The only thing more exciting than a famous local author staying at the bed and breakfast is a real murder mystery.
Mystery novelist and member of the Mystery Writer’s Murder Club, Jessica Murdoch, heads off for a staycation at a bed and breakfast in her hometown of Badger’s Drift, Maine for some rest and relaxation. When a murder takes place in her luxurious suite, she figures it’s up to her to uncover the town’s secrets and find the killer.
Thorn Wilder, a seasoned detective in the Badger’s Drift Police Department, is assigned to investigate the murder. Thorn, an astute and methodical investigator, is familiar with Jessica’s work and quickly recognizes her as a potential asset in solving the case. Jessica finds herself irresistibly drawn to the enigmatic detective and becomes an unofficial consultant in the investigation.
Join Jessica Murdoch, Tracer, her faithful basset hound, and Thorn Wilder as they unravel the dark mysteries that lurk beneath the surface of this small town, and discover the shocking truth that lies at the heart of it all.
Murder Before Dawn is the first story in the Mystery, She Wrote series. Four mystery authors meet at a book conference and discover they all live in small towns in Maine. After a fabulous weekend together they decide to form the Mystery Writer’s Murder Club. They meet monthly at a different house to check out cold cases in the area, write, and relax. They soon discover the only thing more exciting than a good murder mystery book is an actual murder mystery.
If you like fast-paced mysteries with quirky characters, an inquisitive basset hound, and unexpected twists, you’re going to love the Mystery, She Wrote series.
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EXCERPT:
“Which leads me to ask you to accompany me to Ms. Hicks’ office. She has graciously offered to let me use it to speak to guests.” He stepped back and gestured toward the front desk. “This way, Ms. Murdoch.”
Jessica knew the way and headed toward DeeDee’s private office. She went over to the window seat, leaning her back against the side so she could see him and drawing her feet up onto the comfortable cushion. “So Detective, we meet again.”
“Should I be concerned that the last two homicides I’ve worked, you’ve had some connection to?”
“I was never connected other than by a shared profession to Sandy, and I could barely tolerate Gregory Thompson.”
“Why is that?”
“Because he was an odious little toad.”
“Was he?”
“Yes, and if you’ve talked to any other female who ever had the displeasure of meeting him—his wife and ex-mistress included—you’ll find that I’m not alone in my opinion.”
“In that case, Ms. Murdoch, would you mind telling me where you were this morning before dawn?”
Good lord, was she a suspect again? This was getting tedious.
Feeling annoyed and just the tiniest bit defensive, she said, “Seriously, Detective? Well, if you must know…”
“I must.”
Jessica rolled her eyes. “As I was saying before you rudely interrupted me, I was down at the Catch. It’s the local coffee shop for the fishermen down on the docks. The coffee is black, strong and could probably be weaponized. I like to get a mug, sit up on the seawall and watch the fishermen as they head out into the ocean.”
“Can someone verify that?”
“Absolutely. Those of us who are regulars have our own mugs. Nobody can use your mug except you. You are expected to return it when you’re done with it.”
Thorn sighed and slumped as if he was defeated before standing tall and squaring his shoulders. The man really was a sight to behold, and she thought she could be happy just looking at him for years. She bit back a snort. Who was she kidding? She wanted to do a lot more than just look at Detective Thorn Wilder. She was sure he didn’t know it nor felt the same, but he’d been the star of more than one of her dirtiest, most erotic fantasies. It was never going to happen. Guys who look like him dated supermodels with hot rocket careers not curvy mystery writers.
Author Bio:
As a USA Today bestselling romance author, Delta James aims to captivate readers with stories about complex,curvy heroines and the dominant alpha males who adore them. For Delta, romance is more than just a love story; it’s a journey with challenges and thrills along the way.
After creating a second chapter for herself that was dramatically different than the first, Delta now resides in Florida where she relaxes on warm summer evenings with her loveable pack of basset hounds as they watch the birds, squirrels and lizards. When not crafting fast-paced tales, she enjoys horseback riding, walks on the beach, and white-water rafting.
More about Delta, including a full list of her books and audiobooks, can be found at www.deltajames.com.
Her readers mean the world to her, and Delta tries to interact personally to as many messages as she can. If you’d like to chat or discuss books, you can find Delta on Instagram, Facebook, and in her private reader group https://www.facebook.com/groups/348982795738444.
If you’re looking for your next bingeable series, you can get a FREE story by joining her newsletter https://www.subscribepage.com/VIPlist22019.
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