On the shelves - Dec. 20

The books listed below are now available for checkout at the Clovis-Carver Public Library. The library has reopened to the public, but patrons can continue to visit the online catalog at clovis.polarislibrary.com or call 575-769-7840 to request a specific item for curbside pickup.

“Silent Knit, Deadly Knit” by Peggy Ehrhart. Pamela has been in merry spirits since her artsy daughter Penny returned home from college for the holidays. But their mother-daughter bonding time gets cut short when a terrified Penny stumbles upon the body of Millicent Farthingale, a wealthy craft shop owner who was popular for all the wrong reasons. From a scheming business partner to a seedy husband several years her junior, Millicent attracted scammers so in love with her assets, they'd toss her down a chimney to get their paws on them. Now, with only a hand-knit red scarf connecting the killer to the crime, Pamela and the Knit and Nibblers could use some extra creativity as they find out who's really naughty or nice in Arborville-because going up against a looming culprit is DIY or die!

“Kissing Santa Claus” (Overdrive ebook) shares three romantic stories of holiday magic. “Lock, Stock and Jingle Bells” finds Sean determined to warm Holly — who hates the yuletide season — to Christmas and to him. After uncovering a diary concealing secrets involving both their families, they discover this Christmas could change their lives forever. “Bah Handsome!” sees more than sparks fly between B&B owner Hope and an unlikely guest who threatens to put her out of business. In “It's Hotter at Christmas,” Marissa struggles to get away from Hawaii to enjoy her Christmas East Coast style, but a tall, dark, and serious police officer is about to give this bad Santa in heels a Mele Kalikimaka she'll never forget.

“Eight Perfect Murders” by Peter Swanson. Years ago, bookseller and mystery aficionado Malcolm Kershaw compiled a list of the genre's most unsolvable murders, those that are almost impossible to crack. But no one is more surprised than Mal, now the owner of the Old Devils Bookstore in Boston, when an FBI agent comes knocking on his door one snowy day in February. She's looking for information about a series of unsolved murders that look eerily similar to the killings on Mal's old list. And the FBI agent isn't the only one interested in this bookseller who spends almost every night at home reading. The killer is out there, watching his every move-a diabolical threat who knows way too much about Mal's personal history, especially the secrets he's never told anyone, even his recently deceased wife. To protect himself, Mal begins looking into possible suspects . . . and sees a killer in everyone around him. But Mal doesn't count on the investigation leaving a trail of death in its wake.

“Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker” by Nicki Sizemore. Countless home cooks remain loyal users of their slow cookers for preparing satisfying, low-maintenance meals. But the tried-and-true slow cooker recipe repertoire is about to change, with author Nicki Sizemore's fresh spin on slow-cooked meals. Filled with slow-simmered main dishes, plus 35 recipes for sauces and sides, Sizemore shows how to replace canned ingredients with fresh vegetables, boost flavor with aromatic herbs and spices, and presents a tantalizing array of global tastes in dishes that span the menu.

“Crochet with String: 9 Great Projects to Make for Your Home” by Jemima Schlee. Everyone has at least one long-forgotten ball of string lurking at the back of a drawer. This handy booklet shows you how to transform an everyday, mundane item into an array of exciting makes for your home.

“Christmas Traditions Around the World” by Ann Ingalls (Overdrive ebook) xplores Christmas traditions from around the world, including foods, gift-giving, and religious celebrations.

— Summaries provided by library staff