by: Laura Hern
Series: Lainey Maynard Mystery
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: August 20, 2023
“What a fun and exciting read! Humor and suspense kept me engaged, and it was hard to put down! Looking forward to the next book in this series!!” Bobbi
When planning a murder, practice makes perfect…or does it?
Super sleuth Lainey Maynard and the Whoopee group are preparing for the bowling tournament fundraiser to save Spare Lanes Bowling Alley. Until an envelope arrived during their practice game that caused more excitement than a scored card filled with strikes. Why hadn’t Gerry Hayward been more concerned?
Spare Lanes Alley had been the hot spot where local celebrity bowlers and newbies gathered. Even framed and signed photos of professional bowlers lined the trophy wall. Now, threats of foreclosure loomed over Gerald and Phoebe Hayward, the owners, and the entire bowling community. More than bowling balls are crossing the foul line.
Gerald and Phoebe Hayward purchased the alley to start fresh after the Professional Bowling Association banned him. Past suspicions of murder, accusations of impending revenge, and enormous gambling debts don’t exactly stop the gossip mongers’ embarrassing rumors.
Lainey and the Whoopee Pin-Slayers will need more than gutter bumpers, shoe covers, and shammy rags to solve the unfolding mysteries.
A fun and intriguing cozy mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. You’ll love the delightful characters, and the twists will keep you turning the pages!
When Lainey had moved into her house, the front door did not have a screen door in front of it. She had gone down to the local home improvement store and purchased a glass door. After her husband had died, she felt safer having an extra barrier between her and whoever was standing on her porch.
It surprised her to see Bailee Hayward Ballulah standing in front of the glass door. She opened the door and greeted the young lady.
“Good morning, Bailee. Come on in here,” she said. “How’s married life treating you?”
The newlywed smiled, walked inside, and started to take off her shoes.
“You don’t need to take off your shoes,” Lainey smiled. “Let’s sit down in the kitchen. How about a cup of coffee?”
“No, thanks. I can’t stay very long,” Bailee answered. “We’ve been married for almost eight months now. Ryan has been working for Shep Morton at the Backwater restaurant and I’ve been busy with my job at the newspaper office. Two weeks ago, I was promoted to the feature community events reporter.”
“That’s terrific! I’m sure you’ll do a fantastic job covering Mirror Falls.”
“Thanks. I know you’re wondering why I’m here.” Taking off the backpack she was wearing, she unzipped it, pulled out a large manilla envelope and handed it to Lainey. “Last night, when I was leaving work, I found this taped to my car windshield. I have said nothing to Ryan about it, and I’m hoping you can help me.”
Lainey opened the envelope and took out the two items inside. Her eyes narrowed and the tingling sensation in her stomach returned with a vengeance. She was holding a large feather that had red paint splattered on it...and a bowling scorecard with frame 4 highlighted. Like the one Gerry had received the night before, the frame had initials in it. BB was in the pin count area and GH was in the spare count area.
Bailee saw the concern and confusion on Lainey’s face. “I don’t know who left this or why. Did you know that Ryan’s family is Ojibwe Tribe?”
“I knew he was Charlie Crowfoot’s nephew. Do you think that has something to do with the feather?”
“Ryan’s family has a very proud heritage. They attend annual Pow Wows, dressing in their native regalia.”
“A Pow Wow is a celebration of American Indian culture, correct?”
“Oh yes! It’s a time of celebration: dancing, singing, and honoring ancestors. I’ve attended two of them. I brought a photo of Ryan in his feathered headdress.” She opened the backpack again and handed a photo to Lainey. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
Lainey looked at the photo for a long moment before handing it back to Bailee. “I’m sure you noticed this feather is similar to the ones in the photo.”
“I recognized it immediately.” Bailee hesitated. “While Ryan was working last evening, I checked his closet. This feather is identical to the ones in his headdress. I do not know why some bowling scorecard was in the envelope, either. I’m a bowler, but Ryan isn’t.”
It surprised her to see Bailee Hayward Ballulah standing in front of the glass door. She opened the door and greeted the young lady.
“Good morning, Bailee. Come on in here,” she said. “How’s married life treating you?”
The newlywed smiled, walked inside, and started to take off her shoes.
“You don’t need to take off your shoes,” Lainey smiled. “Let’s sit down in the kitchen. How about a cup of coffee?”
“No, thanks. I can’t stay very long,” Bailee answered. “We’ve been married for almost eight months now. Ryan has been working for Shep Morton at the Backwater restaurant and I’ve been busy with my job at the newspaper office. Two weeks ago, I was promoted to the feature community events reporter.”
“That’s terrific! I’m sure you’ll do a fantastic job covering Mirror Falls.”
“Thanks. I know you’re wondering why I’m here.” Taking off the backpack she was wearing, she unzipped it, pulled out a large manilla envelope and handed it to Lainey. “Last night, when I was leaving work, I found this taped to my car windshield. I have said nothing to Ryan about it, and I’m hoping you can help me.”
Lainey opened the envelope and took out the two items inside. Her eyes narrowed and the tingling sensation in her stomach returned with a vengeance. She was holding a large feather that had red paint splattered on it...and a bowling scorecard with frame 4 highlighted. Like the one Gerry had received the night before, the frame had initials in it. BB was in the pin count area and GH was in the spare count area.
Bailee saw the concern and confusion on Lainey’s face. “I don’t know who left this or why. Did you know that Ryan’s family is Ojibwe Tribe?”
“I knew he was Charlie Crowfoot’s nephew. Do you think that has something to do with the feather?”
“Ryan’s family has a very proud heritage. They attend annual Pow Wows, dressing in their native regalia.”
“A Pow Wow is a celebration of American Indian culture, correct?”
“Oh yes! It’s a time of celebration: dancing, singing, and honoring ancestors. I’ve attended two of them. I brought a photo of Ryan in his feathered headdress.” She opened the backpack again and handed a photo to Lainey. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
Lainey looked at the photo for a long moment before handing it back to Bailee. “I’m sure you noticed this feather is similar to the ones in the photo.”
“I recognized it immediately.” Bailee hesitated. “While Ryan was working last evening, I checked his closet. This feather is identical to the ones in his headdress. I do not know why some bowling scorecard was in the envelope, either. I’m a bowler, but Ryan isn’t.”
Purchase Bowling Bodies at Spare Lanes Alley from:
(Affiliated Links used)
The Lainey Maynard Mystery Series:
She loves cats, charred brussel sprouts with bacon, and romantic murder mysteries!
Laura grew up in Texas and lives in Minnesota. She loves to ride motorcycles, and is an avid domino and card player. Music and traveling are her passions.
Places to find Laura Hern:
Sounds like a fun read and I love the cute cover.
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