Why am I passionate about this?

As a romance, romantic comedy, and cozy mystery writer, I not only have a passion for the swoon-worthy moments when I’m creating them but crave them as a reader. There are so many great books out there but chemistry, particularly between a main character and her love interest, is what really makes me want more of a series. It’s not always easy to create that sigh-worthy-make-you-smile element of romance and love in a book that is geared toward solving a murder so I really appreciate when it’s done well. It’s not only enjoyable for me as a reader but a great example for me as a writer. 


I wrote

Home Is Where the Body Is

By Jody Holford,

Book cover of Home Is Where the Body Is

What is my book about?

When graphic designer and true crime fan Annie Abbott agrees to house sit her parents’ home for a year, she’s…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Crêpes of Wrath

Jody Holford Why did I love this book?

In this first of the Pancake House series, we meet Marley, who comes to town to help out with her cousin’s restaurant. Immediately, Fox draws us in with relatable characters, a charming town, and that wonderful blend of new and old. For Marley, this isn’t her hometown so she has an outsider’s perspective but it is a place she spent many summers so she also has those memories that make the place more meaningful. The love interest is Brett, who she knows from those long ago summer days and as fun as the sleuthing is, the connection between these two kept me coming back for more. 

By Sarah Fox,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Crêpes of Wrath as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

USA TODAY BESTSELLER • In the debut of a delightful cozy mystery series, Sarah Fox introduces a charming new heroine who finds herself in a sticky situation: stacking pancakes, pouring coffee, and investigating murder.

Bonus content: includes original recipes inspired by the Flip Side Pancake House menu!

When Marley McKinney’s aging cousin, Jimmy, is hospitalized with pneumonia, she agrees to help run his pancake house while he recovers. With its rustic interior and syrupy scent, the Flip Side Pancake House is just as she pictured it—and the surly chef is a wizard with crêpes. Marley expects to spend a leisurely…


Book cover of Knit One, Murder Two

Jody Holford Why did I love this book?

This book immediately drew me in because the main character is so relatable. I love the dynamic between her and her best friend, her ex-husband, her daughter, and the people in the town. I’m recommending this one as someone who has read all twelve in the series and I have to say, the development of the relationships and characters is simply awesome. Megan is newly divorced in book one but still living with her ex-husband (there are reasons) when we’re introduced to Eric, an out-of-town cop who, honestly, might be one of my favorite cozy love interests. 

By Reagan Davis,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Knit One, Murder Two as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Knitting Can Be Murder! 

I’m not a cop. I’m a soon-to-be-ex-wife, and former full-time mom who works part-time at the local yarn store. The biggest mystery I’ve ever solved is finding a missing knitting needle tucked behind my ear after spending all morning looking for it. 

Someone in Harmony Lake is trying to stitch me up for murder.

In a small town where everyone has a secret they want to keep hidden, no one is talking to the out-of-town cop who’s been brought in to solve the case. So, armed with everything I’ve learned from watching murder mysteries on TV,…


Ad

Book cover of Conditions are Different After Dark

Conditions are Different After Dark By Owen W. Knight,

In 1662, a man is wrongly executed for signing the death warrant of Charles I. Awaiting execution, he asks to speak with a priest, to whom he declares a curse on the village that betrayed him. The priest responds with a counter-curse, leaving just one option to nullify it.

Four…

Book cover of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It

Jody Holford Why did I love this book?

This book is fun, fast-paced, over-the-top funny, and completely enjoyable. As a parent, it’s easy to relate to Finlay’s moments of what the absolute heck is going on? She navigates real-life problems in a funny, bordering on desperate, way that kept me reading. The swoons between Finlay happen with more than one love interest which isn’t typically my favorite but Cosimano makes it work so well. The dialogue is biting and witty and I definitely know who I want her to end up with.  

By Elle Cosimano,

Why should I read it?

6 authors picked Finlay Donovan Is Killing It as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"Getting the job done" for one single mom takes on a whole new meaning in Finlay Donovan is Killing It.

One of Suspense Magazine's "Best Thrillers of 2021"
One of New York Public Library's Best Books of 2021
Nominated for the Left Coast Crime 2022 Lefty Award for the Best Humorous Mystery

“Funny and smart, twisty and surprising.”—Megan Miranda

Finlay Donovan is killing it . . . except, she’s really not. She’s a stressed-out single-mom of two and struggling novelist, Finlay’s life is in chaos: the new book she promised her literary agent isn’t written, her ex-husband fired the nanny…


Book cover of Spying in High Heels

Jody Holford Why did I love this book?

This book is adorable and hilarious. My favorite cozies have a heavy punch of romance and sparks in them and this one definitely fits the bill. Maddie lands herself in all the wrong places, at all the wrong times, with all the wrong people. Watching her back, and the rest of her, is an LAPD detective who doesn’t want to fall for her charms but, like readers, absolutely can’t help himself. 

By Gemma Halliday,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Spying in High Heels as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

#1 Amazon, New York Times & USA Today Bestselling series! High Crime meets High Fashion when shoe designer turned amateur sleuth Maddie Springer is on the case...with laugh-out-loud results!

Struggling LA shoe designer, Maddie Springer, lives her life by three rules: Fashion. Fashion. Fashion. But when her boyfriend suddenly disappears--along with $20 million in embezzled funds--her life takes an unexpected turn from Manolos to murder. Now her every move is under scrutiny by the LAPD's sexiest cop, dead bodies are dropping around her faster than last season's trends, and the deeper she digs the more she realizes maybe she didn't…


Ad

Book cover of Bailey and the CEO: A Corporate Love Story

Bailey and the CEO By Amy Q. Barker,

A contemporary romance novel about second chances, love in the workplace, and balancing single parenthood with a career. Bailey Grant and Fox Goodman have given up on love. They’re working hard, they’re raising kids—romance is the last thing on their minds. Until they get seated next to each other on…

Book cover of Pancakes and Corpses

Jody Holford Why did I love this book?

The first book, in a really long series, pulled me in with its baking charm and the relatable main character. Set in a little village called Peridale, Julia is making her way on her own as a newly divorced woman who has shaky self-esteem and a lot of determination. I love the banter with the other characters, particularly the grandmother and the way Julia is back home but it all feels new because she’s been away for so long. I loved watching the relationship between Julia and Barker, the police inspector, develop and grow. I’m a hardcore romantic and watching them become a solid couple was a real joy. 

By Agatha Frost,

Why should I read it?

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

What is this book about?

Read for FREE on KINDLE UNLIMITED!
The 1st CLEAN and FUN book in the BESTSELLING Peridale Cafe Cozy Mystery series!
"Any reader of cozy mysteries will enjoy this book!"

Soon to be divorced Julia South never expected to be caught up in solving a murder, until she discovered the body of her cafe's most awkward customer. With a new smug Detective Inspector in town who underestimates her every move, Julia makes it her mission to discover the real murderer, before her village friends are dragged into the frame, and more bodies are discovered.

Book 1 in the Peridale Cafe Mystery…


Explore my book 😀

Home Is Where the Body Is

By Jody Holford,

Book cover of Home Is Where the Body Is

What is my book about?

When graphic designer and true crime fan Annie Abbott agrees to house sit her parents’ home for a year, she’s convinced that even though the small town has ten coffee shops, nothing exciting will happen. But that’s before a seemingly feral cat gives birth in her garage, prompting a call to the very handsome, very single town vet. It’s a dream meet-cute, but just as their romance blooms, Annie discovers the bloody body of her grumpy neighbor. And despite the fact that she passes out at the sight of blood, the police suspect her.

To clear her name, Annie will need to put her years of watching police procedurals and reading mysteries to good use. She’ll also need to rely on her new friends but is one of them the killer?

Book cover of The Crêpes of Wrath
Book cover of Knit One, Murder Two
Book cover of Finlay Donovan Is Killing It

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,586

readers submitted
so far, will you?

Ad

📚 You might also like…

Book cover of We Have Always Been Here

We Have Always Been Here By Lena Nguyen,

Misanthropic psychologist Dr. Grace Park is placed on the Deucalion, a survey ship headed to an icy planet in an unexplored galaxy. Her purpose is to observe the thirteen human crew members aboard the ship—all specialists in their own fields—as they assess the colonization potential of the planet, Eos. But…

Book cover of Tap Dancing on Everest: A Young Doctor's Unlikely Adventure

Tap Dancing on Everest By Mimi Zieman,

Tap Dancing on Everest, part coming-of-age memoir, part true-survival adventure story, is about a young medical student, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor raised in N.Y.C., who battles self-doubt to serve as the doctor—and only woman—on a remote Everest climb in Tibet.

The team attempts a new route up…

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in fashion designers, knitting, and murder?

Knitting 13 books
Murder 1,078 books