I neglected to add this guest post to my review post today.
My apologies to the author.
Arson, Old Lace and Murder (Charlie Kingsley Mysteries)
by Michele (PW) Pariza Wacek
It is my pleasure to welcome Charlie Kingsley to Escape With Dollycas today!
Arson, Old Lace and Murder: Meet Charlie Kingsley
There’s a certain amount of tension you live with when you were born in a psychological thriller series and trying to live your life in a cozy mystery series.
When I first came to Redemption, Wisconsin, it was as part of The Secrets of Redemption series, which is a psychological thriller. Even though it’s clean (no swearing, on-page sex, gore, and little violence), it’s dark.
And that includes my history (what some would refer to as my origin story).
But now I live in the 1990s in a cozy mystery series. Which is full of all the typical cozy tropes such as humor, quirky characters, baking, tea, pets and a touch of romance…
Except my past is still my past. And occasionally it wants to rear its ugly head.
The latest book in the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series, Arson, Old Lace and Murder, which is book 8, attempts to bridge that gap. Not only does that book delve into Redemption’s haunted past, but it touches on my own.
Mind you, there’s a lot it leaves out. I would encourage you to read The Secrets of Redemption series if you want all the gory details. But it DOES give you a taste.
And because of that, the book has turned into something a little more than a cozy mystery. More like a cozy thriller (if there is such a thing, Michele isn’t convinced).
Speaking of Michele, she also struggled to write this book. She put it off for a couple of years as she was afraid it would get too dark to be in a cozy mystery series. (Luckily Mildred, who we first meet in book 3 of The Charlie Kingsley Mysteries, along with being one of the silver sleuths in The Redemption Detective Agency, saves the day on that front and brings some much needed humor to the story.)
I, on the other hand, wanted—no, needed, this book written.
My past is my past, and The Charlie Kingsley Mysteries is just as much a part of me as The Secrets of Redemption. There had to be a marriage between the two series, and this book is where it starts.
Now, in case you were wondering if you were going to have to do a bunch of reading of not one but two series before you could read Arson, Old Lace and Murder, let me assure you that’s not the case. The Charlie Kingsley Mysteries can all be read as standalones, and this book is no exception.
But, that doesn’t mean reading this book won’t inspire you to check out all the other Redemption books.
Thank you, Charlie, for visiting today!
Keep reading to learn more about Charlie and what she is up to in Arson, Old Lace and Murder.
About Arson, Old Lace and Murder
Arson, Old Lace and Murder (Charlie Kingsley Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
8th in Series
Setting – Redemption, Wisconsin, in the 1990s
Publisher: Love-Based Publishing
Publication date : March 25, 2026
Number of Pages 200
Paperback
ISBN: 9798893510393
ASIN : B0GNZPYN1L
Digital
ASIN : B0FHQHXNGR
Charlie Kingsley is not a private investigator. She makes and sells custom teas out of her home. Which is why she initially refused to look into a recent case of a bar that had burned down.
Yes, it was tragic that the owner’s body was found inside. But this is an arson case, and what does she possibly know about arson?
Except…one of the waitresses is missing.
Who’s pregnant.
Who everyone thought was having an affair with the owner of the bar.
How can Charlie say no to the owner’s widow? And when Charlie accidentally finds the pregnant waitress, things start to take a strange turn. And suddenly, Charlie finds herself thrust into a decades-old mystery that haunts Redemption to this day.
A mystery that could very well cost Charlie her life.
Meet Charlie. Also known as “Aunt Charlie” from the award-winning Secrets of Redemption series. She’s back, making teas and solving cases in this funny, twisty, cozy mystery series set in the 1990s in Redemption, Wisconsin.
About Michele (PW) Pariza Wacek
A USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author, Michele taught herself to read at 3 years old because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours) but she does spend much of her time writing stories now. Mystery stories, to be exact. They’re clean and twisty, and range from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix. If that wasn’t enough, she posts lots of fun things on her blog, including short stories, puzzles, recipes and more, at MPWNovels.com.
Michele grew up in Wisconsin, (hence why all her books take place there), and still visits regularly, but she herself escaped the cold and now lives in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona with her husband and southern squirrel hunter Cassie.
When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading, hanging out with her dog, or watching the Food Network and imagining she’s an awesome cook. (Spoiler alert, she’s not. Luckily for the whole family, Mr. PW is in charge of the cooking.)
Author Links
Website Facebook Instagram
Purchase Link –
Amazon
While each book is a standalone, you may find it more enjoyable to read the books in order, which is:
The Murder Before Christmas
Ice Cold Murder
Murder Next Door
Murder Among Friends
The Murder of Sleepy Hollow
Red Hot Murder
A Cornucopia of Murder
Arson, Old Lace and Murder
Masquerading as Murder (coming 2026)
Other books in the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series include:
A Grave Error (prequel)
Loch Ness Murder
A Wedding to Murder For
Three French Hens and a Murder
A Room For Murder
Margaritas and Murder
Secret Santa Murder (coming 2026)
Find all of Michele (PW) Pariza Wacek HERE.
Great Escapes Praise for Arson, Old Lace and Murder (Charlie Kingsley Mysteries)
by Michele (PW) Pariza Wacek
This was such an intriguing mystery that I had a hard time putting it down. Thankfully we were on spring break so I was able to read during the day.
~Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books
Rating – 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Even though this was my first read in the series, it left me wanting more. I’m definitely interested in going back to the earlier books now, because if they’re anything like this one, I know I’ll enjoy them.
~bibliophile_foodie
Bottom Line: The more time I spend in Redemption, Wisconsin, the more I find it equal parts charming and unsettling, and Arson, Old Lace, and Murder by Michele Pariza Wacek confirmed each of those feelings once again!
~Reading is my Superpower
The unique cast of characters, atmospheric setting, creep factor, and well-plotted mystery make Arson, Old Lace and Murder a great addition to the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series! I highly recommend it!
~Christy’s Cozy Corners
5 stars!
Charlie is drawn into a deadly case of arson, murder, and revenge. I recommend ARSON, OLD LACE, AND MURDER to readers of cozy mysteries, especially those who enjoy paranormal elements in their stories.
~Guatemala Paula Loves to Read
This is a new to me author, and this will not be the last book that I read by her. I really love a good quick cozy mystery that will draw me in within the first few pages!
~Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting
TOUR PARTICIPANTS – Please visit all the stops.
March 23 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT
March 23 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW
March 24 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
March 25 – @bibliophile_foodie – REVIEW
March 26 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
March 27 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
March 28 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
March 28 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
March 29 – deal sharing aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 30 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
March 31 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW
April 1 – Because I said So – REVIEW
April 1 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read– REVIEW
April 2 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
April 2 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
April 3 – Salty Inspirations – AUTHOR GUEST POST
April 4 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
April 5 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
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A Mysterious Christmas Collection:
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