It's hard to believe it's that time again--the holidays are here along with the traditional month of Season's Readings giveaways from Killer Characters.
Read and comment, and you'll have a chance to win. Tell me which you like best, contemporary or historical mysteries and why.
One winner will receive a copy of "Smoke and Mirrors," the Miss Barnum mystery by Casey Daniels.
Another winner will get a special treat--an advanced copy of "The Scent of Murder," a new contemporary mystery coming in May.
To help you make up your mind, here's a little about each book:
"Smoke and Mirrors" takes readers back to New York City, 1842, to a place that still sets peoples imaginations soaring--PT Barnum's American Museum. The place is a wonder, five floors filled with wonders, antiquities, and humbugs! Barnum's (fictional) sister, Evie, helps him run the museum and as it opens, an old friend of hers stops by asking for help. Evie has secrets, and she can't risk them coming to light. She tells her friend she can't help him and hurries away. The next time she sees him, he's dead under the display of Barnum's famous Feejee Mermaid. Evie feels responsible and along with some of the "human oddities" who inhabit the museum, she sets out to investigate.
"The Scent of Murder" is the first book of a new contemporary mystery series set in Cleveland's Tremont neighborhood and featuring cadaver dog handler, Jazz Ramsey. When Jazz sets out to train a dog for urban searches, she never imagines she'll end up finding the body of a former student from the school where she works, or that her investigation will bring her face to face with danger, murder, and an old lover.
We'll be choosing winners on Friday, December 7, at 5 and the winners names will be posted. Don't forget to include your email address in your post so we can get in touch with you.
Merry Christmas!
Posts
I thought I was firmly entrenched in the Golden Age of Mystery and tended to read books that harken back to that era, as omitting the gorey details. However, Pepper dragged me into the 21st Century.
ReplyShe'll be thrilled to hear it!
Both these titles look good! Thanks for the chance. Maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyI enjoy both types of mysteries, contemporary being my favourite. Thank you for the giveaway.
Reply[email protected]
I do like both with historical being my favorite. I like time traveling through the pages of a book.
Replydebby236 at gmail dot com
I enjoy both, although I tend to read more contemporary mysteries. Both of these look great though! mbradeen [at] yahoo [dot] com
ReplyDo you have to really choose? I love to read them both. Historical because they can be educational and/or give a glimpse into another time. Contemporary because they are in a time we can greatly relate to, places we may have been or wish we could go. IF I had to definitely pick one over the other, then I would have to say that contemporary slightly edges ahead purely because I read this form more but I think that is because there are more of them. :)
ReplyThank you for the chance to win a copy of either "Smoke and Mirrors" or "The Scent of Murder" in your most generous giveaway of two books!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
I enjoy contemporary mysteries more. I just seem to have trouble getting into historical mysteries.
Replysgiden at verizon(.)net
I am fascinated by historical mysteries because of the eras being portrayed and the lifestyles. The story gives me an escape to another time and place. Smoke and Mirrors would be great for the era and the locale. Both mysteries sound intriguing and captivating. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyI love contemporary mysteries but adore historicals since I love being transported to another period. The enjoyment of reading an enthralling novel from then and not now gives me pleasure. Smoke and Mirrors would do that for me. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyI like contemporary mysteries more.
Replykkat(dot)edwards(at)gmail(dot)com
I enjoy reading many contemporary and historical mysteries/series - it's impossible to choose one over the other.
Replyjtcgc at yahoo dot com
The Scent of Murder appeals to me because of the cadaver dog. I am more of a contemporary reader too.
Replybrowninggloria(at)hotmail(com)
I enjoy both kinds of mysteries.
ReplyAt the moment I'm leaning towards historical for a change of pace.
libbydodd at comcast dot net
Both of these sound great! I do have a fascination with historical mysteries though. acate9(at)utk(dot)edu
ReplyI enjoy both historical and contemporary mysteries. I always seem to learn something fascinating about an earlier time period in a historical mystery, but I also like contemporary mysteries.
Replydiannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
I enjoy all types of mysteries. The historical are interesting because you can learn a little as well as enjoy the mystery.
Reply[email protected]
Looks like we're split about even between contemp and historical. We'll see what tomorrow's comments have to say!
ReplyI'm in favor of both types of mysteries. Historical settings are very educational for me most of the time & I do like to learn! Thanks for the chance to win! sxygrndma48{at}yahoo{dot}com
ReplyI like both historical and contemporary. Thanks for the chance.
Replyematov (at) comcast (dot) net
I like contemporary . I would love to read The Scent of Murder. Thank you for this chance. 1cow0993(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyI prefer more contemporary mysteries, just because the settings are more familiar to me. Thank you for the chance to win! aut1063(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyI like both & have favorites in each genre. Thanks for the giveaway. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyI read both all the time. I usually alternate back and forth to mix things up a bit. suepete12 at yahoo dot com
ReplyWow - I have a framed poster from the PT Barnum's American Museum in my home library purchased when I visted Sarasota in 2004 AND I paint....mermaids! I have always been fascinated by Barnum's Feejee Mermaid so I am so looking forward to Casey Daniel's "Smoke and Mirrors in 2019 - if I win the draw today that would be lovely!
ReplyI like both also. Sometimes it is more the way it is written than background...and then in historical it may only be certain periods you are interested in...so both...
ReplyMarilyn [email protected]
I enjoy a mix of historical and contemporary. Reading historical mysteries that include real individuals seems to give it more validity, and I find myself checking out sources to learn more about those individuals. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity. kuzlin(at)aol(dot)com
ReplyI go back and forth, though I must admit, a good historical about a time period that fascinates me, gets me every time. There is a magical feeling of being pulled into another time and place that is reminiscent of when I read books as a child. Everything was new (or old) and a great adventure was about to begin. And when it was a mystery, nothing could be more perfect.
ReplyBoth of these stories interest me, but I like how you incorporate familiar places to Clevelanders into your books. They really hold my attention. Congratulations on your new book!
ReplyMust I choose? I enjoy both historical mysteries for the atmosphere and historical detail, and contemporary for the settings and characters I can relate to. I've read Smoke and Mirrors so I have my fingers crossed to win The Scent of Murder. Thank you for the chance. Dmskrug3 at hotmail dot com
ReplyFinally posting my winners! Deb ([email protected]), you win a copy of Kylie Logan's "The Scent of Murder."
ReplyThe Lovely Betty . . . you're my winner for "Smoke and Mirrors." However, you didn't include an email address. I'll give you until 5 pm (eastern) on Sunday, December 9 to contact me with that. If not, I'll choose another winner.
Thank you all for your comments. Happy Reading!