Greetings, fans and readers. I'm farmer Cameron's father. Ms. Maxwell says she has an advance copy of her new book to give away to one commenter by midnight Eastern Daylight Time on May 5, so be sure to stick with the post.
Cameron's mother and I came to visit recently, and boy did we get into hot water. We're both anthropology professors, and since the semester was over and we hadn't left for our summer research abroad yet, we thought we'd stop by Attic Hill Farm and say hello to our girl. Even though we specialize in cultural death customs, we certainly didn't expect to have a murder right there in Westbury!
It also didn't help matters that my dearly beloved wife had been arguing with the victim earlier in the day and had been publically protesting her new non-organic hydroponic business. But Deb would never murder anyone, so I felt obliged to help Cameron sort things out.
Well, first I tried to help on her farm, but it turned out those plants I thought were weeds were really seeds she'd planted. Oops. So I decided to stick with the chickens. Fowl the world around and I get along just fine. Then we took in the Memorial Day parade, a small town spectacle in all its glory. Too bad it was disrupted by my wife becoming involved in yet another unexplained death. I must say, our normal university life is nowhere near as exciting!
I was glad I could eventually help Cameron with some sleuthing, but our author says I'm not to tell you how it all came out. That's why you read the book.
What's your experience with small-town parades? Ever decorated your riding lawnmower and joined the fun, or even your horse? Marched with a ball team or scouting troop? Or do you prefer to watch the Macy's parade from the comfort of your own home? Remember, one commenter gets an advance copy of the book - which comes out May 30!
Edith Maxwell writes the Quaker Midwife Mysteries, the Local Foods Mysteries, and award-winning, Agatha-nominated short crime fiction. As Maddie Day she creates the Country Store Mysteries and the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries.
Maxwell is President of Sisters in Crime New England. She lives north of Boston with her beau and three cats, and blogs here, with the other Wicked Cozy Authors, and with the Midnight Ink Writers. You can find her on Facebook, twitter, Pinterest, and at her web site, edithmaxwell.com.
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I used to ride on a float for our church in my hometown's 4th of July parade. I always loved going to the parade. mcastor07(at)Gmail(dot)com. Love your books!
ReplyDeleteI take my Girl Scouts out to walk in a local Christmas parade every year. They love tossing candy to the crowd! We go for handmade candy canes and cocoa afterwards.
ReplyDeleteI played the trombone in the high school marching band. We did A LOT of parades. Before that, I marched with the Girl Scouts every year on Memorial Day. bobwiesmann(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to meet you, Mr. Flaherty, -- looks like your visit to see Cameron was anything but sedate! I have decorated bicycles and tricycles for parades -- the children are always so cute! [email protected]
ReplyDeleteLive in Phoenix and love to go to festival of lights parade in December!!
ReplyDelete[email protected]
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ReplyDeleteI enjoyed watching small-town parades when I lived in various parts of North Carolina. My favorite part is the marching bands. Thanks for the chance to win.. salvatoresmom71 (at) yahoo (dot) com.
ReplyDeleteI live in a small town of about five thousand people. We've had lawnmower races and our annual July 4th parade to name just a few fun things our town has for it's residents. I've never been involved in any floats but my daughter has worked on and ridden on our library float.
ReplyDeletescarletbegonia5858(at)gmail(dot)com
For many years I marched in the Memorial Day parade first as a Brownie and then Girl Scouts. I was most proud of my Dad marching in his Marine dress uniform in the color guard. He looked so official and handsome. The saddest part was in the cematary we were assigned to my families plot to stand for the ceremony. I always cry when they play taps. pgenest57 at aol dot com
ReplyDeleteHaving grown up in a small town I loved the parades. All during high school I was in the band so in the parade. It was fun.
ReplyDeleteParades are so special. In our small town each year we would watch with wonder and enjoy the beauty. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteWe did growing up in my small town - parkeremma2003 at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteI love hearing from Cam's father, and eagerly anticipate a new adventure. I've participated in anti-war and women's rights demonstrations, but mostly only watched parades from the sidelines. St. Louis had the Veiled Prophet Parade in the fall for many years, after dark, so the lighting made it very glamorous. The year I was born, my mother's doctor had her swallow castor oil to hurry me into the world so he could take his family to that parade. Later, it was moved to daytime and the July 4th weekend, and the V.P. name was finally dropped for Fair St. Louis. It has become a very large, so now I look for smaller celebrations.
ReplyDeleteI walk in the St Patrick's Day Parade every year. Other parades I watch on TV.
ReplyDeleteBecky Prazak
[email protected]
I've never been in a small town parade. I do enjoy watching them at home. I love Edith Maxwell's books and would love to win a copy of Much Ado About Murder.
ReplyDeletelauigl(at)carolina(dot)rr(dot)com
I remember our home town Memorial Day parades because band members (in their beastly hot wool uniforms) would pass out and fall over!
ReplyDeletelibbydodd at comcast dot net
I attended the local St. Patrick's Day parade every year until I moved.
ReplyDeletejtcgc at yahoo dot com
I live in a small town that has parades for holidays, even St. Patrick's Day! [email protected]
ReplyDeleteWhen I was still working at the library, we used to decorate the old bookmobile for the parade and walk with it and pass out pencils and bookmarks and that type of thing. I can remember it being very cold. jluebke(at)frontier(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI used to go to the Grand Floral Parade in Portland with my mom every year - with a thermos of hot chocolate! [email protected]
ReplyDeletewe always went to the fourth of july parade in town and when in high school were on some floats [email protected]
ReplyDeleteLovely post. And brought memories. I asked a young man to weed my garden. Similar results as with Cameron's dad. We lived in a small town in my early teen years. Helped build a float using paper napkins to make flowers and sticking them into chicken wire to form patterns for a class project. Tiring. But we had fun. We ached later. Have yet to read any in this series. Do hope this will be a start. Della at deepotter (at) peoplepc (dot) com
ReplyDeleteMy town doesn't really have parades. We have a lot of festivals. I watch the Macy's parade on tv every Thanksgiving. Thank you so much for the chance to win!
ReplyDelete[email protected]
As a kid/teenager I marched in a number of parades. As an adult I prefer to watch from the comfort of home.
ReplyDeleteturtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com
I participated in several town parades in high school as part of the marching band. We were even able to travel to New Orleans and Daytona to be a part of bigger parades. It was pretty neat. acate9(at)utk(dot)edu
ReplyDeleteI drove the tractor pulling our float in my freshman year for the homecoming parade. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in grade school I used to march in The Tulip Time Parade in Holland MI. It was five miles long, thankfully it's in the Spring.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
When I was in grade school I used to march in The Tulip Time Parade in Holland MI. It was five miles long, thankfully it's in the Spring.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
My dad and I rode our horses in the parade on the 4th when I was in grade school---what fun!
ReplyDelete[email protected]
Sue, you are the randomly selected winner! Congratulations. I sent you an email.
DeleteSometimes it's better if children visit parents in their home! It is less disruptive
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed my hometown parades. Maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI marched in the grade school and then the high school band when they marched in the parades. I also lived in a town with a "Pet parade" for the kids and animals in the town. You didn't have to have a pet to put on a costume and march too
ReplyDeleteNot a big parade person. I watch some on TV, but do not think I would ever go to any here in our big town. Might be nice to see one in a small town though. Thanks for the chance to win your book! kayt18 (at) comcast (dot) net
ReplyDeleteOh yes! As a kid, we could decorate our bikes. I remember weaving so much crepe paper thru the spokes! Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteJHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
I marched in our small town parade as a child. I was with the Girl Guides.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Our Lions Club used to have a parade, which I have been in and have watched. But unfortunately, that event is no longer held. cheers at marjimmanor dot com
ReplyDeleteI rode my horse in a parade in my town and rode on floats for the library.
ReplyDeleteI've never been in a parade but it sounds like fun!
ReplyDeletekpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
I love Parades.When I was a child I used to be dazzled by the Majorettes...but the Christmas Parade was my favorite of all. I have worked on floats but never been in a Parade. Thanks for the chance..
ReplyDeleteMarilyn [email protected]
My hometown was so small that we never had parades with floats but some other places that we did have especially in the town where we retired but I have never worked on decorating. In the only city we lived in, I volunteered in planning and fundraising but left all parade yjings to others due to my arthritis even as a much younger person. What a great article today and I am truly looking forward to reading your book, Edith.
ReplyDeleteCynthia B
During my time in Girl Scouts, our troop marched in several parades. Later on I dressed as a clown with several friends and we romped through the parade route. Both were times I remember well and found the reaction to the people on the sidelines was invigorating. Thanks for hosting Edith Maxell's book, Much Ado About Murder. My fingers are crossed my name is chosen. robeader53(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI once marched in a hometown parade as part of our Ladies' Kazoo Marching Band. I played two pot lids - I was the entire percussion section.
ReplyDeleteI'm the leader of a group called American Heritage Girls and we march in a small-town Christmas parade and throw candy. Lots of fun!
ReplyDeleteclarksrfun at gmail dot com
I have never been in a parade but i love going to them. I also love watching them on tv. I can't wait till the new book comes out in print. [email protected] peggy clayton
ReplyDeleteI marched in small town parades for 8 years with our band. My senior year, we were invited to perform at Disney in Orlando. We got to march and perform in the big parade Disney has every day. Exciting for a bunch of small town band members
ReplyDeletejohnnabooks(at)hotmail(dot)com
Sue Farrell is our randomly selected winner! Congratulations, Sue. I wish I had an ARC for everyone - but there is a Goodreads giveaway on until the 11th, so you could try over there, to: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/233811-mulch-ado-about-murder
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Nowadays,I am planning for building our small church on our land with the help of Effective church loan in USA. It's wait to have a rigt lender.
ReplyDeleteI lived in a small town when I was very young and they had parades. We watched those sitting on the curb but, I never joined in. Now, I watch parades on TV..better viewing and far less crowded. Also, no climate problems.
ReplyDeletelkish77123 at gmail dot com