The Death Next Door: A Sweet Cozy Mystery

By S. Y. Robins

In the midst of the crush of a lifetime, Milly Dupont finds herself entangled in a murder mystery. Quiet little Milly that runs the quiet little tea shop across from the corner shop discovers that the shop owner has been possibly kidnapped, maybe even murdered. But where's Davina's body? With the help of Edgar, her ever observant cat and companion, Milly starts to put together clues that may lead to Davina, or to her killer. Wanting only to find out the truth about what happened to Davina, her friend and surrogate mother, Milly sets out to find the truth. But can she get to the truth before the assailant gets to her? Coping with a snarky detective, few clues, and trying to run her business, Milly may be in over her head. Through persistence and a need to know what happened to Davina, Milly starts to find clues but is the suspect Davina's boyfriend; Callum, Davina's shop helper and Milly's crush; or the unknown boyfriend Milly had only just found out about? With a cast of suspects to choose from Milly isn't sure who to look at first but she has to find the real suspect before they find her, that's the one thing she does know.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lovy Books Ltd
• Release date: Aug 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223489269

Book preview

1

August

Milly Dupont danced around her kitchen, singing along to the song she had blaring in the shop’s kitchen as she decorated cream cakes and scones, completely oblivious and happy as she moved her round little body in what she considered to be a sultry and sexy manner. She was perfectly aware any viewer might have collapsed in fits of laughter but she let herself go with abandon, laughing with joy as she belted out the song.

She ended her dancing by singing along to the long Ahhhhhhhhh that finished the song, and smiled to herself. Her morning routine usually resulted in oddly decorated cream cakes and this morning was no different, she noted as she scrutinized her handy-work. Those three were far too rudely decorated to put out in the shop; she thought to herself as she moved the plates away. She’d share them with Edgar, her black cat, later after she had her tea. Or maybe she’d break into the treats earlier, for lunch, perhaps. Giggling, Milly exited the kitchen to the front of her tea shop to put the confections into the display case, turning on the machinery that would allow her to make tea, specialty coffees, and heat up whatever pastries her customers might want.

Finally, Milly had everything set up and she allowed her green eyes to trail off to the world outside as morning commuters began to pass by her shop. Most of the locals wouldn’t be in until later, preferring to frequent Milly’s shop at a later time of day so they could learn any gossip they might have missed on their morning rounds from their friends, before going home to prepare their family’s tea.

Wirkster was a tiny village but if one paid attention, Milly thought, there was a good deal going on. She knew for instance, that Mr. Carpenter passing by the window now was only going to drive up to the barn a mile up the road before turning off to meet his secretary for their morning assignations. For the last year, his wife had thought he was driving into work early to pick up a co-worker, when in fact, he was only going for a tryst. And there went Miss Carpenter, off to the market where she openly sold her crocheted crafts but secretly slid different pirated films into the towels and potholders she’d fashioned when her customer asked for a specific colour. Apparently this week’s best seller was candy-apple red cloche hats and came with a copy of a film about a man that made himself a suit out of metal. If customers only picked up their purchase or asked for a plain colour, the film was not included and Miss Carpenter did not tack on an additional fee. She’d not been caught yet but Milly suspected she would be before long.

Tying her long dark hair up into a braid and setting up the tables for her first customers, Milly wondered what news today would bring. She noticed it was almost 7 am now; Callum would be walking by her window soon. Pushing her glasses back up her nose Milly walked behind the counter, not wanting Callum Davidson to catch her waiting expectantly by the window again. Callum worked