Berkeley Prime Crime.

Berkeley Prime Crime

375 Hudson, New York NY 10014

www.penguin.com

Susan Wittig Albert's THE TALE OF APPLEBECK ORCHARD: THE COTTAGE TALES OF BEATRIX POTTER (9780425229774, $23.95) offers a lovely mystery centered around one Mr. Harmsworth, who barricades a common path through his orchard for mysterious reasons. Tabitha Twitchet and her Cat Council investigate--and the Beatrix Potter animal clan find many satisfying mysteries. Aaron Elkins' SKULL DUGGERY (9780425227978, $24.95) tells of Gordon, who accompanies his wife to a charming little Mexican village to visit a relative's dude ranch resort--only to find no relief from his job in forensics when a mummified corpse is found nearby. Gordon's investigation involves an old friend, a child's murder thirty years ago, and a mystery that holds dangerous ramifications for new generations. Any mystery library will relish these. First in a new series is Barbara Hamilton's THE NINTH DAUGHTER (9780425230770, $14.00), set in Massachusetts in 1773 and telling of Abigail, who visits a fellow patriot friend only to find a dead woman in her kitchen and her friend missing. A secret Sons of Liberty document leads to a search for clues to the murder in this fine historical mystery. John J. Lamb's THE TREACHEROUS TEDDY (9780425230329, $7.99) provides a fine mystery centered around a retired cop and a mystery revolving around collectible teddy bears. Clues to a death from a possible hunting accident immerse the first teddy bear jubilee in small-town danger in this thriller. Joyce and Jim Lavene's GHASTLY GLASS (9780425230305, $7.99) provides a fine Renaissance Faire mystery including Renaissance recipes and facts as it tells of Jesse, facing a crabby boss, boyfriend problems, and a real murder affecting the man playing the Grim Reaper. Sarah Atwell's SNAKE IN THE GLASS (9780425230312, $6.99) provides a mystery revolving around glassblower Emmeline, who not only blows glass but investigates the murder of a stranger who has begged to use her kiln for an experimental gem treatment. Lucy Lawrence's STUCK ON MURDER (9780425230299, $6.99) provides a fine mystery set in a small town where a decoupage class becomes involved in the mayor's murder. Yasmine Galenorn's A HARVEST OF BONES (9780425207260, $7.99) tells of harvest time in a small Washington town--usually Emerald's favorite season, but dangerous when a possible supernatural mystery begins to immerse her and Joe in a dangerous hidden mystery. Margaret Grace's MOURNING IN MINIATURE (9780425230800, $7.99) tells of Rosie, who asks Gerry to accompany her to her thirtieth high school reunion, only to find a miniature mystery when star athlete David is murdered and clues point to further danger. Christy Evans' SILK TRAP (9780425230794, $6.99) provides a Georgina Neverall mystery blending a plumber's apprentice's skills with clues literally down the drain. Plumbing tricks are included. Casey Daniels' DEAD MAN TALKING (9780425230749, $7.99) provides a fine Pepper Martin mystery featuring a spunky girl who tries to help with a restoration project, only to learn a contest to restore the cemetery grounds lead to a local reality show and certain danger with a ghost involved. Elise Hyatt's DIPPED, STRIPPED, AND DEAD (9780425230787, $6.99) pairs furniture refinishing with the story of Dyce dare, who is divorced, nearly thirty, with a toddler to raise, a challenging ex, and a furniture refinishing business that turns up a corpse. All are fine picks for lending libraries strong in murder mysteries.