MARDI GRAS MYSTERIES

Mardi Gras aka Carnivale. Whatever you call it, it's a great setting for Murder! Busy streets, crowds, costumes, drinking ..  mix it all together, and you have the perfect recipe for a crime novel.

So in honor of Mardi Gras, here's my updated list of Mardi Gras Mysteries, mostly set in New Orleans, but skip to the bottom for other countries and cities (Carnival - Carnevale). As always, I welcome additional titles. 

MARDI GRAS CRIME FICTION

Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Jessica Arden
The Mardi Gras Mystery by Henry Bedford-Jones
Death Visits Mardi Gras by J.J. Boortz

Cake on a Hot Tin Roof, A Sheetcake Named Desire by Jacklyn Brady
The Mardi Gras Muders: A Golden Age Mystery by Gwen Bristow

Lost Souls by Poppy Z. Brite
Fat Tuesday; Sunny Chandler's Return by Sandra Brown
Thrill Kill by Don Bruns
Purple Cane Road, Dixie City Jam, The Tin Roof Blowdown, Creole Belle by James Lee Burke
Mardi Gras 1975 by Frank W. Butterfield

Mardi Gras Murder by Ellen Byron
Krewe of Souls by Elaine Calloway
Gumbo Justice, Jambalaya Justice by Holli Castillo 
The Secret of the Other Mother by Laura Cayouette
Murder Comes to Mardi Gras, Death Swatch, Keepsake Crimes, Death by Design; Glitter Bomb by Laura Childs
Fat Tuesday Fricassee by J.J. Cook 
Izzy Rio's Wild and Pretty by Stacey L. Cooley

Randolph Solves the Mardi Gras Mystery by Pat Hornsby Crochet (Children's)
Havana Storm by Clive Cussler
Mardi Gras Murders by Nicole Daines and Robert Daines
Bullets and Beads; Sinister by Jana Deleon 
Ms America and the Naughtiness in New Orleans by Diana Dempsey 

The Mardi Gras Murders by Ricardo S. Dubois
No Mardi Gras for the Dead by D.J. Donaldson
Shelter from the Storm; Crooked Man by Tony Dunbar
Fat Tuesday by Earl Emerson
The Big Uneasy-Terror Strikes Mardi Gras by Murray C. Fincher
The Unknown Terrorist by Richard Flanagan

Carnaval Capers by Jody Ford
Carnival by Charlotte Foryan
Venetian Mask by Mickey Friedman
Mardi Gras and Mayhem by Jann Franklin
Jass, Rampart Street by David Fulmer

Dead Velvet Cheesecake by A. Gardner
Mardi Gras Murder, edited by Sarah E. Glenn
Mardi Gras Madness by Alison Golden with Honey Broussard
Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead by Sara Gran

The Mardi Gras Murder by Jackie Griffey
A Free Man of Color, Fever Season, Sold Down the River by Barbara Hambly
The Exorcist by Lily Harper Hart
The Wrong Side of Revelry by Jeffry A. Head

Nightmare Before Mardis Gras: 14 Days of Madness, Mayhem, and Murder by Robert Sterling Hecker

Mardi Gras Mambo; The Orion Mask by Greg Herren
A Thin Dark Line by Tami Hoag
Murder at the Mardi Gras by V. Hurst
The Assassin's Gift by Ian C.P. Irvine
Mind Games by Polly Iyer

Burgundy Doubloons by TJ Spencer Jacques
The Mardi Gras Mystery by H. Bedford Jones

Storm Damage by Ed Kovacs
Murder at the Mardi Gras by Linda P. Kozar
Murder at Mardi Gras by Doug Lamplugh
Mardi Gras Murder by Leslie Langtry
Krewe by Jayson Livingston
The Devil's Muse by Bill Loehfelm
A Masquerade of Saints by Nicole Loughan
Voodoo Dreams by Alana Lorens 

Chaos by Judith Lucci
The Mardi Gras Murders by Gwen Bristow & Bruce Manning
Mardi Gras Madness by Ken Mask
Mardi Gras Gris Gris by A.C. Mason
The Gay Mardi Gras Murders by Sylvia Massara 

Rescued by a Kiss by Colleen Mooney
Mardi Gras Eyes by Phyllis Morris
The Chef by James Patterson with Max DiLallo
Krewe by Seth Pevey
Masques by Bill Pronzini
Up Jumped the Devil by Martha Reed

Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins
Midnight Bayou by Nora Roberts
The Long-Legged Fly by James Sallis
Mardi Gras Murders by Phillip Scott
Now Let's Talk of Graves by Sarah Shankman
Murder at the Mardi Gras by Elisabet M. Stone
A Hall of Mirrors by Robert Stone
The Mardi Gras Murders by Brian W. Smith

New Orleans Mourning by Julie Smith
New Orleans Noir, edited by Julie Smith
The Mardi Gras Murders by Jemma Stark

Murder at the Mardi Gras by Elisabet M. Stone
The Mysterious Masks of Mardi Gras by Connie Trapp
Mardi Gras Marathon Murders by Diane L. Twilley
Mardi Gras Two-Step by Barry M. Vass
Mardi Gras Ghost by Erin Wade
A Mardi Gras Murder by Vesper Wilde

A Diamond Before You Die by Chris Wiltz

Children's Literature: 

The Mardi Gras Mystery; The Mardi Gras Masquerade by Carolyn Keene

Short Stories: 

Mardi Gras Murder, edited by Sarah E. Glenn
Mardi Grad Madness: Stories of Murder and Mayhem in New Orleans, edited by Martin Harry Greenberg

Goffman, Barb:  "Man to Man" in The Beat of Black Wings: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Joni Mitchell.

Carnivale in Brazil:

The Lost Manuscript: Vast Emotions and Imperfect Thoughts by Rubem Fonseca

Carnevale in Venice:

Carnival for the Dead by David Hewson
Venice Noir, edited by Maxim Jakubowski
The Venetian Masquerade by Philip Gwynne Jones
The Mascherari by Laura Rahme
Venice Black by Gregory C. Randall
Scerzo by Jim Williams

To celebrate Fat Tuesday, you might want to have some Chocolate Chip Pancakes or Chocolate  Pecan Pie or Chocolate "Cupped" Cakes with Coffee & Chicory or Chocolate Beignets or Chocolate Filled King Cake! If you're celebrating Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama, or along the Gulf Coast, have a Moon Pie. Read more here. They're a favorite 'throw' in Mobile. I've also posted other Mardi Gras recipes on DyingforChocolate.com

SWEETHEART SLEUTHS

Here's my updated Short List of Sweetheart Sleuths for Valentine's Day! I'm sure I'm missing a few couples. Make a comment with author and sweetheart sleuths, and I'll add to the list. In the meantime, here's some more great reading for Valentine's Day!

Missed my list of mysteries that take place during Valentine's Day? Here's the link. 

SWEETHEART SLEUTHS 

Ace, Cathy: Cait Morgan and Bud Anderson
Alexander, Tasha: Lady Emily and Colin Hargreaves
Allen, Conrad: Genevieve Masefield and George Dillman Porter

Allingham, Margery: Albert Campion and Amanda Fitton
Andrews, Donna: Meg Langslow and Michael Waterson
Arnold, Margot: Tobias Glendower and Penelope Spring

Bell, Albert: Michael Harrington and Corie Foster; Pliny and Aurora

Berry, Connie: Kate Hamilton and DI Tom Mallory
Billheimer, John: Owen Allison and ex-wife Judith
Black, Lisa: Maggie Gardiner and Jack Renner

Borthwick, J. S.: Sarah Dean and Alex McKenzie
Bowen, Michael: Rep and Melissa Pennyworth
Bowen, Rhys: Molly Murphy and Daniel Sullivan; Lady Georgie and Darcy O'Mara
Burke, Jan: Irene Kelly and Frank Harriman
Carlson, P. M.: Maggie and Nick Ryan
Carner, John: John Fowler and Jessica Hammerstein
Casey, Donis: Alafair and Shaw Tucker
Chappell, Helen: Holly and Sam Westcott
Elaine Raco Chase: Roman Cantrell & Nikki Holden
Charles, Kate: Lucy Kingsley and David Middleton-Brown
Christie, Agatha: Tommy and Tuppence Beresford
Clark, Carol Higgins: Regan and Jack Reilly
Cleeland, Annie: Chief Inspector Michael Sinclair/Lord Acton and Detective Sergeant Kathleen Doyle
Cockey, Tim: Hitchcock Sewell and ex-wife Julia Finney
Craig, Alisa Dittany Henbit and Osbert Monk, Madoc and Jane Rhys
Crane, Frances: Pat and Jean Abbot
Crombie, Deborah: Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James
Curzon, Claire: Mike Yeadings and Rosemary Zyczynski
Cussler, Clive: Sam and Remi Fargo
Davis, Krista: Sophie Winston, domestic diva, and Detective Wolf

Dodge, David: Whit and Kitty Whitney
Evanovich, Janet: Stephanie Plum and Joe Morelli—or Ranger—or Diesel—or not
Finch, Charles: Charles Lennox and Lady Jane Grey
George, Elizabeth: Inspector Lynley and Sergeant Havers

Glatzer, Hal: Herman Korn and Teddie Sanderson
Gordon, Alan: Jester Feste and wife Viola, late of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”
Greenwood, Kerry: Corinna Chapman and Daniel Cohen
Granger, Ann: Alan Markby and Meredith Mitchell
Haddam, Jane: Gregor Demarkian and Bennis Hannaford (this one’s a stretch)
Ham, Lorie: Alexandra Waters and Stephen Carlucci
Hammett, Dashiell: Nick and Nora Charles
Handler, David: Mitch Berger and state policewoman Desiree Mitry
Harrington, Jonathan: C. J. and Bridge

Hart, Carolyn: Max and Annie Darling
Hays, Kim: Giuliana Linder and Renzo Donatelli
Haywood, Gar: Joe and Dottie Loudermilk 

Kay, Arlene: Eja Kane and Deming Swann
Iakovou, Takis: and Judy Nick and Julia Lambro

Jameson, Emma: Lord & Lady Hetheridge
Jarvis, Nancy Lynn: Regan McHenry and Tom Kiley
Kellerman, Faye: Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus
Kelly, Susan B.: Alison Hope and Nick Trevelyan
Kelner, Toni L. P.: Laurie Ann and Richard Fleming
Kenney, Susan: Roz Howard and Alan Stewart
Kincheloe, Jennifer: Police Matron Anna Blanc and Detective Joe Singer
King, Laurie R.: Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes
Levinson, R. S.: Neil Gulliver and Stevie Marriner
Lindquist, N. J.: Paul Manziuk and Jacqueline Ryan
Liskow, Steve: "Woody" Guthrie & Megan Traine; Zach Barnes & Beth Shepard
Lockridge, Frances and Richard: Pam and Jerry North
Lupoff, Richard: Hobart Lindsay and Marvia Plum
MacLeod, Charlotte: Max and Sarah Kelling Bittersohn, Peter and Helen Shandy
McBride, Susan: Maggie Ryan and John Phillips
McCafferty, Barbara Taylor & Herald, Beverly: Bert & Nan Tatum
McDermid, Val: Tony Hill and Carol Jordan
McGown, Jill: Chief Inspector Danny Lloyd and Inspector Judy Hill
Maron, Margaret: Deborah Knott and Dwight Bryant
Marsh, Ngaio: Roderick Alleyn and Agatha Troy
Matthews, Alex: Cassidy McCabe, Zack
Maxwell, A. & E.: Fiora and Fiddler
Moyes, Patricia: Emmie and Henry Tibbetts
Newman, Sharan: Catherine Levendeur and husband Edgar
Paige, Robin: Charles and Kate Sheridan
Palmer, Stuart: Hildegarde Withers and Inspector Piper
Parker, Robert: Spencer and Susan
Pears, Iain: Flavia Di Stefano and Jonathan Argyle
Perry, Anne: Thomas and Charlotte Pitt
Peters, Elizabeth: Amelia Peabody and Radcliffe Emerson; Ramses and Nefret;Vicky Bliss and John Smith
Pickard, Nancy: Jenny Cain and Geoffrey Bushfield
Pomidor, Bill: Drs. Calista and Plato Marley

Rafael, Lev: Nick and Stefan
Raybourn,  Deanna: Nichloas Brisbane and Lady Julia Grey
Robb, J.D.: Eve Dallas and Roark
Roos, Kelley: Jeff and Haila Troy
Rozan, S. J.: Bill Smith and Lydia Chin
Rubino, Jane: Cat Austen and Victor Cardenas
Sale, Medora: John Sanders and Harriet Jeffries
Saulnier, Beth: Alex Bernier and Brian Cody
Sayers, Dorothy L.: Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane
Schumacher, Aileen: Tory Peters and David Alvarez
Simas, Ann: Chloe Faust and Marsh Fielding

Smith, Charles Merrill: Reverend Con Randollph and Samantha Stack
Spencer-Fleming, Julia: Claire Ferguson and Russ Van Alstyne
Sten, Viveca: Thomas Andreasson and Nora Linde
Thompson, Victoria: Sarah Brandt and Detective Frank Molloy
Whitney, Polly: Ike and Abby
Wilhelm, Kate: Charlie Meiklejohn and Constance Leidl
Wright, L. R.: Karl Alberg, RCMP, and Cassandra Mitchell

Cartoon of the Day: Valentine's Day Crime

YOUR OWN CHOCOLATE & WINE PAIRING: Valentine's Day

Maybe you're going to a chocolate/wine pairing at your favorite winery or chocolate shop for Valentine's Day? If you're not, it's still not too late to set up one of your own at home for your sweetie. This would make a great Valentine's Day gift. 

I came across this fabulous guide to wine and chocolate pairing from ProFlowers several years ago. Taylor Poppmeier pairs 14 popular chocolates like peanut butter cups and chocolate covered espresso beans with complimentary wines. Enjoy! 

Taylor Poppmeier

As a self-admitted chocoholic, it's obvious that I enjoy my fair share of my favorite treat. I have always enjoyed a glass of red with a square (or bar) of dark chocolate but was hesitant to enjoy anything more adventurous out of fear that the taste of both would clash. Some connoisseurs argue that the bold flavors make pairing difficult so I am sharing a handy guide with you. ProFlowers created an easy cheat sheet for wine and chocolate pairings. They included everything from high end lavender truffles to the classic favorites like peanut butter cups. So peel open that candy bar and pour yourself a glass of wine. Cheers!

Basic Wine and Chocolate Pairing Rules:

1. The wine should be as sweet as the chocolate.
2. Begin pairing by color. The darker the chocolate, the darker the wine.
3. When possible, opt for a high quality chocolate bar.
4. Consider texture as well as taste.

Retro Mystery Related Valentine's Day Cards

Remember those Valentine's Day cards you punched out and gave to all the other children in your class? Even if you don't remember, here are a few that are perfect for readers. I love these Retro Mystery and Book-Related Valentine's Day Cards. Be sure and view them all. Happy Valentine's Day!

And then there are the Bookish Valentines...

And my Favorite

VALENTINE'S DAY MYSTERIES. //VALENTINE'S DAY CRIME FICTION

Although Valentine's Day is all about love, but love and hate are often quite close emotions. Valentine's Day is perfect for mystery crime fiction, and there are so many books filled with spurned lovers, poisonous treats, and idyllic celebrations turned deadly.

Here's my 2026 updated Valentine's Day Crime Fiction list: Mysteries that take place on or around Valentine's Day. Be sure and check out my other blog, DyingforChocolate, for Valentine's Day Chocolate Reviews, Recipes, and Vintage Chocolate Ads. And, I'll be posting my Sweetheart Sleuths mystery list shortly!

February 14, Valentine's Day, is also International Book Giving Day, so books are the perfect Valentine's Day gift. Bundle some of the following Valentine's Day Mysteries with a box of chocolate truffles, tie it all up in a red ribbon, and you're good to go!

As always, let me know if I've missed any titles.

Valentine's Day Mysteries

As Gouda as Dead by Avery Aames
Regulated for Murder by Suzanne Adair
Murder in the Paperback Parlor by Ellery Adams  

Love Lies Bleeding by Susan Wittig Albert
Death by Baguette by Jennifer S. Alderson
A Victim at Valentine's by Ellie Alexander

Valentine's Day is Murder by Carolyn Arnold
In Cold Chamomile by Joy Avon

Not My Valentine by Tony Bassett
Death of a Valentine by M. C. Beaton

Donut Hearts Homicide by Jessica Beck

Hot Chocolate and Homicide by Cindy Bell
Marked Down for Murder by Josie Belle
Now You Sesame, Now You Don't by Virginia K. Bennett

Valentines and Murder; Killer Valentine Cookies; Vicious Valentine; The Heart of Murder by Patti Benning
Killer Cupid by Laurien Berenson

A Manhattan Murder Mystery by Susan Bernhardt
The Broken Hearts Club by Ethan Black
Murder Borrowed, Murder Blue by Stephanie Blackmoore
Murders of a Feather by Eileen Brady

Mind Over Murder by J.J. Brass
A Witchy Valentine by Danica Britton

What Happened to Romance? by Franky A. Brown
Hearts & Hostages by Katherine H. Brown (novella)
Claws and Effect by Rita Mae Brown

Butter Off Dead by Leslie Budewitz
A Valentine for the Silencer by Cora Buhlert
Mystery on Valentine's Day by Beth Byers and Lee Strauss

Cajun Kiss of Death by Ellen Byron

Valentine Vendetta by Aconite Cafe

How To Murder The Man Of Your Dreams by Dorothy Cannell
The Chocolate Cupid Killings by JoAnna Carl
The Mortsafe by Lillian Stewart Carl

This Old Homicide by Kate Carlisle
The Valentine's Day Ball by Susan Carroll
Sucker Punch by Sammi Carter
Cat Got Your Secrets by Julie Chase

Secret Valentine by Cherry Christensen
Lethal Treasure by Jane Cleland
A Holiday Sampler by Christine E. Collier
Red Roses for a Dead Trucker by Anna Ashwood Collins
A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collette

Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom Courage

St Valentine's Day Cookie Massacre by Elisabeth Crabtree
A Catered Valentine's Day by Isis Crawford
Murder on Valentine's Day by P. Creeden
Cupid's Curse; The Saint Valentine's Day Murders; Shamrock Shenanigans; The Valentine Mystery by Kathi Daley
Hard Feelings by Barbara D’Amato

A Valentine Wish by Sylvia Damsell
Deadly Valentine by B.J Daniels

Lucy and the Valentine Verdict by Rae Davies

Be My Pink Valentine by Vella Day
Love on the Rocks by Debbie De Louise

A Valentine Murder by Steve Demaree
Love With The Proper Killer by Rose Deshaw
My Fatal Valentine by Leighann Dobbs

Valentine's Day by Liz Dodwell

My Lady Valentine by Lindsay Downs
Death at the Anchorage by Jan Durham

The Saint Valentine's Day Murders by Ruth Dudley Edwards
Operation: Romance by Jessica L. Elliot

The Stolen Valentine by K.J. Emrick
Plum Lovin’ by Janet Evanovich
My Funny Valentine by Caroline Fardig (novella)
Corridor Man: Valentine by Mark Faricy

A Valentine's Day Miracle by Tammy Falkner
Happy Valentine’s Day: My Funny Valentine by Michelle Fitzpatrick
The Living Daylights by Ian Fleming
Addressed to Kill by Jean Flowers (Camille Minichino)
Peach Cobbler Murder by Joanne Fluke
A Flair for Truffles by Deborah Garner

The Heartless Valentine by Kacey Gene
A Fatal Slip by Melissa Glazer
Valentine by Celina Grace

St. Valentine's Night by Andrew M. Greeley
Caveman's Valentine by George Dawes Green
A Valentine for One by Patrice Greenwood
My Bloody Valentine by Alastair Gunn
Bleeding Hearts by Jane Haddam
Sweetheart in High Heels by Gemma Halliday
The Valentine's Day Murder by Lee Harris
Deadly Valentine by Carolyn G. Hart

Deadly Valentine by Jenna Harte
Valentine Victim by Kelly Hashway
Faith, Rope, and Love by Wendy Heuvel

Romantically Ever After by Liwen Y. Ho
Death of a Chocoholic by Lee Hollis
The Ghost of Valentine Past by Bobbie Holmes
Cupid's Revenge; The Sham by Melanie Jackson

Handmade Hearts by June McCrary Jacobs
Ghoul You Be My Valentine? by Olivia Jaymes

Valentine's Day Vandal by Annie Jones
Vistas, Vices, & Valentines by Tonya Kappas
Your Heart Belongs to Me by Dean Koontz

My Funny Mayfair Valentine by Kassandra Lamb

Valentine Vendetta; Poisoned on Valentine's Day by Daisy Landish 

A Big Surprise for Valentine's Day by Jackie Lau
Killing Cupid by Laura Levine
Valentine's Victim by Harper Lin

Love from A to Z by Lia London
A Fatal Slip by Meg London 

February Fever by Jess Lourey
Roses and Revenge by London Lovett

The Venom in the Valentine; Lady Rample and Cupid's Kiss by Shea MacLeod 

Moonshine Valentine by Tegan Maher 

Heart Attack by Terri Main

The Scent of Murder by Jeffrey Marks
Valentine's Cupcake & Murder by Ann S. Marie
A Valentine's Kill by Mona Marple
The Winter Mystery by Faith Martin
Sugar and Spite by G.A. McKevett
Buttercream Bump Off by Jenn McKinlay
The Valentine Victim by Dougal McLeish

Scot on the Rocks by Catriona McPherson
Valentine Murder; Chocolate Covered Murder: Valentine Candy Murder by Leslie Meier

St. Valentine's Day Murders by Karen Baugh Menuhin

Love You to Death by Grant Michaels
Cupid's Corpse by Willow Monroe

Murder Bites by Addison Moore & Bellamy Bloom
Cat Playing Cupid by Shirley Rousseau Murphy

Valentines & Victims Donna Muse
Tequila Shorts & Valentine Knots by Tricia O'Malley
The Body in the Attic, The Body in the Snowdrift by Katherine Hall Page

Murder by Cupid Cake by Rosie A. Point

A Blossom of Murder by Summer Prescott

Be My Valencrime by Amy M. Reade
A Judgment in Stone by Ruth Rendell

My Deadly Valentine by David W. Robinson
Valentined by Patricia Rockwell
The Valentine's Day Clue by Rupali Rajopadhye Rotti

Chocolate Covered Murder by Necole Ryse
Valentine by Tom Savage
The Treble Wore Trouble by Mark Schweizer
Sweet Hearts by Connie Shelton
Gilt by Association by Karen Rose Smith
My Wicked Valentine by Lotta Smith 

Mystery on Valentine's Day by Lee Strauss
Deadly Valentine by Kathleen Suzette

Murder of a Pink Elephant by Denise Swanson
One Rough Man by Brad Taylor
My Nerdy Valentine by Vicki Lewis Thompson

The Coniston Case by Rebecca Tope
Pineapple Valentine Mystery by Amy Vansant
Thou Art with Me by Debbie Viguie 

Outside Valentine by Liza Ward
A Murderous Valentine by Beverley Watts

The Lucy Valentine mystery series by Heather Webber
Valentine's Blizzard Murder by Linnea West
Murder at First Sight by Shelly West

The Haunted Valentine by J.A. Whiting
Red Roses by J.A. Whiting and Nell McCarthy  
Daughter Of The Stars by Phyllis A. Whitney
Mrs. Morris and the Venomous Valentine by Traci Wilton

Short Stories

Crimes of Passion with stories by Nancy Means, B.J. Daniels, Jonathan Harrington and Maggie Right Price
Cupid Shot Me, a collection of  Valentine's Day LGBTQ+ mystery stories, edited by Frank W. Butterfield

Valentine's Madness: a 1920s Historical Mystery Anthology, edited by Beth Byers
"My Heart Cries Out for You" by Bill Crider
Valentine's Day Is Killing Me edited by Leslie Esdaile, Mary Janice Davidson, Susanna Carr
"Sweetheart in High Heels" by Gemma Halliday
Crimes of the Heart edited by Carolyn G. Hart
Love and Death, edited by Carolyn G. Hart
Valentine’s Day: Women Against Men-Stories of Revenge edited by Alice Thomas
Homicidal Holidays: Fourteen Tales of Murder and Merriment, edited by Donna Andrews, Barb Goffman & Marcia Talley

Children's  

The Valentine's Day Villain by Elaine Heney
Valentine's Day Disaster by Geronimo Stilton

Scooby-Doo! A Very Scary Valentine's Day

As always, let me know if I've missed any titles! Happy Valentine's Day!

Cartoon of the Day: Cat Valentine's Day

Cartoon of the Day: Writer's Life

 

Murder at the Olympics: Crime Fiction set at the Olympics

I hope you're enjoying the Winter Olympics. I am. If you're a mystery reader, it should come as no surprise that the Olympics have actually been filled with drug scandals, sexual intrigue, disappearing athletes, death, murder, and theft! Consequently, the Olympics have played a very important part in crime fiction and in true crime. Here's my updated Olympics Mystery List (both Summer and Winter Olympics). As always, let me know any titles/authors I've missed.

Murder at the Olympics

Skate Crime and On Think Ice by Alina Adams
Rush for the Gold by Susan Carol Anderson

End Game by Jeffrey Archer 
Olympic Sleeper by Tom Barling
Beneath the Rings by Joe Battaglia

Echo of the Reich by James Becker
2012 Olympic Sabotage by D.M. Blowers
Mrs Hudson's Olympic Triumph by Barry S. Brown
Rush for the Gold: Mystery at the Olympics by F.J. Campbell (YA)

A Game of Lies by Rebecca Cantrell
40 Days 40 Nights by Wendy Cartmell
Bear Pit by Jon Cleary
Gold by Chris Cleave
Sacred Games by Gary Corby
The Rat Catchers' Olympics by Colin Cotterill
No Mark Upon Her by Deborah Crombie
Typhoon by Charles Cummings
See Delphi and Die by Lindsey Davis
Garden of Beasts by Jeffery Deaver
Time Heals No Wounds by Hendrik Falkenberg
Rush for the Gold: Mystery at the Olympics by John Feinstein 
Beyond Gold by Elaine Forder
Trial Run by Dick Francis
Legacy by Michael Gillard

The Blue Fence by Jonathan Hales
Death on the Range by Nikki Haverstock

Olympic Sacrifice by John Hocutt
Terror-Olympic Size by George L. Hoffman
Flight from Berlin by David John
March Violets, If the Dead Rise Not by Phillip Kerr
Lights Out by Elise Hart Kipness

Going for the Gold by Emma Lathen
Golden Girl by Peter Lear (Peter Lovesey) 
Olympia '36 by John Lee
The Bomber by Liza Marklund
Peril is My Pay by Stephen Marlowe
The Runner by Peter May
One or the Other by John McFetridge
Nightmare in Nagano; Murder at the Winter Games by Roy MacGregor
Dragon Games by Stephen Mertz
An Olympic Death; Off Side by Manuel Vazquez Montalban

Olympic Nemesis by James Morley
A Medal of Honor by John Morton
A Private Business by Barbara Nadel 

The Judas Goat; Carol Heiss Olympic Queen by Robert B. Parker
Target America: Terror at the 2002 Olympics by Frederick W. Parkins
See How They Run by James Patterson 
Private Games by James Patterson and Mark Sullivan
Deadlock by Sara Paretsky

The Black Jersey by Jorge Zepeda Patterson

Death Spiral by Meredith Phillips
Olympic Fusion by Scott Pickard
The Runner by Christopher Reich
Whiz Tanner and the Olympic Snow Caper by Fred Rexroad

Death was in the Blood by Linda L. Richards
Hartliss Protector (Assignment: Prince William at the Olympics) by Mike Scantlebury
Kudo Kids: The Mystery of the Masked Medalist by Maia and Alex Shibutani (Middle School)

Black Rain by David Shone
Red Snow by Michael Slade
The Eighth Day by Alistair Smith
Geronimo and the Gold Medal Mystery by Geronimo Stilton  
Murder at the Olympics by Lee Strauss

Rogue Agent by Sean Sweeney
Lestrade and the Deadly Game by M.J. Trow
The Perfect Blindside by Leslea Wahl
Tess and the Olympic Rings Mystery by C. Wilson and Malcolm Turnbull

Summer Games: An Olympic Murder Mystery by Sabrina Wylly
Not Just a Game by Doug Zipes 

Short Stories: 

 “And Now, an Inspiring Story of Tragedy Overcome” by Joseph S. Walker in Three Strikes--You're Dead!)

Non-Fiction:  
Vengeance: The True Story of an Israeli Counter-Terrorist Team by George Jonas

Cartoon of the Day: Cat Winter Olympics

 

AUTHORS & THEIR CATS: James Joyce

Happy Caturday! Authors & their Cats: James Joyce

Be sure to scroll down for some fascinating information on James Joyces's cat fiction!

You may not know this, but James Joyce was a big cat lover and children's book author, as well as adult fiction writer.

There are two versions of The Cat and the Devil (1981), both based on a letter James Joyce wrote to his grandson Stephen in 1936 and illustrated by French artist Blachon. The UK edition was published earlier and illustrated by Gerald Rose. They're both wonderful, but I prefer the UK edition.

Another wonderful Joyce cat story is The Cats of Copenhagen, also based on another letter to Stephen which was found posthumously and published in 2012. Anastasia Herbert of Ithys Press first published the book in Ireland with a 200 copy illustrated print run. In early August 1936, Joyce had sent his grandson ‘a little cat filled with sweets’ – a kind of Trojan cat to outwit the grown-ups (see above). A few weeks later, while in Copenhagen and probably after hunting for another  gift, Joyce penned ‘Cats’, which begins: ‘Alas! I cannot send you a Copenhagen cat because there are no cats in Copenhagen.’ Surely there were cats in Copenhagen! But perhaps not ones filled with candy. The story proceeds to describe a Copenhagen in which things are not what they seem…There is definitely an adult subtext here: note the 'fat cat'

CWA Diamond Dagger: Mark Billingham

Crime Writers' Association (CWA) 2026 Diamond Dagger. This award “recognises authors whose crime-writing careers have been marked by sustained excellence, and who have made a significant contribution to the genre.” 

MARK BILLINGHAM

Sleepyhead introduced Detective Inspector Tom Thorne, leading to a further 18 books in Billingham's series, which was adapted to screen by Sky 1 in 2010, starring David Morrissey as Thorne. The latest Thorne book, What the Night Brings, was published in June 2025 - Billingham’s 25th book.

Mark Billingham said: “Presuming this is not an administrative error, I could not be more thrilled or honoured. To be added to a list that features most of my literary heroes is fantastic. That so many are also friends is the icing on the cake and, for me, a mark of how very special the crime-writing community is.”

HT: The Rap Sheet

SUPER BOWL: Super Bowl Crime Fiction & Football Mysteries

It's no longer just Super Bowl Sunday--it's Super Bowl Week! The game this year is being played in San Francisco - -but it's not. The game will actually be held in Santa Clara, some 30 miles south of the City. But that isn't stopping the City of San Francisco from celebrating. Lots of special events, concerts, and street closures. I am not going into the City this week! 

But that's not stopping me from posting Super Bowl Mysteries.There is a lot of real crime surrounding the Super Bowl: drugs, money, gambling, egos, and so much more. All fodder for the crime writer. So in 'honor' of the Super Bowl, I've updated my lists of Super Bowl and other Football Mysteries. These are in no way definitive lists -- just some football crime fiction for you to enjoy in case you're not watching the Super Bowl! And, you have a full week to read them all! As always, I welcome additions!

If you're interested in other Sports Mysteries and essays on Football Mysteries, Mystery Readers Journal has had several Sports Mysteries issues. The last Sports Mysteries Issue of MRJ was Volume 25:4 (Winter 2009-2010). Available as PDF download

Super Bowl Mysteries

The Hidden Key by George Harmon Coxe
Super-Dude by John Craig
Cover-Up: Mystery at the Super Bowl by John Feinstein (YA)
Black Sunday by Thomas Harris
Paydirt by Paul Levine
The Last Super Bowl by Robin Moore & David Harper
4th and Fixed by Reggie Rivers
Murder at the Super Bowl by Fran Tarkenton and Herb Resnicow
Life's Work by Jonathan Valin
Killerbowl by Gary K. Wolf

Movie:  
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)
 
Other Football Mysteries (not including British Football, of which there are many titles)

The Professor by Robert Bailey
Memory Man; The Might Johns by David Baldacci

Rough and Tumble by Mark Bavaro
Pass Judgment by Jerry Brewer
Sweeper by Steve Bruce 
Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben
Coliseum by Barney Cohen
Et Tu Brady by Joseph Collum

Football is Murder by Kathy Cranston
All Saints Day: A New Orleans Football Mystery by Sean Patrick Doles
Backfield Boys by John Feinstein

Under the Stadium Lights by Hunter Mills Gallo

Day of the Ram by William Campbell Gault
Murder at Cleaver Stadium by Douglas Lee Gibboney
Quarterback Trap by Dallas Gorham
Double Reverse; Ruffians by Tim Green
Playing for Pizza; Bleachers by John Grisham
Bleeding Maize and Blue by Susan Holtzer
Crown of All Virtues by Reece Kepler
The Prophet by Michael Koryta
Two-Minute Warning by George LaFountaine
Bump and Run by Mike Lupica
The Draft by Wil Mara
Dead Ball Foul by Kayla McGrady
A Cardinal Offense by Ralph McInerny
Parker's Blood by William Miller
Foul Play; Dead Ball; Off Side; Killer Pass; Foul Play: Own Goal by Tom Palmer

12th of Never by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
The Jook by Gary Phillips
Foul by Will J. Robson

Winter and Night by S. J. Rozan
A Nutcracker Nightmare by Christina Romeril
Sudden Death by David Rosenfelt
Marked Man; Red Card by Mel Stein

The Footballer by Ben Stevens
The Football Manager Murders by Chris Tookey
A Touch of Death by Charles Williams

Short Stories:  

The Mighty Johns, edited by Otto Penzler

Nonfiction: 
Scoreboard, Baby: A Story of College Football, Crime and Complicity by Ken Armstrong and Nick Perry (winner of the 2011 Edgar for Best Fact Crime)
All-American Murder by James Patterson & Alex Abramovich

Children's:

Bones and the Football Mystery by David A. Adler, Barbara Johansen Newman (Illustrator)
The Mystery of the Stolen Football by T. J. Edwards, Charles Tang (Illustrator)
The Big Bling Blitz; The Two-Minute Warning by David A. Kelly

The Football Fiasco by Mike Lupica
Courtney Case and the Missing Football by Jeannie Meekins

International Thriller Writers Thriller Award Finalists!!

The International Thriller Writers Thriller Award Finalists! Congratulations to all!

𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐋

-Megan Collins – CROSS MY HEART

-Ruth Knafo Setton – ZIGZAG GIRL

-Gilly Macmillan – THE BURNING LIBRARY

-Sarah Pekkanen – THE LOCKED WARD

-Olivia Worley – SO HAPPY TOGETHER

𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐋

-James Byrne – CHAIN REACTION

-Robert Crais – THE BIG EMPTY

-John McMahon – HEAD CASES

-Christopher Reich – THE TOURISTS

-Vincent Zandri – TERMINAL MOONLIGHT

𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐋

-Chris Chibnall – DEATH AT THE WHITE HART

-Kelsey Cox – PARTY OF LIARS

-Sophie Stava – COUNT MY LIES

-Zoe B. Wallbrook – HISTORY LESSONS

-Liann Zhang – JULIE CHAN IS DEAD

𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐈𝐎𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊

-S. A. Cosby – KING OF ASHES, Narrated by Adam Lazarre-White

-Mark Edwards – THE WASP TRAP, Narrated by John Hopkins, Anna Burnett

-Marisa Kashino – BEST OFFER WINS, Narrated by Cia Court

-Xan Kaur – WHEN DEVILS SING, Narrated by Michael Crouch, Anjali Kunapaneni, Jennifer Pickens, Landon Woodson

-CN Mabry, N'Dia Rae – THE CHEATER'S WIFE, Narrated by Ruffin Prentiss, Machelle Williams

-Michael Robotham – THE WHITE CROW, Narrated by Katy Sobey

𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐃𝐔𝐋𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐋

-Liz Lawson – MURDER BETWEEN FRIENDS

-Margot McGovern – THIS STAYS BETWEEN US

-Clay McLeod Chapman – SHINY HAPPY PEOPLE

-Diana Rodriguez Wallach – THE SILENCED

-Julie Soto – THE THRASHERS

𝐁𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘

-Katrina Carrasco – LEVEL UP (Bywater Books)

-Scott William Carter – THE SEDUCTION OF DR. DIMENSION (Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine)

-Lee Child – ELEVEN NUMBERS (Amazon Original Stories)

-David Lagercrantz – FALSE NOTE (Amazon Original Stories)

-Jessica Van Dessel – THE VIOLENT SEASON (Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine)

FATHER BROWN Season 13 News

Father Brown, Season 13, is finally airing (February 3) on Britbox here in the U.S (one episode a week). There are 10 episodes. So glad it's not limited to 4 or even 3 episodes like so many series are these days. Several new settings and plots, too, in this season, including a trip to the seaside. Mrs McCarthy (Sorcha Cusack) returns in the first episode, and there are many guest stars. Nancy Carroll will show up as Lady Felicia once again, although not in all episodes (darn), and John Light continues his role as the infamous Hercule Flambeau. I am so missing Bunty. Of course, Mark Williams continues to play Father Brown.  

Re: BritBox premier vs. "regular" subscription: Premier only gives you a two week viewing lead on Father Brown, and episodes are dropped weekly, just as on 'regular' Britbox. Is Britbox finally listening to its subscribers? We'll see. 

DERRINGER AWARD BEST ANTHOLOGY FINALISTS 2026

Derringer Award: 2026 Best Anthology Finalists

The Short Mystery Fiction Society is a group of writers, readers, editors, publishers, and others dedicated to the promotion and celebration of mystery and crime short stories. 

The winning anthology will be determined via member vote in April and announced May 1. Derringer Award medals will be presented in October at Bouchercon in Calgary, Alberta.

The finalists for the 2026 Best Anthology Derringer Award are

Crimeucopia - The Not So Frail Detective Agency

Edited by John Connor, Murderous Ink Press)

Gone Fishin': Crime Takes a Holiday, The Eighth Guppy Anthology

Edited by James M. Jackson, Wolf's Echo Press

Hollywood Kills: An Anthology

Edited by Adam Meyer & Alan Orloff, Level Best Books - Level Short

Midnight Schemers & Daydream Believers: 22 Stories of Mystery & Suspense: A Superior Shores Anthology

Edited by Judy Penz Sheluk, Superior Shores Press

On Fire and Under Water: A Climate Change Crime Fiction Anthology

Edited by Curtis Ippolito, Rock and a Hard Place Press

SoWest: Danger Awaits! A Desert Sleuths Anthology

Edited by Claire A. Murray, Eva Eldridge, Suzanne E. Flaig, Denise Ganley, and Sarah Smith, DS Publishing

***

Judges are currently evaluating 495 story submissions to determine the finalists in four categories. Finalista will be announced April 1. The winners will be determined via member vote in April and announced May 1. 

The story categories are

• Best Flash Story (Up to 1,000 words)
• Best Short Story (1,001 to 4,000 words)
• Best Long Story (4,001 to 8,000 words)
• Best Novelette (8,001 to 2

Cartoon of the Day: Ground Hog Day

Every Day is Ground Hog Day when you have a cat! Thanks, Simon's Cat.

Dog Show Mysteries: WESTMINSTER DOG SHOW

The 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show starts tonight and continues through February 3 in New York City, The Show featuries thousands of dogs, agility, and obedience competitions to celebrate its milestone anniversary. It will be live-streaming. 

In honor of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, and keeping in mind how important dogs can be to mysteries and in our lives, I am posting a list of Mysteries set at Dog Shows. 

You might want to check out Mystery Readers Journal Animals in Mysteries issue. Available as a PDF. 

As always, let me know any titles/authors I missed.

MYSTERIES SET AT DOG SHOWS

Game of Dog Bones and other books in the Melanie Travis series by Laurien Berenson
Death at the Dog Show by Peter Boland

The Boxcar Children: The Mystery at the Dog Show by Gertrude Chandler
The Case of the Deadly Dog Show by Catherine Coles

Hounds of the Hollywood Baskervilles by Elizabeth Crowens

Fashion Goes to the Dogs by Peggy Gaffney
Final Entry and others (Murder at the Dog Show series) by Karen Harbert
Death and the Dog Show by Susan Harper 
Murder at Ring 5; Judged To Death by LF Hembree

Death by Dog Show by Arlene Kay
Nancy Drew Diaries by Carolyn Keene

The Deadly Dog Show by Jerold Last

Buried to the Brim by Jenn McKinlay

Death & Dog Shows by Tammy Tyree

The Kennel Club Murder Case by S.S. Van Dine