Have you ever had an event so traumatic happen in your life that you know it will haunt you forever? And maybe deep down, you’ve always suspected something was off about the situation, but you just couldn’t put your finger on it?
That’s pretty much been the story of my life for the past 25 years.
My name is Cindy York. I’m a wife, mother and real estate agent at Forte Realty, owned by my best friend, Jacques Forte. I adore Jacques and he’s fabulous at what he does, but unfortunately soon after he acquired the business, the real estate market dried up in New York State. The weather is sweltering outside while our sales have been downright cold.
My husband Greg is a wonderful man who I’m madly in love with but he’s somewhat possessed as of late. He’s always thinking about romance (eye roll) while all I want to do is to sleep. I have three children plus a mother-in-law who comes airmailed straight from hell. Unfortunately, she’s all I have for babysitting options, unless I want to ask my moody teenaged daughter. Hey, we all have problems, right?
Anyway, back to the real estate market situation. Jacques was getting prepared to make some drastic changes but then we got the phone call from Ben Steadman, asking me to list his mansion for sale. I should be thrilled. I mean, this is the deal of a lifetime for me. Up until now I’ve been selling tar paper shacks at a modest rate. There’s only one problem with this fantastic deal. Ben’s brother, Paul, was my best friend. He killed himself in that same house 25 years ago, and I was the one to find his lifeless body. So as you might guess, I’m not in any hurry to go near the place again.
Paul visits me frequently in my dreams. Try as I might, I can’t erase the vision of finding him curled up in a fetal position, gun in hand. He had just won a full scholarship to medical school. He was rich, good looking, and a brain. Like the saying, he had everything going for him. So why, you might ask, did he do this? And how was I not even remotely aware what was running through his head that day?
Since Greg was out of town, Jacques agreed to accompany me to my 25th high school reunion being held at the Steadman mansion. Ben’s wife, Michelle, was a former classmate of mine and Paul’s. I kept chanting the same words over and over in my head: I can do this, I can do this. And actually, things weren’t that bad until we opened the time capsule after dinner and I found Paul’s note addressed to me. Me.
I won’t go into detail about everything that he said, but believe me, it was a doozy. And now I know the truth. There’s no way Paul committed suicide.
Someone killed him.
How does one go about looking for a murderer after 25 years? If you’ve got any ideas, please feel free to send them along. I need all the help I can get right now. . .
Because I won’t rest until I find out who did this to my friend.
Priced To Kill is the second book in the Cindy York mystery series, published by Gemma Halliday Publishing, April 2016.
Some secrets aren’t meant to stay buried forever.
Real estate agent and super sleuth, Cindy York, has always been haunted by thoughts of her childhood friend, Paul Steadman, who committed suicide 25 years ago. A high school reunion and the prospective sale of his former home—where Cindy was the one to discover his lifeless body—bring the memories back in full force. New boss and best friend, Jacques Forte, pleads with her to accept the listing as their agency is going through some rough financial times. But Cindy gets more than she negotiated for when new information comes to light that convinces her Paul’s death was anything but self-inflicted. Vowing justice for her friend, Cindy’s meddling only leads to further complications with the Steadman family as she quickly uncovers hot details to a very cold case. Cindy needs to close the deal and find a killer—before she too winds up six feet under!
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About the author
Catherine is the #1 best-selling cozy mystery author of Tastes Like Murder. She lives in a male dominated household that consists of her very patient husband, three sons, and assorted cats and dogs. Catherine holds a B.A. in English/Performing Arts and is a former newspaper reporter and press release writer. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. Her next release, Burned to a Crisp, is scheduled for Fall 2016.
Links: Website |Â Facebook | Twitter
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GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment below for your chance to win either a print (US entries only, please) or e-book (open to everyone) of Priced To Kill. The giveaway will end April 27, 2016 at 12 AM EST. Good luck everyone!
All comments are welcomed.
I would love to win a print copy of this book. It sounds like a great read. Thank you for your giveaway. I am looking forward to reading it.I think it would be hard to sell the house where you found a friend who committed suicide.
I loved the first book and can’t wait to read this one, just to see what the snarky mother-in-law is up to. Thanks for the chance to win a print copy!
So happy that you enjoyed Killer Transaction, Doward, and hope you like this one, too!
I would love to win. Copy of Priced To Kill. Thank you for the chance
There’s some thing that is fascinating about high school reunions, not to mention the death and possible murder of a very dear friend. Looking forward to reading this.
Sounds like a very good read!!!
Sounds like a fun read.
Wow! Great introduction! I would love to read this!
Sounds like a great book and I’d love to read it. Thanks for a chance to enter.
I love Catherine Bruns’ books. Thank you for this chance!
Just started reading this last night and it is hard to put down! Great choice, Dru! (Don’t enter me into this contest-I just wanted you to know it is good!!!) 🙂
Thank you for your kind words about the book, Barbara!
Reunions – ugg – had enough of them years ago but still make for good stories. The book sounds terrific!
Catherine Bruns is one of my favorite authors. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of her book!
Sounds like an other great cozy! Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
wfnren at aol dot com
Can’t wait to read this book, it sounds like a lot of fun. Thanks for the giveaway.
allenxpaa@msn.com
A delightful cozy. Thanks for this great feature and giveaway.
Wow, quite the storyline, sounds like something you really want to read to find out the truth, ty for the chance
This would be a great book to add to my cozy challenge list. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
The synopsis of this book lays out quite a story line. Thanks Dru Ann for sharing Catherine Bruns book with us. I’d love to have a print copy if I win. robeader53@yahoo.com
I’m headed to a class reunion next month—I wonder want memories it might bring back. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I went to mine last year and have to say that I actually enjoyed myself, but then again, I didn’t end up investigating a murder either, lol! Thanks for your comment!
Would love to win a print copy of this title….Have been wanting to read this series! Thank you for the chance
I would love to win a copy of Priced to Kill! Thank you so much for the giveaway!
Sounds like a fantastic book. Looking forward to reading Priced To Kill. Would love to win a print copy.
I look forward to reading this book, after I get the first book in the series. This series is going on my TBR list.Thanks for the chance to win.
Looking forward to reading this! A print copy would be wonderful –
I would love to win a print copy. This sounds like a great new series for me to explore.
Goodness! A time capsule note. What a great plotline.
This sounds like an amazing read. Catherine Bruns’ books get great reviews. I would enjoy reading this one. Thanks for the chance.
Thank you, Dianne! I hope you will enjoy it!
Wow, what a cliff hanger. Now I have to read it just to find out what was said in the letter. This is a new author to me and I’m looking forward to exploring her books.
How interesting! Sounds like a wonderful read. I’d love the chance to win. Thank you.
Looking forward to reading this one, sounds great! Thankyou for the opportunity!
Sounds like a winner.
Oh WOW WEE…this sure does sound like a super duper awesome book. This is also a brand new author for me and am so excited to read her new book!!! Thanks so much dear Dru for the chance to win!!! God bless you!!!
Oh, awesome! Sounds like a great mystery. I can tell I am going to love Cindy York.
Oh I would love to have a print copy ..especially if it’s signed,lol thanks for the chance
This looks great! Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Sounds like a fun read.
This sounds most interesting. Would love a copy and Thanks for the opportunity to win.
You find the neatest books to read. I loved reading the copy of “Kernel of Truth ” by Kristi Abbott that you sent. First of her books I’ve read and won’t be the last:) thank you so much for the reviews you write and the contests !
have seen this cover popping up constantly and it is such a tempting read..thanks for the chance