The upright bass strings resonated, the notes deep and husky. In the background, the finger-snapping began. Peggy Lee’s voice threaded over the top of the rhythm. It was playful, hot, and full of delicious promise. She was doing her best to convince me that I couldn’t possibly know the depths of her love, could never understand how much she cared.
Johnny noted my delighted expression when I placed the lyrics, and he smiled. He was standing over me, backlit by a crackling fire, naked from the waist up. His Levis hung low on his lean hips, and the shadows from the fire played off the soft curl of his blonde hair, the marble cut of his biceps, and the strength in his hands hanging loosely at his sides.
The chorus of the song scorched out of the speakers.
Fever.
Believe me, I felt the heat.
Johnny was love and rockets and romance and sweetness. We’d officially been a couple since December, not even two months, but we’d casually dated before that. That’s how I was gonna write the story, anyhow. Another person might interpret my “casual dating” as more like “neurotic dating,” with me constantly worrying what a great guy like Johnny was doing with someone like me, and subsequently doing everything I could to sabotage our budding relationship.
You see, I’m a little messed up.
I’m an only child, the daughter of an alcoholic who died driving drunk the summer before my junior year of high school. He’d killed someone else in the accident, and I became a pariah in my hometown of Paynesville, Minnesota. Come the end of my senior year, I was only too happy to skedaddle that wide spot on a map.
Ink not even dry on my high school diploma, I took off for the Cities. I did all right for a while. Earned my English degree from the University of Minnesota, waited tables at a Vietnamese restaurant on the West Bank, hit the bars but only on weekends. Eventually, I found myself attending more bars than classes, dating Bad Brad, and wondering if this was what my alcoholic dad’s life had looked like in his 20s. I didn’t like the direction—or lack thereof—in which I was headed.
A year ago last March, I received a shittily-wrapped gift when I caught Brad cheating on me, a few hours later, was flashed by a homeless man while crossing the Washington Avenue bridge. Nothing like stumbling across two unexpected penises in one day to crowbar you out of a rut, you know what I mean?
When my friend Sunny called soon after the doubleheader and asked me to take care of her dog and cute little prefab house on the most gorgeous 100 acres in all of Minnesota, I didn’t so much leap at the offer as trust-fall into it. The gig was only supposed to last March through August while Sunny explored Alaska with Dean, her unibrowed lover, but late last summer, the couple landed a year-round job on one of the fishing boats, and here I was, an unofficial Battle Lake resident for coming up on a year.
I imagine I’d have gotten into the small town rhythm sooner—I’d been born and raised in a little burg, after all—if it weren’t for the dead bodies popping up regularly. One corpse a month, every month since May, matter of fact.
A guy I had a crush on here, a statue thief there, and pretty soon, it added up to me stumbling over ten murders in as many months. I didn’t like to think about that record because when I did, I was inevitably brought to two conclusions: 1) I was jinxed with the mother of all cooties: dead-body finding, and 2) it had been twenty-three days since I’d skated over a frozen corpse on West Battle. I could almost hear the clock ticking down on February. When and where would the next murder be?
You can read more about Mira in February Fever, the 10th book in the “Murder-by-Month” mystery series, published by Midnight Ink. The first book in the series is May Day.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on February 16 for the chance to win a copy of FEBRUARY FEVER. Three lucky commenters will be randomly selected. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Winners will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes.
About the author
The author of twelve novels and numerous short stories, Jess Lourey is best known for her 
critically-acclaimed Murder-by-Month mysteries, which have earned multiple starred reviews from Library Journal and Booklist, the latter writing, “It’s not easy to make people laugh while they’re on the edge of their seats, but Lourey pulls it off…[A] very clever series.” Jessica is a tenured professor of creative writing and sociology at a Minnesota college. You can find out more about Jessica and her books at www.jesslourey.com.
Delightful series.
Thanks, Barbara! 🙂
A fun series. Looking forword to the new one.
Thank you for your kindness, bookwoman!
Great boooks
Thank you, Paula! If you sign up for my newsletter at http://www.jessicalourey.com, you automatically receive a free Mrs. Berns’ short story. 🙂
Thank you for your giveaway. This book sounds great. I want to find out how the townspeople feel about someone who finds a dead body every month. Looking forward to reading it.
Thanks, Melody! I hope you like the series. Should be available in your local library, as well as wherever books are sold.
“Murder-by-Month” mystery series is new to me but it sounds great. I am looking forward to reading it.
myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you, Jen! If you like funny mysteries with a little bit of edge, this one will be for you!
This is the first I am hearing of this series. It has been placed on my “List”. Looking forward to reading them all.
Yay! Thanks, Shawn.
Although I have never read this series, I can’t help but feel that Mira has now got me hooked! Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
That’s awesome news, Debbie! Thanks for reading the post and commenting.
What a unique protagonist! I’d love to read this series.
Happy to hear it, Lisa!
This is a new series for me, can’t wait to read it
Thank you, Debbie! February Fever is my favorite in the series so far.
Love this series, altho I’m a few ‘months’ behind. Thanks for the review and reminder!
You’re the best, Jane! Now you can speed read them. 🙂 Of course, I can only write so fast…
I must find ?January.
Thank you, Gram! Your local library should have it or can order it, or your local indie (http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780738738758) can order it for you if they don’t have it currently stocked. I’m happy to say January Thaw wast just nominated for a Lefty for Best Humorous Mystery.
I came in late to this series and now I can’t wait for the next month to read all about Mira and her friends.
Dru Ann, you’re the BEST! Thank you for having me, and being such a brilliant supporter of mysteries, mystery readers, and mystery writers! What did we ever do without you?!?
looks like a nice series, thank you so much for chance 🙂
Lisa, if you like funny mysteries with some edge, I think (hope?) you’ll like this the Murder-by-Month mysteries! Thanks for commenting.
I love series and one a month is a great way to go.
Well, you know, the alphabet and the numbers were already taken. 🙂
Murder-by-the Month sounds like a great series. I am going to start on May right away! Thanks for introducing me to the series Dru! Thanks also for the opportunity to win the latest in the series!
May Day is a little rough, Barbara–it was my first mystery–so I hope you decide to stick with me!
I really enjoy this series. It would be great fun to own a copy.
Thanks for your kindness, Amy!
I want this book!!!
Haha! I believe you. 🙂
This sounds like a great book and an intriguing concept for a series! Thank you so much for the great review, Dru! Thank you for the contest!
Betty, isn’t Dru the best? Thanks for reading the post and taking the time to comment!
Yes, Jess, she really is! Dru has a fantastic blog!
Dru you find so many authors that I haven’t read yet. My bookshelves are overflowing with books to read as soon as possible. Thanks for the interview. I really enjoy your posts.
Dru is a WIZARD. Thanks for reading the post and commenting, Robin!
Battle Lake sounds like a pretty nice place, except for all the dead bodies of course. Oh well, who likes being bored anyway? Thanks for the chance to win February Fever.
Ha! The town being nice is real; the murdered bodies are fiction, Carlrscott. You should visit Battle Lake!
This book looks like a lot of fun, can’t wait to read it. Thanks for the chance to win 🙂
Patricia, it’s my favorite in the series so far. Good luck on the drawing!
Wonderfully enticing!
I hope so, Libby! I love the series. Thanks for reading the post and for replying!
Amazing how time goes by when you’re stumbling over corpses. Go, Mira.
Hahah! Truth. 🙂
This is one of my favorite series–these books are an auto-buy for me. I love Mira and Mrs. Berns!! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of February Fever.
Auto-buy??? There is such a thing, Linda? You’ve just officially made my day.
Where is Mira now? I want to make sure I don’t go there 🙂
Karin, that makes all of Minnesota off limits, though with it being winter, I think that’s a given. 🙂
This looks like a good story, definitely not your typical cozy. Some serious overtones but I see humor peeking through. I have put this on my TBR pile.
Lotsa humor, sallycootie, though definitely some darker stuff in this one. Thanks for considering adding it to your TBR pile!
New to me series that I have added to my TBR!
Thanks for letting me hang out with the rest of your books, Wendy!
Not a problem Jess LOL
Looks interesting.
Thanks, Joyce!
I’m just now finding this series, too. I just placed a hold on the library’s copy of May. I can’t wait to begin this series. Since my birthday’s in Feb, it seems like the perfect gift for me. Thanks, Dru, for the intro. Thanks, Jess, for writing my favorite theme, humorous murders!
Happy birthday, K’tee bee! And if you like funny mysteries, in addition to mine, I encourage you to check out Lois Greiman’s “Un” series, and of course, Harley Jane Kozak’s wonderful books, if you haven’t already.
February has always been my least favorite month. Maybe this book will change my mind.
I hope so, Victoria! 🙂
I love cozies, and I have read several books from this series, but not February Fever. I really enjoy the series. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Darlene, thank for reading the series! February Fever is my favorite in the bunch so far. I hope you enjoy it!
sounds like Mira has an interesting story. Looking forward to sharing her life. thanks.
Thank you, Mary Lou, for reading the post and commenting to enter to win a copy of February Fever!
I’ve already ordered it, so give it to a newbie – but just wanted to say how much I’m looking forward to reading this! 🙂
You’ve made my day, Jan! Thank you.
What happens when the series runs out of months? I’ve enjoyed each book and enjoy that they take place in my home state of Minnesota.
Lynette, I’m going to talk to Sue Grafton and figure out what she’s doing, and then I’ll copy it. 😉 Thanks for reading the series! Greetings from Minnesota.
My favorite series ever….I don’t know what will happen when you run out of months but I bet you have a plan!!! I just love Mira 🙂
Jessica!!!! I love your post. Thank you for reading the books, and for your faith in me. 🙂 <3
Sounds awesome! Love finding new authors and series! Thanks for the chance!
Barbara, I hope you get a chance to check the series out! February Fever is my favorite so far, so I recommend starting there, and going back to May Day (which is a little rough–it’s my first mystery) if you like what you read.
This is hands down one of my favorite series! It keeps getting better and better! 🙂
Thank you thank you thank you, Dina!
Where have I been? I had no idea that this series was even out there, but I love the idea! Clearly, I need to spend more time browsing my local bookstore’s shelves for new-to-me titles. (Such a hardship. *wink*) Thanks for the chance to win!
Jamlambert, isn’t awesome that Dru Ann does all the legwork for us? 🙂
It sounds like a hot fun read. Thanks for this chance to win it.
Hot fun read!!! Love it. Thanks for reading the post, Anita, and commenting for a chance to win a free copy of February Fever.
A great series! I’m looking forward to reading the newest one. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity
Thank you for your kind words, Vivian, and for checking out the series! February Fever is my favorite so far. 🙂
I always enjoy a good book written by a Minnesota author. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Sue, have you checked out Lois Greiman and William Kent Krueger’s mysteries? I’m a fan of both of them, and both series are set in Minnesota. I hope you’re able to track down a copy of February Fever (if you don’t win one), too!
I wasn’t even aware of this series! I must begin reading it. Sounds like something I would love. Thanks for the opportunity to win.
I really do think you’d love it, Mary. 😉 Good luck on the contest!
my birthday is in February……..hint, hint!!!!
Ha! You are a subtle bunch here at Dru’s blog. 🙂 Happy birthday, and best of luck this month!
This sounds awesome. Please, please pick me!!
Thanks for reading the post and entering by posting a comment, Lynn!
How could a book be more timely?
Right, CJ??? 🙂 I love it when the book comes out in the appropriate month. 🙂
I am sorry to say that I don’t believe that I have ever read anything by Jess, but that all stops now and I am planning on getting caught up with some of these books. Thank you for the contest which could very well get me going on this author’s writings if I were extra lucky. Thank you so much for the valuable information about these books.
Cynthia
Yay, Cynthia!!!! Thank you.
Perfect read for a miserably cold winter.
Dverne, it’s funny because I live in Minnesota but am in Boston today to teach a creative writing class. I didn’t think the winter was so bad until I got to the NE. What is wrong with that picture?!?
Jess, I need some laughs. Count me in. Thanks.
You’re my kinda lady, Judy. 🙂
Havent read this series but would love to read it always looking for new series
Jill, thank you for reading the post and entering to win! February Fever is my favorite book in the series.
Awesome. Thank you! 🙂
Happy Valentine’s Day, Erin!
February Fever…sounds like a great read in all of this snowy weather. Thanks for sharing.
It’s seasonal fun, Betty Jo! Thanks for reading about it and for posting a comment to enter the contest.
Maybe we all need a fever in order to be warm this month. Besides being buried with all the snow, we are suffering the windchill. Thanks for the opportunity to find out about this author.
Spring has to come, right Robin??? It’s weird to me that I had to travel to Boston/NYC (where I’m currently snowed in) to find the cold! Usually, Minnesota corners that market.
I love this series! I can’t wait to read the newest addition!!
Awwww, MaryBeth, thank you for your kindness! February Fever is my favorite in the series so far. 🙂
This is a new series to me, but I’m going to start looking for all the books in it. I’ve read cozy series with days of the week, 2 alphabet series (still working on the last few letters in each, a few holidays series and up to 21 in Janet Evanvich series. I really think I need the months of the year!
I am a big fan of your excellent logical reasoning, Loretta! <3
Thanks…Great giveaway! I love Jess Lourey’s books & can’t wait to read this new installment!
Thank you for your kindness, Barbara!
Can’t wait. Sounds great so far.
Thanks for reading about it and posting a comment to enter to win, Becky!
Sounds like another awesome book.
Dru has a nose for this stuff, doesn’t she, Mary Jane? 🙂
Thanks Jess for commenting and interacting with my readers.
Contest is closed.
My pleasure, Dru Ann! The first winner’s book is going in the mail today.
I love this series! I just finished February Fever and am already missing Mira and Mrs. Berns! Can’t wait for more, it left me hanging!! 🙂