For as long as I can remember, I have loved a good mystery. As a small child I devoured the Cam Jansen series about a young sleuth with a photographic memory, before eventually transitioning to Nancy Drew. I had stacks of those beloved yellow-covered Nancy Drew books and would stay up late, hiding under the blankets with a flashlight, to figure out whodunnit. I then turned to Sherlock Holmes, and as a pre-teen was reading Mary Higgins Clark novels. Of course, I also consumed lots of other mystery media as a child of the 80s and 90s from Scooby Doo to Murder, She Wrote to Columbo. Now shows like Ludwig, Death in Paradise, and Father Brown fill my to-be-watched lists.
Despite this lifelong love of mysteries, it somehow didn’t occur to me to write one until just a few years ago. Before then, I had written a lot of speculative short fiction and poetry, often focused on nature, another love of mine. Perhaps I was intimidated by the daunting task of leaving a trail of breadcrumbs for someone else. Or perhaps it was simply I had never written a novel – the sheer length of the medium overwhelming me. But after reading a few cozy mysteries for fun, my mind followed the path out of the woods, and I started plotting. So many cozies are about crafting or knitting (something I also do for fun), but there didn’t seem to be many about my other favorite hobby: board games.
In addition to the stacks of books that fill my house, there are also piles of board games. I am not a very social person (which is to say I am a major introvert). But I do enjoy sitting around a table with a few close friends and playing a game. This is probably because, ultimately, I love a puzzle. I love figuring stuff out. Whether it’s the mystery of the hidden staircase ala Nancy Drew, or which action I should take on my next turn, I enjoy mulling over all the possibilities and coming up with a solution to try out (“Colonel Mustard in the Library with the Wrench!”). Now that I think about it, this is probably why I also liked Chemistry in high school and was on the Science Olympiad team…did I mention I was a big nerd, or had you already figured that out?
If you also like the occasional board game or other nerdy hobbies, then my new cozy mystery, Player Elimination, might be a good fit for you. Wren Winters and her friends love to get together on a Thursday evening to catch up on each others’ lives and play games. Whether it’s a complex strategy game, a zany party game, or a cooperative story-telling game, Wren and the others know there’s something out there for everyone to enjoy. How about you? Is it Scrabble with your razor-sharp grandma who always triple-word scores, or Ticket to Ride with the kids, or Mahjong with your besties? What do you like to play on a cozy game night?
About the Author
Shelly Jones is a professor by trade and a nerd by design. Woefully introverted, their pockets are full of post-it notes and their head is full of (unsaid) witty come-backs and un-won arguments from years past. When they aren’t grading papers or writing new cozy mysteries, Shelly can often be found hiking in the woods or playing a board game while their cats look on.
My sister and I grew up hearing our fun-loving mom say ‘We’re having an adventure’ anytime best laid plans went awry. It was her way to spin a wrong turn into an enjoyable side trip. I began writing A BRUSH WITH MURDER knowing it’d be a high stakes sailing regatta story. Amidst the turmoil of the Shepherd sisters’ race to save their father, I realized that the three sisters were just different versions of me and my sister.
When I was eight, around Mollie’s age, my veteran-Marine-turned-high-school teacher dad became a sailor. He bought a used red sixteen-foot sailboat and named it Tomato Sloop. After building his captain skills and confidence, he slowly traded up until his final sailboat, a thirty-something-foot yacht named Snowbird. When he was sailing or racing in regattas on one of the Great Lakes, he was home.
One day, when we were still sailing on little Tomato Sloop, we encountered a storm while out on the water. The sky suddenly went dark, wind kicking up and tossing us into growing waves while we were pelted with small hailstones mixed into the rain. My mom’s words, “Don’t worry; we’re having an adventure,’ almost convinced me and my sister that all would be okay. But in a flash of lightning and clap of thunder, the sidestay keeping the tall mast upright snapped, the metal cable smacking against the rigging. The boat listed to one side from the weight of the partially untethered mast. The mainsail flapped and cracked in the wind, heavy lines and metal grommets whipping about. My sister and I scrambled to the high side of the cockpit and watched water pour over the railing into the boat. The top of the mast kissed the choppy, churning water. One of us screamed.
Somehow, my dad got control of the mainsail, tightening it and the boom and pulling the keeling boat back from the tipping point just long enough to sail aground onto a peninsula, bringing us to safety.
‘Don’t worry; we’re having an adventure,’ was a pretty effective way to tamp down any anxiety or fear in unpredictable situations. It usually worked. But that day on the boat, amid the chaos making eight-year-old me imagine I might die of drowning in a shipwreck, it was my dad’s calm that kept me from completely losing it. I’m sure he was scared. But he ordered us to the high side, checked our life jackets were tight and our white-knuckled fists grasped the deck railing and got us to safety. As a kid, I remember thinking the boat didn’t capsize because he refused to let it. I didn’t know the mast was still somewhat secured by the forestay and shrouds on the opposite side. My mother’s sunny point of view gave me the option to see a catastrophe as a quest. My dad’s quiet strength gave me the courage to embark on the journey.
Savanna Shepherd and her sisters never shy away from adventure—even when that adventure is disguised as a daunting or dangerous mission. I am certain their mother Charlotte has uttered those same words to them—‘Don’t worry; we’re having an adventure!’
About the author
Tracy Gardner is an Edgar Award nominated author of two cozy mystery series, one recent novel earning a spot on New York Public Library’s Best 100 Books list. Tracy also writes book club fiction with heart and grit under pen name Jess Sinclair. A Detroit native with one foot in the sand of Florida’s Gulf Coast, Tracy is a mother of three, the daughter of two teachers, and works as a nurse when not writing. She lives with her husband and a menagerie of spoiled rescue dogs and cats who inspire every fictional pet she writes.
At the end of Old Habits Die Hard, there were two vacancies to be filled at The Abbey: Senior Living. To recap, The Abbey is a former Catholic parish and school converted to senior apartments and 120 and 218 have new tenants at the start of Dropped Like a Bad Habit. Considerably bigger than the average apartments, 218 was a science lab, 120 a music classroom, very desirable real estate for everyone, but Meadow Jackson, The Abbey’s building manager, has a strict policy of No Apartment Swaps. To quote everyone’s Kindergarten teacher, You get what you get and you don’t throw a fit. Vacancies go to a newcomer, otherwise people would be forever moving and Meadow would never get the empty apartments filled with all the petty politics, right?
Allow me to introduce you to Natalie “Call me Nat” Williams and Dell King.
Ladies, first. Nat’s a recent widow, her daddy owned a car dealership that she and her late husband expanded into several locations. She’s rich and a bit of a …snot. Her apartment is decorated with a nautical theme and Nat prefers wearing cashmere to polyester, and she name- drops at every opportunity because she likes to remind everyone where she comes from (which makes Bernie wonder, What’s somebody as well-connected as Nat doing HERE?).
Nat immediately becomes a thorn in Sister Bernadette Ohlson’s side because as the self- appointed leader of The Abbey, Bernie likes to run the show. The trouble is, Nat doesn’t take advice or direction well from others, she’s used to being the Queen B. In Dropped Like a Bad Habit the tension between Bernie and Nat builds. Nat’s also a one-upper. If Rin mentions how her granddaughter recently mastered Beethoven’s Sonatina in G major, Nat will pipe up that her granddaughter performed Beethoven’s Sonata no. 25 in G major, op. 79 1 Presto alla tedesca at a concert. If Elena shows off a Quinceañera dress she finished sewing for a client, Nat will inform everyone that her daughter wore a vintage Oscar de la Renta gown to her prom, and do you know how difficult it is to find a seamstress skilled enough to make alterations on a custom piece like that? Bernie constantly grinds her teeth while ginning up ways to put Nat in her place.
Meanwhile, Dell’s the talk of the building. The attractive older gentleman gets everyone’s attention simply by showing up. All the women want him (except for Bernie, of course, since she’s married to God) and all the men want to be him—or at least be his friend. Dell’s tall, athletically built, and polite. Dell’s also private. He graciously accepts all baked goods and declines all invitations to dinner, much to Elaina, Nat, and Rin’s chagrin. He also leaves The Abbey every day, sometimes overnight… No one knows where he goes, but Phil Thomas and Leo Tanaka suspect it might have something to do with his enviably thick head of grey hair. It’s got to be hair plugs! The women are quick to object, though, pointing out the fact that Dell’s usually carrying a tennis racket, golf clubs, or a duffle bag when he leaves. He’s obsessed with exercise!
Dell quickly bonded with Cliff Warneke of all people! They’re regularly hanging out in the common area watching the Trail Blazers. Bernie’s suspicious of anyone who isn’t local, and he doesn’t seem to value community the way the rest of her neighbors at The Abbey do. Will Dell earn her trust, or remain a fishy outsider?
Melissa Westemeier grew up around the edge of nerd culture, but marriage and motherhood with three sons immersed her in it. She’s fluent in Marvel, DC, Dr. Who, Star Wars, Godzilla, and more thanks to their influence. Her fiction work includes rom-com and a trilogy loosely based on her experience tending bar on the Wolf River in Wisconsin. She’s thrilled to realize her childhood dream of writing murder mysteries. Her books blend her humor and appreciation for nerd culture while tackling serious themes and unpacking the puzzle of whodunnit (and how and why!). In her spare time, Melissa needs to be outside or near a window. Her passions include hiking, swimming, biking, reading, and fantasizing about her next vacation destination.
Hi, cozy reader friends! This is DeAnna Drake, author of the Purr-fect Relic Cozy Mysteries, and I’m thrilled to be celebrating the newest book in the series—Blackmail and Kitty Tails!
The confetti’s flying all over my writing room, the celebratory tea is steeping, and Aneksi… well, she’s napping in a cozy corner after graciously allowing me to take center stage today. (She says she’s already famous enough, thank you very much.)
Since this is the fifth book in the Purr-fect Relic Cozy Mystery series, I thought it was the purr-fect time to answer a question I get a lot:
Why a talking cat? Or, more specifically… Why Aneksi?
The short answer: because cozy mysteries are so much more fun with a little magic and a lot of whiskers.
But the long answer? Let’s dig into it, shall we?
She’s More Than a Sidekick
Aneksi isn’t just there to add charm (though she has that in abundance). She’s a confidante, a protector, and a centuries-old magical being with a surprising amount of wisdom—and sass. She challenges Rebecca when she’s too impulsive, comforts her when the world feels too heavy, and sometimes topples over a statue or two just to keep things interesting.
Let’s be honest: Rebecca couldn’t solve these crimes on her own. She needs Aneksi’s help.
She Sees What Others Don’t
Aneksi has the uncanny ability to sniff out secrets—literal and metaphorical. She notices suspicious behavior, senses cursed artifacts, and has a sixth sense about danger. Plus, her low- to-the-ground perspective means she’s always finding things hidden in shadows, under tables, or inside unsuspecting tote bags.
When you’re hunting down a murderer armed with a cursed Egyptian dagger, having a clever cat at your side isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.
She Keeps the Tone Light (Even When the Stakes Are Deadly)
Cozies are all about balance. There’s murder, sure—but there’s also humor, heart, and the comfort of a community that rallies around its own. Aneksi is my favorite way to inject levity into even the tensest scenes. Whether she’s curling up in an ancient sarcophagus or hypnotizing someone into spilling a secret, she keeps things delightfully off-kilter.
She also has a gift for saying what the rest of us are thinking—and with more cattitude.
She’s a Link to the Past—and the Future
Aneksi’s magical roots stretch all the way back to Cleopatra’s court, and while that might sound like ancient history, it means she carries a unique knowledge of the world that helps Rebecca understand the cursed artifacts they face. But she’s not stuck in the past. She’s adjusting to small-town California life just fine—thank you very much—and if she has to help solve a murder or two to protect her new home, so be it.
So, why talking cats?
Because they remind us that friendship can come in unexpected forms. Because they say what we sometimes can’t. And because they make solving crimes a whole lot cozier.
If you haven’t met Aneksi yet, now’s the perfect time. Blackmail and Kitty Tails is out today, and I can’t wait for you to dive into this glitzy, twisty, claw-sharpened mystery.
Don’t miss my Publication Celebration with 6 days of special bonus content giveaways for subscribers. Not a subscriber yet? Join the fun here: https://DeAnnaDrake.com/join
With cozy vibes and purring gratitude, DeAnna
About the Author
DeAnna Drake is an award-winning author who writes witty and whimsical cozy mysteries filled with magical animals and feisty heroines who are always striving to balance the scales of justice in an offbeat world.
Under different names, DeAnna writes young-adult fantasy fiction, contemporary romances, and historical novels set in the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
When she isn’t plotting new adventures for her characters, she’s a craft addict, drinks too much tea, binge watches crime dramas, and escapes to Disneyland whenever she can.
She lives in Southern California with her family, which includes her two favorite people and one ridiculously pampered border collie. Learn more at https://DeAnnaDrake.com.
Engagement rings are much more than shiny jewels; they are symbols of love, commitment, and sometimes, unexpected adventure. In “Vanilla & Vendettas,” amateur sleuth and baker Ava Decker learns this all too well when a diamond ring meant to be a sweet surprise takes center stage in a cupcake caper. Join us as we delve into some of the most bizarre and entertaining places engagement rings have been found: both in real life and fiction.
Lost & Found: Bizarre Places Engagement Rings Have Turned Up 💍🔍
Engagement ring mishaps are more common than you might think.
The Fishy Find 🐟: A fisherman off the coast of Florida reeled in more than just his catch of the day. Inside the belly of a large fish was a long-lost engagement ring. The fisherman’s catch was another couple’s treasure rediscovered!
The Rattling Ride 🚗: After months of an unexplained rattle in her car, one woman finally took the vehicle to a mechanic. Upon inspection, the source of the noise was revealed, a diamond ring her husband had hidden to propose and accidentally dropped behind a panel.
Garden of Glee 🌼: After frantically searching her entire backyard, a gardener finally unearthed her engagement ring while planting new flowers, nearly five years after it had slipped off during a weekend project.
The Emotional Rollercoaster 🎢
Whether hidden in a pie or stashed away in a toolbox, the journey of a missing engagement ring can be an emotional rollercoaster. From panic and worry to relief and humor, these stories transform simple pieces of jewelry into epic adventures.
Conclusion 🔮
In “Vanilla & Vendettas,” Ava finds herself caught up in the whirlwind of tracking down a missing engagement ring, proving that even the sweetest plans can go awry. These tales remind us that while rings may wander, their stories often become some of the most memorable chapters in our lives.
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About the author
Lisa Siefert is a USA Today Bestselling Mystery Author who writes humorous cozy mysteries. She dedicates all of her free time to testing out different latte flavors at every coffee shop she comes across and has never once skimped on dessert because life is too short not to. She lives in San Diego with Lucky, her own devious but adorable Abyssinian kitten. She excels at recounting every Hallmark Movie plot ever conceived and can also whip up a mean batch of mint chocolate chip ice cream.
Her books feature amateur women sleuths that always believe in silver linings despite all of the murderous clouds surrounding them. Be sure to check out her website: www.lisasiefert.com.
Hi, friend! I hope you had a great weekend. I also want to thank you for stopping by to join in the celebration of the release of Dead in the Ditch, the latest book in my Elmo Simpson Mysteries series.
Isn’t that a fun cover? I love it.
Anyway, you may be wondering why this post is titled The Magic Number. It’s because Dead in the Ditch is the third book in the series. That got me thinking about the number three.
I grew up in the seventies and spent my Saturday mornings watching Saturday morning cartoons. That included the School House Rock videos, one of which was called “Three Is a Magic Number”. If you haven’t seen it before, or haven’t seen it in a while, go check it out here and enjoy the trip back in time.
Well, that got me thinking about other things related to the number three. So, let’s chat about some of them.
How about the third book in a series? There are some great ones. “Voyage of the Dawn Treader” is the third book in the Chronicles of Narnia, a series I first read as a kid. For my money, Voyage is the best book in the series.
The third Hercule Poirot novel by the legendary Agatha Christie is none other than “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd”. I think it’s an incredible story. And it happens to be her greatest novel, according to a lot of Christie experts and fans.
Let’s move to music. The third album by U2, my longtime favorite band, is “War”. Featuring the singles “Sunday, Bloody, Sunday” and “New Year’s Day” it’s the album that broke the band into worldwide fame. I think it stands among the band’s finest works.
Other great threes? Baseball legend Babe Ruth wore number three. The Magi, otherwise known as The Three Wise Men, those of the Christian faith may have heard of them. For fans of action adventure, there’s the crime-solving trio “Charlie’s Angels” from both the small screen and big screen.
We can’t forget Snap, Crackle, and Pop. Rice Krispies aren’t Rice Krispies without that fun trio. The younger crowd is represented by The Powerpuff Girls—Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup. My kids loved watching that show when they were young.
Will Dead in the Ditch ever rise to the level of a memorable number 3? Only time will tell. One thing is for sure, though. I had a lot of fun writing it and I hope you have fun reading it.
How about you? Are there any favorite threes or trios you think deserve mention? Tell me about them. After all, three is the magic number and we can all use some magic in our lives. Until next time, bubbles up!
About the author
J.C. Kenney is the Agatha Award Nominated and bestselling author of mysteries full of oddball characters in unusual settings. “Panic In the Panhandle,” book 1 of his Elmo Simpson Mysteries series, was named one of the Ten Best Cozy Mysteries of 2024. He’s also the co-host of The Bookish Hour and A Bookish Moment webcasts. When he’s not writing, you can find him following IndyCar racing or listening to music. He has two grown children and lives in Indianapolis with his wife and a cat. You can find him at https://www.jckenney.com/.
