Who are you going to believe, the rumor mill, a teenager who could be protecting someone, or a kid with a propensity for fibbing? Real-life mysteries can be messy. The witnesses are rarely unbiased, and everyone’s got dirt in their past—even the squeaky clean. Trust me, I’ve seen the dust bunnies hiding in their closets and under their beds! That’s also what makes people intriguing – flaws and all. A fictional mystery that can bring those elements of reality into a story puts them in the very satisfying read pile on my bookshelf. I found that to be the case with both books I’m featuring this month—two entirely different types of mysteries with the same outcome—me happy. Katie Gayle has created an interesting new series with her first Julia Bird Mystery, An English Garden Murder. I’m pretty sure we’ve all had a few misgivings about what could be underneath the soil when we start digging, I know I wondered about it when we dug a pool:). It’s even worse when your new to town and you start to wonder what the heck you got yourself into. What our former social worker and newly divorcee finds however, is a great community…

Thank you so much for your time and interest in the Jamie Winters Mysteries. I’m excited to have the opportunity to speak with you.   Describe your sleuth Jamie Winters for readers who may be new to the series. While she works as a secretary at an offbeat personal injury mill law firm, Jamie is a chronically insecure underachiever, a woman with a snarky inner voice who longs to be fierce and unafraid, but never quite manages to achieve that as she’s pulled inexorably along in her sidekick (and polar opposite) Maizy’s wake.   What’s the dynamic between Jamie and her “sassy teenaged sidekick” Maizy? Maizy is the niece of Jamie’s landlord/love-lust interest, Curt Emerson. Maizy is brilliant, completely without a filter, an unabashed free spirit with blue hair, body piercings, and sometimes legal-adjacent skills, who has (rare) moments where she’s vulnerable. Jamie helped mend her fractured relationship with Curt, and the two developed and maintain a friendship and partnership as they solve murders.   I usually stick with cozy mysteries, but how would you describe the Jamie Winters? Is it all suspense, murder, and mayhem all the time? Or are there some lighter moments with supporting characters? The series…

Instead of trying to find your perfect match in a dating app, we bring you the “Author-Reader Match” where we introduce you to authors as a reader you may fall in love with. It’s our great pleasure to present Kathleen Donnelly!   Writes: I write romantic suspense because I love a chilling mystery along with complex characters who ultimately come together to solve crimes and discover love. As a K-9 handler, I enjoy adding in working dogs to help solve the mystery.   CHASING JUSTICE is about Marine veteran Maya Thompson who returns home to her beloved Colorado mountains to heal from losing her military K-9 in Afghanistan. Maya takes on a job as a U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officer. She soon finds herself facing her deepest fear—working and bonding with K-9 Juniper—to solve the murder of her best friend and fellow officer. She’s also suspicious of the handsome new deputy in town who keeps offering to help her out with the case. Together with Juniper, Maya must uncover deadly secrets and figure out who to trust.   About: I am looking for a reader that loves dogs, mountains, and tales with suspense and romance. In my free time,…

“F” is for flowers and Flower House, of course, The shop, which Sierra must run. She got it from Felix, her odd former boss, Who quit and took off in Book One.   “A” is for Augustus, better known as Gus, A corgi, so friendly and true. Once Felix’s pet, now Sierra’s fur-friend, He’s awesome at digging up clues.   “T” is for treasure, a shadowy throughline That sent Felix off and brought Calvin ‘round. Sierra’s not sure what to make of it; In time will she too be spellbound?   “A” is for Appalachia and Aerieville too, The setting for every mystery. With loads of charm and small-town appeal, Plus mountain folklore and history.   “L” is for look, listen, and learn, Habits of every good sleuth. For Sierra, it’s second nature by now; But risky as she nears the truth.   “F” (again) is for friendship and fun, Which Sierra is lucky to find. From Deena and Calvin to Richard and Rocky, Her cohorts won’t leave her behind.   “L,” this time, is for none other than love, For Sierra a long-held dream. It might lead to marriage for the bride in this tale, Unless things aren’t quite what they seem?   “O” is for optimism, Possibly Sierra’s best trait. Her open…