The Great Douhini: Mystery Theater Presents Cozy Mystery Series, #2

By K.P. Stafford

What antics has Ghost Farley, Jinx the Cat and Pierre the Rat been up to since the last production at Mystery Theater?

When a well-known actor, with a failing career, signs up to play the lead role in the next production of the small theater in Peculiar, strange things begin to happen.

A nosy, over-bearing, crew member goes missing.
Odd occurrences surround the new actor.
Will Ghost Farley get blamed for mishaps around the theater?

With a long list of suspects, Jess and the mystery gang go to work trying to figure out what's happened before news gets out and ruins the whole production.

• Language: English
• Publisher: K.P. Stafford
• Release date: Feb 24, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224581689

K.P. Stafford

K.P. Stafford is a cozy mystery author who writes clean cozy mystery stories with quirky, fun characters in small, quaint towns. I'm a Christian, mom, nana and musician's wife. I've always loved things mysterious and a bit kookie like The Munsters and The Addams Family. *Please note - I don't necessarily write Christian fiction. ;) If you've enjoyed my work, please visit my website and get on the reader's list so you can receive advanced notifications, discounts and reader's only specials. www.kpstafford.com

Book preview

1

Jessica James closed the accounting books and leaned back in her chair. It creaked and moaned under the pressure, but she had a smile on her face. The summer production had been an enormous success, despite a murder taking place and the troubles that came with losing people. Ticket sales and attendance had earned enough money to get her and her crew through the winter months while they prepared for the next production, The Great Douhini . If she budgeted the profits just right, they could even afford some additional setting and prop expenses. "Unless something major breaks down " , she said out loud to herself.

Can’t you just enjoy the moment and not worry about something for a change?

She looked up to see her assistant, and best friend, Becky, standing in the doorway.

Oh, I guess it’s a habit. She said as she leaned forward, the chair groaning again.

Becky pointed at her. It’s a bad one and you need to break it.

Easier said than done.

I don’t suppose you’ve heard from Luke? Becky asked, her tone hopeful.

Ha! No. I guess he didn’t really have the acting bug. Jess smirked, not wanting to think about the situation.

Well, you do remember he was undercover.

I know. But he’s completely disappeared. I haven’t seen his truck at his house in three months. She propped her chin into the palms of her hands and let out a sigh.

Becky walked on into the office and sat down in the chair across from Jess’ desk. You’ve driven by his place then?

I did a few times. I guess he decided this small town was too rinky-dink for him.

Could be. I can’t believe he didn’t even call to tell you anything, though.

Oh well, it is what it is. It’s not like I was looking for a relationship, anyway.

I know, but we’re not getting any younger. Eventually we need to think about that whole marriage and kid business.

Not today. Possibly not even this year. The corners of her mouth turned down. How about we not talk about our lack of relationship prospects?

Fine with me. Becky perked up. What did you do on your week off?

I cuddled up with Jinx and caught up on some reading and old movies.

That sounds boring.

I thought we weren’t discussing how bad my social life sucks.

Sorry. So, how’d we do financially?

Jess reached for the ledger on the desk, opened it and pushed it towards Becky. Not bad. Without having to worry about paying a mortgage now, we should be able to handle all the winter expenses and purchase some supplies for the props we need. She bit her bottom lip. I wish we could do some repairs around here, She said as she looked at the peeling paint on the walls. "But I don’t see how I can squeeze it out. The budget will be tight, although it’s a lot better than it was this time last year."

It’s a good thing we’ve gotten good at pinching pennies. Just reusing a lot of the old props and settings has helped a lot.

Jess’ eyebrows pinched together. True, but we’ve used some of them past their prime. I’m not sure a fresh coat of paint will help much on some of them. The cost of plywood has gone up so we’ll need to be careful there.

Well, I’ve found some good bargains at yard sales. Becky said. Unfortunately, people don’t run yard sales in the winter months, but hopefully the stuff I found will be of use. Once we get the basement cleaned out and set up for more storage, I’ll be able to shop more yard sales when they pick back up in the spring.

I haven’t even been in the basement since that ordeal at the beginning of last season. She rubbed her temples. I don’t want to think about that, but there is a lot of space down there we could be using. There may even be some good props and costumes in the junk. I don’t know why my parents just put all that stuff down there and never used it.

It seems a lot of things were strange around here, stuff we never noticed before when we were younger.

I guess they don’t call actors eccentric for no reason. Jess said as she let out a soft chuckle.

They both turned at the sound of a whistle. Farley, the resident ghost, stuck his head through the wall. Oh, my beautiful friends. You are back! It was so lonely here without you. It’s been so long. It was like forever. The days just dragged on and on and on. He said as he flew in and whirled around the room.

Farley, it hasn’t been forever, it’s only been a week.

Really? He inquired as he floated down and sat next to Becky. It seems much longer when you’re dead. The point is, I missed you. He said with a cheeky grin across his face.

We missed you, too. They replied in unison.

Becky looked at Farley. You’re not stuck here at the theater, you know. You can leave the building and go exploring.

Farley’s face contorted. Oh no! I did that, remember? It was a horrible experience. I’m not sure I want to do that again. It’s scary out there in the world. All the roads are different since I died. He sank down into the chair. Everything has changed out there. He muttered in a gloomy voice.

Becky leaned towards him. But those circumstances were different, and it was your first time. You could just check out the neighborhood— Her voice trailed off as she looked at Jess, who was shaking her head and had her eyebrows raised in horror. She looked back at Farley. Okay, you probably don’t need to get out of the building. We don’t need you stirring up trouble all over town.

Farley stuck his nose in the air. I haven’t been any trouble at all lately, in case you’ve forgotten. He turned to Jess. I have been on my best behavior.

Jess’ face pinched. You didn’t knock the stage props over when the guys were trying to clean up?

Well, yes⁠—

You didn’t scare the lady in the women’s restroom at the last showing?

Well, of cour⁠—

You didn’t coax Pierre to run across the stage?

Okay already! What’s your point? Isn’t that an improvement over the ways I used to haunt the place?

Jess rolled her eyes. "Well, maybe that is your best behavior, but you can’t say you haven’t been any trouble at all, now can you?"

Farley lowered his head and pooched out his bottom lip.

And I don’t need you going all over town stirring up a commotion either.

He jerked his head up. I would never dream of it, child. He tilted his head to the side and tapped his ghostly chin, But it could do me some good to explore the neighborhood. His expression lit up. I can see how you’d want me to get out and not stay cooped up in here. It’s just not healthy for me. He waved his arms around and quickly flew off through the ceiling.

Farley, that is not what I said. You’re a ghost, you have no health concerns! Jess yelled after him before she turned to Becky and shook her head.

Becky sank down into the chair. I just made a colossal mistake suggesting he go exploring.

Yeah, I was thinking you stuck your foot in your mouth over that one, but you had the words out before I could stop you.

He’ll be okay. Surely he won’t go out there haunting the entire town. She tapped her fingers on the arm of the chair.

I hope you’re right. Jess replied, but in her mind, she knew it was a mistake to even mention it to Farley. He enjoyed stirring things up too much.

2

Carter Stewart entered the backdoor of the small theater in Peculiar, with an armload of boxes from the local bakery and a wide smile across his face. His steps were light, like those of a ballerino on a dance floor. Jess looked up at him and smiled, thankful that a few months earlier she’d gotten to know the real man behind the charade. Before, he appeared a grumpy, better-than-everyone else actor, but after the death of a fellow actor and him being a suspect, she had discovered that he was a likable guy and his uppity persona was only an act. He was afraid no one would like him, so he made sure no one did, by his attitude and his actions. She was glad he’d finally let down that facade and let everyone see the pleasant guy inside.

He had played the lead role over the summer production of Mrs. Pickles. Now, without a full-time director on staff, he’d asked if he could step in and take the job for the next production, a classic play close to his heart. He’d decided on the perfect actor for the part after receiving a resume from an older guy past his heyday, but might still pull in a crowd. Jess had her doubts, but she gave Carter full authority to hire the guy. They were both amazed when the guy took the offer after hearing how little he’d get paid, but he agreed. If people remembered his name from years past, it could actually help the production and pull in the older crowds, at least.

Carter made his way to the tables with the bakery boxes and began setting all the pastries out, along with small plates, napkins and plastic forks.

The crew members gathered and began digging into the treats. Chatter and laughter filled the compact room. They’d only taken a week off, but Jess was glad to see them well-rested and new encouragement on their faces, ready to start the next round of craziness in their small theater.

Everyone turned to look when the backdoor flew open. A man in a black trench coat, wearing a long white