It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Murder (Piper Ashwell Psychic P.I. Book 5.5)

By Kelly Hashway

Tis the season...for murder.

All psychic P.I. Piper Ashwell wants is a quiet weekend alone where she can avoid the holiday craziness as well as any cases. But when the ski resort's Santa Claus goes missing, Piper is enlisted to help find him.

The problem is Piper can't help thinking this missing person's case is really a murder. And she's convinced the murderer is staying in the same ski resort.
Can she solve this case in time to save Christmas?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kelly Hashway
• Release date: Nov 5, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463407936

Kelly Hashway

Kelly Hashway fully admits to being one of the most accident-prone people on the planet, but luckily she gets to write about female sleuths who are much more coordinated than she is. Maybe it was growing up watching Murder, She Wrote that instilled a love of mystery, but she spends her days writing cozy mysteries. Kelly’s also a sucker for first love, which is why she writes romance under the pen name Ashelyn Drake. When she’s not writing, Kelly works as an editor and also as Mom, which she believes is a job title that deserves to be capitalized.

Book preview

Chapter One

The holidays bring two things I don’t like: crowds and gift-giving. In an attempt to avoid both, I’m spending the Christmas weekend at a ski resort, locked inside my room. Ever since I opened my P.I. business, I’ve been a workaholic, but I’m taking two whole days off on an actual vacation outside of my apartment. Alone. Just me. Piper Ashwell. Admittedly, I already miss my adorable golden retriever, Jezebel, who is staying with my parents and their dog, Max. I adopted her after her former owner was killed on a case I was investigating, and she and I instantly formed a bond. She’s great therapy when I’m having psychic visions, which tends to be more often than I’d like. Being a psychometrist, I read the energy off objects. That makes touching people and things very uncomfortable for me. Hence, I’m at a ski resort when I don’t ski.

My plan is to stay in my room, order room service, and read for three nights and two glorious days. Peace and quiet, it’s my Christmas gift to myself, and the best gift I’ve ever received if I’m being honest.

As if he knows I’m enjoying myself, Mitchell Brennan, lead detective for the Weltunkin PD and my partner more often than not, calls my phone. Mitchell and I have always had a rocky relationship, but after he kissed me on a previous case in an attempt to shock me out of hysterics, he had the nerve to tell me he has feelings for me. As if either one of us is cut out to be in a relationship. I groan as a means of answering the call.

You know, you’re really inflating my ego with how excited you always are when I call you, Piper, Mitchell says.

Please. Your ego couldn’t get any more inflated. I flop down onto the hotel bed. What do you want?

I’m just checking to make sure you got there all right. I’m still surprised you left the state.

Mitchell is no stranger to my quirks. I don’t vacation. I don’t go places where there are tons of people. And I don’t like to drive long distances since I could easily have a vision behind the wheel and cause an accident. But I didn’t drive here. I took a car and paid the driver extra not to talk to me.

As you can hear, I’m fine. I grab a pillow and prop it up behind me on the bed.

What’s the place like? he asks. There’s noise in the background, making me think Mitchell just turned on the television.

I don’t know. I came straight to my room upon arrival, and I plan to stay here until checkout on Monday morning.

You’re in upstate New York at a ski resort, and you’re staying in your room. Only you. There’s not even a trace of question in his tone because he knows me so well, and I can practically see him shaking his head on the other end of the line.

It’s my gift to myself.

Did you forget to pay your cable bill? Mitchell asks.

I’ve never been sure why I pay for something I don’t use. The only one who watches my TV is Mitchell. Wait… I bolt upright in the bed. Are you at my apartment? I practically scream into the phone.

I’m just checking on the place.

Mitchell, I’ve been gone for precisely two and a half hours.

Exactly. The place easily could have burned down in that time if you’d left the stove on.

I don’t cook, and you know it! I rub my forehead with my index finger and thumb. The man is unbelievable.

Not to worry. I fixed your TV. You just had a loose wire in the back.

I’m so relieved. I roll my eyes and lean back on the pillow again. Mitchell can be infuriating. Feel free to leave now.

Why? You’re not even here, and this way, no one will know you’re away for the weekend.

I wish he had the same concern for his own condo, which sits empty all the time considering he’s always at work or at my place.

Bet you’re glad I have a key now, he adds.

Keep telling yourself that.

Oh, before I forget, I had your Christmas gift delivered to the resort. You’ll need to sign for it at the front desk.

I finally lower my hand from my forehead. Why did you get me a gift?

Relax. It’s basically a care package. I doubt the hotel has your precious toasted almond coffee, and I know they don’t have Marcia’s pastries.

Marcia’s Nook is my favorite bookstore and café, and not just because I love the food and selection of books. Marcia happens to be one of my only friends. Marcia’s Nook is also conveniently located exactly twenty-three steps from my P.I. office.

Did you include that new mystery I’ve been meaning to get? I ask.

Why? Are you debating whether or not it’s worth the trip down to the lobby where there are—he pauses, being his typical dramatic self—people?

Yes or no? I ask.

Yes. I’d think you’d know me well enough by now to not have to ask.

I’ve tried hard not to get to know Mitchell since we first started working together, but he weaseled his way into my life to the point where even I can’t deny he’s my friend. Why did he have to complicate things by telling me he has feelings for me? He says he’s okay with just being friends, but things are still a little awkward between us. Thanks, I say.

Merry Christmas, Piper.

Bah humbug.

You can say that, but your dad already told me you gave him several wrapped presents to put under his tree for Jez, so I know you’re not totally against the holiday.

Jez is a good girl. I wish I could have brought her with me.

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