Thank you, Dru Ann, for hosting us for the second year in a row! Festive Mayhem 2 follows on the heels of Festive Mayhem, last year’s holiday anthology. Some of the authors are the same, some are new. This year we decided to focus on culinary cozy mysteries. As a fun bonus, we’ve also included a recipe from each story. Please keep reading to sample these never-before-published short stories, then grab the full collection at your favorite online retailer!
“Nefarious New Year” by Paige Sleuth. “Good grief.” Kenny stared at Imogene, his mouth rounded in an O. If it were possible, he looked even more incredulous now than he had when she’d announced her intention to become a full-time vegetarian. “You reckon Josh Barnaby was poisoned? Why in the name of Pete would you think that?”
“The Brotherhood of Tricks and Treats” by Francelia Belton. Vincent liked to think of himself as a forthright and trusting fellow. But he probably should have been suspicious when his brothers asked him to come with them to the Silver Sax’s Halloween costume party later that evening. They had never invited him to go with them anywhere before.
“Cookies, Lies & Homicide” by Angela Henry. But as Mercy arrived at the wreathed wrought iron gate of the big, brick Victorian, she was greeted by the sight of a crowd of shocked, whispering onlookers along with a coroner’s van and a police car. Two men were loading a body bag into the back of the van, and Mercy quickly realized she was wrong. Agnes Tremaine was not frantic over her lost dog. She was dead.
“Last Bite” by Rhoda Berlin. The excitement had attracted overfed, nosy neighbors. By the time the paramedics, police, and medical examiner had departed, only smart, friendly Mr. Feldman remained.
“A Praline for Pepe” by Carolyn Marie Wilkins. As I approached the pier, my head began to throb. For some unknown reason, my psychic senses were on high alert. Filled with the sudden certainty that something was terribly wrong, I began to run toward the boat.
“A Cup of Secrets” by Barbara Howard. He stared at the news alert that popped up on his phone. Chelsea’s high school graduation photo was under the headline, Investigation Underway After Chelsea Parker of Layne Township Found Dead.
“The Jollof Rice and Crayfish Mystery” by Stella Oni. They had ruled it as an accident, but Elizabeth would not let that go. She worried that if it was not her, who added the crayfish to the Chief’s rice? Who was trying to kill him?
Did you enjoy these snippets? Pick up your copy of Festive Mayhem 2 to read the full stories. But hurry. This is a limited-edition collection!
Seven crime writers of color have teamed up for the second year running to offer you the gift of escape this holiday season. From Thanksgiving to Christmas, Halloween to New Year’s, cozy mystery fans are bound to find a favorite holiday represented in this limited-time collection of exclusive, never-before-published seasonal short stories. Recipes included!
Click here to find the book at your favorite online retailer. (Available in ebook format only.)
About the Authors
Seven mystery writers of color contributed to this anthology: Paige Sleuth, Francelia Belton, Angela Henry, Rhoda Berlin, Carolyn Marie Wilkins, Barbara Howard, and Stella Oni.
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Giveaway 1
The authors are hosting a multi-book giveaway to celebrate their new release. Visit the Rafflecopter by October 23, 2021 to enter for your chance to win. Good luck and happy holidays!
Bonus Giveaway 2
Leave a comment below for a chance to win a kindle copy of Festive Mayhem 2. Giveaway ends October 6, 2021. Good luck!
Thank you so much for featuring Festive Mayhem 2 today, and for your generous giveaway! I’m so excited to see these wonderful stories out in the world.
Thanks for featuring our anthology! It is a super fun collection of stories and recipes. I’m proud to be a part of this.
So glad to have a story alongside yours in Festive Mayhem 2, Carolyn!
Thanks Marla for contributing this piece on my blog.
I’ve read a few of the stories and I enjoyed them.
I’m so happy you’re enjoying the stories, Dru Ann! And I can’t thank you enough for being such a tireless author champion. It is an honor to be visiting your blog today!
Sounds like a fun collection. Just in time for the holidays.
Thank you, Sharon! I know I’m biased, but I think we really did end up with such a fun collection of stories.
Sounds like a great Holiday anthology. Good way to discover new to me authors.
Thank you, Dianne!
Sounds good.
Thank you, Sandy!
I would truly love to win this collection!
Best of luck in the giveaway, Amy!
I love mysteries about food, and including recipes is such a nice bonus
Thank you, Rochelle! I love the recipe aspect too!
This collection was such fun! So great to return to Festive Mayhem 2 for more delicious intrigue.
Thank you so much, Delia! I so appreciate your support and enthusiasm!
Thanks so much for your support, Dru Ann! We hope everyone has as much fun reading Festive Mayhem 2 as we had creating it!
This has definitely been a fun project, Rhoda, and I’m so happy you joined us!
I love holiday collections, especially when food is added! Thanks for the chance!
Thank you for stopping by, Christi, and good luck in the giveaway!
I am a sucker for mystery short stories and this one has a bonus collection of recipes. I am rubbing my hands in anticipation!
Thank you so much, Stella! We definitely had fun putting this collection together, and I hope readers enjoy it just as much!
Okay Dru. You’ve done it again. Just ordered my copy. It sounds great, thank you!
Thank you so much, Kay! I hope you enjoy the stories!
**** WINNER ****
Festive Mayhem 2 is Amy Gill
Congratulations!
Congratulations, Amy, and thank you, Dru Ann, for hosting this generous giveaway!