I don’t know why you’d wanna talk to me — I’m not very interesting . . . it’s my granddaughter Lucky you wanna talk to – she’s the star of the show . . . well, she’s the star of my life in any case.
I’m Jack Jamieson and I live in Snowflake, Vermont. I’m retired now, but I spent most of my life in the Navy. I was just a kid when I signed up and WWII was on then, so you can imagine what happened to me. I ended up in the Pacific. Even now, it’s hard to talk about. Sometimes . . . well, sometimes I have some pretty bad spells. When one of ‘em comes over me, I’m back in that boat pullin’ screaming men and bodies out of the ocean, trying to save ‘em from the sharks. Can’t help the spells though. I try but the sight of blood always sets me off.
I guess I picked the Navy for a career because Vermont’s the only state in New England without a seacoast. And the ocean called my name. I wanted to go out to sea and travel the world. I guess that’s why I did it. But I have no complaints. I was one of the lucky ones, I survived and now I’m real glad to be back in Vermont. If I never see the ocean again, it’s just fine with me. These days I help my granddaughter run the By the Spoonful Soup Shop. She could probably do just fine without me, but she keeps telling me she needs me there, so I keep showin’ up.
After all those years in the Navy, I tell time by the bells. It’s the only way I can think of the hours of the day goin’ by. Most people have a hard time gettin’ it, but not Lucky. I taught her pretty good when she was young and now she’s just about the only one who can understand what I’m talkin’ about when I say it’s three bells. She knows exactly what I mean.
Our town, Snowflake, is pretty quiet most of the time. But since Lucky returned . . . wait, I gotta go back a bit. You see, Lucky went off to school in Wisconsin and when my son and his wife, Lucky’s parents, were killed in that damn car accident . . . that’s another thing that’s pretty hard to talk about. Anyway, when that happened, Lucky decided to come home and take over the restaurant, keepin’ me a useful old man I guess.
Most days, I get there early. Sage, our chef, is the first one in and he’s always in the kitchen cookin’ up his soups. They’re great. You’ve gotta stop in and have a bowl. You’ll fall in love with the Spoonful if you do. I take care of the cash register and help out any other way I can – whatever’s needed.
As I was sayin,’ our town’s pretty quiet, but some strange things have happened recently. Last winter, that tourist was murdered and they found her behind the Spoonful. That was a pretty rough time. Sage got arrested, but Lucky . . . she’s so smart, she wasn’t gonna take that. She made it her business to find out who the real murderer was.
And now, it looks like it’s startin’ up all over again. It was when they found that skeleton they think is real old, maybe more than 200 years old. Can you believe that? And they’re pretty sure he’s a Revolutionary War soldier – of all things! Pretty interesting but I knew then it was a bad omen. I knew it was a signal that other things were comin’ down the pike. I just hope I can help Lucky sort it out in our second book, A Broth of Betrayal.
A Broth of Betrayal
Snowflake, Vermont is an old town with roots as deep as the earliest days of the American colonies. And, like any other place on earth, it has its secrets, secrets that have lain buried for years, even centuries, until they erupt . . . in murder. Two men fall victim to a murderer and a woman disappears. Lucky Jamieson, the owner of the By the Spoonful Soup Shop is convinced the missing woman is the key to the mystery, but can Lucky find her before the town discovers another victim?
Thanks to Penguin, I have one (1) copy of A BROTH OF BETRAYAL to give away. Leave a comment to be included in the giveaway. The book will be shipped directly from the publisher. Contest ends April 5; US entries only per publisher’s request.
Meet the author
Connie Archer is the national bestselling author of A Spoonful of Murder, the first in the Soup Lover’s mystery series set in Vermont from Berkley Prime Crime. A Broth of Betrayal was released on April 2, 2013. Connie was born and raised in New England and now lives on the other coast.
Visit her website and blog at www.conniearchermysteries.com. Connie can also be found on Facebook or Twitter.
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
This sounds like it’s going to be a great series! I would love to start it with this book! Thank you!
Hi Carol ~ You certainly can. I know you’d like A Spoonful of Murder, too, since you’d get to like Jack a lot! Thanks for your comment.
I have the first book on my t-b-r list and would love a copy of the 2nd one. Thanks, Dee
Hi Deanna ~ Thanks for joining in!
Thank you for the chance to win. This is a fun series.
Hope you like A Broth of Betrayal . . . lots of things happen in the village!
I read the 1st one and look forward to this one!
Thank you, Sarah. I hope you like A Broth of Betrayal just as much!
I enjoyed the first one so I would love to win the second. Thanks for the opportunity!
Good luck Barbara – happy reading!
Loved A Spoonful of Murder. Would love to win A Broth of Betrayal. Thanks for having this contest.
I’m so excited that A Broth of Betrayal is finally out. And I love to hear from readers too!
I have not read Loved A Spoonful of Murder but I think I will love both books. I’ll be going up to Stowe Vt in May for a week and I do like to read books based there. I would love to win A Broth of Betrayal. Meanwhile, I will get the first one to read.
Oh, that’s great, Diane ~ You’ll be in the right place to be reading this series!
A Spoonful of Murder is a great read. I am looking forward to this second book in the series.
Thanks so much! Good luck and hoping you like A Broth of Betrayal just as much!
I’d love to read this one! I missed the first, but I expect to catch up!
Hi Dorothy ~ I hope you get to enjoy both (2 so far) and right now, a third to come.
I was lucky enough to receive the first book as a gift from a friend and really loved it. I love the character of gramps and totally understand him. I had 3 brothers who went to Viet Nam and they all have PTSD in one form or another..
I’d love to win Broth of Betrayal to add to my home library.
NoraAdrienne(at)gmail(dot)com
Jack still suffers but he does his best – all the best to you and your family!
Hi Connie! I love that you’re doing an interview with your main character! Gets the reader right into the story. Love it! You’re great! And best wishes!
Hi Daco — thanks! Jack actually turned out to be a fave for a lot of people — a salty old sailor!
Oops having trouble with internet – let me try again.
Thanks, Daco — Jack actually turned out to be a fave character – he’s a salty old sailor!
Hmmmmmm – I’d like to meet Jack but he’s probably a bit young for me! Your books sound intriguing. Will add both to my wish list!
Well, Jack does appreciate ladies, but since his wife died, he’s staying single. He wouldn’t be too young, but he insists he’s not growing old!
Would love a copy of your new book! Sounds like a fun read.
Hi Karen ~ I’m a little biased, but I think they’re both great fun! Thanks!
My father was in the Pacific arena in WWII.
This sounds like a great series. I’d love to read it.
Well, as Jack says, it’s fine if he never goes to sea again. I’m sure your Dad would understand that! Good luck Elizabeth!
I want to know more of the secrets of snowflake.
Ahhhh . . . they will be revealed . . . over time . . . after crime!
Connie’s a terrific writer and and even more terrific person (which is probably why she’s a terrific writer), If you don’t win it, buy it–that’s a no-brainer and a no-regreter. And Vermont soup is, indeed, fantastic, just like its collective of writers, resident or, in Connie’s case, relocated (in body, not heart). Vermont drivers? Well, that’s a different story.
Jack delivers, soup and excitment!
And as for Connie–Go Get ’em, Girl!
Hey Gary! Thanks for the shout out!!! Chat with you soon in another venue!
Looking forward to reading this series. It’s going to be a fun read. I love the soup shop theme. Thanks for the giveaway. 🙂
Good luck Stacie! I get so hungry when I write (and read) about the recipes.
I love a mystery and soup is my favorite food, so this series is sure to be a winner with me!
Oh, me too! In the cold weather, I could live on soup . . . and actually in the hot weather too.
Eager to read a bi-coastal author. Please put me in the draw. judydee22002@yahoo dot com
Hi Judy — you’re in! Best of luck and thanks for joining in!
Connie, I loved A Spoonful of Murder! Can’t wait to read Broth ~
Oh thank you, Linda! I hope you love “Broth” just as much!
already on my WishList!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
You’re welcome ~ best of luck!
I was so close to my grandfather—this book having a grandfather as a sub-character should be interesting.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Hi Sue ~ A lot of people have told me they just love Jack, and for me, he’s sort of a blend between my Dad and my father-in-law, who was a Navy man. And he’s definitely been one of my more fun characters to write.
This book sounds wonderful.Thanks for giveaway.lomazowr@gmail.com
Good luck, Rhonda~
Thanks Connie and Jack for visiting today. I’m also looking forward to reading A Broth of Betrayal.
Thanks again, Dru — I’m excited so many people are interested in “Broth!”
Sounds great. Thank you for the giveaway
You’re welcome and best of luck!
WWII settings always draw me. Thanks for the giveaway.
What a great idea for a series! Thanks for visiting Dru! Chrystle Fiedler
I just found out today at work that we are getting a restaurant down the street that will specialize in soups.
Hopefully no murders.
Your book sounds like a winner.
Contest is closed, but comments are always welcome