A Day In The Life Of Lulu Taylor by Riley Adams

Hi y’all. It’s Lulu here. I’m so glad you showed up! My friend Cherry gave me a new recipe for a breakfast casserole and I’m just taking it out of the oven. It sure will taste better now that I’ve got someone to share it with me. Here you go—it’s got hashbrowns, eggs, sausage, and cheese…it’ll stick to your ribs and get you ready for the day! I have a feeling I’m going to have seconds.

Just have a seat, hon. I’ve got to do just a few things to get the restaurant ready for the lunch crowd. Nope, thanks, I’ve got it covered—just putting out some clean tablecloths and fresh rolls of paper towels on the tables. Oh, and I’ve got to call Buddy back—the Back Porch Blues Band is playing here tonight.

Why don’t you take a little nap in the rocker while I’m getting the dining room set up? I just love closing my eyes on the porch right under the ceiling fans. And the sounds from Beale Street kind of lull me to sleep. I steal a few winks out here every day. Especially before my family gets to the restaurant.

My family? I love them, I really do. But somehow, lately, they’ve seemed to find trouble…or maybe trouble is finding them. Whatever is happening, I wish it would stop. I’ve had more dealings with murder than I ever thought possible. Yes sir, one thing this restaurant isn’t, is dull. Things stay hopping over here.

My guests are interesting sometimes, too. That’s right, we like to think of them as guests, not customers. Most of them we just love–and some of our regulars are practically family. I’ve even got pictures of the regulars up on the walls alongside Elvis and BB! But every once in a while, we’ll have some trouble with our guests. Not often! But when it happens, things really heat up around here. And I don’t think it’s because of the barbeque pit.

So just close your eyes for a few minutes and relax. I’ll be back in a little while because…well, mercy, it’s almost time for another meal. I’ll bring you out a plate of ribs and spicy corn muffins in a jiffy…
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You can read more about Lulu in HICKORY SMOKED HOMICIDE, the third book in the “Memphis BBQ” mystery series. The first book in the series is DELICIOUS AND SUSPICIOUS.

Riley Adams is the pseudonym for Elizabeth Spann Craig. Riley grew up in Anderson, South Carolina, where she spent most of her childhood in the county library, staggering out with books by the armful. Her magazine articles have appeared in both England and the United States. She’s the mother of two and currently lives in Matthews, North Carolina. Between juggling room mom duties, refereeing play dates, and being dragged along as chaperone/hostage on field trips, she dreams of dark and stormy nights beside stacks of intriguing mysteries with excellent opening lines. Visit Riley at www.mysteryloverskitchen.com.

** To celebrate the release of HICKORY SMOKED HOMICIDE, I’m giving away one copy of the book, thanks to the publisher. To enter, you must leave a valid e-mail address in the comment box with your comment. This is only open to US addresses at the publisher’s request. Contest ends on November 3rd at 6pm EST. Winner will be notified by e-mail and has 2 days to respond. The book will be shipped directly from the publisher. **

Books are available at retail and online booksellers.

A Day In The Life Of Channing Hayes by Alan Orloff

I upended the box of Froot Loops and shook, making sure the last chartreuse Loop landed in my bowl—along with about a tablespoon of unnaturally-colored sugar. I sniffed the milk carton to make sure the contents hadn’t spoiled, then poured some over my cereal.

Meal prepared, I turned up the volume on Comedy Central and dug in.

Although it was after noon, this was my breakfast. Owning a comedy club and being a comic meant I kept different hours than most “civilians” I knew. Not better, just different.

The phone rang, so I hit the mute button, and checked the caller ID: Last Laff Comedy Club. I sighed as I answered. “Yeah, this is Channing.”

“Will you talk to Artie when you get in? He’s on my case about changing the type of napkins we use. The napkins! Don’t you think he has better things to do than—”

“Hello to you, too, Donna.”

“Sorry. Hello Channing.” A pause. “Now, do you think you can talk to him?”

“Why don’t you ignore him like you usually do?”

“I’ve got work to do,” Donna said, then hung up.

I returned to my Froot Loops, hoping they hadn’t gotten too soggy. A few minutes later, the phone rang again. Someone from the club calling. Again. “Yes?”

“Channing, it’s Skip.”

Skip was the bartender. “What’s up?”

“Will you talk to Donna? She’s on a rampage, wants me to empty the refrigerator and completely scrub it down. Hell, I did that three months ago!”

“Is it dirty?”

“Not really.”

“So just scrub the dirty parts.”

“Will you get her off my back? You know I’m a very sensitive person, and all her yelling is stressing me out.”

“Just avoid her until I get there, okay?”

“Sure, boss. Thanks.”

I hung up again and examined a spoonful of cereal. From the pinkish hue of the milk, I could tell my gourmet meal had turned to mush. I got up, went to the fridge and removed the only edible thing remaining in there—a half-eaten burrito. I put it on a plate and nuked it for thirty seconds, then returned to my seat in front of the TV.

The phone rang and I answered it immediately, not waiting for the Caller ID to register. I had a strong feeling I knew who was calling. “Unless space aliens have taken over the club, I don’t want to hear about any more problems. Got it?”

I was met by silence on the other end of the phone.

“Hello?” I said, a lot less vinegar in my voice.

“Channing? It’s Artie. You okay?”

“Yeah, sure. Sorry.”

“You need more sleep. Listen, when are you coming in? I’ve got a bunch of things to go over with you.”

“What kind of things?”

“The usual kinds of things.” He coughed a couple times. “And Donna and Skip are driving me crazy. Do they really think they can pull the wool over my eyes? Why, I’ve forgotten more wool than they’ll ever have. I didn’t just fall off the turnip boat yesterday, you know. In fact, I think I’m going to—”

“Relax, Artie. I’ll be there in less than an hour, okay?”

“I’ll be waiting.” He clicked off.

Sometimes, I got the feeling the club would fall apart if I wasn’t around to make decisions—and peace.

I smiled to myself. There were worse things. I could be working for a living.
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Alan Orloff is the author of the Agatha Award-nominated DIAMONDS FOR THE DEAD. He also writes the Last Laff Mystery series, featuring Channing Hayes—KILLER ROUTINE and the upcoming DEADLY CAMPAIGN (all from Midnight Ink). DEADLY CAMPAIGN will be released in January 2012. For more info, visit www.alanorloff.com

** Alan has generously offered to give away an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of DEADLY CAMPAIGN. To enter, you must leave a valid e-mail address in the comment box with your comment. One entry per person and this is open to anyone with a U.S. mailing address. Contest ends on October 31st at 6pm EST. The winner will be chosen using a random number generator and will be notified by e-mail and has 2 days to respond. Book will be shipped directly from the author. **

Books are available at retail and online booksellers.

Death Plays Poker by Robin Spano

Death Plays Poker by Robin Spano is the second book in the “Clare Vengel Undercover” mystery series. Publisher: ECW Press, October 2011

World class poker players are being strangled in their hotel rooms, and undercover cop Clare is given her second big assignment: to pose as a poker player in a major televised tournament, befriend the suspects, and find the killer in their midst.

Her cover role? A trust fund princess named Tiffany who thinks the poker tour is a better idea than college. Posing as Tiffany helps Clare infiltrate the tour’s inner circle, but uncovering the truth is harder than ever among people who lie for a living.

As more players fall prey to the Poker Choker and Clare’s cover comes under attack, the stakes get even higher: should Clare fold and return to her life as a dull beat cop, or go all in and prove her worth?

What a ride! Who knew playing poker could be deadly and when a fellow cop becomes a victim, Clare goes undercover and when the stakes are high, so is the killing. What a great story that kept me both intrigued and amused as the game of poker played out in the background. With an interesting cast of suspects leading the way, it was no wonder the killer’s identity escaped me throughout most of this page-turning and engaging mystery. Using each chapter to give us a character’s point of view added to the suspense of this well-played drama. This was a great read and I look forward to Clare’s next undercover assignment.

A Day In The Life Of Odelia Grey by Sue Ann Jaffarian

I’m not sure why Dru Ann wants to know about my life. It’s not like it’s exciting or comes with more than the usual bells and whistles, but since Dru Ann is such a doll and asked so nice, okay, here goes.

By nature, I am as lazy as the day is long, but almost every morning around 6 am I leave my nice warm bed and sleeping husband and slap on my sneakers. Our two cats barely raise their heads, but Wainwright, our Golden Retriever, gets all excited. He starts wiggling and prancing about and his tail wags until I’m sure it’s going to fly off and hit me in the face. He can hardly wait for our morning two mile walk around Seal Beach, including a nice long stretch along the sand. Although slow to get moving, once I’m out in the salty fresh air, both my body and my brain come alive.

When I lived in Newport Beach, I used to walk with a bunch of women friends, but after I married Greg and moved to Seal Beach, Wainwright became my exercise companion. He’s great company, even if he doesn’t hold up his end of the conversation, but it gives me time to think about my plans for the day and clear out the cobwebs left from the day before.

After my walk, I feed Wainwright and the cats and get cleaned up. By then, Greg is up and has the coffee made. We always try to have breakfast together before heading our separate ways to work.

I’m a paralegal at the law firm of Wallace, Boer, Brown and Yates, or Woobie as the employees call it. It’s located in a highrise across from South Coast Plaza. I’ve worked here since before the invention of the wheel and love the firm and the people in it. Well, almost everyone. My supervising attorney is Michael Steele, an arrogant, annoying piece of work if there ever was one. By the time I arrive at my desk, there’s usually an e-mail or two or three or four from him harping about some chore or project I’ve already completed. If I’m really unlucky, he’ll stop by my office. His usual greeting: “Find a body lately, Grey?”

After work, activities can be as mundane as going home to have dinner with Greg, followed by watching TV, or Greg and I meeting up with our good friends Seth and Zee Washington for dinner.

See, my life is nothing out of the ordinary. It’s hum-drum, like everyone else’s. And I like it that way.

“Hi, Odelia. Got a minute”

I look up from my desk to see one of our law clerks standing in my doorway. It’s Len, a tall, lanky law student from UCLA.

I wave Len in. He closes the door behind him and appears nervous.

“Hey, Len.”

“Um, I was told you might be able to help me.”

“Of course, that’s my job. What do you need?”

He shuffles from foot to foot, like he needs to pee. “Um, there’s a body in the trunk of my car.”

See, folks, mundane.
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Read more about Odelia and her “mundane life” in the Odelia Grey mystery series by Sue Ann Jaffarian. Her 6th adventure, TWICE AS DEAD, is available now everywhere. The first book in the series is TOO BIG TO MISS.

Sue Ann Jaffarian is the author of three mystery series: The Odelia Grey series, the Ghost of Granny Apples series, and the Madison Rose Vampire Mystery series. In addition to mysteries, she also writes general fiction and short stories, recently launching a Holiday’s From Hell short story series for e-readers. Visit her at www.sueannjaffarian or follow her on Twitter and Facebook.

A Day In The Life Of Shay O’Hanlon by Jessie Chandler

So my favorite author, Jessie Chandler, was delighted to run into Dru Ann at last year’s Malice Convention. Then they crossed paths again not long ago at Bouchercon, the international mystery con. Somewhere along the line, Dru asked Jessie if she’d be interested in doing a day in the life of me. Me? Really. What on earth would anyone be interested in me for? I’m just the lowly co-owner of a coffee shop in Uptown Minneapolis.

OW!!

Ugh, sorry. That was an elbow from my beloved mom-stand-in, Eddy Quartermaine. Apparently she didn’t like my “lowly” comment. Eddy is a spitfire 60-something force of nature who is as comfortable breaking and entering as she is heading up the Mad Knitters, a group of gals who like to knit but love to gamble even more. Poker is their game of choice.

Coop, my best bud, is outside smoking right now. He’s a vegetarian scarecrow who puffs like a chimney. He’s working on quitting, but dead bodies stress him out, and, well… you know how that can go. Coop used to work on the Pig’s Eye Bingo Barge, a gambling barge that floats on the Mississippi in Minneapolis. His boss, Stanley Anderson, much better known as Kinky for his rumored sex life, was fatally whacked with an obscenely oversized bronzed bingo marker. The day before the whacking, Kinky had fired Coop for not showing up for his shift. Coop was afraid the police would think he did it, and he came to me for help. My bud wouldn’t hurt a fly, literally. I’ve seen him catch plenty of skanky bugs and release them to the wilds of the back yard. If it were me they’d be flattened faster than you could say gimme coffee.

Anyway, Eddy, Coop, and I broke into the bingo barge to look for clues as to who might have offed the Kinkmeister. A couple of bumbling Mafioso’s showed up, and we hightailed it out of there. Then things really got crazy. After a couple of kidnappings, a truckload of stolen nuts, a run-in with a quivering facial mole, finding a very dead body that wasn’t Kinky’s, saving a junkyard dog named Dawg, and trying to evade a beautiful but irritatingly persistent detective, I was about ready to take up smoking myself.

Good thing I work in a coffee shop. If not nicotine, there’s caffeine. My good pal and co-owner, Kate, is always there to ply me with my drink of choice when I need it the worst. But now Kate is giving me the stare, and I really should stop this rambling and get back to flipping espresso. Oh, maybe I should wipe Dawg slobber off the wall first. See, I really am just a lowly entrepreneur trying to make ends meet and steer clear of cadavers.

OW!

That darn Eddy.
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You can follow Shay and Co.’s escapades in BINGO BARGE MURDER, the first book in the Shay O’Hanlon Caper series, available in stores and online. Book 2, HIDE AND SNAKE MURDER, will be available in May, 2012.

Debut author Jessie Chandler is the Vice President of the Twin Cities chapter of Sisters in Crime. She runs a Lesbian Fiction book group at True Colors Bookstore, an independent, feminist-themed bookshop in the Twin Cities. In her spare time, Chandler sells unique, artsy T-shirts and other assorted trinkets to unsuspecting conference and festival goers. She is a former State Patrol dispatcher, police officer, and bookseller. She resides in Minneapolis. Visit her online at www.jessiechandler.com.

** Jessie has generously offered to give away two copies of BINGO BARGE MURDER. To enter, you must leave a valid e-mail address in the comment box with your comment. One entry per person and this is open to anyone with a U.S. mailing address. Contest ends on October 28th at 6pm EST. The winners will be chosen using a random number generator and will be notified by e-mail and has 2 days to respond. Book will be shipped directly from the author. **

Books are available at retail and online booksellers.

A Day In The Life Of Mac Sullivan by Evelyn David

“Do you want an Egg McMuffin, Sausage McMuffin, or Sausage McMuffin with Egg?” The voice coming from the drive-through microphone sounded way too perky for 6 am.

“No thank you. Just a large coffee, please.”

“Would you to try a Cappuccino, Latte, Mocha, or our new Caramel Mocha?”

“Coffee, I just want…coffee.” Mac Sullivan, newly-minted private detective, wiped his hand over his grizzly stubble. He’d been on a stakeout all night and had nothing to show for it. He’d been hired by an angry wife to tail a husband with an alleged wandering eye and frisky hands. But the guy had spent the last 16 hours straight in his office, working with his accountants, all male. Mac’s directional microphone, that his gadget loving assistant had insisted was vital in today’s electronic PI world, had picked up the sound of a paper shredder running at full speed.

Mac suspected that the wife should be less worried about any female competition, and more concerned her husband was going to end up doing hard time in Federal prison for tax fraud.

Whiskey, the Irish wolfhound, stretched out on the seat next to Mac Sullivan, growled.

“Okay, make that an Egg McMuffin and a very large coffee.”

Whiskey nudged Mac’s knee.

“Sorry, make that a Sausage McMuffin with Egg,” he glanced down at his companion and added, “and hash browns.”

Whiskey cocked her head, clearly not satisfied with the order.

“Forget it. The doc said you have to cut back on the fast food. I’m not ordering the Sausage Burrito. Need I remind you of the stomach issues you had the last time?”

Whiskey looked away in disgust.

Mac collected the order and pulled into a parking place.

Sipping his coffee, he said, “I’m getting too old for this.”

Whiskey looked up, bits of sausage clinging to her whiskers.

“For these all-night stakeouts. Those private dicks on television make this job look glamorous. But you and I know differently. After about a half hour the fun goes out of sitting in a cold dark car, eating junk food, and wondering who might be sneaking up, looking to score enough cash for their next fix.”

Whiskey gave a short woof.

“Yeah, I know. You’ve got my back.” Mac reached out a hand and rested it on his dog’s massive head. “When you’re awake!”

A sheepish expression on her face, Whiskey returned to her breakfast.

“I had to cancel a date with Rachel last night. I don’t think she was pleased.” He shifted in his seat. “You’d think a woman used to putting makeup on dead people would have more patience for the living.”

Rachel Brenner was Mac’s maybe girlfriend. “Maybe” because he’d had to cancel more dates than they had gone on, but “girlfriend” because for the first time in a long time, he smiled when he thought about a woman.

“I don’t know all these new dating rules.”

Using her nose, the dog pushed the remaining hash browns over to her owner.

Mac smiled, and pushed them back. “Thanks but I don’t need sympathy potatoes.”

Without argument, the dog inhaled the greasy treat and licked the wrapper.

“Okay, let’s get going.” He finished his coffee. “We’ve got to get to the office and file a report. I want to get paid before the Feds freeze the husband’s accounts.”

Mac’s cell phone rang. A glance at the caller ID made him nervous.

“Good morning, Rachel. I wasn’t sure you were speaking to me after-”

Whiskey looked up in surprise. Mac shrugged, putting a hand over the microphone. “What can I say? I’m irresistible.”

The dog’s expression indicated she doubted his assessment of the situation but like a good sidekick, she kept her opinion to herself.
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You can read more about Mac in MURDER OFF THE BOOKS, the first book in the “Sullivan Investigations” mystery series. The second book in the series is MURDER TAKES THE CAKE and RILEY COME HOME is a Sullivan Investigations Short.

Evelyn David is the pseudonym for Marian Edelman Borden and Rhonda Dossett. Marian lives in New York and is the author of ten nonfiction books on a wide variety of topics ranging from veterans benefits to playgroups for toddlers! Rhonda lives in Oklahoma, is the coal program director for the state, and in her spare time enjoys imagining and writing funny, scary mysteries. Marian and Rhonda write their mystery series via the internet. While many fans who attend mystery conventions have now chatted with both halves of Evelyn David, Marian and Rhonda have yet to meet in person. Visit Evelyn at www.evelyndavid.com

Books are available at retail and online booksellers.

Defensive Wounds by Lisa Black

Defensive Wounds by Lisa Black is the fourth book in the “Theresa MacLean” thriller series. Publisher: William Morrow, September 2011

In this fourth novel in Lisa Black’s captivating suspense series, forensic investigator Theresa MacLean finds herself embroiled in a case in which everyone has a motive and everyone is a suspect—especially when high-powered defense attorneys start turning up dead.

When Marie Corrigan, a Cleveland defense attorney with a history of falsifying evidence and no shortage of enemies, is found dead in the presidential suite at the Ritz-Carlton, most people would agree that she had it coming. Forensic investigator Theresa MacLean is summoned to the crime scene by her daughter, Rachel, who is working the front desk. But even before Theresa enters the room, she knows that she’s walking into a forensic nightmare—for crime scenes at hotels, even the most luxurious, are teeming with trace evidence that has been left behind by innumerable guests and may or may not be related to the murder. But what Theresa finds is even worse than she imagined.

Given the positioning of Marie’s body, everyone assumes the same thing—that it’s a lovers’ tryst turned lethal. But large questions remain: How did the killer gain access to the room without anyone’s knowledge? And has the scene been staged for their benefit? The little evidence Theresa has is conflicting at best. What’s more, a legal convention at the hotel provides an endless list of suspects—and potential victims.

When two more bodies show up in quick succession, each in a similar state, Theresa’s investigation takes on a whole new urgency as she fears they may have a serial killer on their hands—a serial killer with a vendetta. But as she searches for the threads that tie the cases together, Theresa begins to suspect that she and her daughter are closer to danger than they realize. And a mother will stop at nothing to protect the life of her child.

What a ride! When Theresa gets a call from her daughter alerting her to a brutal murder, Theresa will protect her daughter at all costs. Investigating the case brings Theresa and her daughter into the cross-hair of a murderer and Theresa must use her skills to prevent another death, most likely theirs. This was an action-packed, non-stop drama that kept me riveted to the pages. The suspenseful plot had me guessing and I was surprised at the outcome when all was revealed. Theresa is a strong woman and it shows in her dedication to her work and to her family. I look forward to reading the next book in this gripping and thrilling series.

A Day In The Life Of Jo Beckett By Meg Gardiner

Date: July 17
Place: San Francisco
Observation point: Residence adjacent to Jo’s. On the balcony, behind the statue of Cupid.

6:15 a.m. – Foghorn blares. Jo’s shutters open. Kitchen lights turn on. Coffee pot turns on.

6:32 a.m. – First pot of coffee is gone. She drank it like a vampire draining a juicy neck.

6:45 a.m. – Jo’s Toyota Tacoma pickup pulls away from Russian Hill. She’s dressed in T-shirt and running tights, carrying a gym bag. Looks like she’s going to Mission Cliffs climbing gym. It’s chilly. She should have worn a sweater.

7:03 a.m. – Confirmation from the remote control device placed in the bed of Jo’s pickup: Mission Cliffs. She spends 45 minutes at the climbing gym.

8:24 a.m. – She stops at Gabe Quintana’s house in Noe Valley. On the porch, waves goodbye to Gabe’s daughter Sophie as Sophie runs to catch the school bus. Kisses Gabe goodbye as he heads to Moffett Field for duty with the 129th Rescue Wing.

9 a.m. – at University of California San Francisco Medical School to present guest lecture on forensic psychiatry.

10 a.m. – Facilitates meeting of bereavement group at UCSF Medical Center.

11 a.m. – Interviews witnesses for a case she is working on.

12 p.m. – Meeting at Hall of Justice with Lt. Amy Tang, Homicide Detail, SFPD. Meeting moves to deli across the street, between the bail bondsman and the Jiffy Lube. Jo has a spinach and red pepper bagel with cream cheese. A healthy choice. And more coffee.

1:30 p.m. – Testifies in San Francisco Superior Court, as expert witness in murder trial. (Names redacted for security.) As a consultant for the San Francisco Police Department, Jo performed a psychological autopsy on the victim. Her investigation uncovered evidence that the victim did not die in accident but was in fact murdered. Jo is a genius. And a good citizen.

4 p.m. – Meets with the Medical Examiner.

5:15 p.m. – Picks up Sophie Quintana from St. Ignatius School in Noe Valley.

5:30 p.m. – Starbucks. Jo has had so much coffee that she’s glowing like Plutonium.

5:53 p.m. – Macy’s, Union Square. And a problem. I have been receiving data on Jo’s whereabouts via a camera embedded in my remote controlled robot, Ahnuld. However, Mr. Peebles has managed to elude me and climb aboard Ahnuld. Alas, shoppers seem unprepared for the sight of a Capuchin monkey riding a robot around a department store. From knee-level, the panic and fleeing and screams look surprisingly out of control.

6:10 p.m. – Amy Tang is on scene. She is looking directly into the camera. Oh, dear. Now she’s calling Jo. Gulp. Dr. Beckett looks fiercely at Ahnuld with her hands propped on her hips. Sophie Quintana thinks it’s funny but not the woman at the makeup counter with the stripes of hot pink Dior lipstick slashed across her calves. Mr. P, Mr. P… Now Lt. Tang is guiding Jo away from the fray. I get on the phone and alert everybody that she has left the scene. Time for them to get in position. This is a precision operation and timing is crucial.

7 p.m. – Gabe is waiting at Java Jones, near Fisherman’s Wharf. He sees me and gives a thumbs up.

7:15 p.m. – Jo comes in. Her sister Tina and brother Rafe, her parents, Tang, Gabe, Sophie, the Medical Examiner, the parents of her late husband, Daniel, plus neighbors and several SFPD detectives, jump up and shout, “Happy Birthday!”

7:20 p.m. – Mr. Peebles is smoking one of the birthday candles like a cigar. Jo removes it from his mouth. She gives me a peck on the cheek. My work here is complete.

Submitted by
Ferd Bismuth
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You can read more about Jo Becket in THE NIGHTMARE THIEF, the fourth book in the “Jo Beckett” mystery series. The first book in the series is THE DIRTY SECRETS CLUB.

Meg Gardiner is the Edgar Award-winning author of the Jo Beckett and the Evan Delaney novels. She is an escaped lawyer, three-time Jeopardy champion, and rehabilitated mime. Her latest novel is The Nightmare Thief. Visit Meg at http://www.meggardiner.com.

Books are available at retail and online booksellers.

A Day In The Life Of India Hayes by Amanda Flower

Every morning, I’m reminded how painfully thin the walls are that divide my side of the duplex from my landlady Ina Carroll’s side. Six out of seven mornings, I wake up to a riotous Irish jig or a mournful rendition of Oh Danny Boy. Even though Ina’s on the upward march to eighty, she hears everything going on inside of my apartment even with her record player set to the sound barrier.

That morning, Ina was at the door before I finished my Pop-Tart. She didn’t bother to knock and used her key to enter. My black cat, Templeton, hissed and ran into my bedroom.

Ina adjusted her green pill hat. “India, I’m glad you haven’t left for the library yet. I need your help.”

This can’t be good, I thought.

“Your parents are holding a rally at Memorial Park.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What’s it about this time?”

Ina thought for a minute. “You know I didn’t ask, but I’m sure it’s important. Anyhow, I need a lift.”

“Ina, I’m opening the library this morning. I need to get there early.”

She waved away my concern. “Ahh, the library can wait. None of those college kids will be up this early, and if they are, they won’t be at the library.”

I sighed. “Fine.” As if there was any doubt that I’d take her.

A half hour later, I dropped Ina off at the entrance to Memorial Park and waved to my parents before peeling away from the curb. I was running too late to learn what they happened to be picketing this week. I’d hear all about it soon enough.

Ten minutes later, I turned my small SUV on to Martin College’s campus. Ina was right. Even though I was a few minutes late, no students waiting outside of the college’s library tapping their feet. I breezed through unlocking the building and slipped into my post behind the reference desk just as the phone rang.

“India,” Bobby McNally, my fellow reference librarian and best friend, said into my ear. “You’re late. I called three minutes ago and there was no answer.”

I rolled my eyes. “When was the last time you made it to the library on time?”

“That’s not the point. Anyways, I need your help.”

“What do you need me to do?” I asked because that’s me, India Hayes, the helper… whether I liked it or not…at least this time no dead bodies are involved. But then again, it was still early.
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You can read more about India in MAID OF MURDER, the first book in the “India Hayes” mystery series. The second book, MURDER IN A BASKET will be released in February 2012.

Amanda Flower’s first novel, MAID OF MURDER, was nominated for an Agatha Award. Amanda is working on her first Amish Mystery, A PLAIN DEATH, that will be released in July 2012.

Visit Amanda at www.amandaflower.com. You can also follow Amanda at Facebook and Twitter.

** Amanda has generously offered to give away an ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of MURDER IN A BASKET. To enter, you must leave a valid e-mail address in the comment box with your comment. Please break it up using (at) and (dot), like domain(at)host(dot)com. One entry per person and this is open to anyone with a U.S. mailing address. Contest ends on October 24th at 6pm EST. The winner will be chosen using a random number generator and will be notified by e-mail and has 2 days to respond. Book will be shipped directly from the author. **

Books are available at retail and online booksellers.

Cat Moves by Karen E. Rigley

Cat Moves by Karen E. Rigley. Publisher: Shimmer, February 2011

When Sharly Johnson finds her cousin, best-selling author Trina Golden, murdered and a kiss and tell autobiography manuscript missing, Sharly plunges into danger, betrayal and deception as she and Ripper the Cat unravel layers of the mystery.

When Sharly arrives at her cousin’s door, she didn’t expect the greeting that she got: finding her cousin murdered. Discovering that her cousin was writing a tell-all book leaves plenty of suspects and uncovered secrets in the small town of Moon Bay. Working with the handsome deputy with help from a frisky feline, Sharly has to find a killer before her nine lives are up. This non-stop action-filled mystery kept me guessing with some surprising twists. The tone and dialogue set the pace of this story and the strangeness of the town and its inhabitants created a suspenseful tale that was enjoyable to read. I look forward to reading more mysteries by this author.

*new-to-me author