Puzzles and Premieres: Magical Mystery Book Club ) by Elizabeth Pantley
Puzzles and Premieres: Magical Mystery Book Club Paranormal Cozy Mystery 10th in Series Setting – In a ski town at a film festival Better Beginnings, Inc. (July 15, 2025) Number of Pages: 290 Digital ASIN : B0DZFCSX39
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When this club selects a book, magic happens!
This book club does more than read their books – they are absorbed right into the story to become the amateur sleuths! To exit the book and get back home, they need to solve the mystery and reach The End.
In this journey, they travel to a mountaintop ski town to experience the enchanting setting of a famous film festival. They’ll meet movie stars, producers, and directors. They’ll watch a film premiere, go skiing, and eat at fancy restaurants. It’s all very glamorous and exciting – until a famous actress disappears.
The book club is on the case! They discover clues in the most unusual way – by putting together enchanted jigsaw puzzles.
As usual, the club finds plenty of time to enjoy the unique setting of their journey, as they put together the mystery – one puzzle piece at a time.
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About Elizabeth Pantley
Elizabeth writes well-loved cozy mysteries in two series: The Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic book series and the Magical Mystery Book Club series.
Elizabeth lives in the Pacific Northwest and Arizona, two very different places. Both are rich, gorgeous, natural places, and inspire the settings in many of her books.
A televised cooking competition puts Sherry, a successful
cooking competitor, in the spotlight, especially when the final challenge calls
for catching a killer.
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A Holiday For Homicide
A Cook-Off Mystery #9
by Devon Delaney
Genre: Cozy Murder Mystery
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A televised cooking competition puts Sherry in the spotlight,
especially when the final challenge calls for catching a killer . . .
Despite being a seasoned competitor, nothing could have prepared Sherry Oliveri
for the thrill of being chosen for a three-day cooking challenge on national
television. She’s dying to tell her friends, but she and everyone else involved
in the contest has been sworn to secrecy until it airs. Still, that’s not
stopping someone from penning cryptic notes about the show for the whole town
to read, which has the production crew on edge—right up until one of them is
found dead.
Determined to root out the killer, Sherry suspects the truth lies with
whoever’s behind the mysterious notes—which have now turned dark with menacing
comments on the murder and suggestions of buried secrets. Trying to unravel it
all while focusing on her recipes, Sherry’s stopped dead in her tracks when the
cook-off host drops a bombshell. With no time to spare, she’ll have to unearth
the one missing ingredient that will ensure the killer’s cooked . . .
Includes recipes from Sherry’s kitchen!
Praise for the Cook-Off Mysteries:
“The Cook-Off Mystery series by Devon Delaney is a very tasty treat!” —Cozy
Mystery Book Reviews
“This is a very fun and rollicking mystery that stays light-hearted even as the
case gets more complicated . . . Cooking, holiday celebrations, and moving
family drama all make for the perfect escape.” —Kings River Life
“This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn’t
feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really
enjoyed this book!” – Netgalley Reviewer
“This isn’t your typical cook-off. It’s important to remember that,” Jada said.
“I see what you mean,” Sherry said. “I haven’t figured out what we’re in for and I think that’s the point.”
Sherry spotted Ray in the distance on her way back to the contestant trailer. He was standing alongside Basil and Mick. She couldn’t recall the detective ever coming to more than one of her cook-offs. He had a love of cooking and, while off duty, picked Sherry’s brain to build his cooking skills. On duty was another story. He was single-minded and not tolerant of deviations from the task at hand. Still, as a friend, she wanted to fill him in on her exciting morning. He was on Sherry’s turf, and he’d have to adhere to her rules. Hah! If only.
Basil waved Sherry over. “Sherry, the detective would like a word with you. We’re taking Jada’s interview first, so you two can talk. Stacy, give them ten minutes, please, and then escort Sherry to her interview. Excuse me.” Basil scurried off to his next task.
“I’ll be back soon,” Stacy said. She guided Jada away.
“Ray, I haven’t heard from you since last week,” Sherry said. “Was Rachel’s killer caught?”
“On the contrary. We’ve hit an impasse. The investigation has stalled.” Ray studied his lace-up leather shoes, an unusual footwear choice for a warm late summer day. “We’re circling back to your friend Kat Coleman, assistant to the mayor.”
“Why is that?” Sherry asked.
“Kat must know more than she’s willing to say, which is not much so far. Mr. Nice Guy Ray Bease is getting stonewalled, and Mr. Hardcore Detective Ray Bease is about to show up at her door.”
“I’m not sure why she’s not speaking up,” Sherry said.
“I have a theory. The news leaks are coming from town hall. Beside Kat and the mayor, no one else is privy to the information they’ve provided except the production team. After questioning, everyone from Feral Creations checks out as following the strict nondisclosure protocol,” Ray said. “Kat doesn’t want to be exposed as the source of the leak. Now her friend’s been murdered, and she can’t offer any help, or she’ll be cornered. She’s stuck.”
“You think Kat thought she was doing the mayor’s office a good deed by spilling tiny amounts of the cook-off production tea to tantalize the viewers? Then the timing turned horrible?” Sherry asked.
“That’s where I’m at. Mayor Drew’s been forthcoming about his aggravation someone is putting news out there. He doesn’t realize he may be facing the source of his aggravation every day at work. His own assistant.”
“Oh, Kat. You are in a pickle,” Sherry said.
“And I haven’t been able to clear her name from the murder suspect list thanks to her uncooperative attitude. She won’t speak to me. I’ll have to go to the next level.”
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**Don’t miss the rest of the Cook-Off Mysteries! **
I am in my element when I’m writing the cook-off scenes in my cook-off series. Cook-offs are non-stop action, from entering a recipe in the contest to the recipe testing, to the actual timed event and the aftermath. When tackling all the cook-off details I must be careful to parse out information as needed not overwhelm the reader with unnecessary details. That’s hard for me because I am such a student of the cook-off process. Every moment fascinates me. I describe Sherry’s involvement in the contests as it relates to the plot while possibly being guilty of over-sharing at points. I can’t help but think the reader will love to gain the insight into a hobby not many have experienced. Indulge me if I describe one too many intricacies of the competitions.
Convince us why your book is a must read.
. My book is a must-read because my plot concept is true to form, based on years of experience in a hobby not often written about, and full of characters that are relatable, loveable, and intriguing. My murder mystery plots are thrilling and satisfying, laced with a sense of humor, compassion, and family dynamics all set in a beautifully quaint and slightly quirky coastal New England town. The reader is in for a unique reading experience Bonus: the reader is educated on a subject or two during the book’s journey.
How long have you been writing?
I’m proud to say I’ve been writing for as long as I’ve attended school. My schools have always put a premium on the written word and for that I’m so grateful.
What research do you do before you begin writing the book?
For A Holiday For Homicide, I thoroughly researched foraging. I have knowledge of the activity from personal experience, as I am an avid gardener. There was plenty more information I dug up through library research. In addition, I volunteer at a community garden with some incredibly well-versed gardeners. I knew I had to include the activity in my book. What could go wrong with gathering the wrong, possibly deadly, plants to include in a recipe? Side note: all my books include an element I research deeply, as my readers enjoy learning pertinent facts about so many related subjects. I am obsessed with the derivation of recipes of different cultures and that comes into play in many of my books. The subject yields fascinating facts I incorporate throughout my books.
What are you currently reading?
I am currently engulfed in a juicy summer read, Pineapple Street. Before that I read a YA novel titled, Speak, that was incredible.
Do you try to be original or do you deliver what the readers want?
I do both. My concept is original, there’s no way around that fact. I like to include a twist or two I consider original, as well. At the same time, I take to heart the comments I read in my reader’s reviews. I am open to suggested edits that keep my written content fresh but familiar. If the readers want a certain character a certain way I consider the suggestion, weigh the options and let the plot dictate the outcome. For my reader’s suggestions, I am truly grateful.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Start the process a bit earlier, even if it’s just keeping an observation journal. Be patient and wait until your material rings with educated authenticity and truth. Readers are smart. They can smell inexperience from a mile away. No one wants to read about personal experience at a cook-off if the author has never participated in one.
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Devon Delaney is life-long resident of the Northeast and
currently resides in coastal Connecticut. She is a wife, mother of three,
grandmother of two and accomplished cooking contester. She taught computer
education and Lego Robotics for over ten years prior to pursuing writing. Along
the way Devon has been handsomely rewarded for her recipe innovation over the
last twenty-plus years. Combining Devon’s beloved hobby of cooking contesting
with her enthusiasm for writing was inevitable.
When Devon is not preparing for her next cook-off, she may
be found pursuing her other hobbies, including playing competitive USTA league
tennis, gardening, needlepointing, painting, jarring her produce, and hooking
rugs. Her standard poodle, Rocket, is her pride and joy and keeps her on the
path of sanity.
. From author Lena Gregory comes a tasty summer murder mystery…
Danika Delaney is thrilled that her old fashioned malt shop, the Coffee & Cream Café, has gotten a catering contract for the biggest party of the season, the Rutherford Manor Fourth of July gala. She’ll be providing desserts for the party as well as attending the exclusive event on Eastern Long Island.
However her path to the gala quickly becomes a rocky road…
Dani arrives at the event, only to find the gala’s hostess, Cressida Rutherford, dead! What’s worse, one of Dani’s signature parfaits sits next to the dead woman, with what looks like peanuts in it—a food Cressida is severely allergic to. Amid the melted ice cream mess, Dani initially blames herself, thinking she made a mistake while rushing with the desserts. However she quickly learns that what appeared to be an accident was actually foul play, and suddenly Dani has to spring into action proving that she isn’t the perpetrator. Along with her friends, Dani uncovers a string of people in Cressida’s life who might have wanted the socialite dead. Can she prove her innocence and make sure the killer gets their just desserts?
About Lena Gregory
Lena Gregory is the author of the Bay Island Psychic Mysteries, which take place on a small island between the north and south forks of Long Island, New York, the All-Day Breakfast Café Mysteries, which are set on the outskirts of Florida’s Ocala National Forest, the Mini-Meadows Mysteries, set in a community of tiny homes in Central Florida, and the Coffee & Cream Café Mysteries, which take place in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, New York.
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.
Murder, She Wrote: A Body in Boston by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Mora
Murder, She Wrote: A Body in Boston Cozy Mystery 61st in Series Setting – Boston, Massachusetts Publisher : Berkley (July 1, 2025) Paperback Print length : 304 pages ISBN-10 : 0593820193 ISBN-13 : 978-0593820193 Digital ASIN : B0DHWR568Q
. Jessica Fletcher has dinner with her old pal Harry McGraw and gets pulled into a puzzling murder case.
Invited to deliver a lecture at the Boston Public Library, Jessica Fletcher excitedly makes plans to see local friends. Naturally that includes dinner at Gilhooley’s with PI Harry McGraw. Harry excitedly talks about his latest client, the CEO of Cure All Pharmaceuticals, who’s received anonymous blackmail demands and wants Harry to identify the culprit. Cookie, Gilhooley’s longtime bartender, also has something he wants to tell Jessica: he asked Harry to investigate his daughter Aileen’s boyfriend, who Cookie thinks is too slick by half, but now Harry is too wrapped up in this new case. While Jessica wonders how best to approach Aileen, the young woman stumbles into Gilhooley’s covered in blood. She just discovered her boyfriend’s corpse — and quickly becomes the chief suspect in his murder!
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About the Authors
Terrie Farley Moran is the bestselling author of the Read ‘Em and Eat cozy mystery series, including the Agatha Award-winning Well Read, Then Dead. Along with Jessica Fletcher, she co-writes the Murder She Wrote mystery series. She also co-writes the Scrapbooking Mysteries with Laura Childs. Terrie’s short mystery fiction has been published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Mystery Weekly, and numerous anthologies. “A Killing at the Beausoleil” was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best Short Story. “Inquiry and Assistance” received the Derringer Award for Best Novelette.
Murder on the Books (A Cozy Bookshop Mystery) by Toni LoTempio
Murder on the Books (A Cozy Bookshop Mystery) Cozy Mystery 1st in Series Setting – Pennsylvania Publisher : Severn House Publication date : July 1, 2025 Hardcover Print length : 240 pages ISBN-10 : 1448315263 ISBN-13 : 978-1448315260 Digital ASIN : B0DTYF8XYF ISBN-13 : 978-1448315277
. Newly retired mystery writer Charley James returns to her small hometown only to find herself amidst a real-life murder mystery in this first book in the brand new Cozy Bookshop mystery series by award-winning and national bestselling author T.C. LoTempio.
Thirty-year-old Charlotte James, better known to her mystery fans as C.J. Barrett, decides to take a break from writing her popular Steve Sheppard mystery series. Leaving New York City, she moves back to her hometown of Austin to wind down, recuperate, and maybe come up with some new ideas for her books.
Settling into her new life, Charley reunites with her long-term friend and baker Zane who is about to open a charming double store front. But while Zane is ready to open her café, her business partner Sheila unexpectedly departs town, bailing on her bookshop and leaving nothing but a note behind.
Charley is more than happy to take over, but when she finds Sheila’s body in a chest in the store’s basement, things take a dramatic turn. Now Charley has to juggle the opening of her bookshop, a stoic but attractive Philadelphia detective, and a stray cat, all while solving Sheila’s murder Sheppard-style before the killer can strike again!
Fans of Jenn McKinlay, Ellery Adams, Lucy Connelly, Lauren Elliott, and Ellie Alexander will love this cozy mystery “featuring a plucky, likable heroine, plenty of suspense [and] unexpected twists” (Booklist).
“I was hooked from start to finish!” Laura Childs, New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop mysteries, on Eat, Drink and Drop Dead
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About Toni LoTempio
T.C. LoTempio is the award-winning, nationally bestselling author of the Nick and Nora Mysteries, the Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries, and the Cat Rescue Mysteries. Born in New York City, she now resides in Phoenix, Arizona, with her two cats, Maxx and Rocco. Rocco prides himself on being the inspiration for her Nick and Nora series! For more information, check out her and her cat Rocco’s blog at www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com and visit her website at www.tclotempio.ne
A Camping Conundrum: A Liz Adams Mystery by Stacy Wilde
A Camping Conundrum: A Liz Adams Mystery Cozy Mystery 5th in Series Setting – Poinsett Park, SC Publisher : Wild Hawk Press (April 28, 2025) Number of Pages : 137 Pages Hardcover ISBN-13 : 979-8990783133 Paperback ISBN-13 : 979-8990783126 Digital ASIN : B0F6MCFQFT Audio ASIN B0F7GMFQ58
. A heart-pounding cozy mystery filled with twists, turns, and canine charm. Perfect for fans of page-turning whodunits and outdoor adventures!
Private Investigator Liz Adams isn’t thrilled when her husband, Brad, suggests a camping getaway to South Carolina’s picturesque Poinsett Park. The mention of camping brings back a haunting memory of a childhood Girl Scout trip that went terribly wrong. But for Brad, the park is a refuge—a chance to relive happy moments from his past.
The long weekend escape takes a dark turn when Brad discovers a woman’s lifeless body in the park’s peaceful lake. The victim, the landlady of a strip center in the neighboring town of Sumter, was notorious for making enemies among her tenants. With no shortage of motives but no clear suspects, Liz and her truth-sniffing Labrador, Duke, embark on a quest to identify the culprit.
As Liz races to uncover the truth and put the killer in jail, the couple experiences one camping disaster after another. Will justice be served? Or will an unexpected twist of karma change everything?
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Maria’s Asian Chicken Salad
Serves 4-6
Ingredients for the salad:
1 package coleslaw
1 cup salted sunflower seeds
1 cup toasted slivered almonds
2 green onions, chopped
2 packages Oriental ramen noodles (reserve the seasoning mix for the dressing)
1 cup shredded chicken (Maria uses precooked rotisserie chicken)
1 eleven ounce can of mandarin oranges (drained)
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the slivered almonds on a cookie sheet and roast for 5-8 minutes or until slightly brown. Add the above ingredients and the almonds to a salad bowl.
Ingredients for the dressing:
½ cup sugar
½ cup olive oil
1/3 cup white vinegar
2 packages Oriental seasoning mix
Whisk the above ingredients together and pour over the salad. Toss and serve. Enjoy!
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About Stacy Wilder
Stacy Wilder writes mysteries, children’s stories, short stories, and poetry. Her mission is to deliver a delightful story to readers of all ages while benefiting a larger community. She donates a portion of the proceeds from the sales of her books to causes that help the homeless, both people and pets.
Beyond writing, Stacy is deeply devoted to her faith, family, and her beloved Labradors. She is also enthusiastic about the causes she supports, the beauty of art, the serenity of the beach, the adventure of travel, and the joy of reading.
She and her husband live in Houston, TX, with a totally spoiled Labrador named Eve.
First off, she’s tasked with looking for, of all things, a missing dog. And not just any missing dog, but one owned by the aunt of Nick Stewart’s girlfriend, Trisha.
Like she wants anything to do Nick. Ever. She’s dating someone new and ready to take her life back.
Except…that missing dog case takes a strange turn when the owner tells her she never had a dog.
Why would Trisha lie about a missing dog? Or is Trisha’s aunt the one is lying?
As Emily digs deeper into the case, she uncovers far more than she bargained for.
A spin-off from the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series! The Redemption Detective Agency is a funny, twisty cozy mystery series set in the 1990s featuring silver sleuths solving cold cases. Great for fans of the Thursday Murder Club.
About Michele (PW) Pariza Wacek
A USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author, Michele taught herself to read at 3 years old because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours) but she does spend much of her time writing stories now. Mystery stories, to be exact. They’re clean and twisty, and range from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix. If that wasn’t enough, she posts lots of fun things on her blog, including short stories, puzzles, recipes and more, at MPWNovels.com.
Michele grew up in Wisconsin, (hence why all her books take place there), and still visits regularly, but she herself escaped the cold and now lives in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona with her husband and southern squirrel hunter Cassie.
When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading, hanging out with her dog, or watching the Food Network and imagining she’s an awesome cook. (Spoiler alert, she’s not. Luckily for the whole family, Mr. PW is in charge of the cooking.)
Strike the Death Note (Octavia Fields Mysteries) by Rebecca McKinnon
Strike the Death Note (Octavia Fields Mysteries) Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series Setting – Rocky Mountains Independently Published (June 26, 2025) Number of Pages — 250 Digital ASIN : B0F336797V
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With just two weeks left of the summer at Aerie Pines, music shop owner Octavia Fields should be getting ready to head back to the nomadic life she lives most of the year—but the season is set to end in a minor key for her little shop.
Octavia’s determined to do everything she can to increase sales so her employees won’t have to bow out for the next season. If she’d known it would involve coming across a body with a conductor’s baton sticking out of its chest, she might not have been so eager.
While Octavia is trying to focus on her shop’s problem, music students who know she played a part in catching the last killer keep telling her what they know about the victim. She wants to pass the information on to the detective, but when one of her employees becomes a suspect, Octavia has no choice but to become the conductor of her own investigation.
Trying to save her shop, solve a murder, handle threats, and deal with her growing feelings for the lead detective is keeping Octavia’s score full—but she needs to find the sour note before someone else plays their finale!
About Rebecca McKinnon
Rebecca McKinnon enjoys playing with her imaginary friends and introducing them to others through her writing. She dreams of living in the middle of nowhere, but has been unable to find an acceptable location that wouldn’t require crossing an ocean.
High society sleuth Mona Moon and her husband, Robert Farley, Duke of Brynelleth, are on the last leg of their honeymoon. They are island hopping in the sunny Mediterranean Sea, sightseeing all the ancient archaeological ruins before returning home to Mooncrest Farm in Kentucky. They find it odd that they keep running into old friends like Agatha Christie and associates along their trip. A sixth sense is telling Mona that danger is slowly closing in, but she has no idea how it will manifest itself. Will Mona’s dream honeymoon turn into a nightmare?
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About Abigail Keam
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Award-winning author Abigail Keam writes the Mona Moon Mystery Series—a rags-to-riches 1930s mystery series, which weaves real people and events into the story. “I am a student of history and love to insert historical information into my mysteries. There is an addendum at the end of the mystery to give more information. My goal is to entertain my readers, but if they learn a little something along the way—well, then we are both happy.”
Miss Abigail currently lives in a metal house with her husband and various critters on the Palisades bordering the Kentucky River.
AWARDS
2010 Gold Medal Award from Readers’ Favorite for Death By A HoneyBee
2011 Gold Medal Award from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Drowning
2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By Drowning
2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By A HoneyBee
2017 Finalist from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Design
2019 Honorable Mention from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Stalking
2019 Murder Under A Blue Moon voted top ten mystery reads by Kings River Life Magazine
2020 Finalist from Readers’ Favorite for Murder Under A Blue Moon
2020 Imadjinn Award for Best Mystery for Death By Stalking 2022 Finalist in Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Historical Category – Murder Under A Full Moon
2022 Finalist the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Historical Category – Murder Under A New Moon
2022 Death By Chance: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Cozy Mystery
2022 Top Ten Mystery Novel by Kings River Life Magazine for Murder Under A Bridal Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Mystery
2022 Top Ten Mystery Novel by Kings River Life Magazine for Murder Under A British Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Mystery
. The Rest of the Series
. Murder Under A Blue Moon Murder Under A Blood Moon Murder Under A Bad Moon Murder Under A Silver Moon Murder Under A Wolf Moon Murder Under A Black Moon Murder Under A Full Moon Murder Under A New Moon Murder Under A British Moon Murder Under A Bridal Moon Murder Under A Western Moon Murder Under A Honey Moon Murder Under A Cold Moon
A honeymoon in paradise turns perilous in this riveting seaside mystery.
A tropical vacation transforms into a web of danger and deception when an author and his manuscript vanish. Is his thriller about money laundering in the Caribbean too close to the truth? With the stakes high and time ticking, Private Investigator Liz Adams and her new husband, Brad, along with their truth-sniffing Labrador, Duke, partner with the local authorities to unravel a multitude of crimes. As they search for clues, the newlyweds explore the delights of the island, including a hunt for buried treasure. Will they uncover the truth in time, or will the honeymoon end in heartbreak? Set against the backdrop of the stunning island of Grand Cayman, this cozy mystery will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
Praise for Cayman Conundrum:
“5 Stars – Must Read… Set on a beautiful tropical island, Cayman Conundrum is full of fun and quirky characters and a mystery with twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the last page.” ~ Sarah Hinrichs, Reedsy Discovery “The characters were well developed and yet offered additional surprises. The storytelling was great moving at a good pace, as was the world setting. It is very well written and keeps you wanting to read on for the next zinger.” ~ Texas Book Nook “We are headed into cozy season, and this is the perfect cozy mystery read . . . This author tells a story that is entertaining while drawing readers into a love of mystery.” ~ Novel News Network “CAYMAN CONUNDRUM is the fourth book in Stacy Wilder’s fun and fast-paced cozy series, “Liz Adams Mysteries,” but readers new to the story shouldn’t have any trouble enjoying it as a standalone. (However, the previous books are cozy mystery gold.) Engaging characters, a puzzling and dangerous mystery, and a romance from the past combine for an entertaining and satisfying story.” ~ Karen Siddall “I’ll admit that sometimes I decide to read a book solely based on its cover. I won’t even read the plot summary. Being the dog lover that I am, when I saw the beautiful black lab on the cover of Stacy Wilder’s Cayman Conundrum: A Liz Adams Mystery I knew I had to pick it up. I’m here to report that in addition to a great cover, this was an excellent, page-turning mystery. While this was my first Liz Adams Mystery, this read smoothly as a standalone. However, now I want to go back and read the first three books. I need more reading hours in my life to inhale all these great books!” ~ Sarah S Erwin
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MY REVIEW
Grand Cayman for your honeymoon. Sounds lovely. That’s what Private Investigator Liz Adams and her new husband Brad think. Fun in the sun and taking in the island’s beauty doesn’t last long. When someone they care about vanishes, it becomes a working vacation. And the stakes are high.
This is the fourth book in the series and I’m never afraid to jump in before I’ve read the other books. I had no problem here and had a lot of fun. I would like to go back and start at the beginning though. I’d like to learn how Liz and Brad met and read about how their romance began.
There’s something else fun in this book. There’s a special dog. A black Labrador named Duke is like a four-legged lie detector. How cool is that.
A beautiful setting. Some genuine and relatable characters. And a whole lot of action and mystery to sort out. All the ingredients for a fun read.
4 STARS
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CAYMAN CONUNDRUM Trailer:
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Book Details:
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Published by: Wild Hawk Press Publication Date: June 28, 2024 Number of Pages: 227 ISBN: 9798985426694 (Pbk) Series: A Liz Adams Mystery, Book 4 (Learn More About These Stand Alone Novels: Amazon & Goodreads)
While Tim cocooned his body in the blue leather chair behind his desk, his fingers flew over the keyboard. The words flowed from his fingertips onto the computer screen. After he completed the final chapter of his novel, Secrets Are Hell, he leaned back in the seat that was positioned to optimize the view of the Caribbean. As he rubbed his newly acquired goatee, he watched the turquoise waves lap against the pearly sand. When Tim and his former partner, Brad, sold their company, Multipoint Protection Services, Tim moved to Grand Cayman to pursue his dream of becoming an author. He grinned. His vision was about to come true. After the identity thefts from his former company, Tim lasered in on the connection between the stolen information used to purchase prescription drugs and the subsequent laundering of the black market proceeds. The thriller was a product of his experiences, research, and imagination. He recalled the conversation with his informant at the bar. Once the man he only knew as Jax consumed three shots of tequila, he’d spilled secrets about the money laundering business on the island. The man dripped sweat as he spoke, and he warned Tim to be careful with the revelations. Although Tim had fictionalized the facts gathered during his research, he prayed that he’d sufficiently disguised the characters involved in the illicit events. Satisfied that the first draft was complete, he saved the document onto the flash drive and locked the device in the desk drawer. He stood and stretched his arms overhead before hiding the key underneath a leather-bound edition of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, one of many in his collection of books in the wall-to-wall bookcase behind him. Tim raised his eyes toward the planked pine ceiling and contemplated his next steps. When he returned from Brad’s upcoming wedding, he would consult with developmental editors. In the meantime, he’d let the story marinate. His phone pinged, and he turned back to the desk to find a text from his girlfriend, Becky. Why haven’t you called or messaged me? His six-month-old puppy, Snooper, barked. He stepped away from his cellphone to let the dog inside. A salty breeze drifted through the opening. As he inhaled the scent, he wondered why he’d ever gotten involved with the former beauty pageant queen. He met her a few months ago when he’d volunteered at the rescue organization where he had adopted Snooper. While he massaged the black and white cocker spaniel mix’s ears, he reflected on that day they’d both tended to the homeless pets. As Tim handed Becky a bag of cat food, a jolt of adrenaline pulsed through his body. Becky measured the servings and filled the bowls they’d deliver to the felines. While she poured, he admired her flowing raven hair that framed a heart-shaped face. Her almond shaped hazel-colored eyes shimmered with intrigue. After he heard Becky’s deep-throated laugh, he invited her to join him for a cup of coffee after their shift. A month into the relationship, she began texting him incessantly. If he didn’t reply within an hour, she’d get agitated. He regretted inviting her as his plus one to Brad and Liz’s wedding in Charleston, South Carolina. A sigh escaped his lips. He longed for a soulmate like his friend had discovered in Liz. Tim was delighted that the couple had chosen Grand Cayman as their honeymoon destination. He smiled in anticipation of the treasure hunt he’d planned as their wedding gift. Snooper wiggled away and bounded toward Tim’s cat, Irish. The feline hissed and halted the puppy in his tracks. Tim chuckled, picked up his phone, and fingered a response. Been working on the book. Meet up for drinks at five at The Deck? We can talk about travel plans. Without waiting for a reply, he placed the device down and strode toward the kitchen to feed his pets. Who knew that today would be the last time he would touch the manuscript? *** Excerpt from Cayman Conundrum by Stacy Wilder. Copyright 2024 by Stacy Wilder. Reproduced with permission from Stacy Wilder. All rights reserved.
About Author Stacy Wilder:
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Stacy Wilder writes mysteries, children’s stories, short stories, and poetry. Her mission is to deliver a delightful story to readers of all ages while benefiting a larger community. She donates a portion of the proceeds from the sales of her books to causes that help the homeless, both people and pets. Beyond writing, Stacy is deeply devoted to her faith, family, and her beloved Labradors. She is also enthusiastic about the causes she supports, the beauty of art, the serenity of the beach, and the joy of reading. She and her husband live in Houston, TX with a totally spoiled Labrador named Eve.
