Review - - Murder at Donwell Abbey

Murder at Donwell Abbey

by Vanessa Kelly

Emma Knightley Mysteries - Book 2

Publisher: Kensington

Release Date: November 25, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

 

Emma’s spirits are elevated after she and husband George Knightley host a joyful holiday celebration at the Hartfield estate. But it’s instantly a bitter January when her father makes an unexpected announcement—he and Miss Hetty Bates have decided to marry. Not only must Emma relinquish her role as mistress of the household, but also accept the reality that the excitable Miss Bates will become her stepmother . . .

More unwanted news arrives during an extravagant betrothal ball at Donwell Abbey, the grand Knightley estate where Emma and George will soon permanently reside. Nearly every villager in Highbury revels in the dazzling affair—except Emma’s hardworking lady’s maid, Prudence Parr. To Emma’s horror, Prudence is found dead, sprawled across the stones of the library terrace . . .

The woman’s tragic fall is quickly ruled a terrible accident and whispers circulate around personal troubles leading up to her untimely demise. But Emma’s instincts tell her that something far more sinister is at play. Now, Highbury’s matchmaker-turned-sleuth vows to outwit a cunning criminal before an innocent man loses his freedom—or Donwell Abbey plunges into a darker mystery . . .

PJ's Thoughts:

Have you discovered Vanessa Kelly's Emma Knightley Mysteries yet? I have to say, I'm thoroughly enjoying this new direction in which Kelly has taken her writing. 

In this second book in the series, we return to Highbury with another murder mystery that captures our amateur sleuth Emma's attention. Not only is Emma's personal life turned upside down with her father's surprising engagement announcement to Miss Hetty Bates but it's thrown into total chaos with a death (is it an unfortunate accident or something more sinister?) at the betrothal ball hosted by Emma and her husband. Will Emma figure things out before she finds herself in the villain's sights? Will the local constable muck it up? And what about the spinster, soon to be Emma's stepmother, Miss Bates? Will she turn out to be a complication or a delightfully unexpected ally?

There are so many things I enjoyed about this book. Set in a cozy, English village with intriguing characters, a tightly crafted mystery, charm, humor, witty dialogue, an indulgent, protective husband, and twists and turns that kept me guessing right up until the action-packed reveal, it kept me happily turning pages from beginning to end. And bonus, I didn't figure out the final twist! 

If any of these are your reading jam, I recommend picking up a copy of Murder at Donwell Abbey as well as book one in the series, Murder in Highbury. I'm already excited to discover what sort of tangle Emma will get herself in the middle of next. 

Tour Review - - The Librarians

The Librarians

by Sherry Thomas

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: September 30, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

Sometimes a workplace isn’t just a workplace but a place of safety, understanding, and acceptance. And sometimes murder threatens the sanctity of that beloved refuge....

In the leafy suburbs of Austin, Texas, a small branch library welcomes the public every day of the week. But the patrons who love the helpful, unobtrusive staff and leave rave reviews on Yelp don’t always realize that their librarians are human, too.

Hazel flees halfway across the world for what she hopes will be a new beginning. Jonathan, a six-foot-four former college football player, has never fit in anywhere else. Astrid tries to forget her heartbreak by immersing herself in work, but the man who ghosted her six months ago is back, promising trouble. And Sophie, who has the most to lose, maintains a careful and respectful distance from her coworkers, but soon that won't be enough anymore.

When two patrons turn up dead after the library’s inaugural murder mystery–themed game night, the librarians’ quiet routines come crashing down. Something sinister has stirred, something that threatens every single one of them. And the only way the librarians can save the library—and themselves—is to let go of their secrets, trust one another, and band together....

All in a day’s work.

PJ's Thoughts:

Having read Sherry Thomas's historical romances, I wasn't sure exactly what to expect from this new, standalone, cozy mystery. What I discovered were characters who engaged my interest, a mystery twisty enough to keep me guessing, and a satisfying conclusion that would lead me to read more of this type of book by Thomas. 

There are four main characters in this novel, all of whom work at a small neighborhood library branch in Austin, Texas. Over the course of the story, we learn about each of them in present-day scenes as well as flashbacks, all told from each individual's point of view. That much head-hopping can easily become confusing, especially when the characters are also interacting with one another as well as secondary characters but I felt the author handled the flow well. There were a couple times when I had to re-read a few pages to make sure I was in the right timeframe of the story but those were few. 

The author takes her time setting the stage for both the mystery portion of the book as well as the individual stories of the main characters. I engaged with some of the main characters earlier than others but by the end of the book, I was wholly invested in all four. The pace set by the author with each main character gradually revealing their secrets to the others feels authentic and relatable, also allowing me, the reader, to get to know them more intimately as they slowly come to know one another. I will say that if you're an impatient reader, you will need to call on some patience for the first third of the book as it moves at a relatively slow pace while the stage is set for the mystery and we get to know the characters. It wasn't an issue for me but it may be for others.  

The mystery is an important part of the book but there is also a bit of second-chance romance for two of the main characters (I was pulling for both couples) and some heartbreak along the way for another. The mystery itself is very well crafted, with several surprises that kept me guessing. Just when I thought I knew what was happening, the story zagged in an entirely different direction, keeping me eagerly flipping pages right up until the end. 

If you're into cozy mysteries with relatable characters, a well crafted storyline, and a satisfying payoff at the end, all wrapped up in well-loved books and community at the local library, give this one a chance. I thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Tour Review - - Dashiki

Dashiki: A Cozy Mystery

by Florence Wetzel

Publisher: Florence Wetzel

Release Date: January 5, 2025

Reviewed by PJ

A cozy mystery with a dash of romance set in the vibrant world of jazz.

During an interview with reclusive jazz singer Betty Brown, journalist Virginia Farrell is shown priceless tapes from the iconic 1957 Thelonious Monk-John Coltrane gig at the Five Spot. When Betty is found murdered, Virginia is determined to recover the tapes and uncover the truth behind Betty’s death.

In the spirit of Nancy Drew, Virginia teams up with her six-foot blonde roommate to investigate the various suspects. Detective Robert Smith from the Hoboken Police Department joins the case, quickly becoming absorbed by an unsolved murder possibly linked to Betty Brown’s death, as well as an undeniable attraction to Virginia.

Dashiki is a cozy mystery laced with romance, immersing readers in the captivating world of jazz, where musicians, journalists, scholars, and enthusiasts intersect in an entertaining whodunit.

PJ's Thoughts:

Set (primarily) in Hoboken, NJ, this story follows a music journalist with a love of jazz and a police detective with little knowledge of jazz who find themselves at the center of a murder, the disappearance of a musical treasure, and an unanticipated attraction.

I really enjoyed the vibe of this story. Though set in the early two thousands, it has a distinct 1950's vibe (at least it did to me) that meshes seamlessly with the jazz influences, including real and fictional characters, who were at the height of their popularity in that time frame. 

The mystery was well crafted and though I was pretty sure I had the culprit figured out about midway through, I was still surprised by some twists the story took in reaching its conclusion. 

But what really stood out for me in this book were the characters, the music, and the atmospheric resonance of the small jazz clubs tucked into out of the way corners of Manhattan and other cities. The author brought all of them to life on the pages of this novel, immersing me in their love - some might say obsession - of jazz legends and the genius of their musical creations. The characters, primary and secondary, were unique, richly textured, and each one important to the trajectory of the story as it unfolded. 

If you enjoy cozy mysteries, jazz, or just a well-told story with a little danger, a few surprises, and a bit of mild romance, give this one a try. I'm glad I did. 

Review - - Murder in Highbury

Murder in Highbury

by Vanessa Kelly

An Emma Knightley Mystery - Book 1

Publisher: Kensington Books

Release Date: October 22, 2024

Reviewed by PJ

 

Less than one year into her marriage to respected magistrate George Knightley, Emma has grown unusually content in her newfound partnership and refreshed sense of independence. The height of summer sees the former Miss Woodhouse gracefully balancing the meticulous management of her elegant family estate and a flurry of social engagements, with few worries apart from her beloved father’s health . . .   

But cheery circumstances change in an instant when Emma and Harriet Martin, now the wife of one of Mr. Knightley’s tenant farmers, discover a hideous shock at the local church. The corpse of Mrs. Augusta Elton, the vicar’s wife, has been discarded on the altar steps—the ornate necklace she often wore stripped from her neck . . .   

As a chilling murder mystery blooms and chaos descends upon the tranquil village of Highbury, the question isn’t simply who committed the crime, but who wasn’t secretly wishing for the unpleasant woman’s demise. When suspicions suddenly fall on a harmless local, Emma—armed with wit, unwavering determination, and extensive social connections—realizes she must discreetly navigate an investigation of her own to protect the innocent and expose the ruthless culprit hiding in plain sight.

PJ's Thoughts:

If you like Jane Austen, if you like cozy mysteries, or if you just enjoy a well-written story with intriguing characters set in the bucolic English countryside, Murder in Highbury is a book that should be added to your fall reading list. 

Vanessa Kelly is one of my favorite historical romance authors. I enjoy the humor, passion, danger, and adventure I've come to expect from her books and wasn't sure how I felt about her move to this new genre. After reading Murder in Highbury, I can say, without reservation, that I love it. Kelly's homage to Austen's Emma is charming and cozy, with a tightly-crafted mystery, lively characters who light up the page, and a beautifully descriptive setting that immersed me in the small village of Highbury and the secrets she's been keeping.

I enjoyed this book so much that I wanted to read it in one day but the leisurely pace of the village and her citizens forced me to slow down, savor the story, and give it the time it deserved. It enabled me to fully appreciate the nuances that Kelly has infused into the characters as well as the subtle twists and turns that kept me guessing as to who among the citizenry may have been involved in the murder.

I am hooked and already looking forward to Emma Knightley's next foray into amateur sleuthing. I would be happy if Vanessa Kelly planned many more books for this delightful series. 

Coastal Magic 2025 Featured Author Spotlight & Giveaway - - Catherine Bruns

 

Welcome to my second Coastal Magic Convention 2025 Featured Author Spotlight! Today, we're shining our Romance Dish spotlight on Catherine Bruns. Catherine is a USA Today bestselling author who has wanted to be a writer since the age of eight. She writes romantic suspense, cozy mysteries (with plenty of humor and yummy food), detective/crime procedurals, and thrillers. I just finished reading Catherine's book that we're spotlighting today, Tastes Like Murder. What a fun read! I'm already excited about diving into more of her books. Please give Catherine a warm Romance Dish welcome. 

 

Welcome to The Romance Dish, Catherine! It’s a pleasure to have you visit with us today. For those who have yet to discover you, please share what readers should expect when they pick up one of your books. 

Thank you for letting me visit! My hope is that readers will always be entertained by my stories and that they can provide a temporary escape to another place and time with no travel necessary.

Family is an important facet of Tastes Like Murder, book one of your Cookies & Chance Mysteries, especially family of the crazy, meddling, humorous kind. What is it about families, and Sally’s in particular, that excites you as a writer? 

Tastes Like Murder

Cookies & Chance Mysteries - Book 1

Sally Muccio’s had her crosses to bear: a cheating ex-boyfriend, crazy Italian parents, and an unfaithful husband, just to name a few. After her divorce, she returns to her hometown to start a novelty cookie shop whose specialties include original fortune cookies, served with a sprinkle of foreshadowing. But there’s no warning when her ex-husband’s mistress drops dead on Sal's porch, and police confirm it’s a homicide. Determined to stop her life from becoming a recipe for disaster, Sal takes matters into her own hands. With two very different men vying for her affection, dead bodies piling up, and a reputation hanging by an apron string, Sal finds herself in a race against time to save both her business and life—before the last cookie crumbles.

I enjoy spending time in Sally’s world because her family is a bit unusual to say the least, lol. They march to the beat of their own drummer and provide a lot of comical moments. Despite the fact that they’re all a little unusual, they are close knit and there’s nothing they wouldn’t do for each other.

Cookies are also front and center in this book and, I admit, had me drooling more than once. Are you a baker? What’s your favorite cookie to make or eat? 

I love to bake. It’s a way for me to relax and destress. For me, picking a favorite cookie is like picking a favorite child. One of my favorites are Josie’s Jelly Cookies, which I’ve included the recipe for. I’m addicted to shortbread cookies, and these have such a light buttery taste that I can never seem to get enough.

Thank you for sharing your recipe. These look delicious!

Josie’s Jelly Cookies

1 ½ cups (3 sticks) of butter, softened

1 cup of sugar

3 egg yolks

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 cups of flour 

Jam – Strawberry, Raspberry, Grape, your choice. (Can be seeded or unseeded.)

Preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Cream butter, sugar, yolks, and vanilla together. Sift flour and stir ingredients into wet mixture. Shape cookies in hand to make a ball about the size of a tablespoon and press thumb firmly into the center. Fill imprint with favorite jam. Bake on parchment-lined cookie sheet for about 10 minutes or until edges start to brown. Let cool—the jelly especially will be very hot! Makes about two dozen cookies.

While I was reading Tastes Like Murder, I could see the story unfolding like a movie in my mind. If this series was taken to the screen, who would you envision playing the key characters? 

If this series were ever to make it to the screen (Hello, Hallmark, I’m available!) I could see Emma Watson in the role of Sally, and perhaps Rachel McAdams as Josie. I know Rachel’s a little older than Josie’s character, but I have every confidence that she could pull it off.

I love that casting!

Let’s learn a bit more about you.

What are your passions (aside from writing, of course)? 

I love to read and attend live theater performances.

What would readers be surprised to learn about you? 

In addition to writing three books a year, I also have a day job. I work as a Contract Management Specialist for the State of New York. Retirement is only a couple of years away (hopefully!), and after that, I’ll be able to pursue my writing full time.

What are you currently reading or looking forward to reading? 

I’m currently enjoying Pretty Baby by Mary Kubica.

Where can readers find you online?

Catherine's Cozy Readers (private Facebook group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/241834706420330

Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100055727634124

Website: www.catherinebruns.net

Newsletter signup: https://www.catherinebruns.net/contact

 

*When readers sign up for my newsletter, they get a free Cookies & Chance novella sent to them! *

Thank you for visiting with us today, Catherine.  

It was a pleasure to be here!

Readers, have you read Catherine's books yet?

Do you like it when authors include recipes in their books? Do you ever make them?

What's your favorite cookie to make...or eat? Feel free to share your recipe.

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, August 14 will receive a signed copy of It Cannoli be Murder, book two in Catherine's Italian Chef Mysteries series. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Join us February 20 - 23, 2025 for the 2025 Coastal Magic Convention in Daytona Beach, Florida! Click for more information, including registration and a list of Featured Authors. 

 

Excerpt

Tastes Like Murder

Mrs. Gavelli’s lips moved silently until she stared at me in disbelief. “Why you give me lousy fortune again?”

Good grief. “Mrs. Gavelli, I don’t put those in there on purpose. We buy the fortunes from a novelty store, and Josie stuffs them into the cookies. I have no idea what they’re going to say.”

“Yah, sure,” she spat out, and then read aloud. “‘Be nice or leave.’”

Poetic justice. I turned around to ring up her sale, hoping she wouldn’t see my smile.

Mrs. Gavelli glanced over Amanda’s shoulder. “What you get?”

Drawing her eyebrows together, Amanda stared intently at the strip. “I don’t understand this.”

“They don’t mean anything.” Why did people keep putting so much emphasis on these little pieces of paper?

Amanda frowned as she read aloud. “‘No fortune for you. Wrong cookie. Your luck is not there.’”

“Aha!” Mrs. Gavelli pointed a finger at me. “You see? She get bad fortune too. Is setup.”

I closed my eyes and leaned back against the wall, defeated.

“Well—” Amanda sniffed. “I know you’re jealous of me, but it does seem like kind of a childish thing to do.”

Count to ten, Sal. Nope, didn’t work. “Buy something now or leave.”

Mrs. Gavelli shook her fist at me. “You rude. Is no way to treat customer.” She flounced out the door, bag in hand.

Amanda didn’t even look up at her departure. “Ooh, I think I want one of those vanilla yummy things with the chocolate drops on top. What the heck. Give me six of them.”

“Fudge,” I corrected her. “They’re called Fudgy Delights. And that will be six dollars.” I scooped the cookies into a bag.

Amanda’s jaw dropped. “Don’t I get a discount?”

She had to be kidding. “Why on earth would I give you a discount?”

“I was in here yesterday as well,” Amanda said. “Shouldn’t volume count for something?”

“Six dollars, please.” I clenched my jaw, praying she would leave soon. I didn’t want another confrontation.

Amanda shook her head in disgust while she pawed through her mammoth-sized Gucci purse. She handed me six singles and snatched her bag, reaching inside to remove a cookie. “You really should lose the attitude. It makes you ugly. Oops, I mean uglier.”

I gritted my teeth and turned away from her to ring up the sale, praying for more self- control. If I could wait on Amanda and manage not to lose my temper, I knew I’d be successful with any other customer who walked through the door. “Good night. It’s closing time.”

She took a bite and moaned, closing her eyes. “But I’m not done enjoying my cookie yet.”

“Enjoy it outside on the porch. Now, please.”

My cell phone started to ring from the back room. “Good night, Amanda.”

She shot me a dirty look and turned on her heel, pushing the front door open with force, bells jingling away merrily at her departure. I quickly locked the door before she decided to return.

Good riddance. I ran into the back to grab my phone and glanced at the number on the screen before answering. “Hi, Mom.”

“Hi, sweetheart,” she purred into the phone. “You’re still coming for dinner, right?”

“Yes, I’ll be there.”

“It’s already getting dark.”

I surveyed the kitchen area one last time and shut the lights off. “Mom, I think I can drive in the dark.”

“Did you want to bring a guest?” Her voice was thick with hope.

“You mean a date? Who on earth would I bring?”

“Jake was here yesterday. He’s such a nice—”

I pinched the bridge of my nose between my thumb and forefinger. “I’m not ready for this. Please ease up, Mom.”

She sighed loudly. “You’re nearing thirty. You should get married again and have a couple of babies. Your biological clock is ticking.”

“Okay, I’m hanging up now. Do you need anything?”

“The newspaper didn’t get delivered today. Can you bring yours? Oh, and why don’t you bring your father some of those genettis Josie makes? They might cheer him up.”

“Sure. I’ll see you soon.” I hung up and walked out to the bakery case. As I placed a dozen of the Italian, glazed cookies sprinkled with nonpareils into one of my pink bakery boxes, I knew they wouldn’t do the trick. My father had recently turned sixty-five and was convinced he’d die soon. It didn’t matter that he was in excellent health. Domenic Muccio said his time was coming soon.

His latest hobby consisted of scanning the obituaries and attending random wakes so that he’d know exactly what he wanted when the fateful day arrived. My mother was happy to leave him to his own devices. His total opposite, she acted like a teenager most days. I loved them dearly, but they were both certifiably nuts.

I walked to the front door and changed the sign over to Closed. Amanda sat in one of the wicker chairs, nibbling away. She must have sensed my presence because she suddenly turned and waved at me gaily. I ignored her as I shut the light off and lowered the blind on the door.

Once upstairs, I stepped into the shower for a quick rinse and changed into a pink T-shirt and white shorts. I grabbed a pair of sandals from my closet and blew dry my hair. After adding mascara, I was good to go.

Darkness had fallen in the twenty minutes since I’d closed the shop. Thunderstorms were expected later, the reason for the pitch-black sky. Perhaps then the heat wave would be over for the year. Fall was right around the corner, and soon enough winter would beckon with snow and cold, northeastern temperatures.

I sighed. Come January, I’d really be missing the Sunshine State.

My car was parked out in the alley. I started toward the back door of the shop then remembered the newspaper. It would be a shame if my father couldn’t read the obituaries during dinner. Shaking my head, I unlocked the front door and pushed to open it. Something held the door firmly in place from the other side. Convinced the heat was making it stick, I pushed harder. The door moved forward but only slightly.

What the heck? I reached along the inside wall to turn on the porch light. I sucked in a sharp breath, and my blood ran cold.

Draped across my woven welcome mat lay Amanda’s lifeless body.

Review - - The Case of the Missing Botticelli

The Case of the Missing Botticelli

by Marilyn Baron

A Massimo Domingo Mystery - Book 1

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

Release Date: January 24, 2022

Reviewed by PJ

In this cozy mystery, American art history major Hadley Evans joins an art detective agency in Florence, Italy, working for Massimo Domingo, once a major player, now the Inspector Clouseau of the art world.

Determined to save the flailing agency and prove her worth, Hadley and her sexy carabiniere boyfriend, Luca Ferrari, take on a mysterious client behind her boss's back. While hot on the trail of a missing masterpiece, they discover a hidden cache of stolen Nazi art in a Venetian villa and encounter a dangerous enemy with a link to an evil past.

PJ's Thoughts:

It's been almost five years since my last visit to Italy, the country of my soul. Once I discovered that Marilyn Baron had set her new book there, it went straight to my must-read list. Situated primarily in Florence and Venice, with side trips to Lake Como and Milan, reading this story was like visiting my favorite places from my sofa. It's clear that Baron is both knowledgeable about and holds deep affection for Italy. The scenic, architectural, and cultural richness of the country shines through on every page. 

Something else that shines through is this author's appreciation for art, around which the mysteries in the book are centered, in particular, art with ties to WWII, Germany, and the Holocaust. I was fascinated by the blending of fiction with the obviously well-researched facts surrounding treasured paintings by European masters that were confiscated (stolen) from Jewish families in the 1930s and 1940s, some of which have been recovered and others that are missing still, as well as the ongoing struggle of surviving family members to reclaim their rightful property. I want to know more. 

There is a romantic thread that weaves through the story as well, featuring Hadley, the (American) main protagonist and Luca, an Italian carabiniere (police officer). It's entertaining and does continue to evolve throughout the story with Luca assisting Hadley in her art detective role. This is the first book of a new series so, if Hadley continues to have a leading role in future books, I'm hopeful we'll see her romantic relationship progress as well. There are already plenty of opportunities for both conflict and humor in cultural expectations as well as those of Hadley's and Luca's American and Italian families. Italian mamas and Southern Belles (Hadley's mother) do tend to have opinions and aren't hesitant to voice them. 

If you enjoy cozy mysteries, "traveling" from the comfort of home, engaging characters and fascinating historical facts, all centered within the high-stakes world of stolen art, give this book a try. I enjoyed it and will be looking forward to the next Massimo Domingo mystery. 

Review & Guest Post - - Farewell Blues - - Birthday Giveaway #16

Farewell Blues

by Maggie Robinson

Lady Adelaide Mysteries - Book 4

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press

Release Date: September 14, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

The Society Scandal of the Season...

Lady Adelaide Compton had prepared herself to say goodbye forever to Detective Inspector Devenand Hunter. It would be a welcome relief not to get mixed up in any more murders, even if it meant never working alongside the handsome detective again...wouldn't it?

But then Addie's prim and proper mother, Constance, the Dowager Marchioness of Broughton, is accused of murdering her secret lover, and there can't be enough gentlemen detectives on hand to find the truth. The dead Duke of Rufford appeared to lead a blameless life, but appearances can be deceiving. And unless Addie and Dev work together, Constance will hang—which is no one's idea of a happy ending.

PJ's Thoughts:

If you've been following my reviews, you know how very much I've enjoyed the first three books in this delightfully entertaining, cozy mystery series. Maggie Robinson brings Addie's journey to a close with this fourth, and final, book in the series and I admit, I've grown immensely fond of these characters (yes, even Rupert). However, as difficult as it may be to bid them adieu, surely Rupert has done enough to earn his wings by now and Addie should be able to joyfully live out her life without her late husband looking over her shoulder. But first, there's another murder mystery to solve and this time Addie's mother is at the heart of it. How ironic that Dev is the one Addie's mother turns to when all of London is convinced of her guilt. 

Farewell Blues is another page turner that, once I began reading, was impossible to put down. Humorous, suspenseful, witty, and poignant, this story was a wonderful farewell to one of my favorite recent series. The mystery is tightly plotted with a myriad of twists, turns, and possible suspects that kept me guessing (about both the murder and Dev and Addie's HEA) right up until the reveal. If you've been reading the series, you know there are also a couple secondary (potential) couples who have also been traveling a twisty path. Never fear, Robinson neatly ties up all three relationships in a manner that left me sighing happily. 

The mystery in each of the four books of this series stands alone so you don't have to read the books in order. However, to watch Addie's evolution play out in real time, as well as the progression of her relationship with Dev, and the ghostly Rupert, you may want to begin with book one: Nobody's Sweetheart Now. Whichever way you choose to read them, I predict you will have a rollicking good time! 

I'll also add that I don't know what Robinson has planned next but I do hope she will return to this cozy mystery genre at some point. She clearly has a gift for this type of writing. 

~~~~~~

Singing the Blues

by Maggie Robinson

 

Thanks so much to PJ and the Romance Dish for having me on this bittersweet occasion. Farewell Blues is the fourth and final Lady Adelaide Mystery, and I’m kind of sad about it. I’ve been with the same characters through four books, and I’ll really miss them. When I was writing four different historical romance series, the cast changed for each book/novella. As much as I loved all thirty-two (!) heroes and heroines, Addie, Dev and Rupert have worked their way indelibly into my heart.

People always ask, “Where do you get your ideas?” and I can honestly say I haven’t a clue. This is not so great for a mystery writer, LOL. I always wanted to write cozies (no suspenseful tension or gore for this scaredy cat), but wasn’t sure I could plot one. I usually never plotted anything, just sat down at the computer and…stuff happened.

That was fine for my romances, but mysteries need more structure. Like Hansel and Gretel, somebody needs to drop the clue breadcrumbs through the forest. Somebody has to be the baddie. Somebody else has to look like the baddie to trick you, gentle reader. Somebody else, poor thing, has to die.

Much to my surprise—and Addie’s—her husband Rupert turned up on the first page of Nobody’s Sweetheart Now, and Rupert was already dead. Yes, it seemed I was writing a ghost book, which I hadn’t planned to do at all. I’m not really a paranormal person, but Rupert didn’t care. He was there and I had to deal with it. Which, I think, I did, and had a lot of fun along the way redeeming him. And that was the dilemma. Rupert helped solve murders and saved lives, unbeknownst to handsome Scotland Yard detective Dev Hunter, and became pretty darned efficient. Why wasn’t he on his way to Heaven after all his good deeds? Rupert began to complain, and was justifiably tired of wearing the same pinstriped suit he was buried in through four books.

So the series had to wind up and give him his celestial wings and a fresh set of underwear. And being a reformed romance writer, I thought everyone else needed a happy ending too. So Addie and Dev, her sister Cee, and cheeky maid Beckett all get their HEAs. I hope you’ll agree!

In your opinion, how many books should the “perfect” series have? What’s your favorite long series?

Birthday Giveaway #16:

Today's giveaways are brought to you through the generosity of today's featured author, Maggie Robinson. Thank you, Maggie! Winners will be randomly chosen from comments posted before 11:00 PM, September 18. 

Three book giveaway! 

One commenter will get a signed trade paperback of Farewell Blues (U.S. only).

One commenter will receive a download of Farewell Blues.

One commenter has their choice to download any previous book in the series: Nobody’s Sweetheart Now (Book 1), Who’s Sorry Now? (Book 2), or Just Make Believe (Book 3). All can be read as stand-alones. 

For more info on the Lady Adelaide Mysteries, please visit my website: www.maggierobinson.net Happy reading!

Today's Special - - Maggie Robinson & Nobody's Sweetheart Now

Nobody's Sweetheart Now
By Maggie Robinson
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Release Date: November 13, 2018
Reviewed by PJ

A delightful English cozy series begins in August 1924. Lady Adelaide Compton has recently (and satisfactorily) interred her husband, Major Rupert Charles Cressleigh Compton, hero of the Somme, in the family vault in the village churchyard.

Rupert died by smashing his Hispano-Suiza on a Cotswold country road while carrying a French mademoiselle in the passenger seat. With the house now Addie's, needed improvements in hand, and a weekend house party underway, how inconvenient of Rupert to turn up! Not in the flesh, but in - actually, as a - spirit. Rupert has to perform a few good deeds before becoming welcomed to heaven - or, more likely, thinks Addie, to hell.

Before Addie can convince herself she's not completely lost her mind, a murder disrupts her careful seating arrangement. Which of her twelve houseguests is a killer? Her mother, the formidable Dowager Marchioness of Broughton? Her sister Cecilia, the born-again vegetarian? Her childhood friend and potential lover, Lord Lucas Waring? Rupert has a solid alibi as a ghost and an urge to detect.

Enter Inspector Devenand Hunter from the Yard, an Anglo-Indian who is not going to let some barmy society beauty witnessed talking to herself derail his investigation. Something very peculiar is afoot at Compton Court and he's going to get to the bottom of it - or go as mad as its mistress trying.

My thoughts:

This book is so much fun, which seems a weirdly odd thing to say about a murder mystery. Nevertheless, it's true. For her first foray into English cozy mysteries, Maggie Robinson has hit it out of the park - or whatever the English equivalent would be - with this expertly crafted whodunit. From beginning to end, it's an absolute delight.

With impeccable timing, and wit, Robinson guides somewhat naive Addie as she explores her newly acquired independence, so rudely interrupted by her dead husband's ghostly presence, as dead bodies keep turning up during her house party. The story flows beautifully with perfectly placed twists and turns to keep the reader guessing as to the identity of the killer or killers. There are several plausible suspects and Robinson drops clue crumbs here and there, keeping me - and everyone at her house party - wondering. All of the characters, primary and secondary, are well developed and contribute to the progression of the story in some way. Dev, the Scotland Yard Inspector, in particular, is one I hope we'll be seeing more of in future books. He and Addie have chemistry stirring between them that I'd love to see explored. Rupert, less than exemplary in life, shows great promise in death. The scenes between him and Addie are rife with humor and also a bit poignant. I don't know if he'll continue to be present in future books but I hope so. 

If you're in the mood for a roaring-twenties cozy mystery set in the bucolic English countryside with sparkling wit and banter, a well-crafted mystery, a likable protagonist, a charming, but meddlesome, ghost, a handsome inspector, and a house filled with potential murderers (could it be the school chum in the library with a candlestick?), then Maggie Robinson's Nobody's Sweetheart Now is just the book for you. It has my enthusiastic recommendation.

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Welcome back, Maggie! I’m so excited to celebrate the release of Nobody’s Sweetheart Now, the first book in your English cozy mystery series. What a fun story! Please tell our readers what they can expect from this new series.

Well, I’m trying to conquer a new decade and a new genre, the 1920s classic mystery…with a touch of the paranormal. The book comes out next week, on November 13. I’ve written historical romances set in the Regency, Victorian and Edwardian eras, but I challenged myself to try something a little different. I’ve had more fun than should be legal. My heroine, Lady Adelaide Compton, is a widowed marquess’ daughter. She thought she was rid of her unfaithful husband Rupert, but finds out to her shock he hasn’t quite left this astral plane. He has to make up for his many sins before he can go in a heavenly direction, and discovers his talent for detection. A real detective inspector from Scotland Yard, Devenand Hunter, has no idea he’s being assisted by a ghost!

How many books are planned for the series?

The second, Who’s Sorry Now?, comes out next May, and I’m halfway done with the third, tentatively titled Make Believe. The book titles come from popular songs—it was a fabulous decade for timeless music, and there are a lot of songs! I’d like to write them to infinity…but all those bodies building up might give me pause, LOL. I never realized how enjoyable it is to kill characters rather than make them kiss.

Nobody’s Sweetheart Now is set in 1924 England, a time and place that I find fascinating. What is it about this era that inspired you to set your series there?

When I was in high school, I dressed as a flapper for a youth fellowship musical, and Charlestoned the night away—the seed was planted! The twenties were years of wild extremes, which provide lots of plot bunnies. I chose England, specifically the Cotswolds and London, since I’ve been a frequent visitor. I’m trying to follow in the footsteps of those Golden Age of Mystery authors, who were my first reading loves.
The aftermath of the Great War was particularly poignant; a whole generation of young men never returned. My antihero Rupert was a flying ace who became bored by peace time, and is even more bored by death!

I love the vintage autos and fashion described in this book. Please tell us about the car you’d be driving and clothes you’d be wearing if you could time-travel to the 1924 English countryside for a day. With money being no object, of course.

I just so happen to have a Pinterest board which brings me great pleasure and inspiration. Here’s the link: https://www.pinterest.com/maginme/lady-adelaide-series/ so you all can drool too! If my arms were not so flabby, I’d be wearing a sleeveless, sequined flower-embroidered teal silk crepe dress with as many diamonds and aquamarines as I could slap on. I would be chauffeured in a Bentley Landaulet, of course.

Will Addie be helping to solve cases on both sides of the pond?

In the second book, she’s just returned from America, where no one she knew was knocked off during her visit. I think I’ll keep killing off British people so Dev and Scotland Yard can get involved.

What was your favorite scene to write in this book?

For a while, poor Addie thinks she’s losing her mind every time Rupert turns up. Here’s the first page of Chapter 14:

“What are you doing snooping around?” Addie hissed into the bushes.

“Not snooping. Until fairly recently, I was the lord of this manor. Let’s just say I was surveying the property. And checking up on your welfare, too. You were unchaperoned. I don’t trust that foreign fellow.” Rupert stepped out from behind the hedge and brushed his suit off. For something that he’d worn now for six months under unusual conditions, it was holding up well.

“For heaven’s sake—not that you’d know anything about that—Mr. Hunter is not foreign! He was born in Chelsea.”

“Details. Nevertheless, that Sergeant Bob Whosis should have been there looking like an earnest bulldog, scribbling away. Or your maid Beckett, if you could convince her to get her nose out of Movie Weekly long enough. ”

“You pressed your nose against the glass, crossed your eyes and waggled your tongue at me while I was talking to him!”

“See? I don’t understand how you could call that snooping. Snooping requires stealth. Tip-toeing. Near invisibility. There I was, plain as day.”

Rupert always had an answer to everything. Addie wanted to slap him, but reminded herself he wasn’t really there.

Or was he? Could it be possible that she was really, truly being haunted by the ghost of her husband?

Fast five:

Hot tea or hot chocolate?
Hot tea. With too much sugar and a slice of lemon.

Dresses or jeans?
Yoga pants, though I don’t do yoga!

Christmas decorations before or after Thanksgiving?

While the kids and grandkids are home, we drag the tree and decorations up on Thanksgiving Day evening, then spend Friday puttering around. The tree is pre-lit, so there are no tangled strings of lights or cursing involved. The grandkids hang all their favorites in a bunch on basically one branch, and then when they’re gone, I redistribute them more evenly. I am a bad grandmother.

Ghosts: Yes or No?

Rupert seems pretty real to me now, LOL. I can’t rule them out.

Thanks, Maggie! Do you have anything you'd like to ask my readers today?

I’m going to turn your last question around—has anybody had a ghostly encounter or odd feeling in an old house or a woo-woo Ouija board experience? 

I’ll give away a signed hardcover book of Nobody’s Sweetheart Now to a random commenter even if you say no!