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!  

 

 

Chazz reviews ALL SPOOKED UP!

 Meow! Chazz here with my review of our good friend EJ Copperman's first in his new series,ALL SPOOKED  UP!

The synopsis:

Paint store owner Laura Meehan makes the discovery of a lifetime in her shop when she stumbles upon a body and . . . her dead father’s ghost! This brand-new Haunted Paint Store Mystery has Copperman’s signature wit, humor, and zaniness aplenty!

Dealing with her father’s recent death, Laura Meehan decides to move back to her New Jersey hometown and take over the paint and wallpaper store he opened after quitting his straining job in the police. Knowing that she is uprooting her own and her supportive husband Roy’s lives, she’s determined to continue her father’s legacy and keep the business alive.

But that doesn’t seem to be the only thing alive when Laura discovers that her store is haunted by none other than her deceased father! Either that or Laura has finally lost her mind and developed Ghost Traumatic Stress Syndrome . . .

When she discovers the body of the town’s deadbeat painter Ernie on top of all that, Laura is determined to find the culprit who’s rudely used her store as their murder scene, with the help of her ex-police detective father’s ghost—real or not, Laura might as well make use of his expertise!

It turns out Ernie owed a lot of money to a lot of people. Could one of them have reached breaking point and killed the freeloader?

Chazz Review:  well, our good friend EJ has done it again with his new series!  This is what he does best, these delightfully quirky mysteries with plenty of humor and thrills mixed in.  A definite must read if you are a dedicated EJ fan (and even if you are not you will quickly become one).  I  myself cannot wait for entry #2 in this fabulous new series!!!  Five paws!  

September/October cozy reviews!

 A PERILOUS PLOT by Lorna Barrett

Berkley Trade Paperback; on sale September 23, 2025

 

Family reunions are killer—literally—in the newest mystery in Lorna Barrett's New York Times bestselling Booktown series.

Everything was going great for Tricia Miles, right up until her estranged mother, Sheila, arrives on her front step with an urn she says contains the remains of Tricia's father.

Shocked and saddened, Tricia and her sister, Angelica, attempt to get to the bottom of what happened. But their efforts for clarity are dashed when Shelia disappears the very next day, leaving without a word.

Naturally, the sisters are upset—especially after they take the remains to the local funeral parlor and discover that not only is the urn filled with kitty litter, but hidden inside is a valuable (and stolen) Rolex watch. Digging deeper, the sisters find their parents are in dire financial trouble and seem to be lurking around Booktown.

Tricia and Angelica can’t help but wonder how many more secrets their mother was keeping...and whether that includes murder.

I have always enjoyed this series, even though at times i felt it got a little dark.  Once I met TRicia's mother I understood why.  Tricia and her sister work to solve a puzzling mystery concerning the death of their father and end up uncovering secrets.  Watching the sisters unravel the clues is always a joy for me.  Five stars.

 

Our July Cozy Reviews!

MURDER, SHE WROTE: A BODY IN BOSTON by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Farley Moran

Berkley Trade Paperback Original; on sale July 1, 2025

 

Jessica Fletcher has dinner with her old pal Harry McGraw and gets pulled into a puzzling murder case.

Invited to deliver a lecture at the Boston Public Library, Jessica Fletcher excitedly makes plans to see local friends. Naturally that includes dinner at Gilhooley’s with PI Harry McGraw. Harry excitedly talks about his latest client, the CEO of Cure All Pharmaceuticals, who’s received anonymous blackmail demands and wants Harry to identify the culprit. Cookie, Gilhooley’s longtime bartender, also has something he wants to tell Jessica: he asked Harry to investigate his daughter Aileen’s boyfriend, who Cookie thinks is too slick by half, but now Harry is too wrapped up in this new case. While Jessica wonders how best to approach Aileen, the young woman stumbles into Gilhooley’s covered in blood. She just discovered her boyfriend’s corpse -- and quickly becomes the chief suspect in his murder!

Who doesnt love a Jessica Fletcher mystery and we are no exception!  Jessie is in fine form as usual and it was a pleasure to see her work with her favorite sidekick, Harry McGraw.  I dont think anyone will ever tire of Jessie's adventures.  Five stars.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOMETHING WHISKERED by Miranda James

Berkley Hardcover Original; on sale July 29, 202

 

A dead baron, an Irish castle, and an unexpected ghost . . . Charlie Harris, Helen Louise Brady, and their feline friend Diesel find themselves hot on the trail of a conniving killer in this delightful Cat in the Stacks Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Miranda James.

Charlie Harris and his wife, Helen Louise Brady, have arrived in Ireland for their honeymoon. After a few days in Dublin, they head to County Clare, ancestral home to Helen Louise’s extended family, the O’Bradys. Her cousin Lorcan runs Castle O’Brady as a bed-and-breakfast with his wife Caoimhe and their daughter and son-in-law. But upon arrival at the castle, the newlyweds are shocked to see a body falling from the roof.

The dead man is centenarian Finn, Baron O'Brady, Lorcan’s grandfather, which means that Lorcan now becomes the new Baron O'Brady. Was someone in a hurry for Lorcan to assume the title and ownership of the estate? Or is there another reason for wanting Finn dead? And why is a ghostly cat making an appearance in their room-is he trying to warn them? Charlie and Helen Louise must answer these questions and more as they realize the local garda can't solve the crime alone. And along with Diesel they will have to investigate themselves or risk something wicked coming their way…

Charlie and his pet cat Diesel are two of our favorite characters. James always manages to keep the mysteries sharp and fresh and we loved the change of locale and, of course, Charlie as a newlywed. I admit to being partial to stories that have a hint of the supernatural.  Diesel of course manages to get into the act, even from a distance.  Five stars.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the Hot Seat - Author Mary Kennedy!

 

Ma-ROW! ROCCO here. Today Chazz and I are interviewing author Mary Kennedy!

 

Mary Kennedy is a practicing psychologist and the author of the Talk Radio Mysteries and the Dream Club Mysteries from Penguin Random House. She's written nearly 50 novels, including both mysteries and young adult fiction and has sold over four million books worldwide. Mary lives with several neurotic cats in the northeast. She has tried unsuccessfully to psychoanalyze them but she remains optimistic!

 

R:  Hello Mary. Tell us a little about your background, Meow!

I’m a licensed psychologist and have written  47 novels. And yes, I think I might be a workaholic.

C:  Tell us a bit about your latest book.

 Death of a Shady Shrink is book five in the Talk Radio Mysteries. Dr. Maggie (the host of the radio show On the Couch with Dr. Maggie) goes to a psychology conference in Palm Beach and unmasks a killer. Her sidekicks, Vera Mae and Lola tag along and hunky detective Rafe shows up, too.

R: How do you construct your plots? Do you outline or do you write “by the seat of your pants”?

I write a detailed synopsis, I like having a road map for the book. That way I’m never facing a blank page.

R: Interesting. Our human does an outline, but it usually gets thrown out by chapter Two.

C: What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a writer and what inspires you and keeps you motivated?

The Visa bill on the fridge keeps me motivated!

R: What are you working on now and what are your future writing plans?

I’m working on book 4 of the Dream Club Mysteries.

C: What is a typical workday for you and how many hours a day (or week) do you devote to writing?

I think of word count more than pages and strive for 500 words a day.

R: What advice do you have to offer to an aspiring author?

Don’t quit your day job! (and no, this is not a joke). And don’t get taken in by vanity presses. Remember the money flows from the publishing house to you, not the other way around.

C: What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?

 I auditioned for a bit part in a Burt Reynolds movie even though I had a temperature of 103. And yes, I got the part!

C: Wowza! Now we have to find out what movie!!!!!!

R: Where can we learn more about you and your books?

My website is www.marykennedy.net  and I’m on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/mary.kennedy.948.

ROCCO’S FAST FIVE

· What is your favorite movie quote?      “Tomorrow’s another day.”

· What food do you wish was calorie free?     Pizza!

· What book was your favorite growing up?     Anne of Green Gables.

· What authors have had the most influence on you?    Janet Evanovich, Lorraine Bartlett, Agatha  Christie, Carolyn Hart.

· If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you would do?    Open an animal shelter and offer free neutering for pets. (Rocco shudders at the word ‘neuter’)

 

Thank you Mary for a great interview!  And now – giveaway time!

Mary will giveaway a $15 Amazon gift card to one lucky commenter!  Just leave your name and email address in our comments section. (Very important – leave that email addy. You can’t be entered without it!)  Chazz will select the winner at random. Contest closes midnight, April 29

 

Rocco and Chazz review Mrs Oddbody and the Conniving Candidate

A redo of a review from November! 

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