A Basketful of Murder

By Lynn Cahoon

Angie Turner’s Idaho restaurant, the County Seat, owes its success not only to its farm-fresh fare, but also to its devoted and passionate staff. And while murder is never on the menu, it often shows up as an uninvited guest . . .

A Pumpkin Spice Killing
At a much-deserved arts-and-crafts themed retreat, Angie and her County Seat staff find themselves helping an older guest uncover the whereabouts of his missing son . . .

Have a Deadly New Year
It’s a rockin’ New Year for Angie and her crew as they cater a bash for a famous band, but there are hints of discord when one of the musicians is found with a drumstick in his chest . . .

Penned In
The County Seat’s crew goes on a quarterly out-of-office meeting at the Old Idaho Penitentiary near the Boise Foothills, a prison brimming with ghostly lore. The lock-in features actors role-playing as guards, fascinating prison stories . . . and an unscripted murder.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lyrical Press
• Release date: Mar 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9781516110360

Book preview

Praise for Lynn Cahoon and Her Irresistible Cozy Mysteries

THREE TAINTED TEAS

A kitchen witch reluctantly takes over as planner for a cursed wedding…This witchy tale is a hoot.

—Kirkus Reviews

ONE POISON PIE

"One Poison Pie deliciously blends charm and magic with a dash of mystery and a sprinkle of romance. Mia Malone is a zesty protagonist who relies on her wits to solve the crime, and the enchanting cast of characters that populate Magic Springs are a delight."

—Daryl Wood Gerber, Agatha winner and nationally best-selling author of the Cookbook Nook Mysteries and Fairy Garden Mysteries

A witchy cooking cozy for fans of the supernatural and good eating.

—Kirkus Reviews

A FIELD GUIDE TO HOMICIDE

The best entry in this character-driven series mixes a well-plotted mystery with a romance that rings true to life.

—Kirkus Reviews

"Informative as well as entertaining, A Field Guide to Homicide is the perfect book for cozy mystery lovers who entertain thoughts of writing novels themselves . . . this is, without a doubt, one of the best Cat Latimer novels to date."

—Criminal Element

Cat is a great heroine with a lot of spirit that readers will enjoy solving the mystery.

—Parkersburg News & Sentinel

SCONED TO DEATH

The most intriguing aspect of this story is the writers’ retreat itself. Although the writers themselves are not suspect, they add freshness and new relationships to the series. Fans of Lucy Arlington’s Novel Idea mysteries may want to enter the writing world from another angle.

—Library Journal

OF MURDER AND MEN

A Colorado widow discovers that everything she knew about her husband's death is wrong . . . Interesting plot and quirky characters.

—Kirkus Reviews

A STORY TO KILL

"Well-crafted…Cat and crew prove to be engaging characters and Cahoon does a stellar job of keeping them—and the reader—guessing."

—Mystery Scene on A Story to Kill

"Lynn Cahoon has hit the golden trifecta—Murder, intrigue, and a really hot handyman. Better get your flashlight handy, A Story To Kill will keep you reading all night."

—Laura Bradford, author of the Amish Mysteries on A Story to Kill

A Colorado widow discovers that everything she knew about her husband's death is wrong . . . Interesting plot and quirky characters.

—Kirkus Reviews

TOURIST TRAP MYSTERIES

Lynn Cahoon’s popular Tourist Trap series is set all around the charming coastal town of South Cove, California, but the heroine Jill Gardner owns a delightful bookstore/coffee shop so a lot of the scenes take place there. This is one of my go-to cozy mystery series, bookish or not, and I’m always eager to get my hands on the next book!

—Hope By the Book

"Murder, dirty politics, pirate lore, and a hot police detective: Guidebook to Murder has it all! A cozy lover's dream come true."

—Susan McBride, author of The Debutante Dropout Mysteries

This was a good read and I love the author’s style, which was warm and friendly . . . I can’t wait to read the next book in this wonderfully appealing series.

—Dru's Book Musings

I am happy to admit that some of my expectations were met while other aspects of the story exceeded my own imagination . . . This mystery novel was light, fun, and kept me thoroughly engaged. I only wish it was longer.

—The Young Folks

"If The Shoe Kills is entertaining and I would be happy to visit Jill and the residents of South Cove again."

—MysteryPlease.com

"In If the Shoe Kills, author Lynn Cahoon gave me exactly what I wanted. She crafted a well told small town murder that kept me guessing who the murderer was until the end. I will definitely have to take a trip back to South Cove and maybe even visit tales of Jill Gardner’s past in the previous two Tourist Trap Mystery books. I do love a holiday mystery! And with this book, so will you."

—ArtBooksCoffee.com

"I would recommend If the Shoe Kills if you are looking for a well written cozy mystery."

—Mysteries, Etc.

This novella is short and easily read in an hour or two with interesting angst and dynamics between mothers and daughters and mothers and sons . . . I enjoyed the first-person narrative.

—Kings River Life Magazine on Mother's Day Mayhem

A Basketful of Murder

A Farm-to-Fork Cozy Mystery Bundle

Have A Deadly New Year

Penned In

A Pumpkin Spice Killing

Books by Lynn Cahoon

-The Tourist Trap Mystery Series-

Guidebook to Murder

Mission to Murder

If the Shoe Kills

Dressed to Kill

Killer Run

Murder on Wheels

Tea Cups and Carnage

Hospitality and Homicide

Killer Party

Memories and Murder

Murder in Waiting

Picture Perfect Frame

Wedding Bell Blues

A Vacation to Die For

Novellas

Rockets’ Dead Glare

A Deadly Brew

Santa Puppy

Corned Beef and Casualties

Mother’s Day Mayhem

A Very Mummy Holiday

-The Kitchen Witch Mystery Series-

One Poison Pie

Two Wicked Desserts

Three Tainted Teas

Four Charming Spells

Novellas

Chili Cauldron Curse

Murder 101

Have a Holly, Haunted Holiday

-The Cat Latimer Mystery Series-

A Story to Kill

Fatality by Firelight

Of Murder and Men

Slay in Character

Sconed to Death

A Field Guide to Murder

-The Farm to Fork Mystery Series-

Who Moved My Goat Cheese?

Killer Green Tomatoes

One Potato, Two Potato, Dead...

Deep Fried Revenge

Killer Comfort Food

A Fatal Family Feast

Novellas

Have a Deadly New Year

Penned In

A Pumpkin Spice Killing

-The Survivors Club Mystery Series-

Tuesday Night Survivors’ Club

Secrets in the Stacks

Death in the Romance Aisle

A Basketful of Murder

A Farm-to-Fork Cozy Mystery Bundle

Have A Deadly New Year

Penned In

A Pumpkin Spice Killing

Lynn Cahoon

LYRICAL PRESS

Kensington Publishing Corp.

www.kensingtonbooks.com

Table of Contents

Praise for Lynn Cahoon and Her Irresistible Cozy Mysteries

Books by Lynn Cahoon

Title Page

Copyright

Have A Deadly New Year

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

To the Readers

NYE Sweet and Sour Chestnuts

Love Lynn Cahoon?

Chapter 1

Guidebook to Murder

Who Moved My Goat Cheese

A Story to Kill

One Potato, Two Potato, Dead

Penned In

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Dear Readers –

Special Chocolate Chip Muffins

Love the Farm-to-Fork Mysteries?

A Pumpkin Spice Killing

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Recipe – Baked Apple Cider Muffins

Teaser Chapter

Teaser chapter

LYRICAL PRESS BOOKS are published by

Kensington Publishing Corp.

119 West 40th Street

New York, NY 10018

Copyright © 2020 by Lynn Cahoon

Have A Deadly New Year Copyright © 2019 by Lynn Cahoon

Penned In Copyright © 2020 by Lynn Cahoon

Pumpkin Spice Killing Copyright © 2021 by Lynn Cahoon

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

To the extend that the images on the cover of this book depict a person or persons, such person or persons are merely models, and are not intended to portray any character or characters featured in the book.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

All Kensington titles, imprints, and distributed lines are available at special quantity discounts for bulk purchases for sales promotion, premiums, fund-raising, educational, or institutional use.

Special book excerpts or customized printings can also be created to fit specific needs. For details, write or phone the office of the Kensington Sales Manager: Kensington Publishing Corp., 119 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018. Attn. Sales Department. Phone: [phone].

Lyrical Press and Lyrical Press logo Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.

First Electronic Edition: March 2023

ISBN-13: 978-1-51611-036-0 (ebook)

Chef Angie Turner of The County Seat—Idaho’s finest farm-to-table restaurant—is preparing a private dinner in the mountains during ski season, but the trip’s about to go downhill . . .

It’s a rockin’ New Year for Angie and her crew as they cater a bash for a famous band—and as a bonus, they’ll get to stay at the singer’s Sun Valley house for a whole week once the party’s over. But there are hints of discord, and the event hits a sour note when one of the musicians is found with a drumstick in his chest.

Is this a case of creative differences turned lethal or is there another motive at play? Angie’s jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire as she and her fellow foodies try to solve the case before the killer comes out for an encore . . .

Visit us at www.kensingtonbooks.com

Have A Deadly New Year

A Farm-to-Fork Novella

Lynn Cahoon

LYRICAL UNDERGROUND

Kensington Publishing Corp.

www.kensingtonbooks.com

Contents

Title Page

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

To the Readers

NYE Sweet and Sour Chestnuts

Love Lynn Cahoon?

Chapter 1

Guidebook to Murder

Who Moved My Goat Cheese

A Story to Kill

One Potato, Two Potato, Dead

Dedication

To my ‘band’ friends. I’m so glad you made high school bearable.

Acknowledgments

Writing about a gentler, kinder Idaho town than I grew up in has got me nostalgic for the good things that happened around my nonfictional town River Vista is modeled after. When I was in high school, we had a state conference for Future Homemakers of America at the Sun Valley Inn. I don’t know who pulled the strings for that one, but the one thing I remember about that conference is going out to the hot tub at night and watching the snow fall all around us. The moment in time was magical, so when my publisher asked for a NYE novella in Angie Turner’s Farm-to-Fork world, I knew I needed to recreate that moment in time for my characters too.

As always, big thanks to the Kensington team. Esi, Alex, Larissa, and all the others behind the scenes that make my books as pretty as they can be. Praise to them and their knowledge. Jill Marsal, thanks for getting me through my own rough patch. Sometimes all you can say is thanks. It doesn’t feel like enough.

Chapter 1

Sunlight streamed into the oversized kitchen and sparkled on the marble floor. Angie Turner, owner of the County Seat, watched as Hope Anderson, County Seat’s dishwasher—and soon-to-be newest chef, starting next summer—took in the over-the-top room. Angie had to admit, it felt a little intimidating for her as well. Her home kitchen was the size of this place’s pantry. And she could have fit two of the County Seat kitchen in the opulent space. The rich were different. And once the party was over tonight, this would be their kitchen for a week.

Felicia Williams, Angie’s partner, had set up this catering job with one of her old boarding school buddies. Not only were they getting paid, they got use of the cabin for a week after the event. Angie had all kinds of projects planned for her kitchen staff. She just wished all of her cooks had been able to attend. Nancy Gowan had her kids this week and had bowed out of the job. Which Angie understood. Nancy worked so much it wasn’t easy for her to find quality time to spend with her kids. But it would have been nice.

Who did you say owned this place? The Kardashians? Hope bounced over to Felicia, who was sitting at the table planning out the setup of dinner service. I can’t believe you went to school with this guy. What are you? Wealthy?

Felicia didn’t look up from the notebook where she was writing. My parents are. I’m not. And Cliff wasn’t either until his band took off. Look, you can’t go all starstruck when you meet people tonight. They’re just normal everyday people who have a band.

And live in places like this. My parents’ house could fit in this kitchen. Hope held out her arms. Then she saw Felicia’s glower. Fine, I’ll stop being such a peasant and ogling. What’s the name of the band? Do I know them?

Probably not. They were really popular a few years ago. This time Felicia did look up and met Angie’s gaze. She sighed. Fine. Cliff’s the lead singer for Postal Mutiny.

Hope’s eyes widened even more, and she sank into a chair. OMG. Cliff Henry? That Cliff? He’s like a rock legend. I thought Postal Mutiny broke up?

They did. Now they’re going to do another album. This dinner is to celebrate their signing the contract in the California studios on Monday. They’ll leave here for L.A. first thing in the morning, and we’ll have the house to ourselves for a week. Felicia looked around as they sat in stunned silence. Come on, guys, don’t tell me you’re all starstruck.

Estebe looked up from his tablet. I am not struck by the stars. I do not know this band.

Well, I do. Matt Young sank into a chair by Felicia. This is going to be an amazing way to kick off the new year. Well, actually, end this year, since they’ll be gone by the time the new year arrives. Is this why you took away our cell phones in the van? So we can’t take pictures?

Exactly. You’ll get them back on Monday after everyone’s left. Cliff doesn’t mind if we say we were in his house or that we catered the dinner, but no announcing the address or pictures of the band. Felicia made eye contact with each of them. This is important, guys, I gave Cliff my word that we’d be discreet.

Then we’ll honor that, right? Angie went to stand next to Felicia. Matt’s right, this is an awesome way to end our year. I’ve been excited about how well the restaurant has been doing, so part of our brainstorming is going to be about monthly themes. We get a week to live in this house. Just don’t break anything. My umbrella policy isn’t that large.

So no using Ming vases for football practice? Matt grinned but pointed to Dom, who was sleeping in the corner of the kitchen on the bed Angie had brought with them. What about him? Does he know the rules too?

Angie worried about Dom’s ability to be careful in the expensive rooms. But she had a plan to keep him away from the really delicate items and close by her side. Maybe they’d leave with the house unharmed. At least she hoped that was what would happen. Keep an eye out for him, will you? And if he seems to be somewhere he shouldn’t be, bring him back to the kitchen.

We will watch out for Dom. He’s one of us, Estebe said as he closed his tablet.

Dom lifted his head, huffed, and lay back down. Apparently, he agreed.

Are we ready to start cooking? Dinner’s at five thirty. Angie reviewed the menu for the evening. They were going all out for their guests. An opening salad, then a garden gazpacho soup. A caviar-topped scallop appetizer. Beef tenderloin in a Wellington preparation for the main course along with potato/turnip mash, and one of Felicia’s chocolate-on-chocolate desserts.

Tomorrow they’d start to work on a winter menu plan for the County Seat. She wanted some new ideas to spark more complex dishes to serve to their customers. But today, they had customers to feed. She wanted to have a good showing on the dishes. One, for the sake of the County Seat, and two, to show Felicia’s old schoolmate what an amazing woman she’d turned out to be. Angie had a few high school naysayers she’d like to show what kind of person she turned out to be. But maybe that was just her. Then let’s get going.

The serving staff that Felicia had hired from the local temp agency showed up at five fifteen. Felicia left her spot where she’d been watching the chocolate souffle in the oven. Angie hadn’t seen her friend so wound up about a service. Maybe there was more to this Cliff guy than just an old friend. Maybe they’d dated. The staff started getting ready to serve. With three of them, the food would go out to the formal dining room quickly and in one fell swoop.

Felicia had just come in from setting up the dining room with the servers when Cliff Henry breezed through the door.

He glanced around the room, his gaze falling on Felicia. There you are. I wanted to get here earlier to greet you, but Bailey and I went shopping. I forgot to pack a jacket. Can you believe it? One of our crew members loaned me his for the trip into town. It’s terribly out of fashion, but as the saying goes, beggars can’t be choosers.

The jacket looks fine, Cliff. Man, it’s good to see you. It’s been too long. Felicia fell into the rock star’s arms. You always promise you’re going to come in a day or two early or fly back late when you’re playing a local venue. But it never comes to be. What happened this time?

I guess I stopped in early this time, poppet. He kissed her on the forehead. Introduce me to your lovely friends.

Matt ran to the guy’s side. He pumped his hand with a maniacal look. I’m Matt Young, sir. Thank you for coming to the end of the earth for your getaway.

That’s what getaway means. If I’m here, no one will look for Cliff Henry, the rock star. I’m just Cliff, the guy with way too much money that lets this place sit empty too many days a year. All the locals know me and judge me on that character flaw. Like every other rich person who has a cabin up here. Cliff slapped Matt on the back. I’m trying to live up to their expectations of me.

You’re always trying to live up to someone’s expectations, Bailey mumbled, and Cliff shot her a look. She rolled her eyes but went back to staring at her manicure.

Muffy thinks getting the band together is a bad idea. We’re not exactly on friendly terms right now, but at least we’re trying. And it’s the music that’s important, right? He hugged Felicia, then addressed the rest of the group. I can’t believe this one owns her own restaurant. I mean, she was always smart. She helped me through Algebra II and Calculus. But really, she was known for being the best-looking girl at school. Captain of the cheerleading squad. Drill team. Didn’t you win a few beauty pageants senor year?

Felicia rolled her eyes. Mother’s idea. She wanted me to earn scholarships to make sure I felt obligated to go to Brown. Her alma mater. My dad was pushing for Harvard. When Boise State offered me a full ride to the culinary program, I grabbed it. They didn’t talk to me for a year. Thanksgiving dinner that first trip home was brutal.

Cliff, give your friend a break and stop calling me Muffy. Bailey stuck her finger into Cliff’s stomach. She smiled at Felicia as she added to the discussion. I think you should do what you want with your life. You only have one. And living here must be amazing.

Angie got the feeling that Bailey’s words weren’t totally aimed at Felicia’s situation. She locked gazes with Felicia. I’m glad you chose Boise State. I wouldn’t have met you otherwise.

And I wouldn’t have this cool job where I get to meet Cliff Henry, Matt added. When everyone turned to him, he shrugged. What? I have a personal motto that it’s all about me.

You’re the leading man in your own play, Cliff agreed. So many people don’t get that about life. Or if they do, they think the rest of us are two-bit players and not important. I suppose you’ll be doing New Year’s resolutions during your week? Make sure they’re about you and not what others think you should do.

The venom behind the words surprised Angie, but once he realized he’d shown more than what he’d expected, Cliff let a smile transform his face. And she was left wondering if she’d imagined the pain she’d caught from his statement.

Anyway, I just wanted to check in. We’ll have about thirty people here for dinner, then all but six of us will leave tonight for home. The band will fly out tomorrow to L.A. for some business and promotion stuff. He sighed. That part I haven’t missed. I love sitting alone or with Dane writing songs. And performing isn’t bad. But the media? They’re vultures.

You’ll just have to plaster on that pretty smile of yours and they’ll be eating out of your hand. Bailey ran her hand up and down Cliff’s arm.

He turned to her and smiled. It was clear to Angie that Bailey was the rock Cliff clung to. She and Ian had a different relationship. He was at her house this week, feeding Precious the goat and Mabel the black-and-white hen. He was also working on a plan for a greenhouse at her farmhouse. If she could grow her own veggies during the winter, she’d have a better feel for what she could buy for the restaurant. They were independent of each other. Bailey and Cliff seemed to be joined at the hip.

Reminding herself that all relationships were different, Angie pushed away the judging thoughts. Well, at least you’ll get a good last supper before you have to start the media tour. Food can sustain you, especially during times of stress.

Felicia beamed at her. "Angie’s on point. And the menu tonight will be filled with power foods, so you all should be ready