A Cornish Escape When a catastrophe threatens Ellie’s business there’s a puzzling mystery to solve, and Gertie steps in to follow the clues. Love and romance are the very last things on Gertie’s mind right now. But while she’s risking her safety helping to hunt down the culprits, could she also be in danger of losing her heart?
The Little Duck Pond Cafe series are my go-to favorite novella series. In number forty-six a day of relaxation and celebration turns into a nightmare when things at the cafe take a pretty bad turn. In this one we have Gertie and Jonah who we met in the last book, so this is pretty much a continuation, they are on the case. This book is different than the others, more of a cozy mystery sort of type and I loved the turn and change of tone it has taken. What can I say, I just love this series. Maybe the author should think of doing a cozy mystery series as she has done very well with this book.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Author Bio – Rosie Green is the author of the popular Little Duck Pond Café series, set in the fictional village of Sunnybrook. Watch out for lots more café drama and romance in 2026, including ‘The Secrets of Midsummer Cottage’, which will be published in July. Follow Rosie on Twitter – https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green88 https://www.instagram.com/rosiegreen_author/
326 pages Publisher Kensington Cozies Publication date December 24, 2024
ABOUT THE BOOK
It’s almost time for the delicious warmth of Irish soda bread, but be careful where you bite–some of these recipes call for murder in this delicious collection of cozy mystery novellas featuring the popular St. Paddy’s Day treat.
IRISH SODA BREAD MURDER by CARLENE O’CONNOR There’s very little time left before her wedding, but nonetheless Tara Meehan is helping out at her Uncle Johnny’s salvage mill for the day. Aunt Rose set up a convention for local psychics, including a bake sale to raise money for charity, but now she’s sick and available only via an iPad Johnny is carrying. The event promises to deliver a real pot of gold until Rose’s biggest rival shows up. Before Tara can utter a simple “top o’ the morning” to the man, he drops dead—with Johnny’s soda bread in his hands. It’s up to Tara to identify the deadly baker before another victim ends up chasing the rainbow straight into a grave . . .
AN IRISH RECIPE FOR MURDER by PEGGY EHRHART To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year, the Arborville, New Jersey, Advocate is sponsoring a soda bread–baking competition. Bettina Fraser is excited—her bake-off idea was the one to get the green light! But when a town councilman acting as a judge keels over after sampling an entry, the party atmosphere dies just as quickly. Now it’s up to Bettina and her Knit and Nibble knitting club bestie, Pamela Paterson, to find the killer responsible for the murderous morsel.
MRS. CLAUS AND THE SINISTER SODA BREAD MAN by LIZ IRELAND When April Claus arrives in Cloudberry Bay, Oregon, to check on her flooded inn, her biggest worry is to keep everyone from realizing her three companions—Jingles, Juniper, and Butterbean—are elves. But soon enough she has more serious worries—it looks like her hapless caretaker Ernie has been storing stolen goods at the inn! Then one of Ernie’s shady pals is found dead, and the murder weapon turns up in a decorative loaf of soda bread at April’s craft fair booth. It’s up to April to uncover the killer before she spends St. Patrick’s Day in the county jail!
MY THOUGHTS
A collection of three Irish themed cozy mystery stories. The main “ingredient” connecting all the stories is Irish soda bread. I enjoyed these stories to varying degrees.
In IRISH SODA BREAD MURDER by CARLENE O’CONNOR, Tara Meehan is running out of time before her big wedding but still manages to find time to help her uncle and aunt. At their salvage yard there is a charity event featuring psychics at the convention and a bake sale. Lots of Irish soda bread for sale unfortunately the main baker is sick, so a substitute baker is brought in for the bread baking and soon after taking the first bite of bread someone falls dead. Was it the baker or someone else that slipped something into the bread?
AN IRISH RECIPE FOR MURDER by PEGGY EHRHART, the Arborville, New Jersey, Advocate is celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day this year with an exciting baking contest. When the judge samples the Irish Soda bread, he thinks it’s really delicious until he keels over dead. Who could have done it and why?
MRS. CLAUS AND THE SINISTER SODA BREAD MAN by LIZ IRELAND, a flooded inn in Cloudberry Bay, Oregon may be April Claus’s least worrisome thing when a murder weapon is found in the decorative Irish Soda bread.
All but one author I am familiar with and I’ve read books with the same characters in them as in this collection.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
304 pages Publisher Kensington Publication date February 21, 2023
ABOUT THE BOOK
After a long streak of avoiding murder investigations, Dublin limo driver Megan Malone thought her life had finally settled . . . but even her Irish luck can’t keep her out of trouble forever in Catie Murphy’s fourth Ireland-set cozy mystery…
It’s been over a year since Megan found herself entangled in a murder—much to everyone’s relief, including her girlfriend Jelena and Detective Paul Bourke. So when a body of a young woman quite literally lands in her lap at her favorite Dublin café, Megan tries to do the right thing and leave the crime-solving to the police so she can enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day weekend. After all, she has no connection to the victim. Or does she?
Megan’s latest client, world-renowned romance novelist Claire Woodward, is fascinated by Megan’s own history of catching killers. Claire also just happens to be the murder victim’s literary mentor. So maybe Megan can just sort of stay on the periphery of the case while trying to help out? Just a wee bit without causing too much fuss? Even Detective Bourke would approve since he has personal reasons not to trust Claire. The investigation leads Megan to the victim’s writing group, who think that Claire has plagiarized the poor young lady’s work. And when another member of the group is found dead, Megan will have to step up her sleuthing before the killer decides to write her off for good.
MY THOUGHTS
Death in Irish Accents is the fourth book in The Dublin Driver Mysteries series. There was really a lot going on in this book. Set in Ireland, Megan Malone, a limo driver is involved in sleuthing yet another murder mystery and her girlfriend, Jalena doesn’t want her involved in yet another mystery which causes quite a bit of friction between them. There’s the plagiarizing author and a list of suspects that just seems to keep getting added to. When a body literally falls out of the closet onto Megan’s lap, she has no choice but to get involved in this mystery. I did enjoy the location of the book but not the dynamics between Megan and Jalena, it really felt like a bullying relationship with her not being able to be herself and constantly needing to apologize for who she was and enjoying sleuthing.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
MEET THE AUTHOR
CE Murphy began writing around age six, when she submitted three poems to a school publication. The teacher producing the magazine selected (inevitably) the one she thought was by far the worst, but also told her–a six year old kid–to keep writing, which she has. She has also held the usual grab-bag of jobs usually seen in an authorial biography, including public library volunteer (at ages 9 and 10; it’s clear she was doomed to a career involving books), archival assistant, cannery worker, and web designer. Writing books is better.
She was born and raised in Alaska, and now lives with her family in her ancestral homeland of Ireland.
332 pages Publisher WaterBrook Publication date May 3, 2022
ABOUT THE BOOK
Working at a little shop on Main Street in a small town is exactly the break that executive Merry Anna Foster needs following her divorce. She’s made a bet with her ex-husband that she can live on the amount of money she’s giving him in alimony. If she can do it, then Kevin will have to stop complaining and leave her alone. But after three months of this new life, will she even want to leave Antler Creek?
Adam Locklear, bull rider and owner of the local feedstore, is having the best year of his rodeo career. He’s also a bit distracted by the pretty new neighbor living in his old bunkhouse. But Adam has no time for matters of the heart. He’s got his future all mapped out, and that future doesn’t involve a woman just yet. It doesn’t involve parenting a little girl either. However, Carly Fowler still suddenly leaves five-year-old Zan—the daughter Adam didn’t know he had—in his care.
Is it possible that the future holds a life even better than what Merry Anna and Adam had each dreamed of? One that includes both tenderness and even love—not just for each other but for Zan too.
MY THOUGHTS
What Remains True is an emotional read. The author has brought the characters to life with realistic situations. Well plotted, I loved the characters and how true to life they were. A read that had me questioning what is really important and wanting to reevaluate things. When we take a second look at somethings what may have seemed important no longer is. Five stars all the way!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
MEET THE AUTHOR
USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle whips up small-town love stories with a whole lot of heart. She began writing while juggling a successful career in finance and life on a seventy-six-acre farm. Now happily retired from a career in the financial industry, this Virginia girl devotes her time to writing, antiquing, and spa days with friends.
Several of Nancy’s novels have been adapted for television. You can find the complete list of movies and a free downloadable checklist of all of Nancy’s books in series order on her website.
229 pages Beyond the Page Publishing Publication date June 17, 2025
ABOUT THE BOOK
Welcome back to Hope Street Church, where friendships are formed, fresh starts are encouraged, and mysteries are solved . . .
When an unscrupulous real estate agent tries to strong-arm a wealthy friend of Grammy Lee’s into selling her stately home, Cooper and her Bible study friends are called in to investigate—before any crime has been committed. Grammy’s fear is that the man is so devious he’ll try to bump off her friend in order to get his hands on the estate. But before Cooper and the gang can do much more than confirm he’s as sketchy as Grammy suspects, someone else takes matters into their own hands and takes the agent out of the picture, permanently.
The Bible study group knows that even the wicked deserve justice, so they continue to investigate, this time to catch a killer. There’s a full roster of service staff heading up their list of suspects, along with the elderly home owner herself. Then Cooper learns that the feds have taken an interest in the case, and suddenly she and her friends begin to worry they’re in real danger. Because nothing about this case is what it seems, and while charity may begin at home, this home is full of secrets that may cost Cooper her life . . .
Includes heavenly recipes from Magnolia Lee’s kitchen!
MY THOUGHTS
The ninth book in the Hope Street Church mystery series. This is a Christian fiction series. A shady and unscrupulous real estate agent tries to take advantage of an elderly woman and get her wealthy home on the market. Grammy Lee knows just what to do as she gets her bible study group involved before any crime is committed. Someone really has it in for the real estate agent though when his body turns up the investigation takes a heated upturn. With a miles long suspect list there’s quite the involvement of sleuthing. Well done mystery nicely plotted. This is my first book in the series, and I’ll be on the lookout for more to keep me reading like this one did.
I was given a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions expressed are my own.
About the Authors:
USA Today and New York Times bestselling author Ellery Adams lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her husband, two children, and three cats. She’s written multiple series including the Supper Club Mysteries, the Book Retreat Mysteries, the Secret, Book, and Scone Society Mysteries, and more.
A freelance writer for over twenty years, Tina Radcliffe is an RWA Honor Roll member, a two-time RWA Golden Heart finalist, four-time ACFW Carol Award finalist, and a 2014 ACFW Carol Award winner. She currently resides in Arizona, where she writes fun, heartwarming romance.
178 pages publisher Kensington Books | Lyrical Press Publication date September 6, 2022
ABOUT THE BOOK
In the California coastal town of South Cove, Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books, and More, discovers that wedding planning can be murder . . .
Hustling her fiancé off to a neighboring tourist town might be the only way Jill Gardner can plan her nuptials to South Cove’s in-demand police detective. But when a mystery man turns up dead at South Cove’s PD, Greg is hightailing it back home to investigate, leaving Jill to finish the vacation solo.
Jill can barely get in a spa day before her own respite is spoiled by a greedy hotel guest and unexpected revelations about Max Winter, the developer conniving to buy her home out from under her. Then there’s the staffing issues at the store, the strange men seen lurking about town, and an aggressive and obnoxious family member harassing Jill’s beloved employee. It’s enough to make the bride-to-be full of jitters . . . especially when she finds herself in the crosshairs of a killer . . .
MY THOUGHTS
I’ve read other books in the Tourist Trap mystery series and have enjoyed them all. This is book fourteen in the series. If you enjoy mysteries about traveling and with a female sleuth, you’ll enjoy this one. Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books, and More and her fiancée, a police detective are vacationing while making wedding plans. When a body turns up off, he goes to investigate returning to work early leaving her to finish the vacation on her own while finalizing wedding plans. I’ll admit that would make me angry, but she knows what she’s getting into and the interruptions to life ahead of the wedding. And I know all about it too as my son is a police detective as well. always something coming up. Well plotted, I enjoyed it. Quick easy read and novella length.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Award-winning New York Times and USA Today best-selling author, Lynn Cahoon, pens several cozy mystery series including The Tourist Trap Mysteries, The Kitchen Witch Mysteries, Survivors’ Book Club Mysteries, The Farm to Fork Mysteries, The Haunted Life Mysteries, and The Cat Latimer Mysteries. The Bainbridge Island Mysteries will be released in 2025. No matter where the mystery is set, readers can expect a fun ride. She lives in a small town in Eastern Tennessee like the towns she loves to write about with her husband and two fur babies.
320 pages Publisher Poisoned Pen Press Publication date October 22, 2024
ABOUT THE BOOK
USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bruns is back with the third installment in the “delightfully sweet” Maple Syrup Mysteries, transporting readers back to the cozy town of Sugar Ridge, Vermont, where things are bound to go from sweet, to sour.
Sometimes, there’s no one you can crust…
It’s Thanksgiving in Sugar Ridge, Vermont, and Leila Khoury, manager of Sappy Endings Farm, is ready to usher in the holiday season by hosting a pie-baking contest. The day is meticulously planned, from the judging panel to the maple lattes, and Leila can’t wait for the entire town to enjoy some sweet treats.
But when a neighbor drops dead from sampling a poisoned pumpkin pie, it’s not just Leila’s perfect day that’s in jeopardy―her livelihood is now at stake. And after yet another near-fatal incident, she realizes an even more terrifying truth: the killer wasn’t targeting her neighbor, but someone even closer to home!
Can Leila figure out who’s behind the murder, before the dough hits the fan?
Includes delicious holiday pie recipes!
MY THOUGHTS
In the Blink of a Pie is the third book in the Maple Syrup Mysteries series and I’ve read and loved them all.
A Fall themed cozy mystery has Leila Khoury returning to Sugar Ridge, Vermont, as the manager helping her mother run Sappy Endings Farm after the passing of her father selling maple syrup/sugar. along with her mother running the gift shop and cafe it’s become a pretty popular place for locals and tourists alike to stop in.
A Thanksgiving pie baking contest with them being dropped off at the farm to be judged will just add to the farm’s busy season but they’re ready for it. Business is so brisk that Leila hires a local woman to help her mother in the cafe, and she already has experience running a bagel shop, so she fits in nicely and is such a big help.
The day of the pie judging is here, and the town’s folks are all aflutter with excitement but when someone drops dead from the tasting of the pies to be judged the business drops like a rock at the farm and cafe.
While this is a cozy mystery to solve, I enjoyed that its main focus wasn’t just on this. There are other side stories and developments, a romance developing for Leila, her relationship with her boyfriend’s daughter, mother daughter strengthening relationships after it has been strained for a while.
Best friend relationships and clues that are well paced as we figure out who the suspects are and why they may have done it. The pacing was even and on track and I really enjoyed the book a lot. I hope to see more in the series soon.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Catherine is the USA Today bestselling author of the Cookies & Chance mysteries. She lives in Upstate New York with her very patient husband, three sons and several spoiled pets. She holds a dual B.A. in English and Performing Arts and is a former newspaper reporter and press release writer. Catherine also writes the Italian Chef, Maple Syrup, and Cindy York mysteries. Her book, For Sale by Killer, won the Daphne du Maurier award for Mainstream Mystery/Suspense.
320 pages Publisher St. Martin’s Paperbacks Publication date June 27, 2023
ABOUT THE BOOK
A movie production brings drama―and murder―to a close-knit New England village, forcing Riley Rhodes to scoop out the suspects.
Former CIA librarian and amateur sleuth Riley Rhodes is loving her fresh start as the manager of the Udderly Delicious Ice Cream Shop. The leaves are turning, tourists are leaf-peeping, and Penniman, Connecticut is putting finishing touches on the weekend long Halloween Happening. But the village is also buzzing. Former child star Cooper Collins is overseeing the production of a romantic comedy that’s filming on the town green and his domineering socialite mother, Diantha, is planning her lavish Halloween themed wedding at her Inn on the Green. Her fiancé has run the Inn’s kitchen for years, ably aided by his recent ex-wife, chef Mary Ann Dumas. An old friend of Riley’s, Mary Ann turns to her when the bride requests a spooky ice cream wedding cake.
But the weekend takes a frightful turn when Diantha is found dead and suspicion falls on Mary Ann. The cast of potential suspects is long―each wedding guest had a chilling motive to kill the vicious heiress. Can Riley unmask the murderer before another guest ends up on ice?
MY THOUGHTS
Though this is the third book in the series it’s my first read of this series. It is an intriguing book loaded with Halloween and spooky themes and let’s not forget ice cream.
The town of Penniman, Connecticut is all alight this Halloween weekend as former child star Cooper Collins is in charge of the filming happening on the town green. To top it off his bossy mother getting married is the talk of the town with a lavish Halloween themed wedding at her Inn on the Green. Her husband to has worked in the inns kitchen for years aided by his former wife.
When the bride to be requests a spooky wedding cake and then is found dead all eyes turn to the former wife but is she the responsible one? What a clever way the murder was carried out I’ve never seen this ingenious way written about in a mystery before.
Loved the twists and turns and now I’m hungry for ice cream.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
About the author
Books? Travel? Ice Cream? Yes, please! Former librarian Meri Allen loves exploring the back roads – and ice cream shops – of her native New England. She also writes the award-winning Lobster Shack Mystery series as Shari Randall. Check out her travels, recipes, book giveaways and fun in her quarterly newsletter, The Scoop. Sign up on https://www.meriallenbooks.com. Happy reading!
320 page Crooked Lane Books publisher June 24, 2025 publication date
ABOUT THE BOOK
Detective Nate Fisher must go back to the Amish community he left behind and confront his past to help the woman he once loved in this dual-POV mystery, perfect for fans of Linda Castillo.
Back to active duty after an administrative leave of absence for the use of deadly force, the last thing Detective Nathan Fisher wants to do is return to the conservative Amish community he left behind, but when his father passes, he has no choice. Hoping to clear his head and perhaps mend fences with his family, he returns to his small Mississippi hometown despite not being welcome. What was supposed to be a quick visit turns into a prolonged stay when his former love pleads for his help.
Rachel Hostetler’s world is turned upside down when she finds her brother’s body hanging in her family’s barn. Rachel is sure her brother Albie did not kill himself, but neither her father nor the police are willing to listen. When she spots Nate, her ex, now a detective in Oklahoma, back in Cedar Creek, she knows he is the answer to her problem and begs him to intercede.
As Nate and Rachel come to terms with their shared history, despite knowing nothing can come of the longing they have for each other, the pair must look into Albie’s death as suspects stack up. The truth is out there, but can they find it before Nate has to return to his real life and face the shooting that has him so desperately searching for peace?
MY THOUGHTS
I love the cover, very intriguing for a mystery book. This is an Amish mystery which I was drawn to because I live amongst the Amish here in Pennsylvania.
The book starts off with a bang, as we get right to the mystery. Fast paced this was hard to put down. A tragedy strikes an Amish family and a former Amish man who is now a policeman/detective comes back home. While there he seems a former girlfriend who the tragedy happened to her family.
As he tries to fight romantic memories and those renewing feelings she begs him to help investigate the case because the local police aren’t taking it seriously.
I enjoyed the book but there are some unrealistic things here the Amish would not get involved in and also some repetitive thoughts throughout the book but it did not take away my enjoyment of the book.
Fast paced and I had a hard time putting it down. Looking forward to reading more by the author soon.
I was given a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions expressed are my own.
THE AUTHOR
Amy loves nothing more than a good book. Except for her family…and maybe homemade tacos…and nail polish. But reading and writing are definitely high on the list.
Born and bred in Mississippi, Amy is a transplanted Southern Belle who now lives in Oklahoma with her deputy husband, their genius son, two spoiled cats, and one very lazy beagle. Oh, and don’t forget the stray kitty that has taken up residence on her front porch. ^..^
When she’s not creating quirky characters and happy endings, she’s chauffeuring her prodigy to guitar lessons, orchestra concerts and baseball practice. She has a variety of hobbies, but her favorite is whatever gets her out of housework.
Amy also writes contemporary romances under the pen name Amie Louellen.
An award winning author, Amy is a member of RWA and ACFW. She loves to hear from readers. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, Google+, Twitter, Goodreads, and Pinterest. For links to the various sites, check her website: http://www.amylillardbooks.com.
320 pages Barbour Fiction publisher August 1, 2024 publication date
ABOUT THE BOOK
n book one of A Mifflin County Mystery series, after a night out with her boyfriend, Rosa Petersheim has disappeared from the Big Valley without a trace. Norman Petersheim always considered himself his sister’s protector, and he can’t believe she would have left home of her own accord. Clearly, he must have failed her. He throws all he has into helping the authorities search for Rosa, while trying to support his parents and siblings–who are struggling both mentally and physically. Salina Swarey loves Norman and hopes they are headed toward marriage, but his obsession with Rosa’s whereabouts is driving them apart. Can Norman find peace and contentment, even if he never learns where Rosa has gone?
MY THOUGHTS
I really enjoyed reading this, the first book of three in the Mifflin County mystery series. The Petersheim family is devastated, their daughter, Rosa has disappeared on her way home from a young people’s event.
Her oldest brother feels responsible and it’s affecting her whole family, even leading to her mother’s failing health. They all just want to see her walk through the family home’s door again.
The Amish community can’t understand what has happened to this young Amish woman and the police don’t really seem to be taking much an interest in solving this case.
Feeling guilty. older brother Norman Petersheim spends so much time trying to solve the case that his girlfriend doesn’t feel appreciated. Will this young love have a chance or will his unwillingness to understand her needs drive them apart completely.
Love the realistic situations of the characters and their character development.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Wanda Brunstetter is an award-winning romance novelist who has led millions of readers to lose their heart in the Amish life. She is the author of over 100 books with more than 12 million copies sold. Many of her books have landed on the top bestseller lists, including the New York Times, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and CBD. Wanda is considered one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre, and her work has been covered by national publications, including Time Magazine and USA Today.
Wanda’s fascination with the Amish culture developed when she met her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church, and whose family has a Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Meeting her new Mennonite sister-in-laws caused Wanda to yearn for the simpler life. In their travels, she and her husband have become close friends with many Amish people across America. Wanda’s desire to explore their culture increased when she discovered that her great-great grandparents were part of the Anabaptist faith.
All of Wanda’s novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Many of her books are well-read and trusted by the Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.
Wanda’s primary attraction to the Amish is their desire to live a devout Christian life that strives to honor God, work hard, and maintain close family ties. Whenever she visits her Amish friends, Wanda finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties, which is in stark contrast to the chaos and busyness that plagues so many modern “Englishers.” Time and time again, Wanda loses her heart in the Amish life, and she hopes her readers will, too. For more information, visit: http://www.WandaBrunstetter.com
