Category: mystery

Author: Leslie Karst
Publisher: Severn House
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-1448309283
Pages: 224
Price: $17.95

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Sally Solari is determined to win the annual Artichoke Cook-off, even though she’s suddenly and completely lost her sense of taste and smell. But her problems pale in comparison to Neil Lerici’s, when he is found murdered at the event.

When Sally meets up with Grace, Neil’s sister and her old friend from grade school, she is eager to renew the acquaintance and find out what’s going on in the Lerici family. Something feels off about their interactions. Since the detective she’s sort of dating asks for help, she does whatever she can dig up information, even when it leads to trouble. And she keeps hoping she’ll begin to taste the food she’s preparing in her restaurant again. Sally’s efforts don’t go unnoticed by the perpetrator of the crime, and she will have to be careful not to become the next casualty.

I didn’t read the first four books in this series, but I found this mystery engaging and easy to follow. Sally is a determined sleuth who just keeps digging, despite the adversity she faces. I highly recommend The Fragrance of Death.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Margaret Mizushima
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-64385-746-6
Pages: 288
Price: $27.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Police Deputy Mattie Cobb needs to talk to the man who tried to kill her, and may have killed her father, but he is murdered at the jail just before she and cold case detective Jim Hauck arrive. But he has left a clue – a map to the area where Mattie nearly died.

Jim and Mattie investigate the area, but have limited success. But when a pregnant young woman who had visited Cole Walker’s veterinary practice a few days prior turns up dead, the investigation turns in a different direction. Is there a connection between the two cases? When Mattie and Cole realize the truth, their lives, along with Mattie’s K-9, Robo, are in jeopardy.

More information regarding Mattie’s father’s death is revealed in this fourth installment in the Timber Creek K-9 Mystery series, as it builds to its conclusion. Striking Range is a suspenseful and enjoyable read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Authors: Anna Elliott and Charles Veley
Publisher: Wilton Press
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-0999119112
Pages: 350
Price: $12.99

Authors’ website
Buy it at Amazon

Lucy wakes up on the streets of London to Constable Jack Kelly’s insistent prodding. She’s right outside the museum entrance, and needs to leave as quickly as possible. All she seems to remember is being in danger, and she wanders off, feeling lost and disturbed. After a narrow escape, she finds herself back in the care of Constable Kelly, who has come to believe her story.

Finally, her memory returns, and she and her father, Sherlock Holmes, have a new problem to solve. How can they keep Jack safe, after he’s arrested for a murder he didn’t commit? An unexpected tip warns of a future calamity, and only their quick thinking can save the day for everyone involved.

Remember, Remember is a quick and fun read, drawing the reader into the story from the opening scene. Even though I read this out of sequence, I didn’t feel I missed out on anything important. This is the second book I’ve read in this Sherlock Holmes takeoff series, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable they are. Lucy James is a spunky heroine with a sharp mind of her own, and I look forward to reading the rest of this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Daryl Wood Gerber
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Genre: Cozy Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-68331-341-0
Pages: 320
Price: $26.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Mimi Rousseau is grateful to Bryan Baker, who graciously helped her finance her French bistro. When Bryan asks her to host his niece’s wedding, Mimi is happy to oblige, even though the bride is a famous TV personality. But when Bryan is murdered on the eve of the wedding, Mimi is horrified, especially once she realizes she’s a suspect.

As the local police officer investigates, the guests are all ordered to stay put, since they may have committed the crime. But Mimi isn’t content to just let them relax while he does his job. Instead, she grabs every opportunity she can to question them. Soon, someone is not happy with her meddling and lets her know about it.

Mimi is a nosy woman, and at times her badgering of the guests seemed unusually rude. I had a hard time believing the owner of such a posh establishment would do anything to hurt her business and reputation like that. But ultimately, her efforts do manage to pay off. If the reader can suspend disbelief for those moments, this is a fun, light read. A Deadly Éclair also contains recipes of the French creations mentioned in the story.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Authors: Anna Elliott and Charles Veley
Publisher: Wilton Press
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-0999119105
Pages: 118
Price: $5.99

Author’s website
Buy it at Amazon

Lucy James is intent on discovering her heritage when she visits the Capital and Counties Bank. While attempting to break into a safe deposit box she believes holds some clues, she and her companion, Johnny Rockefeller, realize the bank is being robbed. But any notion of escaping is quickly thwarted, as the robbers discover them both in the back room.

Time begins to tick as the robbers struggle to complete their mission and begin to panic, threatening to kill everyone in the bank. Lucy knows it will take her quick wits and Johnny’s cooperation to free them all. But will they be able to act in time?

The Crown Jewel Mystery is a quick and fun read, drawing the reader into the story from the opening scene. Even though I picked this book up first, I didn’t feel I missed out on anything important by reading it out of sequence from the others. I didn’t know what to expect of a Sherlock Holmes takeoff story, but I was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable this book is. Lucy James is a spunky heroine with a sharp mind of her own, and I look forward to reading the rest of this series.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Author: Lucy English
Publisher: New Sun Press
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-0692882238
Pages: 296
Price: $12.99

Buy it at Amazon

Penny Wade has decided to give online dating a try. But when her roommate doesn’t come home one evening, it really scares her. Meeting so many strangers can be dangerous, and she needs to be careful. But maybe, just maybe, she’ll meet “the one” for her.

In the midst of her romantic pursuits, Penny is attempting to help a single mom and her two kids. The family has been referred to her office by the school, since the kids are struggling. Their mom suffers from depression, and Penny does all she can to try to get their lives back on track.

I can’t say much more about the mystery without giving too much away, but I found this one took a very long time to develop. This is more of a traditional novel than a true mystery. Those who enjoy deeper character development will enjoy it.

Reviewer: Alice Berger