Carla Schantz

Olivia Blacke: A New Lease on Death

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Series debut

A New Lease on Death, by Olivia Blacke, is the first in her Supernatural Mysteries series. I have read a lot of cozies that contain supernatural elements, especially either a ghost detective or companion detective. I was pleasantly surprised to find Olivia Blacke managed to find a spin on it that was entirely new, at least to me. Two main characters star in A New Lease on Death and switch perspective every few chapters or so. Our living detective is Ruby Young, an optimistic new tenant of a cheap and fully furnished apartment in Boston. Our ghost is the apartment’s previous tenant, Cordelia Graves. Cordelia does not remember the details of her death, or really why she is hanging around as a ghostly entity, but she is not pleased that Ruby has moved in and is systematically murdering all of her beloved plants. Ruby is blissfully unaware of Cordelia for the most part, just curious why her light bulbs keep dying and her electronics often go on the fritz. What puts these two on a collision course is the death of their neighbor Jack Macintyre, who is shot outside of their apartment and left alone in a blizzard for someone to call the police. read more

Ellery Adams: The Little Lost Library

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Secret, Book, & Scone Society #7

The Little Lost Library is the seventh book in Ellery Adam’s Secret, Book, & Scone Society series. The books follow Nora Pennington, owner of Miracle Books Bookstore in Miracle Springs, North Carolina. One of her more eccentric clients is an elderly town resident, Lucille Wynter. Lucille never leaves her house, never lets anyone inside, is always excited for a new book, and is always ready for tea and a chat with Nora. Unfortunately, one day the book delivery turns dark when Nora finds Lucille dead at the bottom of her stairs, amongst a hoard of books that would overwhelm even the most dedicated bibliophile. Despite the overwhelming mountains of books, Nora feels that it wasn’t the horde that ended up causing Lucille’s death, but she’s puzzled as to who could have motive to kill an elderly agoraphobic woman who seemed to live for the written word? Her children provide a bit of insight when they arrive, believing that something of value is in the house. Her daughter specifically seems to think that Nora knows exactly what that something is and where to find it. read more

Mindy Quigley: Sleep in Heavenly Pizza

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Deep Dish Mysteries #4

In Mindy Quigley’s Sleep in Heavenly Pizza, readers are taken to Geneva Bay, Wisconsin, for a white Christmas and one stressed out Delilah O’Leary. Her restaurant, Delilah & Son, is catering a big Chrismukkah celebration. Thanks to her amazing food and fastidious planning, it all seems to be a success, with just a few unfortunate hiccups brought about by a bit of over indulgence by the guests. Little does Delilah know that the events of the party will directly tie into a gruesome discovery later on at the snow sculpting contest which puts not only her staff, but also her family in the crosshairs of the investigation. read more

Daryl Wood Gerber: Murder on the Page

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Series Debut

Daryl Wood Gerber is the author the fantastic cozy series, The Fairy Garden Mysteries, and now she’s branching out with a new series, the Literary Dining mysteries. The debut is Murder on the Page, and follows English teacher turned caterer, Allie Catt. Appropriately, she also has a cat, who is not an alley cat and has the very dignified name of Darcy. Allie and her catering company, known as Dream Cuisine, are in Bramblewood, in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Now for the coolest part about Dream Cuisine: it specializes in parties based on their client’s favorite books – combining love of food and love of books in a creative and fun way that has business booming. read more

Catherine Bruns: In the Blink of a Pie

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Maple Syrup Mysteries #3

In the Blink of a Pie is Catherine Bruns’ third Maple Syrup Mystery. Sugar Ridge, Vermont, is where Leila Khoury manages the family business, Sappy Endings farm. It’s a maple syrup haven that has a farm, store, and café that all work together. Her mother runs the café, and her very serious boyfriend Noah Rivers also works at the farm and makes many a sugary treat. To celebrate the oncoming Thanksgiving season, Sappy Endings is hosting a pie-baking contest. The town is elated, and soon Leila finds herself drowning in pie entries. A very tasty problem to have, but tricky to manage when one has to keep track of who entered what pie and then choose a winner. Luckily her friend Heather, her mother, and even Noah’s daughter are all there to help keep things as organized as possible. read more

Korina Moss: Fondue or Die

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Cheese Shop #5

It’s time once more for me to review the most recent addition to Korina Moss’s Cheese Shop mystery series, Fondue or Die. I know I’ve reviewed two of her books thus far, and I can honestly say I don’t intend to stop.  The characters draw readers in, as does the cozy town setting. And the cheese. The cheese gets a spot light which will please any cheesemonger. Willa Bauer is our protagonist, and runs her cheese shop Curds & Whey with a true dedication to her craft and a deep love of all things cheese. She would be perfectly happy focusing on selling cheese in her beloved town of Yarrow Glen in Sonoma Valley, but somehow she keeps ending up being pulled into murder investigations, each time in an attempt to clear either her own name, save her shop, or to clear the name of someone she loves. Often times she ends up whey over her head, and luckily she has many friends and her own Team Cheese to help her out. read more

Colleen Cambridge: Murder Takes the Stage

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Phyllida Bright #3

Murder Takes the Stage is the fourth addition to Colleen Cambridge’s Phyllida Bright series. Our protagonist is obviously Phyllida Bright, housekeeper of Mallowan Hall. She also happens to be good friends with the lady of the hall, Agatha Christie. Living with the mystery writing legend also gives Phyllida Bright early access to her favorite detective stories featuring Hercule Poirot. Both women have a knack for mysteries, and have helped the local authorities to solve several murders. Now they are traveling to London for a bit of a vacation. Mrs. Christie and her husband are, anyway, and Phyllida isn’t exactly thrilled about it, which isn’t surprising given her rather complicated past revolving around her deceased husband. However, she isn’t about to let a little discomfort keep her from performing her duties. read more

Carolyn Haines: Blue Christmas Bones

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Sarah Booth Delaney #28

Carolyn Haines’ twenty eighth Sara Booth Delaney Mystery is Blue Christmas Bones. Sarah Booth and Tinkie are going on a well-deserved vacation from their business, The Delaney Detective Agency, to visit Tupelo, Mississippi, for a festival honoring the king of rock and roll. That’s right, book twenty eight is all about Elvis and those who love him still. Impersonators, singing competitions, king themed beverages, and plenty of gift buying opportunities. The Elvis impersonator competition is the main draw for the event, and Sarah Booth’s friends are competing as well. All in all it looks like they will finally get to really just relax and enjoy some crime-free fun. read more

Liz Ireland: Mrs. Claus and the Nightmare Before New Year’s

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Mrs. Claus #5

As August comes to a close, I’m sure we’re all sick of the summer heat and more than ready for cooler weather. Liz Ireland takes readers on a winter vacation in Mrs. Claus and the Nightmare Before New Year’s, the fifth book in the Mrs. Claus series. The fantastical town of Santaland is where April, the current Mrs. Claus, makes her home with the current Santa, Nick. The whole town is alive with Christmas cheer as Nick is about to head out on his yearly excursion. All the elves are ready for the celebrations, already singing carols, well into eggnog, dancing with abandon. April is a little less enthusiastic simply because she worries about Nick making it home safely. He’s done the trip plenty of times, but the idea of him rocketing about the world in an old sleigh without seatbelts and only flying reindeer to keep it steady has April uneasy. read more

Anna Lee Huber: The Cold Light of Day

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Verity Kent #7

For those looking for a historical cozy, The Cold Light of Day will fit the bill. The seventh book in the Verity Kent series by Anna Lee Huber takes readers to Dublin, Ireland. Although Verity is an ex-spy, she finds herself dabbling back in the game when one of her fellow agents, Alec Xavier, suddenly goes missing. Now anyone who knows anything about 1920’s Ireland knows that it was not a time of political stability. Revolution is in the air, and the Irish Republican Army (IRA) is regularly clashing with the British occupying authority. While the British government tries to play down the unrest and instability, Ireland is a powder keg ready to explode — not the ideal time or place to suddenly go missing. Because of their history together performing war work, Verity is unable to sit back and just wait for Alec to resurface. read more