Instead of telling you about a day in my life, which can be kind of dull, how about if I told you about a night in my life? Last night. At my night job.

It was midnight, and I was visiting the tiny town of Los Ranchos in Southern California. Located halfway between two powerhouse cities, Malibu and Calabasas, Los Ranchos is a place where not much happens. I was hanging outside the porch of Means Well Ranch; home, up until a week ago, to the late JoJo Means, wealthy matriarch of the somewhat dysfunctional Means family. I was previewing a prospective case at a time carefully selected to avoid any interruptions. Although breaking and entering was one of my favorite pastimes, I carried a key for tonight’s visit, provided by the client. Except she wasn’t expecting me till much later, like in twelve hours.

I’m not a full-fledged private investigator yet, meaning my license to investigate hasn’t been issued, but I’ve had plenty of real-life experience, thanks to my P.I. father. I’d worked with Dad, and handled a few freelance gigs on my own, when I wasn’t at my day job, that is. Private investigating is what I do when I’m not skirting around the legal department of Ameripictures Film Studios, where I work as a junior attorney.

Why was I visiting Means Well Ranch? My job was to cast aside any lingering possibility that the death of 72-year-old JoJo Means wasn’t all that peaceful. A possibility her sister wanted me to explore. Unfortunately, the only evidence she had to go on was a half-baked psychic vision that JoJo was murdered.

As a hardcore skeptic of fortune tellers, I almost turned down the job, but I had two reasons to take it. One, a strong desire to prove the psychic was a fraud, and two, the case could help get my PI agency up and running.

I let myself into a sturdy Victorian home sitting dead center of fenced-in pastures. With my penlight leading the way, I weaved past antique furnishings that were the real deal, fashioned by expert craftsmen. It was like stepping back in time, circa 1900, except ladies back then didn’t dress in black sweats or don suede ankle boots. Nor did they carry pistols or stash Japanese throwing stars in their belt buckles. Well, maybe the pistols. Before I could take a closer look, a floorboard creaked, and I dove behind a velvet settee. I froze, penlight off. The sound came from the porch, a weighty creaking that lasted a tad too long. Was somebody out there? There certainly was.

Giveaway: Lida has generously offered to give away one print or kindle copy of Murderous Means. To enter, please leave a comment below. One entry per person and the giveaway is limited to U.S. residents only. Giveaway ends December 27, 2023. Good luck everyone!

Murderous Means, A Southern California Mystery Book #6
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: December 2023
Format: Print, Digital
Purchase Link

Corrie Locke may not be the best rookie lawyer in town, but when it comes to catching a killer, let’s just say, she’s got enough skills to bring a band of shifty-eyed suspects to their knees.

When the wealthy matriarch of the dysfunctional Means family dies in her sleep, Corrie’s hired to prove the death was anything but peaceful. Problem is, the only evidence she has to go on is a half-baked psychic vision that the matriarch was murdered. To put the matter to rest, Corrie sets her sights on proving the psychic’s a fraud. After all, everyone knows psychics are crack-pots. But what should be a simple investigation morphs into something deadly.

The deeper Corrie digs, the more bizarre truths are revealed. Tempers and temperatures rise as she trails a cunning killer who will do whatever it takes to shut the investigation down before the real truth comes to light. It’s up to Corrie to catch a killer…who’s about to strike again.

About the author
Lida Sideris is the author of the Southern California Mysteries. The series is loosely based on her former life, working as an entertainment attorney for a movie studio…kind of like her heroine, Corrie Locke… except without the homicides. Lida is a recipient of the Helen McCloy Mystery Writers of America Scholarship Award and a 2x Killer Nashville, Silver Falchion Award finalist. Lida lives in the northern tip of Southern California with her family, rescue dogs, and a flock of uppity chickens. To learn more, please visit LidaSideris.com.