by Kathleen Costa
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win an ebook copy of this book, and a link to purchase it.
Tragedies to Triumphs
Calliope “Callie” Rose Collins has suffered a few tragedies in her life. The death of her parents when she was young left her in the custody of her Great Aunt Gracie who instilled in her a love of music. She took that love, turned it into a passion, and made it a career, but a car accident took that away from her. Her aunt was there to provide a refuge at Hollister House, her childhood home in Foxtail Lake, with the hopes she’d find a new purpose in life without music. And that she did. Callie has proven herself a competent writer when she related stories about her experiences helping to solve a murder and the connecting a cold case; it earned her a weekly column in the Foxtail News, Callie Considers. Although she has a work space at the newspaper, she works better in the comfort of her attic with her trusty cat Alistair. Reuniting with childhood friend Deputy Cass Wylander has been an unexpected occurrence, but there is a family curse that, whether Callie and her aunt really believe or not, they don’t plan on tempting fate.
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The Case of the Cupid Caper earns 5/5 Matching Hearts...Engaging Drama!
“Love, I’ve learned, has many faces.” That’s the opening line to this week’s Callie Considers column. For the next few articles she’ll explore a new matchmaking service, dubbed Ms. Cupid, and interview matched couples to uncover what technique is used to explain the impressive “perfect” success rate. Interested parties fill out an application and wait to be accepted by Ms. Cupid who then calls with instructions on a match that may or may not have signed up for the service. Warren Smith had not signed up, Madeline Jefferies had, and a planned “chance” meeting by Ms. Cupid now has them seriously dating. Callie’s editor suggests she sign up for the service to get an insider’s perspective, but instead they agree to have the newspaper’s receptionist act as guinea pig. But the interview Callie planned with success story Lissa and Dale doesn’t start out perfectly, unless it’s a perfect murder you’re hoping for! And as Callie joins Detective Wylander on the investigation, they see connections with clients, criminals, personal relationships, and business deals, and the secrets revealed make it difficult to pin down any real suspect and motive. It just got complicated!
“With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I really wanted to do something that fits the season.” Kathi Daley delivered the “perfect” Valentine cozy! The clever drama begins with an innocent set up...dating, but then a curious murder making this book quite a page-turner with too many possible suspects. And as is part of Kathi’s signature style, she weaves into the story daily life: other news assignments, babysitting and mentoring the young next door neighbor, the Sweetheart Ball, shifts at the animal shelter, and friends struggling with illnesses. Her writing style uses expressive language and dialogue that is informative and illustrates the tone and personalities well. The investigative techniques are often talking, sharing, and theorizing; some of this takes place off the page. Law enforcement is a best friend, and although you might not be actively involved in a murder investigation if your best friend were a cop, in Kathi Daley’s world the police are often friends and family cooperated and partnered with, not circumvented. If she’s told to stay in the car, she stays in the car like we all would. Action-packed? Well, the drama is well-developed through clues and theories discovered from conversation and detective sources, sometimes, like here, another crime occurs, but the ending always includes some perilous moments. I do like this series. Callie is realistic, Cass is a good cop, and the residents of Foxtail Lake seem well-defined; readers may see their own family and friends in these characters. No recipes in this series, but in this book, a sneak peek of book nine, The Puppy Project, in her Tess and Tilly Cozy Mystery is included; it’s set to release at the end of February (Preorder HERE).
Alert! In this drama Callie gets started on “a real investigative piece” about a twelve-year-old boy who went missing twenty-five years ago. Set to release in March and on Preorder on Amazon, The Secret of Logan Pond, follows “Cass [who] investigates a grisly murder while Callie is busy working on an anniversary story relating to the cold case.”
Be a Big Kathi Daley Fan!
USA Today bestselling author Kathi Daley has twelve series (Book List) offering something for every cozy taste with clever dramas, arctic to tropical to west coast settings, close relationships with friends and family, and a variety of “fur” friends. She has a great social media community of fans and can be followed on Amazon, Goodreads, and BookBub. Keep updated on all of her book releases, events, and goings-on by signing up for her newsletter HERE.
Facebook - Kathi Daley Books
Join the Club Kathi Daley Book Club
On the Web Kathi Daley Website
Blog - Random Thoughts and Meaningless Musings
To enter to win an ebook copy of The Case of the Cupid Caper, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "cupid,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen February 15, 2020 . U.S. residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. You can read our privacy statement here if you like. We delete all emails after the contest is over.
Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! One of our past episodes features another of Kathi's books. You can listen to it here: mysteryratsmaze.podbean.com/e/boxes-in-the-basement-by-kathi-daley A new episode goes up next week!
You can use this link to purchase the book. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:
'Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is a 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying her retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband.
Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.
A cupid mystery sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteI am a huge fan of Kathy's and would love to read this series. I have to admit it is sometimes hard to keep up, but well worth the effort
ReplyDeletebobntoni@aol.com
Kathi Dale is a good author. Count me in!
ReplyDeleteI love this series!! jawdance@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI love this series and Kathi Daley is coming out with such fresh ideas in her books. Thanks for featuring her. robeader53(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI’d love to read this! legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThank you for the article and the chance to win this book. I love her books.
ReplyDeleteLove Kathi Daley's books. Can't wait to read.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
We love Kathi Daley books. Thank you for your giveaway and a chance to win.
ReplyDeleteLove Kathi Daley books and this one looks great. Cannot wait to read.
ReplyDeleteAm just starting this series and would so enjoy winning this installment ! I enjoy everything you write.
ReplyDeleteLove Kathi Daley books . Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an awesome Cupid mystery!
ReplyDeletehollystover13(at)Yahoo(dot)com
This book sounds like a fun murder mystery. I love the idea of a dating service with "forced" participation. I'd probably kill someone running such a service if they recruited me (just kidding - I think).
ReplyDeleteI really love cozy themed mysteries. Kath I never fails to have the best!!! Ooneponychick66@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good readl. Thank you for this chance to win. 1cow0993(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteSounds fantastic! Thanks for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great read!
ReplyDeleteI haven't started this series yet, thanks for the opportunity to get a jump start!
ReplyDeleteSounds really good. Having a hard time trying to keep with these authors.
ReplyDeleteLove, Murder, whats not to like <3 <3
ReplyDeleteWould love to win Kathi Daley's Cupid mystery for Valentines Day!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity.