🐾 Dot's Wander & Wonder Weekly
Where mysteries are solved, treats are appreciated, and every journey begins with a good book.
Hello, friends!
Dot here.
I've taken control of today's newsletter because we have something very important to discuss.
🍂 TODAY IS THE LAST DAY OF SUMMER.
D.A. says I have to clarify that statement before somebody emails us with a calendar.
Technically, astronomical summer doesn't end until September 22.
Meteorological summer, however, ends today—August 31.
I have reviewed the evidence.
I have sniffed the calendar.
And I have reached my official conclusion:
Summer ends today. 🐾
Why?
Because tomorrow is SEPTEMBER.
And September ends in...
BER.
September.
October.
November.
December.
The “-ber” months.
Around our house, those are the colder months—which means September 1st is basically permission to bring out the pumpkins, leaves, cozy blankets, candles, and everything else that says FALL. 🍁🎃
D.A. starts decorating for fall in September.
I supervise.
Obviously.
Someone has to make sure the blankets are arranged properly.
🍁 Dot Wants to Know...
When do YOU decorate for fall?
Are you a...
🎃 September 1st: Summer is over. Bring me the pumpkins.
🍁 Mid-September: I'll ease into it.
🍂 Official first day of fall: There are RULES, Dot.
👻 October 1st: Fall decorating and Halloween happen together.
🌞 Whenever it finally stops feeling like summer: I'm not putting out pumpkins when it's 90 degrees outside.
Or...
Are you one of those people who has already decorated?
I need answers.
Hit Reply and tell me when fall officially begins in your house.
Bonus points if you tell me your favorite fall decoration.
Personally, I'm voting for blankets.
Not decorative blankets, either.
Blankets I am permitted to lie on.
Important distinction.
📚🍂 Dot's Fall Cozy Picks
There isn't one featured mystery today.
Instead, D.A. told me I could choose today's mentions.
That was her first mistake.
Because if we're declaring the end of summer, then I obviously needed to find you some books that felt a little more...
🍁 FALL.
I've sniffed through today's selections and chosen some mysteries that should help get us into the mood for crisp mornings, colorful leaves, warm drinks, cozy sweaters, and murders in charming little towns.
You know.
Fall things.
Apparently humans don't usually include murder on that list.
Cozy mystery readers are different. 🐾
🍁 Do you know what ELSE was written for fall?
Sticky Sweet Murder!
That's right—Margo and I started our very first Wander & Wonder adventure surrounded by all the fall favorites. 🍂
Pine Hollow. Colorful leaves. Small-town charm. Crisp autumn weather. A maple festival. Plenty of maple treats...
And, naturally, a murder.
Personally, my favorite part is the maple syrup. 🥞🐾
D.A. says I'm only allowed a tiny lick every once in a while because maple syrup isn't good for me.
I think this rule deserves further investigation.
But if you haven't read Sticky Sweet Murder yet, fall is the PERFECT time to visit Pine Hollow and see where Margo's—and more importantly, my—Wander & Wonder adventures first began. 🍁🐾
And if you've already read it, share the link with a cozy mystery-loving friend so they can get their own FREE copy and join us in Pine Hollow, too!
After all, good books—and good mysteries—are meant to be shared. 💜
Just tell them Dot sent you. 🐾
🍂 More Mysteries for Your Fall TBR
Now, back to the books I picked for you today...
☕ Coffee with D.A.
Okay, I'm taking the newsletter back now. 😂
Although I have to admit...
I'm with Dot on this one.
There's something about September arriving that makes it feel like we've crossed into a new season, regardless of what the thermometer—or astronomical calendar—has to say about it.
In our house, those “-ber” months have always meant the beginning of the cooler part of the year.
And September means...
It's time for fall. 🍂
That's when I start decorating and changing those little things around the house that make everything feel warmer and cozier.
Maybe that's part of why I love writing cozy mysteries.
There's something comforting about traditions, familiar places, little towns, warm drinks, favorite foods, and those small details that make somewhere feel like home.
That's something I've been thinking about quite a bit while writing Murder at Bellwether Gardens, too.
Bellwether isn't simply where Margo lives.
It's home.
And Book Three is allowing me to show you more of what that means to her—its traditions, familiar faces, history, and the places that hold memories for her family.
Of course...
There are also secrets.
It wouldn't be Bellwether without those. 😉🔎
I'm getting closer, friends.
And I truly cannot wait to share this story with you.
🐾 Dot's Fall Checklist
Since tomorrow officially begins fall according to the Dot Calendar, you may want to prepare accordingly.
☐ Find the cozy blankets
☐ Locate favorite mug
☐ Acquire fall snacks
☐ Put pumpkins everywhere
☐ Add approximately 14 books to TBR
☐ Ignore the fact that TBR already contains 247 books
☐ Make something involving cinnamon
☐ Find a comfortable reading spot
☐ Invite dog
☐ Do not disturb dog
There.
You're ready.
You're welcome.
☕ One Last Question Before We Go...
Since Dot has already interrogated you about your decorating schedule, I'll add one more.
What's the ONE thing that makes it feel like fall to you?
Is it...
🍂 The leaves changing?
☕ Your first pumpkin spice coffee?
🎃 Decorating the house?
🕯️ Fall candles?
🏈 Football?
🥣 Soups and comfort food?
📚 Curling up with a book under a blanket?
🌬️ That first genuinely cool morning?
Hit Reply and tell me.
I loved reading all of your garden answers last week, and these little conversations have become one of my favorite parts of sending these newsletters.
Tomorrow we say goodbye to August and hello to the “-ber” months.
And around here...
🍁 That means FALL.
Have a wonderful Monday and a fantastic start to your week!
With warmth and paw prints,
D.A. & Dot 🐾
Chief Detective • Professional Clue Sniffer • Official Taste Tester • Keeper of the Treat Jar
P.S. from Dot: If your answer involves a cozy blanket, please remember that all blankets become dog property immediately upon placement on the couch. I don't make the rules. 🐾🍂
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