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Advent of Mystery ’25, Day 5: The Christmas Cracker Killer
It’s time to move on from cozies to slightly darker fare—which also means it’s time to return to one of my favorite holiday mystery writers, A. K. Benedict. In a first for the author, she continues the story of one of her protagonists, crossword setter Edie O’Sullivan. This sequel to The Christmas Jigsaw Murders brings Edie and…
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Advent of Mystery ’25, Day 4: An Unfortunate Christmas Murder
Today marks post 200 — an incredible milestone for someone who once had to invent a challenge to make sure I’d have enough to post! Thank you for reading, commenting, and perching here with me over the years. It feels fitting to celebrate with a holiday murder, and today we’re diving into An Unfortunate Christmas Murder by…
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Advent of Mystery ‘25, Day 3: The Cornish Christmas Pantomime Murder
One thing I always appreciate is a book with a simple, clear title. And on that front, it doesn’t get much clearer than Fiona Leitch’s The Cornish Christmas Pantomime Murder. The book is set in Cornwall. It is Christmas. There is a pantomime. Suddenly—murder! Exactly what it says on the cozy mystery tin. For a cozy…
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Advent of Mystery ’25, Day 2: The Christmas Clue
Day 2 of our annual holiday mystery celebrations, and we’re sticking with the novella format for just a little longer. Today’s read blends Christmas, murder mystery, and board games. Nicola Upson’s The Christmas Clue follows the creators of Clue as they set up a murder mystery game at Tudor Close—only to encounter a real murder in the…
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Advent of Mystery ’25, Day 1: The Austen Christmas Murders
The tree is lit. The presents are wrapped and distributed. The cookies are baked. The carols are blasting. And here at the Owlet’s nest, that means one thing: it’s Advent of Mystery time. For those not in the know, Advent of Mystery is a countdown to Christmas. Each day features my thoughts on a different…
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Murder Most Magical: Witchy Mysteries for Spooky Season
Just a few days left until the spookiest night of the year, and while October may be San Francisco’s warmest month, I’ve been doing my best to summon the spirit. The pumpkins are out, the Featherly Friends have migrated to the mantel, and I’ve stocked up on trick-or-treat candy. Of course, I need something spooky…
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Reading Adventures, Pt. 12: Ghosts and spies in the City That Never Sleeps
After a cozy weekend spent in small-town America, it was time for a full 180. You can’t get much more “big city” than the Big Apple! Bright, loud, and full of life, there’s someplace to go and someone to see in every visit I make. But between the dinners and the cozy hangouts, I made…
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Reading Adventures, Pt. 11: Small Towns, Big Flavors – A Journey with Marilyn Hagerty’s Grand Forks
Long-time TCO fans may have picked up that I’m a city gal at heart. I love my life in San Francisco, with its walkable streets and abundance of creative restaurants. But I grew up taking many road trips, where I developed a deep love for small towns and their quirks. It’s that love that made…
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The Secret Lives of British Cities (According to Urban Fantasy)
I’ve been on a bit of a fantasy streak lately—though not the swords-and-sagas kind. These days, I’m drawn more to urban fantasy, that magical subgenre where the extraordinary exists just beneath the surface of the ordinary. It’s one of my favourites, in part because it makes the impossible feel just a bit more possible. Magic,…
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Reading adventures, Pt. 10: Lemons + learning on the Amalfi Coast
After bidding goodbye to the City of Flowers, we met some friends for a lovely week on the Amalfi Coast – known for lemons, linens, and beautiful ceramic tiles. The sheer cliffs and clear blue waters were a welcome respite from the inland heat. And I was looking forward to a week of lazing around…