The dead are not altogether reliable. Colleen, my best friend, calls herself a Guardian Spirit. I can’t argue with the facts at hand: She’s been dead seventeen years, and she watches my back. I’m a private investigator, so situations arise from time to time wherein my back needs watching. Technically, Colleen’s afterlife mission is to protect Stella Maris, our island home near Charleston, South Carolina, from developers and all such as that. Since I’m on the town council and can’t abide the notion of condos and time-shares on our pristine beaches, protecting me falls under her purview.
Solving my cases, however, does not. She’ll tell me that in a skinny minute should I happen to mention how she could be more helpful. But she has been known to toss me the occasional insight from beyond that provokes a train of thought, which, upon reflection, proves useful. Here’s the thing: Colleen shows up when she detects I’m in danger. Sometimes she warns me in advance. Occasionally she drops by just to chat. But she doesn’t come whenever I think of her or call her name. It rarely works like that.
One Monday in December, I really could’ve used Colleen’s perspective. We were closing in on Christmas, and I was getting married on the twentieth—in five days. I was a teensy bit distracted, is what I’m saying.
It was a little after ten in the morning, and I was at my desk in the living room of my beachfront house, which doubles as my office. I was deep into research on a criminal case Nate, my partner and fiancé, and I were working for Andy Savage. Andy was a high profile Charleston attorney, and while this case didn’t amount to much more than fact-checking, we hoped it would lead to a lucrative relationship for Talbot and Andrews, our agency.
I stared at my computer screen and reached for one of Mamma’s Christmas cookies. My phone trilled out the ringtone named Old Phone. Old Phone was reserved for old friends. I grabbed my phone instead of the cookie.
Robert Pearson. He’d been a year ahead of me in high school, the same age as my brother, Blake. He’d married one of my best friends. Robert was also our family attorney, and he and I were both on the Stella Maris town council.
I tapped the green “accept” button.
After we exchanged the usual pleasantries, he said, “I wondered, if you’re not too busy, could you drop by this afternoon? There’s something I want to run by you.”
“I have an appointment at one that’s going to take most of the afternoon.” Multi-toned highlights are a maintenance issue, especially with hair as long as mine. My natural sandy blonde would turn Tweety Bird yellow if Dori looked at it wrong. She always took her time, but five days before my wedding she’d be excruciatingly meticulous. I couldn’t walk down the aisle with yellow hair.
“Noon?” he asked.
“Sure. See you then.”
“Thanks, Liz. I really appreciate it.” He sounded way too grateful for such an ordinary request. This is what should’ve tipped me off that something was up.
If I had known then everything that would follow, I would’ve still gone to gone by to talk to Robert. But the Pearson case hit closer to home than any other since my Gram died. Pull up a chair and I’ll tell you what happened. . .
You can read more about what happens next in Lowcountry Bordello, the fourth book in the “Liz Talbot” mystery series, published by Henery Press. The first three books in the series are Lowcountry Boil, Lowcountry Bombshell. and Lowcountry Boneyard.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on November 9 for your chance to win a print copy of Lowcountry Boneyard. (US entries only, please.) Good luck everyone!
About the author
Susan M. Boyer is the author of the Liz Talbot mystery series. Her debut novel, Lowcountry Boil, is a USA Today Bestseller, an Agatha Award winner for Best First Novel, and a Macavity nominee, among others. Susan loves beaches, Southern food, and small towns where everyone knows everyone, and everyone has crazy relatives. You’ll find all of the above in her novels.
Susan lives with her husband and an inordinate number of houseplants in Greenville, SC. Visit Susan at her website.
Sounds like a great mystery book. Thank you for the giveaway.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks, Jen! 🙂
Good luck in the drawing! 🙂
I’ve read Lowcountry Boil & Bombshell. Would be nice to catch up by winnining a copy of Lowcounty Boneyard. And, glad to see the fourth, Lowcountry Bordello, is coming out soon.
Hey, Lindar! Thank you so much for reading! I’m so excited about Lowcountry Bordello’s release tomorrow! Good luck in the drawing!
I too need a Guardian spirit like Colleen. Since I don’t, I’d really like a copy of Low Country Boneyard. Thank you, Dru, for introducing me to Susan M. Boyer & offering this giveaway.
Oops, that’s since I don’t have one. My typing was slower than my brain!
I need one, too! SO many times I’ve wished I could borrow Colleen from Liz. Thanks, Dru Ann for introducing me to ktbeeblog! Good luck, ktbeeblog in the drawing! 🙂
I have this series and author on my TBR list and would love to win this.
Thanks for the review and great post.
Hi Doward! I’m so happy Liz’s adventures are in your TBR pile! Thank you, and good luck in the drawing!
I think the first in this series is on my t-b-r list.
Hi G! If you read using an eReader, and haven’t already purchased Lowcountry Boil, (the first on the series) it’s being promoted at .99 this week only on all eBook platforms to celebrate the release of Lowcountry Bordello. Thanks for stopping by, and good luck in the drawing!
love this series!
Thank you so much, Sarah!! Good luck in the drawing! 🙂
I’ve read some books in this series and enjoyed them. I’d love to add this one to my collection to enjoy and share.
Hi Noraadrienne! Thank you so much for reading! I’d also love for you to add Lowcountry Boneyard to your collection. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Have heard about this series, but haven’t read any yet. Thanks for a chance to win a copy of your latest.
Hey Elaine! I’m hoping you get the chance to give the series a try. 🙂 If you read eBooks, Lowcountry Boil is on sale this week for .99. Thanks for stopping by, and good luck in the drawing!
Sounds like a great mystery
Thank you so much! Good luck in the drawing!
I’m hooked! Now I have to read this and find out a) what Robert needs, b) will Colleen help, and c) will the wedding take place as scheduled? 🙂
Thanks Dru for bringing this book to my attention! Thanks Susan and Dru for the chance to win one of your books. 🙂
Hey, Barbara! I’m so happy to hear you’re hooked! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by! Good luck in the drawing!!
I don’t usually like these kinds of stories but this one sounds interesting.
I would like to try it.
thanks
Thank you so much, Marylou! Good luck in the drawing!
Sounds like a great cozy, would love to win, ty for the chance
Hey, Betty! Thank you so much for the kind words. Good luck in the drawing! 🙂
Love this series! So glad there is a new book to look forward to. Thanks for the update!
Awww!! Thank you so much, Jane! 🙂
Okay, I love books that are set in Charleston and this one sounds especially interesting. I hope I win it.
Hey Amy! Thank you so much!! Good luck in the drawing!
Love the Lowcountry and can’t wait to read this
I love the Lowcountry, too! Thanks so much for stopping by! Good luck in the drawing!
Hi Susan! When you start a new book, do you have all the characters in place and an ending planned, or does it come to you as you write?
Hi Peggy! I start with an outline, including the ending. But I do change things as I write and my characters pull me off in unexpected directions. 🙂
Hi Dru, I like this series and would like to catch up. Thanks Susan.
Hi, Mary Jane! I’m so happy to hear that you like the series! Thank you for reading! Good luck in the drawing!
Well, this is just a big tease…Love this excerpt AND this series, and can’t wait to read Liz Talbot’s latest case!
This is such a great series! I love Liz and Nate. I own and have read the first three books (ebooks) but would love to win a print copy of Lowcountry Boneyard. Thanks so much for the chance to win.
Hey Linda!! Thanks so much for reading! I’m so happy to hear you enjoy spending time with Liz and Nate! Good luck in the drawing! 🙂
This book sounds captivating and wonderful. Thanks.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Anne! Good luck in the drawing!
Susan Boyer is a new to me author, but I really like this excerpt and intro…I’m curious to see what develops here. Thank you for the intro!
Hi Kathleen! Dru Ann, thank you for introducing us! Kathleen, I’m so happy you enjoyed the excerpt from Lowcountry Bordello! Good luck in the drawing!
If this book is half as good as the other books in your series, it will be a real winner.
Grace, you are so sweet–thank you!! 🙂
I haven’t read any of this series, but it has been on my TBR list for quite a while. I would love to win a copy of this!
Hey Sharon! I’m so happy to be in your TBR pile! Good luck in the drawing! 🙂
You know, I’ve never spent any time in the South. I really should make a point of doing that sometime. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of this book.
Hi Carl, come on down to see us! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, and good luck in the drawing.
Love to win this…I started the first book and it is fabulous…thank you for the chance…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
AWWWW!! Thank you, Marilyn! I’m so happy you’re enjoying Lowcountry Boil! Good luck in the drawing!
Intriguing. Sounds like a fun series, and we could all probably use some help from a friendly spirit when we are in danger.
LOL! Indeed! Thanks so much for stopping by, and for the kind words! Good luck in the drawing!! 🙂
Oh, my. And then what?
LOL! Libby, I hope you’ll want to find out. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and good luck in the drawing!
Just the title of this book gets me interested—now I want to read more.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I’ve gotten a few questions about the research I did for this one based on the title. I promise I’ve never visited a bordello. 🙂 Good luck in the drawing!
It sounds like a good read.
Thanks so much, Karen! Good luck in the drawing!
Fantastic introduction. Can’t wait for this newest addition to the series!
Kait, thank you so much–you’re so sweet!! 🙂
This book is one that I would love to read and it’s going on my wish list. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy, that’s cool.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you so much, Celeste! Good luck in the drawing!
No need to enter me in the drawing, just stopped by to say I love this series. Wonderful characters and it captures the mood of the Low Country perfectly.
Oh Mary, thank you so much!! You are the sweetest thing! 🙂
Sounds like a great addition to a wonderful series. thanks for the giveaway.
Thank you so much, Mo! Good look in the drawing!
This sounds really good! Would love the opportunity to read this book! Thankyou for the great giveaway!
Jill, Thank you so much! Good luck in the drawing!
Dru Ann, as always, thank you so much for having Liz and me on the blog! So much fun!! 🙂
Thank you Susan for letting Liz drop by and give us a glimpse into her day.
I see some binge-reading in my future…
Thank you for the giveaway……
I am ready for more Lowcountry Boyer. Count me in.
This would definitely be a book that I would love to read. Such a great series and I do need to catch up with it I must admit. There are so many great authors and their books to read but somehow I only seem to get minutes a day left over for reading. I must try to do something about that very very soon. 🙂 Would love to meet Susan some time along with Gretchen and Phoebe/Tiffany, Larissa and others. Congratulations on your latest release Susan.
Cynthia
I’ve heard such good things about this series, but have yet to start it! Thanks for the peek and chance to win!
Contest is closed.