Mystery Fanfare: MYSTERY READERS JOURNAL NEWS FOR 2026: Subscribe now!

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Saturday Evening Humor Seen On Facebook

 

Lesa's Book Critiques: This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page

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Dru's Book Musings: New Releases ~ Week of February 1, 2026

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Mystery Fanfare: WESTMINSTER KENNEL CLUB DOG SHOW: Dog Show Mysteries

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KRL Update

Just a quick note before sharing what we have up this week, KRL has been having some website issues off and on this week, so if you can't access the website please try again later.

Up on KRL this week, our staff shares their favorite books they reviewed in 2025. We hope you will check it out and share with us some of your favorites in the commentshttps://kingsriverlife.com/01/31/staff-favorite-books-of-2025/

And reviews and giveaways of 3 historical mysteries-"The Mysterious Death of Junetta Plum" by Valerie Wilson Wesley, "Murder at Cottonwood Creek" Stella and Lyndy Mystery Book Seven by Clara McKenna, and "The Queen Who Came in From the Cold" Her Majesty the Queen Investigates by S J Bennett https://kingsriverlife.com/01/31/historical-mystery-trio/

And a review and ebook giveaway of "Poison and Prejudice" by Daphne Silver, along with an interesting interview with Daphne https://kingsriverlife.com/01/31/poison-and-prejudice-by-daphne-silver/

We also have the latest Queer Mystery Coming Attractions from Matt Lubbers-Moore https://kingsriverlife.com/01/31/queer-mystery-coming-attractions-february-2026/

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and ebook giveaway of "Wings of Deceit" by Ruth J. Hartman https://www.krlnews.com/2026/01/wings-of-deceit-by-ruth-j-hartman.html

Happy reading,

Lorie

SleuthSayers: Simsubs: Yes or No?

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Writer Beware: Two New Impersonation Scams to Watch For

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Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Cryptid Sea Monsters: A Field Guide by Kelly Milner Halls, Illus. by Rick Spears

Bookblog of the Bristol Library: Cryptid Sea Monsters: A Field Guide by Kelly Miln...:   Reviewed by Jeanne Most people are familiar with Nessie, the famed creature said to haunt Scotland’s Loch Ness, but how about Bessie? ...

Lesa's Book Critiques: What Are You Reading?

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In Reference to Murder: Mystery Melange

In Reference to Murder: Mystery Melange: Mark Billingham is the 2026 recipient of the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) Diamond Dagger, sponsored by Karen Baugh Menuhin. The award r...

Beneath the Stains of Time: The Stars Spell Murder: "Handbook for Homicide" (1943) by Fredric Brown

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Bitter Tea and Mystery: Old Filth: Jane Gardam

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Thursday Treats

Welcome back to “Thursday Treats.”  The first column last week proved to be incredibly popular. More than I had thought possible. Thank you to those who commented here and elsewhere, shared the post, and made it clear that it was a hit. Thank you. The bar has been set high so I hope I can keep meeting it.

 

Cameron Trost recently announced on Facebook that Dead on the Dolmen, the first Oscar Tremont, Investigator of the Strange and Inexplicable novel, will be released on the 30th of January.  https://mybook.to/deadonthedolmen. I took advantage of the pre order deal and used funds in my Amazon Associate account to snag the eBook copy.

 

Authors Barb Goffman, Dave Zeltserman, and many others appear in Black Cat Weekly #230. BCW is a weekly publication featuring short stories and novellas in multiple genres. You can buy individual issues or one of the far better subscription deals at blackcatweekly.com.

 

Craig Johnson announced on Facebook that The Brothers McKay: A Longmire Mystery is coming out in late May. Amazon has the listing for it. Based on the synopsis there, it seems like Walt is closer to home this time. Been a big fan of this series, so I am hoping I get a shot at it on NetGalley or through the Dallas Library System. NetGalley has added it, so I put in my request. Viking is the publisher. I do not have a good track record with them in being granted the approval to read stuff.  

 

Michael Connelly also announced on Facebook that Ironwood is coming out in mid-May. Amazon has the listing for it. This is the second book in the police procedural series that started with Nightshade. I very much enjoyed that book so I am very much looking forward to this. No sign of it, yet, at either NetGalley or the Dallas Public Library System.

 

Also on Facebook, Kevin Wade announced that One Good Eye: A Jeep Mullane Novel is coming out in August. This is the second book in the police procedural series that began with Johnny Careless. I really liked that book a lot, so I am glad to see a second book in the series is coming out. The Dallas Public Library System does not list it yet. NetGalley has it, but the publisher is, apparently, gauging interest by asking folks to “wish for it.” That wishing for something on NetGalley has never worked for me, but I still did it.

 

I am a big fan of the works of Steven F. Havill. His Posadas County Mystery series has gone on for many years, and it is mighty good. I told you about the most recent one, If It Isn’t One Thing… A Posadas County Mystery, last March. Knowing he does very little social media, I have been checking Amazon for the new one. They now have it listed. Reverse: A Posadas County Mystery comes out in May. NetGalley got it listed yesterday and I grabbed it. I got it right away as it is with Severn House who has me preapproved on NetGalley for everything they do. 

 

By the way, if you don’t already know, Lesa Holstine does a blog post every Thursday where folks, including yours truly, share what we are reading. Make sure you check it out at Lesa’s Book Critiques. It will, guaranteed, make your TBR pile grow.

 

Which in one way is not helpful at all as my long standing order for the READ FASTER, DAMN IT! brain implant is still on backorder at Amazon. Apparently, there are supply chain issues. 😉

 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2026

Lesa's Book Critiques: Murder She Wrote: The Body in the Trees by Jessica Fletcher & Terrie Farley Moran

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Publishing ... and Other Forms of Insanity: 58 Calls for Submissions in February 2026 - Paying Markets

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SleuthSayers: The Best is My Guest

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The Rap Sheet: Spade Goes Back to Bird Hunting

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George Kelly: WEDNESDAY’S SHORT STORIES #259: CTHULHU: THE MYTHOS AND KINDRED HORRORS By Robert E. Howard

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