• "The characters are quirky to the point of being bizarre, the heroine is extremely likeable and the mystery is one the reader can really get her teeth into... it will test your brain, as well as your funny bone..." —Coffee Time Romance 

    "Readers will chuckle over this series of cozy mysteries, with its oddball characters, story twists, and dirty laundry. " —Futures Mystery Anthology Magazine

    "Josie Toadfern is certainly one of the funniest detectives on the bookshelves." —New Mystery Reader Magazine 

    "Many cozies use up all their cleverness in their titles, but Sharon Short's books about stain-removal expert Josie Toadfern of Paradise, Ohio, save a lot of smarts for character and plot. Her latest is a fine example..." —Chicago Tribune

    "...a funny, fast read for anyone who likes their mysteries liberally sprinkled with humor. Josie makes a charming heroine... You'll be hungry for more of Josie's adventures." —Romantic Times Bookclub magazine

  • "Years ago, when we were trying to create a local column in the Dayton Daily News’ Life section that offered a proper mix of wisdom and whimsy, with a friendly voice and a bright take on the crazy things that can go on in the world, Sharon Short came quickly to mind. Her “Sanity Check” columns have been making our Monday morning coffee taste better, and our days brighter, for more than a decade now. Those readers who know her from her novels will enjoy getting to know the more personal, witty side of a writer who has a true knack for telling it like it is, and making you happy to hear it." —Ron Rollins, Former Editor, Dayton Daily News

  • Best of 2019, Aunt Agatha’s Mysteries

    Ohioana Fiction Finalist, 2020

    Ohioana Reader’s Choice Award (Fan Favorite) for Fiction, 2020

    Pulpwood Queens Book of the Year, 2019

    A Sun-Sentinel Best Mystery Book of 2019

    Goodreads List for most anticipated thrillers of 2019

  • “Deeply felt…the feisty female protagonists do their real-life foremothers proud.”

    —Publishers Weekly

    “Inspired by the true story of Maude Collins, Ohio’s first female sheriff, and prominent labor and community organizer Mary Harris “Mother” Jones, Montgomery’s debut novel features two tough-as-nails, strong-willed women whose empathy leaves a lasting impression. A simultaneous examination of women’s rights, coal mining, prohibition, and Appalachian life, make this a fantastic choice for historical fiction fans.”

    —Library Journal (Starred Review)

    “An engaging debut… Vivid historical details, an intriguing mystery, and strong female characters.”

    —Kirkus Reviews

    “Beautifully plotted and filled with believable characters, The Widows explores an era and an area struggling to be a part of the modern 20th century, yet constantly pulled backward to its unsettled past…the launch of this series shows much potential.”

    —AP News

    “This amazing, thoroughly researched historical novel by debut author Jess Montgomery shows how love, determination, and courage can overcome bitterness, deceit, and violence. You’ll also learn how to make a rag rug.”

    —New York Journal of Books

    “It’s an emotional tale—set alongside an equally emotional (and dangerous) struggle to unionize the town’s draconian coal-mining operation—but it feels accurate. Adding to the depth of the story is the absence of mustache-twirling bad guys or other easy caricatures. Instead, characters’ dark motivations are believable and authentic, rendering their choices fascinating and memorable, and making The Widows an all-the-more-effecting page-turner with a deep moral center and an unforgettable cast.”

    —Washington Independent Review of Books

    “Remarkable…[Montgomery’s] writing is brisk, yet it lingers long enough to indulge readers with beautiful prose along the way.”

    —BookPage

    “Women’s and workers’ rights, Prohibition, and a murder mystery come together beautifully…The book is impossible to put down or forget.”

    —Mystery Scene

    “This is a well-written novel with suspense and mystery deftly woven into the history and struggles of an Appalachian mining community. The result is a gripping narrative with a vivid historical setting.”

    —Historical Novel Society

    “A powerful debut. Montgomery creates a layers, rich mystery that makes the most of its historical setting. Her prose is captivating and sharp…Fantastic.”

    —Criminal Element

    “A strong book about standing up for justice, despite the danger. I found myself engrossed with the story. The Widows is a book that I recommend warmly.”

    —Fresh Fiction

    “Jess Montgomery’s gorgeous writing can be just as dark and terrifying as a subterranean cave when the candle is snuffed out, but her prose can just as easily lead you to the surface for a gasp of air and a glimpse of blinding, beautiful sunlight. This is a powerful novel: a tale of loss, greed, and violence, and the story of two powerful women who refuse to stand down.”

    —Wiley Cash, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Ballad

    “Set when coal was king and the Pinkertons its strikebreakers, The Widows is a gripping, beautifully written novel about two women avenging the murder of the man they both loved.”

    ―Hallie Ephron, New York Times bestselling author of You’ll Never Know, Dear

    “In the hard-luck, homespun Appalachian town of Kinship, Ohio, in 1924, two strong women become unlikely comrades to solve a murder in this flinty, heartfelt mystery that sings of hawks and history, of coal mines and the urgent fight for social justice.”

    ―Julia Keller, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Bone on Bone

    “Two women, a murdered husband, and the secret life he lived. Set in Appalachian Ohio coal country in 1924, The Widows kept me on the edge of my seat. Jess Montgomery is a masterful storyteller. This is a novel about courage and the good hearts of women, and it builds, almost unbearably, to its stunning end.”

    ―Lee Martin, author of the Pulitzer Prize Finalist The Bright Forever

    “With compassion and skill, Jess Montgomery deftly smashes stereotypes and puts a human face on the cost of coal mining in 1924 Appalachian Ohio. Rich with historical details, yet fast paced, The Widows revolves around a murder investigation. But it was the vivid voices of Lily Ross and Marvena Whitcomb that completely captivated my heart and kept me reading long into the night.”

    ―Ann Weisgarber, author of The Personal History of Rachel Dupree

    “Pulling back the curtain on a time and place where women’s roles were too often overlooked, The Widows is full of characters who surprise those who underestimate them. A rich, empowering, and satisfying read.”

    ―Jessica Strawser, author of Not That I Could Tell

    “You’ll be on the edge of your seat as Lily and Marvena fight for justice in a time and place where it hardly exists . . . they are heroes for every age…”

    ―Victoria Thompson, bestselling author of Murder on Trinity Place

  • —Top Ten Mysteries of 2020 List, Aunt Agatha’s Mysteries

    —Named one of Chicago Sun-Times “Books Not To Miss”

  • “Intricate, atmospheric sequel to The Widows… Realistic characters complement a great sense of place.”

    —Publishers Weekly (Read more)

    “A skillfully told murder mystery that features a rich array of characters and a sophisticated portrayal of a small town…. Despite such complex plots and characters, the novel moves along briskly without sacrificing eloquence in its prose. A satisfying historical murder mystery set apart by its compelling female cast.”

    —Kirkus Reviews (Read more)

    “Skilled storyteller Montgomery takes up the issue of racial prejudice as it existed in that place and time in this historical mystery that shines with its strong and appealing female characters.”

    —Booklist

    “Set in 1926 in the western foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in southeastern Ohio, The Hollows is much more than a murder mystery. It weaves racial integration, labor organizing in the Appalachian coal mines, prohibition and women’s rights throughout the narrative, set against an authentic backdrop crafted by Montgomery’s careful attention to historic detail.” —AP Newswire (Read more)

    “The exploration of emotional hollowness, its origins and expressions, adds layers to this story. Montgomery has written another suspenseful mystery full of atmosphere and surprising historical details.”

    —Criminal Element (Read more)

    “Beautifully written, poetic, and full of fascinating historical detail, Montgomery masterfully portrays the strength of the brave women who became the pillars and support of their families in the face of their own grief after losing their husbands.”

    —Crimereads

    “Montgomery manages to deftly weave together believable characters, dark historical truths, and an enthralling mystery. The result is genuinely mysterious and utterly satisfying.”

    —Greer Macallister, author of Woman 99 and The Magician’s Lie

    “Colorful Appalachian dialect and details of geography and nature add to a well-crafted mystery… The Hollows [is] dynamic historical fiction as well as a riveting mystery.”

    ―Shelf Awareness (Read more)

    “Readers will find Montgomery’s storytelling prowess in full bloom. Enjoy.”

    ―Dayton Daily News (Read more)

    “Remarkable… memorable and vivid. My best advice: dive into these wonderful novels. It’s an immersive and beautiful experience.”

    ―Aunt Agatha’s (Read more)

    “… a finely crafted, exciting page-turner…”

    —Historical Novel Society Review (Read more)

    “An extremely well researched and perfectly paced mystery. A feminist take on the struggles of Appalachian America… Jess Montgomery is one of the examples of a female writer with a unique voice and a story to tell.”

    ―Amy’s Booket List

    “This character-based mystery has a strong and intriguing plot, a well written narrative with vivid characters that are authentic to its time and place.”

    ―Fresh Fiction

    “…Montgomery writes with assured, engrossing prose…eagerly awaiting the next installment in this enjoyable series.”

    —Bloggin’ ’bout books (Read more)

    “Jess Montgomery’s writing is strong, flowing, and just draws you right in.”

    —Bewitched Bookworms

    “An absorbing Mystery, captivating characters, enthralling history.”

    —Audio Killed the Bookmark

    “Montgomery’s writing is vivid, that will take you back with her writing style that captures the rich details of the life and people of the Appalachians in the 1920’s.”

    —Nurse Bookie

    “The writing just wraps you up and won’t let you go. It’s never over done and yet there are turns of phrase that just take your breath away.”

    —Broken Teepee

  • “A beautifully written, finely crafted, character-based mystery that uses historical detail to enhance a powerful story.”

    —Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

    “Like Sharyn McCrumb’s and Julia Keller’s thrillers, this third Lily Ross tale (following The Hollows, 2020) is a fine example of Appalachian storytelling, thoughtfully portraying characters at the intersections of kinship, poverty, power, and survival.” —Booklist

    “Provocative… richly fleshed-out characters…” —Publishers Weekly

    “…a mesmerizing tapestry of mystery, history, and poetry—the latter on account of Montgomery’s observant, immediate, Faulkneresque command of social realism and interior monologue. This recounting of parallel lives makes for a great mystery series, but much more than that, too.”

    —Reviewing the Evidence (Read more)

    “The Stills richly delves into class differences, religious obsession, greed and Prohibition’s failures. Montgomery’s strong storytelling shines.” —Shelf Awareness (Read more)

    “A beautifully written tour de force . . . Part mystery, part character study, The Stills is a treasure trove of historical detail, a cast of much-loved characters, and a provocative storyline will keep you up well into the night.” —Linda Castillo

    “[Montgomery’s] a dazzling portraitist, illuminating the lives of her characters and bringing their joys and sorrows to life. This is another stunning read from a supremely gifted writer.”

    —Aunt Agatha’s (Read more)

    “The research and detail that go into these books is part of why I love them. I love the progression of this series and seeing Lily Ross continue to grow and succeed in her position as sheriff. If you’re a fan of historical fiction with strong female protagonists, then you need to pick up the Kinship series.”

    —Jessicamap Reviews (Read more)

    “The stories of the characters in The Stills have so much depth. Fans of historical fiction and mysteries should not skip this series!” —PhDiva
    (Read more)

    “I love the intersection of two favorite genres—historical fiction and mysteries and, Sheriff Lily Ross, is a strong, female main character to root for, as are the other strong women in the book. The writing is vivid and descriptive and puts me right into the setting. This third book did not disappoint in any way, and I can’t wait for the next one!” —Kahakai Kitchen (Read more)

    “Marvelous . . . a splendid portrait of a time, a place, and the strong women who forged lives for themselves in it. If you haven’t read these books, I urge you to do so.” —Kittling: Books (Read more)

  • Amazon Editor’s Pick for Best Mystery, Thriller, and Suspense

  • “An evocative and beautifully written tale of hardship, love, and kinship.”

    —Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review (Read more)

    “The multiple plot lines… are interwoven magnificently in this atmospheric tale, rich in historical detail, the fourth in the Kinship series.”

    —Booklist

    “This is the most ingeniously plotted book in the series so far. What fun!”

    —Dayton Daily News (Read more)

    “Touching and hauntingly researched, Jess Montgomery’s authentic voice in this novel is breathtakingly captivating… This is part of a series, but you can read them in any order, and with its deeply felt cast of characters, The Echoes is revealing and touching and absolutely terrific.”

    —Hank Phillippi Ryan, Book Trib
    (Read more)

    “In addition to creating characters who are likable and realistic, Montgomery is at her best when using powerful imagery to describe simple events.” —Book Reporter (Read more)

    “As Lily solves these mysteries, she encounters other ones, about echoes from the past that continue to upend life in Kinship…The result is a powerful book to which the entire series thus far builds in an epic crescendo.”

    —Reviewing the Evidence
    (Read more)

    “Montgomery creates and writes about community in all its pain, beauty, and necessity. While there are several deaths in the book, the message of community is the one I took with me. I can’t recommend this series, and this particular book, more highly” —Aunt Agatha’s (Read more)

    “Evocative setting and strong characterization.” —Historical Novel Review (Read more)

    “Montgomery shows us—and shows us in lyrical, heart-bruising style―that hurt only needs to find people once for it to echo through the rest of their lives. This is a marvelous series and one that should not be missed.”

    —Kittling Books (Read more)

    “These are small town stories that are anything but cozies. I recommend them all.” —Joyce’s Mystery and Fiction Book Reviews (Read more)

    “Need a good historical mystery… THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!”

    —Recca’s Pieces (Read more)