The alarm buzzed. I rolled over, turned it off, pulled the down comforter up under my chin, and sighed with pleasure. It was the start of my first full day as manager of Redwood Cove Bed and Breakfast.
I did my morning routine, then headed for the workroom and was greeted by the scent of baking pastries floating down the hallway. Helen, an employee of the inn, said hi as she pulled a tray of croissants from the oven.
Her young son, Tommy, gave me an enthusiastic good morning. Fred, his basset hound, glanced at me, gave a single wag, and went back to keeping his eyes on Tommy. They were best buds in every way.
After breakfast and taking care of some paperwork, I left for Redwood Heights to continue my inventory of historical objects, the job I’d been assigned while renovations were completed on my inn. I soaked in the beauty of Redwood Cove, California, along the way. Towering redwood trees lined the road, the crashing blue ocean was on my left, and lush vegetation grew all around.
As I walked, I thought about my arrival yesterday afternoon and the greeting I’d received from the Silver Sentinels, the crime-solving group of senior citizens I’d worked with and grown fond of during my last visit to the area. They’d arrived in the Professor’s gold vintage Mercedes sedan. The Professor, Hebert Winthrop on his birth certificate, and the rest of the group had come to welcome me to my new home. In addition to the Professor, the group consisted of Gertie Plumber, Mary Rutledge carrying the ever-present container of goodies, and the Doblinksy brothers, Ivan and Rudy. Their monochromatic hair color ranged from the Professor’s white to Rudy’s steel gray.
I grinned as I remembered a disruption to the day when a large motorhome swayed its way down the drive and past me. Pictures of two larger-than-life beagles covered the side of the RV. The slogan emblazoned next to them read, “Bedbugs? Termites? If you’ve got ’em, they’ll find ’em. Call on Jack and Jill. Get the four-legged pros on the job and have a restful sleep tonight.” I was relieved to learn they were there for a routine inspection, not because of any known problems.
The mansion came into view, a massive two-story building flanked by large redwood trees. The inventory was postponed when I was asked to accompany guests on a whale watching trip. I had a lot of fun observing the gray whales glide through the water and perform occasional spyhops. Later, I met some of the employees and learned about the history of Redwood Heights.
It was a great day up until I found the body. A guest had asked me to wake her for an afternoon tour if she hadn’t arrived when it started. When she didn’t show, I went to her room. It was locked, so I ran and got the key.
There was no hint when I opened the door I was about to find a murdered woman.
Murder at the Mansion is the second book in the Kelly Jackson mystery series, published by Lyrical Underground, June 2016.
Fortunes, fineries, and foul play . . .
It’s whale-watching season in Redwood Cove, and B&B manager Kelly Jackson’s battening down the hatches for the tourist rush at Redwood Heights—a Victorian-style estate owned by her boss. And due to recent jewelry thefts, her duties include keeping track of the many dust-covered artifacts spread throughout the property. But when Kelly finds Sylvia Porter’s lifeless body, menial tasks don’t seem so terrible. Enlisting the help of a ragtag group of brainy retirees, aka the “Silver Sentinels,” Kelly’s on the hunt for clues hidden behind the mansion’s glamorous façade. . .and for a killer who may want to make history of her next!
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Meet the author
Janet Finsilver is the USA Today best-selling author of the Kelly Jackson mystery series. She worked in 
education for many years as a teacher, a program administrator, and a workshop presenter. Janet majored in English and earned a Master’s Degree in Education. She loves animals and has two dogs—Kylie and Ellie. Janet has ridden western style since she was a child and was a member of the National Ski Patrol. One of the highlights of her life was touching whales in the San Ignacio Lagoon. Murder At Redwood Cove, her debut mystery, was released on October 13, 2015. Her second book, Murder At The Mansion, was released on June 7, 2016.
Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a digital copy of Murder at the Mansion. The giveaway will end June 19, 2016 at 12 AM (midnight) EST. Good luck everyone!
All comments are welcomed.
This book looks like it’s right up my alley! Thanks for the chance!
Wow…I like it!
I love the premise , and e books are my go to read now days !
Just add this to my TBR List. Sounds like an interesting adventure. Thanks for the giveaway.
Sounds wonderful. I’d love to win it.
Hi! Thanks for sharing with your readers about my book, MURDER AT THE MANSION. I appreciate it. Janet
Hi! Thanks for sharing with your readers about my book, MURDER AT THE MANSION. I appreciate it! Janet
Another series to add to my TBR list. Thanks for the review. kuzlin at aol.com
This sounds like a wonderful book! I have to say as a dog lover, I am glad to read about dogs instead of cats for once! 😉 Thanks Dru for today’s recommendation! I am going to read this series for sure. Thank you Janet, for your generous opportunity to win a copy of your newest book. 🙂
This sounds like a fun read, thank you for the chance to win a copy.
wfnren at aol dot com
Being a senior, I look forward to this book.
I enjoyed the first book in the series and this one is a must read for me.
Thanks Dru Ann for providing information about Janet Finsilver and her books on your blog. Her books sound like they are right up my alley. Thank you for the opportunity to enter this giveaway. robeader53@yahoo.com
I enjoyed the first book in this series. I look forward to reading this next book.
Great area for a cozy mystery, would love to win , ty
Enjoyed the first in the series – interested in discovering what special the dogs will possess in the second mystery.
sorry – should read” special abilities”
This is a great series! Thank you for the chance to win a digital copy of Murder at the Mansion.
Been waiting for this!
I’d love to read this book. Thank you so much for the giveaway!
Love that dogs are part of the story! This sounds great -a new to me series. Thanks for highlighting this author.
Hi, Elizabeth! I agree about the “brooch around her neck.” I pointed it out to the publisher when I first saw it. I was told it would be changed and saw a corrected version. Clearly it didn’t get changed everywhere. I’ll let them know.
Thank you all for the wonderful comments! You’ve certainly made my day. I’m glad to hear those of you who read the first book enjoyed it. Now…back to work on book three!
I have to read this one and start the series. Thank you for bringing this series to my attention.
Looking forward to catching up with Kelly! Thanks for the chance to win!
I bet the Silver Sentinels are a nice addition to the book. Love the sound of this book. Definitely adding to my TBR list.
Thank you for introducing me to a new author and a new series. Sounds very interesting.
Cynthia
Yes please Dru, I think this one is going to be a winner and I want it!
Gold vintage Mercedes and Senior Citizens this sounds like a lot of fun. Also this is a new Author to me…makes it doubly sweet. Thank you for the chance. Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Thank you, readers, for your great comments and interest in my books! I appreciate your feedback.
Sounds like a great read.
How exciting for me!!! A new-to-me author/series!!!!
Thank you for the giveaway…..
Have yet to read this series. So I am hoping for an early start. Would love to see Kelly and the ladies in action. Love that “Silver Sentinels”. Thanks for the intro to another series. And a chance to get the book.
On second thought Dru. I am withdrawing from this one. I don’t get to sit and read at the computer. I share with 2 other family members and have downloaded a couple of books last year and have yet to read either one. So it really would be unfair to get a digital copy that might be years before I can read it.