November—, 1883
Amelia Island, Florida

Dear Diary,

I’ve really done it this time.

Back in New York this summer, after I found that box of letters hidden in the scullery and learned about my Aunt Flora (who, by the way, while certainly passionate about her beliefs, might be loveliest person I’ve ever met, so I still haven’t any idea why Father never told me about her). I made myself a promise: As a fully grown woman of twenty-three, all on my own since I lost dear Father last year, it was high time I started acting like a lady. Coming down to this island to meet Flora seemed the perfect opportunity to begin afresh.

And I did try. I studied how to style my hair, brushed up on dinnerware geography, trained myself in behavioral minutiae such as watching for puddles so I might step around them rather than trounce through them, I even spent several intimidating afternoons, and as many ungodly sums, among the fashionable dress stores on Ladies’ Mile so I would look the part.

Yet, of course, before I’d gotten even a hundred feet from the steamship, after I’d already dropped a bracelet in the commode, snagged my new traveling dress, and embarrassed myself in front of the captain (I don’t want to talk about it), I found myself squabbling with an annoyingly attractive police officer about something ridiculous. Then, I discovered that my very own newfound aunt had been jailed for causing a scuffle of her own. Granted, Flora had good reason for her actions, unlike me. The other party had been beating his horse. And I, for one, believe Flora when she says he bopped himself in the nose with that whipping stick during the struggle.

Flora had a rather serious confrontation with her neighbor last night, too, a bad-tempered harbor pilot named Captain Peanut Runkles. Again though, Peanut, the town bully it seems, had retaliated cruelly when Flora’s sweet pet pig Roger took a wander through his vegetable patch, so very much deserved Flora’s displeasure.

Unfortunately, however, I had the most unladylike privilege this morning of finding Peanut dead at the foot of the pilots’ tower. The coroner doesn’t believe me, but I’m certain it was murder.

Oh, and, as if that weren’t enough, would you believe who’s here as well, on holiday with his sister? And saw me for the first time in nearly ten years, while I was covered in mud after taking a tumble trying to rescue a kitten? Sam Townsend. Perfect, handsome Sam Townsend.

I suppose you could say things are not going to plan.

Yours,
Cassie Gwynne

A Deception Most Deadly, A Cassie Gwynne Mystery #1
Genre: Historical, Cozy
Release: January 2022
Purchase Link

Meet Cassie Gwynne: cat lover, bookworm, reluctant heiress. . . and accidental detective?

Amelia Island, Florida, 1883. Cassie Gwynne is hoping for a fresh start when she steps off the steamship to meet her Aunt Flora, a famous perfumer, for the first time. Having recently lost her father, her aunt is the only family she has left so she wants to make a good impression. She’s styled her unruly hair, shined her boots, and even purchased a whole new fashionable wardrobe. However, she’s certain finding a body is not very ladylike behavior. . .

While out exploring the beautiful southern island town of Fernandina, Cassie stumbles across the body of Flora’s least-favorite neighbor, Captain Peanut Runkles, lying at the foot of the harbor pilots’ lookout tower. To make matters worse, because of an ongoing feud between Peanut and Flora, including a very public clash over Flora’s pet pig and his fondness for Peanut’s vegetable patch, Flora is immediately accused of murder.

Cassie is certain her sweet aunt is innocent, and vows to prove it, to save her from a most unjust fate. It doesn’t take her long to realize the island is full of people who had reason to want Peanut dead, including a sniveling salesman and a bankrupt businessman who owed Peanut money. Soon, Cassie’s brilliant mind and nose for a clue lead her back to the scene of the crime and the mysterious colored glass found by the body. . . but what does it all mean?

Then an intruder at Flora’s shop throws Cassie off course. It seems sabotage is afoot, and the culprit is striking ever closer to home. . . Can Cassie get to the bottom of the case before her time on the island comes to a deadly end?

Meet the author
Genevieve Essig was born in Florida but, after a variety of shenanigans in the northeast and midwest, she now calls New Orleans home. When she’s not writing or getting lost down research rabbit holes, she spends time practicing law, shooting pool, performing opera and musical theater, ogling old buildings, acting for film and television, futzing with inventions that address highly specific and likely only-annoying-to-her problems, traveling, ranting at bartenders about the evils of straws, riding horses, and petting strange cats (which her own fluff, Musette, begrudgingly tolerates). If you have suggestions for additional hobbies or would like to find out more about her books, please visit genevieveessig.com.

All comments are welcomed.