Hotcakes and Homicide: Snow Falls Alaska Cozy, #5

By Wendy Meadows

This winter wonderland is hiding a dangerous killer...

 

Amateur sleuth Bethany Lights is eager to enjoy a cozy Thanksgiving with her family and settle into her new home in the beautiful town of Snow Falls, Alaska. But when her crazy Uncle Riley appears on her doorstep, a holiday headache quickly turns into a deadly cat-and-mouse game when a body turns up in the snow.

 

Determined to solve the mystery, Bethany's simple investigation soon sends her tumbling down a sinister rabbit hole into a world of sharp secrets and painful truths that all seem to revolve around her crazy uncle. With the town crippled by a vicious snowstorm and a ruthless murderer on the prowl, Bethany finds herself embroiled in a battle of wits that could have devastating consequences.

And after her best friend and uncle are kidnapped, Bethany is forced out into an icy world where a deadly snowman is waiting for her...

 

Will Bethany survive Thanksgiving and save the day? Or will she end up as frozen leftovers on the plate of an unseen killer?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Majestic Owl Publishing LLC
• Release date: Mar 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215243299

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

Could murder ever be funny? Bethany was convinced that every murder she had faced since arriving in Snow Falls, Alaska, was hideous, and that any future murders would have the same frightening atmosphere. And why not be content in a belief that had factual, concrete truths? Bethany had survived four murder cases since arriving in Snow Falls. Four! What were the chances? A million to one? A billion to one? It was clear to Bethany that a shadowy curse was chasing her, and the face of that curse belonged to an evil snowman that was determined to destroy her life. So why not be content in knowing that murder was a vicious monster, void of humor? The only humor involved with murder was invited by the mind of a mad man.

Bethany was about to meet a mad man, a mad man she knew all too well. Bethany was also about to learn that sometimes, murder could be funny.

Oh, Bethany pouted. Look what I did. I spilled my glass of orange juice, and I’m already running late!

Julie Walsh, current roommate and best friend, watched a frustrated Bethany frantically wipe orange juice off a dark blue sweater. Julie, on the other hand, still sat in her thick, pink robe and pink bunny slippers. I’ll clean up the mess, love. You better get going.

I know. Bethany stopped wiping at her sweater and anxiously ran her hands through her hair. Julie had created a nice vintage style for her that complemented Bethany’s beautiful face. I can’t believe I’m going to let my uncle Riley come stay with me for two whole weeks. Uncle Riley is insane, to say the least.

So you’ve told me. Julie grinned. Bethany sure could be funny at times. Love, you’ve told me, oh, about a hundred times, that your uncle voluntarily admits himself to a mental institution each year just for kicks and pretends he’s Albert Einstein.

This year Uncle Riley pretended he was John Wayne, Bethany said in a pained voice. He spent his annual three months at the Seaside Mental Home in Oregon striding around saying ‘Pilgrim.’

Well, it’s almost Thanksgiving. Julie pointed out as she grabbed a roll of paper towels off a brown wooden counter. It was comfortably settled in a medium-sized kitchen that resembled a 1940s English cottage, compliments of Julie Walsh.

Thanksgiving is in five days. Good grief, Julie, five days. And Steven is going to attend the dinner.

Love, all of our family and friends are going to attend. We drew names, remember? You and I were chosen to host this year’s big event. Julie snapped off a few paper towels and began wiping spilled orange juice off the countertop that served as a makeshift breakfast table. It was rare that Bethany or Julie sat at the round kitchen table perched in the far corner of the kitchen. Both women preferred to sit at the counter on their favorite green stools. It’s going to be a tight fit.

That’s why we’re meeting at the coffee shop. There’s no way everyone is going to fit into our dining room. We barely fit into our dining room. Bethany checked the time again. Oh, I better run. Sorry for the mess.

Julie grinned again. She was looking forward to meeting Uncle Riley. From the stories Bethany had told, she knew he was quite the character, and Julie was in the mood for some laughs. Murder had worn her heart down to the ground. Being best friends with Bethany Lights wasn’t a walk in the park. You’re driving straight to North Woods and back, right?

Right. Uncle Riley hired a pilot to fly him to North Woods from Anchorage. I have to drive an hour north and pick him up and then drive back to Snow Falls. Bethany checked the time again. The weather is clear, and Conrad confirmed that the roads have been cleared of snow. I should be able to make the drive without any problem.

Julie tensed up some. Maybe I should—

Honey, we’ve already talked about this. Ben needs you at the hardware store.

Ben wants to get cozy, Julie corrected and then blushed some. He’s a good chap and very polite. Yesterday he accidentally touched my hand and acted as if he had touched a live electric wire. Someday, if I ever want him to kiss me, I’m going to have to have the Army help me.

Bethany laughed—a quick laugh that she didn’t expect to hear. Ben was a nervous gentleman around Julie, and at times a real klutz. The small-town sheriff had become a nervous clown. Julie had that effect on any guy who fell for her. Well, for better or worse, you promised Ben you’d help him paint the inside of the hardware store today. Besides, I kind of want to be alone with Uncle Riley before he meets everyone. I need to lay down some ground rules. Also, I could use some time alone. After the fight I had with my mother on the phone last night, I need to clear my thoughts, honey.

I understand, Julie promised. The idea of letting Bethany drive an hour north all alone didn’t sit well in Julie’s heart, but what could she do? Conrad did say the roads have been cleared.

I’ll be fine. When the roads are clear, North Woods isn’t even an hour drive, more like fifty minutes or so. Bethany hurried to the back door and yanked a heavy brown coat off a wooden coatrack. She slung the coat on and then slapped on a gray muffler hat that wasn’t very pretty. No matter. Bethany was more interested in staying warm than appearing stylish. Snow Falls suffered from a cold that filled graves if a person wasn’t careful. I need to hurry.

Julie told Bethany to put on her gloves. Bethany quickly slid on a pair of thick, gray gloves and then worked to retrieve a white purse from the kitchen counter. Drive safe, and don’t stop. North Woods has a gas station and an airfield—

And a hunting lodge that was converted into a hotel, Bethany added. Sarah and Amanda drove us to North Woods last week to pick up Pete. I remember the way. Bethany paused and conducted a quick mental check. Uh, keys to my SUV….

In your purse.

Got it. Bethany looked at Julie. You’re really great to allow Uncle Riley to stay with us. My mother was furious. She considers Uncle Riley to be the black sheep of the family. I admit the man is eccentric, but I have fond memories of him growing up as a little girl. Anyway, I better get going. I should be home before it gets dark. By noon if I don’t encounter any problems.

If I’m not at the hardware store, I’ll be at O’Mally’s helping Sarah and Amanda. Julie walked over to Bethany and checked her friend. Coat, gloves, muffler hat, and you’re wearing your winter boots. I think you’re good to go. Be careful. Julie hugged Bethany and then saw her friend to the front door. Drive safe.

I will. Bethany hurried outside into a white wonderland. A fierce snowstorm had struck Snow Falls. Deep, frozen snow lay everywhere. Frozen trees soaked with ice and snow complemented the rugged winter landscape. Bethany eyed a gravel driveway that Conrad had cleared using his snowplow. Conrad, Bethany had learned, loved to play with his snowplow. I better get moving. I’m already running late. Uncle Riley will be landing in North Woods in one hour and five minutes, and even with the calm weather and clear roads, this was Alaska, and you just never knew what you might encounter.

Bethany carefully made her way to a green SUV, removed a large white towel from the front windshield, jumped into the driver’s seat, tossed her purse into the passenger seat along with the white towel, and buckled up. Julie watched her friend from the front door of a cozy cabin that was covered with snow. It took Bethany a minute to get her SUV woken up and warm. Julie worried that it might not be up to the drive. But then Bethany waved, shoved the SUV into reverse, and eased down the driveway into a street that had been plowed an hour earlier. Bethany honked the SUV’s horn and cautiously drove away. Oh, be careful, love. Lord, be with her.

I’ll get some music going. Oh drats, I forgot my thermos full of coffee. Bethany hit the brakes for a second and then removed her foot. I can wait for coffee. I don’t have time to turn back. Bethany drove to the end of Snow Dove Lane, stopped at a red stop sign that was currently painted white with snow, and fiddled with the radio. SNOW Radio blared to life. John Rillands was on.

Bad news, folks. An unexpected storm front is forecast to reach the area by midnight tonight. Don’t put your snow shovels away just yet, and make sure you have plenty of snow salt. This storm is going to be a doozy.

Bethany kept her eyes on the front windshield. The white towel had kept it clear, but the rest of the windows were caked with ice. Conrad had taught Bethany how to place a towel over the windshield of her SUV at night. The trick worked. But as Bethany stared into a white world of frozen snow, she imagined the windshield covered with three feet of snow. Towel or no towel, a vehicle had to be cleared of snow before operation. Great, now Julie and I will be stuck at the cabin with Uncle Riley. I was hoping to take him to O’Mally’s and maybe up to Reindeer Lake.

Feeling all of her carefully laid plans splatter into a greasy frying pan and dissolve, Bethany turned right and began driving northeast. Ten minutes later, she reached the outskirts of Snow Falls and hit Old Highway 3—an icy highway that aimed straight north. The highway was deserted. Not a vehicle was in sight. Endless miles of frozen, snow-consumed wilderness hugged both sides of the highway. Bethany stopped and stared at a highway that was nothing more than a scary two-lane road with faded driving lines, then drew in a deep breath. I can do this. It’s like Sarah and I talked about. I can’t run scared. I have to keep living.

Bethany carefully pressed down on a stubborn gas pedal and got the SUV moving just as the song It’s a Good Day by Perry Como came on the radio. Yeah, Perry, maybe it will be a good day. Too bad there isn’t any sun. With those words, Bethany focused on the road, brought the SUV up to a safe speed, and settled in for a long drive.

She had expected the worst but actually had a very pleasant and beautiful trip that calmed her nervous heart. An hour and twenty minutes later, Bethany arrived at a snow-filled airstrip that had been plowed just enough to let bush planes land. She parked in front of a large pile of snow beside a rough-looking brown truck that had seen better days. A narrow trail leading out to the airfield had been shoveled out. Bethany scanned the field and then studied a thick, hungry wilderness surrounding the airstrip.

There’s nothing out here. This is truly the untamed wilderness I read about growing up. A person is truly alone up here in Alaska. The world may consider Alaska to be part of the United States, but this land belongs to no one. Bethany continued to look around. No plane was sitting out on the airfield. I’m late, and there’s no plane. I hope—

A yellow bush plane suddenly buzzed overhead. Bethany quickly jumped out into an icy wind that nearly took her head off. She watched the plane—a run-down bush plane that looked like a bucket of rusted bolts—dig high into the sky and then make a dangerous turn, aiming back toward the airfield. That pilot is crazy! she exclaimed.

Bethany rushed forward, keeping her eyes on a clear blue sky, and carefully worked her way