I really enjoyed the first book in this series, A Spell for Trouble, and when I saw the second book is debuting in 2021, I immediately added it to my TBR. This series is very unique, with its blend of seaside charm, Polish folklore, magic, and mermaids. Aleksandra, Alex, is a water witch newly aware of her powers and family history, who has left behind her life in New York City to reconnect with her family who own an apothecary in Bellamy Bay, North Carolina. In this second book in the series, Alex is helping her friend Celeste, who happens to share Alex's unique magical mermaid background, plan the annual Mermaid Festival.
When an artists working on the festival is found dead and Celeste is indicated as the main suspect, Alex applies the sleuthing skills she acquired in book one to help clear her friend's name and discover the actual culprit.
If you enjoy series like Bailey Cate's Magical Bakery Mysteries and appreciate a sprinkling of folklore and magic with your cozy mysteries, I highly recommend this series! This book is slated for release in July 2021.
Now for a debut! As a Filipina cozy mystery reader, I am beyond excited for this one! This book follows Lila, who is recovering from a heartbreak, as she returns to her Tita Rosie's restaurant to help her save her business. While Lila is focused on moving on and making delicious food, her ex-boyfriend who also happens to be a restaurant critic resurfaces and, after a confrontation with Lila, is found dead.
Naturally, Lila becomes a suspect, and she recruits her network of aunties, her best friend, and her dachshund, to clear her own name and figure out who really committed the crime.
Slated for debut in May 2021, this book is one I am most highly anticipating! I can't wait to read about the familiar food of my childhood to actually be featured in a cozy mystery, and hope this is a signal that more diverse cozy mysteries are on the horizon.
In my mind, Ellie Alexander can do no wrong, and her books are always an insta-buy for me. Admittedly, I am not caught up on this series yet but I definitely plan to be once this book comes out in June 2021. This series follows Jules, a former cruise ship pastry chef turned bakeshop owner of Torte, which she runs with her mother, in the picturesque setting in Ashland, OR, home of a renowned Shakespeare Festival.
This book takes place in the summer, peak Shakespeare season, and centers around a barista competition being held in town. However, murder interrupts the competition, and blame is placed on one of Jules' star baristas, Andy. Of course, she must lend her sleuthing skills to solve the case and keep Andy out of jail.
I'm excited that this installment focuses on coffee, as the coffee recipes in this series always sound delicious. Plus, it sounds like the perfect summer read, and another excellent addition to this series.
Speaking of a perfect summer read, the second book in the Ice Cream Parlor Mystery series is slated for release in March 2021, and I can't wait to read it! This series features Bronwyn "Win" Crewse, who has restored Crewse Creamery, her family's longtime business, to its former glory and is excited for its continued success. Set in a small town in Ohio, this second book in the series meets a developer who is seeking to build a mall in the middle of the charming town, which angers residents and unfortunately may be the cause of the developer's untimely death.
Besides finding the body, Win also has to contend with an aunt trying to take over the business, and amongst the tension of keeping her business successful, Win also takes on the role of sleuth to solve the mystery of the developer's death.
I love the unique setting of an ice cream parlor and honestly that title alone was a reason for me to add this to my must-read list.
This series opener by the author of the Tourist Trap Mysteries also tops my can't-wait-to-read list. We meet Mia Malone, a kitchen witch, who is newly single and unemployed, as she starts over in Magic Springs, Idaho, a quirky town where her grandmother lives and where magic is an open secret. She launches a gourmet food delivery business that she infuses with her kitchen witch magic, and is looking forward to starting over.
But the murder of one of her client's definitely interrupts her plans of a fresh start, and Mia must investigate to discover the killer and ensure her new business, and new life, is a success.
This one gives me all of the Practical Magic vibes and I cannot wait to read it! Witchy mysteries are some of my favorites, and I'm always excited for a new series to dive into. This book is set to debut January 2021, so it will be perfect for starting the New Year.
These are just a handful of the books I am looking forward to reading in 2021. Are there any debut series or series installments you are most looking forward to next year? Share in the comments below!
Happy Sleuthing,
Stephanie
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