Here are 7 books that A New Lease on Death fans have personally recommended if you like A New Lease on Death. Book DNA is a community of 12,000+ authors and super readers sharing their favorite books with the world.

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Book cover of The Enchanted Garden Cafe

Misty Simon Author Of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Lies

From Misty's 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author

Misty's 3 favorite reads in 2024

Misty Simon Why Misty loves this book

Abigail Drake is one of my favorite authors and she did not disappoint with the first book in this new to me series. I'm not always a big women's fiction reader but I gave it a chance and I am so happy I did. Could not put it down!

By Abigail Drake ,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Enchanted Garden Cafe as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

She knew trouble when she saw it, and he was definitely trouble.

After spending years dealing with her flighty mother, a café on the edge of ruin, a misbehaving backyard fountain, and tea that may or may not be increasing the libido of her elderly neighbors, Fiona Campbell has had enough. She’s ready to move out, get away from her mother and all the craziness that accompanies her, and start a life of her own. The last thing she needs is another complication, especially one like Matthew Monroe.

When he walks through their door with a guitar on his back…


If you love A New Lease on Death...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Book cover of Crime and Parchment

Misty Simon Author Of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Lies

From Misty's 3 favorite reads in 2024.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author

Misty's 3 favorite reads in 2024

Misty Simon Why Misty loves this book

I love a good cozy mystery and Daphne Silver gave me that plus so much more. Her characters are people you'd want to find and have tea with and the story was both twisty and awesome. She deftly wove in the history aspects and kept me turning pages.

By Daphne Silver ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Crime and Parchment as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

***Nominated for the Agatha Award for Best First Mystery Novel***
Rare books librarian Juniper Blume knows this much...an ancient Celtic manuscript shouldn't be in a Maryland cemetery. But that's exactly what her brother-in-law claims.


Last year, Juniper saw the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells in Ireland. She learned how their bejeweled covers were stolen centuries ago, never to be seen again. So how could they have ended up in Rose Mallow, a small Chesapeake Bay town? Being Jewish, the Book of Kells might not be her sacred text, but as a rare books librarian, the ancient book is still sacred to…


Book cover of Written in Dead Wax

Diane Vallere Author Of My Nightmare Is Yours

From my list on humorous mysteries that take you inside the music industry.

Why am I passionate about this?

I love old records: there’s a romance to thinking about who originally owned them, where they were listened to, what life soundtrack they defined. My connection to the music industry is tenuous at best. I’ve been in recording studios, helped load equipment in and out of gigs—roadie duty?—designed liner notes, and even performed as a backup singer in a pick-up band of coworkers from the retailer where I worked. (We had two gigs.) I also like when humor is used in mysteries to offset the darkness of murder and define a character—how he or she will get through the challenge. I hope you enjoy the books on this list as much as I have!

Diane's book list on humorous mysteries that take you inside the music industry

Diane Vallere Why Diane loves this book

I love reading mysteries where I also get to go a little deeper into a character’s interests or passions (especially when I share that interest but only at the most surface level).

I’ve dug through my share of old records, and I was intrigued by the idea that an old record could contain clues to a mystery. Plus, I loved the author’s voice. 

By Andrew Cartmel ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Written in Dead Wax as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

He is a record collector - a connoisseur of vinyl, hunting out rare and elusive LPs. His business card describes him as the "Vinyl Detective" and some people take this more literally than others. Like the beautiful, mysterious woman who wants to pay him a large sum of money to find a priceless lost recording on behalf of an extremely wealthy, yet shadowy, client. So begins a painful and dangerous odyssey in search of the rarest jazz record of them all...


If you love Olivia Blacke...

Book cover of Dark Fae Outcast

Dark Fae Outcast by Autumn M. Birt,

Trapped in our world, the fae are dying from drugs, contaminants, and hopelessness. Kicked out of the dark fae court for tainting his body and magic, Riasg only wants one thing: to die a bit faster. It’s already the end of his world, after all.

But while scoring his last…

Book cover of Vinyl Resting Place

Diane Vallere Author Of My Nightmare Is Yours

From my list on humorous mysteries that take you inside the music industry.

Why am I passionate about this?

I love old records: there’s a romance to thinking about who originally owned them, where they were listened to, what life soundtrack they defined. My connection to the music industry is tenuous at best. I’ve been in recording studios, helped load equipment in and out of gigs—roadie duty?—designed liner notes, and even performed as a backup singer in a pick-up band of coworkers from the retailer where I worked. (We had two gigs.) I also like when humor is used in mysteries to offset the darkness of murder and define a character—how he or she will get through the challenge. I hope you enjoy the books on this list as much as I have!

Diane's book list on humorous mysteries that take you inside the music industry

Diane Vallere Why Diane loves this book

Another favorite trope of mine is reading about how characters run their small business.

This series has sisters who own a record shop (what fun!) and is cozy. The town and family elements made it easy to immerse myself in the book’s world.

In the real world, it seems like record store owners are mostly male, so the idea of sisters taking over this one made it unique. 

By Olivia Blacke ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Vinyl Resting Place as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

First in a new series by Olivia Blacke, Vinyl Resting Place follows three sisters who discover that opening a family business can be murder.

"A charming cozy for a new generation of mystery readers . . . Vinyl Resting Place is a delight!" –Elle Cosimano, USA Today bestselling author of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It

"Vinyl Resting Place is bolstered by the sisters' genuine bond, colorful personalities, and not-so-gentle conflicts. It's a winning combination." -New York Times Book Review

When Juni Jessup and her sisters Tansy and Maggie put all their beans in one basket to open Sip & Spin…


Book cover of Wreck Your Heart

Diane Vallere Author Of My Nightmare Is Yours

From my list on humorous mysteries that take you inside the music industry.

Why am I passionate about this?

I love old records: there’s a romance to thinking about who originally owned them, where they were listened to, what life soundtrack they defined. My connection to the music industry is tenuous at best. I’ve been in recording studios, helped load equipment in and out of gigs—roadie duty?—designed liner notes, and even performed as a backup singer in a pick-up band of coworkers from the retailer where I worked. (We had two gigs.) I also like when humor is used in mysteries to offset the darkness of murder and define a character—how he or she will get through the challenge. I hope you enjoy the books on this list as much as I have!

Diane's book list on humorous mysteries that take you inside the music industry

Diane Vallere Why Diane loves this book

I’m a fan of characters who have messy lives that need fixing, and that’s Dahlia “Doll” Devine (lead singer of a country band).

Instead of the record side of the industry, this one gives us the grimy dive bar version with a house all-girl band. I easily pictured being up there on stage with Dahlia (drums, maybe? tambourine?). There’s a strong character growth arc, too, which was satisfying.

By Lori Rader-Day ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Wreck Your Heart as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

From award-winning author Lori Rader-Day, Wreck Your Heart is an engaging, “wisecracking and wonderful” crime novel with a big heart, about a country and midwestern singer out to catch her big break before family―or murder―wrecks everything.

Dahlia “Doll” Devine had the kind of hardscrabble beginning that could launch a thousand broken-hearted country songs, but now she’s the star of her own stage at McPhee’s Tavern. As part of Chicago’s―yes, Chicago’s―country music scene, Dahlia is an up-and-coming singer in spangles and boots of classic country tunes. Up and coming, that is, until her boyfriend Joey up and went, taking the rent…


Book cover of Deadly Maybe

Diane Vallere Author Of My Nightmare Is Yours

From my list on humorous mysteries that take you inside the music industry.

Why am I passionate about this?

I love old records: there’s a romance to thinking about who originally owned them, where they were listened to, what life soundtrack they defined. My connection to the music industry is tenuous at best. I’ve been in recording studios, helped load equipment in and out of gigs—roadie duty?—designed liner notes, and even performed as a backup singer in a pick-up band of coworkers from the retailer where I worked. (We had two gigs.) I also like when humor is used in mysteries to offset the darkness of murder and define a character—how he or she will get through the challenge. I hope you enjoy the books on this list as much as I have!

Diane's book list on humorous mysteries that take you inside the music industry

Diane Vallere Why Diane loves this book

This book was so much fun!

It’s a parody of Noel and Liam Gallagher, who famously have a somewhat troubled sibling relationship (putting it mildly), running around London to solve a murder. I’m not the most well-versed Oasis fan, but I know enough about them to have gotten a kick out of this.

It was a fast read, and I finished it in about a day. I don’t mind cursing in a humorous mystery, and frankly, I don’t think you could do this story justice without the F-bombs. 

By Phillip Mottaz ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Deadly Maybe as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"If you wish cozy mysteries had more f-bombs, this series is for you. I definitely recommend it-no maybe about it." Andrew Shaffer, New York Times bestselling author of HOPE NEVER DIES: AN OBAMA BIDEN MYSTERY

Noel & Liam Reunited? Definitely... Maybe.

Prayers have been answered. Hell has frozen over. The Gallagher brothers have finally gotten back together. Only it's not to play music - it's to solve a murder. Recently, the club of celebrities-turned-sleuths has exploded with names like Barack Obama, Queen Elizabeth II and Taylor Swift appearing on the list. Liam and Noel add a touch of rock n'…


If you love A New Lease on Death...

Book cover of Everyday Medical Miracles: True Stories from the Frontlines in Women’s Health Care

Everyday Medical Miracles by Joseph S. Sanfilippo (editor),

Frontiers of Women from the healthcare perspective. A compilation of 60 true short stories written by an extensive array of healthcare providers, physicians, and advanced practice providers.

All designed to give you, the reader, a glimpse into the day-to-day activities of all of us who provide your health care. Come…

Book cover of Little Elvises

Diane Vallere Author Of My Nightmare Is Yours

From my list on humorous mysteries that take you inside the music industry.

Why am I passionate about this?

I love old records: there’s a romance to thinking about who originally owned them, where they were listened to, what life soundtrack they defined. My connection to the music industry is tenuous at best. I’ve been in recording studios, helped load equipment in and out of gigs—roadie duty?—designed liner notes, and even performed as a backup singer in a pick-up band of coworkers from the retailer where I worked. (We had two gigs.) I also like when humor is used in mysteries to offset the darkness of murder and define a character—how he or she will get through the challenge. I hope you enjoy the books on this list as much as I have!

Diane's book list on humorous mysteries that take you inside the music industry

Diane Vallere Why Diane loves this book

I enjoyed the character of Junior Bender in the first book in this series, and I loved this one even more.

Junior is one of those wrong-side-turned-right-side-of-the-law characters, and sometimes it’s fun to ride shotgun with a character who gets his hands dirty. Rounding out the music industry connection is an old record producer who had some sketchy business dealings back in the sixties.

I confess, just the mention of the sixties for the backstory was enough for me (I love experiencing that era through different stories), and with an already-loved protagonist, I was all in.

By Timothy Hallinan ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Little Elvises as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

JUNIOR BENDER UNTANGLES ONE OF THE WEIRDEST MYSTERIES IN TINSELTOWN
 
LA burglar Junior Bender has (unfortunately) developed a reputation as a competent private investigator for crooks. The unfortunate part about this is that regardless of whether he solves the crime or not, someone dangerous is going to be unhappy with him, either his suspect or his employer.
 
Now Junior is being bullied into proving aging music industry mogul Vinnie DiGaudio is innocent of the murder of a nasty tabloid journalist he'd threatened to kill a couple times. It doesn’t help that the dead journalist’s widow is one pretty lady, and…


Book cover of The Enchanted Garden Cafe
Book cover of Crime and Parchment
Book cover of Written in Dead Wax

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