ROCCO'S END OF YEAR REVIEWS - NOVEMBER / DECEMBER

 Ma-row!  Let's close out 2023 with some great upcoming cozies for November/December! (And a sneak peek at January too)

 MURDER UNDER THE MISTLETOE by Sherry Lynn

Berkley Mass Market; November 7, 2023

Landscape artist Kinsley Clark is back in a fresh new Maine-set holiday cozy, the second installment in Lyn’s Mainely Murder Mystery series. Kinsley has been re-hired to decorate the town of Harborside of the upcoming holiday season and boat parade, decking out the town with décor featuring local elements found in Maine. When local alderman Chris Chesterfield, dressed up as the Grinch, falls off the pier and into the icy Atlantic all eyes turn to Kinsley. Turns out Chris didn’t fall after all and what’s even more shocking is a revelation—he was looking to replace Kinsley with a different decorating team. Kinsley and friends must unearth the truth before she takes the fall in this “solid series”, according to Kirkus Reviews, out this fall.

Have to agree with the "solid series" review.  Setting always brings to mind another Maine based series (Hint: Cabot Cove, the murder capital of Maine).  Four and a half paws!

 

 

BULLETPROOF BARISTA by Cleo Coyle

Berkley Prime Crime Hardcover; on sale November 14, 2023

Start reading here.

 

Village Blend coffee shop is the scene of a true crime in the latest entry in the beloved Coffeehouse Mysteries from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle. Kirkus Reviews raves, “Scads of red herrings, peeks behind the show-biz curtain, and bountiful appended recipes will leave fans smiling contentedly.” When a hit TV show choses to spotlight the shop and its crew of baristas, master roaster Clare Cosi is beyond thrilled, especially when her superb bulletproof coffee lands her a craft services contract. Star Jerry Sullivan frequented the shop early in his career, but the past may hold more than nostalgia for Jerry. Then a real bullet is fired from a stage gun, and Clare becomes convinced something sinister is afoot. While Jerry’s production moves to exciting new locations, Clare keeps the coffee flowing—and her investigation going—even as a murderer lurks in the wings. But can she root out the rotten player in this Big Apple production before the lights go out on her?

This is one of our favorite series. We always root for Clare Cosi to find the clue that will solve the mystery. Five paws for an inventive plot and a series that never seems to run out of steam.

 

 

CYANIDE AND SENSIBILITY by Kate Oliver

Berkley Prime Crime Mass Market; on sale December 12, 2023

Start reading here.

 

While Phaedra Brighton might not have a Mr. Darcy (yet), she's quite content with her loving family and loyal cat. Phaedra’s sister Hannah is the Jane to her Elizabeth, and she’s ecstatic that Hannah is moving home for her next adventure—opening her very own patisserie. All of Laurel Springs comes out to celebrate the grand unveiling of Tout de Sweet, including local celebrity Rachel Brandon. But the celebration turns sour when one of Hannah’s confections sends Rachel’s assistant to the hospital with poisoning. Phaedra must help her sister save her reputation and her budding business, but first she must figure out: who was the cupcake actually meant for? And how far is the culprit willing to go to take their target off the menu—permanently? 

Kirkus Reviews calls it, “Strictly for readers who think ‘choosing a gift for a romantic partner was a puzzle fit for Sherlock Holmes’,” but I’ll let you be the judge of that!  Great for readers who like to blend their cozies with a dash of romance.

 

 

 

THE DOG ACROSS THE LAKE by Krista Davis

Berkley Prime Crime Mass Market; on sale January 2, 2024

Start reading here.

While relaxing on her terrace, Holly Miller spots an unfamiliar reddish-gold pooch across the lake. She’s intrigued, knowing most of the animals in Wagtail, but she never expected to find the very same dog smiling at her in bed when she wakes the next morning! Turns out, the wayward pooch belongs to Holly’s cousin Josh, whom she hasn’t seen in over a decade. He’s camping with his girlfriend across the lake, and Holly returns the cute dog to Josh’s campsite twice, but the second time, Josh and his girlfriend are nowhere to be found. Instead, a guest of the Sugar Maple Inn is dead in their tent. Now it's up to Holly and Trixie to suss out a sneaky killer. According to Library Journal, “Fans of the series will enjoy this latest, as will those who enjoy pet-centered mysteries.”

Another tried and true series featuring animals, of course!  A definite thumbs up and five paws.

 

 

 

Sniffing Out Murder

Kallie E. Benjamin

A Bailey the Bloodhound Mystery

December 5, 2023/Trade Paperback

Four and a half paws

When a murder unleashes a widespread investigation through Crosbyville, children’s book author Pris and her trusty bloodhound, Bailey, must sniff out the truth before the whole town goes to the dogs.

After deciding that life as a teacher wasn’t right for her, Priscilla found inspiration for her first children’s book in her three-year-old bloodhound’s nose for truth, and so The Adventures of Bailey the Bloodhound was born. After the book’s massively pawsitive response led Pris to move back to her hometown of Crosbyville, Indiana, to continue the series, she’s surprised by how things have changed in the town, but even more so how they haven’t.

Pris is frustrated to discover that newly elected school board trustee Whitney Kelley—a former high school mean girl—is intent on making Crosbyville more competitive by eliminating “frivolous spending” on the arts and social programs, including Pris and Bailey’s beloved pet-assisted reading program. A minor altercation between them isn’t anything unusual, but after Bailey sniffs out Whitney’s body in a bed of begonias, locals start hounding Pris and Bailey as suspects for the crime.

With Bailey’s sharp senses and Pris’s hometown know-how, can they prove to the community that they’re all barking up the wrong tree?

this sounds right up our alley, merow!!!!!  Good start to what looks to be an inventive series. Four and a alf paws!

THE BEST OF THE BEST - ROCCO REVIEWS 'MY COUSIN SKINNY'

Merow! As everyone knoww, here in the Lotempio household we are huge E.J. Copperman fans,particularly of his latest series, THE JERSEY GIRL MYSTERIES. So of course when the human got her copy of the fifth entry, MY COUSIN SKINNY, I had to read it first!

 Copperman has truly outdone himself with this one, which we consider the best Jersey girl so far. Sandy, back in Jersey with Angie and Patrick for her cousin Stephanie (nickmaned Skinny)_'s wedding, finds herself caught up in drama when the bride emerges from the kitchen, bloodstained and weilding a knife, and the body of the best man is in the kitchen. there follows a puzzling mystery - several people were seen going into the kitchen. Could one of htem have killed the best man? Stephanie tags Sandy to be her lawyer, something Sandy is reluctant to do at first, but after some prodding from Patrick (and her mother, sister and Aunt) Sandy reluctantly takes on the case. although when "Skinny" keeps begging for plea deals she's more than a bit frustrated - and wondering if her cousin is, indeed, innnocent.

 Does Sandy manage to exonerate her cousin and solve the mystery of who killed Brandon Starkey? You will have to get your copy of MY COUSIN SKINNY to find out. One thing we can promise you--this one is a thrill ride from start to finish! Five Paws (we'd give it ten if Rocco had more paws)

ROCCO spotlights TWILIGHT FALLS

 TWILIGHT FALLS by Juneau Black (Vintage; 11/7/23), the fourth book in the Shady Hollow cozy mystery series, is the newest instalment in this popular series.  In this one, our intrepid reporter Vera Vixen is embroiled in a case involving star-crossed lovers whose affair may have turned deadly.

The first three—SHADY HOLLOW, COLD CLAY, and MIRROR LAKE, were published in early 2022 and received a rave review from Sarah Weinman in the NYT who called them her “favorite new comfort reads.” The first book is a repeat regional indie bestseller, is on its sixth printing, and sells consistently. And as a reminder, Juneau Black is the pseudonym of two former Boswell Book Company booksellers in Milwaukee who came up with the idea for this series while pricing finger puppets.

 

These books are a true delight—you will find yourself wanting to grab a coffee and pistachio morning bun from Joe’s Mug, to peruse the shelves at Nevermore Books, and to enjoy freshly popped popcorn while joining in the Apple Blossom Walk.  Oh, and solving the murder right along with Vera, of course!  Four and a half paws.

 

 

The fourth book in the Shady Hollow mystery series sees Vera embroiled in a case involving star-crossed lovers whose affair may have turned deadly.

It's spring in Shady Hollow, and romance is in the air. Even reporter Vera Vixen is caught up in the season as her relationship with new police chief Orville Braun blossoms. But true love is not always smooth sailing, as two of the hollow's young residents come to find. Jonah Atwater and Stasia von Beaverpelt find themselves battling their families in order to be together. And when Jonah's father, Shelby, goes over the top of Twilight Falls, all signs point to Stasia being the murderer. 

The evidence against Stasia appears overwhelming, and Orville arrests her. It looks like the case is closed, but Vera isn't so sure. There are almost too many clues indicating Stasia is the killer, leading her to suspect someone is setting Stasia up. Besides, what about the mysterious ghostly creature skulking around town at night? Maybe he or she was involved? As Vera investigates further, her sleuthing puts her in direct opposition to Orville, and soon she's stirred up a hornet's nest of trouble.

 

Praise for the Shady Hollow Mystery Series

 

“The plotting is sharp, the prose lean and the atmosphere pure joy. Vixen and the rest of the critters never feel like anthropomorphic Disney cartoon characters. I eagerly await a fresh infusion of Shady Hollow mayhem."
—Sarah Weinman, The New York Times

 

“Offers sunshine and murder in perfect proportion to keep readers entertained and engrossed.” 

—Shelf Awareness

 

“An absolutely delightful cozy read… An remarkable empathy is also on display in these pages, putting this book firmly in the category of heartwarming reads despite the murders it chronicles.”

—Criminal Element

 

“Watership Down meets Mickey Spillane. A mystery of rare and sinister charm.”

—Alan Bradley, New York Times bestselling author of the Flavia de Luce series

 

“A magical confection that will leave you nostalgic for the storybooks of your youth.  It’s quirky and clever, charming and smart.  I read Shady Hollow in one sitting and can’t wait for more!”

—Sarah Addison Allen, New York Times bestselling author of First Frost

“Get ready to fall in love with Shady Hollow and its quirky cast of animal characters. Charming and clever, Juneau Black will take readers on delightful ride as the mystery unfolds. I can’t wait to read more!”

—Amy E. Reichert, author of The Kindred Spirits Supper Club

“Shady Hollow must be the coziest of cozy crime stories. I not only enjoyed reading about it—I want to live there, surrounded by enigmatic pandas, diligent mice and well-read corvids. I have to try the food, listen to the gossip and visit the tiny café—and I don’t even care that there is a murderer on the loose!”

—Leonie Swann, bestselling author of Three Bags Full