Looking for something to read? Check out some of the new titles releasing during the week of July 21 – 27, 2024 with six debut series. I hope a few of these books take you to an exciting place. Have fun reading!

JULY 22
Murder Among the Pyramids by Sara Rosett (Historical Mystery 1920s) *first book in a new series*
Blix Windway has made a career out of her wanderlust, giving lectures to ladies’ groups about everything from the flora of the American desert to the beauty of the Swiss Alps, but she needs new material for her talks. She strikes what seems to be an ideal agreement with an eccentric older lady. Blix will be her travel companion during a journey to Egypt, helping to smooth the way through customs and coordinate sightseeing tours. The arrangement will provide Blix with the perfect opportunity to photograph the pyramids and gather material for her next lecture series. Format: Print, Digital

JULY 23
Nocino Noir by Traci Andrighetti (Cozy Mystery)
It’s a slow, steamy summer in New Orleans’ French Quarter, but Franki Amato is busy planning her bridal shower—that is, until a hit-and-run outside a coffee shop gets her PI senses percolating. The victim is linked to crimes at a fancy society wedding in a haunted hotel where Franki’s fiancé’s family is staying. As for the java joint, it’s straight out of a hardboiled detective movie, and there’s something hinky about its walnut liqueur coffee. Franki’s Sicilian nonna says the macabre events are proof the malocchio has been cast on her impending marriage, and to her utter surprise, her future grandmother-in-law also suspects the evil eye. Format: Print, Digital

Lucy Burdette’s Kitchen by Lucy Burdette (Southern Cooking)
From bestselling author Lucy Burdette, this collection of recipes from her Key West Food Critic mysteries serves up delectable desserts, tempting treats, and savory sides. It’s out of the fire and into the frying pan! The Key West Food Critic series is known for its dastardly deaths, creative clues, and mouth-watering mysteries. Now, for the first time, all the recipes featured in the series are gathered in a collection for the first time. Format: Print, Digital

A Cup of Flour, A Pinch of Death by Valerie Burns (Cozy Mystery)
Thanks to Maddy’s social media savvy, Baby Cakes Bakery is becoming a huge success—so much so that she’s attracted the attention of her former nemesis, the fiancé-stealing Brandy Denton. When Brandy blows into New Bison like an ill wind and disrupts a vlog Maddy’s filming, their argument goes viral. After Brandy’s body is found in the freezer at Baby Cakes, Maddy instantly goes from viral sensation to murder suspect. Format: Print, Digital, Audio

A Very Woodsy Murder by Ellen Byron (Cozy Mystery) *first book in a new series*
Down-on-her-luck sitcom writer Dee Stern is flipping the script. Twice divorced and wasting her talents on an obnoxious kids’ show, the lifelong Angeleno embraces the urge to jump in her car and keep driving. It’s a road trip with no destination—until she pulls into a mid-century motel filled with cobwebs and retro charm. Nestled in the shadow of a national park, it’s a time capsule of a place that, like her, could use some work. So, in the most impulsive move of her life, Dee teams up with best friend, Jeff Cornetta—who happens to be her first ex-husband—to transform the aging ranch into the Golden Motel-of-the-Mountains, a hiker’s oasis on the edge of the wilderness . . . Format: Print, Digital, Audio

Peking Duck and Cover by Vivien Chien (Cozy Mystery)
Chinese New Year is supposed to be a time of fresh beginnings and celebrations of good fortune to come. Naturally, the shop owners of Asia Village jump at the chance to participate in creating a memorable holiday event that will bring positive light to the plaza, and prosperity for all those involved. Format: Print, Digital, Audio

Trouble Is Brewing by Vicki Delany (Cozy Mystery)
Members of the Reynolds and Hill families are staying at Lily’s grandmother’s bed and breakfast, and now they’ve gathered at Tea by the Sea to sip some delicious blends while they shower bride-to-be Hannah Hill with presents. But the last package Hannah unwraps contains a beheaded Raggedy Ann doll and triggers a bloodcurdling scream. A doll like this was the last gift from her father before he died long ago, and she’s chilled to the bone. Format: Print, Digital, Audio

Echoes Of Memory by Sara Driscoll (Psychological Thriller)
After surviving a terrible attack, Quinn Fleming has recovered in every way but one—her ability to retain new memories. Now, months later, it appears to the outside world as if the San Diego florist’s life is back to normal. But Quinn is barely holding on, relying on a notebook she carries with her at all times, a record of her entire existence since the assault. So when she witnesses a murder in the shadowy alley behind the florist shop, Quinn immediately writes down every terrifying detail of the incident before her amnesia wipes it away. Format: Print, Digital, Audio

Chaos at the Lazy Bones Bookshop by Emmeline Duncan (Cozy Mystery) *first book in a new series*
Normally, spooky season is Bailey Briggs’ favorite time of year, and her Halloween-themed small town’s time to shine. But between managing Lazy Bones Books, working on her graphic novel-in-progress, and running the Spooky Season Literary Festival, Bailey hardly has a moment to enjoy Elyan Hollow’s spot-on seasonal vibes. Not to mention, at every turn she seems to be tripping over the contentious crew of Gone Ghouls, a ghost-hunting reality TV show currently filming around town. Bailey tries to stay focused on the Lit Festival, which is supposed to kick off Elyan Hollow’s annual Halloween Fair; instead, this year’s festival begins with a murder . . . Format: Print, Digital, Audio

The Best Lies by David Ellis (Psychological Thriller)
Leo Balanoff is a diagnosed pathological liar with unthinkable skeletons in his family’s closet. He’s also a crusading attorney who seeks justice at all costs. When a ruthless drug dealer is found dead and Leo’s fingerprints show up on the murder weapon, no one believes a word he says. But he might be the FBI’s only shot at taking down the dealer’s brutal syndicate. Format: Print, Digital, Audio

The Last Draft by Agatha Frost (Cozy Mystery) *first book in a new series*
Meet Ellie Swan… an introverted bookworm with a history degree stuck at a crossroads. After putting her degree to work in a TV studio’s historical continuity department for years, the studio merges with a giant streaming service and Ellie loses her dream job. She finds herself working in a coffee shop to make ends meet, and while waiting for the perfect opportunity to come along… she gets a phone call informing her that her dear Granny Maggie has broken her hip. Format: Print, Digital

There’s No Murder Like Show Murder by M. S. Greene (Cozy Mystery)
Tasha Weaver is most at home in the cozy backstage world of the Eastbrook Playhouse. As the costume shop head at the charming regional theater, she’s used to watching dramatic acts of love and revenge from the shadows. But when Kurt Mozer—the insufferable Broadway reject who stars in their production of Annie Get Your Gun—is shot center stage, the spotlight turns to her. Format: Print, Digital, Audio

Girls’ Night Out by J.A. Jance (Short Story Thriller)
A skilled mechanic and certified spitfire, Twinkle Winkleman is as hard as nails; she has to be with a name like hers. Twinkle learned everything there is to know about cars from her time in her daddy’s garage in Anchorage, and when her father dies, she gains ownership of the shop and Maude, her dad’s prized 1973 International Harvester Travelall. Format: Digital, Audio

A Jewel In The Crown by David Lewis (Historical Mystery 1940s)
Weeks after the evacuation of Dunkirk, Germany is poised to invade a near-defenseless Britain. To safeguard the Crown Jewels from the Nazis, Winston Churchill devises a daring gamble to have them shipped overseas. The priceless artifacts will be secretly removed from the Tower of London and driven north to Scotland by two operatives posing as a young married couple, to be taken from there to Canada. Format: Print, Digital

A Latte Mayhem by Tyora Moody (Cozy Mystery)
After the success of her first true crime podcast series, barista Joss Miller returns with a new season of the Cold Justice Podcast. Joss dives into the investigation of a local artist and activist, Rebecca Montgomery, who went missing three years ago. Format: Print, Digital

Puzzle Me a Murder by Roz Noonan (Cozy Mystery) *first book in a new series*
Down-on-her-luck Alice had hoped to retire before turning sixty-five, not struggle to keep her cozy home and dependable job. But even after divorce leaves her golden years a mess, the pieces always come together with a little help from her friends—a fun-loving crew who thrive on jigsaws over coffee, cocktails, and gossip. So, when it’s time to defend close confidant Ruby Milliner, she springs into action. Only, in this case, supporting Ruby means proving she didn’t murder her cheating husband! Format: Print, Digital, Audio

Lakeside Secrets by K.D. Richards (Romantic Suspense)
Twenty years ago, trauma and injury stole Karine Eloi’s memories of her mother’s murder. Now she’s back home, teaming up with her best friend, Omar Monroe, to uncover the truth. But the townspeople refuse to spill their secrets, leaving Karine’s life in danger. Omar will risk everything to prevent the woman he’s always had feelings for from becoming the victim of another unsolved murder. Format: Print, Digital

Charlotte Illes Is Not a Teacher by Katie Siegel (Traditional Mystery)
Mention “returning to the scene of a crime,” and people don’t usually picture a middle school. But that’s where kid detective Lottie Illes enjoyed some of her greatest successes, solving mysteries and winning acclaim—before the world of adult responsibilities came crashing in . . . Format: Print, Digital, Audio

Shadow of Doubt by Brad Thor (Thriller)
A mysterious cargo plane, flanked by a squadron of Russia’s most lethal fighters, has just taken off from a remote airbase. Closely monitored by the United States, no one inside the Pentagon has any idea where it’s going or what it’s carrying. Format: Print, Digital, Audio

A Certain Kind of Starlight by Heather Webber (Magical Realism)
Everyone knows that Addie Fullbright can’t keep a secret. Yet, twelve years ago, as her best friend lay dying, she entrusted Addie with the biggest secret of all. One so shattering that Addie felt she had to leave her hometown of Starlight, Alabama, to keep from revealing a devastating truth to someone she cares for deeply. Now she’s living a lonely life, keeping everyone at a distance, not only to protect the secret but also her heart from the pain of losing someone else. But when her beloved aunt, the woman who helped raise her, gets a shocking diagnosis and asks her to come back to Starlight to help run the family bakery, Addie knows it’s finally time to go home again. Format: Print, Digital, Audio

JULY 25
Warped on a Moon Trek by Diane Vallere (Cozy Sci-Fi Mystery)
Sylvia Stryker is the Moon Unit Corporation’s employee of the month. Impressive, since her side gig solving intergalactic mysteries takes up most of her time. But she is put to a new test after her mentor, Neptune, flies through a wormhole to meet with a reclusive scientist about the faulty chip powering their lunar module. The contact has been hiding from accusations of murder on another planet. Even more startling is the identity of the scientist: a family member Sylvia never thought she’d see again. Format: Print, Digital

JULY 26
All Money Ain’t Good Money by Tracey Lampley (Private Investigator Mystery) *first book in a new series*
As a novice private investigator, Jinx Curry could f*ck up a wet dream. But as an experienced PI, she hates her job. The single mom spends her days spying on cheating wives and husbands, but she aches for more importance. Format: Print, Digital

Note: in some cases, print releases for digital titles will be forthcoming.