New Release: DEATH ON DICKENS ISLAND - A Books on the Beach Mystery by Allison Brook

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crooked Lane Books  

Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 21, 2025 

ABOUT THE BOOK 

A divorced sleuth in her thirties must bring peace back to her small town after a murder tears neighbors and family members apart in this series debut from Agatha Award nominee Allison Brook, perfect for fans of Cynthia Riggs and Eva Gates. 

Delia Dickens has come home to Dickens Island, a small island in the Long Island Sound, after a twelve-year stint in Manhattan. She’s looking forward to helping her father revitalize the general store that the family owns as well as curating a small book nook. Most importantly, she wants to reunite with her fifteen-year-old son. But Dickens Island isn’t the peaceful town Delia remembers–and she might be in more danger here than she ever was in the big city. 

Delia’s Aunt Reenie and Uncle Brad, both prominent community leaders, are at odds over the sale of a farm and its future use. This has created friction, not only in their marriage, but amongst the citizens of the town. When a young woman, new to the town council and friendly with Brad, is found murdered, everything escalates and reaches a new boiling point. 

With Reenie and Brad both suspects in the case and at each other’s throats, the townspeople start to take sides. When the ghost of her grandmother visits her, Delia learns how past events have impacted the present, and it is up to her to expose the farm’s sordid secrets in order to catch a murderer and restore peace to her beloved island. 

AMAZON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 

A former Spanish teacher, Marilyn Levinson writes mysteries, novels of suspense, and books for kids. Her books have received many accolades.

As Allison Brook she writes the Haunted Library series and the Books om the Beach mystery series.  D Other mysteries include the Golden Age of Mystery Book Club series, the Twin Lakes series, and Giving Up the Ghost. Her suspense, Come Home to Death, was released in April, 2024, and her suspense, Dangerous Relations, was  republished in March 2025.

Marilyn loves traveling, reading, knitting, doing Sudoku, and visiting with her grandchildren, Olivia and Jack, on FaceTime. She is co-founder and past president of the now defunct Long Island chapter of Sisters in Crime. 

Her website is:  https://www.marilynlevinson.com

 

Stop by and visit. She loves to hear from readers.

Book Review: WITHOUT A SHADOW OF DOUBT - An Olivia Penn Mystery by Kathleen Bailey

 Cozy Mystery 5th in Series 

Setting – Virginia 

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Rhino Publishing LLC 

Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 4, 2025 

About the Book

Find the cat. Crack the case. 

The Highland Games have arrived just outside Apple Station, Virginia, bringing bagpipes, kilts, and a tide of tartan-clad tourists to the cozy small town. Advice columnist Olivia Penn is ready for a weekend of fun now that her life has finally settled into a quiet, steady rhythm. But when a local turns up dead in one of the town’s most iconic homes, a cryptic message from a friend draws her into a tangled mystery. 

As Olivia investigates, family secrets and surprising motives surface, linking three brooches, an antique cross, and a 17th-century Scottish Bible. Clues connect seven suspects to the crime, and each has something to hide. When her friend can’t be found and the police start asking questions, the mystery hits closer to home and runs deeper than she ever imagined.  

After an unlikely witness makes a shocking revelation, Olivia enlists her friends and a heroic search and rescue golden retriever to help her follow the trail before it goes cold. The man she loves is caught in the crosshairs, and to protect him, she’ll have to risk everything. Justice hinges on a missing cat, a chase through the woods, and a stare-down with a mama bear.   

Without a Shadow of Doubt is the gripping fifth installment in the award-winning Olivia Penn Mystery Series. This fast-paced, heartwarming cozy mystery features charming characters, small-town intrigue, and a heroine you’ll love to root for. Perfect for fans of amateur sleuths, cozy suspense, and clean, feel-good mysteries with lovable cats and dogs. 

Review 

The story starts with the Scottish Highland flavor, complete with bagpipes and kilts but set in Virginia. The murder of a local amidst the festivities shifts the focus as Olivia, an advice columnist, gets involved. Olivia is resourceful, collects clues, and takes risk to uncover the killer, even if it might strain some of her relationships. 

This is my first book by Bailey and my introduction to Olivia, a great, no-nonsense character. She and her friends are likable and relatable. The story moves along quickly, with unexpected discoveries to keep Olivia - and the reader - on their toes. The setting lends itself to the story, the secrets, and the mystery.  Then there's the dog, the cat, and the mama bear. I'd recommend this book to those who enjoy a good cozy mystery - and easily read as a stand-alone. That said, I plan on reading the previous books in the series. 

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

About the Author

Kathleen Bailey is the award-winning author of The Olivia Penn Mystery Series. She writes mysteries with heart and humor that keep to the traditional and cozy sides of crime. For over twenty years, she worked as a pediatric physical therapist with children who have special needs, drawing on degrees in English, psychology, and physical therapy. 

She now writes in Virginia with her feline assistant, who insists on supervising every draft. When she’s not writing, Kathleen can usually be found covered in cat hair, surrounded by far too many sticky notes, and plotting new twists to keep readers guessing. She is a member of Sisters in Crime. 

 Author Links

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Purchase Links 

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Giveaway

https://kingsumo.com/g/3zj82j1/without-a-shadow-of-doubt-an-olivia-penn-mystery-by-kathleen-bailey

Book Review: MISSING AT CHRISTMAS by Deena Alexander

About the Book

A dangerous family legacy. 

A race to save a baby in jeopardy.  

When journalist Lexi McKenna receives a desperate call for help, she rushes to her sister’s home, only to find her sister dead and one of her twin nieces missing. With her past mafia ties resurfacing, Lexi must go on the run with agent Noah Thompson to protect herself from her father’s enemies. 

Although Lexi is the daughter of the mob boss who murdered Noah’s brother, Noah will do anything to take down her family—even work with her. As danger looms from all sides, they must find the abducted baby and dismantle a criminal empire before Lexi and her nieces end up as collateral damage. 

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith. 

Review 

Escaping from her father and his mob with her sister, Lexi has done everything to stay disconnected from the 'family' for years. Her sister wanted to move back home, and they did. Now, with her sister dead and a niece missing, Lexi has no choice but to go to her father's home and beg for the money to get the twin back. A stand-off, as she leaves someone kills her father and she's the prime suspect and the heir to the mob finances. Enter Noah, his brother killed by her father, who steps in to help her find the abducted baby. 

This is another well-written mystery by Deena Alexander. Her characters are well-developed and the back story of why Lexi and her sister ran away, the only deal her father would make, and the cunning of the man who likely killed him and now needs to marry Lexi to take over the mob. It's convoluted with childhood memories of Lexi's mother, long deceased, and not knowing who she can trust. The pace of the story is steady, gaining in intensity as the story comes to a peak. An enjoyable read for any mystery lover. 

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

Purchase Links

AMAZON ~ B&N ~ Kobo

About the Author

Publishers Weekly bestselling author, ​Deena Alexander grew up in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island, where she met and married her high school sweetheart. 

She recently relocated to Florida with her husband, three kids, son-in-law, and four dogs. Now she enjoys long walks in nature all year long, despite the occasional alligator or snake she sometimes encounters. 

Deena's love for writing developed when her youngest son was born and didn't sleep through the night, and she now works full time as a writer and a freelance editor. 

Webpage ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter/X ~  Goodreads 

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Book Review: I'LL CALL YOU HOME (Enderlin Calling #2) by Sharon L. Clark

About the Book 

When her father is injured on the family horse ranch, Charlotte Trevino rushes home to Zearing, Texas, the small town she put in her rearview mirror years ago. Her brother and father insist that everything is under control, but the recent odd - and costly - run of bad luck on the ranch tells a different story. The books haven’t been in the black for months, they’re plagued by equipment troubles and supply chain failures, and their neighbors are selling their property to a shady businessman who won’t take ‘no’ for an answer. But Charlotte refuses to give up and sets out to save the ranch, however she can. Despite being confronted by the painful past she tried to leave behind: her high school sweetheart, Jason Archer. 

Jason has a calm and comfortable life in Zearing. He works for his uncle as a respected financial analyst, takes care of his Alzheimer’s-ridden mother, and spends downtime with friends. But then one day the whirlwind known as Charlotte blows back into town and everything is turned upside down. He’s never forgiven himself for breaking her heart, but he’s never gotten over her, either. Determined to earn her trust once more, he offers to help save the ranch, and the lingering heat between them bursts into flame whenever they’re together. 

It soon becomes clear that her family’s trouble is far more than simple bad luck. When Charlotte starts to inch the ranch back toward financial stability, the bad luck turns to threats and near-misses, and the trouble draws closer to home. Jason is right by her side, lending a hand as they grow closer and closer. But secrets come to light and Jason is torn between the woman he never stopped loving and the family that has given him everything. As the danger intensifies, the question is no longer if Charlotte can save the ranch…but will she survive if she does.

Review

Charlotte has rarely returned home since leaving for college. Her return, her father in the hospital, and her first love affect her emotionally. Still, she's determined to save the ranch and the horses she loved. Then there's Jason. It's awkward and tense as more "accidents" occur immediately followed by pressure to sell.  

Charlotte is a great main character, a determined young woman who intends to save the ranch no matter what. She's dealing with conflicts, threats, and understanding what went wrong after high school graduation. Jason is also key to the story and not sure he can let her get away again. The story is well written and the pacing kept me reading. It's the second in the series, and it didn't matter that I hadn't read the first one. I'd recommend this book to those who enjoy a good romantic suspense with second chances and a HEA for all.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book. This has not affected the content of my review in any way. 

AMAZON

About the Author 

Sharon L. Clark is a romantic suspense author hailing from Des Moines, Iowa, where she never outgrew her enormous imagination and continues to feed both her hopeless-romantic heart and her villain-wannabe brain. 

An avid reader from a very young age, Sharon still enjoys living vicariously through the heroines in adventure novels, falling in love again and again through romances, and getting the tar scared out of her now and again. After attending the University of Northern Iowa Sharon met her husband, Andrew, and together they have raised three pretty cool humans and a handful of dogs. It wasn’t until she was nearly an empty nester that she decided to focus on writing, and let other people see what goes on inside her head: the good, the bad, and the bizarre.

I’ll Call You Mine is her debut novel, but you can check out her short stories and other musings on her website or her social channels. She also has a collection of short stories and serials at Channillo. She is represented by Amy Brewer through Metamorphosis Literary Agency.

Website ~ FaceBook ~ Goodreads ~ BookBub 

Book Review: DEADLY SECRETS AT BALLYFORD CASTLE (The Ariadne Winter Mystery Series Book 2) by Ellen Butler

About the Book 

From Paris runways to country manors, danger is always in fashion. When intrepid journalist Ariadne Winter leaves behind the glittering cafés and haute couture of 1958 Paris for the misty hills of rural Ireland, she expects champagne toasts and countryside charm at her cousin's engagement celebration. But amidst party prep excitement the festive mood at Ballyford Manor is shattered when a body is discovered among the ruins of the ancient castle grounds.  

The local inspector suspects an accident—but Ariadne knows better. 

Armed with her sharp wit and a reporter’s determination, Ariadne peels back the polished façade of the O’Connell family, uncovering simmering tensions and long-held grudges that refuse to stay buried. As she navigates a world of crumbling aristocracy, whispered scandals, and dark family legacies, Ariadne realizes someone will do anything to keep the past hidden — even if it means making her the next victim. 

Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie and Jacqueline Winspear, this stylish, atmospheric mystery captures the glamour and shadows of 1950s Ireland, blending intrigue, secrets, and a sleuth you won’t forget. 

Review

Ariadne's visit to Ballyford Castle for her cousin's engagement celebration in Ireland is marred first by tension within the fiancé's family, their insistence the wedding take place in the castle instead of America, and by the discovery of the caretaker's dead body. Ariadne, Julia, and Cormac are caught in the middle, with Julia's parents trying to keep the peace. 

The police initially call the caretaker's death an accident, only Ariadne's not so sure. She and Julia discover hidden passages that lead to the window ledge the caretaker "fell" from, only it's clear he was pushed. As they explore passages, someone scares them and they pick up clues to the killer. 

Butler's tale is well-written with unexpected twists and turns, well-developed characters with distinct personalities, and a well-paced plot. The point of view shifts from Ariadne (first person) to third person at times, providing a different perspective and furthering the story along. The resolution makes sense and is not a surprise, though I considered a few characters as the killer.  This is the second in the series and easily read as a stand-alone. Still, I think it's best to start at the beginning of a series to watch characters grow. 

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way. 

Purchase Links

Amazon ~ B&N ~ Kobo ~ Apple

About the Author 

Ellen Butler is the international bestselling author of the Karina Cardinal mystery series. Her experiences working on Capitol Hill and at a medical association in Washington, D.C. inspired the mystery-action series. Multiple books in the series have hit #1 on Amazon bestseller lists in the US and abroad. Book critics call the Karina Cardinal mysteries, “intelligent escapism." 

Butler is also the author of the award-winning historical suspense novel, The Brass Compass. The Brass Compass has won multiple awards for historical fiction including: 2022 Speak Up Talk Radio Firebird Book Award, 2018 Indie Reader Discovery Award, 2019 Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal Winner. Butler started writing in the romance genre and won the The Romance Reviews Readers’ Choice Award 2015 with her novel Planning for Love. Her 12th book Operation Blackbird, a Cold War Spy novel, was published in October 2022 and won a Next Generation Indie Book Award gold medal for historical fiction.

Author Links 

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$25 Amazon Gift Card & Signed Book 

 

Book Spotlight: GRAVE WORDS (A Deadly Deadlines Mystery Book 2) by Gerri Lewis

 

Grave Words: A Deadly Deadlines Mystery 

Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series 

Setting – Connecticut 

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crooked Lane Books 

About the Book

In the second installment of the Deadly Deadlines mysteries, obituary writer Winter Snow faces her biggest challenge yet when the body of a homeless man is found in a burning building and her best friend is the main suspect, perfect for fans of Eva Gates and Kate Carlisle. 

Winter Snow has had it! With her business in a death drought, her best friend Scoop implicated in a string of arsons, and an obituary listing Winter herself as deceased, her life is heating up. But just as she’s trying to cool things down, she receives her newest assignment: an obituary for Chester, a homeless man found in a burning building. 

Promising the local funeral home manager that she will have the obituary by the deadline, Winter is stonewalled at every turn, failing to discover Chester’s last name, or where he came from. When it is discovered that Chester was murdered and that the fire was set to cover it up, all fingers immediately point to Scoop. Not only is Scoop a person of interest in the arsons, he was also the last person to see Chester alive. 

As more nails are pounded into Scoop’s coffin, Winter’s uncle Richard hopes to help by inviting the notorious town gossips, The Nosy Parkers, to a neighborhood food fest. Unfortunately, the breadcrumbs they toss set murder in motion. 

More determined than ever, Winter must figure out the twists and turns of the case to clear Scoop’s name, putting her on a deadly deadline to solve the murder and avoid meeting the same grave consequences. 

Purchase Links 

Amazon ~ Audible ~ B&N ~ Bookshop.org ~ Kobo

PenguinRandomHouse ~ Apple ~ Goodreads

About the Author

Gerri Lewis started her writing career as a newspaper columnist, feature writer, reporter and obituary writer for seven syndicated newspapers. If she were to write her own obit, it would go something like this with a little wishful thinking thrown in: Author of the popular Obituary Writer Series, The Last Word, A Deadly Deadlines Mystery, Gerri Lewis died at the age of 100, at the Ridgefield home she loved and the setting for many of her books. Gerri's accolades include numerous awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, the New England Press Association and Writer’s Digest. THE LAST WORD was a 2024 finalist in the Best Book Awards sponsored by American Bookfest and an honorable mention at the Los Angeles Book Awards sponsored by the LA Times. 

Throughout her career she has remained a go-to person in the community for obituaries, especially sensitive ones, because she said, “Capturing a loved one’s personality in an obituary is one of the greatest gifts you can give to the grieving.”  

Author Links 

Website ~ Facebook ~ Instagram 

Giveaway: Grave Words: A Deadly Deadlines Mystery by Gerri Lewis 

Book Review: DEATH BY BAGUETTE (Travel Can Be Murder Cozy Mystery Series Book 2) by Jennifer S. Alderson

About the Book (from Amazon)

Paris—the city of love, lights … and murder? Join tour guide Lana Hansen as she escorts five couples on an unforgettable Valentine-themed vacation to France! Unfortunately it will be the last trip for one passenger… 

Lana Hansen’s future is looking bright. She has money in her bank account, a babysitter for her cat, and even a boyfriend. Regrettably she won’t get to celebrate Valentine’s Day with her new beau, Chad. Instead, she will be leading a lovers-only tour in France. Luckily for Lana, her best friend, Willow, and her partner, Jane, will be joining her. 

Things go downhill when Lana’s new boyfriend shows up in Paris for her tour—with his wife. Chad is not the website developer he claimed to be, but a famous restaurant critic whose love of women rivals his passion for food. 

After Chad drops dead during a picnic under the Eiffel Tower, a persistent French detective becomes convinced that he was poisoned. And the inspector’s sights are set on several members of the tour—including Lana! 

While escorting her group through the cobblestone streets of Montmartre, the grand gardens of Versailles, and the historic Marché des Enfants Rouges market, Lana must figure out who really killed Chad before she has to say bonjour to prison and adieu to her freedom. 

Review 

As with others in this series, Lana's trip to Paris is interesting, both because of the characters and the setting. Initially, Lana's concerned with the trainee joining her group; however, when she discovers her boyfriend Chad is one of her guests with his wife, she's glad for the help. Her two friends - one of the four couples, also provide support. Only Chad is killed and Lana becomes a suspect.

The story is well-paced with an easy shift from the relationships, the couples, and the murder to the popular sights and feel of Paris. Characters are well-developed and clue are sprinkled throughout. Another enjoyable cozy mystery that can easily be read out of order.

AMAZON

Books in the Travel Can Be Murder Cozy Mystery Series: 

Book 1 – Death on the Danube: A New Year’s Murder in Budapest Book 2 – Death by Baguette: A Valentine’s Day Murder in Paris Book 3 – Death by Windmill: A Mother’s Day Murder in Amsterdam 

Book 4 – Death by Bagpipes: A Summer Murder in Edinburgh Book 5 – Death by Fountain: A Christmas Murder in Rome 

Book 6 – Death by Leprechaun: A Saint Patrick’s Day Murder in Dublin 

Book 7 – Death by Flamenco: An Easter Murder in Seville 

Book 8 – Death by Gondola: A Springtime Murder in Venice 

Book 9 – Death by Puffin: A Bachelorette Party Murder in Reykjavik 

Book 10 – Death by Oxcart: An Independence Day Murder in Costa Rica 

About the Author 

Jennifer S. Alderson was born in San Francisco, grew up in Seattle, and currently lives in Amsterdam. After traveling extensively around Asia, Oceania, and Central America, she lived in Darwin, Australia, before finally settling in the Netherlands.

Jennifer’s love of travel, art, and culture inspires her award-winning Zelda Richardson Mystery series, her Travel Can Be Murder Cozy Mysteries, and her Carmen De Luca Art Sleuth Mysteries. Her background in journalism, multimedia development, and art history enriches her novels. 

When not writing, she can be found perusing a museum, biking around Amsterdam, or enjoying a coffee along the canal while planning her next research trip.

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