Deadly Crush Cover Release and #triplegiveaway!

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News Flash: Our lucky winners are Jason Messier, Muriel Logan, and Dianne C! Congratulations, folks, and please check your email.

Edith/Maddie here, loving spring north of Boston.

Murder Uncorked, the debut of the Cece Barton Mysteries, came out last October. I loved introducing it in person locally and in northern California wine country, plus virtually everywhere else. I hope you got a chance to read about Cece, the wine bar she manages, and her family in the Alexander Valley north of San Francisco.

And now book two in the series is up for preorder! Here’s the blurb:

It’s the beginning of a new year, and for widowed single mom and recent L.A. transplant to California wine country, Cece Barton, that means green hillsides, flowing streams from winter rains, pruned vineyards—and a murder to solve . . .

After a mostly stress-free Christmas with her college-age daughter, and despite enjoying a current budding romance with fellow newcomer, Benjamin Cohen, it’s time for Cece to focus on Vino y Vida, the Colinas wine bar she manages. The place needs electrical work and an outdoor security camera, and she’s hired local electrician Karl Meier to do the job, along with his helper, nephew Ian. But she regrets her choice when she witnesses Karl needlessly berating Ian in her presence. On top of that, Karl leers at her, then presents her with an inflated bill before the work is complete. Still, she’s shocked when she gets a call from Karl’s ex-wife, Josie Jarvin, that she’s found Karl . . . crushed to death beneath the lift in her automotive shop.

Cece convinces Josie to call the police, even though Josie is terrified. After all, Karl was an abusive husband, was threatening her, and she has no alibi. With Josie’s future on the line, and maybe her own, Cece starts her own investigation. From the customers Karl cheated to the other women he harassed, she finds there’s no lack of suspects—other than the shelter kittens with whom he was an uncharacteristically sweet volunteer. With a bouquet of motives and unanswered questions, Cece is going to need the help of her twin, Allie, who owns a nearby B&B, as she dives into Karl’s past—before the killer catches up with her, and the lights go out for good . . .

Vintage car mechanic Josie is a character I tried to build an entire series around a few years ago – except my editor didn’t think it was cozy enough. I’m delighted to include her and JJ’s Automotive in this book and the series going forward as important secondary characters.

And now, without further ado, I present the cover for Deadly Crush.

What do you think? Thumbs up or down? Thoughts?

(Alas, the art department took a bit of artistic license – they didn’t pay attention when I specified the book takes place in January when the vines are being pruned and are as yet WITHOUT LEAVES. Oh, well.)

In celebration of Deadly Crush now being available to preorder wherever books are sold, I’d like to give away three copies of Murder Uncorked – and a special wine tote bag to go with each! (US only, and wine not included…)

Readers: How do you feel about a cover that has a mismatch with the story inside? Does it matter?

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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.

95 Thoughts

  1. Love the premise and the cover. Sometimes the cover matters with what is inside, but sometimes it doesn’t matter.

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  2. Quite often there’s a mismatch in a cover but the trees are a background and the foreground sets the stage for the story. Green is more eye catching than brown!

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  3. I think a few of the people on this blog might notice, but the beautiful art on the cover will probably help it sell more than a few copies. I loved Murder Uncorked and I can’t wait to read more about Cece (and Josie sounds like a lot of fun too)!

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  4. I read a book with the wrong food item in the title and wondered when it was going to appear in the story. Mistakes happen. It was still a good story. Looking forward to more wine country books. Diane

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  5. It’s not that it matters, but that I do notice! Not knowing a lot about wine, I may not realize they shouldn’t have leaves. It’s usually hair–length or color, when people are depicted on a cover. Congrats on the next Cece book!

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  6. The cover is attractive, but I prefer the cover to reveal details of the story within.

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  7. Edith,

    I love the cover reveal even if it doesn’t match the story inside.

    I suppose if a cover is WAY off from the story, it would matter to me a lot more than if it is a little off.

    I am really looking forward to DEADLY CRUSH. Not only because it is book 2 in the series, but we get to FINALLY meet Josie Jarvin. I’ve been eagerly wanting her in her own series since the first time I heard you talk about her and now it is coming to fruition in albeit modified form. Can’t wait to see how you flesh her out as a supporting character (and what you chose to go with for her T-shirt choices. :D)

    Can’t wait!

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  8. I doubt I would even have noticed about the leaves unless you mentioned it, because I have an image of wine country and vineyards pre-set in my brain as being full and lusciuously full of grapes! I do love the purple of the grapes against the green of the trees, too. Congratulations on your new book! I did read the first one and very much enjoyed Cece and her twin!

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  9. The cover is the first thing I see, so having eye catching colors is great. Cece is relatable and someone we can root for. The addition of Josie expands the series and another intriguing character.

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    2. Love the colors, Edith! The cover makes me want to have a glass of wine. I don’t care of a cover gets a detail or two wrong. To me, it’s the overall vibe that matters. And your cover has it!

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  10. Here in Upstate NY the saying is that vines should not be pruned after St. Joseph’s Feast Day, March 19th as Winter is leaving and the vines will bleed and die. If a date or time frame was clearly referenced I would have noticed because of that. Even the wild grape vine in my backyard greens up shortly after this date.

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  11. In one hand, it would be nice if they had listened to you, the writer of this fabulous story, on the bare limbs, but maybe they thought the amount of brown of all the vines being rather bare would be too much so as to distract from the actual hints on the cover. I do think that bare vines with dabs of color showing the fruit on the vine would have been cool though – hinting to harvest time. That being said, I love the hints on the cover – the clipping shears, the blood on the bucket and the broken wine glass – that all say there’s a murder to solve. All that being said, I LOVE the cover and can’t wait to dive into this CeCe story! DEADLY CRUSH is already on my TBR list. Loving this series!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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  12. I mostly read from my kindle so I don’t focus as much on the cover as an actual book so it wouldn’t bother me. If I had the actual book in this case it would not bother me because having read several of your books I would be excited to read it. It is a beautiful cover all the same! If I was the author I think it would irk me that the artist did not listen!

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  13. I do sometimes notice the disconnect, but I know the cover is often done separately, and the author may or may not have input, so I can overlook it. I also remember reading an article at one time about cover trends- certain elements, colors, fonts, etc., and what seems to sell best at a given time and what is popular amongst cover artists and readers. I suppose that plays a role in the final design?

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  14. I typically see a mismatch only after reading the story and by then I’ve enjoyed it so “shrug.” But I understand how it would bug the author who understands every fine, and well-researched point! (Beth DeWolfe)

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  15. If the cover is clearly a painting, I don’t mind a bit of artistic license. But, if it is emulating a photo, then I crave realism.

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  16. The only time it bothered me was in one series where they got the dog so wrong it wasn’t even the right breed! It was still a lovely picture though. Congratulations on your new book and your pretty (if wrong) cover. ckbmeg (at) gmail (dot) com

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  17. I’m of the opinion that in this case it really does not matter. The colors are perfect and fit the image in my mind when I think of wine country. The cover is lovely. If I want reality, I’ll read true crime and drive a couple of hours north in the winter to see bare vines. I loved CeeCee and her crew and am excited to see a new strong female character introduced to the world. Thanks!

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  18. I enjoy the cover artwork and if it isn’t entirely accurate it isn’t important. What I enjoy is the story and the characters. I look forward to this new addition which sounds captivating.

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  19. I love that the hills and trees have a bit of a Grant Wood air about them. All Murders Final! is set in the dead of the Massachusetts winter and yet has a sunny, cheery garage sale cover.

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  20. Cover that mismatches with story does matter to me mostly because I feel like it should match to make me want to read the book

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  22. CONGRATULATIONS on the upcoming second installment in your amazing Cece Barton mysteries, and for this beautiful cover! I love the cover because it tells so much in a “discreet” way 🙂 To be honest, you could have chosen a black cover with red letters, and I woul preorder and impatiently await its arrival at my doorstep! I feel that strongly about your books in general, but somehow the mood and location you chose for Cece resonate with me in a big way. As to mismatch, or erroneoius information? That is no biggie for me. Most people would not even notice (or know) that the vines are supposed to be barren due to pruning in January. I am ordering this book in print, kindle and audio versions. Thank you so much for pouring so much of you into your book pages…that is evident, and it is one of the reasons why I love reading all your books. Un fuetrte abrazo! Luis at ole dot travel

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  23. The cover is lovely and does speak to the wine country!

    I rarely notice if the cover and the story are a mismatch. I read on Kindle so the only time I see the cover is when I buy the book!

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  24. It doesn’t matter! The cover has wonderful colors, catches the eye nicely, and starts to tell a story about the setting! I’ve read enough Hardy Boys & Nancy Drew, plus comic books to know that the cover, along with the author’s name, is just the thing to make me pick up the book and flip it over to read a teaser about it! (Or click on the picture in this digital age!).

    Let the season slide… I know that the picture would make me flip the book over!

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  25. The cover is beautiful, even if it doesn’t completely match the content. I probably wouldn’t have noticed the dissonance between cover and content if you hadn’t mentioned it. I loved meeting Cece and her family in the short story and first novel, can’t wait to read the new one!

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  26. Sometimes the cover does not reflect the story but I cannot let this bother me as I read the book for an escape and ignore any artwork mistake or change. A cover does interest me.

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  28. The book jacket should probably match what is inside, but unless it’s a real glaring error, I’m not sure most people would notice. 😊

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  29. I love the covers the only time I caught a difference was when the dog on the cover did not match the dog in the book.

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  30. Normally, I am not bothered by a mismatch. There was only one time when it did bother me, and that was a cover that showed a beach when the entire plot took place in the city. It was a disappointment! I look forward to reading your new book, Maddie.

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  31. not a fan of mismatches. if i see green on the cover i don’t expect it to be story to be soon after christmas. just doesn’t work for me.

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  32. I think that’s a great cover. In this case, I get the mismatch. There isn’t much to see on bare vines that are ready for pruning. This looks much nicer and captures the vineyard theme. (No need to enter me in the giveaway.)

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  33. EDITH: I don’t mind that the publisher did not follow your suggestion to have a more typical cover showing the wine region in January. I enjoyed reading your first book & am looking forward to reading DEADLY CRUSH.

    California zinfandels are my #1 fave wine to drink. I am sad that I have not been able to go back to Sonoma County & Alexander Valley IRL. Last time I was there was before the pandemic so I enjoy virtually visiting this area through Cece’s eyes. Karl sounds like a real scoundrel & I am glad you got to add car mechanic Josie to this series.

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  34. The cover is beautiful, the plot sounds GREAT, and I don’t think anyone will notice the mismatch. If anyone comments on it, they honestly need to get a life!

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  36. I love the title! I’ve observed over the years that mismatched covers are more bothersome to authors than they ever are to readers. And, as I’ve said here a few times, the one Maine Clambake cover where they ignored my suggestions completely is the cover on one of the bestselling books in the series.

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  38. It doesn’t matter to me that the cover doesn’t match with the storyline of the book. I’m reading the book for the story, not the cover. Looking forward to starting this series.

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  39. As long as the cover is bright and cheerful suggesting a light and heartful story, I’m OK with it.

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  40. It can be confusing. I did bring a difference of hair color of the protagonist to the author. She had informed the publisher, but they did not change it. I love the cover. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.

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  42. I like the cover. To me it is the content and the story behind the book that counts. You are a great writer so I will pick up the book when I can and give you an honest opinion. There are some book covers that I did not like but the actual story was better than expected.

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  43. Anything you write is great, Edith. And I’m really looking forward to this follow up book. I will be calling Aaron’s in the morning to pre-order.

    The cover is very attractive and appealing. I do like the covers to match the book. I often study them to get a better feel for the story. Disconnects bother me.

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  44. Great cover! I don’t mind the difference. The cover is so nice I think it can be overlooked and having read so many of your books I know the writing will be great too.

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  45. I like eye-catching book covers which I find most cozy mysteries have. I think you have a great book cover!

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  47. It doesn’t matter much to me if I know the author, but if I did not know the author or their work, the cover (and blurb) would encourage or discourage my interest in reading. In some cases, I might get it, but it would live in the TBR pile.

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