Mummy's Locket: My Favorite Debut Mystery Series for May

Yes, it’s true. I’m prejudiced about my favorite pick this month. That’s because Mummy’s Locket is my debut novel, and the first in the Mallory Grayson Mystery series!

My writing-road to this debut has been a long one. While this is my sixth book, it’s my first novel and the actualization of a long-held dream to not only write non-fiction, but to also write mysteries, my favorite of all genres.

It took six years to get to today as I developed my fiction skills, researched, wrote, and rewrote this book and then found the right publisher. I’m delighted that I signed a three-book publishing deal with Next Chapter Publishing and was fortunate to have received two publisher offers at the same time to consider. The second book in the series, One Deadly Postcard, will be out in early 2027.

So, what’s this book about? Cursed love. Buried secrets. Elevated courage. Welcome to Mummy’s Locket, where the past and present collide. We all have secrets. But what happens when someone else’s secret is now yours to keep as you realize you’re not who you thought you were?

Thrust from a sheltered, well-off life, Mallory Grayson, a thirty-year-old introvert moves to a small town to start over, launching a vintage shop to sell what's left of her family heirlooms. But when the mummified body of her great-grandmother, missing since the 1930s, is discovered, she decides to find out why, unaware excavating the past brings unwelcomed truths and personal risk. 

If you like traditional mysteries with historical elements and hints of cozy, I hope you’ll consider giving my book a try. The initial publishing launch for Mummy’s Locket just began. It starts with eBooks, then is layered with soft and hard cover, and eventually audio. You can find it here.

Did you know over four million new books are published every year in the U.S. alone – 600,000 by traditional publishers and the rest are self or hybrid published. All those books make it difficult for new genre authors, like me, to be discovered by readers. Since I want to keep writing mysteries for a long time, what enables me to do that are reviews and word of mouth. Should you read and enjoy Mummy’s Locket, I’d be most grateful if you’d offer an honest review or mention Mummy’s Locket to friends and family.

You can learn more about me and books or sign up for my occasional newsletter at www.nanrussell.com.