Maria Mankin

A compelling narrative filled with wry humor, a complex investigation, and characters that resonate.-Jane Willan, author of the Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn mystery seriesThe Reverend Wanda and her best friend Rye are back, shocked at the layers of secrets that the latest murder uncovers and how all those secrets seem to trace back to Rye . . . A multifaith Mardi Gras celebration sounds like the perfect way to ease into Lent, with enough music, King cake, and socializing to distract Reverend Wanda Duff from the cold, dreary New England weather-until she and her friend Rye stumble on a body. Someone has murdered Martina Suarez in the basement of Saint Athanasius, and it quickly becomes clear that the question isn't so much who would want to kill the church custodian as who wouldn't. But the more Wanda and Rye learn about Martina and the secrets she kept, the harder it gets for them to ignore the case's connections to the past and to the shadows haunting their own lives. Soon, Wanda finds herself struggling with love and loss on more than one front, while Rye pieces together the heartbreaking bedtime story her father's never been willing to tell her: the truth of why her mother disappeared. Delivered with humor, emotion, and a twist around every corner, Death in Disguise is another delightful and inclusive cozy mystery for readers to devour.

Misty fall weather should make for an idyllic walk in the New England woods and a needed respite from Reverend Wanda Duff's duties. She'll just take a stroll with her dog, breathe in the cool air, and remember that she loves her job and doesn't really long for a life of solitude, even when the quiet red-and-gold patch of forest tempts her with it. But she should've known she couldn't really catch a break. She only saw his hand-cold, palm up. In the twilight, everything else was indistinct. And even as Wanda said a prayer for the dead man and called for help, she couldn't shake the feeling of another presence, one that would compel her to follow a path out of these woods to find a killer. But ever since Wanda and her friend Rye solved a murder together, no one has wanted the reverend to take on anything more dangerous than choir practice. She has no choice, really, but to carry the news of her discovery directly to no-nonsense Assistant Principal Rye, who understands because her own life was upended by last summer's investigation. Rye's own life is upended, period. Unfortunately, solving the murder of drama teacher Jonathan Thorne isn't an undertaking Wanda and Rye can accomplish without involving their ever-widening circle of family and friends, which means that in addition to investigating, they have to resolve a few personal problems of their own. The truth is, nothing happens in a quaint New England town without everyone noticing. Without everyone speculating. Without everyone talking. Without everyone knowing a killer is among them. Wry humor, twisty sleuthing, and what Jane Willan (author of the Sister Agatha and Father Selwyn Mysteries) calls "punchy writing" and "fall-in-love-with-me characters" in "the enjoyable setting of a newsy small town" come together to make Death in the Woods a perfect one-sitting read.

Wanda Duff is an unconventional New England clergywoman, addicted to chicken wings, high-octane ice cream, and saying yes to anyone in need of a prayer, even the folks her town might think don't deserve one. When parishioner Niels Pond dies unexpectedly at the Fair Havens assisted living facility, Wanda's duty to minister to his family is beset by her suspicions about the circumstances of his abrupt passing. Wanda finds an unexpected co-detective in high school vice principal Prudence Rye, who fled town on graduation night a decade ago and returned only recently. Rye puts her job on the line to investigate the mourning Ponds with the surprisingly edgy Wanda. As they expose difficult family truths and uncover a dangerous operation operating out of Fair Havens, Rye and Wanda discover curiosity has an unanticipated cost. Comfortably gossipy, with a fresh take on the characters and ethos cozy mystery fans will love, Maria Mankin and Maren C. Tirabassi's Death at Fair Havens launches a series that celebrates intergenerational women's friendship and the power of inclusion, curiosity, and love. Maren C. Tirabassi's forty years' experience in mainline ministry shape Wanda Duff's professional life (but not her personality). Tirabassi is a former Poet Laureate of the city of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and has published poetry and short stories in fifteen anthologies, as well as twenty nonfiction titles. Maria Mankin, Maren's daughter, has written five nonfiction books and a thriller, Circ (Pigeon Park Press). Rye's dilemmas are influenced by Mankin's ten years in education as a teacher and administrator. She holds a degree in Writing, Literature and Publishing from Emerson College.

Brimming with engaging exercise tips and colorful illustrations, this fun-to-read guide makes it easy to do pilates in your pajamas. Improve your strength, tone your body, and increase your flexibility with these 40 easy-to-follow exercises that you can do at home. Written by certified Pilates instructor Maria Mankin, the exercises include step-by-step instructions, notes on their physical benefits, and modification options. Readers will discover how to improve posture and core strength using a kitchen counter, stretch out their legs using the dining table, and tone their arms using the edge of the bathtub, plus so much more. Each exercise is paired with a colorful illustration of a pajama-clad person demonstrating the pose. Simple to follow and with no special equipment required (beyond pj's!), this accessible take on a popular exercise technique makes it easy to get fit without leaving the house. EXERCISE MADE EASY: Packed with achievable exercises, this interactive guide to at-home Pilates is perfect for people looking for easy, accessible ways to stretch and strengthen at home. No special equipment required! ALL-LEVELS AUDIENCE: With a range of practices and modification options, this book will appeal to a wide audience—from Pilates newbies looking for ways to get fit at home to experienced practitioners in need of exercise inspiration. The low-impact, high-reward practices can be done one at a time, or in a sequence for a more challenging routine. GREAT SELF-CARE GIFT: Brimming with healthy practices and colorful artwork, this package makes a great self-care gift for moms, workout enthusiasts, and Pilates lovers, and pairs perfectly with other self-care accessories or a set of pajamas. Perfect for: • Pilates enthusiasts • Mother's Day gift shoppers • Anyone looking for easy ways to stay fit • Anyone looking for at-home exercises • Anyone who works from home