Double Cover Reveal!

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Edith/Maddie here, admiring how much light has returned to the sky despite the still cold temperatures of a New England winter (even with climate change, it’s chilly out there). Read down for a giveaway!

I’m excited to present the next two covers in the Country Store Mysteries. I realized the cover of Nacho Average Murder, book seven, has already slid out into the public eye, but I never gave it a coming-out party, so, voila!

Isn’t that fabulous? While looking forward to her high school reunion back in California, Robbie’s anticipation is complicated by memories of her mother’s untimely death. At first, she has fun hanging out with her old classmates and reuniting with the local flavors—avocados, citrus, fish, and spicy Cali-Mex dishes. But then she gets wind of rumors that her mother, an environmental activist, may not have died of natural causes. With the help of friends, Robbie starts clearing the smoke surrounding the mystery—but what she finds could make it hard to get back to Indiana alive . . .

I had a delicious time doing the research (yes, IN Santa Barbara a year ago) and testing the recipes. If you were to preorder it, I would be delighted! It releases at the end of June.

And now, so the next cover doesn’t also slide out without fanfare, may I present #8 in the series, Candy Slain Murder?

Robbie’s back in South Lick and pretty amazed there hasn’t been a murder in town in nearly a year. But...a man raises eyebrows at Pans ‘N Pancakes when he claiming to be the long-lost half-brother of Robbie’s assistant. Then a fire destroys the home of a controversial anesthesiologist, exposing skeletal remains in his attic. Helplessly intrigued, all Robbie wants for Christmas is to stop her winter wonderland from becoming a real nightmare. With a decades-old mystery taking shape, plus a new murder in the present, can she run as fast as she can in pursuit of a killer who’s harder to crack than a stale gingerbread man?

This one is up for preorder, too, of course, and will be out September 29. And, as our friend Hank Phillippi Ryan likes to say (with an only half-joking tone), “It’s only my career.”

I’d love to send a commenter any one of books two through six (sorry, I’m out of the first one). And since I just got in a box of ARCs, I’ll send one of those to another FOW (Friend of the Wickeds). Let me know if you’ve already read all the Country Store Mysteries.

Readers: What’s your favorite season for a book to be set in? What places off the beaten track have you learned about from a mystery?

Published by Edith Maxwell

Agatha Award -winning author Edith Maxwell writes the historical Quaker Midwife Mysteries (Beyond the Page) and short crime fiction. As Maddie Day she writes the Dot and Amelia Mysteries, the Country Store Mysteries series, the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries, and the Cece Barton Mysteries (all from Kensington Publishing). She lives north of Boston in an antique house with her beau and cat Martin, where she writes, gardens, cooks, and wastes time on Facebook.

83 Thoughts

  1. The covers are great, Edith! I love the tuxedo cat.

    I like books set around holidays. It gives me a chance to learn new traditions. And if I’m reading a culinary cozy, often to add yummy recipes to my tried and true list.

  2. My favorite is winter around Christmas. Off the beaten path, I’ve imagined the small towns and general stores.

  3. I love the tuxedo kitty too! And love both covers! Can’t wait to read them!

  5. Edith,

    I love the covers. And you know that I’ve read all the books in the Country Store mysteries. And I’m on record for my love of the series, which for my money is the best cozy series on the market. I look forward to each new book with the same kind of anticipation that I used to have for Christmas morning.

    I don’t have a favorite season for a book to be set though. It matters more to me that the story itself is great regardless of whatever seasonal trappings are woven into the narrative. I will say that I do love the Year Round Christmas series by Vicki Delany so when a Christmas set mystery is done well, I do invariably enjoy those but it isn’t a requirement or anything.

  6. I have read all of this series. I enjoyed the first book which introduced me to this series and introduced the characters in the book. Like that she adopts the cat or the cat adopts her. Looking forward to all the new books

  7. I’ve read all of the books that have already been published. I’ve read a few books set in the Pacific Northwest. That’s someplace I’ve never been.

  8. I love both covers! And I love stories set around Christmas time so the beautiful Christmas tree really caught my eye!

  9. SO excited to read the latest adventures of Robbie and the gang. All caught up on them, so really looking forward to these this year!

  10. What fabulous covers – LOVE THEM BOTH! Can’t wait for the opportunity to read more of Robbie’s adventures.

    My favorite season is spring. It’s when nature and critters alike strut their stuff after a cold, dreary winter. Although winter has give us a chance to rest up and refresh our minds and bodies, it’s the spring that wakes up our senses and says “Isn’t it grand to be alive!” It’s a time to start over with a clean slate and bloom as we are intended to.

    Do so love being able to travel and see now sights and experiences (including trips to the past like in your Quaker Midwife Mysteries) when I know that the author, such as yourself, has gone to great length doing their research for accuracy.

    Can’t wait for the opportunity to read ” Nacho Average Murder” and already looking forward to “Candy Slain Murder”. As fast as this year is going, Christmas will be right around the corner. I know they both will be grand successes.
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

  11. What great covers, Edith. Congratulations!

    I don’t really have a favorite “season” for books. And I don’t know what places I’ve learned about, either. Maybe it’s just too early in the morning for the synapses to be firing. More caffeine, please. 🙂

  12. Marvelous covers, Edith! I enjoy all seasons as settings. They all add their own flair to the story. I have read the first two in the series and thoroughly enjoyed them.

  13. Marvelous covers, Edith! I enjoy all seasons for the setting. They each add their own flair to the story. I have read the first two books in the series and thoroughly enjoyed them.

  15. I like books set in winter, since it’s one of my favorite seasons and there’s lots of holiday stuff going on. I’m reading the nantucket candle maker mystery right now and so I’m learning about Nantucket Island. Thanks for the giveaway and for sharing both covers – they are great!

  16. I’ve read all so far, and am eagerly awaiting more. 😉 I try to appreciate all the seasons, as advised in the folktale of the 12 Month Brothers, but maybe lean a bit toward spring for the sheer hopefulness. <3

  17. I’m not sure that I have a favorite season for a book. Seasons and holidays can all add something to the story. Reading books about the northwest have made me want to visit there, as well as books about Michigan, which I have also never visited. Love the covers of your new books! Can’t wait to read them.

  18. Thank you for the giveaway. The new book covers are beautiful! I would love to win Biscuits and Slashed Browns. Christmas is my favorite but I love books set any time of year. Especially ones with cats or dogs.

  19. Congrats! What fabulous covers, as always. Yes, I have read all of the series. I always feel like I’m back home in Indiana, it all seems so familiar to me. Not sure I have a particular season I prefer, although holiday themed stories for any holiday are always fun.

  20. I love both covers, they really “catch your eye”. I’d say Christmas themed books are my favorite, but any holiday is good. Of course, the story is the main draw and favorite characters/series are the defining factor. I like series — the longer they go on, the better. I know the characters, I know their past, etc. and look forward to their further adventures.

  21. Both of these covers are fantastic! I am all caught up on the Country Store mysteries and can’t wait for both of these books to release. My favorite season for a cozy is probably Christmas with Halloween following close behind.

  23. Congrats Edith/Maddie! Great covers, I love the cat. I like reading any holiday, but especially Christmas. I love learning about all places I’ve never been and will never go, other than in books! Small towns, English countrysides are my favorites, but wherever a book may lead me, gladly I go. I’ve only read Biscuits and Slashed Browns, in your A Country Store Mystery series, thoroughly enjoyable. I would love, love to read more, they are all on my TBR list. Thanks!!!

  24. Congrats! I’ve read all but one of the Country Store mysteries. It is in my TBR. Would love an ARC of #7. I learn about little towns through cozies and historical novels, and enjoy it. Thanks for the chance to win!

  25. So exciting! I can’t wait to read them both! I’ve already finished the rest of the series and it’s one of my VERY faves! I recommend it all the time!

  26. Great covers! I haven’t read the entire series, yet, but I’m working on it. I don’t have any favorite special time of year for a book setting. I enjoy all seasons.

  27. Great covers! Love the spunk the cat is showing. Reminds me of my cat Squeeker who crossed the rainbow bridge last year. In winter I love reading about warm places and in summer I enjoy wintery weather reads.

      1. Whoot! So happy to win! I can’t wait to read/review and get to know that spunky kitty! Thank you so much!!!! I responded to the email! Have a great day. Happy dancing!

  28. I love any season but there are always some good holiday ones. Halloween and Christmas are some of the best. I also like a good summer picnic storyline.

  29. Love the covers! I have read all of the Country Store books and look forward to both of these! I enjoy all seasons of mysteries!! Thanks for a chance!

  30. Favorite season for books to be set? Autumn is my favorite… I love the leaves changing colors, falling and temps hopefully dropping, too! What great place have I found as a result of a mystery? Trois Estate in Fredericksburg, Texas. It’s a bed and breakfast/resort/villa built by the owner’s own hands across the way from Enchanted Rock park. You’ll find an underground chapel, cave, saloon, Hollywood relics, world’s largest cap gun museum and the most unique lodgings you’ve ever seen. It was the best way to spend the last night of our honeymoon!

  31. I love these covers. The Country Store books are on my TBR list so I have them all to look forward to, and I do! When I’m deep in a book I really feel the weather so books set in spring are better than the cold winter or hot, hot summer.

    1. Thanks, Katie. When I am writing a book set in winter, I’m always surprised to look out the window and see green leaves and birds! The reverse is true, too.

  32. I have not read this series yet. So I suppose I would like to start with book 2 These covers are wonderful. I love the kitty. I dont have a preference about a season when the book is set. Most authors I have read, can make a story in any season and I enjoy their telling.

  33. My favorite time of year is Christmas, so I love cozies set around that time. But generally I like reading in-season. Love these beautiful covers! I’ve learned so much about different areas by reading cozies—I guess I’ve learned the most about the UK. legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com

  34. I love when I’m reading a book that’s set in the same season I’m reading it in. It just makes it easier for me to really put myself into the book. Most the places I’ve learned about and would LOVE to visit in books aren’t real towns. I have at least learned what towns they are based on and can’t wait to visit those places.

  35. Both covers are great!!!
    They both sound really good also! I’m also a Hoosier from Mooresville Indiana 😊
    I love Christmas theme books most of all.
    Congratulations on both books!!!!

  36. I think the fall season can a great setting for a mystery. As for as off the beaten path…an old mansion or maybe a castle located in Ireland would be so mysterious!

  37. I love books set in the British Isles, Scotland or Ireland. I have read all the Country store books. I actually love all the mysteries that I read and I read every one I can get my hands on!!! My granddaughter is spending the night and she said I know what you love, reading and she is so right!!!!

  38. Its fun to read Christmas stories at Christmas to get in the mood. But I read them when I find them. No particular time of the year for me as long as I like the story and characters. I’ve learned about new Orleans and the Florida keys. Mackinaw island too. I like small towns or in the country. But a coffee shop near by new York is one I enjoy reading. Guess it doesn’t really matter where. Thank you for the chance I read most of the books with Robbie. Love them. Your covers are interesting and the books look like fun to read.

  39. I have read Strangled Eggs and Ham but not the others. Thanks for the opportunity!

  41. I’m a fan of any season in a book as each have their own delights. Spring with it’s new blooms, summer with it’s warming sunshine, fall with it’s pretty colors and winter with it’s beautiful snow. I’m not as fond of any other than summer in real life though lol. Love my warm weather and sunshine!

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