Most of the time my life in Sugar Grove, NH is pretty sweet. My business is thriving, my family is happy and I enjoy great health. Generally, life here is pretty low stress. There aren’t really any traffic jams. Our idea of a crime wave involves too many people disregarding leash laws and letting their dogs roam loose. Even trips to the post office are free of the sorts of aggravation and strife I’ve heard people from other towns complain about.
So when I have a day or a week when nothing seems to be going my way I can’t really complain. Like my grandmother always says, if life were fair, I’d have a whole lot less. Even though I bear her words of wisdom in mind and do my best not to gripe, I can’t help but say this week has been a doozy. It started with a parking ticket courtesy of my former boyfriend Mitch. Before he could even hand me the citation, I noticed someone had keyed a threatening message into the paint job of my car, which had just come back from the repair shop.
From there, things went down hill like a runaway toboggan on an ice-covered slope. Faster than you can say “pass the maple syrup” I found myself threatened by the local curmudgeon, got lectured on my love life by my older sister and received a disturbing phone call from my mother who claims to be psychic.
I’d like to be able to honestly report that things got better as the week went on but that would be a lie. And I try not to lie. Whenever I do I end up overtaken by primness, like a Victorian spinster who suddenly comes upon a group of skinny dippers.
The truth of it was that I ended up being volunteered to chaperone a group of elementary schoolers on a winter camping trip and tracking a saboteur bent on ruining my plans for an agricultural cooperative. I wish I could say the worst thing that happened was finding a fellow sugar maker’s dead body but that wouldn’t be true either.
In the end though, I was grateful to be alive and living in my favorite place in the world surrounded by my favorite people. Because, despite the unusual week I had arguing to the contrary, my life really is pretty sweet.
You can read more about Dani in Maple Mayhem, the second book in the “Sugar Grove” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is Drizzled with Death.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on July 29 for the chance to win a copy of Maple Mayhem. (US entries only, please.)
Meet the author
A nearly life-long resident of the Granite State, Jessie naturally adores black flies, 98% humidity, killing 
frosts in August and snow banks taller than the average grandmother. When not working on her next murderous adventure she enthusiastically combs the beach, designs bento lunches and throws parties. She delights in mentoring young writers at local schools. Jessie lives with her dark and mysterious husband and exuberant children in a village so small most other New Hampshire residents have never heard of it. Her debut mystery, Live Free or Die, was the 2011 winner of the Daphne DuMaurier Award for Mainstream Mystery.
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I was born and lived in NH for most of my life. This sounds great.
Sounds like a great book, would love to read it
Jessie, this sounds like a fun sequel to your first maple syrup mystery, which I loved. I can’t wait to read it — and I’m also a New Hampshire-ite!
Would love to win a copy of your book. You sound like an interesting person, and that makes for interesting books.
This one is on my wish list , thanks for a chance to win !
I would love to read this book—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
This sounds fun – thank you for the chance to win
This is a new world to me. I would not know a maple tree if one fell on me. But, since I like the syrup, learning will be fun.
I read the first book in the series so I am looking forward to reading this one. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Would love to read this series.
Looks like a great read, thank you for the chance to win it 🙂
“If life were fair, I’d have a whole lot less” – what a great line – something to remember. Your book sounds delightful. BYW, I saw you on a panel at Malice. You did a nice job there too.
Not the best of weeks, is it?
Looks like a good series to put anyone in a positive state of mind. Would love a copy.
A great blog, I want to go to Sugar Grove NH! No need to enter me in the giveaway, I’m going to order it. It sounds like a keeper!
This sounds like another good read. I have never been to New Hampshire, but the small town atmosphere sounds great.
they say that things will get better when you are having a run of bad luck. Just keep waiting. Sounds like a series I’ll have to check into.
I think this series sounds so good, thanks for the tidbit!
A captivating series. Thanks.
Sounds like a great series.
Sounds like a great series. Must get the first book. would love to win the second one.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series. This one sounds great,too.
Busy days in NH sound great when someone else is in the predicaments. Sticky fun. Send a little maple candy in the mix and the book and we will all have a good day!! Wouldn’t it be more fun to swing in the tire than to just use it as a picture frame. Love the pose though!!
Sounds like a good read.
Another series I’m behind in! I was drawn in by the phrase “runaway toboggan on an ice-covered slope”. I can relate to that. Count me in.
I loved the first book and I can’t wait to read this one, it sounds like it is packed with excitement.
I love discovering new cozy series
Loved the first in the series and would love to have the 2nd one
I would love to read Jessie’s book; I try to support local/New England authors or those with connections to the Northeast especially. And this book sounds great too.
Thank you.
Cynthia
Great new series. Looking forward to reading this one.
This sounds perfect for me. Thanks for the chance to win.
another series added to my Wish List!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
I would love to take a literary vacation to NH!
I haven’t tried this series, but would like to! Thank you for having this giveaway!
On my to be read list. Looks like a good read.
I’ve tried twice before to leave a comment.
I’d love to have some new reading material. Thanks.
Would love to try this series!!
Read the first book in this series and enjoyed it. Looking forward to the new one! Thanks for the chance.
Can’t wait to read this book… sounds delightful !!
No need to enter me in the giveaway. I already purchased this book when it was released earlier this month. I just wanted to say it was a wonderful follow-up to the first in the series and I am looking forward to more to come.
This sounds like a fantastic read 🙂
Sounds like a really good book.
This will make a great fall read. Looking foreword to the new one.
Your series sounds interesting. It’s on my wish list.
I’ve always wanted to visit New Hampshire—maybe I’ll just have to settle for reading about it in this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I would love to win a copy of this book! =)
Boy, Dani has a lot of problems, but it makes for a great mystery. I would love to read it. Thanks for this chance to win it.
I love books like this and this one sounds great
Sounds like a great book. Would love to read it.
Loved the first one! I could indulge my love of pancakes & waffles and, of course, real maple syrup without raising my glucose levels. I can smell the bacon. Breakfast is my favorite meal– any time of the day! Thanks for the giveaway chance!
Loved the first in this series and have this book sitting on my shelf beside my bed. Cannot wait to read it. Love your website and will definitely be back for more.
Kimberlee
girllostinabook@hotmail.com
http://www.girllostinabook.com
This sounds like a great summer read, I can’t wait to delve into it!
Loved the first book and looking forward to reading the second one! Great series.
contest is closed.