For fans of Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot, author Rick Bleiweiss’s quirky new detective and ensemble cast of characters set against the backdrop of small-town England in the 1910s will feel both comfortingly familiar and thrillingly new.The year is 1910, and in the small and seemingly sleepy English market town of Haxford, there’s a new police Chief Inspector. At first, the dapper and unflappable Pignon Scorbion strikes something of an odd figure among the locals, who don’t see a need for such an exacting investigator. But it isn’t long before Haxford finds itself very much in need of a detective.Luckily, Scorbion and the local barber are old acquaintances, and the barbershop employs a cast of memorable characters who—together with an aspiring young ace reporter for the local Morning News—are nothing less than enthralled by the enigmatic new police Chief Inspector. Investigating a trio of crimes whose origins span three continents and half a century, Pignon Scorbion and his “tonsorial sleuths” interview a parade of interested parties, but with every apparent clue, new surprises come to light. And just as it seems nothing can derail Scorbion’s cool head and almost unerring nose for deduction, in walks Thelma Smith—dazzling, whip-smart, and newly single.Has Pignon Scorbion finally met his match? Parent and Teacher Guide is available here: https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/www.blackstoneaudio.com/marketing/Pignon%20Scorbion%20Parent%20Teacher%20Guide.pdf

Auctions can be murder.In the charming little tourist town of Dogwood Springs, Missouri, Libby Ballard, director of the local history museum, is on a mission to boost museum attendance. To attract more visitors, she plans a big birthday party for the town, with hopes of displaying an armoire that once belonged to the town's founder.But when Libby attends a local auction to acquire the armoire, she instead stumbles upon a dead body.Having a killer on the loose isn’t going to draw tourists to Dogwood Springs—or to the museum. Even worse, the victim is the beloved cousin of Libby’s best friend, Cleo. With the police preoccupied by a string of burglaries, Cleo fears the killer will never be caught.Determined to solve the murder and bring justice to the victim's family, Libby struggles to unravel a web of deception. But the killer is still at large and will stop at nothing to keep their identity a secret.Will Libby be able to crack the case, or will she be the next victim?Join Libby, her lovable dog, and their friends as they try to find the killer!If you like a cozy mystery with a pet who will win your heart, friends who feel like family, and a hint of romance, you’ll love this series!This is a clean read with no profanity or graphic violence.

Lindsey Bakewell’s iconic lighthouse bakeshop in beautiful Beacon Harbor, Michigan, is hosting a celebrity cookbook author from the UK—but the notorious diva is now DOA . . . Lindsey’s patrons have a new outdoor patio where they can eat their treats in the glorious summer weather. But even more exciting is that the Beacon Bakeshop is going to host British celebrity chef Vivi Lemonberry—and what could be a more appropriate event than a tea party?   What Lindsey didn’t realize is that Vivi is here to put some distance between herself and her recent professional and personal scandals. Despite assurances that Vivi is as sweet as a chocolate-dipped strawberry, Lindsey is cooling rapidly toward the culinary icon . . . especially after she banishes Lindsey’s beloved dog, Wellington, from the bakeshop and then flirts outrageously with Lindsey’s boyfriend.  She’s not the only one feeling hostile, though. While Vivi’s in the middle of making a tart in front of the cameras, a woman runs up and slaps her. Soon, Vivi’s nowhere to be found, and folks are speculating on whether she’s run off with her secret lover or just laying low due to embarrassment. That is, until Lindsey finds a body bobbing near the surface of Lake Michigan. It’s a sour ending for the diva, but Lindsey is determined to squeeze the truth out of every clue until she finds the killer . .