Looking for something to read? Check out some of the new titles releasing during the week of December 1 – 7, 2024 with two debut series. I hope a few of these books take you to an exciting place. Have fun reading!
DECEMBER 1
The Survivors by Caroline Mitchell (Psychological Thriller)
On a winding cliff edge on the wild Irish coast, two cars collide. In one is Maura Claffey’s niece, Finn, and her baby daughter. In the other, Kathryn with her own newborn—and her own secrets. Both women survive, but one of the girls does not. In the aftermath, bruised and heavily medicated, both women struggle to come to terms with what happened that day. Recovering at Maura’s home, Finn’s confused thoughts continually return to her recently deceased mother, who left Ireland under mysterious circumstances, but Maura won’t be drawn into revealing anything. Format: Print, Digital, Audio
The Emerald Threads by Lynn Morrison and Anne Radcliffe (Historical Mystery 1810s)
Lady Percy’s worries about spending her first holiday season as a new countess grow worse upon their arrival at Alnwick Castle. When the old duke calls her by the wrong name, she is left with unsettling questions: Who was this mysterious woman in the duke’s past, and why does his fading mind cling to her memory so fiercely? Format: Digital (Print and Audio to follow)
The Broken Places by Mia Sheridan (Psychological Thriller)
The streets of San Francisco aren’t as sunny as the city pretends they are. Inspector Lennon Gray has learned this the hard way, and it’s starting to wear on her. When a new case plunges her into the depths of the transient community, Lennon must once again face ugly truths about humanity. Her new partner makes things a little easier, though. Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Slay, Bells, Ring by Joanne Campbell Slan (Cozy Mystery)
This Christmas, shop owner Kiki Lowenstein has more than holiday crafts on her mind. As she juggles family responsibilities, her thriving business, and preparations for her famous Holiday Crafting Extravaganza, a series of mysterious burglaries plagues their quiet town of Webster Groves, a St. Louis suburb. Kiki soon finds herself drawn into a sinister plot that goes far beyond stolen jewelry. Format: Digital (Print and Audio to follow)
DECEMBER 2
Fa-La-La-La-Lola by Melissa Bourbon (Cozy Mystery)
Christmas is a time for giving, but Lola Cruz never expected her holiday spirit to include solving a murder. When PI-in-training Lola Cruz agrees to help Jack Callaghan’s cousin, Margo–with her baby in tow–she quickly finds herself in the middle of a holiday caper like no other. Just when Lola thinks she’s found Margo a safe haven, a man is found dead—and the police want answers. Format: Digital (Print to follow)
Cozy Up to Mystery by Colin Conway (Cozy Mystery)
Asher Reed is about to have the worst day since he started working at Coastal Haven, the oldest hotel in Marlowe Bay, Georgia. A flu outbreak has sent most of the staff home, leaving only a skeleton crew to keep the current guests happy. Unfortunately, the hotel is also hosting the annual Mystery Readers of America conference, so things are about to get busier for the only porter on duty. The weekend becomes even more complicated after a couple of figures from Asher’s past unexpectedly arrive. Format: Digital (Print and Audio to follow)
DECEMBER 3
The Secret of the Three Fates by Jess Armstrong (Historical Mystery)
American heiress Ruby Vaughn still hasn’t entirely forgiven her octogenarian employer and housemate Mr. Owen for bringing the occult into their lives during her recent trip to Cornwall. He claims their journey to Manhurst Castle in the Scottish Borders is simply to appraise and acquire illuminated manuscripts for their rare books shop, however when Ruby discovers there are no manuscripts and receives news of a séance to be held that very night, she begins to grow suspicious about the true reason why they have come. Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Club Contango by Eliane Boey (Technothriller)
The owner of an illegal micro-casino must deal with the murder of a former business partner and the fine print of an old AI contract as she races to recover her life from other versions of herself. Format: Digital
Echo by Tracy Clark (Police Procedural)
Hardwicke House, home to Belverton College’s exclusive Minotaur Society, is no stranger to tragedy. And when a body turns up in the field next to the mansion, the scene looks chillingly familiar. Chicago PD sends hard-nosed Detective Harriet “Harri” Foster to investigate. The victim is Brice Collier, a wealthy Belverton student, whose billionaire father, Sebastian, owns Hardwicke and ranks as a major school benefactor. Sebastian also has ties to the mansion’s notorious past, when thirty years ago, hazing led to a student’s death in the very same field. Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Good Lieutenant by E.J. Copperman (Legal Cozy Mystery)
While settling into her new home in Los Angeles together with her boyfriend and TV star Patrick McNabb, attorney Sandy Moss receives a phone call from the LA Men’s Detention Center. It’s a new client accused of murder: the near-stoic Lt. K.C. Trench! Format: Print, Digital, Audio
A Killer Hold by Leah Dobrinska (Cozy Mystery)
Spring has sprung, and with it, a full line-up of programming at Larkspur Community Library. Director Greta Plank is preparing to host the Wisconsin Library Organization’s annual conference—and dreading the arrival of her ex-boyfriend—while also helping a local treasure-hunting club coordinate a showcase highlighting Northern Wisconsin’s gangster trail and the nearby hideouts of the notorious criminals of the early twentieth century. Format: Print, Digital
The Close-Up by Pip Drysdale (Psychological Thriller)
When Zoe Ann Weiss moves to Los Angeles to pursue her dream of becoming a writer, her whole future is wide open. But then Zach, the bartender and aspiring actor she’s falling for, ghosts her. Her debut novel, a thriller, fails. And she has writer’s block worse than ever before. Now, three years later, Zach is famous and Zoe is…not. Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Mistletoe, Mutts and Murder by S.A. Kazlo (Cozy Mystery)
Christmas is coming and children’s book author, Samantha Davies, and her lovable dachshund, Porkchop, are caught up in the holiday festivities in beautiful upstate New York. Sam’s parents, Chuck and Barbara, who have been enjoying their retired life in sunny Florida, have flown into Wings Falls to spend the holidays with Sam and meet her new boyfriend, Detective Hank Johnson. Sam is also busy hosting this year’s Christmas party for the Loopy Ladies, Sam’s rug hooking group. Format: Print, Digital
Against the Grain by Peter Lovesey (Traditional Mystery)
Detective Peter Diamond, chief of the Avon and Somerset Murder Squad, is taking a short holiday in the country. His former colleague Julie Hargreaves has invited Diamond and his partner, Paloma, to visit the idyllic village of Baskerville (no relation to the Sherlock Holmes story, so he’s told). It turns out Julie’s invitation was not without ulterior motives. The woman who owns the village’s largest dairy farm has been convicted of manslaughter following a terrible accident in her grain silo. Julie’s ex-investigator instinct tells her there has been a miscarriage of justice and a murderer is on the loose—but Julie’s been keeping secrets of her own, and can’t take her inquiry any further. Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Scotzilla by Catriona McPherson (Cozy Mystery)
Lexy Campbell is about to put her bridezilla tendencies to one side to tie the knot with her beau Taylor in Cuento. The Last Ditch crew and Lexy’s mum and dad are all in attendance. But just as the couple are about to exchange vows, wedding celebrant Sister Sunshine is discovered dead, strangled with the fairy light decorations. Format: Print, Digital
The Rivals by Jane Pek (Traditional Mystery)
Claudia Lin—mystery novel superfan and, until recently, clichéd underemployed English major—has scored her dream job: co-running Veracity, a dating detective agency for chronically online New Yorkers who want to know if their prospective partners are telling the truth. Unfortunately, along the way, she and her colleagues—tech savant Squirrel, and the elegant and intimidating Becks—have uncovered a far-reaching AI conspiracy. And the corporate matchmakers may be resorting to murder to protect their secrets. Format: Print, Digital, Audio
I Murdered Someone and Never Got Caught by Don Rose (Traditional Mystery)
How did I never get caught? All I know is that I wanted to kill just one person. I wanted to see the life drain out of them. This was something I dreamt about, thought about, and was going to make happen. It was an exciting proposition. Some nights, I could not sleep due to excitement. Some days, I could not concentrate due to the exciting sensation murder would bring me. Could I only murder one person? Format: Print
Love the Stranger by Michael Sears (Financial Thriller)
Ted Molloy has hit his stride with a foreclosure investment scheme that brings him into contact with a cast of shady characters across New York’s most diverse borough, from Hollis to Howard Beach. On the side, he helps his activist girlfriend, Kenzie, with her work to halt construction on “the Spike”—a corporate-backed development project in Corona that would displace the largely immigrant communities surrounding it. Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Alter Ego by Alex Segura (Superhero Science Fiction)
Annie Bustamante is a cultural force like none other: an acclaimed filmmaker, an author, a comic book artist known for one of the all time best superhero comics in recent memory. But she’s never been able to tackle her longtime favorite superhero, the Lethal Lynx. Only known to the most die-hard comics fans and long out of print, the rights were never available—until now. Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Perfect Storm by Paige Shelton (Traditional Mystery)
Beth Rivers needs to disappear. Her one-time kidnapper, Travis, is on his way to her town in Alaska, and she’s losing time to get out quickly. The perfect spot for Beth and her boyfriend, Tex, to hide, presents itself in a camp in the woods, away from Benedict. But when their trip takes them by Blue Mine, a small community that has seen tragedy over the last couple months, plans get diverted. Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Trouble Island by Sharon Short (Suspense)
Many miles from anywhere in the middle of Lake Erie, Trouble Island serves as a stop-off for gangsters as they run between America and Canada. The remote isle is also the permanent home to two women: Aurelia Escalante, who serves as a maid to Rosita, lady of the mansion and wife to the notorious prohibition gangster, Eddie McGee. In the freezing winter of 1932, the women anticipate the arrival of Eddie and his strange coterie: his right-hand man, a doctor, a cousin, a famous actor, and a rival gangster who Rosita believes murdered their only son. Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Buried Road by Katie Tallo (Psychological Thriller)
When the love of her life disappeared on a camping trip, Gus Monet was devastated. Her daughter was only nine at the time, but young Bly still remembers the heartbreak vividly. Howard had been like a father to her. He was a journalist working on a story that took a dark and dangerous turn. The last time they saw him, he was going to meet a source he believed could blow the story wide open. Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Murder in Season by Mary Winters (Historical Mystery)
Countess by day, secret advice columnist by night, Amelia Amesbury has life happily balanced on a quill’s edge . . . until her sister Margaret shows up in London under a blanket of scandal and Amelia is catapulted out of mourning and into the ton’s unforgiving Season. Format: Print, Digital (Audio to follow)
DECEMBER 4
Caroling Chaos by D.B. McNicol (Cozy Mystery)
Roger Thornton has been in charge of the music in Holiday Corner for more years than most could remember. But when Ada Starr, a retired professional singer, moves to town some folks feel she is better suited to conduct the church choir and Christmas carolers. Format: Digital (Print to follow)
Frosty Fugitives by Sharon Michaels (Cozy Mystery)
As word spreads through the small town, twin sisters, Alexa and Aria, become the unwitting suspects. Several eyewitnesses claim they saw two figures, one resembling Alexa and the other Aria, running from the town square minutes before the body was discovered. Format: Digital (Print to follow)
Holiday Heist by leana Muñoz Renfroe (Cozy Mystery)
Set in the charming town of Holiday Corner, Vermont. The story revolves around Celeste and Edwin, who are eagerly preparing for their wedding. However, their celebration takes on a deeper meaning when they decide to host a fundraiser in conjunction with their nuptials to support the Sutton family, who have fallen on hard times. Format: Digital (Print to follow)
The Mystery at Love’s Manor by D.W. Thompson (Traditional Mystery) *first book in a new series*
Emma Love never thought she’d return to her hometown after years away from her estranged family. But when her sister-in-law is kidnapped, Emma puts her life on hold to help an old flame, Deputy Sam Mattingley, solve the case and bring Gwen home. With a degree in Criminal Justice and part-time experience working at a detective agency, Emma’s skills are tested. Format: Print, Digital, Audio
DECEMBER 5
Missing: A Perfect Vacation. A Perfect Nightmare by Christy Cooper-Burnett (Suspense)
Megan Hamilton is boring. At least that’s what her fiancé tells her right before he dumps her for another woman.Still healing from the break-up, introverted Megan reluctantly agrees to join her mother on a luxurious cruise to Mexico to rebuild her shattered world. Format: Print, Digital
Face Down Beside St. Ann’s Well by Kathy Lynn Emerson (Historical Mystery 1570s)
Features Susanna, Lady Appleton as a sixteenth-century herbalist who has a knack for solving murders. The story is set in Buxton, Derbyshire, where a midnight visit to the famous baths by Susanna’s twelve-year-old foster daughter, Rosamond, has unexpected consequences. Is it possible that, once again, conspirators are attempting to rescue Mary, Queen of Scots from English captivity? Format: Print
Murder at the Bee Farm by Sue Hollowell (Cozy Mystery) *first book in a new series*
Welcome to Honeyridge Falls, where the sweet scent of honey masks dark secrets. Moxie Rayburn returns to her grandmother’s cozy B&B seeking a fresh start, but her plans are derailed when a shocking tragedy strikes at Sweet Buzz Farms. To her dismay, a person from her past becomes a prime suspect. Despite their complicated history, Moxie can’t shake the feeling that he might be innocent. Torn between lingering resentment and a sense of justice, she reluctantly decides to help uncover the truth. Format: Print, Digital
The Peanut Butter Murders by Corinne Holt Sawyer (Cozy Mystery)
The dead man was a mere fifty, too young to have much in common with the well-heeled oldsters at the beautiful Camden-sur-Mer retirement community in southern California. His death looks like an accident, but when those ever-alert senior sleuths Angela Benbow and Caledonia Wingate discover that he was courting one of their neighbours, they can’t help hoping they’ll luck into a nice murder investigation. Format: Print, Digital
DECEMBER 6
Malicious Intent by Hannah Ellis (Cozy Mystery)
After successfully catching a killer, Lily Larkin has gained herself a reputation on the quaint Cornish island of St Mary’s. But her plans to open an ice cream shop mean she doesn’t have time for solving mysteries. At least until a teenager turns up on her doorstep claiming he’s in danger and begging for her help. When the boy disappears, he’s already given Lily a list of likely suspects. Format: Digital (Print to follow)
Note: in some cases, print releases for digital titles will be forthcoming.