by Tracy Condie, Cynthia Chow, Sarah Erwin, & Sandra Murphy

This week we are doing some more catch-up with some later part of 2024 mysteries–we have reviews and giveaways of The Little Lost Library: A Secret, Book, and Scone Society Book by Ellery Adams, A New Lease on Death: Supernatural Mysteries #1 by Olivia Blacke, Death by Caramel Macchiato by Alex Erickson, The Herringbone Harbor Mystery by Sally Goldenbaum, and Shear Terror: A Sewing Studio Mystery by Dorothy Howell. Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of all 5 books and links to purchase them from Amazon at the end of each review.

The Little Lost Library: A Secret, Book, and Scone Society Book by Ellery Adams
Review by Tracy Condie

This is book seven and the best Secret, Book, and Scone Society book yet. Be prepared for a cozy that hits hard and tackles real-world problems like trauma, relationships ending, bullies, sadness, and solidarity. On the lighter side, I was completely captivated by the treasure hunt for the little lost library. Oh, and the quotes at the start of each chapter are thought-provoking. My favorite is the one by Maya Angelou about knowing your own worth. Main character and owner of the Miracle Books bookstore, Nora Pennington, has a good heart, looks for the good in others, and is a friend through thick and thin. She cries over the loss that others feel. She is empathic even for the victim’s daughter, who is hurting to the point that she lashes out.

Nora is propelled by an insatiable curiosity to solve the riddle of the book. She takes chances and works secretly on the task which, Lucille, the victim, has left specifically for Nora to complete. I am surprised that side issues and her work are not distracting her more, what with an unidentifiable teen taking a five-finger discount. The crazy K9 cop, whom I think of as “Hollowell the horrible,” is being her usually charming self, combative with women, yet flirty with her male coworkers.

This page-turner kept my attention the entire time while my emotions ran amok. Parts of the story are sweet like the mantecadas muffins Sheldon makes, while others are bitter like Lucille’s reason for becoming a recluse hoarder. The clues were well placed for each of the plot lines, and the red herrings kept me guessing. The only mystery that we are left with at the end is the story behind Hollowell and why she acts the way she does. You may need a cup of tea, a sweet treat, and a box of Kleenex close by while reading this page-turner which will keep you glued to your seat.

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

Tracy Condie is a paralegal by day and cozy armchair sleuth by night. When she is not working or reading, she enjoys preparing the recipes found in culinary cozies or researching recipes of meal items described therein and sharing reviews of both books and food on Instagram and on KRL. She lives in Corona, California with her husband and dog Zoolie, and looks forward to visiting with their grown sons when their time permits.

A New Lease on Death: Supernatural Mysteries #1 by Olivia Blacke
Review by Sarah Erwin

A New Lease on Death is the first book in the new “Supernatural Mysteries” by Olivia Blacke. I grabbed this one on audio, and it is an entertaining listen I did not want to put down.

When 20-year-old Ruby Young sees an ad for a fully furnished apartment to rent, she jumps at the chance. She’s ready to move to Boston and away from past events. She needs a fresh start. The apartment might not be in the best area, but it truly is fully furnished – it even includes clothes and books, and oh, by the way, also the ghost of Cordelia Graves, former resident of the apartment.

Cordelia thinks Ruby is young and perky (two words Cordelia would not use to describe herself), and she wishes Ruby would stop killing all her house plants. But Cordelia is bored stuck in the apartment. That is until her across-the-hall neighbor, Jake Macintyre, is shot and killed in an apparent mugging gone wrong outside their building. Cordelia is convinced there’s more to it and is determined to bring his killer to justice. To do so she must enlist Ruby’s help.

This is such a clever and creative start to a new mystery series. So many details are well-thought out from the complicated mystery the two must unravel, to the creative way Ruby and Cordelia find to communicate with each other. There are silly parts and slightly darker parts that make this such a unique entry into the cozy mystery genre.

The contrast between Cordelia and Ruby is delightful and watching them become friends despite some pretty big differences added so much to my reading experience. They are the true odd couple. I love how bubbly (and a little bumbling) Ruby is in comparison to Cordelia. The dialogue is spot on and had me chuckling to myself.

I could easily picture every detail of the apartment and the cold Boston area. I especially enjoyed time in Cordelia’s apartment – each little discovery Ruby makes helps to reveal part of the more reserved Cordelia.

The two new friends will wrap up the central mystery of Jake’s death, but the book ends on a spectacular cliffhanger that had my mouth hanging open. Now we must wait until book 2 arrives – the struggle of readers everywhere!

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

Sarah Erwin started her career as a children’s librarian, later becoming a public library director and now she’s a stay at home mom. While her career might have changed, her love of reading has been a constant since 4th grade and she reads over 200 books a year. Read along with her on her blog Sarah Can’t Stop Reading or on Instagram. Sarah lives in St. Louis, MO with her two kids, her husband and a family dog and cat.

Death by Caramel Macchiato by Alex Erickson
Review by Sandra Murphy

Krissy is co-owner of a combination coffee house/bookstore in Pine Hills, Ohio. When Oliver, a megastar wannabe, plans an elaborate inter-town murder mystery game, Krissy and her friends, Rita and Wendy, form a team to solve the pretend crime of murder.

Oliver has delusions of importance. He’s sure his game is unique and will be picked up as Hollywood movie material, better than Clue or home mystery parties. The teams examine the ‘victim’ and clues around the body, then are off to find clues around town. There is no prize except for bragging rights.
Krissy has a reputation for finding clues that solve murders. The police have their own team that is determined to win. Detective Buchannan, Officer Garrison, and Lena, a trainee, believe they have the advantage.

When a for-real dead body is found, that wasn’t part of the game. The police team are second on the scene and shut down the game so they can find the real killer. Of course, the teams are avid mystery lovers and have their own ideas on the matter.

Once again, Krissy is drawn into the mystery and ‘helps’ the police in the investigation. As most mystery readers know, one murder often leads to another. Can Krissy find enough clues to save a second victim?
This is book 15 in the series. Krissy has calmed down about being involved in police cases but hasn’t given them up totally. She’s in a relationship with the police chief’s son who is a policeman in his own right. He’s unable to curb her need to know but doesn’t give her any information. Buchannan continues to be frustrated by her involvement. Rita, who can be overbearing but with a good heart, was much calmer. In addition, Krissy spent more time at the coffee house than she has done in the past, a plus. There are more characters to remember than in some of the other books but the characters are distinct enough for readers to remember who’s who without a glitch.

Sadly, there are no recipes included, because the theme is caramel and there never can be too much caramel. Or can there?

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

The Herringbone Harbor Mystery by Sally Goldenbaum
Review by Sandra Murphy

Seaside Harbor is a magnet for vacationers. The seafood, from high-end restaurants with well known chefs to street vendors, is always a big draw, lobster being a favorite. In addition to the famous lobster mac and cheese already on the menu, The Lazy Lobster and Soup Café has hired Chef Bobby to add his own touch with an enthusiastic response from everyone who tries his creations. Until… the dishes become erratic and reviews disappointing.

There’s bigger turmoil happening—Mayor Beatrice Scaglia has serious competition in the upcoming election. She’s adamant she’s not done serving ‘her town’ just yet. Although others are encouraging a businessman to run for the office, he’s not made up his mind. Beatrice is taking no chances and is pulling out all the stops to recruit votes.

Izzie is the owner of Sea Harbor Yarn Studio where handicrafters gather to see, and hear, what’s new. Nell is her aunt and the unofficial social director of their group of close friends. One night a week, the women meet to eat Nell’s delicious meals, knit, and catch up. Cass is the co-owner of Halloran Lobster Company and nowadays spends her time in the office, not on the lobster boats. Birdie is a much-loved 80-ish woman. You wouldn’t expect such a mixed group to solve murders—but they do—and without any of the ‘I just have to know’ or putting themselves in danger while doing it.

When Beatrice’s competition for mayor is found dead in a house fire, it’s startling enough but upon examination, the body also had a bullet wound that proved fatal before the fire started. Who could possibly want such a kind and generous man dead? That’s the puzzle the women try to solve.

This is book seven in the series. The pace is slower and more thoughtful than some mysteries as the women find facts and clues through discussion with others rather than sleuthing on their own. The pieces finally fit together for a satisfying ending. I always look forward to relaxing with the women who have found what matters most to them and know how to enjoy it. Reading their stories is a visit with old friends.

At the back of the book, find a pattern for the herringbone blanket they make in the yarn shop with a scarf pattern too. Nell generously shares her recipe for creamy broccoli with pasta. Goldenbaum also writes the Queen Bees Quilt Shop mysteries (3).

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the Arch in St. Louis Missouri. She’s the editor for the upcoming Yeet Me in St Louis, an anthology with stories from twelve St. Louis writers. Her own short stories have appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Mystery Magazine, and anthologies such as The Perp Wore Pumpkin and I (Almost) Died in Your Arms. ‘Lucy’s Tree’, published in The Eyes of Texas, won a Derringer Award from the Short Mystery Fiction Society. She lives in St. Louis with Ozzie the Westie Impersonator and his sidekick in crime, Louie the Cat.

Shear Terror: A Sewing Studio Mystery by Dorothy Howell
Review by Cynthia Chow

It’s been a year since Abby Chandler returned to her hometown of Hideaway Grove after fleeing her life in Los Angeles, but she still feels as though she’s just settling in. Her business selling her hand-crafted tote bags is having supply issues – she can’t sew fast enough to supply her client gift shops – so Abby is working at the town’s Visitor Center. They are having their annual Lost and Found day, when items left in the town are auctioned off to Hideaway Grove residents. Abby is surprised that one of their most ardent workers fails to show up for her shift, but that’s nothing compared to the shock of finding Eleanor Franklin dead in the back room. That she is stabbed with one of Abby’s personalized and engraved shears only makes matters worse, especially when another worker testifies that the tomato juice spilled all over Abby may have been blood.

Abby’s relationship with Deputy Zack McKenna has been rocky for a while now, and it definitely doesn’t help that she’s once again in the midst of a murder. His uncomfortable questions and suspicions have Abby ready to investigate and prove her innocence, as she would like at least one thing in her life to be going well. She would normally love to be participating in her best friend’s bachelorette festivities, but Caitlin’s feelings for another and his reciprocal crush have Abby a little concerned for the future of the marriage. Relationship troubles, missing inventory, and being mistaken as a cleaner by her condescending nemesis have Abby juggling tasks and reconsidering what she wants for her life.

This third in the series contains a lower-key humor that is always prevalent in author Dorothy Howell’s novels, as it matches Abby’s inner confusion and struggles to restart her career. The arrival of a former coworker further complicates matters, as he offers her new opportunities in both her personal and professional lives. Deputy Zack can be as frustrating for readers as he is to Abby, and he seems a bit possessive while also suspecting her of murder. Abby’s adventures allow the mystery to take place in the background, which is resolved in a way that satisfies readers with its logical conclusion. Far more intriguing to fans will be the future of Abby and her life in Hideaway Grove, and readers will be eagerly anticipating the next step in the life of this very engaging and likable young woman.

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

To enter to win a copy of all 5 books, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “new years” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen January 18, 2025. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Also listen to our new mystery podcast where mystery short stories and first chapters are read by actors! They are also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify.

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.