Murder Under the Mistletoe (A Mainely Murder Mystery, Band 2) - Softcover

Lynn, Sherry

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0593546679 ISBN 13: 9780593546673

Verlag: Penguin Publishing Group, 2023

Inhaltsangabe

In a fresh new Maine-set holiday cozy, landscaper Kinsley Clark must root out a killer before she becomes the prime suspect.

Landscape artist and owner of SeaScapes, Kinsley Clark has been re-hired to decorate the town of Harborside for the upcoming holiday season and boat parade. Using the local elements found in Maine, Kinsley creates kissing balls—the town’s official mistletoe—to hang downtown and along the wharf. Kinsley is also responsible for Harborside’s official “lobster-stacked” Christmas tree, located beside the local marina, where the annual Harborside Boat Parade & Fireworks Display takes place.

When local alderman Chris Chesterfield—dressed up as the Grinch, right down to the green face paint—falls off the pier and into the icy Atlantic the night of the annual kickoff event, the town is in shock. But all eyes turn to Kinsley and her beautiful decorations when it becomes evident that Chris didn't fall after all—and that he was looking to replace SeaScapes with a different decorating team. Kinsley, along with bestie, Becca, and Pete, the owner of the Blue Lobstah, must unearth the truth before Kinsley takes the fall.

Über diesen Titel

Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

Sherry Lynn spent countless summers on the coast of Maine, knowing she’d one day return to write about the magical location from her youth. Curious by nature, sleuthing became the perfect fit for her, and she has written multiple cozy mystery series under several pseudonyms. Currently, Sherry lives in the Midwest with her husband, but she dreams about one day retiring oceanside with a good book in her hand.

Auszug. © Genehmigter Nachdruck. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

Chapter 1

The scent of pine boughs permeated the dining room of the Salty Breeze Inn, and the cheery sound of Andy Williams singing "Happy Holiday" filled the air. Meanwhile, a crackling wood fire, built in the original stone-stacked fireplace, kept everyone toasty warm, despite the room's tall timber ceiling.

Kinsley Clark looked away from the festive group of volunteer elves and smiled when she noticed her best friend, Becca, enter the room, plucking snowflakes from her long dark hair. Becca brushed the hint of snow off her wool coat.

"You made it!" Kinsley said. Becca's grin grew wide as Kinsley moved to welcome her. "And just in time, too, we could use you at the ribbon station."

"Ribbon station? I hope you have someone who can teach me how to tie bows, otherwise you might be in trouble." Becca's golden eyes, which mimicked the center of a sunflower, twinkled. She slipped out of her coat and hung it on the back of a nearby chair before greeting Kinsley with a half hug.

"I'm just glad you're here and safe with us now. It looks like the snow started already, huh?" Kinsley asked before the two took a step closer to the table.

"Yeah, and it's really sticking out there-faster than the weather forecaster predicted." Becca's salon-groomed brows fell into a frown. "Not sure I'm ready for winter to rear its ugly head just yet. We haven't even finished our leftover turkey from Thanksgiving!"

"Hey, now, 'tis the season." Kinsley elbowed her friend playfully. "Life in Harborside, Maine, can't be all warm sunny beach days," she added. "Besides, don't you just love the first snow? It puts everyone in the holiday spirit. Which is exactly what we need right about now to prepare for the upcoming boat parade. Next weekend will be here before you know it. I promised the town council I'd have Harborside fully decorated by then, as it's the town's official holiday kickoff party, and I will deliver on that promise!" Kinsley pumped an excited fist into the air.

Becca gestured to the group gathered around the table. "Yeah, looks like you rounded up a good group of volunteers to help this year. I'm sure you'll get it all done."

"I did! I actually had to turn volunteers away. Everyone loves the process of helping create these kissing balls that I use to decorate the town. Fa-la-la-la, 'tis the season for help and cheer! I just love this time of year," Kinsley crooned.

"I wish I could share in your enthusiasm and holiday spirit. I just had my third cancellation this week; I'm feeling a little bummed," Becca admitted. "Unfortunately, things tend to hit a lull for the real estate biz during the holidays, as snowy winter weather doesn't exactly make clients all that excited to pack up and move." Becca lowered her voice again and leaned into Kinsley. "Which isn't exactly helping my purse strings and my upcoming Christmas shopping list, if you know what I mean. I might just need to find a second job to get me through this winter." She sighed.

"Look no further if it's work you're looking for, because I could use some extra hands at SeaScapes. That is, if you're up for it? Besides Harborside needing Christmas decorations, I have several clients lined up who've requested that I prep for their holiday gatherings, too. Seems people are just too busy to handle it this year. They're asking for their trees to be put up and their homes to look festive. Honestly, I was wondering how I would get it all done. You might even find a few new real estate clients out of the deal. The job's yours if you want it." Kinsley shrugged.

"Really? I mean, you're already paying Adam, aren't you?" Becca said, nodding in his direction. "You can't afford to add me to the payroll, too, can you?"

Kinsley lowered her voice to match Becca's. "Well, technically, yeah, Adam's getting paid for today, but that's mainly to help Alice. I can't bear to think of his mother as a single mom handling everything on her own this time of year. Harborside's an expensive place to live and it can't be easy for her. I know Adam gives his mom a portion of his salary, but don't tell him I told you how endearing he is."

"He does? Aw, what a sweetheart." Becca nodded. "I knew you had a keeper with him."

Kinsley ushered them farther out of earshot. "Anyway, I love bringing the community together to craft the kissing balls and I really do appreciate the help. But they're not doing the heavy lifting-I still need to hang them and decorate the entire town. Between the profits that the town puts aside to pay SeaScapes and the extra clients . . . there's more than enough work to go around. So not to worry, my friend. I've got ya covered." She nudged her friend playfully again with her elbow.

Becca still didn't look overly convinced, so Kinsley continued, "None of that frowny face. I don't want you to stress-especially over the holidays. It's the best time of the year!"

"Kins, you're sweeter than your aunt's Christmas cookies, there's no doubt about it." Becca threw her arm around her and gave a light squeeze. "I'll gladly take the job. Decorating sure does put me in the spirit, and it'll be fun. Plus, the best part? I get to hang out with you!"

Kinsley was glad that her good business fortune could help out her friend and put a glowing smile on her face. Kinsley's landscape and garden business, based out of the caretaker's cottage behind her aunt Tilly's Salty Breeze Inn, kicked into high gear during the winter months. She was solely responsible for all of the town's seasonal decor using mostly natural elements found locally in Maine and it was quite a production. Therefore, Kinsley had convinced her aunt Tilly to let her use the inn the weekend after Thanksgiving to coordinate all her decorating efforts. In turn, she would transform the Salty Breeze Inn into a magical holiday destination that would make guests want to linger. It was a win-win for both of them and the only weekend of the entire year the inn was closed to the public.

"I'm so glad you're here to help this year," Kinsley repeated, taking Becca by the arm and leading her back to the rest of the group. "We need you here-right, guys?" Kinsley looked around the long dining room table and added, "You all remember my friend Becca?"

A bunch of greetings ensued as folks stopped what they were doing to welcome Becca with a wave, nod, or hello. The group of volunteers were already busy creating the Christmas kissing balls that would be used all over Harborside. The kissing balls, which were made up of round clusters of greenery, were making a comeback. Traditionally, they originated from the seventeenth century and hung from entryways and doorways within a home, so that everyone who passed beneath one would be gifted with blessings and good tidings. Over the centuries they eventually became a replacement for mistletoe. They were crafted from rosemary, thyme, and mistletoe, symbolizing love and devotion. Kinsley chose to use more traditional pine branches native to Maine, though, such as, cedar, fir, white pine, and boxwood. This made it a more symbolic tradition for the town. These beautiful orbs would soon be hung from the light posts on Main Street and sprinkled around the town of Harborside, including at the wharf and marina.

"Oh, Becca, did I overhear you say Kinsley is sweeter than my holiday cookies? She is pretty special." Aunt Tilly beamed as she crossed the room with a freshly baked plate of Christmas cookies. "I can't say I disagree with you, but you'll have to taste one and see for yourself. These just happen to be topped with a kiss."

"You heard that?" Becca said, astonished, as a French-manicured hand flew to her chest.

"Her ears are like a bat's; don't let her age fool you," Kinsley said with a giggle. "The woman's amazing! Someone's got a birthday coming up real soon, too. Aunt Tilly's turning sixty-three in...

Details zur Ausgabe

• Verlag: Penguin Publishing Group
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2023
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN 10: 0593546679
• ISBN 13: 9780593546673
• Einband: Taschenbuch
• Anzahl der Seiten: 289
• Kontakt zum Hersteller: Nicht verfügbar
• Verantwortliche Person: gpsr@libri.de; gpsr@libri.de; ; Europaallee 1; Bad Hersfeld; 36244; Deutschland