Where There's Smoke there's E.J. Copperman!

 Here's a peek at EJ Copperman's latest:  Where There's Smoke!

Laura Meehan has her hands full with her paint store, but also with another case (that she will definitely leave to the police to solve)! The Sea Breeze Public Library is burning and it’s clear from the beginning that it must be arson.

Who would want to burn a library down and why? Was it a group of moms protesting what they see as inappropriate book content? Maybe it was someone who didn’t like a title they lent? Or is there something more alarming going on?

As a library volunteer, Laura simply has to find out, and together with her IT-savvy husband Roy and her ex-detective father’s ghost (real or imagined still yet to be determined), she stumbles upon a lot of obstacles on her quest to find the truth―and maybe even an arsonist who might strike again!

A lighthearted cozy with lots of humor and red herrings in EJ's incomparable style!  5 paws!

SPOTLIGHT ON SUMMER MYSTERIES FROM BERKELEY!

 Here's the scoop on summer historical mysteries from Berkley! 

 

A BITTER CUT by Anna Lee Huber (Berkley Trade Paperback Original; June 23, 2026) |

A summer house party meant to celebrate love turns deadly in A BITTER CUT, the latest installment in Anna Lee Huber’s beloved Lady Darby Mysteries. When a boorish industrialist is found standing over his murdered secretary, suspicion falls fast—but Kiera Darby and her husband, Sebastian Gage, aren’t convinced it’s so simple. With tensions rising among a cast of deeply unlikeable guests (and her brother’s future on the line), Kiera must untangle a web of motives before the real killer strikes again. Rich in Victorian atmosphere, sharp social intrigue, and slow-burn romance, this fan-favorite series continues to deliver irresistible historical mystery with heart.

An excellent read!  4 1/2 stars.  Anything with Lady Darby is always a favorite.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CITY OF PROMISES by Victoria Thompson and Ellen Thompson (Berkley Hardcover Original; July 28, 2026) |
A con artist knows one when she sees one—and Elizabeth Miles is certain a dangerous fraud is circling an unsuspecting bride in CITY OF PROMISES the latest Counterfeit Lady mystery. When beloved characters from the Gaslight Mysteries return with fears about their daughter’s whirlwind engagement, Elizabeth must draw on her past life of deception to outplay a master manipulator before it’s too late. Marking a poignant new chapter for the series, this installment is co-authored by Ellen Thompson, continuing the legacy of her mother, Victoria Thompson—blending a high-stakes crossover, a cunning heroine, and a heartfelt passing of the torch into one irresistible historical mystery.

Ellen Thompson does an escellent job in continuing her mother's legacy n this installment.  Period stories about con artists are always a hit and this does not disappoint.  4 1/2 stars

 

 

 

 

 

 

MURDER IN BLACKFRIARS by Jennifer Ashley (Berkley Trade Paperback Original; August 11, 2026) |
Jennifer Ashley’s latest Below Stairs mystery finds Victorian London cook Kat Holloway drawn into her most personal case yet when her beloved Daniel McAdam is pulled into a deadly search for the truth about his origins. After a man claiming to know Daniel’s past is murdered just before he can speak, Kat joins Daniel in a dangerous investigation through the East End—where long-buried secrets, violent enemies, and questions of identity threaten not only justice, but the future of their relationship. Rich in atmosphere and emotional stakes, this installment blends high-suspense mystery with a deeply romantic throughline as Kat fights to protect the man she loves while uncovering who he truly is.

A gripping page turner with plenty of action and suspense. A good summer read.  4 1/2 STARS