My mother is chairing a gala.
If you know my mother, that is all you need to know.
If you don’t know Frances Walford, the thought of a woman chairing a gala probably doesn’t strike fear into your heart. My chest has been frozen with terror since she realized that zucchini cups filled with carrot puree cost substantially more than glazed carrots.
For one diner, the cost difference is middling. For eight hundred, the cost adds up.
It should go without saying that Mother is determined to produce the most elegant, financially successful ball Kansas City has ever seen. She doesn’t much care who she flattens to do it. Especially not if the pancake is me.
Already she’s borrowed my housekeeper, had me design the invitation (can you make it a bit less artsy, dear?), and put me on the ambiance and benefactor committees.
Mother is relentless in her pursuit of perfection.
She has planned for every contingency, considered everything that might go wrong and crafted a solution. Frankly, if Mother had been running things instead of General Westmoreland, we would have been out of Vietnam in six months.
The one thing she can’t control, the thing that keeps her up at night, is my new found propensity of finding bodies. Dead bodies.
“Ellison.” She waves her finger in my face. “If you find a body the night of my party, you will not tell anyone. Not. A. Soul.”
“Of course not, Mother.” Then, because I have a contrary streak wider than the green on the fifteenth hole, I ask, “Should I hide the body in a closet?”
“You’re not funny.”
I am funny. I’m hilarious. . .until the person seated next to me at Mother’s gala is poisoned.
Clouds In My Coffee is the third book in The Country Club Murders mystery series, published by Henery Press, May 2016.
When Ellison Russell is nearly killed at a benefactors’ party, she brushes the incident aside as an unhappy accident. But when her house is fire-bombed, she’s shot at, and the person sitting next to her at a gala is poisoned, she must face facts. Someone wants her dead. But why? And can Ellison find the killer before he strikes again?
Add in an estranged sister, a visiting aunt with a shocking secret, and a handsome detective staying in her guesthouse, and Ellison might need more than cream in her coffee. . .
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About the author
Julie Mulhern is the USA Today bestselling author of The Country Club Murders.
She is a Kansas City native who grew up on a steady diet of Agatha Christie. She spends her spare time whipping up gourmet meals for her family, working out at the gym and finding new ways to keep her house spotlessly clean–and she’s got an active imagination. Truth is–she’s an expert at calling for take-out, she grumbles about walking the dog and the dust bunnies under the bed have grown into dust lions.
Connect with Julie at juliemulhern.com, @juliekmulhern and on Facebook.
Giveaway: Leave comment below for your chance to win a digital copy of The Deep End. The giveaway will end May 17, 2016 at 12 AM EST. Good luck everyone!
All comments are welcomed.
Sounds like an adventure. Mothers can be demanding for sure at times. I’d love to see how Ellison figures out this mystery!
Thanks for taking time to comment, Donna! As always, Ellison gets by with a little help from her friends…
I would love to win a digital copy of The Deep End. Thank you for a chance to win it.
Thanks so much for taking time to comment!
If you aren’t familiar with Julie Mulhern’s books, the covers would draw you to them. Ellison Russell seems to be a real interesting character and I can’t wait to get to know her better. Thanks for including her on your blog. robeader53@yahoo.com
Thanks so much for taking a moment to comment. Ellison IS interesting and interesting things are always happening to her.
Dru, thanks so much for hosting Ellison and me today!
I think I have been missing a delightful series. I need this one.
I agree, Amy. You absolutely need this one!
This sounds like a delightful series. I’d love to win this. Difficult mothers are much more fun to read about than to have!
Agreed about mothers!
I love this series and how the author writes, can’t wait to read the latest book. Please keep them coming. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Thanks so much, Patty!!!
Am definitely adding Julie to my TBR list – this sounds like a fun read. Thanks for introducing me to another author I think I’m going to really enjoy.
I hope you’ll move it to the TOP of your TBR list and I hope you LOVE every page!
Sounds hilarious! I haven’t heard of this series, but will be adding it to my books to read list!
Marilyn, so glad that you found the Country Club Murders (thanks, Dru Ann!!!). I hope you’ll enjoy them!
Pretty please Dru, this one is really a killer and I’d love to win it.
Good luck!
Can’t wait to read. This book sounds smazing. I think the setting being a gala makes for an interesting storyline. Adding to my TBR list.
Hopefully on the top!
Would I ever love to win this!
Good luck!
sounds ;like a cute read, would love to win, ty for the chance
Good luck!
I so excited to read this series. Love it.
Thanks, Mary Jane!
next on my to read list…just downloaded the Kindle copy today….I love this series!
Thank you, Paula! <3
Regular family problems plus a murder. Love it.
Hope you love the books as well!
New series for me-and I will have to read it in order 🙂 So 3 new books today, thanks Dru! Thanks Julie for the chance to get started at the beginning!
Hope you love them all! And, thank you for taking a chance on a new series!
I just read an ARC copy of Clouds In My Coffee and loved it. Thank you for the chance to win a digital copy of The Deep End.
Good luck, Peggy!
This series is one of the best ever!!
Paula, you just made my night! Thank you!!!
Sounds great and I love digital copies so please enter me.
Marilyn ewatvess@yhoo.com
Count me in on this giveaway……
Thank you!!
I love the idea of murder at the Country Club and finding a body at a high-end fundraiser (as if they’re not murder to begin with :))