by: Bailee Abbott
Series: Paint by Murder
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: May 7, 2024
Publisher: Level Best Books
When the town council hires Chloe Abbington’s close friend, famous wall muralist Lana Easton, to paint a mural advertising the return of the floating amphitheater, not everyone in Whisper Cove is happy about the theater or Lana. Naysayers think the noise from concerts and visitors will disrupt their quiet community. It doesn’t help that a lot of money taken from the town’s budget is being used to pay the muralist for her services. The mood turns even more grim when Lana is found dead, and since Chloe was there alone to discover her body, that makes her the prime suspect.
Before Chloe finds herself painted into a corner as the killer, she and sister Izzie hurry to solve the case and find the real criminal. The suspect list grows to include Lana’s boyfriend and her intern, as well as a couple of local residents. The task is a tall order for the sisters, and it doesn’t help that the detective on the case is someone who doesn’t seem to care for Chloe or her interference. Clues about Lana’s past surface and point to more than one suspect. The challenge will be to decide which one is the real killer.
Hi Chloe. Welcome to Read Your Writes Book Reviews. How are you?
I’m excited to be here chatting with you!
Great. Please introduce yourself to readers.
My name is Chloe Abbington, aspiring artist, who became part owner of a paint party event business, along with my sister Izzie. We’re very close. Our entire family has a background and career in art. When I’m not busy with the shop, organizing and running party events or snooping, I like to spend time with my boyfriend, Detective Hunter Barrett, and taking walks with my furry pal Max.
Tell me about the town of Whisper Cove.
It’s so incredibly picturesque with shops of every kind for tourists as well as locals. Chautauqua Lake provides plenty of water entertainment—boating, skiing, fishing, sailing, swimming, and best of all, our floating amphitheater has returned with the promise of concerts and movies to come. As long as the locals who are against its comeback don’t ruin it! However, we are a welcoming community, and anyone who visits will enjoy the experience. Oh, and I shouldn’t forget something else that’s unique about us. We have our very own ferry that carries people and cars across the lake! How cool is that!?
That is pretty cool. Can you please tell us about some people we’ll meet in your story?
You’ll absolutely love my family! Mom and Dad are the coolest people you’ll ever meet. Then my adorable twelve pound bundle of fur, Max has to be included. He’s a Maltipoo with plenty of energy and love to share! My sister, Izzie, is my best friend. We’re only a year apart. She and I get along great, most of the time 😊 And there’s our assistant, Willow. She’s an extraordinary talent and dear friend. We’re lucky to have her in our lives. As I mentioned, Whisper Cove has lots of craft shops with owners, like Megan who owns a candle-making business. For Sweets Sake proprietor Claire is as sweet as the shop’s name, and of course there’s my special someone, Detective Hunter Barrett. If you get into trouble, he’s the man you’ll probably run into!
Tell me about a defining moment in your life.
Well, at one point I’d hoped to become a successful New York artist, showcasing my work in Manhattan’s best galleries. It was a challenge, for sure. During that time, my boyfriend Ross and I had a falling out, and I was feeling pretty low. Then Izzie called and asked if I’d come home to help open the paint party shop. She was truly persuasive. I haven’t given up on that artist dream, but for now, I love my life in Whisper Cove and doing something artistic.
What’s your most prized possession?
I’m grateful for so many things in my life, but I cherish my family the most.
Why do you feel the need to put on your sleuthing hat and investigate murders?
Seems like I always find myself in the middle of trouble! Whether I’m a suspect, or in this case, a close friend is murdered, I’m determined to help. Call me crazy, but I just can’t sit by and let Hunter have all the fun!
What can readers expect from Easier Dead Than Drawn?
Definitely lots of excitement, plenty of suspects, a murder case to solve that takes Izzie, Willow, and me on a twisty, winding journey, and of course there’s a little romance throw into the mix! Oh, and the details of painting wall murals will be a fun experience for readers to learn.
Chloe, thank you so much for your time.
Thank you! I enjoyed chatting with you.
Thank you so much! I enjoyed it too.
Bailee Abbott is a native Ohioan who spends her days plotting murder and writing mysteries. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime as well as of International Thriller Writers. Bailee lives with her husband and furry friend Max in the quiet suburbs of Green, Ohio. Visits to Bemus Point, a town along the Chautauqua Lake in southwest New York inspired the setting for the PAINT BY MURDER mystery series. Bailee also writes the SIERRA PINES B&B MYSTERIES and the MACKENZIE BLUE MYSTERIES as Kathryn Long.
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Series: Paint by Murder
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: May 7, 2024
Publisher: Level Best Books
When the town council hires Chloe Abbington’s close friend, famous wall muralist Lana Easton, to paint a mural advertising the return of the floating amphitheater, not everyone in Whisper Cove is happy about the theater or Lana. Naysayers think the noise from concerts and visitors will disrupt their quiet community. It doesn’t help that a lot of money taken from the town’s budget is being used to pay the muralist for her services. The mood turns even more grim when Lana is found dead, and since Chloe was there alone to discover her body, that makes her the prime suspect.
Before Chloe finds herself painted into a corner as the killer, she and sister Izzie hurry to solve the case and find the real criminal. The suspect list grows to include Lana’s boyfriend and her intern, as well as a couple of local residents. The task is a tall order for the sisters, and it doesn’t help that the detective on the case is someone who doesn’t seem to care for Chloe or her interference. Clues about Lana’s past surface and point to more than one suspect. The challenge will be to decide which one is the real killer.
I’m excited to be here chatting with you!
Great. Please introduce yourself to readers.
My name is Chloe Abbington, aspiring artist, who became part owner of a paint party event business, along with my sister Izzie. We’re very close. Our entire family has a background and career in art. When I’m not busy with the shop, organizing and running party events or snooping, I like to spend time with my boyfriend, Detective Hunter Barrett, and taking walks with my furry pal Max.
Tell me about the town of Whisper Cove.
It’s so incredibly picturesque with shops of every kind for tourists as well as locals. Chautauqua Lake provides plenty of water entertainment—boating, skiing, fishing, sailing, swimming, and best of all, our floating amphitheater has returned with the promise of concerts and movies to come. As long as the locals who are against its comeback don’t ruin it! However, we are a welcoming community, and anyone who visits will enjoy the experience. Oh, and I shouldn’t forget something else that’s unique about us. We have our very own ferry that carries people and cars across the lake! How cool is that!?
That is pretty cool. Can you please tell us about some people we’ll meet in your story?
You’ll absolutely love my family! Mom and Dad are the coolest people you’ll ever meet. Then my adorable twelve pound bundle of fur, Max has to be included. He’s a Maltipoo with plenty of energy and love to share! My sister, Izzie, is my best friend. We’re only a year apart. She and I get along great, most of the time 😊 And there’s our assistant, Willow. She’s an extraordinary talent and dear friend. We’re lucky to have her in our lives. As I mentioned, Whisper Cove has lots of craft shops with owners, like Megan who owns a candle-making business. For Sweets Sake proprietor Claire is as sweet as the shop’s name, and of course there’s my special someone, Detective Hunter Barrett. If you get into trouble, he’s the man you’ll probably run into!
Tell me about a defining moment in your life.
Well, at one point I’d hoped to become a successful New York artist, showcasing my work in Manhattan’s best galleries. It was a challenge, for sure. During that time, my boyfriend Ross and I had a falling out, and I was feeling pretty low. Then Izzie called and asked if I’d come home to help open the paint party shop. She was truly persuasive. I haven’t given up on that artist dream, but for now, I love my life in Whisper Cove and doing something artistic.
What’s your most prized possession?
I’m grateful for so many things in my life, but I cherish my family the most.
Why do you feel the need to put on your sleuthing hat and investigate murders?
Seems like I always find myself in the middle of trouble! Whether I’m a suspect, or in this case, a close friend is murdered, I’m determined to help. Call me crazy, but I just can’t sit by and let Hunter have all the fun!
What can readers expect from Easier Dead Than Drawn?
Definitely lots of excitement, plenty of suspects, a murder case to solve that takes Izzie, Willow, and me on a twisty, winding journey, and of course there’s a little romance throw into the mix! Oh, and the details of painting wall murals will be a fun experience for readers to learn.
Chloe, thank you so much for your time.
Thank you! I enjoyed chatting with you.
Thank you so much! I enjoyed it too.
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I enjoyed the character interview. Sounds like a good book.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marcy.
DeleteI liked the interview.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting book! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete