There are several publishers that keep the wonderful world of cozy mysteries going for us readers. 

One of my favorites is

Kensington Books!

You're going to love the two titles 

I'm sharing with you today!

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MURDER ON CAPE COD

Book 1 in the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries

by Maddie Day

First in a New Series!

Print edition only available at Barnes & Noble

A Cape Cod shop owner and her book club must find a crafty killer in this charming new series from the Agatha-nominated author of the Country Store Mystery series.

Summer is busy season for Mackenzie “Mac” Almeida’s bicycle shop, nestled in the quaint, seaside hamlet of Westham, Massachusetts. She’s expecting an influx of tourists at Mac’s Bikes; instead she discovers the body of Jake Lacey. Mac can’t imagine anyone stabbing the down-on-his-luck handyman. However, the authorities seem to think Mac is a strong suspect after she was spotted arguing with Jake just hours before his death. Mac knows she didn’t do it, but she does recognize the weapon—her brother Derrick’s fishing knife.

Mac’s only experience with murder investigations is limited to the cozy mysteries she reads with her local book group, the Cozy Capers. So to clear her name—and maybe her brother’s too—Mac will have to summon help from her Cozy Capers co-investigators and a library’s worth of detectives’ tips and tricks. For a small town, Westham is teeming with possible killers, and this is one mystery where Mac is hoping for anything but a surprise ending…

MY REVIEW

A new series by author Maddie Day? You couldn’t keep me away. The new series featuring a book group of cozy mystery readers? Nirvana!

I thoroughly enjoyed this first book on the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries. It’s always fun being introduced to a set of new characters and locations. Protagonist, Mackenzie “Mac” Almeida, is a likeable lead. I adore her parrot, Belle. Their scenes are a lot of fun. The other characters in this series are an eclectic group that made for interesting reading. I would love to be a member of a book group like the Cozy Capers, since cozies are my go-to read. It was fun to hear the titles of other cozy mysteries mentioned in this book.

The whodunit in this story is sensational. It starts off fast and strong in chapter one, and just kept building momentum until the very last page. With many possible murder suspects, it was a real challenge trying to figure out the killer. I never did. When I read the reveal, I was stunned. I never would have come to that conclusion. Well done, Ms. Day. I was completely blindsided!

Add to all the above, wonderful recipes and short chapters (What? I love short chapters), and MURDER ON CAPE COD is a cozy you need to read.

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STEAMED OPEN

Book 7 in the Maine Clambake Mysteries

by Barbara Ross

It’s summertime in Busman’s Harbor, Maine, and the clamming is easy—or it was until a mysterious new neighbor blocks access to the beach, cutting off the Snowden Family Clambake’s supply. Julia Snowden is just one of many townspeople angered by Bartholomew Frick’s decision. But which one of them was angry enough to kill?
 
Beachcombers, lighthouse buffs, and clammers are outraged after Frick puts up a gate in front of his newly inherited mansion. When Julia urges him to reconsider, she’s the last to see him alive—except the person who stabs him in the neck with a clam rake. As she pores through a long list of suspects, Julia meets disgruntled employees, rival heirs, and a pair of tourists determined to visit every lighthouse in America. They all have secrets, and Julia will have to work fast to expose the guilty party—or see this season’s clam harvest dry up for good. 

MY REVIEW

Everyone knows when I get a cozy mystery in my hands, leave me alone until I come up for air. The day I read STEAMED OPEN, the book didn’t leave my hands. It went everywhere in the house with me (Yes. Everywhere. TMI I know). Seriously, I couldn’t stop reading until I had finished.

I wouldn’t say book seven in the Maine Clambake Mysteries was lucky number 7 for author Barbara Ross. Luck had nothing to do with it. Brilliant writing and knowing what readers will love had everything to do with it!

Besides having wonderful characters that feel like family, food that will make your stomach growl (Thanks for the recipes at the end of the book, Ms. Ross!), and a setting that makes you wish you were there, STEAMED OPEN is a fabulous mystery that will have you guessing, like it did me, until the end. It also gets my vote for most creative murder weapon.    

If you’re looking to do something nice for someone, or yourself, get a copy of STEAMED OPEN!

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