Murder in the Spotlight: Wines, Spines, & Crimes Book Club Cozy Mysteries, #7

By Elodie Hart

Harper expected her first date with Marc to end with a kiss—not murder.

 

After months of flirting, Harper Lansbury finally has her first date with the handsome detective. Everything went well until they found a dead body on the beach. But not just any dead body—Annabel Carver, starlet, America's sweetheart on the silver screen. With a less-than-loving boyfriend, another actress for competition, and a stalker all on the island at the same time, Harper has plenty of suspects to look at. The main question she has to ask is, who hated Annabel enough to kill her? The book club ladies have a new mystery on their hands as they uncover the true price of fame and dig deeper into the people surrounding Annabel to discover the truth.

 

Can Harper figure out who killed the movie star before everyone leaves the island or will this be one ending that remains a mystery?

 

Murder in the Spotlight is the seventh book in the Wines, Spines, and Crimes Book Club Cozy Mystery series. Get your copy today to join Harper and the book club ladies as they search for answers in this fast-paced installment in the series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elodie Hart
• Release date: Sep 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223979104

Elodie Hart

Elodie Hart was raised on old detective movies and mystery books. She loves a good puzzle (literally and figuratively), cuddling with dogs, and exploring small towns. The Tea Room Cozy Mystery Series is the first of many books she’ll write.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Long story short, I have nothing to wear, Harper said, slumping against the counter at Bouncing Beans and hoping her best friend had a solution.

Obviously, we need to raid someone’s closet. Maybe Dana’s? Libby suggested, brown eyes twinkling in mirth as she laughed at Harper.

This is no time to joke. It’s my first date with Marc and I’m in a bit of a panic.

Harper Lansbury hadn’t been on a date in nearly five years. Not only was she going on a date, but it was with the handsome detective who looked like a Viking and accused her of murder months ago.

As her best friend, Libby Hernandez had to know what to do. She owned the coffee shop, Bouncing Beans, and set an iced latte down in front of Harper. Coffee was always a good place to start.

First, drink your coffee. Then, get back to work. Between my closet, your closet, and Kat’s closet, I think we can find something appropriate for your date. Although, really, it just sounds like you’re panicking about the date and not the outfit, Libby said, giving her a knowing look.

Love hadn’t been at the forefront of Harper’s mind lately, what with all the murders and mysteries to solve. Give her a mystery and she could handle that with ease. Put romance in front of her and she froze up a little.

But Libby was right. She should focus on her work at the library and stop worrying about an outfit. Marc didn’t ask her out because he liked her fashion. Pep talk complete, Harper nodded and picked up her coffee.

Oh, here comes trouble, Libby muttered, nodding at the door.

Is that… Harper trailed off as she spied the woman outside, with an entourage of people snapping photographs behind her.

Annabel Carver? Yep.

"The Annabel Carver? Brilliant actress, multi-millionaire, and America’s sweetheart on the big screen? Wow," Harper breathed out, staring as the stunning woman entered the coffee shop.

Annabel stopped just inside the door and slid large sunglasses off to reveal startling blue eyes. Her long blonde hair had perfect waves that only the best stylist could entice with the help of a curling iron. Tall and lithe, Annabel moved like a panther in high heels—all grace and poise and deadly intent as she narrowed in on the menu.

Annabel, how long are you on the island for? one man shouted through the open door.

Will your bulldog assistant let us take you out for dinner? another man yelled.

How long has she been around anyway? We deserve some time with you, yet another man yelled.

Meghan? I’ve known her for three years. Isn’t she wonderful? Annabel cooed, waving to the men with the cameras before Libby rushed around the counter and slammed the door in their faces. Libby put up with a lot of things, but the paparazzi in her coffee shop wasn’t one of them.

Welcome to Bouncing Beans. What can I get for you? Libby asked, pasting a cheery smile on her face as she walked back to the counter.

Harper knew she should get to the library for her shift, but curiosity won out and she stayed a bit longer, studying the two new women in the coffee shop. Where Annabel had long, blonde, perfectly groomed hair like a Disney princess, Meghan had lackluster brown hair pulled up in a messy bun on top of her head, large glasses perched on her nose, and oversized clothes that did nothing for her shape.

Miss Carver will have an iced green tea latte with oat milk and less ice, Meghan the assistant said.

And for yourself?

Just a plain black coffee, please.

Got it. Just give me a few minutes and it’ll be right up. Feel free to take a seat and relax. Those guys aren’t allowed inside, Libby said cheerfully, whirling away to make the coffee.

Even their coffee orders are completely different and yet somehow perfectly match their appearance, Harper thought, watching the two women surreptitiously as she pretended to be interested in the display of locally handmade coffee mugs displayed on a shelf for sale.

Coming here was a bad idea, Meghan muttered as she sat down across from Annabel.

Oh, they don’t mean anything by it, Annabel said and gave Meghan a pointed look. You need to lighten up. We’re here for the charity event and some time away from the vultures in Hollywood. Try to relax a little.

It’s hard to relax when you’re chased by men with cameras, followed to the island by your angry boyfriend, about to parade in front of people who don’t believe you know what you’re doing, and that doesn’t even include your stalker.

Don’t be such a downer. We’re here on this beautiful island, the sun is shining but it’s not hot, and we can sit back and relax.

I’ll relax when you retire, Meghan retorted, sinking back and doing her best to become one with the chair.

Why have I put up with you for all these years?

Because I’m the only one keeping your life running smoothly.

Annabel smiled, the kind she used in front of cameras at red carpet events. Ah, yes.

Libby gave Harper a quick glance and carried the two coffees over to where the ladies sat. Here you go. Are you staying on the island long?

Just for two weeks, I’m afraid. Then we must return to begin filming a new movie, Annabel said.

Speaking of, you have a meeting with the director later via video conference. If you want to do anything before that, we’d better go, Meghan interjected, effectively cutting Libby’s questions off.

Annabel rolled her eyes and sighed. It’s all work and no play for you. Fine, we’ll go. I want to visit some shops first. Thank you for the coffee.

My pleasure. Enjoy your time on the island! Libby called out as Meghan ushered Annabel out of the coffee shop.

I have so many questions, Harper said, watching them leave and then turning to Libby.

Save it for later at the book club tomorrow. I bet you anything Bernie will have some intel for us. Right now, you have to get back to work, Libby said.

Questions burned on the tip of her tongue, but Harper knew Libby was right. She had a library to run. Questions about movie stars and grumpy assistants would have to wait.

Fine. See you tomorrow. Can you bring extra wine? We’re almost out of the reserve supply, Harper said.

Got it. See you later!

Harper waved and left the coffee shop, heading back to the public library next door to continue her shift. She’d never expected her mid-morning break to be so eventful.

Five years ago, almost six now, Harper moved to Marilee Island just off the coast of Southern California and became one of two professional librarians on the island. She loved the slower pace of life, the Mediterranean climate, the white sandy beaches, and the crystal clear aquamarine waters.

It was paradise with the occasional murder thrown in.

Stepping into the library, she stopped to pet the official greeter—Pippin the cat. A couple of years ago, Pippin sneaked into the library and none of them knew about it for a few days. When he scared Harper and finally made his presence known, they all decided he could stay.

Now he greeted everyone and demanded petting at every available opportunity.

Meow! he called as Harper stopped in front of his perch at the front counter.

And hello again to you, too. Was everything quiet while I was getting coffee? she asked, scratching under his chin and smiling as his eerie green eyes closed in delight while a purr rumbled from his throat, sounding like a motorboat. I’ll take that as a yes.

Running her hand down the sleek black fur on his back, Harper left him and went to her desk in the employee-only area. It was time to get back to work.

Did you meet her? Did you meet her? Did you meet her? Reb rushed out, her words tripping over each other in her haste as she slapped her hands down on Harper’s desk and made her coffee cup rattle slightly.

Meet who? Harper asked innocently to see if she could rile Reb up a little. Rebecca Reb Devon was a fixture at the library as one of the longest-lasting assistant librarians on the island. She was also one of the island’s foremost gossips and knew almost everything about almost everyone—except for this time.

Meet who? Are you crazy? Annabel Carver. Don’t lie to me, Harper Lansbury. I saw you leave the coffee shop after her, Reb said, wagging her finger at her before putting her hands on her plump hips and staring Harper down.

Harper smiled and nodded. She was there but we didn’t really talk.

Why not? She’s beautiful and famous, all those bright lights and handsome men adore her. Why would you just let her walk away like that?

Because she was being hounded by paparazzi and it seemed rude.

Reb stood back and nodded. That’s true. I suppose that’s okay then, but I expect a photo the next time you happen to run into her.

I’ll see what I can do, Harper said dryly before Reb rushed back to work.

Shaking her head, Harper followed suit and knew she still had to finish the rest of her work before her date with Marc. Movie stars would just have to wait until she had more time to deal with them.

Chapter 2

What had she been so worried about? It was just her fears and worries