Hi Folks, Andi Anna Jones here. Not sure why you’re interested, but here’s a snapshot of a day in my life. 

Following a mostly mundane adulthood, present-day seems to leap from one chaotic situation to another. You see, over three years ago, after floundering from one failed career to another, my parents’ elderly neighbor inexplicably willed his travel agency to yours truly. While I had my reservations (no pun intended), I figured the perfect opportunity to build a business of my own dropped in my lap. After all, how hard could it be? Booking plane reservations and tour packages would be a snap.

Unfortunately, I’m simply awful at the job. Fortunately, my assistant, Ellie, is magnificent! Good thing too since, lately, I’ve been caught up in one mystery after another. Shortly after booking my ex-stepmom, Ruby, and three of her friends on a Mexican cruise, I had to fly to Cancun because dear stepmommy was in the hoosegow, charged with murder! If you knew Ruby like I do, you’d say, “Why didn’t you just leave her there?” Believe me, I thought about it. If not for a promise to my dearly departed dad to watch after his second wife if anything happened to him, I might’ve let her rot in jail.

She deserves props, however, since her incarceration led to the love of my life. <Sigh> If not for my frantic trip to Mexico, I wouldn’t have met the droolingly handsome, Sheriff Manuel Gonzales. After getting off to a rocky start due to an embarrassing incident involving too many margaritas and a Mariachi band, we’ve made up for lost time. (Read what you want into that statement—wink, wink)

Following the Ruby fiasco, life settled down for a while, until a high-profile client, Grace Payne, disappeared in New Orleans during a trip I’d arranged. To make matters worse, I’d previously made an unintentional booking error, sending her husband, Stewart Payne, on a flight to the wrong city. Figuring my screw-up also led to his wife’s disappearance, he threatened to sue me and the agency. To say he’s a royal “pain” in my side, is an understatement.

So, today, instead of kicking my feet up, drinking a cup of dark roast, chickory brewed coffee, happily going through the latest batch of travel brochures, I’m traveling to Louisiana to (fingers crossed) locate Grace Payne.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not looking for sympathy because I’ve loved amateur sleuthing since I was a kid. Dad and I watched every TV detective series together, from Matlock to Jessica Fletcher, to Columbo. Added bonus, I won’t be trapped in the travel agency fearful I’ll send another airline passenger to Dallas, Texas instead of Dallas, Georgia.

Before I forget, does anyone have suggestions on local places to get a good cocktail like a Hurricane or a Sazerac? Maybe some barbequed shrimp or Creole gumbo? Send me a text if you do. Oh, and if you have any travel plans, call Ellie.

Later, Gators (Yikes! Hope I don’t run into any of those!)

Sazerac, Sleuth & Slay, An Andi Anna Jones Mystery Book #2
Genre: Cozy
Release: February 2023
Format: Print, Digital
Purchase Link

It’s gonna be a great day! Or, so she thought.

Andi Anna Jones, so-so travel agent, amateur sleuth, doesn’t suspect her least favorite client, Stewart (The Pain) Payne, will set off circumstances that lead to disappearance and death.

After his wife doesn’t show for a convention in New Orleans, his threat to sue Graves Travel for “ten times more than it’s worth”, and Andi’s guilt over a long-overdue promise made to her dad, leads her to The Big Easy in search of Grace Payne.

Four unsolved murders, a body caught in a crawfish cage, and a mysterious candle, magic, and incense shop, leads Andi deep into the bayou on a hunt for clues. Will another victim be added to the serial killer’s list, or is the main suspect closer to Andi than she thinks?

Meet the author
Author, Mary Cunningham, lives near Atlanta, Georgia. After a horrifying stint as a travel agent, Andi Anna Jones sprang to life. The adult/mystery series gives extra meaning to the phrase, “Write what you know.” Along with the cozy mystery series, Cunningham has several published books, including a five-book middle-grade fantasy, women’s lifestyle/humor book, and the biography of an army brat, turned UConn and WNBA basketball player. When she gives her fingers a break from the keyboard, Mary enjoys golf, swimming, and exploring the mountains of West Georgia where she makes her home with her husband.

All comments are welcomed.