A Grave Matter is the third in the Lady Darby mysteries written by Anna Lee Huber. On the night of the Hogmanay Ball the caretaker is killed when he interrupted grave robbers. The strange thing here, is that this grave is far away from where the body might be sold, plus, it has been in the ground nearly two years, rendering it useless to a buyer. AND, only the bones were stolen. The (expensive) clothes and jewelry were left behind. It would happen again. And again. Who was targeted, and why?

The Readaholics and the Gothic Gala is another in the Bookclub Mystery series by Laura DiSilverio. There is a death at a gathering of gothic mystery writers. The victim has no connection to any of those gathered. Or does he? What secrets are they hiding? A nice cozy, with a few twists I did not see coming. :-)

A warning here ... this series just sort of pulls you in! Shortly after finishing A Grave Matter I started the fourth Lady Darby book by Anna Lee Huber: A Study in Death. While Lady Darby is painting a portrait her client drops dead. She was young and healthy but the doctor has ruled it a death by apoplexy. Lady Darby is not so sure. Her investigation takes her to a chemist in on the 'wrong side' of town, fancy gatherings (with a dress with sleeves that are too poufy, even though she did ask that they be toned down), and a confrontation with her soon to be father-in-law (who is not amused that his son has refused to marry the 'proper' young woman that he has selected). Just a wonderful series, atmospheric, and engaging.

Tall Reader shared Brownies and Broomsticks, by Bailey Cates with me. It is the first in her Magical Bakery Mystery series. Katie has moved back home to Savannah to help with the bakery her aunt and uncle are opening. She also is told she comes from a long line of witches (something her parents chose to ignore telling her). On the day of the grand opening a woman (who has had nasty dealings with many of the townsfolks) is found dead in her car. A nice cozy, I look forward to the next book (which Tall Reader has just delivered)!

Reading Hermit With Dog