Mystery shopper Josie Marcus is thrilled to be getting married. But when a deranged bride meets a grim end, Josie will have to catch a murderer before she tosses the bouquet… As a bride-to-be, Josie’s latest assignment is absolutely fitting—investigating wedding flowers and wedding cakes. Josie can’t wait to pick out the details to make her own wedding perfect, even as her fiancé Ted’s outrageous mother has plans to turn the celebration into an over-the-top extravaganza. Still, the pistol-packing Lenore does come in handy when she draws her gun on Molly—a homicidal bridezilla who threatens to kill Ted unless he agrees to marry her—and saves the day. Josie thinks the worst pre-wedding disaster is behind her—until Molly is shot and Lenore becomes the prime suspect. With her mother-in-law behind bars and her wedding on hold, Josie’s about to become fully engaged in finding the bridezilla killer and getting her own wedding back on track…

In this feisty new culinary cozy mystery series from Agatha and Edgar Award-nominated author Valerie Burns, social media #influencer Maddy Montgomery is adjusting to her new life after moving to small-town Michigan to run a bakery and take care of a gigantic English mastiff--all while solving the murder of a rival bakery owner. Can young entrepreneur and social media influencer Maddy Montgomery run a bakery, care for a 250-poud English mastiff, and cultivate a picture-perfect relationship--all while exposing a murderer? With small town New Bison's Spring Festival just around the corner, the pressure is on Maddy to continue her late great-aunt Octavia's legacy. That means scoring the top prize and transforming Baby Cakes into Southwest Michigan's must-visit bakery, even though her inexperience in the kitchen brings nightmares of humiliating tagged photos and scathing reviews. There's another reason for lost beauty sleep. A second bakery is opening in town under the ownership of CJ Davenport, a shrewd investor with a reputation for sabotaging anyone who gets in his way. And savvy, flashy Maddy tops his list. It's a sticky spot to be in--more so when Davenport turns up dead with a Baby Cakes's knife stuck in his back. Maddy's whole life just went from #thriving to barely surviving. Now, supported by the crafty Baker Street Irregulars and her new boyfriend, she must find the courage to face off against a killer who could very well get her name trending for the first and last time . . .

New in the national bestselling Josie Marcus, Mystery Shopper series, from the Agatha and Anthony Award-winning author of the Dead End Job Mystery series. Mystery shopper Josie Marcus is getting the dirt on doggy day-care centers, and discovers that one dog-loving local celebrity is really bad to the bone. Josie has been asked to investigate Uncle Bob's Doggy Day Camp, known for its commercials featuring Uncle Bob liking dogs so much that he acts like one. But Josie soon learns how Uncle Bob acts when the cameras are off. Her mother's new tenant, Franklin, who works for Uncle Bob, plans to quit after seeing the man's true nature. But before he gets the chance, Bob is murdered, and Franklin goes from the doghouse to the big house. Now it's up to Josie to clear Franklin's name. Her investigation reveals that Bob was more of a dog than anyone knew--and had been kicked out of his house for bad behavior. As she digs up new clues, Josie will have to catch the killer quickly, before any more trouble is unleashed. Includes Shopping Tips!

A Dictionary of Anglo-American Proverbs & Proverbial Phrases Found in Literary Sources of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries is a unique collection of proverbial language found in literary contexts. It includes proverbial materials from a multitude of plays, (auto)biographies of well-known actors like Britain's Laurence Olivier, songs by William S. Gilbert or Lorenz Hart, and American crime stories by Leslie Charteris. Other authors represented in the dictionary are Horatio Alger, Margery Allingham, Samuel Beckett, Lewis Carroll, Raymond Chandler, Benjamin Disraeli, Edward Eggleston, Hamlin Garland, Graham Greene, Thomas C. Haliburton, Bret Harte, Aldous Huxley, Sinclair Lewis, Jack London, George Orwell, Eden Phillpotts, John B. Priestley, Carl Sandburg, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Jesse Stuart, Oscar Wilde, and more. Many lesser-known dramatists, songwriters, and novelists are included as well, making the contextualized texts to a considerable degree representative of the proverbial language of the past two centuries. While the collection contains a proverbial treasure trove for paremiographers and paremiologists alike, it also presents general readers interested in folkloric, linguistic, cultural, and historical phenomena with an accessible and enjoyable selection of proverbs and proverbial phrases.

Mystery shopper Josie Marcus has been happily married to veterinarian Ted Scottsmeyer for months. But her newly wedded bliss is about to be cut short.... Josie and Ted have finally tied the knot, and they’re ready for the next step: buying a house. Ted’s business partner, Christine, has one she’s willing to sell, but it needs a lot of love. Luckily, the newlyweds are up for the challenge. But when they tear down a rickety gazebo in the backyard, they find the body of Christine’s sister, a free spirit who supposedly took off six months before. The police arrest Christine for murder, leaving Ted to work overtime at the office to cover for his partner. With no time to work on the house or be with her husband, Josie will have to find the real killer quickly, before both her house and marriage are beyond repair.... Includes Shopping Tips!

THE OBVIOUS CLUE - Ultimate Murder Mystery Collection stands as a monumental anthology that spans the breadth and depth of the mystery genre. Featuring a blend of works by legendary authors such as Charles Dickens and Agatha Christie, to pioneering figures like Anna Katharine Green and Edgar Allan Poe, this collection heralds the diversity and richness of narrative styles and plot complexities that have come to define the genre. Amidst its pages, readers will encounter a wide range of literary styles, from the detective story's early formation to its crystallization into a genre of its own, highlighting standout pieces that have influenced countless adaptations and have continued to captivate audiences worldwide. The anthology not only celebrates the intricacies of the mystery narrative but also pays homage to the genre's evolution over time. The contributing authors, hailing from the 19th to early 20th centuries, represent a critical period in literature when the mystery genre was burgeoning and finding its footing amidst other literary movements. Collectively, their backgroundsspanning different geographies, cultures, and professionsenrich the collection, providing a panoramic view of the societal attitudes and literary trends of their times. These authors together underscore the universal appeal of the mystery genre, influenced by, and in turn influencing, major cultural and literary movements such as Romanticism, Realism, and the Golden Age of detective fiction. THE OBVIOUS CLUE - Ultimate Murder Mystery Collection offers an unparalleled journey through the evolution of the murder mystery narrative, inviting readers to delve into the cunning, the mysterious, and the ingeniously crafted plots that have stood the test of time. This anthology serves not only as a treasure trove for aficionados of the genre but also as a comprehensive study resource for those keen to explore the origins and developments of literary mystery. Its collective exploration of human psychology, societal dynamics, and the perennial quest for justice makes it an essential addition to any literary collection, promising insights and intrigue for scholars, students, and mystery enthusiasts alike.

From USA Today bestselling author Leslie Langtry comes the latest hilarious Merry Wrath Mystery, where Merry's past with the CIA comes back to haunt her in a very lively way in small town Iowa! Just when you thought it was safe to come out of the water… Who expects to come home and find an angry Chechen strong man in their front yard? That’s what former CIA turned suburbanite Merry Wrath discovers when she comes home from a disastrous pool party with her Girl Scout troop. Only this is Iowa, not Chechnya, and Aslan is anything but friendly, having realized Merry doubled crossed him in her former CIA life. As revenge for the humiliation, Aslan has an ultimatum for Merry: kill her former handler, Riley Andrews, or Aslan’s goons, Ron and Ivan, will kill Merry’s husband, Rex. Be careful what you wish for… When Merry’s assassin colleague Hilly (who isn’t an assassin because the CIA doesn’t have assassins – that would be illegal) shows up to help, Merry dares to hope the two of them can find a solution to avoid killing Riley and protect Rex. But before they can come up with a plan, Merry is faced with a dead body, and Hilly tells police she saw Ron and Ivan dumping it. Unfortunately, Merry know that's not true as she was with the dim-witted rogues when the murder happened. It’s a not-so-classic cozy conundrum… Now Merry is trapped in a diabolical dilemma. With Hilly and Riley now suspects in the murder, she could say nothing and watch Ron and Ivan take the fall. Or does she do the right thing, and help Ron and Ivan implicate her friends in the process? Merry has to solve this one on her own as she walks a fine line between doing the right thing for the wrong people, or the wrong thing for the right people. Merry Wrath Mysteries: Merit Badge Murder – book #1 Mint Cookie Murder – book #2 Scout Camp Mystery – short story in the "Killer Beach Reads" collection Marshmallow S'More Murder – book #3 Movie Night Murder – book #4 Mud Run Murder – book #5 Fishing Badge Murder – short story in the "Pushing Up Daisies" collection Motto for Murder – book #6 Map Skills Murder – book #7 Mean Girl Murder – book #8 Marriage Vow Murder – book #9 Mystery Night Murder – book #10 Meerkats and Murder– book #11 Make Believe Murder – book #12 Maltese Vulture Murder – book #13 Musket Ball Murder – book #14 Macho Man Murder – book #15 Mad Money Murder – book #16 What critics are saying about Leslie Langtry's books: "I laughed so hard I cried on multiple occasions! Girl Scouts, the CIA, and the Yakuza... what could possibly go wrong?" ~ Fresh Fiction "Darkly funny and wildly over the top, this mystery answers the burning question, 'Do assassin skills and Girl Scout merit badges mix…?'" ~ RT BOOKreviews "Mixing a deadly sense of humor and plenty of sexy sizzle, Leslie Langtry creates a brilliantly original, laughter-rich mix of contemporary romance and suspense." ~ Chicago Tribune "Langtry gets the fun started from page one." ~ Publisher's Weekly

The patrol car swerved, came to a halt; Ron Webber opened his eyes and looked about dazedly: "Where are we?" "Municipal Hospital," the officer said. The ceremony was brief: the sheet was raised, and Webber glanced and nodded: "It's him. It's Frank..." Webber performs background checks for insurance companies, alongside his best friend, Frank Milford. Now Frank's dead, and so's the young woman whom he was investigating. Ron wants to know why, and teams up with Homicide Lieut. Robert Hendricks to search for answers. But Ron's father, Chief of Police in Carter City, objects to his son playing detective. As the body count mounts, Ron suddenly realizes he's on his own! A thrilling mystery novel by a first-rate storyteller--now published for the very first time!

When Catherine Cooper settles in the Hamptons on the heels of a nasty split from her long-time husband, the luxurious coastal community seems like the perfect place to get back on track in style. But as Cat soon discovers, starting fresh on the East End can be deadly . . . Cat Cooper never imagined selling off her in-demand marketing firm would mean going from the pinnacle of success to a walking hot mess. Gouged from an unexpected divorce, Cat suddenly finds herself struggling through a new career as a business-savvy life coach for the hopelessly adrift in East Hampton and contending with Heather Holland—a spiteful neighbor who will do anything to bully her out of town. But her second act may very well continue behind bars when Heather’s dead body turns up next to a shattered punchbowl . . . and Cat’s pinned as the murderer. But given Heather’s mean girl reputation, any one of the guests at her invite-only luncheon could have committed the crime before planting Cat’s punchbowl next to the body. Determined not to trade designer duds for an unflattering prison jumpsuit, Cat sides with her best friend Gilley to scour chic boutiques and oceanfront mansions in search of the criminal who framed her. With a stoic detective looking to get her in cuffs, it’s up to Cat to catch the real killer and land on her feet once again . . .

Featuring the second six Professor Molly mysteries and an exclusive bonus short story with reporter Pat Flanagan and Harriet Holmes! The Blessed Event: "Davison Gonsalves was a nightmare student--an obnoxious, entitled, cheating suckup. In a twist of fate that might seem hilarious if it happened to someone else, he was now my stepson." Mother's Day: Mahina State University's powerful fundraising office tasks Professor Molly with a special assignment: To serve as the personal tutierge (that's tutor-concierge) to Jeremy Brigham, whose mother happens to be fabulously wealthy and gravely ill. Molly is not thrilled at having to babysit a spoiled rich kid. Especially not while she's battling morning sickness, a meddling mom, and (as always) the Student Retention Office. But once inside the historic Brigham House, Molly realizes something is very wrong. And she has to decide whether to mind her own business and keep her job, or risk everything to prevent a murder. The Nakamura Letters: Professor Emma Nakamura doesn't believe in ghosts. So it doesn't bother her (much) when she learns of a long-ago suicide in her remote upcountry rental house. She's sure there's a logical explanation for the disappearing items and the strange sounds in the night. Fortunately (?), Emma's best friend Molly has news shocking enough to take Emma's mind off the hauntings. Now Emma and Molly have to rely on their strong reasoning skills and a weak internet connection to figure out how a body ended up in Molly's backyard. The Nakamura Letters is an island-style take on the Golden Age mysteries of Mary Roberts Rinehart and Agatha Christie. The Perfect Body: When Professor Molly attends Mahina State University's exclusive donor dinner, she doesn't expect to share a table with the insufferable Stephen Park. Turns out it's one thing to invite your toxic ex-boyfriend to drop dead...it's quite another when he takes you up on it. The Fever Cabinet: Through no fault of her own, Professor Molly just got promoted to department chair. The Student Retention Office has her buried in paperwork. The college has just relocated to a former asylum, which is undergoing noisy renovations. Molly's dean has directed her to mentor the department's new star, the prickly Fiona Spencer, and to do whatever it takes to keep Fiona happy. At least nothing else can go wrong. And then Fiona finds a body in her office. The Influencer: There's no such thing as bad publicity. Until it happens to you. Professor Molly's new renter is a social media star seeking privacy in remote Mahina, Hawaii. The arrangement seems to be working out--until the celebrity influencer vanishes. Molly and her best friend Emma Nakamura call in the Mahina PD and try to stay out of the way. But the unthinkable happens—the saturnine Detective Medeiros actually asks for Molly and Emma's help. As they confront nosy neighbors, fanatical followers, and the missing woman's has-been husband, Molly and Emma find themselves at the center of the story. And when fame creates its own reality, that's a dangerous place to be. EXCLUSVE BONUS CONTENT: Death at the Effigy It's 1984. Young Pat Flanagan gets his first reporting job at San Diego's second-coolest 'zine, Voltaire's Quill. But when Pat covers the opening night of a trendy new club, he witnesses a freak "accident" and has to choose: keep his eccentric editor Harriet and her advertisers happy, or find out the truth?