Catherine Bruns

Jan 2025 25

KRL Staff Favorite Books of 2024

2025 Articles, Cynthia Chow, Fantasy & Fangs, Lorie Lewis Ham, Mysteryrat's Maze, Sandra Murphy, Sarah Erwin, Terrance V. Mc Arthur, Tracy Condie

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

It’s time to look back at the books we reviewed here at KRL over the past year and share with you some of our favorites! We reviewed a LOT of wonderful books last year, and even those who didn’t make the list were definitely worth reading so we hope you check them all out! All of our main reviewers share in this post their top 5-10ish favorite books they reviewed in 2024.

Nov 2024 23

In the Blink of a Pie By Catherine Bruns: Review/Giveaway/Recipe

2024 Articles, Food Fun, Mysteryrat's Maze, Tracy Condie

by Tracy Condie
& Catherine Bruns

Welcome to Vermont’s own Sappy Endings maple syrup farm, where the syrup is sweet and the pastries are perfect. Well, at least the tasty treats that Leila’s talented mom, Selma, bakes at the Sappy Hour Café are. This is the 3rd book in the Maple Syrup Mystery series, and it has been perfectly named. In the book, the well-earned reputation of the Sappy Endings farm goes from great to deadly because of a killer pie baking contest.

Aug 2024 31

Mystery Coming Attractions: September 2024

2024 Articles, Coming Attractions!, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Shawn Stevens

As the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, it's the perfect time to curl up with a cozy mystery. September brings a delightful array of new releases to whisk you away to charming small towns and intriguing adventures. Whether you're a seasoned sleuth or new to the genre, this month's books promise to captivate and entertain.

Jun 2024 29

Mystery Coming Attractions: July 2024

2024 Articles, Coming Attractions!, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Shawn Stevens

As the summer heats up, there's nothing quite like curling up with a mystery to transport you to quaint villages, charming bookshops, and culinary delights––each with a twist of intrigue. July brings a fresh crop of mysteries, perfect for lazy afternoons or beachside reading. From amateur sleuths solving crimes in idyllic settings to culinary adventures that stir up more than just batter, here are some cozy and historical mysteries to look out for this month. Get ready to dive into these captivating tales that promise to keep you guessing until the very last page.

Apr 2023 8

With Option to Kill By Catherine Bruns: Review/Giveaway

2023 Articles, Kathleen Costa, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Kathleen Costa

Greg’s fiftieth birthday is coming up and Cindy is planning a surprise party to mark the occasion. Of course, Helen’s interference and Annette’s appearance is problematic, but with her daughter Darcy home from college, she should be able to get everything ready with Greg none the wiser. But, to make sure Annette doesn’t wrangle an invitation to stay with them, Cindy’s got to find her an apartment.

Nov 2022 5

A Doomful of Sugar By Catherine Bruns: Review/Giveaway

2022 Articles, Kathleen Costa, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Kathleen Costa

In 1998, Victor and Selma Khoury purchased Sappy Endings and, through long days and hard work, turned it into one of the top maple syrup producers in Vermont. Along with bottling premium maple syrup, they opened a café and gift shop full of homemade goods. Growing up, their daughter Leila Maya dreamed one day of being the “boss,” however, her relationship with her mother was extremely challenging and, after a major disappointment over a failed engagement, Leila left the family behind and moved to Florida for a teaching job that turned out more of a regret than a reward.

Nov 2021 20

The Enemy You Gnocchi By Catherine Bruns: Review/Giveaway/Recipe

2021 Articles, Food Fun, Kathleen Costa, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Kathleen Costa
& Catherine Bruns

It’s Harvest Park, New York, and Theresa “Tessa” Esposito, Tess to some, had everything, but unfortunately, last year her life turned upside down when her husband was killed in a tragic auto accident that would later be confirmed as murder. It was a tragic time, but Tessa always found cooking to be her best therapy. She has fond memories of the sights, smells, and tastes of all the Italian delicacies bubbling in her grandmother’s kitchen, and now, in the kitchen of her own restaurant, Anything’s Pastable, she is making memories of her own for family, friends, and guests with many of those same recipes to which she’s adding some of her own touches.

Sep 2021 25

October Coming Attractions: A Hopeful Halloween Edition

2021 Articles, Coming Attractions!, Mysteryrat's Maze, Sunny Frazier

by Sunny Frazier

Sample a slice of four new series and fill your candy bag with Halloween mysteries. Vampires, ghosts, and murders abound. Be careful out there and wear a mask—even when it’s not Halloween! Some of these are October releases, and some just fit the Halloween season!

May 2021 29

Knee Deep in Dough By Catherine Bruns: Review/Giveaway

2021 Articles, Food Fun, Kathleen Costa, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Kathleen Costa

What a way for Abby and Mike to enjoy their wedding anniversary than to celebrate at the place they had their first kiss sixteen years ago! Ralph’s tavern hadn’t changed much, and seemed to be the perfect local place for milestone celebrations. Felicia Sherman is getting married and enjoying her “hen party” festivities. She’d put a bit of the “bridezilla” into a last minute fortune cookie order, but, of course, Josie negotiated a premium price for her efforts.

Jun 2020 6

Icing on the Casket By Catherine Bruns: Review/Giveaway/Recipe

2020 Articles, Food Fun, Kathleen Costa, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Kathleen Costa

Like all new parents, it’s the 3 a.m. hollering and sleepless nights that are hard to handle, but for Sally and Mike, they have a whole family of willing babysitters. Good because there’s the big order for cookies and such for the Easter holiday that needs her “wide awake” attention. But, Sally’s dad, needs some of that attention; his friend is missing. “Honest” Eddie Phibbins, director of Phibbins Mortuary, is also one of Dom’s biggest advertisers on his blog, and according to his wife, hasn’t been seen for forty-eight hours.