by Lisbeth Scott
from Sheila Connolly’s Murder at the Mansion
It’s all my fault. I invited Kate Hamilton to come back to Asheboro. And that kind of changed the town forever. Murder will do that. No, Kate’s not dead, but someone she knew most certainly is.
Kate and I were best friends back in high school. Then Kate went off to college and never looked back. I followed her career, and it seemed that she had some wonderful jobs along the way. The most recent was as manager of an upscale hotel in Baltimore, which is only an hour or two away but might as well be in a different universe.
I stayed in Asheboro, married Phil, the love of my life, had a couple of kids, Jeffrey and Melissa, and lived what I thought was a good life in my hometown. But I didn’t count on bigger things going wrong—like Asheboro going broke. I never would have thought that a town could do that, but when the money that comes in from taxes and the like turns out to be less than the money the town is required to spend on schools and roads and employees like the police (yes, even in a sleepy little town, you need police), then the town has a real problem.
I’ll give the town council members credit for trying to come up with a creative solution, but one of them—Cordelia Walker, another classmate—wanted to take her own idea and use it for her benefit. The council didn’t want that but since Cordelia was a bully it was hard to stand up to her. Then I had the brilliant idea of bringing Kate back to help the town out of its jam. After all, if she could run a deluxe hotel in a big city, she should be able to fix Asheboro’s problems. It took a little persuading, but since Kate was between jobs, and she loves a challenge (and I was the one who invited her and believe me, I played the Old Friend card), she said she’d come back to town and see what she could do to help.
That was before the murder. It didn’t surprise anybody that the victim was Cordelia, since there was no shortage of people who hated her. But that didn’t make it any easier to figure out who killed her. Trust Kate to figure it out.
Looking for a good beach (or lake or mountain) read this summer? I'll be giving away a copy of Murder at the Mansion, the first of my new Victorian Village series.
Here's what reviewers have said about Murder at the Mansion:
"Fascinating read...The prolific Connolly kicks off a new series that skillfully combines history, romance, and mystery."
—Kirkus
"Amiable...cozy fans will enjoy Connolly's characteristically warm treatment of small-town life."
—Publishers Weekly
"Connolly's accomplished series launch avoids the tired tropes found in many cozy debuts, incorporating humor, a realistic setting, and well-developed, appealing characters."
—Library Journal
"Exceeded my expectations. It blew me away. I will definitely be picking up the next one."
—Night Owl Reviews
"I fell into this novel head over heels. The author's description of the mansion is sheer bliss to read of, and a murder to go with it is always appreciated by a mystery fan. Don't miss this one."
—BookLoons
Leave a comment below (with your email address, please!) by midnight on July 27th, and you'll be entered to win!
Posts
I'd love to win this book. The review makes me want to read it -- humor, realistic settings, etc. -- all good things!
ReplyDeletedigicats {at} sbcglobal {dot} net
So many great series. Thanks for the chance to win Murder at the Mansion.
ReplyDeletesallycootie(at)gmail(dot)com
This sounds like the perfect beach read. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at gmail dot com
Most small towns have budget issues and many who have ideas on how to solve those money problems but in reality serve to feather their own pockets. This sounds like a great read. dbahn(at)iw(dot)net
ReplyDeleteI am thrilled that I will have another fabulous Sheila C. series to read. I have loved all of them and know this one won't be any different. I am hoping to get a head start on this new series. Fingers are crossed for a copy from this giveaway for sure. I'd rather leave my Facebook info as I seem to have had some problems from leaving email info on posts. So it's Cynthia Bayer Blain that I'm hoping will have good news 😊 for me. Congratulations and best of everything on another series, Sheila. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteCynthia
Thanks for this captivating novel which I would enjoy greatly. Sheila's books are memorable and intriguing. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteIt sounds great! Thank you so much for the chance to win!
ReplyDelete[email protected]
What a wonderful book that would be perfect reading this summer. Thanks for this great feature and giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great series. I'm really looking forward to reading it. Congratulations on launching a new series! aut1063(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to reading this! I enjoyed Lisbeth's POV. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteJHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Murder at the Mansion. I'm looking forward to reading about Kate's efforts to save Asheboro and solve the mystery of Cordelia's murder! [email protected]
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this book it sounds like a great story. Loving this contest and getting to see all these new mysteries.
ReplyDeleteSounds like something I would like to read!
ReplyDelete[email protected]
This was such a great start to what I hope is a long running series. I enjoyed it so much, it was a concept I've yet to read. I can't wait for the next book!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win a copy of Murder at the Mansion.
ReplyDeletesonniperry [at] gmail [dot] com
Sounds like my kind of book! Would love to win! nettiem(at)toledotel(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI always love starting new Cozy Mystery series!!
ReplyDeletekimheniadis {at} gmail {dot} com
Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the chance to win! [email protected]
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to meeting Kate, Lisbeth, & the rest of the inhabitants of Asheboro.
ReplyDeleteturtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to read this book! deniseaustin59(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThis looks really good. Thanks for the contest. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDelete"Murder at the Mansion" sounds like a great start to a new series. Would really love to read.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
Congratulations on your latest release!
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i would love the chance to read this exciting book.
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Would love to read this one. cyara(at)bellsouth(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds wonderful!
ReplyDelete[email protected]
The review makes it sound like such a good read [email protected]
ReplyDeleteLove to read sounds like a great book
ReplyDeleteLooks good. Thanks for the chance. Maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteSounds like the perfect singer read! Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeletehollystover13(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sounds like a great read! Thanks for the chance to win! [email protected]
ReplyDeleteThe cover is charming, the title caught my attention, and Kate Hamilton will be put to the test as so many folks disliked Cordelia! What fun! Thanks for this generous giveaway!
ReplyDeleteSounds wonderful! What a fun sounding series. Thanks for the chance to win. kayt18 (at) comcast (dot) net
ReplyDeleteOh, I love stories like this! The cover, the setting, the description...everything sounds so good!
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This sounds like a really good story to read!! Thanks for the chance.
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I would love to read this story. It sounds terrific.
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This sounds fantastic thank you.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Love the title. The review sounds wonderful!! Thanks for the chance. Good luck everyone
ReplyDeletecactuspare(at)cox(dot)net
I am already a fan of this author so I am looking forward to this new series. Kuzlin at aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteAnother series from Sheila! Hurray! Cheers (at) MarjimManor (dot) com
ReplyDeleteSounds like another good book from Sheila Connolly. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteLhxp73(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love all your other series and I look forward to reading this one.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this new series by a favorite author. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteThese books always make me feel warm & cozy inside, such delightful reads. Thanks for your great generosity. [email protected]
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like my kinda read. Thanks for the chance
ReplyDelete[email protected]
Sheila Connelly's books are always a pleasure to read. Thank you for including her latest, Murder at the Mansion, on your blog. [email protected]
ReplyDeleteThis was a great start to the series. Thanks. I really enjoyed my eARC.
ReplyDeletekckendler at gmail dot com
Sounds like a great start to new series. Looking forward to reading this book.
ReplyDeleteBecky Prazak
[email protected]
Sounds like a great start to another series! I am sure I'll be hooked on this series as well. Thank you for the opportunity in this giveaway.
ReplyDeleteteddi1961(at)arcemont(dot)com
Sounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteKit3247(at)aol(dot)com
So many communities are having this same problem. And I enjoy reading cozies so much. It sounds interesting.Thanks for this opportunity. jluebke(at)frontier(dot)com
ReplyDeleteYay! A new series by a favorite author!
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Love your books! Thanks for this chance! [email protected]
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This sounds like a great read! Thanks for the chance!! somesmartcookle at aol dotcom Remember,cookle has an L, not an i
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Thanks for the chance. [email protected]
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It's so much fun to start a new series---and then wait anxiously for the next book to be published.
ReplyDelete[email protected]
Sounds wonderful...thank you.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn [email protected]