Credit where credit is due. Kristopher Zgorski of BOLO Books had an interesting idea. What happens when three established book bloggers join forces to call attention to some underappreciated writing? You get this: the start of an occasional feature where Dru Ann Love, Kristopher Zgorski and Lesa Holstine gather together to highlight books which might have been missed.
In the first post of this type, we have decided to discuss underappreciated series. We determined that we would each choose five of our favorites and share them on each other’s blogs. In order to see the entire list – and why would you not want to see the entire list? – you will have to visit each of the participating blogs.
Visiting Lesa’s Book Critiques today is Dru Ann Love of dru’s book musings, Dru Ann’s blog is a 2015 Anthony Award nominee for Best Critical or Non-Fiction Work, so you’ll want to pay attention to her selections. Included with each of Dru Ann’s suggestions is a list of the books in the proper order. Here’s what Dru Ann has to say about each series.
Main Street Mystery Series by Sandra Balzo
http://sandrabalzo.com
Sleuth: AnnaLise Griggs, returning to her hometown of Sutterton, North Carolina, to care for her aging mother.
I love the down-home feeling I get when I visit with AnnaLise and her friends in her small southern town. She returns to help her mother and we find a town full of eccentrically quirky residents that will envelope you with a warm hug where you want everyone to be safe from harm.
Running on Empty (2011)
Dead Ends (2012)
Hit and Run (2014)
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Wishcraft Mystery Series by Heather Blake
Sleuth: Darcy Merriweather, from a long line of witches who can cast spells by making a wish, in the Enchanted Village section of Salem, Massachusetts.
This is a light paranormal mystery that has taken control of my heart with such tenderness that I’m always sad when the last sentence is read. It’s both emotional and heartwarming and you care for all the characters as they take their place in their small little village. A series that should be read if you enjoy a little bit of magically delightful fun.
It Takes a Witch (2012)
A Witch Before Dying (2012)
The Good, the Bad and the Witchy (2013)
The Goodbye Witch (2014)
Some Like It Witchy (2015)
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Southern Sewing Circle Mystery Series by Elizabeth Lynn Casey
Sleuth: Tori Sinclair, a Yankee librarian relocated to Sweet Briar, South Carolina
What I like about this series is that the residents of Sweet Briar took a stranger into their home and made her feel very welcome and as each story is told, we learn more and more about this eclectic band of friends who embody what true friends are who, no matter what, will have your back through sorrow and happiness. A series that should be read if you’re looking for a diverse cast of characters that oozes southern hospitality.
Sew Deadly (2009)
Death Threads (2010)
Pinned for Murder (2010)
Deadly Notions (2011)
Dangerous Alterations (2011)
Reap What You Sew (2012)
Let It Sew (2012)
Remnants of Murder (2013)
Taken In (2014)
Wedding Duress (2015)
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The Seaside Knitters Mystery Series by Sally Goldenbaum
Sleuth: Isabel “Izzy” Chambers, a lawyer who leaves Boston to open the Seaside Knitting Studio, in Sea Harbor, Massachusetts.
This is a series featuring friends that span several generations and in each book one of the ensemble cast is featured as we get to learn more and more about this terrific cast of characters. When I’m reading the latest book in the series, it takes me to a nice and friendly atmosphere where all I want to do is pull up a chair and dine at Nell’s place. With the recent addition of Gabby, this series continues to delight and entertain me. A series that should be read if you like a varied group where friendliness is part of the pleasure of reading.
Death by Cashmere (2008)
Patterns in the Sand (2009)
Moon Spinners (2010)
A Holiday Yarn (2010)
The Wedding Shawl (2011)
A Fatal Fleece (2012)
Angora Alibi (2013)
Murder in Merino (2014)
A Finely Knit Murder (2015)
Trimmed With Murder (2015)
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The Someday Quilts Mystery Series by Clare O’Donohue
Sleuth: Nell Fitzgerald, a former Manhattan publishing professional now helping her grandmother, Eleanor Cassidy, run a quilting store in the Hudson River town of Archer’s Rest, New York.
I enjoy this series that has a diverse cast of characters where the commonality is their love of quilting and the friendship that has developed among them. When a situation calls for it, not one, not two, but all of them will pitch in and help solve the latest caper that occurs in Archer’s Rest. A series that should be read if you enjoy character development with a strong voice among good friends.
The Lover’s Knot (2008)
A Drunkard’s Path (2009)
The Double Cross (2010)
The Devil’s Puzzle (2011)
The Double Wedding Ring (2013)
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Dru Ann Love is owner/writer at
dru’s book musings and at her daytime situation is a research analyst. A New Yorker, Dru Ann is an avid reader, writes poetry, quilts and loves attending reader/fan conventions.
I can recommend the Sally Goldenbaum series as well and I've also read the first book in Clare O'Donohue's series. I need to catch up on both of these series and try the others listed. I like this feature!
Thanks. This is a great idea and I'm glad you included one of my own favorite series – Steven F. Havill's Posadas County – on your list.
Jeff M.
Thank you so much, Dru Ann. So happy my books have touched your heart, and very grateful to be included on a list with such amazing authors.
I've enjoyed all of Heather Blake Weber's books that I've read. I have one of Elizabeth Lynn Casey's books but haven't had a chance to read it yet. I do like the Amish series she writes as Laura Bradford though.
I've read all the series listed above and totally enjoyed them. I'm an avid reader and love cozy mysteries, no matter what the theme is.I would highly recommend any and all of these series and the authors other series that aren't mentioned.
Dru Ann, thanks for giving such a warm shout-out to my Southern Sewing Circle Mysteries (written under my pen name, Elizabeth Lynn Casey). I, too, love the friendship between the characters in this series and it's why I enjoy writing them so much.
If readers want to learn more about any of the (currently) 10 books in the series, they can hop over to the books page of that website and read the first chapter in each book.
http://www.elizabethlynncasey.com
Kristopher from BOLO Books is the one who had this great idea. We had a lot of fun with it!
One of my favorite series, too, Jeff. I like Steven F. Havill's books, and feel they should be better known than they are.
Thanks for the introduction to these new to me series! I love series!
Joan, I hope you stop by all three blogs to see the series mentioned. Thanks for stopping here today.
What a great idea this is!!!!!
You've listed one of my favorite series – The Seaside Knitters Mystery Series by Sally Goldenbaum.
I look forward to seeing you guys together from time to time.
Wasn't it a great idea, Kaye? I'm so glad Kristopher asked us!
Then a thank you to Kristopher (and you, Lesa) as well! Always fun to hear about new books.
Lesa, I am a huge fan of Linda Castillo's books which you mentioned on Bolo today. She can't write fast enough for me.
Big fan of Linda's books, Laura, as well as your Amish mysteries. But, I couldn't write about them since Dru already had you under Elizabeth Lynn Casey. That would have been funny, though.
This was so much fun Lesa. Thanks for agreeing to take part in this joint post. I can't wait until our next topic of discussion.
I just know that readers are finding lots of great new series and that just makes me so happy.
See you in Raleigh!
A couple new ones, a couple favorites, (Wishcraft for sure!) and a couple I've heard of but not read. Thanks for this feature!
It will be interesting to see what topic comes up, Kristopher. Thanks again! See you later this week!
Thanks Kristopher for spurring this one. I look forward to our next collaboration.
Dru Ann–my warmest thanks to you for including me along with some of MY favorites. And a shout out to you for all you do for all writers. Your gracious hospitality, care and kindness to not go unnoticed. Thank you thank you thank you thank you.
Thanks to you all for writing wonderful stories that entertains and engages me.