Download or read book Gift Wrapped For Murder written by Connie Shelton and published by Secret Staircase Books, an imprint of Columbine Publishing Group. This book was released on 2015-12-02 with total page 774 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Come visit New Mexico at Christmas! Three full-length books and a novella by USA Today and international bestselling author, Connie Shelton. Featuring the characters from both of her popular cozy mystery series, each of these stories features a holiday setting that is sure to whet your appetite for the season! "Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life in her colorful, vivid description..." -- Albuquerque Journal "Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes." -- The Midwest Book Review Sweet Holidays This book is third in the Samantha Sweet mystery series which features a fifty-something woman who breaks into houses for a living. Her sideline business—baking delectable cakes and goodies—has now blossomed into a full-time pastry shop and Sam is about to experience her first Christmas season as entrepreneur, which she juggles with the commitments of her previous job and a budding romance with Beau Cardwell, the county sheriff. Honeymoons Can Be Murder This book is sixth in the Charlie Parker mystery series, in which Charlotte “Charlie” Parker finds herself drawn somewhat against her better judgment into the cases that come into her family private investigation firm. This time, Charlie and her husband Drake—newlyweds—have been given the chance for an extended Christmas-season honeymoon at a cozy cabin in the snowy mountains near Taos, New Mexico. While the fireplace burns brightly indoors, a new mystery presents itself and Charlie becomes wrapped up in a puzzle involving false murder accusations, stolen artifacts, and someone whose actions mean to leave Charlie to die in the cold. Buried Secrets Can Be Murder Charlie Parker is hoping for a holiday season without drama but that just isn’t going to happen. Her office assistant’s baby is due any moment, her brother is engaged to a woman Charlie is only now beginning to know, and her social calendar is becoming incredibly full. When she and Drake are invited to a soiree at a showplace historic home, she’s eager to go. But before she can fully settle in and enjoy the season, a disturbing case comes through the door at RJP Investigations and Charlie can’t turn away the distraught man whose life was ripped apart by the disappearance of his children several years earlier. She has to do everything in her power to make his family holiday a happy one, even if the effort might very well destroy her own. Holidays Can Be Murder This Christmas novella brings together all that we love about the holidays—special foods, plenty of sweets, and visiting mothers-in-law. Charlie is about to host Drake’s mother for the week and isn’t at all sure how that will work out. They make ready for the visit with all the extras that make a New Mexico Christmas so special—setting out luminarias, hanging the outdoor lights, putting up the tree, making green chile stew and hoping for snow. It should be perfect. It would be perfect, except for the murder that happens right in their neighborhood. (Includes two bonus New Mexico holiday recipes.)

Download or read book Marked for Murder written by Leslie Langtry and published by Gemma Halliday Publishing. This book was released on 2023-04-25 with total page 152 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From USA Today bestselling author Leslie Langtry comes the latest laugh-out-loud Merry Wrath mystery... Merry Wrath has been out of the spy biz so long that she's sure the CIA has forgotten all about her. Life in suburban Who's There, Iowa is pretty quiet in comparison to the Company, and as long as her Girl Scout Troop isn't inadvertently burning down her garage (again), Merry is thinking it's time to clean out all the plastique and booby traps she's been hiding in the basement, once and for all. That is, until assassin Hilly Vinton (who isn't an assassin because the CIA doesn't have assassins...but totally is) shows up with an agency-ordered Termination Contract on Merry. This has to be an elaborate prank. Or so Merry thinks, until she learns that the contract also went out to the Russians, Chechens, and Colombian cartels. It isn't long before Merry's small hometown is flooded with interested bad guys. When these killers start showing up as bodies, Merry isn't sure if she should go on the lam (which has Hilly's enthusiastic vote) or stay to protect Who's There. There are too many questions! Can she solve the murders before the murderer gets her? Should she stay or go? How's it possible that the troop's future-predicting cootie catcher is so accurate? And why does the CIA want Merry Wrath dead? What critics are saying about Leslie Langtry's books: "I laughed so hard I cried on multiple occasions! Girl Scouts, the CIA, and the Yakuza... what could possibly go wrong?" ~ Fresh Fiction "Darkly funny and wildly over the top, this mystery answers the burning question, 'Do assassin skills and Girl Scout merit badges mix…?'" ~ RT BOOKreviews "Mixing a deadly sense of humor and plenty of sexy sizzle, Leslie Langtry creates a brilliantly original, laughter-rich mix of contemporary romance and suspense." ~ Chicago Tribune "Langtry gets the fun started from page one." ~ Publisher's Weekly

Download or read book The Scent of Murder written by Jeffrey Marks and published by Grace Abraham Publishing. This book was released on 2004-10 with total page 204 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Someone is playing perfume-related pranks at Kantor's Department Store. So far, it's only an inconvenience; but when a perfume model is found murdered in Marissa Scott's office, things turn deadly serious. Since the body is

Download or read book A Most Efficient Murder written by Anthony Slayton and published by Ink and Dagger Press. This book was released on 2022-04-03 with total page 308 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When the reclusive Earl of Unsworth’s first party in over a decade is spoiled by murder, His Lordship’s loyal and efficient secretary, Mr. Quayle, must unravel a web of red-herrings and buried secrets in this "English country house mystery infused with humor, verve, and plenty of surprises." (Kirkus Reviews) “I do not wish to disturb you, your lordship, but there is a body in the garden…” England, 1925. When a strange young woman is found murdered on the grounds of Unsworth Castle, the Earl and his family are astounded at first, but quickly become enraged when the police begin asking all sorts of impertinent questions. And when suspicions dare to fall on one of their own, it is up to Mr. Quayle, Lord Unsworth’s exceedingly efficient secretary, to find the true culprit and save the House of Unsworth from scandal and ruin. ____________________ Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Benedict Brown, Karen Baugh Menuhin, or Dorothy L Sayers. WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT A MOST EFFICIENT MURDER: "Thanks to vivid writing, lively characters, and quietly snarky humor...this entertaining mystery hits all the right genre buttons in a fresh way. An English country house mystery infused with humor, verve, and plenty of surprises." - Kirkus Reviews "Reminiscent of the tone of classic mysteries which deliver suspects, clues, and questions around each corner...A Most Efficient Murder is clever, enjoyable, charming, and a must-read for all historical mystery lovers." - Reader's Favorite (Five Star Review) ⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I recommend A Most Efficient Murder - especially to those who enjoy taking a step back in time and reading an Agatha Christie-style murder mystery!" , Valleri M., NetGalley ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “As an aficionado of the Golden Age of Crime, this did not disappoint but amply rewarded in droves. Billed as the first in the Mr. Quayle mysteries, the second is now eagerly awaited.” –Ruth G., NetGalley ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I absolutely loved the book. It’s a murder mystery house party à la Agatha Christie style…and it kept me interested the entire book. As a bonus I absolutely did not know who the killer was.” –Lynn B., NetGalley ⭐⭐⭐⭐ “A lovely and intriguing read. Twists, turns and red herrings abound!” –Lorna M., NetGalley ⭐⭐⭐ "I quite enjoyed this book...it is well written and the characters work well. Highly recommended." –Laura F., NetGalley THE DETECTIVE Quiet, methodical, and eminently efficient, Mr. Quayle has been Lord Unsworth’s personal secretary for almost a year now, but their connection runs far deeper and has its origins in the horror and trenches of France. Serving in the same regiment as Theodore Statham, Lord Unsworth’s only son-and-heir, Mr. Quayle wrote to the family when Teddy was killed on the Western Front. Unable to protect His Lordship’s son, Mr. Quayle is determined to save Lord Unsworth’s remaining family—from themselves, if necessary. THE SETTING Unsworth Castle, nestled on the outskirts of Hartchester County, was once widely considered to be amongst England’s oldest and grandest stately homes, but is now a crumbling ruin of its former self. Burnt down twice in the past century alone, the castle has been built and rebuilt countless times, leaving a labyrinth of hidden passages, forgotten rooms, and crumbling halls. Previous attempts to restore the castle to its former glory have all but bankrupted the family, and the current Earl of Unsworth has been largely content to allow his estate to fade back into picturesque ruin. ALSO BY ANTHONY SLAYTON THE MR. QUAYLE MYSTERIES Book 1: A MOST EFFICIENT MURDER

Download or read book A Limited Edition Murder written by Lauren Elliott and published by Kensington Cozies. This book was released on 2024-05-21 with total page 254 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: While in England, a first edition of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights leads bookstore owner Addie Greyborne to a murder on the moors . . . Although enjoying her extended stay working at Second Chance Books and Bindery in West Yorkshire, Addie still feels adrift—far from home, her friends, and her own beloved bookstore, Beyond the Page Books and Curios. The engagement party of her dear friend, Tony, at Milton Manor promises to be a joyful distraction. But there’s an ill wind blowing at the estate: When Tony presents his fiancé with a special copy of Wuthering Heights as an engagement gift, the lord of the manor insists the book was stolen from his library . . . Things go from troubling to tragic when Addie takes her Yorkipoo, Pippi, out for a walk on the moors and stumbles across the body of a young woman. When the police suspect Tony of foul play, Addie vows to get to the bottom of what’s going on. But it’s a twisted, treacherous path to the truth and Addie will need to watch her every step . . .

Download or read book A Measure of Murder written by Leslie Karst and published by Crooked Lane Books. This book was released on 2017-02-07 with total page 291 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In a stew of suspects and restaurateurs, trouble boils over in the second in Leslie Karst's tasty and tantalizing Sally Solari mystery series, A Measure of Murder Sally Solari is busy juggling work at her family's Italian restaurant, Solari's, and helping Javier plan the autumn menu for the restaurant she's just inherited, Gauguin. Complicating this already hectic schedule, Sally joins her ex-boyfriend Eric's chorus, which is performing a newly discovered version of her favorite composition: the Mozart Requiem. But then, at the first rehearsal, a tenor falls to his death on the church courtyard—and his soprano girlfriend is sure it wasn't an accident. Now Sally's back on another murder case mixed in with a dash of revenge, a pinch of peril, and a suspicious stack of sheet music. And while tensions in the chorus heat up, so does the kitchen at Gauguin—set aflame right as Sally starts getting too close to the truth. Can Sally catch the killer before she's burnt to a crisp, or will the case grow as cold as yesterday's leftovers?

Download or read book Murder is a Girl s Best Friend written by Amanda Matetsky and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2004-07-06 with total page 278 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From the national bestselling author of Murderers Prefer Blondes. All Paige Turner wants for Christmas is to make it through the season alive. New York City in 1954 can be bad for a girl’s health, especially if she’s a staff writer for a pulp mystery magazine who can’t help getting a little too involved in her work. Not that she’s looking for trouble this time; Detective Dan Street, her new love, has forbidden her from ever making like Sam Spade again. But what’s a girl to do when her late husband’s army buddy turns up with a tale like something out of Daring Detective magazine? His sister murdered. A stash of diamonds to die for hidden in a box of oatmeal. The mystery is a Christmas present Paige can’t resist opening. But with the killer hot on her trail, Paige faces the chilling possibility that this Christmas might be her last. “Paige Turner is the liveliest, most charming detective to emerge in crime fiction in a long time. . . . She is irresistible, a force of nature.”—Ann Waldron, author of The Princeton Murders “1950s New York City comes alive. . . . This is great writing by a fresh talent.”—Nelson DeMille “Prepare to be utterly charmed by the irrepressible Paige Turner.”—Dorothy Cannell

Download or read book Murders in the United States written by R. Barri Flowers and published by McFarland. This book was released on 2004-01-01 with total page 236 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From the assassination of President William McKinley on September 6, 1901, to the mass killing at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999, the 20th century saw many murderous events that are difficult to contemplate but have become a part of the national history. This reference book is divided into three parts. Part One, arranged chronologically, details 53 of the most famous murder cases of the 20th century in the United States. In Part Two, over 300 entries (alphabetically arranged by criminal) provide descriptions of crimes and are subdivided into male, female, and juvenile murderers; pair and group murderers; hate crime murderers; and school killings. Part Three features crime events related to over 40 selected victims. Cross references guide the reader to additional information. An index is included.

Download or read book The Cherrywood Murders written by Penny Blackwell and published by Headline Accent. This book was released on 2023-05-25 with total page 367 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 'My new favourite cosy crime series!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ A DOLLOP OF JAM. A SPOT OF TEA. A SLICE OF MURDER . . . It has been a year since Tess had to trade the hustle and bustle of London life for pulling pints and moonlighting as a Cher impersonator in a backwater country pub. The sleepy Yorkshire village of Cherrywood would always be home, but a return to rural life wasn't quite the path she'd paved for herself. Still, being back with her oldest friends, Raven and Oliver, was a definite upside and she was beginning to settle into the slower pace. That is until Clemmie Ackroyd, a stalwart member of the community, is brutally murdered. Ruled a robbery gone wrong, it's an open-and-shut case for the police, but something isn't quite adding up for Tess. Then an unexpected face from the past shows up in the village, pointing fingers, and Tess finds herself resolving to get to the bottom of Clemmie's death - even if that means getting up to her neck in jam, Jerusalem and deadly secrets at the Women's Guild . . . Readers LOVE The Cherrywood Murders! '⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Truly, this was one of the best starts to a new British cosy series I have read in a while' '⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ I loved it, and I hope this is the start of a long series of Cherrywood books!' '⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Love the drama and romance! The lovely British setting and a great bunch of characters! Looking forward to book 2!' '⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ I loved this British cozy mystery! And the characters were so good!' '⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Cleverly written, with a good air of mystery . . . I really enjoyed this novel' '⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐Wow what an amazing book! This is a great read for all the Thursday Murder Club fans' ----- A wonderfully charming and quintessentially British cosy murder mystery, packed full of witty one-liners and an eclectic cast of characters. Perfect for fans of Fiona Leitch, Hannah Hendy and Robert Thorogood.

Download or read book ANOTHER WORD FOR MURDER written by Marc D. Hasbrouck and published by iUniverse. This book was released on 2023-08-09 with total page 184 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 1955: London, England and Hong Kong, China Devon Stone, best-selling author of murder mysteries, receives a cryptic note from beyond the grave. Is it a warning or a clue to a murder? A startling murder on a Star Ferry in Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour takes place at almost the same time as a suicide is discovered in London. These two events are connected...but how? Veronica Barron, an American actress friend of Devon Stone’s, returns to the London stage to great acclaim, but at what price? An opera singer in Hong Kong is transformed by the role of a lifetime, albeit in a very deadly and violent way. A volatile father-son dynamic is the catalyst for a devastating and heart-breaking revelation. But once he solves one crime, Devon Stone comes to the realization that the mystery is not yet over. With multiple storylines that converge in unexpected ways, along with scenes of graphic violence, scenes of humor, and a touch of romance, we will discover that devious deceptions and lies prove that one can never be certain about who, or what, someone might be.

Download or read book Fool Me Once written by Steve Hockensmith and published by Llewellyn Worldwide. This book was released on 2015-08-08 with total page 254 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From bestselling author Steve Hockensmith and tarot expert Lisa Falco comes a new mystery that isn't fooling around Since taking over the White Magic Five and Dime, Alanis McLachlan has been tracking down old customers and making amends for her mother's con jobs. So when Marsha—one of the shop's most loyal clients—comes looking for a way out of her abusive marriage, Alanis does everything she can to help. But lending a hand leads to unforeseen consequences, including the murder of Marsha's husband. Now Alanis has to use her wiles to undo a mess of her own making. Her growing mastery of the tarot might help her find the truth...if the killer doesn't get to her first. Praise: "Winning."—Publishers Weekly "Delightfully quirky."—Kirkus Reviews "Smart, humorous and refreshingly offbeat."—Shelf Awareness "Savvy plotting, sharp writing, and a believable use of fortune-telling to frame the stories."—Booklist "Readers who adore the women detectives of Dorothy Cannell and Maggie King will be pleased by this quirky series."—Library Journal "A funny book in which the reader also learns something is a rare treasure indeed."—Mystery Scene

Download or read book The Art of Killing written by Annabel Austen and published by Annabel Austen. This book was released on 2014-11-25 with total page 118 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When Julie's teenage twins leave home to go to university, Julie is left at a loose end for the very first time in her life. Her husband and a well-meaning friend urge her to take a job in a local company, but with disastrous consequences. Before long, Julie finds herself at the centre of a murder investigation. Read how Julie, fortified by countless cups of tea and coffee and the faithful family dog, attempts to make sense of what is going on around her!

Download or read book Jar City written by Arnaldur Indridason and published by Macmillan. This book was released on 2006-09-19 with total page 308 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Inspector Erlendur Sveinsson investigates the killing of a solitary man, found murdered in his Reykjavik apartment, and discovers that the dead man had been accused but not convicted of a rape forty years earlier.

Download or read book Murder s No Votive Confidence written by Christin Brecher and published by Kensington Cozies. This book was released on 2019-06-25 with total page 259 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Nantucket candle store owner Stella Wright specializes in creating unique candles for every occasion. But someone sets the stage for murder when a Memorial Day celebration becomes a wedding to die for . . . Jessica Sterling’s candlelight-themed nuptials promises to be the perfect kick-off to the summer’s first official holiday weekend. Stella’s thrilled to have been chosen to provide the decorative centerpiece for the wedding ceremony: a two-foot-tall scented unity candle—a symbol of the happy couple’s love. But it looks like the bride-to-be’s uncle won’t be walking his niece down the aisle after he’s found dead. The murder weapon is Stella’s seemingly indestructible candle, now split in two. When a beloved local bartender is arrested, Stella’s sure a visiting police captain running the case made a rush to justice. With superstitious brides-to-be canceling orders and sales waxing and waning at her store, the Wick & Flame owner decides to do some sleuthing of her own. Abetted by a charming reporter and challenged by the town’s sexiest cop, Stella’s determined to shine a light on the truth and uncover a killer who’s snuffing out her own flame.

Download or read book Murder Without Icing written by Emma Lathen and published by SIMPLY MEDIA. This book was released on 2018-01-01 with total page 308 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: ePub version. Professional Sports, NHL Hockey. Emma Lathen's witty insightful tale about how money underpins professional sports with charming characters such as the TV Symphony announcer who becomes an instant hit as a play by play hockey analyst, the scion of a legendary rich family who has an interest in a team, and more. Lathen has her regular cast of characters in full flight, fun, insight, and more.

Download or read book Black Cat Weekly 161 written by Robert Lopresti and published by Black Cat Weekly . This book was released on 2024-09-29 with total page 363 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: We have another great lineup this time, with original tales by Robert Lopresti (thanks to Acquiring Editor Michael Bracken), Shannon Taft (thanks to Acquiring Editor Barb Goffman), Wayne Carey, Teel James Glenn, and JM Cyrus (who gets the honor of having the story with the longest title that we’ve [yet] published!) As always, it’s an eclectic mix, from traditional mysteries to supernatural crimes, from space opera to a fantastic world of moving islands…and everything in between! I hope you enjoy them all. And special thanks to our art director, Ron Miller, who has found a terrific Steve Hickman cover for this issue (and continues to design amazing covers). Here’s the complete lineup— Mysteries / Suspense / Adventure: “Shanks’s Last Words,” by Robert Lopresti [Michael Bracken Presents short story] A shrewd mystery writer teams up with a rookie detective to try to solve a small-town accountant’s murder, unraveling cryptic clues. “The Case of the Sabotaged Sloops,” by Hal Charles [Solve-It-Yourself Mystery] A small-town boat race faces sabotage threats. Can you solve the case before Detective Kelly Stone? “Beware the Bunnyman,” by Shannon Taft [Barb Goffman Presents short story] A detective tries to unravel the truth behind a bizarre murder involving a giant rabbit costume and marital deception. “The Jade Dragon of Dunhuang,” by Wayne Carey [short story] An expert in Chinese antiquities visits 1930s San Francisco, entangling himself in intrigue over a rare jade artifact. The Sturgis Wager, by Edgar Morette [novel] A detective tackles a case of bank fraud and murder in 1890s New York, using keen observation and deductive reasoning. Science Fiction & Fantasy: “Dr. Darque and the Phantom Fear,” by Teel James Glenn [short story] A detective investigates mysterious deaths at Coney Island, uncovering a supernatural threat feeding on fear. “How To Cross the Cavorting Sea’s Wandering Islands During the Fourth Dance of the Widdershins Elliptical Cycle,” by JM Cyrus [short story] A man’s journey across magical islands becomes a voyage of self-discovery and unexpected love in a whimsical world. “The Return of Lancelot Biggs,” by Nelson S. Bond [short story] Quirky spaceship crew faces danger as efficiency expert’s mistakes pit them against the Sun’s deadly pull. “Murderer’s Chain,” by Wenzell Brown [short story] A greedy son-in-law plots murder with an alien weapon, but his scheme unravels in an unexpected twist. “Home Is the Hero,” by E.C. Tubb [short story] A space pioneer returns to Earth, grappling with physical challenges and the complexities of his heroic status.

Download or read book The Privilege written by D.W. Buffa and published by Polis Books. This book was released on 2021-06-22 with total page 405 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Joseph Antonelli, who never lost a case he should have won and won nearly every case he should have lost, is about to see his client, Justin Friedrich, convicted for a crime he did not commit. His wife was found shot to death in the bedroom of their yacht in the San Francisco marina, and Friedrich does not have a chance. But then the real killer approaches Antonelli... Famous and enigmatic, James Michael Redfield, the head of a high tech company that leads the world in the development of artificial intelligence, Redfield gives Antonelli evidence that proves Friedrich is innocent. But why did Redfield wait until the last minute to give Antonelli this proof? Before Antonelli can even begin to solve that riddle, there is another murder, and Antonelli finds himself an unwilling participant in a conspiracy he does not understand. Antonelli has never known anyone like James Michael Redfield. Because for Redfield, it isn’t about murder at all; it is all about the trial. Because only a trial can show the world what Redfield believes it needs to know...no matter how many people need to die.