MURDER PAYS A CALL, the debut book in the new Keri Armstrong Cozy Mysteries by Nancy J. Cohen, features a feisty personal concierge who takes over all sorts of tasks for her clients. No job is too big or too small, but solving a murder is on a whole different level.
Keri Armstrong runs her business from her downtown office in Sunny Grove, Florida, where she employs a handful of people to run the day-to-day operations. When she delivers groceries to one of her favorite clients, Fiona Sullivan, she finds the charitable matriarch dead in her bed. Keri is stunned and promises Fiona’s close friend, Diane, that she will look into Fiona’s murder. As Keri starts investigating, she uncovers several possible reasons for someone wanting Fiona dead, including her questionable past involving fencing stolen goods, her uncovering embezzlement at a charity, or her discovery of unethical business practices by a relative. Can Keri put all the pieces together before a murderer strikes again?
MURDER PAYS A CALL is a fun, fast-moving cozy debut with several possible suspects and well-developed side plots. From the mismanagement of the PHEADA charity to the pain clinics and health elixir scam, there are a lot of interesting facets of the story. Keri is smart, poised, and loyal as she navigates the mystery and uncovers the clues. She endures an office break-in, an almost hit-and-run, and a struggle for her life using any antique weapon she can find. Filled with fun social events, future romantic interests, good solid writing and direction, MURDER PAYS A CALL will keep readers entertained all the way to the end. Furthermore, Keri’s business as a personal concierge provides a whole array of possible mystery plots in the future. Readers will look forward to the next installment that hints at a Broadway diva contracting Keri’s services.
Personal concierge Keri Armstrong will accept almost any job, but solving murders wasn\'t on her to-do list-until now.
When personal concierge Keri Armstrong swings by her favorite client\'s mansion to drop off groceries, she expects a heartfelt chat along with a cup of tea-not Fiona Sullivan dead in bed and her room ransacked. Though police chalk it up to a botched robbery, Keri isn\'t so sure. Whispers around town suggest Fiona wasn\'t as adored as Keri had believed, and many of the philanthropist\'s so-called friends in affluent Sunny Grove, Florida seem glad she\'s gone.
Keri refuses to let Fiona\'s memory be reduced to malicious gossip. Armed with a keen eye, insider access, and a fully charged tablet, she sets out to uncover the truth. Soon her file of suspects grows faster than her to-do list. Between sneaky neighbors, resentful relatives, and tight-lipped charity board members, Fiona left behind a trail of frenemies who\'d happily skip her memorial brunch.
As Keri digs deeper, she discovers her late mentor had a gift for extracting people\'s secrets and using them like fine china-carefully storing them until they could serve a purpose. But Fiona also kept a few skeletons in her own walk-in closet. Now, with danger creeping closer, Keri must race to crack the case before her number comes up next... and Murder Pays a Call.
\"Fans of award-winning author Nancy J. Cohen\'s long-running Bad Hair Day Mysteries will be thrilled to learn there\'s a new sleuth in town. Murder Pays a Call is the debut book in her Keri Armstrong Cozy Mystery Series featuring a personal concierge who adds solving murders to the services she offers her clients.\" - Lois Winston, author of the bestselling and award-winning Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries
EXCERPT
“There’s something else we need to talk about while I’ve got you,” Fiona said, lowering her voice. “But it’s not a discussion we can have on the phone.”
Fiona sounded so serious that a moment of panic engulfed her. “What is it? You’re not ill, are you?” She’d lost her mother three years ago. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing Fiona, too. Then she’d truly feel alone.
“No, I’m fine,” Fiona reassured her. “It’s just that … I fear I’ve made a terrible mistake. I need to tell you about it in person. You’re the only one I can trust.”
“Now I’m concerned. What kind of mistake?” Had Fiona offended someone in her social circle? Made a rude comment to the wrong person? That would be unlike her.
“We’ll discuss it tomorrow. Maybe I’m imagining things.” Yet her fearful tone told Keri that whatever she felt might have merit.
“O-kay. Should I come earlier?”
“No, no. I know you have a gazillion things to do this time of year. I wish I could still drive, but I can’t seem to find my way these days. I’m lucky to have you to help me.”
Keri’s heartstrings thrummed. If it were up to her, she wouldn’t even charge Fiona, but then Purdy would berate her for being too soft. “We’re lucky to have each other. Is there anything else I can get for you tomorrow, like your favorite chocolate croissant?”
Fiona laughed, but her voice lacked true mirth. “No, thanks. I have some apple strudel that we can eat with our tea. I’ll look forward to seeing you at ten o’clock.”
Keri rang off, curious as to what was on Fiona’s mind. She’d find out soon enough.
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