Another 5 Star Mystery! "Final Exam" by Carol J. Perry (book 8 - Witch City Mysteries)

 I recently finished reading and thoroughly enjoying the 8th book in the "Witch City Mystery" series by Carol J. Perry called "Final Exam."  She's created such wonderful characters- with a tinge of supernatural in them. They all take place in Salem, Massachusetts (home of the infamous, horrible witch trials of the 1600s). I LOVE the characters: Maralee, the main character who is a reporter with WICH-TV can see visions in mirrors, that help solve mysteries that her cop boyfriend, Pete is working on. Maralee's lovable librarian aunt, Ibby lives in the same house and their cat, O'Ryan, former cat to a witch found murdered in book 1, adds a paw to the mysteries.   "Final Exam" kept me guessing throughout the book, the author brings the characters to life, so much that you can see them in your mind as you read. I couldn't wait find out "who did it!" - 5 of 5 stars.

ABOUT THE BOOK: A cold case update in Salem, Massachusetts . . .

Life at the house on Winter Street is abuzz with preparations for Aunt Ibby's 45th high school reunion, and Lee Barrett is happy to pitch in, tracking down addresses and licking envelopes. But as a field reporter for Salem's WICH-TV, her priority is to be on top of the town's latest news before for anyone else.

When the local police dredge up a vintage sports car containing human remains, Lee is thrilled to be the first reporter on the scene. Once she learns the car is connected to the cold case her boyfriend Pete happens to be investigating, her powers of investigation are quickly alerted. But it's her Aunt Libby's emotional reaction to Lee's TV report that puts her on the case. With the help of O'Ryan, her psychic feline sidekick, she'll have to unravel a tangled past of secrets and promises to stop a killer from making history again . . . 

Congrats to Our friend Heidi on her New Book! Extrasensory Deception: Book One (Suny Davis Series)

A HUGE congratulations to our friend Heidi on the publication of her new mystery novel!  I (Rob) have read Heidi's (who writes under the pseudonym "McLean Jacobson") drafts and love them, and have been cheering for this book and series. We're both so excited that the first book in the series has come to print and is available on Amazon.com!  Check out this fun paranormal-mystery! - 

Extrasensory Deception: Book One (Suny Davis Series)   
by McLean Jacobson (Author)

Published on Amazon: April 14, 2018! 

ABOUT THE BOOK:  Suny Davis has plenty of reasons to swear. Everyone at boarding school hates her since she learned her social skills from hundred-year-old books. Her father’s a celebrated paranormal researcher (who might be a fake). She’s being transferred to—what?—a college for young geniuses? Her father’s infuriating (but handsome) assistant, Anthony, is assigned to babysit her. And then she’s the last to see the student who’s murdered in the (supposedly haunted) science building! But is the murderer really a poltergeist? That would give Suny even more reason to swear. When her father asks Anthony to investigate and he has the audacity to suggest she help him by using the psychic abilities he’s sure she possesses, Suny really swears! Swears to find the killer with good old-fashioned detective work. Swears not to use any of her psychic powers. Well, maybe a little…

McLean Jacobson

TO BUY THE BOOK ON AMAZON.COM: https://www.amazon.com/Extrasensory-Deception-Book-Suny-Davis/dp/0991265262/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1523804455&sr=1-1&dpID=51sdWFr4dJL&preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch

MEET McLean Jacobson on Sunday April 22, 2018 Maryland Psychic Fair, Elks Lodge, Rte 450, Gambrills, Md.

30 vendors including: authors of paranormal books (including Rob Gutro), Psychic readings, crystals and more. TIME: 9am to 5pm ET *$5 fee via eventbrite/$10 at the door
Contact: Ed Hruneni: mdparconf@gmail.com, or mdpsychicfair@gmail.com

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/maryland-psychic-fair-tickets-40994528739

A New Favorite Mystery: Chihuahua Confidential by Waverly Curtis

I (Rob) love mysteries, and love dogs. As I kid I loved Scooby Doo, so when you combine all three
of those elements in one mystery series with great characters, I'm hooked. "Chihuahua Confidential" by Waverly Curtis is a "Barking Detective Mystery" starring Geri (a PI in training) and her Chihuahua, Pepe, who she can actually understand (in English). Together they solve murder mysteries and this  was the second book in the series I enjoyed.
   In fact, I loved it so much, that I would have to say it's one of my all time favorite mysteries ever. That's saying a lot!  I cannot recommend this book enough. I LOVE the characterization of little Pepe and his pet parent Geri as they work together to solve mysteries. In this book they are contestants in a "Dancing with Dogs" TV show. I couldn't put it down. Bravo to the author team!  I can't wait to read the next in the series.
   - Rob
  Here is the summary of the book: 
When novice P.I. Geri Sullivan first heard her adopted Chihuahua talk, she thought she'd gone barking mad. But it turns out Pepe is a savvy sleuth--and if he has his way, he'll soon be a bone-a-fido celebrity, too, as Pepe and Geri are Hollywood-bound to star in the reality show Dancing With Dogs. So far, so bueno.

Then Nigel St. Nigel, the judge everyone loves to hate, becomes the judge someone wanted dead. Pepe and Geri are hot on a killer's heels but between perfecting the paso doble and protecting Pepe's Pomeranian lady love, both have their paws full. If Pepe's new status as a Beverly Hills Chihuahua goes to his head, it may be the last waltz for Geri's crime-biting compadre. . .
.

2 Great Mysteries: newest from Mr. Monk and Murder She Wrote!

While on vacation over the last two weeks, I read two great paperback mysteries in my 2 favorite series: Murder She Wrote and Mr. Monk. Both highly recommended!!
 SAD NOTE: The 2nd writer of the Mr. Monk series has called it quits, so this is the final in the Mr Monk series. It's really a sad day because I love them and have read and enjoyed all of them! 

 Here are the summaries of each book:
1) Mr. Monk and the New Lieutenant by Hy Conrad (4.5 STARS) 
(based on the great detective series of the 2000s) 
SUMMARY: Monk and Natalie have finally settled into a new office routine—but the detectives soon have another problem to deal with: Captain Stottlemeyer’s new lieutenant, A. J. Thurman—a man of limited skills whom Monk finds insufferable.
   Despite Thurman’s presence, Monk and Natalie attend the funeral of Judge Oberlin, and it’s a good thing. In typical fashion, Monk examines the body in the casket—and finds evidence of poison. The judge was murdered.
   When Captain Stottlemeyer shows the same symptoms the judge had shown, Monk detects the work of a diabolical killer who wants both men dead. With his friend in danger and an enemy close, Monk will have to put his reservations aside to crack the case in time.

To order on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Monk-New-Lieutenant-Conrad/dp/0451470591
2) Murder She Wrote: Death of Blue Blood by Jessica Fletcher and Donald Bain (5 STARS!!) 
(based on the TV series that ran for 12 seasons from the 1980s and 90s)
SUMMARY:  In the newest mystery in the USA Today bestselling series, Jessica Fletcher is invited to ring in the New Year with British aristocracy. Too bad someone’s about to end the life of the party....
Jessica Fletcher and her friend Scotland Yard detective inspector George Sutherland are invited to attend a New Year’s Eve Ball at Castorbrook Castle, thanks to her British publisher. Shortly after arriving in the idyllic English countryside, Jessica discovers the body of a lady’s maid in the garden.
  While their host, Lord Norrance, his snobbish third wife, other members of the household, and party guests squabble over the tragic death in tight-lipped, perfectly mannered, thoroughly British style, family relations are strained as old wounds are reopened and cutting remarks are freely handed out. And that’s only during teatime!
  As midnight beckons at the ball the next night, the earl offers a toast, complete with fireworks. But the merriment crashes to a halt when he falls ill and dies, apparently poisoned—and the number of suspects with a grudge against the lord of the manor sprouts like English ivy.
   Now it’s up to Jessica and George to find the killer—or killers—before another corpse welcomes in the New Year....
To order on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Murder-She-Wrote-Death-Blood/dp/0451468252

Really Great book! Paws for Murder by Annie Knox

I recently finished reading "Paws for Murder" by Annie Knox. It was really outstanding. The reader quickly gets to know

Izzy, who owns a pet shop in a small Minnesota town, and a lot of the quirky characters there. The writing is great and keeps the reader wanting to continue reading more and more.
  I love the various characters, and could picture the small town, and small town gossip and politics. The writer really is wonderful, and I can't wait to read her second novel.

  STORY:  Izzy McHale is on the brink of launching her new business, a pet boutique called Trendy Tails, when she winds up on the wrong side of Sherry Harper, Merryville, Minnesota’s resident trust fund baby and social activist. With Sherry threatening to picket Trendy Tails’s grand opening, Izzy’s worried her business will fail before it officially opens. But the night of the big event, Sherry Harper is found dead in the alley behind Izzy’s store and suspect number one is her best friend, Rena Hamilton. Izzy and her friends and family have to solve the mystery of Sherry’s murder before Rena gets sent up the river for a crime she didn’t commit.
Paws for Murder is the first in the new Pet Boutique Mystery series. Set to be released on January 7, 2014

AUTHOR'S WEBSITE: http://annieknoxauthor.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/AnnieKnoxAuthor