Hey, y’all! I’m Cassidi Conti, and I own a beauty salon in Danger Cove, Washington. It’s called The Clip and Sip, and the Victorian house it’s located in is also where I live with my makeup-artist cousin, Gia Di Mitri. Speaking of Gia, she’s on her way home from Christmas shopping, so I have to make this quick. Because when she’s around, no one gets a word in but her. Case in point, two years ago she stole my slot on Dru’s blog!
Before I tell you about my day, let me give you some backstory. From 1860 until 1955, the Victorian I own was a brothel for local lumberjacks, that is, until their wives set it on fire. Forty years later, my uncle Vincent Conti restored the building and ran a salon on the first floor. Uncle Vinnie was a ladies’ man who tended to more than his clients’ coiffures. And sadly, I think that’s what got him murdered, although I still don’t know for sure.
Since my uncle left me the property in his will, I’ve worked hard to restore the reputation of our family and the business. But every time my back is turned, someone reminds me of the Victorian’s past. The latest incident happened the other night. Right before The Clip and Sip’s holiday open house, someone sabotaged my rooftop sleigh display by replacing Santa’s toys with sex dolls.
Oh my gosh, I think I smell something burning upstairs. Hold on, okay? I’ll just be a second.
Yo, yous guys! Gia here. Don’t worry about the smoke smell. Between you and me, I burned an eyeliner pencil to sidetrack Cassidi for a few minutes. I don’t know why that girl thinks she’s the protagonist of this story, when it’s as plain as the nose on Rudolph the reindeer’s face that it’s me.
Anyway, I heard Cassidi telling you about our sleigh saboteur. I’m convinced that the culprit was a rival salon owner who blew in from L.A. six months ago and stole our clients. Her name is Ivy Li, and like the comic book character, she’s pure poison.
The subject of poison brings me to the point of this post. Recently, a mysterious woman came to town, and yesterday she had a manicure at Ivy’s salon, which, by the way, looks like a Greek version of Versailles. And after the woman’s nails had dried, she went outside and keeled over near the gold-breast-plated statue of Athena guarding the door, and she died.
But here’s the kicker. Cassidi and I got a note from the killer saying that the woman’s death was our fault. Of course, since she dropped dead at Ivy’s salon, how could it have been us? As it turns out, there is a way, and it has to do with Poison Poinsettia nail polish and a bottle of peach liqueur.
And the nightmare doesn’t end there. The killer also said that Cassidi and I are next on his list, and he doesn’t mean the one he’s sending to Santa. So we have to find out who this maniac is.
Or our Christmas could be canceled—for good.
You can read more about Cassidi in A Poison Manicure and Peach Liqueur, the second book in the “Danger Cove Hair Salon” mystery series.
It’s Christmas in Danger Cove, and all Cassidi Conti wants is clients. A rival salon owner has come to town and stolen The Clip and Sip’s business. Her holiday hopes go south, however, after someone sexes up the sleigh display at her open house, and an incident from the past makes the paper. Luckily, her tough talkin’ Texan aunt rides to her rescue, and she’s madder ‘n The Grinch in a gift shop. But when a nail client drops dead at her rival’s salon, and the killer sends unseasonal greetings to The Clip and Sip, Cassidi wonders whether an entire Texas cavalry could save her from the impending disaster. She has to act fast to figure out who the manicure murderer is, or her Noël could be nixed—forever.
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Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win copy of A Poison Manicure and Peach Liqueur, either Kindle/Nook (open to everyone) or print (U.S. residents only), winner’s choice. The giveaway will end November 28, 2017. Good luck everyone!
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About the author
Traci Andrighetti is the USA TODAY bestselling author of the Franki Amato Mysteries and the Danger Cove Hair Salon Mysteries. In her previous life, she was an award-winning literary translator and a Lecturer of Italian at the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a PhD in Applied Linguistics. But then she got wise and ditched that academic stuff for a life of crime—writing, that is. Visit Traci at traciandrighetti.com.
All comments are welcomed.
This book looks really fun. What a cute cover also. Thanks
Tweeted To Share and Added To My Wish List on Amazon https://twitter.com/LindaMoffitt02/status/934333754616709120
Thanks, Linda! Yes, Gemma always has the best cover designers. I appreciate the tweet.
Sounds like another fun series. Thanks.
Thanks, Gram!
As usual, this bok sounds great!!
Jeannie, Dru always has the best books on this blog. It is truly my favorite of all the mystery blogs.
Thanks Traci
This sounds like a fun book. I’ve read the Frankie Amati series and enjoyed it.
Hi Christi, thanks for giving Franki a shoutout! A fourth book in that series is on it’s way, and you can get a free Franki-goes-to-Rome story by signing up for my newsletter on my website, traciandrighetti.com. Hope you like it!
Sounds like a really fun book. Love the cover. Can’t wait to read.
Mille grazie, Linda!
A delightful book which I would enjoy.
I appreciate that, Anne!
Thank you for the opportunity to enter the giveaway. I appreciate your blog Dru Ann since you help me find new books/authors to add to my list of want to reads.
Robin, Dru’s blog is the best, isn’t it?
Thanks Robin
Traci’s books are always filled with madcap adventures and lots of fun! Why should this one be any different? Love the cousins and the whole history of their property! Thanks for a fun post and generous offer. 🙂
Haha! Thanks, Barbara. As always, I appreciate your support. And stay tuned to my newsletter on Tuesday for a Christopher Radko ornament giveaway!
I am just starting to read this series of books by different authors & would love to win a Kindle copy of this one.
Hey, Doward! Nice to see you here.
Love your books!!
Thank you SO much, Felicia! I work hard on them.
This is a new series/author to me. The synopsis on the books are most intriguing and I look forward to reading them. Thanks for the heads up and the giveaway. Hoping this will be an early start to the series.
Hi, Della. Good luck in the giveaway!
Peach liqueur sounds mighty fine.
Yes! Especially with fresh peaches and prosecco in a trumped up bellini!
I loved the first book in this series–such a fun read! Looking forward to reading this new one. I’d love to win a print copy for my keeper shelf. Keeping my fingers crossed!!
That makes me so happy to hear, Linda! Good luck to you!
I want to know why the killer thinks the death is Cassidi’s & Gia’s fault.
Hi Jana! The killer is warning them not to reveal anymore information they have about an incident from the past, or the consequences will be as dire as what happened to the victim.
Sounds fascinating. I want it.
Glad to hear that, Amy! Good luck!
This sounds like my kind of book. Great cover, really makes me want to read the book.
Thanks, Dianne! Yes, the cover turned out super cute. Seeing the cover is always my favorite part!
Traci’s books are great fun.
I love hearing that, Maryjane!
Sounds fun. Thank you for the chance to win a copy!
Thanks, Kay! I had fun writing it, so that is definitely reflected in the book. 🙂
Love the Franki Amato mysteries -looking forward to reading the Danger Cove Hair Salon Mysteries
Thanks, Mary! Did you get the free Franki story called “Fragolino Fuchsia”? If you subscribe to my reader group on my website, it will automatically be sent to you.
I love the idea of murder at a salon–plenty of characters go to mine.
Ha! I actually went to my hair salon to ask about the types of people who come in. I heard some hair-raising stories (pardon the pun)!
Sounds like a winner.
Thanks, Karen! Music to my ears.
Another good read to add to my “to read” list.
Thanks.
I hope you enjoy it, Pauline!
What a fun sounding series!! I have def got to try these authors now. thank you for the chance to win a copy of this title
Awesome, Johnna! Good luck!
Excited to read the new book! Hours of enjoyment to come!
I hope you like it, Donnah!
Hey Dru, YES I WANT IT!!!! Please toss my name into the magic contest hat. This is just the kind of story I enjoy when I’m up all night reading. I grew up in an Italian neighborhood and new lots of characters like these.
Hi Nora, if you grew up in an Italian neighborhood, you might want to start with the first book in the series, Deadly Dye and a Soy Chai. And check out my Franki Amato mysteries, too. You can get a free Franki Amato short mystery set in Rome by joining my reader group on my website. Enjoy!
**** WINNER ****
A Poison Manicure and Peach Liqueur is Doward Wilson
Congratulations!
Congrats, Doward!