Gates Fine Art Gallery in Houston, TX opens at ten o’clock, but I went in at nine hoping to catch the delivery man. The same delivery man who knew precisely when we opened, and consistently arrived early anyway. When he did show up during our business hours, he’d complain that it was his third attempt to make the drop off.
But, hey, not my problem. Barbra Vole was the manager and my immediate boss. She dealt with the business glitches. My job this fine day was to finish unpacking and begin arranging the art for the plein air exhibition that would begin on Friday evening.
I usually had at least one pair of helping hands to hang a show, but Felicia Gates, the gallery owner, was looking to open a branch in San Antonio. She’s recruited Barbra’s two assistants to go along on the trip, so I was working solo. Not a problem since I’m a get ‘er done kind of gal.
Dressed down today in cargo pants and a Gates Fine Arts tee shirt, I focused on the exhibition lay out. By early afternoon I’d propped all the large pieces along the walls of the five gallery rooms. I tend to favor asymmetrical arrangements, so was contemplating placement of the smaller paintings, when my smart phone vibrated in my pocket.
One glance at the caller ID, and I knew trouble loomed. I had no idea how much, but I’d already talked with Lilyvale, Arkansas police detective Eric Shoar twice in the past ten days.
“We had another incident at Miz Sherry Mae’s yesterday,” he told me before I’d barely said hello. “Neighbors across the road reported booming sounds and smoke coming from the kitchen.”
“Is anyone injured?” I asked on a gulp, the phone slick in my suddenly moist hand.
“Thankfully, no.”
“Did the fire department respond?”
“They don’t respond anymore unless I call them, but do you want whatever the problem is to go that far?”
“How can you think that?”
“Then prove you care. You have one week to get up here and see to your aunt and her housemates. The situation—whatever it is—seems to be escalating. I don’t want Miz Sherry and her friends to be declared wards of the court.”
“What?” I gasped.
“If the Chief believes that Miz Sherry and her friends are a danger to themselves or others, he’ll have to act.”
“You’d tell him they’re dangerous?” I demanded. “You’d take away their independence? Their freedom?”
“Not if I can help it.” He paused, then continued. “I understand that you don’t think you know Miz Sherry well enough to stick your nose in her business, but none of her housemates have people left. We need this resolved, and you’re the only relative in sight.”
I disconnected and sagged against the wall. Could I reach Lilyvale and my last living relative, my Aunt Sherry Mae, before the worst happened?
You can read more about Nixy in Basket Case, the first book in the NEW “Silver Six Crafting” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime.
About Basket Case
There isn’t much crime in Lilyvale, Arkansas, but local authorities have their hands full with Ms. Sherry Mae Stanton Cutler and her housemates—a crafty group of retirees who’ve dubbed themselves the Silver Six. But when Sherry Mae’s niece, Nixy, arrives to keep them in line, Lilyvale also plays host to a killer.
When Leslee Stanton “Nixy” Nix gets the latest call from Lilyvale detective Eric Shoar, she knows it means trouble. There’s been another kitchen explosion at her Aunt Sherry’s farmhouse, and the dreamy-voiced detective has had enough. If Nixy doesn’t check on her aunt in person, the Silver Six could become wards of the court. But the trouble Nixy finds in Lilyvale is not at all what she expects.
The seniors are hosting a folk art festival at the farmhouse, featuring Sherry’s hand-woven baskets, when land developer Jill Elsman arrives to bully Nixy’s aunt into selling the property. When Jill is later found dead in the cemetery, Sherry is suspected of weaving a murder plot, and it’s up to Nixy and the Silver Six to untangle the truth.
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GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by noon eastern on Wednesday, September 9th for your chance to win a signed copy of Basket Case. (US entries only, please.)
Meet the author
Nancy Haddock is an award-winning and national bestselling author of mystery romance who now writes cozy mystery. Basket Case, the first book in the Silver Six Crafting mysteries, was released in Sept. 2015 with Berkley Prime Crime. Her earlier books, also with Berkley, are La Vida Vampire, Last Vampire Standing, and Always The Vampire, feature Cesca, aka Gidget with fangs, and are set in Haddock’s current hometown, St. Augustine, FL. Nancy draws on historic wealth, southern culture, and the plain old quirkiness of places for her books. She lives with her husband and rescue dog Baron.
Visit Nancy at nancyhaddock.com, on Facebook and on Twitter
This looks to be just the kind of cozy I am interested in and the author has great credentials. Looking forward to a fascinating read.
Helen, thanks so much for your visit and comment! I hope you’ll enjoy Basket Case!
I love that there will be older characters in this series. “The Silver Six” sound like they will be up to mischief which should be a great read when a group like that gets involved in a mystery. Poor Nixy will have her hands full. The cover is beautiful & inviting. I’ ve been looking forward to this release & can’t wait to read it.
Pamela, I’m tickled you’re looking forward to meeting my older characters, and thanks, too, for your about the cover art. Berkley does do awesome covers!
I am so glad to see that some main/secondary characters in a cozy are going to be seniors. It’s so refreshing to have a chance to meet upbeat, energetic and positive attitudes. Thanks for the giveaway.
JoAn, I love writing the Silver Six, and I do hope you’ll enjoy them.
Boy, oh boy! A group of seniors?? Sounds like me & my girlfriends in the future. I’m sure we could give the Silver Six a run for their money! I’d love to get a copy of the book. I’d share it with my library as soon as I’ve read it.
I’m chuckling about you and your buds being the future Silver Six! Go for it, ktbeeblog!
I want to read this exciting series. Thanks for the chance to win. This was a great post.
Thanks for you compliment on the post, Doward, and for connecting with me!
I don’t like to do crafts, but I like to read about them and I love baskets. Thanks for the giveaway.
Sally, no crafting required, but I hope you’ll enjoy reading about Sherry’s baskets if you get the chance!
Yes please, I’d love to win this one since I can almost guarantee that the local library wont buy it. I have loads of ditzy relatives also so I know I’ll enjoy the story.
LOL about ditzy relatives, Noraadrienne! We all have a few (or more) in our families, and I hope you’ll have fun with the Silver Six!
Nancy Haddock is a new author for me. This book sounds like one I will enjoy reading. Thank you for the opportunity to win a signed copy of “Basket Case.”
Thanks for visiting and commenting, Peggy! I hope you’ll enjoy the book if you give it a read!
Thank you for introducing me to a new author. Basket Case sounds like a fun cozy, and the cover is pretty! Thank you for the chance to win.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi, Jen! It’s great to meet new readers, too, and I appreciate your comment!
It looks fantastic, I hope to get a chance to read it; loving the cover 🙂
Glad you love the cover, Lisa! Good luck in the drawing!
Always looking for a new cozy. Thanks!!
Dina, I’m with you! Always looking for new cozies as well as enjoying my new books in the many series I read!
I love seniors in mysteries. Would love a chance to win.
Thanks for stopping by, Cozynookbks! Good luck!
Looks a great start to a new cozy series. Going to check it out. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thanks for checking out Basket Case, Lisa, and have a good week!
Sounds good… sounds like the Silver Six could be witches… hehe. That would be delightful.
LOL about the Silver Six being witches. I love my cozy paranormal mystery authors, but I couldn’t swing that element in this series.
I love “Senior” sleuths!
Grins, Gram! I’m sure having fun with them!
sounds great!
Thanks so much, Sarah!
I would love the chance to win this book. Thank you for the chance
Good luck, griperang!
Wow! I have got to read this book! Thanks for the giveaway.
Hope you’ll have fun with the book, Edith!
The Silver Six sound like a refreshing group. Thanks for the opportunity to enter.
Thanks for your comment, Donna!
What an interesting book. Thanks Dru for introducing it to me. What is going on in that kitchen? 😮 Now I have to read it and figure it out. Once again, thanks Dru and Nancy for the opportunity to win a copy. 🙂
This does sound like great fun! I look forward to it.
Thanks bunches, Libby!
Sounds like another series to add!
I love diving into a new series! Hope you’ll enjoy mine, Alicia!
What an interesting introduction to a new book and series. I am very happy to be able to enter for a copy of this book. robeader53@yahoo.com
Thanks for your lovely comment, robeader!
What a great feature and wonderful giveaway.
Thank you, Anne! Have a great week!
Book sounds great! I’m always looking for new series to start. Thanks for the chance to win! 🙂
I’m with you on a new series, Abby. Love them!
Love the idea of this one. Thanks for the chance to get a copy!
Hope you’ll enjoy the read, Mary Jane!
There seems to be so many new series coming out lately, and this group of seniors sound interesting. Thank you for the giveaway.
Daniele, I’m a total sucker for each new series, and most of them live up to the hype. I hope Basket Case will be a winner for you if you give it a read.
Sounds like a great mystery.
Thank you, Rita!
Sounds like a series I would really enjoy. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Elaine, I hope you’ll have fun with the book if you try it!
An interesting premise to start a series – I’d love to have a sample. Thank you for the giveaway.
Julia, for a sample, check the retail sites. I believe there is a chapter or so posted.
As a senior myself, I find this cozy intriguing and would love a copy.
Nancy, I hope you’ll enjoy my seniors!
A new series set in Houston, TX! Sounds great and I am looking forward to reading it – win or lose the giveaway!
Sharon, I’ll be delighted to count you as a new reader!
I love crafts, although I don’t do many of them any more but would love to read a book about them and these interesting characters.
I don’t do many crafts these days either, rochf, but I have had fun researching! Take care!
I enjoy cozies where the “older” generation is involved. Im a old time crafter and of reading too. Thanks for the giveaway
Ann*H, I love it that you’re a crafter, too! Enjoy all your activities!!
Sounds like a fun read! Thanks for the chance to win a signed copy of Basket Case.
Thanks for being here, Linda!
This sounds very interesting
Thank you, Wanda! Have a good week!
This sounds like a great start to a new series. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thank you for the compliment, Debbie!
Sounds great! Thanks for introducing me to a new author and for the giveaway!
Thanks, Barbara! It’s a treat to meet new readers, too!
Sounds like a great read!
Thank you, Barbara!
Much success with your new series. Sounds like a good read.
Patricia, thanks for your good wishes! Hope you’ll enjoy Basket Case if you try it!
This sounds like so much fun! All the best to you on the new series! I’m looking forward to reading it!
Thank you, Jeanie! I appreciate your good wishes on the series!
Should be a really fun book to read.
I sure hope so, Amy! Have a good week!
Looks like great cozy mystery.
Thank you, Kiki! If you give the book a read, I hope you’ll have fun with it!
This looks like a fun new series. Congrats
Thanks for the congrats and kind comment, Kari!
What a great cozy this will be to read. Love the idea of the seniors. I am not familiar with this author but I will seem out this book for sure. Thanks for the chance to win.
Mary, thanks so much! I hope you’ll love my seniors as much as I have fun writing them!
I love Cozy Mysteries — This will be added to my list of books to read.
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
Thanks so much, Sue! Enjoy!
Love finding a new series and Aunt Sherry sounds like a pistol! Thanks for the chance to win!
Hope you’ll have fun with my series, holdenj! Have a good week!
It sounds like a really fun read.
Thank you, Karen! Hope you’ll enjoy!
A new cozy series!!!!!
Thank you!!!!
I’m grinning, cyn209! I feel the same way every time I see a new series coming out!
This book sounds like a lot of fun, can’t wait to check out this series. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Good luck in the drawing, Patty, and thanks for checking out Basket Case!
This sounds like a wonderful series! Thank you for the contest.
Thanks for your comment, pfistersk!
Goodness! Thanks to you all for commenting and entering the giveaway! I love reading your thoughts about seniors in cozies, and I hope you’ll enjoy the Silver Six, and come back for their next adventures!
I apologize for this very tardy and group response! Powers beyond my control have kept me away from the computer since Tuesday … and my tablet didn’t want to work right, either. I will do my best to answer each of your comments – if only with a hi – but it will take a while.
Have a marvelous weekend!
Light,
Nancy
Thank you Nancy. I’m looking forward to reading Basket Case.
Love it! Thanks for the chance to win
Thank you, cjreynold52!
Being a retired senior – I enjoy reading about my peeps.
thanks
LOL, Marylouh! Have fun with your peeps!
I love this book, and you all will as well. You fall in love with the characters and want more. Lucky for us there will be more. Enjoy the book. I have it, so no need to add me to the drawing.
Leslie Ann w/a L.A. Sartor
Hi, L..A., and thanks for stopping by to comment! Everyone, L.A. writes wonderful romance and romantic adventures, and she was kind enough to give me a quote for Basket Case. Check out her work! Hugs, L.A.!
Senior here. I have been searching for a certain basket with no luck so far. Maybe I will learn a thing or two.
Hi, Judy! I’m not sure how much you’ll learn about basket weaving in my book, but I hope you find the kind of basket you’re searching for! Take care!
This sounds like a fun start to a new series
I appreciate your visit and kind comment, Kaye!
Thanks Nancy for commenting and interacting with my readers.
Contest is closed.