My conversation with him had been awkward. It would take time for us to feel comfortable with each other, and for me to overcome my feelings of resentment. Hopefully, our relationship would improve with time.
Aunt Kit and I wanted to be there when Chris was released. When he emerged from the building and caught sight of us, he bounded down the steps, and embraced me in a warm hug. Our father stood back, watching us.
Chris released me and I studied him fondly. I had yearned for a brother or sister, and now I had them. Maybe our relationships would never be close, but it was still comforting to know Chris and Abby were in the world with me.
“Detective Spangler told us all you did to prove I didn’t kill Beth,” he said. “I can’t thank you enough.”
“It’s good to see you free. We had a few worrisome days.”
I hadn’t told my father about my involvement in identifying Beth’s killer. In an ironic twist of fate, the child he’d deserted had saved his son.
If I were honest with myself, being deserted and living with an emotionally remote mother had shaped me into the woman I’d become—independent and driven to succeed. Most likely, that need had come from my desire to prove my worthiness. Thankfully, I no longer needed to prove anything to others. I only had to please myself.
Looking at my father, I realized I hadn’t done too poorly without him. It was time to forgive him and move on. I looked at him and smiled.
He smiled back. “Thank you, Laura, from the bottom of my heart.”
“I’m relieved it worked out.” I turned to Chris. “What will you do now?”
“With the production company in a mess, I probably won’t go back there—at least not right now. My mother is anxious to see I’m okay, and I want to see my grandfather. So, I’m going home for a few days. After that, I’ll decide what to do next.”
“Before you go, there’s something you should know. Aunt Kit was able to transcribe what Beth wrote in her journal about you.”
“It was clear she still cared for you,” Aunt Kit said. “She was determined to expose Simon Tate and knew that could get messy. She broke up with you to protect you.”
“Thank you, Aunt Kit. Is it okay if I call you that?”
“You better.” She reached out and hugged him.
Chris laughed. “Aunt Kit it is.” Instantly, he turned more somber. “I appreciate learning what Beth wrote—more than you’ll ever know.”
Chris turned back to me. “I’m glad you’re my sister. I look forward to getting to know you better.”
My throat tightened, but I managed to get words out. “I look forward to that.”
My father looked at his watch. “I’m sorry we can’t stay longer. We need to make our flight. My wife wants you to visit us. I hope you will.” He leaned down and gave me an awkward hug. “Oh, one more thing.” He handed me an envelope.
Puzzled, I opened it and pulled out a picture postcard of Big Ben. Scribbled on the back of it was a note in girlish script. “Get your passport ready. I want you to visit me in England. Your sister, Abby.”
Chapter 42
Home stagers can help homeowners transition from one home to another by purging household items, arranging for packing and unpacking, and hiring movers.
The strains of “Seventy-Six Trombones” played and loud applause broke out as the cast of Music Man came on stage for a final bow. Opening night for the Louiston Players had been wildly successful.
Nita glowed with pleasure as she took center stage for her bow. With her family and friends filling half the auditorium, the applause at her appearance was loud and boisterous. I was extremely proud of my friend and her outstanding performance. She was a natural. I was certain her first performance with the Louiston Players wouldn’t be her last.
Aunt Kit and I gathered with Nita’s family members in the lobby waiting for Nita, Tyrone, and Mrs. Webster to join us so we could celebrate. The stage settings Tyrone designed and Mrs. Webster’s work on the costumes all played a part in the production’s success.
I helped Aunt Kit with her coat. “Now with the competition over, how do you feel about it?”
“Frankly, coming in second place was a relief. I gave it my all, but I truly didn’t want to end up with my own television show, especially after seeing the drama that can come with it.”
“I’m glad Louiston won’t be losing you, especially now that I’m moving back here. Nita was worried you might be disappointed you didn’t win.”
“No. I’m quite happy with my life right here.”
“Hi, Ms. Bishop.” I turned to find Nicki Spangler behind me, bouncing on her toes and waving her program in her excitement. “Wasn’t the play wonderful?”
Detective Spangler and an older woman stood behind her.
“It was. I gather you enjoyed it.”
“Oh, yes. I hope the Players do a show with some kids in it someday so I can try out for a part.”
I was pleased to see her looking so happy, quite unlike the night she’d run away from home and ended up at my house.
She turned to her father. “Go ahead, Dad.” Nicki urged him. “Ask her.”
“Patience, young lady.” He turned to the woman beside him. “Mom, this is Laura Bishop. Laura, this is my mother, Joy Spangler.”
We shook hands, and I introduced them to Aunt Kit.
“It’s a pleasure meeting you.” Mrs. Spangler smiled warmly at me. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
That surprised me and piqued my interest.
Nicki tugged on her father’s arm. “Dad, now?”
“I’m ruled by women,” he sighed. “What Nicki is anxious for me to do is invite you to join us for dinner on Sunday.”
His eyes met mine, and he smiled. For a second, I was breathless.
I slowly nodded. “I’d like that. Yes, I’d like that very much.”
About the Author
Grace Topping is an Agatha Award finalist and the USA Today bestselling author of the Laura Bishop home staging cozy mystery series. She’s a recovering technical writer and IT project manager accustomed to writing lean, boring documents. Let loose to write fiction, she’s now killing off characters who remind her of people she dealt with during her career. She is the former VP of the Chesapeake Chapter of Sisters in Crime, the Membership Guppy of the SINC Guppy Chapter, and a member of Mystery Writers of America.
The Laura Bishop Mystery Series
by Grace Topping
STAGING IS MURDER (#1)
STAGING WARS (#2)
UPSTAGED BY MURDER (#3)
Ginger Cookies With Crystalized Ginger
Ingredients
½ cup Greek Yoghurt
1 cup light or dark brown sugar
1 egg
¼ cup molasses
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons baking soda
½ cup coarsely chopped crystallized ginger
1/3 cup granulated sugar or more as needed
Preheat oven to 350F.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl with an electric mixer or by hand, cream together Greek yoghurt and sugar for 2 minutes or until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and molasses.
Sift together flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and baking soda. Stir into batter. Stir in crystallized ginger. The batter will be thick. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
Roll into 1-inch balls for small cookies or 2-inch balls for larger cookies. Place granulated sugar on a small bowl. Roll balls in the sugar to coat. Place on a cookie sheet about 3 inches apart. The cookies will spread when baking. Keep dough refrigerated between batches.
Bake for 10-12 minutes
or until cracked on top, slightly firm to the touch, and golden brown. They will crisp up as they cool. Cool on wire racks.
English Sherry Cherry Trifle
A trifle can best be described as a dessert that is a trifle of this and a trifle of that. No two people make it exactly the same and substitutions abound. This is a version served at the Orangery.
Making an English trifle is all about layering ingredients in a deep glass bowl for a beautiful presentation. Alternatively, clear glasses with wide openings can be used to make individual desserts.
Ingredients
9×13 white or yellow cake, baked and cooled (lady fingers or sliced pound cake can be substituted)
1/2 cup Harvey’s Bristol Cream Sherry or any quality cream sherry (see note below)
3 heaping tablespoons of cherry jam or preserves, or other fruit spread
2 cups fresh or frozen cherries (defrosted and drained)
4 cups of milk to use in prepared custard (see note below)
Birds Custard Powder or two boxes of instant or cooked pudding mix (see note below)
2 small boxes or one large box of cherry Jell-O
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon powdered sugar
2 or 3 tablespoons of ground or sliced nuts or chocolate sprinkles for decoration
A trifle consists of layers of cake, fruit, gelatin (Jell-O), custard, whipped cream, and garnishes. Prepare all the ingredients for the layers in advance of layering. The number of layers will depend on the depth of the bowl used. One layer of each will still make for a nice presentation.
For one layer of each. Line the bottom of the glass dish with slices of cake. Spread the cake with the jam or preserves. Sprinkle the sherry (or fruit juice) evenly over the cake.
Note: Harvey’s Bristol Cream Sherry (not dry sherry) is commonplace in an English sherry trifle, but liqueurs like Grand Marnier, Frangelico, or Amaretto can be substituted. Fruit juice can also be used for a non-alcoholic version.
Arrange the drained cherries over the cake layer. Refrigerate.
Prepare the Jell-O and refrigerate until slightly firm but still pourable. Pour the Jell-O over the cake and fruit. Refrigerate until the Jell-O is firm.
Add the custard and refrigerate. Note: It’s traditional to use Birds Custard Powder, which can often be found in the international food section of the grocery store. Follow the directions to prepare two pints of custard. Homemade custard or two boxes of instant or cooked vanilla pudding mix can be substituted. If using cooked pudding, allow it to cool thoroughly before adding the custard layer.
Beat the whipping cream with the teaspoon of powdered sugar until peaks form. Spread the whipped cream over the custard layer. Top with nuts, sprinkles, or berries. Refrigerate.
For more than one layer of each. Begin with cake and fruit. Alternate layers. Refrigerate between adding layers of Jell-O to allow the Jell-O to completely firm before adding the next layer. End with whipped cream and garnish with nuts, etc.
If making the trifle a day in advance, leave off the whipped cream and add it just before serving.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
Ingredients
1 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice (or mixture of cinnamon and freshly grated nutmeg)
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
½ cup butter, melted (or substitute ¼ cup applesauce and 2 tablespoons oil)
1 cup pumpkin puree (approximately one-half of a 1-pound can) NOT pumpkin pie filling
1 cup chocolate chip semi-sweet morsels
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease muffin cups or use paper baking cups. Thoroughly mix flour, sugar, spice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl, mix pumpkin, melted butter, and eggs. Whisk until lightly blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour over dry ingredients and fold in until all ingredients are lightly moistened. Do not over mix.
Scoop the batter evenly into muffin cups. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Yields 12 regular or 38 mini muffins.
Hot Pumpkin Spice Latte
Ingredients
½ cup strong black coffee
2 tablespoons pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
3-4 tablespoons half and half, heavy cream, or milk (can substitute almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk for a skinny version)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or half cinnamon and half freshly grated nutmeg)
Sugar or sweetener to taste
Whipped cream (optional)
Add all ingredients except whipped cream to a blender. Cover and blend on high until smooth. Pour into a mug and top with whipped cream, if used, and sprinkle with nutmeg.
Note: For an iced version, use cold coffee, blend all ingredients except whipped cream, and pour over ice. Top with whipped cream, if used, and a sprinkle of nutmeg.
PILLOW STALK
Diane Vallere
A Madison Night Mystery (#1)
Interior Decorator Madison Night might look like a throwback to the sixties, but as business owner and landlord, she proves that independent women can have it all. But when a killer targets women dressed in her signature style—estate sale vintage to play up her resemblance to fave actress Doris Day—what makes her unique might make her dead.
The local detective connects the new crime to a twenty-year old cold case, and Madison’s long-trusted contractor emerges as the leading suspect. As the body count piles up, Madison uncovers a Soviet spy, a campaign to destroy all Doris Day movies, and six minutes of film that will change her life forever.
Read all about it—plus all the books, authors, series, and sales you need to find your next favorite read!
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THE SEMESTER OF OUR DISCONTENT
Cynthia Kuhn
A Lila Maclean Academic Mystery (#1)
English professor Lila Maclean is thrilled about her new job at prestigious Stonedale University, until she finds one of her colleagues dead. She soon learns that everyone, from the chancellor to the detective working the case, believes Lila—or someone she is protecting—may be responsible for the horrific event, so she assigns herself the task of identifying the killer.
Putting her scholarly skills to the test, Lila gathers evidence, but her search is complicated by an unexpected nemesis, a suspicious investigator, and an ominous secret society. Rather than earning an “A” for effort, she receives a threat featuring the mysterious emblem and must act quickly to avoid failing her assignment…and becoming the next victim.
Read all about it—plus all the books, authors, series, and sales you need to find your next favorite read!
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ARTIFACT
Gigi Pandian
A Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery (#1)
Historian Jaya Jones discovers the secrets of a lost Indian treasure may be hidden in a Scottish legend from the days of the British Raj. But she’s not the only one on the trail…
From San Francisco to London to the Highlands of Scotland, Jaya must evade a shadowy stalker as she follows hints from the hastily scrawled note of her dead lover to a remote archaeological dig. Helping her decipher the cryptic clues are her magician best friend, a devastatingly handsome art historian with something to hide, and a charming archaeologist running for his life.
Read all about it—plus all the books, authors, series, and sales you need to find your next favorite read!
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