Eggnog pancakes. Gingerbread waffles. Pumpkin spice sweet rolls. These are a few of the seasonal specials at Ma’s Diner. Just don’t ask for a latte or a peppermint mochaccino, or Ma, the owner, and my nearly eighty-year-old boss, will give you a lecture on how real coffee shouldn’t have flavors—it should simply taste like coffee. I’ve heard that speech so many times I could recite it in my sleep.

My name is Rose Strickland. I’m a former-rich-girl-turned-waitress (which makes my parents gnash their teeth on the daily). In the weeks leading up to the holidays, the diner has been slammed. My bestie, Roxy Block, and I have been running our feet off, serving up short stacks, and lining our pockets with tips from hungry and happy customers. But then Ma says she wants to close the diner down for a couple of days—an unprecedented move.

She’s always wanted to see Graceland at Christmastime. It’s a simple dream, and since Ma gave me a place to land after my parents booted me out of the house, the least I can do is go with her. Roxy’s along for the ride, too. Should be a quick, fun trip, right? Nope. Not even close.

Lately, it seems I can’t turn around without tripping over a dead body, and our little jaunt to Memphis is no exception. On top of that, we’re forced to stay in a fleabag hotel with an overabundance of Elvis impersonators and drag queen clerks who dress like Elvis’ more famous leading ladies. (You can’t make this stuff up.)

With a killer on the loose, my friends and I go into super sleuth mode. The question is, will we find the culprit in time to make it home for Christmas?

Diners Keepers, Losers Weepers, A Rose Strickland Mystery #4
Genre: Cozy Novella
Release: October 2021
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When Rose and the gang head to Graceland right before Christmas, they get all shook up: the motel is a seedy dump and an Elvis impersonator turns up dead. Rose discovers missing jewels tie into the death and her suspicious mind flips into overdrive, questioning her fellow guests, the staff, and even a cute impersonator who keeps popping up. Will Rose be able to find the murderer and get home by Christmas day? It’s now or never.

This novella was previously published in 2013 as part of an anthology. It has a new cover and has been lightly edited from the original.

About the author
Terri L. Austin spent her life in the Midwest, but she recently gave up her snow shovel for the balmy Gulf shore. Now, she’s living among the palm trees with her husband and is busy writing her next book. She loves to hear from readers. You can send her an email at author@terrilaustin.com.

All comments are welcomed.