Because I said so -- and other adventures in Parenting: My Thoughts Arson, Old Lace and Murder (Charlie Kingsley Mysteries) by Michele (PW) Pariza Wacek

Arson, Old Lace and Murder (Charlie Kingsley Mysteries)
by Michele (PW) Pariza Wacek

This was such an intriguing mystery that I had a hard time putting it down. Thankfully we were on spring break so I was able to read during the day.
~Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books

Rating –
Even though this was my first read in the series, it left me wanting more. I’m definitely interested in going back to the earlier books now, because if they’re anything like this one, I know I’ll enjoy them.
~bibliophile_foodie

Bottom Line: The more time I spend in Redemption, Wisconsin, the more I find it equal parts charming and unsettling, and Arson, Old Lace, and Murder by Michele Pariza Wacek confirmed each of those feelings once again!
~Reading is my Superpower

The unique cast of characters, atmospheric setting, creep factor, and well-plotted mystery make Arson, Old Lace and Murder a great addition to the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series! I highly recommend it!
~Christy’s Cozy Corners

About Arson, Old Lace and Murder

Arson, Old Lace and Murder (Charlie Kingsley Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
8th in Series
Setting – Redemption, Wisconsin, in the 1990s
Publisher: Love-Based Publishing
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 25, 2026
Number of Pages 200
Paperback
ISBN: 9798893510393
ASIN : B0GNZPYN1L
Digital
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FHQHXNGR

Charlie Kingsley is not a private investigator. She makes and sells custom teas out of her home. Which is why she initially refused to look into a recent case of a bar that had burned down.
Yes, it was tragic that the owner’s body was found inside. But this is an arson case, and what does she possibly know about arson?
Except…one of the waitresses is missing.
Who’s pregnant.
Who everyone thought was having an affair with the owner of the bar.
How can Charlie say no to the owner’s widow? And when Charlie accidentally finds the pregnant waitress, things start to take a strange turn. And suddenly, Charlie finds herself thrust into a decades-old mystery that haunts Redemption to this day.
A mystery that could very well cost Charlie her life.
Meet Charlie. Also known as “Aunt Charlie” from the award-winning Secrets of Redemption series. She’s back, making teas and solving cases in this funny, twisty, cozy mystery series set in the 1990s in Redemption, Wisconsin.

About Michele (PW) Pariza Wacek

A USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author, Michele taught herself to read at 3 years old because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours) but she does spend much of her time writing stories now. Mystery stories, to be exact. They’re clean and twisty, and range from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix. If that wasn’t enough, she posts lots of fun things on her blog, including short stories, puzzles, recipes and more, at MPWNovels.com.

Michele grew up in Wisconsin, (hence why all her books take place there), and still visits regularly, but she herself escaped the cold and now lives in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona with her husband and southern squirrel hunter Cassie.

When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading, hanging out with her dog, or watching the Food Network and imagining she’s an awesome cook. (Spoiler alert, she’s not. Luckily for the whole family, Mr. PW is in charge of the cooking.)

While each book is a standalone, you may find it more enjoyable to read the books in order, which is:

The Murder Before Christmas
Ice Cold Murder
Murder Next Door
Murder Among Friends
The Murder of Sleepy Hollow
Red Hot Murder
A Cornucopia of Murder
Arson, Old Lace and Murder
Masquerading as Murder (coming 2026)

Other books in the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series include:
A Grave Error (prequel)
Loch Ness Murder
A Wedding to Murder For
Three French Hens and a Murder
A Room For Murder
Margaritas and Murder
Secret Santa Murder (coming 2026)

Author Links – Website Facebook Instagram

Purchase Link – Amazon

My Thoughts

Arson, Old Lace and Murder (Charlie Kingsley Mysteries) is written by Michele (PW) Pariza Wacek. This is a new to me author, and this will not be the last book that I read by her. I really love a good quick cozy mystery that will draw me in within the first few pages.

Charlie is not a private investigator. I love that she sells custom teas out of her home. Just because I have been on such a tea cake lately. Anyways, she looks into a case where a bar had burned down. Turns out that this is not an open and shut case.

A murdered bar owner, a pregnant, missing waitress, a widow and a mystery that has stayed hidden for decades. I love when there’s a good old historical mystery thrown into the story. I love learning about the towns history and just trying to pick up the breadcrumbs that the author was dropping.

I am definitely a Charlie fan. I will need to go back and try to get the other books while this is part of the series. I did not have any problems following along. The characters are well written it is a perfect blend of cozy mystery, historical, and romance.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours for allowing me to read a copy of this book all thoughts on my own.

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

March 23 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

March 23 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

March 24 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

March 25 – @bibliophile_foodie – REVIEW

March 26 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

March 27 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

March 28 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

March 28 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

March 29 – deal sharing aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

March 30 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW