Out of Sight, Out of Mind by Evonne Wareham

Everyone has secrets. Some are stranger than others. Madison Albi is a scientist with a very special talent – for reading minds. When she stumbles across a homeless man with whom she feels an inexplicable connection, she can’t resist the dangerous impulse to use her skills to help him. J is a non-person – a vagrant who can’t even remember his own name. He’s got no hope, until he meets Madison. Is she the one woman who can restore his past? Madison agrees to help J recover his memory, but as she delves deeper into his mind, it soon becomes clear that some secrets are better off staying hidden. Is J really the man Madison believes him to be? Evonne describes J, the hero, in terms of chocolate: J would be the last perfect liqueur in the battered box at the back of the fridge. The contents is a mystery, but on biting into it there is a breathtaking rush of fire, spirit and power.

DEATH OF A LONG- LOST SON BY P. F.FORD

Meet ex-detectives Slater and Norman, an unlikely crime-solving duo. They might seem like they have nothing in common, except a love of doughnuts and banter. But they never give up on a case, no matter how tough things get . . . Please note, this book was previously published as A Puzzle of Old Bones. Newly promoted Detective Inspector Dave Slater can’t believe his luck. Or lack thereof . . . On his first day on the job, Forensics turn up the skeleton of a young child, at the bottom of a ditch in the middle of nowhere. As Slater gazes down at the tiny bones, something shiny catches his eye among the muck. A striking silver pendant. Now it’s up to Slater to start some digging of his own. He soon stumbles on a cold case, a missing child named Sonny Randall whose body was never found. Nor his favourite silver pendant. Slater calls on Sonny’s parents to break the news, certain that he’s cracked the case. But Slater’s the one who’s in for a shock when Sonny’s hostile parents say the body in the ditch can’t possibly be their son. But there’s an unfortunate fact about digging — once you start, you never know what else you might find. When a second body is unearthed in the very same ditch, Slater realizes he’s up against a ruthless killer. Someone with a talent for burying the truth. And more besides. This absolutely gripping detective mystery full of twists and turns is perfect for fans of Rachel McLean, J.D. Kirk, Pauline Rowson, Elly Griffiths, Matt Brolly and Simon McCleave.

Deceptions of Love by Dixie Carlton

What's Really Been Bugging Me follows Carrie as she revisits her past in a small town and confronts the ghosts of her teenage years. When she reconnects with her old flame Bruce, she is forced to confront the reality of the paths their lives have taken. As they navigate what-could-have-beens, Carrie's trip becomes a reflection on identity, the price of beauty, and the art of moving on. A poignant tale of self-discovery and coming to terms with one's choices, this story proves that sometimes, the biggest revelations come from confronting our past. In Price of a Lie, truth and deception become entwined in a complex relationship. As the Brett grapples with the consequences of his actions, from the past and is overheard in an argument about it by their neighbour. Set in the modern world, this story delves into how the lies we tell can shape our destinies and the hearts we seek to mend. A must-read for those who enjoy stories of love and deception. A thought-provoking exploration of love's uncertainties, The Schrödinger's Cat Theory of Love considers the intricacies of human relationships. As the Marcey faces the parallel possibilities of decisions made in the past, readers are invited to contemplate the coexistence of love's presence and absence, and the infinite possibilities that love brings into our lives. A captivating read for those who enjoy delving into the complexities of love and 'what ifs' from long ago. Deflections of Love is a collection that invites readers to explore the depths of the heart, the uncharted territories of past decisions, and the infinite possibilities that love brings into our lives. If you enjoyed books like "The Five People You Meet in Heaven" and "The Time Traveler's Wife," you'll love this thought-provoking collection. Don't miss out on this captivating and emotional journey – purchase now before the price changes.

A Conspiracy of Aunts by Sally Spencer

The past will always catch up with you… Robert – or Rob or Bobby as his aunts like to call him – is a child prodigy at bridge. After his mother was drowned at sea, the young master tactician was left to be brought up by her four responsibility-shirking sisters, Jacqueline, Peggy, Catherine and Sadie. All Rob remembers about his mother are her words of guiding wisdom, but unbeknownst to him, his aunts have made a solemn pact never to reveal exactly how his mother died. Finding himself in the reluctant care of his chain-smoking Aunt Catherine, Rob buries himself in his bridge. Head and shoulders above his adult partners, he is destined to become a Grand Master – and what could be better when life, he decides, is a bit like a game of bridge? Taking his theory into the world, the young Rob sets out on the road of life. And as he grows he discovers that bridge is not his only talent: he also has success with the ladies – all of them except his wantonly neglectful aunts, of course! One by one the four women meet unfortunate ends and Rob, now a feted TV celebrity as well as a chess genius, lands on the doorstep of another woman: the ambitious reporter, Rosalyn. But while Robs star continues to rise, Rosalyn struggles, and the green-eyed monster of jealousy rears its ugly head. Fame as a reporter is all she craves, so she digs and digs until she discovers the secret of the pact that Rob’s aunts swore to each other. And it will have devastating consequences …

I Need my Monster by Amanda Noll Howard McWilliam

“I Need My Monster" is a whimsical children's book about a young boy named Ethan who is searching for his missing monster under the bed. When he discovers that the monster has gone on vacation, Ethan embarks on a journey to find a suitable replacement to chase away the monsters in his dreams. Will he succeed? Read I Need My Monster book to find out. I Need My Monster book is a lighthearted tale full of humor and heart. I Need My Monster book is sure to be a bedtime favorite for young readers

A Killer Christmas by Jessica Flechtner & Terrie Farley Moran

Christmas is not an easy time to sell a house, but in Boston tycoon John Bragdon, Cabot Cove Realtor Eve Simpson has found a buyer for the old Jarvis homestead. Unfortunately, Eve gets a lump of coal in her stocking in the form of Kenny Jarvis, who has been missing for years and presumed dead but has now come back to stop his sister from selling their childhood home. Eve presses on, organizing a welcome dinner for Bragdon and his wife, Marlene, to meet the leading citizens of the town, including Jessica Fletcher. Dinner is interrupted by an uninvited guest—not Santa but Kenny, who threateningly promises Marlene she will never live in his house. When Marlene is found dead a few days later, Kenny is the natural suspect. But Jessica isn′t so sure he′s on the naughty list . . .

The Mystery of the Three Quarters (Hercule Poirot mysteries) by Sophie Hannah

Hercule Poirot returns home after an agreeable luncheon to find an angry woman waiting to berate him outside his front door. Her name is Sylvia Rule, and she demands to know why Poirot has accused her of the murder of Barnabas Pandy, a man she has neither heard of nor ever met. She is furious to be so accused, and deeply shocked. Poirot is equally shocked, because he too has never heard of any Barnabas Pandy, and he certainly did not send the letter in question. He cannot convince Sylvia Rule of his innocence, however, and she marches away in a rage. Shaken, Poirot goes inside, only to find that he has a visitor waiting for him -- a man called John McCrodden who also claims also to have received a letter from Poirot that morning, accusing him of the murder of Barnabas Pandy... Poirot wonders how many more letters of this sort have been sent in his name. Who sent them, and why? More importantly, who is Barnabas Pandy, is he dead, and, if so, was he murdered? And can Poirot find out the answers without putting more lives in danger?

At Home with Mr LIncoln by Katelynn Webb

Tess is happy. She loves living in Springfield, Illinois with Abraham Lincoln and his family. Orphaned at a young age, Tess doesn't remember much about her parents besides a few photographs. But she does remember how Mr. Lincoln was kind enough to take her in. And now Tess can't imagine living anywhere else. But this happiness is tested when a court notice arrives from previously unknown relatives of Tess's, who want her to live with them. Will Tess be taken away from the Lincolns forever? Meanwhile, the National Republican Convention nominates Mr. Lincoln to run for President in 1860. But tensions are great between North and South. The Southern States promote slavery, while Mr. Lincoln and the North argue against it. If he is elected, the Southern States are threatening to secede! Will Mr. Lincoln, an unknown country lawyer, be able to win the election? And if so, will he be able to keep the Union together, even under the threat of war?

Getting to Know Ruben Plotnick by Roz Rosenbluth

When the coolest kid in the class drops by David's house after school, David is worried about how popular, zany Ruben Plotnick will react upon meeting unpredictable Grandma Rosie. Will he make fun of her to his classmates? Will he imitate her whispery voice? What will he do if Grandma Rosie suddenly wants to dance? To his surprise, and relief, David learns that although Ruben may be a joker, he has an instant rapport with Grandma Rosie and accepts her odd behavior. In fact, when Grandma Rosie calls out, "Nate, let's waltz!" Ruben gallantly and proudly dances around the kitchen with her. This heartwarming story of senility and school-age embarrassment reveals the importance of looking beneath the surface to really get to know someone. By accepting Grandma with all of her quirks, Ruben shows that he has a warm heart and can be a true friend.

Cracked by Imy Ellis

MEET DI TRACY COLLIER. SHE TOLD HERSELF THE PAST DIDN’T MATTER. SHE WAS WRONG . . . It’s Friday and Detective Tracy is looking forward to the weekend. She needs a minute to recharge, to be a normal person instead of some mad woman who runs around chasing criminals. But all thoughts of rest and relaxation vanish the minute her office phone rings. A dead woman has been found in one of the beds at Wallinburg’s, a local furniture store. Tracy grabs DS Damon Hanks and makes her way to the shop, where they find twenty-six-year-old Shannon Mullins lying in a top-of-the-line display bed. Tracy pulls back the layers of fancy bedding and stares down in disbelief. Shannon’s body has been chopped into pieces and then carefully put back together — like a twisted jigsaw. Then Tracy finds a piece of crossword puzzle under one of the pillows: Item used for ferrying shopping around inside a supermarket. If Tracy can crack the code, it will put her one step closer to catching the most hideous criminal mastermind she’ll ever have the displeasure of dealing with. This utterly gripping crime thriller is perfect for fans of Martina Cole, J.D. Kirk, Ian Rankin, Charlie Gallagher, Steve Parker and J.M. Dalgliesh.

Murder at the St. Regis by Dianne Harman

A celebrity television chef with a Fledgling VIP catering company. A 10-year-old niece she didn’t know she had. Mix those with poison, car bombs, and murderers And her carefully laid out plans for a future life become completely upended! Tragically, her parents died in a plane crash, and Dani Rosetti leaves law school behind, heads to Paris, and becomes a chef. And not just any old chef – but a chef who goes on to become the darling of the celebrity chef world. When a rabid fan tries to kill her, she ends her television career as a celebrity chef to start a catering company for the VIPs of the world. What she never expected, after not speaking with her brother for years, is that he had a child, and when he unexpectedly dies, that she would become that child’s guardian. Suddenly she’s Auntie Dani to a ten-year-old. But someone wants to kill her. It takes all the resources her bodyguard, Arthur, who doubles as her sous-chef, has to keep Dani and her niece safe. Whipping up cream for chocolate mousses was a lot easier for both Dani and Arthur!

Coffin Cove by Jackie Elliott

Journalist-turned-sleuth Andi Silvers is on the trail of another brutal killer. And this time it’s her father. It starts with an altercation in the dead of night. Two men arguing on the streets of Coffin Cove fishing village. Professor Gerald Weber comes off worst. He’s found dead the next morning. Head beaten to a bloody pulp. As for the second man? He fled the scene and can’t be found . . . Fans of Joy Ellis, L.J. Ross, Peter Robinson, Thomas King, Louise Penny and Pauline Rowson will devour this mesmerizing series of mysteries.

Murder on a Country Walk by Janice Frost

Halloween. One of the busiest nights of the year for Lincolnshire police. Special Constable Jane Bell is called out to reports of someone in a Dracula mask terrorising the residents of a nearby estate with a fake knife. She races to the scene — but the man in the mask flees into the night. The next morning, Detective Steph Warwick turns up on Jane’s doorstep. There’s been a murder. Dracula went on to attack two women, retired schoolteacher Susan Gedney and her daughter Gina. Susan died at the scene, Gina survived. The knife turned out to be all too real. Then another young woman disappears from the picturesque village where Susan and Gina lived. She was last seen out on a country walk — but she never returned. Three women targeted from the same small village. This is no coincidence. This unputdownable mystery full of twists is the perfect read for fans of Angela Marsons, Helen H. Durrant, Rachel McLean and Michael Hambling.

Grandfather's Wrinkles by Kathryn England

Lucy and her grandfather are the focus of this poignant and warm story that teaches that wrinkles are badges of happiness rather than signs of age. Lucy asks Granddad, “Why doesn't your skin fit you? It’s all crinkly,” to which he replies, “Those crinkles are called wrinkles,” each of which he got when he smiled especially big. As Lucy traces Granddad’s joy-filled face, he describes his memories and shares the cause of each line—his wedding day, Lucy’s mother’s birth, precious moments from her childhood, and Lucy’s birth, among others. Beautiful drawings recreate each thoughtful memory, and the recollections showcase an intimate bond between the two generations.

Maddis Fidge by Lois Brandt Vin Vogel

Best friends Sofia and Maddi live in the same neighborhood, go to the same school, and play in the same park, but while Sofia’s fridge at home is full of nutritious food, the fridge at Maddi’s house is empty. Sofia learns that Maddi’s family doesn’t have enough money to fill their fridge and promises Maddi she’ll keep this discovery a secret. But because Sofia wants to help her friend, she’s faced with a difficult decision: to keep her promise or tell her parents about Maddi’s empty fridge. Filled with colorful artwork, this storybook addresses issues of poverty with honesty and sensitivity while instilling important lessons in friendship, empathy, trust, and helping others. A call to action section, with six effective ways for children to help fight hunger and information on antihunger groups, is also included.

Exercise is Murder by Bruce Hammack

Found at the bottom of his exercise pool, police believe the death of Steve Smiley’s friend is an accident. Smiley doesn’t buy it. There are a lot of things a blind man can do, but solve a murder alone isn’t one of them. He needs a partner…one who knows their way around a crime scene. In walks McBlythe. Only time will tell if she’s a help or a hindrance. Armed with years of experience as a homicide detective and his new partner, Smiley sets out to find a killer. He knows he’s on the right trail when a bullet whizzes by. Will Steve resurrect his life as a master crime solver, or will his sleuthing get them both killed?

A Killer Chistmas by Jessica Fletcher and Terrie Faley Moran

Christmas is not an easy time to sell a house, but in Boston tycoon John Bragdon, Cabot Cove Realtor Eve Simpson has found a buyer for the old Jarvis homestead. Unfortunately, Eve gets a lump of coal in her stocking in the form of Kenny Jarvis, who has been missing for years and presumed dead but has now come back to stop his sister from selling their childhood home. Eve presses on, organizing a welcome dinner for Bragdon and his wife, Marlene, to meet the leading citizens of the town, including Jessica Fletcher. Dinner is interrupted by an uninvited guest—not Santa but Kenny, who threateningly promises Marlene she will never live in his house. When Marlene is found dead a few days later, Kenny is the natural suspect. But Jessica isn′t so sure he′s on the naughty list . . .

Pride and Perjury by Alice McVeigh

"I have very little hope," said Mr Bennet, "of disposing of even one of my daughters much before luncheon." (from McVeigh's Pride and Perjury) What really happened when Wickham eloped with Lydia? What did the Longbourn servants secretly think of the Bennet sisters? Take a deep dive into Caroline Bingley's schemes, Lady Catherine's de Bourgh's diary - and Mr Knightley’s heart.

The Jewel Robbery at the Grand Metropolitan

Poirot can’t resist a case, even when holidaying in Brighton with Hastings. When a necklace goes missing, the case is a simple matter of logic for the little Belgian.

Best Canadian Short Stories 2025 by Steven W. Beattie

Selected by editor Steven W. Beattie, the 2025 edition of Best Canadian Stories showcases the best Canadian fiction writing published in 2023. Featuring: Chris Bailey • Christine Birbalsingh • Cody Caetano • Kate Cayley • Lynn Coady • Caitlin Galway • Marcel Goh • Beth Goobie • Mark Anthony Jarman • Saad Omar Khan • Chelsea Peters • Kawai Shen • Liz Stewart • Glenna Turnbull • Catriona Wright • Clea Young

Murder on the Train by Faith Martin

Former Detective Hillary Greene is off on holiday. For a blissful two weeks, her life will be free of murder victims, murder suspects — and, best of all, no paperwork. She’s heading for the beautiful Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye, where she plans to spend her time browsing old bookshops and generally relaxing. Hillary arrives at the picturesque Riverside Inn where the other guests are an eclectic a charming Irishman, a rich American and his spoilt daughter, a thrice-married Canadian influencer, a wealthy widow and a taciturn taxidermist. The next day, Hillary and her fellow guests set off on a steam train ride through the stunning Cambrian Mountains. But when the train arrives at its final destination, not all the passengers get off. One of them has been stabbed neatly and cleanly through the heart. Which of the five passengers who shared the carriage is the killer? And how come no one saw a thing . . . ?

The Complete Inspector Henry Beaumont Mysteries by Meg Elizabeth Atkins

BOOK 1: BY THE NORTH DOOR When a young woman disappears, Inspector Henry Beaumont sets out on a personal mission to find her. His investigation takes him to the mysterious village of Nine Maidens, where he meets the enigmatic Deane family. Roland Deane has just married Lucy after a whirlwind romance. But Lucy soon discovers that the family are hiding dangerous secrets that can’t be explained. Do they hold the key to Henry’s search or are they best left buried? BOOK 2: SAMAIN Henry inherits a house left by his mysterious aunt in the village of Marchstearn. It is a place where dark secrets linger, and the villagers are haunted by the past. Twenty-one years ago, ten-year-old Helen disappeared and has never been seen again. On Samain night, when the dead walk among the living, an unknown woman appears. She knows too much about the disappearance to be a stranger. Is she the answer to this decades’ old mystery and can she lead Henry to the truth? BOOK 3: TANGLE Mildred Hewitt falls to her death one snowy night in the quiet village of Avenridge. Her hapless son, Gilbert, is left directionless and seeks the help of a medium, Madame Lily. There he meets the mysterious Veronica, who quickly makes herself irreplaceable. But Gilbert’s friends don’t trust Veronica. They ask Henry to find out about the enigmatic woman, who already seems tangled up in another strange case in Avenridge. That time someone died. It’s up to Henry to make sure Gilbert doesn’t meet the same fate. MEET INSPECTOR HENRY BEAUMONT Lancashire-born Chief Inspector Henry Beaumont is tall, lean, and good-looking, with an eye for a bright and bonny woman. In both his work and his life away from it, Henry is an independent thinker: intelligent, open-minded, and perceptive. He’s not afraid to look beyond the everyday to find the answer, even if it means venturing into the unearthly.

In the Winter by Lauren Kukla

From the author of Being Me from A to Z comes the charming illustrated tale In the Winter. Travel through snowy woods, over frozen lakes, and beneath dark winter skies aglow with sparkling stars and northern lights. Animals make silent tracks in the snow, while others snooze in their burrows. Communities prepare for events and festivities. This delightful story celebrates the gentle beauty of winter, showing how it brings us together with a quiet sense of coziness and the warmth that comes from human connection. In the Winter invites readers to embrace the season’s beauty while awaiting warmer days. With soft, cozy illustrations capturing the essence of winter, this book is the perfect companion for bedtime and cherished family moments. In the Winter is the inaugural print title from the team behind mylittledigital.com, an online platform for interactive children's stories.

Murder with Mercy by Veronica Heley

Ellie’s friend on the police force asks her to enquire about some deaths in the community which might or might not be suicide, and various relatives of the deceased confirm their suspicions. Unbeknown to the police, an elderly lady moving in and out of dementia has come across some drugs and is using them to ease people in pain out of their misery. At the same time, the project to turn the quirky, turreted Pryce House into a hotel is dogged by problems and suspicion falls on the difficult twelve-year-old boy Mikey who Ellie has taken in. Social Services threaten to remove him into care. And Ellie’s pregnant daughter Diana has been juggling problems caused by the slow convalescence of her estate agent husband. Can Ellie track down whoever it is who is killing for mercy, keep Mikey at home, and steer Diana into calmer waters?

The Bea Abbot Agency Mysteries Books 1-5 by Veronica Heley

Bea Abbot runs a domestic agency that doesn't 'do' murder. There's nothing sinister about Zander's request for Bea to accompany him on an errand to a grieving widow, but it's awkward because it was Zander who'd exposed the scam that his boss Denzil had been running on the Tudor Housing Trust...after which Denzil had, unexpectedly, died. His widow, 'Lady' Honoria, turns out to be a bullying racist who wants to sue the Trust for defamation of character, while the paperwork that could have proved her husband's guilt has gone missing. Oliver, Bea's computer geek of an assistant, is delighted to delve into the mysteries left on Denzil's computer, while Bea is cajoled into silence by elderly Lord Murchison, whose family has run the charity for ever...and who faces ruin if the truth comes out. Zander and Oliver find themselves suspected of murder, while Bea thinks up a novel way to rescue her son's failing marriage. As the plot thickens, it emerges that although the first death may have appeared natural, those which follow definitely do not.

Holly Bloom's Garden by Shari Dash Greenspan

Holly Bloom wants to be a great gardener but she doesn’t seem to have the knack. Despite suggestions and support from her mom Iris, and her siblings Bud and Rose – all great flower-growers – Holly just can’t seem to get her garden to bloom. She tries water and fertilizer, uses all the right tools, even paints her thumb green, but her daisies keep drooping. Through trial-and-error and with great perseverance, Holly finally realizes that she does not need to grow flowers with soil and seeds. Inspired by her artistic father, she taps into her natural creative abilities and surprises everyone by “growing” her own unique flowers from paper and paste, pipe cleaners and paint, and best of all, these flowers are made especially by Holly Bloom. This charming book uses playful language to teach plenty about gardening, but more about the joy of being yourself and finding your own true talents – even if that makes you a late bloomer.

Alley Oops by Shari Dash Greenspan

This story relates the painful and embarrassing aftermath of name-calling and bullying from the perspective of the bully. J. J. Jax has been tormenting an overweight boy named Patrick, calling him Pig-Pen and Porky, to the point that Patrick is now afraid to go to school. Learning of his son's behavior, J. J.'s father lectures him to stop bullying Patrick. When that approach fails, Mr. Jax tries another tack and shares an experience he had as a youthful bully and the consequences he recently faced as a result of his actions. Touched by his father's words, J.J. reaches out to Patrick in a school arm-wrestling contest and experiences the "alley oops" moment of empowerment and self-esteem that comes from doing the right thing. Snappy dialogue highlights the harmful, lasting effects of bullying and the importance of finding common ground toward conflict resolution. Believable contemporary illustrations bring the story to life with expressive body language.

That Cat Can't Stay by Tad Krasnesky

Narrated by a cat-loving little girl, this story is a hysterical romp through a family's pet adoption dilemma. Poor Dad does not like cats, and he voices his opposition to the steady stream of stray cats that always seem to wind up on his doorstep—thanks to a cat-loving Mom who wants to save every stray she finds. In an effort to win Dad over, the little girl hides a tiny stray kitten in her hood and convinces Dad to just give it one small squeeze. Dad manages, with trepidation, to stick out his pinkie and pet the creature. But now that five cats have taken over his favorite chair, he becomes desperate and makes a visit to the pound. Dad returns happily with a big, fat puppy—everyone gets something that they want. With hilarious ink and watercolor illustrations, this picture book demonstrates the resourcefulness, love, and compromises of a pet-loving family

Dragon Captain by P R Allabach

Hey, Pirate. What are you doing in my sandbox?” “I'm not a pirate. I'm the captain of a ship.” What is Captain doing in Dragon's sandbox? He is moping. Because he’s lost his ship. “Oh, no! I'll help you find it! Come on!” “Where are we going?” “To my cave! I know I have a map somewhere.” Armed with a (toy watch) compass, a (paper-towel tube) telescope, and a (hand-drawn) map, Dragon and Captain set off on a great adventure. Dragon is a boy in pajamas and a dragon robe. Captain is a boy with a three-sided hat. But as the boys' imaginations take over, we see them as they see themselves and the backyard as the boys see a dark forest, a craggy cliff, and the immense sea. Illustrated like a comic book, this book is a fantasy-filled graphic novel for the picture book set. Young readers will be enchanted with—and parents will appreciate—the creative backyard play, in which the boys use the simplest found items and the backyard features to create an elaborate adventure. Can Dragon and Captain find the lost ship before lunch?

Maya was Grumpy by Courtney Pippin-Mathur

An artful mixture of fantasy and reality, humor and heart, Maya Was Grumpy celebrates the power of imagination and humor to improve moods. Maya wakes up on the wrong side of the bed, tangled in her blanket, and in a crispy, cranky, grumpy, grouchy mood. She doesn’t want to color or wear her favorite shorts or go outside to play. What’s worse, she’s determined to share her grumpiness with everyone as she glumps, clumps, and thumps around the house. But when Maya growls at her grandmother, she graciously takes Maya’s mood in stride, and even has a solution: Gramma suggests a series of unusual activities that Maya will probably not want to do since she’s feeling grumpy—and then dismisses her own silly suggestions before Maya can reject them. Children will find it hard to keep from smiling as they watch Maya’s grouchiness dissolve into glee at Gramma’s giggle-inducing ideas, while adults will find Gramma’s clever tactic a useful strategy to add to their repertoire when kids are grumpy.

Carla's Sandwich by Debbie Herman

"Carla's Sandwich" is a delightful and humorous picture book about a young girl named Carla and her quest to find the perfect sandwich. With vivid illustrations and a charming storyline, this Carla's Sandwich book is sure to entertain and engage young readers. Join Carla as she travels to different parts of the world, trying out different sandwiches, and learning about different cultures and cuisines. Along the way, Carla realizes that the perfect sandwich is not just about the ingredients, but about the memories and experiences that make it special. This heartwarming Carla's Sandwich book teaches children about the importance of trying new things and appreciating the simple joys in life. Get ready for a tasty adventure with Carla and her quest for the perfect sandwich in Carla's Sandwich book.

Pterodactly Show and Tell by Thad Krasnesky

When a boy brings his pterodactyl to school for show-and-tell, hilarious havoc ensues. The creature's delightfully demented antics, the kids' expressions as they try to avoid the hungry pterodactyl, and the out-of-control imagination of the boy yield a wild and wacky romp. Kids who dig dinosaurs will devour this preposterous pterodactyl tale written in rhyming couplets and teeming with edgy school-age humor and giggle-inducing illustrations.

When a Dragon moves in Again by Jodi Moore

If you build a perfect castle, a dragon will move in – and that’s exactly what happens to one very lucky boy when his family gears up for some changes. The boy and his dragon bounce in their castle, duel with delight, and have an amazing time together…until they find out that their castle is a crib for a new baby. Huh? As soon as they get used to the news, the boy and dragon are back in roaring form, entertaining the infant with marching music, aerial acrobatics, and baby-bottle bowling. But merriment turns to mischief and mischief leads to consequences. Can a dragon friend – real or not – help smooth the transition to big brotherhood? Find out…When a Dragon Moves In Again.

No More Noisey Nights by Holly L. Niner

When tired Jackson climbs into bed after unpacking all day, he hears… OOOEEEeeeOOOEEEeeeOOO! BOOGETY WOOGETY WOO! Plink! Plunk! Plink! Who is making so much noise and how will Jackson ever get to sleep? Despite some silly, sleepy mistakes, genteel Jackson finds a fun and quiet activity for each of his noisy neighbors. He finally gets a great night’s sleep – and discovers three new friends in the morning. Cozier than a mole in fuzzy pajamas, No More Noisy Nights is an underground, under-the covers read-aloud, perfect for calming bedtime boogety-woogeties.

Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood

Belladonna Blackthorn hasn’t lost her magical spark . . . but she hasn’t seen it in a while, either. Balancing work at her beloved Lunar Books with protecting it from her toxic boss, who’s running it into the ground, and all the while concealing her witchcraft from the non-wicches around her – Belle is burnt out. Perfecting the potential of her magic is the last thing on her mind. But when her 30th birthday brings a summons from her coven, and a trial that tests her worthiness as a witch, Belle risks losing her magic forever. With the month of October to fix things, and signs that dark forces may be working against her, Belle will need all the help she can get – from the women in her life, from an unlikely mentor figure, and even an (infuriatingly handsome) watchman who’s sworn to protect her . . . With found family, slow burn romance and an uplifting message about self-love, this is the cosy, autumnal read that you've been waiting for.

The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

Tao is an immigrant fortune teller, traveling between villages with just her trusty mule for company. She only tells "small" fortunes: whether it will hail next week; which boy the barmaid will kiss; when the cow will calve. She knows from bitter experience that big fortunes come with big consequences… Even if it’s a lonely life, it’s better than the one she left behind. But a small fortune unexpectedly becomes something more when a (semi) reformed thief and an ex-mercenary recruit her into their desperate search for a lost child. Soon, they’re joined by a baker with a knead for adventure, and—of course—a slightly magical cat. Tao sets down a new path with companions as big-hearted as her fortunes are small. But as she lowers her walls, the shadows of her past are closing in—and she’ll have to decide whether to risk everything to preserve the family she never thought she could have.

Death by Windmill by Jennifer S Alderson

A Mother’s Day trip to the Netherlands turns deadly when a guest plummets from a windmill. Was it an accident or a murder? For Lana Hansen, the answer will mean freedom or imprisonment for someone close to her… Wanderlust Tours guide Lana Hansen and her mother, Gillian, haven’t seen eye to eye in over a decade, ever since Lana was wrongly fired from her job as an investigative reporter. So when Lana’s boss invites Gillian to join her upcoming Mother’s Day tour to the Netherlands, Lana is less than pleased. What could be worse than spending ten days with her estranged mother? Lana is about to find out… The tour begins on a high note when the majority of guests bond during their visit to the Keukenhof flower gardens and a cruise around the picturesque canals of Amsterdam. Despite her initial reservations, Lana thinks this might be the best group she had ever led. Until she discovers one of her guests—a recent retiree named Priscilla—is the person who destroyed her career in journalism. All Lana can see is red. But circumstances dictate that she figure out a way to lead the tour, make peace with her mother, and not murder her guest. She doesn’t know whether she can handle the pressure. Lana needn’t worry. Shortly after their fight, Priscilla falls off the balcony of a historic windmill at Zaanse Schans. Was she pushed or simply careless? The investigating officers suspect murder—and topping their suspect list is Lana’s mom! Can Lana save Gillian? Or will her mother end up spending the rest of her days in a Dutch prison?

The Missing Checkout Girl Mystery by Rachel Ward

The little town of Kingsleigh is a place where nothing ever happens. Until . . . a young woman is attacked in an alley on her way home from the supermarket. The headlines shriek ‘Kingsleigh Stalker!’ The locals just keep calm and carry on. But then one of the women on the till at Costsave doesn’t turn up for work. Checkout girl Bea Jordan is determined to find out what happened to her friend. The police don’t seem to be doing anything, so it’s up to her to get to the bottom of things. And the only person who will help is Ant Thompson, the new guy. But he’s so useless he can’t even mop up a broken bottle of sauce . . .

Cozy Cat Caper Mystery Box Set: Books 1-3 includes murder, framed, and poisoned in Cherry Hills by Paige Sleuth

Murder in Cherry Hills (Book 1) How do you solve a murder when the only eyewitness can't talk? Kat Harper has barely settled back into small-town life in Cherry Hills, Washington, when she spies her neighbor's tortoiseshell cat Matty sitting on her doorstep. But Matty's not making a social call. The newly orphaned feline has just witnessed her owner's violent death. But who would want to kill the elderly Mrs. Tinsdale? Was it one of her fellow animal rescue volunteers? A money-hungry daughter? A local veterinarian with something to hide? Or someone completely unexpected? If Kat wants to put the murderer behind bars, the amateur sleuth is going to need Matty to lend a furry paw to her investigation. But how do you convince a cat eyewitness to reveal "whodunit"? Framed in Cherry Hills (Book 2) What happens when big trouble comes to a small town? Cherry Hills resident Kat Harper doesn't expect her first meeting with the Furry Friends Foster Families animal rescue to kick off with the mysterious absence of another member. But it soon becomes clear why Willow Wu is a no-show; she's been arrested for a crime that nobody can believe. Kat's convinced someone framed Willow. But who would do such a thing? A crooked small-town cop with big dreams? A local teenager looking for revenge? Or the disgruntled caterer who lost out on a lucrative job? With this case hitting so close to home, Kat's determined to find the guilty party. And if she can cajole her cat Matty into lending another helping paw, the amateur detective might just succeed. Poisoned in Cherry Hills (Book 3) Animal rescue can be a deadly business. Murder is the last thing on Kat Harper's mind when she shows up for the Furry Friends Foster Families benefit dinner. But that's exactly what she gets when one of the guests drops dead. Now the focus of the evening has shifted from cat adoptions to catching a killer. Between an old childhood rival, a sister in line to inherit everything, and a couple with opportunity aplenty, there's no shortage of suspects. Kat's going to need all of her sleuthing skills if she hopes to identify "whodunit" this time . . . especially when her cats Matty and Tom turn the case on its head and force her to question everything that happened that tragic night.

Case of the Ice Cream Crime by J M Poole

Zack and Jillian rush home from their previous case at the distressing news that her kitchen shop, Cookbook Nook, has been broken into and ransacked. It’s a puzzle indeed, when it appears the only thing the thief took were some tubs of ice cream from the café section of the store. Luckily, her security cameras caught the thief in the act. Now they just have to locate him. But things get complicated when the thief is found murdered. And so is his next of kin, and that’s when the police pretty much hit a dead end. Two jurisdictions are involved—it’s Pomme Valley versus Medford. A bet takes place between the two police chiefs, as each races to put their best detectives on the case to figure out why anyone would steal very specific flavors of ice cream, leaving others behind. More ice cream stores are targeted, and the stakes ramp up. Sherlock and Watson and Zack are on the case (for the Pomme Valley team, of course). Zack has a lot riding on the hope that the dogs can spot enough clues to put the whole story together. Readers are loving these indomitable dog sleuths. Meet Zack and the corgis, Sherlock and Watson, in this delightfully humorous cozy mystery series that pulls you right in.

The Fells by Cath Staincliffe

Yorkshire Dales, Summer 1997. Vicky Mott slips out the door of her remote cottage, and into the pale dawn light. She scrawls a note for her friends. Gone to see the sunrise. V xxx That’s the last anyone ever hears from twenty-year-old music lover Vicky. Another victim of the Fellside Strangler? That would make Vicky the fourth young woman to lose her life this summer. Snatched by a mysterious killer who stalks the fells . . . But Vicky’s body is never found. 2019. A skeleton is discovered in a twisty network of caves beneath the fells. Detectives Leo Donovan and Shan Young think they can finally give Vicky’s mother the closure she so desperately wants. After twenty long years of questions and anguish. But the deeper they dig into the past, the less certain they become. And nothing can prepare them for the shocking truth . . .

This Cursed House by Del Sandeen

In this Southern gothic horror debut, a young Black woman abandons her life in 1960s Chicago for a position with a mysterious family in New Orleans, only to discover the dark truth. They’re under a curse, and they think she can break it. In the fall of 1962, twenty-seven-year-old Jemma Barker is desperate to escape her life in Chicago—and the spirits she has always been able to see. When she receives an unexpected job offer from the Duchon family in New Orleans, she accepts, thinking it is her chance to start over. But Jemma discovers that the Duchon family isn’t what it seems. Light enough to pass as white, the Black family members look down on brown-skinned Jemma. Their tenuous hold on reality extends to all the members of their eccentric clan, from haughty grandmother Honorine to beautiful yet inscrutable cousin Fosette. And soon the shocking truth comes The Duchons are under a curse. And they think Jemma has the power to break it. As Jemma wrestles with the gift she’s run from all her life, she unravels deeper and more disturbing secrets about the mysterious Duchons. Secrets that stretch back over a century. Secrets that bind her to their fate if she fails.

The Pharaoh's Cat by Maria Luisa Lang

The Pharaoh’s Cat, a tragicomic fantasy narrated in the present tense by the cat himself, tells of a free-spirited, wise-cracking stray in ancient Egypt who suddenly acquires human powers and immediately captivates the young Pharaoh, making him laugh for the first time since his parents’ death. The cat becomes the Pharaoh’s constant companion and, at the royal palace and on a tour of Egypt, participates in the festivities, developing an insatiable appetite for good food, wine, and gossip. Gradually, he renews the Pharaoh’s ability to enjoy life and inspires him to become a stronger leader. The bond of selfless love they share will change Egypt’s destiny. The cat has a good friend in the High Priest of the god Amun-Ra and seeks his help in solving the mystery of his human powers and the supernatural manifestations that plague him. He has a mortal enemy in the Vizier—the second most powerful man in Egypt--who hates him for his close relationship with the Pharaoh. The Vizier’s persecution of the cat ultimately results in his fleeing with the High Priest to present-day New York City, where they find an ally in an Egyptologist’s daughter.

Secrets of Riverway by Ashley Hards

Hannah Edwards has a lot on her mind. For starters, her father—the Canola King—has been missing for months. And not her distracted mother, her meddlesome guidance counselor, nor her evil Uncle Fergus seem to care. Luckily, she has her secret journal and her best friend Sam Castillo for support. So when Sam tells Hannah he thinks he saw her father’s ghost down at the old Riverway Mill, Hannah decides to take matters into her own hands. She soon learns that Uncle Fergus has a plan to steal the family farm, drain the river, and find a hidden treasure. On the edge of going from being a "good kid" to a "bad kid", Hannah stops pretending to pay attention to her endlessly boring classes. With Sam, her journal, and eventually a whole lot of Riverway frogs, Hannah sets out to solve the mystery of her father's disappearance. A heartfelt story of a young neurodiverse girl with a whole lot of determination to do the right thing.

Last Night at the Beach House by Claire Harlow

Olivia Harper finds herself entangled in the lavish world of Richard Bennett, a man whose charm is as vast as his secrets. When Richard is found dead, the peaceful community is thrust into a web of intrigue and suspicion. With the help of her spirited best friend Milly, the irresistible Dr. Ethan Foster, and her lovable Golden Retriever Barkley, Olivia delves into a web of jealousy, betrayal, and hidden motives, where every acquaintance of Richard becomes a suspect with something to lose. As the investigation unfolds, a colorful cast of characters emerges, each with secrets of lies, love, and betrayal. From the enigmatic artist entwined in a troubling affair to a vengeful sister shadowed by family feuds, the suspects' motives are as murky as the coastal fog. Before a threat becomes deadly, Olivia must unravel the intricate web of deceit, exposing a truth more perilous than the stormy seas, and bringing a cunning murderer to justice.

Pond of Refelections by C A Russell

Content in her father’s wise kingdom, Princess Journee loves life but has one nagging question: Who is she? Yes, she is a mouse and a princess, but who is she really? With her adventurous spirit and her father’s mighty steed to protect her, she goes on a quest to find herself. The adventure takes an interesting turn when she befriends a toad and an owl who tell her about a legendary Pond of Reflection known to reveal one's true identity. But first they must find it, if indeed it exists. Their friendship and appreciation for each other grow as they encounter difficulties along the way, and strange happenings in the ancient Whoami Forest.

The Adventue of the Egyption Tomb by Agatha Chistie

n Agatha Christie's short story, "The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb," the widow of a famous Egyptologist consults Poirot on the suspicious death of her husband and an American financier, Bleibner. The mystery takes Poirot and Hastings to Egypt to investigate the site of an archaeological dig. But who could want the two men dead? This short story originally appeared in the September 26, 1923 issue of The Sketch magazine.

The Adventure of the Clapham Cook by Agatha Christie

Poirot is not interested in investigating some of the cases which appear in the newspapers when Hastings tries to bring them to his attention. These include ones about a bank clerk, Mr. Davis, who disappears with fifty thousand pounds of securities, a suicidal man, and a missing typist. He is put on the spot though when visited by a Mrs. Todd who is determined that he investigate her missing cook. Challenged, he decides, with some humour and to avoid an argument, to take the seemingly trivial case. Eliza Dunn, a middle-aged woman, walked out of her job and the Todd's house in Clapham two days ago without working her notice. She has not communicated with her employer since, except for sending for her trunk that very day. What can Poirot make of this?

Cozy Cat Caper Mystery Box set: Book 1-3 includes Murder, Framed, and Poisoned in Cherry Hills by Paige Sleuth

Welcome to Cherry Hills, where small-town life can be deadly. This box set includes the first three books in the Cozy Cat Caper Mystery series. If you enjoy light, fun, cozy mysteries without excessive violence, bad language, or graphic scenes, then grab this three-book collection today and join Kat Harper and her two crime-fighting felines in their quest for justice!Murder in Cherry Hills (Book 1) How do you solve a murder when the only eyewitness can't talk? Kat Harper has barely settled back into small-town life in Cherry Hills, Washington, when she spies her neighbor's tortoiseshell cat Matty sitting on her doorstep. But Matty's not making a social call. The newly orphaned feline has just witnessed her owner's violent death.But who would want to kill the elderly Mrs. Tinsdale? Was it one of her fellow animal rescue volunteers? A money-hungry daughter? A local veterinarian with something to hide? Or someone completely unexpected?If Kat wants to put the murderer behind bars, the amateur sleuth is going to need Matty to lend a furry paw to her investigation. But how do you convince a cat eyewitness to reveal "whodunit"?Framed in Cherry Hills (Book 2) What happens when big trouble comes to a small town? Cherry Hills resident Kat Harper doesn't expect her first meeting with the Furry Friends Foster Families animal rescue to kick off with the mysterious absence of another member. But it soon becomes clear why Willow Wu is a no-show; she's been arrested for a crime that nobody can believe.Kat's convinced someone framed Willow. But who would do such a thing? A crooked small-town cop with big dreams? A local teenager looking for revenge? Or the disgruntled caterer who lost out on a lucrative job?With this case hitting so close to home, Kat's determined to find the guilty party. And if she can cajole her cat Matty into lending another helping paw, the amateur detective might just succeed.Poisoned in Cherry Hills (Book 3) Animal rescue can be a deadly business. Murder is the last thing on Kat Harper's mind when she shows up for the Furry Friends Foster Families benefit dinner. But that's exactly what she gets when one of the guests drops dead. Now the focus of the evening has shifted from cat adoptions to catching a killer.Between an old childhood rival, a sister in line to inherit everything, and a couple with opportunity aplenty, there's no shortage of suspects. Kat's going to need all of her sleuthing skills if she hopes to identify "whodunit" this time . . . especially when her cats Matty and Tom turn the case on its head and force her to question everything that happened that tragic night.

Too Much Glue by Jason Lefebvre

Winner of:PAL Award Although Matty’s art teacher has warned him that too much glue never dries, Matty loves glue. After all, he and his dad make oodles of glue projects at home. One day during art class, Matty finds the fullest bottles of glue, and the fun begins. With a squeeze and a plop, Matty pours a lake of glue before belly-flopping right in the middle and finds himself stuck to the desk. When Matty’s dad arrives at the school, instead of being mad, he celebrates his son’s creativity and calls him a work of art. With vibrant language and artwork and a wild, silly plot, Too Much Glue is sure to appeal to all children who love to get messy.

The Faithful Dog by Terry Lee Caruthers

When German-born Louis Pfeif leaves home to join the Fifty-Eighth Illinois Infantry Regiment in 1862, his dog accompanies him. At Chicago's Camp Douglas, Bärchen charms Louis's fellow officers-even Colonel Lynch. As the Civil War escalates, the unit is transferred to Tennessee and placed under the command of General Lew Wallace. Shortly afterward, they come under fire at Erin Hollow. Bärchen proves his mettle-remaining by Louis's side amid the boom of cannon and the rattle of musketry. Then one morning the two are thrust onto a battlefield, where one will die and the other must learn to carry on. Based on a true story and the history of the Fifty-Eighth Illinois, The Faithful Dog powerfully illustrates the unwavering bond of devotion between dogs and their humans.

The Big Book of Female Detectives by Otto Penzler

For the first time ever, Otto Penzler gathers the most iconic women of the detective canon over the past 150 years, captivating and surprising readers in equal measure. The 74 handpicked stories in this collection introduce us to the most determined of gumshoe gals, from debutant detectives like Anna Katharine Green’s Violet Strange to spinster sleuths like Mary Roberts Rinehart’s Hilda Adams, from groundbreaking female cops like Baroness Orczy’s Lady Molly to contemporary crime-fighting P.I.s like Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone, and include indelible tales from Agatha Christie, Carolyn Wells, Edgar Wallace, L. T. Meade and Robert Eustace, Sara Paretsky, Nevada Barr, Linda Barnes, Laura Lippman, and many more.

Paradise on the Pike by Sarah Angleton

For fans of Water for Elephants and Devil in the White City, a mystery set in the enchanting world of Hagenbeck's Zoological Paradise on the grounds of the 1904 World's Fair.1903 Twenty-year-old Max Eyer is still reeling from his father’s recent death when a mysterious stranger’s offer to buy the family farm outside of Hamburg, Germany presents to him and his mother an unexpected opportunity to make a fresh start in America. Welcomed by his uncle’s bustling family in St. Louis Max finds employment on the grounds of the upcoming 1904 World’s Fair, where he is hired as a zookeeper at Hagenbeck’s Animal Paradise on the Pike. Max’s enchantment with the trained animal shows, ostrich rides, and water sliding elephants is rivaled only by his fascination with Shehani, a beautiful Sinhalese woman who captivates the crowds of fairgoers by dancing among the lions. However Max’s paradise unravels when a grisly discovery leads to an accusation of murder against the woman he loves. His efforts to uncover the truth may save her, but in this fantasy land of the fair where palaces are temporary, animals roam free, and people are on exhibit, will his own dreams be shattered by an ugly reality?

Sparrow Spreads Her Wings by Gail Donovan

In this sequel to the “uplifting” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) Sparrow Being Sparrow, Sparrow rescues an injured animal but soon wonders if she’s taken on more than she can handle alone.A blizzard is coming, and Sparrow’s parents are leaving for the hospital to welcome Sparrow’s new baby brother, but all Sparrow can think about is investigating the strange thwack she heard coming from her bedroom window. When she goes outside, she finds an injured pigeon getting buried in the snow. She has to save it! Sparrow and her best friend, Paloma, bring the bird inside while the grown-ups are distracted, determined to nurse it back to health. But soon, Sparrow realizes that helping the bird recover—especially with curious kittens around the house—will be much harder than she thought. If she asks for help, will it mean letting go of her new animal friend?

Longbow by Wayne Grant

Roland Inness is a peasant boy with an unusual talent—and a secret. He has learned the art of making a longbow and the skill to use it with deadly accuracy. Why must this be kept secret? The Normans rule England with their armored knights and a well-aimed longbow can pierce that armor. Possession of the weapon is a hanging offense and when Roland takes the wrong deer on the wrong Lord’s land he has to flee for his life. His flight will take him from the high hills of the English midlands to the wild frontier with Wales and on to the court of Richard the Lionheart. Along the way he is hunted by a paid killer, aided by a strange monk named Tuck, and taken in by a gruff Norman knight, who values his skill with the bow. That skill and his courage will be sorely tested as he fights to earn the trust of his new master. As King Richard celebrates his coronation, Roland faces old enemies he thought he had left behind and must test his skill at a royal archery tournament against the greatest bowmen in England, to include the favorite, Sir Robin of Loxley. A mix of history, myth and high adventure, LONGBOW follows the journey of Roland Inness as he seeks to find a place for himself in a restive kingdom and become a man in a brutal age.

Den of Iniquity by J A Jance

Former Seattle homicide cop J. P. Beaumont faces trouble in the small town of Ashland, as both his personal and professional lives are thrown into turmoil. Beau’s daughter and son-in-law are having marital troubles, and his grandson, a senior in high school, shows up on his doorstep, wanting to live with Beau and his wife Mel as he finishes out the school year. Meanwhile, a friend from his past asks for Beau’s help in looking into what appears to be an accidental death. A young man died of a fentanyl overdose, but those closest to him are convinced that he would never have used the drug, and that something much more sinister has happened. Beau agrees to unofficially reopen the case, and his investigation leads him to uncover similar mysterious deaths that all point to a most unlikely suspect. As the case becomes more complicated than he could have imagined, and past and present mysteries collide, it will take everything Beau has to track down a dangerous vigilante killer.

Cream Caramel and Murder by K E O'Connor

With its stunning turrets and rose gardens, I thought Audley Castle was perfect, set in the idyllic Audley St. Mary. But behind the trimmed hedgerows, stately gardens, and birdsong, a killer is waiting… Cream Caramel and Murder features baking sleuth, Holly, her cute clue-hunting dog, and a cast of quirky villagers.

The Murder at Aspen Creek by Anne Shillolo

A random overnight visit to a quiet prairie town turns deadly for Inspector Hilary Casgrain. Instead of starry skies, a home-cooked meal, and an evening at a Cowboy Poetry Festival, Hilary is dragged into a drive-by shooting and the search for a missing teen - a night that rages out of control and ends in a killing. She’s driving across the continent to a new job, in search of a fresh start and a quiet cruise towards retirement. But in the town of Aspen Creek, she gets a taste of small-town policing at its most intense. The Aspen Creek chief asks for her help and Hilary sees first-hand his struggles with limited resources, and a crime as ruthless as any she encountered in her 20 years of city policing. At the same time, she’s drawn to the close bonds and staunch support shared by the handful of Aspen Creek officers. Can she forge those kind of relationships at her new post? Can she shake off the shadows of the past and become a leader to admire? These thoughts and worries are fleeting, however. The clock is ticking and lives hang in the balance. Dive into this prequel novella and get a glimpse of a sensational new crime series featuring Inspector Hilary Casgrain.

Detectives Tanzy and Byrd Crime Thrillers by C. J. Grayson

BOOK 1: THE TEES VALLEY KILLINGS Detectives Tanzy and Byrd find Julia Porter’s body tied to a chair in her quiet family home in the outskirts of Darlington. She’s covered in blood, and someone has cut out her eyes. Next to her is a message written in red crayon: She didn’t see it coming. Tanzy and Byrd have never seen the like of this in their town before. Then a few days later a woman is handed a package on the high street. It contains Julia Porter’s eyes . . . BOOK 2: THE DENES PARK KILLINGS Anna Greenwell is walking home she comes across a body. As soon as she sees the trainers and tracksuit, she knows. Her eldest was wearing those same clothes last night — and he never came home. At the post-mortem, Tanzy and Byrd see that Mark Greenwell’s back is covered in deep scars. Someone was punishing this boy with regular whippings. Meanwhile, a nine-year-old goes missing. Is his abduction connected to the murder of Mark Greenwell? BOOK 3: THE LINGFIELD POINT KILLINGS Late one night Danny Walters tucks his young son back into bed. He realizes the carpet is soaking wet just as he sees a man standing at the bottom of the stairs. The man lights a match. The house goes up in flames. Across town, four women wake up in a dark, cold room. People on the internet are paying good money to watch what happens to them. Then Tanzy and Byrd get a sickening call . . . Darlington used to be a nice town. A quiet town. Not any more.

Murder my Neighbor by Veronica Heley

Ellie Quicke is confronted by an angry young man, demanding to know what has happened to his elderly great aunt. Flavia Osborne had refused to move in with her relatives, telling everyone that she'd sold her secluded house and was moving to a retirement flat - but it seems she never arrived at her destination. Ellie is distracted by her difficult daughter Diana, who makes a shocking announcement, but Russ insists Ellie help him discover the truth. Where is Flavia, and who knows more than they are prepared to tell?

Golden Age Locked Room Mysteries by Otto Penzler

For devotees of the Golden Age mystery, the impossible crime story represents the period’s purest form: it presents the reader with a baffling scenario (a corpse discovered in a windowless room locked from the inside, perhaps), lays out a set of increasingly confounding clues, and swiftly delivers an ingenious and satisfying solution. During the years between the two world wars, the best writers in the genre strove to outdo one another with unfathomable crime scenes and brilliant explanations, and the puzzling and clever tales they produced in those brief decades remain unmatched to this day. Among the Americans, some of these authors are still household names, inextricably linked to the locked room mysteries they devised: John Dickson Carr, Ellery Queen, Clayton Rawson, Stuart Palmer. Others, associated with different styles of crime fiction, also produced great works―authors including Fredric Brown, MacKinlay Kantor, Craig Rice, and Cornell Woolrich. All of these and more can be found in Golden Age Locked Room Mysteries, selected by Edgar Award-winning mystery expert and anthologist Otto Penzler. Featuring a delightful mix of well-known writers and unjustly-forgotten masters, the fourteen tales included herein highlight the best of the American impossible crime story, promising hours of entertainment for armchair sleuths young and old.

Seed on the Wind by Rex Stout

One woman, four men, countless temptations on the streets of New York. This lost novel from legendary "Nero Wolfe" creator Rex Stout—unpublished for more than 90 years—presents a gripping psychological puzzle and a heroine you’ll never forget.

VIctricia Malicia by Carrie Clickard

Victricia Malicia Calamity Barrett may have been born on her family's pirate ship, but this mild-mannered young lady is sick of the sea: she'd much rather be ashore with her nose permanently buried in a book. But when Scylla the Serpent—the scourge of the sea—appears, quick-thinking Vic saves the ship by thunking the serpent on the head with her trunk full of books. For her bravery she is rewarded with the thing she wants most: a home on a little island. She opens a bookstore, and Landlubber Books becomes the pirates' favorite port in a storm. As Carrie Clickard's nimble, jaunty rhymes roll off the tongue like waves onto shore, children will delight in Victricia's adventures while parents will relate to her family's attempts to understand their unusual daughter. Victricia may not be a typical pirate hero, but she is the captain of her own destiny in this rollicking tale of self-determination, sticking to your dreams, and the joy of reading.

Five Card Murder by Bruce Hammack

An inheritance worth millions. A killer with a list…and Smiley’s on it. A phone call from out of the blue leads blind PI Steve Smiley to become executor of a large Texas estate—one which includes the last undeveloped lakefront property in the state. While the sheriff is hunting for the rancher’s killer, a second death occurs. The ranch foreman is found murdered. Someone is intent on getting their hands on that property. Any of the four siblings could be guilty of one, or both, of the murders. There’s no love lost in the dysfunctional family. But which one wanted the land bad enough to kill for it? Or was it a conspiracy? Steve and his partner Heather are hired to find out who killed the ranch foreman. They unearth a long-buried family secret that could solve the mystery, but will it also lead to more killing? A person desperate not to be discovered attacks Heather. Steve needs to stop the killer or the next funeral could be his.

A Very Woodsy Murder by Ellen Byron

New motel owner Dee Stern has checked out of the familiar comforts in the San Fernando Valley and checked in to the quaint village of Foundgold. Running a rustic getaway in the woods sure beats LA traffic—until murder ruins the peace and quiet . . . Down-on-her-luck sitcom writer Dee Stern is flipping the script. Twice divorced and wasting her talents on an obnoxious kids’ show, the lifelong Angeleno embraces the urge to jump in her car and keep driving. It's a road trip with no destination—until she pulls into a mid-century motel filled with cobwebs and retro charm. Nestled in the shadow of a national park, it’s a time capsule of a place that, like her, could use some work. So, in the most impulsive move of her life, Dee teams up with best friend, Jeff Cornetta—who happens to be her first ex-husband—to transform the aging ranch into the Golden Motel-of-the-Mountains, a hiker’s oasis on the edge of the wilderness . . . But Dee and Jeff soon realize there couldn’t be two people more unprepared for the hospitality business. There’s also the panic-inducing reality of prowling bears and a general store as the only shopping spot for miles. Living and working in the middle of nowhere takes some getting used to—especially when a disrespectful guest ends up murdered! Now, with the motel duo topping the suspect list, Dee must steer clear of a meddling park ranger, face her past in show biz, and determine if the killer is a local or tourist. Because as she quickly finds out, there are many things worse than a one-star review.

Murder on the Clyde by Daniel Sellers

Detective Lola is heading back over the river from a rare night out when she spots a crowd of people looking over the parapet. Someone’s gone in. A young man called Cammy witnessed everything. He swears it’s the work of the Clyde Pusher, but is terrified of the police. The Clyde Pusher is the stuff of urban legend. A hooded figure who throws men into the river to drown. Eight victims in five years. But according to the police, the Pusher doesn’t exist. There are no reliable witnesses, nothing to link the victims. Lola starts looking into the case unofficially but gets a rap on the knuckles from her higher-ups for nosing around. Someone is trying to derail the investigation. What are they trying to cover up? Because the Pusher is real. And he has Cammy in his sights . . .

Cold Case Mysteries by Dr. Kate Hanson

BOOK 1: THE COLDEST CASE Forensic psychologist Kate Hanson knows as soon as she sees the body that she’s looking at Molly Elizabeth James. She was only eighteen when she disappeared from a shopping centre in Solihull five years ago. Then another young woman’s body is found. It’s a fresh kill. Same MO. This cold case just got hot. BOOK 2: THE COLDEST CLUES A mummified body is found in Birmingham’s Woodgate Country Park. The victim is Nathan Troy, an art student who disappeared two decades ago. Days later, a second body is found. This time it’s a fresh kill. It’s been twenty years, but after all this time, Nathan’s killer is back. BOOK 3: THE COLDEST KILLER It’s 1:23 in the morning when Kate gets the call. A body has been found in a shallow grave. It’s badly decomposed, but Kate is sure it’s nineteen-year-old Elizabeth Williams, a good student who simply disappeared a year ago. Then another young woman is attacked. Kate knows Elizabeth’s killer is still out there, and they’re not going to stop until they’re caught. BOOK 4: THE COLDEST MOTIVE Two teenagers discover a body locked inside a church crypt. The victim’s throat has been viciously ripped out. The dead man is quickly identified as the son of a wealthy businessman. He was reported missing a year ago. Then another young man’s remains are found. And Kates’s case takes an even darker turn . . . BOOK 5: THE COLDEST DEATH Ten years ago famous novelist David Lockman is convicted of murdering Della Harrington. He was sentenced to life in prison. But he’s just been released after the judge ruled miscarriage of justice. But if David didn’t kill Della, who did? Kate is determined to get answers. But her search for the truth will jeopardize everything.

A Wild Windy Night by Yul Abe

"Whoooosh!" The wind outside is so strong! "Hey, Mr. Wind, do you want to play with someone?" He's curious, but it's time to go to bed. The wind keeps getting stronger and stronger. "Whoooosh! Whoooosh! Whoooosh!" It's so loud that it's hard to sleep. Suddenly, Ricky hears a loud "bang!" outside. He looks out the window and sees his toy car fly away in the wind. All of his toys start to fly away too! "Wait, wait!" But he and all his toys are swept up by the wild wind. They fly through the dark, empty night sky towards the far-off woods. It's scary, but also exciting. Ricky feels like he's on an adventure. Yui Abe's beautiful illustrations capture the excitement and wonder of a windy night. You can see the wind blowing Ricky's hair and clothes, and the fear and excitement in his eyes. But even in the midst of the chaos, there is a sense of warmth and comfort, as Ricky remembers the love and safety of his home. If your child is afraid of windy nights, this book is the perfect way to help them overcome their fears. Through the story of Ricky's wild adventure, they will learn that even the scariest things can be exciting, and that they are never alone, even in the midst of a storm.

Endless Night by Agatha Christie

Gipsy’s Acre was a truly beautiful upland site with views out to sea – and in Michael Rogers it stirred a child-like fantasy. There, amongst the dark fir trees, he planned to build a house, find a girl and live happily ever after. Yet, as he left the village, a shadow of menace hung over the land. For this was the place where accidents happened. Perhaps Michael should have heeded the locals’ warnings: ‘There’s no luck for them as meddles with Gipsy’s Acre.’ Michael Rogers is a man who is about to learn the true meaning of the old saying ‘In my end is my beginning.’ The title Endless Night was taken from William Blake’s Auguries of Innocence and describes Christie’s favourite theme in the novel: a “twisted” character, who always chooses evil over good. Christie finished Endless Night in six weeks, as opposed to the three-four months that most of her other novels took. Despite being in her seventies while writing it, she told an interviewer that being Michael, the twenty-something narrator, “wasn’t difficult. After all, you hear people like him talking all the time.” The book is dedicated to Christie's relative "Nora Prichard from whom I first heard the legend of Gipsy's Acre." Gipsy's Acre was a field on the Welsh moors.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

First, there were ten—a curious assortment of strangers summoned as weekend guests to a little private island off the coast of Devon. Their host, an eccentric millionaire unknown to all of them, is nowhere to be found. All that the guests have in common is a wicked past they're unwilling to reveal—and a secret that will seal their fate. For each has been marked for murder. A famous nursery rhyme is framed and hung in every room of the mansion: "Ten little boys went out to dine; One choked his little self and then there were nine. Nine little boys sat up very late; One overslept himself and then there were eight. Eight little boys traveling in Devon; One said he'd stay there then there were seven. Seven little boys chopping up sticks; One chopped himself in half and then there were six. Six little boys playing with a hive; A bumblebee stung one and then there were five. Five little boys going in for law; One got in Chancery and then there were four. Four little boys going out to sea; A red herring swallowed one and then there were three. Three little boys walking in the zoo; A big bear hugged one and then there were two. Two little boys sitting in the sun; One got frizzled up and then there was one. One little boy left all alone; He went out and hanged himself and then there were none." When they realize that murders are occurring as described in the rhyme, terror mounts. One by one they fall prey. Before the weekend is out, there will be none. Who has choreographed this dastardly scheme? And who will be left to tell the tale? Only the dead are above suspicion.

Mrs. McGinty's Dead by Agatha Christie

Mrs. McGinty died from a brutal blow to the back of her head. Suspicion falls immediately on her shifty lodger, James Bentley, whose clothes reveal traces of the victim’s blood and hair. Yet something is amiss: Bentley just doesn’t seem like a murderer. Could the answer lie in an article clipped from a newspaper two days before the death? With a desperate killer still free, Hercule Poirot will have to stay alive long enough to find out. . . .

Red River Road by Anna Downes

Anna Downes's extraordinary next thriller follows a woman desperate to discover what happened to her sister on a solo road trip through the Australian outback. Katy Sweeney is determined to find her sister. A year earlier, just three weeks into a solo vanlife trip, free-spirited Phoebe vanished without a trace on Western Australia’s remote and achingly beautiful Coral Coast. With no witnesses, no leads, and no DNA evidence, the case has gone cold. But Katy refuses to give up. Using Phoebe’s social media accounts as a map, Katy starts to retrace her steps, searching for the clues that the police have missed. Was Phoebe being followed? Who had she met along the way, and what danger did they pose? Was she as happy as her sun-bleached, lens-flared photos seem to suggest? Then Katy’s path collides with that of Beth, a young woman on the run from her own dark past—and very recent present. And as Katy realizes that Beth might be her best and only chance of finding the truth, the two women form an uneasy alliance to venture forth into increasingly wild territory to find out what really happened to Phoebe in this breathtaking but maybe deadly place, and how her fate connects them all. Anna Downes takes us on a twist-filled journey into the dark side of solo female travel, in this gripping novel that explores what drives us to keep searching for those we have lost, the family bonds that can make or break us, and the deception of memory.

Baxter and Jeffrey by Ariane and Todd Erickson

A picture book about a young boy who wants to become a knight - WITHOUT any help - and a young dragon who is CERTAIN he can help him!

The Hitchcock Hotel by Stephanie Wrobel

Alfred Smettle is not your average Hitchcock fan. He is the founder, owner, and manager of The Hitchcock Hotel, a sprawling Victorian house in the White Mountains dedicated to the Master of Suspense. There, Alfred offers his guests round-the-clock film screenings, movie props and memorabilia in every room, plus an aviary with fifty crows. To celebrate the hotel’s first anniversary, he invites his former best friends from his college Film Club for a reunion. He hasn’t spoken to any of them in sixteen years, not after what happened. But who better than them to appreciate Alfred’s creation? And to help him finish it. After all, no Hitchcock set is complete without a body.

A Second Helping of Crazy by Ursula K LeQuin

This is a book of short stories. The second helping of crazy is interesting. The stories are weird and crazy. It was fun to read. You should read it and see what you think...

The Curse of the Dead Man's Diamond by Christyne Morrell

In this middle-grade mystery, eleven year old Charlie moves from NYC to Florida only to find herself in the haunted Winklevoss Manor. To her surprise, she's not alone-she's joined by three mischievous ghosts cursed for snatching a dead man's diamond. After twelve-year-old Charlie moves from New York City to sweaty, sticky Florida, she'll do anything to get back home. Even if it involves ghosts. Winklevoss Manor, Charlie's new house, is a towering Victorian mansion famous for one thing-it's haunted. Three ghosts-Ada, Arthur, and Guff-live there, and not by choice. They're trapped, cursed for stealing a dead man's diamond. A diamond that, just like the ghosts, is still in the house. And this gets Charlie thinking. . .

Silent Sister by Megan Davidhizar

The must-read suspense novel of the summer about a mysterious sister's disappearance, her biggest betrayal and a deadly truth screaming to come out. Two sisters went missing on their class trip—Grace, the outgoing athlete who is friends with just about everyone, and Maddy, the wallflower wilting in her sister’s shadow who'd rather absorb herself in her journal than talk to her classmates. But when Grace is found—injured, with no memory of what happened—everybody thinks she’s lying. It’s hard not to look guilty with Maddy’s blood on her clothes. Desperate to save her sister—and prove her own innocence—Grace must piece together what happened on that school trip with the help of her sister’s notebook and classmates who may not be telling the police everything that about that tragic night. She will discover her sister’s secrets can’t stay quiet…but what if her own are the most terrifying of all?

The Reinvented Detective by Cat Rambo and Jennifer Brozek

The evolution of crime, punishment, and justice in the future. What happens when time and technology change the definition of crime and punishment? Science fiction often focuses on future technology without considering the society housing it. Social norms may change as tech changes — or not. What will criminals, investigators, judges, and juries look like in a complicated future of clones, uploaded intelligences, artificial brains, or body augmentation? What stories emerge when we acknowledge the possibilities of new laws, new police methods, and the birth of sentient Artificial Intelligence, as well as all the ways they can clash or combine? The Reinvented Detective presents stories that complicate law and order as well as the concept of criminals, detectives, punishment, and justice for all by showing how shifting technology, the rise of sentient AIs, and shifting social attitudes may affect what is not only acceptable, but expected, within both real world and digital communities—and everything in-between. These stories reinvent detective and true crime tropes, recasting them for the 21st century, and above all, experimenting, astonishing, and entertaining.

Goliath and the Gang by David Whittet

Aaron was just five years old when they took his mother away … Raised by his aunt after losing his mother, he’s bullied by his uncle and tormented by his loathsome cousins. His dream of making something of his life, of becoming an entrepreneur like his late father, rapidly disappears in the wake of his miserable childhood. The sudden appearance of a mysterious Māori diviner sparks hope in Aaron’s heart. Can this wise woman help him find his mother? And when he falls hopelessly in love with the woman’s haughty foster daughter, is he destined for heartbreak? Everything changes when an anonymous patron sponsors Aaron to attend business school. He’s an exemplary student and, upon graduation, a rising star in the business community. Until a deadly rival from his past threatens to destroy his career and plunges Aaron into another brutal war with the Godzone Gorillas—the Gang that kidnapped his mother.

The Jungle Crew by Emma Scott

Making new friends is a wonderful thing. Should you have a lot in common with your new friend? Do you have to look the same? What happens when you look very different from each other? “The Jungle Crew” is an enjoyable rhyming story about how animals big and small meet and become great friends. Each animal has something special to share. Although they are look very different, there is something lovable in each and every one. This is a story about diversity and how unusual friendships can lead to fun times and happy occasions. “The Jungle Crew” is a great bedtime story for children 3-5 years old.

Black Magic Kitten by Sara Bourgeois

Kinsley Skeenbauer never thought she would go home. At seventeen, she’d left Coventry and didn’t look back. But after a messy divorce, she packed up her stuff and drove toward the only place that she knew would accept her. Life hadn’t been easy for Kinsley since she left town. Despite wanting a family desperately, she was childless. She had a college degree but had just been fired… again… She’d spent her entire adult life rebelling against what she was, and that meant hiding her true self from the world. Kinsley left Coventry on a mission to be ordinary. But you know what they say about the best-laid plans… Coventry isn’t your typical small town. It’s home to the most powerful family of witches in the world. Two ancient witch families united when her parents married, and she was supposed to be their leader. Nobody ever asked Kinsley if that’s what she wanted, though. Funny how the universe worked because there she was divorced, childless, and jobless… again… rolling into Coventry in her broken-down car with a U-Haul full of everything she owned. The joyous welcome home party was short-lived, because a dead guy turned up, of all places, behind the diner. Of course, the town’s hunky sheriff starts to give Kinsley the side-eye. But, a lot of people wanted the victim dead, and that only complicates the investigation. There’s a murderer on the loose in Coventry, and Kinsley’s got to learn to harness her powers to avoid the killer’s snare. Oh! And, then there’s Meri, the black cat familiar. Someone decides to grant him one wish for his faithful service to his coven, and it doesn’t go as planned either…

The Switch by Lily Samson

Two couples. One twisted game of love and obsession. A dark domestic thriller about the dangerous secrets that come to light when a wild fantasy turns sinister. . . When young couple Elena and Adam are offered the chance to house-sit in their dream neighborhood for a few months, they jump at the opportunity. The leafy South London enclave is a world away from everything they know, complete with grand homes, lush gardens, and quaint local coffee shops. Soon Elena crosses paths with the beautiful and enigmatic artist Sophia and her husband, Finn, and she and Adam are pulled into their orbit. Sophia is everything Elena isn’t—glamorous, alluring, successful—and Finn exerts a mysterious pull on Elena that she can’t seem to shake. Elena’s infatuation with Finn grows stronger by the day, and when Sophia proposes a thrilling game to her new friend—to swap partners in secret—Elena quickly agrees. It’s not long before Elena experiences a sexual awakening that blossoms into an illicit love affair, but Sophia’s plans are far more dangerous than Elena could ever have imagined. . .

Murder at the Spelling Bee by Lee Hollis

The murder of a moderator for a school competition spells trouble for Portland P.I. partners and moms Maya Kendrick and Sandra Wallage . . . Twelve-year-old Rocco Fanelli is a spelling bee champ in the making. He’s the odds-on favorite to win the local middle-school bee and go on to the regionals, the state, and ultimately the nationals. Which is why someone is trying to intimidate him to drop out with a threatening note in his locker. Rocco’s concerned parents hire Maya and Sandra to uncover the culprit and ensure their son’s safety. But the competition turns killer when a high school teacher who’s running the bee, clearly favoring certain students, is found dead in the school supply closet. Sandra had already confronted Ellie Lambert over unfairly grading her son Ryan—which now makes her a suspect. She’s not the only one who tangled with the teacher, however, and with suspects ranging from helicopter parents to the school custodian, Maya and Sandra will need to put their heads together to spell out who had the motive and opportunity to silence Ellie Lambert . . .

Muffalettas and Murder by Jann Franklin

Evangeline Delafose swore she'd never return to her ho-hum Louisiana hometown. But when her brother asks her to help solve a murder, things get a lot more interesting. If you like cozy mysteries with twists and turns, deep South settings, and a hint of romance, you’ll love this series! Let’s not forget quirky yet charming characters who remind you of family—sometimes you want to hug them, and sometimes you want to disown them. Enjoy small town Graisseville with Ev as she solves crime with help from her family and friends. This is a clean faith based read with no profanity, sex, or graphic violence.

The Affair at the Victory Ball by Agatha Christie

Young Lord Cronshaw is murdered at a masked ball, and his fiancée dies of a cocaine overdose later the same evening. Who was wearing which costume? Can Poirot find out who the killer is?

The Case of the Gilded Lies by Earl Staley Gardner

The ingredients were quite one middle-aged tycoon with a lovely young wife; one oh-so-apologetic visitor to the tycoon's office; one devoted secretary, graduate of a correspondence course of How to Be a Detective. But when these ingredients were combined and brought to the boil with the addition of one inflammable blonde - the result was murder. And when Perry Mason was called in to clean up the kitchen, he found that too many cooks almost spoiled the broth.

Lioness of Punuab by Anita Jari Kharbanda

“We will fight here,” I commanded the warriors. “We are strong. We will have no fear. As Sikh warriors, we are ready to fight for justice. Vahiguru Ji Ka Khalsa! Vahiguru Ji Ki Fateh!” It is the winter of 1705, and the tenth Guru of the Sikhs is under attack by the armies of the mighty Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb. Under siege and isolated, Guru Gobind Singh Ji’s men are exhausted beyond measure, and forty soldiers decide to head home. Back in the villages of Punjab, these forty men are met by a fiery Sikh woman—a warrior who has been preparing all her life for this very moment—who leads the deserters back to the Guru. This is the story of that warrior, the fierce Mai Bhago, who chose the sword to symbolize her unwavering loyalty and devotion to her people and her faith. This energetic coming-of-age young adult novel brings us closer to Mai Bhago—a woman revered in the Sikh community and beyond—to imagine her growing to embrace her many roles in a way that was entirely her own and, in the process, becoming a shining inspiration for young women everywhere.

A Full Moon in August by Joseph H. Randolph

Take a seat beside Thomas on a journey across Canada, from Toronto to Vancouver in 1981. For Thomas, this trip is a plunge into the unknown and a leap from the comfort of his familiar world into a realm of wonders and unforeseen challenges. As the train travels west, Thomas encounters far more than just the breathtaking landscapes of his homeland. Prepare to be gripped by the suspense of Thomas's adventures and experiences as he embarks on a voyage that will change his life forever.

Threads That Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou

Descendants of the Fates are always born in threes: one to weave, one to draw, and one to cut the threads that connect people to the things they love and to life itself. The Ora sisters are no exception. Io, the youngest, uses her Fate-born abilities as a private investigator in the half-sunken city of Alante. But her latest job leads her to a horrific discovery: somebody is abducting women, maiming their life-threads, and setting the resulting wraiths loose in the city to kill. To find the culprit, she must work alongside Edei Rhuna, the right hand of the infamous Mob Queen—and the boy with whom she shares a rare fate-thread linking them as soul mates before they’ve even met. The investigation turns personal when Io's estranged oldest sister shows up on the arm of her best suspect. Amid unveiled secrets from her past and her growing feelings for Edei, Io must follow clues through the city’s darkest corners and unearth a conspiracy that involves some of the city’s most powerful players before destruction comes to her own doorstep.

To our Graves by Paul Nicholas Mason

Located just outside the village of Bath, Ontario, St. Cuthbert's College prides itself on its beautiful lakeside campus, rich academic curriculum, diverse sports and cultural programs, and stable of distinguished graduates. But when a seventeen-year-old student is found stabbed to death in the chapel, the school's management is desperate to separate itself from the crime, even though Detective-Sergeant Diane Stewart comes to believe the murderer is a member of the school community. A fast-moving tale of deceit and intrigue, To Our Graves is a thrilling crime novel set in an exclusive Canadian private school.

The Complete Lowe & Simpson Mysteries Book 1-6 by Roger Ormerod

IN THIS SIX-BOOK BOX SET: BOOK 1: HUNG IN THE BALANCE Philipa Lowe has returned to England for her husband’s funeral. The inquest rules his death a suicide, but Philipa doesn’t believe that for one minute. Meeting Inspector Oliver Simpson in a hotel bar, she finds she’s not the only one with doubts. When they find a corpse hanging in a basement, they realize they’ve been looking in the wrong places all along . . . And the number of bodies are about to pile up. BOOK 2: BURY HIM DARKLY Philipa boards the QE2 and befriends Roma Felucci, a glamorous actress with a failing marriage. At the docks, Roma is met by the police after a human skull is uncovered at her childhood home. Philipa and Oliver investigate, but the case takes a darker turn when they learn of unexplained disappearances among her close family. Now they will soon discover that no matter how much you run from the past, it is never that far away . . . BOOK 3: THIRD TIME FATAL Philipa and Oliver are attending the wedding of an old school friend. But the groom has a shady past. And unlike most weddings, this one ends with a corpse, found naked in the groom’s bed, while he seems to have vanished. It falls to Philipa and Oliver to pick up the pieces and uncover the truth . . . BOOK 4: A SHOT AT NOTHING Philipa is househunting, but finding the perfect home is never simple, especially when she hears a man was murdered there. Oliver was closely acquainted with his killer — the dead man’s wife, Clare Steadman — and was at the house on the night of the murder. He believes she is innocent. And now Clare claims someone else was there. But how could the killer have been in a locked room with them at the moment her husband died? BOOK 5: AND HOPE TO DIE Philipa and Oliver are asked to investigate a death at an old country house. Ruled a suicide, the bankrupt family have been forced to sell Mallington Hall and its contents to the highest bidder. But if they can prove it was murder, the insurance company will pay out and save them from financial ruin. As Philipa delves deeper into the family’s dark past, the case grows deadlier by the hour. BOOK 6: LANDSCAPE WITH CORPSE Visiting a remote college for painting classes, Philipa and Oliver are met by slashed artwork and petty rivalries. Then two of their fellow students are murdered on the same day, a mile apart but with the same weapon . . . But how can a killer be in two places at once? MEET THE DETECTIVES Philipa Lowe takes after her father — a well-respected and incredibly stubborn retired superintendent. She is determined to find the truth no matter the cost. Investigating is in her blood, so how hard can it be? Oliver Simpson is an Inspector in charge of the CID in a small town. Always one to don a tweed hat and to work by the book when on a case, he never puts a foot out of place.

Nightwoods by Charles Frazier

Charles Frazier puts his remarkable gifts in the service of a lean, taut narrative while losing none of the transcendent prose, virtuosic storytelling, and insight into human nature that have made him one of the most beloved and celebrated authors in the world. Now, with his brilliant portrait of Luce, a young woman who inherits her murdered sister's troubled twins, Frazier has created his most memorable heroine. Before the children, Luce was content with the reimbursements of the rich Appalachian landscape, choosing to live apart from the small community around her. But the coming of the children changes everything, cracking open her solitary life in difficult, hopeful, dangerous ways. Charles Frazier is known for his historical literary odysseys, and for making figures in the past come vividly to life. Set in the twentieth century, Nightwoods resonates with the timelessness of a great work of art.

Bear by Julia Phiiips

A mesmerizing novel of two sisters on a Pacific Northwest island whose lives are upended by an unexpected visitor—a tale of family, obsession, and a mysterious creature in the woods, by the celebrated, bestselling author of Disappearing Earth. They were sisters and they would last past the end of time. Sam and her sister, Elena, dream of another life. On the island off the coast of Washington where they were born and raised, they and their mother struggle to survive. Sam works long days on the ferry that delivers wealthy mainlanders to their vacation homes while Elena bartends at the local golf club, but even together they can't earn enough to get by, stirring their frustration about the limits that shape their existence. Then one night on the boat, Sam spots a bear swimming the dark waters of the channel. Where is it going? What does it want? When the bear turns up by their home, Sam, terrified, is more convinced than ever that it's time to leave the island. But Elena responds differently to the massive beast. Enchanted by its presence, she throws into doubt the plan to escape and puts their long-held dream in danger. A story about the bonds of sisterhood and the mysteries of the animals that live among us—and within us—Bear is a propulsive, mythical, rich novel from one of the most acclaimed young writers in America.

Agony Hill by Sarah Steward Taylor

In the hot summer of 1965, Bostonian Franklin Warren arrives in Bethany, Vermont, to take a position as a detective with the state police. Warren's new home is on the verge of monumental change; the interstates under construction will bring new people, new opportunities, and new problems to Vermont, and the Cold War and protests against the war in Vietnam have finally reached the dirt roads and rolling pastures of Bethany. Warren has barely unpacked when he's called up to a remote farm on Agony Hill. Former New Yorker and Back-to-the-Lander Hugh Weber seems to have set fire to his barn and himself, with the door barred from the inside, but things aren’t adding up for Warren. The people of Bethany—from Weber’s enigmatic wife to Warren's neighbor, widow and amateur detective Alice Bellows — clearly have secrets they’d like to keep, but Warren can’t tell if the truth about Weber’s death is one of them. As he gets to know his new home and grapples with the tragedy that brought him there, Warren is drawn to the people and traditions of small town Vermont, even as he finds darkness amidst the beauty.

Fireside and Shadow by K E O'Conner

Is this the end or the start of something magical? Bell and Hodgepodge find themselves thrust into the ultimate battle against the royal family’s dark schemes. The dragons are awake, heralding hope, but Bell is grappling with her newfound abilities and the burden of an unforeseen destiny. Entwined in Lady Isolda's labyrinth of cunning, Bell must navigate the twists and turns of a realm on the verge of upheaval. Unveiling the secrets concealed within the castle’s walls, she exposes the lengths to which Lady Isolda has gone to maintain power. As Bell and Hodgepodge strive to protect loved ones and help the dragons, alliances are tested, and a battle for the realm's soul unfurls. Will Bell master her magic in time to rescue her home, or will the lingering shadows of the past devour all she holds dear?

Red River Road by Anna Downes

Anna Downes's extraordinary next thriller follows a woman desperate to discover what happened to her sister on a solo road trip through the Australian outback. Katy Sweeney is determined to find her sister. A year earlier, just three weeks into a solo vanlife trip, free-spirited Phoebe vanished without a trace on Western Australia’s remote and achingly beautiful Coral Coast. With no witnesses, no leads, and no DNA evidence, the case has gone cold. But Katy refuses to give up. Using Phoebe’s social media accounts as a map, Katy starts to retrace her steps, searching for the clues that the police have missed. Was Phoebe being followed? Who had she met along the way, and what danger did they pose? Was she as happy as her sun-bleached, lens-flared photos seem to suggest? Then Katy’s path collides with that of Beth, a young woman on the run from her own dark past—and very recent present. And as Katy realizes that Beth might be her best and only chance of finding the truth, the two women form an uneasy alliance to venture forth into increasingly wild territory to find out what really happened to Phoebe in this breathtaking but maybe deadly place, and how her fate connects them all. Anna Downes takes us on a twist-filled journey into the dark side of solo female travel, in this gripping novel that explores what drives us to keep searching for those we have lost, the family bonds that can make or break us, and the deception of memory.

Murder Backstage by Jessica Fletcher & Terrie Farley Moran

The newest entry in the USA Today bestselling Murder, She Wrote series.Jessica Fletcher’s British cousin, Emma MacGill, will be traveling to Edmonton in Alberta, Canada, to perform with internationally famous star of stage, screen, and television Derek Braverman in an old-fashioned musical review. Emma would love for Jessica to join her there and suggests she bring along some friends. Having just finished her latest book, Jessica is ready for a vacation and is delighted to agree. Dr. Seth Hazlitt and Sheriff Mort Metzger are huge fans of Braverman, so they are eager to tag along, and their fanboy behavior gives Jessica and Mort’s wife, Maureen, more than occasional cause to roll their eyes.Upon arrival in Edmonton, Jessica is quickly outed as mystery writer J. B. Fletcher, and despite numerous protests, a hotel staffer arranges a book signing for her. This and touristy adventures arranged for the group make for a much busier trip than Jessica was expecting. When a hotel bartender, who also happens to be a stagehand for Emma’s play, turns up dead backstage at the theater, Jessica’s fun and relaxing vacation quickly becomes anything but.

The Housemaid is Watching by Freida McFadden

“You must be our new neighbors!” Mrs Lowell gushes and waves across the picket fence. I clutch my daughter’s hand and smile back: but the second Mrs Lowell sees my husband a strange expression crosses her face. In that moment I make a promise. We finally have a family home. My past is far, far behind us. And I’ll do anything to keep it that way… I used to clean other people’s houses—now, I can’t believe this home is actually mine. The charming kitchen, the quiet cul-de-sac, the huge yard where my kids can play. My husband and I saved for years to give our children the life they deserve. Even though I’m wary of our new neighbor Mrs Lowell, when she invites us over for dinner it’s our chance to make friends. Her maid opens the door wearing a white apron, her hair in a tight bun. I know exactly what it’s like to be in her shoes. But her cold stare gives me chills… The Lowells’ maid isn’t the only strange thing on our street. I’m sure I see a shadowy figure watching us. My husband leaves the house late at night. And when I meet a woman who lives across the way, her words chill me to the bone: Be careful of your neighbors . Did I make a terrible mistake moving my family here? I thought I’d left my darkest secrets behind. But could this quiet suburban street be the most dangerous place of all?

No Paw to Stand On by Laurie Cass

There’s no rest for the whiskered as librarian Minnie Hamilton and her rescue cat, Eddie, have to investigate a poisoning—and a murder—in the newest installment of the national bestselling Bookmobile Cat Mysteries.When a heat wave hits northern Michigan, Minnie, Eddie, and their bookmobile head to the beach to catch some rays and some customers. But library business is put on hold when Minnie’s restaurant-owning best friend, Kristen, calls. The specialty ice cream cone treat she'd been serving to patrons was sabotaged, making some customers horribly sick. Kristen needs Minnie to sniff out the culprit fast, or the restaurant's reputation will be destroyed forever. Minnie and Eddie are hot on the tail of the suspect when an employee from another restaurant is found dead. Could the poisoning and the murder be related? It’ll take a feline to catch a felon...

The Charity Shop Detective Agency by Peter Boland

Fiona, Sue and Daisy, three retired ladies who volunteer at the local charity shop, Dogs Need Nice Homes, can’t believe their favourite customer is dead. Eighty-six-year-old Sarah Brown was found murdered in her hallway by her delivery man, a domino clutched in her hand — with a name scratched on it. When another person is found dead with a domino in their hand, and with the police making no progress, the ladies will need to help unmask a serial killer. But at least they have Fiona’s scruffy-haired terrier cross to assist them. With plenty of tea and cake along the way, and despite squabbles with their rivals, the Cats Alliance across the street, the Charity Shop Detective Agency is born.

Double Sin and Other Stories by Agatha Christie

A superb collection of treats for mystery lovers, featuring both the indomitable English gentlewoman, Miss Marple, and the inimitable Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot. The publisher has even added a few of Ms. Christie's supernatural stories to entice you. The stories are: (1) Double Sin, (2) Wasp's Nest, (3) The Theft of the Royal Ruby, (4) The Dressmaker's Doll, (5) Greenshaw's Folly, (6) The Double Clue, (7) The Last Séance, and (8) Sanctuary. Of the eight, Hercule Poirot stars in (1), (2), (3), and (6). Miss Marple is the lead in (5) and (8). And there are two Christie standalones, not part of any novel or short story series, (4) and (7). "The Theft of the Royal Ruby" is actually an expanded version of 1923's "The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding." A young prince from the Middle East, during a visit to London, has dabbled with the wrong woman and lost a magnificent jewel which only Hercule Poirot may be able to recover. Talking of dabbling, that is what Miss Marple does in "Sanctuary." She offers advice to her goddaughter on a religious matter; a man has died in the woman's church under mysterious circumstances. Readers are also sure to enjoy "The Last Séance" in which a young medium holds one too many.

Controversial Cover by Lorna Barrett

When a famous children's author is murdered at the library, Tricia Miles has to find the killer before it's too late in the latest entry to Lorna Barrett's New York Times bestselling Booktown series. Tricia Miles is ready to close the book on all her amateur sluething—she's tired of finding dead bodies and being accused of murder. But even the best laid plans often go awry. Stoneham is all abuzz when Lauren Barker, a famous children's book author, arrives for an event at the local library. Lauren is a Stoneham native, and her new book strikes some members of the town as controversial. But when Lauren is found strangled to death after an altercation at the event, the plot twist throws Tricia right back into the middle of things. Who could possibly have wanted Lauren dead? Was it Dan Reed, who had to be thrown out of the signing for spouting conspiracy theories and causing a disturbance? Stella Kraft, Lauren’s high school teacher, who thought of the author as a protégé—something Lauren violently disputed? Or the mystery man who spoke to Lauren just before she was found dead? With the suspect count climbing higher and more information about Lauren's past coming to light, will Tricia be able to give this story a happily ever after?

Requiem for a Mouse by Miranda James

Librarian Charlie Harris and his ever-intuitive feline friend Diesel must catch a killer in a deadly game of cat and mouse where no one is who they seem to be… At last, Charlie and Helen Louise’s wedding is only a month away. They’re busy preparing for the big day, and the last thing Charlie needs is a new mystery to solve. Enter Tara Martin, a shy, peculiar woman who has recently started working part-time at Helen Louise’s bistro and helping Charlie in the archive. Tara isn’t exactly friendly and she has an angry outburst at the library that leaves Charlie baffled. And then she abruptly leaves a catered housewarming party Charlie’s son Sean is throwing to celebrate his new home in the middle of her work shift. Before ducking out of the party, Tara looked terrified and Charlie wonders if she’s deliberately trying to escape notice. Is she hiding from someone? When Tara is viciously attacked and lands in the hospital, Charlie knows his instincts were correct: Tara was in trouble and someone was after her. With the help of his much beloved cat, Diesel, Charlie digs deeper, and discovers shocking glimpses into Tara’s past that they could never have predicted. Will they catch the villain before Charlie’s own happily ever after with Helen Louise is ruined?