Sully here! Today I'm offering my post as a professional courtesy to Tom Flynn, with the Maine State Police, sent me this email, and I thought you'd all find it interesting.
Sergeant Thomas Flynn from the Maine Clambake Mysteries by Barbara Ross
Today we’re giving away two signed copies of Stowed Away, Maine Clambake Mystery #6 (releasing December 26) to lucky commenters below.
December 20, 2017
FROM: Tom Flynn
SUBJECT: CHRISTMAS GREETINGS TO THE FAMILY
Dear Family—
Please excuse the group e-mail. Unfortunately, once again I won’t make it home to Providence for Christmas. My lieutenant has a wife and two kids, so he’s taking the holiday, which leaves me here to deal with whatever comes up.
First of all, Merry Christmas. I wish I could be there for the celebration. My nephews, Kyle and Lyndon, must be getting so big.
On the work side, I’ve had a busy year with the Maine State Police. The Major Crimes Unit investigates all homicides throughout the state, except in Bangor and Portland. This year out of 25 total homicides (so far), 10 have been in the Central Division where I work. Most are tragic domestic situations, easy to solve, but hard to deal with emotionally.
But we also had a couple of doozeys this year, including the murder of a billionaire on an enormous yacht in Busman’s Harbor. Since the victim was a recluse who never left boat, there were a limited number of suspects—the crew and a few people he’d allowed on board for a dinner party.
Unfortunately, my girlfriend, a brilliant chef, was a member of the crew, so I had to be excused from any formal role in the investigation. As you might guess, I was keenly interested in the outcome and managed to stay involved on an informal basis. The case took some shocking twists and turns, but we did push through to an unexpected resolution.
About the girlfriend… I had hopes this would be the holiday season I could tell you all that your long-time bachelor son, brother, nephew, cousin was finally settling down. I didn’t work out that way and I remain, as ever, unattached. So I continue to keep my head down and focus on work. And to visit the gym everyday. I call it my second home.
At this time of year, I get nostalgic about the big Christmases we had at Grammie and Grampa’s when I was a boy--the women in the kitchen preparing the delicious meal, the men watching the game and all us cousins running wild all around the house. I hope you have as good a Christmas this year at Mom and Dad’s. I wish I could be with you, but you all know why I left the Providence PD, and I think we all agree, it was for the best.
Raise a glass to me at the feast if you think of it.
Affectionately,
Tom
+++
About Stowed Away
It’s June in Busman’s Harbor, Maine, and Julia Snowden and her family are working hard to get their authentic Maine clambake business ready for summer. Preparations must be put on hold, however, when a mysterious yacht drops anchor in the harbor—and delivers an unexpected dose of murder . . .
When Julia’s old prep school rival Wyatt Jayne invites her to dinner on board her billionaire fiancé’s decked-out yacht, Julia arrives to find a sumptuous table set for two—and the yachtsman dead in his chair. Suspicion quickly falls on Wyatt, and Julia’s quest to dredge up the truth leads her into the murky private world of a mega-rich recluse who may not have been all that he seemed . . .
When Julia’s old prep school rival Wyatt Jayne invites her to dinner on board her billionaire fiancé’s decked-out yacht, Julia arrives to find a sumptuous table set for two—and the yachtsman dead in his chair. Suspicion quickly falls on Wyatt, and Julia’s quest to dredge up the truth leads her into the murky private world of a mega-rich recluse who may not have been all that he seemed . . .
Stowed Away will be released on December 26, 2017. You can pre-order the book in paperback, ebook, or audiobook at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Books A Million, Hudson Booksellers, Kobo, Apple, Google, and other fine retailers, including your local, independent bookstore. Read more about Stowed Away
Posts
Merry Christmas. Would love to win a copy. schmokercarol(at)yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tom, for your service this holiday season. I will definitely be raising a glass for you and all those who are making similar sacrifices this holiday season. [email protected]
ReplyDeleteA salute to you dearest Torn! We appreciate your service and will miss you at the family gatherings. Wishing you the Merriset of Holidays. servedogmom AT Yahoo DOG com.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and may the new year bring you lots of best sellers.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at gmail dot com
Merry Christmas! I can’t wait to read Stowed Away! cking78503(at)aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteMerry merry! I enjoy holiday letters every year, but have never received one thstbso candidly discusses murder! Thanks so much, looking forward to this book!
ReplyDeleteJHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
I shall raise a glass to you at our Christmas Feast. I look forward to reading Stowed Away. Merry Christmas to everyone! dbahn(at)iw(dot)net
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone and good luck with the contest.
ReplyDeleteAnother great book I’m looking forward too!!! Thank You for the chance!!
ReplyDelete[email protected]
Merry Christmas! Look forward to reading Stowed Away! [email protected]
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone and good luck with the contest. Happy holidays. Tom
ReplyDeleteMaine is my favorite location for a cozy! I’ve got to catch up with your books over the holiday. Merry Christmas! [email protected]
ReplyDeleteI love Maine, so these stories are of particular interest.
ReplyDeletePoor Tom. I hope things improve for him.
libbydodd at comcast dot net
I love this series and own 3 of the titles. I'd love to be the winner of Stowed Away to add to my collection.
ReplyDeleteNoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com
Stowed Away sounds special and the Maine locale is wonderful. Thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! I'm breathless in anticipation! I LOVE this series! bobwiesmann (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteI would love to win a copy! Thank you for the giveaway and Merry Christmas! barbie17(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas! Thank you for the chance to win. Dmskrug3 at hotmail(.)com
ReplyDeleteI love this series and can't wait to read this one. anajs95 (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteI love this series and would love to win Stowed Away.Ruth Nixon ruthenixonatsbcglobaldotnet
ReplyDeleteI’m looking fowRd one reading this.
ReplyDeletesgiden at verizon(.)net
Merry Christmas! I love this series and am looking forward to the new one soon to be released. [email protected]
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas. This series sounds interesting. Thanks for the chance. Maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fascinating series. I love anything to do with boats, so would love to win a copy. ellenjbumblebee (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas! Today is my 32nd Wedding Anniversary! I can't think of a better gift than to win a copy of this book! I love this series!
ReplyDeleteGeez, how do these series get away from me like this? I really need to get caught up. Can't wait to read this one too! Merry Christmas! Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDelete[email protected]
Waiting, waiting, waiting patiently as the release date draws nearer still. Would love a signed copy. [email protected]
ReplyDeleteOne of my favs. Would love to be a winner. Merry Christmas!nettiem(at)toledotel(dot)com
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas! And thanks for the super giveaway.
ReplyDelete[email protected]
Wishing you a very happy holiday. I'm excited for #6 in the series. Please enter me in the contest. Thank you for the chance.
ReplyDeletescarletbegonia5858(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to read "Stowed Away". I like reading about life in Maine. Thanks for the chance. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
This sounds like a fun series, altho it's sad that Tom can't spend the holidays with his family.
ReplyDeleteturtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com
Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeletejtcgc at yahoo dot com
Merry Christmas. I would lve to read "Stowed Away". Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeletejenbates1967 (at) gmail (dot) com
One of my favorite Cozy series!! No worries if I don’t win, I’ll for sure be heading to Barnes and Noble to pick up my copy on the 26th!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to one and all!
ReplyDeleteSergeant Thomas Flynn may this year be "your" year. May the crimes you investigate not only keep you on your toes but be of interest to make another year towards retirement not the least bit boring. May you find happiness with the lady of your dreams and it be everlasting. To you I say, Merry Christmas and thanks for making your past adventures available for all us mystery lovers - keep it up. :)
Thanks for this fabulous chance to win a signed copies of Stowed Away!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Well, that was an interesting letter. He sounds like he is doing well. I know what it's like to be without family around the holidays. Happy holidays to you all.
ReplyDeleteI forgot my email: catwoman-1(at)Comcast(dot)net.
ReplyDeleteI worked every Christmas when I was a cop and when I worked as a Security Hospital Treatment Assistant. Now I'm thankful I have the major holidays off. I led the patients caroling for their peers today and tomorrow is the holiday party!
ReplyDeletecozyupwithkathy @ gmail dot com
Sounds really good--I'd love to read it! Merry Christmas, legallyblonde1961 at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteI did find it interesting thank you.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, to all wherever your anchor keeps you. This sounds interesting. Thanks for this opportunity. jluebke(at)frontier(dot)com
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas. Would love a copy of this
ReplyDelete[email protected]
Merry Christmas! parkeremma2003 at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas thank you for the chance heres hoping I really want this book. Its fun to read this [email protected]
ReplyDeleteHave a Very Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteCheers~
Kelly Braun
Gaelicark(at)yahoo(dot)com
Lovely post. JUst learned of this author and series. So hoping. Looks like a great read. Appreciate the chance. Della at deepotter (at) peoplepc (dot) com
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas...love anything set there and what a great giveaway...
ReplyDeleteMarilyn [email protected]
I love this author & series. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway. Happy Holidays to all. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThis series is such a treat to read. Thank you for offering the giveaway! Happy Holidays! kim7corn(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good cozy mystery...the best kind. Merry Christmas! judy
ReplyDeleteLibraryLady80 (at) gmail (dot) com
I love this series and would love to have the newest book to call my own. It would be wonderful to be a part of the Snowden family and live in Maine. Thanks for hosting Barbara Ross's newest book on your blog. robeader53(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and a very Bright and Beautiful New Year to come! Thank you for this opportunity to win a book in this fun series! It would be a great Birthday Present (23rd)! Merry
ReplyDeleteNorthstarvance(at)Gmail(dot)com
I have the first book in the series and Eggnog Murder.
ReplyDeletecatbooks72(at)gmail(dot)com
Merry Christmas to you all. Thanks for the chance to win this one. My copy is pre-ordered already and I cannot wait. Hope you are all ready for the big Holiday weekend coming up. kayt18 (at) comcast (dot) net
ReplyDeleteWishing you a very Merry Christmas! Hats off to all our first responders and military. I would love to receive a copy. Meg85242 (at) gmail (dot) com. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this series. thank you for the chance to win a copy. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeletejohnnabooks(at)hotmail(dot)com
Merry Christmas everyone! This sounds like a fun story to read. Count me in.
ReplyDeletelkish77123 at gmail dot com