The Malice Domestic cozy anthology series returns with a new take on cozy mysteries in the Agatha Christie tradition. Here are 22 original stories (and one modern classic reprint) set at conventions, conferences, and gatherings of all kinds! Included Conventional Wisdom, by Marcia TalleyDjinn And Tonic, by Neil PlakcyThe Vanishing Wife, by Victoria ThompsonThe Right to Bare Arms, by John Gregory BetancourtMessage in a Bottle, by Su KopilAnonymous, by Kate FloraWhat Goes Around, by B.K. StevensThe Hair of the Dog, by Charles ToddThe Best-Laid Plans, by Barb GoffmanA Dark and Stormy Light, by Gigi PandianThe Clue in the Blue Booth, by Hank Phillippi RyanWicked Writers, by Frances McNamaraCoverture, by KB IngleeDark Secrets, by Kathryn Leigh ScottTarnished Hope, by KM RockwoodNot Forgotten, by L.C. TylerBoston Bouillabaisse, by Nancy Brewka-ClarkKilling Kippers, by Eleanor Cawood JonesElemental Chaos, by M Evonne DobsonvOutside the Box, by Ruth MooseThe Perfect Pitch, by Marie Hannan-MandelTwo Birds with One Stone, by Rhys BowenA Gathering of Great Detectives, by Shawn Reilly Simmon
Amazingly boring. Kept putting it down mid-story to do other things. What a disappointing return to the series; I couldn't even be bothered to finish it.
The Vanishing Act - Victoria Thompson A charming mystery that seems like it may have been the inspiration for her Counterfeit Lady series. Cozy and inspiring your faith in humanity.
Two Bird with One Stone - Rhys Bowen A great mystery and placed well within the series. Surprisingly it’s a well-solved mystery and no deus ex machina solution. No stumbling into it. But an actual mystery solved by detecting. The sly lines about the lassie were fun.
Conventional Wisdom - Marcia Talley Interesting setting and characters, but I hate it when the solution is a jump-scare.
Djinn and Tonic - Neil Plakcy Interesting set of characters with some humorous elements. No real mystery.
The Right to Bare Arms - John Gregory Betancourt This is an absolute thing of beauty.
Message in a Bottle - Su Kopil Mo
Anonymous - Kate Flora The writing is a bit too cleverly removed third person, but it’s an enjoyable piece.
At Goes Around - B. K. Stevens I think it’s supposed to be “it” goes around? An interesting story with a variety or characters. I’m never a fan of a cut-to-black mid-plot ending, but it is a short story.
The Hair of the Dog - Charles Todd A great little mystery. I’m not sure I get the dog hair part. But a great setting.
The Best-Laid Plans - Barb Goffman Hilarious. Loved it.
A Dark and Stormy Light - Gigi Pandian I really enjoyed this one. A dark and stormy night leads to a mystery or two at a convention or two.
The Clue in the Blue Booth - Hank Phillippi Ryan A murder at a Nancy Drew convention? Perfection. Wittily written.
Wicked Writers — Frances McNamara Such a clever homage to Patricia Highsmith. And the clever title.
Coverture - KB Inglee When women think of conventions, they think of Seneca Falls, I guess. And interesting piece, more for the history than the murder
Dark Secrets - Kathryn Leigh Scott That, my friends, was a wild ride
Tarnished Hope - KM Rockwood And I thought I hated charter schools. I liked it.
Not Forgotten - L.C. Tyler - Nice, with an interesting twist at the end
Boston Bouillabaisse - Nancy Brewka-Clark Funny but a bit high in the instep
Killing Kippers - Eleanor Cawood Jones Ironically funny and moving
Elemental Chaos - M Evonne Dobson Really great. Funny and interesting.
Outside the Box - Ruth Moose Odd, and not in a good way.
The Perfect Pitch - Marie Hannan-Mandel Uninspired in that the clue was shockingly obvious.
A Gathering of Great Detectives - Shawn Reilly Simmons Very clever and enjoyable.
From Malice Domestic, the eleventh cozy anthology series takes a new direction with original stories set at conferences, conventions, and other such gatherings. Readers will recognize the authors included here; of special note: Hank Phillippi Ryan’s tale set at a Nancy Drew convention; Charles Todd’s Ian Rutledge investigating a death at the Royal Geographer’s Society; and a Lady Georgiana Rannnoch tale taking place at the Scottish Gathering of the Clans.
Twenty-two cozy tales offer readers a delightful smorgasbord of choices; there’s something for everyone here.