First off, only my dearest friends call me Pish. My given name is Percival Ishmael Lincoln. When I was little I couldn’t even say my own name and introduced myself as Pish, and it stuck. Let me tell you, Pish was way better in the school I went to than Percival or Percy would have been.
And a day in the life? Back when I was working I could have told you at any hour of the day what I was doing. As an investment counselor or financial advisor, whatever you want to call my past profession, I was up at five, then shower, shave, etcetera, and coffee at the table by the window in my condo overlooking Central Park, or on the terrace balcony if the weather was suitable. Then, dressed in a proper suit and tie I would walk to work.
I spent my days reading the business news, meeting with clients, doing statistical analysis of the day’s stock sales, and so on, until it was time to go home, around six or so. Most days I had dinner out with friends and on the weekend I would go to parties: the Hamptons, Manhattan, Cape Cod… wherever there was a party, I would go. Or the opera; I adore the opera, everything from light operettas, like Gilbert and Sullivan to heavier pieces, like Mendelssohn.
What about a love life, you ask? I don’t talk about that; it’s intensely personal. In my line of business discretion was everything.
But to the present: one day my special friend Merry Wynter, widow of the most talented photographer I have ever known, Miguel Paradiso, packed up and disappeared from her tiny Manhattan sublet. I was worried, but when she phoned me a couple of weeks later and told me she had finally gone to visit her inherited castle and had some questions for me, I was relieved. Merry is a doll, but she does tend to avoid trouble instead of facing it head on. Her tackling her inheritance at long last was refreshing. I was so intrigued I showed up on her doorstep with information, and a request… I desperately wanted to stay in the castle for awhile.
And that’s where I’ve been ever since, in a wonderful old castle, surrounded by kooky Autumn Valers and with ideas teeming for a new book on financial scams (I forgot to mention; I write books, too) based on the trouble at the Autumn Vale Community Bank, and just having a grand time! I wasn’t here when the murder occurred, thank heaven. Poor Merry… she had her hands full. I expect things will settle down now, though she is insisting on trying to have a party to promote and sell the castle.
But as for me… I no longer have a ‘normal’ day, and that’s wonderful! I have found a surprisingly simpatico soul in Janice Grover, wife of the troubled bank’s manager. Janice, a zaftig cutie who favors muumuus and mai tais, is funny and smart and delightfully odd.
Merry is desperately trying to avoid falling in love with the deliciously handsome sheriff, whose mother, Gogi, has become her new best friend, and Shilo, both of our adored little ‘sister/daughter’ is falling for the attractively plain Jack McGill, real estate agent and Jack of all trades. I think you can tell I’m having the time of my life, though Merry keeps trying to thank me for staying. Thank me? Heavens, she couldn’t bust me out of the castle with dynamite, and if I can figure out a way she can keep her inheritance, I will.
Thank you for letting me talk about life in Autumn Vale, and Merry Wynter. I hope you all visit! Come see the castle. I guarantee you’ll never want to leave!
About Muffin but Murder
When Merry Wynter unexpectedly inherited a castle in the wilds of upstate New York, she took some time to adjust. After living in New York City it was culture shock to wind up in a castle a few miles away from small town Autumn Vale. However… far from being lonely, as she first feared, her best friends Shilo Dinnegan (a former model) and Pish Lincoln, (a retired financial advisor who now writes books on financial scams and con artists) have joined her at Wynter Castle.It is clear that she can’t afford to keep such a huge building, even if it is her ancestral home. It must be sold! She has an upscale party to promote Wynter Castle to would-be buyers who may be able to take the place and turn it into a hotel or inn, but the post party clean-up reveals an awful discovery; one of her ‘guests’ turns up dead in a most gruesome fashion. With Pish holding back secrets, her exasperated attraction to Virgil Grace, (the broodingly handsome sheriff of Autumn Vale) growing stronger, and a supposed cousin with a possible claim on the inheritance plaguing her daily, Merry has her hands full.
But murder comes first. Who is the guest, who killed him, and why? And how is she going to keep Virgil from arresting Pish?
You can read more about Pish and his friends in Muffin but Murder, the second book in the “Merry Muffin” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is Bran New Death. Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on July 31 for the chance to win a copy of Muffin But Murder. (US entries only, please.)
About the Author
Victoria Hamilton, nationally bestselling author of the Vintage Kitchen Mystery series, is the pseudonym of Donna Lea Simpson, bestselling author of romance and historical mystery novels.
Victoria starting reading mystery novels at the age of 12 and devoured Agatha Christie mysteries, as well as those of Dorothy L. Sayers and Ngaio Marsh. She still adores mysteries, especially the cozy mysteries of Janet Bolin, Krista Davis, and others.
She loves to cook, and collects teapots and teacups, as well as vintage kitchen utensils and bowls. She also enjoys crafts, especially cross-stitching and crocheting, and spends summer days in the garden, drinking tea or wine. Besides the Merry Muffin Mystery series, Victoria writes two other mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime, the Vintage Kitchen Mystery series (Book 4, No Mallets Intended debuts November 4th) and the Teapot Collector Mystery series (written as Amanda Cooper) which debuted with Tempest in a Teapot, June 3rd, 2014.
Check out the Merry Muffin Mysteries on Facebook!
And find Victoria online at: victoriahamiltonmysteries.com
Follow dru’s book musing on Facebook for posting about discounted books, giveaways and some of my reading musings.
I loved the first book in this series, looking forward to reading this one.
I would love to read this book—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
This one has to go on my t-b-r list!
I’m so anxious to return to Wynter Castle for Merry’s next adventure!
I loved the first installment to this series, and am really looking forward to reading the next !
This is such a fun series, thank you for the chance to win
Who would like a book about people with names like Merry. Pish and Shilo plus a castle.
I enjoyed the first book. Looking forward to the second book.
I’m looking forward to getting to know Merry & Pish.
this would be great to win!
New to me series. From such a talented writer, I am sure this is a good one.
looks great, thank you for the chance to win
sounds like a fun read.
What a delightful story line. I look forward to reading it.
Sounds like a fun series.
Sounds like a great book, I would love to win!!!
I can’t wait to read this book! Living in a castle sounds perfect – but maybe not. And I love “A Day in the Life” because we get to hear different viewpoints. (Don’t enter me in the giveaway, I already have a prize package with this book on the way. 🙂 Just wanted to share my enthusiasm.)
This sounds fantastic!! Thanks for the great interview!!
I haven’t read this series…yet, I have to get started on it, this sounds like my kind of read.
When I started reading mysteries I was about 11. I started with castle mysteries because I was intrigued. I was born in Germany and surrounded by castles. When we came to the US I still loved castles. Can’t wait to read this book.
I actually like Percival or Percy better than Pish—my father’s name was Percy so I guess that is why.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I can’t wait to get to know Pish and Merry and everybody.
Sound’s like a lot of fun — even if there is a murder.
Can’t wait to hear more about Pish and everyone in Merry’s new life!
Absolutely love this series!
I would like to give this series a try. Thank you for a chance to win a copy of Muffin but Murder.
Absolutely love your characters! You get so caught up in their lives, you feel like they are real friends of yours. Can’t wait for the next one in the series.
I want this one Dru. Neither the Brooklyn or Queens libraries look like they are going to have it on the shelves. Toss my hat in the contest ring please.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series and can’t wait to read this one too. Thanks for the giveaway.
Kimberlee
girllostinabook@hotmail.com
http://www.girllostinabook.com
This one sounds great.. Thanks for the chance to win one.
So many books, so little time. Another one for my to read list. Thanks!
Sounds like a fun series. I must put it on my ever-expanding book list! Thanks for the introduction to Pish!
Except for murder, this sounds yummy! I can’t wait to read this book and catch up on your other books. I love series books!
mention a castle and i’m in. Thanks for the giveaway
Thanks for the chance to win! I’ve been eyeing this series!
I have some of Victoria Hamilton’s books and know this one will be a page turner. Can’t wait for the drawing and hope I’m a lucky one.
Awesome! Can’t wait to read.
Count me in. I love this series.
Enjoy this series very much & the teapot series too! Thanks for the post & giveaway. Fingers crossed!
I haven’t had the pleasure of trying this series yet. Thanks for the chance!
Enjoyable series. Thanks.
This sounds like a perfect summer read to me 🙂 Love your books!
I really want to read this. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Love her books !! Cant wait to start this series !!!!
contest is closed.