Death on Puzzle Place (Secret Sleuth cozy mystery series, Book 8)


Book Description

Season’s greetings: Whodunit? Santa Claus is coming to town, but guess who’s coming first to Haines Tavern, Kentucky – Great-Aunt Kit. If Sheila and her fellow amateur detective Clara want to give her author relative what she most wants this Christmas, they’ll wrap up a murder investigation -- with a mysterious victim, intriguing suspects, and suspicious twists. Because this time, Kit wants to be involved firsthand in solving a suspenseful puzzle. The police – including Sheila’s romantic interest – want the amateur investigators to stand down. But how can they when the clues hit so close to home? Sheila’s Christmas cookie recipe is the apparent murder weapon, in the hands of one of the small town’s quirky characters and one of the favorite humans of Sheila’s rescue dog, Gracie the rough collie. She can’t disappoint her pet by stopping her detective work short of the thrilling answer to Whodunit? Kit also has ideas on solving Sheila’s romantic relationship with detective-once-more Teague O’Donnell, starting with revealing her most dangerous secret. But he’s keeping secrets of his own. By New Year’s, will this be a Christmas love story season to remember? Or a Grinch of a solution? Yuletide clues will keep Sheila, Clara, Kit -- and you – guessing as all celebrate the season in Book 8 of the Secret Sleuth mystery series by USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn. If you’re new to this page-turner cozy mystery series with humor, don’t miss its start, when Sheila encounters murder on a transatlantic cruise ship in Death on the Diversion. Then follow her to dry land in Death on Torrid Avenue and the gripping books that follow, because mysteries and deception abound in her new Kentucky home. Secret Sleuth series Death on the Diversion Death on Torrid Avenue Death on Beguiling Way Death on Covert Circle Death on Shady Bridge Death on Carrion Lane Death on ZigZag Trail Death on Puzzle Place Death on Riddle Road Death on the Diversion ”is such an enjoyable story, reminiscent of Agatha Christie's style, with a good study of human nature and plenty of humor. Great start to a new series!” – 5-star review Death on Torrid Avenue “is told with a lot of humor and the characters are good company. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and am looking forward to the next story.” – 5-star review Secret Sleuth: female sleuth, amateur detective, traditional mystery, mystery with humor, mysteries with humor humorous mysteries with dog, mystery with dog, small town crime, murder mystery, ex-cop boyfriend, Christmas holiday visitor family More mystery from Patricia McLinn Caught Dead in Wyoming series Sign Off Left Hanging Shoot First Last Ditch Look Live Back Story Cold Open Hot Roll Reaction Shot Body Brace Cross Talk Air Ready Holiday Bullets Cue Up Head Room "While the mystery itself is twisty-turny and thoroughly engaging, it's the smart and witty writing that I loved the best." -- Diane Chamberlain, New York Times bestselling author "Colorful characters, intriguing, intelligent mystery, plus the state of Wyoming leaping off every page." -- Emilie Richards, USA Today bestselling author The Innocence Trilogy Proof of Innocence Price of Innocence Premise of Innocence Ride the River: Rodeo Knights (romantic suspense)




Hot Roll (Caught Dead in Wyoming western mystery series, Book 8)


Book Description

One of their own becomes a target… A voice on the phone says Jennifer’s best friend has tragically died in a fatal fall at a national park. Her certainty that it was no accident starts TV reporter Elizabeth Danniher, with friends Mike, Tom and Diana plus the rest of the Caught Dead in Wyoming crew, on an investigation that moves faster -- and closer to them -- than any of them could ever expect. They’ve barely had time to catch their breath since the events of Cold Open and now one of their own becomes a target as they race time and a murderer before this Hot Roll burns them all. … In TV news, Hot Roll can simply mean cutting away from an interview to "b-roll" (scene-setting footage) … or it can mean the adrenaline-pumping drama of broadcasting live because there’s no time to do anything else. Mix in murder, a little humor, a trace of romance, and you’re on your way with the Caught Dead in Wyoming sleuths for another great adventure. Hot Roll, Book 8 of the Caught Dead in Wyoming series, is a smart, surprising, fast-paced cozy mystery with humor. If you like quirky characters, hints of romance and twists you won’t see coming, then you’ll love USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn’s page-turner. "While the mystery itself is twisty-turny and thoroughly engaging, it's the smart and witty writing that I loved the best." – Diane Chamberlain, bestselling author "Colorful characters, intriguing, intelligent mystery, plus the state of Wyoming leaping off every page." -- Emilie Richards, USA Today bestselling author Don't miss any of Elizabeth Danniher's Caught Dead in Wyoming adventures: Sign Off Left Hanging Shoot First Last Ditch Look Live Back Story Cold Open Hot Roll Reaction Shot Body Brace Cross Talk Air Ready Cue Up What readers are saying about the Caught Dead in Wyoming series: “McLinn's mysteries set in Wyoming are addictive. The writing is excellent, the twists and turns keep the brain engaged, and Elizabeth's wry commentary keeps a smile on my face.” “E.M.’s internal monologues are sharp, snappy and often hilarious.” "A terrific series with a western flair. . . . Great characters that you would want as your friends. Smart, funny, but not perfect." “There's a real love for wide-open spaces in McLinn's writing, and it's a pleasure to visit the world she so beautifully creates. Can't wait for the next book(s)!” “McLinn has created in E.M. a female protagonist who is flawed but likable, never silly or cartoonish, and definitely not made of cardboard.” More mystery from Patricia McLinn Secret Sleuth series Death on the Diversion Death on Torrid Avenue Death on Beguiling Way Death on Covert Circle Death on Shady Bridge Death on Carrion Lane Death on ZigZag Trail Death on Puzzle Place The Innocence Trilogy Proof of Innocence Price of Innocence Premise of Innocence Ride the River: Rodeo Knights (includes Caught Dead in Wyoming characters) female sleuth, amateur detective, women detectives, traditional mystery, mystery with humor, mysteries with humor, humorous mysteries, mystery with dog, mystery with animal, American crime murder, women sleuths, traditional mystery, krimis kriminalromane




Death on Puzzle Place


Book Description




Death on the Diversion (Secret Sleuth, Book 1)


Book Description

To the world, Sheila Mackey is author of a blockbuster book. Her wily great-aunt, the actual author, orchestrated this mutually beneficial masquerade. Now Sheila's ending 15 years of pretending with a transatlantic cruise. She should be thinking about what comes next, but discovers the ultimate distraction: finding a dead body on deck.




Speaking from Among the Bones


Book Description

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR • NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From award-winning author Alan Bradley comes the next cozy British mystery starring intrepid young sleuth Flavia de Luce, hailed by USA Today as “one of the most remarkable creations in recent literature.” Eleven-year-old amateur detective and ardent chemist Flavia de Luce is used to digging up clues, whether they’re found among the potions in her laboratory or between the pages of her insufferable sisters’ diaries. What she is not accustomed to is digging up bodies. Upon the five-hundredth anniversary of St. Tancred’s death, the English hamlet of Bishop’s Lacey is busily preparing to open its patron saint’s tomb. Nobody is more excited to peek inside the crypt than Flavia, yet what she finds will halt the proceedings dead in their tracks: the body of Mr. Collicutt, the church organist, his face grotesquely and inexplicably masked. Who held a vendetta against Mr. Collicutt, and why would they hide him in such a sacred resting place? The irrepressible Flavia decides to find out. And what she unearths will prove there’s never such thing as an open-and-shut case. BONUS: This edition includes an excerpt from Alan Bradley’s The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches. Acclaim for Speaking from Among the Bones “[Alan] Bradley scores another success. . . . This series is a grown-up version of Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys and all those mysteries you fell in love with as a child.”—The San Diego Union-Tribune “The precocious and irrepressible Flavia . . . continues to delight.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Fiendishly brilliant . . . Bradley has created an utterly charming cast of characters . . . as quirky as any British mystery fan could hope for.”—Bookreporter “Delightful and entertaining.”—San Jose Mercury News




Death in the Family


Book Description

A storm-struck island. A blood-soaked bed. A missing man. In this captivating mystery that's perfect for fans of Knives Out, Senior Investigator Shana Merchant discovers that murder is a family affair. Thirteen months ago, former NYPD detective Shana Merchant barely survived being abducted by a serial killer. Now hoping to leave grisly murder cases behind, she's taken a job in her fiancé's sleepy hometown in the Thousand Islands region of Upstate New York. But as a nor'easter bears down on her new territory, Shana and fellow investigator Tim Wellington receive a call about a man missing on a private island. Shana and Tim travel to the isolated island owned by the wealthy Sinclair family to question the witnesses. They arrive to find blood on the scene and a house full of Sinclair family and friends on edge. While Tim guesses they're dealing with a runaway case, Shana is convinced that they have a murder on their hands. As the gale intensifies outside, she starts conducting interviews and discovers the Sinclairs and their guests are crawling with dark and dangerous secrets. Trapped on the island by the raging storm with only Tim whose reliability is thrown into question, the increasingly restless suspects, and her own trauma-fueled flashbacks for company, Shana will have to trust the one person her abduction destroyed her faith in--herself. But time is ticking down, because if Shana's right, a killer is in their midst and as the pressure mounts, so do the odds that they'll strike again.




The Armchair Detective


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Death on Tap


Book Description

From Ellie Alexander, beloved author of the Bakeshop Mysteries, comes the first in an intoxicating new series: Death on Tap. When Sloan Krause walks in on her husband, Mac, screwing the barmaid, she gives him the boot. Sloan has spent her life in Leavenworth, Washington becoming an expert in brewing craft beer, and she doesn’t have time to be held back by her soon-to-be ex-husband. She decides to strike out on her own, breaking away from the Krause family brewery, and goes to work for Nitro, the hip new nano-brewery in the Bavarian-themed town. Nitro’s owner, brewmaster Garrett Strong, has the brew-world abuzz with his newest recipe, “Pucker-Up IPA.” This place is the new cool place in town, and Mac can’t help but be green with envy at their success. But just as Sloan is settling in to her new gig, she finds one of Nitro’s competitors dead in the fermenting tub, clutching the secret recipe for the IPA. When Mac, is arrested, Sloan knows that her ex might be a cheater, but a murderer? No way. Danger is brewing in Beervaria and suddenly Sloan is on the case.




Engaged in Death


Book Description

A newly single woman discovers that small-town grudges die hard in a series debut that “had me in its spell from page one” (Leslie Meier, New York Times bestselling author). After dumping her cheating fiancé and cancelling the wedding, Mallory Shepard can't bear another disaster. So when the former bride-to-be unexpectedly inherits Thistle Park, a ramshackle mansion in her ex's hometown of Port Quincy, Pennsylvania, it's a problem she can't afford—literally. Abound with stray cats, peeling wallpaper, and nosy neighbors, Mallory is dying to sell it off—once she finally fixes up both the place and her messy life . . . Turns out, Thistle Park has its charms. But the honeymoon phase is abruptly cut short when an unwanted visitor is found dead on the front lawn. Enlisting the help of her sister Rachel, Mallory vows to unveil the killer before she herself becomes married to the suspect list . . . “I had great fun reading the adventures of nouveau sleuth Mallory Shepard as she wrangles corpses, kittens, and a cheating fiancé in this charming debut mystery.” —Laura Levine, author of the Jaine Austen Mysteries “[A] cozy combination of mystery, romance, and recipes, with a little extra bite supplied by the timely fracking controversy.” —Kirkus Reviews




Death of a Cozy Writer


Book Description

Winner of the 2008 Agatha Award for Best First Novel From deep in the heart of his eighteenth century English manor, millionaire Sir Adrian Beauclerk-Fisk writes mystery novels and torments his four spoiled children with threats of disinheritance. Tiring of this device, the portly patriarch decides to weave a malicious twist into his well-worn plot. Gathering them all together for a family dinner, he announces his latest blow—a secret elopement with the beautiful Violet...who was once suspected of murdering her husband. Within hours, eldest son and appointed heir Ruthven is found cleaved to death by a medieval mace. Since Ruthven is generally hated, no one seems too surprised or upset—least of all his cold-blooded wife Lillian. When Detective Chief Inspector St. Just is brought in to investigate, he meets with a deadly calm that goes beyond the usual English reserve. And soon Sir Adrian himself is found slumped over his writing desk—an ornate knife thrust into his heart. Trapped amid leering gargoyles and stone walls, every member of the family is a likely suspect. Using a little Cornish brusqueness and brawn, can St. Just find the killer before the next-in-line to the family fortune ends up dead? Death of a Cozy Writer was chosen by Kirkus Reviews as a Best Book of 2008, nominated for a Left Coast Crime award (the Hawaii Five-O for best police procedural), short-listed for the Macavity Award for Best First Mystery, nominated for the Anthony Award for Best First Novel and was a finalist for the David G. Sasher, Sr. Award for Best Mystery Novel. Praise: "Fans of English detective work will welcome Malliet's droll debut, the first in a new series."—Publishers Weekly "Malliet's debut combines devices from Christie and Clue to keep you guessing until the dramatic denouement."—Kirkus Reviews "Malliet's skillful debut demonstrates the sophistication one would expect of a much more established writer. I'm looking forward to her next genre-bender, Death and the Lit Chick."—Mystery Scene "Almost every sentence is a polished, malicious gem, reminiscent of Robert Barnard...the book is perfect for the lover of the classical detective story or the fan of great sentences."—Deadly Pleasures "In her series debut, Malliet, who won a Malice Domestic Grant to write this novel, lays the foundation for an Agatha Christie—like murder mystery."—Library Journal "An affectionate homage to the Golden Age of British crime fiction by a skilled writer rapidly attracting attention."—The Sherbrook Record "This tale cleverly adds modern touches to an Agatha Christie style classic house mystery."—Mystery Women Magazine "Wicked, witty and full of treats!"—Peter Lovesey, recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Crime Writer's Association and Malice Domestic "The traditional British cozy is alive and well. Delicious. I was hooked from the first paragraph."—Rhys Bowen, award-winning author of Her Royal Spyness "Death of a Cozy Writer is a romp, a classic tale of family dysfunction in a moody and often humourous English country house setting."—Louise Penny, author of the award-winning Armand Gamache series of murder mysteries "The connections made by St. Just are nothing short of Sherlock Holmes at his most coherent. A most excellent first mystery!"—Midwest Book Review