Murder-By-Month Mystery Books

"Janet Evanovich fans have a new reason to celebrate!" ―Gemma Halliday, best-selling author of Mayhem in High Heels The not-so-proud owner of a dead-end job and a cheating boyfriend,Minneapolitan Mira James jumps at the chance for a fresh start in rural Battle Lake. She immediately regrets her move. That is, until she crosses paths with Jeff, the ultimate sexy small-town guy. When their romance heats up, she thinks she has it made. And she does, right up until Jeff turns up dead between the library's reference stacks. Anxious to learn more about the man who had briefly stolen her heart, Mira delves into the mysteries of Battle Lake, including an old land deed obscuring ancient Ojibwe secrets, an octogenarian crowd with freaky social lives, and a handful of thirty-something high school buddies who hold bitter, decades-old grudges. Mira soon discovers that unknown dangers are concealed under the polite exterior of this quirky town, and revenge is a hotdish best served cold. This novel is the first in a series of hilarious romantic mysteries featuring Mira James, an urban woman with rural Minnesota roots. Get all the Mira James novels: May Day June Bug Knee High by the Fourth of July August Moon September Fair October Fest November Hunt December Dread January Thaw February Fever March of Crime

"Move over, Stephanie Plum. There's a new bad girl in town, and her name is Mira James!" Mira James never imagined life after Minneapolis would be a doublewide trailer outside Battle Lake, Minnesota. Then again, maybe the North Country has more to offer than mosquitoes and broasted chicken. Maybe it has hot sexy Johnny Leeson and...lost jewels? Local legend claims that a diamond necklace was lost nearly a century ago in Whiskey Lake,not far from the present-day Shangri-La resort. Mira, a part-time reporter, goes fishing for the story behind the legend, but her dive turns up more than missing jewelry. Her exhilarating search leads to anew mystery and puts her face to face with a menacing foe from her past. Can she avoid his deadly advances long enough to lock lips with Johnny? This novel is the second in a series of laugh-out-loud-funny romantic mysteries featuring Mira James, an urban woman with rural Minnesota roots. The series can be read in any order; each book stands alone . Get all the Mira James mysteries: May Day June Bug Knee High by the Fourth of July August Moon September Mourn October Fest November Hunt December Dread January Thaw February Fever March of Crimes April Fools Or, if you love to sink into a satisfying binge read, check out the smart-priced bundles! Mira James Mysteries Summer Bundle, Books 1-4 (May, June, July, and August) Mira James Mysteries Fall Bundle, Books 5-7 (September, October, November) Mira James Mysteries Winter Bundle, Books 8-10 (December, January, February)

Nominated for a Lefty for Best Humorous Mystery What's so wrong with admiring from a distance? Mira's quirky puppy love for Chief Wenonga, a well-muscled fiberglass statue in her Minnesota small town, might be a safer love pursuit than online dating. But when the 23-foot Chief goes missing from his cement base, Mira's not the only citizen to be crushed. The town of Battle Lake is celebrating their statue's 25th anniversary and no amount of blue, sugar-soaked popcorn balls at Wenonga Days can uplift their gloomy mood. But when Mira runs into a dead body, the town has more pressing issues. Mira's second biggest crush, organic gardening god and dead ringer for Brad Pitt-Johnny Leeson-has disappeared. Her luck with men is running out, and a killer might be moving in. With something of her own to hide, Mira hopes she can avoid the police long enough to track down the object of her mega-crush-but is Mira trailing a statue-thief, a kidnapper, or a murderer?

Maybe it's time for me to leave this crazy town, hightail it back to Minneapolis, and become a cat-collecting, fist-shaking, asexual English professor... Furious after being stood up by local hottie Johnny Leeson, Mira decides to abandon Battle Lake, Minnesota, where the women are churchgoers, the men like to hunt, and the body count is above average. But when a cheerleader bites the dust, Mira loiters long enough to snoop. Mira is highly suspicious of the New Millennium Bible Camp, a disturbing place with a Stepford Wives meets Hee Haw vibe. Before ditching Battle Lake, Mira is hell-bent on confronting her own demons and catching a killer. Praise: "Lourey’s mystery is hilarious, fast paced, and madcap."― Booklist (starred review) "Hilarious, wonderfully funny cozy."― CrimeSpree Magazine "Entertaining."― Library Journal "Another amusing tale set in the town full of over-the-top zanies who've endeared themselves to the engaging Mira."― Kirkus Reviews "“A fun, fast-paced mystery with a heroine readers will enjoy, even if her foibles are not entirely believable...3 stars."― The Mystery Reader "Lourey has a gift for creating terrific characters. Her sly and witty take on small town USA is a sweet summer treat. Pull up a lawn chair, pour yourself a glass of lemonade, and enjoy."―Denise Swanson, author of The Srcumble River Mystery series.

"Janet Evanovich fans have a new reason to celebrate!" The Minnesota State Fair is the beloved home of 4H exhibits, Midway rides, and everything on a stick. The festival fun is riding high until the recently crowned Milkfed Mary, Queen of the Dairy, a Battle Lake native, is brutally murdered while her regal likeness is carved in butter. Can Mira James, covering the fair for the Battle Lake Recall , manage make-out time with guitar-slinging Johnny Leeson while winning a blue ribbon for caging a killer? You bet your last deep-fried Nut Goodie! This novel is the fifth in a series of hilarious romantic mysteries featuring Mira James, an urban woman with rural Minnesota roots. The series does not need to be read in order; each book stands alone. Get all the Mira James mysteries: May Day June Bug Knee High by the Fourth of July August Moon September Mourn October Fest November Hunt December Dread January Thaw February Fever March of Crime

Beer and polka music reign supreme at Octoberfest, Battle Lake's premier fall festival. To kick off the celebrations, the town hosts a public debate between the two congressional candidates: straight-laced Arnold Swydecker, and slippery incumbent, Sarah Glokkmann. As a reporter for the Battle Lake Recall , Mira James is roped into writing up the word war. But the festive mood sours when a well-known Glokkmann-bashing blogger is found dead . . . and the congresswoman herself meets a gruesome fate. To keep the heat off her best friend's fiancé―an ex-con reporter―Mira wades through the candidates' dirty laundry, their unsavory secrets, and some murderous mudslinging to expose the killer. Praise: "With snappy jokes and edgy dialog, Lourey brings a Gen-X tone to a traditional mystery. The classic romance setup and her effective handling of eldercare issues enhance a clever plot. More spunky than sweet; get started on this Lefty-nominated series if you've previously missed it."― Library Journal (starred review) "Lourey has cleverly created an entertaining murder mystery with the most unlikely murder accomplice ever. Her latest is loaded with humor, and many of the descriptions are downright poetic."― Booklist (starred review) "The story is funny, ribald and brimming with small-town eccentrics."― Kirkus Reviews "I loved Lourey's quirky, appealing sleuth and her wry yet affectionate look at small town life. No gimmicks, just an intriguing plot with oddball characters. I hope Mira's misfortune of stumbling over a dead body every month lasts for many years!"―Donna Andrews, New York Times bestselling author of Stork Raving Mad

November in Battle Lake, Minnesota, is cold enough to freeze the balls off a pool table. lt's also deer hunting season. When Tom Kicker is killed in a hunting accident, Mira James is hired to investigate―a job that brings her closer to a P.I. license. Braving subzero temps and shrieking blizzards, Mira uncovers a decades-old scandal that has never quite died, unlike the cold stiffs who are piling up in the town morgue. As she pieces together the clues, Mira discovers that Battle Lake's good-old boys have been up to some bad business. But with threats and enemies around every icy corner, she may not live long enough to expose the truth. Praise: "It's not easy to make people laugh while they're on the edge of their seats, but Lourey pulls it off, while her vivid descriptions of a brutal Minnesota winter will make readers shiver in the seventh book in her very clever Murder-of-the-Month series." ―Booklist, (starred review) "A good story told well, with solid writing."― Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine "Lourey’s seventh cozy featuring PI wannabe Mira James successfully combines humor, an intriguing mystery, and quirky smalltown characters." ―Publishers Weekly "Lourey has successfully created an independent, relatable heroine in Mira James. Mira’s wit and fearlessness enable her to overcome the many challenges she faces as she tries to unravel the murder."― Crimespree Magazine "Lourey has a knack for wholesome sexual innuendo, and she gets plenty of mileage out of Minnesota. This light novel keeps the reader engaged, like one of those sweet chewy Nut Goodies that Mira is addicted to." ― Hallie Ephron, The Boston Globe "Clever, quirky and completely original! This taut and compelling mystery--with a twist on every page-is edgy, entertaining, and irresistible."―Hank Phillippi Ryan, Anthony, Agatha and Macavity Award-winning author "In November Hunt Jess Lourey skillfully navigates her way along the razor's edge of the traditional mystery. With a masterful mix of mayhem and mirth, she shows us there's more to small town Minnesota than frozen lakes and fish fries. A fun read all the way through."―Reed Farrel Coleman, three-time Shamus Award-winning author of Hurt Machine

Silent Night, Deadly Night With Christmas just over a week away, ’tis the season for grinning sales elves on TV, maddeningly jolly Muzak, and a guilty Nut Goodie addiction. But for Mira James and other Battle Lake-area women, the holidays are marred by something far worse―a serial killer leaving candy canes as his calling card. His target? Thirty-something brunettes who look just like Mira. When a woman from her high school graduating class becomes his latest victim, Mira plows through a case of online dating turned deadly with Mrs. Berns at her side. Will she earn her detective stripes . . . or end up deader than the Ghost of Christmas Past? Praise: "Lourey pulls out all the stops in this eighth case."― Library Journal "Lourey creates a splendid mix of humor and suspense."― Booklist "Lourey, who keeps her secrets well, delivers a breathtaking finale."― Publishers Weekly

The Ice Man Succumbeth Private-eye-in-training Mira James loves Minnesota’s crisp January days, as long as she can spend them in the arms of hunky Johnny Leeson. But when Mrs. Berns’s erratic Zamboni driving uncovers an icebound dead man, Mira’s cold-weather tranquility threatens to melt away. With a frozen body in the lake and a freak January thaw descending on town, neither Johnny nor generous portions of high-octane comfort food are enough to ease Mira’s frazzled nerves. There’s big trouble brewing in Battle Lake. And if Mira can’t figure out who’s behind it, the next time she feels sub-zero temperatures, she may be sporting a toe tag in the town morgue. Praise: "Those looking for an engaging, multigenerational small-town mystery that tackles contemporary issues can’t miss with this entry."― Library Journal "Fans of smalltown mysteries will be charmed."― Publishers Weekly "Who can resist a mystery that includes a daredevil octogenarian sidekick; a flashy, plant-whispering mayor; some really bad villains; and a little girl ghost?"― Booklist

Revenge is a tator tot hotdish best served cold. In this Murder-by-the-Minute mystery, Mrs. Berns is roped into attending the All Church Retreat in Bemidji, Minnesota. The three-to-one female to male ratio has her down, but her weekend grows a silver lining when she’s called on to solve a killing committed with the unlikeliest murder weapon. SHORT STORY (3300 words). ⭐ "Get started on this Lefty-nominated series if you've previously missed it!" ―Library Journal (starred review) ⭐ Jess Lourey named to Book Riot's "10 Funny Mystery Authors Like Janet Evanovich" list!

All Aboard the Murder Express Mira James’s hot and heavy relationship with boyfriend Johnny Leeson is definitely warming up her winter. But when Johnny has to go to Portland, Oregon, for a month-longth internship, airplane-averse Mira lets her septuagenarian friend Mrs. Berns talk her into a visit. On the plus side, Mira can make the trip a tax write-off by attending the International Private Investigator Conference. On the down side, Mrs. Berns books them―much to Mira’s dismay―on the Valentine Train, a place for singles to meet and mingle. After a few glasses of champagne and Mrs. Berns’ encouragement, Mira begins to relax and enjoy herself . . . until a fellow passenger is murdered and a snowstorm traps the train in the Rockies. If Mira can’t track down the killer, she may end up derailed―permanently. Praise: “Lourey skillfully mixes humor and suspense . . . the characters are wonderful and wacky, and the mile-a-minute pace never falters."― Booklist (starred review) “The best outing yet for Mira."― Kirkus Reviews "[An] incredible series . . . [ February Fever ] is a very charming story with great dialogue [and] there are more months coming, so readers definitely have something to look forward to."― Suspense Magazine “I can’t wait to see what Mira does next.”― Crimespree Magazine

A doll walks into a bar... Ida Gilbertson of the Battle Lake Senior Sunset nursing home has a new hobby: crafting life-sized dolls and displaying them around town. Budding PI Mira James finds the homemade mannequins creepy enough on their own, but when she's forced to sit next to one and discovers a human corpse under the hat and wig, it becomes personal. Police Chief Gary Wohnt is all too eager to pin the blame on Mira. When her sleuthing gives him the perfect excuse to lock her up, it's up to Mayor Kennie Rogers and Mrs. Berns to help her escape. Racing against the clock, Mira must unmask the murderer before she either becomes a jailbird...or the next dolled-up victim. March of Crime is a laugh-out-loud romantic comic caper mystery, perfect for readers who enjoy the humorous mysteries of Liliana Hart, Chelsea Field, Gina LaManna, Janet Evanovich, Denise Grover Swank, Amy Vansant, and Stephanie Bond. If you love to belly-laugh while reading a page-turning mystery, this series is for you! March of Crime is the eleventh in an ongoing series featuring Mira James, an urban woman with rural Minnesota roots. The books can be read in any order ; each novel stands alone. Get all the Mira James mysteries today! May Day June Bug Knee High by the Fourth of July August Moon September Mourn October Fest November Hunt December Dread January Thaw February Fever March of Crime April Fools Or, if you love to sink into a satisfying binge read, check out the bundles! Mira James Mysteries Summer Bundle, Books 1-4 (May, June, July, and August) Mira James Mysteries Fall Bundle, Books 5-7 (September, October, November) Mira James Mysteries Winter Bundle, Books 8-10 (December, January, February) PRAISE FOR THE MIRA JAMES MYSTERIES " A hilarious and sexy small-town mystery!! Loved it!! " ―Anniereader (Amazon reviewer, five stars) " Tight plot and funny. " ―Betti (Amazon reviewer, five stars) " Read this now! I had a hard time putting this one down...Good thing there are more in the series I haven't yet read. I'm looking forward to devouring them!" ―S. Waters (Amazon reviewer, five stars) "Packed with charmingly ridiculous characters, I laughed my way through this small town mystery." ―Book Riot "This trade paperback packed a punch... I loved it from the get-go! " ―Tulsa World "What a romp this is! I found myself laughing out loud ..." ―Crimespree Magazine "Mira is the strength of the book. She has a unique voice, full of irreverent humor ...I couldn't help rooting for [her]." ―All about Romance "Meet this witty heroine in Lourey's engaging series. " ―Mystery Scene Magazine

✨ " I laughed, gasped, and cried (all out loud). " ―Catriona McPherson, author of Scot and Soda ✨ Librarian and aspiring PI Mira James has discovered one corpse a month for each of the eleven months she's lived in Battle Lake. She'd give her left foot to break that streak this April. Then she stumbles across that disturbing note, and a sweet Battle Lake girl vanishes. She follows the note's trail and is shocked to discover that it leads to her father, who died 13 years earlier. It's a race against the clock to crack the secret he carried to his grave in time to save the girl. Meanwhile, chiseled police chief Gary Wohnt is scrutinizing her every move, aching to finally put her behind bars or in bed, and Johnny, her sexy boyfriend, is planning a grand surprise for her. Problem is, she doesn't know if it's a marriage proposal or an intervention. As Mrs. Berns and Mira take on their final case together, Mira discovers it's more personal than she could have imagined, and that she holds not only the life of the vanished girl but the fate of all Battle Lake in her hands. ⭐ Jess Lourey named to Book Riot's "10 Funny Mystery Authors Like Janet Evanovich" list! ⭐

✨ How much can go wrong in a single Monday? PI-in-training Mira James is about to find out . ✨ Big city gal Mira James is finally settling into itty bitty Battle Lake. Sure, there’s that pesky dead-body-a-month hitch, and her hunky musician boyfriend has begun receiving mysterious late-night texts. The fact that her problematic ex seems to be tailing her doesn’t help, either. But Mira is determined to ignore all that for one day so she can focus on the December wedding of two dear friends. She's succeeding, too, until Kennie Rogers, Battle Lake mayor and frenemy extraordinaire, is kidnapped right in front of her eyes by a murderous Santa Claus. Ho-ho-ho-oh-no! Can Mira save Kennie (and her relationship) before the slay bells ring…for good? Find out in this 124-page Murder by Month romcom novella featuring all your Battle Lake favorites. PRAISE FOR THE MURDER BY MONTH ROMCOM MYSTERIES: ⭐ "Lourey skillfully mixes humor and suspense . . . the characters are wonderful and wacky, and the mile-a-minute pace never falters." ―Booklist (starred review) ⭐ "Get started on this Lefty-nominated series if you've previously missed it!" ―Library Journal (starred review) ✨ Jess Lourey named to Book Riot's "10 Funny Mystery Authors Like Janet Evanovich" list! ✨