Some people say I’m a magnet for dead bodies, but the truth is that most days I don’t even come anywhere near one. Usually, I spend my days blissfully baking up a storm in my bakery The Cup and Cake, and my nights at home with my Shih-Tzu Poodle mix, Sprinkles, and my hunky homicide detective husband, Jack.
Oh, that’s not to say I haven’t stumbled across more than my share of bodies. I have.
It’s true that, on more than one occasion, I have had the dubious distinction of being the first one to run across one of the recently departed. Usually, they don’t have the bad manners to die slumped over one of my desserts.
… Until now.
“I bet he has a young girlfriend that did him in,” my grandmother, Nans, whispered.
My eyes darted from Nans to the front of the function hall where Regis Banks now lay dead on the floor, smudges of vanilla ice cream from the bowl he’d just taken a header into still smeared on his face.
“That’s crazy. He’s too old for a girlfriend. He probably just died of old age,” I said. Although he picked a darn fine time to do it.
Regis was turning one-hundred, the very reason for the party in his honor. Surely, this was just a badly-timed coincidence.
“My money’s on one of the kids.” Nans’ friend Ida nodded toward the head table where Regis’ adult children were looking less than traumatized.
Ruth, another of Nan’s octogenarian friends, twisted in her chair, grabbed the oversized, tan patent-leather old lady purse from where it was hanging on the back and pulled it into her lap. She bent down, her blue-gray head almost disappearing into the purse, then emerged triumphantly with an iPad. She set the iPad on the table in front of her and started tapping on the keyboard.
“Let’s start researching who would want Regis dead.”
“Don’t you think that’s a little premature?” I asked, my eyes glued to the EMT’s at the front of the room. They’d stopped trying to revive Regis, so apparently, he was dead. But murdered? I didn’t think so.
Of course, Nans and her three friends did, but that wasn’t unusual for them. I’ve never seen people with such suspicious minds. I figured they must be bored with retirement because their eyes lit up every time someone mentioned the words ‘foul play’.
Most old ladies take up knitting in their golden years … Nans and the gang took up investigating murders. Which would be fine, except I always seemed to get dragged into the middle of the investigations. Okay, well most of the time that was because I was the one that found the body, but not this time. No, siree. I was too busy. Plus, Regis hadn’t even been murdered.
“I think you’re jumping to the worst conclusion. I’m sure his heart just gave out,” I said.
Nans, Ruth, Ida and the fourth senior sleuth, Helen, clustered around the iPad, ignoring me.
“You guys can do what you want, but I don’t have time for investigating anything so I’m not on board with anything you have planned.” I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at them.
Nans looked over the rims of her dime-store glasses at me, then glanced up to the front of the room. “Well, you better get on board, because it looks to me like this just might be a homicide and your ice cream is the number one suspect.”
“That’s ridiculous.” I’d made and served that ice cream myself, and I knew there was nothing in it that was deadly … except perhaps to my business reputation once it got out that Regis had died in it.
“I wouldn’t be too sure. Look who just came in.” Helen jerked her head toward the front of the room.
A queasy feeling settled on my stomach as I whipped my head toward the front and spotted my husband, Jack Perillo, sticking the half-eaten bowl of Regis’ ice cream into a plastic evidence bag. But Jack worked in homicide–why would he be here?
There was only one reason.
Regis Banks had been murdered and, from the looks of things, I was going to be finding myself in the middle of helping Nans with another murder investigation whether I wanted to or not.
You can read more about Lexy and Nans in Ice Cream Murder, the 9th book in the “Lexy Baker Bakery” mystery series, published by Leighann Dobbs. The first book in the series is Killer Cupcakes.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on August 18 for the chance to win a kindle copy of ICE CREAM MURDER. The giveaway is open to everyone.
Meet the author
Leighann Dobbs has had a passion for reading since she was old enough to hold a book, but she didn’t put pen to paper until much later in life. After a twenty year career as a software engineer with a few side trips into selling antiques and making jewelry, she realized you can’t make a living reading books, so she tried her hand at writing them and discovered she had a passion for that too! She lives in New Hampshire with her husband Bruce, their trusty Chihuahua mix Mojo and beautiful rescue cat, Kitty.
It was great to meet Lexy and Nans today. I’m hoping to win the giveaway so I can read more about them. Thanks for the post and giveaway. Nice to have something to do when I can’t sleep at 4am.
The title caught my attention. I wouldn’t mind my last meal to be ice cream. Checking out this series soon thank you!
I like these (fictional) people. 🙂
Sounds like a fun book
Sounds fun, I love ice cream 🙂 Would love to win
Sounds like a fun read, thank you for the chance to win it 🙂
Sounds like another fun cozy mystery series to read!
Sounds like a good mystery…
I love Leighann Dobbs. Her books are always a fun read. Cozy mysteries are a great light reading.
Fun book is the word of the day for this book. Thanks for the offer.
Sounds hilarious. Time for some laughs.
Sounds like a good read.
Love this series. Thanks for the chance to win.
Love Lexi, Jon, Nans and the gang. Thanks for chance to win!
l LOVE your books and can’t wait to get them all but would love to win this one !! You are an awesome writer !!!
Both me and my Mum love your books
I’m excited to start this series! Thanks for the chance to win.
This sounds like a fun series. Ice cream makes me hungry and the oldsters investigating makes me laugh.
Love ice cream and your books. Can’t wait to read this one.
I love ice cream and your books. Can’t wait to read this one.
That would be a great last memory, this book looks like a fun read.
Sounds like a great book! Can’t wait to read it!
Sounds like a good book. I’m looking forward to it.
Love new books!
Looking forward to reading it. You are an awesome writer. Just love your books!!
sounds great. I would love to wing.
Tempted to refer to this book as “I Scream Murder”. Count me in for the draw. Thanks.
I love this series and can’t wait to find out whodunit!
Love all of the books. Can’t wait for the next one to come out!
Love your stories!
Would love to won!!!!
LOL, sounds like great fun. I love when seniors start looking for murder!
I so want this!! I love mysteries of this theme! Right up my alley!
I always love Lexy and would love this book!
Great title to read!
Thanks everyone for your kind words!
I just love this series. Lexy is so real, today’s girl. I love to read about her day, her stumbbiling on dead bodies. Thanks for another great book. Can’t wait for the next.
Leighann, I own a Mystical shop and I’m wondering if you would like to do a book signing at my shop in Lansdale, Pa. Please call me at 267 228 9539, or email me. I look forward to hearing from you!
Best always,
Randi Stinson
Cats Meow Mystical Shop
Lexy sounds like a fun character for a great cozy!
I love ice cream, especially when it’s accompanied by Murder! Lexy and Nans are going to solve this one before all the leads go “Cold”! I hope I win so I can Chill and read it!
would love to win this book I haven’t read any of her books yet but look forward to enjoying them
I would love to win a copy of this book..I’ve enjoyed your other books very much…does it include the UK?
Love these books
I love Lexy Baker! She makes murder fun! ( In a nice way)!
Love this series!
Sounds really good.
Really enjoy this series.
I haven’t read anything of yours ,but the title sounds good . Would love to win . I always love to try new author. Thanks for the chance.
Love the description of this book!
I love reading Leighann’s books. Easy read and very entertaining. She can’t write them fast enough for me. I read all the time.
you got me at murder, hmmmm, I mean ice cream!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!
Sounds like a fun series. Thanks for the giveaway!
Can’t wait to read it!
Well, thanks for a giveaway open to poor international readers;) Leighan’s books are a funny reading and an Italian ice cream deservers murder by 😀
Well, thanks for a giveaway open to poor international readers;) Leighan’s books are usually funny and an Italian ice cream deserves a murder or two 😀
Lexi and Nans would brighten up my day if I won this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
contest is closed.