Aloha to Victoria Abbott and THE CHRISTIE CURSE (Book Collector Mystery Series)

In 1926, Agatha Christie disappeared—making headlines across the world—only to show up eleven days later at a spa under an assumed name. During those eleven days, did she have time to write a play? 

Jordan Kelly needs a new job and a new place to live. She’s back in Harrison Falls, New York, living with her not so law-abiding uncles, in debt thanks to a credit card–stealing ex and pending grad school loans.

Enter the perfect job, a research position that includes room and board, which will allow her to spend her days hunting down rare mysteries for an avid book collector. There’s just one problem: her employer, Vera Van Alst—the most hated citizen of Harrison Falls.

Jordan’s first assignment is to track down a rumored Agatha Christie play. It seems easy enough, but Jordan soon finds out that her predecessor was killed while looking for it, and there is still someone out there willing to murder to keep the play out of Vera’s hands. Jordan’s new job is good…but is it worth her life?

Very few of us are what we seem. - Agatha Christie

THE CHRISTIE CURSE, Book 1 in the series, introduces us to Jordan Kelly Bingham, a resourceful twenty something looking for a respectable job.  She finds such job - with room and board - with Harrison Fall's resident grump, Vera Van Alst.  While her vintage mansion crumbles around her, Vera collects first editions from her favorite mystery authors. She tasks Jordan to procure a copy of the Christie's "lost play" .... and Jordan turns to her not-so-respectable uncles for assistance.  As Jordan hunts for the lost play, she learns that not all of the players in the rare book business are who they seem to be.

Abbott creates a cast of characters who are entertaining and intriguing - a research assistant with gusto, a male librarian on speed dial, an Italian cook with endless energy, several uncles with unlimited resources, and a mysterious cop with a killer smile. Abbott incorporates the Dame's plot devices into THE CHRISTIE CURSE as a tribute to her. THE CHRISTIE CURSE kept my attention throughout its 304 pages.  I was curious enough to find more books in the series.

Jordan works hard to improve Vera Van Alst’s collection of classic detective stories. So when Chadwick Kauffman—heir to the Kauffman fortune—offers a very good price on a fine collection of Ngaio Marsh first editions owned by his recently deceased stepfather, she is thrilled to meet with him at his fabled summer estate, Summerlea.

The next day, Jordan and Vera are shocked to read that Chadwick has died in a fall from the grand staircase at Summerlea. But when the picture in the paper is of a different man, it becomes clear that the ladies are victims of a scam. And they’ll have to unmask the imposter fast, because someone is trying to frame them for murder…

THE MARSH MADNESS is Book 4 in the series (I did not find Books 2 and 3 at the used book store). The same characters welcomed me back to the cozy (but chaotic) world of Jordan Bingham as she balances her "respectable" job while relying upon her "questionable" uncles for assistance.  In THE MARSH MADNESS, Jordan finds herself on the opposite side of the law - and her police boyfriend - as she tries to clear her name in the suspicious death of an reclusive millionaire. 

THE MARSH MADNESS delivered more laugh out loud moments as Jordan morphed into Stephanie Plum meets James Bond - one scene involves her cop boyfriend chasing her with only a towel after he stepped out of the shower to find her hiding in his house.  Jordan has gained more confidence in herself while she finds it easier to blur the lines between "being above board" and "bending the rules."  The cherry on top - Jordan shares her love for Ngaio Marsh books, making them a part of the plot in unexpected places.  The villain is not who I expected. 

On a getaway to the City by the Bay, book collector Jordan Bingham becomes entangled in a mystery with more twists than Lombard Street...

Jordan has been able to swing a romantic trip to San Francisco with Officer Tyler “Smiley” Dekker on one condition—she must return with a rare copy of Dashiell Hammett’s Red Harvest for her irascible employer, Vera Van Alst. For his own part, Smiley is full of surprises. He’s a Dashiell devotee himself—excited to be in the city of Hammett’s hard-boiled heroes like Sam Spade and the Continental Op—and also announces he plans to visit his previously unmentioned estranged grandmother, who lives in an old Victorian on Telegraph Hill.

But the trip goes downhill fast when Jordan is pushed from a cable car and barely escapes death. And when a dark sedan tries to run the couple down, it’s clear someone’s after them—but who? Just like in Hammett’s world, nothing is quite what is seems...

THE HAMMETT HEX is Book 5 in the series, picking up shortly where Book 4 ended.  Jordan and Smiley escape to the City by the Bay only to find themselves embroiled in a series of near escapes - are they trapped in a Dashiell Hammett novel?  Nothing stops them from fulfilling Smiley's secondary purpose of visiting San Francisco - reuniting with his estranged grandmother.  Yet that simple meeting leads to more chaos for Jordan and Smiley.  Why does trouble come her way every time she procures rare editions? 

Jordan demonstrates that she is more than capable of taking care of herself while dodging villains. She relies on the Kelly Family motto - make do with what is handy.  Her antics leads to laughs as well as endearing her to me.  I rooted for her through thick and thin. 

I did not want THE HAMMETT HEX to end. Now I have to find Books 2 and 3 in this series ... and hope Victoria Abbott continues to publish the adventures of Jordan, Smiley, and the Kelly Uncles!

The House on Telegraph Hill (link)

I am giving away book swag to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1. Have you visited San Francisco?  If yes, what was your favorite thing about the City by the Bay - view, food, experience?  If no, what would you want to do?

I have not visited San Fran yet .... I would like to ride a cable car!

2. Comments are open through Wednesday, January 31, 10 pm in Baltimore. 

3. I'll post the winner on Thursday, February 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Nora Charles and DEATH WITH AN OCEAN VIEW

Nestled between fast track Ft. Lauderdale and nouveau riche Boca Raton, the once sleepy beach town of Palmetto is plagued by progress. The latest news has Ocean Vista condo board president Stella Sajak and other residents in an uproar. Developers plan to raze the property and put up a glitzy resort. But when Stella says she’ll go to City Hall and fight this to the death, no one thinks to take her statement literally.

And when Kate begins to investigate the murder, she discovers that this little corner of the sunshine state is cursed with corruption, unsavory characters, and a very dark cloud overhead.

Every drop in the ocean counts. - Yoko Ono

I found Nora Charles' DEATH WITH AN OCEAN VIEW at a used book store before my trip to Florida.  Published in 2004, it is the first book in Senior Sleuth Mystery series.  Given I grew up in Miami, I enjoy reading novels set in South Florida. The story opens with Kate Kennedy lamenting the death of her husband, a retired NYPD officer.  He died shortly after they signed for their new home in the Ocean Vista condo building overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.  I almost gave up as Kate was drowning in her grief.  Then the pace picked up with the murder .... and Kate's sister in law, Marlene, engages in senior antics.  Kate and Marlene become Ocean Vista's version of Lucy and Ethel as they investigate the murder.  

DEATH OF AN OCEAN VIEW is only 198 pages - a quick read that produced many chuckles as Marlene reeks havoc on the retirement community while Kate acts as the level headed sleuth.  In the end, Nora Charles' created memorable characters to cherish.  Her dry wit is the cherry on top.

I was intrigued to read more books in the series ....

He forecasts the weather on TV to the delight of his many fans. But the residents of Ocean Vista Condominiums are less fond of Uncle Weatherwise—the newest arrival at the condo—especially when a hurricane that he predicted would bypass Palmetto Beach instead heads straight for their town.

The morning after a frantic evacuation, Kate is blown away when she stumbles upon the corpse of Uncle Weatherwise, with a sharpened weather vane pointed in the direction of his heart. Suddenly Kate’s neighbors are her suspects, from a retired Rockette to a former federal prosecutor to a man dressed mysteriously in crisply pressed pajamas. And before she knows it, Kate is hot on a trail of clues that may lead back to the Cold War.

HURRICANE HOMICIDE (aka DEATH STORMS THE SHORE) is Book 4 in the series. Nora Charles turns up the cloak and dagger with flashbacks to the Cold War. The memorable characters continued to entertain as I pieced together how the Red Scare of the 1950s could still impact lives in their twilight years.  Nora Charles accurately portrays the chaos of hurricane evacuations - something I remember vividly from my childhood in Miami and college life in Tampa.  

Tired of college, Kate Kennedy’s granddaughter, Katharine, drops out and heads for Florida, landing in the apartment of Kate’s best friend. In her quest for a new life, she takes up with a gang of surfers that go by the name “The Four Boardsmen of the Apocalypse.”

But catching waves can be a dangerous pastime. When Katharine’s surfer crush is killed in a shark attack, foul play is suspected, especially by the police. Fingers are pointing at Katharine—including, to Kate’s disappointment, those of her friend Detective Nick Carbone. It’s up to Kate to prove her beloved granddaughter’s innocence or else Katharine’s “new life” will be spent behind bars.

DEATH RIDES THE SURF is Book 5 in the series. Kate's impish granddaughter Katharine, creates waves in Ocean Vista as she follows her heart to a group of disreputable surfers.  As Kate walks the fine line of offering support while encouraging Katharine to act responsible, Marlene breaks the ice for the dynamic duo solve the mystery with a little help from Casablanca.

I am now on the hunt for the two books I missed in this series!

I am giving away swag to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about where you would like to retire - beach? mountains? countryside?

You know my answer .... Hawaii!  Even if we landed in the middle of Oahu, in the pineapple fields, I would be happy!

2. Comments are open through Wednesday, January 31, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Thursday, February 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Tina Kashian and HUMMUS AND HOMICIDE (Kebab Kitchen Mystery No. 1) - Book Review

When Lucy Berberian quits her Philadelphia law firm and heads home to Ocean Crest, she knows what she's getting--the scent of funnel cake, the sight of the wooden roller coaster, and the tastes of her family's Mediterranean restaurant. But murder wasn't on the menu . . .

Things are slow in the off-season in this Jersey Shore town, but Lucy doesn't mind. She doesn't even mind waitressing at the Kebab Kitchen. Her parents have put in a new hummus bar, with every flavor from lemon to roasted red pepper. It's fun to see their calico cat again, and to catch up with her old BFF, who's married to a cop now.

She could do without Heather Banks, though. The Gucci-toting ex-cheerleader is still as nasty as she was back in high school . . . and unfortunately, she's just taken over as the local health inspector. Just minutes after eating at the Kebab Kitchen--where she's tallied up a whole list of bogus violations--she falls down dead in the street. Word on the grapevine is it's homicide, and Lucy's the number one suspect . . .

Tina Kashian spent her childhood summers at the New Jersey shore, building sandcastles, boogie boarding, and riding the boardwalk Ferris wheel. She also grew up in the restaurant business where her Armenian parents owned a restaurant for thirty years. She worked almost every job—rolling silverware and wiping down tables as a tween, to hosting and waitressing as a teenager.

After college, Tina worked as a NJ Deputy Attorney General, a patent attorney, and a mechanical engineer. Her love of reading fiction for pleasure helped her get through years of academia. Her law cases inspired an inquiring mind of crime, and since then, Tina has been hooked on mysteries. Tina still lives in New Jersey with her supportive husband and two young daughters. Please visit tinakashian.com and join her Newsletter to enter free contests to win books, get delicious recipes, and to learn when her books will be released.

Image from Wikipedia (link)

The emotive power of hummus all over the Middle East cannot be overstated, being the focus of some serious tribal rivalries.

- Yotam Ottolenghi

Rivalry prompts patent attorney Lucy Berberian to quit her job in Philadelphia and return home to her multicultural family in Ocean Crest, New Jersey. Rivalry rears its ugly head again when Lucy argues with Heather Banks, a high school mean girl turned corrupt town health inspector. Just as Lucy sets out to protect her family's restaurant from further violations, Heather is poisoned after eating at the Kebab Kitchen's new hummus bar. Lucy becomes the prime suspect and the restaurant looses customers, jeopardizing her parents' retirement plans.  Alas, Lucy sets out to solve the mystery with help from her family, friends, and even a mobster.

Kashian draws upon her own experience of the Jersey shore to deliver a cozy mystery with a touch of nostalgia for the boardwalk. Kashian molds Lucy into a flawed, but lovable, heroine.  While Lucy may be an educated lawyer, she is not quite the slealthy detective, leading to predictable hijinks as she steps on a few toes. But Kashian excels with her diverse cast of characters, celebrating the unique heritage of the immigrants who built our country ... and made delicious food!

Kashian, like Lucy, is embarking on a new career.  As a seasoned romance writer (Tina Gabrielle, link), Kashian takes on cozy mysteries like a pro.  I look forward to reading more from the Kebab Kitchen!

I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) from Kensington to review.

I am giving away "beach swag" to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1. Where is your favorite beach?  What is your favorite beach food?  What is your favorite beach activity?  Outside of Hawaii, I enjoy walking on Clearwater Beach and collecting sea shells.  I indulge in ice cream to beat the heat!

2. Comments are open through Sunday, December 31, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Monday, January 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Clearwater Beach (link)

Aloha to Jenn McKinlay, Library Lover's Mystery series, and BETTER LATE THAN NEVER - Book Review

In the latest Library Lover’s Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of A Likely Story, a decades overdue book puts library director Lindsey Norris hot on the trail of a cold case...

When the Briar Creek Public Library holds its first overdue book amnesty day—no fines for late returns—the volume of incoming materials is more than Lindsey and her staff can handle. In a bind, Lindsey drafts the crafternoon ladies to help check in and sort the stacks of books.

But one tardy tome catches her attention—a copy of J. D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, twenty years past due. When Lindsey looks up the borrower, she’s shocked to discover it was a murdered school teacher named Candice Whitley, whose killer was never found.

Candice checked out the novel on the day she was murdered. Now Lindsey wonders if it could provide a clue to the decades-old cold case. No one noticed who brought the book back in, but could it be Candice’s killer? Lindsey is determined to catch the culprit one way or another, because justice for Candice Whitley is long overdue ... 

Patience outside the NYC Library

Courage, my friends; 'tis not too late to build a better world. 
- Tommy Douglas

Lindsay Norris is building a better world as library director in Briar Creek, a New England coastal town. She transitioned as an academic librarian to public servant, bringing fresh ideas to a traditional institution. Lindsay implemented "Amnesty Day" to encourage patrons to return late and/or damaged books, thus welcoming back the "prodigal" readers.  As her staff struggle with the overwhelming number of returned books, one title stands out - a twenty year old copy of CATCHER IN THE RYE.  After digging up old library records, the staff discover the reader was a beloved high school teacher who was murdered the day she checked out the book. And her murder remains unsolved.

Lindsay can't help but initiate her own investigation to satisfy her curious nature. In fact, her friends have already taken friendly bets on how long it takes Lindsay to solve the mystery. Yet Lindsay's inquiries open old wounds for those who loved the teacher and became suspects in her murder. The plot follows the predictable pattern of cozy mysteries - an amateur detective, multiple suspects with personal secrets, a few red herrings, and the climatic unveiling of the murderer.  Still BETTER LATE THAN NEVER is an enjoyable escape into a small coastal town. 

The subplots offers depth to this novel and the series - Lindsay has an on/off/on relationship with Navy Vet-turned-Sea Captain Sully. The children's librarian, Beth, adds comic relief with her literary antics. Lindsay's friends in the book club/craft group cook up tasty treats (and gossip) to counterbalance the underlying concern of a murder still prowling the town. McKinlay makes it easy to assimilate with the quirky characters who populate Briar Creek.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER is Book 7 in McKinlay's Library Lover's Mystery Series.  While this title can be read as a stand alone novel, I recommend reading the series in order. McKinlay is also the author of Cupcake Bakery Mysteries (set in Scottsdale, Arizona) and Hat Shop Mysteries (set in London, England) - I am a fan of all three series.

Natually, I checked out BETTER LATE THAN NEVER from my local library.

Learn more about Jenn and her books at jennmckinlay.com.

Fortitude outside the NYC library

For the month of April, I am giving away a box of books from authors attending RT. To enter the giveaway,

1. What's your favorite library?

2. Comments are open through Sunday, April 30, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I will be offline from Monday, May 1 - Sunday, May 7.

4. I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 8.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Laura Levine and MURDER HAS NINE LIVES - Book Review

The future is looking bright for freelance writer Jaine Austen. She's signed up for a new job, she's looking forward to a tropical vacation, and her cat Prozac is slated to star in a major commercial. But when the claws come out behind the scenes, Jaine worries that murder might be the only thing to meow about. . .

A writer's life is far from glamorous. Still, Jaine's new gig to write an ad campaign for Toiletmasters' new line of self-flushing toilets comes with a few perks--including a date with the president's dreamy nephew. And with a much-needed trip to Maui on the horizon, it seems life couldn't get any better--until her cat Prozac is tapped to star in a Skinny Kitty commercial. But Jaine never would have guessed the world of cat food could be quite so catty. . .

Jaine is nervous that Prozac won't be able to take direction, but the finicky furball ditches her diva behavior for the camera, eating and napping on cue like a seasoned pro. But just as Jaine begins dreaming of fame and fortune, Skinny Kitty's inventor drops dead on the set. Everyone is a suspect--including Jaine. And she'll have to get her paws on the truth before the killer takes a swipe at another victim. . .

Curiosity killed the cat because he wanted to know if it really had 9 lives. - Anonymous

MURDER HAS NINE LIVES is Book 14 in Laura Levine's Jaine Austen Mystery series. Jaine is a freelance author living on the edge of Beverly Hills with her cat, Prozac, and her neighbor, Lance. A chance meeting with an animal agent at the vet's office leads Jaine and Prozac to the filming of a Skinny Cat commercial. Fans of the series know that Prozac plays by her own rules ... and things go awry with the filming ... ending with the death of the Skinny cat's creator. Jaine dons her favorite "Count Chocula" t-shirt and grabs the fake USDA badge she bought at a yard sale to investigate the murder and clear her name.

Levine is no stranger to humor.  She is the creator of Count Chocula and Frankenberry cereals for General Mills. She also wrote for The Bob Newhart Show, Three's Company, and Laverne & Shirley. Likewise, Jaine is no stranger to chocolate ... or cinnamon raisin bagels ... or Burger King drive thru. Her diet is a who's who among junk food. Jaine's life is equally chaotic with her constant search for a new writing gig to pay the rent, navigating the LA dating scene, and wrangling Prozac for her cashmere sweater.

MURDER HAS NINE LIVES is pure escapism into a familiar world where laughs abound with Jaine's expanding waistline. Likewise, Prozac's expanded role demonstrates she is more than a diva - she has feelings ala Blanche DuBois from A STREET CAR NAMED DESIRE when she realizes she is the "before" cat in the Skinny Cat commercial.  Jaine goes to extreme measures, including a Reiki healer, to bring Prozac out of her funk.  I applaud Levine for poking fun at pop culture - it adds another layer of humor into the lighthearted plot.  Levine also includes the email exchange between Jaine and her parents, retired in Florida, but reeking havoc just the same. 

MURDER HAS NINE LIVES is a refreshing break from reality, akin to meeting a friend for coffee for a respite from our hectic lives. MURDER HAS NINE LIVES can be read as a stand alone novel since Levine provides enough background information about Jaine, Prozac, and Lance.  

Recommended read for fans of cozy mysteries, diva cats, and anything chocolate.

I checked out a copy of MURDER HAS NINE LIVES from my local library.

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash. To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about TV commercials - love them or loathe them?  Do you have a favorite, especially with the upcoming holidays?  I enjoy some of the Geico commercials, including:

- Salt N Pepa's "Push It" (link) - I love the song and the man mowing the lawn.
- Playing Marco Polo in a pool (link) - I love the llama.
- Kids selling lemonade with Ice T (link) - Ice T is an Army vet.

2. Due to shipping costs, this giveaway is open to US resident. But I welcome any comments from our international readers.

3. Comments are open through Sunday, November 27, 2016, 10 pm in Baltimore.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Sherry Harris and ALL MURDERS FINAL! (Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery) - Book Review

Her Next Sale

When Sarah Winston started the virtual garage sale, it seemed like a keystroke of genius and the next logical step in her business. No more collapsing card tables and rainy-day washouts. But what began as a fun way to run garage sales during the long New England winter has become a nightmare of managing people and putting out fires. Online, she can avoid the crowds--but not the crazies.

May Be Her Last

She certainly never bargained on dealing with frightening threats. And when a client is murdered, it's time for Sarah to swallow her pride and seek the help of her ex--C.J. Hooker, chief of police. Forging a tense alliance, they search--online and off--for the killer. But solving this crime before someone else gets tagged seems virtually impossible…

Savin' my money and I'm hella happy that's a bargain
- Thrift Shop by Macklemore

Sherry Harris, an Air Force spouse, set the Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery series in the fictional town of Ellington, Massachusetts, near the fictional Finch Air Force Base. These locales are based on Bedford, Massachusetts, and Hanscom AFB. Sherry's spouse was assigned to this small base in the cradle of the American Revolution ... and Hanscom AFB was my first assignment.  

Sarah Winston is a capable military spouse herself.  Actually, she's divorced from her husband, CJ Hooker, the former commander of the Security Forces (military police).  Their divorce, his retirement, and her move off base played out in TAGGED FOR DEATH, Book 1 in the series.  Once a military spouse, always a military spouse.  Military spouses learn to be thrifty, flexible, and diplomatic.  In ALL MURDERS FINAL!, Book 3 in the series, Sarah draws upon those attributes she gained as a military spouse to kick start her new career - garage sale adviser.  Alas, garage sales are not feasible during a Massachusetts winter ... so Sarah creates a virtual garage sale site for the local denizens to buy and sell according to their New England thriftiness.

Sarah's success is met with complaints from buyers (who are outbid), sellers (when buyers pick up without payment), and a consignment store owner (who is loosing business to the site). These issues are nothing compared to Sarah finding the reigning matron dead after arguing online with her over the sale of a vintage tablecloth.  Sarah sets out to clear her name and her business ... with a fluffernutter sandwich in hand! 

ALL MURDERS FINAL explores life in a historic New England town where the residents struggle to keep up with the high cost of living.  I appreciated Harris incorporating local traditions - wine from the packy! - along with the pursuit of a bargain in the digital age.  Harris adds depth with Sarah's struggle to reconcile her feelings for her ex husband (based on sweet memories) and the very single district attorney (based on rebound fun).  The creme de la creme was Mike the Big Cheese, a secondary character who hints at another mystery altogether. I hope to see Mike (and his cheese) in future books. I stayed up too late to finish ALL MURDERS FINAL! - I could not put this book down. I felt as though I was back at Hanscom Air Force Base, soaking up the history along the Freedom Trail.  

I read the series in the following order: Book 2, Book 1, and Book 3.  Harris takes the time to provide just enough backstory for readers to jump into the series with any book.  And what a fun jump it would be!

I recommend this book to fans of cozy mysteries, New England, and bargain hunting.

Image by Jot Powers (link)

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1. Leave a comment about an unusual food from your area.  As mentioned above, Sarah enjoys the fluffernutter sandwich - a New England classic made of white bread, marshmallow fluff, and peanut butter.

2. Comments are open through Saturday, June 25, 10 pm in Baltimore.  

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 26.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Sherry and her books, including her Friday Finds, at sherryharrisauthor.com.

Aloha to Jenn McKinlay and COPY CAP MURDER (Hat Shop Mystery No. 4) - Book Review

Reminder: I have a special giveaway for Military Appreciation Month at this link.

For Scarlett Parker, part of the fun of living in London is celebrating the British holidays, and she’s excited to share her first Bonfire Night with her cousin Vivian Tremont. Invited to a posh party by their friend Harrison Wentworth, Scarlett and Viv decide to promote their hat shop, Mim’s Whims, by donning a few of their more outrageous creations. The hats prove to be quite the conversation starters as the girls mix and mingle with the guests—never suspecting that one of them is a killer. 

It’s a cold, clear night, perfect for the British tradition of tossing a straw stuffed effigy of Guy Fawkes, traitor to the crown, onto the bonfire. But instead of a straw man, they realize in the heat of the moment that the would-be Guy Fawkes is actually Harrison’s office rival and he’s been murdered. Before the smoke has cleared, Harrison is the Metropolitan police’s prime suspect, and Scarlett and Vivian must find the real homicidal hothead before their dear friend’s life goes up in flames.

Public Domain (link)

Remember, remember, the 5th of November
The Gunpowder Treason and plot;
I see of no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
- Traditional English rhyme

As autumn descends upon London, American expat Scarlet Parker prepares to celebrate Guy Fawkes instead of Thanksgiving. She relocated to the Notting Hill neighborhood to join her British cousin Vivian Tremont in the family business, Mim's Whim - a hat shop they both inherited from their grandmother. Vivian is the creative force behind the hat designs; Scarlet focuses on customer service, updates social media, and finds dead bodies along the way - this time, at the Guy Fawkes party. 

The gang is back to help Scarlet track down the killer - Fiona (hat shop assistant), Nick (neighbor, dentist, and partner of Andre), Andre (neighbor, photographer, and partner of Nick), and, of course, Harrison, the shop's financial advisor who is now the murder suspect. COPY CAP MURDER follows the predictable path of cozy mysteries - red herrings, family secrets, and a dramatic unveiling of the real killer.  What sets this book (and series) apart is the location - the cozy neighborhood of Notting Hill. What's not to love about the cobblestone streets, eclectic shops, and international food in the middle of London's hubbub?  Likewise, McKinlay offers quirky characters (akin to Hugh Grant's Notting Hill) who deliver humorous quips throughout the story. Indeed, COPY CAT MURDER is a comfort read for those who enjoy British culture.

I purchased COPY CAP MURDER since I enjoyed the first three books in the series.

Children prepare for Guy Fawkes Night at Chirk

Creative Commons (link)

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1. In the story, Scarlett dreads missing Thanksgiving while living in London. Do you have a special Thanksgiving dish?  I make corn pudding from my mother-in-law's recipe.

2. Comments are open through Saturday, May 21, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Sunday, May 22.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City 

Learn more about Jenn and her books at jennmckinlay.com.

Aloha to Jenn McKinlay and DEATH OF A MAD HATTER - Book Review

One In A Milliner 

Scarlett Parker and her British cousin, Vivian Tremont, are hard at work at Mim’s Whims—their ladies’ hat shop on London’s chic Portobello Road—to create hats for an Alice in Wonderland themed afternoon tea, a fund-raiser for a local children’s hospital. It seems like a wonderfully whimsical way to pass the hat, and Scarlett and Viv are delighted to outfit the Grisby family, the hosts who are hoping to raise enough money to name a new hospital wing after their patriarch.

Unfortunately, the Grisby heir will not live to see it—he’s been poisoned. When traces of the poison are found on the hat Scarlett and Viv made for him, the police become curiouser and curiouser about their involvement. Now the ladies need to don their thinking caps and find the tea party crasher who’s mad enough to kill at the drop of a hat…

The Mad Hatter 

Public Domain (link)

DEATH OF A MAD HATTER is Book 2 in the London Hat Shop Mystery Series.  Check out my review of Book 1, CLOCHE AND DAGGER, at this link. 

Scarlett is settling into her new job as the customer relations director of Mim's Whims - a beloved hat shop established by her grandmother in Notting Hill.  She works alongside her cousin, Vivian, the talented heart of the milliner business.  They accept a commission to create hats for an "Alice in Wonderland" tea party. While Vivian dives into the task, Scarlett continues to fight her feelings for their business manager, Harrison.

During the tea party, Scarlett discovers the family heir has been poisoned.  She sets out to uncover the killer to protect the other family members with whom she has befriended.  DEATH OF A MAD HATTER follows the typical cozy mystery pattern - McKinlay sets it apart with the characters and location. Scarlett is a red (headed) herring as an American bumbling through Notting Hill. She pals around with her neighbors, a photographer and dentist, who join Vivian and Harrison in teasing Scarlett for her flat delivery of puns.


(The puns reminded me of the running gag in McKinlay's Cupcake Mystery series - those characters quote movies throughout the plot).

Recommended read for fans of cozy mysteries, British culture, and designer hats.

The Mad Hatter
Public Domain (link)

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about a Mad Hatter Tea Party - what hat would you wear?  I'd go for something that makes me look like the Cheshire Cat!

2.  Commenets are open through Saturday, February 20, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 21.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Book 1 in the series ...

Aloha to Jenn McKinlay's CLOCHE AND DAGGER (Hat Shop Mystery No. 1) - Book Review

An all-new series from New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay

Not only is Scarlett Parker’s love life in the loo—as her British cousin Vivian Tremont would say—it’s also gone viral with an embarrassing video. So when Viv suggests Scarlett leave Florida to lay low in London, she hops on the next plane across the pond. Viv is the proprietor of Mims’s Whims, a ladies’ hat shop on Portobello Road bequeathed to both cousins by their beloved grandmother, and she wants Scarlett to finally join her in the millinery business.

But a few surprises await Scarlett in London. First, she is met at the airport not by Viv, but by her handsome business manager, Harrison Wentworth. Second, Viv—who has some whims of her own—seems to be missing. No one is too concerned about the unpredictable Viv until one of her posh clients is found dead wearing the cloche hat Viv made for her—and nothing else. Is Scarlett’s cousin in trouble? Or is she in hiding?

Vilma Bánky in cloche hat, 1927

Public Domain (link)

How a hat makes you feel is what a hat is all about. 

- Philip Treacy, hat designer, including Princess Beatrice's fascinator worn to Prince Williams' wedding.

I recently discovered Jenn McKinlay's Cupcake Mystery Series - check out my review of SPRINKLE WITH MURDER and RED VELVET REVENGE at this link.  I recently looked for more books in the Cupcake Mystery series, only to find McKinlay kicked off a another series, Hat Shop Mystery, with CLOCHE AND DAGGER.  The American born heroine, Scarlet Parker, escaped my hometown of Tampa after her love life imploded on YouTube.  She accepted an invitation from Vivian Tremont, her British cousin, to join the family millinery business in London.  Upon arrival in Notting Hill, Scarlet is met by the business manager, Harrison Wentworth, since her cousin is temporarily unavailable in parts unknown.  Harrison assures Scarlet that Vivian often takes off without notice, leaving Harrison to help Scarlet settle into the flat above the hat shop.  No sooner does Scarlet unpack that she finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery with Vivian's creation as evidence.

CLOCHE AND DAGGER caught my attention for its "across the pond" adventure.  It was fun to read how Scarlet quickly adapted to the Notting Hill neighborhood (she spent her childhood summers visiting her grandmother's shop and learning about millinery along with Vivian).  Scarlet meets another couple who reside in the neighborhood - they share Thai food, drink wine, and try to outdo the other in making puns for every situation, adding more humor to the lighthearted story line.  No doubt the neighbors and even the shop assistant will contribute to future plots.  Harrison is an enigma - he obviously shares a close relationship with Viv yet he flirts with Scarlet.  Given the recent disaster on YouTube, Scarlet has sworn of men and relationships for a year.  I suspect her commitment will be tested in future books, especially with Harrison hanging around the shop.  The murder mystery and Vivian's disappearance are solved in typical cozy mystery style with a few red herrings that tested our heroine's resolve, but made her more confident in the end. 

CLOCHE AND DAGGER kept my interest with second chance subplot, quirky secondary characters, and Notting Hill setting. I also learned about the millinery business.  Recommended read for fans of American heroines stumbling around in British culture (much like a bull in a china shop).  

I purchased a copy of CLOCHE AND DAGGER for my personal reading.

Joan Crawford in a cloche hat, 1927

Public Domain (link)

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about hats - do you wear them?  If so, what type?  I have only worn ball caps to protect my face from the sun.

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, January 23, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 24.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Jenn and her books at jennmckinlay.com.

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