Occupation: Minnesota P.I. and former Crime Statistician

When I gave up my position as a crime statistician at St. Paul Community College to work as an investigative assistant for my late father’s former partner, I expected a few murders to waft my way. I also expected to get my P.I. license from the state of Minnesota. What I didn’t expect was to have my philandering ex-husband waltz in the door of Blake Investigations in New Ulm and beg me to find out who murdered his new wife, kitchen designer extraordinaire Tawn Hamlin.

True, the guy was a cheating nogoodnik with a penchant for beautiful women but Jason Rayner was no killer. Heck, he even saved a praying mantis once and fed it until the insect’s leg healed from an injury.

I took on the case, much to my boss’s surprise, and my mother’s shock. “Thank the good Lord you got a divorce, Marcie. Imagine! You could have been married to a murderer!” No matter how I tried to explain to her that Jason was no killer, there was not stopping her imagination from fearing the worst.

Then again, there was no stopping her imagination altogether. When she found out that a multi-million-dollar international tourmaline heist had new intel in Minnesota, she was convinced our firm was on the case. I tried to explain that we weren’t exactly Interpol but that didn’t dissuade her.

Meanwhile, I had to act fast because Jason immediately became a person-of-interest and that’s never a good thing. To find Tawn’s real killer, I had to delve into her quirky clients whose design tastes and extravagances were only equaled by their fortunes. From business magnates to world-renown artists, I had to dig, sift, and stay one step ahead of them.

I also had to brace myself for their antics. While socialite Candace swooned and swore, and famed Realtor Ernie boasted and bragged, I had to delve past their acting skills to see what secrets lurked behind their pricy kitchen designs. I also had to protect myself from the ever-growing threats against my own safety. Yep, Tawn Hamlin’s unfortunate demise was just the tip of this proverbial iceberg. And my mother’s insistence that Blake Investigations would be investing that international heist was getting closer to home. Yikes!

Thankfully, I’ve had an understanding boss and an adventurous new boyfriend who provided the best back-up this thirty-something detective needed. Not to mention Byron, my spoiled tuxedo cat whose main source of entertainment was checking out the courtyard in my apartment complex from the safety of his window perch.

True, this wasn’t the first murder I tackled, and it wouldn’t be my last, but it was certainly my most personal.
     Marcie Rayner, P.I.

Murder at Classy Kitchens, A Marcie Rayner Mystery #3
Genre: Private Investigator
Release: March 2021
Purchase Link

Neophyte investigator, Marcie Rayner, takes on a case she should have walked away from – finding out who really killed her ex-husband’s new wife. The victim, kitchen designer extraordinaire, Tawn Hamlin, was found dead in the showroom at Edina, Minnesota’s prestigious Classy Kitchens where she created one-of-a-kind masterpieces for wealthy clientele. And while the employees at Classy Kitchens appear to be devastated by Tawn’s death, Marcie wonders if one of them wasn’t responsible for the blow to the head that killed her.

It seemed everyone had a motive for murder, beginning with her assistants who craved her job, not to mention the demanding clients who were never satisfied. Then there was her husband, Marcie’s ex, Jordan, who recently took out a huge insurance policy on Tawn, compelling the police department to make him a person-of-interest.

Jordan was never truthful with Marcie when it came to his philandering, making her question whether or not he was being honest with her when he denied having anything to do with his wife’s murder.

As Marcie sifts through the clues and discovers a possible stolen art ring, she suddenly finds herself in jeopardy. Clearly, someone wants her out of the way and will stop at nothing to prevent her from learning the truth. Then, a twist she never expected, forces her to take a brazen step that may be her last.

About the Author
New York native Ann I. Goldfarb spent most of her life in education, first as a classroom teacher and later as a middle school principal and professional staff developer. Writing as J. C. Eaton, along with her husband, James Clapp, they have authored the Sophie Kimball Mysteries (Kensington), The Wine Trail Mysteries (Kensington Lyrical Underground and Beyond the Page Publishing), and the Marcie Rayner Mysteries (Camel). In addition, Ann has nine published YA time travel mysteries under her own name. Visit their website at jceatonmysteries.com and jceatonauthor.com, on Facebook and at timetravelmysteries.com.

When James E. Clapp retired as the tasting room manager for a large upstate New York winery, he never imagined he’d be co-authoring cozy mysteries with his wife, Ann I. Goldfarb. Non-fiction in the form of informational brochures and workshop materials treating the winery industry were his forte along with an extensive background and experience in construction that started with his service in the U.S. Navy and included vocational school classroom teaching.

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