Store Hours
M-Thurs. 10-6:45 *
Fri. 10-7:45 *
Sat. 10-6:45 * Sun. 11-5:45 NO BUYER ON DUTY
* We buy books until 6 pm except for Sundays- when we do not buy books at all, all day.
The majority of our purchasing will be for store credit. We seldom offer cash.
Cathryn is an enthusiastic reader of mysteries and romance, both in modern as well as historic settings. She also enjoys non-fiction, thrillers, paranormal romance but her passion is books for kids and teens. She reads to her two children nightly so has a wide knowledge in books for boys and for girls.
Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris As with all of Harris’ books each installment has an interesting mystery but what adds to this series is the ongoing drama as southern, telepathic, waitress Sookie Stackhouse becomes embroiled in complicated vampire politics, werewolf hierarchies and a world of ‘otherness’ she never imagined.
John Sandford -Kidd Series These techno thrillers center on Kidd, a Vietnam vet turned computer super-hacker, and his sometime girl friend Lu Ellen, herself a cat-burglar. While living outside the law themselves, the pair manages to dispense their own brand of justice to greedy corporate tycoons and corrupt government officials.
Yellow Rose Mysteries by Leann Sweeney Thirty-year-old Abby Rose finds herself at loose ends at the beginning of this enjoyable series. Following the death of her adoptive father she and her psychiatrist twin have inherited a fortune and a computer company, which runs itself. In the first installment Abby’s gardener is murdered and she discovers he was not who he claimed to be and had ties to what she discovers was her illegal adoption. The result of solving this crime is Abby becoming a private investigator specializing in adoption.
Each entry in this charming cozy series has gotten better and better with Abby’s skills improving as she grows in her newfound profession. The mysteries are well written and full of plot twists, the main characters are likable yet not perfect, everything you could want to pass a pleasant afternoon with a bit of murder.
Carola Dunn Mysteries This charming cozy series features the Honorable Daisy Dalrymple and Chief Inspector Alec Fletcher in post WWII England. Daisy has done the unthinkable and gotten a job to support herself rather than live off her family or simply marry well. With a well-placed sense of justice Daisy manages to stumble from one murder scene to another, typically with Alec not far behind. Although not every mystery is particularly complex or hard to solve, the on-going development of the main and supporting characters is what really makes this series enjoyable.
Dark-Hunter Series by Sherrilyn Kenyon Today each installment in this series has reached the heights of numerous bestseller lists though for years it was considered by publishers too different to be marketable. Kenyon has created an unforgettable world of good vs. evil, where vampires and were-animals walk the streets and the gods of Olympusstill play games with mankind, though most mortals don’t even know it.
The Dark-Hunters are the ‘vampire’ warriors of the goddess Artemis who approaches those she deems worthy who have been killed by acts of treachery or betrayal, the goddess allows them vengeance on the betrayer in exchange for an eternity of protecting mankind from the evil descendants of her brother Apollo, the Daimon who feed on the souls of mortals. Each installment is a self-contained story of one of the characters finding their soul mate and struggling to find redemption. Every book moves the larger story forward and each one could almost be a teaser for the next thrilling plot. I strongly recommend reading them in order. The stories are full of action, romance, sex and strong willed characters and each will keep you glued to the pages until the end.
Aisling Gray, Guardian series by Katie MacAlister As with all of MacAlister’s books humor runs rampant throughout this paranormal romance/mystery series. Aisling, who was looking for any job learns much to her surprise that she is a ‘Guardian’ or keeper of the gates of hell, as well as a Dragon’s mate. Needless to say she has a lot to learn and lots of people and things who want to help or hinder her progress.
These stories are full of interesting characters including Dragons, demons, witches and imps. Almost no one is who they first appear to be and Aisling regularly makes a mess of what she is trying to do, though her tenacity is admirable. The most enjoyable character is Jim, Aisling’s pet demon who has taken the form of talking Newfoundland dog with a deeply sarcastic sense of humor.
Chocoholic Mysteries by JoAnna Carl Former beauty queen Lee McKinny, has divorced her super rich Texas husband and retuned home to Warner Pier, Michigan, a tourist town where her much loved Aunt Netti owns a thriving Chocolate shop. Things are going as well as can be expected until an unpleasant citizen drops dead from a cyanide laced chocolate. It falls to Lee to figure out who done it before she and Aunt Nettie end up in hot water.
The mysteries are light but entertaining and the characters are enjoyable, including the stern Aunt Nettie, the amusing ladies who work in the chocolate shop, and Joe Woodyard Lee’s high school crush, who turns out to be the series love interest. Plus its about chocolate how can that be wrong.
If you enjoy JoAnna Carl try: Sammi Carter, Joanne Fluke, Laura Childs, Diane Mott Davidson or Joanne Pence.
Novels of the Nightside by Simon R. Green Welcome to the Nightside where it is always 3 am and humans, creatures and otherworldly gods walk side by side. John Taylor is a detective who can find anything, literally. Yet his gift is one of the reasons he fled the Nightside five years ago and one of the reasons even gods fear his name. Follow him back into this unforgiving world where any thing can be bought and time, space, even death are not necessarily what you expect. Green creates a rich blend of noir mystery and urban fantasy that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Ophelia and Abby Mysteries by Shirley Damsgaard Reluctant psychic Liberian Ophelia has moved home to live near her grandmother Abby who is a psychic and a witch. Suffering from a painful event in her past Ohelia has cut herself off from most people and while she tries to ignore her ‘gifts’ she comes to realize she has little choice in the matter. The mysteries are somewhat darker than most cozies but they are well thought out and complex. As Ophelia opens up to new people she makes a number of friends and the townspeople weave in and out of the stories adding a great texture to each novel.
If you like Shirley Damsgaard try: Madalyn Alt, Charlaine Harris or Tate Hallaway
Young Family Series by Kathy Love The world of vampires has never been more fun. Three brooding brothers each meet their match in these delightful contemporary stories. Fangs for the Memories centers on Rhys the middle brother who loses his memory and believes himself a 19th century aristocrat with no recollection of being a vampire. Fangs but No Fangs finds youngest brother Christian in a self-imposed exile in a West Virginia trailer park. In I Only have Fangs for you eldest brother Sebastian, nightclub owner and ladies man, meets a female vampire trying to save the world, mainly from him.
The stories have their poignant moments as each is about love and redemption but there are many, many funny scenes.
Murder a-Go-Go Mysteries by Rosemary Martin This is a great cozy- recalling oh so many fads of the 60’s. The clothes, the music, and the groovy lingo combine to offer a pleasant trip down memory lane. The mysteries are fun and not too predictable and the characters are a joy to get to know.
It’s the early 1960’s and hip young Bebe Bennett is fresh off her flight into New York City when she stumbles over the first of several bodies. Bebe is sweet, charming and very naive but she doesn’t let that stop her. With her flight attendant roommate, a kindly police detective and a dreamy boss, she finds her life in the city a bigger adventure than she expected.
Rosemary Martin is also Rosemary Stevens
Blackbird Sisters Mysteries by Nancy Martin When high society debutant Nora Blackbird’s parents head to sunnier beaches to avoid the tax collector she and her sisters find themselves out of funds and out of luck, Nora the most sensible of the sisters ends up as the society columnist for a Philadelphia newspaper. Her new career, her flightily sisters and her maybe mobster boyfriend keep Nora on her toes and her life overflowing with mysteries. Full of quirky characters a bit of romance and light mystery, the Blackbird Sisters are a great diversion any cozy lover will enjoy.
Lady Victoria Georgiana Charlotte Eugenie Mysteries by Rhys Bowen It’s 1930 and Lady Victoria Georgiana…., Georgie to her friends, finds herself 34th in line to the British throne a position that does not come with a paycheck. Determined to make her own way and with her allowance cut off, Georgie in disguise starts her own cleaning service. However at the urging of the Queen, a suggestion one does not ignore, she finds herself playing detective. Things get worse when her own brother is accused of murder and Georgie seems to be the only one who can find out the truth. The mystery is good and the setting/period very interesting this looks to be a wonderful new series.
Rhys Bowen is also the author of the Constable Evans and Molly Murphy Mysteries.
Agatha Raisin Mysteries by M.C. Beaton I love Agatha Raisin, she is brash, out spoken and used to getting her way. Retiring early and selling her successful PR firm, Agatha has taken up residence in the village of Carsely. Village life is not exactly what she expected but, just before she is driven out of her mind with boredom, the bodies start to fall. Along with her neighbor and love interest, James Lacey, as well as local police detective, Bill Wong, Agatha finds herself more than up to the challenge of solving one murder after the other. This is a great British cozy showing village life’s ups and downs and allowing middle-aged Agatha a chance at a second career and maybe a second or third man in her life.
Vintage Magic Mysteries by Annette Blair Annette Blair author of the Kitchen Witch (Melody Seabright) series has added mystery to her repertoire and it is wonderful. Madeira Cutler and her quirky Mystic Connecticut family are a delight. Maddie is a clothing designer with a passion for vintage and a desire to get out of the New York rat race. Home for her sister’s engagement the family finds itself at the center of a murder investigation when a rival for her sisters’ fiancé is found dead in the Cutler family house. Out to prove her sisters innocence Maddie discovers an unusual talent for seeing the past in vintage clothing.
As with Blair’s other works she shines at character development and the dropping of little hints along the way, though the mystery wraps up fairly quickly the introduction to this wonderful eclectic cast of characters has me looking forward to a long series with lots of wonderful clothes.
Fans of magical mysteries should also try, Victoria Laurie, Shirley Damsgaard and Madelyn Alt.
Hanna Swensen Mysteries by Joanne Fluke Another great culinary mystery series to curl up with. Cookie shop owner Hannah Swenson and her close knit family live in Lake Eden, Minnesota which seems to have more that its fair share of murders but that is half the fun. Between running her cookie-only shop, dodging her mother's attempts to get her married before she becomes and old maid, Hanna manages to get herself involved in various investigations that crop up all over town. These are light, enjoyable cozies that will while away a few hours and don’t miss the wonderful recipes in every book.
If you like Joanne Fluke try, JoAnna Carl, Diane Mott Davidson, Carolyn Hart, Cleo Coyle, Kate Collins, Leann Sweeney
Beaufort & Company Mysteries by Mary Stanton A terrific southern cozy with a paranormal twist gets off to a great start with Defending Angles. Upon her the death of her uncle, Bree Beaufort inherits his legal practice in Savanna but there is a great deal more to his practice than first meets the eye. She finds temporary office space in an old house that lays in the middle of the countries only Murderers Only Cemetery and that it not the most unusual thing about her new space.
First Bree hears a message being recorded on her new cell phone, the caller is Benjamin Skinner, Savanna tycoon, who was murdered hours before he placed the call, then she gets a staff all of whom aren’t exactly what they seem. Bree’s former law professor reveals that the departed get only one call from wherever they are but not only must Bree help find Skinners murderer but she must defend him in the Highest Court against one of the seven felonies GREED.
Mary Stanton is also Claudia Bishop.
More mysteries with a twist: Victoria Laurie, Shirley Damsgaard, Madelyn Alt, Casey Daniels, Terri Garey or Charlaine Harris.
Corpse Pose, Mantra for Murder Book 1 by Diana Killian A real winner of a cozy, when AJ Alexander, learns her favorite aunt has been murdered and that she is the sole beneficiary to Aunt Di's multi-million dollar yoga empire she is devastated and the arrival of her scatterbrained mother does not help matters. AJ inherits a lot of problems, from difficult staff, her wayward actress mother, to being prime suspect in the murder and a host of unusual suspects who may be after her and the business as well. The characters are very well developed and enjoyable, the mystery will keep you guessing and looking forward to the next installment.
Diana Killian is also the author of the Poetic Death Mysteries Series.
Mr. & Mrs. Darcy Mysteries by Carrie A. Bebris What fun, Jane Austen’s characters get a lively retelling by Bebris in this great cozy series. Settling into married life the Darcy’s find themselves drawn into a series of adventures dealing in murder, kidnapping and a bit of the supernatural. Elizabeth finds little trouble accepting that there may be more than meets the eye as things become increasingly eerie while Darcy attempts to stay firmly in the realm he considers reality. It is the light romantic banter intermixed with intrigue that keeps you reading and smiling thought these gothic mysteries. Bebris also brings in a number of Austen’s other creations from various novels so you feel as if you are catching up with everyone.
The Two Mrs. Grenvilles by Dominick
I love this book. It is the perfect blend of gossip high society, scandalous crime and dramatic love. While the story is based on an actual NY Society murder from the 1950’s a great deal of liberty was taken with the details. Delving into the lives of the two most important women in Billy Grenvilles’ life his social climbing, showgirl wife and his society Grand Dame mother, there is nonstop drama though out. The Grenvilles marriage is rocky from the start and escalates to a killing that may or may not have been an accident. It is this titillating event that bonds the two Mrs. Grenvilles for life. If you are seeking a fun yet mindless diversion you cannot do better than this.
Death on Demand by Carolyn G. Hart Nine time Agatha Award Nominee and 3-time winner.
As an avid mystery reader I really enjoyed all of the references to classic mystery writers and their famous characters and styles. With 17 Death on Demand titles to date and 7 Henrie O, novels plus nearly 2 dozen stand alones, Ms. Hart is well on to being a classic herself.
The series features Annie Laurance, owner of a small mystery bookstore on a tiny island in South Carolina. During a meeting of the Sunday Night Regulars, Annie’s mystery writers gathering, one of the writers is murdered. The victim had incriminating information on each of the attendees and was on the verge of divulging all their secrets, however suspicion suddenly falls on Annie. With a narrow-minded police chief on her tail, Annie and her boyfriend Max must solve the murder before she ends up in jail.
Crime of Fashion Mysteries by Ellen Byerrum Serious journalist Lacey Smithsonian, finds out that in Washington DC even covering fashion can be murder. Byerrum makes excellent use of the capital and all its intrigues while keeping each story cleverly tied to fashion. Lacey is an endearing character and the supporting characters are delightful and laugh out loud funny. Add to this the interjection of Lacey’s hysterical fashion columns and you have a truly fun read.
If you like Ellen Byerrym try: Kate Collins, Cleo Coyle, Nancy Martin or Leann Sweeney
Ophelia and Abby Mysteries by Shirley Damsgaard Reluctant psychic Liberian Ophelia has moved home to live near her grandmother Abby who is a psychic and a witch. Suffering from a painful event in her past Ohelia has cut herself off from most people and while she tries to ignore her ‘gifts’ she comes to realize she has little choice in the matter. The mysteries are somewhat darker than most cozies but they are well thought out and complex. As Ophelia opens up to new people she makes a number of friends and the townspeople weave in and out of the stories adding a great texture to each novel.
If you like Shirley Damsgaard try: Madalyn Alt, Charlaine Harris or Tate Hallaway
