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.

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

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.

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?

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

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.