Sometimes when you have read too many serial killer novels or intense psychological thrillers, a good cozy is just what you need to bring your blood pressure down to normal levels and step back from the ledge. Luckily this month there are any number of cozies coming out. Holly Danvers released a new cozy series this month with the first book in the Lakeside Library series called “Murder at the Lakeside Library.” Esme Addison just added a second book to her Enchanted Bay mystery series called “A Hex for Danger.” Popular Canadian author Vicki Delany added a second book to her Tea by the Sea series called “Murder in a Teacup.” Kaitlyn Dunnett added a fourth book to her Deadly Edits series called “Murder She Edited.” The very popular G.A. McKevett adds the 26^th novel to her Savannah Reid series this month which is called “A Few Drops of Bitters.” July is definitely an excellent month for cozy murder mysteries with all the above coming out and the following as well.

Reading right now:

Carolyn Hart’s tenth book in the Bailey Ruth Ghost series is “Ghost Blows a Kiss.” As a member of Heaven’s Department of Good Intentions, Bailey Ruth Raeburn finds herself even busier as a ghost than she was when she was living. This time around, she is tasked with helping a young widow who was running away from family secrets and lies.

On hold right now:

 The third installment of the Ancestry Detective series is available this month by S.C. Perkins (“Fatal Family Ties”). Genealogist Lucy Lancaster takes on her third case investigating the family of a former co-worker, Camilla, whose ancestor was a civil war corporal who is being accused of being a liar, a phony, and a deserter in the local paper. As she starts her investigation, one of Camilla’s co-workers is murdered and important evidence is stolen.

Julie Anne Lindsey’s latest Cider Shop mystery "The Cider Shop Rules" is the third in the series of books about Winona Mae Montgomery and her Granny Smythe who has an apple orchard and opened a Cider shop (to make ends meet). It is fall in Apple Blossom Valley, West Virginia and local harvests are flourishing as is the Fall Festival. Unfortunately for Jacob Potter while his pumpkin farm is flourishing, he is found dead in the back of Winona’s pickup truck.

The second in the Home to Ireland mystery series is “Murder in Connemara” by Carlene O’Connor. Former New York interior designer Tara Meehan has moved to Galway County in Ireland and is opening an architectural salvage shop. Unfortunately, one of her new clients whom she just sold an antique brooch to is murdered and Tara finds herself in the middle of a messy situation.

Other Mysterious Things:

I love reading a good cozy especially a series with funny and heartwarming characters that you cannot wait to revisit when the next installment comes out. Next month one of my favorite authors Donna Andrews adds “Murder Most Fowl” to her delightful Meg Langslow series. This is the 29^th book in the series and I hope she never stops writing them. The other cozy to look forward to in August is the 18^th book in the Chocoholic Mysteries “The Chocolate Raccoon Rigmarole” by Joanna Carl.

 

Reading right now:

Gary Braver and Tess Gerritsen combined forces to write a stand-alone murder mystery called “Choose Me.” After Taryn Moore plunges from a balcony to her death, Detective Frankie Loomis doesn’t believe she killed herself. The investigation finds that Taryn had a dark side. One in which her English professor played a major role as either her murderer or perhaps the one who drove her to suicide.

On hold right now:

 “Razorblade Tears” is S.A. Cosby’s third stand-alone mystery. “Blacktop Wasteland” was the New York Times Notable book for 2020. In his latest, Ike Randolph has been recently released from jail and is devastated to learn that his son Isiah and Isiah’s husband has been murdered. Ashamed of Isiah being gay when he was living, Ike is determined to do better by his son now that he is dead and bring vengeance down on the heads of their killers.

Just coming out this week the stand-alone, “An Ambush of Widows” is the latest by Jeff Abbott. Two seemingly unrelated men are murdered together. Their widows form an alliance to find out what secrets their husbands were keeping, who murdered them, and why.

David Bell’s new stand-alone is “Kill All Your Darlings.” When English Professor Connor Nye becomes famous after publishing his first novel, a former student shows up at his door demanding that he admit he didn’t really write the novel and admit that she wrote it. When the police show up at his door demanding to know why his novel sounds much like a real murder case they have been investigating, Connor must decide whether to keep up the lie or confess.

Other Mysterious Things:

Caroline B. Cooney has been writing since 1979. She has written mystery, fiction, romance, horror, and fantasy for children, young adults, and adult readers. If you haven’t read one of her novels…well that is hard to believe. Her young adult series which started with “A Face on the Milk Cartoon” was incredibly popular. Now she presents a new stand-alone adult mystery called “The Grandmother Plot.” After Freddy is forced to place his grandmother in a nursing home, one of the other old ladies in the nursing home is murdered. Freddy has to step up to keep his grandmother safe.