by: Connie Archer
Series: Soup Lover’s Mystery
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: March 3, 2015
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
It’s almost May, and some of the local ladies have organized a pagan celebration in the woods to welcome spring. But the evening goes terribly wrong when one of the attendees winds up dead, apparently poisoned by an herbal concoction prepared by Lucky’s grandfather, Jack.
Lucky’s sure her grandfather could not have made such a tragic mistake. But before she can clear him of suspicion, her best friend, Sophie, is diverted from planning her wedding to By the Spoonful chef Sage DuBois when she finds a dead man floating in the creek on her property. Now it’s up to Lucky to get both Sophie and Jack out of hot water before a killer stirs up more trouble…
A poisoning at a pagan ritual . . . a dead man floating in the creek . . . Are both murders connected and will more victims fall prey to a killer?
One woman stepped forward and doused her candle on the stone altar. She grasped the bowl in both hands. Cordelia paused, about to speak, but before she could utter a word, the woman drank the brew in its entirety. Cordelia stared at her, then filled the bowl again as a second woman stepped forward.
A strangled sound came from the lips of the first woman to drink. She gasped, clutching her throat. Her eyes grew large in panic as she tried to speak. Her chest heaved with the effort to breathe. She dropped to the ground as her legs crumpled beneath her. The others watched helplessly as the woman lay before them, retching and gasping for air.
“Agnes,” Emily cried out.
“What’s wrong?” Cecily asked.
Someone replied in alarm. “She can’t breathe. Help her!”
“Let me through. I know CPR,” Emily Rathbone pushed the women aside. They stepped back and stared as Agnes continued to gasp. Emily struggled to lift Agnes’s head and open her jaw while Agnes writhed violently.
“Help me hold her.” Emily shouted. Two of the women knelt. One held Agnes’s arms and the other, her legs. Emily tilted Agnes’s head and checked her throat. “There’s nothing there. Nothing’s interfering with her breathing. Maybe it’s an allergic reaction.” She deftly rolled Agnes to her side. Agnes’s head fell forward, her movements still violent. She retched again and whispered, “help me.” Then her body went limp.
Complete stillness filled the clearing. No one spoke. Someone finally whispered, “Is she breathing?”
Emily felt for a pulse while the women watched in silence. She looked up at their concerned faces. “Agnes is gone.”
Purchase Ladle to the Grave from:
A Soup Lover’s Mystery Series:
(Clicking on the book covers will take you to Amazon.)
A Broth of Betrayal ~ Review coming soon
Ladle to the Grave ~ Review
Connie Archer is the national bestselling author of the soup lover’s mystery series from Berkley Prime Crime: A SPOONFUL OF MURDER, A BROTH OF BETRAYAL, A ROUX OF REVENGE and LADLE TO THE GRAVE are set in the imaginary village of Snowflake, Vermont. A CLUE IN THE STEW will be released in April 2016.
Connie was born and raised in New England. She now lives on the other coast.
Places to find Connie Archer:
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
DeleteWhat a really exciting excerpt. This sounds like a great mystery.
ReplyDeleteHey MomJane,
DeleteI HIGHLY recommend reading Connie Archer and her Soup Lover's Mystery series. I love this series!!!! Thanks for stopping by and checking it out.
Terrific series. Release date for the new books gets closer and closer!
ReplyDeleteI know... I can't wait!
DeleteSounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteIt is. I highly recommend it. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteEnjoyed the excerpt, sounds like a bewitching read, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteEva,
DeleteThanks for stopping by and checking out the book and excerpt.
Sounds interesting
ReplyDeleteHi Amma,
DeleteThanks for stopping by. This is a good series, plus there's recipes in the back of the book.
Great post, thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book and an amazing series! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteHi Victoria,
DeleteIt is an amazing series. Thanks for stopping by and checking it out.
What a great series, can't wait for the Clue in the Stew.
ReplyDeleteHi Julia,
DeleteI could NOT agree with you MORE. Connie is one of my comfort read authors.
what a great Contest thank you so much....the review really adds to the enjoyment of the read..
ReplyDeleteMarilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Thank you Marilyn for stopping by and checking it out.
DeleteHappy holidays! This is just the book my mother in law would enjoy then donate to the nursing home library cart.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas Stacy. I have nothing to say. I love this book and series. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteThanks for the excerpt and the amazing giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and checking it out.
DeleteI enjoyed reading the excerpt and learning about this book series. These books sounds very interesting and intriguing! Totally can't wait to read these books!
ReplyDeleteHi Ally,
DeleteThis is DEFINITELY a series you have to add to your reading list!!!
What an interesting setting for a murder mystery! Combining a touch of the Occult with a good old-fashioned murder is a cool twist.
ReplyDeleteIt's a very interesting story Jeanna, and not really what you're thinking. Talk about a little surprise.
DeleteI am looking forward to reading more. Thank you for the post.
ReplyDeleteI love this series and author. I can't wait for the next book to come out.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the chance at the giveaway! :) Great excerpt!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by and checking out the book, Melissa.
Delete