Kris Bock's Blog
September 15, 2025
Happy National Cozy Mystery Day! Check out some fun #mystery #books
National Cozy Mystery Day is September 15 eachyear. It’s mystery writer Agatha Christie’s birthday and a time to celebratecozy mysteries!
A cozy mystery is one where the detective is anamateur sleuth rather than a police officer or an investigator. They often takeplace in small towns or at least have characters who form a small community.They have little or no violence, sex, and cursing on the page.

Thishumorous series starts with Something Shady at Sunshine Haven, whichmade Barnes & Noble's list of “Handpicked Favorites You'll Love!” It's free at major retailers this month!
Readerssay: “The characters in thisbook remind me of those in Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. I lovetheir quirks and I was fooled until the very end.”
“I love the amateurdetective sisters solving the crimes along with their friends and family whohelp them. There is lots of witty banter and interesting situations that keepthis story moving along at a fast pace.”
“Agreat start to a new series... Readers will enjoy this new cozy mystery andeagerly wait for more sleuthing with Kate and the Coffee Shop Irregulars!”
“Krishas done a wonderful job providing a suspenseful mystery for the reader to helpsolve, as well as shared some interesting and quirky characters.”

Readers say:
“…what truly resonated withme was Petra’s emotional journey. Her anxiety about being discovered, hercautious approach to forming friendships, and her affection for her pets (thecats! the ferrets! my heart!) made her character incredibly relatable. I foundmyself laughing, gasping, and perhaps shedding a tear or two.”
“A Stone Cold Murder isexactly the kind of book I crave—tightly plotted, emotionally rich, andimpossible to put down. Kris Bock blends murder, mystery, and psychic suspenseseamlessly, and I’m obsessed.”
“Kris Bock has crafted astory that’s equal parts murder mystery, psychological deep-dive, andsmall-town gothic horror (in the best way).”

So if you’re looking for cozy(ish) mysteries,check out my books. Something Shady at Sunshine Haven is free at majorretailers September 2025!
Kris Bock writes mystery, suspense, and romance, oftenwith smart, snarky heroines finding adventure (sometimes against their will) inthe Southwest. She lives in New Mexico where she enjoys hiking with her husbandand playing with their ferrets.

Romance: In the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series, a Texas ranching family wins a fortune inthe lottery. Who wouldn't want to be a billionaire? Turns out winning thelottery causes as many problems as it solves. Furrever FriendsSweet Romance series stars theemployees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in love with eachother and shelter cats.
Kris Bocknewsletter and get anAccidental Detective short story, a Reluctantly Psychic short story, and otherfreebies. Then every two weeks, you’ll get fun content about pets,announcements of new books, sales, and more.
June 27, 2025
Huevos Rancheros #recipe and the Reluctant Psychic Murder #Mystery #book series

These mysteries don’t include recipes in the books, butfood is a great way to get to know a place. Huevos rancheros is a popularbreakfast dish in New Mexico (and in Mexico and other places). You can probablyget it in any diner in the state, but it’s easy to make at home as well.
HuevosRancheros

8-12 corntortillas (2 per person)
One canrefried beans
Shredded orsliced cheddar (about 1/4 cup per person)
4-6 eggs (2per person)
enchilada sauce (available, canned, in the Mexican section of most groceries)Preheat oven to 350°. Sauté the hash browns in a little oil until nicely cooked. Set aside. Lightly brush a warm skillet with oil. Fry the tortillas until warm and turning golden, 30-60 seconds per side. Place the tortillas in stacks of two on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Spread refried beans over the top tortilla in each pair. Sprinkle shredded cheese or lay a slice of cheese on each serving. Put the baking sheet in the oven for 12-15 minutes, so the beans heat and the cheese melts. Meanwhile, warm the enchilada sauce on the stove or in the microwave. Fry the eggs to the hardness of your choosing. Move the tortillas to individual plates. Add two eggs to the top of each. Pour enchilada sauce over it all. Serve immediately.
Options:
You can use only one tortilla and one egg per person. You can heat the tortilla, beans, cheese, and enchilada sauce on a plate in the microwave and then add the egg on top. Try whole pinto beans or black beans instead of refried beans. Experiment with different cheeses, such as Monterey Jack or queso fresco. Use green chile sauce, salsa, or hot sauce instead of, or in addition to, enchilada sauce. Add fresh or canned tomatoes, chopped avocado, jalapenos, diced yellow onion, lettuce, or cilantro to garnish.
Book 2, Death at Rock Bottom, comes out July 30: Petra gets drawn into anothermystery after a retired petroleum engineer and rockhound died while hiking.Frank acted odd in his last weeks, whispering about aliens. Was he showing thefirst signs of dementia, or were more sinister forces at work? As Petra’s bookclub becomes a crime-fighting club, Petra must use her psychic gift and herbrains to fight through the clues along with her newfound family.


Sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter and get an Accidental Detective shortstory and other freebies. Then every two weeks, you’ll get fun content aboutpets, announcements of new books, sales, and more.
Kris alsowrites a series with her brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrote theoriginal screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. The Felony Melanieseries follows the crazy antics of Melanie, Jake, and their friends a decadebefore the events of the movie. Sign up for the romantic comedynewsletter to geta short story preview, or find the books at Amazon USor All E-book retailers.
June 11, 2025
Coming Soon! Death at Rock Bottom (A Reluctant Psychic Murder Mystery series book 2) #books #mystery

After solving the mystery of her predecessor’s death, geologist Petra Cloch wants to focus on her job as the rocks and minerals curator at a quirky, small town New Mexico museum. But her friend and colleague Liberty is suspicious of the supposedly accidental death of Frank Underwood, a retired petroleum engineer and rockhound who died while hiking. Frank acted odd in his last weeks, talking about something incredible he found in the desert and whispering about aliens. Was he showing the first signs of dementia, or were more sinister forces at work?
Petra wants to help Liberty uncover the truth, and before long their book club has somehow become a crime-fighting club. Petra uses her gift and her brains to fight through the confusing and contradictory clues along with her new found family, but has someone gotten a taste for murder?

“A Stone Cold Murder is exactly the kind of book I crave—tightly plotted, emotionally rich, and impossible to put down. Kris Bock blends murder, mystery, and psychic suspense seamlessly, and I’m obsessed.”“…what truly resonated with me was Petra’s emotional journey. Her anxiety about being discovered, her cautious approach to forming friendships, and her affection for her pets (the cats! the ferrets! my heart!) made her character incredibly relatable. I found myself laughing, gasping, and perhaps shedding a tear or two.”“Kris Bock has crafted a story that’s equal parts murder mystery, psychological deep-dive, and small-town gothic horror (in the best way).”“A Stone Cold Murder is one of the most vivid books I’ve ever read. Kris Bock doesn’t just tell a story—she immerses you in it.”
Learn more or buy The ReluctantPsychic Mystery series – in print and ebook at all major retailers.
Kris Bock writes mystery, suspense, and romance, often with smart, snarky heroines finding adventure (sometimes against their will) in the Southwest. She lives in New Mexico where she enjoys hiking with her husband and playing with their ferrets.
Kris’s romanticsuspense novels include stories of treasure hunting,archaeology, and intrigue. Readers have called these novels “Smart romance withan Indiana Jones feel.”

In the AccidentalBillionaire Cowboys series, a Texas ranching family wins a fortune in the lottery. Whowouldn't want to be a billionaire? Turns out winning the lottery causes as manyproblems as it solves.
Kris Bock newsletter and get anAccidental Detective short story and other freebies. Then every two weeks,you’ll get fun content about pets, announcements of new books, sales, and more.
June 4, 2025
A Stone Cold Murder #Mystery tour stops: bloggers review "a complex mystery with many layers" #books

Several bloggers reviewed the book!
“The mystery was unique and so well done. Her psychometrygives her clues, but not enough to know what exactly is going on. I love howshe slowly investigates, how she slowly begins to trust, and how she graduallystarts to accept her gift. Plenty of suspicious characters and red herringskeep readers on their toes.
“Quirky characters in an unconventional museum pulled me into this captivating mystery. I loved this series debut and I can't wait toreturn to the Banditt Museum!” ~Cozy Up With Kathy
“I swiftly became sympathetic to Petra’s uneasy adaptationsand her sad and lonely past. The plot is well-paced, and Petra’s reaction toher first handling of potential evidence of murder reveals her startlingability very effectively...

“The author did a wonderful job explaining Petra’s gift andincluded ways it shook up her life. I became invested in her life easily. Herinner dialogues touched my heart… Ms. Bock has surrounded Petra with awell-crafted, quirky cast of characters…
“Ms. Bock penned a complex mystery with many layers. WithPetra taking over not only the deceased’s office but his rental home as well,she is immersed in the mystery of his death. She knows there is more to hisstory, but can she find the truth? I appreciated the pace that was set for thisstory. Time was allowed to introduce the characters while Petra debated how tomove forward. This draws readers in, then the twists start to happen. A wantedman, an important object or two in the museum, a crazy filing system, anunexpected visitor, a new friend with a gift of their own, all come together asPetra follows clue after clue and learns something surprising about her gift.This culminates in an exciting chase and takedown that will have readers on theedge of their seats.

Read a sample or g et AStone Cold Murder: A Reluctant Psychic Murder Mystery Book 1.
KrisBock writes mystery, suspense, and romance, often with smart, snarky heroinesfinding adventure (sometimes against their will) in the Southwest. She lives inNew Mexico where she enjoys hiking with her husband and playing with theirferrets.

TheFurreverFriends Sweet Romance series stars the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as theyfall in love with each other and shelter cats. In the AccidentalBillionaire Cowboys series, a Texas ranching family wins a fortune in the lottery. Whowouldn't want to be a billionaire? Turns out winning the lottery causes as manyproblems as it solves.
Signup for the Kris Bocknewsletter and get an Accidental Detective short story and other freebies.Then every two weeks, you’ll get fun content about pets, announcements of newbooks, sales, and more.
May 31, 2025
A Stone Cold Murder #Mystery tour stops: author and main character interview; two different heroines in my two mystery series #books

The Stone Cold Murder book tour stopped by Christy’s Cozy Cornerswith an author interview on favorite place to write, childhood bookmemories, author friends, and “What made you choose the cozy mystery genre?” If you missed it, find it here.
At Ascroft, eh?, main character Petra Cloch talks about how she evolved as the main character, her favorite other characters, and Bonneville, population 2000. Find that one here.
At Carla Loves To Read, I discussed "TwoVery Different Heroines" in my two mystery series. She also reviewed the book: “This was an interesting introduction to a new cozy mystery series… I found this an intriguing story with great characters and an interesting plot... I am looking forward to the next book in this series, Death at Rock Bottom.” Read it here .Read a sample or get A Stone Cold Murder: A Reluctant Psychic Murder Mystery Book 1.
April 28, 2025
Take a stress-relief break with a new paranormal mystery! #books #paranormal #mystery

Early readers say:
“Kris Bock, youhave created a novel that is both heartwarming and suspenseful. For those whoappreciate mysteries that offer depth, a distinctive supernatural element, anda protagonist to cherish, A Stone Cold Murder is an essential read. Well done!”– Sarah W. on GoodReads
“This was an entertaining mystery thatkept me guessing until the end... With a sympathetic main character, quirkysecondary characters, and an intriguing mystery, this was a fun read. I amlooking forward to Petra’s next adventure!” Robin S. on BookBub
“I’m not exaggerating when I say A Stone Cold Murder is oneof the most vivid books I’ve ever read. Kris Bock doesn’t just tell a story—sheimmerses you in it. From the dusty, claustrophobic halls of the Banditt Museumto the eerie silence of Petra’s new home (which may or may not be haunted by adead man’s secrets), every setting pulses with life.” Lauren M. on GoodReads
Learn more about The ReluctantPsychic Mystery series or order copies. Available in ebook and print at all majorretailers.

Kris Bock writes mystery, suspense, andromance, often with Southwestern landscapes. In the Accidental Detective humorousmystery series , awitty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges ofturning fifty.
The Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the employees and customersat a cat café. Watch as they fall in love with each other and shelter cats. In the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series, a Texas ranching family wins afortune in the lottery and find out winning the lottery causes as many problemsas it solves. Kris’s romantic suspense novels include stories of treasure hunting,archaeology, and intrigue.
April 18, 2025
Meet the Reluctant Psychic in a new #mystery series launching soon! You'll love relaxing with these exciting #books set in smalltown New Mexico.

Afterpublishing six books in The Accidental Detective humorous mystery series (actually set in Arizona), I’m writing a new series. In the Reluctant Psychic Mysteries, a quirkyloner who can read the history of any object with her touch gets drawn intomysteries at the museum of oddities where she works, in smalltown New Mexico.
The weeks before a new release can be nerve-wracking for an author. Will people like it? Will they get what you were trying to do? Fortunately, I've had some excellent reviews from readers who got an advance copy!
“A Stone Cold Murder by Kris Bock isn’t just a murder mystery—it’s a haunting, immersive experience that blends the supernatural with raw human emotion. As someone who adores crime fiction with a twist, this book grabbed me from the first page and refused to let go.” – Kora B. on GoodReads

“And the small-town dynamics? Perfection. Everyone knows everyone, secrets simmer beneath polite smiles, and Petra’s outsider status makes every interaction deliciously tense. Kris Bock, you’ve created something special here. The prose is sharp, the mystery is addictive, and Petra’s journey is one I won’t forget. If you love atmospheric thrillers with a deeply human core, you need this book.” – Lauren M. on GoodReads
“Kris Bock has crafted astory that’s equal parts murder mystery, psychological deep-dive, andsmall-town gothic horror (in the best way). And the murder plot? So clever. Reggie’s death is ruled an accident, but Petra’s ability tells her otherwise. The way she pieces together clues—through objects, through hesitant conversations with coworkers, through that creepy hidden laptop—is masterful. And the fact that the killer might still be in the museum? I was looking over my shoulder while reading.” – Lesa R. on GoodReads

She hates her gift – but it just might save her…
Geologist Petra Cloch can touch an object andsense the emotions of the people who’ve held it. It’s a miserable way to live.She studied rocks because they rarely ‘talk’ to her and she’s dodgedfriendships so she won’t need to explain her gift or feel like a voyeur. Butwhen she takes a job as the rock and mineral curator at an unusual westernhistory museum and picks up a jagged crystal in her new office, flashes ofrage, fear and death hit hard.
Everyone says her predecessor died in a carcrash, but what if he was murdered? Under normal circumstances, Petra wouldnever become involved, but what if the previous curator died because ofsomething he did on the job? She could be next. Petra knows she’ll needevidence, not her psychic sense she hides. Can she trust her chatty colleagueswho invite her to lunch and to join a book club? And what about the far toowatchful Sheriff who keeps showing up unexpectedly…
Learn more about The ReluctantPsychic Mystery series or order copies. Available in ebook and print at all majorretailers.

KrisBock writes mystery, suspense, andromance, often with Southwestern landscapes. In theAccidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteriesin Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty.
The FurreverFriends Sweet Romance seriesfeatures the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in lovewith each other and shelter cats.
In the AccidentalBillionaire Cowboys series,a Texas ranching family wins a fortune in the lottery and find out winning thelottery causes as many problems as it solves.
Kris’s romanticsuspense novelsinclude stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue.
Krisalso writes a series with her brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrotethe original screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. The FelonyMelanie series follows the crazy antics of Melanie, Jake, and their friends adecade before the events of the movie. Sign up for the romanticcomedy newsletter to get ashort story preview, or find the books at Amazon US or All E-book retailers.
April 10, 2025
New Mexico small towns filled with eccentric characters (in fiction and in real life) and a new paranormal mystery #books #mystery

Reviews are coming in, and several mention the setting:
“The depiction of the small-town environment is so vivid that I could almost sense the dust in the museum and feel the heat of the desert. The mystery itself is exceptionally well-crafted.”
“The murder mystery is fantastic. The idea that a museum curator was killed with a rock (how chillingly ironic) and that Petra is the only one who knows? Genius. And the small-town setting? So atmospheric. The Banditt Museum feels like a character itself, full of hidden corners and whispered history.”
Themuseum, town, and characters in the novels are fictional, but New Mexico hasplenty of similar small towns – ones filled with eccentric characters.
In some parts of the West, the Old Westis alive and well – at least for a day or two each year. Magdalena is a small town in central NM. Magdalena was known as Trails End, because cowboys used todrive thousands of cattle and sheep there to meet the railroad spur that wouldtake the livestock onward.
Today Magdalena features small shops withartists and plenty of historic buildings. It sponsors the Old Timers' Festival,which typically includes a mini-cattle drive, a rodeo, western dance and song, afiddlers contest, and sometimes a mock battle between lawmen and gunslingers.



Onereason I like setting novels in the southwest is that it gives me a chance toget out hiking and exploring!

Learn more The ReluctantPsychic Mystery series or preorder Book 1, A Stone Cold Murder, for delivery April 28. Available in ebook and print at all major retailers.

Kris Bock writes mystery, suspense, andromance, often with Southwestern landscapes. In the Accidental Detective humorousmystery series , awitty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges ofturning fifty.

In the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series, a Texas ranching family wins afortune in the lottery and find out winning the lottery causes as many problemsas it solves. Kris’s romantic suspense novels include stories of treasure hunting,archaeology, and intrigue.
Krisalso writes a series with her brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrotethe original screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. The FelonyMelanie series follows the crazy antics of Melanie, Jake, and their friends adecade before the events of the movie. Sign up for the romanticcomedy newsletter to get ashort story preview, or find the books at Amazon US or All E-book retailers.
March 26, 2025
Preorder Now! A Stone Cold Murder (A Reluctant Psychic Murder Mystery book 1) #books #mystery #NewRelease
A quirky loner who can read the history of any object with her touch gets drawn into mysteries at the museum of oddities where she works.
has the psychic ability of psychometry – she can glimpse the history of an object by touching it. Powerful emotions leave behind the strongest vibrations. If Petra touches a watch or ring someone has worn for years, she can sense the wearer’s personality and what they care about most. If she touches an object used as a murder weapon, she might sense the emotions of the killer and the killed – but that doesn’t mean she can identify the killer.
To save her sanity, Petra avoids close relationships except with her many pets. She studied geology, because rocks rarely speak to her. Her new job is supposed to focus on the rocks and minerals wing of a peculiar private museum in a small southwestern town. But she can’t avoid the echoes of violence all around her. If she doesn’t want murderers to go free, she’ll have to convince the local sheriff there is something to investigate. That means finding evidence beyond the psychic senses she hides.
A Stone Cold Murder (A Reluctant Psychic Murder Mystery book 1)
Petra is starting a new job at a quirky private museum ina small New Mexico town. When she picks up a jagged crystal in her new office, she'sovercome by flashes of rage, fear and death. Everyone says her predecessor diedin a car crash, but what if he was murdered?
Petra normallyavoids involvements, but if the previous curator died because of the job, shecould be next. Can she trust her chatty colleagues? And what about the far toowatchful Sheriff who keeps showing up unexpectedly…
Buy direct from the publisher Amazon ASIN: B0DT291NVLB&N ISBN-13: 9781966593324
Apple id: 6740542084
Kobo Book ID: 9781966593270 Google Play
Praise:
“I really really enjoyed this - and my first thoughts upon completing it are ‘I hope this is actually the beginning of a series!! I really enjoyed the intro to all the people in this small community. So many interesting characters – so many ways this could go further.” – Reader review on BookBub
“A good old-fashioned murder mystery with a twist. The supernatural elements make this book interesting. I empathized with the main character, and she was genuine and reluctant as the title implies… it was suspenseful and kept you guessing until the end… Good read.” – Reader review on BookBub
March 1, 2025
Get cozy for 99 cents with “Small town romance with cats ... what more could you want?” #romance #books #romancelandia

“I loved this book so much and absolutely loved the concept of the café.”
“Anyone who likes a sweet story about relatable, cat-loving characters will enjoy Coffee and Crushes.”
Kari doesn’t have time for love when she’s opening her new cat café. She’s busy hiring employees, fighting with the health inspector – oh, and welcoming 16 shelter cats. But when a tattooed military vet comes in claiming he’s a master baker, she can’t let him get away. Maybe her sister will fall for a guy this sweet.
Colin has other ideas. It’s Kari who makes him want to turn up the heat. But he’s spent the last two years recovering from physical and psychological wounds. Is he ready for a relationship? He’s not even sure he should commit to Samson, the sweet Siamese cat who steals his heart.
The Furrever Friends series features the workers and customers at a small-town cat café, and the adorable cats looking for their forever homes. Each book is a complete story with a happy ending for one couple.
“I loved this book so much that I purchased the next in the series, and it is just as sweet!”

Kris Bock writes romance, mystery, andsuspense. Get a free 30-page story set in the world of the Furrever Friends cat café when you sign up for Kris Bock’s Romance and Mystery newsletter. You’ll also get a printable copy of "22 recipes from the cat café” and a free Accidental Detective mystery short story with bonus material.

Inthe Accidental Detective humorousmystery series, awitty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges ofturning fifty. Learn more at KrisBock.com.
