New Mysteries on the Shelves (8)

Here are three more new attractive-looking mysteries for library readers I found on the shelves recently and thought I'd mention here. All titles are currently in a mystery series including the first on my list.

When Bobbie Sang the Blues: a cozy mystery is the second in a series about mystery writer and pastor's kid Christy Castleman. Writer Peggy Darty's character Christy receives an unexpectedly visit from her aunt Bobbie who's in a major family predicament. Bobbie's estranged husband, Eddie, and his new girlfriend are following her and looking to get money that he claims she owes him. Almost as quickly, the money issues switch to a police matter as Eddie is found dead and the police eye Bobbie as a likely murder suspect for Eddie. Naturally, Christy draws herself into the investigation to help her beloved aunt. Set in Florida, the book is 342 pages.

The next book is set in a much different place and time in 16th-century Ireland written by Cora Harrison. My Lady Judge: a mystery of medieval Ireland is a debut novel for a new series featuring Mara, a woman appointed by the king as judge and lawgiver of Mullaghmore Mountaina. Very well respected in the community, Mara is also the head of a small law school and noted for her powers of observation. As such, she is put to the ultimate test in working to determine the circumstances of the mysterious death of one of her assistants. In addition to the mystery, the novel includes appealing historical Irish landscape details and some ancient Irish law. The book is 311 pages.

Gun Shy is the last book and fifth in the "Blanco County, Texas, mystery" series. In writer Ben Rehder's newest John Marlin story, the local game warden is looking into the dubious hunting accident of an illegal immigrant just days before a huge political rally. The National Weapons Alliance is an organization visiting the area to promote every American's right to own firearms. The NWA's spokesman is country and western star Mitch Campbell and as it turns out in regards to the previous mentioned fatal shooting--Campbell pulled the trigger. Second amendment arguments are back and forth here with humor along the way. The book is 343 pages.