tammydwalker_jvkyil – Tammy D. Walker

November 15, 2023

Hi, Cozy Readers! After a cold spell here in Dallas, we’re having more fall-like weather now. And the leaves are putting on a nice show now too. Whether it’s fall or spring where you are, I hope it’s just right for reading weather. Which, let’s be honest, is any weather, right?

Speaking of cozy reads, here’s a whole cornucopia of them here to explore:

Check out the books here. Titles include A Body in Redwork by Hillary Doan Sperry, Reunion, Runes & Revenge by Beverly Rearick, and Feeding Frenzy: Curse of the Necromancer by Maaja Wentz.

My short story, “The Gift,” is part of the promo too, and it’s available for free on Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Books, and my website until 11/18. It’s $.99 on Amazon.

As always, I’d love to hear about what you’re reading and what’s making your world cozy these days! For me, it’s my trusty cup of tea and extra fuzzy gloves. How about you?

With warm (and toasty!) regards,

Tammy D. Walker

https://www.tammydwalker.com

Want to explore a couple more titles? Here we go! (Please note: these titles are not part of the promo above, but they do offer up mystery!)

Mischief, Murder & Monkey Mayhem:

A Bed & Breakfast Cozy Mystery, Book 2 by Peyton Stone

A dead woman checked in at the bed and breakfast and it didn’t sit well with the other guests.

When the wealthy and notorious Lorraine Baker shows up for a room at Avery’s charming Mountain Acres Bed and Breakfast, it seems like an ordinary reservation. But by morning, Lorraine is dead, and though it appears she died in her sleep – the monkey thinks otherwise.

As the mystery piles up faster than the fluffy pancakes at breakfast, Avery, along with her sticky-fingered, kleptomaniac Capuchin monkey, Ali, digs into the details of Lorraine’s life.

Fake IDs, pending divorce papers, and a stockpile of pilfered pills led Avery to believe Lorraine wasn’t who she claimed to be.

With the unbeknownst help of her detective friend, Chris, Avery sets out to unravel the threads and reveal the true identity of the guest who checked in but never checked out.

Will she uncover the truth of her death before her own reservation at the B&B is permanently canceled?

A Grave Mistake: A Crystal Beach Paranormal Cozy Mystery

(Crystal Beach Magic Mystery Book 8) by Karen McSpade

Welcome to Crystal Beach, an enchanting town with a dangerous secret.

With another resident now six feet under and her dad’s neck on the line for murder, Sidney knows there’s been a grave mistake. Now, this witch must act quickly to clear his name and reveal the real danger lurking in this cozy beach town.

Guided by her grandmother’s wisdom, Sidney evokes the spirits to ask for guidance. But a surprise spectral figure joins the séance, and Sidney must convince this unlikely helper to aid them in solving the murder.

To complicate things, her father’s arrest strains her relationship with the chief of police, and navigating these murky waters won’t be easy. Though Sidney yearns to rekindle their romantic connection, family comes first, and Chief Reece isn’t going to budge for love.

Can this psychic witch find a way to peer into the past, revealing the clues she needs to locate the real killer? What secret does her magical feline unearth in the garden? And can they discover the evidence needed to free her father?

November 1, 2023

Hi, Cozy Readers! As the year winds down, I’m still busy in my garden. The pansies my kids and I just put in are thriving, and we’ve got new roses that we’ve decided to put in larger containers.

I’m also thinking gardening because I’m excited to announce that I’ve signed a contract with The Wild Rose Press for my second mystery with them, a follow up to Venus Rising. Down to Earth takes us back to Amy Morrison’s hometown in Dawville, Texas, to her sister’s farm:

Stacey Hengesbach has enough to worry about with a pecan harvest, festival preparations, and a daughter who’s eager to leave their tiny hometown all needing her attention. So when a radio antenna tower falls, seriously injuring its owner, she’s willing to believe it’s an accident like everyone else in the county does, including the sheriff. But then another antenna tower falls, this time on her best friend’s cafe while they’re inside. With the help of her family, friends old and new, and the local ham radio club, Stacey races to solve the mystery of the falling antennas before another one comes crashing down.

I’ll keep you posted about covers, publication date, and availability.

I’d love to hear your good news, too! What do you have planned for November?

Sending cozy wishes,

Tammy D. Walker

https://www.tammydwalker.com

Here are more cozy mysteries to discover:

The Temp Jobs Cozy Mysteries: Books 1-3 by K.B. Blake

Temp Jobs Can Be Murder!

Death Behind the Dumpster – Book One

Attacked in the Aisles – Book Two

Poisoned by the Pool – Book Three

Murder—unlike her job—isn’t temporary.

Sting of Lies by Carol Potenza

Can solving a mysterious poisoning save her career? Oh, and lead her to a long-lost buried treasure? Wait. AND thrust her into the arms of true love?

Ice Age paleontologist and poisons expert Myrna P. Lee isn’t a team player. Not because she doesn’t want to be. She’s just terrible at it. At least, that’s what every one in her lab says. Even her dog, the amazing William Tell, gives her attitude.

Maybe she has a hard time trusting because of past betrayals by people she’s loved the most.

If you like stubborn smart heroines afraid to love, rugged cowboys with slow and sexy smiles who get caught in their own web of seduction, and a small dog who surprises the heck out of people when he’s picked up, then you’ll love Sting of Lies.

The Seaside Murder Before Christmas by Shannon Symonds

This year, Christmas in Esther and Sophie’s beach town is anything but jolly.

Despite enjoying the Parade of Lights, cutting fresh Christmas trees, and eating delicious treats, murder has darkened the Christmas spirit in Necanicum.

With all the strange goings on, Sophie and Esther take seasonal jobs at the newest business in town: a books and bakery shop. But when someone starts killing the competition at another bookstore, the girls know they must find answers before Santa comes to town.

Was it the bad boy baker with the wrench in the library? Or was it the new school principal with the Christmas cookies by the fire?

Make room for some old-fashioned traditions and sleuthing as Sophie and Esther race to solve the mystery before this Christmas becomes someone’s last chapter.

October 15, 2023

Hello, Cozy Readers! It’s been a busy couple weeks here at my house, hosting family from out of town and getting ready for some exciting things in the next couple months. Halloween, of course, but also wrapping up some writing projects and starting a couple more.

And on the topic of exciting things, I’m thrilled to share with you my short story, “The Gift,” which is free until mid-November via my website, B&N and Kobo, and for 99¢ on Amazon. You can find links to the story on Amazon, B&N, and Kobo here: https://books.tammydwalker.com/thegiftshortstory

My kids’ costumes are ready, but I’m not sure what I’ll dress as…. Do you have plans for Halloween? I’d love to hear about them!

Sending you cozy wishes,

Tammy D. Walker

https://www.tammydwalker.com

Here are more cozy mysteries to explore:

The Only Way is Larceny by Lou Collins

A jealous understudy. A backstage prankster. Will a missing prop steal the show?

Though it’s summer, Chloe Essex is rehearsing the theatre company’s birthday spectacular—The Nutcracker! But when the Sugar Plum Fairy’s priceless tiara vanishes, she only has hours to find it before the play opens.

With temperatures and tensions rising, the cast and crew discover the spotlight reveals more than anyone bargained for. Chloe must navigate a hotbed of rivalries and mishaps to unravel the mystery and save her last performance.

Can she solve the crime or will the curtain on Chloe’s career and history’s most unconventional Nutcracker fall forever?

Dive into this laugh-out-loud contemporary British cozy mystery full of twists, turns, and surprises that are sure to keep you guessing until the final act!

Death at First Night by Kimberly Griggs

A blast from Mallory’s past has arrived in tranquil Key West, and she’s not at all thrilled about it.

Andrew Mercer, her former boyfriend and reason number one for her move to the Southernmost part of the US, is staking his claim. He wants her back, and he will stop at nothing to make that happen. Or is there a more nefarious reason he’s lurking about?

Mallory’s blonde, bombshell nemesis is found toes up with a scarf around her neck at the Hemingway Home Bookstore, and Andrew is suspect numero uno. Only, he claims he’s innocent and wants Mallory to find her killer or else. Spurred on by the desire to have her life back, Mallory employs the help of her quirky best friend, Juniper Jones, as well as newest gal pal, Ernesta Castro, a pot-laced-cigar-smoking hippie with a penchant for motorcycle-riding, leather-wearing giants.

With the hunky Huck Jameson MIA, Mallory turns to sexy Detective Luke Beckett for assistance, but it seems Beckett is after more than just a killer—he’s after her heart. Huck’s return could be problematic for their budding romance, but is he too late? Who will win her heart? And will the killer get to her before she can explore her own Happily Ever After?

Corrupted in Corpus Christi by Scarlett Moss

Why would you suddenly sacrifice your entire life? A Travel Cozy / Brozy Mystery Prequel

Why would you suddenly sacrifice your entire life?

The murder of your best friend?

Being set up as a suspect?

Realizing those in authority are deceitful and corrupt?

Joan and Alen Arny are dealing with a set of unimaginable circumstances in different ways.

Alen, blocked from doing his job as sheriff when his best friend is murdered, feels frustrated and helpless but that’s nothing compared to what he feels when the murderer is revealed.

Joan uses her time off from being a 911 operator to do what Alen can’t and investigate one friend for the murder of another. She’s realizing that being on the front lines of agony and despair is slowly destroying her faith in humanity as she witnesses the increasing level of depravity in society.

Will they survive the investigations that will leave them either victims or suspects? Is there a single solution to heal them both?

Read it today, because we love a cozy mystery where the good guys prevail.

Corrupted in Corpus Christi is the short prequel to the series.

September 1, 2023

Hi, Cozy Readers! I’m back after a busy summer, and I’m happy to report that the weather is finally cooling off a bit here in Dallas. I hope your summer is going well!

While most of our garden gave up in the heat, the sunflowers continued to shine.

Just like the sunflowers persevered through the heat (and the times I forgot to water them–oops!), I’ve had to push through problems with plotting to get my writing to bloom. You can read more about that in my post over at Ladies of Mystery.

This fall, I’m working on finishing up The Wing of a Bee, the first novella in a new cozy mystery series, Butterfield’s Boutique and Computer Repair. I’d love to hear what you’ve got planned for the season!

I’m planning on reading more–of course. You’ll find more mysteries to discover below!

Sending you cozy wishes,

Tammy D. Walker

https://www.tammydwalker.com

Candy, Cigarettes, and Murder (A Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery Book 1)

by Brenda Whiteside and Joyce Proell

It’s a birthday weekend with the gift of murder.

Recently widowed, Emma Banefield looks forward to a getaway birthday weekend with her free-wheeling sister, Nicole Earp, sipping chocolate martinis at the peaceful, historic Dulce Inn. When a rude stranger, a nasty food critic, and a madhouse of temperamental artists greet them, all hope for a tranquil weekend evaporates faster than dew on a hot desert morning.

Overlooking the riotous atmosphere is doubly hard after Em discovers the body of a hotel guest, and a second murder affects Nic personally. Now, entrenched in a caper that pits them against a surly detective, they cozy up to a hotel staff hiding dangerous secrets to uncover clues to the killer.

Using their smarts and love of all-things mystery, will the Chocolate Martini Sisters solve the crime ahead of the obstinate Chief Detective or find themselves trapped in the middle of a third murder?

Murder on Boston Common: A Plot Twist Cozy Mystery (Massachusetts Cozy Mystery)

by Andrea Kress

She’s rich and bored. This homicide has no motive. Determined to get to the truth, can she solve the murder before she’s next?

Boston, 1933. Amanda Burnside yearns for more. Dutifully hitting the social scene and volunteering for charity, the young former debutante is delighted to be dating a doctor yet wishes for excitement. But she wasn’t expecting a stroll on Boston Common with her beau to end with the discovery of a dead body.

Shocked by the experience, Amanda ignores her parents’ wishes and resolves to follow the clues to uncover the perpetrator. But with shady characters, ruthless bootleggers and wily politicians all fighting to keep the details buried, the plucky amateur sleuth fears the answers may land her in the morgue.

Can Amanda unmask a murderer without becoming the next victim?

Perfect Plate of Poison by Rose Malone

Mary Hogan left her high-powered law career in Boston when she inherited the quaint Emerald Inn, a german shepherd and persian cat, from her beloved psychic aunt. Living on the idyllic island and running a successful inn and catering business is her dream. And, Perfect Plate Catering is a huge success. So, what could possibly go wrong? Well, how about murder, for starters!

Mary’s food and wine pairing event takes a deadly turn when a prominent local has a sudden and tragic reaction to shellfish. There is only one problem. She didn’t use any seafood in her dishes.

Now, Mary with the help of her friends—furry and human and maybe even otherworldly—must navigate her way through the secrets hidden deep underneath Martha’s Vineyard’s charm. What she uncovers is jealousy, lies, and someone willing to kill to protect themselves.

Can she solve a murder, save her catering business, and clear her name? Or will she end up losing everything? Maybe even her own life…

Ginny Jomes and the Stolen Cabbage Caper

by Bebe Steiner

The annual Alaska State Fair. A missing world record-breaking cabbage. An innocent man charged. A humorous Alaskan cozy mystery.

Can amateur sleuth Ginny Jomes, that’s Jomes with an M., and her Moose Peak Mavens find the real thief of the record-breaking cabbage and save Charlie Townsend? Follow Ginny, the Mavens and her trusty mini Dachshund on the hunt from the Alaska State Fair to Owl Creek Farm as they search for the truth. After all, how much trouble can a quartet of sixty-something women get into?

June 1, 2023

Hi, Cozy Readers! It’s June, and that means it’s beach reads season! What are your favorite cozy beach reads?

In the spirit of the summer season, I’ve got my iced tea, a good book, and a giveaway to link to share! Enter A Cozy Mystery Beach Giveaway, and you can win a cozy mystery prize pack: https://aconitecafe.com/acozymysterybeachgiveaway/

Wishing you good weather and happy reading,
Tammy D. Walker
https://www.tammydwalker.com/

Here are more mysteries to check out:

“The Death of Hope” by Lou Collins

Family can be murder!
A Scolaris Short Mystery

When Ted’s daring plan to put an end to his father’s brutish ways backfires, Dad ends up dead, and he’s not the only one.

To make matters worse, the local guard arrests his defenseless sister for the crime, ignoring the never-ending list of suspects with a motive.

Sleuth along as Ted uncovers secrets buried in his family’s past to unmask a murderer and save the only family he has left.

Pies and Pilfering: Deep Fried Revenge Prequel by Karen McSpade

Taking a bite out of crime never tasted so sweet! When a local widower’s prize-winning Peonies and famous Imperial Lemon Pie disappear faster than a hot knife through butter, undercover detective Piper Sandstone and her crime-fighting gal pals, the Dentures and Diamonds Crime Squad, must weed out a criminal before it’s too late.

But with a mysterious newcomer lurking around the small town and the thefts escalating, the ladies are left scratching their heads and wondering if they’re dealing with a garden-variety criminal or a mastermind thief.

As Piper digs deeper into the case, she must maintain her cover and avoid the handsome sheriff’s scrutiny. With the Rose Cup competition around the corner, the pressure is on to solve the case and return the stolen goods. Can Piper and her squad solve the case before the thief strikes again?

Filled with humor, friendship, and crime-solving fun, Pies and Pilfering, a culinary cozy mystery prequel to the Deep Fried Revenge series, will leave you ready for seconds! Join Piper and the ladies on their latest escapade and discover why readers are hooked on this hilarious and heartwarming series.

Murder at the Festival by Dani Simms

Back in her hometown, city girl Avery Parker is finally settling in after her husband’s sudden passing.

The town is abuzz with the annual wine festival and Avery is amped to show off Le Blanc Cellars’ newest release. But between pours of their famed Chenin Blanc, a lifeless body is found.

A curious gray stone clutched in the cold grip of a dead tourist intrigues the locals, and no one expects his death would be ruled a murder.

Driven by empathy for the dead man’s widow, Avery pieces together the puzzle and unearths a scandal larger than she could ever have imagined.

As long as she doesn’t get in her own way, Avery might bring justice for a tourist’s untimely demise. That is, unless she becomes a victim herself.

With more twists than the vines at Le Blanc Cellars, Murder at the Festival will have readers guessing this whodunit.

Wine pairings and irresistible recipes included!

May 1, 2023

Hello, Cozy Readers! May is here, and gardening is in full swing at my house.

Around here, gardening runs in the family. Earlier this year, my kids and I planted some sunflowers that my parents started for us. I’m delighted to report that the sunflowers (which are my absolute favorite!) are doing well.

We also have several sunflower plants that are volunteers out of the bird seed. Sometimes we get annoyed by squirrels knocking the seeds out of the feeders, but, hey, maybe they enjoy gardening too!

Once everything starts blooming, I promise I will send pictures in this newsletter!

What do you have planned for this month? I’d love to hear all about it!

Sending you cozy wishes,
Tammy D. Walker
https://www.tammydwalker.com/

PS: Have you read my cozy mystery Venus Rising? If you enjoyed the book, please consider leaving a review wherever you like reading reviews. Thank you!

Here are more mysteries to check out:

Home Tours, History & Homicide by Sally Bayless

Libby Ballard, director of the history museum in the small town of Dogwood Springs, Missouri, is thrilled to be organizing a tour of local historic homes to benefit the museum.

Plans for the event are well underway when Libby stops by to confirm details with one of the homeowners—and finds he’s been murdered.

Join Libby, her golden retriever, Bella, and their friends as they solve this mystery!

Home Tours, History & Homicide is part of the Dogwood Springs Cozy Mystery Series. If you like a mystery with an animal who will win your heart, friends who feel like family, and a sweet small town, you’ll love this series!

A clean cozy mystery with a hint of romance.

Weather Or Not by Anne Shillolo

Come rain or shine, injured cop Claire Beckett finds herself forced to solve a series of mysterious deaths in order to clear her name.

Weather Or Not is a bonus story and a prequel to the Murder In Season mysteries. Catriona West is a TV meteorologist or, as her boss says, ‘weather girl.’ She’s the best friend of Murder In Season main character, Detective Constable Claire Beckett.

Weather Or Not takes a look at two unbelievable days in Catriona’s life.

First, she has to make a split-second decision that could end up getting her fired from her dream job.

Next, she learns that her ex, Luke, has been arrested. Cat is tempted to let him rot in jail, but the thought of the hyper, nerdy storm-chaser behind bars for something he didn’t do sends her on the hunt for an alibi.

Even worse is the shocking news about her best friend, Claire.

Unlike the other books in the series, Weather Or Not doesn’t have a murder, but the non-stop action will keep you on the edge of your seat.

April 15, 2023

(This is a copy of my newsletter from April 15, 2023. If you want to subscribe and get a free cozy mystery novelette, click here!)

Hi, Cozy Readers. Just in time for tea on Saturday, 4/15, I’ll be part of the Cozy Mystery Party Spring Has Sprung Author Takeover Event!

There will be several authors posting from 10am-8pm Eastern with news on their books as well as lots of giveaways. I’ll be on at 3pm Eastern, and at 3:25, I’ll post about a giveaway, including a signed paperback copy of Venus Rising!

See you there!

Sending cozy wishes,
Tammy D. Walker

Here are a couple more mysteries to check out:

Friends in Need by Elliott Hay

Every day, Peggy, Carole, and Madge get together to knit, drink tea, and exchange juicy tidbits of gossip. Occasionally, they indulge in a bit of murder … but only when strictly necessary.

When a tumble down the stairs lands one of their friends in hospital, Peggy, Carole, and Madge don’t believe it was an accident. They come together to protect her. But this case isn’t as straightforward as they’d hoped. For starters, this time, murder’s off the table – but not for the reasons they’re all too used to hearing.

Without resorting to lethal methods, will Peggy, Carole, and Madge find a way to help their friend?

Every Trick in the Spellbook by Emory Keller

The fate of Segmimn’s School of Sorcery hangs in the balance and Astrid is determined to tip the scales.

In the mystical mountain town of Quincy, California, Astrid Saunders is the most beloved professor at Segmimn’s School of Sorcery. She manages to champion students and teachers alike while deftly keeping herself out of the spotlight.

But when her childhood friend-turned-rival, Claudia, is charged with murder, Astrid can’t shake the feeling she didn’t do it, and no matter how badly she’d like to see Claudia eat a slice of humble pie, she just can’t walk away.

Speaking up for a spoiled princess will put all eyes on Astrid, and right in the middle of the drama she despises.

All the clues point to Claudia, but something isn’t right. There are too many secrets surrounding the people involved, and those people go too high up for Astrid to be content with simple answers.

She’s going to prove Claudia was framed because if she can’t, Segmimn’s will be embroiled in scandal, be forced to close its doors, and Astrid will lose the closest family she’s ever known.

With so much at stake, it’s going to take everyone working together to solve the puzzle. Rag-tag students, a cranky old sorceress, and even Astrid’s intuitive dog find a way to help. The detective assigned to the case is trying to keep it professional despite the chemistry he feels with Astrid,

And Astrid, well, she’s in the middle–the reluctant champion of a fight she didn’t choose but one she can’t afford to lose.