A dead-as-a-doornail opponent is one way to win an election…unless you wind up in jail for the murder.
“People are going to hate me if I do this,” I said to Auntie KiKi. “They’re going to cuss a blue streak and call me names and tell me to mind my own blankety-blank business and then slam the phone in my ear.”
“Oh for crying in a bucket, Reagan.” KiKi shoved a computer printout at me. “Time to put on your iron-clad bloomers and dial the numbers on this here sheet. It’s your very own mamma everyone in this room is trying to get elected to city council. Least you can do is tell folks what a fine alderman she’d be, and Lord knows the city needs her instead of the scumbucket running against her.”
It’s election time in Savannah and my very own mamma, Judge Gloria Summerside known affectionately…or not so affectionately depending on who you were and what you did…as Guillotine Gloria is on the ballot.
Mamma and my Auntie KiKi are sisters. At birth the muses tangoed over auntie’s crib turning her into Savannah’s dance diva and they wrapped mamma in a blanket with little elephants resulting in this campaign and me getting the name Reagan.
If I had my way Mamma would run ads on TV saying what a total jerk Kip Seymour is because that’s exactly what he’s doing to her. The problem is that mudslinging politics is not mamma’s style.
The HotDoggery serves as Mamma’s campaign headquarters, the place filled with banners, signs and a Lego replica of Mamma from the Garrison Elementary kindergarten class over on Jones Street.
Bruce Willis, my four-legged bff with wagging tail, and I hated to see the Doggery fold but even we couldn’t eat enough to keep the place afloat, though heaven knows we tried. All that remained was a dull yellowish mustard stain in the back corner and a faint whiff of relish.
Today Mamma looked worried, riddling me with bad-daughter I hate making calls guilt. I’m the product of a Catholic education from no-nonsense nuns who take the honor thy mother and father idea real serious. I snapped up the phone. “Look, look, I’m dialing, I’m dialing!”
Mamma’s lips thinned to a fine line across her face reminiscent of when I married Hollis Beaumont the Third. Considering how that turned out, I figured whatever worried Mamma today was sending us all straight to hell in a hand-basket.
“I heard that Kip Seymour has a new attack ad coming out about me,” Mamma said. “I don’t know what it is but I’m concerned. They say it’s a nasty one, even worse than the that accused me of embezzling money from the Children’s Aid Society.”
“Oh, but I can do much, much better,” Kip Seymour said from the doorway of the HotDoggery. “I’m going to win this election, Gloria Summerside, if it’s the last thing I do.”
You can read more about Reagan in Pearls and Poison, the third book in the “Consignment Shop” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is Iced Chiffon. Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
Comment on this post by noon EST on March 6, and you will be entered for a chance to win:
- GIVEAWAY 1: a Pearls and Poison tote. Three (3) lucky winners will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
- GIVEAWAY 2: a copy of Pearls and Poison. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
Meet the author
While others girls dreamed of dating Brad Pitt, Duffy Brown longed to take Sherlock Holmes to the prom. Today she conjures up who-done-it stories for Berkley Prime Crime and has two series, the national bestselling Consignment Shop mysteries set in Savannah and the Cyclepath Mysteries on Mackinac Island.
Visit Duffy at her website and on Facebook.
Follow dru’s book musing on Facebook for book giveaways, contests, posting about discounted books and some of my reading musings.
Sounds like another great read!
Hi, Dina. Thanks tons. Always something fun going on with the Savannah gang. Hard to keep up with Reagan and Auntie KiKi. Thanks for chatting.
This is such a great series!! Can’t wait to read the newest book!! 🙂
Thanks so much, Valerie. Pearls and Poison is the third in the series. Murder, mayhem and a few martinis. 🙂
Sounds like a great book. would love to read it
Great cover – looking forward to reading this book. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Oh my…politics and murder!
Received my copy of Pearls and Poison last night…can’t wait to get started!
Love Duffy’s characters and can’t wait for the new book! Thanks for the chance to win!
Thanks Holdenj. Souther characters are so much fun to write. Seems they break the rules without batting an eye and love doing it. Thanks for chatting. Hugs.
Hi Dru, Hi Duffy,
I love the cover, and being from a family of political wannabes I can understand the Judge’s need to be in the public eye. I actually had an adopted uncle that ran for Mayor of the City of NY back in the 70’s.
Dru, I like to enter for door #2 please.
Wow, Nora. Running for office in NYC has got to be an all-time rush. So cool. I’m sure he didn’t try and knock off his opponent to win. 😉 Thanks for chatting. Hugs.
I just love Aunt Kiki and can hardly wait to read about her again.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Oh, Sue, thank you so very much for that. Auntie KiKi sort of has a mind of her own even when writing. She just kind of does her own thing…and does it so well with a martini in hand. Thanks for chatting. Hugs
I love consignment shops (friends and I love consignment shopping in Palm Beach! Even then I can’t afford a lot of what I see, lol) so for that reason alone I’m planning to read this series!
Hi, Alyssa. Reagan is trying to make money to rehab her house so she sets up shop. I loooove consignment shopping! I’ve worked in one for 17 years now. They say write what you know and I sure do. And I loooove our customers. Never found anyone dead yet…LOL…but we do have fun and prices are amazing. Hope you enjoy Reagan and her Prissy Fox Consignment shop. Hugs and thanks for chatting.
I would love to read this book nd get into this series. It sounds like a riot.
Hi, Nancy! Thanks. If you don’t laugh I’ll buy your book back. 🙂 Auntie KiKi is the auntie we all want in our lives. This time she finds a stray cat that she calls Precious and Reagan calls Hellion. Never a dull moment and usually there’s a martini or two involved. Hugs and thanks for chatting.
What fun. I love Mama and Aunt Kiki. They are so quirky without being forced and instantly seemed real to me. Even though I do not need another new book or series, of course I am hooked. Sigh… 🙂
Duffy Brown has written such a terrific series here. Reagan, Aunt Kiki and Mama are all women who make you laugh and want to hug them at the same time. I can’t wait to get this book and put it next to the first two – cause these are keepers.
Hi, Annette. Thank you so very very much! I truly appreciate those kind words and that you’re enjoying the series sure makes my day. I feel like Reagan and Auntie KiKi are my BFFs. So glad you enjoy them as much as I do. Hugs.
I love this series ! What a neat giveaway !
Hi, Kathy. The totes are so spring-like. Almost like a beach bag. I think I picked them out during a big snow. 🙂
I just happened on this series and am so glad I did. Iced Chiffon was a lot of fun. I am looking forward to catching up with Reagan, Auntie Kiki and Mama.
Hi, Sally. Thanks so much. Pearls and Poison is the whole family…KiKi, Reagan and Mamma. It was fun to get them all together and into so much trouble.
I am hoping to win so that I can mail Iced Chiffon and Pearls and Poison to a former co-worker. I know she will enjoy this series as much as I do. Got her hooked on a wine series. Time for a consignment shop one, since she introduced me to consignment shopping.
Hi, Barbara! Thanks tons for introducing a friend to the series. You should join my street team…you’re doing all the work you need the thank you goodies as well. LOL
I love consignment shopping! Worked in a shop for 17 years now. So much fun and great deals. Hugs
I would love to win! 🙂
Hi, Sarah. Thanks for chatting. It is always nice to win something. I’m one of those people with no luck. never win anything. Some people win all the time. Must me the universe. LOL
Sounds like a fun read.
If you are into humor and the South you’ll have a good time with this one. If you want gritty Pearls and Poison is so not for you. 🙂
Duffy brown is my kind of author. On top of great writing, she’s generous and appreciative of her fans. Go, Duffy!
Thank you so much Judy. How sweet of you. The readers are the best part of writing. You all are amazing. Thanks.
I love this series thanks for giveaway!
Hi, Rhonda. So glad you’re enjoying the Consignment Shop series. Pearls and Poison is more fun with Reagan, Auntie KiKi and now Hellion!
I did not know about this series and it sounds great! I have to get started on it. I love Southern stories. Thanks so much for the chance to win.
Hi Mary. Great chatting with you online. I love the South too. I think I’m a closet belle, even have the baton and pearls to prove it. I love Savannah. My daughter went to school there and I fell in love with the city. I think I know it better than I know Cincy where I live.
This is one of the most fun series I’ve ever had the pleasure to read; I can’t wait to read this installment!
Hi, Linda. Thank you so very much. I truly appreciate it and that you are enjoying the series is wonderful, sure makes my day. I love writing Reagan and Auntie KiKi and introducing new characters like Hellion and Mercedes. Thanks again for the kind words. I’m touched. Hugs, Duffy
Such a fun series. Thank you.
Thanks for chatting JJT. So glad you’re enjoy the Consignment series. Hugs, Duffy
Sounds like a great series. I am looking forward to reading this book. It has a cool cover.
HI, Anita. So glad you like the cover. The dog is Bruce Willis…the other BW and is the worse guard dog on the planet but he’s Reagan’s BFF for sure.
Sounds like a good read. Love books and love to read. Thank you
Thanks for chatting. Hope you give P&P a try.
This sounds like quite a cast of characters, and my kind of book!
Hi, Lisa. Yes, lots going on with the Savannah gang. Never a dull moment. Thanks for chatting. Hugs, Duffy
Sounds like an interesting book. P & P also refers to Pride and Prejudice! I have the tote bag already.
Hi, Michelle. Great hearing from you. Yes, I realize the P&P thing usually refers to Pride and Prejudice…one of my fav movies and books. Thanks for being on my Street Team. I truly appreciate it. Hugs, Duffy .
contest is closed.
Thanks Duffy for commenting and engaging with my readers. Looking forward to reading this book.
Thanks for having me here Dur Ann. I had such a great time chatting with your readers. Hugs, Duffy
I’d love to start reading this series! Thank you for the giveaway!
Thanks, Carol. I so appreciate that. Nothing more fun than murder and mayhem in Savannah. 🙂
Hugs, Duffy