Hi, I’m Jamie Adams, and if you’ve been following along, you already know I love a good mystery. Whether it’s a twisty whodunit, a classic cozy, or a suspenseful thriller, I’m always intrigued by what keeps a sleuth going—and who’s by their side. One of the most delightful parts of a great mystery isn’t just the main character—it’s the sidekick. These loyal companions come in all shapes and sizes: some walk on two legs, some on four, but they all help add depth, humor, and heart to a story. Today, I’m diving into one of the most fun questions in the cozy mystery world: Favorite sleuth sidekick: Cat, Dog, or Best Friend? The Clever Cat From aloof observers to uncanny clue-finders, cats are a popular pick in the cozy mystery genre. They seem to always be in the right place at the right time—often finding things their human companions overlook. Whether they’re knocking something off a shelf that turns out to be a clue or curling up next to the prime suspect, cats bring just the right amount of mischief and mystery. Why we love them: I you love feline detective stories, don’t miss the A Mobile Cat Groomer Mystery…

When I sit down with Kathryn Hu over boba—“the best drink for any occasion,” she says—she’s dressed in comfy casual with her long black hair up in a messy bun. This makes sense for the self-deprecating chemist who is currently dealing with life handing her the bad end of the stick—which, Kathryn tells me, is an idiom originating from the 1400s in reference to walking sticks. Which is a fun transition into my first question for her: What are some of your talents? Kathryn: Well, I’m great at turning others off by telling them the origins of idioms they don’t care about. And if that doesn’t get you, then my terrible chemistry puns will—though I don’t know why, I’m totally in my element with those. Oh, and I’m also great at having Abbott and Costello moments when I introduce myself to others thanks to my last name, Hu, pronounced who. Seriously, though? I’m supposed to be good at chemistry, the thing I’ve dedicated my life to, but most days I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing. And now it’s gotten me into some serious trouble, though maybe it can also help get me out of it? We’ll see….

Detectives, danger, and a disappearing heirloom ring – Nik Stevens’ bachelor party in Atlantic City is not going according to plan. Cue the drama, the mystery, and the Greek mama panic. This playlist hits all the right notes—from party chaos to emotional stakes—and pairs perfectly with your beach read vibes or late-night sleuthing sessions. Featuring: Will Nik make it home with the ring and his sanity intact? Or will the past crash the wedding? Stream this soundtrack while you find out. Tag your book bestie & share your favorite track from the list! #CozyMysteryVibes #BookPlaylist #BachelorBadgesAndBadLuck #MysteryWithHeart #GreekWeddingDrama #NikAndKalliForever “Viva Las Vegas” – Elvis Presley Why it fits: Okay, technically it’s Atlantic City, not Vegas—but the wild, chaotic energy of this song matches the “what could possibly go wrong?” vibe of the bachelor party. It captures Boomer’s enthusiasm and the festive mood… right before everything takes a nosedive into chaos. “Bad Luck” – Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes Why it fits: The literal anthem of this trip. From the string of unfortunate events to the missing heirloom ring, this funky, soulful track encapsulates the escalating sense of doom that plagues the detectives. Mitch would probably hum this under his…

1–What is the title of your latest release? The Divorcétante 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? When scandal shatters her picture-perfect life, an elite event planner trades perfection for reinvention as The Divorcétante. With a high-profile wedding on the line and a charming architect in her way, she must choose between guarding her image or risking it all for a second chance at love. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I wanted this high-society upper-crust town to have that Southern charm, and Georgia felt like the perfect place to encapsulate a mid-sized town with big drama and even bigger personalities. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Absolutely! I’m basically an honorary divatante. Ebony’s social circle is fun, fashionable, fabulous, and for the girls. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Passionate, empowered, phenomenal. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I’m in my dram-rom era. The Divorcétante isn’t a rom-com. It’s drama plus a sexy, scandalous, second chance romantic escape. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? Guilty! I edit as I draft. I constantly go back, layering in more…

Some books seem to come to me with a built-in playlist, and FINDERS KEEPERS was definitely one of them. “505” – Arctic Monkeys This is what I consider the theme song for the whole book. The returning to a place, to a person, and hoping to find them open to receiving you, but also worried about screwing things up again feels especially Quentin-coded, but it applies to Nina as well. “The middle of adventure, such a perfect place to start” is so apropos that I actually suggested it to my editor as a potential tagline. “Summer” – Steady Holiday and Jim James This song really captures the nostalgia of long summer days and nights and mixes it perfectly with the push-pull that Nina and Quentin feel when they reunite in their hometown after seventeen years of estrangement. It even asks “What did you expect?” and answers with “Not silence.” And then it goes on to push them to consider if being together maybe isn’t as complicated as they’ve tried to make it. “Sofa King” – Royel Otis I like to imagine this one from Quentin’s perspective. He’s never felt quite good enough for Nina to choose him, and he’s not…

1–What is the title of your latest release? COLD TRUTH 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? When FBI Hostage Rescue Team leader Kurt Montana is sent on an undercover mission, the last thing he expects is to end up on the run with Rowena Smith—a young, scrappy, British librarian with a dangerous secret. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I’ve been wanting to set a book in Zimbabwe since I visited in 2016. I needed a locale in Africa, and it was perfect. The country is beautiful. The people are wonderful. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Yes! 100% 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Competent. Attractive. Protector. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I discovered a lot about the geography of Mozambique for a couple of people on the run. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I edit as I go along and then again once I’m done. 8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence? chocolate! But non-dairy varieties. 9–Describe your writing space/office! I have several desks. One for thinking and plotting. One for all the admin work,…

Excerpt from MURDER ON THE GREEN by Christine Knapp “Well, you certainly look comfy,” Meg said, eyeing my navy jersey pants and top. “It’s an overnight flight, Meg. I thought this outfit was perfect.” Meg was niftily attired in a jet-black Eileen Fisher crepe ensemble. As usual, shewould look cover-ready on arrival in Dublin.By means of defending my wardrobe choice, I said, “I do hope we get a few hoursof shut-eye. Can you imagine clearing customs with our group after no sleep?” We pulled up to Hanville Grove and saw a large crowd at the entrance. Mom,Gaby, Louella, and Ethel were front and center, surrounded by green balloons. All ofthem were adorned in long sequined emerald scarves. “Ireland may never recover,” Meg said as we exited the Uber. “Come to think ofit, we may never recover.” Laughing, we rolled our suitcases over to the gathering. A few minutes later, thelimo pulled up. As we got in, goodbyes were called out by the large group. “Have a wonderful time.” “Don’t forget we need photos.” “Kiss the Blarney Stone, but don’t break a hip.” “Drink a pint of Guinness for me. Actually, drink two.” “Erin go Bragh.” Finally, we were fully loaded,…

1–What is the title of your latest release? THE MEDUSA PROTOCOL 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? A group of former assassins in a 12-step program for killers have to rescue their friend from a black site prison on an island full of venomous snakes.  3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I saw a TikTok video about an island off the coast of Brazil that’s so full of poisonous snakes that it’s off limits to the general public, and my first thought was: I need to set a book there. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Probably yes. They’re all killers, but they’re reformed, so I’d probably be safe. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? This book has two: Mark – funny, contemplative, deadly Astrid – angry, brilliant, deadly 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? The difference between neurotoxic and hemotoxic snake venom. 7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done? I sometimes write a bit and then go back and clean up before I start the new section but in a general sense, I do my best to…

I went to Australia last September, and while I had a great time Down Under, I also found some really interesting mystery series. First up we have Michael Duffy’s Blue Mountain mystery series set in Katoomba. I was in the Blue Mountains to see the Three Sisters natural monument and bought this in a wonderful little bookshop (Megalong Books) in Leura. The paperbacks are only available in Australia, but you can find them anywhere else on Amazon kindle. The series is unique because the narrator is a retired journalist and Detective Paul Ruel is not your typical cop. But once I read THE PROBLEM WITH MURDER, I had to read the rest in the series. More in the Series – #2 The Strange Death of Paul Ruel, #3 The Man in Black Bella Greaves is semi-retired and edits Katoomba’s local newspaper in Australia’s Blue Mountains. She is content but just a little bored.When disgraced homicide detective Paul Ruel is exiled to the Mountains, his superiors expect him to resign from frustration. Then he uncovers a crime that has been covered up for years, and turns to Bella for help. She finds Paul just as intriguing as the investigation. In that…

Excerpt from BUG HOLLOW by Michelle Huneven Fresh Water in the Sea he was in Ojai checking out a boarding school for her younger son when a man near her said her name. “Yvette?” He had short, curly salt‑and‑pepper hair, a good tan, and kind brown eyes. Her body recognized him first: Phil Samuelson, fifteen years older. A person she’d never expected to see again. Age had had its way with her as well, although her hair remained dark brown with only a few stray wires of white, and somehow (well, mostly by eating nothing) she was still slim, though with a tendency—and here is where age showed itself— to look fragile or, as her husband complained, skeletal. “Is it really you?” she said, and, smiling, they embraced. “You’re not here for François,” he said. “Surely he’s, what . . .” “A freshman at UCLA. I saw him yesterday. No. I’m here for my younger boy, JP. Jean Pierre.” “You and Claude got your two!”  “Yes. And you? Did you and”—here, somehow, from a deep drawer of memory, she extracted a name—“Sibyl—” She was about to say, “have another,” but just then, the guide called the group to order and…