This officially was one of the worst days of my life I said to the rock poking into my cheek.
The above video has nothing to do with the book except for the title...all of the kittens are sweet and cuddling--Ah, but, maybe when they grow up and get involved with their owner's life of amateur detective...
“Sold!” Police Chief Bullock yelled and pointed in my direction. After watching his performance, I decided that the-middle-aged law enforcement officer loved moonlighting as an auctioneer more than his police responsibilities here in Pineville. I looked at the people milling around the old Nine Pine Nursery parking lot. Retired couples in baggy jeans and light jackets, millennial owners of local shops, and out-of-towners in designer hiking gear stopping to check for bargains. An event like this, in my quaint Maine town, brought out familiar faces and complete strangers. Some trudged back to their vehicles while others tossed their bidding numbers aside and gathered in groups to chat. I wondered which one of these people just bought this bankrupt business that had once belonged to my grandparents. “Hey.” The gray-haired guy next to me nudged me with his elbow. He hitched his khaki pants over his ample belly and tilted his head toward Chief Bullock. “He means you—Sunny Shaw—right?” He cupped his hand around his mouth as if telling a secret. “I got a peek at the auctioneer’s list and put two and two together. Congratulations.” If he hadn’t said my name, I would have thought his congratulations was directed to someone else. Anyone else. Instead, I stared, with what I assumed was my mouth dragging on the parking lot and my eyes bugged out. “What?” “You just bought this old place. Well, what’s left of it, I should say. I did some research and it’s a real shame that the previous owner sold off the land. But the retail building is solid, and the glass greenhouse only needs a good cleaning. Nothing some hard work can’t fix right up. Congratulations,” he repeated. “I was thinking about buying it myself if I could have gotten it for a song. Didn’t happen; you beat my bid. I suppose it’s a bit too big for my needs anyway.” He looked around wistfully, or so I decided, raised his New York Yankees ball cap and smoothed his thinning hair. “I did?” This was news to me. I’d only come for entertainment after being canned from my job as the sandwich-wearing lobster who walked up and down Main Street in Pineville, advertising—you won’t believe this—a get-away for an all-day cruise around Blueberry Bay. I know it sounds exciting, but believe me, I worked on that cruise and it’s full of a rollicking, stomach-upsetting, hang-over-the-railing, seasick six hours.
Even my Newfie, Jasper, wasn’t a fan. And she loves the water. My ex-boss didn’t appreciate that I shared my story with potential fare-paying customers. “Yeah,” the guy said, talking to me like I didn’t have a clue. “You need to go up and pay.” Pay? “How much?” “All of it.” He shook his head and must be thinking I was the biggest dimwit he’d ever seen. “You want some advice?” he asked, dipping his head as if trying to keep his advice from the eavesdropping public. At the moment, I wanted answers, not advice but he’d stirred up my endless pit of curiosity. “Sure.” “Watch your back. By the look of this crowd, lots of other people were after this gem.”
He glanced at his watch, frowned, and walked away without a goodbye. I bent over to tie my sneaker and think about what he’d said. Watch my back from what? But, more importantly at the moment, did I have enough money in my bank account to cover this purchase? Definitely not. The inheritance from my great aunt was still tied up in court for the foreseeable future. Maybe a run to the Canadian border was my best option. Unfortunately, before I even had time to figure out which way was north from the Blueberry Bay area, about a hundred and fifty-five pounds on four legs hit me from behind, squishing me flat into the dirt.
This officially was one of the worst days of my life I said to the rock poking into my cheek. “Sunny? Open your eyes this minute.” With great effort, I cracked one eyelid a fraction of an inch. “Tilly?” I mumbled. “You brought Jasper here?” My neighbor, Tilly Morris, stared down at me. Even with all her quirks and wacky ideas, she looked out for me, watched my dog when necessary, and I considered her to be my pistol-packing guardian granny. Of course, I never referred to her that way out loud. She was a tad sensitive about her age—seventy, though you wouldn’t know it from her neon wardrobe and oversized personality. And she wasn’t anyone’s grandmother. “You sure did get yourself in a pickle this time, Sunny Shaw,” she said as she tugged on my arm. “Come on. Get up before you catch some disease from all that dirt you’re lying in. What happened to that guy who was standing next to you? He disappeared.”
I shrugged. Not one bit of all this made a lick of sense. Something warm and wet traveled from my chin to my hairline. “Jasper! Stop!” But my dog, a big Newfoundland mix, the other half something like a small whale, had launched herself at me when Tilly brought her into the parking lot. Now she was straddling me, cleaning every exposed piece of skin she could find. “What is so tasty? Did I spill lobster on myself or something?” I tried to avoid her slobber, but my best hope of getting away from Jasper’s tongue was to wiggle and squirm out from under her. With Tilly pulling my arm while Jasper turned something I’d spilled on myself into her morning snack, I managed to get on my knees and crawl out from under her somewhat unusual embrace. “There,” I said, dusting the dirt from my fall in the parking lot off my khaki capris. I pulled the elastic out of my ponytail. A quick shake sent bits of twigs and leaves flying before I twisted my mass of dark hair into a messy bun, minus the debris.
“What just happened?” “Apparently, you just bought this property,” Tilly hissed while pulling me away from all the people. “Are you crazy? How the heck are you planning to pay for it?” “No worries, Sunny. It’s all taken care of.” I almost gave myself whiplash when I turned around at the sound of the one voice that sent shivers up and down my spine. And not in a good way. At least, not anymore. There, smiling at me with green eyes like a cat stalking a mouse, and dimples that always meant trouble, stood Ty Hitchner. At one time I’d hoped he’d be my destiny. But then, he took off for more excitement than he could find with me in Pineville. Seeing him wasn’t good on so many levels. “Hitch,” Tilly said, using his nickname. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” I think she even batted her eyelashes. Ewww. My neighbor had always thought Hitch was Pineville’s gift to women; or, one woman in particular—me. Don’t ask me why because Hitch and I had different goals in life. Ever since he’d moved to the Big Apple for what he’d expected to be his dream job as a private security guard, I’d put him out of my mind. My goal was to not think about Hitch at all. But here he was, looking at me like he’d just returned to save the world. Or, maybe just my world. I crossed my arms.
“What’s all taken care of?” I asked even thought I probably didn’t want to know the answer. “Paying for Nine Pine Nursery.” Hitch cocked his head with a quizzical don’t-play-dumb look. “You’ve always said you wished your grandparents hadn’t sold it.” “Look, Hitch,” I said feeling confused and more than a little frustrated. “I just lost my job, and I have no patience for your games. You were here in Pineville, then you left, and now, here you are again. Don’t mess with me.” I blinked back tears that threatened to spill and ruin my tough-girl pose along with a tiny bit of mascara. Hitch reached out and put his hand on my shoulder. I wished he hadn’t done that. How would I possibly resist his charm that he worked like an expert, using that chiseled jaw, those green eyes? “Sunny,” he said with a voice full of compassion. “This is no game. I’m back and we just bought the nursery.” Then he flashed a grin that normally made my heart flutter. “You can thank me later.” “Wait a minute. We?” Instead of a flutter, my heart pounded, mostly from anger but there might have been a bit of excitement mixed in if I was honest with myself. I patted my chest to calm down this internal battle. “Yeah, you and me.” Hitch spread his hands across the sky in front of us like he was unraveling a banner. “There’s room for both of us. I can see it already—Pineville’s new Shakes and Cakes Shop. Sounds great, right? You love those weird smoothies that are all the rave now, and I’ll use the greenhouse for my orchid collection and some herbs.” “But—” He covered my lips with his finger. A finger that smelled like peppermint candy. I closed my eyes, hoping I didn’t embarrass myself and take a taste. “Think about it before you shoot me down,” he said, pulling me out of my daydream just in time. “That’s all I’m asking, Sunshine. If you don’t want to partner with me, I know I can find someone else.” He winked, and I knew I was doomed. A scream pierced the air, which barely entered my consciousness with this latest emotion overload. Tilly raced toward us. I hadn’t even registered her absence with Hitch distracting me. “That guy who was standing next to you?” She looked at me with her big blue eyes wide with fear. Something Tilly rarely showed. “He’s dead.”
~~~~
Whew! This author must have read the same Readers' Digest I did that suggested you grab the reader's attention right from the beginning! Because this is probably the first cozy which I would consider more thriller based. Know what I mean?
Lyn plows into the story like none I've ever seen. The reader is found in the middle of an auction scene where Sunny Shaw is almost immediately told that she has bought a building! And she never even opened her mouth! Then, to top that amazing surprise off, a man comes up next to her--a stranger--who congratulations her for getting the building which he had bid on and really wanted... But he couldn't go any higher... If you, as the reader, think that she's dreaming, then know that you will soon realize that she is not dreaming...
And she now owns that building--bought and paid for!
Ok, let's back up just a bit... Because before she even gets to start asking questions, the man who had stopped by to talk with her... He's now dead! Murdered! Of course, there is always a death in a cozy mystery, but really? In the first chapter?! This writer started writing--and apparently couldn't stop writing until she was finishing the book! It moves that fast! And I read it that fast!
I was caught into the page-turning, reading and finishing in one evening... Once you get into the pace of the book, you cannot stop... A warning if you think this is a normal cozy where you can have a cup of tea, a few cookies or crackers... You know...just like me, we choose a cozy whenever we need a break from the chaos and confusion of the world we have now. At least that's how I choose cozies, especially if it is a "cat" cozy! Not goin' to work with this one...
Take a break and breathe. The murder has happened, the amateur detective has been identified...
Now we can get down to the investigation... Not...
Don't you wonder just who bought the building? Surely that was something you needed to clear up right away? No! Because it's also covered in that first chapter! And meeting the humorous main character, Tilly, is also there along with Jasper the cat-loving monster of a guard dog. And, you even learn about the plans for a shake and cakes theme...
But, you didn't learn about the secret dream that Sunny also has thought of doing... And it involved cats! and flowers--orchids in particular...
But let's get back to building a chronology of events. You really need to get some basic info, right? Well, Hitch had left for New York, hoping Sunny would go with him. That didn't happen. While he was there, he worked as a security guard of rare plants--the insurance company required coverage for the amount the owner wanted to have them covered for. One very old bonsai tree was, frankly, unbelievably worth more than anybody could imagine, especially me! LOL
Hitch had been hired due to this insurance coverage... But it was at that owner's location, that Hitch had also been shot--by his boss--while another man was there watching...
Harry got exactly what he deserved—a type of justice. But who delivered that death penalty?
And the mystery begins at that point... Why was Hitch shot...
On the other hand, it is no surprise that he returned back home and knowing that Sonny was still there--and, that the building now being sold had once belonged to Sonny's grandparents--that Hitch used Sonny's name to purchase that building... And all he was asking in return, was to have the building provide space for his orchid collection... which he'd started when he was working in New York...
During a shootout, I got hit and left my job with a big insurance payoff.”
Tilly had known what was happening, but hadn't shared it with Sonny, but she was there that day, to help whatever adjustments needed to be made in the "new" relationship as partners in renovating the building for a new purpose, which they'd have to discuss and decide together...
But the police had other ideas. Sonny had been seen talking to the man who was dead. Who also happened to be the former boss who had shot Hatch! Since Sonny had been seen talking to the man--who was a stranger merely being treated as a stranger in town--Sonny was of no help to the police whatsoever...
Except that Sonny had a past with both the police officer as well as Hitch...And that fact alone, kept Sonny in his mind as the officer learned that Hitch had actually bought the building putting it in Sonny's name... In any event, bits and pieces of what had happened began to be discovered. Who had seen what, began to be pulled together. Tilly, for instance, had seen a woman arguing with the murdered man sometime during the auction... And, she loved orchids too...
A pathetic mew caught my attention. Under my chair was the cutest, most adorable, but terrified kitty I’d ever seen. Well, to be honest, all kittens are adorable.
And then there happened to be a new man in town--a contractor who was to work on a job, but was brought to the attention of Sonny and Hitch as a possible contractor for their new building. Hitch had already formed a judgment of him personally as maybe a conman and didn't trust him, making that clear to Sonny...
But then Tilly and Sonny got together, and Tilly shot some "female boss courage,"advice to Sonny to start acting like reality was... SHE was the owner on the deed for the building... NOT Hitch...
.jfif)
Dumb hiding spot, by the way. No one was fooled by that flock of pink birds in your rock garden.” “Really? I thought it was very clever.”
I had to throw in the reference to pink flamingos--my mother loved them in her back yard/garden... LOL
Well, all that needs to be covered at this point, is the secret that Sonny openly started talking about... In a back corner of the newly renovated building was to be a kitty corner where kittens and act would live while they were waiting to be sold...Maybe a fountain, plants--and orchids! Well, I had to tell you I panicked on behalf of Sonny and Hatch, because the author clearly did not have inside cats as was being proposed... Can you imagine small claws knocking over plants, or, if the bonsai plant was chosen to live there, the kittens would be clawing on that ancient wood... Seriously, some plants are even dangerous for them to eat...
Boo hiss on this, in my opinion, serious flaw for the cats+plant corner... Trust me, I speak from years of experience... Also, they were thinking about books? Ah, No...they will be chewed, torn, and tossed around whenever cats can get close to them...
And if you still question my own experience... check this out... The first video may be of value for some cat owners... But it would take a lot of discipline to allow this type of thing. Still it may give you ideas for such a space...
This is a cute video I just had to add...even if it was probably made by AI... And, if your cats act like these, then you have much more time for your companion than I do...
All my cats who sneak in, soon know that I'm in front of the computer most of the day...and am not to be bothered...
Until I turn to reading...and nothing but a reader can be used than--just keep it up and away from paws! LOL
Enjoy this one!
GABixlerReviews
Currently a librarian in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Dean has published articles on topics in library science, the history of science/medicine, and mystery fiction. His first book, which he co-wrote with fellow librarian Jean Swanson, was By a Woman’s Hand(Berkley; 1994). Jean and Dean won an Agatha Award for Best Mystery Non-Fiction and were nominated by the Mystery Writers of America for the Edgar for Best Critical-Biographical work for this popular reference book. A second edition followed two years later, and Dean and Jean collaborated on two further projects, Killer Books(Berkley; 1998) and The Dick Francis Companion (Berkley; 2003). In all he has co-authored or co-edited six works of mystery reference and one short story anthology.
