Cookies, Chamomile, and Corpses (A Cookies & Chance Mysteries Novella)

By Catherine Bruns

From USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bruns comes a delicious mystery novella...

After her disastrous marriage comes to an end, Sally Muccio decides that she's unlucky in love and returns home with hopes to start a novelty cookie shop. There’s only one thing stopping her—money.

Sal's loveable and all-knowing grandmother agrees to help with the financial situation if Sal will do her one small favor—find out who killed her sister, Luisa. The police have already deemed Luisa's death an accident, but Grandma Rosa is unconvinced since a valuable family teapot has disappeared as well.

Together with her best friend, Sal sets out to discover the truth. But trouble is brewing, and the hunt to find a killer might bring everything crumbling around her.

Includes a recipe for delicious tea biscuits!

This story is only available for a limited time! Get your copy now before it's gone!

Note: This work was previously published in the "Killer Beach Reads" collection.

What critics are saying:

"A fantastic cozy mystery!"
—InD'Tale Magazine

"I want to visit more with all of the quirky characters just to see what crazy and outrageous things they will do next!"
—Fresh Fiction

"The Cookies and Chance Mystery series is more than just a series....it's a family !! Once you read the first book, you are hooked and feel like a member of the crazy Muccio family."
—Cozy Mystery Book Reviews

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gemma Halliday Publishing
• Release date: Aug 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215931691

Catherine Bruns

USA Today bestselling author Catherine lives in Upstate New York with a male dominated household that consists of her very patient husband, three sons, and assorted cats and dogs. She has wanted to be a writer since the age of eight when she wrote her own version of Cinderella (fortunately Disney never sued). Catherine holds a B.A. in English and is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.

Book preview

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COOKIES, CHAMOMILE, AND CORPSES

a Cookies & Chance mysteries novella

by

CATHERINE BRUNS

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Copyright © 2015 by Catherine Bruns

Gemma Halliday Publishing

http://www.gemmahallidaypublishing.com

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

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CHAPTER ONE

I gripped the stark white piece of paper tightly between my hands, trying to come to terms with the finality of the situation. For the last ten minutes I'd re-read the same lines over and over as the words echoed in my head and forever bruised my heart.

The marriage between the two named parties is dissolved…

The Plaintiff is authorized to resume the use of her maiden name or other former surname…

A tear leaked from my left eye and fell onto the page before I could stop it. Five years of marriage, the last two pure hell, were over. Colin and I were no longer husband and wife.

I blew out a sigh. Thank God for small favors. Colin was free to sleep with whomever he wanted to. Oh, wait. He'd already done that—while we were married.

A horn tooted behind me. I glanced into my rearview mirror to see a middle-aged woman stepping out of a black Chevy Cruze. I gave my eyes a final swipe with the back of my hand, stuffed the papers back into the manila envelope, and opened my car door.

She was slightly taller than me, about five feet, four inches. Her short, dark hair was perfectly coifed, and the ivory-colored linen suit she wore immaculate for the ninety-degree day. Dressed in my usual outfit of a white T-shirt and jean shorts, I figured I probably didn't look like the type of prospective buyer she was hoping for.

Hi there, are you Sally Muccio?

I nodded and held out my hand. You must be Miss Tenley.

Please, call me Kara, the woman smiled. Her handshake was firm and direct. She glanced around. Isn't Josie meeting us here?

I think her sitter was running late. Josie Sullivan and I had been best friends for the past twenty years. She was one of the main reasons I decided to move back to my hometown after the divorce. I'm sure she'll be here shortly.

Kara reached into her handbag and produced a square, greyish-colored keypad with large, raised numbers on its surface. Why don't we go ahead and take a look at the building? Josie can come in and join us whenever she gets here.

I followed her up three steps to a wide porch painted white with thick, wooden beams. I ran my hand over the railing, thinking how great a couple of tables with umbrellas would look out here. Okay, stop it, Sal. Don't get too far ahead of yourself. You don't even know if you can get a loan yet.

Kara held the keypad up to the electronic lockbox that was wrapped around the doorknob and entered some numbers. A beep sounded, and she pulled out the shackle from the lockbox, producing a key for the front door. She inserted it into the keyhole and motioned for me to go inside.

The place needed some cosmetics but overall was in better shape than I dared hope for. A stench of fried food lingered in the air, and the walls were in desperate need of a fresh paint job. Grease stains blotted them everywhere. The blue-and-white-checkered vinyl floor was scuffed and torn in several places. It would need new laminate, but I didn't think that would be too costly and probably could be completed in a day or so. I was already making notes to hire a construction worker for some other odds and ends as well.

I walked into the back room, which I assumed had been used as the kitchen. A large butcher-block table, double-bowl sink, and several cabinets. Nothing else. I already knew no appliances were included but hey, one could always dream.

Kara sniffed at the air and wrinkled her nose. It used to be a Chinese restaurant. I swear I can still smell egg rolls. She grinned. What were you girls planning to do with the place?

A bakery, I said. Well, actually a specialty storefront. Homemade cookies only.

Isn't that cute! she cooed. "You know, the restaurant did well. This is a very good location for eateries.