Newlyweds Can Be Knocked Off (An Amish Matchmaker Mystery #6), by Amanda Flower

 

Publication Nov. 25, 2025

Having lived in Florida, it was fun to take this virtual trip there with Millie and Lois. Seeing Millie experience Florida for the first time was a hoot. Lois dubbed it a Bachelorette Getaway, never mind that Millie is a relative newlywed and Lois, well, she's had a few husbands. Unfortunately, it soon turns into a murder investigation although, phew, they still manage to work in some typical tourist activities. The surprise is how many of their home town friends and associates are in Florida, too, at the same place. Pinecraft is hosting a multi-religion ministers' convention of sorts and that brought not just the likes of Ruth Yoder and husband but others. Even Jethro, the always entertaining "Comfort Pig" is there.

Then there's a murder. Always caring and friendly, Millie Fisher, the Amish matchmaker (or Amish Miss Marple as Lois has dubbed her) befriends a young, solo traveler, Caroline, on the bus trip south. Sadly, the next day, while experiencing her first Florida sunrise on the beach, Millie discovers Caroline's dead body washed up by the pier. Her hands had been tied and there were signs of trauma. Let's just say, all signs point to murder. Who'd have killed this seemingly harmless young woman, a recent convert to the Amish way of life after marriage to Cainan, a young Amish man who runs a business in Pinecraft. I won't detail the plot further other than to say there are lots of crossover cast appearances from author Flower's Amish Candy Shop series. Even Bailey, its main character, makes a small but significant appearance. Trust me, both Millie and Lois wish she were there with her pig wrangling expertise. Keeping Jethro out of mischief could be a full time job.

Bottom line, another fun, interesting read from Amanda Flower. I thoroughly enjoyed the virtual trip south and could only grin as Millie encountered things like not just the often oppressive heat but manatee viewings, sea grapes, the seashore, and clash of cultures. It's always fun to wonder what unexpected thing Lois will matter-of-factly pull from her bag this go-round and she never disappoints. In the process of trying to experience Florida, they are, of course, dealing with grieving family and suspicious minds. The past plays a role, too, as it frequently does in mysteries. Thanks to #KensingtonPublishing and #NetGalley for this early virtual trip/peek at Millie and Lois's Florida adventure. To answer Millie's pondering of how many Floridians would leave warm Florida for colder climes, I'm one of them. Grin. 

Murder Pays a Call, by Nancy J. Cohen

Publication Sept. 9. 2025

Oh, goodie. A new series from a long time favorite author.  Keri Sullivan is a personal concierge. What is a personal concierge, you ask? What's the difference between a personal assistant and concierge? To be simplistic, while a personal assistant usually works for one person, a personal concierge may have many clients. I didn't think to keep track of how many clients Keri and her A Friend in Need Agency have but, well, let's just say a lot, ranging from corporate type groups to senior citizens. Fiona Sullivan is one of her favorite clients, however, one whose contacts have often helped Keri expand her customer list. Keri considers her a friend and mentor. Sadly, while delivering some items to Fiona, whose 80 th birthday party Keri had been hired to plan, she finds her dead. As if that wasn't bad enough, it's soon confirmed that she was murdered. 

That's where the story really takes off. Keri is rather shocked to discover that Fiona wasn't universally liked by all, which includes her family. I won't detail the plot but will say it was fun to see a new sleuth learning as she went along trying to figure out whodunit. Needless to say, she's pushy and not real subtle in her questioning/investigation, and finds herself frequently being told that perhaps she should leave it to the police to solve. I noted that while Detective Jeff Saunders was one of ones most frequently telling her this that he continues to treat her with respect...even when some of her methods were, uh, not exactly on the right side of the legal line. She also involves a couple of her friends, which I found normal in the cozy mystery world although she never once seemed to think about their safety while snooping. True, she was quite protective of Lora, her unexpected house guest with the scary boyfriend, but her meddling there wasn't necessarily helpful, either. I did like Lora who, given her tendency to clean and organize, I rather wished could show up on my own doorstep, and Pam the reporter was rather gutsy, too. And, yes, there are some potential romances drifting about although not with the one most readers might guess. While I'm sure we'll learn more about the regulars as the series continues, the author did a nice job of fleshing them out for us in this initial introduction. 

Bottom line, I enjoyed the story despite rolling my eyes at Keri's rookie sleuth behavior. As her office staff and friends  often told her, she really, really needed to take her own advice and carve out some care time for herself. She's so busy running all over investigating as it is that she even manages to irritate at least one client. True, there were some solid possibilities as suspects but Keri does frequently barge in first and think later. The side story about the naturalist remedies didn't hold my attention and I'm not too sure Keri focused on it much, either. She did discover something most of us will or have discovered, the fact that people aren't always who we think they are. Thanks #NetGalley and #OrangeGrovePress for this early intro to Keri and her team, one I hope to learn more about in future books. Sunny Grove, Florida, sure has its share of secrets, that's for sure. As a former Floridian, this was a bit of a virtual trip home to turf I'm quite familiar with. 

A Poisonous Palate (Key West Food Critic Mystery #14), Lucy Burdette

 Publication August 6, 2024

As a former Floridian, I always enjoy the virtual visit to Key West to catch up with Hayley and her circle of friends. As usual, she's beyond busy, keeping her food column fresh, helping Danielle with her wedding, and, yikes, another murder. Well, maybe two murders. One a cold case, decades cold, in fact, and the other a murder Hayley stumbled across while trying to help out Catherine Davitt, a writer who wants Hayley's help delving into the decades old disappearance of a friend. Then, after they stumble across a body, Catherine disappears, too. Was she the murderer and simply using Hayley or has something happened to her, too? Needless to say, Hayley, an admitted snoop, simply feels driven to investigate against all the advice of not just friends but police investigator husband Nathan. He pretty much knows he's wasting his breath, of course, although fears she may stir up the proverbial hornet's nest and find herself in danger. And wait until you hear what Nathan's been up to! I won't detail the plot much further other than to note that there are plentiful suspects. This book is 14th in the series but works well as a standalone although new readers will find themselves wanting to catch up on missed episodes when past sleuthing escapades are mentioned, most in the company of 80-something years old Miss Gloria who is a delightful character and part of the reason Hayley finds herself (and Nathan) living on a houseboat. In the process of reading, you'll find yourself soaking up the atmosphere of South Florida, especially the almost mythical Keys. You'll even get to tromp into a mangrove swamp. When not learning about old hippie havens in the area and some prime eating places, you'll be busy learning a great deal about Ernest Hemingway's Key West era, not to mention delving into his possible inner demons. As for the murder, it's an intriguing one weaving past into present and reviving old emotions and secrets some would wish remained buried. Hayley seems almost obsessed with the case. Honestly, I'm always surprised at the ease with which both sources and suspects respond to her not always subtle questioning. She rarely pushes too far, albeit she frequently has to get in one more question that sours the atmosphere. Will this get her in trouble? Oh, you already know that answer. Even Danielle's wedding seems to take the backseat to her thoughts about the investigation although she tries to focus. There's a great deal of driving around and talk, too, between Hayley and Miss Gloria, much of it sharing bits of Florida lore as well as observations they make. Don't let Miss Gloria's age make you underestimate her. She's sharp and knows when the befuddled ol' lady routine might be helpful, too. Bottom line, there's lots going on with some of the past being shared by journal/diary entries by Catherine about the decades old disappearance of her friend. The explanations of why/what that relationship involved are also quite interesting. Toxic love isn't always romantic love, let's just say. I thoroughly enjoyed spending some time with Hayley, Nathan, and Miss Gloria, especially those more relaxed moment on the house boat. It's those relationships and the connections between other friends that keeps drawing me back to this series. Thanks #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for inviting me over for an early visit to the house boat to catch up with Hayley and the rest. I always feel like I've been to the Keys, not to mention in need of something yummy to snack on as I read and ponder those recipes at the end. Yummy.

The Shadow of War: A Novel of the Cuban Missile Crisis, by Jeff Shaara

 

Publication May 14, 2024

Wow. I was unnerved after-the-fact as I read this book. You see, I largely grew up in Florida, a mere 90 miles away from Cuba as the news kept reminding us. Although I was either too or too naive to fully grasp the sense of fear many adults knew, it still made an impact. While I've read history books about the time, there's been a sort of filter between the events of those readings and me as a reader, so to speak. This one tore down that filter. You are there. You are living this nightmare. Shaara puts us, to paraphrase a line from Hamilton, in the rooms where it happened. And, unlike my young self, I'm old enough now to shiver as I realize how very, very close we came to annihilation. That's the power of Jeff Shaara's writing style. While historical fiction, he evokes that "you are there" sense, relying on in-depth research and extensive readings to create the scenes that reveal how close we came to the edge.

I won't detail the cat-and-mouse games that lead us to that point as, quite frankly, I'd be depriving you of experiencing the scenario as it unfolds by trying to even hit the highlights. Trust me, there are many, from the opening scenes revolving about the Bay of Pigs fiasco to the aftermath, revealing not only how Kennedy's stand paid off -- and it came close to not doing so -- so what happened to each of the players of the story. One thing I will note, however, is how this showed the growing maturity of both John and Robert Kennedy, their ability to learn from mistakes, as well as their ability to accept their responsibility for the situation. The thoughts attributed to Joseph Russo, another real character you'll get to know well throughout the story, at the end should also evoke thought. 

History buffs or those who lived through this should grab a copy of this book as soon as possible. If old enough, you'll be compelled to read, even as you shudder after the fact, realizing how close we came to not growing up. Teachers, history teachers in particular, of which I was one, you definitely need to read this book and make sure it's on library shelves. Thank you to #NetGalley and #StMartin'sPress for sharing this early glimpse of, well, what I'm rather glad happened too early in my life to have left much impact. I hope we never come face to face with possible annihilation again. 

Battered and Buried, by Lena Gregory

 Publication March 19, 2024

I'm not sure how I've missed this series until now, especially since the idea of an All-Day Breakfast Cafe sounds like a place I'd love in real life. In any case, I'm glad I finally found this series. I have to admit to being a bit taken aback by Gia's rather aggressive questioning but admired the way her whole network of friends stuck together and had each other's backs. As investigators, they obviously bring different strengths to the table, including some master online snooping skills, and it's great to see the togetherness. They're an interesting group with back stories I'm looking forward to catching up on as time permits. In this case, Cole, chef at Gia's cafe, is a prime suspect in a murder where several members of the group stumbled on the victim while hiking. I mean, we go from still relative newbie to Florida Gia agonizing over the proximity to gators and snakes to finding a body. Yikes.

I won't detail the plot other than to say there are many suspects since the victim was guilty of destroying so many lives. You'll dislike him from the very beginning, I'm sure. As for the other characters, well, aside from the eventual killer, you'll find the cast of characters (which the author provides a list of with a brief description at the beginning) quite likable and marvel at how organized they are as they work together to figure out whodunit. Gia and Savannah are definitely a force to be reckoned with, playing good/bad cop together well, maybe having taken a few hints from their romantic partners, Hunt and Leo. No one  seriously believe Cole could have killed anyone, even if his stubborn reluctance to talk to investigators leaves all frustrated. We've even got some romance brewing, so lots going on and past occasionally meets present in this story. 

And, hey, love Thor, Gia's huge Bermese mountain dog. Gia felt very human to me, even to the point of momentarily forgetting all she'd been taught about self-protection at one point, which seems a very real life reaction. Nope, not sharing any more details. You'll just have to read the book and, I'm betting that, just like me, you may find yourself hooked and on the look out for past episodes. Thanks #NetGalley and #BeyondThePagePublishing for introducing me to this series with this sneak peek. I'll definitely be playing catch-up and on the look out for the next installment. Fun read.

Only in Florida, by Heather Alexander, Joseph Moffat-Peña (Illustrator)

 

Publication March 5, 2024

Lively, colorful illustrations that feature Florida's landscape and imagery. Yes, lots of orange trees and beach scenes but there is so much more to Florida. It's all there.

There's a quite comprehensive index at the end, so I won't belabor all you'll find within. But, how about a few teasers? How about Spook Hill in Lake Wales? Why is your car rolling downhill in neutral when it looks like you're going uphill? Ohh, spooky. You're never more than 60 miles from a beach when you're in Florida, so it's obvious you'll find lots of sunny, beach scenes, but leave time for the spectator sports,  a visit to Ocala horse country, and, of course, Disney World. Make you wear sunscreen lotion, though, as Florida averages 237 days of sunshine per year and is not only the flattest and hottest state on average, but most humid with the most thunderstorms and lightning. 

Not exactly grist for the tourist pages but it's just part of Florida. There's much, much more. Like NASA's space center, which gave rise to the adoption of the moonstone as the state gem (despite the fact they aren't natural to Florida). While some of these facts and stats may sound negative, there is much to be enjoyed and it's a popular retirement site. I liked the fact the book didn't try to ignore or play down the potential negatives, too, from the heat to the weather incidents. I lived much of my life there and enjoyed the warmth, lack of snow, and then acres of orange trees that then surrounded me. Hey, do you know how Gatorade was invented? You will after reading this book. Notable people are showcased, as is the state's history in a colorful timeline early on. The trees and flowers, oh, my, beautiful and plentiful and many are year round. 

Thanks #NetGalley and #QuartoPublishingGrop - #WideEyedEditions for giving me this sneak peek at my ol' state. By sheer serendipity, my last previous review was Alaska based. This one is Florida, the state I moved to Alaska from. What are the odds? It's a magical mix of the unusual, quirky, tropical, beach, and eclectic sites you won't find everywhere. You can even watch a mermaid show! Or visit, no lie, a garbage truck museum!

A Bean to Die For (A Coffee Lover's Mystery #4), by Tara Lush

 Publication Jan. 9, 2024

Do you know what a mushroom log is? You will after reading this book. It's actually rather intriguing, gotta admit, as was the latte art machine. Being a former Floridian, I thoroughly enjoyed the setting, happy that I didn't live in quite as quaint and quirky and area. In this case, Lana is living the good life on Devil's Island, It seems to be a cross between a mecca for hippy types and those wanting to start a new life. The gardens overseen by the community seem to bring them together although it isn't always in peace. Even worse, Lana stumbles across a body in the community garden. Her coffee related plans will have to wait.

Who killed cranky Jack Daggett? Unfortunately for Lana, she has no time to play sleuth. Boyfriend Noah's mother and sister are due to arrive in a few days and Lana desperately wants to make a great impression on them. So why can't she even seem to find the time to go shopping for dinner ingredients? Why are community residents arguing over....monkeys? Will Lana be able to withstand the pleading of suspect Darla to help her clear her name? Even with the help of her best friend and barista Erica, she's definitely feeling stressed. Her forever hippy father isn't exactly helpful. Amazingly enough, her boyfriend, Police Chief Noah, ultimately doesn't even try to stop her sleuthing behind his back. He simply asks her to do it safely, it via online and such, not in-person snooping, er, questioning. That's rather a pleasant twist of the ol' trope of the romantic partner being strongly discouraging. I do give kudos to Lana for not being TSTL, ie too stupid to live, too. I liked that her character didn't go rushing blindly into danger as many cozy mystery amateur sleuths do. In other words, this book offers up some refreshing twists in addition to an intriguing plot full of quirky characters.

Even better, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting these characters again (having read the previous book). Lana is a former crime reporter, so delving into crimes isn't exactly new to her. She'd hoped to have left all that behind her when she left Miami but, well, life (or death?) happens. Erica is a hoot. She seems far more into the sleuthing than Lana, to be honest, but isn't exactly subtle in her questioning. Read the room, Erica! And don't make Erica mad, either. Lana's father Peter, the once-and-forever hippy, is an odd mix of ol' hippy and techno pop, oddly enough. Ol' timer with a modern twist. He definitely enjoys the sleuthing. And, Noah? Well, he sounds like a saint. A good looking saint with patience to spare. So, why is Lana so anxious about meeting his mother and sister? They're....oh, enough teasers. Their meeting is....no, no, no more hints. Let's just say there is a lot going on when they meet. 

It's a fun read, full of likable, interesting characters, soft/sly humor that will make you smile, a cute dog, and a setting with some bizarre critters and townspeople Thanks #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for inviting me down to spend some time in Florida. It's always an adventure.

A Clue in the Crumbs (A Key West Food Critic Mystery #13) , by Lucy Burdette

Publication August 8, 2023

As always, murder aside, the characters are what draw me back to this series again and again. The pacing and dialogue flow naturally and the use of humor adds to the fun, with just enough backstory woven in to make us feel like we know the characters. In many ways, you could probably call Key West a character, too, as Burdette does such a wonderful job sharing it's sights and sounds, the heartbeat of Key West, so to speak. What a delight to have the Scottish Scone Sisters, Violet and Bettina Booth, come to visit. I think I'm jealous they got to stay on a houseboat at the pier where Hayley lives. Ah, houseboat living, so Key West.

Too bad playing tourist and their cooking show production are ruined by murder. Even worse, one of their knives was used. Red herrings galore, not to mention suspects, and if you're like me, you'll find yourself changing your mind whodunit frequently, I bet. Through it all, you'll admire the sisters' energy -- I got tired reading about all they did while visiting -- and ability to find positives. I do hope Burdette finds a way to bring them back occasionally. They are fun and the sort of fun aunts we'd all love to hang out with. 

I won't detail the plot other than to say that Hayley's husband, Nathan, already hoping for a promotion, has his hands full at the police station. I did like the little bits of logic/reasoning that Hayley shares about why, for instance, the police dislike having untrained investigators ask questions of witnesses. She's obviously learned a thing or two from Nathan. She strives hard to be the perfect hostess while still working her day job at the paper and fretting about being fair to all involved in her reviews. She also worries about her friends and family, even showing sensitivity to the "aura", so to speak, of the local Tarot card reader who appeared down spirited. In other words, she pays attention to others, always a good trait. I mean, she even feels guilty for not badgering Miss Gloria to call her sons more often. Family. Hayley's family may not all be blood-related but they are family nevertheless.

In any case, the finale is a wowzer and one I didn't see coming. Give it a read. You'll enjoy not just the rhythm and beat of Key West -- tiki boat ride, anyone? -- but the intriguing characters that people Hayley's world. And, oh, yes. Make sure you aren't hungry when you sit down to read because, oh, my, the food talk will make you so even if you eat. Toss in some great recipes at the end and you are in foodie heaven. 

Thanks to #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for letting me enjoy this virtual trip to Key West. I'll add, too, kudos to author Burdette for her respect for the elderly and family ties, both blood and of the heart. That was special.