Gift Wrapped For Murder


Book Description

Come visit New Mexico at Christmas! Three full-length books and a novella by USA Today and international bestselling author, Connie Shelton. Featuring the characters from both of her popular cozy mystery series, each of these stories features a holiday setting that is sure to whet your appetite for the season! "Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life in her colorful, vivid description..." -- Albuquerque Journal "Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes." -- The Midwest Book Review Sweet Holidays This book is third in the Samantha Sweet mystery series which features a fifty-something woman who breaks into houses for a living. Her sideline business—baking delectable cakes and goodies—has now blossomed into a full-time pastry shop and Sam is about to experience her first Christmas season as entrepreneur, which she juggles with the commitments of her previous job and a budding romance with Beau Cardwell, the county sheriff. Honeymoons Can Be Murder This book is sixth in the Charlie Parker mystery series, in which Charlotte “Charlie” Parker finds herself drawn somewhat against her better judgment into the cases that come into her family private investigation firm. This time, Charlie and her husband Drake—newlyweds—have been given the chance for an extended Christmas-season honeymoon at a cozy cabin in the snowy mountains near Taos, New Mexico. While the fireplace burns brightly indoors, a new mystery presents itself and Charlie becomes wrapped up in a puzzle involving false murder accusations, stolen artifacts, and someone whose actions mean to leave Charlie to die in the cold. Buried Secrets Can Be Murder Charlie Parker is hoping for a holiday season without drama but that just isn’t going to happen. Her office assistant’s baby is due any moment, her brother is engaged to a woman Charlie is only now beginning to know, and her social calendar is becoming incredibly full. When she and Drake are invited to a soiree at a showplace historic home, she’s eager to go. But before she can fully settle in and enjoy the season, a disturbing case comes through the door at RJP Investigations and Charlie can’t turn away the distraught man whose life was ripped apart by the disappearance of his children several years earlier. She has to do everything in her power to make his family holiday a happy one, even if the effort might very well destroy her own. Holidays Can Be Murder This Christmas novella brings together all that we love about the holidays—special foods, plenty of sweets, and visiting mothers-in-law. Charlie is about to host Drake’s mother for the week and isn’t at all sure how that will work out. They make ready for the visit with all the extras that make a New Mexico Christmas so special—setting out luminarias, hanging the outdoor lights, putting up the tree, making green chile stew and hoping for snow. It should be perfect. It would be perfect, except for the murder that happens right in their neighborhood. (Includes two bonus New Mexico holiday recipes.)




Marked for Murder


Book Description

From USA Today bestselling author Leslie Langtry comes the latest laugh-out-loud Merry Wrath mystery... Merry Wrath has been out of the spy biz so long that she's sure the CIA has forgotten all about her. Life in suburban Who's There, Iowa is pretty quiet in comparison to the Company, and as long as her Girl Scout Troop isn't inadvertently burning down her garage (again), Merry is thinking it's time to clean out all the plastique and booby traps she's been hiding in the basement, once and for all. That is, until assassin Hilly Vinton (who isn't an assassin because the CIA doesn't have assassins...but totally is) shows up with an agency-ordered Termination Contract on Merry. This has to be an elaborate prank. Or so Merry thinks, until she learns that the contract also went out to the Russians, Chechens, and Colombian cartels. It isn't long before Merry's small hometown is flooded with interested bad guys. When these killers start showing up as bodies, Merry isn't sure if she should go on the lam (which has Hilly's enthusiastic vote) or stay to protect Who's There. There are too many questions! Can she solve the murders before the murderer gets her? Should she stay or go? How's it possible that the troop's future-predicting cootie catcher is so accurate? And why does the CIA want Merry Wrath dead? What critics are saying about Leslie Langtry's books: "I laughed so hard I cried on multiple occasions! Girl Scouts, the CIA, and the Yakuza... what could possibly go wrong?" ~ Fresh Fiction "Darkly funny and wildly over the top, this mystery answers the burning question, 'Do assassin skills and Girl Scout merit badges mix…?'" ~ RT BOOKreviews "Mixing a deadly sense of humor and plenty of sexy sizzle, Leslie Langtry creates a brilliantly original, laughter-rich mix of contemporary romance and suspense." ~ Chicago Tribune "Langtry gets the fun started from page one." ~ Publisher's Weekly




The Scent of Murder


Book Description

Someone is playing perfume-related pranks at Kantor's Department Store. So far, it's only an inconvenience; but when a perfume model is found murdered in Marissa Scott's office, things turn deadly serious. Since the body is




A Most Efficient Murder


Book Description

When the reclusive Earl of Unsworth’s first party in over a decade is spoiled by murder, His Lordship’s loyal and efficient secretary, Mr. Quayle, must unravel a web of red-herrings and buried secrets in this "English country house mystery infused with humor, verve, and plenty of surprises." (Kirkus Reviews) “I do not wish to disturb you, your lordship, but there is a body in the garden…” England, 1925. When a strange young woman is found murdered on the grounds of Unsworth Castle, the Earl and his family are astounded at first, but quickly become enraged when the police begin asking all sorts of impertinent questions. And when suspicions dare to fall on one of their own, it is up to Mr. Quayle, Lord Unsworth’s exceedingly efficient secretary, to find the true culprit and save the House of Unsworth from scandal and ruin. ____________________ Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Benedict Brown, Karen Baugh Menuhin, or Dorothy L Sayers. WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT A MOST EFFICIENT MURDER: "Thanks to vivid writing, lively characters, and quietly snarky humor...this entertaining mystery hits all the right genre buttons in a fresh way. An English country house mystery infused with humor, verve, and plenty of surprises." - Kirkus Reviews "Reminiscent of the tone of classic mysteries which deliver suspects, clues, and questions around each corner...A Most Efficient Murder is clever, enjoyable, charming, and a must-read for all historical mystery lovers." - Reader's Favorite (Five Star Review) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I recommend A Most Efficient Murder - especially to those who enjoy taking a step back in time and reading an Agatha Christie-style murder mystery!" , Valleri M., NetGalley ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “As an aficionado of the Golden Age of Crime, this did not disappoint but amply rewarded in droves. Billed as the first in the Mr. Quayle mysteries, the second is now eagerly awaited.” –Ruth G., NetGalley ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I absolutely loved the book. It’s a murder mystery house party à la Agatha Christie style…and it kept me interested the entire book. As a bonus I absolutely did not know who the killer was.” –Lynn B., NetGalley ⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A lovely and intriguing read. Twists, turns and red herrings abound!” –Lorna M., NetGalley ⭐⭐⭐ "I quite enjoyed this book...it is well written and the characters work well. Highly recommended." –Laura F., NetGalley THE DETECTIVE Quiet, methodical, and eminently efficient, Mr. Quayle has been Lord Unsworth’s personal secretary for almost a year now, but their connection runs far deeper and has its origins in the horror and trenches of France. Serving in the same regiment as Theodore Statham, Lord Unsworth’s only son-and-heir, Mr. Quayle wrote to the family when Teddy was killed on the Western Front. Unable to protect His Lordship’s son, Mr. Quayle is determined to save Lord Unsworth’s remaining family—from themselves, if necessary. THE SETTING Unsworth Castle, nestled on the outskirts of Hartchester County, was once widely considered to be amongst England’s oldest and grandest stately homes, but is now a crumbling ruin of its former self. Burnt down twice in the past century alone, the castle has been built and rebuilt countless times, leaving a labyrinth of hidden passages, forgotten rooms, and crumbling halls. Previous attempts to restore the castle to its former glory have all but bankrupted the family, and the current Earl of Unsworth has been largely content to allow his estate to fade back into picturesque ruin. ALSO BY ANTHONY SLAYTON THE MR. QUAYLE MYSTERIES Book 1: A MOST EFFICIENT MURDER




A Limited Edition Murder


Book Description

While in England, a first edition of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights leads bookstore owner Addie Greyborne to a murder on the moors . . . Although enjoying her extended stay working at Second Chance Books and Bindery in West Yorkshire, Addie still feels adrift—far from home, her friends, and her own beloved bookstore, Beyond the Page Books and Curios. The engagement party of her dear friend, Tony, at Milton Manor promises to be a joyful distraction. But there’s an ill wind blowing at the estate: When Tony presents his fiancé with a special copy of Wuthering Heights as an engagement gift, the lord of the manor insists the book was stolen from his library . . . Things go from troubling to tragic when Addie takes her Yorkipoo, Pippi, out for a walk on the moors and stumbles across the body of a young woman. When the police suspect Tony of foul play, Addie vows to get to the bottom of what’s going on. But it’s a twisted, treacherous path to the truth and Addie will need to watch her every step . . .




A Measure of Murder


Book Description

In a stew of suspects and restaurateurs, trouble boils over in the second in Leslie Karst's tasty and tantalizing Sally Solari mystery series, A Measure of Murder Sally Solari is busy juggling work at her family's Italian restaurant, Solari's, and helping Javier plan the autumn menu for the restaurant she's just inherited, Gauguin. Complicating this already hectic schedule, Sally joins her ex-boyfriend Eric's chorus, which is performing a newly discovered version of her favorite composition: the Mozart Requiem. But then, at the first rehearsal, a tenor falls to his death on the church courtyard—and his soprano girlfriend is sure it wasn't an accident. Now Sally's back on another murder case mixed in with a dash of revenge, a pinch of peril, and a suspicious stack of sheet music. And while tensions in the chorus heat up, so does the kitchen at Gauguin—set aflame right as Sally starts getting too close to the truth. Can Sally catch the killer before she's burnt to a crisp, or will the case grow as cold as yesterday's leftovers?




Murder is a Girl's Best Friend


Book Description

From the national bestselling author of Murderers Prefer Blondes. All Paige Turner wants for Christmas is to make it through the season alive. New York City in 1954 can be bad for a girl’s health, especially if she’s a staff writer for a pulp mystery magazine who can’t help getting a little too involved in her work. Not that she’s looking for trouble this time; Detective Dan Street, her new love, has forbidden her from ever making like Sam Spade again. But what’s a girl to do when her late husband’s army buddy turns up with a tale like something out of Daring Detective magazine? His sister murdered. A stash of diamonds to die for hidden in a box of oatmeal. The mystery is a Christmas present Paige can’t resist opening. But with the killer hot on her trail, Paige faces the chilling possibility that this Christmas might be her last. “Paige Turner is the liveliest, most charming detective to emerge in crime fiction in a long time. . . . She is irresistible, a force of nature.”—Ann Waldron, author of The Princeton Murders “1950s New York City comes alive. . . . This is great writing by a fresh talent.”—Nelson DeMille “Prepare to be utterly charmed by the irrepressible Paige Turner.”—Dorothy Cannell




Murders in the United States


Book Description

From the assassination of President William McKinley on September 6, 1901, to the mass killing at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, the 20th century saw many murderous events that are difficult to contemplate but have become a part of the national history. This reference book is divided into three parts. Part One, arranged chronologically, details 53 of the most famous murder cases of the 20th century in the United States. In Part Two, over 300 entries (alphabetically arranged by criminal) provide descriptions of crimes and are subdivided into male, female, and juvenile murderers; pair and group murderers; hate crime murderers; and school killings. Part Three features crime events related to over 40 selected victims. Cross references guide the reader to additional information. An index is included.




Paper Valentine


Book Description

The city of Ludlow is gripped by the hottest July on record. The asphalt is melting, the birds are dying, petty crime is on the rise, and someone in Hannah Wagnor's peaceful suburban community is killing girls. For Hannah, the summer is a complicated one. Her best friend Lillian died six months ago, and Hannah just wants her life to go back to normal. But how can things be normal when Lillian's ghost is haunting her bedroom, pushing her to investigate the mysterious string of murders? Hannah's just trying to understand why her friend self-destructed, and where she fits now that Lillian isn't there to save her a place among the social elite. And she must stop thinking about Finny Boone, the big, enigmatic delinquent whose main hobbies seem to include petty larceny and surprising acts of kindness. With the entire city in a panic, Hannah soon finds herself drawn into a world of ghost girls and horrifying secrets. She realises that only byconfronting the Valentine Killer will she be able move on with her life - and it's up to her to put together the pieces before he strikes again.




The Cherrywood Murders


Book Description

'My new favourite cosy crime series!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ A DOLLOP OF JAM. A SPOT OF TEA. A SLICE OF MURDER . . . It has been a year since Tess had to trade the hustle and bustle of London life for pulling pints and moonlighting as a Cher impersonator in a backwater country pub. The sleepy Yorkshire village of Cherrywood would always be home, but a return to rural life wasn't quite the path she'd paved for herself. Still, being back with her oldest friends, Raven and Oliver, was a definite upside and she was beginning to settle into the slower pace. That is until Clemmie Ackroyd, a stalwart member of the community, is brutally murdered. Ruled a robbery gone wrong, it's an open-and-shut case for the police, but something isn't quite adding up for Tess. Then an unexpected face from the past shows up in the village, pointing fingers, and Tess finds herself resolving to get to the bottom of Clemmie's death - even if that means getting up to her neck in jam, Jerusalem and deadly secrets at the Women's Guild . . . Readers LOVE The Cherrywood Murders! '⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Truly, this was one of the best starts to a new British cosy series I have read in a while' '⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ I loved it, and I hope this is the start of a long series of Cherrywood books!' '⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Love the drama and romance! The lovely British setting and a great bunch of characters! Looking forward to book 2!' '⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ I loved this British cozy mystery! And the characters were so good!' '⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Cleverly written, with a good air of mystery . . . I really enjoyed this novel' '⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐Wow what an amazing book! This is a great read for all the Thursday Murder Club fans' ----- A wonderfully charming and quintessentially British cosy murder mystery, packed full of witty one-liners and an eclectic cast of characters. Perfect for fans of Fiona Leitch, Hannah Hendy and Robert Thorogood.