Where There's Smoke, There's Arson and Hold the Coffee
(The Gray-Haired Knitting Detectives) by D.E. Haggerty
Where There's Smoke, There's Arson
Bernadette didn’t smoke. The fire couldn’t have been an accident!
Oh boy, the gray-haired knitters are at it again. Of course, they are. It’s been way too long since they ‘solved’ a mystery. But the investigator determined the fire at the craft store was caused by an unattended lit cigarette. Arson isn’t even a remote possibility. Except the owner Bernadette didn’t smoke and now she’s dead.
When Bernadette’s granddaughter asks me to look into the matter, the knitters practically cheer. They are on the case!
But is there even a case? Or are we seeing murder and arson where there’s merely smoke?
EXCERPT:
Betty walks into the room carrying a pie. “Have a seat. We have a lot to discuss.”
“We do?”
This is news to me. It’s barely been a day since they were at my house for their knitting club. What could possibly have happened in the past twenty-four hours to necessitate an ‘emergency’ meeting?
The doorbell rings. “That’ll be Jack.” Betty wipes her hands on her apron and goes to open the door. Jack is invited, too? My curiosity is officially piqued.
“Ladies! Your man candy has arrived,” Jack announces with a bow as he enters the dining room. Damien walks in behind him rolling his eyes.
Betty claps her hands. “Settle down, children. We have important business.”
Rosemary raises her hand like we’re in a classroom. “Dee and Tommy haven’t arrived yet.”
“I didn’t invite them,” Betty explains.
Rosemary raises her eyebrows. “Why not? Tommy is a fire investigator. He’s an expert in this area.”
My eyes widen at the word ‘investigator’. Don’t tell me the ladies are up to their old tricks.
“What’s going on?” I ask although I’m somewhat afraid of the answer.
“We caught one,” Betty announces.
“Caught one what?”
“A case, of course.”
Uh oh.
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About 'Hold the Coffee'
(The Gray-Haired Knitting Detectives)
Oopsie. The Gray-Haired Knitting Detectives accused the wrong person of murder.
Poor Milly is furious after being hauled into the police station to be interrogated. She is not letting those knitters get away with pointing their fingers at her! Absolutely not. Instead, she insists they solve the murder and clear her name.
Naturally, the knitters jump at the chance to solve another mystery. They don’t care if the victim was hated by one and all. They’ll find the murderer!
Can the Gray-Haired Knitting Detectives wade through the suspects to find the actual killer?
EXCERPT:
The door bangs open and Rose rushes inside. Between gasps for breath, she manages to tell us, “He’s dead. I can’t believe he’s dead.”
I stand and take her elbow to help her to a seat. “Let me get you some water.”
By the time I fill a glass with water and return, Rose is surrounded by her knitting friends. While Rosemary, Martha, and Ally appear concerned, Betty’s eyes are twinkling with excitement. I push them out of my way.
“Let her breathe.” I hand her the glass of water. “Take your time. I can hold off the old ladies, no problem.” I wink.
“Who are you calling old, young lady?” Betty scowls at me.
I’m forty-one years old. Young, I am not. But I am smart enough to know saying the o-as in old-word in front of the knitters is a surefire way to move their attention off Rose and onto me.
Rose tugs on my shirt. “It’s okay, Izzy.”
I study her face to make sure she is indeed okay before moving out of the way. The knitters descend upon her once again.
“What’s going on? Who’s dead?”
“Is it murder?”
Betty rubs her hands together. “Goodie. Things were getting a bit dull around here.”
Dull around here? It’s been mere weeks since their last ‘case’. How much excitement do they need?
“Totally dull. Come on, Rose darling, bring some sparkle into our lives.” Jack presses his hands together and bats his eyelashes in her direction.
“I didn’t say anything about murder,” Rose protests.
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About D.E. Haggerty
D.E. Haggerty is actually just plain old Dena, but she thinks using initials makes her sound sophisticated and maybe even grown up. She was born and raised in the U.S. but considers herself a Dutchie and not only because it sounds way cooler. After a stint in the U.S. Army, she escaped the US to join her husband in Holland. She fled Holland over ten years ago when she couldn’t stand the idea of being a lawyer for one single second more. Turns out Bed & Breakfast owner in Germany didn’t do it for her either. When the hubby got a job in Istanbul, she jumped ship and decided to give this whole writer thing a go. She’s now back in Holland, which she considers home.
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