Shhhhh! I have a confession to make. When my best friend and neighbor, Kate McKenzie, was hired on to organize Amelia Nethercutt’s hoarder’s paradise of a mansion, I was jealous. I wanted to see what the inside of the place looked like. I’ve lived in Hazelton, Vermont all my life, and the wealthy Amelia was a hometown girl herself. So when she returned a decade ago with husband number five, and bought the biggest place in town to hold the couple’s fabulous and eccentric collections…Well, let’s just say the rumor mill hasn’t been quiet since. I’ve had ten years to imagine that interior, and Kate, who just moved here six months ago, not only gained a first look, but was getting paid to do so. Well, until the murder of course, and my best friend suddenly went to the top of the police list for favorite suspect.
Kate is an organizational expert. A few months ago, she started her business Stacked in Your Favor, and let me help with little set-up jobs. She always has great ways of doing things that seem so simple you don’t know why you didn’t think about them before, and she shares her ideas with everyone. I’ve started carrying a little notepad around lately, because I have the worst memory in the world, and I’m always forgetting to tell people things they need to know. Kate keeps notes naturally, and I think her brain constantly works in a list format. Because of her I’ve learned slow-cooker recipes that mean breakfast is ready when we get up in the morning, how to streamline laundry chores, and about a million other little ways to make life easier. She just tosses off little hints like they’re no big deal, but I can’t wait to try each one.
Anyway, Kate’s business is all about helping people reduce the clutter and chaos in their lives. Amelia signed on as her first real client, and let’s just say the Nethercutt clutter had reached epic proportions. Kate’s first day in the mansion was just to evaluate if she wanted the job, and determine what tasks the project entailed.
I convinced Kate to let me work part-time if it was bigger than a one-woman job. So while she sorted through the Nethercutt estate, I spent all afternoon in my front yard pretending to work my pitiful too-early-spring flowerbeds so I’d catch her when she arrived home. I’m not the most patient person on a good day, so I’ll admit to being antsy waiting to learn what lay hidden behind the walls. But the job over almost before it started.
Now, the real work begins. Motherhood mixed with murder investigation.
Besides the normal duties of any mothers—I have two elementary aged sons, and Kate has twin six-year-old daughters—we’re busy trying to put a name to the murderer, and figure out if the thefts we’ve discovered since the murder are connected, or secondary to the original crime. The police may enjoy more forensic resources, but we have a few advantages of our own. As mothers, our finely-honed intuitive skills are put to the test. Kate, of course, has the organization and logic necessary to tear down and put right any problem that comes her way. I bring a lifetime knowledge of Hazelton, as well as contacts through my mother, the almost professional club woman. In all, we may not know how to take and identify fingerprints, but if we work together we have a good chance to catch a sticky-fingered thief and point a finger at a cold-blooded killer.
We better be able to, anyway, because the crimes are stacking up and someone keeps systematically putting Kate in harm’s way. To find out if we get all the tasks crossed off our To-Do lists before we get crossed off the killer’s list, grab a copy of Organized For Murder. Besides learning if we solve this crime in time, Kate also shares organizational ideas that will work in most every household, no matter the family size. I need to go now and write down a couple of tips she gave me earlier today, then see if I can uncover some “facts” from my mother the gossip. But don’t tell Mother I said that! Remember, shh…
Organized For Murder, is the first book in the “Organized” Mystery series, published by Gemma Halliday Publishing. Like all of Gemma’s books, this cozy series is a fun mystery with humor and great characters, but with the added extra of terrific tips woven into the plot to use long after the killer is marking the days behind bars. The novel is available at retail and online booksellers in both print and ebook formats.
Comment on this post by noon, February 25, and you will be entered to win a copy of either the print OR e-book version of Organized For Murder. One winner will be chosen at random.
Meet the author
Ritter Ames lives in a small town in the middle of America, but spends each day dreaming up crimes and creating chaos in her characters’ lives. Organized For Murder is the first cozy in her Organized Mysteries series, and she has another series, the Bodies of Art Mysteries, starting with Counterfeit Conspiracies, also published by Gemma Halliday Publishing. Ritter tries to blog regularly at ritterames.wordpress.com and uses her Pinterest boards at pinterest.com/ritterames to capture great places and ideas she wants to use in both series. Follow her blog and boards to learn more about Ritter and her upcoming books.
** For A Limited Time Only, starting today (2/24/14), “ORGANIZED FOR MURDER” is 99 cents as a digital download **
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This book a must have it or I will cry! I love a good mystery and I am trying to be somewhat organized….well let’s just say I love a good mystery and would love to have this book. Thank you for chance to win.
Oh, Carletta, don’t cry. You’re entered to win now, and I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you 🙂
Sounds like a fun series! Thanks for opening this contest to people outside the US also.
I really enjoyed writing it, Elaine, and I hope everyone has just as much fun reading it.
Sounds great! I could stand for some organization tips too. 🙂
I think everyone has some organization issue(s) to address. Incorporating them into a cozy mystery was just a lot of fun to do.
This sounds like it is right down my alley. Thanks for the chance to win.
Good luck, Mary!
I need Kate in my life…
LOL! We all need a Kate in our lives, Jan.
It sounds like a great start to this series.
I’m deep into revisions on the second book now, Gram.
Sounds wonderful, I love a good murder. Would love to read/win this
Good luck, Debbie!
I’ve heard of the author but hadn’t read her books yet. I am adding her to my wish list !
Well, Kathy, right now Amazon has both my books in Kindle version still priced at 99 cents (Counterfeit Conspiracies already went up at the other booksellers). I’m not sure how long the special pricing will stay in effect, but without meaning to sound like a blatant self-promoter “now is the time to try Ritter Ames books while the price is right.” Have a great week!
This sounds like a powerhouse of a book! 🙂
Why just write a fun mystery when you can make it a pseudo self-help book too, I always say. LOL! Good to see you come by, Diana!
Ritter’s work is great! This looks so good! I’d go for either version if the ebook is NOOK compatable. In the meantime…..
Andrea, the book is definitely Nook compatible, and I really appreciate you bringing it up. Something in the programming to get the new book into B&N made it go in twice–once under the regular $3.99 price, and again at $0.99 while it’s a short term bargain. But when I went in to search the title, the $3.99 price is the one that pops up as the primary. For anyone wanting to get the Nook version right now at the 99 cent pricing, I have a link that works for you http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/organized-for-murder-ritter-ames/1118585745?ean=2940148290353
Again, thank you, Andrea!
This book is written for me! I have lists everywhere and I have the worst memory. I haven’t heard of this author before but I have to read this one. Fingers crossed! Thank you so much for the chance.
Good luck, Carol 🙂
I always considered myself OCD – and now it turns out that means I am an organizer. Who knew? I would love this book.
It’s all in how you view it, Annette 🙂 Good luck with the drawing
I am looking forward to reading this book!
Good luck, Alicia!
It’s always fun to read something by a new author. This sounds especially fun.
It was fun to write, too. Good luck!
I really don’t think I need a professional organizer. I just need a bigger room for my library. My current one is only 11×14. I need a room that is 20×30 and then I’d have room to triple the size and breath of my home library.
Dru, I’d love to be in this contest… so please toss my hat into the ring.
Sounds like you have the right priorities, Nora Adrienne 🙂 Good luck!
Photos of my bookshelves (about six months ago) are posted in the photo section of my FB page. LOL
I try to be organized but I don’t always succeed. I’d love to read this! Thank you!
Start small, Carol. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can see results that way. Good luck on the drawing.
I’m really disorganized—-I need to hire someone like this before my basement explodes.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
You would not believe how many people I hear that from. I think basements are an even bigger problem than attics. May have to do a future book on basement revamps and reorganizing 🙂 Good luck on the drawing, Sue!
This one sounds so good! I’d love to win 🙂
Good luck, Jessica!
Sounds like a terrific and helpful series.
Thank you, Rachel 🙂
I love cozies with
Yes, Lisa, cozies are my longtime favorite, too.
I can always use an organizational tip or two and a good mystery to solve. Thanks for the giveaway.
Good luck, Judy!
Great book, don’t enter me in the contest I already have it unless its a signed copy..lol This was a fun book to read..
Glad you like it, Lisa! 🙂
No guilt because I’m reading instead of cleaning and de-cluttering – not when the book gives me clues about how to organize.
When you want a good mystery with your research. Right, Nanci?
It’s great seeing everyone today, and reading your comments. Wanted to add a bit more info about the pricing since I got official word from my publisher a short time ago. The 99 cent bargain price will ONLY RUN THIS WEEK. It’s set up as a special promo for the book’s launch. I knew it was only short term, but didn’t know for sure how short term. 🙂
Sounds good. I have too much stuff to organize. Sometimes I spend time reading instead of cleaning!
I’m not sure that’s a bad thing, Michelle. LOL!
I would love to win a print copy of this book. Who can’t use helpful household organizational tips. I get overwhelmed with too many books, and many other hobbies, but I still keep buying. Need an intervention perhaps?
haha.
Thank you for this great giveaway Dru.
I wonder what name this writer wrote under prior to this book. I would like to know if I have read any of her other books. Thanks.
Cynthia
Good luck, Cynthia. The only other fiction I’ve had published in novel form is Counterfeit Conspiracies. But thanks so much for the kind words. 🙂
Downloaded it this weekend at Amazon’s $.99 price. I’m about 1/2 way through. So good that I’m reading way too fast. And, I managed to squeeze in 2 hour commute & 8 hours at work. Just finished cleaning up kitchen after dinner. Going to read for an hour (at least)
Already looking forward to next in series!
Thanks so much for sharing that, Lindar. I love hearing stories like that 🙂
I know how busy everyone is, and I can totally relate to this.
I used to be such an organizing fiend, but I got over that once I finished school!!! LOL!!!!
now, everything needs to be in view….if I put things away, i’ll forget about them!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
I understand. Good luck, Cyn!
Since I am only partially successful at being organized, I’d love to have this character’s skills! Guess I’ll settle for the book for now.
Happy reading, Libby. LOL!
Thanks Ritter for commentting and giving us a glimpse into Meg’s day.
contest is closed.