by Cynthia Chow & Sandra Murphy

This week we are doing even more catch up from having gotten behind in 2023. We have a bunch of fun mysteries for your tbr-Murder on Tour: A Mystery Bookshop Mystery by V.M. Burns, Coaching Fire: A Cat & Gilley Life Coach Mystery by Victoria Laurie, Murder in a Cup: A Crystals and CuriosiTEAS Mystery by Lauren Elliott, and Death by Demo by Callie Carpenter. Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of all 4 books and links to purchase them from Amazon at the end of each review.

Murder on Tour: A Mystery Bookshop Mystery by V.M. Burns
Review by Cynthia Chow

Michigan mystery bookshop owner Samantha Washington is attending the North Harbor Bookshop Festival as a first-time author, and as a historical cozy mystery writer she’s overwhelmed with imposter syndrome. Sam was invited as a last-minute replacement due to her being local and cheap, not to mention that her Market Street Mysteries Bookstore could allow for book signings by the authors. There’s a lot of shade from the bestselling authors over Sam being a writer of cozies, but they spread the condescension among themselves as well. Self-published – which she corrects as being indie published – Nora Cooper accuses Guest of Honor Judith Hunter of stealing a manuscript, while Scarlet MacDunkin and Olivia Townsend have more personal reasons for their hate. A gathering of rival mystery authors is a situation just simmering with the potential for a murder, so it shouldn’t be too surprising when publicist Clark Cunnington collapses during a cocktail party.

A switch of glasses makes it likely that the much-detested Judith Hunter was the target of the poisoning, and among these murder experts there is no shortage of suspects. When Special Crimes Unit Detective Bradley “Stinky” Pitt unenthusiastically arrives on site, he orders Sam to solve the case due to her being an author and essentially one of “them.” Fortunately for Sam, her Nana Jo and the rest of the amateur detecting team from the Shady Acres Retirement Village are more than willing to make up for the initiative Stinky Pitt lacks, using all of their family connections and even flirtation skills to ferret out information. Still feeling overwhelmed and inferior compared to the rest of the authors, Sam retreats to her happy place writing the next installment in her British historical mystery series. Shadowing events that are occurring in her real life, Sam immerses herself in the world of 1939 Wickfield Lodge, England, where Lady Elizabeth Marsh and her husband Lord William Marsh are hosting a book reading by Colonel Livingston. Lady Marsh’s MI5 nephew-in-law is alarmed that the Colonel is giving up military secrets that place them at risk to Germany’s incursions, leading to tense arguments and an eventual death. Back in the present, Sam learns that not only is the mystery writing world small, it’s nearly incestuous. Romantic affairs, swapped out partners, and accusations of plagiarism are among the motives by those extremely knowledgeable about how to get away with a murder.

This ninth in the series will delight mystery fans who love the insider look into the worlds of writing and publishing. The lack of respect often given to cozy mysteries is reflected in Sam’s interactions with her fellow authors, and she struggles to feel like a “real” writer of talent. Her fiancé Frank Patterson, a retired military man with a certain set of skills, has moved on to running a very successful restaurant and he is always around to reassure Sam of her worth and gives her the respect she deserves. The aging of one of her poodles is yet another relatable challenge readers will appreciate, as along with the love pets bring there is the looming shadow of their shorter lives. The mystery unfolding in Samantha’s work in progress will delight historical mystery fans, and these welcome brief interludes never intrude on events in the main plot. Skillfully plotted and filled with both extremely likable and delightfully villainous characters, this is another welcome entry in a series that proves why cozies should be given the respect they deserve.

You can click here to purchase the book from Amazon.

Coaching Fire: A Cat & Gilley Life Coach Mystery by Victoria Laurie
Review by Cynthia Chow

While everyone’s heard of runaway brides, Cat Cooper is a runaway proposee. She literally ran away from a kneeling Steve Shepherd, leaving him hanging because she was unable to give him an answer that could break both of their hearts. It’s not a good look for someone whose new career is that of a life coach, but she’s possibly following the maxim of “Do what I say and not what I do.” Dodging Shep’s many texts and phone calls, Cat takes the opportunity to get out of town and join her bestie Gilley Gillespie in Texas. Gilley’s boyfriend Stuart Jacobs is in charge of creating the gowns for the Queen and many princesses of the Rose Festival, which is rife with egos and competitive designers. When Stuart’s assistant designer Broderick Carmichael is murdered and his sister Imani arrested, Cat and Gilley are so appalled by the police’s biased response that the two once again decide to investigate.

Going undercover as fake reporters – although Cat’s not willing to go so far as to give up wearing her usual designer shoes worth a real reporter’s monthly salary – they discover that there are many unhappy with Stuart’s success and with motives to sabotage the festival. It’s only when the warehouse holding the gowns is set on fire and an actual diamond tiara and pendant is stolen that Cat is forced to call in the calvary, namely the one person she’s been trying to avoid. Proving to be far more mature than the life coach, Shep arrives with his law enforcement credentials and experience to help them prove Imani’s innocence and prevent Stuart from being on the hook for the stolen jewels.

This fifth in the series finds Cat and Gilley switching their usual dynamic, with Gilley for once having the saner head while it’s Cat who is acting far more immature as she dodges confrontations. Longtime fans of the author’s Psychic Eye and Ghost Hunter mystery series will appreciate the cameos and references, but it’s those loyal to Cat, Shep, and Gilley who will relish seeing just how much they’ve transformed. The world of designers and the wealthy benefactors behind them is fun and fascinating, since both of them are filled with eccentric and quirky characters. Cat’s refusal to have a real conversation with Shep can make her a bit frustrating, but once she explains her reasons to Gilley she becomes far more relatable and sympathetic. As always, the writing is stellar and the dialogue between Gilley and Cat clever and often hilarious.

This fifth of the series is at its best when it depicts the complications of adult relationships and the bonds between family and friends. Cat and Gilley are fashion-forward besties who prove to be a standout couple whether investigating murder or forcing one another to face their greatest fears. If this is the last of the series, it ends on a high note by delivering a genuinely surprising solution and happily ever after to all of its characters. The legion of Victoria Laurie fans and anyone looking for a fashion-centric read should place this on the top of their to be read stack.

You can click here to purchase the book from Amazon.

Murder in a Cup: A Crystals and CuriosiTEAS Mystery by Lauren Elliott
Review by Cynthia Chow

After her ex-husband left her bankrupt and out of a job, the unexpected inheritance of Bray Harbor’s Crystals & CuriosiTEAS tea shop was a lifesaver for Shayleigh Myers. She didn’t expect to also learn that her intuition was actually something more, with her “inky feelings” actually a more psychic ability to sense people’s energies. The professional geologist still resists accepting her paranormal gifts though, and Shay attempts to find scientific explanations for the unexplainable. She has allowed the self-proclaimed psychic Madame Malvina to come into the late Bridget’s greenhouse to weed out the most poisonous plants growing there though, as despite their benefits Shay fears that misuse could be fatal. Which does ultimately happen when a group tea leaf reading party ends with the death of one of the participants.

Shay wasn’t enthusiastic about hosting the session in the first place, and now she fears that somehow one of her greenhouse plants may have been used to commit a murder. Even worse is that her teen assistant Tassi has become a prime suspect due to her arguing with the victim. Jasmine Massey was the new girlfriend of Tassi’s father, and he adamantly disapproves of his daughter’s employment in a “witchy” store. Following a possible clue left in Jasmine’s tea, Shay begins to look into Jasmine’s life and prove the teashop’s and Tassi’s innocence. As it turns out, Shay’s official police officer brother-in-law is able to take over most of the investigation, allowing her to focus on her own history and reasons behind her psychic gifts. The arrival of the grandmother of Liam Madigan, owner of the pub next door, shares with Shay her own Irish folklore and knowledge of the otherworld. Gifted with his own eerily accurate abilities, Shay’s psychically-attuned white German shepherd Spirit joins Shay, Gran, and Liam in their efforts to solve the mysteries behind both the poisoning and their own mythical heritages.

This second in the series begins as a classic cozy mystery and evolves into a fascinating paranormal fantasy of Irish myths and legends. Shay continues to struggle with happenings that can’t be explained scientifically, but she is slowly becoming more comfortable with her new realities. She also seems to keep losing her windows of opportunities with Liam, and while she insists that he is only a friend he is also the one person whom she feels is able to relate to her unusual situation. Readers will become as invested as Shay in learning more about her psychic gifts, and the unfolding lore adds a compelling layer to this cozy mystery. Engaging characters and an adorable intuitive dog ensure that this blend of genres pleases an abundance of mystery and paranormal fans.

You can click here to purchase the book from Amazon.

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).

Death by Demo by Callie Carpenter
Review by Sandra Murphy

Jaime found her husband in a compromising position and promptly divorced him. If only she hadn’t been so blinded by love that she’d actually read the prenup before signing it. Now the only thing she has from her marriage is a rundown house they’d bought to rehab. After all, that’s what King Contractors does. Now they’ll just have to do it without her.

She spent too much time in limbo after the divorce. Now it’s time to get moving again. She’ll rehab the house herself, trade her skills for others, and make enough money to do it again. In the process, she’ll show her ex she doesn’t need him to succeed.

There’s an added wall in the house and it’s got to go. Jaime can take out her frustrations and feel like she’s moving forward just by using a 12-pound sledgehammer to take it down. It’s not as sturdy as it first seems because it crumbles into dust—all except for the dead body that is.

What first looks like it’s been there for many years turns out to be a woman who had gone missing only a short time ago. Although Jaime didn’t know her well, they’d gone to the same school. So, her house, her schoolmate, and she found the body. Well, who wouldn’t try to find out how it got there and why it looks so old, especially when it’s determined to have been a homicide?

With the help of her friend, Lara, who makes spreadsheets for everything, including motives, alibis, and murder, Jaime starts to fill in the blanks, even when it puts her own life in danger.

I like Jaime. She doesn’t take unnecessary risks although her timing can be off and that leads to problems. She had been lovestruck so long, she’s forgotten her own self worth but as the house comes back to life, so does she. There’s Mike, a nice neighbor who brings coffee, a cat who lives in the shed but finds his way into the house while she works, her brothers, parents, and friends to help her along the way.

This is the first in a series. Based on this first book, I predict it will be a long running series of enjoyable reads.

You can click here to purchase the book from Amazon.

To enter to win a copy of all 4 books, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “More” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen January 27, 2024. 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.

Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the Arch in St. Louis Missouri. She’s editor for Peace, Love, and Crime: Crime Stories Inspired by the Songs of the ’60s, with twenty-two cozy stories. She also edited A Murder of Crows, twenty-one stories featuring animals and crime (no animals were harmed). She also writes for magazines, newsletters, and the occasional guest blog. Both anthologies are available at the usual outlets, print or ebook.

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.