Childs, Laura
Dunn, Carola
Ferris, Monica
Fluke, Joanne
Fowler, Earlene
Peters, Elizabeth
Susan Wittig Albert
Susan writes three different series, which are all wonderful mystery series. The last one (the Victorian Mysteries) are written with her husband, Bill, and they use the pseudomyn Robin Paige.China Bayles Herbal MysteriesI think it really takes some time to adjust to China, the sleuth. I really wasn't sure of her in the first book or two, but I really like her now (plus she does finally marry McQuaid which made me happy). So my advice to let her grow on you and soon you will love all the characters (Or start a couple of books in and then go back and read the first few). You also get recipes with the books, another great bonus and lots of interesting herbal lore. If you really like the herbal lore, she just published a book of all herb facts and recipes - I don't have it listed as I wouldn't use it, but I did give it to my grandmother who loves all things herbal and she really enjoys it. Spanish Dagger |
Beatrix Potter Mysteries
The Tale of Hawthorn House |
Victorian Mysteries (Robin Paige)These are historical mysteries set in Victorian England. The Alberts do in depth research on each topic and the mysteries carry the perfect historical flavor (and for me - the history teacher - to think so, you can be assured they do). You even get a bibliography with each mystery for further research. I saw Susan Albert speak last spring and at that time it sounded like they were not going to continue this series, but time will tell if they do or not.Death at Bishop's Keep Death at Gallows Green Death at Daisy's Folly Death at Devil's Bridge Death at Rottingdean Death at Whitechapel Death at Epsom Downs Death at Dartmoor Death at Glamis Castle Death in Hyde Park Death at Blenheim Palace Death on the Lizard |
Upcoming Releases
Nightshade in April 2008 (China Bayles)Wormwood in April 2009 (China Bayles)
For more information visit Susan's website.
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Laura Childs
Laura writes two cozy mystery series, both of which are completely charming and set in small businesses in the South. These are great reads and are nice because they have slow down points where you can stop and get some work done. They are not slow reads, they just actually have their sleuths running their businesses - what a concept! I really don't like it when the sleuth seems to quit doing anything else for a week - you wonder what is going on with their business that they can just not show up! And you get to know the sleuth better that way. As a note, though, when I got my new copy of Chamomile Mourning, I believe, I got to about page 80 and then it SKIPPED twenty some pages. I almost DIED. The bookstore replaced it, but it wasn't funny when Theodosia was in the middle of interviewing a suspect and I had to wait!Tea Shop MysteriesThis series is set in a tea shop in Charleston, SC. The atmosphere is so wonderful and really makes you want to discover the world of tea! Theodosia, the main character and sleuth, left the advertising world to open her own tea shop. Drayton and Haley work in the shop with her and add color and life to this series. Each book includes tea tips and recipes! Dragonwell Dead |
Scrapbooking MysteriesThis series is set in a scrapbooking store in the French Quarter of New Orleans (as a note, the last book - Motif for Murder - restarts the series from AFTER Hurricane Katrina). Carmela, the main sleuth, was also in the advertising business and chose to run a small business instead. With the help of her scrapbooking friends and sometimes her estranged husband (oh, yes, go read - this is an interesting little situation!), Carmela manages to unravel several murders. Each book includes scrapbooking ideas and tips, as well as some recipes.Keepsake Crimes Photo Finished Bound for Murder Motif for Murder |
Upcoming Releases
Silver Needle Murder on March 4, 2008 (Tea Shop)Frill Kill by October 2, 2007 (Scrapbooking)
For more information visit Laura's website.
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Carola Dunn
Set in inter-war Britain, these books are a very fresh cozy mystery series. Daisy Dalrymple (Honourable) comes from upper crust society, but both her father and brother were killed in the war and the title and land passed out of her immediate family. Rather than live with her mother (who is decidedly aggravating), she gets a job as a journalist and sets out to make her own way in the world. Daisy is very down-to-earth and uses her title to get stories about the upper crust’s lifestyles for her articles. She meets Scotland Yard Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher in the course of the first mystery and later marries him. The series is full of great characters and great plots. Dunn has also written some historical fiction, but I haven’t read any of that so I can’t help you out there. As note, I tried to place the two short stories as best I could, but not 100% sure that is where they belong in the order without rereading all books…and I’m not sure I care that much. Order isn’t that important in this series, it just helps somewhat for characters since Daisy gets married in the course of the series and so new characters crop up (like her stepdaughter).Daisy Dalrymple Mysteries
Death at Wentwater Court
The Winter Garden Mystery
Requiem for a Mezzo
Murder on the Flying Scotsman
Damsel in Distress
Storm in a Dead Shop (short story available free from Belgrave)
Dead in the Water
Unhappy Medium (short story available free from Belgrave)
Styx and Stones
Rattles His Bones
To Davy Jones Below
The Case of the Murdered Muckraker
Mistletoe and Murder
Die Laughing
A Mourning Wedding
Fall of a Philanderer
Gunpowder Plot
The Bloody Tower
Upcoming Releases
For more information visit Carola's website.
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Monica Ferris
These are cute mysteries set in a needlework shop in Minnesota. Betsy, the main character, comes to live with her sister in the first novel. Her sister is promptly murdered and Betsy has to learn to run the store and find her sister's killer. Each mystery includes a needlework pattern. The cast of characters are irrestible, as is the fun world of needlework!Betsy Devonshire Mysteries
Crewel WorldFramed in Lace
A Stitch in Time
Unraveled Sleeve
A Murderous Yarn
Hanging by a Thread
Cutwork
Crewel Yule
Embroidered Truths
Sins and Needles
Upcoming Releases
Knitting Bones by December 4, 2007For more information visit Monica's website.
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Joanne Fluke |
Hannah Swenson Mysteries
Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder
Strawberry Shortcake Murder
Blueberry Muffin Mystery
Lemon Meringue Pie Murder
Fudge Cupcake Murder
Suger Cookie Murder
Peach Cobbler Murder
Cherry Cheesecake Murder
Sugar and Spice (this is actually an anthology)
Key Lime Pie Murder
Candy Cane Murder (anthology)
Upcoming Releases
For more information visit Joanne's website.
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Earlene Fowler
Benni Harper was a ranch wife until her husband died in a car crash. She took a job in town as the curator of a folk art musuem and married the new police chief, Gabe Ortiz. The books not only deal with the mysteries themselves, but also delve into deeper issues of marriage, friendship and family. Each book is named after a quilt and are full of quilting tidbits. This series definitely offers more than the traditional cozy murder mystery. The series is set in California, but in working ranch country, so definitely not your typical California setting. Earlene has recently written another novel (not in the Benni Harper series), but I haven't read it yet.Benni Harper Mysteries
Fool's Puzzle
Irish Chain
Kansas Troubles
Goose in the Pond
Dove in the Window
Mariner's Compass
Seven Sisters
Arkansas Traveler
Steps to the Altar
Sunshine and Shadow
Broken Dishes
Delectable Mountains
Benni Harper's Quilt Album (this a collection of quilt patterns and small stories (all new) about Benni...such as Benni and Gabe's elopement)
Tumbling Blocks
Upcoming Releases
For more information visit Earlene's website.
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Elizabeth Peters
Elizabeth Peters (AKA Barbara Michaels from my Fantasy page) is actually Barbara Mertz, an Egyptologist. She writes several series under the Peters name and I read most of them. She also writes some general mystery/suspense novels.Amelia Peabody SeriesThis series is set in Victorian Egypt. Amelia meets her husband, an Egyptologist, in the first novel, and then proceeds to join him in his efforts. Amelia is a strong-willed female and the books are just hilarous! When a crime happens, Amelia simply take charge and does it her way. These are wonderful reads and all the characters will burrow straight into your heart and your reading list!Crocodile on the Sandbank The Curse of the Pharoahs The Mummy Case Lion in the Valley The Deeds of the Disturber The Last Camel Died at Noon The Snake, the Crocodile and the Dog The Hippopotamus Pool Seeing A Large Cat The Ape Who Guards the Balance The Falcon at the Portal He Shall Thunder in the Sky Lord of the Silent The Golden One Children of the Storm Guardian of the Horizon The Serpent on the Crown Tomb of the Golden Bird |
Jacqueline KirbyJake is a librarian turned romance writer, who happens to have several run-ins with crime. In her take-charge manner, she soon finds the miscreants!The Seventh Sinner The Murders of Richard III Die for Love Naked Once More |
Other NovelsThe Jackal's HeadThe Camelot Caper The Dead Sea Cipher The Night of 400 Rabbits Legend in Green Velvet Devil-May-Care The Love Talker Summer of the Dragon Copenhagen Connection |
Upcoming Releases
For more information visit Elizabeth's website.
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Other Links
These are some sites that I use to help me stay up to date on mystery authors.Stop, You're Killing Me!
WHODUNIT? Mystery Bookstore