It's a Mystery

Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

by Jesse Q. Sutanto

available in March, paperback, Berkley

One morning, Vera walks downstairs from her apartment to find a dead man in the middle of her tea shop. In his outstretched hand, a flash drive. Vera doesn’t know what comes over her, but after calling the cops like any good citizen would, she swipes the flash drive. Why? Because Vera is sure she would do a better job than the police possibly could. Nobody sniffs out a wrongdoing quite like a suspicious Chinese mother with time on her hands.

Under Lock & Skeleton Key : A Secret Staircase Mystery #1

by Gigi Pandian

available now, paperback, Minotaur Books

The best cozy mystery I've read yet! A family of magicians who run a company that makes secret rooms gets embroiled in a murder. Not only is this a great whodunit, it is also filled with twists and turns that will keep even the most well-versed mystery reader on their toes. Look for the sequel in March! –Kiana

The White Lady

by Jacqueline Winspear

available in March, hardcover, Harper

The White Lady introduces yet another extraordinary heroine/sleuth from Winspear, creator of the best-selling Maisie Dobbs series. This heartstopping adventure set in Post-World War II Britain, 1947 follows the coming of age and maturity of former wartime operative Elinor White—veteran of two wars, trained killer, protective of her anonymity—when she is drawn back into the world of violence that she has been desperate to leave behind.

Every Man a King

by Walter Mosley

available now, hardcover, Mulholland Books

The Golden Spoon

by Jessa Maxwell

available in March, hardcover, Atria Books

The author of numerous bestselling cookbooks and hailed as “America’s Grandmother,” Betsy Martin isn’t as warm off-screen as on, though no one needs to know that but her. She has always demanded perfection, and gotten it with a smile, but this year something is off. As the baking competition commences, things begin to go awry. At first, it’s merely sabotage—sugar replaced with salt, a burner turned to high—but when a body is discovered, everyone is a suspect. Only Murders in the Building meets The Maid.

The Raven Thief : A Secret Staircase Mystery #2

by Gigi Pandian

available in March, hardcover, Minotaur Books

The sequel to Under Lock and Skeleton Key was just as good as the first! The family of magicians finds themselves in the middle of yet another seemingly impossible murder. The characters in this book are so lively and fun to read, I highly recommend it to any cozy mystery fans! –Kiana

Death of a Bookseller

by Alice Slater

available in April, hardcover, Scarlet Roach would rather be listening to her favorite true crime podcast than assisting the customers at her local bookstore. A serious true crime junkie, Roach looks down her nose at the fans who only became interested in the genre once it got trendy. But when Laura, a charismatic children’s bookseller, arrives to help rejuvenate the struggling bookstore branch, Roach recognizes in her an unexpected kindred spirit. Roach learns everything she can about her new colleague, eventually uncovering Laura’s traumatic family history. When Roach realizes that she may have come across her very own true crime story, interest swiftly blooms into a dangerous obsession.

When multi-billionaire Roger Ferris comes to Joe King with an assignment, he’s got no choice but to accept, even if the case is a tough one to stomach. White nationalist Alfred Xavier Quiller has been accused of murder and the sale of sensitive information to the Russians. This linear assignment becomes a winding quest to uncover the extent of Quiller’s dealings, to understand Ferris’ skin in the game, and to get to the bottom of who is working for whom. Even with the help of bodyguard and mercenary Oliya Ruez—no regular girl Friday—the machine King’s up against proves relentless and unsparing. As King gets closer to exposing the truth, he and his loved ones barrel towards grave danger.