KRL Update

As we continue to celebrate Pride on KRL, this week we have reviews and giveaways of 2 LGBTQ+ cozies-"Murder, Local Style" an Orchid Isle Mystery by Leslie Karst, and "Dragged to Death" A Domestic Partners in Crime Mystery by Frank Anthony Polito https://kingsriverlife.com/06/13/pair-of-lgbtq-cozy-mysteries-from-leslie-karst-frank-anthony-polito/

We also have a review and ebook giveaway of yet another LGBTQ+ mystery, this one by Marshall Thornton, and we also have an interesting interview with Marshall https://kingsriverlife.com/06/13/the-pink-by-marshall-thornton/

 

And a review and giveaway of "This Weekend Doesn't End Well for Anyone" by Catherine Mack https://kingsriverlife.com/06/13/this-weekend-doesnt-end-well-for-anyone-by-catherine-mack/

 

And a review of the latest season of one of my favorite mystery TV shows “The Brokenwood Mysteries” on Acorn TV https://kingsriverlife.com/06/13/acorn-tv-brokenwood-mysteries-season-12/

 

Up on KRL during the week we posted another special midweek guest post, this one by mystery author Gerald Elias about his journey to find a publisher for his latest mystery "Murder on Vacation" that eventually led him to Misti Media https://kingsriverlife.com/06/10/when-at-first-you-dont-succeed/

 

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and ebook giveaway of the latest Smiling Dog Cafe book from mystery author Neil Plakcy https://www.krlnews.com/2026/06/drift-and-return-by-neil-plakcy.html

 

And a review and giveaway of "You Can't Keep a Good Cat Down" by Maggie Pill https://www.krlnews.com/2026/06/you-cant-keep-good-cat-down-by-maggie.html

 

And a review and giveaway of "Murder Most Delicious" by Danielle Postel-Vinay https://www.krlnews.com/2026/06/murder-most-delicious-by-danielle.html

 

Happy reading and Happy Pride,

Lorie 

KRL Update

Up on KRL this week a review and giveaway of "A Death in the Dark" by Ellie Alexander https://kingsriverlife.com/06/06/a-death-in-the-dark-by-elle-alexander/

And review and giveaway of "Press to the Nines" by Misty Simon along with a fun guest post by Misty about research she did on flowers for the book https://kingsriverlife.com/06/06/pressed-to-the-nines-by-misty-simon/

 

The audiobook of Jack Townson's dark fantasy vampire novel "The Lightslayer" (which has some mystery in it as well) just released this week! Up on KRL this week I'm re-posting my review of this awesome book and giving away an ebook copy, and I have an interview with Jack, and with the other narrator, Krys Janea. This is also the first of our many features of LGBTQ+ artists for Pride month! https://kingsriverlife.com/06/06/the-lightslayer-by-jack-townson-audiobook-release/

 

We also have the latest Mystery Coming Attractions from Victoria Fair https://kingsriverlife.com/06/06/mystery-current-coming-attractions-june-2026/

 

Up on KRL during the week we posted another special midweek guest post, this one by mystery/thriller author Carlisle Richardson about the memories that led him to write his new book "The Soft Underbelly" https://kingsriverlife.com/06/03/a-call-to-action/

 

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and giveaway of "Hunted" by D.E. Beckler https://www.krlnews.com/2026/06/hunted-by-d-e-beckler-reviewgiveaway.html

 

And a review and giveaway of "Hawai'i Rage" By Tori Eldridge https://www.krlnews.com/2026/06/hawaii-rage-by-tori-eldridge.html

 

And a review and giveaway of "The Man on the Bench" by Hy Conrad https://www.krlnews.com/2026/06/the-man-on-bench-by-hy-conrad.html

 

Happy reading,

Lorie 

KRL Update:

Up on KRL this week reviews and giveaways of 4 fun food and drink related cozies-"Some Like it Fudgy" A Candy-Coated Mystery by Nancy Coco, "A Poisonous Pour" A Cece Barton Mystery by Maddie Day, "Death by Chocolate Ladyfingers" Death by Chocolate Mystery by Sarah Graves, and "Confessions of an Amateur Sleuth" A Bainbridge Island Mystery by Lynn Cahoon https://kingsriverlife.com/05/30/may-food-mystery-catchup/

And the latest Queer Mystery Coming Attractions from Matt Lubbers-Moore https://kingsriverlife.com/05/30/queer-mystery-coming-attractions-pride-month-2026/

 

And a review and ebook giveaway of "The Family Bix" by Alan Orloff, along with an interesting interview with Alan https://kingsriverlife.com/05/30/the-family-biz-by-alan-orloff/

 

And a review of "The Inklings Detective Agency" by John R Kelly https://kingsriverlife.com/05/30/the-inklings-detective-agency-by-john-r-kelly/

 

Up on KRL during the week another special midweek guest post, this one by mystery author Victoria Hamilton where she talks about tea with the Queen, and her new book "Masher of Ceremonies" https://kingsriverlife.com/05/27/tea-with-the-queen/

 

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and ebook giveaway of "Murder Under a Bitter Moon" by Abigail Keam https://www.krlnews.com/2026/05/murder-under-bitter-moon-by-abigail.html

 

And a review and ebook giveaway of "Homicide on the Range" by Rosalie Spielman https://www.krlnews.com/2026/05/homicide-on-range-by-rosalie-spielman.html

 

And a review and giveaway of "Guilt" by Keigo Higashino https://www.krlnews.com/2026/05/guilt-by-keigo-higashino-reviewgiveaway.html

 

Happy reading,

Lorie 

KRL Update

Up on KRL this week a review and giveaway of "Drafted in Deceit" by Simone Stier, along with an interesting interview with Simone https://kingsriverlife.com/05/16/drafted-in-deceit-by-simone-stier/

And week a review and giveaway of "A Crime Through Time" by Amelia Blackwell, along with an interesting guest post from Amelia about the unique premise of her series https://kingsriverlife.com/05/16/a-crime-through-time-by-amelia-blackwell/

 And a review and giveaway of "Murder in a Lavender Daze" by Daryl Wood Gerber https://kingsriverlife.com/05/16/murder-in-a-lavender-daze-by-daryl-wood-gerber/

 

We also have week a mystery short story by Guy Belleranti https://kingsriverlife.com/05/16/mystery-short-story/

 

Up during the week we posted another special midweek guest post, this one by mystery author John Degan about the setting of his new book "Seldom Seen Road" https://kingsriverlife.com/05/13/is-that-a-real-place/

 

And another special midweek guest post, this one by mystery author Nicolas DiDomizio about the movies that inspired his main character in his new book "Murder Most Camp." https://kingsriverlife.com/05/13/a-murder-most-camp/

 

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and ebook giveaway of "Death Under the Dogwoods" by Neil Plakcy and Joanna Campbell Slan https://www.krlnews.com/2026/05/death-under-dogwoods-by-neil-s-plakcy.html

 

And a review and ebook giveaway of "Mares and Murder" by Leslie Langtry https://www.krlnews.com/2026/05/mares-and-murder-by-leslie-langtry.html

 

And a review and giveaway of "Wrought in Flesh" by Corinne Price https://www.krlnews.com/2026/05/wrought-in-flesh-by-corinne-price.html

KRL Update

Up on KRL this week a review and giveaway of "Cat on a Hot Tin Woof" by Spencer Quinn. This was the last review that Sandra Murphy wrote for us shortly before her sudden passing, which is appropriate as this was one of her favorite series https://kingsriverlife.com/05/09/cat-on-a-hot-tin-woof-by-spencer-quinn/

And the latest Mystery Coming Attractions from Victoria Fair https://kingsriverlife.com/05/09/mystery-current-coming-attractions-may-2026/

 

And a review and giveaway of "A Deadly Episode" by Anthony Horowitz https://kingsriverlife.com/05/09/a-deadly-episode-by-anthony-horowitz/

 

Up on KRL last night another special midweek guest post, this one by mystery author Julian M Coleman about her new book "Stolen Prophet" https://kingsriverlife.com/05/06/stolen-prophet/

 

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and giveaway of "Two Purloined Pillows" by Allie Pleiter https://www.krlnews.com/2026/05/two-purloined-pillows-by-allie-pleiter.html

 

And a review and giveaway of "Robbie McNeil's Hit List" by Brianna Heath, along with an interesting interview with Brianna https://www.krlnews.com/2026/05/robbie-mcneils-hit-list-by-brianna.html

 

And a review and ebook giveaway of "The Case of the Petrified Potter" by Cathy Ace https://www.krlnews.com/2026/05/the-case-of-petrified-potter-by-cathy.html

 

And a review and ebook giveaway of "Tunnel Vision" by Eloise Corvo https://www.krlnews.com/2026/05/tunnel-vision-by-eloise-corvo.html

 

Happy reading,

Lorie 

KRL Update

Up on KRL this morning reviews and giveaways of 3 more fun cozies-"The Bush Tea Murder" A Caribbean Island Mystery by Ashley-Ruth M. Bernier, "Love a Comeback" A TV Detectives Mystery by Ruthie Knox and Annie Marie, and "A Crushing Walk in Cornwall" by Nicholas George https://kingsriverlife.com/04/25/end-of-april-mystery-catchup-2/

 

And a review and ebook giveaway of "Cashed Out Cold" by Anna St. John, along with an interesting interview with Anna https://kingsriverlife.com/04/25/cashed-out-cold-by-anna-st-john/

 

And a mystery short story by Kate Fellowes, https://kingsriverlife.com/04/25/mystery-short-story-the-last-secret/

 

We also have the latest Queer Mystery Coming Attractions from Matt Lubbers-Moore https://kingsriverlife.com/04/25/queer-mystery-coming-attractions-may-2026/

 

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and ebook giveaway of "Here We Goat Again" by Janna Rollins https://www.krlnews.com/2026/04/here-we-goat-again-by-janna-rollins.html

 

And a review and ebook giveaway of "The Stuff of Malice" by Kathleen Marple Kalb https://www.krlnews.com/2026/04/the-stuff-of-malice-by-kathleen-marple.html

 

And for those who also enjoy fantasy, we have a review of "The Somewhat Wicked Witch of Brigindale" by CM Waggoner https://www.krlnews.com/2026/04/the-somewhat-wicked-witch-of-brigindale.html

 

Happy reading,

Lorie 

KRL Update

Up on KRL this week reviews and giveaways of 3 more fun mysteries-"The Whisking Hour" A Bakeshop Mystery by Ellie Alexander, “Death at a Firefly Tea" by Laura Childs, and "The Most Mysterious Bookshop in Paris" by Mark Pryor https://kingsriverlife.com/04/18/three-food-bookshop-mysteries/

And a review and giveaway of "Murder on Site" by TG Wolff, along with an interesting interview with her https://kingsriverlife.com/04/18/murder-on-site-by-tg-wolff/

 

We also have the latest Crime Writers of Color Coming Attractions https://kingsriverlife.com/04/18/crime-writers-of-color-coming-attractions-april-june-2026/

 

If you enjoy Southern Gothic stories, check out the special midweek guest post that went up last night on KRL written by mystery author Erica Wright https://kingsriverlife.com/04/15/the-enduring-appeal-of-southern-gothic-stories/

 

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week, we have a review and giveaway of "Ours is a Tale Of Murder" by Nora Murphy https://www.krlnews.com/2026/04/ours-is-tale-of-murder-by-nora-murphy.html

 

And a review and ebook giveaway of "Murder on the Sea Otter Express" by Nikki Knight https://www.krlnews.com/2026/04/murder-on-sea-otter-express-by-nikki.html

 

And a review and giveaway of "The Boy in the Wall" by Jeffrey B. Burton https://www.krlnews.com/2026/04/the-boy-in-wall-by-jeffrey-b-burton.html

 

Happy reading,

Lorie 

KRL Update

Up on KRL this week just in time for Easter, a review and giveaway of "Easter Egg Murder" by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis, and Peggy Ehrhart https://kingsriverlife.com/03/28/easter-egg-murder-by-leslie-meier-lee-hollis-peggy-ehrhart/

And a review and giveaway of "Tell-Tale Treats" by Jennifer J. Chow, https://kingsriverlife.com/03/28/tell-tale-treats-by-jennifer-j-chow/

 

And an Easter mystery short story by Margaret Hamilton https://kingsriverlife.com/03/28/a-pinch-of-death-an-easter-mystery-short-story/

 

We also have the latest Queer Mystery Coming Attractions from Matt Lubbers-Moore https://kingsriverlife.com/03/28/queer-mystery-coming-attractions-april-2026-lambdas/

 

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and giveaway of "Deadly Ambitions" by Terry Odell https://www.krlnews.com/2026/03/deadly-ambitions-by-terry-odell.html

 

And a review and giveaway of "Baking Up a Murder" by Hattie Fox https://www.krlnews.com/2026/03/baking-up-murder-by-hattie-fox.html

 

Happy reading,

Lorie 

KRL Update

Up on KRL this week reviews and giveaways of 3 cozy mysteries for your spring tbr-"A Whiff of Murder" A Sixth Sense Mystery by Angela M. Sanders , "Murder from A to Z" by VM Burns, and "A Spirited Supper at Dundoon Castle" by Darci Hannah https://kingsriverlife.com/03/21/a-trio-of-cozies-for-your-spring-tbr/

And a review and ebook giveaway of "The Cat's Eye Charm" by Clea Simon https://kingsriverlife.com/03/21/the-cats-eye-charm-by-clea-simon/

 

And a review and ebook giveaway of "Diversion" by Cindy Goyette, along with an interesting interview with Cindy https://kingsriverlife.com/03/21/diversion-by-cindy-goyette/

 

We also have another local ghost story by Sarah Peterson-Camacho https://kingsriverlife.com/03/21/the-headless-bride-a-bordello-banshee-of-frontier-stockton/

 

During the week we posted another special midweek guest post, this one by mystery author Verlin Darrow, where he shares a fun story about book promotion, and about his new book "The Brighter the Light, the Darker the Shadow" https://kingsriverlife.com/03/18/one-authors-attempt-to-generate-sales-via-emails/

 

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and ebook giveaway of "A Scoop of Deceit" by Lena Gregory https://www.krlnews.com/2026/03/a-scoop-of-deceit-by-lena-gregory.html

 

And a review and ebook giveaway of "Eyes of Deceit" by Gabriel Valjan https://www.krlnews.com/2026/03/eyes-to-deceit-by-gabriel-valjan.html

 

And a review of "Magic and Mischief" by Elizabeth Everett https://www.krlnews.com/2026/03/magic-and-mischief-at-wayside-hotel-by.html

 

Happy Reading,

Lorie 

KRL Update

Up on KRL this week reviews and giveaways of 2 mysteries by Victoria Gilbert-"Schooled in Murder" and "A Deadly Clue" https://kingsriverlife.com/03/14/a-pair-of-cozy-mysteries-by-victoria-gilbert/

And a review and ebook giveaway of "More Than You Know" by Anne Canadeo, along with an interesting interview with Anne https://kingsriverlife.com/03/14/more-than-you-know-by-anne-canadeo/

And in honor of Saint Patrick's Day, we have a review and giveaway of "Buried in Shamrocks" by Lisa Q. Mathews https://kingsriverlife.com/03/14/buried-in-shamrocks-by-lisa-q-mathews/

We also have a fun mystery short story by Michael Bracken https://kingsriverlife.com/03/14/mystery-short-story-wealth-of-knowledge/

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and giveaway of "Missing" by David Beckler https://www.krlnews.com/2026/03/missing-by-d-e-beckler-reviewgiveaway.html

And a review and ebook giveaway of "Round Up the Unusual Suspects" by Elizabeth Crowens https://www.krlnews.com/2026/03/round-up-unusual-suspects-by-elizabeth.html

Happy reading,

Lorie

KRL Update

Up on KRL this week a review and giveaway of "The Devil in the Details" by Vicki Delany https://kingsriverlife.com/02/21/the-devil-in-the-details-by-vicki-delany/

And a review and ebook giveaway of "Devil's Gambit" by Jeri Westerson https://kingsriverlife.com/02/21/devils-gambit-by-jeri-westerson/

 

And a review and giveaway of a mystery with a supernatural twist, "Death and Other Occupational Hazards" by Veronika Dapunt, along with an interesting interview with Veronika https://kingsriverlife.com/02/21/death-and-other-occupational-hazards-by-veronika-dapunt/

 

Looking for something fun to watch? Up on KRL this week a review of the 5th season of "My Life is Murder" and the first season of "Art Detectives," both on Acorn TV https://kingsriverlife.com/02/21/my-life-is-murder-season-5-art-detectives/

 

Up during the week we posted another special midweek guest post, this one by mystery author Elaine Faber about writing and her new book "Black Cat and the Immigrant Child" https://kingsriverlife.com/02/18/the-framework-of-a-good-book/

 

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and ebook giveaway of "Dog's Kitchen" by Neil Plakcy https://www.krlnews.com/2026/02/dogs-kitchen-by-neil-plakcy.html

 

And for those who enjoy fantasy with their mystery, we have a review and ebook giveaway of "Of Blood and Fire" by Keri Arthur https://www.krlnews.com/2026/02/of-blood-and-fire-drakkon-kin-trilogy.html

 

Happy reading,

Lorie 

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

KRL Update

Up on KRL this week a review and giveaway of "All My Bones" BY P.J. Nelson https://kingsriverlife.com/01/24/all-my-bones-by-p-j-nelson/

And a review and giveaway of "The Seven Gates of Guinee" by Martha Reed, along with an interesting guest post by Martha https://kingsriverlife.com/01/24/the-seven-gates-of-guinee-by-martha-reed/

 

And a review and ebook giveaway of "Trapped and Tested" by Sharon Marchisello https://kingsriverlife.com/01/24/trapped-and-tested-by-sharon-marchisello/

 

We also have the latest Crime Writers of Color Coming Attractions https://kingsriverlife.com/01/24/crime-writers-of-color-coming-attractions-january-march-2026/

 

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and ebook giveaway of "One Small Squeal" by DonnaRae Menard https://www.krlnews.com/2026/01/one-small-squeal-by-donnarae-mennard.html

 

And for those who also enjoy fantasy with a touch of mystery, a review and giveaway of "An Arcane Inheritance" by Kamilah Cole https://www.krlnews.com/2026/01/an-arcane-inheritance-by-kamilah-cole.html

 

Happy Reading,

Lorie 

KRL Update

Up on KRL this week we have a review and giveaway of "Murder at the Scottish Games" by Traci Hall https://kingsriverlife.com/01/17/murder-at-the-scottish-games-by-traci-hall/

And a review and giveaway (book and a goodie bag) of "A Ferry Long Way to Go" by Misty Simon, along with a fun guest post by Misty about her writing https://kingsriverlife.com/01/17/a-ferry-long-way-to-go-by-misty-simon/

 

And a review and giveaway of "Vows and Villainy" by Elizabeth Penney, https://kingsriverlife.com/01/17/vows-and-villainy-by-elizabeth-penney/

 

And a review and ebook giveaway of "Itch of Greed" by Christa Nardi, along with an interesting interview with Christa https://kingsriverlife.com/01/17/itch-of-greed-by-christa-nardi/

 

Up on KRL News and Reviews this week we have a review and ebook giveaway of "How Deep is the Body?" by Ivanka Fear https://www.krlnews.com/2026/01/how-deep-is-body-by-ivanka-fear.html

 

And a review and ebook giveaway of "The Lizzie Borden House Anthology" Edited By Sèphera Girón https://www.krlnews.com/2026/01/the-lizzie-borden-house-anthology.html

 

Happy Reading,

Lorie 

KRL Update 12/20/2025

Up on KRL this week reviews and giveaways of some food and magic cozy mysteries for your holiday reading-"Murder by the Millions" by Daryl Wood Gerber, "At Death’s Dough" A Deep Dish Mystery by Mindy Quigley, "Death and Dinuguan" A Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery by Mia P. Manansala, and "Witch and Tell" A Witch Way Librarian Mystery by Angela M. Sanders https://kingsriverlife.com/12/20/food-magic-mysteries-for-your-holiday-reading/

And a review and giveaway of "The Black Wolf" by Louise Penny https://kingsriverlife.com/12/20/the-black-wolf-by-louise-penny/

 

And the latest Queer Mysteries Coming Attractions from Matt Lubbers-Moore https://kingsriverlife.com/12/20/queer-mystery-coming-attractions-a-new-year-of-reading-bravely/

 

And a Christmas mystery short story called "Brandt's Secret" written by J.R. Lindermuth https://kingsriverlife.com/12/20/christmas-mystery-short-story-brandts-secret/

 

For those who prefer to listen to Mysteryrat's Maze Podcast directly on KRL, here are the players for both of our Christmas episodes this year-the one featuring the Christmas mystery short story "Peppermint Barking" written by Jane Limprecht, read by local actors Sean Hopper and Cymone Sandoval-Hopper. And the one featuring the Christmas mystery short story "All is Bright" by Merrilee Robson, read by local actor Larry Mattox https://kingsriverlife.com/12/20/a-pair-of-christmas-mysteries-on-mysteryrats-maze-podcast/

 

We also have a fun short story by Elaine Faber that involves golf, a certain little wild animal, and a touch of a mystery https://kingsriverlife.com/12/20/mystery-short-story-the-slobaviakinsky-golf-course/

 

Happy Holidays!

Lorie