I’m excited to share with you the cover reveal for the first book in the NEW “Cece Barton” mystery series, coming October 2023 and now up for preorder.
Publication Date: October 24, 2023
Publisher: Kensington Books
Format: Print, Digital, and Audio
Name of Series: Cece Barton
Number in Series: Book #1 – first in a new series
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Author Website: edithmaxwell.com
Book Synopsis
Raise a glass to Cece Barton, a widowed single mom and recent L.A. transplant to California wine country, who suddenly finds herself at the center of a murder investigation in this sparkling new mystery series from Agatha Award–winning and national bestselling author Maddie Day.
As the manager of Vino y Vida Wine Bar in Colinas, Cecelia “Cece” Barton’s first Alexander Valley harvest is a whirlwind of activity. Her twin sister, Allie Halstead, who owns a nearby Victorian bed & breakfast, is accustomed to the hustle and bustle of peak tourist season. But Cece barely has a moment to enjoy her new home in between worrying about her estranged college-age daughter, juggling her responsibilities at the bar, and navigating the sticky politics of the local wine association. Just when it seems things can’t grow any more intense, Colinas is rocked by a murder within the wine community . . . and Cece is identified as a possible suspect!
With her reputation and her livelihood on the line—and the Sonoma County deputy sheriff breathing down her neck—Cece has no choice but to open up her own murder investigation. Tensions are already high in the valley, as a massive wildfire creeps toward Colinas, threatening homes, vineyards, and the vital tourist trade. And now, with a murderer on the loose, and Cece’s sleuthing exposing the valley’s bitterest old rivalries and secret new alliances, Colinas feels ready to pop! But with Allie’s help, Cece is determined to catch the killer and clear her name before everything she’s worked so hard for goes up in flames . . .
About the author
Maddie Day writes the Country Store Mysteries, the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries, and the Cece Barton Mysteries. As Edith Maxwell she pens the Agatha Award-winning Quaker Midwife Mysteries, the Local Foods Mysteries, and the Lauren Rousseau Mysteries, as well as short crime fiction. Day/Maxwell lives with her beau and cat north of Boston, where she writes, gardens, cooks, and wastes time on Facebook. Find her at EdithMaxwell.com, wickedauthors.com, Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen, and on social media.
All comments are welcomed.
Love this cover…can’t wait to start a new Maddie Day series!
Thanks, Christi! I hope you love it.
I can’t wait for this one!
Awesome, June. Enjoy!
Love the cover! Congratulations on the upcoming series, Edith!
Thanks, Jim!
I’m reading this right now – lucky me! This cover is perfect. Cx
Aww, thanks, Catriona. It’s a fun cover.
That’s a gorgeous cover.
Agree!
This new series looks captivating, Edith! Can’t wait to read it. Love the cover!
Note to Dru: I’m looking forward to your webinar this week!
Thanks, Amy!
How wonderful! I have been anticipating the arrival of the first Cece Barton mystery by my favorite author Maddie Day since she informed us of her trip to Northern California and shared photos that inspired her while she wrote this book! Can{t wait!!! Luis at ole dot travel
Thank you so much, Luis!
Awesome cover! It really pops. Kensington’s cover designers are the best.
Absolutely agree, Mary Ann. And they keep my three series distinct from each other.
This sounds great. I always love reading Ms. Maxwell’s series.
Thank you, Gram
It’s a fabulous cover!
Thanks, dear Sherry! I love it, too.
Excited to read the new series
I hope you love it, Lois.
Oh yes! The excitement builds, ready to pop like a champagne cork.
I’ll be happy to review as soon as I can. <3
Awesome, Mary.
Love your cover!!! I definitely can’t wait for your book to come out! Being a twin. Plus my husband works for the cold case sheriff department. Is one I absolutely will enjoy reading!!!🥰
Congrats! What a great cover. I’m really looking forward to the new series.
Thanks so much, Ann.
Sherry, I should consult with you on twin issue for my next book in the series.
This sounds like a great new series. And the cover is really colorful and interesting. One question, though, I realize one is a nom de plume and one is what the DMV knows you as, but which is the “real” person – Maddie or Edith? Thanks!
Ah – my name has been Edith Maxwell my whole life, and I’ve written as Maddie Day since Flipped for Murder released in 2015.
What a fabulous cover! I look forward to a new series with a beautiful setting.
Thank you, Sue. The setting is more beautiful than the cover, believe me.
Oh I love the cover. Especially the car! Just like my mustang color snd all!!!
Perfect! Except Cece’s is a 1966…
Which is what mine is based on. And I think of Cece I think Aunt CiCi which is what I call myself to the babies. I’m gonna enjoy it.
Love the retro look of the cover. Looks like another great series.
Thanks so much.
This sounds like a winner!
Fingers crossed, Pat.
I’m looking forward to “Murder at a Cape Bookstore,” coming up. I love your books. A recovering alcoholic I’ll pass on this one.
I hear you, Maren. Thanks for reading my other series.
Love the cover! First thing I noticed was the blue Mustang! My dad restored 1965-1971 Mustangs in the 1970-2000. It was his hobby. In high school I drove half dozen of his restored mustangs. I was popular. He often bought one for $500 & sold it later for 3-4 times that. Mom said she enjoyed his hobby.
Looking forward to reading the first in another great series from you!
Thank you, Linda. I love those simple old engines and worked on a many a one myself.