by Philip Eliot | Feb 7, 2026 | Crime Fiction |
The lawyer who inspired the HBO series unravels a mystery surrounding a back-from-the-dead banker in “one of the best of the Perry Mason tales” ( The New York Times ). Helen Kendal’s woes begin when she receives a phone call from her vanished uncle Franklin, long presumed dead, who urges her to contact criminal defense attorney Perry Mason; soon after, she finds herself the main suspect in the murder of an unfamiliar man. Her kitten has just survived a poisoning attempt, as has her aunt Matilda, the woman who always maintained that Franklin was alive. Lucky that Helen took her uncle’s advice?Mason immediately takes her as a client. But while it’s clear that the occurrences are connected, and that their connection will prove her innocence, the links are too obscure to be recognized even by the attorney’s brilliantly deductive mind. Risking disbarment for his unorthodox methods, he endeavors to outwit the police and solve the puzzle himself, enlisting the help of his secretary Della Street, his private eye Paul Drake, and the unlikely but invaluable aid of a careless but very clever kitten in the process. The Case of the Careless Kitten is one of the most acclaimed cases in the iconic Perry Mason series, which need not be read in any particular order, from Edgar Award winner Erle Stanley Gardner. “This vintage case shows America’s lawyer taking on a delightfully unexpected role. There’s strong supporting work by the eponymous kitten, to boot.” — Kirkus Reviews “Races along at breakneck speed . . . eccentric characters, complex motives, and—as always—a delicately nuanced presentation of the special relationship between Perry and his faithful secretary.” — Publishers Weekly
by Philip Eliot | Feb 7, 2026 | Crime Fiction |
Leigh Brody returns to her hometown when a body is found marked with her name. Will it give her the chance to solve a mystery that has shadowed her life for years? It’s been twenty years since Leigh found the murdered body of her twelve-year-old brother, Troy. Her father was arrested for the crime, but she never accepted that he did it. Her hunt for the real killer almost cost her everything… Now working for the FBI, Leigh is called back to New Hampshire when a series of copycat crimes are committed. Only the killer has left a very specific calling card, a plastic army figurine, the same as the one she found on Troy’s body, and carved into its base: Leigh’s name . This case is as personal as it gets, and this time, Leigh is determined to make the right person pay. But when another child goes missing, can she dig deep into her past to find the clue she missed years ago and put a monster behind bars for good? An addictive, edge-of-your seat crime thriller with a twist you will not see coming. An unputdownable read for fans of Rachel Caine, Lisa Regan, and A.J. Rivers. Praise for The Girl Who Survived: “Just when you’ve peeled back one layer, this twisty suspense reveals another. Readers are going to love Leigh Brody!” Debra Webb, USA Today bestseller “I’m still recovering from reading this book!… A fast-paced thriller that picks up speed and doesn’t stop… By the end of the book, I realized I had been holding my breath at some point and actually made myself dizzy! ” Reader review, ?????????? “ OMG this was a rollercoaster ride! … I honestly believe this is the best book I have read so far this year!” Reader review, ?????????? “Holy cow!!! This book was absolutely amazing!!! I am still thinking about this book…the ending!!! If you love a good plot twist or two…THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU!!!!” Reader review, ?????????? “Oh my heavens… So intense that you will lose track of time . This is one of my top reads for the year .” Reader review, ?????????? “Like all the greatest books the conclusion is stunning and a total surprise . I can’t recommend this book highly enough a 10-star book in my eyes.” Reader review, ?????????? “If you like Criminal Minds or Law & Order this is the perfect book for you. I was obsessed with following this crime and the twists were INSANE! ” Reader review, ?????????? “WOW. So many twists I did not see coming. So much action packed into one book. I absolutely loved this book…The ending had me absolutely shook .” Reader review, ?????????? “The writers of Criminal Minds have nothing on Nichole Severn. Wow! … I literally felt the tension in this story so much that I found myself clenching my jaw and holding my breath … I am in awe at how good this book was .” Reader review, ?????????? “ Read it in 24 hours, I was so hooked .” Reader review, ?????????? “ Wow! Wow! Wow! … Great FBI procedural, great characters, great pacing and plot.” Reader review, ?????????? “So many twists in this book that my mind is reeling!! The suspense takes the reader’s breath away, and then the finale!!! Wow!! Unreal. I recommend 100% .” Reader review, ?????????? “ Absolutely Brilliant! I had the best time reading this book… It was quick, fast paced and engaging with an explosive ending. This book played like a movie in the mind the whole entire time I read it.” Reader review, ?????????? “ Fantastic! I read this one in almost a single sitting! It was so hard to put down! ” Reader review, ??????????
by Philip Eliot | Feb 7, 2026 | Crime Fiction |
Three Texas river murders. One former sheriff seeking justice. Clean mysteries in the classic tradition. This collection includes the prequel plus books 1-2, following Fen Maguire’s transition from Newman County Sheriff to private investigator as he solves his most challenging cases along Texas waterways. Murder On Shinbone Creek With ten days left as sheriff, Fen Maguire faces an impossible murder: a hunter shot through the back while twenty feet up in his deer stand. When evidence points to his own ranch manager, Fen must solve his final case or retire with a killer on the loose. Murder On The Brazos Nine months into retirement, Fen’s peace is shattered when a body floats down the Brazos River. Called back to investigate, he discovers the victim’s death threatens to expose secrets powerful people want buried—and they’ll kill to keep them that way. Murder On The Angelina On his first PI case, Fen Maguire poses as an art teacher to investigate a championship paintball team terrorizing local truckers. When the team leader is murdered during a match, Fen must determine who wanted the victim dead—his victims or his own team. Texas settings. Classic detection. Clean mysteries. Follow Fen Maguire from sheriff to PI in three compelling murder investigations.
by Philip Eliot | Feb 7, 2026 | Historical Romance |
Girl misses train – catches a ride backwards in time Journalist Zara Wiseman discovers an unexpected story for Feminine Smile Magazine when she finds herself transported back to 1910 and becomes Lady Rebecca. Initially the 24-year-old believes her quest is to save Rebecca from an arranged marriage to Sir Richard Cavendish but soon realises he’s not the true villain. As Zara unearths two deadly dark secrets, she fears Rebecca and Sir Richard’s lives could be in danger. Torn between travelling back in time to save Rebecca and Richard and leaving her own life behind, Zara summons all her strength to fulfil her mission. With a dual timeline slipping between present day and 1910, Zara is caught in a love triangle with dishy boyfriend, Scott, and Sir Richard, the dashing and devoted gentleman. Can Zara accomplish her mission? Will she find her way back home? Will she want to?
by Philip Eliot | Feb 7, 2026 | Cozy Mystery |
Charlie Kingsley’s tea customers have two things in common: They rave about her teas. AND they have a knack for attracting trouble. There’s never been a connection between the two … until now. One night, one of Charlie’s customers passes out, only to wake up to her fiancé dead in her home and no memory of what happened the night before. But one thing she DOES remember is drinking a cup of Charlie’s tea. Charlie knows it wasn’t the tea, but everyone else is suddenly blaming her, so she has no choice but to get to the bottom of this mysterious death. Meet Charlie. Better known as “Aunt Charlie” from the award-winning Secrets of Redemption series. She’s back, making teas and solving cases in this funny, twisty, cozy mystery series set in the 1990s in Redemption, Wisconsin. While each book is a standalone, you may find it more enjoyable to read the books in order, which is: The Murder Before Christmas Ice Cold Murder Murder Next Door Murder Among Friends The Murder of Sleepy Hollow Red Hot Murder A Cornucopia of Murder Arson, Old Lace and Murder (coming 2026) Masquerading as Murder (coming 2026) Other books in the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series include: A Grave Error (prequel) Loch Ness Murder A Wedding to Murder For Three French Hens and a Murder A Room For Murder Margaritas and Murder (coming October 2025) Secret Santa Murder (coming 2026)
