Mama here, otherwise known as Flora Sudberry Periwinkle Ramirez Scoffield Goldberg O’Keefe. Dru invited me to her blog today to tell you all about my daughter’s latest adventure in Revenge of the Crafty Corpse, the third book in Lois Winston’s Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries.
I swear, I don’t know what’s gotten into Anastasia. Ever since her husband Karl Pollack permanently cashed in his chips in Las Vegas, revealing himself to be a no-good, lying louse, she thinks she’s Sherlock Holmes. Although, I don’t think even Sherlock Holmes stumbled across dead bodies at the rate my daughter does. Nor did Sherlock have as many people trying to kill him. You’d think Anastasia works in law enforcement given all those dead bodies, but she’s the crafts editor at a women’s magazine, for heaven’s sake! Hardly your typical life-threatening occupation. And yet, my daughter’s life keeps getting threatened. I tell you, it’s enough to turn this mother’s strawberry blonde hair gray. Thank goodness for Miss Clairol!
Being permanently saddled with Lucille, Karl’s communist mother, should be enough bad Karma for my daughter. Not by a long shot. The louse also left her with drained bank accounts and more debt than your average third world nation.
I had hoped there’d be one less thorn in our sides after author Lois Winston had the good sense to dump a stroke and brain tumor on the commie pinko at the end of Death By Killer Mop Doll, the second book in the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries. I was so looking forward to having the bedroom all to myself! But then, much to my dismay, Lois didn’t kill off Lucille. The commie recovered, and in Revenge of the Crafty Corpse, Lucille is installed in an assisted living and rehab center. At least I have the bedroom all to myself temporarily, which is convenient since I have a new beau. Too bad Medicare will only cover a month of rehab for Lucille. Then, unfortunately, we get her back.
Of course, being Lucille, she does nothing but complain from the moment she arrives at the center, going so far as to threaten to strangle her extremely talkative roommate. Guess what happens next.
Things are looking up for me when Lucille becomes the prime suspect in the murder of Lyndella Wegner, a ninety-eight year old crafting maven with a penchant for ruffles, lace, and hedonistic pursuits. Maybe I shouldn’t have gloated so much over the prospect of Lucille spending the rest of her days behind bars. My daughter, being the Goody Two Shoes that she is, doesn’t believe the Bolshevik is capable of murder. Of course, I tell her to leave the investigating to the professionals, but does she ever listen to me? No. She sets out to find the real killer, once again putting her own life in jeopardy. Not that Lucille appreciates Anastasia’s efforts on her behalf, but like I said, my daughter’s a Goody Two Shoes.
Meanwhile, if Anastasia does get Lucille off the hook, the commie curmudgeon is going to be in for the shock of her life when she comes home to discover the existence of a long-lost relative who showed up at our door. I can’t wait to see the expression on her face. Maybe she’ll drop dead from shock.
And just so you don’t get the wrong idea, I’m really not a bad person. Just ask anyone other than Lucille. That woman can drive a saint to cavort with the devil. The only reason author Lois Winston keeps her around is because she’s the character readers love to hate. Or so she tells me.
** Lois is giving away one (1) autographed copy of REVENGE OF THE CRAFTY CORPSE. Contest open to US residents only and ends January 12. Leave a comment to be included in the giveaway. Book will be shipped directly from the author. **
Meet the author
Award-winning author Lois Winston writes the critically acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries series featuring magazine crafts editor and reluctant amateur sleuth Anastasia Pollack. Assault With a Deadly Glue Gun, a January 2011 release, was the first book in the series and received starred reviews from both Publishers Weekly and Booklist. Kirkus Reviews dubbed it, “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum” Death By Killer Mop Doll was released in 2012. Revenge of the Crafty Corpse is available now. Lois also writes romance, romantic suspense, humorous women’s fiction, and non-fiction under her own name and as Emma Carlyle.
Visit Lois at www.loiswinston.com, visit Emma at www.emmacarlyle.com, and visit Anastasia at the Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers character blog, www.anastasiapollack.blogspot.com.
Revenge of the Crafty Corpse is available in trade paperback and as an ebook.
If her book is half as funny as her post was here, I am in!
I can’t enter the contest 🙁 but I’m looking forward to reading about Anastasia’s latest adventure.
Wow. I’d love to win a copy of this book. Dee
I love that series… they make my family look normal. I’d love to win a copy of that book for my home library. It would make a great addition.
NoraAdrienne(at)gmail(dot)com
Good point, Nora Adrienne. Although, normal is as normal does. 🙂
I would love to win!
I love crafty mysteries. Thank you for the chance to win.
griperang at embarqmail dot com
Thank you, scrapgirl1467, Elaine, Deanna, noraadrienne, and Angela for stopping by and your kind words.
Scrapgirl1467, I can promise you the series is even funnier than the post was, so I hope you’ll give it a try. Do start with the first book, though, ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY GLUE GUN. It’s always best to be begin at the beginning, as the scarecrow told Dorothy.
Another series that I will need to check out! I’m not sure how I’ve missed it.
afarage@earthlink.net
A great post. Would love to win.
nlb1050 at yahoo dot com
OMG – this sounds like a stitch!
Would love to read it.
OMG how did I miss these books!
They sound amazing.
I really have enjoyed this series – I’m definitely looking forward to reading this next book! 🙂
Alicia, Nancy, Karen, and Katrina, I hope you’ll enjoy the series. Please let me know if you do read the books. I love hearing from readers.
Jan, thanks so much! So glad you’re enjoying the series.
Oops! Forgot to mention rl. Hope you check out the series, too!
Lucille makes all other mother-in-laws look like saints – what a great character!
Great post, Lois. Thoroughly enjoyed the other two books and expect this one will be just as fun. Looking forward to reading it!
I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed the other two editions in this series and look to more trouble with her whole family! Thanks for opportunity to win a copy!
Lynn/MI
I have Killer Mop Doll and definitely want Revenge, so please put me in the draw. Thanks. Judy Dee/SoCal
So glad you’ve enjoyed the series so far, Lynn!
I think my wife would love to hang out with this crafty crowd. Please enter my name in the draw. Thanks, Happy 2013!!
I love your crafty books. Mops, Glues and all. I thought Lucille was terminated, but no,
she’s back with her commie comments,
and devilish deeds.
I adore your humorous writing and would love to win “Revenge of the Crafty Corpse”.
Well done Lois! Bringing belly laughs to readers which is the best medicine.
Coco
Consider it done, carlrscott. Good luck!
Coco, how could I terminate Lucille? She’s the character readers love to hate!
BTW, everyone, how’s this for a bit of irony? Last week I burned myself with my glue gun! You wouldn’t believe the scar I now have all along the inner side of my pinkie! At least it no longer hurts.
I want to read this book to meet Lucille so I can have a cozy character to hate. I need to see if she can actually be worse than my deceased mother-in-law.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Please count me in. This sounds like a must read! Thanks for the offer!!
another series to be added to my WishList!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
LOL, Suekey12! We should compare MIL’s!
Thanks for stopping by, Sandie and cyn209! You’re both in the drawing.
Love this series! Please enter my name in the drawing. Thank you.
pennyt
Would love to win the book!
Thanks so much, Penny!
Glad to see you here, Cathy!
Anastasia rules! She’s smart and creative, a good mother and a patient daughter, whether in law or outlaw. I want to know what’s going on with the guy over the garage….
Irene, you’ll be happy to know that you’re curiosity will be answered in REVENGE OF THE CRAFTY CORPSE. 🙂
I’m primed for reading this book after just buying and reading Crewel Intentions. Love this series!
Thanks so much, Nancy! Glad you enjoyed Crewel Intentions. It was fun to take Anastasia on a little side adventure. I hope to do more in the future.
contest is closed.
I tried to comment on a few other posts, like the Coffee Grounds murder and your blog will not let me (no comment box) I did add a few authors to my book buying list, especially the coffee themed murders..i have to read those..LOL Awesome reviews, guest posts etc this week Dru!
Funny you should mention this in Clues ‘n News while I was on my way to Amazon. LOL… I love romance, but have been reading more mystery and suspense lately. Sign me up, please.