Reviewed by Bernadette Longu for Readers' Favorite

The Itch of Murder by Christa Nardi is a fast-moving murder mystery that is solved by ordinary everyday people. It captures the reader's attention from the opening chapter right to the last one, which leaves the reader wanting more stories about the Di Sante family. It is written in such a way that will make the reader look forward to the next book as the twist in the tale at the end is very interesting and unusual. The characters lead the reader through the story with the ease of people very familiar with the world of solving murders. The main characters are Chloe and Izzie Di Sante and they are surrounded by friends and family, and victims – Chance Corcoran, Henry Jacobs, Kathleen Lucci, Evan Wheeling, Heather, Patrick Channin, Ryan, and many more. They are all part of this fast-moving story.

The author, Christa Nardi, makes good use of her characters and sets the pace of the story, allowing them to guide the reader through the many twists and turns and unexpected happenings in the most normal manner as if it is part of everyday life. Each character has their place in the story and is used to their fullest extent which makes the reader wonder about their lives as well. I found The Itch of Murder: An Izzie Di Sante Mystery to be a very light but delightful read and really enjoyed it. It is a book well worth reading. Thank you for an interesting and unexpected story, Christa; a very good read.

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Vessels of Wrath is a gripping sleuth mystery set in the fictional town of Split Tree, Arkansas. It's the early 1960s. Police Chief Raymond "Big Ray" Elmore has enough doubts to convince himself that Ring Johnson committed suicide by blowing off his head with a gun. Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, Ray, alongside his deputy Ricky Forrest, follows the clues that point to something deeper beneath the surface. Meanwhile, a dangerous man named Gilbert Gervais has recently broken out of Tucker Prison and is suspected to be coming after the head of the town council, Carl Trimble. Carl is an abrasive man who maneuvers a DOJ investigation against Ray, leading to his temporary suspension. Carrying the sins of his past himself, will Ray be able to catch the killer before more people get hurt?

With a character-driven narrative and a plot as unpredictable as it is absorbing, Thomas Holland delivers a timeless sleuth mystery yarn for the ages. Holland maintains an even pace with the narrative, keeping your eyes glued to the pages with a plot full of well-placed curveballs to keep you guessing. But it is the characters who steal the show. Holland's characters are grounded, and when placed in a realistic setting like the town of Split Tree, the stakes feel real, and you will find it hard to put the book down even for a moment. Ray is someone with gravitas, and his relationships with the inhabitants of Split Tree create conflict and drama that is delicious to consume. Overall, Vessels of Wrath is a stellar installment from the Big Ray Elmore series.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Bowled Over Americano by Carolyn Arnold revolves around detective and author Sara Cain, who faces writer's block while working on her murder mystery novel until a stray beagle named Magnum leads her to the murder of his owner. Sara takes care of Magnum while investigating the case with her partner, Sean, and together they begin to peel back a series of linked mysteries, including a murder involving bowler Cliff Cunningham and a highly suspect woman he was speaking to before his death. Sean has his own personal grief to work through and is drawn closer to Sara. Undeterred, the pair goes undercover as a couple from Texas to investigate Cliff's past and dig up leads. As they progress and start to make some headway, Sara advocates for more control over the cases, Sean is overwhelmed by an unexpected legal document, and both confront emotional shake-ups while working to uncover the truth and deliver justice to those involved.

In her novel Bowled Over Americano, author Carolyn Arnold taught me two very important things: bowlers know a lot of super dodgy women, and fake beards exist off film sets. I also learned that Arnold is a crackerjack of a writer. The book has several things going for it that make it a really well-balanced cozy mystery, and the standout is Arnold's ability to develop really good characters. Sara is struggling somewhat professionally but it's clear she has the tenacity to push through because, as we find out, this is a woman who does not give up. She is imperfect and that tenacity to push through is sometimes just plain pushy, but that's Sara, and we like her because Arnold got us there comfortably. Sean is lifted up several times by Sara and it ultimately pays off. We'll leave it at that. Overall, this is the perfect book for a beach weekend or a couple of nights on the sofa. I look forward to seeing what Arnold gives us next in the Sara and Sean Cozy Mystery Series. Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

The Islamorada Murders is the tenth novel in the Joey Mancuso, Father O'Brian Crime Mystery series by Owen Parr. Investigators Joey and Marcy Mancuso were on a well-deserved vacation at Islamorada, Florida Keys, when something strange transpired. A weirdly dressed man came up to them and asked them to do something baffling - he wanted Joey and Marcy to investigate his murder. This strange yet intriguing case was enough to lure them in. However, things became terrifying when people went missing or were found murdered. The turning point occurred when bodies started appearing. Their stranger was considered the prime suspect. What were Joey and Marcy going to do without their team? Getting help from the local police and detectives was all very well, but was this case too complicated for the detective duo?

I love this series! Owen Parr makes that sure each of the novels in the series is entertaining and stands out. The Islamorada Murders are intriguing from the very first chapter. From the moment the stranger was introduced in his suspicious clothing, I knew he was either bad news or the man of the hour. I loved the cohesive yet very persuasive way Marcy and Joey handled this case. They were out of their element, but they worked well as a team. I loved the pace and the dialogues, and Joey’s dry sense of humor was the highlight of the series for me. The mystery behind the murders was fantastic and handled remarkably well. I was invested and didn’t want to stop. The banter between Tico and Jote was hilarious yet their teamwork was outstanding. Once again, a job well done!

Reviewed by Bil Howard for Readers' Favorite

The fourth novel in the Myrtle Beach Mystery series, Death on the Causeway moves forward with the life of Clark Thomas, a widower, author, bookstore owner, and solver of murder mysteries. Clark gets pulled into solving a mystery when he stops to help out an attractive young girl stranded far from Louisiana. Shelly had been abandoned at a coffee shop on the 501 in Conway by her boyfriend, Brian. The two were food bloggers who had traveled the country reviewing various restaurants, making their final stop in Myrtle Beach before returning to Louisiana and a life together in the corporate world. Following a series of leads, Clark and Shelly do their best to track down Brian, hoping to find the answers to why he left her behind, but there is a lot more to the story than Clark could have imagined when he stopped to help the stranded girl. Once again, Clark puts his life in danger and has another murder to solve as he unravels several combined mysteries.

Caleb Wygal hits another out-of-the-park novel with Death on the Causeway. Whether new to the series or stepping in for the first time, you’ll be hooked. Clark’s troubled vulnerability and kindness drew me in immediately. I wanted him to have answers to his wife’s death and yearned for him to hook up with Gina Gomez, a steadfast heroine throughout the series. Even Shelly’s innocence had me hoping she’d get the answers she sought, which plays right into the sinister plot of a murder mystery that will keep you guessing from start to finish. Captivating, intriguing, and brilliantly laid out, Death on the Causeway is teeming with the intensity that mystery readers thrive on.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Mystic Pieces by Ada Bell is the first book in the Shady Grove Psychic Mystery series. Aly has several responsibilities including helping take care of her nephew, being the emotional support for her brother who recently lost his wife, and preparing for college classes to start. Now on top of all that, she has a job that lands her with even more responsibility than she is prepared for; working at an antique store and helping her eccentric new boss Olive. On the upside, Aly finds herself drawn to her boss's handsome son. As if she doesn't have enough on her plate, Aly discovers she has psychic visions, but she couldn't possibly be actually psychic. Could she? Then one of their customers at the store is found dead and the police think Olive is the one behind it. Aly must use her newly discovered abilities to prove her boss's innocence and catch a killer.

Ada Bell delivers a tangled mystery seen through the complex character of Aly who must find a balance between her roles as an aunt, a sister, a student, an employee, and now a psychic sleuth. The antique shop gives her a new opportunity and her strange boss Olive quickly becomes her mentor as she navigates this new stage in her life. The new job creates a catalyst for her psychic abilities just as the death connected to her boss is what pushes her into solving the murder herself. She's drawn into the role of a sleuth to prove her boss is innocent and it doesn't hurt that her boss's handsome son asks her for help. Olive's son has immediate chemistry with Aly which adds a flirty component to the story and to the lighthearted quality of the tone. The mystery falls into the cozy genre with the amateur sleuth, the light tone, and charm with Bell weaving the genre with a paranormal element. As Aly takes on the role of sleuth, she's also learning how to use her psychic abilities and searching for understanding about where they come from. Mystic Pieces is a charming, humorous, and original mystery that weaves a tale of murder and self-discovery with heart, family, and psychic visions.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

The Guest is a Goner: A Humorous Paranormal Cozy Mystery by Carly Winter is the first book in the Sedona Spirit Cozy Mystery series. Bernadette is the proud owner of a bed and breakfast that has become a hot spot for ghostly activity. At least that's what she lets her guests believe. She soon becomes a believer herself when she comes face-to-face with Ruby, her grandmother who has been dead for the past three years. Could her newfound ghost sighting be related to her recent incident when she was struck by lightning? Whatever the cause, Ruby is delighted to spend time with her granddaughter who can actually see her. When her grandmother delivers the news that one of her guests is a goner, Bernadette thought her day couldn't get any worse until she learns that the man was murdered and the cops think she's a suspect. The good news is that Ruby is there to help prove her innocence.

Bernadette is a delightful character who's been thrown into this unusual reality where she can see ghosts. Ruby is one of the best characters from her scent of marijuana and lavender soap to her larger-than-life personality. Carly Winter hits all the right notes with this character, which sets the tone for the entire mystery. Ruby is described as a loose cannon who played by her own rules and was the grandma who would let Bernadette eat ice cream for breakfast and go to R-rated movies. Her adventurous spirit was so large in her life that it carried on into her afterlife. She represents the carefree, wild, and outgoing personality that Bernadette envies as she's a personality that's more serene and calm. The contrast between their personalities creates the perfect sleuthing duo with Ruby being the spark of life that Bernadette needs while Bernadette is the calm that her grandmother needs. Together, they're the ideal duo that's funny, charming, and clever.

The mystery hits close to home as the body is discovered at her bed and breakfast, which drags her in the middle of the investigation as a suspect and throws her into the crosshairs of a killer. Even with a busy schedule of solving a murder and spending time with her ghost grandmother, Bernadette also has two romance options with her handsome friend Jack and detective Adam Gallagher. Carly Winter delivers a fun and fresh cozy mystery in The Guest is a Goner, which creates a wild ride of hijinks, trouble, ghosts, and hilarity with the perfect dynamic duo.

Reviewed by Barbara Oliverio for Readers' Favorite

Marla Vail is blissfully enjoying being a new mother and thinks that her days of chasing clues instead of managing feeding schedules are behind her in Nancy J. Cohen’s latest cozy mystery, Styled for Murder. The universe has other plans for the amateur sleuth when her mother calls her in a panic. It seems that the project manager overseeing the remodel of her mom’s bathroom was found dead – colder than the stylish floor tiles. All it takes for Marla to stretch her investigative muscles is the notion that her stepfather is the prime suspect. She manages to collect clues that lead her to other suspects (including the dead guy’s employer, other subcontractors, and even a former beauty queen) while getting advice from her police detective husband. All the while, she manages to juggle her regular duties as a mom and salon owner.

Styled for Murder is the latest in Nancy J. Cohen’s cozy murder mystery series, but works effectively as a standalone offering. Intrepid Marla is no-nonsense but has an open personality that encourages those she questions into revealing just a bit more than they probably intended. The author takes an entertaining path to the big reveal and manages to throw in just enough deceptive clues to keep the reader second-guessing. I appreciated the Florida setting and how Cohen made the suspects more than just one-dimensional distractions on the journey to the discovery of the real murderer. Cohen fans and those sure to become her fans will love this whodunit.

Reviewed by Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

In Gail Meath’s original mystery novel, Songbird, a talented composer suddenly dies from what seems like a straightforward cause but a brilliant detective, Jax Diamond, suspects that the man was murdered. Jax’s private investigation of Sam Sanders, a composer who has just completed writing a new, impressive musical, leads to his involvement in investigating Sam’s death. The cause of Sam’s demise could easily be attributed to a heart attack except for one minor detail - a lily that was found pinned to his jacket. The lily brings back memories of a previous murder case involving a Broadway star. As Jax and his friend, Sergeant Tim Murphy, work to uncover the connection between the two cases, they discover details that plunge Jax back into his dark, painful past.

Songbird by Gail Meath transports readers back to the twenties, inside Broadway’s intrigues and glamor. The book’s pace is swift, and each scene is absorbing. It includes engaging and complex characters such as Laura Graystone, a young, upcoming star dubbed the “Songbird” by the New York Times. I loved that the story’s plot is layered and not straightforward. There are many revelations in the book and some exciting action scenes that add tension to the novel. The story’s end is also engrossing and rewarding. Jax’s difficult past is explored, and his attraction to Laura introduces another thrilling sub-plot to the story. Songbird by Gail Meath is a fine and captivating historical novel with endearing characters. Readers will love its surprising twists, creative storyline, and exhilarating setting.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

To read a novel by Thomas Holland is to come away impressed by so many things that it's almost hard to know where to start. Was it the plot of Grind Slowly, Grind Small that kept me turning the pages long into the night? Was it the laid-back, raw, almost rambling, but never boring narrative of Big Ray Elmore that captivated me? Was it the intimate, often amusing look into how the inhabitants of a small town gossipped and explained the inexplicable? Was it the colorful vernacular that characters used to describe someone that had me smiling? It was all these things and so much more because Thomas Holland is a master storyteller. Holland isn’t the first to write a mystery novel based around the discovery of 20-year-old bones, but he’s among very few authors who don’t feel compelled to rush readers. After an omniscient opening where a young woman waits to be whisked off to a new future with a married man, he lets his story unfold in an almost relaxed manner. Like the locals ever chewing their tobacco, Big Ray turns over information, not content with easy explanations. Bit by bit, conversations yield clues and Holland teases the reader to pick up the hints and pull everything together, just as Big Ray does.

Along the way, readers feel compelled to keep reading as their fondness grows for this intriguing narrator/protagonist: Big Ray is deep, caring, and kind. Like all of us, he is plagued by his weaknesses but, unlike many, he acknowledges them and constantly struggles to overcome them. In only a few words, he speaks volumes, e.g. “He didn’t approve, but he didn’t scold me either. He didn’t need to.” The result? While Thomas Holland cleverly unfolds a complicated plot through Big Ray, readers witness the further evolution of a wonderful, legend-like hero: Big Ray Elmore. I use the adjective “further” because some readers will already have met Elmore in Holland’s previous book, Their Feet Run to Evil. I did. I liked Big Ray Elmore in that novel and liked him even more here. The title, by the way, describes perfectly how Big Ray Elmore thinks. Better yet, it describes how Thomas Holland writes: beautifully! He is not only a reader’s author: he’s an author’s writer. Whichever you are, or if you are both, read Grind Slowly, Grind Small.