Looking for something to read? Check out some of the new titles releasing during the week of September 25 – October 1, 2022 with two debut series. I hope a few of these books take you to an exciting place. Have fun reading!
Murder on the Poet’s Walk by Ellery Adams (Cozy)
As Jane eagerly anticipates the wedding of her best friend Eloise Alcott, Storyton Hall is overrun with poets in town to compete for a coveted greeting card contract. They’re everywhere, scrawling verses on cocktail napkins in the reading rooms or seeking inspiration strolling the Poet’s Walk, a series of trails named after famous authors. But the Tennyson Trail leads to a grim surprise: a woman’s corpse drifting in a rowboat on a lake, a crumpled copy of “The Lady of Shallot” in her lifeless fist.
Treasure State by C.J. Box (Private Investigator)
Private Investigator Cassie Dewell’s business is thriving, and her latest case puts her on the hunt for a slippery con man who’s disappeared somewhere in the “treasure state”. A wealthy Florida widow has accused him of absconding with her fortune, and wants Cassie to find him and get it back. The trail takes Cassie to Anaconda, Montana, a quirky former copper mining town that’s the perfect place to reinvent yourself. As the case develops, Cassie begins to wonder if her client is telling her everything.
Christmas Cocoa and a Corpse by Maddie Day (Cozy Novella)
When local businessman Jed Greenberg is found dead with a Chocolate lab whimpering over his body, the police start sniffing around Robbie Jordan’s country restaurant for answers. Was it something in Robbie’s hot cocoa that killed Jed, or was it Cocoa, the dog? As the suspects pile as high as her holiday tree, Robbie attempts to get to the bottom of the sickly-sweet murder.
Murder in a Cape Cottage by Maddie Day (Cozy)
ʼTis the day after Christmas, following a wicked-busy time of year for Mac’s bike shop. It’s just as well her Cozy Capers Book Group’s new pick is a nerve-soothing coloring book mystery, especially when she has last-minute wedding planning to do. But all pre-wedding jitters fade into the background when Mac and her fiancé, Tim, begin a cottage renovation project and open up a wall to find a skeleton—sitting on a stool, dressed in an old-fashioned bridal gown . . .
Death of a Christmas Card Crafter by Peggy Ehrhart (Cozy Novella)
Slay bells ring when the body of Arborville High School’s beloved art teacher (and annual Christmas card designer), Karma Karling, is discovered on the first day of the Holiday Craft Fair. Now, Pamela Paterson and the Knit and Nibble crew must swap swatching for sleuthing in order to put a Christmas killer on ice.
Death by Hot Cocoa by Alex Erickson (Cozy Novella)
A Christmas-themed escape game seems like the perfect pre-holiday treat for bookstore café owner Krissy Hancock and her best friend. But one of the beverages doesn’t sit so well with someone. When the host is found dead in a pool of hot cocoa, it’s up to Krissy and her team to catch the killer—or escape before getting killed.
A Dark and Snowy Night by Sally Goldenbaum (Cozy)
Winter in Sea Harbor is a feast for the senses—crackling bonfires, the scent of snow in the salty air, carols ringing out on the village green. This year, the Seaside Knitters have a sackful of obligations in addition to their usual Christmas preparations. Izzy is so overloaded with knitting classes that she hires an extra salesperson, but the new addition has trouble fitting into the yarn shop’s holiday spirit. Cass, juggling the stresses of running her lobster fishery, has finally found a nanny for her active toddler. Molly Flanigan seems practically perfect in every way—until she suddenly disappears, taking Cass’s beloved rescue mutt with her.
A Gentlewoman’s Guide to Murder by Victoria Hamilton (Historical) *re-release*
Refusing to stand by while the wealthy men of London prey on their powerless scullery maids and other young women, Miss Emmeline St. Germaine has made it her mission to rescue the victims and threaten the men at dagger-point to cease their depravities. But mere hours after she pays just such a visit to a prominent knight, he’s found murdered and all of London is aghast.
Death by Yule Log by Lee Hollis (Cozy Novella)
Hayley Powell’s holidays aren’t off to a very merry start. Not only has her daughter brought Conner—an infuriatingly perfect new beau—home to Bar Harbor, but a local troublemaker has been found dead with traces of her signature Yule log cake on his body. As Conner becomes the prime murder suspect, Hayley must put aside her mixed feelings to identify the real killjoy.
Death of a Christmas Carol by Lee Hollis (Cozy Novella)
The Island Times Christmas soiree gets off to a scrooge-y start when Hayley Powell, Mona Barnes, and Rosana Moretti receive a Christmas card from the town flirt, Carol Waterman—who threatens to run off with one of their husbands. The ladies chalk it up to an imprudent prank . . . until they find Carol mistletoe-up under her tree.
Seams Like Murder by Dorothy Howell (Cozy) *new series*
Abbey has barely arrived in the quaint, quiet town of Hideaway Grove before things turn from blissful to bloody—as the new librarian is mowed down by a car. The only witness on the scene isn’t much help, aside from handing Abbey the bag of books dropped by the victim. Even worse, the sheriff’s office seizes Abbey’s car because of a suspicious dent in the right front fender.
Mrs. Claus and The Evil Elves by Liz Ireland (Cozy)
April Claus is getting an early gift for her second Christmas in Santaland. Her dear friend, Claire, is visiting from Oregon, and April hopes to show off her adoptive country at its cozy, glittering best. But when the annual ice sculpture contest is derailed by a kamikaze drone-deer, it’s just the first in a series of un-festive events . . .
Frightful Friday by Denise Jaden (Cozy)
Tabby is finally ready to go on a casual fun date with Detective Jay Jameson at the local church’s Harvest Festival, but her witch friends are holding their Fright Night fundraiser that same night. She feels caught in the middle of a long-standing quarrel between the two groups, especially when a dead body shows up at the center of it all.
By the Time You Read This I’ll Be Gone by Stephanie Kuehn (Cozy) *new series*
Beatrice Fletcher is obsessed with unsolved murders in her small town of Cabot Cove, Maine like her great-aunt Jessica, the famous mystery writer. But when her best friend Jackson goes missing, this time the mystery is personal. Then Jackson fails to show up for a late night meet-up, and instead, Bea stumbles upon three students from the elite Broadmoor Academy: overly-friendly and slightly vicious Leisl, her aloof twin brother, Leif, and Carlos, who knows more about, well, everything than he’s letting on.
Terminated: He Won’t Be Back by Gayle Leeson (Cozy)
After a stint in set design in New York City, Dina returns to her hometown of Skillet Ridge, Virginia, to open a movie memorabilia museum and shop. Being there working on a movie set made her realize just how much she missed the town and her family.
The Last Door by Sheila Lowe (Thriller)
Jessica Mack is not afraid of ghosts. She has been communicating with the spirit world since last year, when she was forced to surrender to her psychic gifts. Since then, she has used those gifts to help the FBI, and to answer voices from the Other Side asking for favors. Most of the requests are poignant — “tell my wife I’m sorry for the way I behaved.” “Let my son know I love him.”
The Midnight Call by Jodé Millman (Suspense) *re-release*
Late one August night, Jessie’s lifelong mentor and friend—and presently a popular, charismatic, and handsome high school teacher—Terrence Butterfield calls. He utters a startling admission: he’s killed someone. He pleads for Jessie’s help, so out of loyalty, she rushes to his aid completely unaware that she’s risking her relationship, her career, and her life–and that of her unborn child—to help Terrence.
Gone For Gouda by Korina Moss (Cozy)
Yarrow Glen’s newest cheese shop, Curds & Whey, has a lot on its plate, but cheesemonger Willa Bauer relishes a challenge. There’s a float to build for the fall festival, plus the French-inspired cheese shop is playing host to celebrity vegan chef Phoebe Winston. But when photos surface that prove this vegan influencer is, in fact, a carnivore, things crumble faster than any cheese on the market: Phoebe is murdered.
Killer in the Kitchen by Judy L. Murray (Cozy)
When real estate pro Helen Morrisey’s bombshell daughter, Lizzie, a popular home shopping network host, invites her to meet an internationally famous chef, Helen jumps at the chance. What woman doesn’t want to shake hands with a celebrity and do a little shopping at the same time? Even more intriguing, this culinary superstar is about to sell his waterfront mansion and it’s her opportunity to talk business.
Christmas Scarf Murder by Carlene O’Connor, Maddie Day, Peggy Ehrhart (Cozy Anthology)
Stocking stuffers like handknit scarves make the coziest of Christmas gifts—unless they’re used as accessories for murder! 1) Christmas Scarf Murder by Carlene O’Connor, 2) Scarfed Down by Maddie Day, 3) Death by Christmas Scarf by Peggy Ehrhart.
Murder at the Serpentine Bridge by Andrea Penrose (Historical)
Charlotte, now the Countess of Wrexford, would like nothing more than a summer of peace and quiet with her new husband and their unconventional family and friends. Still, some social obligations must be honored, especially with the grand Peace Celebrations unfolding throughout London to honor victory over Napoleon.
Tourist Trap Murder by Sue Pepper (Cozy)
Every summer afternoon the streets of downtown Jackson Hole shut down and the Wild West is real again as the oldest gunfight in the west plays out for gathered tourists. There’s no way in or out until after the shootout players have taken their bows and the hat has been passed for tips—the ultimate tourist trap.
20 Carats by Larissa Reinhart (Cozy)
#GentlemenPreferDetectives When Maize’s ex-costar and ex-fiancé Giulio Belloni is arrested for stealing her mother’s priceless gold jewelry box — once owned by Marilyn Monroe — Maizie believes Giulio’s been framed. As the thefts and suspects multiply, it seems Giulio’s enemies number more than his fans.
Logged On by Barbara Ross (Cozy Novella)
Realizing she can’t make a decent Bûche de Noël to save her life, Julia Snowden enlists the help of her eccentric neighbor, Mrs. St. Onge, in hopes of mastering the dessert for Christmas. With everyone in the old woman’s circle missing or deceased, however, it’s up to Julia to stop the deadly tidings before she’s the next Busman’s Harbor resident to meet a not-so-jolly fate.
In Trouble with the Claw by Eryn Scott (Cozy)
Louisa’s first fall in Button is everything she hoped it would be: corn mazes, pumpkin patches, quirky town traditions, and beautiful foliage. The only unexpected thing: a dead body found in a pile of colorful leaves. When Lou starts getting cryptic text messages about the murder, she’s wary, to say the least.
Murder at the Weddings by Lee Strauss and Norm Strauss (Cozy)
If one wedding is good, a double wedding is better! Rosa and Miguel agree that walking down the aisle with Bill and Carlotta solves a lot of social and familial problems, but the drama is notched up when a dead body arrives with dessert!
Gingerbread Dead by Kirsten Weiss (Cozy)
Tea and Tarot room owner Abigail is having a hard time getting into holiday mode. She’s working her assets off to make the tearoom a premier holiday destination, searching for an appropriate Christmas gift for her new boyfriend, and trying to forget her aggravating but oh, so tempting neighbor, Brik. But when one of the Tarot readers finds a nearby business owner dead, Abigail and her Tarot-reading partner Hyperion are on the case.
What an amazing lineup! So much Chritmas reading–and murder!