Peachy Scream
A Georgia B&B Mystery
by Anna Gerard
About Peachy Scream
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books (July 7, 2020)
Hardcover: 320 Pages
ISBN-10: 1643853066
ISBN-13: 978-1643853062
Digital ASIN: B07XXBK3CX
To die, or not to die? Georgia B&B proprietor Nina Fleet turns amateur thespian to bring the curtain down on a Shakespearean actor's killer.
It's nothing short of inevitable that Cymbeline, GA, hosts an annual Shakespeare festival. But stage-struck Nina Fleet is about to learn that putting on an amateur theatrical production can be murder. Nina's anticipating showbiz glamour and glitz when a community Shakespearean troupe arrives for a two-week stay at her B&B. But the lights dim when she learns the company's director is her nemesis, struggling actor Harry Westcott--who still claims to be the rightful heir to Nina's elegant Queen Anne home.
Meanwhile, the troupe members are not content to leave the drama upon the stage. Accusations of infidelity and financial malfeasance make a shambles of rehearsals. And then, two days into the troupe's stay, the lead actor is found dead in Nina's formal Shakespeare garden. Natural causes...or murder most foul?
Nina uncovers evidence that something is indeed rotten in the town of Cymbeline. Too bad Harry is the only one who believes that she's not going completely off script. And exposing the truth isn't easy when the remaining troupe members say the show must go on...particularly when all of them seemingly had a motive for wanting their fellow actor to permanently exit stage right. Determined to keep the killer from making a curtain call, Nina and her trusty Australian Shepherd, Matilda, join forces with Harry to sleuth out the murder plot. Will they succeed before someone else shuffles off this mortal coil? Find out in Anna Gerard's delightful second Georgia B&B mystery.
About Anna Gerard
DIANE A.S. STUCKART is the New York Times bestselling author of A Black Cat Bookshop Mystery series (writing as Ali Brandon). She’s also the author of the award-winning A Leonardo da Vinci historical mysteries, as well as several historical romances and numerous mystery, fantasy, and romance short stories. The first book in her Tarot Cats Mystery series is FOOL’S MOON, available in trade, large print, and Kindle versions. Her Georgia B&B Mystery series from Crooked Lane Books launched July 2019 with PEACH CLOBBERED, written as Anna Gerard and available in hardcover, e-book, or audio CD. Book 2, PEACHY SCREAM will be on the shelves July 2020.
Diane is a member of Mystery Writers of America and served as the 2018 and 2019 Chapter President of the MWA Florida chapter, receiving the “Flamingo” Chapter Service award in 2019. She’s also a member of Sister in Crime. In addition to her mystery writing affiliations, she’s a member of the Cat Writers’ Association and belongs to the Palm Beach County Beekeepers Association. Diane is a native Texan with a degree in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma, but has been living in the West Palm Beach FL area since 2006. She shares her “almost in the Everglades” home with her husband, dogs, cats, and a few beehives. Learn more about her books at www.dianestuckart.com
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| Shakespeare Garden (part of one) |
Author Links
Facebook – www.facebook.com/blackcatmysteries
My Thoughts
Peachy Scream by Anna Gerard has
Nina Fleet who owns Fleet House Bed-and-Breakfast in Cymbeline, Georgia hosting
Georgia Amateur Shakespeare Players (GASP).
It is the town’s seventh annual Shakespeare on Cymbeline Square which
includes nightly performances of Hamlet by the amateur acting troupe. Nina does not learn until the actors arrive that
their director is Harry Westcott. The
group is rehearsing at the B&B while they adjust to the hot temperatures
for their outdoor performances. When Len
Marsh fails to return from a smoke break, Nina goes searching and finds the
thespian dead in the hawthorn hedge. There
were tensions between Len and several of the member of GASP. Nina with her trusty Australian shepherd sidekick,
Mattie reluctantly team up with Harry to unmask the killer.
Peachy Scream is the 2nd A Georgia B&B Mystery. It can be read as a
standalone. Nina Fleet cannot believe
her luck in obtaining the actors performing at Shakespeare on Cymbeline Square for
her fledgling bed and breakfast. But
then the bus arrives with Harry Westcott behind the wheel. Nina was hoping she had seen the last of the
actor who believes he should be the rightful owner of her Queen Anne Victorian. You can always count on laughs when Harry is
around. There is plenty of fun to be had
in Peachy Scream. The death of Len Marsh
has Nina donning her sleuthing cap once again.
The killer does not seem happy to stop with Len because attempts are made
another one of the thespians. Someone is
also playing pranks that are getting everyone riled up. There is a red herring as well as a variety
of clues. I wish this whodunit had been
more of a challenge to solve. I did feel
that the killer was rather obvious. Also,
there was a repetition of key details regarding the investigation. This character driven story will delight
those who enjoy easygoing, humorous cozy mysteries. Peachy Scream is a blithe tale with a
hawthorn hedge, amateur actors, number nine Nina, a play within a play, the
Secret Squirrel Society, madcap mayhem, and playful pranks.
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| Alabama Shakespeare Festival |
Peachy Scream is available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The first book in A Georgia B&B Mystery series is Peach Clobbered. The author is hosting a giveaway for three (3) signed copies of Peachy Scream (Sorry, but U.S. Only). You can enter by clicking here or enter via the Rafflecopter form below. Good Luck! Thank you for joining me today. Tomorrow I am featuring Behind the Frame by Tracy Gardner. It is A Shepherd Sisters Mystery. I will once again be a stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour. I hope that you have a happy day. Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!
Kris
The Avid Reader
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