by: Ruth J. Hartman
Series: Seneca James Mystery
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release Date: November 19, 2024
Publisher: Level Best Books
Seneca James’ cousin, Evie, ends up in hot water, when she’s accused of stealing a wallet from an angry customer in Seneca’s Painted Wings Café. The customer also happens to be the local bank manager, who Evie pleads with for a much-needed loan, resulting in a public spectacle as the bank manager refuses, and ridicules Evie. When the manager later turns up dead inside the cafe, and Evie is the most likely suspect, it will take all of Seneca’s sleuthing and help from her best friend, Sheriff Cody Bales, to get Evie out of trouble.
Hello! Thank you so much for having me here today. I’m doing great! Well, there is that pesky murder, but I’m working on that.
Be safe. And good luck. Before we get into your latest “adventure,” please introduce yourself to readers.
Hey everyone, my name is Seneca James. I’m twenty-eight years old and live in tiny Maple Junction, Indiana. I own and run a butterfly farm and also the Painted Wings Café. It’s my job but because I love the butterflies so much, it doesn’t seem like work!
Can you please tell us about some people we’ll meet in your story?
My best friend is Cody Bales, who also happens to be our town’s sheriff. And my cousin, Evie, is like a sister since we were born on the same day. And I can’t leave out Winifred. She’s orange and loves to wear butterfly costumes when sauntering around my farm. Silly cat! All three of them help me search for clues to catch killers, although I have to give Cody more credit. He is the professional, after all.
Tell me about a defining moment in your life.
A short time ago, I was able to acquire my neighbor’s property. It’s filled with milkweed, which is crucial for the livelihood of Monarch butterflies. Until I had that, I knew my own farm didn’t have enough milkweed to sustain my swarm. That day also happens to be when I nearly kissed Cody. Nothing happened, really, but the townspeople who witnessed it aren’t letting it go.
Sounds very interesting. What’s your most prized possession?
I’d have to say the butterfly farm. When my grandmother passed away, she left it to me because she always knew how much I loved it and wanted to continue in her work with them.
Why do you feel the need to put on your sleuthing hat and investigate murders?
There have been two murders in town, and both of them initially pointed to members of my family or friends, as the guilty people. I couldn’t stand by and allow them to suffer the consequences of crimes they hadn’t committed.
What can readers expect from Murder at the Painted Cafe?
Murder at the Painted Wings Café is filled with quirky, funny characters, who love living in a small town. You’ll also enjoy getting to know Winifred. While she’s unusual in that she likes wearing butterfly costumes, otherwise, she’s all cat – persnickety, pesky, and loving, all rolled into an orange furry ball.
Seneca, thank you so much for your time.
Thanks so much for inviting me!
Purchase Murder at the Painted Wings Cafe from:
(Affiliate Links Used)
The Seneca James Mystery Series:
Ruth, a left-handed, cat-herding, farmhouse-dwelling writer uses her sense of humor as she writes tales of lovable, klutzy women who seem to find trouble without even trying.
Ruth’s husband and best friend, Garry, reads her manuscripts, rolls his eyes at her weird story ideas, and loves her despite her insistence all of her books have at least one cat in them. See updates about her cozy mysteries on her website.
Places to find Ruth J. Hartman:
You can follow the Murder at the Painted Wings Cafe Blog Tour here.
Thank you for this chance!
ReplyDelete