Chazz previews Berkley's Spring Cozies!

 Chazz here! Below is a preview of cozies Berkley has for Spring! Im pleased to give my review of Booking for Trouble!

We will review DEATH AT A FIREFLY TEA in March!

It’s all hands on deck when a dead body is found near the small town of Briar Creek in this Library Lover’s Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of A Merry Little Murder Plot.

 

Just off the shores of the coastal Connecticut town of Briar Creek are two small islands, which library director Lindsey Norris visits with her new book-boat, inspired by the bookmobiles she’s seen traveling across the country. Nothing, not even the infamous feud between the families who own the Split Islands, can stop Lindsey from getting books into the hands of readers. But when Lindsey and her boat captain husband, Mike Sullivan, discover a body on the rocky outcropping of one of the islands, Lindsey’s new library venture quickly becomes a murder investigation.

 

At news of the crime, hostilities between the two families are reignited. Long buried secrets are revealed, tensions spark, and suspects abound. As Lindsey navigates treacherous waters (both literal and metaphorical), she must use her research skills and community ties to solve the murder and bring peace to the islands before her book-boat dreams are sunk.

chazz Review - This has always been one of our favorite series and this one does not disappoint!  the idea of a 'family feud' is different!  We alway enjoy watching Linsey and Mike work together to solve mysteries!  Five Paws

 

 

DEATH AT A FIREFLY TEA by Laura Childs

Berkley Mystery HC; on sale March 10, 2026

A brazen killer sparks Theodosia Browning’s sense of justice in this latest installment of the New York Times bestselling series.

As fireflies dazzle like tiny glowing lanterns, tea maven Theodosia hosts an elegant evening tea on the patio of the Tangled Rose B and B. But in this gentle darkness an intruder has made their way in and slipped deadly drugs into the baked Alaska of Mrs. Van Courtland, one of Charleston’s local grande dames. Shocked by this brazen act, urged on by Mrs. V’s grieving son, Theodosia begins her own shadow investigation. Soon, she finds herself at odds with a greedy developer, the questionable residents of Honey Badger House, a vengeful ex-daughter-in-law, ne’er do well relatives, and a housekeeper who knows all the secrets. As Theodosia hosts a Moulin Rouge Tea and a Queen Victoria Tea, her tea sommelier Drayton is assaulted by a masked stranger and the fiancé of Mrs. V’s son is kidnapped. It’s only at the Starry Starry Night black tie ball that Theodosia stumbles upon the killer and gets pulled into a dramatic life and death chase.

Chazz interviews Elaine Faber (and reviews her latest book!) Black Cat and the Immigrant Child.

Chazz here!

Today I am interviewing author Elaine Faber and reviewing her latest book, BLACK CAT AND THE IMMIGRANT CHILD.

Welcome, Elaine!

When did you start writing?

I started writing short stories in high school and throughout my adult life. I completed more than 40 short stories (many of them including cats as characters). More than 20 were published in anthologies, and some in magazines. My first published novel grew out of a short story about a cat that could call up his ancestors’ memories, and thus, help his ‘person’ solve mysteries. That novel was Black Cat’s Legacy. Four more published Black Cat mysteries followed. The final one is Black Cat and the Immigrant Child.

 

What made you choose the character of Black Cat?

I think Black Cat chose me. I was writing about a divorcee with a little girl heading toward Oregon who stops in a resort town when she has car trouble. She meets a Tuxedo cat. He begins to narrate his own story, having recognized her from his ancestor’s memories, and realizing he must help her solve her father’s 25-year-old cold case murder. He took over the book and has been sharing his remarkable memories and helping solve mysteries ever since.

 

What inspires you?

What inspires me is the hope that my books bring joy to my readers. We all have problems and worries. When a reader opens one of my books, they can leave their troubles behind for a few hours, laugh, perhaps learn a bit of history, or experience a humorous situation and travel with my characters. Perhaps it’s just what they needed. A respite. A good laugh. Something to smile about. The ability to move on.

Tell us about your latest book

Grandmother has passed away, and Black Cat and his family return to Texas to settle her affairs. On the first day there, a little girl is found beside the body of a young immigrant, likely carrying drugs. The family takes in the child and cooperates with the Border Patrol in an effort to locate her family. When Black Cat overhears a stable hand confess to the murder and his intent to harm the child who may be able to identify him, Black Cat, Angel, the huge Maine Coon barn cat, Murphy, and even Cedric, the barn rat, join forces to protect the child.

The Border Patrol agent plays an integral role as he deals with multiple incidents at the Rio Grande, dealing with immigrant crossings.

Yes, it is a murder mystery, but the animal characters so much a part of the entire plot in Black Cat and the Immigrant Child, the interaction among them creates a fun mystery to be solved and plenty of humor.

 

What does the future hold for Black Cat?  do you have any other works in progress?

This is the fifth Black Cat mystery, and I don’t have any immediate plans for another. I’m currently working on the third in a paranormal series with a Native American Spirit Woman who comes to the community in times of trouble. 

Check out my name at Amazon, and you’ll find all 13 of my novels.

If you love cats, cozy mystery and lots of laughs, you’ll love Black Cat and the Immigrant Child. That barn rat is a hoot!

 

 Chazz's Review!

I found this mystery intriguing, as well as humorous in parts.  the animal characters are amazing!  and I have to agree with Elaine about the barn rat, merow.  The scenes involving the Border Patrol smacked of realism, especially when you consider current events.  Plenty of feline chatter to satisfy all cat lovers!

Fans of this series will not be disappointed, and this entry might just make a few new ones!  We give this four paws up!