The a/c at the Last Ditch Motel is best described as symphonic. It’s not a classical symphony, mind you. It’s modern-atonal over jazz roots, with just a suggestion of someone dropping seven buckets down a fire escape. But I’m used to it now.
The water pressure’s not bad and, as long as I get up before the tourists, it stays pretty hot until I’ve rinsed off my conditioner and shaved my legs. (I have to get up a bit early the day after long holiday weekends, when they’re piling back up north from Disneyland, but usually – A OK).
It never occurred to me when I lived in Scotland how often you have to shave your legs when the sun’s out every day. And my pumice stone has never seen so much action either, what with flip-flops, the dry air, and the dust coming off the tomato fields.
Sorry. Gross.
Today’s to-dos include a quick visit to the cop shop, a quick fly-by at a good lawyer, and dropping off a service wash at the Skweeky Kleen. Do you call them service washes? Valet laundry? The Skweek is the launderette attached to the Last Ditch and it’s getting harder to use it, because Kathi’s a pal now. Weird how strangers doing your laundry is easier to handle than friends.
The reason I can’t complain about the a/c and hot water is that Noleen, who runs the motel, is a pal too. Also, she’s majorly scary. Her t-shirt yesterday bore the legend “I will cut you”. It wasn’t a set-up for a punchline; that was the whole message. And she wonders why there’s vacancies.
I lived in California for six months with no pals at all (Just one scumbag husband, now ex.) but after that first night in the Last Ditch, I’m practically in a gang. As well as Kathi and Noleen, there’s Della and Diego downstairs, and Roger, a paediatrician who lives in the room next door (long story) with his husband, Todd, who’s the long story. Todd is . . . Well, Todd is . . . Todd is, and I say this with love, the most annoying, interfering, inappropriate, bossy, encroaching, nightmare of a person I have ever met. He’s pretty much my best friend, though. Which wasn’t my decision, needless to say.
Not that I’m ungrateful. I would be lost without them, actually. I’m a long way from home and I’ve never been mixed up with courtrooms, bail bonds, morgues and murders before. I didn’t even know what “arraignment” was. I thought the judge might wear one instead of a wig. “Recognizance”? Search me. “Miranda”? Who dat? Thank God and all His angels for my pals at the Last Ditch Motel.
You can read more about Lexy in Scot Free, the first book in the NEW “Last Ditch” mystery series.
Lexy Campbell fell in love and left her native Scotland for a golden life in California―hitched to a hunk, building her marriage counseling practice, living the dream. Six months later she’s divorced, broke, and headed home. There’s just one last thing. Lexy’s only client―sweet little old Mrs. Bombarro―is in jail for murdering her husband with a fireworks rocket. Lexy knows the cops have got it wrong; all she needs is a few days to prove it and somewhere cheap to sleep at night. But checking into the Last Ditch Motel leads Lexy to a whole new cast of characters with troubles of their own.
Purchase Link
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Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of Scot Free. U.S. entries only, please. The giveaway ends April 12, 2018. Good luck everyone!
About the author
Catriona McPherson (serial awards botherer) is the author of the Dandy Gilver novels, set in Scotland in the 1930s where but not when she was born. She also writes darker (that’s not difficult) contemporary standalones, including House.Tree.Person. Scot Free (the lighter side of the dark underbelly of the California dream) is Catriona’s first US-set mystery, written after eight years as a new immigrant in northern California.
Visit Catriona at catrionamcpherson.com.
All comments are welcomed.
Lexy sounds like a great character, I sure want to know what happens next! Thanks!
I’m very fond of her. Going back to write the sequel was alike a reunion.
I think I will enjoy this book…
thank you for the giveaway……..
Thank *you*. And good luck.
Sounds like a great start to a new series!
Thank you! I loved starting a new series – nothing to remember!
I loved starting a new series – nothing to remember!
I already have this book on my library list, but after reading so many wonderful reviews, I would love a copy to keep. Thanks.
Thank you for ordering at your library. It’s great to know it’s hitting library shelves.
This entry had me laughing out loud so many times! I’d love a chance to win the book. Thanks!
Great to know that! (Humour is so subjective. I was nervous about attempting out-and-out funny.)
Going today to B&N to get my ordered copy!!! woohoo! CONGRATS, Catriona! See you at Malice. And you better sign my book. 😀
Aw, ta! And yes, I will. See you soon, Meg.
stumbled upon a new author, would love to win this book and check it out!
Don’t you love that? I recently discovered Elly Griffiths and Anna Quindlen.
Wonderful feature and giveaway. Thanks.
Thank *you*. I love writing “A Day in The Life” for Dru
Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Good luck!
The book sounds great. Thanks, Dru and Catriona, for the chance to win. Fingers crossed!
Hey! See you soon, Barb.
Sounds hilarious and I am looking forward to reading it! Thanks for the chance to win one of your books.📗😊
Thank you! I enjoyed writing it. Shouldn’t admit that I made myself laugh, but I did.
I love the idea of this, especially the nightmare of a best friend. I can’t wait.
He was the easiest character to write. He just burst in and wouldn’t leave.
This sounds like a fun book! Thanks for the chance to win.
Thank you! It was pretty much the most writing fun I’ve ever had.
Lexy Carmichael sounds like a bony lass who is ready to conquer all that stands in her way. Thanks for your blog and for hosting Cat McPherson and her latest book.
Thank you! She’s a bit of a bumbler but she gets there.
This sounds like the premise to a hilarious read.
I’ve had a couple of writer pals admit that they wish they’d thought of a sketchy motel as a setting.
An innocent Scot living in LaLa land with crazies? That sounds like a perfect read. Toss my name into the magic contest hat please Dru. Ya gotta be in it to win it!
It’s northern California – so all the cray-cray, but in worse shoes.
So great to hear Lexy’s voice again – it’s been a while since I read this book. It made me laugh again as thinking back on that book always does. No need to enter me in the drawing, but I hope whoever wins loves this book at least half-as-much as I did. That will be a WHOLE lot.
Thank you, Kris
I need more funny in my life.Thanks for the chance to win!
Don’t we all! Good luck, Jill.
I already have a copy so don’t enter my name in the giveaway but I wanted to say it was a joy to read. I hope all my friends come on here and comment for a chance to win.
Thank you, Keenan. That means a lot.
It’s nice that Catriona is great friends with her neighbors.
I am! Cat feeders extraordinaire and good fun at a party.
what a fun sounding new series!! Great review
Thank you! I loved writing it.
Sounds like a good book.
Thank you. It’s always a bit nerve-wracking when it goes out into the wide world.
Catriona, this sounds like a fun departure from your creepy (and delicious)standalones, and quite different from your Lady Georgie series (which I love). And as someone else said, although I have it ordered at the library, I’d really prefer to have my very own (signed?) copy. Either way, I wish you continued success!
It certainly is! (I knew you meant Dandy Gilver. Lady Georgie is Rhys. How could you mix me up with a blonde Brit living in northern CA, writing golden age mysteries about a lady sleuth?!)
Sorry, Catriona! Too many things on my mind. Yes, Dandy for sure.
I loved hearing from Lexi — she sounds like a breath of fresh air and is also funny! Have you ever seen anyone wearing an I Will Cut you shirt before? I have seen similar, also on people you don’t want to be on the wrong side of. I look forward to reading SCOT FREE. Thanks for being on Dru Ann’s blog!
Thankfully not! I made it up.
I like the premise for this book especially the dark side of the California dream! Can’t wait to read this one.
Never too dark!
This will be a fun read! I love ladies with snark.
I’m happy with “snark”. PSW said “snide” which was less welcome. But – ehh. Humour is subjective
This sounds like a great series from a new author, for me.
Thank you! I’m happy to make your acquaintance, via our friend Dru.
I think Catriona’s books are as much fun as she is.Keep shaving and staying in California.
Ha-HA-ha-ha-ha! Definitely the first time I’ve ever had that blessing!
Sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win a copy. Will have to put it on my tbr list!
Thank you! Good luck and happy reading.
“Scot Free” sounds like a really fun read. Adding to my TBR list.
It was certainly a fun write!
Looking forward to this one! Thanks for the intro to Lexy.
You’re very welcome!
You’re very welcome.
Looking forward to reading Lexy’s adventure. I added this book to my tbr pile. Thanks Dru for introducing me to authors I have never read before.
Thank you! If you’re tbr pile is anything like mine, though . . .
Sounds like a great cast of characters, thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I’m very fond of them all!
Sounds like a fun read with interesting characters.
Thank you! Your puppy is gorgeous.
I’d like a chance to win a copy of this book… it sounds hilarious! I love a good read with a cast of characters that make me laugh.
LOVED House Tree Person. Looking forward to reading more of yours!
A giveaway would be great!
This one is quite different – different balance of laughs and shudders. Hope you enjoy it too.
Catriona, you always make me laugh. Wish I had seen more of you at LCC, but it’s always passing ships. Scott Free sounds like another winner for you!
I know – that was a quality thirty seconds we had there!
Sounds like a winner.
I hope so. Fingers crossed!
I would love to win a copy!
**** WINNER ****
Scot Free is Jill Maxick
Congratulations!
I’m adding my congratulations, Jill!