Purse-Stachio Makes a Splash

By Wendy Kendall

Designer Katherine Watson is enjoying a delectable frozen pistachio treat at Ginardo's beachside ice cream shop when her friend issues a playful dare. Katherine can't resist accepting the challenge and finds herself tasked with creating a designer purse out of pistachio shells. But the fun day takes a chilling turn when Katherine uncovers a clue in the ice cream store to a decades old missing persons case--and she suspects there may be a killer in their midst.

Katherine is soon up to her shoulder bag in danger, but she's determined to see that a murderer gets his just desserts.

• Language: Unknown
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Sep 2, 2020
• ISBN: 9781509233670

Wendy Kendall

The result of Wendy Kendall's passion for purses, mystery and romance is the intriguing In Purse-Suit Mysteries. Kat Out of the Bag introduces Katherine Watson purse designer/sleuth. As Kat moves from designer bags to body bags, she's uncovering clues to a murder. The prequel, Purse-Stachio Makes A Splash delves into a chilling cold case. The romantic suspense, Snow Kiss Cookies To Die For creates a tangle of mystery and love and raises suspicions about Desiree's romantic new sweetheart, Leo. A summer read that will keep you on the edge of your beach towel, Cherry Shakes In The Park blends danger, divas, and frothy delights. Wendy enjoys investigating the Pacific Northwest life, and she leaves a trail of her own clues as a blogger, YouTube podcaster, speaker, project manager, and syndicated columnist.

Book preview

Inc.

The wall was covered with sand and surf. Katherine was impressed by its realism. It was like seeing outside through floor to ceiling windows. And there were portraits of four family members, all enjoying a day together at the beach.

Ida pointed at the signature on the lower right corner. I was right. It’s a Tracy Ryan painting of the family enjoying a sunny day at Bayside.

Arturo viewed it, wide-eyed. Magnifico. Who could cover this? It’s a vibrant tribute to a loving heart.

Katherine wondered, Will you leave it uncovered?

Oh yes.

Katherine searched the wall for any clue. Her shoulders sagged when she didn’t see one. What could have happened to her?

Ida clasped her hands together. I don’t think we’ll ever know.

Katherine frowned at her.

Brenda typed into her cell phone and put it back in her purse. I’m going to check with the police department and see if they can re-open the cold case. Maybe with today’s technology there’s evidence we can now pursue.

Katherine stepped up to the artist’s self-portrait and whispered, We’ll do all we can to solve your mystery.

Other Wild Rose Press titles by Wendy Kendall

Kat Out of the Bag

Purse-Stachio Makes a Splash

by

Wendy Kendall

One Scoop or Two

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Purse-Stachio Makes a Splash

COPYRIGHT © 2020 by Wendy Kendall

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Crimson Rose Edition, 2020

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-3367-0

One Scoop or Two

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

To Uncle Bun and Aunt Liz

For a shared love of sweets and ocean beaches

Chapter One

Finally, some heat on this beach. Katherine Watson burst into Ginardo’s Ice Cream Shop, tote bag first. The bag’s K. Watson designer logo glistened, prominent in the sunshine as the merry bell attached to the top of the shop door jingled.

Her friend Brenda stopped at the hooks on the wall to hang up her dry scuba jacket. And it’s only June. We have the whole summer ahead.

Katherine couldn’t resist commenting. I still don’t get how that heavy jacket helps you float underwater. It’s like the ferry out there. You drive a car into the bay, it sinks. You drive it onto a heavier ferry, both float.

Brenda slipped her arm through Katherine’s and pointed out the window. The ferry’s magnificent. It glides over sparkling water that’s filled with sea life. It carries happy passengers to visit our fun-filled Bayside.

Yes Ms. Mayor. Thanks for the PR talk. Katherine hugged her friend.

Brenda pointed again. Here comes the ferry’s wake. Perfect child-size waves to splash on the warm sand. Look at the kids laughing and jumping, just like we used to.

Always so sentimental, Brenda. Yes, great memories.

Your gran would tell us they were ferry waves and for so long we thought they were magic from beautiful, winged fairies.

Katherine teased, You mean they’re not? The ladies laughed in unison.

Brenda turned serious. It’s meant everything to your gran that you came to help her after her surgery. Then she scolded in a mock, stern tone, I don’t want to hear any more about your adopted Southern California. Your home is Washington. Stay. Run your fashion empire from here.

I’m an L.A. woman now, just visiting here.

Ciao, le signore. Bellisima.

Katherine warmed to hear a familiar, exuberant voice next to her.