The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies by Westbury

THE OXFORD GUIDE TO SCANDAL AND LIES by Kate Westbury is a wonderful historical and cozy mystery debut set in the early 1950s.  The main characters are very different from each other: Ginevra Bishop (estranged daughter of a viscount and former debutante, trying to find purpose) and Sidney Braithwaite (former soldier, recovering from wartime emotional trauma) although they are both students at Oxford. It is at the university that they witness the death of a beloved librarian and are recruited by the security services (Rook is their handler) to investigate further. The handful of suspects (both professors and students) provides multiple scenarios for the dual to unravel, all while fighting a romantic attraction.  Westbury’s THE OXFORD GUIDE TO SCANDAL AND LIES was a LibraryReads selection, a September 2026 Indie Next Pick and received a starred review form BookPage (“The chemistry is delightful, the setting is academia personified and the story itself encourages propulsive page-turning―a heck of a debut novel indeed”). Enjoy!

The Woman Who Wouldn't Die Quietly by Bivald

THE WOMAN WHO WOULDN'T DIE QUIETLY by Katarina Bivald (The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend and more ) is the third book in Bivald’s series about Berit Gardner and her friend, DCI Ian Ahmed. I have developed real affection and even affinity for Berit’s character who loves her time alone: “she could have been fond of cities if it weren't for all the people in them.” In this cozy mystery, she is in Sweden at her grandmother’s cottage on an archipelago near Stockholm where she spent many happy summers. It’s late fall and winter, though, so the environment is cold and dark and Bivald deftly employs descriptions of the physical environment to add to the sense of menace and reflection. Berit and Ian are invited to a nearby island to celebrate the eightieth birthday of Margrethe Cullberg-Franzen, an especially abrasive woman who still leads her family’s art gallery business. That celebration ends in a tragic death leaving behind many family suspects and motives (revenge, greed, fear). More adventures - and another death - follow, as Berit and Ian and local police try to solve this puzzle. Publishers Weekly gave THE WOMAN WHO WOULDN'T DIE QUIETLY a starred review (“Bivald excels at surprise and misdirection, and she buttresses those mystery fundamentals with a psychologically complex lead and intoxicating Scandinavian atmosphere.”). A Reading Group Guide and Conversation with the Author are included. Enjoy!

Just sharing quotes from the preview, part of Berit’s rather comforting outlook:
“Even the most difficult things became more manageable if you faced up to them. Apprehension and unease only grew if you tried to escape them.”

“If nothing lasted forever, then that was part of what made having lived and existed so wonderful: the fact that the people she loved had lived, and that nature and the world around her would continue to do so even after she was gone.”

My Sister is Going to Kill Me

MY SISTER IS GOING TO KILL ME by Nina Simon (Mother-Daughter Murder Night) is a closed room mystery of sorts. Two very different sisters, a rule-follower and State Department employee named Liv and an impulsive elementary school art teacher named Mandy, are setting off on their annual sister trip. This year they are rafting on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. It turns out their fellow adventures are all associated with a wellness company called Babette Botanique. The CEO misses the kickoff of the trip and disagreements amongst the leadership become apparent, especially when threats start appearing. Soon, there is a dead body with Liv, Mandy, and their companions in growing danger, not just from the challenging physical environment, but also from an increasingly daring killer amongst them. Honestly, it took me a little while to get over being annoyed by both sisters, but I soon found myself coming to care for them, much as they begrudgingly began to acknowledge their complementary skills and affection for each other. The mystery is suspenseful and full of details in a fabulous setting.

The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts

THE MYSTERIOUS AFFAIR OF JUDITH POTTS by Robert Thorogood is the latest in the Marlow Murder mystery series (also on PBS Masterpiece). When reading this story, it was incredibly easy to picture the interactions of three friends, Judith Potts, Susie Harris, and Becks Starling in their small English village. This time, some famous locals (a sportsman and a writer) are found dead and the friends set out to investigate, but something Is clearly not right as Judith is distracted, and police liaison Tanika Malik has been suspended. That shifts the burden of investigating to Becks and Susie while Thorogood seems to over-emphasize some of their less attractive qualities (e.g., rule-follower and boisterous, almost rudeness), perhaps to replace the tension that existed between the investigators and police in earlier series entries. They have even more to solve when Judith is threatened with exposure of being involved in her long-ago husband’s death. The ending is exciting, and readers will be gratified to learn more about Judith’s cryptic past.

A Cyclist’s Guide To Poppies & Predicaments

A CYCLIST’S GUIDE TO POPPIES & PREDICAMENTS by Ann Claire is the third book in the Oui Cycle series after A Cyclist's Guide to Crime & Croissants and A Cyclist's Guide to Villains & Vines. In this cozy mystery, a cycling adventure is disrupted by murder as the Velo Vixens, a group on a bachelorette party trip, become suspects. The proprietor of Oui Cycle, Sadie Greene, is caught (again and again) between keeping her clients happy and occupied and making safer choices. Honestly, that gets a bit wearisome, especially when she says, “‘I don't ascribe to ye olde toxic saying that the customer (or bride) is always right.’” Not sure that is accurate; she seems like too much of a pushover, but thankfully Laurent (her boyfriend and police officer) is friends with the best man and so is available as a support in the face of murder and all. “And all, in this case, would include murder, stalking, extortion, punching, arrest, lies, omissions, temporary van theft, and phone confiscation.” With all of that happening and despite plenty of clues, the ending was still a surprise. A CYCLIST’S GUIDE TO POPPIES & PREDICAMENTS is a cute story and provides some interesting facts (who knew that the phrase déjà vu originated as late as 1870?) and touristy info about Provence, its charming towns, and beautiful vistas.

A Zoom with a View by Jess Cannon

A ZOOM WITH A VIEW by Jess Cannon is an entertaining debut mystery set in small town Blue Oak, Texas and features numerous residents including the local cops (steadfast Jake, a bumbling sheriff, and a couple of other deputies), plus Leonora “Leo” Holloway (who has returned after a long absence), her mother (ditzy hairdresser Karina), and Leo’s long ago boyfriend, Mack Garner. The cast of characters also includes some local influencers and wannabe real estate moguls, Chaz Nickolson and Kymber Owens. Chaz is found murdered, and a rival real estate professional (best friend of Leo’s Mom) is arrested. Suddenly, Leo and her friend Emily, who have been covertly mocking Chaz online for years are local experts and guiding the police towards potential clues. The clever, humorous text is sprinkled with text messages, police memos, blog posts, and Reddit or Facebook entries. Complicating matters are hints of a romantic triangle as well as some long-hidden family secrets. Library Journal sums up A ZOOM WITH A VIEW well: “Readers who enjoy epistolary novels and quirky characters may enjoy this mystery from first-time novelist Cannon.”

Moonlight Murder by Uzma Jalaluddin

MOONLIGHT MURDER by Uzma Jalaluddin is her second Detective Aunty novel and I found it even more enjoyable than the first, although also a bit slow-paced in parts. Kauser Khan, the main character, is an older widow whose heritage is Muslim and South Asian. She lives in Toronto where her son (Ali, then 15) was killed by a hit and run driver eighteen years ago. The story revolves around her belated investigation of his death and the more recent death of another young teen, Qasim, close friend of her granddaughter, Maleeha. As the beautiful cover illustrates, the culture of the tightly knit community in the Golden Crescent neighborhood of Toronto is integral to the story and Jalaluddin brings to life secondary characters like Kauser’s daughter; old friends May (“Who knew that a shared love for Louise Penny and the Public Library would lead to a friend for life?”), Fatima, and Nasir (also a potential romantic interest); the local police; and several high school students, including the brother, Kamal, and the best friend, Joquiem, of Qasim as well as some of his teachers. The dual mysteries (“Two parallel stories, separated by decades and circumstance, linked by place and community. Both deaths assumed accidents. Both with unanswered questions about motive, story, and intention…”) offer suspense and surprise. Kauser is an appealing character who relies on her faith and also still grapples with grief (“It felt good to make plans for the future. It felt good to feel capable of thinking beyond the next few days. She had lived her life in survival mode for so long, wrestling with the ghosts of death, loss, and grief, … but she could feel something shift inside her now, at last.”). Read this series in order as you anticipate the next title.

Murder Will Out by Jennifer K. Breedlove

MURDER WILL OUT by Jennifer K. Breedlove is described by the publisher as “a lighter, modern gothic mystery.” It has a full cast of characters, including many ghosts. Their home, pictured on the lovely cover, is called Cameron House and is set on an island in Maine. Willow Stone returns to that island after learning of the death of Susan Davis, a friend of her parents and an important part of her childhood summers, although they have been estranged for over fifteen years. Being from Away, Willow is met with suspicion and resentment, but she readily senses that something is not right, especially after a second death occurs. Both are tied to Cameron House and the family members who stand to inherit it. Can she trust the locals? How does she react to the ghosts? Numerous secrets, including multiple affairs and entanglements produce a suspenseful story and a surprising, satisfying ending. Winner of the Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award, MURDER WILL OUT received a starred review from Library Journal, recommending this debut to fans of Katherine Hall Page (Faith Fairchild series), Nancy Atherton (Aunt Dimity books) and Carolyn Hart’s ghostly cozies. I, too, am looking forward to more from this promising author.

The House of Hidden Letters by Izzy Broom

THE HOUSE OF HIDDEN LETTERS by Izzy Broom is a dual timeline mystery set on Folegandros, a Greek island. The story moves back and forth between the 1940s’ local resistance efforts (of Stefanos, Katerina, and her sister, Leni) and more present day when Skye (fleeing an abusive relationship) and several other new residents are attempting to renovate the older houses with the help of contractor Andreas. Storms and excavations yield bodies and clues to the long ago past: “An antique blade buried underground, a bundle of letters sealed behind stone. Six houses abandoned since the war, with nothing and nobody to tell them why. There were secrets here. Secrets that someone had gone to great lengths to hide…. The past, it seemed had begun to reawaken.” It is a story of budding friendships, romance, courage, and the importance of community woven into a beautiful setting. The award-winning author’s acknowledgments suggest more adventures will follow.

The Star from Calcutta by Sujata Massey

THE STAR FROM CALCUTTA by Sujata Massey is the fifth mystery in the series  (see The Widows of Malabar Hill and others) featuring Perveen Mistry in 1920s India. Once again, the first female lawyer in Bombay is working a unique case, this time involving the moviemaking industry. Her client, Rochana, is a famous star originally from Calcutta and now in some danger as she and her new husband may lose their film company. Even Perveen and her friend Alice Hobson-Jones may fall under suspicion when a film censor is found dead after a screening they all attended. Massey offers suspense in an intriguing setting with likeable characters. THE STAR FROM CALCUTTA received a starred review from Booklist (“wonderful history-mystery read, filled with fascinating details both of the complexity of life in British India and of the workings of the 1920s film world”).   

The Crossroads by C.J. Box

THE CROSSROADS by C.J. Box is the latest (#26) in the long-running series featuring game warden Joe Pickett. Set amid harsh conditions in Wyoming, this story centers on finding out why (and by whom) Pickett was ambushed near a fork in the trail that splits off towards three different ranches.  There are questions related to cartels and drug smuggling, to possible kidnapping, and to just plain greed and social standing. It takes a while to determine the possible motives, particularly as it is Pickett’s three grown daughters (Sheridan, April, and Lucy) leading the chase while their Dad is hospitalized in the hopes of recovering from a brain injury. The perpetrators are ruthless, and multiple deaths occur as the action accelerates towards a fitting ending. A larger role for the daughters was a bonus in this puzzling, often violent, whodunit. 

The Curious Case of the Poisoned Professor

THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE POISONED PROFESSOR by Lucy Connelly is the first in a new cozy mystery series. It is set in Dillynaidd, Wales at the local university where alumnae Gwen Griffith has arrived to head the journalism department for the Dean (and her best friend), Carolyn Sparks. After a faculty party welcome, one of the other professors, Alice Rice, collapses at Gwen’s door. Foul play - and Gwen - are suspected by the local police detective, Gareth Jones. Of course, Gwen (aided by her teaching assistant Ellis) jumps in to do some investigative reporting and makes some rather dubious choices along the way. Soon, both are in danger, and it takes a village of newly found friends to save them. Gwen is a very likeable heroine and I look forward to more of her Welsh adventures. 

Murder at the Wham Bam Club by Carolyn Marie Wilkins

Set in rural Illinois during the roaring 1920s, MURDER AT THE WHAM BAM CLUB by Carolyn Marie Wilkins has a fun, catchy title, but the story moved slowly. Wilkins seems to rely on quite a few stereotypes with a great deal of focus on being psychic and seeing auras. Honestly, that did not seem interesting after a while, especially with all of the repetition throughout the story. The main character, Nola Ann Jackson, is a young twenty-one-year-old widow who shares second sight abilities with her Aunt Sarah. When another young woman, Lilly, goes missing, from a school (Phyllis Wheatley Institute for homeless colored girls) that Nola Ann attended, the Director asks for help, implying that the police force will not give the case appropriate priority. I can readily see Nola Ann (as fearless as PBS’ Miss Scarlett) returning in future mysteries (and it does look like Let the Murderer Say Amen is scheduled for a July 2026 publication), but it is hard to always feel that she really is experienced enough or that local crime bosses and politicians would continue to listen to her. Readers interested in using “magic” to solve a puzzle would also enjoy the more modern day Lina Chern’s mysteries (Play the Fool and Tricks of Fortune).

The Frozen People by Elly Griffiths

THE FROZEN PEOPLE by Elly Griffiths is the start of a new mystery series which features Ali Dawson who has the extraordinary capability to travel in time. She leaves the modern day to go to 1850 London in an attempt to find out whether the ancestor of a government official is guilty of murder. But, something goes wrong, and she is trapped there while a modern-day murder results in her son being arrested. Ali’s colleagues frantically try to return her so that she can apply her crime-solving skills to her son’s case. This series is quite different from the historical mysteries and police procedurals that Griffiths’ fans have come to enjoy, but it does convey a dark feeling of menace and readers will be engaged. Kirkus says, “Murder on several time planes is a fascinating premise enhanced by an enthralling look at Victorian London.” Griffiths herself notes, “Even though the plot is somewhat fantastical, I wanted to make the details as convincing as possible.” Her research and clever writing shine through.

Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala

ARSENIC AND ADOBO by Mia P. Manansala was a LibraryReads selection in May 2021 and a GoodReads Nominee for best mystery/thriller that year.  Honestly, it has been on my “to-be-read” pile for quite a while, especially since it had received starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal and Publishers Weekly.  The first in a series (Tia Rosie’s Kitchen) of what is now six books, I just finished it over the holidays. The main character is named Lila Macapagal and she is devoted to her Filipino family and their restaurant. The story is cute (Lila owns a “chubby” dachshund called Longganisa, a type of sausage) and reminded me of Savvy Summers and the Sweet Potato Crimes (although the later has a Chicago location versus being located two hours outside the city in fictional Shady Palms), particularly since the livelihood of each restaurant is threatened after an unexpected death. I was grateful for the glossary and pronunciation guide which the author included, although I still struggled to differentiate some of Lila’s family members, especially the older generation, like Tia Rosa and Lila’s grandmother. I clearly enjoy a cozy culinary, often with  enclosed recipes like those found in ARSENIC AND ADOBO, but my favorites in that category remain the Goldy Bear ones by Diane Mott Davidson.

The Botanist's Assistant by Peggy Townsend

THE BOTANIST'S ASSISTANT by Peggy Townsend is a fun mystery in a university setting. The main character, Margaret Finch, is clearly neurodivergent so this is a bit reminiscent of The Maid or Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder. Initially, Margaret is so regimented that it is difficult to develop empathy, but it is wonderful to watch her grow (adopting a cat) and develop a sense trust with other people. She finds Professor Deaver (her boss whom she idolizes) dead and then struggles to convince school authorities that he has been poisoned. Her snooping is sometimes comical, but often effective, and whenever she thinks she clearly has a suspect identified, something happens to change that calculus. Deftly presenting interesting facts about botany and poisonous plants, THE BOTANIST'S ASSISTANT is an entertaining read with plenty of twists and surprises. Library Journal gave it a starred review while Publishers Weekly said, “sweet enough to charm cozy fans.”  Enjoy!!

From Cradle to Grave by Rhys Bowen

FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE by Rhys Bowen is the latest (19th) mystery story in Bowen’s Royal Spyness series featuring Lady Georgiana. Although these cozy tales have a loyal and enthusiastic readership, I have found the last few (see The Proof of the Pudding and Peril in Paris) to offer a less positive picture of the heroine. Similarly, in this case, she needs to hire a nanny and stand up for herself against interfering relatives. Given that Lady Georgiana and her friend Belinda have shown themselves as more than capable in solving murders, those tasks should not seem to be so daunting although they help move the story forward. Once again, I would recommend reading earlier entries in this light and entertaining series. FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE eventually develops into a fine mystery (multiple young aristocratic men are dying without any apparent link) but hopefully Lady Georgiana will channel her grandmother and show a stronger spirit in future outings.

Guilty by Definition by Susie Dent

GUILTY BY DEFINITION is the first novel offered by Susie Dent, a renowned British etymologist, and I originally requested a preview because of a recommendation from Ron Charles, the Washington Post book reviewer. Dent utilizes her expertise regarding words and their history to craft a tale full of clues which are puzzled over by a team of linguists who are working on dictionary definitions and are based in Oxford. It is from there that Charlie, the sister of one of them, went missing several years ago. To me, this is a story that starts slowly and gradually builds empathy with the main characters, Martha, Alex, Safi, and Simon. As the team investigates, readers learn some troubling background about Charlie, but the momentum grows and the quirky definitions add further highlights to a unique and, ultimately, engaging quest. Even commonplace activities are an educational opportunity in Dent’s capable hands: “Salary, salad, silt, sausage, salsa, sauce … the lexicon of salt whirred through her brain as she turned the stew down to a simmer.” Or, if you hate Sundays, consider “‘mubble-fubbles’ -- 17th century speak for a heavy, eve-of-something-unpleasant dose of the blues -- as proof that no sane person has ever liked them.” GUILTY BY DEFINITION received a starred review from Booklist and Library Journal recommends it for fans of The Dictionary of Lost Words and By Any Other Name. A Reading Group Guide and A Conversation with the Author are included. 

Desperate Spies by Mark de Castrique

DESPERATE SPIES by Mark de Castrique is book three (after Dangerous Women) in the Secret Lives series featuring the main character 75-year-old retired FBI agent Ethel Fiona Crestwater. She is incredibly well-connected (head of FBI and other agencies contact her) as well as particularly feisty and determined. All in all, a very fun character who partners with her young relative Jesse and local law enforcement contacts to solve a murder. Events of almost twenty years ago as well as present day espionage related to technological advances in quantum computing are entangled in this mystery. Oh, and there’s also involvement by the Mafia, a Russian oligarch and a ready-for-retirement US Senator. And plenty of planes, a helicopter, and stalking automobiles in a fast-paced, twisty tale. Fun and entertaining, DESPERATE SPIES can be read as a stand-alone and will especially appeal to fans of suspense involving older, female sleuths.

Some recent mysteries ...

I have been reading quite a few mysteries lately and wanted to briefly share reactions to some that I had started, put down for various reasons, and picked up again. I may have originally chosen a title because of the favorable professional reviews, setting and description, availability as an audiobook, or author (one I knew or one who gave me a chance to experiment with a debut). None of these will make my favorites list, but other readers may feel differently, and these titles are worth a look.

THE LIBRARIANS by Sherry Thomas was a LibraryReads selection for September and received starred reviews from Booklist (“enhanced with several subplots”) and Kirkus (“crime-solving librarians solve double murder mysteries while guarding their own secrets”). Yes, the plot is quite intricate (possible kidnapping, missing heirs, fraudulent activities) with jumps in time and multiple romances, plus several deaths after a Game Night at a local public library… Whew! More than one member of the staff comes under suspicion and they all (somewhat improbably) band together to try to find the real killer. Readers will need patience to appreciate the complexity. THE LIBRARIANS is set in Austin and it is fun to see a local reviewer’s perspective: Kim’s Bookstack post. 4 stars. 

A MATTER OF PEDIGREE by Leslie Meier is a light and very fluffy whodunit from the author of the Lucy Stone series. This is the start of the Carole and Poopsie series in which Carole’s somewhat uncouth husband is indicted for murder. She sets out to investigate and clear his name. Overall, I thought this was a little “too” cute and the dog, Poopsie, is obnoxious but an obvious shtick which will be back in future series entries. An entertaining, undemanding beach read. 3.5 stars 

A KILLER WEDDING is a debut mystery written by Joan O'Leary, with an audiobook narrated by Amanda Dolan. The over-the-top society wedding between Jane Murphy and Dr. Graham Ripton (grandson and heir to a beauty company CEO, Gloria Beaufort) is about to take place in a lavish Irish setting. The glitzy celebration is to be chronicled by journalist Christine Russo who works for Bespoke Weddings magazine and is excited about this big career boost. Sadly, I found the story to be VERY slow to start, with almost a fourth of the book devoted to background and character introductions before someone dies. Also, there are numerous family members, spanning several generations, and since they all acted in a selfish and privileged manner, it was difficult to keep track of their relationships or care about them. Christine is relatively young and naïve so she is surprised when the family chooses to not report the death and instead go ahead with the wedding. Library Journal called this “a fast-paced, funny whodunit” and Publishers Weekly praised O’Leary’s ability to “juggle perspectives and timelines.” I simply could not get interested and clearly missed some of the subtleties - maybe reading the text would have worked better than listening to the story? 3 stars

I felt similarly about THE DEAD COME TO STAY by Brandy Schillace which offers a mystery set in Yorkshire and is the second one to feature Jo Jones, an American on the autism spectrum. There are numerous references to the earlier tale in this series and once again Jones pairs up with a local police officer to find a murderer. This time their sleuthing involves missing teens as well. I found the audiobook which is narrated by Imogen Church (she also narrates Ruth Ware titles) unenjoyable. Church attempts several strange voices and accents, particularly for detective James MacAdams, but sadly, the voices are both difficult to understand and quite distracting from the story. I did try reading an ebook preview, but the story did not keep me interested. Maybe my attention span was too short? Kirkus called THE DEAD COME TO STAY “a superior puzzle” and Booklist said, “engaging and full of twists.” 3.5 stars  Do give these titles a try and decide for yourself.