Asbury High and the Parcels of Poison: Asbury High YA Cozy Mystery Series by Kelly Brady Channick
Asbury’s fearless foursome is back!
Is their favorite hangout to blame for recent food poisonings? Or is there something more sinister at work?
After an unprecedented first year of high school, the gang is ready for a relaxing summer vacation, although in Asbury, that may be easier said than done. This summer, the Food Network is running a summer special highlighting local hot spots, Carly, Maddie, Pilot and Cornelious are psyched to have the world’s best restaurant featured—their very own Brady’s! In fact, Maddie can almost forget that her arch-nemesis, Alexis Johnson, will also be on TV for winning the logo design for Caulfield’s Candies… almost.
However, after patrons start falling ill, shoobies and locals alike point the finger at Brady’s and rumors of food poisoning. When Brady’s threatens to close its doors, Pilot realizes his mother’s job is in jeopardy, as well as his future in Asbury. With the aid of Cornelious’ wealthy cousin Dane, who spends every summer with the quartet, the gang is once again thrust into an investigation. Unfortunately, they find themselves thwarted by both the local police (who believe their recent success was due to luck, rather than skill), and Cornelious’ father, who has decided to run for Mayor of Asbury and cautions his son on the need to maintain a spotless public image.
With a new pancake house on the boardwalk, Mainlanders invading their beaches, and the Pitbulls sneaking around and terrorizing shoobies (as usual), there’s no shortage of suspects. But can they solve the case before the summer, and Brady’s, are finished?
Excerpt
After some brief consideration, the gang decided going to Brady’s was their best bet. The police were surely no help and would probably lock the doors to the station upon seeing their arrival. Plus, even if Dennis and Brandan didn’t believe them, they agreed it was a good chance to begin a stakeout.
Instead of walking back to Brady’s, Mr. Cosentino offered to drive the gang over to the boardwalk. “It’s no biggie, really,” he smiled back at the gang as they strapped in their seatbelts, “I’ve got to get these negatives developed, old-school style, before my editor has a heart attack.”
It was a quick and quiet ride over as everyone was tied up in their own thoughts, imagining what they were going to say to their favorite restaurant owners. Or more importantly, how to make them believe a group of teenagers was telling the truth.
“Well, here you are. Have fun at the beach!” Mr. Cosentino grinned broadly before driving off.
“It’s obvious Mia didn’t learn to drive from him,” Cornelious stated, shuddering at the memory of Mia’s hazardous car rides.
“I think she learned from watching The Fast and The Furious reruns,” Carly dead-panned.
The five of them chuckled and headed up the deserted boardwalk ramp, taking them right to Brady’s entrance. At this hour, there were only a handful of early-risers on the boards—mostly surfers—so no one seemed to notice as the gang peered into Brady’s.
“Are you sure they’re here?” Carly asked, stepping back from the glass doors.
“Maybe they just left,” Pilot offered.
“Darn it! I really thought they’d still—” Maddie began.
“Shh!” Cornelious put his finger to his lips and opened his eyes wide. “Did you guys hear that?”
Dane nodded his head “yes” in agreement while the rest of the clan strained their ears to hear any sign of life from within. Although they weren’t above breaking and entering (due to their past record), they felt breaking into Brady’s would be breaking a solid code they had with Brandan and Dennis. That is, unless they had a good reason.
Clang, clang. The group smiled. They instantly recognized the sound of pancake pans being cleaned and, without further ado, pushed the doors wide open and headed back to the kitchen.
Although the lights were only on behind the counter and in the kitchen, the layout of Brady’s was so familiar to them that they could’ve crossed the floor in their sleep (which they often did when they had the good fortune to dream about devouring their favorite meals).
The gang made their way past the counter and to the swinging kitchen doors. Pilot began speaking to the owners before the group had even pushed through the entryway, “Hey guys, sorry about the intrus—what the…?”
As the rest of the gang piled into the kitchen, they were shocked at the scene in front them. Dennis and Brandan, always so jolly and talkative, were bound (unconscious and tightly tied up together in sturdy-looking ropes) to the back stove. It was clear from the cuts and already-forming bruises that the duo had put up quite the fight.
“Oh my god!” Carly exclaimed, a hand covering her mouth in horror.
About Kelly Brady Channick
For as long as she could remember, Kelly Brady Channick loved making up stories, and leaving her listeners/readers on the edge of their seats. Perhaps that’s why she always managed to talk herself out of trouble... After graduating from NJ’s own Ocean City High School, Kelly accepted a basketball scholarship to Holy Family University, in Philadelphia. As a lifelong athlete, Kelly understands the importance of teamwork and overcoming adversity, something she hopes translates into her books. Before writing page-turners, she taught first, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grade — like a dessert menu, she simply had to test them all out. But her favorite job is the one she’s now doing full time: writing. Kelly loves to craft whodunit mysteries, leading readers through various twists and turns filled with red-herrings, hidden clues, and more peculiar characters than a reality show. Kelly lives in South Jersey with her handsome husband, energetic baby boy, two cookie-stealing dogs, and an awfully smart cat.
Author Links:
No comments:
Post a Comment