HEMS AND HOMICIDE
Hems & Homicide (Apron Shop Series) by Elizabeth Penney
Hems & Homicide
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (December 31, 2019)
Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
ISBN-10: 1250257948
ISBN-13: 978-1250257949
Digital ASIN: B07SBQ9Y2Z
Welcome to the first in the Apron Shop mystery series by Elizabeth Penney, set in the quaint village of Blueberry Cove, Maine where an expert seamstress turned amateur sleuth is getting measured for murder. . .Iris Buckley is sew ready for a change. After the death of her beloved grandfather, Iris decides to stay in her Maine hometown to help out her widowed grandmother, Anne—and bring her online hand-made apron designs to real-time retail life. Her and Anne’s shop, Ruffles & Bows, is set to include all the latest and vintage linen fashions, a studio for sewing groups and classes, and a friendly orange cat. The only thing that they were not planning to have on the property? A skeleton in the basementAnne recognizes the remains of an old friend, and when a second body shows up in the apron shop—this time their corrupt landlord, whom Anne had been feuding with for decades—she becomes a prime suspect. Now, it’s up to Iris to help clear her name. Enlisting the help of her old high-school crush Ian Stewart who, like certain fabrics, has only gotten better-looking with age and her plucky BFF Madison Morris, Iris must piece together an investigation to find out who the real killer is. . .and find a way to keep her brand-new business from being scrapped in the process.
Excerpt- HEMS AND HOMICIDE – From Chapter 1
Bells jingled as I entered the Belgian Bean, a warm
and cozy café filled with chatter and the aroma of fresh brewed coffee. The
place was surprisingly busy for a cool spring morning in Blueberry Cove, Maine.
Judging by the upscale outfits and unfamiliar faces, it appeared our coastal
village was finally on the beaten track, even during the offseason.
My gaze skittered over the booths
by the window, the line by the counter, and the tables in back. Where was
Madison? Maybe I’d actually gotten here first, which would be a first—
An arm clad in fuchsia fleece shot
up at the back table near the restrooms and I spotted my best friend, who was
waving with a smile. Well, more like saluting wildly while bouncing up and down
in her seat. But that was Madison Morris, always full of energy and enthusiasm,
no matter how early the hour. Some people were morning people. Madison was one.
I definitely was not.
Trying to suppress a yawn, I eyed
the line of coffee carafes as I passed, tempted to pick one up and take it with
me. Sophie Jacobs, another good friend and owner of the Bean, called from
behind the counter, “Morning, Iris. I’ll be right with you.”
“Make it a double,” I called,
grateful that fresh java would soon be on the way. Still smiling at Sophie, I
edged around a chair blocking the aisle and accidentally kicked a customer’s
leather messenger bag as a result.
A thin man with wire-rimmed glasses
glared up at me before tugging the bag out of the way and stowing it under his
chair.
“Sorry,” I said, but his attention
was already on his tablet. He didn’t even glance at the Benedict Belgian he was
shoveling into his mouth, a waffle topped with an egg, ham, and hollandaise
sauce. Yum. Maybe I should order that.
“Can I help you?” he asked, jerking
his head up again. His eyes were an icy gray, which suited his cropped dirty
blond hair and light tan. Not bad looking if a little old for me, but he
definitely had a stick up his—
“No, sorry. I was just…” I waved a
hand and moved on, flushing at being caught checking out his meal, like some
sort of culinary creeper. After skirting a group of lively older women wearing
fisherman knit sweaters and Bean boots, I finally reached the sanctuary of
Madison’s table.
“What was up with Mr. Prickly back
there?” Madison picked up a huge mug, holding it in both hands. The bright
jacket made her golden brown skin glow, as did the matching lipstick and nail
polish she wore.
“I kicked his bag. Which I feel bad
about, since it’s gorgeous.” I sank into the opposite chair, arranging my full
skirt under my hips. I’d sewn the ‘50s-style dress myself, a deep periwinkle
blue trimmed in white at the short sleeves and neckline and topped with a
vintage apron. With my black hair, blue eyes and pale complexion, periwinkle
was a go-to color for me. And mid-century garment styles flattered my curvy
figure, which was more Marilyn than Audrey, as in Monroe and Hepburn.
Madison crooked an index finger.
“Stand up again. Are you actually wearing an apron? I know you’re opening a
shop but—”
“It’s a bit much?” I obeyed and
stood, even holding the frothy confection out with my fingers, the better for
my friend to study it. The women seated nearby turned to look, so I spun to
face them and smiled before plopping back down.
“It’s the one we used for the shop
logo,” I explained. “Grammie suggested we start wearing aprons as often as
possible. Free advertising.”
My paternal grandmother, Anne
Buckley, and I were partners in Ruffles & Bows, a new Main Street business
slated to open on Memorial Day weekend. Over the past five years, I’d built up
a quite a business selling aprons and linens online, both vintage and handmade
originals. But now the local economy was booming, and it was time to take
advantage with a storefront. Plus Grammie needed the distraction after losing
her beloved husband Joe, my Papa, three months ago.
I crossed my fingers under the
table, hoping our optimistic plans would pan out. Failure is not an option.
My new favorite saying.
From poor wiring to finding a skeleton on the premises, to the appearance of a building inspector the very first day, how can this dream come to reality? Only through determination and grit of two feisty heroines and the help of friends.
The first crime, because it is obvious this victim did not hide herself behind a wall, is over 40 years old. It will expose secrets well kept these decades by the "love children" now in their senior years. Kept but not forgotten, with fingers reaching into present times.
A strong introduction to a community and the complicated relationships of Blueberry Cove.
About Elizabeth Penney
Elizabeth Penney is an author, entrepreneur, and local food advocate living in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. In addition to writing full-time, she operates a small farm.
Elements that often appear in her novels include vintage summer cottages, past/present mysteries, and the arts.
She is represented by the fabulous Elizabeth Bewley at Sterling Lord Literistic.
Elizabeth's writing credits include over twenty mysteries, short stories, and hundreds of business articles. A former consultant and nonprofit executive, she holds a BS and an MBA.
She's also written screenplays with her musician husband.
She loves walking in the woods, kayaking on quiet ponds, trying new recipes, and feeding family and friends.
Twitter: @liz2penney Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7877413.Elizabeth_Penney
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Sounds like a great new series. Looking forward to reading.
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