Sasha Sinclair is used to being alone. Her parents, successful documentary filmmakers, died in a car accident three years ago, leaving her with a legacy she’s been unable to live up to. Instead, she spends her time with casual hookups and odd jobs as she travels around the country. But she can’t stop thinking about her parents’ dream project and is determined to make it a reality: the story of Alice Bishop in Clare Mountain, North Carolina.
Margot Bishop is not a witch, contrary to the town’s century-long suspicion about her family. When her ancestor Alice Bishop showed up to Clare Mountain in 1901 and opened Thornrose Apothecary, the town was flummoxed by this strange enigma of a woman, calling her the Rose Witch. Now, the Bishops also run Ghostlight, an occult-themed amusement park that fully leans into the rumors.
Despite the draw of the Rose Witch and the haunted Thornrose Woods where Alice had lived, however, the Bishops’ businesses aren’t doing well. When Margot’s mother comes up with a solution—a documentary film about their family—Margot can’t get on board, not when her family’s legacy is at stake. Even worse, she’s deemed the point person for Sasha, the charming, peppy wannabe-filmmaker. But as they spend more time together, diving deeper into the true story of Alice Bishop, the ice slowly melts and their relationship turns into a heart-fluttering rollercoaster ride, one they aren’t sure they want to get off.
Ashley Herring Blake (she/they) is an award-winning author. She loves coffee, cats, melancholy songs, and happy books. She is the author of the adult romance novels Delilah Green Doesn’t Care, Astrid Parker Doesn’t Fail, and Iris Kelly Doesn’t Date; young adult novels Suffer Love, How to Make a Wish, and Girl Made of Stars; and the middle grade novels Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World, The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James and Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea. She’s also the co-editor on the young adult romance anthology Fools in Love.
She lives on a very tiny island off the coast of Georgia with her family.
Hook, Line, and Murder GG Calpo
(The Sweet TOOTH Murder Mystery)
Published by: The Wild Rose Press
Publication date: February 9, 2026
Genres: Adult, Cozy Mystery, Mystery
What does Meg, a retired kindergarten teacher, do when the killer of her husband and only child still walks free a year after dirt had covered their graves? Go rogue, of course!
When the detective responsible for Meg’s nightmares takes over the murder investigation of her former student, Meg hunts the killer down with help from her friends. Their cozy lunches at Sweet Buns Café turn into tactical meetings while these retired grade school teachers get themselves in trouble better suited to those in their twenties. And to put the icing on their cream scones, someone is after Meg. Is it the killer? Or has Meg uncovered secrets better left buried with her loved ones?
The day was beautiful, with clear skies and a mild snap in the air. It was cold yet warm with the right amount of heat from the sun, making it the perfect spring day. Motorboats and sailboats dipped in and out of the water, out by Poet’s Bay. And at the edge of the harbor were the fishermen, alone or in groups of two or three, a rod in their hands and their tackle boxes opened beside them. We rounded the corner, almost done with our walk, when we saw mothers dragging their children away and fathers covering the eyes of the children in their arms. Pushing against the stream of parents scrambling away were others whose eyes were fixed on the man by the harbor’s edge. A man on whose fishing line dangled a catch with, what I thought were, red fins and a red tail swaying lazily around the hook.
Red? In the salt waters of Poet’s Bay? As I stood there trying to figure out what I was seeing, Barbara shoved her way into the crowd. I followed, my curiosity getting the better of me. Murmurs of “Good morning” and “Good to see you, Mrs. B” trailed behind me, changing to “You sure you want to see this, Mrs. B?” and “I wouldn’t go any further if I were you, Mrs. B.” We fetched up to the front and looked down on the ground before us while the fisherman beside us puked his guts out.
It wasn’t a fish he had caught.
Instead, on the ground was a hand. Just a hand. Nothing else.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
GG Calpo is a retired lawyer and accountant who traded contracts and numbers for the far more enjoyable chaos of fictional crime. Now she writes cozy whodunits featuring warm-hearted golden-aged sleuths who’ve seen it all, heard it all and will investigate a murder with zero hesitation. She loves stories where the stakes are personal, family and friendships are paramount, with characters who refuse to follow the outline and endings that pull the rug out. When not plotting twisty crimes—on paper only, of course—she spends her time reading, crocheting blankets and sweaters for her five grandchildren, watching mystery TV shows and taking long walks in her neighborhood. She lives in Central New Jersey with her husband and two corgis, Whiskey and Nugget.
A Wholesome Middle-Grade and Young Adult Fantasy Adventure by N.J. McConnell
In the magical world of Selah, humans, dwarves, caruans, and other remarkable peoples have lived together in peace for generations. But beyond the safety of their kingdoms, an ancient evil has awakened—one determined to divide the nations and conquer the world.
To prepare his people for the coming darkness, El Selah sends his spirits into the world, blessing chosen individuals with extraordinary magical gifts.
Runric has spent his childhood living a quiet, isolated life in the forest. Now coming of age, he leaves everything familiar behind and journeys with his loyal caruan friend, Falid, to compete in a worldwide magic contest. Blessed with six different forms of magic, Runric quickly attracts attention in the neighboring kingdom of Palanda—along with a level of fame he never wanted.
As the competition draws him into a dazzling world of princesses, kings, mysterious creatures, and rival magic wielders, Runric begins to uncover secrets about his own family. The ancient enemy threatening Selah may be connected to a danger first discovered by his father—and by the mother Runric has long believed was lost.
Torn between the simplicity of his forest home and the responsibility that comes with his remarkable abilities, Runric must decide whether he is ready to embrace his destiny. His greatest challenge will not simply be learning how to control his magic, but developing the faith, wisdom, mercy, and discernment needed to use it well.
Heartwell: Heir of the Wizard is a captivating middle-grade and young adult fantasy adventure filled with imaginative world-building, memorable friendships, wholesome humor, magical contests, family mysteries, and an unforgettable battle between good and evil.
Perfect for readers in fifth grade and above—and for families who enjoy clean fantasy fiction—this coming-of-age adventure explores:
● Faith, courage, and personal responsibility
● Friendship across cultures and kingdoms
● The importance of wisdom and discernment
● Family, identity, and belonging
● Using one’s gifts for a greater purpose
● Choosing what is right when darkness begins to rise
Enter the world of Heartwell and discover a family-friendly fantasy story where magic reflects character, unlikely heroes find their courage, and one young man’s gifts may hold the key to saving all of Selah.
N.J. McConnell is a Texas-based author of wholesome middle-grade and young adult fantasy. A software engineer with degrees in computer science, he brings the logic of a programmer and the imagination of a lifelong fantasy reader to his richly developed stories.
Inspired by reading J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit as a child, McConnell began writing the kind of relatable, family-friendly fantasy adventures he wished he had encountered more often growing up. For more than a decade, he has developed the magical world of Heartwell—a place filled with memorable characters, imaginative kingdoms, exciting quests, and meaningful lessons about faith, wisdom, mercy, courage, and discernment.
McConnell is the author of Heartwell: Heir of the Wizard, a coming-of-age fantasy adventure for readers in fifth grade and above. Through compelling characters, wholesome humor, magical contests, and timeless conflicts between good and evil, he hopes to create stories that entertain the entire family while encouraging readers to use their unique gifts with integrity and purpose.
Born and raised in Texas, N.J. McConnell lives in San Antonio with his wife and two children. When he is not writing, reading fantasy, or developing software, he enjoys coaching youth basketball and teaching Bible classes. Seeing his children experience the world and characters he spent years creating has made his journey as an author especially meaningful.
Learn more about N.J. McConnell and the Heartwell fantasy series at heartwellstories.com.
A Killer for Christmas: A Novel Cozy Mystery Stand-Alone Novel Setting – Maine Publisher: Crooked Lane Books Publication date: September 22, 2026 Print length: 320 pages Hardcover ISBN-13: 979-8892425025 ASIN: B0GC485289 Paperback ISBN-13: 979-8892425032 ASIN: B0GC47JK57 Digital ISBN-13: 979-8892425049 ASIN: B0GBZN538M
Wrapped in red has a bloody new meaning in this contemporary holiday romance with a murderous twist, perfect for readers who enjoyed The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year.
Christmasville, Maine, is the only place where Kelsey Hendricks has ever felt happy. When she loses both her job and her boyfriend, the move is a no-brainer, especially when she sees a listing for a position as Christmasville’s social media manager. Surrounded by twinkling lights and candy canes and with the perfect job, this tinsel town is working its magic on Kelsey. With two heartthrobs vying for her attention, her life is now just like a Christmas movie.
Except for the murders.
The first one is dismissed as an accident. But after the second, and definitely the third, it becomes abundantly clear that Santa is leaving coal in someone’s stocking this year.
Determined to bring back the holly jolly spirit to the town before tourists begin canceling their reservations, Kelsey must sleuth her way out of a chilling murder mystery and back to a holiday rom-com.
This charming and clever mystery-romance where a cozy winter wonderland warms the heart while suspense chills the bones is the perfect read for the holiday season.
Kim Harrington is the author of A Killer for Christmas, her debut adult mystery, as well as Clarity, Perception, The Dead and Buried, and Forget Me for teens and Revenge of the Red Club, the Sleuth or Dare series, and Gamer Squad series for younger readers. Her books have been sold to ten countries and optioned for television. She lives in Massachusetts with her family, where she’s hard at work on her next mystery novel.
Dementia / Memory Care / Relationships / Non-Fiction
Publisher: Emerald Lake Books
Publication Date: August 25, 2026
Print length: 202 pages
SYNOPSIS:
In Looking Past Dementia, dementia educator Marysue Moses shares the powerful insights she has gained from more than twenty years working alongside individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Through deeply human stories, she challenges readers to look beyond symptoms and diagnoses to recognize the strengths, emotions and humanity that remain.
—William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, act 3
Margaret
Margaret awakens in the middle of the night, sits up straight, and stretches her right arm into the darkness. Her hand is still unfamiliar with the pathway to the switch on her new bedside lamp. After a bit of trial and error, she finds the base and sighs in relief. Her fingers fumble for the… What’s that called, anyway? she wonders. The thingy that you turn … Aha! She finds the knob and twists it.
Once her eyes adjust to the brightness, Margaret surveys her surroundings. She feels out of place in the tiny apartment she moved into a few months ago. What am I doing in this suffocating space? And where am I? She’s unsure of where she is. Neural activity deep within her brain is trying to remind her she is in Denver, Colorado, on the thirtieth floor of a senior high-rise, but she cannot decode that garbled message.
Never mind that. The question is: where is my family? Though her son lives a few miles away, and one of her four daughters is in Boulder, Margaret isn’t thinking about them, and it’s not her late husband she’s missing now, either. She’s longing for her father, mother and brothers. One thing feels certain: she needs to get home.
Margaret uses the bathroom, washes her hands and face, gets dressed, grabs her purse, and finds the elevator. It’s a long ride down in that cold, metallic box. She is grateful when the doors slide open at last. All is eerie―too quiet—but the gentleman behind the front desk seems pleasant enough when he glances up from his book. Though he appears surprised to see her, he gives Margaret a warm smile as she approaches.
“Would you please call me a taxi?”
The man lifts his eyebrows and opens his lips, yet no words come out.
Margaret hastens to explain. “I need to go home … to Junction City, Kansas.”
Thankfully, the security guard was savvy enough to ensure Mom returned to her apartment and my Colorado siblings were notified.
Learning about dementia began with my mother, Margaret.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Marysue Moses is a dementia educator, consultant and former memory care coordinator who teaches practical, creative approaches to dementia care. Drawing on both professional experience and her family’s journey with dementia, she helps caregivers foster meaningful connection and engagement.
Inspirational, informative, and useful tips, shared with care and love.
Looking Past Dementia: Learning From Those Who Live With It by Marysue Moses is a unique discussion of dementia patients and how to relate to them again as people, rather than as the sum of their symptoms. Moses, a former activities director and dementia educator with years of hands-on experience, shares what she learned from residents of memory care units themselves, beginning with seeing them as the talented, worthy individuals they are.
I appreciated how the author illustrated each point with supporting vignettes from her time in the field or from personal knowledge gained from her mother and grandmother, who both lived with Alzheimer’s. Moses depicts a variety of typical interactions with residents with many forms and at different stages of cognitive decline. Readers who have had, or are currently in, a relationship with someone living with any of these conditions will relate to many of the stories, which accurately portray experiences common among those with loved ones in memory care. I wish that I had had access to this book when I was responsible for a good friend’s care a couple of years ago; we were both so lost, confused, and frustrated. This book answered many questions I had then and offered sensible, creative ways I could have responded if I’d known about them. As our family members and beloved friends continue to age, I imagine there will be more opportunities to put what I read here to use, and I feel inspired to face those challenges with more confidence than last time.
I recommend LOOKING PAST DEMENTIA to anyone in a relationship with someone experiencing cognitive decline.
BLOG TOUR CALENDAR:
August 31 @ The Muffin -Join us at the Muffin as we celebrate the launch of Looking Past Dementia: Learning from Those Who Live With It by Marysue Moses with an interview of the author.
August 31 @ Just Katherine – Katherine shares excerpts from Looking Past Dementia: Learning from Those Who Live With It by Marysue Moses.
September 2 @ Freeing the Butterfly – Stop by Michelle’s blog for her review of Looking Past Dementia: Learning from Those Who Live With It by Marysue Moses.
September 5 @ A Wonderful World of Words – Stop by Joy’s blog for a guest post by Marysue Moses on good grief.
September 8 @ CC King’s blog – Join Caitrin’s blog for a guest post by Marysue Moses on how she found a Shakespeare quote for every chapter in her book.
September 9 @ Words by Webb – Stop by Jodi’s blog for her review of Looking Past Dementia: Learning from Those Who Live With It by Marysue Moses.
September 13 @ What Is That Book About – Stop by Michelle’s blog for a spotlight of Looking Past Dementia: Learning from Those Who Live With It by Marysue Moses.
September 14 @ Lisa’s Reading – Stop by Lisa’s blog for an excerpt from Looking Past Dementia: Learning from Those Who Live With It by Marysue Moses.
September 15 @ Balance and Joy – Stop by Sheri’s blog for her review of Looking Past Dementia: Learning from Those Who Live With It by Marysue Moses. (no post)
September 16 @ Create Write Now – Stop by Mari’s blog for a spotlight of Looking Past Dementia: Learning from Those Who Live With It by Marysue Moses.
September 19 @ Boots, Shoes and Fashion – Stop by Linda’s blog for an interview with Marysue Moses about her book Looking Past Dementia: Learning from Those Who Live With It.
September 20 @ A Storybook World – Join Deirdre for a guest post by Marysue Moses on how her high school friends shaped her life.
September 25 @ World of My Imagination – Stop by Nicole’s blog for her review of Looking Past Dementia: Learning from Those Who Live With It by Marysue Moses.
September 27 @ Boys’ Mom Reads – Stop by Karen’s blog for her review of Looking Past Dementia: Learning from Those Who Live With It by Marysue Moses.
September 27 @ Nikki’s Book and Movie Reviews – Stop by Nikki’s blog for her review of Looking Past Dementia: Learning from Those Who Live With It by Marysue Moses.
Riveting historical fiction set in northern Italy during the Napoleonic Wars.
So Close to Heaven is author Annette Oppenlander’s fascinating fictional account of Sabiona Abbey and the Benedictine nun who saved it from complete destruction during the approximately 20-year span of the Napoleonic Wars. The abbey, located on a strategic mountainside in the South Tyrol area of northern Italy, was attractive as a highly defensible site for the military on both sides of the conflict and changed hands a couple of times during the fighting. During each takeover, the Benedictine nuns who called the abbey home were threatened or completely displaced, except for one: Sister Magdalena.
Sister Magdalena (and all the nuns who stayed behind at the abbey during the various occupations) was a strong-willed, dedicated woman, as shown by her escapade of dressing as a French soldier to reinstate the Sabiona Abbey as a religious entity. The story has many tense and exciting moments as the women face their French attackers and even their own countrymen bent on taking advantage of the situation for personal gain.
Although not much is known about Mariele Told’s (Sister Magdalena as she was known after joining the order) reasons for initially coming to Sabiona Abbey, the author has created a tragically plausible origin story here. But what starts as an often-heard tale re-enacted thousands of times, a woman seeking asylum to avoid an unwanted arranged marriage, turns out to have a surprise twist. The story becomes one of forgiveness.
The author’s writing puts me right in the story with the women of the Benedictine community at Sabiona Abbey, and at just over 200 pages, the book is a perfect one-sitting read. With its engaging heroine and exciting plot based on true events, I recommend SO CLOSE TO HEAVEN to readers who enjoy historical fiction, especially stories with strong female protagonists or set during the Napoleonic Wars in Italy or within a religious community.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.
This final entry blazes across the pages with riveting, non-stop action and edge-of-your-seat suspense.
When Jenn’s secret former husband, Finn Rafferty, showed up on the ranch house doorstep and announced they were still legally married, Dillon Bishop put his plan to propose on hold until things got figured out. Although Jenn swore the marriage had been annulled, Finn claimed there was no record to prove it had ever actually been filed in court, and he wanted HIS HALF of Jenn’s ranch!
Finn was a conman, and his arrival at the ranch coincided with the appearance of Riverdale Gaming in the nearby town of Redfield, with money in hand and hoping to buy up numerous sections of land to open up a large-scale casino operation. Some local property owners took the offers and sold out, but many didn’t, and soon word of more aggressive persuasion began to filter into the sheriff’s department, where Dillon now worked part-time as a deputy. Unfortunately, Jenn’s ranch was right in the middle of the area Riverdale Gaming proposed to build the casino, and she was most definitely not interested. She was so close to fulfilling her promise to her Uncle Roy to open an equine therapy center. However, rumors that the casino people were urging the town to consider eminent domain to help them acquire the needed properties had started circulating.
Finn refused to back off on his demand for half of the ranch and threatened to go to the authorities and nullify Jenn’s adoption of her son, Alex. With his family at risk, Dillon starts investigating Finn’s connections to the casino project and the rash of suspicious accidents on the properties of owners who refused to sell to Riverdale Gaming. He breaks into Finn’s room at the local motel to search for evidence of his collusion with the casino gang when Finn walks in on him. Later, when Finn is found dead from a gunshot wound, Dillon becomes the number one suspect.
Fire and Rain is the final book in author David Homick’s excellent suspense series, the Rain Mystery Trilogy. This group of books has been so good that I was reluctant to start this final entry and have it end, but read it I did, and it was full of the same action, intrigue, and breathtaking suspense that made the previous books some of my favorites of the year. Dillon Bishop is a great character and has grown and healed so much since his first appearance on the page. He’s overcome the debilitating effects of PTSD and the nightmares that had plagued him since his tour in Afghanistan. As a result, he’s become much more stable and reliable. He’s just a good man. While he’s still somewhat impulsive in his investigations, his unpredictability makes for exciting reading and a sense that anything could happen next.
One plot thread concerns the universal interest of property owners and community members in general. What do you do when an undesirable business comes into town and wants to be your neighbor? It’s one thing if the company talks your neighbors into selling them their property, but what about the holdouts? What if the business can convince the local government to compel the holdouts to sell through eminent domain?
In this story, the business (a casino) is aggressive in its land acquisition and PR campaign, selling the community and the town council on the economic benefits the town stands to gain from the business opening there. But strange accidents (fires) and other occurrences (damaged equipment, fences, and animals gone astray) suspected of being the handiwork of Riverdale Gaming henchmen, specifically Finn Rafferty, bring in a sinister level of danger that Dillon and Sheriff Ziggy Scott must unravel. Add in an attempt on Jenn’s life, a couple of murders, and kidnapping, and what could have been just an ugly and tragic real estate caper blazes across the pages with riveting, non-stop action and edge-of-your-seat suspense.
I recommend FIRE AND RAIN and the entire RAIN MYSTERY TRILOGY to mystery readers who enjoy lots of action and excitement featuring an imperfect, flawed hero but a hero, nonetheless.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from Reedsy Discovery.
WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU ARE. STOP DIGGING.
Freshman year, Ace Li kissed his best friend, Akash Patel. The next day, Akash moved away without a word―and Ace was so brokenhearted he stopped eating.
It took years for Ace to recover, but he’s finally stable again. Ace drinks his protein shakes, swims every morning, and might even win the debate competition this year. He’s good. He’s forgotten that kiss―at least, that’s what he tells himself. Then Ace hears the news: Akash is back.
Akash has returned because his mother, the world-famous investigative journalist Radhika Malhotra, is missing, and she was last seen in this town. Ace tries to stay away, but the second he sees Akash, the feelings he’s suppressed bubble back to the surface. Then Ace happens upon some notes―notes about what Akash’s mother was investigating. If he retraces her steps, he might be able to find her. And if he does, maybe Akash will give him another chance.
As Ace follows Radhika’s trail, his stable life begins to crumble. He stops eating, and he starts receiving threatening, anonymous messages. If he goes public with what happened to Radhika and why, his entire town will have to pay the consequences. Winning Akash’s heart might cost Ace everything, but maybe that’s a sacrifice he’s willing to make.
I’m an award-winning journalist, editor, and writing instructor whose work has appeared in publications including The Verge and Business Insider. All pronouns are acceptable.
I grew up in Lakeville, Connecticut, known locally as “the middle of the woods.” I graduated from Brown University with honors in Literary Arts/Creative Writing, and have worked as a technology and business journalist ever since. My work has brought me to New York City, back to Lakeville, and then to South Korea, where I currently reside with my partner and cat. Along the way, I’ve anchored news for KBS World Radio and appeared as a regular voice on tech podcasts and panels.
Don’t Print This, a queer YA mystery from Page Street YA, is my debut novel. The story grew out of many things: a lifelong passion for children’s literature, a newfound appreciation for my rural upbringing after a decade of big-city life, and years inside newsrooms, where I came to deeply value the necessity—but also the costs—of telling the truth.
Holmes Away From Home (An Althea Adler Mystery) by Samantha Larsen
About Holmes Away From Home
Holmes Away From Home (An Althea Adler Mystery) Historical Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Setting – London, 1911 Publisher: Severn House Publication date: October 6, 2026 Hardcover Print length: 240 pages ISBN-10: 1448322405 ISBN-13: 978-1448322404 Digital ISBN-13: 978-1448322381 / ASIN: B0HHHP29BG
Introducing Althea Adler, accomplished thief and daring heroine with a mysterious link to Sherlock Holmes.
A heart-racing game of wits, murder and romance is about to commence . . .
London, 1911. Althea Adler receives a mysterious postcard with just four words, ‘Holmes away from home.’ Surely her mother, notorious thief and opera star Irene Adler, is instructing her to break into Sherlock Holmes’s safe? But when she does, Althea makes a shocking discovery . . .
Still reeling from events at 221b Baker Street, Althea accepts an invitation to a party at Twickenham Towers, the ancestral home of Lord Slough, where a murder throws her into further turmoil―as does handsome fellow guest William, the Marquess of Sheffield, who has been tasked with staking out Slough by the British Government.
Althea and William form an unlikely alliance as they set about catching a killer. But can they trust each other when they both have something to hide?
An addictive new cozy mystery trilogy featuring a super smart, lively heroine, a dashing lord and a fiendishly good whodunnit, perfect for fans of Sherlock Holmes’s classic mysteries, Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell Mysteries, and Netflix’s The Residence.
Samantha writes cozy mysteries under Samantha Larsenand historical romances under Samantha Hastings. She met her husband in a turkey sandwich line. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she spends most of her time reading, eating popcorn, having tea parties, and chasing her four kids. She has degrees from Brigham Young University, University of North Texas, and University of Reading (UK). She’s the author of: The Last Word, The Invention of Sophie Carter, A Royal Christmas Quandary, The Girl with the Golden Eyes, Jane Austen Trivia, The Duchess Contract, Secret of the Sonnets, The Marquess and the Runaway Lady, and A Novel Disguise. Learn more at: http://www.SamanthaHastings.com.
Despite not wanting to follow in the footsteps of her mother, Althea follows in the footsteps of her mother!
Holmes Away From Home is the first book in the fun, new Sherlockian Althea Adler Mystery series by author Samantha Larsen, featuring the daughter of Irene Adler, Holmes’s only adversary to get the better of him. In this charming debut, Althea, called upon by her mother to break into a safe in Holmes’s study but with no idea of what she is to retrieve, ends up at a weekend country house party, building relationships and looking for clues. But among the other guests is a troublesome young nobleman, Lord Sheffield, who has his own secret agenda for being there and a knack for getting in her way.
The story is delightful, and the main characters, Althea and William, are so engaging that I was easily and completely drawn in from the start. Larsen tells a compelling tale, and I would have loved to binge the book if I could have! While William is hiding his true nature and motives for wanting entrée to Lord Slough’s orbit, Althea gets dragged along, really only wanting to curry favor with Slough’s sister, Lady Sarah, and her best friend, Rosie Watson, the daughter of Holmes’s Watson, whose personal journals may hold the key to Althea’s past: the identity of her father.
I recommend HOLMES AWAY FROM HOME to historical cozy mystery readers, especially those with a tendre for Sherlock Holmes pastiches.
As Mardi Gras rolls on, a killer stalks the streets of New Orleans.
Shadows of Frenchmen is the second book in author Michael Rigg’s atmospheric Jonathan Gray, M.D. Mystery series, and this time a killer stalks the streets as the city gears up for its fabled Mardi Gras festivities. Only weeks after replacing his deceased mentor and friend as the Coroner for Orleans Parish, Dr. Jonathan Gray, M.D. faces a new challenge when called to the scene of an enigmatic murder. It has all the markings that a serial killer, the Mardi Gras Sweeper, has returned on his murderous biennial killing spree; however, it was believed that he’d been killed when he fell to his death into the Mississippi River two years earlier. Hobbled by the mayor’s restrictions to keep this new murder under wraps and out of the media and short-staffed at the Coroner’s Office, Gray cuts a deal to bring in suspended NOPD Detective Lieutenant Betsy Sprance. Together, his new team works to decode a cipher left behind at the murder scene and stop the killer before he strikes again.
What a fast-paced and action-packed story! I was well and truly hooked from the start by the engaging Dr. Gray and the first shocking crime scene. Gray, still trying to get his footing as the new coroner after the death of his former boss, doesn’t let on to anyone how difficult his transition from deputy to chief has been. In his mid-50s, there are plenty of people throwing shade that he’s past his prime to take on the job. Also, personality issues between some of his staff members aren’t making things any easier.
The New Orleans setting is wonderful with numerous mentions of iconic locations and streets, familiar libations and treats, and the activities of Mardi Gras. I enjoyed the inside peek at preparations for the parades and krewes. There’s nowhere else like this city, and readers are treated to a close-up, personal armchair visit as the action and investigation quickly escalate. Nothing is as it seems, with scenes that had me confounded about what was really going on and what was really at stake, and plot twists that definitely surprised.
I recommend SHADOWS OF FRENCHMEN to readers of mysteries, especially those who would enjoy the New Orleans during Mardi Gras setting.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.
