Welcome to Cozy Wednesday!
Today I am delighted to feature The Next Deadly Chapter (Mystery Bookshop) by V.M. Burns!
The Next Deadly Chapter (Mystery Bookshop)
Cozy Mystery
10th in Series
Setting – Michigan
Publisher : Kensington Cozies (February 25, 2025)
Paperback : 272 pages
ISBN-10 : 1496750802
ISBN-13 : 978-1496750808
Kindle ASIN : B0D35FGBXL
Michigan bookshop owner and mystery writer Samantha Washington is engaged to be married—but she may have to step over a few bodies before she walks down the aisle . . .
All Sam wanted was to make a good impression on her fiancé Frank’s mother, the very proper Dr. Camilia Patterson. But when Nano Jo and the lively ladies of Shady Acres Retirement Village throw a surprise bridal shower for Sam at the Four Feathers Casino—watch out! Things spin out of control faster than a roulette wheel. Fortunately, Sam knows when to fold ’em and slips back to her room to work on her latest historical mystery set between the wars, in which a houseguest meets a grim end at an English country manor.
The morning after brings another rude surprise. Sam gets a frantic call from Camilia, who’s discovered a dead body in her room. Now winning over her soon-to-be mother-in-law means keeping the good doctor out of a potential scandal and attempting to discreetly solve a murder without ruffling any feathers. For that she’ll need the help of Nano Jo—not exactly the soul of discretion—Detective “Stinky” Pitt, and the ladies—because the casino killer keeps upping the ante. . .
Dollycas’s Thoughts
In The Next Deadly Chapter Samantha is busy promoting her first book including a book tour with Escape With Dollycas/Great Escapes, and a book signing at the Pontolomas Senior Citizens Center. The book signing gets a little contentious when Sam gets heckled and Nana Jo can’t hold back. Before the “crane kick” could be delivered by Nana Jo staff removed the heckler. Nana Jo then receives a gift from one of the Pontolomas tribal leaders – A complimentary four-day weekend stay – all expenses paid for Sam and five friends at the Four Feathers Casino Resort. With fiancé Frank’s mother, Dr. Camilia Patterson coming to town to meet Sam and her family and friends, Nana Jo thinks having a surprise bridal shower at the casino sounds like a grand plan.
The initial meeting between Sam and Dr. Patterson is a little frosty but things get a little crazy at the casino. Sam leaves Nana Jo, Dorothy, Irma, Ruby Mae, and Dr. Patterson with the evening’s entertainment and slips away to her room to work on her new historical mystery. She never imagined what the next morning would bring . . . a dead body in Frank’s mother’s room. This was not the good impression she hoped to make on her future mother-in-law.
It’s time for Sam and the ladies of Shady Acres with some assistance from Detective “Stinky” Pitt to bet it all and keep the murder on the down low and keep Camila out of the fray. If they have any luck at all they will close the case before the killer doubles down on his action.
I was overjoyed to be back in North Harbor, Michigan with all the wonderful characters Ms. Burns has created for this series. The introduction of “Francis’s” mother Dr. Camilia Patterson was most entertaining especially the way she evolved within the pages of this story and the remarkable effect she had on another character. I love that all the characters are like one big happy family and all had things happening within this story. Dawson had an issue with his dad and sought advice from Sam. Sam’s nephews Christopher and Zaq held down the fort at the bookstore while Sam and Nana Jo were at the casino. Frank was super busy with his restaurant. Jenna got in on the action at the casino. Sam’s mom and stepfather are in Australia. Oreo and Snickers stayed with Dawson for the long weekend and Oreo got into a bit of a stink.
Now the murder was a tricky mystery. It took place on Tribal Lands which is their own nation with different rules. The body did a disappearing act which caused some extra drama. Nana Jo and the other ladies from Shady Acres all worked their strengths – Ruby Mae checked in with her relatives working at the casino. Irma may be “knocking on eighty’s door” but she has legs like Tina Turner and she knows how to use them to attract any man she sets her sites on. Dorothy uses her journalistic capabilities and her strong multitasking skills to get info on the suspects. And Nana Jo, well is Nana Jo. I wish I had half the energy these women have. I always have a great time chasing after them laughing at their antics as Sam works hard to bring all the information together.
One of the reasons I love this series is because readers are treated to two mysteries in each book. The one Sam and her friends handle and the historical mystery set in 1939 Sam is writing. When Sam feels overwhelmed or stuck trying to make sense of her real-life mystery she escapes into the fictional world to calm herself and sometimes that diversion helps clues fall into place in the non-fictional world. I enjoy these mysteries as much as the main one.
The Next Deadly Chapter is another marvelous addition to this series and another Perfect Escape! Heartwarming genuine characters who know how to have fun even when trying to catch a killer pull me into their story easily. I am invested wholeheartedly in this series and absolutely hate waiting for the next installment but I trust V.M. Burns will give me a story, make that two stories, that are well worth waiting for.
You can read each book on its own but I recommend you start at the beginning and enjoy every one.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Kensington Cozies and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
About the Author
Valerie (V. M.) Burns is an Agatha and Edgar Award-nominated author. She is the author of the Mystery Bookshop, Dog Club, RJ Franklin, and Baker Street Mystery series. As Kallie E. Benjamin, Valerie writes the Bailey the Bloodhound Mystery series. She is an adjunct professor in the Writing Popular Fiction Program at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA, and a mentor in the Pocket MFA program. Born and raised in northwestern Indiana, Valerie now lives in Northern Georgia with her two poodles. Connect with Valerie at vmburns.com.
Author Links Website Facebook Goodreads BookBub Instagram
The Rest of the Series
Find all books written as V.M. Burns HERE.
Written as Valerie Burns HERE.
Written as Kallie E. Benjamin HERE.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Escape With Dollycas.
I am giving away an ARC review copy of The Next Deadly Chapter!
The contest is open to anyone over 18 years old
with a US or Canadian mailing address.
Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.
You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.
Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Following My Facebook Fan Page.
Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads
for 3 Bonus Entries.
Follow Kensington Books on Threads for 2 Bonus Entries!
Follow Kensington Publishing on Facebook for 2 Bonus Entries
Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries.
If you share the giveaway on Threads, Facebook, or anywhere you will receive 5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
The Contest Will End on March 12, 2025, at 11:59 PM CST
The Winner Will Be Chosen Using Random.org
The Winner will be notified by email and posted here in the sidebar.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.” I am also an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.”
