I’m beginning to think I’ve brought a curse on my hometown.
Before I returned to North Ashcot, Massachusetts as its postmistress, the town was relatively crime free. A few B&Es and a carjacking or two per year, some shoplifting and teen vandalism, all quickly solved. While I’d been building my post office career in Boston, my hometown rolled along peacefully, the loudest noises coming from the soccer field. No screams in the night, no gun shots.
Since I came back, however, the crime rate has soared. I heard someone in line at the post office joke that in our zip code, COD is beginning to mean Cause of Death. Really! I’d deny it, but just a few minutes ago, I heard about a third murder among my friends. Dennis Somerville, physics professor at the local community college and guitarist for The Ashcots, our neighborhood band, has been shot in his home. The artificially pretty lady on the TV news has called it a robbery-gone-bad, but I have this feeling in the pit of my stomach that there’s more to it.
For one thing, Dennis stormed up to my counter yesterday, demanding that I investigate threatening letters he’d received. How I wish I’d paid attention. Instead, I’d invoked the postal service’s official investigative body. As if that were a paragon of speedy justice. For another thing, lately, when I was involved in any way, a crime was never as simple as surprising a thief.
Right after the news, my phone rang and it was my BFF Sunni on the line, Police Chief Sunni Smargon, to most citizens. Another feeling washed over me—that she was about to give me orders to stay out of the Somerville murder case. I was not a sworn police officer, did not have a badge, blah, blah, blah.
I was lucky that the retired postmaster, Ben Gentry, was pining for his old job and only too happy to fill in for me. Which left me free to walk around Dennis’s campus and also casually interview his fellow musicians. I was also lucky that my boyfriend, Quinn Martindale, was a great cook and loved to take over my kitchen, thus freeing me to snoop around and trail suspects, should I be so inclined.
Which I was. And which got me into a bit of trouble, and—maybe—danger. The result was—well, never mind. It’s all written down if you care to read it.
The good news is that I’m fine and back at my job, so I don’t see what all the fuss was about my health and safety in the first place. Will I follow orders the next time? We’ll just have to see.
You can read more about Cassie in Addressed To Kill, the third book in the “Postmistress” mystery series.
Love is in the air for postmaster Cassie Miller and the residents of North Ashcot, Massachusetts. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and the town is gearing up for a special dinner dance at the senior center. With the local musical group performing at the dance displaced from their regular practice location, Cassie is all too happy to host them during off-hours at the post office.
But not everything is coming up roses. When one of the musicians, Dennis Somerville, is found shot in his home, rumors swirl over who might have wanted him dead. Cassie must determine if there is a link between a string of recent break-ins and Dennis’s murder before another victim winds up with more than a broken heart.
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About the author
Jean Flowers is one of the pen names of Camille Minichino, a retired physicist turned writer. Camille is the author of twenty-five mystery novels in four series: the Periodic Table Mysteries, the Miniature Mysteries (as Margaret Grace), and the Professor Sophie Knowles Mysteries (as Ada Madison).
All comments are welcomed.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of Addressed To Kill. U.S. entries only, please. The giveaway ends July 28, 2017. Good luck everyone!
This sounds like a super duper exciting book….love the awesome cover! Thanks so much sweet Dru for the contest. God bless you!
What a great series! I love it.
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A new author for me! This sounds like a great book. Thankyou for the opportunity!
I like the colorful cover! Thanks for a chance to win the book!
I always enjoy books by this author under any name.
What a cute cover! Thank you for the chance to win a copy of “A Day in the Life of Postmistress Cassie Miller”.
wfnren at aol dot com
I love all of the series written by this author and am looking forward to this one as well.
I’m sure she will continue to ignore all those well intended suggestions about staying out of investigations.
Sounds like a fun book! I have missed this series so will definitely need to catch up! Thanks Dru Ann for today’s post!
Definitely on my TBR list!
I love this series! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
Sounds like this book has some interesting characters! Thanks for offering the chance to win it!!!
Good morning, everyone (it’s still early out here on the west coast!) It’s great to see old friends and new.
Sounds great, I can’t wait to read it.
Love the series.
Love to win any book by Camille Minchino. I hope I win this one.
Another new-to-me author to try. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
I really enjoyed A day in the life with Cassie Miller. This series is new to me and I would love to read it. Thanks for the giveaway, Dru Ann!
Every time Jean Flower’s has a new book come out, I say to myself I need to get this book and read it, but somehow it never comes about. Maybe this time I’ll finally succeed. Thanks Dru Ann for hosting Jean and her latest book on your blog and also for the giveaway.
Reading the nice comments gives me motivation to stay at my computer instead of, say, snacking! 🙂
Thank you very much for introducing me to a brand new author and a book series I just have to read. Thanks for the chance to win Addressed to Kill.
new author/ New series is so exciting. Love the cover. And the post. Thanks for the heads up Dru. So hoping
Sounds like an interesting read.
I want to check out this series – sounds like an interesting locale and characters.
A postmistress in a small town is a perfect crime solver.
Looking forward to Camille/Jean’s new book! Thanks for the chance to win!
Sounds like my type of book.
I really enjoyed the first book & can’t wait to catch up with all of them.
“A few B&Es and a carjacking or two per year, some shoplifting and teen vandalism”!–that sounds like a lot of criminality!
Compared to where, John? 🙂
Thank you for alerting me to a new-to-me author. It will br interesting to read how your science background knowledge gets used in your novels.
On my TBR list. Love this cover!
This is the first time I’ve heard of this series, and I definitely want to try it. This book looks like a great read, and I’d love to win. Thanks!!!
I enjoyed reading “A Day in the Life of Postmistress Cassie Miler” So glad the locale is a MA town. The author is new to me so I’m anxious to read her books.
This was a fun article and made me want to read the series. Thanks also for the information on the author’s other series.
I enjoyed the first book in this series.
This is a new series and author to me. I really enjoyed the description of the book and I’m looking forward to reading the series.
**** WINNER ****
Addressed to Kill is Rochelle Funderburg
Congratulations!