Cozy Mystery Corner discussion

I got a newsletter that included a link to a 99-cent sale. the list is mostly mysteries and includes many cozies.

The link is to Amazon (Kindle), but I searched out the books I wanted on Barnes and Noble (Nook) and have found all of them listed at the same price.

Also...I have not read any of these books, but thought I'd pass along the information... a newsletter from Gemma Halliday publishing showed 99-cent books. The seven books are all firsts in series. The site includes links to the books on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, KOBO, and SmashWords. There is also an International Cozy Mysteries box set which contains entries from four series--three firsts and one second. The set is available on Amazon (Kindle), Barnes and Noble (Nook), iBook (iPad), KOBO, and SmashWords. Amazon-purchased files (for Kindle) can only be read with a Kindle or Kindle App. However, B&N, iBooks, KOBO, and Smashwords are EPUB format. That is, regardless of where you purchase, the file can be read on multiple devices. (For example, I've read books from all four sites on my Nook/Nook app.)

Take a look if you want to increase your e-library at low prices. Just remember with cheap/freebies... CHECK THE PRICE BEFORE YOU BUY. Pricing is subject to change at any time. I can only tell you these were on sale when I checked today, 03/19/15.

BTW... if I saw an author I liked, I searched the author to see what else was on sale. I found several complete series (to date). I noticed, however, that one or two of the books in the series were not 99 cents. I don't like paying for e-books to begin with so I set a max pricing when I do. That's usually 99 cents (okay...$1.99 for something I really want!). If I really wanted the series, I added the prices of all the books and divided by what was available. If it was under my $2 limit per book, I thought about getting it. That's just me.

Thanks for the heads up...I found a couple to add to my growing tbr list! :)

Karen wrote: "I got a newsletter that included a link to a 99-cent sale. the list is mostly mysteries and includes many cozies.

The link is to Amazon (Kindle), but I searched out the books I wanted on Barnes a..."

there is a place called "bookbub.com" that will send you a daily list of books. some are free, some at most 2.99. you can check which genre you are interested in having and they will send a couple every day .

Rosemary wrote: "there is a place called "bookbub.com" that will send you a daily list..."

I get that, too. Other freebies/cheapies newsletters/sites include:
** Book Basset
** Books on the Knob
** Freebooksy
** Omnimystery News
** Hundred Zeros
** Pixel of Ink
** The Cheap eBook

Happy Hunting...

I changed bookbub notifications from daily to weekly. Here are cozy sounding mysteries from this week's email:

Death Comes eCalling by Leslie O'Kane - Free
Antiques Roadkill by Barbara Allan - $1.99
A Biscuit, a Casket by Liz Mugavero - $1.99
Whack Job by Kendel Lynn - $0.99
Scene of the Climb by Kate E. Dyer-Seeley - $1.99

Remember - Always check the price before purchase to be sure it's still on sale.

The direct link to this site is: www.bookbub.com This site prescreens e-books and sends notifications of deals on e-books that have received good reviews.

Karen wrote: "I got a newsletter that included a link to a 99-cent sale. the list is mostly mysteries and includes many cozies."
This sale appears to be over. :o(

Karen wrote: "
Karen wrote: "I got a newsletter that included a link to a 99-cent sale. the list is mostly mysteries and includes many cozies."

This sale appears to be over. :o("

Which one? When you click on the 99 cent link is says the sale goes until Monday, March 23rd. The Amazon Kindle link in msg 1 takes you directly to Amazon with 2 pgs of mysteries all for 99 cent. I haven't tried other devices.

Nell wrote: "Which one? When you click on the 99 cent link is says the sale goes until Monday, March 23rd."

You're right.

I went back to check on the Jerrilyn Farmer series, which yesterday were all 99 cents (except 1, I think). Now only two on Amazon are 99 cents. All on B&N are back to regular price. I just figured the sale was over. I should have looked closer.

Thanks for the catch, Nell!!

Thanks for the post. I just purchased a couple. They look interesting.

I get the desire for free or very cheap books. Just don't forget that the authors have worked hard on them, and do deserve their pay! That said, I admit that when trying an unknown author, I don't like to pay more than $3 or at most $4. And I'm not keen on big-name authors charging (well, their publishers) charging as much for the ebook as the paperback.

Rebecca wrote: "I'm not keen on big-name authors charging (well, their publishers) charging as much for the ebook as the paperback."

This is one of my issues with e-books. I agree authors deserve their due, but I do have an issue with an e-book that does not require printing or shipping, etc. being priced the same as paperbacks or even hardbacks. Is the issue with the publishers or with the vendor? That is, do Amazon, B&N, etc. set the prices they'll charge?

Like waiting for sales or coupons for paper books, I wait for sales on e-books. Gratefully, I've been good about not purchasing books for a few years. I fall back on my unread boxes of TBRs (getting through!) and the library, both brick and mortar and e.

Karen wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "I'm not keen on big-name authors charging (well, their publishers) charging as much for the ebook as the paperback."

This is one of my issues with e-books. I agree authors deserve..."

There was a big lawsuit about e-book pricing a few years ago. Apple made a deal with the major publishers allowing them to set the price for e-books available on I-pad. The publishers used this to raise all e-book prices forcing Amazon to allow the publishers to charge higher prices. The Dept of Justice sued because the agreement violated the anti-trust laws. Most of the publishers settled out-of-court. Apple and one publisher took the case to trial and lost. The verdict and settlement were in favor of the government which means consumers (e-book readers) won. As part of the settlement, Amazon offered credits to Kindle readers who purchased e-books at the higher prices.

Prices overall are lower on e-books, returning to $9.99 or lower, though the price on newly released books only in hardcover is higher. It was the publishers uniting to force higher prices that was illegal. I sometimes see notes on Amazon where the publisher set the price.

I agree that e-books should be offered at a lower price because the distribution cost is so much lower. I spend much less on books now than I used to - even new releases on e-book are half the price of hardcovers. Publishing is a for-profit business so I wonder how fair publishers are to authors.

Karen wrote: "... Gratefully, I've been good about not purchasing books for a few years. I fall back on my unread boxes of TBRs (getting through!) and the library, both brick and mortar and e..."

I am very impressed with your success at not purchasing books for a few years! I have unread boxes of TBRs that I am reading my way through. I purchase a lot fewer paper books (often at a UBS) but even switching to more e-book buys, I have yet to meet my goal of not buying books altogether.

Even a visit to the library is full of temptation. My local library's book shop has paperbacks priced at 50 cents or $1 and hardcovers for $1.50. My last trip to the library, I left with four recently published mysteries at a total cost of $3.50.

Nell wrote: "Karen wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "I'm not keen on big-name authors charging (well, their publishers) charging as much for the ebook as the paperback."

This is one of my issues with e-books. I agree a..."

There does seem to be a wide range on prices. Generally, you'll find the higher prices are set by the Big 5 publishers; great articles on this at http://janefriedman.com/2015/02/05/wa.... As you'll see, authors don't generally see those higher prices translate to higher royalties.

To be fair to publishers of all types and sizes, there ARE costs involved in digital production, although they're not nearly as costly to produce as a print edition. (It truly irritates me when I see a trade paperback for $7.99 and the digital edition at $6.99-9.99.)

For most indie and small press authors, there are the basic costs of editing, cover design, interior design, digital conversion (sometimes requiring separate set-ups, depending on the distribution system), and distribution itself. And that's not even considering marketing, promotion, and publicity expenses. That's likely why we see many digital editions priced in the $2.99 - $5.99 range.

Personally, I'll pay up to $4.99 if I really enjoy the author. I did pay $5.99 a couple of times and once (shamefully) paid an outrageous price of $11.99 because I didn't want to wait a year for the paperback to come out. Boy, was I seriously unhappy when the publisher (one of the Big 5) released the paperwork for $7.99 just one week later! (And yes, I learned my lesson.)

On the plus side, many small presses are following indie authors' lead in offering the first in a series for free, $0.99 or $1.99. They're counting on readers liking the series/author and coming back to buy the next in the series.

~Susan

Nell wrote: "I am very impressed with your success at not purchasing books for a few years! I have unread boxes of TBRs that I am reading my way through. I purchase a lot fewer paper books (often at a UBS) but even switching to more e-book buys, I have yet to meet my goal of not buying books altogether."

Sadly (and gratefully!), my non-buying started with a job loss seven years ago. I was one to hit the used (mostly, but sometimes new) bookstores and drop money on 20-30 books at a shot. If I found new-to-me series that looked good, I'd buy them (or what I could get, even if I had to visit a couple of UBSs in a day to do it) to have on hand so when I finished one, I'd have the next handy (I prefer to read series in order). That led to my BOXES of TBR because I have series A-D-D -- I start one series then see another and I'm off to that one for a while. So, I kept purchasing series to read...and so on.

After the company closed the location I worked in (for 27 years!), I had a lot of free time on my hands (yeah for reading time, boo for money). I **sort of** started organizing my books and found I had boxes of books I hadn't read. I vowed not to purchase any books until I'd read what I had on hand. In the meantime, I started going to the library for the free wi-fi. Of course, who can be in a library and not look at books?! Any books missing in my series and any new-to-mes I found perusing, I started getting at the library. I didn't purchase anything new-to-me for at least two years. Then, a credit card company started offering a credit for spending at a small business on Small Business Saturday. That's mainly what I spent for the next couple of years--that is, the amount that company credited each year on SBS, $15-$30. I also started supplementing with e-freebies that looked interesting.

The other thing that got me was the clutter, the sheer number of books I had. There were piles of ones I'd read along with the TBRs. Shelves were double and triple stacked. I started bagging up the "reads" for the UBS (have I taken them in yet, no...). There's only so much space for books I want to keep let alone to house those I most likely won't read again anytime soon (not with my TBRs!).

I'm not saying I never broke down, but over the past 8 years I think I've spent less than $100 in books/e-books--mostly low-cost e-books--for myself. The idea of adding more to my current clutter has been a good motivator to continue my ban on buying. And, I've never been without something to read.

Plus, I'm lucky. I live in an area with at least six library systems within a 25-mile radius of my house and access to an e-library. I have cards for all but one at this point. Chances are at least one of them has the book I want/need. I might be wait-listed at times, but it's not as if I don't have something to fill the void (and it teaches me patience???). I get free e-reading at B&N, who offers an hour of free Nook reading a day. I don't visit B&N every day, but when I do, I hit those short stories or novellas authors have been adding between books in a series, ones I can't get at the library.

I still love perusing book stores and libraries and can spend hours doing so. Sometimes it's hard walking out of book stores empty handed, but I am still working through those boxed TBRs. Though I do supplement with library offering, I will try not to add to the boxes as long as I can. When I finally get around to taking my "reads" to the UBS, I may use the exchange for new-to-mes, or I might opt for the cash rather than the clutter and hit the library!

Susan wrote: "Nell wrote: "Karen wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "I'm not keen on big-name authors charging (well, their publishers) charging as much for the ebook as the paperback."

This is one of my issues with e-boo..."

I agree, there are costs involved with producing electronic documents, and this includes the intellectual input from the author. But I too agree that ebooks priced the same as print are a rip off and you wont find me ever buying them.

My objection is with print I can pass my book on to you to read, or I can swap it at a book meet or 'trade' it at a used book shop. I cannot do that with an ebook. Once read all I can do with it, other than keep it forever, is delete it.

So, to any authors reading this, I expect that to be taken into when pricing an ebook. Authors whose ebooks are priced too high or close to their print option I will borrow these from my library, so will not buy the print either.

Ella's Gran wrote: "My objection is with print I can pass my book on to you to read, or I can swap it at a book meet or 'trade' it at a used book shop. I cannot do that with an ebook. Once read all I can do with it, other than keep it forever, is delete it.

So I expect that to be taken into when pricing an ebook. ..."

That's an excellent point about not being able to "trade" ebooks. I have a Kindle Fire and *think* I can loan a book to someone. But that's a limited-time loan, I think. (Haven't done it.)

I wonder if we'll soon see an exchange option--perhaps something similar to the Game Exchange or other places that allow you to trade in old games and get credit toward another. Actually, I'm surprised Amazon hasn't tried something like this...

I will confess that I am also an author. I have priced my ebooks at a price that gives me about the same profit as I get on the print books (not a great deal; it takes a lot of sales to earn back the costs of cover and editing services). That seems fair to me.

What seems grossly unfair is the big publishers jacking up the ebook prices and passing virtually none of it along to the authors. That's mis-treating the people on both ends who make it possible for publishers to exist at all!

The ebook boom and the respectability of self-publishing has certainly made huge changes in the lifestyle of the readers and publishing market, yes?

Almost 3 years ago I had my 1st two Sally Nimitz mysteries published by Elderberry Press in ebook format - I liked the publisher and going ebook was much less of an expense outlay for me.

Since then, I became aware on another author forum of a way to have my books published in soft cover, where it cost me nothing, but I would make a small amount from each copy sold. It is CreateSpace, and it has
been a great discovery.
I still like Books, and some of my friends were complaining because they are not interested in purchasing an ebook reader - believe it or not, not everyone has been convinced.
But at the electronic book price of $2.99 all of my mysteries are very affordable, and kindle or nook or other device user will save their money and go with that.
Usually, so do it, but with some reads, a book in hand is so much better.
The used bookstore is a great way Not to pay top dollar for books in good or even excellent condition.

Karen wrote: "Rosemary wrote: "there is a place called "bookbub.com" that will send you a daily list..."

I get that, too. Other freebies/cheapies newsletters/sites include:
** Book Basset
** Books on the Kno..."

Thanks for this wonderful list of places to look for free/discounted e-books. I've just started reading more e-books and while I already knew about Bookbub, I didn't know about the rest. Thanks!

I love print books and will probably not be giving those up any time soon, but it's nice to have something on my phone or to be able to access my Kindle app online when I can't have a physical book with me.

In general, I only buy books that I'm going to read/use more than once or twice. If I'm only going to use it once or twice, I figure that that's part of why I work for the largest library in my county. ;) I often buy used, but if it's an author I really like and enjoy, I'll buy a new copy.

As far as pricing on e-books, I know that the big publishers set the prices for the books/ebooks they publish. And I'm not keen on paying the same amount that I would pay for the print book. Consequently, generally, if I'm going to purchase something from an author that is traditionally published by one of those publishers, I will buy the print book.

Indie authors have a little more flexibility on their pricing and for me it depends on how much I like the author's books as to how much I'll pay. If it's someone that's new to me, I'm not willing to pay much - usually $.99 at most. But, if it's someone I really like, I will pay up to about $4.99 for their ebooks.

I would really love it if the publishing industry did what much of the video industry did - provide a code for a digital copy of the item with the purchase of the physical item. I know it's not as easy with books since there's a wider variety of e-readers than there are video formats, but it seems to be rather profitable for the video industry, it'd be nice if the publishing industry could figure out something similar.

Gail, it is free, if you do all the work. You will need to purchase a proof copy, and more than one if you have to change things after seeing that proof :) But yeah, no set-up fees, etc. It is print on demand.

Rebecca wrote: "Gail, it is free, if you do all the work. You will need to purchase a proof copy, and more than one if you have to change things after seeing that proof :) But yeah, no set-up fees, etc. It is prin..."
This true, of course, because otherwise there would be a charge.
We had the consulting expertise of a very kind author doing it for the 1st time, and paid him a fee.
Some who are very savvy could probably figure it out without assistance.

I wouldn't call myself excessively savvy, but I did manage to figure it out on my own.

Rebecca wrote: "I wouldn't call myself excessively savvy, but I did manage to figure it out on my own."
ha! you're being modest.
I'm one of the may whose mind isn't technology bent so it was a given I'd need help..... but my husband is, and he needed a little advice just the same.

Well, I admit I was an early-adopter for home-computers. That means I got in back when you had to learn a little programming just to use a word-processor. That may give me an edge: I'm not scared of much of anything the computer might do (irritated beyond belief, often, but scared, no).

Here are a few cozy e-book deals from BookBub for Kindle

These are $1.99:

Boiled Over by Barbara Ross

Murder is Binding by Lorna Barrett

It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake

Homicide in Hardcover by Kate Carlisle

To Fudge or Not to Fudge by Nancy CoCo

and for $0.99:

That Touch of Ink by Diane Vallere
and
The Red Book of Primrose House: A Potting Shed Mystery by Marty Wingate

Here's the list of cozies on sale from this week's BookBub:

for $0.99
Lowcountry Bombshell by Susan M. Boyer
A Spirited Tail by Leighann Dobbs
Death by Bridle by Abigail Keam
Mad as Helen by Susan McBride



$1.99
At Bertram's Hotel by Agatha Christie
Clam Wake by Mary Daheim
Irish Eyes by Kathy Hogan Trocheck (aka Mary Kay Andrews)



Note that most of these are not first in the series. Book Bub list Kindle e-books on sale but B&N often drops its price too. Remember to check the current price before buying.

Karen wrote: "Rosemary wrote: "there is a place called "bookbub.com" that will send you a daily list..."

I get that, too. Other freebies/cheapies newsletters/sites include:
** Book Basset
** Books on the Kno..."

These sites plus ENT (EBook news today) are why my kindle has 3000+ titles. I always delete when I finish an ebook to clear space for more.. I am a compulsive free/cheap ebook addict. I have lent books from my kindle library...it is easy to do but not all books qualify for lending.

I have vowed this year to avoid the physical library and just read from my double and triple stacked bookshelves. I have discovered i have duplicates of some titles and a whole bunch that i know i will never read.i had my husband take five crammed bags to friends of library sale......i was afraid of the temptation if i went myself

Cozy Sales in this week's BookBub
www.bookbub.com

For $1.99
Bloom and Doom by Beverly Allen

Murder, Plain and Simple by Isabella Alan


For $0.99
Southern Peach Pie and A Dead Guy by A. Gardner

Trouble in Tawas by Madison Johns

The price has dropped to $1.99 for A Potion to Die For by Heather Blake. This is the first in her Magic Potion series.

Nell wrote: "The price has dropped to $1.99 for A Potion to Die For by Heather Blake. This is the first in her Magic Potion series.

"

Really like that series!

Kindle books on sale:

Bundle of Trouble by Diana Orgain
#1 in Maternal Instincts mystery series - $0.99


A Caffeinated Crunch by Constance Barker
#2 Sweet Home Mystery - Free


The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen
#6 in Royal Spyness series - $1.99
(This is a great Xmas mystery that can be read as a stand-alone)


Brownies & Betrayal by Heather Justesen
#1 Sweet Bites Mystery - $0.99

Sweet Tea Revenge by Laura Childs (#14 Tea Shop series) $1.99


Tempest in a Teapot by Amanda Cooper (#1 Teapot Collector) $1.99


The Murder Pit by Jeff Shelby (#1 Moose River mystery) Free

*Remember to check the price before you buy. Price drops are temporary - effective at time of posting but that may change.

Boiled Over by Barbara Ross (#2 Maine Clambake Mystery) $2.20


Murder on the Hill by Kennedy Chase (#1 Holly Hill mystery) $0.99


Lemon Meringue Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke (#4 Hannah Swensen) $2.20


Season for Murder by J.M. Griffin (#5 Esposito series) $0.99

Cozy mysteries on sale for $0.99:


Ghost at Work by Carolyn Hart (#1 Bailey Ruth series)


Death By Haunting by Abigail Keam(#7 Josiah Reynolds)


Lexie Starr Cozy Mysteries Boxed Set (Three Complete Cozy Mysteries in One) by Jeanne Glidewell

The german bookseller Thalia.de offers cozy mysteries in english for free:

Death wore brown shorts by Audrey Claire (Happy Holloway Mystery #1)

Murder at the Manor by C.T. Mitchell (International Cozy Mysteries #5)

Murder at the Mansion by Alison Golden (An Reverend Annabelle Dixon Cozy Mystery #2)

The Dearth Planner by Gillian Larkin (Storage Ghost Murders #4)
and so on
The format ist epub and you have to registrated (also free) by Thalia.de

On sale now for $1.99


A Dangerous Place by Jacqueline Winspear #11 in the Maisie Dobbs series


Seed No Evil by Kate Collins - #14 in the Flower Shop mystery series

FREE

Uneasy Spirits by M. Louisa Locke #2 Victorian San Francisco mystery

$0.99

A Killer Collection by Ellery Adams (#1 Collectible mystery)

Free

Harley Hill Cozy Murder Mystery Bundle: Books 1-3 by Kennedy Chase

Kindle e-books on sale

FREE
Blanche on the Lam by Barbara Neely (Blanche White Mystery #1)


$0.99
Murder at Redwood Cove by Janet Finsilver (Redwood Cove #1)


$1.99
Dog Eat Dog by Laurien Berenson (Melanie Travis Mystery #3)


*Remember these are the prices at time of positing. Check for the current price before purchasing.

$1.99
Geared for the Grave by Duffy Brown (Cycle Path Mystery #1)


The Body in the Boudoir by Katherine Hall Page (Faith Fairchild - prequel)

$1.99
A Spoonful of Murder by Connie Archer (Soup Lover's #1)


An Appetite for Murder by Lucy Burdette (Key West Food Critic #1)


$0.99
Just Desserts by Mary Daheim (Bed & Breakfast #1)

Murder Freshly Baked is 99 cents today through Thursday.
https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Freshly...
Listmom: feel free to delete if I put this in the wrong folder.

Vannetta wrote: "Listmom: feel free to delete if I put this in the wrong folder...."

Listmom!?! ROFL!

Listdad???

On sale for $1.99
Final Sentence by Daryl Wood Gerber - Cookbook Nook Mystery #1



A Familiar Tail by Delia James - Witch's Cat Mystery #1


Bite the Biscuit by Linda O. Johnston - Bakery & Biscuits Mystery #1


For $0.99
Mrs. Kaplan and the Matzoh Ball of Death by Mark Reutlinger - Mrs. Kaplan Mystery #1


The Pink Flamingo Murders by Elaine Viets - Francesca Vierling Mystery #3


Baked to Death by Catherine Bruns - Cookies & Chance Mystery #2

12 cozy mysteries for $0.99

https://www.amazon.com/Cozy-Mystery-S...

Mrs. Fix It Mysteries - the entire 15-books-series-box for 0.99 ($/£/€) / CDN$ 1.29*

*not sure about the price in Canada, the view I can verify prices not available there :-(

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Mrs-Fix-Myster...

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mrs-Fix-Myst...

Amazon Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/Mrs-Fix-Mysteri...

Amazon Germany: https://www.amazon.de/Mrs-Fix-Mysteri...

On sale for $1.99 - Kindle

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde


His Majesty's Hope by Susan Elia MacNeal - Maggie Hope #3


Ho-Ho-Homicide by Kaitlyn Dunnett


On sale for $0.99

Formula for Murder by Diana Orgain - Maternal Instincts #3


Address to Die For by Mary Feliz - Maggie McDonald #1

Hi all

Just wanted to let you know about the following fab offer:



99p Kindle September offer – For fans of The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency – The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra is a Times Saturday bestseller, Waterstones Book Club selection and Amazon Best Debut pick. This charming 2015 hit introduces readers to Inspector Ashwin Chopra of the Mumbai police as he moves through the turbulent, colourful fabric of modern Indian society in search of a murderer, whilst simultaneously coming to grips with the surreal dilemma of caring for a one-year-old baby elephant that has been sent into his care. “Endearing and gripping” ~ The Sunday Times; “Colour and atmosphere flows out of every page” ~ The Daily Express; “Utterly charming” ~ The Guardian

http://amzn.to/2celHwG

The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra

thanks

Vaseem