A day here on Sassamanash Farm in Cranberry Cove, Michigan usually starts with sugar and spice and everything nice. Well, at least the sugar and spice part! I’ll be doing a lot of baking this morning—cranberry scones, muffins and bread and whipping up batches of cranberry salsa.
Today is the first day of the Winter Walk—an event dreamed up by Mayor Crowley and as much as I think he’s a pompous you-know-what, I have to admit it is a very good idea.
January is dead in Cranberry Cove. The summer tourists are long gone, the sightseers on autumn color tours left before the last leaf fell and the guests who came to see the town all done up for Christmas are warm and cozy in their own homes.
So we’ve decorated Cranberry Cove to the hilt and Beach Hollow Road, where all the shops are, will be turned into a pedestrian walkway for the weekend.
This morning I was up to my elbows in flour and sugar when there was a knock on the backdoor and it opened.
“Yoo hoo, anybody home?” My stepmother Gina stuck her head into the kitchen. “It smells heavenly in here.”
People in Cranberry Cove view Gina as something of a rara avis. It’s her penchant for animal print clothing and stiletto-heeled boots. She doesn’t even try to blend in.
“I saw your boyfriend this morning as he was opening up Book ‘Em.”
I felt my face begin to flush. “He’s not my boyfriend.”
“He could be if you put a little effort into it,” Gina said continuing a conversation we’d already had many times before.
I like Greg, I really do. But right now I’m not ready for a serious relationship. I’ve got to help my half-brother Jeff get the farm going.
“I hope this Winter Walk is a success,” Gina said looking out the window where fat snowflakes were beginning to fall.
“I’m sure it will be.” I patted out some dough and cut it into crescents for scones.
“I don’t know. I have a funny feeling about it,” Gina said, twirling a piece of expensively highlighted hair around her finger.
Later I thought back to our conversation. I don’t know what Gina expected to happen at the Winter Walk, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t murder!
Berry The Hatchet is the second book in the Cranberry Cove mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime, May 2016.
Cranberry farm owner Monica Albertson is once again bogged down in murder in the second Cranberry Cove mystery from national bestselling author Peg Cochran.
The entire town of Cranberry Cove is popping with excitement. Monica Albertson is baking cranberry goodies by the dozen and shopkeepers are decking out their storefronts for the first annual Winter Walk—an event dreamed up by the mayor to bring visitors to the town during a normally dead time of year.
But it’s the mayor who turns up dead during the grand opening ceremony, his lifeless body making its entrance in a horse-drawn sleigh. Monica’s mother and stepmother quickly become the prime suspects when it’s discovered that the mayor was dating both of them, and to make things worse, her half brother Jeff uncovers a clue buried near one of the bogs on Sassamanash Farm. Now it’s up to Monica to find out who really put the mayor on ice.
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About the author
Mystery writing lets Peg indulge her curiosity under the guise of “work.” As a kid, she read the entire set of children’s encyclopedias her parents gave her and has been known to read the dictionary. She put pen to paper at age seven when she wrote plays and forced her cousins to perform them at Christmas dinner. She switched to mysteries when she discovered the perfect hiding place for a body down the street from her house.
When she’s not writing, she spends her time reading, cooking, spoiling her granddaughter and checking her book’s stats on Amazon.
A former Jersey girl, Peg now resides in Michigan with her husband and Westhighland white terrier, Reg. She is the author of the Sweet Nothings Lingerie series (written as Meg London), the Gourmet De-Lite series, the Lucille series and now the Cranberry Cove series. Her newest series, the Farmer’s Daughter, debuts with No Farm, No Foul in September 2016.
Links: Website | Twitter | Faceboook
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of Berry The Hatchet. US entries only, please. The giveaway will end June 1, 2016 at 12 AM EST. Good luck everyone!
All comments are welcomed.
This sounds like my kind of series. Cranberry Cove sounds like an interesting place!
I’ve always enjoyed books by Peg Cochran. Thanks for a chance to enter!
Thanks for the chance to win. I really enjoyed the first book and can’t wait to read this one.
Loved the first ! Peg is a favorite author!!!!
New author for me! All of ehr series sound like fun reads. Somehow reading the dictionary doesn’t sound like fun though. I love Michigan!
Sounds like a wonderful read, and I really want to visit Cranberry Cove!
This sounds like a good new series. Do you have a recipe for the Cranberry Salsa mentioned in the post? Sounds yummy!
Sounds good to me.
I am hoping to get to the first book soon. Love to win the second. Thanks fore the giveaway.
Looking forward to learning more about Cranberry Cove and adding it to my reading list!
Sounds like a good read. Thank you for this chance.
Thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series and looking forward to reading this one. Thank you.
Sounds like another great cozy and I love this cover!
wfnren at aol dot com
I want this one, too.
I’m really looking forward to this one. I love cranberries, although I didn’t care for them for the longest time. I guess tastebuds do change. Thanks for the insight, Drug, and for the chance to win a book!
The first thing that attracts me to a book is the cover and Peg Cochran’s books are eye-catching. From the sound of the plot, the location and also the fact it is a mystery too assures me it will be a great book to read. robeader53@yahoo.com
I have to read a book written by someone who reads the dictionary!
Sounds like a good story
I am glad to learn this book is out-have to read it! Peg is such a talented writer that all of her books appeal to me. I know I read the first book in the series and enjoyed it, this one promises to be another success. Thanks Dru for reminding me about this! Thanks Peg for the chance to win a copy. How’s that adorable Westie doing? 🙂
Sounds like a great book to add to my cozy challenge list. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
Oh how I just love all of the awesome Peg Cochran’s books….she is one of my very favorite authors! This sounds like another winner for her and I am so excited to read it!!!! Sure would be fun to win it! The cover on this new book is so cool too!! Thank you so much dear Dru and Peg for the chance to win a copy! God bless you both!!!
Wonderful feature and giveaway. Thanks.
Love this series.
I would love to win a copy of Berry the Hatchet~ Thanks for the giveaway!
Wondering how the mayor managed to hide the fact that he was dating both women.
I loved the previous book in the series and am anxious to try this one!
Sounds like a fun read and thanks for this giveaway.
I couldn’t handle the stilettos, but bring on the animal prints!
I haven’t read this series but looking forward to doing so in the near future. Sounds like a great tead.
I adore mysteries that take place close to home.
Of course I’d rather be reading about them than be the victim of a murder mystery!
would love to “read local” lol like shopping local..thanks for the chance
I am a native Michigander now living outside Boston, MA. I would love to win this book, thank you.
Loved Berried Secrets. Would love the chance to win a copy of Berry the Hatchet
My favorite type of book — one with a cat on the cover! LOL.
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I really enjoyed Berried Secrets and am looking forward to reading Berry the Hatchet. Once I read Berry the Hatchet I will have to be sure to check out Peg’s other series. Thanks for the chance to win!
I have heard good things about this book! I’d love to win it! Thanks for offering the chance!
Sounds like a great read.
Can’t wait to read this book…thanks for the chance!
I haven’t read this series yet but I sure would like to. Please enter me.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Great post. Looks like a most intriguing read and am looking forward to it. Thanks for the chance to get it sooner. Rather than later. Loved the cover to.
I thoroughly enjoyed your first book in the Crandbreey Series. I read it when I was recovering from my double mastectomy last July, Peg, and I would be honored to read the second book when I have breast reconstruction this July. I have had 4 surgeries since last July and hopefully this will be my last one. It has only been my family and friends and readingnthatnhas gotten me through the last year. For that I thank you with all my heart. Thank you for the opportunity to win this giveaway. God bless. 🌺💞📚💞🌺
A definite ‘add’ to my WishList….
Thank you for the giveaway…..