I’m Angelo DiNapoli and I’m the chef and owner of DiNapoli’s Roast Beef and Pizza in Ellington, Massachusetts. And I have to tell you, I’m a little worried. Not about my restaurant or my cooking those are both five star as usual. Trust me, I’m the original celebrity chef, only no one realized I should have my own TV show. I’m uneasy about my friend Sarah Winston. And it’s not just a gut feeling, Angelo means Messenger of God, so I take my orders directly from above. (Although I let my lovely wife and partner here at the restaurant, Rosalie, think I take orders from her. I’m no dummy no matter what people say.)
Rosalie and I got to know Sarah a few years ago when she and her now ex-husband were stationed at Fitch Air Force Base. After they split Sarah moved to an apartment on the town common not too far from our restaurant. Actually, I can look out our front window and see her place. She comes in all the time and often joins us for our family meal at the end of the day. The woman can’t cook, which I usually view as a character flaw, but not when it comes to Sarah. She’s busy running her garage sale business and seems to have a knack for stumbling over dead bodies.
Anyways, she’s been dragging in lately, distracted. Shoulders slumped and not that bright smile that usually lights up her face. Sarah confessed to me the other day that she had a secret, something she couldn’t tell anyone, something that’s eating at her so much she didn’t even enjoy the big plate of pasta I put in front of her. That means something is seriously wrong because everyone loves my food.
Trying to cheer her up, I told Sarah about the time my mother smuggled in fresh figs from Italy. She had them stuffed in the sleeves, pockets, and lining of her coat. Ninety degrees out and she refuses to take off the coat until we’re safely out of the airport. I asked my mother why she did it and she tells me it so I can taste my uncle’s figs. The best figs on the planet. Sarah looked at me a little funny when I finished. So I told her, “Sometimes you have to keep a secret for a good reason.”
That brought a little smile to her face, but what I didn’t tell, what still worries me, is secrets can also destroy people. I hope that doesn’t happen to Sarah.
Absence of Alice is the ninth book in the “Sarah Winston Garage Sale” cozy mystery series, coming December 29, 2020.
Sarah’s latest client, Alice Krandle, is sure she has a fortune in antiques on her hands. She’s already gotten a generous offer for the whole lot before her garage sale has even begun, but she thinks she can earn more with Sarah’s expert help. The problem is that while Sarah’s sorting through items from decades past, her landlady, Stella, faces a clear and present danger.
Stella’s kidnapper has contacted Sarah with a set of instructions, and “Don’t call the police” is at the top of the list. But they didn’t say anything about Sarah’s friend Harriet—who happens to be a former FBI hostage negotiator . . .
About the author 
Sherry Harris is the Agatha Award nominated author of the Sarah Winston Garage Sale mystery series and the Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon mystery series set in the panhandle of Florida. She is the past president of Sisters in Crime and a member of Mystery Writers of America. Sherry loves books, beaches, bars, and Westies — not necessarily in that order. In her spare time Sherry loves reading and is a patent holding inventor. Sherry, her husband, and guard dog Lily are living in northern Virginia until they figure out where they want to move to next.
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Sherry has generously offered to give away one print copy of Absence of Alice. To enter, please leave a comment below. One entry per person and the giveaway is limited to U.S. residents only. Giveaway ends December 29, 2020. Good luck everyone!
All comments are welcomed.
Thank you Angelo, by way of Sherry Harris, for giving us a glimpse into your day.
Love the cover and title of the book. I go to garage sales all the time. Really like to shop around for antiques. So to combine all this into a book is really a fun read. Trying to get my reading material organized for 2021. This sounds like a book that I would put at the top of my reading list. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Good luck, Linda!
Angelo loves to visit!
Love how Angelo and Rosalie look after Sarah.
They are the best!
I think this might be the first Dru’s musing I read about a secondary character in your stories. Everytime I see a garage sale I think of your character Sarah as I never thought of the science behind garage sales until read your book. Cheers
Thanks, Alec!
Angelo’s mother smuggling in figs A true mother’s love
It’s a true story that my friend Luigi told me!
This is one of my favorite series! I sure wish Angelo would open up a restaurant in Ithaca.
Love the title! Sounds like a good story.
Thanks, Sharon!
Thank you, Nikki! I’d love one by me too!
Love this series and I’m anxiously waiting the next book. Thanks for the chance to win.
Good luck!
The book sounds great. I love the cover.
I enjoyed Angelo’s take on Sarah, and I look forward to reading Absence of Alice. Thanks Dru Ann and Sherry!
Thanks for stopping by!
I love my covers too!
Kensington does such a great job with my covers!
Love this series!
Thank you!
This sounds like a wonderful series. I love garage sales.
I love them too!
This is such a fun series! I am looking forward to reading the newest adventure!
Thank you!
This would be a new series for me, thanks for the opportunity!
Good luck!
This sounds like a highly fraught situation where having friends with the right skills pays off!
Thank you!
I love this series and cant wait to read the newest book
Thank you!
Sounds like a great addition to the series. Looking forward to reading the book.
Thanks!
My papas last trip to Italy his sister tied her homemade salami in each arm of a suit coat that was hung in his upright suitcase. Ship from Milan to New York then train to Napa.My mom when she saw it was mad at him because it wasn’t legal .
I love this story, Ruth!
I would love to spend time with Sarah, Angelo and Rosalie.Thank you for the chance and Happy New Year!
You’re welcome! Happy New Year to you too!
Thanks for offering a chance to win this book! I can’t get enough cozy reads! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
Loved to hear from Angelo!! Looking forward to reading this!
Love this series! Thanks for a chance to win. Happy New Year!
I’m so glad you love it! Happy New Year!
The book sounds great.
Thank you!
I absolutely love 💕 love 💕 love 💕 this awesome and exciting series by awesome Sherry Harris! The cover on this new book is spectacular and really entices me to want to read it! I would love 💕 to win this book 📚! Thank you so much dear Dru Ann and dear Sherry for the chance! 😊
Kensington does a fabulous job with my covers! Good luck!
Nice cover. It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome!
I love this series and can’t wait for this book to be released.
I’m so happy you love it!
Not much for garage sales, but I love to eat and I adore figs! Thank you for the chance to win and Happy New Year!
Figs are fabulous!
**** WINNER ****
Absence of Alice is Nikki Bonanni
Congratulations!