On a Quiet Street

 

ON A QUIET STREET

Author: Seraphina Nova Glass

ISBN: 9781525899751

Publication Date: May 17, 2022

Publisher: Graydon House Books

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Author Bio: 

Seraphina Nova Glass is a professor and playwright-in-residence at the University of Texas, Arlington, where she teaches film studies and playwriting. She holds an MFA in playwriting from Smith College, and she's also a screenwriter and award-winning playwright. Seraphina has traveled the world using theatre and film as a teaching tool, living in South Africa, Guam and Kenya as a volunteer teacher, AIDS relief worker, and documentary filmmaker.

Book Summary:

A simple arrangement. A web of deceit with shocking consequences.

Welcome to Brighton Hills: an exclusive, gated community set against the stunning backdrop of the Oregon coast. Home to doctors, lawyers, judges--all the most upstanding members of society. Nothing ever goes wrong here. Right?

Cora's husband, Finn, is a cheater. She knows it; she just needs to prove it. She's tired of being the nagging, suspicious wife who analyzes her husband's every move. She needs to catch him in the act. And what better way to do that than to set him up for a fall?

Paige has nothing to lose. After she lost heI fr only child in a hit-and-run last year, her life fell apart: her marriage has imploded, she finds herself screaming at baristas and mail carriers, and she's so convinced Caleb's death wasn't an accident that she's secretly spying on all everyone in Brighton Hills so she can find the murderer. So it's easy for her to entrap Finn and prove what kind of man he really is.

But Paige and Cora are about to discover far more than a cheating husband. What starts as a little agreement between friends sets into motion a series of events neither of them could have ever predicted, and that exposes the deep fault lines in Brighton Hills. Especially concerning their mysterious new neighbor, Georgia, a beautiful recluse who has deep, dark secrets of her own...

What I Thought:

This is the first book by Seraphine Nova Glass that I have read, but it will not be the last. This book kept my attention from the start till the finish. I thought the characters were well developed and the plot was well thought out. This book was so well written, I felt what the characters were feeling. I was totally blown away by the outcome of this one and actually did not see it coming at all. This was a quick read for me because it was so entertaining, and I could not wait to see what happened next. This was one I did not want to put down.

Knit or Dye Trying

 

Knit or Dye Trying (A Riverbank Knitting Mystery) by Allie Pleiter

About Knit or Dye Trying

 

Knit or Dye Trying (A Riverbank Knitting Mystery) Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series Setting - Maryland Berkley (April 5, 2022) Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593201809 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593201800 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B093YRVK42

Business is booming for Libby Beckett and her fabulous Maryland shop, aptly named Y.A.R.N., but when a town festival brings a fatality with it, Libby gets all tangled up in murder.

As spring comes to Collinstown, the village launches a food festival to draw a new group of tourists. Libby, the proud owner of Y.A.R.N., has planned a yarn event to provide an alternative option to a foodie weekend. Artisan fiber dyer Julie Wilson—known for her work with animal-friendly, plant-based knitting fibers such as bamboo and hemp as well as her brilliant use of color—will hopefully draw a crowd with a special dyeing workshop.

The festival begins, but it draws more than crowds. First, a flock of sheep parades down the street, herded by farmers protesting Julie’s antiwool stance. Then Julie’s celebrity chef sister appears, and the siblings resume a long-standing rivalry. Despite all this, Julie’s workshop has sold out. Libby is thrilled, and they’re preparing for a full house. But the night before the event, Julie is found alone in the warehouse event space—dead. The witty “Watch Julie Wilson Dye” workshop title now has a terrible new meaning—and it’s up to Libby to catch a crafty killer.

What I Thought:

This is the second in a Riverbank Knitting Mystery Series. While I read the first in the series, I would not have been lost had I not read it, therefore this could be read as a standalone. I feel that I liked this book a little better than the first in the series, though both were good. In this one, the town of Collinsville is having a See More than Sea Food Festival. Libby is having an event at her shop Y.A.R.N. to coincide with the festival. Libby is bringing in a plant-based fiber dyer to give a demonstration. Libby learns that Julie's, the fiber dyer, sister Monica, a chef, is also in town for the festival, and it is clear the sisters do not get along. Julie is found dead in the old factory where the demonstration is to take place, overcome by fumes. Libby swears this time she is not going to get involved, but of course she does. I enjoy the setting of this series. And while I am not a knitter, I enjoy reading about the different yarns and I like how the author uses the art of knitting to forge friendships in the book. There is a little romantic element in this one between Libby and the town Mayor, which is sweet and enjoyable to read about. The characters are developing as the series and stories flow along and most are well rounded. The plot of this one was well thought out and the story flowed very well. It is a quick read that kept my attention from the time I started it until the very end. I look forward to more in this series. 

I receivecd a complimentary copy of this book.

About Allie Pleiter

An avid knitter, coffee junkie and firm believer that “pie makes everything better,” Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction working on as many as four novels at a time. The bestselling author of over fifty books, Allie has enjoyed a twenty-year career with over 1.5 million books sold. In addition to writing, Allie maintains an active writing productivity coaching practice and speaks regularly on the creative process, publishing, and her very favorite topic—The Chunky Method of time management for writers.

Author Links Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliepleiterauthor/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/alliepleiter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allie-pleiter-6a021b139 Twitter: https://twitter.com/alliepleiter Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/alliepleiter/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/453346.Allie_Pleiter BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/allie-pleiter Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Allie-Pleiter/e/B001H6IEUO/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1 To subscribe to Allie’s newsletter: http://www.alliepleiter.com/subscribe/ Purchase Links Link on my webpage Amazon (including Kindle and Audible) Barnes & Noble (including Nook) Apple Books Google Play Kobo IndieBound

Art of the Decoy

 

The Art of the Decoy (A Scandal Mountain Antiques Mystery) by Trish Esden

About The Art of the Decoy

The Art of the Decoy (A Scandal Mountain Antiques Mystery) 

Traditional Mystery 1st in Series Setting - Vermont Crooked Lane Books (April 5, 2022) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1643859641 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1643859644 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B098PXZNDF

Perfect for fans of Jane K. Cleland and Connie Berry, Tricia Esden's series debut is sure to please.

 

After her mother is sent to prison for art forgery, Edie Brown returns to Northern Vermont to rebuild her family’s fine art and antiques business. She’s certain she can do it now that her mother is gone. After all, butting heads with her mom over bad business practices was what drove Edie away three years ago, including a screwup that landed Edie on probation for selling stolen property.

 

When Edie scores a job appraising a waterfowl decoy collection at a hoarder’s farmhouse, she’s determined to take advantage of the situation to rebuild the business’s tarnished reputation and dwindling coffers. In lieu of payment, Edie intends to cherry-pick an exceptional decoy carved by the client’s renowned Quebecoise folk artist ancestors. Only the tables turn when the collection vanishes.

 

Accused of the theft, Edie’s terrified that the fallout will destroy the business and land her in prison next to her mom. Desperate, she digs into the underbelly of the local antiques and art world. When Edie uncovers a possible link between the decoy theft and a deadly robbery at a Quebec museum, she longs to ask her ex-probation officer, and ex-lover, for help. But she suspects his recent interest in rekindling their romance may hide a darker motive.

 

With the help of her eccentric uncle Tuck and Kala, their enigmatic new employee, Edie must risk all she holds dear to expose the thieves and recover the decoys before the FBI’s Art Crime Team or the ruthless thieves themselves catch up with her.

What I Thought:

This is the first in a new series, Scandal Mountain Antiques, and is more traditional mystery than cozy. In this one, Edie is called back to Scandal Mountain Antiques by her uncle to help with an appraisal show. Edie's mother has been sent to prison for forging a painting. When a woman brings a decoy to be appraised by Edie, Edie thinks this is what Scandal Mountain needs to get back on track. Scandal Mountain is given the job of appraising this collection, but the collection goes missing. Edie finds a link between this missing collection and theft at a Quebec Museum and she enlists the help of her Uncle Tuck, their new employee, Kala and her ex-probation officer/lover to help her solve the crime. This one was different than most mysteries I read, but that was not a bad thing. While it was different, it was still an enjoyable read. The author is very knowledgeable about antiques and folk art and I learned a lot about those two things from reading this book. I enjoyed the setting of this book, as New England is a setting I enjoy in any type of book. The plot was well thought out and the story flowed well. The characger of Edie was a little hard to warm up to, but she was well rounded. I did not have the "mystery" figured out and was left guessing to the end.

I received a complimentary of this book. 

About Trish Esden

Trish Esden loves museums, gardens, wilderness, dogs, and birds, in various orders depending on the day. She lives in northern Vermont where she deals antiques with her husband, a profession she’s been involved with since her teens. Don’t ask what her favorite type of antique is. She loves hunting down old bottles and rusty barn junk as much as she enjoys fine art and furnishings.

Author Links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Trish-Esden-author-108247488016132 Twitter: https://twitter.com/patesden Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trishesden/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/patesden/_created/ Website: https://trishesden.com BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/trish-esden GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21662893.Trish_Esden Purchase Links - Amazon - IndieBound - Barnes & Noble - Books-a-Million - Kobo

Body and Soul Food Spotlight

 

Body and Soul Food (A Books & Biscuits Mystery) by Abby Collette

About Body and Soul Food

 

Body and Soul Food (A Books & Biscuits Mystery) Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Setting - Timber Lake, Washington (Near Seattle) Berkley (November 9, 2021) Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593336178 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593336175 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08YWW1DCH

In this page-turning new mystery series, fraternal twins Keaton and Koby will pull double duty when they take down a killer while preparing to open their new bookstore and soul-food café, Books & Biscuits.

 

When Koby Hill and Keaton Rutledge were orphaned at age two, they were separated, but their unbreakable connection lingered. Years later, they reunite and decide to make up for lost time and capitalize on their shared interests by opening up a well-stocked bookstore and cozy soul-food café in the quaint Pacific Northwest town of Timber Lake. But this new chapter of their lives could end on a cliffhanger after Koby's foster brother is found murdered.

 

The murder, which occurred in public between light-rail stops, seems impossible for the police to solve. But as Keaton and Koby know, two heads are always better than one, especially when it comes to mysteries. With just a week to go before the grand opening of their new café, the twins will use their revitalized connection with each other to make sure this is the killer's final page.

 

About Abby Collette

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Abby Collette loves a good mystery. She was born and raised in Cleveland, and it's a mystery even to her why she hasn't yet moved to a warmer place. As Abby Collette, she is the author of the Ice Cream Parlor mystery series, about a millennial MBA-holding granddaughter running a family-owned ice cream shop in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and the Books & Biscuits mystery series, starring a set of fraternal twins who reunite and open a bookstore and soul food café. Writing as Abby L. Vandiver, she is the author of the Logan Dickerson Mysteries, featuring a second-generation archaeologist and a nonagenarian, as well as the Romaine Wilder Mysteries, pairing an East Texas medical examiner and her feisty, funeral-home-owning auntie as sleuths. Abby spends her time writing, facilitating writing workshops at local libraries and hanging out with her grandchildren, each of whom are her favorite.

Author Links – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram– Website –

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A Dash of Death

 

A Dash of Death (A Cocktails and Catering Mystery) by Michelle Hillen Klump

About A Dash of Death

A Dash of Death (A Cocktails and Catering Mystery) Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Setting - Texas Crooked Lane Books (February 8, 2022) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1643859374 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1643859378 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B094GN846Y

A Houston reporter-turned-mixologist mixes it up with murder in this series debut from Michelle Hillen Klump, superbly catering to fans of Diane Mott Davidson and Lee Hollis.

 

Bad news for Samantha Warren: The plucky Houston, Texas, reporter lost her job and her fiancé in rapid succession. But Sam has a way of making lemonade out of the bitterest of lemons. At a meeting of the local historical-homes council, she serves up the homemade bitters that she made as gifts for her wedding party. She intends to use that as her “in” to become an in-demand party mixologist. But the party’s over for one of the council members, who keels over dead soon after he sips the bereft bride’s bitter brew.

 

It turns out that the victim, Mark, was poisoned—his drink spiked with oleander. Since Sam mixed the drink that Mark imbibed right before his demise, she finds herself at the front of the suspect line. Now, she’ll have to use all of her reporter’s wisdom and wiles to clear her name.

Who could have wanted Mark dead? His wife, Gabby? His girlfriend, Darcy? Someone who wanted his seat on the council? Or another citizen of this sweet Texas town that holds some seedy secrets?

 

Job hunting, building her mixology business, and fending off late-night phone calls from her nearly betrothed don’t leave much time for sleuthing. But if Sam can’t “pour” over the clues to find the killer, it may soon be last call for her.

  What I Thought:

             This is the first in the Cocktails and Catering Mystery Series and the first book I have ever read by this author. This was the first time I have read a cozy in which the protagonist makes "bitters", and I am still a little confused about what they really are. In this one, Samantha has been jilted by her fiancé, and has lost her job as an investigative reporter. Her friends encourage her to start selling her "bitters". When Samantha steps in to serve her bitters at a Historic Commision Benefit meeting, a member is found dead with an oleander blossom in his cup of bitters. Of course, his wife decides to sue Samantha, so Samantha becomes the main suspect. Samantha uses her skills as an investigative reporter to prove her innocence. I thought this was a fast-paced mystery that kept me turning the pages. The plot was well thought out and I liked the protagonist and her friends that were introduced in this book. There were many twists in this book that kept me guessing. Again, the protagonist had a hobby that she made into a career that was new to me, even though there are books out there about breweries, I had never heard of "bitters" before. And it is refreshing to see new hobbies/careers in a book.  I was left guessing until the very end of this one. I look forward to more in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. 

About Michelle Hillen Klump

Michelle Hillen Klump is a former newspaper reporter who covered government, courts and crime throughout Arkansas and Central Texas. Still a working journalist, she is also a member of Sisters in Crime. Her short fiction has appeared in Crimson Streets and Tales of Texas, volume 2, a Houston short story anthology.

Author Links My webpage: https://michelleklump.com/ Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMichelleKlump Twitter: https://twitter.com/mh_klump Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21600853.Michelle_Hillen_Klump Purchase Links - Amazon - PenguinRandomHouse - Barnes & Noble - IndieBound - Kobo -  

 

A Murder Yule Regret (A Bread Shop Mystery) by Winnie Archer

About A Murder Yule Regret

 

A Murder Yule Regret (A Bread Shop Mystery) 

Cozy Mystery 7th in Series Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington Cozies (November 30, 2021) Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 149673355X ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496733559 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08Y69YZKB

Freelance photographer and Yeast of Eden bakery assistant Ivy Culpepper has just scored the job of a lifetime shooting the Dickensian dress-up X-mas party thrown by It Girl film actress Eliza Fox . . . until an unwanted guest appears.

 

A holiday costume party in the sleepy coastal town of Santa Sofia could be just the boost Ivy needs for her fledgling photography business. At the party, Ivy enters a Victorian fantasy come to life, all courtesy of the fabulous Ms. Fox. Ivy gets to play shutterbug while hanging with Scrooge, Marley, the Cratchits, and more classic Dickens characters. But what begins as the best of times turns out to be the very worst for one of the party guests—a tabloid journalist with more enemies than Ebenezer himself.

 

When the man’s body is found sprawled across the jagged rocks below the house, the fingers begin pointing at Eliza. Meanwhile, Ivy gets roped into helping prove the starlet’s innocence. Her festive photos are now official evidence—and the Ghosts of Christmas Present could mean the party for Eliza is over, once and for all.ance photographer and Yeast of Eden bakery assistant Ivy Culpepper has just scored the job of a lifetime shooting the Dickensian dress-up X-mas party thrown by It Girl film actress Eliza Fox . . . until an unwanted guest appears.

 

A holiday costume party in the sleepy coastal town of Santa Sofia could be just the boost Ivy needs for her fledgling photography business. At the party, Ivy enters a Victorian fantasy come to life, all courtesy of the fabulous Ms. Fox. Ivy gets to play shutterbug while hanging with Scrooge, Marley, the Cratchits, and more classic Dickens characters. But what begins as the best of times turns out to be the very worst for one of the party guests—a tabloid journalist with more enemies than Ebenezer himself.

 

When the man’s body is found sprawled across the jagged rocks below the house, the fingers begin pointing at Eliza. Meanwhile, Ivy gets roped into helping prove the starlet’s innocence. Her festive photos are now official evidence—and the Ghosts of Christmas Present could mean the party for Eliza is over, once and for all.

What I Thought:

This is the Seventh in a Bread Shop Mystery Series. I have read one or two in this series, but I was not lost reading this one. Ivy works part time for her Olaya at Yeast of Eden and is fledgling photographer. Olaya calls her to tell her the shop got a last-minute catering gig and Ivy is to help. The gig turns out to be a Dickens style Christmas party at starlet Eliza Fox's home. Ivy is also hired as the photographer for this party. When the crew from Yeast of Eden arrive, they are told they need to be in Dickens costume and Ivy is given the Ghost of Christmas Present. Ivy walks through the party taking photographs and hears some interesting things, such as an argument between two gentlemen. When a notorious paparazzi reporter is found dead at the bottom of the cliff off Eliza's property, Ivy decides to investigate who wanted the reporter dead. This was a well written book that flowed well. I really enjoyed the holiday theme, and it was a little different that some holiday mysteries. Ivy is very likable character and even though I have only read a few books in the series, seems to develop more and more as the series goes on. The other characters in the book add to the charm. The setting is great. There were many twists and turns in this one that kept me guessing and turning the pages. I was totally surprised by the reveal and enjoyed the lead up to it. I look forward to more in this series.  

I received a complimentary copy of this book.

 

About Winner Archer

Winnie Archer is the nationally bestselling author of the Bread Shop Mystery series, as well as the Lola Cruz Mysteries and the Magical Dressmaking Mystery series written as Melissa Bourbon. A former middle school English teacher, lives in North Carolina with her educator husband, Carlos, and the youngest of their five children. She can be found online at MelissaBourbon.com.

Author Links Kensington: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/9781496724410/dough-or-die/ Website: https://melissabourbon.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaBourbonWinnieArcherBooks Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - IndieBound

 

An Eggnog to Die For (A Cape Cod Foodie Mystery) by Amy Pershing

About An Eggnog to Die For

An Eggnog to Die For (A Cape Cod Foodie Mystery) 

Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series Setting - Cape Cod, Massachusetts Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley (November 9, 2021) Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593199162 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593199169 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08VRGNFST

Professional foodie Samantha Barnes has a simple Christmas list: a quiet holiday at home with her dog and a certain handsome harbormaster; no embarrassing viral videos; and no finding dead bodies. Unfortunately, she’s got family visiting, she’s spending a lot of time in front of the camera, and she’s just stumbled over the lifeless body of the town’s Santa Claus.

Plus, Sam’s plans for Christmas Eve are getting complicated. There’s the great eggnog debate among her very opinionated guests. There’s the “all edible” Christmas tree to decorate. And there’s her Feast of the Five Fishes prepare. Nonetheless, Sam finds herself once again in the role of sleuth. She needs to find out who slayed this Santa—but can she pull off a perfect feast and nab a killer?

 What I Thought:

This is the second in the Cape Cod Foodie Mystery Series. We again visit Cape Cod and Sam Barnes and her endearing friends. Sam is a restaurant reviewer for the Cape Cod Clarion. If that does not keep Sam busy enough, it is the holiday season and Sam's parents are in town, besides getting ready for the "all edible" Christmas Tree and the Feast of the Five Fishes. When Sam is reviewing a new restaurant, "Ginger Jar" she stumbles over the body of the town Santa. Of course, Sam has to investigate with the help of her friends, including her love interest, Harbor Master Jason. This was a good cozy set during the holiday season. The author did a good job describing all of the Holiday celebrations taking place on Cape Cod. Sam is a very likable character and her do Diogi just adds to the charm of the book. This was  great cozy with many red herrings that kept me guessing to the very end. There, of course, is a little romantic twist to the book with Sam and Jason's relationship. Even though this is a book in a series, it could be read as a stand alone and the reader would not be lost. I look forward to more in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. 

About Amy Pershing

Amy Pershing, who spent every summer of her childhood on Cape Cod, was an editor, a restaurant reviewer and a journalist before leading employee communications at a global bank. A few years ago she waved goodbye to Wall Street to write full time. An Eggnog to Die For is the second of the Cape Cod Foodie mysteries featuring Samantha Barnes, a disgraced but resilient ex-chef who retreats home to Cape Cod where she finds herself juggling a new job as the local paper’s “Cape Cod Foodie,” a complicated love life, a posse of just-slightly-odd friends, a falling-down house, a ginormous puppy and a propensity for falling over dead bodies. Kirkus Reviews gave An Eggnog to Die For a starred review, saying, "A delightful sleuth, a complex mystery, and lovingly described cuisine: a winner for both foodies and mystery mavens." A Side of Murder, the first of the Cape Cod Foodie mysteries, which Elizabeth Gilbert called “the freshest, funniest mystery I have ever read,” was the first book in the series. The third, Murder Is No Picnic, will be published in May 2022.

Pre-order An Eggnog to Die For Here Order A Side of Murder Here Website: AmyPershingAuthor.com Follow amypershingauthor on Facebook Follow amypershingauthor on Instagram Sign up for News from the Cape Cod Foodie!

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