2021 Articles

Dec 2021 11

Christmas, Tonya Kappes-Style

2021 Articles, Kathleen Costa, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Kathleen Costa

These two series by Tonya Kappes are all-time personal favorites: A Camper & Criminals Cozy introduced in 2018 and Killer Coffee Mystery in 2017. I am quite invested in the diverse characters along with their love lives, friends and family, and methods used to solve a murder. Both series are set in tourist-friendly small towns in Kentucky, but one revolves around running a campground while the other a coffeehouse. Both have strong females who have suffered personal set backs, but have successfully reimagined their personal and professional lives, made great friends, and found true love…oh, picked up a few fur buddies, too.

Dec 2021 11

Christmas Traditions: Tamales

2021 Articles, Community, Food Fun, Jim Mulligan, Reedley News

by Jim Mulligan

I would imagine that not many family traditions can be traced back ten thousand years. The Gates family, like many families who trace their roots to Mexico, can do just that. Lesley Olvera Gates, her husband Tony, their two daughters Maddy and Morgan, and their extended family, continue a tradition of Christmas Eve tamale making and eating that Lesley remembers as an integral part of her earliest childhood memories—and it literally has ancient beginnings.

Dec 2021 11

Faux Finished By Dawn Dixon: Review/Giveaway

2021 Articles, Mysteryrat's Maze, Sandra Murphy

by Sandra Murphy

Bridget O’Brien and her business partner, Chica DeMoya, specialize in faux finishes. They’re in the middle of preparing the country club for a special wedding—the mayor’s daughter is the bride. As with all weddings, not everything goes according to plan.

Dec 2021 11

Strangers on a Skein By Anne Canadeo: Review/Giveaway/Guest Post/Recipe

2021 Articles, Food Fun, Mysteryrat's Maze, Sandra Murphy

by Sandra Murphy
& Anne Canadeo

In Plum Harbor, the Black Sheep Knitting Shop is the place to go for yarns of any color, weight, and description. Maggie is the owner, Phoebe, her younger assistant manager, is a favorite of their regular clientele. Phoebe has the opportunity to have her own stall at the Farmer’s and Crafts Market, just in time for the holidays. The sad news is, the former tenant committed suicide.

Dec 2021 11

New Mysteryrat’s Maze Podcast Featuring Lady Barbara’s Christmas Miracle By Connie Berry/Giveaway

2021 Articles, Mysteryrat's Maze, Podcasts, Theatre

by Lorie Lewis Ham

Here is your weekly reminder that there are also new articles up on our other website KRL News & Reviews! Every week there will be book reviews and giveaways, plus sometimes pet articles, theatre articles, and more! And listen to our new podcast!

Dec 2021 8

The Holiday Extravaganza in Oceano

2021 Articles, Terrance V. Mc Arthur, Theatre

by Terrance McArthur

Not far south of Pismo Beach, in the town of Oceano, there sits a brightly-painted building, (They had to have something to do during the pandemic shutdown, so they painted), The Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville. Since it’s holly-eggnog-mistletoe-ho-ho-ho time, it’s time for the Melodrama’s The Holiday Extravaganza, a Christmas-Spirit booster shot in three acts—a brisk version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, a fractured fairy tale opera, and a vaudeville program of song, dance, and comedy.

Dec 2021 8

Winter Holiday Interview with Joe Cosentino Author of Drama TV, Thirteenth Nicky and Noah mystery

2021 Articles, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Joe Cosentino

Joe Cosentino, what are you thankful for this holiday season?

Kings River Life Magazine, of course! How many brownie points do I get? (smile)

A king’s ransom (smile).

I’m also thankful for television, which has helped us all get through the pandemic. So, the thirteenth novel in my award-winning and popular Nicky and Noah gay cozy comedy mystery series is set in the world of television.

Dec 2021 8

Sister Act On Stage at the Reedley Opera House

2021 Articles, Reedley News, Terrance V. Mc Arthur, Theatre

by Terrance McArthur

Remember the Whoopie Goldberg movie “Sister Act?” You know, the one where a Vegas club singer witnesses a murder, and has to go into witness protection in a convent full of nuns? They made a musical out of it, and Sister Act is currently playing at the Reedley Opera House as a River City Theatre Company production through December 19.
The stage version, transplanted to a Philadelphia setting, sports music by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, The Little Mermaid), lyrics by Glenn Slater (School of Rock), and a script by Cheri Steinkellner, Bill Steinkellner, and Douglas Carter Beane.

Dec 2021 4

It’s a Wonderful Woof: A Chet and Bernie Mystery By Spencer Quinn: Review/Giveaway

2021 Articles, Kathleen Costa, Mysteryrat's Maze, Pets

by Sandra Murphy

It’s Christmas time in the Valley. Chet and Bernie of the Little Detective Agency, Little being Bernie’s last name, Chet being the dog, could use another job. Chet is puzzled when Bernie turns down work and instead, passes the job to another PI, Victor. Chet and Bernie are action oriented, Chet being the one who grabs the perp’s pants leg and hangs on, Bernie being the smartest guy in the room. Victor is a better researcher than an active PI, so it makes sense for him to take the job.

Dec 2021 4

Christmas In the Park With Valley Animal Center

2021 Articles, Animal Rescue Adventures, Lorie Lewis Ham, Pets

by Lorie Lewis Ham

Valley Animal Center (VAC) is one of many wonderful animal rescues in the Fresno area. Next weekend they will be having a special Christmas event called Christmas in the Park, and we took a moment to chat with Alisia Sanchez, their Marketing Manager, about the event.