Leslie Budewitz

Jan 2023 28

King River Life Staff Favorite Books of 2022

2023 Articles, Cynthia Chow, Fantasy & Fangs, Lorie Lewis Ham, Mysteryrat's Maze, Sandra Murphy, Terrance V. Mc Arthur

by Cynthia Chow, Terrance McArthur, Lorie Lewis Ham,
& Sandra Murphy

It's that time of year again, a 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 books here on KRL and KRL News and Reviews. All but one of our main reviewers shares in this post their top 5-10ish favorite books they reviewed in 2022. Katherine Costa wanted to include favorite authors and TV shows that she has reviewed, so hers went up in a separate post over on KRL News and Reviews this week-you can find it here!

Jul 2022 13

Christmas is Always in Season

2022 Articles, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Leslie Budewitz

On the hot days of summer, it’s a treat to cool off with a nice glass of iced tea or an icy cold-brew coffee—just finished one myself, thanks. A good friend watches Christmas movies—nothing like White Christmas or The Polar Express to lower the temperature a few degrees.

Jun 2021 16

The Seasons of a Story

2021 Articles, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Leslie Budewitz

Monday. Gray skies, again. Will the temp squeeze up to double digits this aft? Even the dog hates his walk when it’s below zero, the snow crunching beneath his feet and sticking between his toes.
And then I glance out the window. It’s a Saturday in June and the earth is painted green, in the words of the little poem many of us learned as kids. We don’t have a dog, but I hear the cat yowling, ready to come inside after hunting.

Sep 2020 30

Leslie Budewitz’s Top 5 Mysteries I Have Read During the Pandemic

2020 Articles, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Leslie Budewitz

So many elements must come together just right for a good mystery—plot, character, language, theme, setting. As both reader and writer, location is huge for me, so it’s no surprise that my favorite mystery reads of the last few months have featured pitch-perfect portrayals of intriguing places. And of course, armchair travel is not just the next best thing but the only thing right now.

Jun 2020 27

Coming Attractions: Summer of the Virus Edition

2020 Articles, Coming Attractions!, Mysteryrat's Maze, Sunny Frazier

by Sunny Frazier

Hot summer weather makes us yearn for the beach, and what goes with the beach? Beach reads! This month I feature two new books, a new series plus cozies set in beach towns and bookstores. Enjoy!

Jun 2017 17

Treble at the Jam Fest By Leslie Budewitz: Review/Giveaway/Interview

2017 Articles, Cynthia Chow, Food Fun, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Cynthia Chow

Tiny Jewel Bay, Montana, depends on tourists for its survival, so the pre-Memorial Day Jazz Festival and Workshop is crucial for local businesses and residents. Five-time Grammy winner Gerry Martin has been brought in as the main attraction, but during his first performance Erin Murphy notices that the stage simmers with jealous hostility between him, his protégé, and another guitar player.

May 2016 7

Sisters In Crime

2016 Articles, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Terry Ambrose

The pedigree of Sisters in Crime reads like a Who's Who of mystery writing. The organization owes its roots to women writers known to most mystery fans, including Sara Paretsky, Dorothy Salisbury and Phyllis Whitney. The organization grew from a few outspoken female upstarts to become a force capable of influencing change in the mystery-publishing industry.

Dec 2015 12

Guilty as Cinnamon By Leslie Budewitz: Review/Giveaway

2015 Articles, Food Fun, Mysteryrat's Maze, Sandra Murphy

by Sandra Murphy

Pepper’s Spice Shop is ready for spring brides, with a new bridal registry that includes cookbooks, gadgets, and exotic spice blends; and they’re planning ahead for the next season as well. Things are running smoothly except for Lynette. She has no social skills in dealing with the customers. Pepper had to give her a warning when Lynette got snippy over a return. It’s time to look for more help, just in case.

Jul 2015 11

July Food Penguins

2015 Articles, Cynthia Chow, Food Fun, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Cyntha Chow

It's time for some more fun food mysteries from Penguin-Macaroni and Freeze: A Comfort Food Mystery by Christine Wenger, Peaches and Scream: A Georgia Peach Mystery by Susan Furlong, Butter Off Dead: A Food Lovers' Village Mystery by Leslie Budewitz, & Fatal Reservations: A Key West Food Critic Mystery by Lucy Burdette. Details on how to win copies of all of these books at the end of this post, along with a link to purchase them.

Mar 2015 28

More March Penguin Mysteries

2015 Articles, Cynthia Chow, Food Fun, Mysteryrat's Maze, Sandra Murphy

by Sandra Murphy
& Cynthia Chow

This week we have some more fun March Penguin mysteries-Suspendered Sentence by Laura Bradford, Ladle to the Grave by Connie Archer, Murder She Wrote: Aloha Betrayed by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain, and Assault and Pepper: A Spice Shop Mystery by Leslie Budewitz. Details on how to win a copy of all 4 at the end of this post, along with a link to purchase the books.