A Day in the Life with Moira Reed by Julianne Holmes

I’m looking forward to New Year’s Eve. I never thought that sentence would be tied to me, Moira Reed, but I’m not going to deny it. Last October, when Thom Clagan died, I didn’t think the words “Happy New Year” were possible, but that was before his granddaughter Ruth came back to town and took over the Cog & Sprocket. The Clagan family has been running the Cog for years, close to a hundred, here in Orchard. That’s a good run for anyone, but for clockmakers? Not what you’d expect to be the anchor business of Orchard, but it really is. The Clagans fix more than clocks, they always have.

Ruth used to visit her grandparents summers and holidays, and we were best friends as kids. We lost touch when she went to London to study time, and I went to college in New York City. Who would have guessed that we’d both end up living back in the Berkshires, running our own shops? Not me, that’s for sure. I couldn’t run the Sleeping Latte without the help of my mother, that’s for sure. Ruth would tell you the same thing. Not that my mother is helping her, expect maybe by feeding her a couple of meals a day and offering a ton of unasked for advice. No, Ruth couldn’t run the Cog without the help of her step-grandmother, Caroline. And my dad, Pat, of course. Ruth’s even hired a few more people—Nadia Wint, social media queen; Mark Pine, watchmaker; and Tuck Powers, hipster photographer. Not sure how’s she’s making it all work, but she is. The Cog & Sprocket has never looked as good—I can’t wait until the grand reopening January 2nd.

Lots happening between now and then, though. Orchard is party central this week. Tonight, all the downtown businesses are having an open house. Then a birthday party for Caroline, New Year’s Eve, and then the pièce de résistance, the grand reopening of the Cog & Sprocket. Ruth’s hosting all four parties, but she won’t be alone. Ben, the wicked cute barber will help her.

I never thought I’d say “I’m looking forward to New Year’s” and mean it. But this year, I do.

I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

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Clock and Dagger is the second book in the Clock Shop mystery series, published by Penguin Random House, August 2016.

Expert clockmaker Ruth Clagan has another murder on her hands in the second Clock Shop Mystery from the author of Just Killing Time.

Ruth has three days to pull off four events—including the grand reopening of Cog & Sprocket, the clock shop she inherited from her grandfather—so she doesn’t have time for Beckett Green’s nonsense. The competitive owner of a new bookstore, Green seems determined to put other businesses out of business by also carrying their specialty items. He’s trying to steal Ruth’s new watchmaker, Mark Pine, not to mention block her plans to renovate the town clock tower.

Ruth is already all wound up when she’s alarmed to discover Mark’s dead body. As the denizens of Orchard each chime in as to who they think the murderer is, Ruth needs to watch her back as she investigates on her own. Despite the danger, Ruth won’t stop until the killer is behind bars and serving time. . .

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About the author
Julianne Holmes Julianne Holmes is a mystery writer. Her Clock Shop Mystery series debuted in October 2015 with Just Killing Time, which was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best First Novel . Clock and Dagger was released August 2, 2016. As J.A. (Julie) Hennrikus she has had short stories published in Level Best Books anthologies: “Her Wish” in Dead Calm, “Tag, You’re Dead” in Thin Ice, “The Pendulum Swings, Until It Doesn’t” in Blood Moon. She is a huge social media fan, and tweets under@JulieHennrikus. She is on Instagram as @jahenn, and her Facebook page. She wrestles with allusions of athleticism, is an avid theatre goer and a proud member of Red Sox nation. Her website is jahennrikus.com. Julie is a board member of Sisters in Crime and New England Chapter of Sisters in Crime. She is also a member of Mystery Writers of America and the Guppies.

All comments are welcomed.

Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of Clock and Dagger. U.S. residents only, please. The giveaway will end August 11, 2016 at 12 AM (midnight) EST. Good luck everyone!