I love my grandfather. Not only was he my number one hero as I grew up, but after I lost my job as an accountant with Washington Heritage Financial (I had nothing to do with that scandal. I’m not even clear on what junk bonds are) and after my fiancé called off our future, my Grandy invited me to move in with him in his big ol’ house in Wenwood, NY. How could I not love him?
Okay, so he does have this… habit. The doctor told him to watch his sugar intake. He’s just turned eighty, healthy and energetic, but his blood sugar gets a little high. So what do I do? I make sure there’s no temptation for him in the house, plus, I bring home lots of fresh fruit to snack on. What does he do? Hides butterscotch candies in the double-boiler, devil dogs in the linen closet, and heaven knows where he’s stashed the caramels but I find the wrappers in the darndest places.
Or, more to the point, the kitten finds the wrappers and chases them all over the house, all hours of the day. Her name is Friday, and the vet figures she’s not more than ten weeks old, so she’s still all kitten. Would you believe I found her in a box in a parking lot only a couple weeks after I arrived in Wenwood? It’s such a small town, and long past its prime (though the new marina promises to breathe some new life into the area, here’s hoping) that you wouldn’t expect anyone to treat an animal so poorly. Yet there she was, abandoned in a beer carton.
But really, I shouldn’t be too surprised. After all, the same week I found the kitten, the police had found the owner of the hardware store, dead. As if that’s not bad enough, they thought for a while it was Grandy who had done him in. Thank heavens we got that sorted out. But it just goes to show you: small towns, big troubles.
Thankfully, nothing as horrible has happened since. I’m mostly having a quiet summer here, spending my days working on some stained glass pieces or taking walks along the riverfront — provided I haven’t lost too much sleep trying to block out Grandy’s wall-rattling snoring or the kittens’ nocturnal antics. I help out Grandy at the Dine-In Theater he owns, doing payroll and even waiting some tables when he’s short on staff, and at least twice a week I meet a couple friends for coffee in Grace’s Luncheonette (which, incidentally, hasn’t changed a bit since I was a kid).
My life is nowhere near the same as it was when I was living in the city. I really thought that would bother me. Turns out, I’ve come to love my quiet life in Wenwood. New pet, new friends –there might even be a new guy. But one thing at a time, I figure. Right now, I plan on enjoying my summer as best I can — plant some vegetables, explore new patterns in stained glass, and who knows? Maybe I’ll even get lost in a good book.
You can read more about Georgia in Ill-Gotten Panes, the first book in the new “Stained Glass” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. Book is available at retail and online booksellers.
GIVEAWAY
Comment on this post by 6 p.m. EST on July 4, and you will be entered for a chance to win a copy of ILL-GOTTEN PANES. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
Meet the author
Jennifer McAndrews’s love of mystery began mumble-mumble years ago in middle school, and despite the occasional foray into romance fiction, she is happiest when weaving puzzles on the page and leaving a trail of clues for the reader to follow. Visit her online at www.jennifermcandrews.com to learn about her other publications and upcoming projects.
Follow dru’s book musing on Facebook for book giveaways, contests, posting about discounted books and some of my reading musings.
Looks like a fun new series. I look foreword to reading it.
I don’t know how you do it, but you’ve found another great-sounding series.
I’m in (as usual). I love stained glass, I like cats and I’m always interested in people in transition.
Sounds like a great new series , would love to read it
This looks like a good book, thank you for the chance to win.
Sounds like a really good book. Thanks for the chance to win.
sounds great!
Living with grandpa, a new kitten, possible new man and a couple bodies here and there, sounds like a great read to me.
Love trying new series! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Gorgeous cover. Have to find out why they thought Grandy did it.
This looks like a fun series! Thanks for posting about it, Dru Ann! 🙂
Hi Dru, I love the cover on this one and our detective sounds like a lovely young woman…. Toss my hat into the contest ring please.
Sounds like a fun read. I can relate to Grandy – my husband was very seimilar in his taste for sugar.
Sounds like a great series to me!
This sounds good! Thank you!
This series is new to me but sounds very interesting……especially since I once dabbled in making stained glass from hanging pieces to a hanging lamp back in the late 60s. Still have boxes of beautiful old glass packed away, alas! Would love to win “ill-Gotten Panes”
I can hardly wait to read this. It’s all things I love … cozy, personal, home town and fun, with a mystery to boot!
Sounds like a great read, Jen. I’d love to read this.
Looks great, thank you for the chance 🙂
Thank you for the chance to win. I’m really looking forward to this one!
lisaksbookreivew@aol.com
What a great sounding series! No need to enter me (just bought it!) but thank you so much for hosting this giveaway and introducing the book!
So glad to have a chance to read another Jennifer McAndrews mystery. Congratulations on the new release!
Sounds good to me, I love stained glass so I definitely will be reading this. Thanks for the chance to win.
This sounds great. I can’t wait to read it.
Between her grandfather and the kitten, I suggest a good set of earplugs!
This is my kind of book! What’s not to like with a kitten and a wonderful grandfather. I can hardly wait to read it.
Sounds like a good book.
I have thought for awhile that moving to a very slow moving town would be an ideal situation. Of course – small town – you cannot have too many dead bodies or you would run out of population.
Love stained glass!! We have stained glass decorations in many of our windows. Should be interesting to see how a kitty handles that while looking out of the house windows. Sounds like the grandfather in this series is going to be a very interesting character. Fun fun fun and mystery—what could be better?!?!
Sounds like a great new series!
I love getting in on the ground floor of a new series.
Okay, a city dweller to country dweller, N.Y., a murder, a senior character, a business owner, what’s not to love about this book? Sounds like a great read.
Lauigl [at] carolina [dot] rr [dot] com
Love stained glass! I also love starting in on a new series. This one sounds great.
I just love stained glass, cute kittens and a new book series. Congratulations Jennifer on the new series. I just love these little cozies and am thoroughly addicted to them and not ashamed at all. I’d love to win this book as I’ve never won anything in my life.
Sounds like an interesting series.
This looks great! Can’t wait to read it!!!
Georgia’s grandfather sounds like a fun character. Please add me for Ill-Gotten Panes. Thanks!
Looks like a good one. Looking forward to reading this.
Sounds like a series I would like to try. Thanks for giving me a chance to win a copy of Ill-Gotten Panes.
another new cozy series to start!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
A fun one for sure.
Sounds like a great new series
kaye.killgore@comcast.net
Cute! Love the grandpa! Looks like a great read!
Stained glass is a new twist. I like it! Also, how can you lose with a kitten and a feisty grandpa?
I would love to read this book—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
An interesting book which would be enjoyed. Many thanks.
I can’t wait to read this…sounds like a great new series.
i’d love to win a copy of this!
Kittens and cozies are just the perfect combination.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com,
Thanks for this great post. I would love to read this book. Sounds kinda like the little small town I live in.
Angie Young
angiey1974@hotmail.com
http://thelittlereadingcabin.blogspot.com
Wow this sounds like a great book. Would love to get the chance to read it!
Angie Young
angiey1974@hotmail.com
http://thelittlereadingcabin.blogspot.com
Sounds like another good one. Thanks for the chance to win>
contest is closed