Category: Cozy mystery

The Bookshop Detective by Jan Ellis: a super seaside mystery

Synopsis When a ghost ship is spotted on the horizon one spring evening, bookseller Eleanor Mace decides to investigate the myths and legends of Combemouth, the seaside town where she runs The Reading Room. As Eleanor digs deeper into the town’s history, she becomes intrigued by a Victorian crime report and is determined to find… Continue reading The Bookshop Detective by Jan Ellis: a super seaside mystery

The Invisible Case by Isabella Muir: beautiful, vivid descriptions

Synopsis A shocking death turns a homecoming into a nightmare.  It’s Easter 1970 in the seaside town of Tamarisk Bay, and for one family the first Easter of a new decade brings a shocking tragedy. Amateur sleuth and professional librarian, Janie Juke, is settling into motherhood and looking forward to spending time with her family.… Continue reading The Invisible Case by Isabella Muir: beautiful, vivid descriptions

The Penhallow Train Incident by M S Spencer: clever and lively

This is a thoroughly enjoyable cosy mystery set in Maine, although we get to find out a few other countries such as Egypt and the Sudan, and it all starts with a tourist ride on the Penhallow and Mooseland Lake Railway. What a wonderful name! Rachel Tinker is a volunteer on the railway – she… Continue reading The Penhallow Train Incident by M S Spencer: clever and lively

‘The Goat Parva Murders’ by Julian Worker: an indie gem

‘The Goat Parva Murders’ is a very entertaining and quirky cozy mystery. It’s populated with many very colourful characters who are a delight,even if some of them are a touch creepy. Our investigative heroes are Inspector Knowles and his sidekick Barnes. They have their hands full trying to make sense of things in Goat Parva,… Continue reading ‘The Goat Parva Murders’ by Julian Worker: an indie gem

Murder She Knit by Peggy Ehrhart: absorbing and atmospheric

Murder She Knit is a gentle, enjoyable cozy. Yes, there’s a murder but it’s offstage, although the dead body is found in the garden of our heroine, Pamela Paterson. Widow Pamela is on her own now that her daughter Penny is off at college, but she has a busy life editing a craft magazine, and… Continue reading Murder She Knit by Peggy Ehrhart: absorbing and atmospheric

Murder on the Brewster Flats by Aaron Paul Lazar

From the very start, I was gripped by this novel. I have to confess that I thought I probably would be, as I’m a huge fan of Aaron Paul Lazar. And this wonderful author didn’t let me down. Gus and his wife Camille are on a long-awaited and much-needed holiday. But, as is so true… Continue reading Murder on the Brewster Flats by Aaron Paul Lazar

Chef Maurice and a Spot of Truffle by J A Lang: a fun foodie cozy

Chef Maurice and a Spot of Truffle by J.A. Lang is a very entertaining cozy mystery featuring Chef Maurice, whose large and very French moustache deserves its own postcode, and his friend and restaurant critic, Arthur Wordington-Smythe. It makes for a very appetising start to a series. The scene is a small Cotswolds town of… Continue reading Chef Maurice and a Spot of Truffle by J A Lang: a fun foodie cozy

Playing at Murder by Gillian Larkin: great start to a series

This is short , lively cozy mystery, despite the fact that our two protagonists are retirees. Connie and Sable, who are sisters-in-law, join forces as private investigators to keep themselves busy. Sable is dragged rather unwillingly into it to start with, but she soon begins to enjoy herself and provides the tough edge and technological… Continue reading Playing at Murder by Gillian Larkin: great start to a series