Ever After Mysteries Series by Marji Laine, Denise L. Barela, Chautona Havig, Cathe Swanson, Liz Tolsma

Gayle Wells is a killer organist, but does a killer have her in his sights?They call him the Emperor. John Starek fills his theater with fine artwork and treasures. He’s particularly pleased to have one of the country’s first female organists – and he thinks Gayle Wells is the bee’s knees. Despite pressure from her social crusader mother, Gayle isn’t interested in changing the world... moreGayle Wells is a killer organist, but does a killer have her in his sights?They call him the Emperor. John Starek fills his theater with fine artwork and treasures. He’s particularly pleased to have one of the country’s first female organists – and he thinks Gayle Wells is the bee’s knees. Despite pressure from her social crusader mother, Gayle isn’t interested in changing the world. She just wants a car of her own – and a career playing the organ at the Empire movie palace would be especially ducky. Then the Empire’s treasures start disappearing and employees start dying. Are a few pieces of art really enough motive for the string of murders? Will Gayle be next? Murder at the Empire brings the Nightingale into an elegant movie palace in the roaring 20’s – but the real excitement is all off-screen. less

“Time to dance, sugarplum.”When mob king, Mario Topo’s, enforcer goes missing after a body is found in his hotel suite, the race is on. Police and mobsters alike are after Nicolo Natale, and he who finds Nicolo first might determine the enforcer’s fate.A painter at the Meyer’s Toys factory, Clara Stahl, knows something is strange about the way so many men come and go through Mr. Myer’s office... more“Time to dance, sugarplum.”When mob king, Mario Topo’s, enforcer goes missing after a body is found in his hotel suite, the race is on. Police and mobsters alike are after Nicolo Natale, and he who finds Nicolo first might determine the enforcer’s fate.A painter at the Meyer’s Toys factory, Clara Stahl, knows something is strange about the way so many men come and go through Mr. Myer’s office. Curiosity overcomes prudence, and just as she discovers the reason, Nicolo discovers her, and one of Topo’s men discovers them both.A race through the city, a new friend… or more… a new life in the offing. Nicolo and Clara must find who killed Topo’s man and why before the police arrest him for murder or Topo’s men bump him and Clara off, too.This next book in the Ever After Mysteries combines “The Nutcracker Suite” with a murder mystery set in the heart of 1920s Rockland. less

Andrew Grayson thought he had everything… until he met her.The indulged son of wealthy parents, Andrew has always gotten whatever he wanted almost before he knew he wanted it—clothes, gadgets… even a car! What more could a young man desire?Enter Annabel Thompson. Freak show mermaid extraordinaire… in a wheelchair!Of course, her beauty attracts him. How could it not? Add to that a kind heart, and Andrew can’t help but fall for her... moreAndrew Grayson thought he had everything… until he met her.The indulged son of wealthy parents, Andrew has always gotten whatever he wanted almost before he knew he wanted it—clothes, gadgets… even a car! What more could a young man desire?Enter Annabel Thompson. Freak show mermaid extraordinaire… in a wheelchair!Of course, her beauty attracts him. How could it not? Add to that a kind heart, and Andrew can’t help but fall for her.If only Annabel’s conjoined legs wouldn’t keep her from living a normal life—one not only accepted but required by those in Andrew’s social circle. Always eager to give their son the best of everything, Andrew’s parents offer Annabel the chance to live that normal life. A fairytale ending for a charming couple.Right up to the moment Andrew is notified of Annabel’s death.When things don’t add up, Andrew begins asking some difficult questions, the most important being, “What happened to the little mermaid of the Coney Island freak show?”Find out in this next book in the Ever After Mysteries, combining beloved fairy tales and mysteries. Silencing the Siren offers a retelling of “The Little Mermaid” that will keep you gripped to the edge of your seat as you watch the story unfold. less

Held prisoner by all she’s lost, Katarina’s about to lose all she has.Grand Duchess Katarina Volstova barely escaped the Russian revolution, arriving in Paris just before the birth of her twin daughters. With her heart still captive in her homeland, she haunts the Louvre each day, spending hours gazing at one painting, lost in her pain.Not the man he once was, Timothy Smythe never returned home to England after the Great War... moreHeld prisoner by all she’s lost, Katarina’s about to lose all she has.Grand Duchess Katarina Volstova barely escaped the Russian revolution, arriving in Paris just before the birth of her twin daughters. With her heart still captive in her homeland, she haunts the Louvre each day, spending hours gazing at one painting, lost in her pain.Not the man he once was, Timothy Smythe never returned home to England after the Great War. Instead, he hides himself away doing maintenance in the Louvre and watching the beautiful woman whose pain seems riveted on one painting.When Katarina returns home to find her daughters and their nanny missing, the loss opens her eyes to all she has to lose now.Frantic to find her girls, her distress causes Timothy to offer his assistance. Together they put together clues to a puzzle they must complete before the kidnapper ensures Katarina and her daughters are never reunited.Slashed Canvas offers a retelling of The Lost Princess that mingles self-centered grief, spoiled little girls, and proof that nothing will stop a mother from saving her children. less

Murder. Even the word sounds ugly. Almost as ugly as the corpse on the shore.Dallas, Texas, 1948Opal Stedman enjoys caring for old Mrs. Farnesworth. But keeping her sister Ruby out of trouble, well that is another issue entirely. Especially now that Ruby has stepped into high society with her new beau. A dubious man. Maybe even duplicitous. Even the handsome security guard warns her sister about him... moreMurder. Even the word sounds ugly. Almost as ugly as the corpse on the shore.Dallas, Texas, 1948Opal Stedman enjoys caring for old Mrs. Farnesworth. But keeping her sister Ruby out of trouble, well that is another issue entirely. Especially now that Ruby has stepped into high society with her new beau. A dubious man. Maybe even duplicitous. Even the handsome security guard warns her sister about him.When a body is dragged onto the shore of the lake that borders their home, rumors and worries over the new man become assurances. But why has he involved her household in these gruesome shenanigans? And why are Opal’s loved ones suddenly having “accidents”?Loosely based on the little-known fairy tale of “Snow White and Rose Red” this mystery twists its way all along the banks of White Rock Lake during its heyday. less