"In the heart of Clover City, love is a grand affair orchestrated by matchmaker extraordinaire, Fiona Murphy. But this Valentine's Day, her twelve perfect weddings become a chilling mystery. As the Boat House restaurant transforms from a haven of romance to a crime scene, 'A Match Made in Murder' unveils a tale where love and betrayal intermingle, and uncovering the truth becomes the ultimate act of love." Bonus: Recipes included.
Winner of the 2021 Bony Blithe Light Mystery Award “An intriguing mix of character, plot, time, and place. Highly recommended.” —Ian Hamilton, author of the bestselling Ava Lee novels Lane and Darling's Arizona honeymoon is interrupted by gunshots in the newest instalment in a series Kirkus Reviews calls "relentlessly exciting." It’s November, and Lane and Darling have escaped the chilly autumn in the Kootenays for a honeymoon at the posh and romantic Santa Cruz Inn in sunny Tucson, Arizona. But despite her very best intentions to relax, soon after their arrival Lane’s plans to spend the holiday poolside with a good mystery are interrupted by gunfire. One of the hotel’s wealthy guests has been shot point blank and Lane is second on the scene. Though Lane and Darling attempt to distance themselves from the investigation, the longer they stay at the Santa Cruz Inn, the deeper they are drawn into a web of suspects and bystanders, and a collection of seemingly perfect marriages fraught with jealousy and violence. The situation threatens first their honeymoon and then their lives when Lane puts herself directly in the sights of local criminals who will stop at nothing to get what they want. Back in Nelson, Sergeant Ames has been left in charge of the department during Darling’s absence. As he investigates a case of vandalism at the Van Eyck garage, it seems to lead directly to the death of the suspected vandal himself. Working with Constable Terrell, the new recruit, to piece together what happened in this strange and unsettling murder, Ames finds his romantic interest in mechanic Tina Van Eyck creates complications that are more than awkward; they could be deadly. Fans of Maisie Dobbs and the Kopp sisters will delight in the latest Lane Winslow, a study of matrimony and mirage in the American Southwest.
For fans of Brandy Colbert and Jenny Han comes a lighthearted novel about tradition, high school social hierarchy, matchmaking, and swiping right (or left!) Fifteen-year-old Simran "Simi" Sangha comes from a long line of Indian vichole -- matchmakers -- with a rich history for helping parents find good matches for their grown children. When Simi accidentally sets up her cousin and a soon-to-be lawyer, her family is thrilled that she has the "gift." But Simi is an artist, and she doesn't want to have anything to do with relationships, helicopter parents, and family drama. That is, until she realizes this might be just the thing to improve her and her best friend Noah's social status. Armed with her family's ancient guide to finding love, Simi starts a matchmaking service -- via an app, of course. But when she helps connect a wallflower of a girl with the star of the boys' soccer team, she turns the high school hierarchy topsy-turvy, soon making herself public enemy number one.
Gatsby-era glamour, a swoon-worthy love story, and an indomitable heroine dazzle in this romp that captures the extravagance of the Roaring Twenties and the dangers of vigilante justice. A ravishing young mind reader stalks the streets at night in kitten heels, prowling for men to murder. A soft-spoken genius toils away in the city morgue, desperate to unearth the science behind his gift for shapeshifting. It’s a match made in 1928 Chicago, where gangsters run City Hall, jazz fills the air, and every good girl’s purse conceals a flask. Until now, eighteen-year-old Ruby’s penchant for poison has been a secret. No one knows that she uses her mind-reading abilities to target men who prey on vulnerable women, men who escape the clutches of Chicago “justice.” When she meets a brilliant boy working at the morgue, his knack for forensic detail threatens to uncover her dark hobby. Even more unfortunately: sharp, independent Ruby has fallen in love with him. Waltzing between a supernaturally enhanced romance, the battle to take down a gentleman’s club, and loyal friendships worth their weight in diamonds, Ruby brings defiant charm to every page of Murder for the Modern Girl—not to mention killer fashion. An irresistible caper perfect for fans of The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue, in an exquisite hardcover package with rose-gold foil. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection Named to the Pennsylvania Young Readers Choice List
Something smells off about this murder, and it's not the stinky cheese. Brianna West needs a fresh start away from the big city. In her new cheese-themed café on quaint Driftwood Island, she plans to serve mascarpone croissants and asiago scones to friends new and old. But when Brianna follows her eccentric Aunt Dot’s escaped goat and discovers the water buffalo farmer next door with Dot’s pitchfork in his back, her aunt is suspect number one. Soon, other suspects besides Dot emerge like curds from whey. Brianna sets out to prove her aunt's innocence with the help of her chatty best friend, the inflated egos of the local Gourmand Society, and a handsome local Mountie in charge of law enforcement. Brianna vows to sniff out the real murderer before she loses her aunt, her new life on the island, and her succulent, savory cheese café. Cheese is pungent. Murder stinks.
Warren township in the southern portion of Herkimer County has been the scene of more than one gruesome event. In January 1885, locals reeled in horror when disgruntled wife Roxalana Druse shot her husband and dismembered his corpse to incinerate it in a farm house stove. Her trial and hanging was followed up in May of 1901 with two murders in yet another farm house kitchen. John C. Wallis had allowed his ex-wife Arvilla to return home, one year after running off with hired farm hand Ben Hoyt. Wallis then rehired Hoyt and within months both Ben Hoyt and Arvilla Wallis were dead. Did Ben Hoyt murder Arvilla in cold blood or did John C. Wallis kill both of them? Author James M. Greiner investigates a mysterious case of marriage, infidelity and multiple murders in turn of the century Herkimer County.
In this mystery in the New York Times bestselling Cat in the Stacks series, librarian Charlie Harris and his cat Diesel must clear the name of someone near and dear to their hearts—Charlie’s own daughter. Athena College’s new writer in residence is a famous native son, playwright Connor Lawton, known for his sharp writing—and sharper tongue. After an unpleasant encounter, librarian Charlie Harris heads home to a nice surprise: his daughter, Laura, is visiting and will be subbing for another professor this fall semester. It’s great news until he hears who got her the job: her old flame, Connor Lawton... Fearing competition for Connor’s affections, one of his admirers tries to drive Laura out of town. And then, before Connor finishes the play he is writing, he is murdered—and Laura is the prime suspect. Knowing she’s innocent, Charlie and his faithful sidekick, Diesel, follow Connor’s cluttered trail of angry lovers, bitter enemies, and intriguing library research to find the true killer before his daughter is forever cataloged under “M”—for murderer.
Leila Kahana Maui Mysteries Bundle contains the first two complete novels in the Leila Kahana Mystery series, including Murder in Maui and Murder on Kaanapali Beach, as well as a novelette, Kaanapali Beach Paradise. Murder in Maui (A Leila Kahana Mystery) In this first novel of the series, set in the lush, deceptively idyllic tropical paradise of Hawaii, Maui County homicide detective and composite sketch artist Leila Kahana and her partner, Detective Sergeant Blake Seymour, investigate the execution-style murder of two prominent doctors in an upscale condominium. Larry Nagasaka and Elizabeth Racine are found lying naked in bed in a pool of their own blood. It is learned that they were married, but not to each other, and that the doctors belonged to a prestigious medical association. Assisting the detectives in the case are fellow members of the homicide squad, Detectives Trent Ferguson and Rachel Lancaster, run by Lieutenant Paul Ortega who is contemplating retirement. As they interview suspects and collect evidence, more doctors belonging to the medical association are murdered, making it clear to all that they have a ruthless and determined serial killer on their hands. Murder on Kaanapali Beach (A Leila Kahana Mystery) In the second book in series, Maui County homicide detective and composite sketch artist Leila Kahana and her new partner, Detective Jonny Chung, take on the case of a college instructor found murdered on the island's famed Kaanapali Beach. Joyce Yashiro, estranged from her husband, was suffocated when she was forced face down into the soft sand on the beach. In a seemingly unrelated case, Detectives Rachel Lancaster and Trent Ferguson investigate the execution-style murder of businessman Parker Breslin in front of his Kihei home. As the investigations progress with a myriad of suspects, a surprising connection between the investigations emerges. But is there one killer or two? As these cases move full steam ahead, there is also a brutal serial killer on the loose. Dubbed the "Zip Line Killer," he has been terrorizing women on the island, strangling them with a zip line, for over a year, while staying out of reach of the authorities. Do they finally have a break that can put this frightening killer behind bars before he strikes again? Kaanapali Beach Paradise (A Novelette) Set amidst the lush playground of Maui, Hawaii's famed Kaanapali Beach Resort, the soap opera style tale of adultery, ambition, dark secrets, love, lust, hate, romance, betrayal, revenge, and murder, revolves around the anticipated grand opening of the Kaanapali Palms Hotel, the newest luxury accommodation on this three mile-long ocean front stretch of paradise on the island's western shore. Kaanapali Beach Paradise is the first in a continuing series of novelettes that promises to keep readers engaged as lives and loves are turned upside down with twists at every turn amidst the splendor of a celebrated Hawaii beach resort.
Murder on Kaanapali Beach is the highly anticipated sequel to the bestselling Murder in Maui by award-winning crime writer R. Barri Flowers. Maui County homicide detective and composite sketch artist Leila Kahana and her new partner, Detective Jonny Chung, take on the case of a beautiful college instructor found murdered on the island's famed Kaanapali Beach, even as Leila continues to be haunted by a frustrating serial murder case. Joyce Yashiro, who was estranged from her husband, was suffocated when she was forced face down into the soft sand on the beach. The case is anything but simple as the victim’s life and those of the people around her are put under the microscope, with a killer watching every move the police make. In a seemingly unrelated case, Detectives Rachel Lancaster and Trent Ferguson investigate the execution-style murder of businessman Parker Breslin in front of his Kihei home. It seems that more than one person may have wanted Breslin dead and someone made sure it happened. As the two murder investigations progress with a myriad of suspects, a surprising connection between the cases and crimes emerges. But is there one killer or two? As these cases move full steam ahead, there is also a brutal serial killer on the loose. Dubbed the "Zip Line Killer," he has been terrorizing women on the island, strangling them with a zip line, for over a year, while staying safely out of reach of the authorities. Now he has struck again and Leila and Chung, along with Lieutenant Blake Seymour, are determined to bring him down. Do they finally have a break that will put this frightening killer behind bars before he strikes again? Or is he merely toying with them while sizing up his next victim? Bonus material includes a complete mystery novelette, Kaanapali Beach Paradise, and excerpts from the upcoming third book in the Leila Kahana Mysteries series, Murder of the Hula Dancers; as well as the author’s bestselling Hawaii mysteries, Murder in Honolulu and Dead in Pukalani. PRAISE FOR HAWAII MYSTERIES AND THRILLERS BY R. BARRI FLOWERS "A masterful thriller set in the dark underbelly of Maui, with lots of fine action, down and dirty characters, and the vivid details of police procedure. A terrific read!" -- Douglas Preston, co-creator of the bestselling Pendergast series of novels on Murder in Maui "Gripping writing, wonderfully rounded characters you really care about, and vivid locations." -- Peter James, bestselling mystery author on Murder in Maui "A gripping and tightly woven tale you won't want to put down. Author Flowers neatly contrasts the natural beauty of a tropical paradise with the ugliness of murder and its aftermath." -- John Lutz, Edgar winner and bestselling author of Pulse on Murder in Maui "R. Barri Flowers writes with the passion and knowledge of someone who truly knows his craft. A steamy, non-stop thrill-ride through the seamy underbelly of Hawaii." -- Allison Leotta, former federal prosecutor and author on Murder in Maui "Intriguing mystery in a tropical paradise with a dynamic PI. A compelling, intriguing read." -- Allen Wyler, thriller writer on Murder in Honolulu "An exquisitely rich and masterfully constructed mystery... A savvy, smooth, and sumptuous read that's as hot as Waikiki beach sand." -- Jon Land, bestselling author on Murder in Honolulu "Infidelity and murder in paradise lead to a one of a kind case for PI Skye McKenzie Delaney, and an enjoyable ride for the reader. Definitely put this one on your list." -- John Lutz, Edgar winner and bestselling author on Murder in Honolulu "R. Barri Flowers' novel, Murder in Honolulu, is a gripping tale of crime and investigation, set in a vivid, gritty island underworld. It is filled with excitement, a sense of place, and memorable characters. Highly recommended!" -- Douglas Preston, New York Times bestselling author "Go ahead. Take a trip to Hawaii. Murder in Honolulu is your ticket. As long you don't mind a surprise around every corner, Skye Delaney will be your streetwise guide." -- Camille Kimball, author
Randy Brathwaite always considered that running a successful congressional campaign against the son of legenday Jim Mayfield to be a long shot. Being accused of his wife's murder months before the election just might make it darn near impossible. PI, Gerry Freeman, is hired by Brathwaite's law firm to see to it that the attorney won't be indicted. In her attempt to clear the candidate of the crime, Gerry unexpectedly unearths a conspiracy involving many of the city's most distinguished citizens, and The Folly of Murder takes on a whole new significance.
