Listen to Your Art: Witch of Wickrock Bay, #2

By Wendy Meadows

Art is in the eye of the beholder – until they end up in the gutter.

 

After an ominous figure appeared telling her of a secret wizarding organization running in the town, Mimi can't seem to settle. Only her friend Sara knows Mimi's powers, but she can offer no help as they set up a Wine and Art night with pictures. Mimi knows who harbors an eye for treasure from selling all sorts of antiques from all eras around the globe in her shop and makes sure they are on the guest list. Bank President Samantha Hamilton sweeps in demanding to see the pictures before the other guests – storming off in a huff when Mimi and Sara refuse.

 

Nothing sours a party more than murder.

 

Hours later, the party in full swing but Samantha remains absent -- until Samantha's corpse is discovered in the gutter outside Mimi's apartment. Chief Rod Thompson is immediately dispatched to conduct a murder investigation, rounding those at the party for questioning.

 

While Mimi pursues leads to help bring the murderer to justice; she is approaching some unsavory suspects who are filled with rage, motive, shaky alibis, and Blackstone hearts. Mimi isn't the only one on the hunt – someone is watching her from afar, and she'll have to steel her spine if the shadow appears at her door with a warning.

 

This cozy mystery is a clean read: no graphic violence, sex, or strong language. It can be read in one to two hours. It is perfect for those moments when you are waiting at an appointment or want to enjoy a quick read.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Majestic Owl Publishing LLC
• Release date: Aug 11, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201742881

Wendy Meadows

USA Today bestselling author, Wendy Meadows, is a passionate Cozy Mystery Author whose meticulously crafted stories showcase witty women sleuths and engaging plots. Her primary influences include but are not limited to mystery genre greats Joanne Fluke, Ellery Adams, and James Patterson. To date, she has published dozens of books, which include her popular Sweetfern Harbor Series, Maple Hill Series, and Alaska Cozy Series, to name a few. In a previous life, Wendy worked as a Graphic Designer, earning her Graphic Design Certification at the prestigious New York based Sessions School of Design. With this valuable artistic background, she designs her own book covers. In fact, she began writing fiction soon after designing numerous book covers for other fiction authors. When she isn’t writing about female detectives and their tactful crime solving, you can find Wendy either tending to her hobby farm, playing video games, relaxing on her back porch, or coloring in her growing collection of adult coloring books. She also loves spending quality time with her husband, two sons, two cats, and one adorable Labradoodle. Together, they call “The Granite State” home sweet home. To find out more about Wendy Meadows both personally and creatively, feel free to visit her official website at www.wendymeadows.com

Book preview

chapter one

Mimi Knotley scanned the main room of her antiques shop, Surprises: Rare and Wonderful Antiques. 

I think now there’s enough space to fit twelve workstations, isn’t there? she asked her friend Sara Domico.

Sara narrowed her eyes and moved her gaze from the front window of the shop to the door leading to the back room. 

That’s three people more than the last time. Are you sure? Sara made a few exaggerated steps, sending the little copper pots on the nearby shelf tinkling. Even Baxter, Mimi’s pug, lifted his head from his favorite green chair to watch her.

 Yeah, that’s enough space for about ten tables, twelve if you’re lucky, Sara said, stopping at the other end of the room. You should really measure it properly so you can find the optimal setup for all the tables.

Mimi suppressed an eye roll. Sara was an awesome friend, but her perfectionism could be trying at times. 

It’s just a regular wine and art class, not an art exposition. These are local ladies, all down to earth and pragmatic, who come here to have a little fun, Mimi fired back. The room needs to be warm, well lit, and inviting, with just enough space for everyone to fit in.

Sara shot her a disapproving look. I’m sure they appreciate the beauty of a well-organized workspace. Some of those ladies are frequent customers of mine and I know they can be fussy. They’re rich and influential and they think they deserve it all. You don’t want Samantha Hamilton telling everyone that your shop is not up to scratch. Sara paused, her gray eyes piercing Mimi. She is coming, isn’t she? Sara’s voice echoed in the shop. 

Baxter growled quietly. Mimi tensed her shoulders. 

Oh, snickerdoodle! Don’t jinx it, Sara, Mimi gasped. She is coming, I think, I just hope she doesn’t show up early, like she always does...

Sara crossed her arms. 

Come on, Mimi, do you honestly think Mrs. Hamilton will change her habits? You’ve hosted those painting evenings for a while, has she ever not come early?

Mimi blew out her cheeks. Her nose was itching. Sara had an uncanny talent for seeing through people’s defenses and calling a spade a spade. I know it’s silly, but I can still hope, can’t I? She looked around her shop, the shelves freshly replenished with weird and wonderful artifacts after her recent trip to Ireland. Of course, like any business owner she wanted her shop to prosper, but her reluctance to sell the best findings to one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in Wickrock Bay was palpable today.

Mimi pursed her lips. I just don’t like when someone is so greedy, she mumbled. And I don’t like the way she weasels into places, using her power or her money, and pushes her own agenda or gets her hands on the best deals.

Sara nodded slowly. I agree with you on Samantha Hamilton. And, to be honest, I push back whenever I can when she demands special treatment at my shop. I don’t approve of this behavior either, but going back to the initial issue, let’s get on with setting up the tables. The sooner we start, the sooner we’ll know if there is enough room for twelve workstations.

Mimi rolled her shoulders a couple of times, welcoming the change of subject. Even though Mimi didn’t have problems being assertive, Samantha Hamilton made her uncomfortable. Okay, let’s get on with it. She ducked into the back room to bring out the chairs. When she emerged, Sara was pushing a large, heavily decorated chest out of the back corner. 

Mimi’s heart flipped. Eek, what are you doing? 

If we put the chest in front of those shelves, there will be room over there to put the drinks and nibbles table and the center will be less crowded.

Mimi inhaled sharply. She’d pushed the chest deep into that corner after the murder of her neighbor, Daniel George, trying very hard to forget about that grim affair. 

Sara glanced at her. Oh, yikes, I forgot, she said. Sorry, I didn’t realize you—

No, you’re right. Mimi waved her hand. She had to face it one day. The little table will fit in perfectly in that corner, she went on. Of course, I miss Daniel and his coffee, but life goes on. It’s not like we’ll have any more murders any time soon, Mimi added, trying for a lighter tone, but somehow it sounded hollow. Come on, I’ll help you. Now I need a distraction. 

Mimi left the chairs in the middle of the room and grabbed one of the cast iron handles on the chest. The women got busy moving various pieces of furniture.

It looks much better, don’t you think? Sara asked, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. 

Mimi leaned against the wall and took the shop in slowly. Even with only six workstations arranged in the middle of the room for now, she could see the difference. 

No doubt you were right, girl, she said. Thank you for pushing me to do it. And what do you think, Baxter? Mimi turned her head toward the window.

The little pug lifted his head and gave a sharp bark. 

Approved! Sara clapped her hands and laughed. Now you just need to move some of those pots and pans on that shelf, so people can still see them from across the room.

Which ones? Mimi asked.

The flowery set.

Mimi located the set on the shelf. Do you think moving the little one slightly to the left and then pushing the big one to the back would help? she said, imagining the moves.

The pots wobbled. The large one slid back. A shiver went down Mimi’s spine. It happened again! She needed to learn to control it.

She gulped and glanced at Sara. 

What? Sara stared back at her.

Did you... uh... see it?

Sara narrowed her eyes. Her face paled. 

I’m not sure what you’re talking about, she said, a little stiffly. 

Mimi licked her lips. What a relief. Sara’s myopia and her reluctance to wear glasses came to her rescue. Mimi was tempted to share her secret with her friend, but how? Despite Sara’s strong intuition, she was also one of the most pragmatic people Mimi knew. Maybe she could still wriggle her way out if this.

Never mind. Mimi waved her hand. Just wondering about your ability to see how something would look in your mind.

Sara moved her gaze back to the shelf. She squinted. Hang on, Mimi. Those pots… She strode across the room and stood by the shelf, staring at it. That’s exactly what I thought of doing, she added slowly. Wait. How on earth did you... Sara turned back, hands on her hips, and paused. 

Mimi gulped again. Baxter barked. He jumped off the chair and sat watching her.

Two staring glances, clearly expecting her to do or say something. Mimi’s face burned. 

All right, the two of you, she blurted. Baxter was somehow involved in it, too, she would swear. I wasn’t too keen on sharing it, because it’s a bit... unusual. She stopped to swallow. Her throat was dry like the duster she used to practice her powers on. Baxter’s tail hit the floor a couple of times, as if he was hurrying her. Mimi bit her lip, pushing aside the urge to stick her tongue out at him.

Last month, the day of Daniel George’s murder, I discovered…well, I know it sounds bizarre, but I can…move things without touching them, she explained. Her voice trembled a little. 

Sara trotted back toward her. 

Are you kidding? she asked