Zee Town Paranormal Cozy Mystery - Complete Series Omnibus: Books 1 - 6
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While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
ZEE TOWN COZY PARANORMAL MYSTERIES COMPLETE SERIES OMNIBUS: MURDER DAZE, HEARTS AND MURDER, MURDER FLING, CANDYFLOSS AND MURDER, FURBALLS AND MURDER, DANGEROUS TAILS
First edition. July 1, 2021.
Copyright © 2021 K.E. O'Connor.
Written by K.E. O'Connor.
Table of Contents
Copyright Page
Zee Town Cozy Paranormal Mysteries Complete Series Omnibus: Murder Daze, Hearts and Murder, Murder Fling, Candyfloss and Murder, Furballs and Murder (Zee Town Cozy Mystery)
BOOK 1 | MURDER DAZE | K.E. O’CONNOR
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
BOOK 2 | HEARTS AND MURDER | K.E.O’CONNOR
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
BOOK 3 | MURDER FLING | K.E. O’CONNOR
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
BOOK 4 | CANDYFLOSS AND MURDER | K.E. O’CONNOR
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
BOOK 5 | FURBALLS AND MURDER | K.E. O’CONNOR
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Epilogue | One week later
BOOK 6(ish) | A PREQUEL NOVELLA FROM THE LOVEABLY GRUMPY NICK’S POINT OF VIEW | WHERE ZEE TOWN ALL BEGAN AND HOW STOOL LOST HIS LEG | DANGEROUS TAILS | K.E. O’CONNOR
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
About the Author
More books by K.E. O’Connor
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BOOK 1
MURDER DAZE
K.E. O’CONNOR
Chapter 1
I scanned the pictures of brains scattered across my scratched oak desk. There was a brain on wheels, a brain in a box, and someone had even sent me a photograph of a giant brain encased in a football helmet. It was a sophisticated design, with a working motor and spaces for people to stand inside the helmet brain.
I looked out of the large glass window of the office onto the already crowded lane and pushed my bangs out of my eyes. It was still a week until carnival day, but the tourists were flocking in, filling the bed-and-breakfast accommodations, and camping in the pasture meadows.
It was the same every year and had been for the last five years in Zee Town, Cornwall’s haven for zombies. I didn’t mind the invasion of tourists, nor should I. It was my job to make the tourists happy.
“Which one is your favorite brain?” I looked over at my assistant, Zara Warrick, and held up two designs. “I like the look of the brain in the helmet.”
“Like them all,” she replied, after staring at the pictures for a few seconds. Zara was stick thin, with pale skin and flat red hair.
Zara was also a placid zombie. She was the best zombie assistant I could ask for.
I smiled. “I hope they’ve completed the helmet brain. The last time I checked, they were having trouble with its stability. It looks like you can get people to stand inside the brain. Won’t that look amazing?”
“Definitely.” Zara’s pale gray gaze drifted away and her mottled hands clasped the mug on her desk. “The brains are my favorite.”
I nodded. That was what half the population of Zee Town would say.
I lifted the half-finished window trinket I’d been working on during my lunch break. I called it a trinket, but I wasn’t sure what it was. I’m like a magpie, attracted to anything small, bright and shiny.
I wasn’t certain who this trinket was for, but they always ended up with a new owner. My office window was full of them. They caught the early afternoon sun, casting pretty patterns across the wooden flooring, and the faded but comfortable furnishings.
The phone rang, and I looked over at Zara and raised my eyebrows. “Do you fancy having a go at this one?”
Zara shook her head. “Too noisy today.”
Some days were better than others for Zara. I’d heard her have almost complete conversations with people on the telephone. She often seemed to be improving, but today seemed like a relapse day. It was common with our zombies.
Placid zombies were slow, rarely spoke in full sentences, and were no danger to anyone. I was fond of our zombies. They were what made the town so special.
I lifted the receiver. “Zee Town Tourism and Cultural Office. This is Cassie March speaking. How may I help you?”
�
��I’m inquiring about hotels to stay at during the carnival,” said a posh sounding woman. “My husband and I are traveling over tomorrow. We must stay somewhere nice.”
“All of our bed-and-breakfast accommodation is lovely,” I said. “We get busy at this time of year, though. I can email you a list of the accommodation, but they may be full by now.”
“Already? Don’t you have any chain hotels?”
I grimaced. Zee Town had no large hotels, and we had no plans for any. Despite pressure from Zee Town’s Council, we wanted the area to remain free of commercialization. “Our largest bed-and-breakfast accommodation has twelve rooms. I know that’s booked.”
“Isn’t there anywhere we can stay?”
“The farmers rent out their fields during the carnival. If you have a tent or a camper van, they may have space left.”
“I do not camp.” The woman’s tone was icy.
I gritted my teeth and forced a smile. “You might like to try our diner. The owner, Laura Lovely, rents out her spare rooms. Let me give you her number.”
“Is the diner food adequate?”
My urge to slam down the phone grew. “Well, she doesn’t just serve brains if that’s what you mean.”
“Oh, no! I won’t be expecting that.” The woman paused. “Does she really serve brains?”
“Yes, the fake and real kind. We’re an equal opportunity town.” My tone was falsely bright.
The woman gave a startled laugh. “How exciting! If we get to experience Zee Town up close, it will be worth slumming it for a day or two.”
Slumming it! “Here’s the number.” I rattled Laura’s number off the top of my head. I’d been dialing it for years. She was a close friend, and I considered her one of the fairest and most open-minded people I’d ever met. Most people needed to be if they lived in Zee Town.
The woman took a breath as if she had more questions to ask. “I hope you enjoy your stay.” I disconnected before she continued to insult my beautiful home.
Tourists, if they didn’t make us millions every year, well, I’d probably still let them in. Most of them were fine and well-behaved around our zombies.
Now and again, I encountered one who made my blood boil. I was protective of our more vulnerable residents. Despite what the movies liked to portray, most zombies just wanted to be accepted.
I picked up my trinket and ran my hands over it. Creating a new trinket always helped me to relax. I’d never been interested in designing them until the zombie uprising happened. Now, I felt compelled to create my unusual trinkets and place them everywhere. People said they made them feel happy, and the zombies loved them.
I looked out the window again. There was a male zombie standing in the middle of the street, making people dodge around him. He stared straight at me, his arms by his sides and his mouth open.
I raised a hand and gave him a wave. I always attracted the odd ones. He didn’t wave back, simply continued to stare.
“Zara, can you go out and get your friend to move? He’s probably annoying the tourists,” I said.
She made her way to the door without comment, her overly long pants dragging on the floor, and pulled the door open, making the bell above it jangle.
I watched as she took hold of the zombie’s arm and guided him closer to the glass, out of the way of the tourists.
I’d hoped she’d move him so he wouldn’t continue to gape at me, but at least now he wasn’t in anyone’s way. I could handle being stared at. It had happened before. The zombies liked a good stare, especially in my direction.
“Thanks, Zara,” I said as she sat at her desk and continued to fold flyers.
I needed the flyers to give to businesses to promote the carnival floats that would pass through the town later this week.
Zara gave me a crooked smile. “He likes you.”
“I like him, too.” I waved at the zombie again. I’d never met a zombie I didn’t like. Forget everything you know about movie zombies. Zee Town zombies were brilliant.
I looked at my to-do list and focused on the things to finish for the carnival. The annual town carnival had been running for five years. I’d been in charge of the tourism and cultural office that whole time, and this event just about ran itself.
I didn’t even need to do much in the way of promotion. Word of mouth ensured we already had a packed town, and tourists came from all over the world to see how we handled our unique situation. I’d had visitors from as far as New Zealand and Hawaii come to our tiny corner of paradise.
Still, the carnival needed some looking after. There would be dozens of stalls and sellers. I’d need to check them to ensure the stall holders had the right permits. Plus, there was always the risk that some of our residents might be exploited during the event.
I always make sure our zombies were treated fairly. Zee Town did not tolerate exploitation. Just because your brain operated at a slower pace, made you no less important.
I looked up at the sound of a police siren. A police car zoomed past the office, lights blazing and siren blaring. Tourists scattered out of the car’s path.
I spotted two officers inside, but it was moving so fast, I wasn’t certain who it was.
I stood and opened the door, peering out as the police car disappeared around a corner. It was unusual to see them in such a hurry. I wondered who was late paying their library book fines this time.
For all the worries that Zee Town generated when it had been set up, we rarely had serious problems. The residents were an open-minded, friendly lot.
We had some issues around carnival time and during popular tourist event. There were always troublemakers looking to ensure we were never as safe as we wished to be.
As I turned to go back into the office, the zombie who’d been staring at me was a few inches from my face.
He reached forward and brushed a hand down my arm. He didn’t smell good. His long overcoat had a line of dirt around the collar, and I detected a hint of decay on his breath.
My heart went out to him. No one was looking after him. Every zombie in Zee Town should have a mentor, a human helper who made sure they were managing their new lifestyle.
“You can come in,” I said to him. “I have warm broth going. It’s Zara’s favorite. You’re welcome to join us.” I held the door open.
After a few seconds of staring at me, he ambled into the office.
I made him comfortable in a seat in the reception area. “What’s your name?”
He stared at me, his gaze unfocused, and then smiled and reached for my hand, running a finger along the scar on my left palm.
I returned his smile and gently pulled my hand away. “You’re safe here.”
He nodded. “I know.”
Zara brought over a mug of warm beef broth. She gestured to me, making a drink motion with one hand.
“No broth for me.” I used to enjoy a good steak dinner or juicy beef burger. Since the zombies’ arrival, I’d stopped eating meat. It didn’t sit well in my stomach, not after having seen some things a true predator did with their food.
Instead, I made a mug of tea and selected several chocolate digestives from the tin in the small kitchen in our office, and returned to study the pictures of the brains on my desk.
The bell on the office door jangled as it was pushed open.
“Hi, Cassie.” My best friend, Jen Sharp, bounced on her toes and pushed her messy blonde hair out of her eyes as she hurried through the door.
“What’s up in the world of makeovers and patch repair?” I asked her.
“Oh, the usual. Making the residents more beautiful every time they see me.” She shut the door and walked over to my desk. “I’ve done two perms today, and mixed a special batch of skin colored tint for Russell Green. I’m not sure it’s going to help him much, though. He might be past repairing this time.”
Jen ran the salon and catered to everyone in Zee Town. Living or undead. She was there to make them look lovelier and smell less rotten.
; “Are you getting business from the influx of tourists?” I asked.
“A few bookings.” She pinched a chocolate digestive from my plate. “I’m fully booked for the gala dinner evening. All the ladies want to look their best.” She fluffed her hair and pouted. Jen was beautiful in an unconventional way, with naturally curly blonde hair that she wore loose around her face. She had a cute nose and a full mouth that was painted a bright pink.
“I’ve not even thought about what to wear for the dinner. I’ll need my running shoes on in case there are any problems.” That was a downside to running the town’s events, I was always in work mode and could never let my hair down and enjoy myself.
Jen grimaced. “Let’s hope we don’t have a repeat of two years ago, when that group of guys got hold of Jimmy Anders. I still don’t think the poor guy has fully recovered.”
“Some people still don’t get Zee Town,” I said. “I don’t know why they come. This event is to celebrate what we do, not cause trouble.”
“You get troublemakers at all events. Just because some of our locals are a little... unique, that doesn’t mean it will keep the trouble away. If anything, it does the opposite. People don’t always like different.”
“Maybe I need put up the old signs: Don’t prod the zombies: they bite!”
“You won’t be popular with the Council if you do that,” Jen said. “You don’t want them to accuse you of scaring away wealthy tourists.”
I could handle the Zee Town Council complaints. I’d do anything to make sure our zombies were treated kindly. “I was looking over the carnival float. Lots of brains this year.”
“Well, they are a local delicacy.” Jen flicked a few of the photographs around and stared at them. “I like the walking brains, they look like fun. You could give them buckets and they can collect for charity. The shelter is always in need of more money. I had eight new arrivals yesterday. We’re almost full.”
“They must come here attracted by the carnival,” I said. “News of what we do has spread to just about everywhere.”
“You’re right. And I think some get dropped off by well-meaning people. They find a placid zombie wandering around and decide to help.”
“It’s what we’re here for,” I said. “We take in the misunderstood.”
“And often the stinky. Some of the guys who’ve been wandering on their own for a while can be a little ripe. That’s what I’m here for.” Jen nodded. “Have you got lunch plans?”