Renowned photojournalist Zachary Barnes here. Zack to my friends. When the NYPD raided my apartment two years ago, ruining three days’ worth of location work in New Mexico, I realized it was time to move out of the city. Even if I bought an apartment in another building, I might still wind up with another pair of crazy geriatric neighbors convinced my darkroom was a front for a meth lab. I prefer going old-school whenever possible, but in this age of digital everything, I suppose that alone raises suspicions in some people.
Little did I realize when I signed a lease for an apartment above a garage in a quiet New Jersey suburb, that my life was about to take a dramatic turn. I fell hard for Anastasia Pollack, my forty-something, recently widowed landlady, mom to two teenage boys, and the caretaker of a belligerent communist mother-in-law and a Shakespeare-quoting parrot.
After decades of globe-trotting, I was ready to settle down, somewhat. I soon bonded with Anastasia’s sons and developed a bromance with Ralph, her feathery Shakespearean scholar. I could have done without the mother-in-law, but so could Anastasia and her kids. Unfortunately, they were stuck with Lucille Pollack, thanks to the man Anastasia had dubbed Dead Louse of a Spouse. Unbeknownst to her, before dying, he’d racked up gambling debts rivaling the GNP of Uzbekistan, hiding his loses by borrowing from the mob. And they still wanted their money.
Then the dead bodies began showing up, forcing Anastasia to become a reluctant amateur sleuth. And they keep coming. Because I’ve been on assignment in places like Guatemala and Madagascar and own a gun, Anastasia was convinced I’m really a government operative.
She doesn’t believe me when I deny her accusations. She claims all spies deny they’re spies. She has a point. And I do frequently travel to D.C. In my defense, that’s where two of my clients, the Smithsonian and the World Wildlife Federation are headquartered.
Although Anastasia’s suspicions didn’t stop her from marrying me, she refuses to allow me to pay off her debts. At least we don’t need to worry about the loan shark anymore. He’s doing life with no chance of parole.
Am I really a spy? Beats me. So far author Lois Winston won’t spill the beans, even though we’re up to fourteen novels and three novellas. I’m beginning to suspect, she’s really the spy.
Seams Like the Perfect Crime: An Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery, Book 14
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: February 2025
Format: Print, Digital
Purchase Link
When staffing shortages continue to hamper the Union County homicide squad, Detective Sam Spader once again turns to his secret weapon, reluctant amateur sleuth Anastasia Pollack. How can she and husband Zack Barnes refuse when the victim is their new neighbor?
Revolutionary War reenactor Barry Sumner had the odd habit of spending hours mowing a small patch of packed dirt and weeds until his mower ran out of gas. He’d then guzzle beer on his front porch until he passed out. That’s where Anastasia’s son Nick discovers his body three days after the victim and his family moved into the newly built mini-McMansion across the street.
After a melee breaks out at the viewing, Spader zeroes in on the widow as his prime suspect. However, Anastasia has her doubts. There are other possible suspects, including a woman who’d had an affair with the victim, his ex-wife, the man overseeing the widow’s trust fund, a drug dealer, and the reenactors who were blackmailing the widow and victim.
When another reenactor is murdered, Spader suspects they’re dealing with a serial killer, but Anastasia wonders if the killer is attempting to misdirect the investigation. As she narrows down the suspects, will she jeopardize her own life to learn the truth?
Craft projects included.
About the author
USA Today and Amazon bestselling and award-winning author Lois Winston writes mystery, romance, romantic suspense, chick lit, women’s fiction, and children’s chapter books. Kirkus Reviews dubbed her critically acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series, “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum.” Learn more about her and her books at her website loiswinston.com where you can sign up for her newsletter and receive a free Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mini-Mystery.