Armstrong, Jess. The Secret of the Three Fates. (Ruby Vaughn, bk. 2). Minotaur. Dec. 2024. ISBN 9781250909886. 336p. $28. MYSTERY

Heiress and antiquarian-bookshop proprietor Ruby Vaughn returns in the sequel to Armstrong’s gothic historical mystery debut, The Curse of Penryth Hall (winner of the Minotaur Books/Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Award). When a séance goes awry and one of the mediums is murdered, Ruby and her employer, Mr. Owen, investigate to clear their own names.

Brannigan, Ellie. Death at an Irish Wedding. (Irish Castle Mystery, bk. 2). Crooked Lane. Dec. 2024. ISBN 9781639109210. 288p. $29.99. MYSTERY

In the sequel to Brannigan’s cozy mystery debut, Murder at an Irish Castle, Los Angeles bridal designer Rayne McGrath remains in Ireland, trying to save her inherited castle by bringing in much-needed income with special events. When a bridalwear client needs a wedding venue, Rayne suggests her castle, but the plans are in jeopardy after a guest is found dead.

Murrin, Orlando. Knife Skills for Beginners. Kensington. Dec. 2024. ISBN 9781496751942. 320p. $28. MYSTERY

Murrin, a MasterChef semifinalist and cookbook author, makes his fiction debut with this locked-room mystery. Chef Paul Delamare is filling in as a teacher for a cooking-school residency in a London mansion, but the job turns dangerous when someone is found murdered with Paul’s cleaver. Recipes appear throughout the novel and also offer clues.

Nelson, P. J. Booked for Murder. (Old Juniper Bookstore Mystery, bk. 1). Minotaur. Dec. 2024. ISBN 9781250909954. 336p. $28. MYSTERY

The pseudonymous Nelson makes his cozy mystery debut with a novel featuring Madeline Brimley, who inherits her aunt’s bookstore in small-town Georgia. At loose ends in her life, Madeline decides to take over the bookstore, but she arrives to a fire, threats, and then a murder. She’ll need to find the killer if she wants to save the store—and her own life.

Osler, Rob. The Case of the Missing Maid. (Harriet Morrow Investigates, bk. 1). Kensington. Dec. 2024. ISBN 9781496749482. 320p. $27. MYSTERY

Osler, author of the multi-award-nominated Devil’s Chew Toy, launches a new quozy mystery series inspired by real-life Pinkerton detective Kate Warne. In 1898 Chicago, 21-year-old Harriet Morrow begins her job as the first woman detective for the Prescott Agency. Her first case involves finding a missing maid, but she uncovers dangerous truths as she investigates.

Sears, Michael. Love the Stranger. (Queens Mystery, bk. 2). Soho Crime. Dec. 2024. ISBN 9781641295451. 360p. $27.95. MYSTERY

In the sequel to the Nero Award–winning Tower of Babel, attorney Ted Molloy has been helping his girlfriend, Kenzie, in her work to stop a development project in Queens, NY, that will displace immigrant communities. When Kenzie snoops around a corrupt immigration lawyer’s office, she finds a dead body. Now Ted has another murder to solve.

Short, Sharon. Trouble Island. Minotaur. Dec. 2024. ISBN 9781250292841. 336p. $29. MYSTERY

Short (“Stain-Busting Mystery” series), who also writes as Jess Montgomery, pens a closed-circle mystery set during the 1930s on a remote island in Lake Erie, which serves as both a gangster hideaway and home to Rosita, wife to gangster Eddie, and her maid, Aurelia. As Eddie and his associates descend on the island, Aurelia finds Rosita dead, with an ice storm cutting them off from the mainland.

Forthcoming Series Titles

Bennett, S. J. A Death in Diamonds. (Her Majesty the Queen Investigates, bk. 4). Crooked Lane. Dec. 2024. ISBN 9798892420907. 320p. $29.99. MYSTERY

Clark, Tracy. Echo. (Detective Harriet Foster, bk. 3). Thomas & Mercer. Dec. 2024. ISBN 9781662517327. pbk. NAp. $16.99. MYSTERY

Higashino, Keigo. Invisible Helix. (Detective Galileo, bk. 5). tr. from Japanese by Giles Murray. Minotaur. Dec. 2024. ISBN 9781250875563. 352p. $29. MYSTERY

Lovesey, Peter. Against the Grain. (Peter Diamond, bk. 22). Soho Crime. Dec. 2024. ISBN 9781641296151. 384p. $28.95. MYSTERY

Shelton, Paige. Perfect Storm. (Alaska Wild, bk. 6). Minotaur. Dec. 2024. ISBN 9781250910462. 288p. $28. MYSTERY

Wilde, Darcie. The Matter of the Secret Bride. (Useful Woman Mystery, bk. 3). Kensington. Dec. 2024. ISBN 9781496750631. 288p. $27. MYSTERY