A year ago, I quit my high-powered financial consultant job at Stramp Investments in Kansas City and bought the old dime store in my hometown—Shadow Bend, Missouri, population 4028. At the time of my resignation, I had no idea that my boss had been stealing investors’ life savings. However, a lot of people thought Ronald Stramp’s employees were as guilty as he was, and having left several months before he was exposed didn’t spare me from the accusations or the venom. I was even persecuted for a murder that I didn’t commit, because one of the funds Stramp had ripped off belonged to a police officer’s group.
Thank goodness, with the help of my friends and a hunky U.S. Marshal named Jake Del Vecchio, I was able to figure out who the real killer was before the detective in charge managed to railroad me into the electric chair. After that incident, I had hoped never to be involved in another police investigation. Sadly, my wish wasn’t granted and I now have two more cases under my belt.
A few months after I was falsely accused, my BFF Boone St. Onge suffered the same fate when he was discovered standing over the dead body of one of his law clients. Once again, we had to rally the troops to discover whodunit. The troops being my other BFF, Poppy Kincaid, owner of Shadow Bend’s hottest club, Gossip Central and daughter of the police chief.
This time, my old high school boyfriend, Dr. Noah Underwood, joined us to lend a hand. It was a little awkward having Noah as part of our crew. The rivalry between Boone and Noah started way back in sixth grade over a campaign for class president, continued throughout high school, and into their adult lives. When Noah and I were dating, he and Boone pretended to get along. But the minute Noah dumped me, Boone’s true feelings had reemerged. And from then on, he never bothered to hide his contempt for the good doctor. Noah had since explained why he broke up with me right after my father was sent to prison, and even if I believed him, Boone didn’t.
However, we all managed to play nicely, find the real killer, and clear Boone’s name. After that, I was sure I had solved my last case. Apparently, I was wrong again. Recently, I allowed the local book club to meet at my store. Who knew that bad poetry could mean life or death? I should probably let the police solve this case, but I think I might have been bitten by the sleuthing bug. Besides, the creep got killed on my property and I’ve never been one to disrespect like that lying down.
You can read more about Devereaux in Dead Between the Lines, the third book in the “Devereaux’s Dime Store” mystery series, published by Obsidian. The first book in the series is Little Shop of Homicide. Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
Dead Between the Lines debuts on March 4, 2014
Opening an old-fashioned five-and-dime shop in her small Missouri hometown has been a great change for Devereaux “Dev” Sinclair. To keep her new business in the black, Dev opens up her shop to local clubs. But in the first meeting of the Stepping Out Book Club, the speaker storms out after members attack his poetry’s sexism and scorn for small towns. Later that night, the poet’s body is found outside Dev’s store.Dev can’t afford for the murder to close her down, so she does a little stepping out of her own to investigate, with help from her two sexy suitors, Dr. Noah Underwood and Deputy U.S. Marshal Jake Del Vecchio. But when the killer threatens Dev, they will have to use every trick in the book to solve the case before she becomes the final chapter in this murder mystery.
“Delightful.…Readers will look forward to seeing more of the quick-witted Dev.”—Publishers Weekly
“[A] spunky new heroine with a Missouri stubborn streak.”—Library Journal (Starred Review)
“Swanson puts just the right amount of sexy sizzle in her latest engaging mystery.” –Chicago Tribune
GIVEAWAY: Comment on this post by 6pm EST on March 16, and you will be entered for a chance to win a copy of DEAD BETWEEN THE LINES. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
Meet the author
New York Times Bestselling author Denise Swanson writes both the Scumble River and Devereaux’s Dime Store mystery series. Denise was a practicing school psychologist for twenty-two years and grew up in a small town similar to Shadow Bend and Scumble River. She is married to classic music composer David Stybr and lives in Illinois with her cool black cat Boomerang.
Visit Denise at www.DeniseSwanson.com | Facebook | Twitter
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Sounds like another great series. I just put Little Shop of Homicide on my t-b-r list at the library.
Thanks, Gram! Hope you enjoy it.
This sounds like a good series to start. As a kid I loved dime stores. That probably tells my age.
Nancy! I loved my hometown dime store, too.
I remember going to the dime store when I was a child. I’d love to read this! Thank you for the giveaway!
I am a fan of Denise’s books. Thank you for the chance to win
Thanks, Carol! I
Thanks, Carol
the 1st book in this series was good!!! I need to step up my reading to catch up to this book!!
thank you for the giveaway!!
Hope you enjoy the next two as well, Cyn.
I really want to start this series!
This sounds wonderful, I always loved dime stores and miss them.
Been Franklins, Woolworths… Dime stores are some of my childhood memories as well. I simply have to start this series!
Enjoyed hearing from Devereaux! I enjoy Swanson’s Scumble River books and am sure I would like these too! Thanks!
One of my favorite series and authors!
I loved going to dime stores as a child with my grandmother so I think I would really like this series because it would trigger good memories.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Thanks for hosting me, Dru.
Oh I don’t know how I missed this series. I love the description of the series and this book. I will throw my hat into the ring for a free copy. Thank you so much Dru Ann and Denise for thinking of us.
I loved dime stores when I was younger too. LOL I remember buying two sleeveless blouses for $1 each! Would love this series. Thank you for the chance.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Sounds like a great series.
New to me series, thanks for the giveaway !
Sounds like a fun series. Made me remember going to Grant’s (?) dime store with my grandparents and having the special treat of eating lunch at the counter. A hot dog never tasted so good!
Love Denise Swanson. I’ve always loved shopping in what we use to call “five and dimes”. Woolworths and McCroy’s were my favorites.
Thanks for the intro to a new to me series.
Sounds like a fun series – would love to win a copy
Who knew that a book club meeting could become so exciting?
Love the series, and I want this book. Toss my hat into the contest ring please Dru.
I have enjoyed Denise’s writing a lot, and have book one read so would love to win any further books in this series. Thank you for the chance.
I love the sound of this, I’ve got to go get the first to catch up. Thanks for the chance to win.
I remember five and dime stores as a kid. Mom used to take me there on some Saturdays and I got to splurge with my quarter. What can one possible buy for that today? The idea sounds very interesting. Would love to see what can be done with that as a cozy?
Looks like a fun series. we had White’s Variety 5 and 10 store in my home town. 1.00 bought a lot of toys and candy.
Sounds like another “can’t wait to read it” book, but then all Denise’s books fall into that category!
Looking forward to reading this one. Thanks for the chance to win.
Looks and sounds like a great series! The cover pulled me right in with the knife piercing the poor book. A person certainly I can understand, but whoever would stab a book is clearly a monster. grin.
I’d love a chance to win this one! I’m currently reading her Scumble River series!
I just finished Little Shop of Homicide and loved it. I’ve read several of the Scumble River series and love them too.
kaye.killgore@comcast.net
Thanks Denise.
Loved the first two & this is on my TBR with intent to purchase digital if library doesn’t buy. They do have stumble river series. I did suggest this series for purchase. Thanks for the giveaway.
What a cast of characters! I would love to know more about them. Guess I need to get started on #1.
I guess we all remember 5 & 10’s but now there is not much that fits that description. I’m thankful for this site as I found so many mysteries I can’t wait to read. This sounds like a wonderfully engaging one. If we win will you autograph it? Raising my hand to enter! 🙂
Haven’t read any books by this author. I think the Ben Franklin store used to be called a five and dime. They had a store out of town. I remember going there when I was a kid or teen.
This book sounds like a really good and fun mystery with some great characters. I would love to read it. Thanks for having the giveaway.
I LOVED going to the 5 and dime as a kid..it was a treat! I have not read this author yet..looks like I need to add it to my list..
I haven’t had a chance to read this series yet but plan on it in the future. Thank you for a chance to win a copy of Dead Between the Lines.
Contest is closed.