DEATH IN PERSPECTIVE
Page 29
He gave me the two finger salute. “As you wish, Artist.”
On the curb, I waited for his V8 engine to power the Maserati back to Max’s less than humble abode. Then awaited the approach of the V8 of a jacked-up, Ford Raptor pickup.
Like the men driving them, similar engines but completely different vehicles.
At the Raptor’s stop, I strolled around the grill to Luke’s open window. “I thought you were having surgery?”
“Not yet.” He popped his door, kicked it open, and stepped off the running board. His right arm lay in a sling. New lines and creases marred his chiseled features. He looked battle worn, but I feared I looked worse. “Come here, sugar.”
I stepped into the space between his door and laid my head against his good shoulder. Luke pulled me tighter, and I drew in a long breath of the woodsy, pheromone-racing Eau de Luke before looking up.
“I guess things are worse between our families now,” I said. “What with you arresting my brother.”
“And your brother trying to kidnap my step-cousin.” His voice told me he felt more regret than irritation. “And you trying to take out a woman holding my gun.”
“I didn’t try to take Cooke out, just the kid she was using as a shield.” I circled an arm around his waist and rubbed my chin against the soft cloth of his t-shirt, wishing I could invite him into my home.
“It’s always something with you.” Luke kissed the top of my head, and rested his chin on the kiss. “Herrera could’ve handled it.”
“I couldn’t take that chance. I’ve heard enough stories about hostage situations gone bad. I saw the opportunity and took it.”
“What are we going to do?” Sorrow pitched his baritone toward a tune I didn’t want to hear. “We can’t see each other unless we want to cause an all-out feud, which I can’t imagine going well for your family. Folks around here will side up pretty quickly against y’all.”
“I’m going to find a solution to the Tucker-Branson problem,” I said, thinking of Max’s advice. “And one that doesn’t involve felonies. After that, I guess we’ll see where our road takes us.”
“I hope it takes us home.”
I looked up into the cool gray eyes, wondering if he marked his words with longing or for longevity.
“I hope so, too.”
Reader’s Discussion Guide
1. How do you feel about the increase in social media options? Do you think it’s caused an increase in bullying? Have you ever seen cases of social bullying with adults?
2. How do you feel about Cherry getting back together with Luke? Who would you choose for Cherry?
3. What do you think about Cherry’s relationship with Max? How do they compliment each other?
4. Were you surprised at the revelations about Cherry’s mother? Where do you think that story line will lead?
5. Have you ever dealt with extreme office or departmental politics as seen at Peerless Day Academy? Did they involve people spreading rumors? How did you handle it or what do you wish you had done differently?
6. Were you ever in a high school play? What were your favorite memories?
7. Who’s the zaniest character you’ve ever known? How about a drama queen or king? What’s the funniest thing they got upset about?
8. What was your favorite scene from Death in Perspective? Who’s your favorite character? Which character do you relate to the most?
9. How do you think Cody’s arrest will effect the longer family story arc? What do you imagine will happen between Cherry and Shawna?
About the Author
After teaching in the US and Japan, Larissa enjoys writing, particularly sassy female characters with a penchant for trouble. She lives near Atlanta with her family and Cairn Terrier, Biscuit. Visit her website or find her chatting on Facebook. Death in Perspective is the fourth book in the bestselling Cherry Tucker Mystery series.
In Case You Missed the 1st Book in the Series
PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY
Larissa Reinhart
A Cherry Tucker Mystery (#1)
In Halo, Georgia, folks know Cherry Tucker as big in mouth, small in stature, and able to sketch a portrait faster than buck-shot rips from a ten gauge -- but commissions are scarce. So when the well-heeled Branson family wants to memorialize their murdered son in a coffin portrait, Cherry scrambles to win their patronage from her small town rival.
As the clock ticks toward the deadline, Cherry faces more trouble than just a controversial subject. Between ex-boyfriends, her flaky family, an illegal gambling ring, and outwitting a killer on a spree, Cherry finds herself painted into a corner she’ll be lucky to survive.
Read all about it and/or grab the book for your Nook
CLICK FOR PORTRAIT OF A DEAD GUY
In Case You Missed the 2nd Book in the Series
STILL LIFE IN BRUNSWICK STEW
Larissa Reinhart
A Cherry Tucker Mystery (#2)
Cherry Tucker’s in a stew. Art commissions dried up after her nemesis became president of the County Arts Council. Desperate and broke, Cherry and her friend, Eloise, spend a sultry summer weekend hawking their art at the Sidewinder Annual Brunswick Stew Cook-Off. When a bad case of food poisoning breaks out and Eloise dies, the police brush off her death as accidental.
However, Cherry suspects someone spiked the stew and killed her friend. As Cherry calls on cook-off competitors, bitter rivals, and crooked judges, the police get steamed while the killer prepares to cook Cherry’s goose.
Read all about it and/or grab the book for your Nook
CLICK FOR STILL LIFE IN BRUNSWICK STEW
In Case You Missed the 3rd Book in the Series
HIJACK IN ABSTRACT
Larissa Reinhart
A Cherry Tucker Mystery (#3)
With a classical series sold and a portrait commissioned, Cherry Tucker’s art career is in Georgia overdrive. But when the sheriff asks Cherry to draw a composite sketch of a hijacker, her life takes a hairpin as the composite leads to a related murder, her local card-sharking buddy Max Avtaikin becomes bear bait and her nemesis labels the classical series “pervert art.”
Cherry’s jamming gears between trailer parks, Atlanta mansions, and trucker bars searching for the hijacker who left a widow and orphan destitute. While she seeks to help the misfortunate and save her local reputation, Cherry’s hammer down attitude has her facing the headlights of an oncoming killer.
Read all about it and/or grab the book for your Nook
CLICK FOR HIJACK IN ABSTRACT
Be sure to check out Cherry’s novella adventure
QUICK SKETCH (prequel to PORTRAIT) featured in
HEARTACHE MOTEL
Terri L. Austin, Larissa Reinhart, LynDee Walker
Filled with drag queens, Rock-a-Hula cocktails, and a vibrating velveteen bed, these novellas tell the tales of three amateur sleuths who spend their holidays at Elvis’s beloved home.
DINERS KEEPERS, LOSERS WEEPERS by Terri L. Austin
When Rose heads to Graceland right before Christmas, she gets all shook up: the motel is a dump and an Elvis impersonator turns up dead. Will Rose be able to find the murderer and get home by Christmas day? It's now or never.
QUICK SKETCH by Larissa Reinhart
Cherry Tucker pops into Memphis to help a friend who's been hustled out of his savings, and quickly finds herself in a dangerous sting that could send her to the slammer or mark her as a pigeon from cons looking for an even bigger score.
DATELINE MEMPHIS by LynDee Walker
A quick stop at Graceland proves news breaks in the strangest places for crime reporter Nichelle Clarke. When the King's home gets locked down with Nichelle inside, she chases this headline into the national spotlight, and right into the thief's crosshairs.
Read a
ll about it and/or grab the book for your Nook
CLICK FOR HEARTACHE MOTEL
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Henery Press Mystery Books
And finally, before you go...
Here are a few other mysteries
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PILLOW STALK
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Interior Decorator Madison Night has modeled her life after a character in a Doris Day movie, but when a killer targets women dressed like the bubbly actress, Madison’s signature sixties style places her in the middle of a homicide investigation.
The local detective connects the new crimes to a twenty-year old cold case, and Madison’s long-trusted contractor emerges as the leading suspect. As the body count piles up like a stack of plush pillows, Madison uncovers a Soviet spy, a campaign to destroy all Doris Day movies, and six minutes of film that will change her life forever.
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BOARD STIFF
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THE BREAKUP DOCTOR
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FINDING SKY
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