Guidebook to Murder:
By Lynn Cahoon
3.5/5
()
About this ebook
In the gentle coastal town of South Cove, California, all Jill Gardner wants is to keep her store—Coffee, Books, and More—open and running. So why is she caught up in the business of murder?
When Jill’s elderly friend, Miss Emily, calls in a fit of pique, she already knows the city council is trying to force Emily to sell her dilapidated old house. But Emily’s gumption goes for naught when she dies unexpectedly and leaves the house to Jill—along with all of her problems . . . and her enemies. Convinced her friend was murdered, Jill is finding the list of suspects longer than the list of repairs needed on the house. But Jill is determined to uncover the culprit—especially if it gets her closer to South Cove’s finest, Detective Greg King. Problem is, the killer knows she’s on the case—and is determined to close the book on Jill permanently . . .
Praise for The Tourist Trap Mysteries
“Lynn Cahoon has created an absorbing, good fun mystery in Mission to Murder.”—Fresh Fiction
“I love the author’s style, which was warm and friendly . . . [A] wonderfully appealing series.”—Dru’s Book Musings
Lynn Cahoon
New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Lynn Cahoon is an Idaho expat. She grew up living the small town life she now loves to write about. Currently, she’s living with her husband and two fur babies in a small historic town on the banks of the Mississippi river where her imagination tends to wander. Guidebook to Murder, Book 1 of the Tourist Trap series, won the 2015 Reader’s Crown award for Mystery Fiction. Visit her at www.lynncahoon.com
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Reviews for Guidebook to Murder:
108 ratings16 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Jill Gardner, bookstore owner, receives a call from her elderly friend Emily that the city council is trying to force her to sell her dilapidated old house. Jill drops by later to see if she can help Emily but instead finds her dead. Emily left the house to Jill and the list of repairs is long and there is a time limit issued by the city council. Jill, therefore, asks her aunt to come from San Francisco to help run her bookstore/coffee shop. Jill is convinced that Emily was murdered but she is finding the list of suspects longer than the list of repairs but she is determined to kind the killer. She is helped the “delish” Detective Greg King. A cozy mystery with a romantic slice. I enjoyed the plot and the story.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great start for a new series.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5First in a new series, Guidebook to Murder shows promise, but started off a bit wobbly at the beginning for me. Jill has left behind a bad marriage and her career as a family law attorney to open a bookstore/coffee shop in the little tourist town of South Cove. A local friend, Miss Emily, is fighting the town council and a developer, trying to keep her house; she's let the house get run-down though, and the mayor is threatening to condemn it as a way to get ahold of her property to build condo's. When Jill stops in to check on her, she finds Miss Emily dead. Grieving the loss of her first friend in South Cove, Jill finds out she inherits everything and that it's not a small sum, in spite of outward appearances. But someone really wants her out of the house and is quite ambivalent about whether it's by her own two feet or in a body bag. So, the characters. I think I like Jill. It's hard to say because from the beginning (the death happens quickly in the story), Jill is overwhelmed: by sadness, by her inheritance, by what she's learning about her friend Miss Emily and the life she led, by trying to keep her business afloat and at the same time, do what's necessary to keep Miss Emily's house (now her own) from being condemned. The author does a great job portraying Jill as a woman trying to keep it all together without making her a martyr. The loss of Miss Emily was emotionally written and I got a bit teary - which I hate but was still done well and with a thankfully light touch. Jill has another close friend, Amy, who I think will be very likeable, but while she plays a part in the plot, we don't see much of her at all to get to know her. Jill's Aunt Jackie comes to help, and while she started off a bit pushy and unlikeable to me, she become more likeable as the story progressed. This next bit is a tiny bit spoiler-ish - not to the plot, but to the character development and I mention it because it's the one area I just did not understand and why this read was a 3.5 star and not a 4. The romantic interest is Detective Greg King. Blond, blue-eyed, beautiful, he seems to be quite interested in Jill and Jill is pretty damn interested in him. But then she meets his brother, who mentions Greg's wife. So, Jill decides he's off-limits. But he spends all his time with her and it's obvious to anyone reading the book he's not just there to protect her against death threats. Jill's ready to give in several times and here I say kudos! to the author for making Jill a human being instead of a saint. Is it right to contemplate kissing another woman's husband? No. Does that mean it never happens to good people? No. I like that Jill is written to be subject to moral dilemmas. But here's what I don't understand: she NEVER says anything to him about being married! She acts like it would be insulting to him or embarrassing to her to say "Hey! You're brother mentioned you have a wife. What's up with that?" This goes on for most of the book and it drives me nuts. As for the murder plot, I have to say, the plotting of cozy mysteries has really taken a turn for the better lately, or maybe I've just been lucky. After a streak of books where I had the murderer correctly pegged in each one, I've been reading some excellently planned murders recently. This one is no exception. Miss Emily had a much broader life that Jill knew and it's garnered a varied list of suspects from dissatisfied heirs, to the mayor, to the possibility of treasure hunters. There's a bit of everything here and ultimately, the murderer was a surprise. A detail or two of the plot were a bit unrealistic, but nothing that ruined the enjoyment of the story overall. By about halfway through the book I was hooked and stayed up to the wee hours of the morning to finish it - always a good sign of an enjoyable book, and I'll be on the look-out for the next one. I received this ARC from NetGalley and Kensington in exchange for an honest review.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Guidebook to Murder was my first cozy mystery by Lynn Cahoon. I was immediately drawn in from the start and continued to be enthralled to the end. My imagination embraced the setting of a small California coastal town called South Cove. The primary character, Jill Gardner, owned and operated Coffee, Books and More; the only book store/coffee shop for miles around. Jill was a divorced attorney who visited the town of South Cove while on vacation and loved it so much that she decided to move there and open her store. Part of the town's allure was the friendship she immediately forged with a kind old lady who initially welcomed her and made her feel right at home. Her name was Miss Emily, and Jill became like a daughter to her. Since Jill was devoid of a romantic relationship at the time, and Ms. Emily lived alone with few if any real friends, the two shared a special bond. But then the unthinkable happened. Ms. Emily was murdered and Jill was devastated. Who would do this? Ms. Emily was being continually pressured by the city council about infractions on her property, and shortly before she died the council was threatening to demolish her property if she didn't repair the fence, fix the lawn, and take care of many other eye sores related to her parcel. Ms. Emily's property was the lone obstacle to plans for a new development project, a commercial venture that could presumably net the town a considerable amount of money. Even the mayor was intent on dispossessing poor Ms. Emily. But would the developer or a city council member resort to murder? Jill wonders, but when her best friend Amy goes missing, and Ms. Emily's unsightly house begins turning up very valuable hidden treasures and secrets, is there more to this Murder mystery than Jill realised? Lynn Cahoon has been added to my FAVORITE COZY AUTHORS list. This mystery was beautifully paced, the characters were interesting and varied, and the details surrounding Miss Emily's murder kept me guessing until the revealing at the end, which was both fulfilling and plausible. Thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it highly.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Pretty damn good for a first in series. The story moved along nicely, with only a small amount of sluggish repetiveness near the middle. I wasn't entirely thrilled with the motive when the mystery was solved, but it was a great ride getting there.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This book has likeable characters and an engaging mystery, but I became frustrated with the main caracter’s actions. Her best friend disappears, and she seems to forget this fact ost of the time. Occasionally, she gets worked up about it, but mostly she’s more focused on decorating. Also there is a developing romance between the main character and the local police detective (like that never happens in a cozy mystery), and she keeps fighting the relationship because height be married - or he might not...she could simply ask.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5guidebook to murder: a tourist trap mystery:I knew right away I was going to like this book. What a hoot. I don't take notes while reading, that would so wreck the book buzz I get but, upon reflecting for the book review I could not stop chuckling! Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books and More in the small town of South Cove, California is just like all the rest of us, she is plagued with self doubt, yet strong and tuff when she needs to be. She fantasizes about food constantly and really enjoys eating yet, is aware of it and of course always thinking about losing those extra 10 pounds. Of course she wants a good man yet, doesn't really want to want one. I related to and very much enjoyed this character. The confusion and sexual tension with the very handsome Detective Greg King is quite fun.We meet Jill in her book & coffee shop one morning when she gets a phone call from her neighbor down the street, her dear friend 80 year old Miss Emily who is very upset that yet again she is being pestered by the town council to sell her beloved but very run down home so they can build an apartment complex. Jill wants to help her so she enlists her friend Amy who just happens to work for the city to look over the paperwork and maybe clear up these problems for her friend and neighbor. The next day on her way over to Miss Emily's house to tell her what Amy found out, what Jill finds out is a dead, possibly murdered Miss Emily! Jill soon finds out Miss Emily had no family...or does she, so she left everything to her and with so much to do and sort out, she calls her aunt to come and help her out at the Book & Coffee shop. Jill and Detective King are on the case of who killed Miss Emily and what they find turns out to be a treasure trove of excitement! There are some thrilling and scary near misses when they and people they love come close to getting hurt but what they do find ultimately is an attraction for each other. I loved Aunt Jackie and I'm hoping she will be in the next book too. I Loved the storyline, characters and the humor but, most of all I liked Jill.I got this book for a review from Net Galley
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Guidebook to Murder by Lynn Cahoon 4 STARS I liked Guidebook to Murder. Would love to see these characters back into another mystery. I really liked Jill and how she worried and cares both for her friends and strangers. This is a cozy mystery. The town has character. Jill has lived in South Cove for 5 years. When she came to town to look around she met Miss Emily and was convinced this was the place to live. Jill used to be a lawyer. Now she owns a bookstore & coffee shop. Now she is getting threats all over the place. She is not sure who to trust. Miss Emily was old and had no family. She lived in a old house that was falling apart. The city was warning her they would condemn her house if she did not take care of it. A developer wants to buy her property. She dies and leaves the property to Jill. Annie works for the city. She is also a friend of Jill's. She has disappeared and no one knows where she is. Annie loves to surf. Detective Greg King does not think their is no problem with Emily's death at first. Now he is worried about Jill spending lots of time with her. Is he married or not? Their are also more interesting characters, including a Mayor that is not liked. A fortune teller who also works for the police. A developer who wants to bulldoze a lot of the town. New lawyers are showing up. Lots of suspects who want what Emily had. The book has a lot of mystery, lots of drama, fun characters. I would love to visit or live their too. The pacing was good and made me want to keep reading to find out what happed. It is also a clean book. The setting is South Cove, California. A small town by the ocean. I would read more books from Lynn Cahoon in the future based on this story. I was given this ebook to read and asked in return to give honest review of it by Netgalley.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Jill Gardner left her legal job 5 years ago and moved to South Cove, CA to open a cozy store that sells coffee and books. One of her first friends was granky old lady, Miss Emily. When Miss Emily runs into problems with the city Council, she turns to Jill for help. Miss Emily turns up dead one day and all her problems are literally left to Jill - stocks, house, and threats.The council has given her 30 days to bring Miss Emily's house up to code so while working inside out on the repairs, Jill is fighting off the dangers relatedto Miss Emily's murder and the efforts of the Mayor and his friends to force the sale of the old house that Miss Emily left to Jill.I loved the story line as well as the characters that had me rooting for their safety. A touch of romance was thrown in for good measure. Hope the next installment gets here soon!
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Set in the small coastal town of South Cove, California, Guidebook To Murder begins with the death of an elderly woman befriended by local bookstore/cafe owner, Jill Gardner. Detective Greg King, is of the opinion that Miss Emily's passing was due to natural causes but Jill is suspicious and insists on an autopsy which reveals Miss Emily was murdered. Convinced that the sleazy developer that had been putting pressure on Miss Emily to sell her home could be responsible, when Jill discovers she has inherited Miss Emily's house, she risks becoming his next victim.The story of Guidebook To Murder is surprisingly busy despite only a single murder taking place. Jill finds herself juggling extensive home repairs in order to meet a council order with attempting to solve the murder of Miss Emily, locate some missing art and defend her reputation from Miss Emily's scheming relatives, all while receiving regular death threats. And if that wasn't enough, Jill is also trying to reign in her meddlesome, if well-meaning, aunt, search for her missing best friend, and fight her attraction to the handsome, but off-limits, Detective King. Though Cahoon manages to tie everything up neatly in the end, the story feels a little overcrowded and despite the plethora of suspects and motives, the plot of Guidebook to Murder is still fairly predictable.I liked Jill well enough, once a city lawyer, Jill moved to South Cove on a whim after her divorce, investing her life savings into "Coffee, Books, and More". We are told by Cahoon that Jill is a bit of pushover but I don't really see evidence of that, she has no problem standing up to the developer, the council or even the detective when he writes off Miss Emily's death as natural causes.We don't learn too much about the other characters, Amy, Jill's best friend, is missing for much of the book, and her Aunt Jackie is busy running the store while the villains are little more than stereotypes. I never quite worked out the Mayor's role in the story, nor why the developer was so desperate for Miss Emily's land.I did take issue with few small details within the story too, for example, probate usually takes two to three months (and generally longer) to complete, whereas Jill had control of her inheritance in days.Guidebook To Murder is the first novel in Lynn Cahoon's, 'A Tourist Trap Mystery' series, I found it to be a quick, easy read but not a particularly exciting one.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Guidebook to Murder was an enjoyable read that proved hard to put down. Cahoon did a great job creating an exciting story as well as some very enjoyable characters. I really got caught up in the lives of these characters from the very beginning and found myself anxious to see what would happen next. Jill is very well developed throughout the book, and it is her devotion to her elderly neighbor and her quest to do what is right that makes her a true heroine. The book is full of many twists and turns making it a great mystery, and I really enjoyed the setting and characters leaving me to want to read another adventure with Jill and her friends. Overall Guidebook to Murder was a great read that I would most definitely recommend.Received a copy of Guidebook to Murder through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Jill Gardner is trying to keep her book and coffee shop going in the small resort town of South Cove, California. She is also trying to help her dear friend, Miss Emily, deal with the city, which is desperate to bulldoze Miss Emily's house. When Jill finds Miss Emily dead she just knows it was not a heart attack like everyone thinks. As it turns out, she is right. Well, she is not surprised but she is in for a surprise when she inherits Miss Emily's house and all her money.I really enjoyed this book. I like Jill and her new maybe boyfriend Greg. I like the town and I enjoyed her descriptions of the remodeling that was being done. I was also charmed by Miss Emily, a lady of many layers and talents. I did solve the mystery but I usually do in cozies. It is the people and the atmosphere that means the most to me in a cozy. I am looking forward to finding out what happens next.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The small resort town of South Cove, California seems like a normal setting for a traditional cozy. But Jill Gardner's unlikely involvement in her elderly friend's death really make this mystery stand out. I found I really liked this community, Cahoon definitely seems to know how to navigate the policies and politics of a small community. Great read that almost felt as though it could have been a stand alone, but news is that there is another story on the way.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Listened for Review (Tantor)Overall Rating: 3.50Story Rating: 3.50Character Rating: 3.50Audio Rating: 4.00 (not part of the overall rating)Read It File It Review (short):Guidebook to Murder by Lynn Cahoon was a delightful cozy mystery with characters that I can't wait to revisit. There was only one thing that kept it from rating higher (a relationship troupe that I personally can't stand) but that was resolved in the very last chapter. I have really high hopes for the rest of the series! The mystery was solid and I loved how it tied up (no spoilers). The female characters were fun, quirky, and well written. The men were a little one-dimensional but I think they will grow as the series progresses. The pacing was outstanding and the story left me smiling. All in all--a pretty good read!Audio Thoughts: Narrated By Susan Boyce / Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins This was such an easy listen. Susan has a great voice for this cozy mystery. She has just enough pizazz to make you laugh and enough urgency for you to feel the mystery part. I will definitely listen to her again!
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Jill inherits her friends rundown house and property but believe Emily was murdered. She inserts herself into the investigation while fixing up the house to keep the town from seizing the property. Attacks and threats start happening to her and property which bring her and the police chief closer. Of course Jill ignores all the danger signs and insists she can take care of herself. Why didn't Jill just ask Greg if he was married instead of dwelling on it until the last chapter?
- Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5I was almost halfway through reading the book when I was denied access to the book. I assume it was due to being on a trial basis but this author is no where in the league of greats such as King and Archer. On Amazon the book costs around $1.5 , therefore it is not a huge loss to both publisher and author if this is read on a trial basis. My intro into Scribd, and this author, is soured as I have now lost confidence as I am unsure what book to read on this site during my trial basis as I might be denied access again. Best is just to leave and go back to Amazon. I am not happy!
Book preview
Guidebook to Murder: - Lynn Cahoon
series?
Chapter 1
Empty shops are the death knell for small businesses. The thought nagged at me as I read, curled up in my favorite overstuffed armchair. Wednesdays were notoriously slow for all the South Cove businesses. Not many tourists included the day in an impulsive California coastal weekend getaway, but I liked to be open, just in case a random busload of quilting seniors decided to stop for a shot of espresso and a few novels to read while they traveled to their next stop on the tour. It had happened.
Once.
The mortgage papers on the building listed me as Jill Gardner, owner of Coffee, Books, and More, the only combination bookstore and coffee shop within sixty miles. But as anyone who’s gone through a divorce or lawsuit knows, paper only tells half the story. I might own the shop, but I’m also one of the world’s biggest suckers.
When I moved to South Cove five years ago, I realized to survive in the small tourist town I’d need to patch together a few different jobs. So I’d jumped at the chance to serve as the business liaison between the local businesses and the city council.
Now I regretted my impulsive nature. And as if to highlight my error, the fax machine on the back counter beeped and started printing out a message.
It could be a catering order coming in. Hope springs eternal and all that. I jumped up from my chair to glance at the half-printed page.
The South Cove city letterhead sparkled on the top. Then Mayor Baylor’s scrawl appeared over the sheet. Short and sweet, he wanted the agenda for the next Business to Business meeting in his office by five on Friday.
As the new kid in town, I’d been honored when the city had offered me the position. I should have known there was a catch, because none of the other more-established business owners wanted the job. Working with His Honor The Mayor was a nightmare. But I was stuck with the job—at least until I could sucker the next victim into taking it on. Planning this month’s get-together had been on my to-do list for three weeks. I wrote it there myself, right after I’d left the last meeting. I left the fax on the machine and went back to my book.
With a steaming hot mocha within reach on the table, I snuggled in to devour the latest installment from my favorite mystery author. Customers could come tomorrow. The mayor and my to-do list could wait another day. The sunshine warmed my skin, and the smell of deep, dark coffee hung in the air. I tried to ignore the nagging going on inside my brain.
I’d read two pages when the phone rang. My plans for a quiet morning of reading weren’t working out. Running the few steps to reach the phone, I felt breathless when I answered. Coffee, Books, and More, how can I help you?
Jill, is that you?
Miss Emily’s high-pitched voice blared over the phone line. Man, for being in her eighties, the woman could really project.
Yes, it’s me. What’s going on?
My heart slowed a few beats. I needed to get into better shape. I grabbed a dust cloth, happy for the cordless phone. Conversations with Miss Emily were never short.
Those rats at the council are at it again.
Miss Emily’s ongoing argument with the city was a popular topic of discussion not only with me, but with anyone who stopped by her house to visit.
What did they do now?
I walked over to the closest bookshelf and started to wipe away the dust that had already settled since I cleaned yesterday. I loved my little store but sometimes I felt like it owned me, my time, and what was left of my rapidly shrinking savings account.
They want me to sell out to some charlatan who’s building an apartment complex for wealthy seniors. And they’re offering me a condo at a reduced price in the complex. Can you believe it?
Miss Emily sounded near tears.
They can’t make you sell.
I tried to calm her.
The letter says they can. It says the council can condemn the property and just take my house. Can they do that?
Miss Emily rattled the pages hard enough that I could hear the crinkling over the phone.
Just put that letter away and I’ll look it over on Sunday. When do you have to answer?
I was starting to worry. The council had never threatened to condemn her property before. I’d have to check with Amy, she’d know the details. Having the city planner as a friend came in handy.
The end of the month.
We have plenty of time. We’ll call some lawyers on Monday if we need to.
One more thing on my to-do list.
I’m buying a rifle to keep those carpetbaggers off my land,
Miss Emily declared.
Don’t buy a gun!
Miss Emily sounded determined. Determined enough to shoot anyone who knocked on her door and ask questions later. Maybe I should close up shop now and go over to keep her out of trouble.
The bell over the door announced a customer, taking the option out of my hands.
Someone just came in, I’ll see you Sunday?
I nodded a friendly greeting to the woman in a white sundress. The woman’s eyes passed over me as she headed toward the bookshelf filled with local history books. Tourists loved the local charm
books, as I called them. I stocked as many as possible as they flew off the shelf faster than any other category. I focused back on the phone call. I had a couple of minutes before I’d be needed.
Don’t worry, I’ll behave myself, as long as they don’t come on my property.
Miss Emily!
I walked back toward the coffee counter to greet the woman who was now wandering around the shop, a couple of books tucked under her arm.
Go take care of your customer, I’m joking.
Miss Emily chuckled and then hung up on me. I would have been worried except she ended all of her phone conversations that way. No good-bye, just dead air. Even when you weren’t done talking.
The woman pushed her Jackie O–inspired sunglasses to the top of her flowing blond hair. She portrayed a more Hampton feel than central California coast girl.
What a quaint little bookstore.
The fashion Barbie leaned down to her purse and talked into the bag.
What the heck was she doing?
Today was turning out to be anything but slow. Working with people made me like my books so much more. I put on my retail smile. Can I help you?
The woman jumped as she turned to the sound of my voice. Oh, there you are. Precious and I didn’t think anyone was here.
She walked toward the counter, books in hand.
Precious?
She’d named her purse?
Precious, meet—I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name.
The crazy Barbie clone focused on me.
Jill, Jill Gardner. I’m the owner. We’re the only bookstore and coffee shop in South Cove,
I said with not just a little pride. I loved the little shop I had built over the last five years. The shop and South Cove felt like home more than any place had felt in my entire lifetime.
Precious, meet Jill.
The woman pulled out a red, toy-sized Pomeranian from her tote bag.
I never knew Coach made dog carriers. Nice to meet you, Precious.
I reached out to pet the cute little dog.
Precious took one look at my approaching hand and curled his neck back like a cobra and struck.
Ouch.
I pulled back my bleeding hand. Walking back around the counter, I went to the sink to rinse off the blood.
Bad boy.
The woman and her evil dog came closer to the coffee counter. Are you all right?
Yeah, I’m fine, thanks for asking . . .
I stopped talking, realizing her comments had been to the devil dog, not me. People. I wanted this woman to leave so I could get back to my book, or write the agenda for the mayor, or even clean the stockroom. One lost customer wouldn’t hurt. Instead, I took a deep breath, then asked, Can I make you something?
Iced coffee, skim, no whip. Put in an energy boost. I’m dragging today.
The woman slipped Precious
back into his bag, but I could hear him growling through the leather. I’m missing my coffee shop at home, they have the best supplements, I swear.
Sorry, I don’t sell supplements.
I started making the coffee, hoping to get this nightmare out of my shop. Are you visiting South Cove? There’s a great place down the street where you can watch them blow glass.
My boyfriend is working out a deal on some sort of development here. We won’t be in town long. You’ll be amazed at how he can take a run-down town like this, bulldoze it over, and have nice, new, clean buildings back up in no time.
Precious’s owner ran a finger over my counter, holding it up to look for dust.
I’m sure bulldozing buildings isn’t part of any plan the city would approve. Most of these buildings are on the historic register. South Cove’s development plan is based on renovating existing structures to modern uses.
No way would the council approve a slash-and-burn development.
Fear gripped my stomach, twisting the mocha I’d sipped on all morning. Could this be the complex Miss Emily had mentioned? I’d call Amy to get the real story, right after this woman left. I handed her the iced coffee. Then I glanced at the books she’d set on the counter. This book on South Cove history was written by a local. His son still runs the Main Street Bed and Breakfast.
Why, that’s where we’re staying.
She thumbed through the book. Maybe he’ll have some stories to add.
I’m sure he’d love to talk to you about his father’s research.
I pointed at the other book. This one tells the history of all the Spanish missions on the coast. The author did a road trip when this book was first published, stopping at all the mission sites. The launch was quite the production.
I’m sure it was.
She glanced at her watch. So what do I owe you?
I guessed girl bonding time was over. Three-fifty for the coffee and thirty for the books.
I can’t believe how cheap everything is here. You’d be shocked at what I pay for a coffee in Santa Barbara. You just got a regular customer. Besides, you’re much nicer than that other place.
The woman counted out thirty-five dollars in bills. Keep the change.
Big tipper.
Thanks for stopping by.
I tried to sound a little friendly.
I’ll see you tomorrow.
She headed to the door, then turning back, she struck a pose and smiled. By the way, I’m Bambi.
Bambi, of course.
See you.
Maybe it was time to hire staff so I could avoid selling Bambi her daily iced coffee.
Bambi didn’t hear my response; she was too busy talking to Precious. Aren’t you the little pit bull, protecting Mommy? What a good boy.
The bell on the door rang again, announcing their exit from the shop. I grabbed the phone and dialed Amy’s number at the city office.
City of South Cove, Amy Newman.
Amy served as city planner, historian, secretary, and part-time receptionist for South Cove. By combining a lot of the little jobs, she had carved out a full-time position allowing her to use her architectural design degree without living in the big city. Besides, working for Mayor Baylor gave her plenty of time for her true love, surfing.
Can you meet me?
One customer for the morning was enough.
I can be at the diner in about ten minutes?
See you then.
Amy would blow a gasket if she found out the mayor or the council had talked to Bambi’s boyfriend/developer without getting her input as city planner. Having her out in public might lessen the steam that would flow out of her ears when I told her.
I hung up and went to the window to post the
CLOSED
sign. I grabbed my purse and locked the door behind me.
Main Street was empty. A few cars sat parked on the redbrick street, but no one walked down the sidewalk on this side of town. I caught a glimpse of the woman who owned The Glass Slipper, washing the inside of her display window. Another thing I needed to do soon.
The brightly painted flower planters were overflowing with summer annuals, including my favorite, petunias, making the small business district look more like a Swiss Alp resort than a California coastal town. But I loved the old-fashioned lamp posts the council had put in last year. The lamp posts added to the European flair of the downtown core, and a lot of customers had told me how much they loved walking through the town.
Diamond Lille’s was the only restaurant in South Cove (unless you counted my coffee shop). Lille and I have an understanding; she doesn’t make caramel mochas and I don’t serve dinner. That way I can close early and she can open late. Lille has the upper hand in the compromise. She’s been a part of South Cove culture for over twenty years. Everyone ate at Diamond Lille’s at least once a week. I’m still working on developing regulars after five years.
Hey!
Amy waved at me as I walked in. Like I couldn’t see her among the tables filled with farmers eating their lunch. The smell of apple pies baking floated out of the kitchen.
I slipped into one of the red tufted booths lining the back wall. Diamond Lille’s had been decorated as an old-fashioned western saloon meets rocking fifties diner. An iced tea with lemon waited for me, the humidity from the restaurant condensing on the outside of the glass. I took a long sip. Thanks, I needed this.
At thirty, Amy got carded more than most twenty-one-year-olds we knew. Her short blond hair was cut into a pixie. Perpetually tan from spending her weekends surfing the California coast, her obsession also kept her stick-thin. I, on the other hand, carried an extra twenty pounds because I spent my weekends reading and tanning on the roof of my building. That is, after I closed down the shop on Saturday.
So what brings us to lunch on a Wednesday? Usually you are too deep into your latest book to even remember to eat.
Amy closed the menu, when our hostess appeared at the side of the booth. Hey, Lille, what’s up?
Oh, the stories I could tell. People are just weird, that’s all. Some girl tried to come in with her dog. I had to throw her and the mutt out.
Lille peered over her glasses. So, ladies, what can I get you?
I was dying to hear more about Bambi’s appearance, but I knew if I pushed, Lille would just clam up. So I settled for ordering lunch. I’ll have the Asian chicken salad with the dressing on the side.
Give me the house burger with everything. And fries.
Amy handed the menu back and shrugged her shoulders at me. What, don’t look at me like that, I had a small breakfast.
Sure, probably a three-egg omelet, sausage, and bacon with a side of hash browns.
I shook my head. Watching Amy eat made me feel like I was doing something wrong with my perpetual dieting. And I probably was—not exercising. Who had time? I met the girl Lille threw out.
Amy sputtered through a sip of her strawberry milk shake. What? When?
Just before I called you. She and her dog, ‘Precious’—who is anything but—came in for an iced coffee.
I stared at the milk shake, imagining the creamy drink cooling my mouth. I don’t like strawberry, I reminded myself. Then, after the dog bit me, she told me her developer boyfriend was going to bulldoze the town and rebuild better stores.
She said what?
Now Amy wasn’t interested in her milk shake. Maybe she wouldn’t notice if I just took one sip.
Yeah, that’s what Bambi, her name and description, said after she ran her hand down my counter to check for dust.
I took a long sip from my iced tea. I love iced tea, I tried to convince myself. Seriously, I would have thrown her out if she wasn’t my only customer of the morning. So, what have you heard about a new developer being in town?
Nothing.
Amy appeared shocked at my announcement. Really, there isn’t anything going on, except . . .
She took another sip of her shake. When Amy played poker or lied, she had a tell. Amy stalled.
Except what?
This couldn’t be good news.
Amy sighed and leaned back while Lille slipped the platter filled with burger and fries in front of her. I could smell the grease from the fries. My salad looked wilted.
The council wants to issue Miss Emily another letter about her yard. I’ve held them off for a while and told them I’d talk to you. But I can’t hold them off forever. She’s got a week before they meet again.
Crap. I’ve been meaning to find someone to mow. It’s not easy. She’s gone through all of the teenagers who live in the area; none of them will even walk by her house now.
It’s not just mowing. They want her to replace that fence in the front.
Amy dug into her burger, ketchup running out of the side of her mouth.
"Wait—what? You said they want to issue a letter? According to the call I got from Miss Emily this morning, they already have issued her a letter. And they threatened to condemn her house."
Not possible. They just met last night, and I was stuck sitting through their discussion until nine. The only good thing about last night was they ordered Lille’s fettuccine Alfredo for dinner.
Amy took another big bite out of her burger, juices dripping down the sides of her mouth.
I handed her a napkin as I searched for more mandarin oranges in my salad. You sure they just talked about her yard and fence?
Positive. I typed up the minutes from the most boring meeting in the world when I got in this morning. I planned on calling you to give you a heads-up tonight.
Amy wiped her mouth, then waved a French fry at me. I tried to call last night but all I got was your voice mail. You let your cell die again?
Busted. I was horrible at remembering to plug the thing in. Amy and my aunt were the only two people who called me, and they both knew to try the shop first. The odds were better I’d pick up the land line. Trying to change the subject, I ducked my head and asked, They want her to replace a perfectly good fence?
You have to admit, it looks pretty bad, especially compared to the rest of the houses on Main Street.
Now Amy attacked her steak-cut fries, dipping two at a time into Lille’s famous ketchup/horseradish sauce.
I’d run out of mandarin oranges so I started eating lettuce. Yay. The way this conversation was going I should have ordered the fish and chips. The council does realize she’s the only real home left on Main Street. The rest of those houses are converted businesses.
That’s their point. They want her to sell out to someone who will turn the house into retail.
She scrutinized the regulars in the café before she whispered, I think they’re tired of waiting for her to die.
I wonder what letter she’s talking about, then. She was hot when she called. You don’t think she’s reading an old letter, do you? She’s not that old to become confused.
I’d first met Miss Emily on a visit six years ago when I was playing tourist here. The first vacation I’d taken after the divorce and six months of seventy billable hours a week at my law firm.
Visiting South Cove had been a weekend diversion after a week from hell. I walked down the street with my ice cream cone from Lille’s and realized I’d arrived at the end of town, my bed-and-breakfast nowhere in sight. Miss Emily sat on her porch, watching me.
Lost?
she called out.
Kind of,
I called back. Do you know where Beal Street is?
I do.
Then she just sat there in her rocker knitting, her gray hair twisted up in a bun and a small smile on her face.
So, can you tell me?
I felt hot and tired. Playing games with this little old lady was not restful. And I wanted restful. I came here for restful.
Don’t get your knickers in a bunch. Come on up on the porch and have a sit. You look all red from the heat.
The old lady didn’t even look up from her knitting. I’ve got a glass of iced tea waiting for you.
Waiting for me? How could it be waiting for me?
I pulled open the wood gate, latched closed with a circle of barbed wire over the post, and headed up to the porch, walking gingerly through the tall grass on a stepping-stone path.
Sit down, child. Tell me what brings you to South Cove.
Two hours later I’d laid down the misery composing my life and had made a decision to move to the small town that already felt like home.
I’d be damned if the city council would railroad my friend out of her own house just because she was taking too long to die. They’d have to go through me first.
Chapter 2
The weeds Miss Emily called a lawn were ankle-high Sunday morning when I pushed through that same gate, off-kilter and rusted with age. The gray weather-stained boards didn’t match up with the fence that went past the lawn and down the side of the house. The fence at that point changed to barbed wire circling around a pasture that had many years ago held in a few black and white cows and a horse or two. Now the city council called the old pasture a fire hazard. At the end of town, Miss Emily’s house was the first thing people saw driving into the small community.
The town of South Cove made its living off the tourists who found their way off Highway 1. The road meanders north up the coastline from Los Angeles toward San Simeon and The Castle. On weekends, tourists flock into town for lunch and to shop in the craftsmen’s art studios that fill the block.
After an hour of calls yesterday, I still hadn’t found a kid to mow her yard. I would have to do it myself. The last kid I hired had mowed down her fairy circle, a natural ring of mushrooms in the middle of the yard. Miss Emily had run out of the house brandishing her cane wildly above her head, her long gray hair down to her shoulders, and started swinging at the fifteen-year-old. He stopped the lawn mower where it stood and ran out of the backyard.
His dad called that evening and told me he had to go and get the mower because his son refused to ever go back to that crazy old woman’s house.
I had to pull my mower out of the garage and go over to finish the job. Maybe I could put a wire fence up around the fairy circle.
I walked up the steps, grabbing her newspaper from the porch. It was already past ten. Miss Emily always got an early start, reading her paper while she drank her coffee on the front porch. Today she wasn’t there. Her rocker sat empty.
Miss Emily,
I called as I opened the door. Setting the paper on her foyer table, I called out again, Are you in the kitchen?
Walking through the living room, I headed to her kitchen and the heart of the house. She wasn’t there. The back door stood ajar