Clare Cosi is busy as a bee planning her honeymoon when murder buzzes into the Village Blend in this all-new mystery in the beloved New York Times bestselling Coffeehouse series by Cleo Coyle.
While struggling to find a romantic (and affordable) destination for her upcoming honeymoon, coffeehouse manager Clare Cosi whips up a honey of a drink made from honey-processed coffee. Clare plans to serve her outstanding new Honey-Cinnamon Latte at her spring wedding to her longtime honey, NYPD detective Mike Quinn. The culinary world is also abuzz about the amazing honey that Clare was lucky enough to source for her shop’s new latte. Produced by Madame’s old friend “Queen” Bea Hastings, the rare, prize-winning nectar from Bea’s rooftop hives commands a premium price, and top chefs compete for a chance to use it in their signature seasonal dishes.
One night, a swarm of escaped bees blanket the Village Blend’s chimney, and Clare discovers Bea’s unconscious body after she seemingly fell from her high-rise rooftop-hive setup. The police want to rule it as a tragic accident or possible attempted suicide, but Clare does not believe either theory. Like Madame, she knows this Queen would never abandon her hive. To sort out this mystery, Clare investigates a world of cutthroat chefs, culinary start-ups, and competitive urban beekeepers. But can she uncover the truth without getting stung?
About the Authors:
Cleo Coyle is a pseudonym for Alice Alfonsi, writing in collaboration with her husband, Marc Cerasini. Both are New York Times bestselling authors of the Coffeehouse Mysteries. Alice and Marc are also bestselling media tie-in writers who have penned properties for Lucasfilm, NBC, Fox, Disney, Imagine, and MGM.
About the book:
Hardcover | $27.00 Published by Berkley Feb 01, 2022 | 368 Pages | 6 x 9 | ISBN 9780593197561
Do you believe in ghosts? Plenty of people do, even visiting psychics to help them communicate with the spirit world. In Spirits and Sourdough, the 10th installment of the Magical Bakery Mysteries, baker and hereditary hedgewitch Katie Lightfoot already knows spirits exist because her deceased grandmother has visited her on occasion. Still, she goes on a ghost tour in Savannah, Georgia with other members of her informal coven, the spellbook club. Savannah is only the most haunted city in the United States. What could go wrong?
Naturally, something does. The young woman who is the tour guide can actually communicate with the dead. On the tour, the spirit of a recently murdered woman contacts the guide because she wants Katie to find her killer. Katie knew the victim and understands she must bring the killer to justice.
Fiction writers work hard to make sure the information in their stories is accurate, even though the story is made up. I mine the varied richness of actual paranormal communities. There are plenty of practicing kitchen witches. The spellbook club members each have their own specialties, and each of them is a real belief system – Wicca, moon magic, tarot magic, voodoo, candle magic, flower magic, color magic, and, of course, herbal magic. The spells in the books are original, based on how Wiccan spells are crafted. I carefully research the benefits of the herbs and spices Katie and Lucy add to their yummy baked goods at the Honeybee Bakery. My go-to reference is A Compendium of Herbal Magick by Paul Beyerl, from whom I took classes to be a master herbalist and only later discovered he’s a well-known druid.
Katie does have a few more abilities than your witch down the street. The idea of a catalyst is fictional, but I’ll bet you know someone who things just seem to happen around. As for her being a lightwitch, aka someone called to right magical wrongs, well, there had to be a reason for her to get involved in all those Savannah homicides, right?
For Spirits and Sourdough, several books helped with the ghostly research. The Marshall House, where the spirit of the murder victim contacts the tour guide, has several stories, some of which I left out because they aren’t exactly cozy fare. I also took virtual ghost tours of Savannah and watched ghost hunting videos.
Finally, I spent time on Google Earth, walking the streets of Savannah to get details about what Katie might be seeing. I looked up architectural styles and interior designs for the places Katie goes and noted specific map directions for getting from place to place in Savannah. And I sought out lots of baking ideas and experimented in the kitchen. I’m rather proud of the blood orange thyme cake recipe!
If you want more recipes, or more information about me and my books, check out www.baileycates.com . There you’ll find a downloadable .pdf with recipes from the back of the Magical Bakery Mysteries as well as the Enchanted Garden Mysteries that I write as Bailey Cattrell.
About the Author:
Bailey Cates believes magic is all around us if we only look for it. She is the New York Times bestselling author of the Magical Bakery Mysteries. Writing as Bailey Cattrell, she is also the author of the Enchanted Garden Mysteries.
About the Book:
Mass Market Paperback | $8.99
Published by Berkley Jan 04, 2022| 288 Pages| 4-3/16 x 6-3/4| ISBN 9780593099247
Interested in writing a guest blog post? Writing an article on the theme of writing? E-mail Netera@aol.com
“Shall I be mother?” is a question of courtesy—who will pour the tea? Anyone can make the offer and it’s usually graciously accepted, but when the question is asked by Charles Henry Dill, Hayley’s hackles rise.
This is on opening page of The Librarian Always Rings Twice (book three in the First Edition library mysteries) during a board meeting of the Society. Hayley Burke, curator of the library—books from the Golden Age of Mystery at Middlebank House in Bath, England—has had just about enough of Charles Henry. He is the loutish nephew of the late Lady Georgiana Fowling. Middlebank was her home, the library hers, and the First Edition Society her creation. Charles Henry carries a heavy grudge believing that his aunt, who died three years before the start of book one (The Bodies in the Library), left him nothing of her vast wealth. The truth is that she left him a sizable inheritance and, as far as Hayley is concerned, he has nothing to complain about—not that that stops him.
Back to tea. What sort of tea does Hayley serve at the board meeting for the First Edition Society? It’s a good quality black tea blend. Most likely, it’s Yorkshire Gold, because that’s my favorite, although I’d happily drink the regular Yorkshire (red label). This is, by the way, a favorite of Yorkshireman Sean Bean.
I’m also happy to drink PG Tips, Typhoo or whatever is on offer as long as it’s a proper brew.
Milk? Of course. That’s milk, not cream. The “cream” in a cream tea refers to the clotted cream spread onto your split scone. Do you put on cream first or jam first? That’s a topic for another blog post!
Tea is ubiquitous in my books, because it’s ubiquitous in life in Britain. If you’ve read any of my books, other books set in Britain, or watched any British television shows, you’ve probably noticed how many times someone says “I’ll put the kettle on.” If it’s an electric kettle, this will change to “I’ll switch the kettle on.” Tea is all things—a pick-me-up, a comfort, a conduit to revealing a secret, an aid when delivering bad news.
In a tea poll published in the Daily Mail, only 3% of respondents preferred cup #1 (weak and milky) and 9% preferred cup #6 (very strong). My preference (Hayley’s preference—isn’t that handy?), cup #4, which is on the strong side, came at 35%. How do you like your tea?
Mrs. Woolgar, secretary in perpetuum for the First Edition Society—she was a friend and personal assistant to Lady Fowling—prefers a single variety to a tea blend: Fortnum & Mason’s Assam Superb is her choice. Hayley learned this early on in their working relationship and treads carefully around the subject of tea as she does with many other topics. This is because Mrs. Woolgar believes that she knows best what Lady Fowling would want when it comes to decisions about the Society, the library, Middlebank, and probably Bunter the cat, too. If it didn’t happen in Lady Fowling’s time, it shouldn’t happen now. Fortunately, Hayley has an ally or two on the Society’s board, and has been able to slip in a few new ideas to keep the Society alive and well. From all she has learned about Lady Fowling so far, Hayley suspects the Society founder would be open to almost any idea—even if she had preferred Earl Grey, her ladyship probably wouldn’t have said no to a cup of builder’s tea. However, Hayley is not about to bring up this subject with Mrs. Woolgar.
Have you heard of builder’s tea? It’s a generic term for a strong tea blend—no particular brand—said to carry those who work hard for a living through their day. I wouldn’t mind a cup right now. I’ll put the kettle on—in the meantime, enjoy this song about the importance of tea.
USA Today best-selling author Marty Wingate writes The First Edition Library series (Berkley) set in Bath, England, about the curator of a collection of books from the Golden Age of Mystery. Book one, The Bodies in the Library, concerns murder among an Agatha Christie fan-fiction writing group, and in book two, Murder Is a Must (October 2020), an exhibition manager is found dead at the bottom of a spiral staircase. Marty also writes historical fiction: Glamour Girls (Alcove Press, January 2021) follows Spitfire pilot Rosalie Wright through both the physical and emotional dangers of the Second World War. Marty writes two further mystery series: the Potting Shed books (Alibi) feature Pru Parke, a middle-aged American gardener transplanted from Texas to England, and the Birds of a Feather series (Alibi) follows Julia Lanchester, bird lover, who runs a tourist office in a Suffolk village.
Marty prefers on-the-ground research whenever possible, and so she and her husband regularly travel to England and Scotland, where she can be found tracing the steps of her characters, stopping for tea and a slice of Victoria sponge in a café, or enjoying a swift half in a pub.
At the Ridgewood High School Reunion, four friends reunite after being apart for 15 years. Frankie is a Vice President of a successful publishing house. Rachael is divorced and finally realizing her dream of buying and running a dance studio. Nina is a popular actress on a TV sitcom and Amy is the intelligent one of the group working in biotechnology.
They achieved their goals, but didn’t have someone to love (or who they could even trust) in their lives. So when Frankie suggests that if they didn’t have a date for New Year’s Eve by Thanksgiving that they go on a single’s cruise for Christmas, they were all for it.
Months leading up to the cruise, they frequently meet up online to discuss their itinerary. They are all excited about the trip and really look forward to it. But first they have to deal with their real life issues. That would be Nina’s career, Amy’s mother’s future, Frankie’s possible man crush and living in such a small and dark apartment. Then there’s Rachael’s concern about how well her ex and his new wife are caring for their son.
Cruise day comes and the woman are packed, ready down to the last detail, and looking forward to both having a memorable adventure and meeting someone. If anything, they attract others as they are fun loving, hysterical, and easily welcome others to their group. They are totally excited to set sail and meet new people. In fact, they meet Peter on the way to their staterooms. Next thing they know, Peter starts hanging out with them and they meet Marilyn. Frankie immediately wants to protect Marilyn from men who take advantage of divorced women and Nina can’t stop thinking that her father is aboard the ship.
Day trips are planned alone or with the group and everyone has the best adventures and food. The trip is more than a tight group of friends enjoying a memorable getaway. It’s a chance for each of them to rethink their lives, relax from a hectic schedule, and possibly do more than daydream about romance.
I bought Santa Cruise before the holidays as one of my Christmas books. You know that time of the year when you want to wrap yourself in a throw blanket in a comfy recliner and enjoy a good book. But, I couldn’t wait to read it and started it on Halloween instead. It did not disappoint. It introduced me to friends at a crossroads in their lives. The multiple points of view allowed me to understand their lives. I laughed with them. I experienced their loneliness. Their hope for better lives. Frustration with an ex-husband. Their curiosity when Marilyn has a mystery man in her life. All in all, I loved the book and look forward to other novels by Fern Michaels.
Small town festivals and carnivals are big celebrations. Mixing culture, community and the warmth and sunshine of summer. No less fun, but so much more charming and relaxing than massive urban block parties, small town festivals are a fun destination that’s usually just right around the corner. And the best part of fairs, for me, is the food. Ooey, gooey, sweet concoctions. Over-sized, batter-dipped and deep-fried. Corn dogs, lemonade, funnel cakes and elephant ears. Everyone has their favorite and most fair-goers leave tired, stuffed with sore feet and bellies full. What’s your favorite summer carnival memory? Mine always brings a huge smile to my face.
That was exactly what I was thinking about when I was writing A Killer Sundae, the third book in my An Ice Cream Parlor Mystery series—how much fun good weather and good food can bring. Having the Harvest Time Festival as the backdrop for my story, I wanted to transport readers to their best memories of summer festival fun. The setting for this book was patterned after the real, Blossom Time Festival that takes place each Memorial Day Weekend in Village of Chagrin Falls where the characters for my story live (yes, Chagrin Falls is a real place). And that summer fair is a lot like I described. Colorful hot-air balloons, a night glow extravaganza, and of course there are carnival rides and delicious, artery clogging food.
And one of the reasons I picked having my story at a fair, is because Win, the main character is taking her brand, spanking new food truck on its maiden run. It’s exciting times and she just wanted to show it off. And who doesn’t love a food truck. This one sells ice cream (nope, sorry, there’s nothing fried here) which pairs perfectly with the long, hot carnival days of summer.
So during this stretch of cold weather and gray skies, pick up a copy of A Killer Sundae, a bowl of ice cream and enjoy your memories of summer fairs and good food. And oh yeah, I’ve sprinkled in a little murder to keep you amused.
About the Author:
Wall Street Journal bestselling author Abby Collette loves a good mystery. She was born and raised in Cleveland, and it’s a mystery even to her why she hasn’t yet moved to a warmer place. As Abby Collette, she is the author of the Ice Cream Parlor mystery series, about a millennial MBA-holding granddaughter running a family-owned ice cream shop in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and the upcoming Books & Biscuits mystery series, starring a set of fraternal twins who reunite and open a bookstore and soul food café. Writing as Abby L. Vandiver, she is the author of the Logan Dickerson Mysteries, featuring a second-generation archaeologist and a nonagenarian, as well as the Romaine Wilder Mysteries, pairing an East Texas medical examiner and her feisty, funeral-home-owning auntie as sleuths. Abby spends her time writing, facilitating writing workshops at local libraries and hanging out with her grandchildren, each of whom are her favorite.
Real estate lawyer Thane Banning had been on the right side of the law until he was charged with the murder of a 33-year-old member of the District Attorney’s office. Basically because he was meeting with her, found the body, and held the weapon. But he didn’t kill her. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Five years later, Banning is no longer locked away in Forsman Penitentiary. With the key witness dead, the verdict was overturned and Banning was freed on a technicality. Being freed for a crime he didn’t commit was first overwhelming. Having made friends in prison, he was able to adapt. But his emotions seemed to have died and left him with only contempt. He wasn’t even sure he had a wife anymore or that he could go back to his old life.
District Attorney Bradford Stone knew he couldn’t retry the case and he didn’t want to go through the drama with the media. The downside was what did the public think about Banning being a free man and what did that mean to Stone’s future?
Thane quickly learns that society isn’t that accepting. There are confrontations, whispers and pointed fingers everywhere he goes. His former boss seems to be supportive.
Just when Thane thought life was difficult enough, there’s another murder. The police arrest a burglar that Thane and his friend Gideon know and he asks Thane to represent him. He trusts him even though he’s not a criminal lawyer.
For the most part, I found CONTEMPT’s character descriptions and back story realistic, except for the scene responsible for putting him behind bars. If you find a body you call the police you don’t go near it, pick up the weapon, and get blood all over you. But sometimes you act without thinking and innocent people pay the price and not the guilty party. Also, could a real estate lawyer act as a criminal lawyer?
Several characters’ attitudes and actions showed how they were changed by prison. Two things struck me: one was Thane’s anger, he couldn’t seem to control it at times and how many people that were actually responsible for the big lie. The book kept me interested to the end. There were some big twists and no way would I have guessed the killer.