After an on-air gaffe goes viral and jeopardizes her career, journalist Desiree Turner retreats home to Verbena, California for some peace and quiet. She begins working one of the quietest jobs around: presiding over funerals for her great-grandfather’s funeral parlor. But the action seems...  more

After an on-air gaffe goes viral and jeopardizes her career, journalist Desiree Turner retreats home to Verbena, California for some peace and quiet. She begins working one of the quietest jobs around: presiding over funerals for her great-grandfather’s funeral parlor. But the action seems to follow her as a fistfight breaks out between neighbors Rosemarie Brewer and Lola Hansen at one of the first funerals she’s in charge of running. It exposes a nasty dispute and Rosemarie’s husband, Alan, is found murdered shortly after. Lola’s husband, Kyle, is immediately arrested. Desiree, whose own father’s death was devastating, has always viewed Kyle as a second father. Determined to clear his name, Desiree jumps head first into the investigation and quickly discovers that Alan had several unsavory habits at his job and in his personal life, including putting assets into his mistress’s account to hide them from Rosemarie. People murder for money and love all the time, and there’s no telling who he offended just enough to push them over the edge.

Kay Powell wants to find that break-out client who will become a star. And she thinks she’s found him: His name is Bruno, and he has to be walked three times a day. Kay is the Agent to the Paws, representing showbiz clients who aren't exactly people. In fact: they're dogs....  more

Kay Powell wants to find that break-out client who will become a star. And she thinks she’s found him: His name is Bruno, and he has to be walked three times a day. Kay is the Agent to the Paws, representing showbiz clients who aren't exactly people. In fact: they're dogs. Bruno’s humans, Trent and Louise, are pains in the you-know-what, and Les McMaster, the famous director mounting a revival of Annie, might not hire Bruno just because he can’t stand them. This becomes less of an issue when Trent is discovered face down in Bruno's water dish, with a kitchen knife in his back. Kay's perfectly fine to let the NYPD handle the murder, but when the whole plot seems to center on Bruno, her protective instincts come into play. You can kill any people you want, but you'd better leave Kay's clients alone.

Kay Powell, theatrical agent to non-human animals, is babysitting -- that is, birdsitting -- her client, a parrot named Barney, on the set of his new TV show, Dead City. When the show’s charismatic star is shot in his trailer between scenes, the only eyewitness to the crime is -- you...  more

Kay Powell, theatrical agent to non-human animals, is babysitting -- that is, birdsitting -- her client, a parrot named Barney, on the set of his new TV show, Dead City. When the show’s charismatic star is shot in his trailer between scenes, the only eyewitness to the crime is -- you guessed it -- Barney. And even though Kay keeps explaining that even a “talking” parrot doesn’t actually converse with people, the investigators insist on interrogating the bird for information he clearly can’t communicate. Suspects accumulate like birdseed, and before long it’s clear the killer believes Barney might actually be able to supply useful evidence. Even Barney can’t fly away from this one.

FIRST IN A NEW SERIES! In Rudolph, New York, it's Christmastime all year long. But this December, while the snow-lined streets seem merry and bright, a murder is about to ruin everyone's holiday cheer… As the owner of Mrs. Claus's Treasures, Merry Wilkinson knows how to...  more

FIRST IN A NEW SERIES! In Rudolph, New York, it's Christmastime all year long. But this December, while the snow-lined streets seem merry and bright, a murder is about to ruin everyone's holiday cheer… As the owner of Mrs. Claus's Treasures, Merry Wilkinson knows how to decorate homes for the holidays. That's why she thinks her float in the semi-annual Santa Claus parade is a shoe-in for best in show. But when the tractor pulling Merry's float is sabotaged, she has to face facts: there's a Scrooge in Christmas Town. Merry isn't ready to point fingers, especially with a journalist in town writing a puff piece about Rudolph's Christmas spirit. But when she stumbles upon the reporter's body on a late night dog walk—and police suspect he was poisoned by a gingerbread cookie crafted by her best friend, Vicky—Merry will have to put down the jingle bells and figure out who's really been grinching about town, before Vicky ends up on Santa's naughty list…

Tucked away in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York is the charming town of Gracious Grove, where time moves slowly, gossip spreads quickly, and the scones are to die for...   When her fashionable Manhattan restaurant goes under, Sophie Taylor retreats to her grandmother’s...  more

Tucked away in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York is the charming town of Gracious Grove, where time moves slowly, gossip spreads quickly, and the scones are to die for...   When her fashionable Manhattan restaurant goes under, Sophie Taylor retreats to her grandmother’s cozy shop, Auntie Rose’s Victorian Teahouse, where serenity is steeped to perfection in one of her many antique teapots. The last thing Sophie expects is a bustling calendar of teahouse events, like her old friend Cissy Peterson’s upcoming bridal shower.   Not everyone is pleased with the bride-to-be's choice of venue -- like Cissy’s grandmother, who owns a competing establishment, La Belle Epoque, and has held a long-simmering grudge against Rose for stealing her beau sixty years ago. Tensions reach a boiling point when Cissy’s fiancé's mother dies while sampling scones at La Belle Epoque. Now, to help her friend, Sophie will have to bag a killer before more of the guest list becomes a hit list...

Costume designer Charlotte Fairfax has another murder on her hands as she prepares for the latest performance of the Catskills Shakespeare Theater Company, Much Ado About Nothing. The company’s steady growth enables them to cast star British actress Audrey Ashley, who arrives on scene...  more

Costume designer Charlotte Fairfax has another murder on her hands as she prepares for the latest performance of the Catskills Shakespeare Theater Company, Much Ado About Nothing. The company’s steady growth enables them to cast star British actress Audrey Ashley, who arrives on scene to play the lead role of Beatrice. But things immediately get more complicated when Audrey insists the company replace the current director with new, up and coming British director Edmund Albright. Edmund plans to change the popular romantic comedy, which alienates several people associated with the production. And the list of people he upsets only grows: the laid off former director, the hotel owner’s secretary, and even Audrey herself. Just as Edmund’s plans are about to come to fruition, his body is discovered on his sofa, holding a gun in his hand. His death is quickly ruled a suicide but Charlotte thinks otherwise. Why would Edmund, on the brink of greatness, kill himself? And in such an American way?

After splurging to buy her childhood home in the Catskills, recently widowed Mikki Lincoln emerges from retirement as a freelance editor. With her ability to spot details that others fail to see, it?s not long before Mikki earns clients?and realizes that the village of Lenape Hollow isn?t the...  more

After splurging to buy her childhood home in the Catskills, recently widowed Mikki Lincoln emerges from retirement as a freelance editor. With her ability to spot details that others fail to see, it?s not long before Mikki earns clients?and realizes that the village of Lenape Hollow isn?t the thriving tourist destination it was decades ago. Not with a murderer on the loose . . .   When perky novice writer Tiffany Scott knocks at her door holding a towering manuscript, Mikki expects another debut novel plagued by typos and sloppy prose. Instead, she finds a murder mystery ripped from the headlines of Lenape Hollow?s not-too-distant past. The opening scene is a graphic page-turner, but it sends a real chill down Mikki?s spine after the young author turns up dead just like the victim in her story . . .   Mikki refuses to believe that Tiffany?s death was accidental, and suspicions of foul play solidify as she uncovers a strange inconsistency in the manuscript and a possible motive in the notes. Then there?s Tiffany?s grandmother and husband, who aren?t exactly on friendly terms over the local area?s planned rejuvenation efforts . . .   Unable to convince police that they are focused on the wrong suspect, Mikki must rely on her keen eyes to catch the truth hidden in Lenape Hollow. As she gets closer to cracking the case, only one person takes Mikki?s investigation seriously?the cunning killer who will do anything to make this chapter of her life come to a very abrupt ending . . .

Liz McCall grew up in a playful winter wonderland but it was never her dream to manage her father's vintage toyshop. However, after he sank his entire police pension into the business, someone needed to help him turn his dreams into reality -- and keep him from sneaking off to patrol...  more

Liz McCall grew up in a playful winter wonderland but it was never her dream to manage her father's vintage toyshop. However, after he sank his entire police pension into the business, someone needed to help him turn his dreams into reality -- and keep him from sneaking off to patrol the not-so-mean streets of East Aurora, NY. The mood goes from nice to naughty when a nervous man, who was trying to have his antique toys appraised, is found in the shop with a lawn dart through his chest. Suddenly, Liz's business plan is plunged into deep freeze, while she and her father find themselves toying with a cold-blooded killer who's playing for keeps. Now, it looks like Christmas might be cancelled for the neighborhood kids if Liz can't wrap up the case in Barbara Early's delightful debut Death of a Toy Soldier.

Rushing home to sit by her ailing grandmother’s bedside, Violet Waverly is shocked to find Grandma Daisy the picture of perfect health. Violet doesn’t need to read between the lines: her grandma wants Violet back home and working in her magical store, Charming Books. It’s where...  more

Rushing home to sit by her ailing grandmother’s bedside, Violet Waverly is shocked to find Grandma Daisy the picture of perfect health. Violet doesn’t need to read between the lines: her grandma wants Violet back home and working in her magical store, Charming Books. It’s where the perfect book tends to fly off the shelf and pick you... Violet has every intention to hightail it back to Chicago, but then a dead man is discovered clutching a volume of Emily Dickinson’s poems from Grandma Daisy’s shop. The victim is Benedict Raisin, who recently put Grandma Daisy in his will, making her a prime suspect. Now, with the help of a tuxedo cat named Emerson, Violet will have to find a killer to keep Grandma from getting booked for good...

In this fresh mystery from the national bestselling author of Death of an English Muffin, baker Merry Wynter comes to the aid of an innocent woman accused of murder.   When muffin baker Merry Wynter sees an innocent woman accused of murder, it's dough or die...   Opera singer Roma...  more

In this fresh mystery from the national bestselling author of Death of an English Muffin, baker Merry Wynter comes to the aid of an innocent woman accused of murder.   When muffin baker Merry Wynter sees an innocent woman accused of murder, it's dough or die...   Opera singer Roma Toscano may have a crippling case of stage fright, but she certainly is stirring up drama in Autumn Vale, New York, as she prepares for an upcoming performance at Merry's Wynter Castle. With her flamboyant style and flirtatious personality, Roma attracts fans as well as critics, including the town's postmistress--and Merry's bitter foe--Minnie Urqhart.   But Roma and Minnie's heated rivalry goes cold after Merry discovers Minnie dead at the post office. While every clue seems to be another ingredient in the investigation of Roma, Merry thinks the case is half-baked, and she's eager to get her mitts on the real killer...

Georgie Nikolopatos manages the Bonaparte House, a Greek restaurant and historic landmark in beautiful upstate New York rumored to possess ghosts and hidden treasure. But when her husband disappears and her main competitor is found dead, it’s up to Georgie to solve a big fat Greek...  more

Georgie Nikolopatos manages the Bonaparte House, a Greek restaurant and historic landmark in beautiful upstate New York rumored to possess ghosts and hidden treasure. But when her husband disappears and her main competitor is found dead, it’s up to Georgie to solve a big fat Greek murder. With her husband, Spiro, inexplicably gone for days, Georgie has her hands full running the restaurant and dealing with the crew of the TV show Ghost Squad, called in by Spiro to inspect the house for haunting. So when she has a chance to take a boating excursion on the St. Lawrence River with her friend Keith Morgan, she jumps on it. But their idyll is quickly ruined when they discover the body of rival restaurant owner Domenic "Big Dom” DiTomasso floating in the water. When the police start asking questions, it doesn’t help that Spiro can’t be found -- and with Georgie on their suspect list, it’s up to her to find her missing husband and find out who killed Big Dom before someone else’s order is up.

In a town full of secrets, one man stops only at the truth. The beauty of the Adirondack Mountains offers no protection from evil as Police Chief Frank Bennett investigates three puzzling crimes in idyllic Trout Run, NY. In ?Chainsaw Nativity,? Frank?s relentless pursuit of the thief who stole...  more

In a town full of secrets, one man stops only at the truth. The beauty of the Adirondack Mountains offers no protection from evil as Police Chief Frank Bennett investigates three puzzling crimes in idyllic Trout Run, NY. In ?Chainsaw Nativity,? Frank?s relentless pursuit of the thief who stole the Joseph statue from the town?s Nativity scene brings him up against the limits of compassion. In ?Losers Weepers? a locket that?s lost, found, and stolen holds the secret to past betrayals and leads Frank to suspect the people he trusts the most. And in ?Coyote Justice? Frank?s simmering attraction to Penny the librarian threatens to divert him from the path of justice. These three short mystery stories explore twisting mountain trails just as surely as the precipitous terrain of the human heart.

Charlotte Adams is a professional organizer. Nothing is out of place in her closets-but her life's a mess. So she's dumped her cheating ex-fiance, moved back home to Woodbridge, New York, and started making up to-do lists -- some of which include solving the occasional murder. Charlotte's new...  more

Charlotte Adams is a professional organizer. Nothing is out of place in her closets-but her life's a mess. So she's dumped her cheating ex-fiance, moved back home to Woodbridge, New York, and started making up to-do lists -- some of which include solving the occasional murder. Charlotte's new job has her digging through years of accumulated junk to find some important documents. Instead she finds her client, the meanest teacher in town, dead under a pile of the debris that plagued her. And there's no end to the list of suspects-starting with Charlotte herself.

Stained-glass aficionado Georgia Kelly packed up her city life for the quiet of small town Wenwood, New York. But the sleepy village's peace is about to get shattered -- by murder...  After a banking scandal loses Georgia her job and fiancé, she decides that a change of scenery...  more

Stained-glass aficionado Georgia Kelly packed up her city life for the quiet of small town Wenwood, New York. But the sleepy village's peace is about to get shattered -- by murder...  After a banking scandal loses Georgia her job and fiancé, she decides that a change of scenery will help piece her life back together. But escaping to her grandfather's house in the old-fashioned, brick-making Hudson River hamlet of Wenwood, New York, turns out to be less relaxing than she expects. Not only is the close-knit community on edge about their beloved brickworks being turned into a marina to draw in tourists, one of those most opposed to the project winds up dead -- cracked over the head with a famous Wenwood brick. Georgia wouldn't be broken up over the news except for the fact that the main suspect is the deceased's biggest adversary -- her grandfather. Now, to remove the stain from her grandy's record, Georgia will have to figure out who in town was willing to kill to keep the renovation project alive, before someone else is permanently cut out of the picture...

In this debut cozy mystery, soap actress Veronica Walsh returns to her Adirondack hometown after her show is canceled. She soon finds herself playing the role of amateur sleuth after finding the body of her controversial neighbor.

It's time to work her crime-solving magic again . . . Kailyn Wilde enjoys running her shop, Abracadabra, in the quaint New York hamlet of New Camel, where she lives with her six cats. Her family's been here for centuries, and she'd like to keep up the tradition. But the place may...  more

It's time to work her crime-solving magic again . . . Kailyn Wilde enjoys running her shop, Abracadabra, in the quaint New York hamlet of New Camel, where she lives with her six cats. Her family's been here for centuries, and she'd like to keep up the tradition. But the place may never be the same if a big hotel gets built, so she does her civic duty and attends a town meeting along with her aunt Tilly . . . and Merlin. Yes, that Merlin -- though he gets introduced to folks as her "distant English cousin." The wizard is pretty grumpy about being transported here, but there are things about the modern world he doesn't mind-like pizza. Kailyn was prepared for a heated debate about the hotel, but she wasn't expecting murder. When Tilly finds the body of a board member outside the schoolhouse, Kailyn doesn't want any suspicion cast on the wrong person. She plans to crack this case, even if she has to talk to every living soul in town -- plus a few departed ones . . . 

BLACK MARKET ADOPTION SCAM ROCKS A SMALL TOWN In a small Adirondack Mountain town, secrets are hard to keep. No wonder Trout Run, NY is shocked when sweet, dowdy Mary Pat Sheehan dies from complications of childbirth. No one even knew she was pregnant. How did she hide her condition? Who is the...  more

BLACK MARKET ADOPTION SCAM ROCKS A SMALL TOWN In a small Adirondack Mountain town, secrets are hard to keep. No wonder Trout Run, NY is shocked when sweet, dowdy Mary Pat Sheehan dies from complications of childbirth. No one even knew she was pregnant. How did she hide her condition? Who is the father? And where is the baby? Mary Pat's devout parents are frozen in denial, but Police Chief Frank Bennett is determined not to let this scandal be swept under the rug. The more he digs, the more convinced he becomes that Mary Pat's baby is very much alive. That someone is criminally responsible for Mary Pat's death. And that other vulnerable young women are at risk. When Frank uncovers a highly profitable black market adoption ring operating on his turf, he is determined to root it out. But cooperation is hard to find. For loving couples desperate to create a family, the lure of a healthy white infant is impossible to resist. And for wily manipulators desperate for cash, the lure is even stronger. Now Frank must navigate the dangerous intersection of love and greed. And one wrong turn could spell death to those he most wants to protect. The Lure was originally published in 2004 as Swallow the Hook.

What lies buried in a hoarder?s house? precious treasure or ghastly secrets? One moment of misguided generosity throws estate sale organizer Audrey Nealon?s life into turmoil. She loses a client?s money, cripples her budding romance, and witnesses a murder. Strapped for cash, she accepts a...  more

What lies buried in a hoarder?s house? precious treasure or ghastly secrets? One moment of misguided generosity throws estate sale organizer Audrey Nealon?s life into turmoil. She loses a client?s money, cripples her budding romance, and witnesses a murder. Strapped for cash, she accepts a questionable project: clearing out the home of a mentally ill hoarder who may have hidden valuable Civil War letters. What really lies at the bottom of twenty years? worth of collected buttons and dolls and stuffed owls and atlases? As Audrey digs through the hoarder?s obsessions, she unleashes a vengeful response from all sides. The house has destroyed lives in the past. Will Audrey and those she loves--her friends, her father, and even her dog--be its next victims? As the final twist reveals, secrets can remain buried, but they never disappear

Tough love?or torture? When a tough-love school for troubled teens opens its doors in Trout Run, the locals are thrilled. The North Country Academy promises more jobs and more money flowing into town. But Police Chief Frank Bennett is concerned about the arrival of so many juvenile delinquents...  more

Tough love?or torture? When a tough-love school for troubled teens opens its doors in Trout Run, the locals are thrilled. The North Country Academy promises more jobs and more money flowing into town. But Police Chief Frank Bennett is concerned about the arrival of so many juvenile delinquents on his turf. When an Academy teacher is mauled to death by a bear while leading wilderness expedition, Frank?s worst fears are confirmed. Evidence points to sabotage. As Frank investigates, he learns more about the school?s controversial techniques: isolation, restraints, and mind control. He meets students who might be terrified?or might be brilliant liars. And he uncovers disturbing information about the Academy?s headmaster. What is more impressive? His track record of putting teens back on the right path? Or his skill in covering up past scandals? When an Academy student turns up dead, Frank must unravel a knot of deceit and revenge whose threads lead right into the heart of the Trout Run community. Frank?s pursuit of the truth brings him up against a hard choice every good cop dreads.

On a snowy Christmas Eve, a beautiful young mother goes out to buy a few last minute gifts and never returns?.thirty years later, her daughter picks up her trail. As the owner of an estate sale business, Audrey Nealon knows a lot about art, antiques, and the unlikely places old people hide...  more

On a snowy Christmas Eve, a beautiful young mother goes out to buy a few last minute gifts and never returns?.thirty years later, her daughter picks up her trail. As the owner of an estate sale business, Audrey Nealon knows a lot about art, antiques, and the unlikely places old people hide their treasures. But the shabby home of an elderly widow holds alarming surprises: street drugs in the silverware drawer, a trunkful of jewels in the attic, and the distinctive ring Audrey?s mother was wearing the night she disappeared. Believing the truth will bring her peace, Audrey relentlessly pursues clues to her family?s troubled history. But each fact Audrey uncovers drags her further away from the love she craves, and puts her on a collision course with people more determined, more ambitious, and more dangerous than she can fathom. Ultimately, some truths are too awful to bear, and too terrible to share.

""A deadly search for sour grapes . . . Norrie Ellington is a successful screenwriter living in New York City. She's also been a silent partner for her family's winery upstate-until her sister and brother-in-law take a year-long sabbatical. With an experienced staff doing the work, Norrie...  more

""A deadly search for sour grapes . . . Norrie Ellington is a successful screenwriter living in New York City. She's also been a silent partner for her family's winery upstate-until her sister and brother-in-law take a year-long sabbatical. With an experienced staff doing the work, Norrie figures Two Witches Winery will run itself while she enjoys the countryside and writes in peace and quiet. Unfortunately, there's a sour grape in the town of Penn Yan who doesn't care for vineyards. Bed and breakfast owner Elsbeth Waters complains to everyone who'll listen that the local wineries are bad for her business. But when Elsbeth's body is found on Norrie's property, the victim of foul play, the screenwriter-turned-vintner dons a sleuthing cap to uncover the identity of a killer who told the B&B proprietess to put a cork in it-permanently . . . ""

After the death of her husband, Bella Jordan and her son need a fresh start. But on their way to stay with family in Chicago, they stop in Lily Dale, New York and a storm forces them to spend the night. Brimming with psychics and mediums, Lily Dale is just the kind of quirky little town...  more

After the death of her husband, Bella Jordan and her son need a fresh start. But on their way to stay with family in Chicago, they stop in Lily Dale, New York and a storm forces them to spend the night. Brimming with psychics and mediums, Lily Dale is just the kind of quirky little town Bella's late husband always talked about settling down in. So when the local hotel's owner, Leona, passes away, Bella agrees to step in and help temporarily. The longer she and Max stay there, the more Lily Dale starts to feel like home. But for Bella, finding a home means finding danger, too. Leona was murdered, and it's up to Bella to track down the killer before her sanctuary comes crashing down.

There's a lot of noir surrounding this rare pinot. As the vineyards in Seneca Lake, New York, prepare for the seasonal "Deck the Halls Around the Lake" festivities, someone is determined to keep pinot noir off the wine list. Hijacked trucks and sabotaged ingredients have made it a...  more

There's a lot of noir surrounding this rare pinot. As the vineyards in Seneca Lake, New York, prepare for the seasonal "Deck the Halls Around the Lake" festivities, someone is determined to keep pinot noir off the wine list. Hijacked trucks and sabotaged ingredients have made it a hard-to-acquire vintage for the six local wineries-including Norrie Ellington's Two Witches Winery. The case of the stolen and spoiled wines gets stranger when Arnold Mowen, owner of the company distributing the wine, is found dead, the apparent victim of a hunting accident. As Norrie tries to find the connections between the pinot's problems and Arnold's death, she uncovers a conspiracy among many locals whose hatred for the wine distributor was bottled up for far too long. . .

A funny mystery series with a touch of history and romance about a witty sleuth stranded in a traveling town??Love this series?I came across this series purely by accident, and am now totally hooked?? ?Amazon reviewer???????I will undoubtedly look for more installments in this series and by this...  more

A funny mystery series with a touch of history and romance about a witty sleuth stranded in a traveling town??Love this series?I came across this series purely by accident, and am now totally hooked?? ?Amazon reviewer???????I will undoubtedly look for more installments in this series and by this author!? ?GoodReads reviewer?????A burger with a side of murder?On Thanksgiving weekend, linguist Ella Barton becomes stranded in a small town?a town not on any map.Keystone Village is a blast from the past, full of vintage cars and buildings that look like they haven?t changed since the 1950s. And neither have the residents. Most of them are anxious for Ella to leave, and so is she?as soon as she can get her car fixed. However, when eating at the local diner, Ella?s waitress drops dead, and the local sheriff suspects Ella?s to blame.With the help of a handsome inventor, two mischievous older ladies, and a squirrel with a strange sense of fashion, Ella relies on her spunk, wit, and a lot of coffee to find the killer before she?s locked up for a murder she didn?t commit.Can Ella hunt down the bad guy before it?s too late? And will she ever make it home again?A fun, quirky mystery series perfect for fans of Jana Deleon, Janet Evanovich, and Chelsea Field.

The Hamptons are known for beautiful beaches, luxurious living, millionaire mansions, and now...murder! Antonia Bingham, a renowned chef and the new owner of East Hampton's Windmill Inn, escaped to the Hamptons to get away from a harrowing past. Yet now she finds herself in more danger...  more

The Hamptons are known for beautiful beaches, luxurious living, millionaire mansions, and now...murder! Antonia Bingham, a renowned chef and the new owner of East Hampton's Windmill Inn, escaped to the Hamptons to get away from a harrowing past. Yet now she finds herself in more danger than ever when she discovers the inn's previous owners may have been the victims of murder. Will her overly inquisitive personality be her downfall as she digs up secrets in her attempt to solve the crime?

Take two British expats, transplant them to upstate New York where the local HOA is worshipped and neighbors spy on each other for fun, and you have the makings of murder gone amok. Caro Layton-Browning, an accomplished writer of mysteries, never imagined she would unwittingly stumble into a...  more

Take two British expats, transplant them to upstate New York where the local HOA is worshipped and neighbors spy on each other for fun, and you have the makings of murder gone amok. Caro Layton-Browning, an accomplished writer of mysteries, never imagined she would unwittingly stumble into a series of real-life murders good enough to be in her own books. But when the Cat Lady next door, who Caro is convinced is out to make life miserable for her, is found dead among her feline collection, Caro finds herself in trouble far more dangerous than her neighborhood HOA has ever dished out before. Suddenly she and her professor hubby, Gregory, find themselves on the trail of a murderer far more sinister than Caro's imagination could conjure up. As the bodies begin to pile up in picturesque Seneca Meadows, Caro sees the possibility of a plot for her newest book, and the killer sees someone who needs to be moved out of the way...permanently.

Liz McCall has come to love running her father's vintage toyshop back home in East Aurora, NY, so when the Train and Toy Show comes to town, she's all aboard for a fun toy-filled weekend. The only hitch is that her childhood bully Craig McFadden, now local business rival, has set up a...  more

Liz McCall has come to love running her father's vintage toyshop back home in East Aurora, NY, so when the Train and Toy Show comes to town, she's all aboard for a fun toy-filled weekend. The only hitch is that her childhood bully Craig McFadden, now local business rival, has set up a booth next to hers. But the fun and games are over when Craig falls from the ceiling in a publicity stunt gone wrong.  What was initially thought to be a fatal accident proves much more sinister. Pulled into the case by her feelings for both Ken, the police chief, and Jack, her high school sweetheart whose brother is one the prime suspects, Liz dives headfirst into the investigation. But as she digs deeper, she's shocked to learn her father may have been the intended target.

FIRST IN A VISIONARY NEW MYSTERY SERIES.   It doesn't take a crystal ball to see that something's not right on Bay Island...   Since she left her psychiatric practice in New York City to open up a psychic shop in her hometown on Long Island, Cass Donovan has given...  more

FIRST IN A VISIONARY NEW MYSTERY SERIES.   It doesn't take a crystal ball to see that something's not right on Bay Island...   Since she left her psychiatric practice in New York City to open up a psychic shop in her hometown on Long Island, Cass Donovan has given her fair share of readings to conflicted customers. But what she sees in Ellie Hawkins' future doesn't bode well.   When Ellie's mother Marge publicly confronts Cass about the reading, the embarrassment makes her want to curl up and die. But when she later stumbles across Marge's body—and is arrested for her murder—Cass is suddenly the star of Bay Island's rumor mill.   Out on bail, Cass is determined to prove her innocence and save Ellie from meeting the fate in her unfortunate vision. But even with the help of her friends Bee and Stephanie, Cass will have to channel some serious sleuthing instinct to find the real killer...

The first Sag Harbor Antiquarian Book and Ephemera Fair is right around the corner, and interior designer Meg Barrett has her hands full decorating rooms at the Bibliophile Bed & Breakfast for wealthy rare book collector Franklin Hollingsworth. Rumor has it Hollingsworth is in...  more

The first Sag Harbor Antiquarian Book and Ephemera Fair is right around the corner, and interior designer Meg Barrett has her hands full decorating rooms at the Bibliophile Bed & Breakfast for wealthy rare book collector Franklin Hollingsworth. Rumor has it Hollingsworth is in possession of an unpublished manuscript written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. When the Fitzgerald manuscript's authenticator is found dead at the bottom of a cliff, Meg suspects a killer is on the loose. Rare books start disappearing from the B & B and Meg sees a connection between the stolen books and the deceased authenticator. With the fair looming, she finds herself caught up in catching a killer and thief before another victim is booked for death. INCLUDES RECIPES AND DECORATING TIPS 

Every day is a holiday in Celebration Bay . . . but unfortunately death doesn’t take a holiday.   As more and more tourists flock to Celebration Bay, New York, to enjoy their seasonal festivals, the town is in need of a professional coordinator. Enter Manhattan event planner Liv...  more

Every day is a holiday in Celebration Bay . . . but unfortunately death doesn’t take a holiday.   As more and more tourists flock to Celebration Bay, New York, to enjoy their seasonal festivals, the town is in need of a professional coordinator. Enter Manhattan event planner Liv Montgomery, tired of big-city stress and looking for an idyllic spot where she and her Westie terrier, Whiskey, can put down roots. The Harvest by the Bay Festival is Liv’s first chance to prove herself, and everything from apple bobbing to pumpkin painting goes perfectly -- until the body of an itinerant juggler is discovered stuffed into an antique apple press.   With a murderer on the loose, town leaders threaten to shut down the upcoming Halloween and Christmas festivals. But the town’s livelihood is at stake, and there is no way Liv is going to let that happen, even if she has to solve the murder herself. No matter how many balls she needs to keep in the air, Liv is determined to find a killer who’s rotten to the core . . .

Hunting the Hudson River valley for cast-off treasures is usually low-stress for Janet Petrocelli, a used-stuff shop owner. But her trouble-making curiosity kicks in when she gets a call from Natasha, a high-strung singer. The girl is desperate to unload her funky jewelry to Janet for some fast...  more

Hunting the Hudson River valley for cast-off treasures is usually low-stress for Janet Petrocelli, a used-stuff shop owner. But her trouble-making curiosity kicks in when she gets a call from Natasha, a high-strung singer. The girl is desperate to unload her funky jewelry to Janet for some fast cash so she can move to L.A. Hours later, the troubled rising star allegedly leaps to her death. Suspecting foul play, Janet noses into Natasha's life and discovers seamy secrets, corruption?and a murderer on her tail.

Every woman would kill for one . . . Manhattan fashionista Kelly Quinn thought she'd left her upstate New York town far behind . . . until the Seventh Avenue expat returns home to revamp her grandmother's consignment shop into an upscale boutique-and unwittingly sets a trend for murder . . ....  more

Every woman would kill for one . . . Manhattan fashionista Kelly Quinn thought she'd left her upstate New York town far behind . . . until the Seventh Avenue expat returns home to revamp her grandmother's consignment shop into an upscale boutique-and unwittingly sets a trend for murder . . . After her rising career as a Manhattan buyer is derailed, Kelly has mixed feelings about relocating back to Lucky Cove, in spite of her big plans for the soon-to-be-renamed Curated by Kelly Resale Boutique. What's left of her luck starts running out when a customer puts on a black lace dress that triggers visions of someone being murdered. As if the haunted "Murder Dress" isn't enough to kill business, the psychic's doppelganger cousin has just been found bludgeoned to death. Was Maxine LeMoyne the real target or was it a case of mistaken murder? With some creepy pre-Halloween bargain hunters walking the night and Kelly suddenly a person of interest, a second murder rocks the close-knit town. Now Kelly could be the one who ends up talking to dead people when she's stalked by a killer determined to take her out in high style . . .

A knotty new Nell Fitzgerald mystery in the series that's beguiling cozy fans and quilters alike. Nell Fitzgerald and the Someday Quilts ladies are asked to lead a quilting workshop at a new bed and breakfast in upstate New York. However, the retreat quickly takes an unexpected dark...  more

A knotty new Nell Fitzgerald mystery in the series that's beguiling cozy fans and quilters alike. Nell Fitzgerald and the Someday Quilts ladies are asked to lead a quilting workshop at a new bed and breakfast in upstate New York. However, the retreat quickly takes an unexpected dark turn. When a body is found in the woods, and one of their own is the chief suspect, the ladies must rely on their craftiest thinking as they embark on their most personal case yet. With smart, sassy Nell leading the charge to clear her friend's name and find the real murderer, The Double Cross is sure to confirm Clare O'Donohue as a master of the mystery genre.

A dead girl in the woods. Three little oil spots on the dirt road. A Dr. Pepper bottle cap in the shallow grave. And a young reporter, armed with nothing but a camera. Evening is falling on a wet, gray, autumn day in upstate New York. Ellie Stone, twenty-four-year-old reporter for a small...  more

A dead girl in the woods. Three little oil spots on the dirt road. A Dr. Pepper bottle cap in the shallow grave. And a young reporter, armed with nothing but a camera. Evening is falling on a wet, gray, autumn day in upstate New York. Ellie Stone, twenty-four-year-old reporter for a small local daily, stands at a crossroads in her career and in her life. Alone in the world, battling her own losses and her own demons, Ellie is ready to pack it in and return to New York a failure. Then she hears the dispatch over the police scanner. A hunter, tramping through a muddy wood north of the small town of New Holland, has tripped over the body of a twenty-one-year-old society girl half-buried in the leaves. Ellie is the first reporter on the scene. The investigation provides a rare opportunity to rescue her drowning career, but all leads seem to die on the vine, until Ellie takes a daring chance that unleashes unintended chaos. Wading through a voyeuristic tangle of small-town secrets, she makes some desperate enemies, who want her off the case. Dead if necessary.

It's 1965, and tough to stay conservative, even for a nun. When 28-year-old Sister Francesca leaves her small town convent in upstate New York to study theology at a large university in the Bronx, she expects to face demanding professors and challenging classes; she doesn't expect to become...  more

It's 1965, and tough to stay conservative, even for a nun. When 28-year-old Sister Francesca leaves her small town convent in upstate New York to study theology at a large university in the Bronx, she expects to face demanding professors and challenging classes; she doesn't expect to become entangled in the controversies surrounding Vatican II. What she least expects is involvement in the mysterious death of her new Mother Superior. Was the old nun a victim of greedy neighborhood businessmen? Or was she simply in the way of unstoppable changes in the Church? As Sister Francesca investigates, she must come to terms with the changing world around her, a challenge to both her faith and her vows.

A killer is attacking respectable citizens in picturesque Hubbard, NY, and leaving corpses on their front steps in the middle of the day. Detective Fowler isn't certain who causes him to lose the most sleep, a certain sexy reporter with bouncing curls and sparkling black eyes, or the elusive...  more

A killer is attacking respectable citizens in picturesque Hubbard, NY, and leaving corpses on their front steps in the middle of the day. Detective Fowler isn't certain who causes him to lose the most sleep, a certain sexy reporter with bouncing curls and sparkling black eyes, or the elusive psychopath creating panic in his small-town community. Together, the detective and the reporter race to find the monster in their midst and return the town to the desirable place where people come to raise their families in peace and contentment. Can they sort through their differences to find romance even as they search for a determined stalker with murder on his mind? The clock ticks down on a man in a rage with a deadly mission.

In 1926, Agatha Christie disappeared -- making headlines across the world -- only to show up eleven days later at a spa under an assumed name. During those eleven days, did she have time to write a play? Jordan Kelly needs a new job and a new place to live. She’s back in Harrison...  more

In 1926, Agatha Christie disappeared -- making headlines across the world -- only to show up eleven days later at a spa under an assumed name. During those eleven days, did she have time to write a play? Jordan Kelly needs a new job and a new place to live. She’s back in Harrison Falls, New York, living with her not so law-abiding uncles, in debt thanks to a credit card-stealing ex and pending grad school loans. Enter the perfect job, a research position that includes room and board, which will allow her to spend her days hunting down rare mysteries for an avid book collector. There’s just one problem: her employer, Vera Van Alst -- the most hated citizen of Harrison Falls. Jordan’s first assignment is to track down a rumored Agatha Christie play. It seems easy enough, but Jordan soon finds out that her predecessor was killed while looking for it, and there is still someone out there willing to murder to keep the play out of Vera’s hands. Jordan’s new job is good…but is it worth her life?  

They were the Two Girls Detective Agency. Now, one of them is dead, and the other is suspected of murder.  Darby Piper is in shock. Samantha Porter -- her mentor and business partner at Two Girls Detective Agency -- has died in a car crash, and it doesn't look like an...  more

They were the Two Girls Detective Agency. Now, one of them is dead, and the other is suspected of murder.  Darby Piper is in shock. Samantha Porter -- her mentor and business partner at Two Girls Detective Agency -- has died in a car crash, and it doesn't look like an accident. In fact, evidence is pointing toward Darby. Darby had expected to inherit Samantha's half of the agency, but Samantha had recently changed the will to leave it to Tate Porter, her nephew, who returns to town. Tate is no P.I. He's a veteran, a world traveler, and something of a mystery himself. But as he helps Darby delve into secret histories and real estate development plans, he does seem to have a knack for the job. Will the agency have a future... even if Darby can prove her innocence in time? 

Carrie Singleton is just about done with Clover Ridge, Connecticut until she's offered a job as the head of programs and events at the spooky local library, complete with its own librarian ghost. Her first major event is a program presented by a retired homicide detective, Al Buckley, who...  more

Carrie Singleton is just about done with Clover Ridge, Connecticut until she's offered a job as the head of programs and events at the spooky local library, complete with its own librarian ghost. Her first major event is a program presented by a retired homicide detective, Al Buckley, who claims he knows who murdered Laura Foster, a much-loved part-time library aide who was bludgeoned to death fifteen years earlier. As he invites members of the audience to share stories about Laura, he suddenly keels over and dies. The medical examiner reveals that poison is what did him in and Carrie feels responsible for having surged forward with the program despite pushback from her director. Driven by guilt, Carrie’s determined to discover who murdered the detective, convinced it’s the same man who killed Laura all those years ago. Luckily for Carrie, she has a friendly, knowledgeable ghost by her side. But as she questions the shadows surrounding Laura's case, disturbing secrets come to light and with each step Carrie takes, she gets closer to ending up like Al. Now it's due or die for Carrie in Death Overdue the delightful first in a new cozy series by Allison Brook.

"Who is doing more in Goodship than just Killing Time?" Welcome to Goodship, New York. The sleepy, suburban hamlet harbors a terrible secret. A secret that may be at the heart of two mysterious murders. Twenty-five years after the "big game" and the requisite homecoming...  more

"Who is doing more in Goodship than just Killing Time?" Welcome to Goodship, New York. The sleepy, suburban hamlet harbors a terrible secret. A secret that may be at the heart of two mysterious murders. Twenty-five years after the "big game" and the requisite homecoming party, Goodship's secret begins to haunt its otherwise comfortable and carefree residents. When the first murder is reported, the residents are warned, but take no action. When town landmarks are vandalized, residents are shocked. And, when an attempt is made on a local hero's life, the town mobilizes, especially the young, vivacious former soap star (now proprietor of Soup Opera, the favorite local lunch spot) Eliza Gordon and her pal and local radio personality Midge Sumner. When the prime suspect turns up dead, Eliza and Midge dedicate themselves to solving the murders and catching the real perpetrator.

Just six weeks after the grand opening of Lickety Splits Ice Cream Shoppe, owner Kate McKay has been enlisted to whip up sundaes at the most decadent soiree in the Hudson Valley. If only Kate knew how deadly sticky her sweet deal will turn out . . . Once Kate arrives at a glamorous gala...  more

Just six weeks after the grand opening of Lickety Splits Ice Cream Shoppe, owner Kate McKay has been enlisted to whip up sundaes at the most decadent soiree in the Hudson Valley. If only Kate knew how deadly sticky her sweet deal will turn out . . . Once Kate arrives at a glamorous gala hosted by world-famous fashion designer Omar DeVane, she's instantly intimidated by the mogul's luxurious mansion and the frosty personalities of his handlers. But the party completely loses its flavor when guests follow screams to a room that's eerily empty-except for Omar's freshly murdered body . . .   With the scandalous case driving customers away from Lickety Splits, Kate has no choice but to put down the ice cream scooper and expose the culprit on her own. But as she crashes high-profile photo shoots and mingles with fashion's biggest influencers in search of clues, her attempts to freeze cold-hearted criminals in their tracks could lead to a double scoop of deadly trouble. Includes mouthwatering ice cream recipes from the Lickety Splits Ice Cream Shoppe!

To save a friend... Jonathan Kendrick's grandmother lives in the upstate New York village of Felicity Grove. And whenever something of a criminal nature occurs, Grandma Anna is right in the thick of it. This time, the senior sleuth needs Jonathan's help to clear an innocent...  more

To save a friend... Jonathan Kendrick's grandmother lives in the upstate New York village of Felicity Grove. And whenever something of a criminal nature occurs, Grandma Anna is right in the thick of it. This time, the senior sleuth needs Jonathan's help to clear an innocent man's name. Zebediah Crummier, the cemetery caretaker, has been arrested for killing a member of the powerful Harnes family. Because of his childlike nature, Crummier is placed in an asylum, where his inconsistent tales and ramblings prove difficult for Jonathan and Anna to decipher. But they must be careful, for the Harnes clan has its own idea of rendering justice...

"Weds drop dead humor with mystery in her C.B. Greenfield capers. Her third... is still wacky and witty... urbane and entertaining." --Chicago Sun Times In the tree-lined streets of suburban Westchester, nothing is as peaceful as it seems. There's the brutal murder of a cleaning woman. A...  more

"Weds drop dead humor with mystery in her C.B. Greenfield capers. Her third... is still wacky and witty... urbane and entertaining." --Chicago Sun Times In the tree-lined streets of suburban Westchester, nothing is as peaceful as it seems. There's the brutal murder of a cleaning woman. A political scandal brewing. Two respectable men threatening mayhem over flood control. And an abandoned school building just waiting to cause trouble. The inimitable C.B. Greenfield, publisher of the Sloan's Ford Report, just can't take it. He goes off with his cello to play Schubert. And Maggie Rome, his chief reporter and reluctant Watson, must wear out her Honda -- and her patience -- to find a murderer...

Awakened by a phone call, Jonathan Kendrick finds himself headed for his hometown to see what seamy crime his grandmother, Anna, is involved in now. This time, it's a corpse in her garbage can. The "former" thief may be linked to the death of a local woman and even when more...  more

Awakened by a phone call, Jonathan Kendrick finds himself headed for his hometown to see what seamy crime his grandmother, Anna, is involved in now. This time, it's a corpse in her garbage can. The "former" thief may be linked to the death of a local woman and even when more deaths occur, Anna stubbornly resolves to continue the investigation. Soon Jonathan is tracking a revenge-bent shadow, a mission that will reveal startling revelations. Caught in a labyrinth of betrayal, murder, hidden loves and lies, Anna and Jon must face their own blood-speckled past in an effort to save their very souls.

A weekend retreat at a cozy mountain lodge is supposed to be the perfect getaway . . . but when the storm hits, no one is getting away It's winter in the Catskills and Mitchell's Inn, nestled deep in the woods, is the perfect setting for a relaxing -- maybe even romantic -- weekend...  more

A weekend retreat at a cozy mountain lodge is supposed to be the perfect getaway . . . but when the storm hits, no one is getting away It's winter in the Catskills and Mitchell's Inn, nestled deep in the woods, is the perfect setting for a relaxing -- maybe even romantic -- weekend away. It boasts spacious old rooms with huge woodburning fireplaces, a well-stocked wine cellar, and opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or just curling up with a good murder mystery. So when the weather takes a turn for the worse, and a blizzard cuts off the electricity -- and all contact with the outside world -- the guests settle in and try to make the best of it. Soon, though, one of the guests turns up dead -- it looks like an accident. But when a second guest dies, they start to panic. Within the snowed-in paradise, something -- or someone -- is picking off the guests one by one. And there's nothing they can do but hunker down and hope they can survive the storm -- and one another.

Red Carpet... George, Helen and twelve-year-old Marilyn -- the Watson family -- are the super all-American, lucky winners of the Carlton's Creek lottery. The grand prize: $250,000 and one luxurious week at New York's legendary Hotel Beaumont. But the dream vacation that begins in a...  more

Red Carpet... George, Helen and twelve-year-old Marilyn -- the Watson family -- are the super all-American, lucky winners of the Carlton's Creek lottery. The grand prize: $250,000 and one luxurious week at New York's legendary Hotel Beaumont. But the dream vacation that begins in a gorgeous suite on the VIP, celebrity-occupied fourteenth floor turns into a ghastly nightmare when beautiful, ethereal Marilyn is found murdered. What had this innocent deaf-mute girl seen that caused someone to kill her?

Much to the chagrin of his girlfriend, Gia, Repairman Jack doesn't deal with electronic appliances--he fixes situations for people, situations that usually involve putting himself in deadly danger. His latest project is recovering a stolen necklace, which carries with it an ancient curse that...  more

Much to the chagrin of his girlfriend, Gia, Repairman Jack doesn't deal with electronic appliances--he fixes situations for people, situations that usually involve putting himself in deadly danger. His latest project is recovering a stolen necklace, which carries with it an ancient curse that may unleash a horde of Bengali demons. Jack is used to danger, but this time Gia's daughter Vicky is threatened. Can Jack overcome the curse of the yellow necklace and bring Vicky safely back home?

It's murder most viral... Bayou transplant Odessa Dean has a lot to learn about life in Brooklyn. So far she's scored a rent free apartment in one of the nicest neighborhoods around by cat-sitting, and has a new job working at Untapped Books & Café. Hand-selling books and...  more

It's murder most viral... Bayou transplant Odessa Dean has a lot to learn about life in Brooklyn. So far she's scored a rent free apartment in one of the nicest neighborhoods around by cat-sitting, and has a new job working at Untapped Books & Café. Hand-selling books and craft beers is easy for Odessa, but making new friends and learning how to ride the subway? Well, that might take her a little extra time. But things turn more sour than an IPA when the death of a fellow waitress goes viral, caught on camera in the background of a couple's flash-mob proposal video. Nothing about Bethany's death feels right to Odessa -- neither her sudden departure mid-shift nor the clues that only Odessa seems to catch. As an up-and-coming YouTube star, Bethany had more than one viewer waiting for her to fall from grace. Determined to prove there's a killer on the loose, Odessa takes matters into her own hands. But can she pin down Bethany's killer before they take Odessa offline for good?

Lily Brewster and her brother Robert were living high on the hog in Manhattan until the Crash of '29 took the family fortune south. Abruptly penniless, they have taken up residence in their late great-uncle Horatio's upstate estate on the banks of the Hudson and are slowly getting used to...  more

Lily Brewster and her brother Robert were living high on the hog in Manhattan until the Crash of '29 took the family fortune south. Abruptly penniless, they have taken up residence in their late great-uncle Horatio's upstate estate on the banks of the Hudson and are slowly getting used to small-town life. But while tearing down a dilapidated ice house on the property, Robert inadvertently stumbles upon a well-dressed, mummified human corpse, the obvious victim of foul play. And as Lily works hand-in-hand with the disarmingly attractive Chief of Police Howard Walker on the local front and Robert pursues the Manhattan connection in search of their well-heeled John Doe's identity, a second dead body turns up to complicate an already complexly murderous matter -- tying the Brewsters up in a knotty mess of deception and betrayal... and leaving them dangerously exposed to the watchful eyes of a killer.

Local chef Tessa Esposito is struggling to get back on her feet following her husband's fatal accident. And when the police knock on Tessa's door, things just get worse. They've discovered Dylan's death wasn't an accident after all, and they need Tessa to start filling in the...  more

Local chef Tessa Esposito is struggling to get back on her feet following her husband's fatal accident. And when the police knock on Tessa's door, things just get worse. They've discovered Dylan's death wasn't an accident after all, and they need Tessa to start filling in the blanks. Who would want her beloved husband dead, and why? With the investigation running cold, Tessa decides it's time to save her sanity by reconnecting with her first love -- cooking. And maybe the best way back into the kitchen is to infiltrate Dylan's favorite local pizza parlor, which also happens to be the last place he was seen before he died. But the anchovies aren't the only thing that stink inside the small family business, and with suspects around every corner, Tessa finds that her husband's many secrets might land her in hot water.

Nature’s Way Market and Café sells healthy foods and natural cures for what ails you. But there is no cure for murder ... Even naturopathic doctors need a little stress relief -- that’s why Willow McQuade, ND, takes a break to visit her Aunt Claire, owner of Nature’s...  more

Nature’s Way Market and Café sells healthy foods and natural cures for what ails you. But there is no cure for murder ... Even naturopathic doctors need a little stress relief -- that’s why Willow McQuade, ND, takes a break to visit her Aunt Claire, owner of Nature’s Way Market and Café, on Long Island’s North Fork. But Willow’s serenity is shattered when she finds her aunt’s lifeless body on the market floor, a bottle of Mimulus lying nearby. Taken to calm one’s fear of misfortune, the flower essence clearly failed Aunt Claire ... for her death was no accident. But who would want to kill her? The police soon zero in on Willow herself, who stands to inherit Claire’s business and the rights to a breakthrough anti-aging cream. Desperate to prove her innocence, Willow turns to former police officer Jackson Spade for help. Together they unearth a slew of suspects, each with something to gain by Claire’s unnatural demise. But as Willow gets closer to the truth, a killer waits to administer one final dose of death.