main character, Maddie McGowan, is also an animal behaviorist who goes to sheepdog trials in her spare time.  She takes her beloved dog, Jack, to trials, and he is still learning the ropes a bit.  The book opens with a bang.  Maddie is at a trial with her mentor, George, who offers her encouragement before her “run” with Jack, and then the worst happens.  George is shot and dies, and everyone at the trial feels it must have been a hunting accident. read more

Fergus Craig: I’m Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home

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Serial killer Carol, just released from prison, has found a cozy apartment at a fancy retirement home, and is looking forward to enjoying freedom and perhaps making new friends.  She takes a baking class and is beginning to feel comfortable, when someone discovers her past and the other residents begin to avoid her.  It’s heartbreaking.  As she’s sitting alone on her balcony with her morning coffee one day, a body falls past her to his death, and she hears a scuffling sound on the roof.  She’s sure it’s murder, the police are sure it’s suicide.  When she puts herself forward, the police arrest her, simply because of her past. read more

Author interview: Jennifer K. Breedlove

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Jennifer Breedlove’s first novel, Murder Will Out, is already a favorite read of 2026 for me.  The main character is a church organist who returns to her childhood summer place for a funeral and finds all kinds of intrigue and even ghosts.  The writing, plotting and characters are all lovely.  It deservedly won the Minotaur/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award. Jennifer graciously agreed to answer some questions.

Q: This is your first published book – but is it your first book? Are there novels stuck in a desk drawer somewhere, and this is the one that made it through? I ask because your voice seems both very assured and natural. read more

Jennifer K. Breedlove: Murder Will Out

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Debut

I flat out loved this book, the very worthy winner of the Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel award.  Set in coastal Maine on Little North Island, the story opens with organist and grad student Willow Stone returning to Little North for the funeral of her godmother, Sue.  Due to a family quarrel, they hadn’t seen each other in many years, though Willow always loved Sue and could never understand why her family stopped seeing her.  She finally receives a letter inviting her back to the island for Sue’s wedding, but unfortunately, by the time Willow receives it she finds herself attending her funeral instead. read more