Here we are - in the grips of one of the coldest, snowiest winters I can
remember in long time! Luckily there are plenty of cozy mysteries to keep fans
warm and happy. There is a wonderful assortment of titles available this month,
ranging from library cats to beekeepers.
Here are a few that caught my eye this month -
February Book of the Month:
THE SILENCE OF THE
LIBRARY: A Cat In The
Stacks Mystery
By Miranda James (Berkley)
Everyone in Athena, Mississippi, knows Charlie Harris, the librarian with a
rescued Maine coon cat named Diesel. He's returned to his hometown to immerse
himself in books, but a celebrated author's visit draws an unruly swarm of
fanatic mystery buffs...and one devious killer.
It's National Library Week, and the Athena Public Library is planning an exhibit
to honor the centenary of famous novelist Electra Barnes
Cartwright—creator of the beloved Veronica Thane series.
Charlie has a soft spot for Cartwright's girl detective stories (not to mention
an extensive collection of her books!). When the author agrees to make a rare
public appearance, the news of her whereabouts goes viral overnight, and series
devotees and book collectors converge on Athena.
After all, it's rumored that Cartwright penned Veronica Thane stories that
remain under wraps, and one rabid fan will stop at nothing—not even
murder—to get hold of the rare books.
My thoughts: I absolutely adore the Cat In The Stacks mysteries
- They are full of great characters, intriguing mysteries to solve, and, of
course, that adorable Main Coon cat, Diesel! And THE SILENCE OF THE LIBRARY
is no exception. Miranda James always spins a great story and I highly
recommend each on of these books!
February Hardback of the Month:
THE DROWNING SPOOL: A Needlecraft Mystery
By Monica Ferris (Berkley)
In the USA Today bestselling Needlecraft Mysteries, Betsy Devonshire,
owner of the Crewel World needlework shop, knows how to untangle even the most
knotty of mysteries. But a soggy murder case might have Betsy in over her head.
Even though running Crewel World keeps Betsy plenty busy, a little extra cash on
the side doesn't hurt. So when the local senior complex, Watered Silk, asks her
to teach a class on the tricky punch needle technique, Betsy jumps at the
opportunity to win over some new customers.
Unfortunately, the business that Betsy drums up is not of the needlework
variety. A young woman is found floating in Watered Silk's therapy pool, and
Betsy's sleuthing skills are immediately called upon to figure out who drowned
her. But the list of suspects is more twisted than any Betsy has encountered
before. The young woman had three lovers—each with a motive for the murder.
It's up to Betsy to sort out the snarl of romantic entanglements and find a
killer, or the wrong man is bound to get pinned for a crime he didn't commit.
My thoughts: This is the seventeenth book in Monica Ferris' Needlecraft Mysteries, and
it is still as fresh and fun as the first. Adored characters are always
included, and the mysteries are still fascinating! Plus the addition of a great
needlework design is a well-anticipated treat for readers.
February Mass Market (paperback) of the Month:
BEEWITCHED: A Queen Bee Mystery
By Hannah Reed (Berkley)
Beekeeper Story Fischer has stocked the shelves of her market, The Wild Clover,
in preparation for the influx of produce-crazy tourists about to invade Moraine,
Wisconsin. In fact, with the apple cider and caramel apple stand on Main Street
and the corn maze out at Country Delight Farm, the whole town is ready for the
swarm.
But when a self-proclaimed witch moves into town, the neighbors are all abuzz
with questions. Is the quirky newcomer a good witch or a bad one? Story thinks
Dyanna Crane is perfectly nice, albeit a little eccentric. But after an entire
coven shows up for a new moon ritual—and one of the witches ends up dead
in the corn maze—Story must comb through both fact and fiction, before
anyone else is murdered under the cover of magic.
My Thoughts: I truly enjoy Hannah Reed's "Queen Bee Mystery" series
- they are always fun, the cast is quirky and unique and the mystery is always
lively! Her latest novel, BEEWITCHED is absolutely a
cozy mystery worth buzzing about!
February Debut Hardback:
THE CAT, THE DEVIL AND LEE
FONTANA
By Shirley Rousseau
Murphy and Pat J.J.
Murphy (William Morrow)
Shirley Rousseau, the author of the award-winning Joe Grey mystery series teams
up with her husband, Pat J.J. Murphy, to conjure a charming supernatural
adventure involving the devil, a thief, a bet, and a spirited phantom cat.
To the devil, the span of human life is as brief as spit on the wind. But the
challenge of playing with flawed humans, like a cat toying with a mouse, is
endlessly amusing. However, if the devil loses a wager, he will harass a
person's descendants until he eventually gets his due. Which is why he is
tormenting Lee Fontana.
The night before Lee is paroled, Satan terrifies and tempts the thief with the
promise of one more successful robbery. But Lee has a secret ally looking out
for him. The prison cat, a ghost, will tail the ex-con on his dangerous
mission--an adventure that moves across the country and spins far beyond our
present world into the vast realms of afterlife, a story in which ghostly Misto
revels in his added ethereal powers and expanded freedom.
My Thoughts: Cats and mysteries just seem to go together, and in this
brilliant debut novel, it's a ghostly prison cat who helps to save the day.
Shirley and Pat Murphy do a wonderful job with this action-packed novel. Can't
wait for more "Lee Fontana" stories.
February Debut Paperback:
A TOUGH NUT TO KILL: A
Nut House Mystery By Elizabeth Lee (Berkley)
Lindy Blanchard has devoted five years of her life to saving the pecan trees on
her family's farm—but someone is going to deadly lengths to see that she
fails.
Riverville, Texas, is pecan country, and the Blanchard family farm is famous for
its acres of tall pecan trees and the delicious pies and cookies sold at the Nut
House, the aptly named family store. Miss Amelia, Lindy's feisty grandmother,
makes the best pecan pies for several counties and the farm is attracting
visitors from far and wide to sample the wares.
Until the day Lindy walks into the greenhouse to find her uncle Amos murdered
and her new stock of trees destroyed, with the best of the bunch stolen. Who is
out to ruin the Blanchard family? And who wanted Uncle Amos dead? With the
sheriff stumped, it's up to Lindy and Miss Amelia to save the ranch and tree a
killer.
My Thoughts: This is an adorable new series that feature pecans, Texas
and mystery - what more could you want? A section of great recipes make this
new cozy mystery a must for fans of the genre.
Some other titles you might find fun to read:
Hope that you find something wonderful among these titles to read. Next month
promises to have some fun reads as well, so be sure to check back!
As always, Cozy Reading, Y'all!
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