The Disappearance of Dame Agnes: Boddington Bay Mystery Series, #4

By Lucinda D. Davis

Angela Augustine has a secret from her past that just has to stay under wraps. But after seeing the mysterious Dame Agnes Wood in the old world seaside hotel, her sixth sense tells her that this woman has a much bigger secret to hide.

Angela knows there was something decidedly fishy about the British 'oh-so-grand' Dame Agnes Wood in the Argyle Hotel, and a bequest from England is the perfect excuse for a trip to the ancient town of Oxford to do some sleuthing and searching. After visiting Dame Agnes's house, Woodlands, Angela knows, without a doubt, that the hotel guest back home is a fraud and a phoney.

She and Larry, her best friend and a former policeman, face a multitude of unanswered questions: who is the woman in the hotel; who is in all the cruise ship photos; where is the real McCoy, and is she dead or alive; how were identities switched; and how has the fraud managed to steal an identity, bank accounts, and dupe lawyers and friends?

Life for Angela Augustine in the upscale seaside town of Boddington Bay near Boston is pretty close to heaven on earth. The Kitchen Sink, her bakery and culinary store, keeps twins Bonnie and Betty up to their eyes in pastry, creating gastronomic delights, while the trendy store stays afloat despite the ineptitude of her multicolored haired, cousin Lisa. Then, throw in the antics of Fudge, the rescue kitten, and you've got a recipe for life that is full of flavor, with a dash of spice.

But, while life in this coastal community may appear tranquil on the outside, somehow, Angela and Larry manage to find the odd dead body, shake up skeletons in closets, and look at what they weren't supposed to see.

Tranquil never means boring in Boddington Bay!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lucinda D. Davis
• Release date: Jan 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386476702

Lucinda D. Davis

About the Author Lucinda D. Davis has been reading and loving mystery stories since she was old enough to haunt the narrow rows of books at the small Quebec, Canada village library where she spent her summers. After decades of penning ad copy, marketing, and writing for horse sport magazines, she decided to do what people had been telling her to do for years: write some books! She presently lives in a small hamlet on the beautiful Rideau Canal in Ontario, Canada. Her living room view looks out over the locks and waterways. This idyllic setting replete with friends, and more than a few interesting characters inspired her Boddington Bay series of short 'coffee break' cozy mysteries. Her longer Coppin's Lock series brings England to the Canadian countryside! The stories introduce readers to a trendy town in Ontario, Canada that could have been plucked from the English landscape, quirky characters included! Take the essential and quintessential British tea shop, pub and antique shop, throw in two female sleuths, add a Police Chief left shaking his head and you've got the ideal cozy mystery. While the girls may roam from home from time to time, their hearts are firmly set in Coppin's Locks! Visit her website at http://www.lucindadavisauthor.com and Like her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Lucinda-D-Davis-637648859641784/

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A Boddington Bay Cozy Mystery

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Please note that all the characters in this book are fictitious, and while some of the places are real, others are from my imagination.

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Dame is a noble title and is the female equivalent of the honor of knighthood in the British honors system. It is awarded to recognize merit in terms of achievement and service, to recognize specific deeds and to recognize bravery, long service and good conduct.

Some famous Dames include the actresses Julie Andrews, Maggie Smith, Maggie Dench, and the Queen of Crime, mystery author Agatha Christie.

Chapter 1

At exactly noon on a hot day in mid-June, a gray 1972 Jaguar XK6 purred down the main street of Boddington Bay village, forty miles south of Boston. A tall, thin man sat behind the wheel, elegant in a black suit and tie, spotless white shirt and chauffeur’s hat complete with a crest. His eyes never left the road. In the back seat sat a tall lady in her late forties, dressed in a classic black Chanel suit. She wore a feathered hat, and a cluster of diamonds on a brooch adorned her suit jacket. She held a flat alligator purse on her lap with nothing inside but a spotlessly clean handkerchief, a bright red Dior lipstick, and a folded twenty-dollar bill.

Tourists and shop owners stared at the beautifully preserved vintage car and wondered if there was a rock singer or movie star inside. The car turned into the gates of the century old Argyle Hotel, catering to a cliental who lived happily in an era long past where titles were respected, social classes rarely mixed and correct etiquette and social niceties were adhered to. As manager Jack Peters, a former British Army Major, enjoyed saying to his aging guests, Even in America, we must maintain standards.

As the car drew up to the front door, the woman in the back seat thought the paint looked a tad chipped and faded.  Were those weeds on the driveway? Where were Major Peters and the hotel staff? They should have been lined up at the front door to greet her. Standards were obviously slipping badly. She took a few deep breaths to compose herself. Now, if she were lucky, she wouldn’t meet any of the old guard here at this dusty old museum of a hotel, those older than old ex-pats from England who might know her. She just needed to pull off one month of duplicity.

Just as the car came to a stop the hotel doors opened and Major Peters walked down the steps. He fawned and fussed over his ‘regal’ guest.

Dame Agnes, how wonderful to finally meet you. We have been anxiously awaiting your arrival.

Dame Agnes held out a gloved hand and looked slightly bored as the Major bent to brush his lips on her hand.

Now, your bags will be taken upstairs to your rooms, and your chauffeur will be in a small staff room. Would you like tea in your rooms or in the garden?

In the garden, replied Dame Agnes, grandly walking towards the old-fashioned cage elevator that shook and rattled as the Major managed the controls. It finally stopping at the third floor.

If there is anything you need, and I do mean anything, please just ring the front desk and ask for me personally, he said, opening the door to the best suite in the hotel and allowing her to pass through.

Fine, thank you, Major, she said without smiling, I shall be down soon for tea. Sandwiches, and scones please. I had a particularity arduous drive from Saratoga.

When the Major had gone, backing out the door like a servant from the Victorian era, Dame Agnes threw herself on the bed, kicked off her shoes and sighed with relief. How divine to be able to eat like a Duchess, get fawned over like a Princess and spend money like a Queen.

Chapter 2

Angela Augustine, owner of The Kitchen Sink, Boddington Bay’s high-end culinary shop and bakery, looked up from her desk just in time to see her cousin Lisa walk past. There was a streak of green down the left side of her hair.

It’s not St. Patrick’s Day yet, Lisa, she said.

Just trying to add a dash of fun to this place, replied Lisa stashing her lunch bag and voluminous plastic leopard print purse under the store counter.

Angela gritted her teeth and mumbled, "Thank you, Aunt