Download or read book Gossip Can Be Murder written by Connie Shelton and published by Secret Staircase Books, an imprint of Columbine Publishing Group. This book was released on 2010-05-25 with total page 286 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Praise for USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton and the Charlie Parker mysteries: Fans of Southwestern mysteries will find that Shelton's engaging story, likable heroine, and comfortable prose make this a good choice.” – Library Journal "Charlie is slick, appealing and nobody's fool." -- Booklist Charlie is invited to a plush Santa Fe spa, a week-long spiritual/nutrition retreat with her friend Dr. Linda Casper. The massages and spa treatments sound great, until she realizes that there is something darker going on at the mountain resort. Meanwhile, Drake has his own set of concerns. He's been asked to testify as an expert witness in a helicopter crash case and it's causing him more anxiety than any feat of flying ever did. It seems that they are each on their own but their two cases overlap and dangers abound, from all sides. "Charlie is just what readers want." -- Booklist "Charlie is a fabulous amateur sleuth." -- Midwest Book Review "Readers can only hope the likeable characters, fast-paced plots and local color will continue." -- Albuquerque Journal "A fun and fast read." -- Small Press Magazine Search words: mystery, crime fiction, mystery series, series books, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Southwestern fiction, Charlie Parker, Connie Shelton, female sleuth, cozy mysteries, dogs in mystery

Download or read book A Lady s Guide to Gossip and Murder written by Dianne Freeman and published by Kensington Publishing Corporation. This book was released on 2020-06-30 with total page 305 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Though American by birth, Frances Wynn, the now-widowed Countess of Harleigh, has adapted admirably to the quirks and traditions of the British aristocracy. On August twelfth, otherwise known as the Glorious Twelfth, most members of the upper class retire to their country estates for grouse-shooting season. Frances has little interest in hunting-for birds or a second husband-and is expecting to spend a quiet few months in London with her almost-engaged sister, Lily, until the throng returns. Instead, she's immersed in a shocking mystery when a friend, Mary Archer, is found murdered. Frances had hoped Mary might make a suitable bride for her cousin, Charles, but their courtship recently fizzled out. Unfortunately, this puts Charles in the spotlight-along with dozens of others. It seems Mary had countless notes hidden in her home, detailing the private indiscretions of society's elite. Frances can hardly believe that the genteel and genial Mary was a blackmailer, yet why else would she horde such juicy tidbits? Aided by her gallant friend and neighbor, George Hazelton, Frances begins assisting the police in this highly sensitive case, learning more about her peers than she ever wished to know. Too many suspects may be worse than none at all-but even more worrying is that the number of victims is increasing too. And unless Frances takes care, she?ll soon find herself among them . . .

Download or read book Death of a Gossip written by M.C. Beaton and published by Hachette UK. This book was released on 2009-06-01 with total page 142 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The very first Hamish Macbeth crime mystery, from internationally bestselling author M.C.Beaton When society widow and gossip columnist Lady Jane Winters joins the local fishing class she wastes no time in ruffling the feathers - or should that be fins? - of those around her. Among the victims of her sharp tongue is Lochdubh constable Hamish Macbeth, yet not even Hamish thinks someone would seriously want to silence Lady Jane's shrill voice permanently - until her strangled body is fished out of the river. Now with the help of the lovely Priscilla Halburton-Smythe, Hamish must steer a course through the choppy waters of the tattler's life to find a murderer. But with a school of suspects who aren't willing to talk, and the dead woman telling no tales, Hamish may well be in over his head for he knows that secrets are dangerous, knowledge is power, and killers when cornered usually do strike again. Praise for the Hamish Macbeth series: 'First rate ... deft social comedy and wonderfully realized atmosphere.' Booklist 'It's always a treat to return to Lochdubh.' New York Times 'Readers will enjoy the quirks and unique qualities of the cast ... Beaton catches the beauty of the area's natural geography and succinctly describes its distinct flavour.' Library Journal 'Befuddled, earnest and utterly endearing, Hamish makes his triumphs sweetly satisfying.' Publishers Weekly

Download or read book Gossip Girl written by Cecily Von Ziegesar and published by A&C Black. This book was released on 2003-01-01 with total page 210 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Set in New York City's Upper East Side, this book tells the story of the thrills and spills of its richest and most beautiful teenage residents. These girls are smart, good-looking and know how to party, It's a luxorious life but someone's got to live it!

Download or read book Murder Through the Grapevine written by Teresa McClain-Watson and published by Urban Books. This book was released on 2012-04-24 with total page 320 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Roni Jarrett was once in love with a high-rolling strip club owner who used her and abused her. He caused her to lose the job of her dreams, not to mention her self respect. With nothing left but her newfound faith in Christ and her old BMW, she hits the road and ends up where she started, in her old hometown. With a new job in an upscale beauty salon, and a position as music director for her church, she's doing all she can to live a life that's pleasing in the eyes of God. Unfortunately, other people's drama has a way of following Roni Jarrett and it follows her to her new life in Florida. When her best friend from childhood turns up dead in the streets, the local police behaves as if Roni may have had a hand in that death, and everything changes. Roni finds herself caught up in a dangerous maze of gossip and lies that could lead to her own destruction. The only man willing to help her, Police Chief Don Gillette, is a gorgeous hunk of a human being who makes Roni's heart pound, but his own reputation causes even more drama to enter her life. Roni is tested time and again as she struggles to understand what is happening around her. Her budding relationship with Don Gillette, a relationship that seems sent from God, may get caught in the wreckage too. Will Roni's newfound faith be able to withstand so many trials, and will Don Gillette turn out to be the love of her life or the worst thing that had ever happened to her?

Download or read book Gossip written by Joseph Epstein and published by HMH. This book was released on 2011-11-29 with total page 274 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A look at the delights—and dangers—of gossip, from a New York Times–bestselling, “erudite writer, gifted with rare insight and a wry sense of humor” (USA Today). Gossip is no trivial matter. In this enlightening and entertaining study, the author of Snobbery takes a look at a human activity that may be looked down upon, but nevertheless plays a persistent role in our society—and therefore, must be taken seriously. Joseph Epstein, who admits to indulging in this activity himself from time to time, serves up mini-biographies of history’s famous gossips, and makes a powerful case that gossip has morphed from its old-fashioned best—clever, mocking, a great private pleasure—to a corrosive, destructive new version, thanks to the reach of the mass media and the Internet. This is an erudite and witty read from “a master observer of humanity’s foibles” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review). “Epstein defines categories of gossip, from personal to celebrity, workplace, and political, and discusses how gossip ‘enforces a community’s norms’ or, conversely, helps foster tolerance. . . . In his briskly erudite, zestfully original, and provokingly enjoyable anatomy of gossip, Epstein revels in the risky collusion of gossip within shared worlds and resoundingly condemns media-disseminated gossip that diminishes our ability to ascertain or value the truth.” —Booklist

Download or read book Sweets Galore written by Connie Shelton and published by Secret Staircase Books, an imprint of Columbine Publishing Group. This book was released on 2013-03-15 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Praise for Connie Shelton’s previous mysteries: “Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.” —The Midwest Book Review Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.” —Albuquerque Journal USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton throws a twist into this sixth episode in her most popular cozy mystery series. Samantha Sweet and Beau Cardwell are getting ready for their September wedding in Taos, with the whole Sweet clan about to show up for the celebration. Dealing with her mother may turn out to be the least of Sam’s problems when an unwelcome visitor walks into her pastry shop—Sam’s old heart-throb, the charmer, Jake Calendar. Jake wants money for a Hollywood get-rich-quick scheme and he wants Sam to finance the deal. Can Sam convince him that the answer is ‘no’ or will he sabotage the plans for her wedding? “Shelton continues to combine suspenseful storytelling with sensitive portrayals of complex family relationships.” – Booklist “Fans of Southwestern mysteries will find that Shelton's engaging story, likable heroine, and comfortable prose make this a good choice.” – Library Journal Search words: mystery, mystery series, romantic suspense, romance series, series books, culinary mysteries, paranormal mystery, paranormal romance, mystery books cozy, mystery books bakery and cooking, bestselling mystery books, mystery books in series, female sleuth cozy mystery, books set in New Mexico, romantic mystery

Download or read book Prologue to Murder written by Lauren Elliott and published by Kensington Cozies. This book was released on 2019-04-30 with total page 315 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: After a career working with rare books at the Boston Public Library, Addie Greyborne is back in her seaside New England hometown—where unfortunately, murder is not so rare . . . Gossip columnists love a bold-faced name—but “Miss Newsy” at Greyborne Harbor’s local paper seems to specialize in bald-faced lies. She’s pointed a finger of suspicion at Addie after librarian June Winslow never makes it home from a book club meeting. And when June’s found at the bottom of a steep flight of stairs, Addie’s not only dealing with a busybody, but a dead body. It’s a good thing the guy she’s dating is the police chief. But both the case and her love life get more complicated when a lanky blonde reporter from Los Angeles shows up. She’s trying her hardest to drive a wedge between the couple . . . as if Addie doesn’t have enough problems dealing with angry townspeople. Despite all the rumors, Addie doesn’t know a thing about the murder—but she plans to find out. And the key may lie in a book about pirate legends that June published. Now she just has to hunt down the clues before she becomes a buried treasure herself . . .

Download or read book Deadly Gamble written by Connie Shelton and published by Secret Staircase Books, an imprint of Columbine Publishing Group. This book was released on 2009-09-08 with total page 240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Praise for USA Today bestselling author, Connie Shelton, and her first novel: "An impressive debut mystery!" -- Albuquerque Journal "Charlie is slick, appealing and nobody's fool--just what readers want in an amateur sleuth." -- Booklist "This is a dandy. Don't miss it!" -- Book Talk In this debut mystery series novel, Charlie Parker, accountant and partner in an Albuquerque private investigation firm, is visited by her old school friend, Stacy North. Stacy's Rolex watch is missing and she begs Charlie to help locate it before her husband finds out. Things are complicated by the fact that Stacy had been seeing another man, Gary Detweiller, and he's the one she suspects of having stolen the watch. With a little detective work, Charlie and her sidekick dog, Rusty, retrieve the missing watch and all should be well. But three days later, Detweiller is murdered. All eyes turn to Stacy as the prime suspect. Once again, Stacy begs Charlie's help in proving her innocence. As she begins to ask questions, Charlie learns that Detweiller's life was not as simple as first perceived and that any number of people had grievances against him. And before she can pinpoint the killer, her own life is in danger as well. Includes new foreword from the author upon the 20th anniversary of first publication of this ongoing series' first title. Praise for the other books in the Charlie Parker mystery series: "A well written, by the book who-done-it that will enthrall purists. Charlie is a fabulous amateur sleuth." -- Midwest Book Review "Shelton has created a lively hero in Charlie and puts her into situations that require prompt action and good common sense. A Charlie Parker mystery is always a good read..." --Southwest Book Views "Charlie is a good detective and a pleasant companion to unravel a mystery with." -- Mystery News "Shelton's engaging story, likable heroine, and comfortable prose make this a good choice." -- Library Journal "Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes." --The Midwest Book Review Search words: mystery, first in series, free ebook, freebie, female sleuth, Southwestern mysteries, crime fiction, cozy mystery, pet sleuths, animal mysteries

Download or read book They All Had A Reason written by Michele Leathers and published by . This book was released on 2021-01-02 with total page 212 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Sixteen-year-old Charlotte is convinced her life would be perfect if she could only get past the one obstacle holding her back: A girl named Bellany Silverfield, who seems to have it all -- beauty, popularity, power and the boy of Charlotte's dreams. But when Bellany is murdered, Charlotte's life doesn't get any better. In fact, it gets much worse. Charlotte worries that circumstantial evidence and rumors of motive will make her a prime suspect. She's forced to question the loyalty of her closest friends and to place her trust in a boy she barely knows. But one of these people is definitely lying to her.

Download or read book Can t Judge a Book By Its Murder written by Amy Lillard and published by Sourcebooks, Inc.. This book was released on 2019-10-29 with total page 207 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: THE FIRST IN A NEW BOOK THEMED COZY MYSTERY SERIES You won't be able to stop turning the pages of this small town mystery, which is: Perfect for fans of Ellery Adams and Lorna Barrett A riveting bookclub cozy mystery Full of quirky, Southern charm Not every murder is by the book... As Sugar Springs gears up for its all-class high school reunion, Mississippi bookstore owner Arlo Stanley prepares to launch her largest event: a book-signing with the town's legendary alum and bestselling author, Wally Harrison. That's when Wally is discovered dead outside of Arlo's front door and her best friend is questioned for the crime. When the elderly ladies of Arlo's Friday Night Book Club start to investigate, Arlo has no choice but to follow behind to keep them out of trouble. Yet with Wally's reputation, the suspect list only grows longer—his betrayed wife, his disgruntled assistant, even the local man who holds a grudge from a long-ago accident. Between running interference with the book club and otherwise keeping it all together, Arlo anxiously works to get Chloe out of jail. And amidst it all, her one-time boyfriend-turned-private-eye returns to town, just another distraction while she digs to uncover the truth around Wally's death and just what Sugar Springs secret could have led to his murder. If you love women's murder club books, Amy Lillard's cozy mysteries are just for you!

Download or read book A Murder Between the Pages written by Amy Lillard and published by Sourcebooks, Inc.. This book was released on 2020-11-24 with total page 211 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Second book in the Main Street Book Club mysteries! You won't be able to stop turning the pages of this small town mystery, which is: Perfect for Fans of Ellery Adams and Lorna Barrett A riveting book club cozy mystery For readers of club mysteries and small-town cozy mysteries This murder will have to be solved by the book... It was only a few months ago that the ladies of Arlo's Friday Night Book Club—Fern, Camille, and Helen—solved the murder of the renowned author, Wally Harrison. So when they select Wally's bestseller, Missing Girl, for their next discussion, Arlo is hopeful it will be the end of their mystery hunt. But since their recent success as sleuths the crew officially see themselves as a women's mystery club, and they're convinced Missing Girl was inspired by a 50-year-old cold case. It's a case from their own Sugar Springs, Mississippi—the disappearance of Mary Kennedy—and Arlo can do little to stop the book club ladies from investigating. But what starts out as a fun hunch quickly turns into a very real cold case murder mystery when a young girl is murdered in the exact place the women believe Mary went missing all those years ago. It's clear the two cases are connected—and the mystery book club is determined to find answers. With Arlo's help, they may just be able to crack the case.

Download or read book Macarons Can Be Murder written by Rose Betancourt and published by Crooked Lane Books. This book was released on 2023-07-11 with total page 245 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Perfect for fans of Ellie Alexander and Lucy Burdette, Rose Betancourt’s series debut is a culinary treat sure to charm. Living in Paris, Kentucky, and having a sidekick cat named Pepe le Pew gives Marci Beaucoup’s life a certain je ne sais quoi. Combining her love of baking and France, Marci opened La Belle Patisserie to bring her small Southern hometown a bit of French flair and lots of croissants. Everything is sunshine and macarons at the bakery until her landlord calls to tell her she’s selling the property. Marci’s relieved to hear that if the top bidder, an enchanting Frenchman named Antoine Dubois, gets the property, he’ll renew her bakery’s lease. Charmed by Antoine, Marci figures this development isn’t half bad and sees a handsome new landlord in her future—but then Antoine’s estranged ex-girlfriend Kelly turns up dead in front of her bakery. Sacrebleu! Everyone calls Marci’s pastries “to die for,” but nobody’s actually died at La Belle Patisserie before. Antoine quickly becomes the main suspect to everyone in Paris—including to womanizing detective Maverick Malone. Who else would have killed Kelly but the ex-boyfriend she was just seen fighting with on the day of her death? Marci finds out from her landlord that if Antoine is arrested, his purchase of her building will fall through—and her landlord will sell to developers instead, who plan to demolish the building and construct a strip mall in its place. Enamored with Antoine and with her patisserie dreams hanging in the balance, Marci is determined to prove Maverick and the rest of Paris wrong and find the true killer before Antoine winds up in jail—and she has to say au revoir to her bakery. Now Marci finds herself mixed up in the murder investigation, and she must find the killer before her half-baked theories result in her untimely death.

Download or read book A Little Local Murder written by Robert Barnard and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2013-01-15 with total page 193 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Radio Broadwich decides to do a documentary on the small village of Twytching for international broadcast, and the townspeople divide between those who seek the patronage of Mrs. Deborah Withins, arbiter of taste and morals, and those determined to displace her in the cutthroat contest for media recognition. When a rash of poison-pen letters and a murder coincide, quiet inspector George Parrish begins to uncover secrets the leading citizens of Twytching had thought, and fervently hoped, were buried.

Download or read book Sweet Somethings written by Connie Shelton and published by Secret Staircase Books, an imprint of Columbine Publishing Group. This book was released on 2014-07-14 with total page 254 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.” —Albuquerque Journal USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton brings a bit of magic and a whole lot of chocolate to the latest in her cozy Sweets series. Two things are weighing on Samantha Sweet’s mind this summer—organizing the Sweet Somethings chocolate festival in Taos and tracking down information on the mystical carved wooden box that came into her life nearly two years ago, changing her life forever. At last, she believes she has located the person who can give the answers. The festival is behind schedule, committee members are at each others’ throats, competitors are after the big prize money and hungry crowds will soon be gathering at the gates. A slew of conflicting personalities are going at each other, and Sam is holding her breath, certain that this will not turn out well. When someone does indeed turn up dead, the trick is to find out who among the many parties committed the dirty deed. Meanwhile, Sheriff Beau has his own set of problems trying to keep order at an encampment of free-spirited hippies who have moved into the area, so Sam is mostly on her own to keep the chocolate festival on track and find a killer. And the magic box? What Sam learns is that its powers are greater than she ever imagined, its history much more convoluted. “Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.” —The Midwest Book Review Search words: Paranormal mystery, mystery, mystery series, series books, crime fiction, culinary mystery, cozy mystery, chocolate, pastry shop, mystery books cozy, mystery books bakery and cooking, bestselling mystery books, mystery books in series, female sleuth cozy mystery, books set in New Mexico, romantic mystery

Download or read book Sweet Payback written by Connie Shelton and published by Secret Staircase Books, an imprint of Columbine Publishing Group. This book was released on 2014-02-14 with total page 296 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Praise for USA Today bestseller, Connie Shelton: "Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes."--The Midwest Book Review Revenge is often a cold dish, but in the tiny northern New Mexico town of Sembramos emotions are running decidedly hot. When Lee Rodarte and Jessie Starkey, convicted of murdering a local girl, are released from prison after serving only a few years, their convictions overturned, the town’s old pain rises to the surface and tempers flare. Samantha Sweet has her hands full with Easter at her pastry shop, Sweet’s Sweets, while her husband, Taos County Sheriff Beau Cardwell, is charged with keeping order among the two hundred residents of Sembramos. Topping it off, as part of her sideline job, Sam is assigned another house to break into and must drive to the huge abandoned mansion daily, right through the small war zone where payback seems to be on everyone’s mind. “Shelton, a major success for Intrigue, can only expand her fan base with this solid effort.” —Publisher’s Weekly “Shelton continues to combine suspenseful storytelling with sensitive portrayals of complex family relationships.” —Booklist “Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.” —Albuquerque Journal Search words: mystery, mystery series, crime fiction, series books, amateur sleuth, female sleuth, New Mexico fiction, Taos, romantic mystery, romantic suspense, paranormal mystery, paranormal romance

Download or read book Sweet Holidays written by Connie Shelton and published by Secret Staircase Books, an imprint of Columbine Publishing Group. This book was released on 2011-10-16 with total page 280 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton introduces her most delightful cozy mystery series yet—with a little romance, a little magic and a whole lot of chocolate! In this third book in the Samantha Sweet cozy mystery series, it's Christmas and a quirky Romanian chocolatier shows up at Sweet's Sweets, offering to create a special line of hand-dipped chocolates for Samantha's customers. He says he will work for no pay, just to prove himself. But when she learns that he has connections to the wooden box which seems to give Sam her mystical powers, she discovers that certain evil people may do just about anything to take it away from her. With the same combination of mystery, romance and that touch of the paranormal for which the series has become known, Sweet Holidays carries the reader into the special and magical world of northern New Mexico at the holiday season. Readers are raving about these lighthearted, relaxing, well-written books—Samantha may not be young, beautiful or have the perfect body, but she is intelligent, independent, and hard working, the kind of person you feel you already know. * * * Praise for USA Today bestseller Connie Shelton's previous mysteries: "Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes." -- Midwest Book Review "Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life." -- Albuquerque Journal "Connie Shelton has another winner." --The Book Report USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton is the author of three ongoing mystery series. In the Samantha Sweet cozy mystery books, Connie draws upon her own love of baking (and eating) pastries to bring a sweet element to the business of solving crimes for her new female sleuth. Her original series features female accountant and part-time sleuth, Charlie Parker and her loyal sidekick dog, in a series that is now eighteen books strong. And her Heist Ladies series features a group of women friends who steal stuff … from the bad guys! Connie and her husband live in northern New Mexico with their two dogs. Visit her website at connieshelton.com Search words: mystery, mystery series, series books, holiday stories, Christmas mystery stories, bakery, culinary mystery, paranormal mystery, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, romance