Plaid and Fore! and Murder

by Patti Larsen

  Um, weird. When she wheeled away this time I let her go, making a note to call Alice and ask her if her friend was for real or if the goosebumps on my arms were just a hoax.

  At least I had a little something to keep me occupied, though despite the intriguing red mark on the new slice of the map—Mom and Daisy and I didn’t wait for Crew and Dad to study it—I finally handing over the responsibilities of Petunia’s to the staff, blaming the head injury, and headed out to go to Crew’s for the evening, new piece in hand.

  As I halted at the stop sign a block from his house, I found myself distracted from the anticipation of showing my fiancé yet another surprise, when I spotted something my nosy brain labeled as odd, if only because it was a repeated instance I’d already noted and did nothing about. On impulse, I followed the vehicle that turned in front of me heading, not toward French’s Handmade Bakery as I expected her to (and had previously anticipated only a few nights ago), nor her home on the edge of town, but out toward the lake and the other side of the mountains.

  Where exactly was Vivian going at six in the evening?

  I stayed behind her, keeping my distance, knowing this was a silly decision. Or, at least, thinking it was while my hackles rose and my intuition pushed me to continue to trail her. Something that grew in insistence when she circled Cutter Lake and took the road to up the mountain.

  The road that led to the Patterson estate.

  I pulled over before I reached the main gates, parked on the side of the road, watched her stop, then drive through the ponderously welcoming wrought iron entry. Followed closely by Pamela and Aundrea in the latter’s Porsche convertible. And, moments later, Alicia and Jared in his black SUV with Wilkins Construction written in gold on the side.

  Unmistakable.

  The gate swung shut, the cars disappearing behind them, while I sat and did my best not to jump to conclusions. All the while wondering, unable to help myself, mentally and emotionally tying this meeting of the clan to the mysteries I had no answers for.

  Wanting more than ever to know what the hell they were up to.

  And if any of this had to do with the Reading hoard and the disappearance of Fiona Doyle.

  ***

  ###

  Coming soon! Book Eleven of the

  Fiona Fleming Cozy Mysteries

  www.pattilarsen.com

  ***

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  ***

  Author’s Notes

  So, Fee and I had a disagreement about this book, one that lasted the entire time I was writing it, right up until I hit publish. What were we fighting about? I’ll tell you.

  I wanted the murder to happen way earlier than it did. She insisted this was how it unfolded and told me in no uncertain terms to mind my own business.

  Guess who won?

  So please, know I was on your side, if you’re of the camp that wants the terrible to happen early on. Me too. Fee? She has her own agenda and I’m actually pretty powerless when it comes to what she wants.

  She assures me the next book unfolds much differently, so now I’m nervous… bossy redheads should never be allowed to drive (no offence meant to my bossy redheaded readers! You’re awesome. But I don’t have you living in my head…)

  I hope you enjoyed this book as much as I did. I’m loving coming up on the end of the mysteries that have been unfolding since Bed and Breakfast and Murder rolled out of me. It’s been as fun for me discovering what’s really going on as it has been for you. And not so long ago, while I pondered just how Fee intended to tie all of this together… she told me how it all ends.

  Mind. Blown.

  And now I can’t wait for you to read book thirteen… but we have two more to go before then, so I’d better get cracking. Fee’s getting impatient I’m taking so long, and I’d hate for her to be cranky AND bossy.

  Happy reading, as always,

  Best,

  Patti

  ***

  About the Author

  Everything you need to know about me is in this one statement: I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was a little girl, and now I’m doing it. How cool is that, being able to follow your dream and make it reality? I’ve tried everything from university to college, graduating the second with a journalism diploma (I sucked at telling real stories), am an enthusiastic member of an all-girl improv troupe (if you’ve never tried it, I highly recommend making things up as you go along as often as possible) and I get to teach and perform with an amazing group of women I adore. I’ve even been in a Celtic girl band (some of our stuff is on YouTube!) and was an independent film maker (go check out the Lovely Witches Club at www.lovelywitchesclub.com). My life has been one creative thing after another—all leading me here, to writing books for a living.

  Now with multiple series in happy publication, I live on beautiful and magical Prince Edward Island (I know you’ve heard of Anne of Green Gables) with my multitude of pets.

  I love-love-love hearing from you! You can reach me (and I promise I’ll message back) at patti@pattilarsen.com. And if you’re eager for your next dose of Patti Larsen books (usually about one release a month) come join my mailing list! All the best up and coming, giveaways, contests and, of course, my observations on the world (aren’t you just dying to know what I think about everything?) all in one place: http://smarturl.it/PattiLarsenEmail.

  Last—but not least!—I hope you enjoyed what you read! Your happiness is my happiness. And I’d love to hear just what you thought. A review where you found this book would mean the world to me—reviews feed writers more than you will ever know. So, loved it (or not so much), your honest review would make my day. Thank you!