Holiday Blogging Break

 

Tasha Tudor illustration

Hi friends!

I will be taking a blogging break until mid-January.  I wanted to wish you a very Merry Christmas, a happy holiday season, and a Happy New Year!

Trish

Book Review and Giveaway - A Christmas Conundrum: A Liz Adams Mystery by Stacy Wilder

My Review

Liz Adams is preparing for Christmas in Charleston with her husband Brad when she becomes involved in solving a mystery.  Her friend Lou, an event planner, is having an issue with missing Christmas decorations - first in one area and then all over town!  

I wanted to read A Christmas Conundrum because I love cozy mysteries and like Christmas settings.

This was a fun short read (novella length).  The mystery is very light - missing decorations, not murder or an act of violence.  The Charleston setting is charming.  

This book is part of a series but it worked fine as a standalone.

I liked Liz, her family, and her friend Lou.  She also has a lovable lab dog named Duke.  Liz is a professional private investigator, with a specially equipped van and a white board at home where she sorts out mysteries.  I found her process of detection fascinating.

Fans of cozy mysteries who are looking for a short holiday read will enjoy A Christmas Conundrum.

Book Synopsis

Nancy Drew meets How the Grinch Stole Christmas in this delightful cozy mystery set in Charleston, SC.

Who’s stealing the holiday decorations? They’re disappearing like Christmas cookies from PeggyLou Designs, and Lou’s newly launched event planning service is in trouble. He implores his neighbor and friend, Private Investigator Liz Adams, to bring the thief to justice.

The clock is ticking. It’s only ten days until the mayor’s big holiday celebration. The party that will make or break Lou’s business.

Liz’s mom, Babs, steps in to help, and the investigation becomes complicated. Suddenly the holidays are not all mistletoe and merriment when Bab’s life is threatened. Will Liz and her lie-detecting Labrador retriever, Duke, discover the perpetrator before it’s too late?

Experience Charleston in the city’s full Christmas glory in this fun fast-paced holiday story.

Author Bio

Stacy Wilder has traveled to six out of seven continents Books have shaped her life and her travels. Her love of mysteries began with Nancy Drew.

A Christmas Conundrum is the third book in the riveting Liz Adams Mystery series. In addition to mysteries, Stacy writes children’s stories, short stories, and poetry. She and her husband live in Houston, Texas, with a totally spoiled Labrador retriever, Eve.

Author Links

Website www.storystacy.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/wilderstacy

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/authorstacywilder/

YouTube https://youtu.be/VR7kKOxAsjU?si=_jaX1EuELeFKEMqQ

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/stacy-wilder

Purchase Links – Amazon E-book –  Amazon Paperback – Amazon Hardback – Barnes and Noble – Bookshop.org –

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Book Review - The Warsaw Sisters: A Novel of WWII Poland by Amanda Barratt

My Review

The Warsaw Sisters is a historical novel set during World War II.  Twin sisters Antonina and Helena Dąbrowska see their father off to war, and then endure the bombing of their beloved city.  Antonina's love Marek is sent to the Warsaw ghetto because he is Jewish.  Both women get involved in the Resistance movement as a way of fighting back.

I wanted to read The Warsaw Sisters because I love historical fiction, and am especially interested in the World War II time period.  I had never read a book set in Poland during the war, so this was particularly interesting to me.

This is a sprawling novel that spans the time period of 1939 - 1945.  The author delves into historical detail to depict the war in Poland.  This was a time of great brutality and cruelty (especially toward the Jewish people) and some of the descriptions are hard to read.

The author does a great job at delineating the two very different personalities of Antonina and Helena, and we see both their perspectives.  Descriptions of Antonina's work to save Jewish children was especially compelling.

The historical detail and descriptions in the book are vivid and the author's writing style is fluid.

Fans of historical fiction who want to read about the years of World War II in Poland will find The Warsaw Sisters of interest.

Book Synopsis

A richly rendered portrait of courage, sacrifice, and resilience

On a golden August morning in 1939, sisters Antonina and Helena Dąbrowska send their father off to defend Poland against the looming threat of German invasion. The next day, the first bombs fall on Warsaw, decimating their beloved city and shattering the world of their youth.

When Antonina's beloved Marek is forced behind ghetto walls, along with the rest of Warsaw's Jewish population, Antonina knows she cannot stand by and soon becomes a key figure in a daring network of women risking their lives to shelter Jewish children. Meanwhile, Helena finds herself drawn into the ranks of Poland's secret army, joining the fight to free her homeland from occupation.

But the secrets both are forced to keep threaten to tear them apart--and the cost of resistance may prove greater than either ever imagined.

Author Bio

Amanda Barratt is the bestselling author of numerous historical novels and novellas, including The White Rose Resists (a 2021 Christy Award winner) and Within These Walls of Sorrow. She is passionate about illuminating oft-forgotten facets of history through a fictional narrative. Amanda lives in Michigan. Learn more at AmandaBarratt.net.

 

Book Review and Giveaway - Grounds for Murder (Coffee & Cream Cafe Mysteries) by Lena Gregory

My Review

Danika Delaney is settling in at the little coffee house on Long Island that was a malt shop in her family years ago. On opening night she has an author reading, and the next day the author turns up dead!  Danika works to solve the mystery.

I wanted to read this mystery because I have enjoyed other cozy mysteries by Lena Gregory.  This is the second book in a new series, but I was able to jump right in and enjoy it as a standalone read.

I enjoyed Grounds for Murder.  Danika is a fun protagonist.  She's smart and has good amateur detective instincts.  The mystery was intriguing with several viable suspects.  I particularly enjoyed the setting of the Coffee and Cream Cafe and the little food descriptions included in the book.  I also liked Danika's friends and family, and her potential romantic interest.

I'm so happy to have discovered this new mystery series. I recommend Grounds for Murder for other fans of cozy mysteries. It was a fun read!

Book Synopsis

From author Lena Gregory comes a tasty new mystery with a killer twist…

Danika Delaney is thrilled to have taken over her uncle Jimmie’s old fashioned malt shop on eastern Long Island and is working hard to make it her own. In an effort to increase business, Danika invites a mystery writer to the Coffee & Cream Café for a discussion and book signing. Things seem to be going well, until a guest shows up and confronts the author, accusing him of plagiarizing his work. Embarrassed by the incident, Danika goes to the inn where the writer is staying the following morning, hoping to apologize and offer him another chance to return. What she finds instead is his dead body—beside a cup of poisoned coffee! Now it’s up to Danika to find out who wanted to silence the author… before the killer decides to write Danika a not-so-happy ending!

Author Bio

Lena grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, but she recently traded in cold, damp, gray winters for the warmth and sunshine of central Florida, where she now lives with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, and walking. Her love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn’t sleep through the night. She works full time as a writer and a freelance editor and is a member of Sisters in Crime.

Author Links

• Newsletter: http://lenagregory.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9765d0711ed4fab4fa31b16ac&id=49d42335d1.
• Website: http://www.lenagregory.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lena.gregory.986
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Lena.Gregory.Author/?fref=ts
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/LenaGregory03
• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14956514.Lena_Gregory?from_search=true
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lenagregoryauth/

Purchase Links
Amazon –   B&N  –  Kobo 

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Book Review and Giveaway - Under the Cocoon Moon: An Olivia Penn Mystery by Kathleen Bailey

My Review

Olivia Penn is enjoying her return to the small town of Apple Station, Virginia.  Olivia is working as a writer, living with her father, and she has a new romantic interest.  When a stranger accuses her new boyfriend's parents of a crime, she becomes involved in solving the mystery. Things escalate when there is a murder as well.

I wanted to read Under the Cocoon Moon because the description sounded appealing.  I love small town mysteries and liked the holiday setting.  I have not read the two earlier books in this series, but found this mystery worked fine as a standalone.

I enjoyed this cozy mystery and want to read the earlier books now as well!  Olivia Penn is a likable protagonist.  Her writing work is interesting and I also liked liked her father and friend Sam, who help her detecting.  There is even a cute beagle named Buddy!  (I am a great fan of mysteries that include pets.)

The mystery aspect of the book was interesting and briskly paced.  There were enough little twists to keep me up late reading!

I recommend Under the Cocoon Moon for other fans of cozy mysteries, and especially for anyone who enjoys small town settings and holiday themes.

Book Synopsis

A dead body in the woods … A rare sapphire is missing … The connection changes her life forever.

Olivia Penn is looking forward to spending time with her friends and family over the holidays in her hometown of Apple Station, Virginia. The Christmas season’s spirit has sparked a new romance, and all is looking merry and bright, until she is mistaken for a dead woman.

When a stranger makes a wild accusation involving the parents of the man she’s falling for, Olivia faces a no-win situation. As evidence mounts supporting the claim, a mysterious murder occurs near his father’s cabin that attracts the attention of the FBI. Wedged between mother and son, Olivia investigates to clear his family’s name while matching wits with a legendary thief.

With the clock ticking, Olivia must set a trap using herself as the bait or the killer may disappear without a trace. Her new love hangs in the balance, and her life is on the line. Justice will hinge on sixty minutes and a phone call.

Will the call be answered? Or will the thief recover the sapphire and silence her forever?

If you like Clue, Nancy Drew, and small town, cozy mysteries with heart and humor, a charming cast of characters, and a twisty plot, you’ll love Under the Cocoon Moon, the third book in The Olivia Penn Mystery Series.

Author Bio

Kathleen Bailey is the award-winning author of The Olivia Penn Mystery Series. She writes mysteries with heart and humor that keep to the traditional and cozy sides of crime. Kathleen has degrees in English, psychology, and physical therapy. She previously worked as a pediatric physical therapist for over twenty years with children who have special needs. She now spends her days plotting and sleuthing in Virginia where she lives with her husband and adorable feline fur baby. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and the James River Writers. Visit online at kathleenbaileyauthor.com.

Author Links

Webpage: https://kathleenbaileyauthor.com/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/kathleenbailey

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kathleen-bailey

Purchase Links – Amazon – All Retailers – 

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Book Review and Giveaway - Bulletproof Barista (A Coffeehouse Mystery) by Cleo Coyle

My Review

Clare Cosi, who runs the Village Blend coffeehouse in New York City, is excited when Only Murders in Gotham, a popular streaming series, is going to be filming some locations in her coffeehouse.  That is - until there are some scary things that happen on the set, and she decides to investigate.

I wanted to read Bulletproof Barista because I always enjoy Cleo Coyle's mysteries. I have read some, but not all, of the Coffeehouse Mystery series, and had no problem enjoying this book as a standalone read.

I think this is my favorite Cleo Coyle book yet!  I am a big fan of Only Murders in the Building, and enjoyed the similarities between that show and Only Murders in Gotham - and the characters who reminded me a lot of Steve Martin and Selena Gomez too.

I loved the coffee and foodie descriptions and the day-to-day working of the coffeehouse.  I also enjoyed the details of the TV set.

The mystery is fast paced with lots of surprises. Clare is a smart detective, whether working on her own or consulting with her fiancé, who is a detective.

I recommend Bulletproof Barista - and this series - for anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries, NYC settings, foodie books, or fiction about TV production.  It was a really fun read!

Book Synopsis

When a film crew’s location shoot delivers an actual shooting, Clare Cosi finds herself at the scene of a true crime in this showstopping entry in the beloved Coffeehouse Mysteries from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle.

Only Murders in Gotham, the smash-hit streaming program, is famous for filming in authentic New York locations and using real New Yorkers as extras. For its second season, they’ve chosen to spotlight the century-old Village Blend and its quirky crew of baristas. Shop manager and master roaster Clare Cosi is beyond thrilled, especially when her superb bulletproof coffee lands her a craft services contract for the production.

Madame, the eccentric octogenarian owner of the landmark shop, reveals an old kinship with the star of the show, comedian Jerry Sullivan. Now a Hollywood legend, Jerry frequented the Blend during his early years performing in Greenwich Village comedy clubs. But the past may hold more than nostalgia for Jerry. Suspicious accidents begin plaguing his shoot. Then a real bullet is fired from a stage gun, and Clare becomes convinced something sinister is afoot.

While Jerry’s production moves to exciting new locations, Clare keeps the coffee flowing—and her investigation going—even as a murderer lurks in the wings. But can she root out the rotten player in this Big Apple production before the lights go out on her?

Includes a stellar menu of surefire recipes!

Author Bio

CLEO COYLE is a pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her husband, Marc Cerasini. Both are New York Times-bestselling authors of the long-running Coffeehouse Mysteries and Haunted Bookshop Mysteries, both celebrating 20 years in print. With more than one million books sold, their work has been honored with starred reviews and multiple best-of-year list selections by reviewers. Alice and Marc are also bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for Lucasfilm, NBC, Fox, Disney, Imagine, Toho, and MGM. They live and work in New York City, where they write independently and together. Connect with Cleo at CoffeehouseMystery.com

Author Links

Webpage: https://www.coffeehousemystery.com/

Free Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/cleocoylerecipes/newsletter

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CleoCoyle/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CleoCoyle

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/cleo-coyle

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/51488.Cleo_Coyle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cleocoyle_author/

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Book Review and Giveaway - Holly, Baubles and Murder: A British Cozy Murder Mystery with a Female Amateur Sleuth (A Dotty Sayers Antique Mystery) by Victoria Tait

My Review

Dotty Sayers travels to Yorkshire to arrange a Christmas display in an old estate house there. As she works, she gets to know the family, and enjoys her time ... until one of the tour guides turns up dead.  She works to solve the mystery.

I wanted to read Holly, Baubles, and Murder because I read a short story by the author in an anthology this year and greatly enjoyed it. I have been wanting to read one of her mystery novels since.

I absolutely loved this book and, although it worked fine as a standalone, I really want to read the rest of this series now.  I loved the estate setting, which reminded me of a modern day Downton Abbey.

I also loved the pets in this mystery.  Dotty has a cat named Earl Grey and the Dowager has a dachshund named Reggie (Sir Reginald). There are other cats and dogs in the family as well.

The details in this book were lovely, including the English food and the Christmas decorations, based on The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (and featuring a wardrobe door and a forest of trees in the house).

The mystery aspect of the story was interesting and well paced. I liked following along as Dotty worked to find a solution.

I enjoyed this mystery so much, and recommend Holly, Baubles and Murder for other cozy mystery fans as well!

Book Synopsis  

A joyful Christmas festival turns deadly when a corpse ends up as the chilling centerpiece. Can an amateur sleuth unwrap the tinsel-tangled mystery before the merry cheer melts away?

Talented antique enthusiast, Dotty Sayers, is thrilled to be organising a Christmas display at a Yorkshire country house. She enjoys decking the halls, but the season is far from jolly when the chief guide is found dead, her body as cold as ice. 

When cops dismiss the death, Dotty turns to her prickly American colleague, only to learn he has his own secrets to solve. But when he disappears, this amateur detective fears the festive charades have become far deadlier. 

Can Dotty string together the clues and bring to light the killer?

Author Bio

Victoria Tait was born and raised in Yorkshire, England. After following her military husband around the world, she drew on her life’s experiences, and a love of Agatha Christie, Father Brown, and Murder She Wrote, to write British-based cozy mysteries. 

Her determined female sleuths are joined by colourful and quirky teams of helpers, and her settings are vivid and realistic. As you’re compelled to keep turning the pages, you’ll be irresistibly drawn into a world where you’ll experience surprises, humour, and sometimes, a tug on your heartstrings. 

Do you like tea, mysteries, and books? Then why not join Victoria’s TeaCozy Club for regular news and updates, and download the free prequel to the Dotty Sayers Antique Mysteries series as a gift by visiting VictoriaTait.com 

Who doesn’t like tea, cake, and a slice of murder?

Author Links
Website: https://victoriatait.com/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/victoria-tait

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriataitauthor/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/VictoriaTaitAuthor/_saved/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20373879.Victoria_Tait

Purchase Links  Book2Read  Amazon

Giveaway

https://kingsumo.com/g/j5htq4/cozy-christmas-baubles-giveaway

Book Review and Giveaway - Murder by the Seashore (A California Bookshop Mystery) by Samara Yew

My Review

Scarlett Gardner is happy in her life as a bookstore owner in a small beach community in Southern California ... that is, until she goes for an early morning walk and finds a body under the pier. The murdered woman turns out to be someone who was bequeathing a great deal of money to Scarlett ... making her the chief suspect.

I wanted to read Murder by the Seashore because I love cozy mysteries. I especially enjoy bookstore settings, and the beach locale was an added bonus.

This is a terrific start to a new series.  I really liked Scarlett as a bookstore owner - and also an amateur detective.  I enjoyed following her sleuthing on this case.  The author does a great job at introducing the new characters, the bookstore, and the feel of this beach community.

I recommend Murder by the Seashore for fans of cozy fiction, and especially for anyone who enjoys bookstore or beach settings.  I look forward to reading more in this new series.

Book Synopsis

Southern California is where dreams come true—or so Scarlett Gardner thought. When she moved there and opened the Palm Trees and Page Turners bookshop, she thought her boyfriend and business partner would be part of the story. When he leaves her for a better job, Scarlett finds herself struggling to keep her new business afloat. That’s not the only thing she has to worry about—she discovers something underneath the pier by her bookshop that she didn’t outline for her life’s story: the dead body of a book-buying customer.

After Scarlett gives a statement to the police, she thinks her life can go back to business as usual. But when a lawyer, representing someone named Lorelai Knight, tells Scarlett that she now stands to inherit a small fortune, she’s left with more questions than answers. Before she can make sense of any of it, the police bring her in for questioning; the body she found was Lorelai Knight. And the evidence they have against Scarlett doesn’t look good. Business is booming as Scarlett returns to Palm Trees and Page Turners, but for all the wrong reasons – curious tourists don’t want books, they want a glimpse of the Bookshop Killer.

Who could really be behind all of this? And why frame Scarlett? To clear her name, she’s going to have get creative—and hope she can remain one page ahead of the killer.

Author Bio

Samara Yew is a cozy mystery author who writes about adorable bookshops and dead bodies. A full-time mom, full-time dog servant, and part-time writer, Samara lives in British Columbia, Canada, where she can often be found watching Psych reruns. Samara loves to travel, especially visiting her husband’s home country of Singapore or donning Mickey ears in Disneyland. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers.

Author Links
Website https://samarayew.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/samara.yew.books

Twitter (X) https://twitter.com/samarayewauthor

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samara.yew.author

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/24259604.Samara_Yew

Purchase Links – Amazon – PenguinRandomHouse – B&N – Chapters Indigo

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Book Review - On Moonberry Lake by Holly Varni

My Review

Cora Matthews returns to Moonberry Lake when her mother passes away suddenly. She discovers she has inherited her grandparents' lodge, a place she loved as a child but hasn't visited in many years.  The lodge is in great disrepair, and as she sets about restoring it, she discovers a new community in this quirky little Minnesota town.

I wanted to read On Moonberry Lake because the story resonated with me. My mother also recently passed and I am working on a beloved old house restoration. I enjoy small town fiction and found the lakeside lodge setting appealing.

This book was a delight from start to finish.  I love small towns that become almost a character themselves - like Mayberry or Lake Wobegon or Stars Hollow.  There is a rich variety of quirky but lovable neighbors that Cora becomes acquainted with, and I loved meeting every one of them too. 

The story of the lodge restoration held great interest for me, but I also enjoyed reading how Cora restored her soul and sense of place as she settled into this little community.  There are a couple of twists and turns and even a sweet love story.

There is also great humor, as seen in the "Sightings and Satire" column of the local newspaper, with tidbits like:

"It’s that time of year again for the fire department to check and flush the fire hydrants. As torrents of water are released, residents are encouraged to use the water wisely by participating in public bathing. Come wash your dogs, cars, and children. Note that nudity is prohibited. Although all creation is to be celebrated, some is better left covered" (eBook location 5202).

It appears that On Moonberry Lake is going to be the first in a series, and I hope it is a long series - as I intend to read every book.  I cannot recommend this charming and uplifting novel highly enough.

Book Synopsis

Cora Matthews's life is a mess. A broken engagement and the unexpected death of her mother have left her wondering if things will ever return to normal. Whatever "normal" is.

It certainly isn't what she finds at Moonberry Lake. After she receives her family's dilapidated lakefront lodge as an inheritance--with a surprising condition attached--Cora finds her life overrun by a parade of eccentric neighbors who all have something to say and something to teach her.

As Cora works to put her life back together, she must decide if she is willing to let go of the past, open her heart to love, and embrace the craziest version of family and home she could ever have imagined. 

Author Bio

Holly Varni is a native Minnesotan of strong Norwegian descent, who was raised in the Lutheran Church that Garrison Keillor made a career depicting. Between the lutefisk, grumpy grandparents, and crazy neighbors who mowed their lawn wearing pajamas, the seed to becoming a storyteller was planted. Though she, her husband, and their three sons live along the Central Coast of California, her beloved Midwest roots continue to haunt everything she writes. She hosts the Moments from Moonberry Lake podcast where she shares more stories of her beloved characters. Learn more at www.hollyvarni.com.

 

Book Review and Giveaway - Overdue or Die (A Haunted Library Mystery) by Allison Brook

My Review

Carrie Singleton is working at the small town library she loves in Clover Ridge, Connecticut, planning her wedding to Dylan Avery, and helping her uncle recover from a heart attack. Then she suddenly becomes involved in two cases - counterfeit art, and a murder at the local art gallery. She works to solve them with the help of her ghostly friend, Evelyn.

I wanted to read Overdue or Die because I love the Haunted Library mystery series.  I have enjoyed the other books in this series and always await the next in the series!

This was a wonderful read.  Carrie is always a smart, intuitive detective, and I love the way Evelyn helps her with clues in the cases.  The mystery is well paced with several plausible suspects.  It was fun detecting along with Carrie.

I also enjoy Carrie's relationships with Dylan, her aunt and uncle, her friends - and her kitty Smokey Joe!  I always especially enjoy cozy mysteries with lovable cats or dogs.

I recommend Overdue or Die - and the whole Haunted Library series - to fans of cozy mysteries, and especially to anyone who enjoys a library setting or small town atmosphere.

Book Synopsis  

Carrie Singleton has a wedding to plan, a killer to catch, and a conspiracy to uncover in this charming seventh novel of Agatha Award-nominee Allison Brook’s Haunted Library mysteries.

Carrie Singleton has more than her fair share on her plate: her job at the Clover Ridge Library, preparing for her wedding to Dylan Avery, and hoping that the local art gallery doesn’t steal away one of her part-time employees. Her fiancé Dylan accompanies her to the beautiful home of Victor Zalinka—art collector and successful businessman—to select paintings for an art show at the library. While Carrie muses that Victor’s home would be the perfect wedding venue, Dylan spots a forgery among the paintings in Victor’s collection.

Then Martha Mallory is found murdered in her art gallery. With the assistance of Evelyn, the library ghost; the resident cat, Smoky Joe; and the office manager of Dylan’s private investigation company, Carrie comes up with a suspect list long enough to rival the size of an encyclopedia. During her investigation, Carrie stumbles across a terrible truth: Martha’s murder was part of something far bigger and more dangerous than she could have ever imagined. And it all leads back to the art gallery.

How far will Carrie go to find the killer and uncover the truth? If the killer finds her first—will Carrie finally be taken out of circulation?

Author Bio

A former Spanish teacher, Marilyn Levinson writes mysteries and novels for kids. Her books have received many accolades. As Allison Brook, she writes the Haunted Library series. Death Overdue, the first in the series, was an Agatha nominee for Best Contemporary Novel in 2018. Other mysteries include the Golden Age of Mystery Book Club series and the Twin Lakes series.

Her juvenile novel, Rufus and Magic Run Amok, was an International Reading Association-Children’s Book Council Children’s Choice and has recently come out in a new edition. And Don’t Bring Jeremy was a nominee for six state awards.

Marilyn lives on Long Island, where many of her books take place. She loves traveling, reading, doing crossword puzzles and Sudoku, and chatting on FaceTime with her grandkids.

Author Links
Website and Sign Up for My Newsletter: http://www.marilynlevinson.com
Facetime: https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.levinson.10
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/marilyn-levinson; https://www.bookbub.com/authors/allison-brook
My Amazon Page: http://amzn.to/K6Md1O
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.levinson.10?ref=ts&fref=ts
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/161602.Marilyn_Levinson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarilynLevinson
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/marilev/

Purchase Links :
Amazon    B&N    Bookshop.org Kobo
Penguin Random House (has links to many sellers

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Book Review and Giveaway - The Socialite’s Guide to Death and Dating (A Pinnacle Hotel Mystery) by S. K. Golden

My Review

In 1958 Manhattan, Evelyn Murphy is hosting a big fundraiser party at her family's Pinnacle Hotel. When a wealthy guest is found dead in the parking garage, Evelyn decides to find the killer. 

I wanted to read this book because I love historical mysteries.  I was also intrigued by the New York City setting and the time period. I rarely see mysteries set in the 1950's or 1960's, so that was a big draw.

Evelyn is a very interesting character.  She's a spoiled heiress with a sassy personality - and she is an agoraphobic. She's working to conquer this, but it certainly presents challenges to her with her sleuthing. Evelyn is in a romantic relationship with Mac Cooper, but there are complications when her father insists she break the relationship off - and later Mac ends up in jail.

I enjoyed this read very much. The tone was fresh and unique, and the period setting was a delight.  I have not read the first book in the series, but this worked fine as a standalone.  I recommend The Socialite's Guide to Death and Dating for fans of historical mysteries, cozy mysteries, and Mid-Century New York City settings.  You will enjoy this book! 

Book Synopsis

Perfect for fans of Rhys Bowen and Ashley Weaver, the second Pinnacle Hotel mystery finds another murder that strikes too close to home, and hotel heiress Evelyn Murphy knows she’s the only one who can save the hotel before it’s lights out.  

New York, 1958. Even though Evelyn Murphy has made progress conquering her agoraphobia by leaving the Pinnacle, she still feels most comfortable in her father’s hotel. With Malcolm Cooper, her new boyfriend and fellow employee at the hotel, Evelyn feels prepared for whatever happens next. In this case, it’s throwing a big fundraiser with the who’s who of New York City. 

The night is a success, and Evelyn finally takes up Malcolm’s offer to finally visit his apartment in Yonkers. As the party ends, they sneak away to the garage to get Evelyn’s car. But Evelyn’s always been good at finding things, and she discovers the dead body of a guest, Judge Baker, in a car—with a needle in his arm. 

Detective Hodgson and his new partner, Detective McJimsey, arrive on the scene, but before they can begin to question Evelyn, they are startled by another mysterious discovery: there’s a woman in the trunk of the car, and she screams as soon as she sees Evelyn’s face. Tangled up in the police investigation, Evelyn’s got another problem, too—her father insists she break off her relationship with Mac. The next day, her father is found attacked just like the judge, only this time the detectives find a dead woman nearby. 

With Mac accused of the attacks and in police custody, Evelyn will have to find the killer on her own before she’s checked out of the hotel—this time, for good.

Author Bio 

S. K. Golden is the author of the Pinnacle Hotel cozy mystery series. Born and raised in the Florida Keys, she married a commercial fisherman. The two of them still live on the islands with their five kids (one boy, four girls — including identical twins!), two cats, and a corgi named Goku. Sarah graduated from Saint Leo University with a bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Administration and has put it to good use approximately zero times. She’s worked as a bank teller, a pharmacy technician, and an executive assistant at her father’s church. Sarah is delighted to be doing none of those things now. Follow her across all platforms @skgoldenwrites.

Author Links
Website https://www.skgoldenwrites.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SKGoldenWrites/
Twitter (X) https://twitter.com/skgoldenwrites
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/skgoldenwrites/
GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22010011.S_K_Golden

Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Bookshop.org

 

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