The Stuff of Malice: An Old Stuff Mystery

Author:   Kathleen Marple Kalb
Publisher:   Level Best Books
Volume:   3
ISBN:  

9798898201715


Pages:   264
Publication Date:   24 February 2026
Format:   Paperback
Availability:   Available To Order   Availability explained
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The Stuff of Malice: An Old Stuff Mystery


Overview

Historian Christian Shaw and her boyfriend, Assistant State's Attorney Joe Poli finally get a big date night...only to be called out when a body turns up on the Unity Town Green. Worse, the body belongs to Christian's current client, Sir Jeremy Hightower, the exceedingly pretentious director of the Summer Shakespeare production...and still worse, the murder weapon strongly suggests a hate crime. Christian will need all her expertise in old things - and the help of her ""two dads,"" her rabbi, and her son Henry's photographic memory to solve this one. And she'll still have to brush off her Shakespeare and take the stage...but she may not make it to the curtain call!

Full Product Details

Author:   Kathleen Marple Kalb
Publisher:   Level Best Books
Imprint:   Level Best Books
Volume:   3
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 1.50cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.358kg
ISBN:  

9798898201715


Pages:   264
Publication Date:   24 February 2026
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Available To Order   Availability explained
We have confirmation that this item is in stock with the supplier. It will be ordered in for you and dispatched immediately.

Table of Contents

Reviews

""A Fun, History-laden Whodunit That Will Blow You Away! If you're looking for a cozy mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat, look no further than The Stuff of Mayhem. Book Two in the Old Stuff Mystery series is a real blast, and I mean that quite literally! The explosive death of Rowland Stark sets off a chain of events that will have you turning pages faster than a cannonball. Historian Christian Shaw and Assistant State's Attorney Joe Poli team up to unravel secrets in the charming New England town of Unity. Their investigation is full of twists, and antique artifacts add to the intrigue. Fans of modern mysteries with a historical twist will undoubtedly enjoy this fun, fresh cozy and be left eager for the next installment!"" -- Sarah E. Burr, award-winning author of the Trending Topic Mysteries and other cozies ""Christian Shaw returns in The Stuff of Mayhem and this second outing is every bit as good as the first.  Kathleen Maple Kalb excels in drawing modern small town life, filled with characters who feel authentic, while combining realistic problems and issues with warmth and optimism. It's impossible not to feel invested in Christian, her son Henry and her friends. This series also combines two of my favourite things - history and mystery! Christian's position in the local historical society leads to intriguing situations. In The Stuff of Mayhem, a historical reenactment on July 4th backfires spectacularly when a local is killed, but that's just the start of the chaos. Against a backdrop of seemingly ordinary life, the mystery unfurls at a satisfying rate. Christian is helped by the lovely lawyer, Joe and her perceptive son Henry who is - like my own child - a type 1 diabetic. It's great to see this condition represented and most importantly handled so accurately.  If you like small town life, we'll crafted mysteries and great characters The Stuff of Mayhem should be your next read!"" - Nina Hayes Author of The Old Bat Chronicles, and the Ellie & Lexi Mystery Series Praise for the Old Stuff Series: From Aunt Agatha's Mysteries (Robin Agnew): ""...pretty much top of the heap.  Her voice, pacing and storytelling ability are just terrific.  I can't recommend her books more highly."" From T.G. Wolff's Toe Tag Podcast: ""The Stuff of Murder is for you if you like cozy mysteries, charming characters, and everyday old stuff."" Sarah E. Burr, author of the Trending Topic Mysteries, Book Blogger Mysteries, & Glenmyre Whim Mysteries: ""The Stuff of Murder checks all the boxes of a great, modern murder mystery. A strong lead with a diverse supporting cast, Kalb's latest is a charming read for mystery fans."" Geraldine Byrne, author of the Irish Music Shop and Caroline Jordan Mystery Series: ""This is a thoroughly enjoyable modern murder mystery with a likeable, diverse cast of characters and a town that has a charming sense of community. An additional plus for me was the addition of a young character with Type 1 diabetes, and as the parent of a 9 yr old with the same, the descriptions of diagnosis and general life with T1D were accurate, positive and at one point, brought tears to my eyes.""


Author Information

Kathleen Marple Kalb describes herself as an Author/Anchor/Mom...not in that order. An award-winning weekend anchor at New York's 1010 WINS Radio, she writes short stories and novels including the Old Stuff and Ella Shane series, both from Level Best Books. Her stories, under her own name, and as Nikki Knight, have been in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, Black Cat Weekly, Mystery Magazine, and others, and nominated for Agatha, Derringer and Black Orchid Novella Awards. Active in writer's groups, she's served as Vice President of the Short Mystery Fiction Society and Co-VP of the New York/Tri-State Sisters in Crime Chapter. She, her husband, and son live in a Connecticut house owned by their cat.

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