USA Today bestselling author Connie Shelton brings her most edge-of-seat Charlie Parker mystery to date. It’s a terrible case of mistaken identity when a gang of bank robbers think that Charlie is a famous movie star. Disappointed with their take from the bank, they decide that a hefty ransom will be their ticket to riches. Charlie is terrified to think will happen when the real star steps forward and reveals their error. She knows that only her wits will save her from this band of desperate men. Meanwhile, in a race against the clock, Charlie's husband Drake is working with the FBI and local authorities to get Charlie back before her captors realize their mistake. Praise for Connie Shelton's previous books: "Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes." --The Midwest Book Review “Shelton again has done a superb job.” –Albuquerque Journal “Charlie is a fabulous amateur sleuth.” –Midwest Book Review

Stardom Can Be Murder: Charlie Parker Mystery #12 (Charlie Parker Mysteries)

Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

Shelton, Connie

Mystery

Secret Staircase Books, an imprint of Columbine Publishing Group

Now that Samantha Sweet has a contract to provide her special handmade chocolates for the wealthy jet-set clients of Book It Travel, Sweet’s Sweets bakery is taking on a whole new dimension. Only problem, Sam isn’t ready. It’s almost Halloween, her pastry shop is bursting at the seams and she needs extra employees but there is no place to put them. Right before the witching day, she comes upon a large Victorian house she can adapt for the business, and it seems her problem is solved. But is it? The mysterious, spooky noises at night are way more than the normal creaks and groans of an old building. Something else is going on and Sam suspects it may be related to her husband’s newest case, investigating where an abandoned duffle bag crammed full of cash came from. Beau is dealing with a greedy reward-seeker, a robbery with no leads, and a waif who appears and vanishes. Sam’s mystery has her watching for ghosts and working almost around the clock. Is she relying on magic?—well, occasionally. “Shelton again has done a superb job in bringing New Mexico to life.” —Albuquerque Journal “Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.”—The Midwest Book Review “Just reading about Samantha Sweet and friends at her pastry shop will leave you drooling in anticipation of delicious treats.” Joanne K, 5-star review on Amazon (Spellbound Sweets in Midnight Mysteries) “The teamwork between Samantha and Beau was a main draw as well as attention to detail, down to the last frosted cookie.” – Janine Thiemann, 5 stars, Amazon (Spellbound Sweets in Midnight Mysteries)

Spooky Sweet: Samantha Sweet Mysteries, Book 11: A Sweet's Sweets Bakery Mystery (Samantha Sweet Magical Cozy Mysteries)

Praise for the Charlie Parker series: “Charlie is just what readers want.” –Booklist “Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.”--The Midwest Book Review The weather turns to spring, and Charlie faces a pair of mysteries. Against Charlie’s better judgment Ron, her PI partner, takes a cheating-spouse case that turns into a comedy of errors involving a star football player and his wife’s petty vengeance. Meanwhile, Charlie’s neighbor Elsa has a bad feeling about a family up the street. Is it a case of the neighborhood busybody having too much time on her hands, or is there truly something sinister happening with twin teen girls who’ve been left with too much money and not enough supervision? Charlie finds herself remembering what her own teen years were like as she tries to decipher what the twins are up to. “... suspenseful storytelling with sensitive portrayals of complex family relationships.” –Booklist “Shelton’s engaging story, likable heroine, and comfortable prose make this a good choice.” – Library Journal

Alibis Can Be Murder: Charlie Parker Mysteries, Book 17

A nearly flawless museum robbery, a missing million-dollar necklace, a stalled police investigation. For the victim of the crime, the situation calls for desperate measures, and 72-year old Pen Fitzpatrick does what she needs to do-she recruits a group of women friends to take down the bad guy and steal back the necklace. Penelope Fitzpatrick wasn't born to wealth. Her grandfather fed the family by selling his small stash of gemstones smuggled from tsarist Russia when the monarchy fell. Now, Pen has done well for herself as a successful novelist. But when the final jewel in her family legacy becomes the target of a cunning band of thieves, and the priceless piece is stolen, the police have many excuses why they can't solve the crime. Not one to accept defeat, Pen does the only thing she can do-gather a group of friends to help catch the crooks and steal back the necklace.It becomes apparent the thief is a master con man who is likely working with an international theft ring. The chase takes the Ladies far from home and into elegant European enclaves as they attempt to face him down. Close calls and near misses-it's never quite certain whether the women will be able to pull their own spectacular heist and see justice done.Fans of Janet Evanovich and Jana DeLeon will love this daring and spunky group of women friends in their first mystery caper.Praise for Connie Shelton's previous novels:"Readers can only hope the likable characters, fast-paced plots and local color will continue ¿" -Albuquerque Journal"Down to earth and very readable." -Library Journal"¿a delightfully complex mystery." -Romantic Times (4 out 5 five stars)"Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes." -The Midwest Book Review

Diamonds Aren't Forever (Heist Ladies Caper Mysteries)

It’s Halloween, one of the busiest seasons of the year for Samantha Sweet and the crew at her pastry shop, Sweet’s Sweets. After baking a zillion pumpkin cookies, ghostly cupcakes, and an all-black cake for a young witch’s wedding, the gang is looking forward to a gala costume party at the neighborhood bookshop. But when one of the guests is murdered and a rare book vanishes—practically in front of their eyes—the evening takes a whole different turn and Sam finds herself in the midst of another mystery. BONUS: Includes 10 recipes from the author's personal collection. “I love her writing style and love her main character, Samantha Sweet ... This was a real whodunit in the classic sense, with actors, a bakery, an antique book store, and witches to enliven the story.”— Riverlizzie, 5 stars on Amazon “Connie Shelton’s Spellbound Sweets novella is delightful. Just reading about Samantha Sweet and friends at her pastry shop will leave you drooling in anticipation of delicious treats. Join the Halloween party at a bookstore where someone dies and a rare book is now missing. This makes me crave another book in this series.” –Joanne K, 5 stars, Amazon

Spellbound Sweets: A Samantha Sweet Halloween Novella (Samantha Sweet Magical Cozy Mysteries)

Literature & Fiction

Genre Fiction

Native American psychologist Ben Pecos has returned to the New Mexico pueblo of his birth as an intern with the Indian Health Service. Still struggling with the demons of his past, he is plunged into the nightmare rampage of a mysterious illness that is killing the residents of the pueblo, including his own grandmother. One of the victims, the powerful tribal governor, had made powerful enemies, and Ben suspects his murder was premeditated—but that doesn't explain the insidious killer now stalking the innocent. Undaunted, Ben digs deep into the motives of power and greed to root out a killer whose deadly agenda is spiraling out of control. Newly edited e-book edition Praise for The Pumpkin Seed Massacre: “… a gripping novel.” –Tony Hillerman “This is a wonderful book with loveable heroes.” –Library Journal “… Ben Pecos—raised far from New Mexico’s Tewa Pueblo—could become as lasting a fictional presence as Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee.” – Chicago Tribune “Solid characters, fascinating atmosphere, and authentic setting—The Pumpkin Seed Massacre is a book you will enjoy. Ben Pecos is a star in the detective firmament. I predict a big future for Susan Slater.” – Barbara D’Amato “Slater’s first novel holds the reader’s interest with its brisk pace, well-rendered New Mexico landscape and challenging plot … [T]his promising first novel heralds a series to watch.” –Booklist

The Pumpkin Seed Massacre: Ben Pecos Mysteries, Book 1

Slater, Susan

United States

The coyote howled four times. Salvador Zuni laughed, realizing he was holding his breath, then waited for another long piercing wail—hoped for another… Salvador Zuni is a master carver of traditional Native American fetishes. He is also a cheat. He makes synthetic amber that rivals anything to be found in nature, complete down to the insects he places inside. His recipe is worth a fortune, and someone is after it. When Ben Pecos, the new resident Indian Health Services psychologist, arrives at the pueblo, he finds himself caught up in the investigation of the murder of a trader in native artifacts and fetishes. Someone is willing to kill and use the spirits of the tribes to drive Salvador out of his mind and into prison for the crime. But something smells odd to Ben, and as he begins to investigate, he treads deeper into the mystic and the list of suspects grows longer. Masterfully plotted and rich with the spirit and characters of the Southwest, Yellow Lies shows Susan Slater to be at the top of her form. Newly edited first e-book edition. Praise for Susan Slater’s Ben Pecos mysteries: “This is a wonderful book with loveable heroes.” –Library Journal, on The Pumpkin Seed Massacre “Take a great plot idea and Susan Slater’s skill with language, combine them with her understanding of the religion and culture of a proud and ancient people, and you have a gripping novel. The Pumpkin Seed Massacre is her first novel. We hope it’s the first of many.” –Tony Hillerman “… Ben Pecos—a half-Navajo medical researcher raised far from New Mexico’s Tewa Pueblo—could become as lasting a fictional presence as Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee.” –Chicago Tribune “Solid characters, fascinating atmosphere, and authentic setting—The Pumpkin Seed Massacre is a book you will enjoy. Ben Pecos is a star in the detective firmament. I predict a big future for Susan Slater.” –Barbara D’Amato “Slater’s first novel holds the reader’s interest with its brisk pace, well-rendered New Mexico landscape and challenging plot … [T]his promising first novel heralds a series to watch.” –Booklist

Yellow Lies: Ben Pecos Mysteries, Book 2

Sandy Werner¿s longtime client walks into Desert Trust Bank, clearly down on her luck. Sandy is shocked to find Mary Holbrook¿s once-hefty account is down to less than $200. Mary worked alongside her husband for years to build a successful business, but when she wasn¿t looking, all their money vanished and Clint found himself a cute new wife. Abandoned, Mary might be homeless but she certainly isn¿t helpless. She teams up with Sandy and her friends who call themselves the Heist Ladies. It¿s their mission to see justice done, and Clint Holbrook is the perfect guy to do it to.The ladies discover a huge shell game and track the deceitful ex to the other side of the world, determined to win back Mary¿s financial security as well as her self-esteem. But Clint Holbrook has even more ominous problems involving Chinese mobsters, and he¿s willing to take drastic measures to avoid being caught. Will the women catch up with him, or will his deadlier foes get him first?Praise for Connie Shelton¿s previous novels:¿Readers can only hope the likable characters, fast-paced plots and local color will continue ¿¿ ¿Albuquerque Journal¿Down to earth and very readable.¿ ¿Library Journal¿¿a delightfully complex mystery.¿ ¿Romantic Times (4 out 5 five stars)¿Connie Shelton gets better with every book she writes.¿ ¿The Midwest Book Review

The Trophy Wife Exchange: Heist Ladies, Book 2 (Heist Ladies Caper Mysteries)

The fiery midnight crash of a Stealth fighter on a New Mexico reservation and the disappearance of a young Navajo woman put psychologist Ben Pecos and tribal police officer Tommy Spottedhorse on a sinister and mysterious trail. Tribal police lock horns with air force personnel over jurisdiction and the right to search for the missing woman. The murder of a local park ranger and several livestock mutilations complicate the whole picture and take the case from strange to downright bizarre. When it appears the missing Navajo woman, Brenda Begay, may have witnessed what happened that fateful night and might still be alive, Ben and Tommy Spottedhorse race to connect the pieces of the puzzle. Because, otherworldly or not, something evil is out there in the desert, awaiting a final showdown among the ruins of the Ancient Ones. Critical acclaim for Susan Slater’s Thunderbird: “Thunderbird is a witty, absorbing tale.” —Publishers Weekly “A solid, suspenseful narrative and colorful glimpses of Native American life strongly recommend this ...” —Library Journal

Thunderbird: Ben Pecos Mysteries, Book 3

From award-winning author Susan Slater, the fourth installment in her critically acclaimed New Mexico Ben Pecos mysteries, which Booklist calls “a series to watch.” Ben Pecos has the opportunity to work in Albuquerque on a research project for the Indian Health Service, and his fiancée Julie Conlin decides to join him when she snags an invitation for the couple to stay at the lavish home of an old family friend, Connie CdeBaca, who is the head of a family of successful land developers. But Connie harbors a deep secret she has never told anyone. Ben and Julie are hardly settled when people begin dying, and they find themselves swept into the midst of another mystery. The twists and turns in this complex plot will keep readers guessing to the very end! “Solid, suspenseful narrative and colorful glimpses of Native American life ... strongly recommend.” —Library Journal “A series to watch.” —Booklist “… Ben Pecos—raised far from New Mexico’s Tewa Pueblo—could become as lasting a fictional presence as Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee.” – Chicago Tribune “… a gripping, interesting tale.” –5 stars, online review

Fire Dancer: Ben Pecos Mysteries, Book 4

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