A major storm combined with a computer glitch strands thousands of passengers at the Dallas/Fort Worth airport. ‘Other People’s Baggage’ is really three novellas about women whose lives happen to intersect when they each receive the wrong suitcase. All of them have the same vintage bright turquoise hardback Samsonite suitcase with white trim and metal latches.

Of course, all three of these women have a penchant for solving mysteries and all three find themselves ensconced in a mystery. Stuck without their own suitcase, they are forced to use the contents of the suitcase they have been mistakenly given to assist in their search.

This is a great way to sample the work of three authors who have either recently published a book or will have a book coming out soon. The protagonists from those novels are the women involved with the lost luggage.

The first story is ‘Midnight Ice’ by Diane Vallere. Her protagonist is Madison Night, an interior decorator, who has a passion for Doris Day and has decided to stay in the Doris Day owned hotel in Carmel. Ms. Night plans to relax and recover from a recent breakup when she finds herself in the middle of a jewel smuggling ring. Diane Vallere’s full length ‘Pillow Stalk’ featuring Madison Night is available currently.

‘Switch Back’ by Kendel Lynn, the second novella features Ballatyne Foundation Director Elliott Lisbon whose foundation has been given an entire town. The only problem is once she arrives, she finds out the donor has not died, but been murdered. She must figure out whodunit for both the town’s sake and the Foundation. Kendel Lynn writes the Elliott Lisbon Mystery Series and is the managing editor of Henery Press.

The third novella, ‘Fool’s Gold’ by Gigi Pandian, features Jaya Jones, an Indian American historian whose specialty is the period of the British East India Company in India. Jaya has journeyed to Edinburgh, Scotland for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She plans to see her friend, Sanjay’s magic show and her friend Daniella’s play. The play ‘Fools Gold’ features a borrowed chess set made of silver and gold. When the chess set goes missing, Jaya is called upon to investigate. Gigi Pandian. This is a prequel to ‘Artifact’, the first book in the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery Series.

I enjoyed this book immensely. I found the premise inventive for a collection of novellas, as many of us have found ourselves with lost luggage or picking up a piece of luggage that looks incredibly similar to ours. It is a great way to sample three series and decide if you want to read them. They have whetted my appetite to read more about all three characters. They are all delightfully different protagonists and all are definitely in the Cozy Mystery genre, which I love.

This book would make a great Christmas present for the Mystery Reader in your life. Most of us are always looking for a great new series or author to read. This introduces three of them.

Five stars out of five.

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In accordance with FTC guidelines for reviewers, I would like to clarify that this book was provided to me by the publisher

free of charge.  I am not compensated by the author or publisher for my review. All they expect is an honest review of the work.