SPOTLIGHT ON GUILT AND GINATAAN!

 This fall, readers can expect the next deliciously deadly installment in Agatha Award-winning author Mia P. Manansala’s Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries.

 

Lila Macapagal lives in small town Shady Palms, Illinois, where she and her best friends run the Brew-ha Cafe. They serve delicious Filipino-inspired treats, and they solve crimes on the side. In GUILT AND GINATAAN (Berkley Prime Crime Trade Original; on sale November 12, 2024), the fifth highly anticipated novel in Manansala’s series, homicide follows Lila and her pals to the annual Shady Palms Corn Festival—and Lila will have to put on her sleuthing cap to find the true killer when one of her BFFs is framed for murder. 

 

Fall festivities are in full swing in small-town Shady Palms—but with the arrival of scary season comes a new and deadly mystery for Lila to solve. During the annual Shady Palms Corn Festival, Lila and her Brew-ha Café gals Adeena and Elena set up a booth selling corn-themed treats. It’s all fun and games until the trio embark on a competition through the corn maze—and Adeena is found holding a knife beside a corpse. The body is discovered to be a local politician’s wife, and all signs—murder weapon included—point to Adeena as the culprit. But Lila knows her best friend couldn’t have done this, and it’s up to her and her crew to clear Adeena’s name and put the real murderer behind bars. 

 

Just as readers were craving more diverse voices in the mystery space, Manansala whipped up Arsenic and Adobo (2021), offering up a delectable first taste of an entirely original mystery series. Manansala’s books embrace the conventions of the cozy genre while also expanding them, introducing readers to a modern Filipina heroine who faces real, relatable issues as she solves mysteries. GUILT AND GINATAAN offers no exception.

 

GUILT AND GINATAAN is perfect for readers of Jesse Q. Sutanto and Roselle Lim, and for fans of cozy mysteries!

Rocco and Chazz spotlight MRS. ODBODDY AND THE CONNIVING CANDIDATE!

Today we are turning the spotlight on the fifth Ms. Odboddy book, Mrs. Odboddy and the Conniving

Candidate!

the Story:

As the war continues to rage in Europe, Election Day approaches in Newbury. Among other inequities,

 the Newbury City Council makes it difficult for local women to obtain business licenses even for home-bases 

businesses. Mrs. Odboddy decides to run for the vacant city council seat, but she has no idea what political 

obstacles she will face. The trouble starts, first with disasters in her home, to violence and racism against 

her friends, and then theft charges are filed against her!

To make matters worse, her granddaughter’s old boyfriend has returned to town declaring his unwanted, 

undying love. His heroic responses to multiple adverse events affecting the family make it difficult for 

Katherine to send him packing.

Agnes suspects her political opponent is behind all the trouble, including the state’s attempts to remove 

their beloved ward, Mattie. It seems that Agnes is up against a conniving opponent who will stop at nothing

to prevent her winning the election. How can she prevail against such sinister deeds? Is winning an 

election worth it when her family is at risk?

Join Agnes as she faces overwhelming odds in her efforts to bring much needed change to Newbury.

ROCCO:  Both Chazz and I thought that this was a very timely story, considering all that is going on in the world today!  Mrs. Odboddy fans will not be disappointed and new fans will love to follow along with Agnes! (and of course, there are cats Shere Kahn and Ling Ling!)

CHAZZ:  Politics is truly a dirty business and Mrs. Odboddy finds that out first hand!  Fans will cheer right along with Agnes as she attempts to get to the bottom of things and clear her name!  Agnes is a very strong character you can't help but admire and cheer for.  the only thing that would have made this book better were more of the cats, Ling-Ling and Shere Kahn.  LOL.

ROCCO:  We both agree - this book answers the question is winning an election worth it!  I thought the ending very timely and fitting indeed.   Available at Amazon and other fine retailers now in paperback and e-book format.

Sales Link:

https://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Odboddy-Conniving-Candidate-shenanigans/dp/B0DJNVGB2Q/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23EJIWV2GDMZI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Hn6nOmMlx2R5wzLqfE7ZOZ57ITg8Q16VfZCj3zeN4MWuDy9j48RiaLOBhJYjmTV6TtBLVCCysRg0RMaG70Y18A.mDXIlBlr6FoMud0nWOIbW2tzTgekPsnmpaalVVye7Tw&dib_tag=se&keywords=Mrs.+Odboddy&qid=1730132749&s=books&sprefix=mrs.+odboddy%2Cstripbooks%2C296&sr=1-1

Rocco and Chazz's October cozy reviews!

Ma-row! Here are our October Cozy Reviews!

A MERRY LITTLE MURDER PLOT by Jenn McKinlay

Berkley Hardcover Original; on sale October 8, 2024

 

‘Tis the season in Briar Creek in the newest installment in the Library Lover’s Mystery series from the New York Times bestselling author of Fatal First Edition. To try to spread some Christmas cheer, library director Lindsey Norris invites the new writer in residence, Helen Monroe, to join her crafternoon club. Helen politely refuses and when an altercation happens between Helen and another patron, Lindsey begins to suspect the author has been keeping to herself for a reason. When another newcomer, Jackie Lewis, reveals she’s visiting town to be near Helen (believing they are “destined” to meet), Lindsey feels compelled to tell Helen about Jackie as she suspects that Helen is unaware her “number one” fan is in town. When Jackie’s body is later discovered in the town park with a copy of Helen’s latest manuscript in her hand, the the reclusive novelist the prime suspect in the murder of her self-proclaimed mega-fan. Helen’s frosty demeanor melts when Lindsey offers her help, and now the librarian and her crafternoon pals must prove the author innocent before "The End" becomes Helen's final sentence.

Rocco's review:  Another great entry in the Library Lovers mystery series.  Lindsey Norris is at the top of her game when a 'number one' fan is murdered.  Lots of action in this entry.  However, for the future might we suggest another feline friend for Heathcliff??????  Five Paws.

 

 

THE KNIFE BEFORE CHRISTMAS by Kate Carlisle

Berkley Hardcover Original; on sale October 8, 2024

 

Contractor Shannon Hammer hopes for a peaceful Christmas with her fiancé, Mac, until murder throws a wrench in her holiday plans in this new installment of the USA Today bestselling Fixer-Upper Mystery series. Christmas has come to Lighthouse Cove, and Shannon has been contracted to renovate a local hotel owned by the Garrisons, a family that’s so devoted to the holidays they serve a seven-course dinner every night from Thanksgiving through Christmas. Last year’s festivities featured a train that transported guests around the breathtaking Cliffside property. This year, Shannon and her crew have been commissioned to build a Victorian-style carnival midway with games and prizes galore. Everyone in town loves the hotel’s spirit, except the Garrisons’ children and their spouses, who are hum-bugged by the money being wasted on holiday cheer while their inheritance goes up the chimney. Things turn nasty when a mischief-maker close to the family is found dead. It’s up to Shannon and Mac to catch a sinister Scrooge before all of Lighthouse Cove receives coal for Christmas.

Chazz Review:  This is anohter good series and I have to admit I also enjoy the Hallmark movies based on it!  We also love a Christmas mystery (one of these days the human must write one!)  Who says murder and holidays dont go together?  Five Paws

MURDER, SHE WROTE: A KILLER CHRISTMAS by Jessica Fletcher & Terrie Farley Moran

Berkley Hardcover Original; on sale October 8, 2024

 

This fall marks the 40^th anniversary of the Murder, She Wrote TV series, and what a better way to celebrate than by diving into the newest entry in the USA Today bestselling series! Christmas is not an easy time to sell a house, but Cabot Cove Realtor Eve Simpson has finally found a buyer for the old Jarvis homestead—Boston tycoon John Bragdon. Unfortunately, Eve gets a lump of coal in her stocking in the form of Kenny Jarvis, who has been missing for years and presumed dead but has now come back to stop his sister from selling their childhood home. Eve presses on, organizing a welcome dinner for Bragdon and his wife, Marlene, to meet the leading citizens of the town, including Jessica Fletcher. Dinner is interrupted by an uninvited guest—not Santa but Kenny, who threateningly promises Marlene she will never live in his house. When Marlene is found dead a few days later, Kenny is the natural suspect. But Jessica isn′t so sure he′s on the naughty list…

Rocco's review:  I mean, what can you say about a Murder She Wrote mystery?  For fans of the longtime TV show, it's as if Jessica never left! Always a hoot to see how Jessica can take seemingly  unrelated clues and weave a solution out of them! Five Paws! 

 

 

 All these books are out today! Run don't walk!

Chazz and Rocco

SPOTLIGHT AND REVIEW SOFIE KELLY'S FUREVER AFTER!

 

Librarian Kathleen Paulson is in for a spell of trouble when she finds a dead body, and only
her reliable magical cats can help her tail a killer in the newest installment of this 

New York Times bestselling series.

Kathleen is busy running the library and planning her upcoming wedding to detective Marcus 

Gordon when she suddenly stumbles across a body in the library. She is surprised to learn that 

the deceased was in the middle of an unlikely heist—it seems he was trying to steal one of the

 paintings that had been  in a box in the library’s workroom. Kathleen never knew any of the 

library’s rotating artwork was valuable nd can’t imagine what the dead man wanted with it.

But then an art history expert called in by the police identifies the almost-purloined painting as a 

piece that might have been part of a previous high profile art theft. Owen’s and Hercules’s whiskers 

are already twitching, and events soon make Kathleen realize that whoever killed the wannabe 

art thief has more than  murder on their mind. Kathleen and her clever cats will have to work fast to prevent 

anyone else from dying........

Another excellent entry in this series that always leaves us wanting more!  Who doesn't love a cat, let alone

a magical one!!!! Five Paws

 getting hurt.

We just love this series, and who wouldn't, with not one but two magical cats offering assistance? Kathleen is as

charmingly inquisitive as ever and it's always a kick watching Owen and Hercules lead her to the killer's

identity!  Fans will not be disappointed! Five Paws

FUREVER AFTER

A MAGICAL CATS MYSTERY

BERKLEY; HARDCOVER

SEPTEMBER 3, 2024

FIVE PAWS

WE love this series. Who wouldn't, with not one but two magical cats! Kathleen is as inquisitive as ever, trying to find out just 

what was so valuable about the artwork in the library basement that someone would try to steal it!

Owen and Hercules, as always, do an excellent job of luring their human to the solution!  We give this

five paws!    ROCCO AND CHAZZ

Furever After

A Magical Cats Mystery

Sofie Kelly

Berkley; hardcover

September 3, 2024

5 Paws!

ROCCO and Chazz spotlight NO PAW TO STAND ON!

 Merow! today are spotligting Laurie Cass's latest entry in the Bookmobile Cat series, NO PAW TO STAND ON!

There’s no rest for the whiskered as librarian Minnie Hamilton and her rescue cat, Eddie, 

have to investigate a poisoning—and a murder—in the newest installment of the national bestselling 

Bookmobile Cat Mysteries.

When a heat wave hits northern Michigan, Minnie, Eddie, and their bookmobile head to the beach to catch 

some rays and some customers. But library business is put on hold when Minnie’s restaurant-owning best 

friend, Kristen, calls. The specialty ice cream cone treat she'd been serving to patrons was sabotaged, 

making some customers horribly sick. Kristen needs Minnie to sniff out the culprit fast, or the restaurant's 

reputation will be destroyed forever.

Minnie and Eddie are hot on the tail of the suspect when an employee from another restaurant is found 

dead. Could the poisoning and the murder be related? It’ll take a feline to catch a felon...

ROCCO:  Definitely one of my favorite series. I might even go so far as to say Eddie is my idol!  

Loves the way he supports MinMinnie in her sleuthing!  I could read this series all day long! Five Paws.

Chazz: I found this series very enjoyable as well. This is my first entry and now I have to read Mama's 

other copies to cat-ch up!  Eddie definitely livens things up, and sometimes Minnie needs somoene to 

watch her back. He's the purrfect sidekick!

NO PAW TO STAND ON

LAURIE CASS

A BOOKMOBILE CAT MYSTERY

BERKLEY/MMPB/AUGUST 6 2024

5 PAWS

ROCCO and Chazz review Laura Childs' PEACH TEA SMASH!

 Merow! Today Chazz and I are spotlighting and reviewing Laura Childs' latest entry in the Tea Shop series, PEACH TEA SMASH!

Murder at an Alice in Wonderland–themed event threatens to send Theodosia Browning through the looking glass in the latest entry in this New York Times bestselling series.

During the Mad Hatter Masquerade, a fundraiser hosted by the Friends of the Opera on the grounds of the old Pendleton Grist Mill, Harlan Sadler, husband of Cricket Sadler, the chairwoman, is killed. He’s been hit in the head with a croquet mallet, and his body hung on the chains and paddles of the grist mill. Nobody can figure out why since Harlan was much beloved by everyone. It’s only after Cricket and Delaine beg Theodosia to investigate that she realizes the killer might have mistaken Harlan for his crazy son, Duke. After all, Duke is a slum landlord and recently injured a woman in a boating accident!  Can Theo solve the case before she and her beloved assistant Drayton, get smashed themselves in the process?

ROCCO:  I am always eager to read a Laura Childs  book, especially the Tea Shop series!  I love the interactions between the characters, and the way Theo throws herself into investigating despite the disapproval of her boyfriend Riley.  This book is one of hte best! Non stop action from start to finish!  Readers both old and new will not be disappointed.  It left me definitely hungering for the next one (hint: March!) Five Paws

Chazz:  I'm new to t his whole reviewing thing, also to reading in general merow. All i can say is if all booiks were as intriguing and entertaining as this series, I would  have started reading a long time ago! Definitely a five paw book! I look forward to the next adventure!

This book is out today and we heartily recommend picking up a copy!

PEACH TEA SMASH

A TEA SHOP MYSTERY

LAURA CHILDS

BERKLEY/HARDCOVER

AUGUST 6, 2024

FIVE PAWS!

GIVEAWAY!

Laura will give an autographed copy of PEACH TEA SMASH to one lucky commenter! To enter, just leave your name and email address in our comments section! Chazz will choose the winner at random!  Contest ends midnight, August 20.

Rocco and Chazz review One of You by Lorie Lewis Ham

 Rocco here! Today Chazz and I review a new book by Lorie Lewis Ham, ONE OF YOU.

With her life on the California Coast behind her, Roxi Carlucci is beginning to feel at home in the Tower District—the cultural oasis of Fresno, CA—where she now lives 

where she now lives with her cousin P.I. Stephen Carlucci, her pet rat Merlin, a Pit Bull named Watson, 

and a black cat named Dan. 

She has a new entertainment podcast, works as a part-time P.I., and is helping local bookstore owner Clark

 Halliwell put on the first-ever Tower Halloween Mysteryfest! 

The brutal summer heat is gone and has been replaced by the dense tule fog—perfect for Halloween!

She just wishes everyone would stop calling her the “Jessica Fletcher” of the Tower District simply 

because she found a dead body when she first arrived. But when one of the Mysteryfest authors 

is found dead, she fears she jinxed herself! The Carlucci’s are hired to find the killer before they strike again.

 Will Mysteryfest turn into a murder fest? How is the local gossip website back, 

and what does it know about the death of Roxi’s parents?

Rocco: I found this to be a very entertaining book, as I did the first in this series.  

Roxi is a hoot and of course, who can resist a black cat named Dan?  

Love the California theme with the entertainment tie in.  jthe Halloween killer theme was also good.

 I cant wait to see what that gossip website knows about Roxi's parents! can't wait where Roxi goes from here!

Chazz:  I also enjoyed the book. Ms. Ham has created a memorable sleuth in Roxi, and 

the California entertainment background I found to be very interesting.  

I mean, who has a podcast anand also works as a part time PI with her cousin. 

 I thought the action at the Halloween Mysteryfest was very well thought out and it did remind me 

of episodes of Murder She Wrote.. I'm curious to see where that gossip website goes too!  

A four paw winner!

One of You

A Tower District Mystery Book 2

Mystery Rat B ooks

Amazon; e-book and PB

June 4, 2024

Four Paws