Berkeley Prime Crime.

Berkeley Prime Crime

375 Hudson, New York NY 10014

www.penguin.com

Lorna Barrett's BOOKMARKED FOR DEATH (9780425226144, $6.99) provides a fine book-oriented mystery including recipes as it tells of a bookstore author signing gone awry when the author is murdered. It's up to Tricia to investigate in this thriller. Jessica Conant-Park and Susan Conant's TURN UP THE HEAT (9780425226636, $7.99) also includes recipes as it provides a new 'gourmet girl' mystery in which restaurant staff enjoy pulling pranks on each other--until a non-humorous waitress is found dead. Michele Scott's CORKED BY CABERNET (9780425226445, $7.99) includes recipes and wine pairings alike and is a perfect pick for wine lovers who also relish mystery. Nikki's new life at a vineyard hotel home with her boyfriend is threatened by a guru and his followers when one of them goes missing and is discovered dead in the wine storage car. Jimmie Ruth Evans' LEFTOVER DEAD (9780425225608, $7.99) includes country recipes and provides a 'trailer park mystery' as it tells of Wanda's new husband and newlyweds who face the rise of a long-unsolved murder. The characterization is a powerful plus to this thrilling story. Annette Blair's A VEILED DECEPTION (9780425226407, $6.99) provides a 'vintage magic' mystery revolving around fashion and intrigue alike. Maddie's sister's nemesis has been strangled with the bride-to-be's own veil and leads to her involvement in a dangerous plot. Margaret Grace's MALICE IN MINIATURE (9780425222585, $7.99) offers another 'miniature mystery', in which Geraldine's craft leads to more intrigue. When Zoe is arrested for the murder of her boyfriend, Geraldine finds her quiet home threatened when she investigates. Amanda Matetsky's DIAL ME FOR MURDER (9780425220504, $6.99) provides a fine Paige Turner mystery as it tells of a crime reporter and mystery novelist who finds her job hitting too close to home when a young secretary is murdered. Emilie Richards' A LIE FOR A LIE (9780425226643, $7.99) tells of actor and singer Grady Barber who has returned to his hometown to judge a talent show--but is murdered instead. He's made many enemies--and Aggie finds too many easy suspects in the course of her probe. Cleo Coyle writes as Alice Kimberly with THE GHOST AND THE HAUNTED MANSION (9780425224601, $7.99), a 'haunted bookshop' mystery revolving around a bookshop owner who not only believes in her P.I. ghost, but enlists in his help when the mailman gets into trouble. All are excellent choices for general-interest mystery collections.