Leslie Meier – författare

Tis the season for trimming the tree, caroling, baking cookies, and curling up by the Yuletide waiting for Santa to drop down the chimney. But in this festive collection of holiday whodunits, murder is also paying a visit. . ."Candy Cane Murder" By Joanne FlukeWhen a trail of candy canes leads to a corpse outfitted in a Santa suit on a snowy bank, Hannah Swensen sets out to discover who killed Kris Kringle. . . "The Dangers Of Candy Canes" By Laura LevineA wealthy suburbanite takes a lethal tumble off his roof while installing a giant candy cane. Now it''s up to Jaine Austen to sift through a long list of scheming neighbors with dirty secrets in their stockings to expose a murderer. . . "Candy Canes Of Christmas Past" By Leslie MeierLucy Stone must learn the mystery of a glass candy cane that was found smashed to bits by a corpse''s body to unlock the doors of Christmas past--and find a killer who got away with murder. Whether a gift for yourself or that special someone on your list, there''s no better way to spend the holidays than with these tantalizing mysteries of murder. . .Includes over 10 luscious holiday recipes!Scrumptious Praise For Candy Cane Murder! "Like a box of holiday chocolates, this recipe-studded assortment gives all readers a crack at their favorites." --Kirkus Reviews"Entertaining. . .a sweet holiday treat for mystery lovers." --Publishers Weekly"Delicious. . .will have your mouth watering." --Romantic Times

Not many people in Tinker''s Cove, Maine, knew Old Dan Malone. The grizzled barkeep''s social circle was limited to the rough-hewn lobstermen and other assorted toughs that frequented his bar. But when his body is found bobbing in the town''s icy harbor, Lucy Stone makes getting to know more about Old Dan a priority. Local musician Dave Reilly insists Old Dan conned a winning lottery ticket worth five grand from him. Handyman Brian Donohue claims that Old Dan stiffed him for repair work he''d done at the bar. The confusion surrounding the death is only compounded by the arrival of actor Dylan Malone, Old Dan''s brother and a prominent, if fading, attraction of the Dublin stage. Dylan has come to direct the production of "Finian''s Rainbow," the featured event at Our Lady of Hope''s annual St. Patrick''s Day extravaganza. Was Old Dan killed by someone he''d cheated or someone he''d loved? While Lucy can''t be sure, one thing is abundantly clear--the stage is set for a murder mystery with a killer ending! "Warm and homespun characters, plenty of seaside ambience and a fast-moving plot make this perfect winter cozy." --Publishers Weekly

For Lucy Stone, the best thing about Christmas in Tinker''s Cove has always been the annual Cookie Exchange. But the usual generosity and goodwill is missing from this year''s event which turns out to be a complete disaster. Petty rivalries and feuds that have long been simmering finally come to a boil, leaving a bad taste in the mouths of many guests, including Lee Cummings who accuses Tucker Whitney of stealing her recipe for low-fat, sugar-free cookies. But the icing on the cake is when Tucker is found strangled in her apartment on the following morning. Who could''ve wanted Tucker dead badly enough to kill her? Despite all of the ingredients for danger, Lucy sets out on the trail of a murderer and soon uncovers a Christmas secret best left wrapped. "As usual, Meier deftly combines a realistic depiction of Lucy''s life as a hard-working mother with a satisfying mystery plot." --Publishers Weekly

After the annual parade of Christmas presents in Tinker''s Cove has ended, Lucy Stone and her daughter Elizabeth are ready to ring in the new year in style. Elizabeth has won mother/daughter winter makeovers in Manhattan from Jolie magazine! But the all-expenses-paid trip is bound to have some hidden costs--and one of them is murder. . . After finally arriving at the offices of Jolie, meeting their fellow makeover candidates, and being treated to a fashion show, Elizabeth is enamored of the extreme outfits and stick-thin models--while Lucy''s having some misgivings. The pampering is nice and the glitz and glamour of haute couture is bizarrely fascinating, but bitterness and aggression lurk behind Jolie''s hipper-than-thou façade. And things turn downright ugly when self-absorbed fashion editor Nadine Nelson falls mysteriously ill and then dies. . . Lucy saw first-hand some of the backstabbing going on at Jolie. And the red-hot rumor mill soon reveals that the cliquish connection among the magazine''s cabal of high-style executives has stirred up plenty of bad blood over the years. But this Manhattan murder mystery hits too close to home when Elizabeth gets rushed to the hospital with symptoms that are disturbingly similar to Nadine''s. Now, it''s up to Lucy to dress down a killer before the ball drops in Times Square. . .

Two of her four kids may be out of the nest, but Lucy Stone knows only too well that mothering is a lifetime commitment. At least she gets to kick back and enjoy a fancy Mother''s Day brunch with her brood--that is, before the festivities are interrupted by a nasty scene courtesy of Barbara Hume and Tina Nowak. Opposites in every way, the only thing these mean moms have in common is the need to best each other at every turn, using their teenage daughters as pawns in elaborate games of one-upsmanshipEven after witnessing the women''s claw sharpening rituals, Lucy never expects to see actual blood spilled--until Tina is shot dead on the public tennis court. Now Lucy is determined to unravel the close-knit knot of suspects. But when the threads threaten to entangle one of her own, Lucy will come face-to-face with a killer who has a thing or two to learn about motherly love. . . "As charming and enjoyable as ever." --Romantic Times

In this merry collection of holiday mysteries, murder is making its own special delivery. . ."Gingerbread Cookie Murder" By Joanne FlukeWhen Hannah Swensen finds her neighbor Ernie Kusak with his head bashed in and sprawled on the floor of his condo next to an upended box of Hannah''s Gingerbread Cookies, she discovers a flurry of murder suspects that''s as long as her holiday shopping list."The Dangers Of Gingerbread Cookies" By Laura LevineJaine Austen has been enlisted to help with her parents'' retirement community''s play The Gingerbread Cookie That Saved Christmas. Playboy Dr. Preston McCay is playing the role of the gingerbread cookie when he "accidentally" falls to his death during the final act. Now Jaine must figure out if one of the doctor''s jealous lovers was capable of murder. "Gingerbread Cookies And Gunshots" By Leslie MeierWhen Lucy Stone discovers the body of Rick Juergens, whose five-year-old son Nemo disappeared, she senses foul play. Crumbs from a gingerbread cookie Lucy gave to Nemo are found in the back seat of Rick''s car. With the hours quickly ticking till Christmas, Lucy races against the clock to find a killer before he strikes again. Includes Over 10 Luscious Holiday Recipes!

New York Times-Bestselling Author: A peaceful Maine town erupts in fireworks over nudists, lobster poachers, and a fatal hit-and-run…   Lucy Stone is in the doghouse with her next-door neighbor, Mrs. Prudence Pratt. It seems that Kudo, the Stones’ misbehaving mutt, has developed a taste for Mrs. Pratt’s blue-ribbon winning chickens, as well an escape artist’s talent for sneaking out. With the Fourth of July coming up, Lucy doesn’t want to set off any more fireworks with the crabby Prudence. Another sign that the crazy days of summer are in full swing arrives when a group of naturists—a.k.a. nudists—descends on Tinker’s Cove, skinny-dipping at the pond that borders Mrs. Pratt’s property, giving her something else to complain about. Worse still, the local lobstermen are upset about poachers, and suspicion falls on Mrs. Pratt’s husband and son. Then the July Fourth fireworks are canceled to protect a patch of extremely rare purple-spotted lichen, and Mrs Pratt is the victim of a hit and run. Tinker's Cove is full of suspects, but none with so personal a motive as the Stones. Their feud with Mrs. Pratt has put them at risk of losing their freedom this Independence Day—unless Lucy can start things off with a bang by catching a killer… “Leslie Meier writes with sparkle and warmth.”—Chicago Sun Times “A down-to-earth sleuth.”—Library Journal “Leslie Meier has created such a wonderful series, I always look forward to reading the next book, and I'm never disappointed.”—I Love a Mystery  

New York Times-Bestselling Author: A millionaire is found dead near his yacht, and a local mom launches an investigation…   Already juggling four kids’ hectic schedules, a rambunctious dog, an attention-craving husband, and a full-time reporter job, Lucy Stone can't possibly squeeze in another responsibility...or can she? There’s a big wedding coming up, and Lucy’s promised her friend she’ll help arrange the lavish event in a newly built gazebo. Too bad the groom, internet millionaire Ron Davitz, is getting on the nerves of the locals, especially after their boats were displaced to make room for his yacht. When Ron’s body is found floating in the harbor, Lucy isn’t convinced it was accidental. From the picturesque waterfront to tony Smith Heights Road, Tinker's Cove is awash with suspects. Now, fresh from wedding planning, Lucy finds herself contemplating her own funeral as she pursues a killer who’ll do anything to keep from being unveiled….   “Meier takes well-worn plot elements—small-town tensions, in-law troubles—and buffs them into a fresh yarn. Characters and their interactions are realistic and dryly humorous [and] the Maine coast provides an evocative backdrop.”—Booklist

A ninetieth-birthday celebration may be ruined by a nefarious killer, in a mystery filled with “believable and lovable characters” (Publishers Weekly). The town of Tinker’s Cove is looking forward to the celebration marking former librarian Julia Ward Howe Tilley’s ninetieth birthday. Lucy Stone, Miss Tilley's closest friend, dreamed up the party idea—around the same time she decided she’s not getting old without a fight. Noticing crow's feet and a potential jelly belly, she’s resolved to exercise more and purchase some heavy-duty wrinkle cream, asap! That sounds like a plan—until Lucy realizes her daughter's fourteenth birthday bash, a coed sleepover, may turn her hair white overnight. What was she thinking? Likely she was distracted by the shocking death of Sherman Cobb, the town’s oldest attorney, an apparent suicide. His law partner, however, thinks Sherman was murdered. Poking about in Sherman's papers, Lucy turns up an intriguing tie between the dead man and Miss Tilley—but soon, no one can get to see the librarian as her bossy niece and biker great-nephew insist that she’s “failing.” Now, as a killer's ruthless plan rushes toward a conclusion, Lucy needs answers, or she and Miss Tilley won’t live long enough to make a wish and blow out the candles—in a suspenseful puzzler from the New York Times-bestselling author.   “Reading a new Leslie Meier mystery is like catching up with a dear old friend.”—Kate Carlisle, New York Times-bestselling author of the Bibliophile Mysteries   “Mothers everywhere will identify with Lucy and the domestic problems she encounters.”—Publishers Weekly

“Reading a new Leslie Meier mystery is like catching up with a dear old friend.” —Kate Carlisle  Halloween is coming to Tinker’s Cove, Maine, and local reporter Lucy Stone is covering the town’s annual Giant Pumpkin Fest for the Pennysaver. There’s the pumpkin-boat regatta, the children’s Halloween party, the pumpkin weigh-in…even a contest where home-built catapults hurl pumpkins at an old Dodge! But not everything goes quite as planned . . .Lucy’s getting very annoyed that her husband Bill and his friend Evan have been working seemingly nonstop on their potentially prize-winning pumpkin catapult. But when the day of the big contest arrives, Evan is nowhere to be found…until a catapulted pumpkin busts open the trunk of the Dodge, revealing a deceased Evan . . .Bill is on the hook for the Halloween homicide, so Lucy knows she’s got some serious sleuthing to do. With each new lead pointing her in a different direction, Lucy sees that time is quickly running out. If she wants to spook the real killer, she’ll have to step into an old ghost story . . .“Series fans should be satisfied.” —Publishers Weekly

“Counts, countesses, and corpses highlight Lucy Stone’s trip across the pond” in this mystery from the New York Times-bestselling author (Kirkus Reviews).   It’s a nippy spring in Tinker’s Cove, Maine, and Lucy Stone can’t wait to join her friend Sue in England for a hat exhibition. But at Moreton Manor, privileged life isn’t always tea and crumpets.   Though the earl and his sister are surprisingly accommodating to their jetlagged guests, Lucy feels uneasy after a fallen portrait sparks talk of a deadly family omen. The bad vibes come quickly—snobby Aunt Millicent and her handmaiden Harrison unexpectedly drop by for the exhibition, and meals with the family are consistently tense. But real trouble begins when a body, bludgeoned by the chapel’s gold-plated reliquary, is found in a hidden, sealed off room. Stranger still, the corpse is identified as Harrison’s son, Cyril.   While Cyril wasn’t exactly a gentleman, and it’s unclear what business he had on the property, one thing’s for sure—the criminal is privy to Moreton Manor secrets. And Lucy has a hunch that the killer’s been in her company all along, waiting for a chance to make blue blood run red…     “Engaging…Anglophiles will find plenty to like in this delightful cozy.”—Publishers Weekly   “Reading a new Leslie Meier mystery is like catching up with a dear old friend.”—Kate Carlisle, New York Times bestselling author  

Between a busy family and her duties as a reporter for the Tinker''s Cove Pennysaver, Lucy Stone could use a break. So when a friend tells her about a trip to England sponsored by Winchester College, she jumps at the chance for a girls getaway. But when tour leader Professor George Temple dies mid-flight after an asthma attack, Lucy''s glad she packed her sleuthing skills. . .In London, Professor Quentin Rea, a ladies'' man and former flirt of Lucy''s, arrives to take over the tour—and she finds that while his hairline has receded, his amorous intentions have not. Lucy also begins to notice peculiar behavior among other members of the group. And when she discovers all of them have pasts connected to the late Professor Temple, she suspects his death was an elaborate act of revenge. Then another tour member dies, and Lucy is suddenly ensnared in a daring scheme that could lead her to a mastermind of murder—or make her the next victim. . ."Leslie Meier writes with sparkle and warmth." –Chicago Sun Times"Leslie Meier has created a town I''d like to live in and sleuth I''d love to meet." –Jill Churchill"Fans of Murder, She Wrote may want to try this latest in a series that is well written and enjoyable." –The Evansville Courier and Press

The holidays are the icing on the cake for bakery owner Hannah Swensen. Surrounded by her loved ones, she has all the ingredients for a perfect Christmas--until murder is added to the mix. . . When it comes to holidays, Minnesotans rise to the occasion--and the little town of Lake Eden is baking up a storm with Hannah leading the way. The annual Christmas Buffet is the final test of the recipes Hannah has collected for the Lake Eden Holiday Buffet Cookbook. ''Tis the season for trimming the tree, caroling, baking cookies, and curling up by the Yuletide waiting for Santa to drop down the chimney. But in this festive collection of holiday whodunits, murder is also paying a visit. . . "Candy Cane Murder" By Joanne Fluke When a trail of candy canes leads to a corpse outfitted in a Santa suit on a snowy bank, Hannah Swensen sets out to discover who killed Kris Kringle. . . The yuletide season in Lake Eden, Minnesota, guarantees a white Christmas, delectable holiday goodies from Hannah Swensen''s bakery, The Cookie Jar--and murder. As a shadow hangs over her friends'' Christmas wedding, Hannah''s determined to cook a killer''s goose before anyone else gets burned. . . The Cookie Jar''s busiest time of the year also happens to be the most wonderful time. . .for Christmas cookies, Hannah''s own special plum pudding--and romance! She also gets a kick out of "Lunatic Larry Jaeger''s Crazy Elf Christmas Tree Lot," a kitschy carnival taking place smack-dab in the middle of the village green. But then Hannah discovers the man himself dead as a doornail in his own office. . . Nothing''s better on Christmas Eve than waiting for the stroke of midnight with a cup of eggnog and a plate of warm gingerbread cookies. But in this merry collection of holiday mysteries, murder is making its own special delivery. . . "Gingerbread Cookie Murder" By Joanne Fluke When Hannah Swensen finds her neighbor Ernie Kusak with his head bashed in and sprawled on the floor of his condo next to an upended box of Hannah''s Gingerbread Cookies, she discovers a flurry of murder suspects that''s as long as her holiday shopping list.

A “fast-paced” mystery with “a plot that involves two rival chocolatiers, a wealthy elderly couple from Connecticut, and plenty of local gossip” (Publishers Weekly).   No one in their right mind would vacation in Maine this time of year, but to boost the economy, the town of Tinker’s Cove is launching a travel promotion for Valentine's Day. As a reporter for the Pennysaver, Lucy Stone is assigned a puff piece on upscale Chanticleer’s Chocolates, and its deliciously handsome owner, Trey Meacham. Not the best way to keep her widening waistline under control. Soon Lucy discovers there’s another tantalizing tart behind the counter. Sultry store manager Tamzin Graves is only too eager to serve her male customers. With a throng of jealous women in her wake, it’s almost no surprise when Tamzin turns up dead, her body covered in chocolate. There's no sugar-coating murder, and Lucy must crisscross the snow-covered landscape as she tries to find a heartless killer… “I like Lucy Stone a lot, and so will readers.”—Carolyn Hart, New York Times-bestselling author of the Death on Demand Mysteries “An enjoyable story.”—RT Book Reviews

This novel of murder amid an old-fashioned New England Thanksgiving “portrays small-town life both realistically and sympathetically” (Publishers Weekly).   Tinker’s Cove, Maine, has a long history of Thanksgiving festivities, from visits with TomTom Turkey to the annual Warriors high school football game and Lucy Stone’s impressive pumpkin pie. But this year, someone has added murder to the menu, and Lucy intends to discover who left Metinnicut Indian activist Curt Nolan dead—with an ancient war club next to his head. The list of suspects isn’t exactly brief. Nolan had a habit of disagreeing with just about everybody he met. Between fixing dinner for twelve and keeping her four kids from tearing each other limb from limb, Lucy has a pretty full plate already. So what’s a little investigation? But if she’s not careful, she may find herself served up as a last-minute course, stone-cold dead with all the trimmings…   “Approachable prose; cozy, small-town ambiance; and a down-to-earth sleuth.”—Library Journal “I like Lucy Stone a lot, and so will readers.”—Carolyn Hart “Meier writes with sparkle and warmth.”—Chicago Sun Times

Suburban squabbles reveal darker secrets in this mystery from the New York Times-bestselling author who “writes with sparkle and warmth” (Chicago Sun Times).   Ever since local developer Fred Stanton and his wife, Mimi, built five modular homes next door to Lucy Stone’s farmhouse, life hasn’t been the same. With Mimi complaining about everything from the state of Lucy’s lawn to another neighbor’s lovable dog, quaint Tinker's Cove, Maine, is now entangled in cul-de-sac politics and backstabbing. And when Mimi doesn't show up for her shift at The Hat and Mitten Fund bake sale, the scent of burnt sugar leads Lucy to a shocking discovery: Mimi, face down on her kitchen floor—with a knife in her back. While the police start their investigation, reporter Lucy gets busy writing up the murder for the Pennysaver—and following a few leads of her own. Lucy knows the women in her neighborhood didn’t like Mimi, but they certainly didn't want her dead…did they? “I like Lucy Stone a lot, and so will readers.”—Carolyn Hart “Mothers everywhere will identify with Lucy Stone and the domestic problems she encounters.”—Publishers Weekly  Includes recipes!

A librarian is killed and a local mom must read the clues in this mystery from the New York Times-bestselling author: “[An] engaging cozy series.”—Publishers Weekly   It’s Valentine's Day in Tinker’s Cove, Maine. And while the cupcakes Lucy Stone is baking for her children will have pink frosting and candy hearts, Lucy’s thoughts aren’t centered on sugary sentiments. She’s barely arrived at her first board meeting of the newly renovated library when Bitsy Howell, the new librarian, is found dead in the basement, shot only minutes before story hour was to start. The agitated board members assume that Bitsy was killed by an outsider, until Detective Lt. Horowitz arrives on the scene and announces that the killer is among them. Lucy was already aware that Bitsy’s uppity big city ways rubbed some people in Tinker’s Cove the wrong way. But she has a hunch that motives for the librarian’s violent death run a lot deeper. From Hayden Norcross's elegant antique shop to Corney Clark’s chic kitchen, Lucy relentlessly snoops into the curious lifestyles and shocking secrets of Tinker's Cove’s most solid citizens—secrets that will plunge her into a terrifying confrontation with a conniving killer…   “Meier weaves into her nimble plot some good insights on lotteries, rural poverty, computers, and library operations.”—Booklist   “Meier’s inclusion of the domestic details attendant to Lucy's small, close-knit community add charm.”—Publishers Weekly

MAIL-ORDER MURDERAs if baking holiday cookies, knitting a sweater for her husband''s gift, and making her daughter''s angel costume for the church pageant weren''t enough things for Lucy Stone''s busy Christmas schedule, she''s also working nights at the famous mail-order company Country Cousins. But when she discovers Sam Miller, its very wealthy founder, dead in his car from an apparent suicide, the sleuth in her knows something just doesn''t smell right. Taking time out from her hectic holiday life to find out what really happened, her investigation leads to a backlog of secrets as long as Santa''s Christmas Eve route. Lucy is convinced that someone murdered Sam Miller. But who and why? With each harrowing twist she uncovers in this bizarre case, another shocking revelation is exposed. Now, as Christmas draws near and Lucy gets dangerously closer to the truth, she''s about to receive a present from Santa she didn''t ask for--a killer who won''t be satisfied until everyone on his shopping list is dead, including Lucy herself. . ."Lucy Stone is an endearing sleuth."--Dorothy Cannell

A small-town reporter hunts a big-city killer in a novel by a New York Times-bestselling author who provides “a truly American version of the English cozy” (Tulsa World).   When her part-time reporting gig gives Lucy the opportunity to attend a Boston newspaper conference, she looks forward to a vacation from domestic bliss. But upon leaving Tinker’s Cove, Maine, she quickly discovers that alone time can be kind of…lonely. And in between libel workshops and panel discussions, Lucy takes a guilt trip. She feels terrible that she won’t be home to help her husband celebrate Father’s Day. But when Luther Read—head of a nearly bankrupt newspaper dynasty—suddenly drops dead, Lucy has other things to think about. She’s not buying the theory that Luther died of an asthma attack. The man just had too many enemies. Always the intrepid snoop, Lucy vows to investigate. But she can’t help wondering if her name will end up on a byline—or in an obit… “Reading a new Leslie Meier mystery is like catching up with a dear old friend.”—Kate Carlisle, New York Times bestselling author of the Bibliophile Mysteries   “Leslie Meier writes with sparkle and warmth.”—Chicago Sun-Times “I like Lucy Stone a lot, and so will readers.”—Carolyn Hart, New York Times-bestselling author of the Bailey Ruth Mysteries

An assistant principal is found dead and a sleuthing mom studies the clues: “Captivating, well-written, and just plain fun.”—Tulsa World   It’s back to school time in the peaceful Maine town of Tinker’s Cove, and for Lucy Stone, mother of four, it isn’t a moment too soon. But trouble at the local elementary school soon has the sometime crime-solver juggling family, job, and night classes with another mystery. And it starts with a bang. A bomb goes off with the noon lunch bell, but not before all the kids are safely evacuated, and Carol Crane, the new assistant principal, is hailed as a hero. But days later, Carol is found murdered and everyone is stunned when the most popular teacher at the school is arrested for the crime. However, not everyone is buying the open-and-shut case, including Lucy, who’s about to uncover some sizzling secrets and explosive surprises—and get an education in the fine art of murder—in this “lively” mystery from the New York Times-bestselling author (Publishers Weekly).   “I like Lucy Stone a lot, and so will readers.”—Carolyn Hart, New York Times-bestselling author of the Bailey Ruth Mysteries

With Halloween around the corner, and a mysterious murder close to home, Lucy’s Stone’s fall is off to a sinister start . . .  When the bewitching Diana Ravenscroft comes to quiet Tinker's Cove and opens Solstice, a quaint little shop offering everything from jewelry to psychic readings, Lucy Stone writes her off as eccentric but harmless. Even after Diana gives her a disturbingly accurate reading, Lucy can’t help but befriend the newcomer. But not everyone in town is so enchanted. And when Lucy stumbles upon a dead body near her home, she can’t shake the feeling that something ominous is lurking in the crisp October air . . .   Convinced Diana is an evil witch, prominent businessman Ike Stoughton blames her for a series of recent misfortunes, including Lucy’s gruesome discovery and his own wife’s death, and rallies the townsfolk against her. But after Lucy learns the murder victim was a magician and close friend of Diana’s, she starts to wonder who’s really stirring up a cauldron of trouble. By Halloween, her suspicions lead her to a deadly web of secrets—and a spine-chilling brush with the things that go bump in the night . . . “The warm, small-town ambiance and the persevering Lucy Stone make this a winner for cozy fans.” —Library Journal

In this little Maine town, Halloween brings a homicide: “[A] charming setting and likable cast…enjoyable reading.”—Publishers Weekly   The locals in Tinker’s Cove are busy planning haunted-house parties and ghostly galas, and Lucy Stone is whipping up orange-frosted cupcakes, recycling tutus for her daughters’ costumes, helping her son with his pre-teen rebellion, and breast-feeding her brand-new baby. But amid the fun, something really scary is going on: An arsonist is loose, and when the latest fire claims the life of the owner of the town’s oldest house, arson turns into murder. While the townsfolk work to transform a dilapidated mansion into a haunted house for the All-Ghouls festival, the hunt for the culprit heats up. Trick-or-treat turns deadly as digging in all the wrong places puts Lucy too close to a shocking discovery that could send all her best-laid plans up in smoke… “Lucy Stone is an endearing sleuth.”—Dorothy Cannell

Four all-new holiday offerings from today’s favorite authors remind us that when love is on your list, you never have to stop believing. . . .  “A Winter Wonderland” by #1 New York Times–bestselling author Fern Michaels Angelica Shepard left New York for Christmas in Colorado to relax and unwind—but an out-of-control snowboarder almost had her laid to rest. When she wakes up in the hospital, all she remembers is the handsome angel who saved her . . .  “The Joy of Christmas” by Holly Chamberlin, bestselling author of All Our Summers Not all happiness is good for you—or that’s what Iris Karr thinks when she decides to move away instead of marrying her sweetheart Ben. Even years later, living with that decision isn't easy—until a familiar face comes to call her home for the holidays . . .  “The Christmas Thief” by New York Times–bestselling author Leslie Meier Elizabeth Stone is ready for a white Christmas in Tinker’s Cove, Maine—until a fancy Yule ball at the Florida hotel where she works dumps snow on her plans. The sponsor’s jewels have gone missing and the police are asking about her ties to a cute mystery guest. Good thing Elizabeth’s mother, Lucy Stone, flew down to surprise her. ’Tis the season for a little investigating . . .  “The Christmas Collector” by New York Times–bestselling author Kristina McMorris Estate liquidator Jenna Matthews isn’t one for Christmas nostalgia. But when one grandmother’s keepsakes suggest a secret life, unwrapping the mystery leads Jenna—and her client’s handsome grandson—to the true heart of the holiday spirit.

Lucy Stone is saying "Au revoir!" to Tinker’s Cove, Maine, and "Bonjour!" to Paris to take in the sights, learn how to bake authentic French pastries, and experience some joie de vivre. But her dreams of la vie en rose are put on hold when the City of Lights turns deadly…Lucy always dreamed of visiting Paris, but when renowned pastry chef Larry Bruneau is discovered on death’s doorstep and Lucy and her friends are detained for questioning, she’s worried she’ll be trading in her luxury accommodations for a sojourn in the Bastille. Now, if she’s going to enjoy her vacation, she’ll have to unpack her sleuthing skills and clear her name…

With the fireplace crackling, the tree twinkling, and the carols humming, few things in life are as picture perfect as Christmas in Maine—until murder dampens the holiday spirit. It must be something in the eggnog . . .   EGGNOG MURDER by LESLIE MEIER When a gift-wrapped bottle of eggnog—allegedly from the Real Beard Santa Club—proves to be a killer concoction for a Tinker’s Cove local, all Lucy Stone wants for Christmas is to find the murdering mixologist who’s stirring up trouble.   DEATH BY EGGNOG by LEE HOLLIS Food and cocktails columnist Hayley Powell has never cared much for Bar Harbor’s grouchy town librarian, Agatha Farnsworth. But after the Scroogy senior has a fatal—and suspicious—allergic reaction to supposedly non-dairy eggnog, it’s up to Hayley to ladle out some justice.   NOGGED OFF by BARBARA ROSS Julia Snowden’s tenant Imogen Geinkes seems to be jinxed. First, her poorly named “Killer Eggnog” gives all her co-workers food poisoning at the holiday party, then her boyfriend’s body shows up in Julia’s moving truck as she’s headed back to Busman’s Harbor. Now Julia has to get moving to catch the cold-hearted culprit.   Cozy up with a glass of eggnog and enjoy the spirit of murder and mystery in a Yuletide treat perfect for those winter holidays . . .