by: Sandra Bretting
Series: The Missy DuBois Murder Series
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: May 24, 2016
Publisher: Lyrical Underground
Hat designer Missy DuBois opened her shop, Crowning Glory, along Louisiana's Great River Road to cater to the sophisticated Southern bride. But bless her heart, who knew creating stylish wedding veils would lead to murder?
Hired to craft a veil for a socialite getting married at Morningside Plantation means Missy can bask in the height of antebellum atmosphere. But when the bride is found dead in a women's bathroom, Missy the milliner finds herself entangled in one unfashionable murder. With the list of suspects thicker than the sweltering Louisiana heat, including a gaggle of bridesmaids shedding nary a tear and a family with no shortage of enemies, it seems anyone at the mansion may have done away with the bride-to-be. While Missy has Southern charm to spare, she's going to need more than manners and a manicure to put a hat pin on this murderous affair . . .
Before Beatrice could say more, the front door flew open and in stomped an elderly gentleman. He was on the verge of a good old-fashioned hissy fit.
“Y’all don’t deserve a say in this wedding!” he said to a young woman who’d slunk in behind him.
The girl looked to be the right age for his daughter. She wore flip-flops and a wrinkled peasant blouse, and she buried her head in her hands. Well, that lifted the blouse an inch or two and exposed her bare stomach.
Lorda mercy. It seemed the girl and her fiancé must have eaten supper before they said grace, as we said here in the South, because an unmistakable bump appeared under her top. She looked to be about four months along, give or take a few weeks, and I could see why her daddy wasn’t too happy with her right about now.
After a piece, she lifted her chin and glared at him. “I hate you!” Her voice rippled as cold as the river water that ran nearby. “I wish you were dead.” She stalked away.
I fully expected the man to cringe, or at least follow her. Instead, he merely glanced our way and shrugged. After a minute, he pivoted on the spectacle he’d caused and casually strolled away, leaving a bit of frost in the air.
“Oh my. Why don’t we continue,” Beatrice said.
Poor Beatrice. She obviously wanted to divert our attention elsewhere. It couldn’t have been every day one of her hotel guests wished another guest was dead. She hustled us farther into the ballroom, as if nothing had happened, all the while explaining the history of Morningside Plantation.
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Her Missy DuBois Mysteries series debuts from Kensington/Lyrical Underground in May 2016. Bretting’s previous mysteries include Unholy Lies (2012) and Bless the Dying (2014).
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Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
DeleteThanks for hosting. Anyone addicted to a book right now?
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. That's a funny question to ask. I am most definitely addicted to a book right now. Maybe I should say books. Thank you so much for stopping by, Sandra.
DeleteOoohhh...do tell. What are you addicted to right now? (And you're welcome.)
DeleteI'm currently reading The Millionaire Makeover by Naima Simone. But there are some books coming out next month, that I just want to bury myself into.
DeleteThe last cozy mystery I lost myself in was A Familiar Tail by Delia James. I love paranormal cozy mysteries.
Hi Kim,
DeleteI've never read a paranormal cozy, unless Rose Pressey counts with her second-hand clothing store/ghost storylines. Now I'm intrigued!
Sounds like a fun mystery to read
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melissa. The main character--Missy--is definitely a handful!
DeleteIt does. I don't know if I should laugh or cover my face in horror. I think things are definitely going to get interesting.
DeleteWho influenced you the most to start writing?
ReplyDeleteHi Stacy,
DeleteMy father always encouraged me, but it was actually my mother who instilled in me a love of good books. She treasured each of her books. She probably had the most influence on me as a writer. Thank you for asking!
I really like the cover, especially the skull on the top of the hat box! I always wonder if authors have much input over cover art or even titles?
ReplyDeleteHi - we don't have any influence over the cover art...isn't that crazy? We'll usually submit the book with its title to our publisher. Nine times out of ten, they'll keep the same title. The artists do ask us for visual cues, though, and my main character was physically based on actress Debra Messing. So there ya go :)
DeleteDo you have a test reader who you trust to read your drafts before the editor sees it?
ReplyDeleteHi Sue,
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky to have an agent who is a wonderful editor, and she often spots plot problems I may have overlooked. I also have a friend who writes in a different genre, and she and I exchange our manuscripts before they ever get sent to our agents. Great question...thank you for asking!