The Body at the Windmill (A Georgina Drake Mystery #7), by Kate Hardy

 

Publication Feb. 2, 2026

Two mysteries. Both involving poisoning. One old. One new. And, somehow, right in the middle of both, is photographer Georgina Drake. Who knew simply driving a friend to pick up a child who gets sick on a school field trip could lead to an investigation. Although initially most found it odd an entire group of children would get sick with the same thing at almost exactly the same time, no one thought too much about it. Then the teacher heading that field trip dies. Now it's a murder investigation that sucks Georgina into it in ways she'd just as rather have never happened. 

I don't want to give away too much more of the plot, it's a good one that'll keep you guessing, but will say it involves greed, family angst, manipulation, small town gossip, a dead rat, and the difficulty newcomers often face while trying to fit into a new place. You'll also get some serious background on windmill operation and the whys of the way things are done to manufacture flour. Lots of bits of history, too, mostly tied to the old murder. That's where Georgina's friend Doris comes into play. She has a talent Georgina doesn't. Doris is a ghost that only Georgina can hear through her hearing aid. She also seems to have the ability to slip in an out of locations not just effortlessly... I mean, would we expect anything less of a ghost .... but find and talk to deceased souls involved. In this case it's Margaret, accused and hanged for murder nearly a century ago. Doris' presence doesn't come across as spooky, just as the way it is, so don't hesitate to read this if you're a ghost skeptic. As you'll discover, some of the characters were/are, too. 

Which brings me to why I keep returning to this series. The characters are well fleshed out and it was particular fun to see Georgina's son Will home and playing a major role in the investigation. Actually, in both investigations. Even daughter Bea makes a brief appearance via a phone call, so it was a bit of a family reunion. Colin, the detective inspector and Georgina's boyfriend, is coming around but I was more impressed to see his open willingness to not just buy into Doris' existence but how he handled dealing with Will's work issues that brought him home. Not pushy, just available to listen if needed. In the process, we all learn a bit about the evolution of arsenic via some past research Will did for schooling. In any case, I liked the characters and how their connections have evolved. And, hey, if you enjoy a dose of Shakespeare and/or literary references, you'll definitely like this book. The mystery is solid, with several suspects and enough red herrings to keep you guessing. Thanks #StormPublishing for initially introducing me to this series and allowing me an early peek at how life is treating Georgina. My own affinity for picking up my camera without thought makes her a bit of a kindred soul for me. 

Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library , by Amanda Chapman

 

Publication August 26, 2025

First, an admission. I clicked to review this thinking it was a follow-up to another book I'd recently read where Agatha Christie was a very alive character set in her time frame. Imagine my surprise to discover that Christie, who actually plays a much larger role in this book then the one I'd read, is a, well, ghost. Oops. My mistake. One I'm glad I made. I found myself much more caught up in this story than I'd imagined I'd be and enjoyed it a great deal. Ghost Christie is still on top of her sleuthing game, not to mention remembers all her poisons well. She's someone I wouldn't mind knowing, even if I had to settle for the ghostly version.

I won't delve deeply into the plot. It's in that book blurb I neglected to read.  It involves a ghost showing up in Tory Van Dyne's beloved Mystery Guild Library and saying she's bored in the great beyond and is there to help Tory solve a murder, one that hasn't happened yet. Unfortunately, whatever knowledge of the murder she may have had in the great beyond doesn't follow along to the library's dedicated Christie room. Of course, there's a murder. Next thing you know Tory and Christie are being joined by one of the most unlikely sleuthing groups you could imagine. There's Tory, of course, her quirky, self-absorbed socialite/actress sister Nic, Tory's snarky librarian friend, a poorly dressed (in Tory's opinion) NYPD detective, and, no lie, an eleven-year old computer wiz with a father who not only isn't fazed by his daughter's new friends but looks like Colin Farrell. There's even a romance brewing, albeit it's set on slow burn given Tory's own demons. As for the spirited Christie, who is visible to all and quite physically there, she's both listener and sharer of info, not to mention quotes from her books. 

That's all I'm saying other than, no surprise, there's another murder.  Nic seems to be a likely target and, surprisingly, shows a side of her that hasn't really been visible until near the end. I liked these quirky, less than perfect characters. Heck, even the wealthy Van Dyne family's chauffeur is personable,. As for Agatha Christie, let's face it, while unsure of who she is, all the others find her quite comforting with her ability to listen and offer concern. The setting was fun, both the library room created to mirror Christie's real-life office, and the New York setting added fun as we tackle how to get around in one of the most crowed cities in the world. You'll even get to meet library "cats" Patience and Fortitude. If you don't know about them, you will when you finish. Thanks to #BerkleyPublishingGroup for giving me this unexpectedly delightful early look. Hoping this is the start of a series. Well done!

 

Murder in a Cup (A Crystals & CuriosiTEAS Mystery, #2), by Lauren Elliott

 Publication Nov. 28, 2023

First, check out the great cover. I loved the detail and color and how it perfectly fits the mystery. Kudos to the artist/designer.

There are so many things happening in this book that it's difficult to decide where to start. Oddly enough, what on the surface is a slow build initially is also tinged with an ominous sense of foreboding.  While feeding us lots of backstory via Shay's sort of meditation, it's preparing us for what was to come. Let's see, that includes deadly plants, Tassi, an uneasy teenager being pulled between parents, the father from h.... er, heck,confused identity, a wonderful dog, love on the rocks, family secrets, greed, new characters, and....well, much, much more. 

I won't even attempt to share the plot. The blurb does an excellent job. Oddly enough, although magical tales are hit or miss with me, I'm thoroughly invested in Shayleigh/Shay's story. It's very human. While we might fantasize that having magical powers would be wonderful, Shay's experiences have been far different and fraught with danger. Nope, no cute twitch of a nose a la Samantha on "Bewitched" here. Shay neither understands her powers fully nor is she sure she wants them. She isn't even sure if Spirit, her amazingly insightful dog is, well, a dog or her familiar, but has learned to trust his instincts, at least.

There are several side stories, with the focus of the mystery as who kills Jasmine, who happens to be the younger girlfriend of the father from...heck. His daughter, Tassi, works at Shay's shop and is accused of poisoning Jasmine with one of Shay's poisonous plants. BTW, do you know what eye of newt really is? We're all familiar with that term from Macbeth and have just taken it for granted that it's some potent and dangerous ingredient. Not exactly, we learn. Eye of newt is the old-world term for mustard seeds. Toe of frog is a buttercup. That's your vocabulary lesson for the day. I love it when an author teaches me something new, don't you?

So, who killed Jasmine if it wasn't Tassi? Could it be the father from heck, tired of her money-spending ways? One of the White Glove Ladies, who you'll meet at their daily gathering at Shay's shop? Why a restraining order? Why were so many determined Shay give a group reading? How does Granny know Shay's family? Is she there to stay? Will Shay's personal life ever take a positive turn? And, wait! Who is this mysterious Conor? Changlings? Who....oh, enough teasers. This is a book that is full of action and reveals with a touch of magic, often barely controlled. Shay is learning to trust her instincts as a seer but will she learn how to use them and the tools left to her in time? 

Thanks #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks - #KensingtonCozies for allowing me to revisit Shay's fascinating but occasionally uneasy magical world. Love the addition of Liam's Granny. And, give Spirit a steak for dinner.