A Brush With Murder by Bailee Abbott
Chloe Abbington recently left the bright lights of NYC after her aspirations of becoming an artist and opening her own gallery fell quickly by the wayside. But the icing on the proverbial cake was when she and her beau, Ross Thompson, called it “Splitsville.” No mending fences on this one!
So back home she goes to Whisper Coves, a quiet lakeside town in western NY, to take a breather and figure out the rest of her life – after all, she’s only 26. She is welcomed with open arms by her mom and dad (Kate and Joe), and her slightly younger sibling, Izzie.
It’s a talented art family all the way around. Kate and Joe may have retired from the art world, but young Izzie is about to launch her new business, Paint with a View. But on the day Chloe arrives back home, it takes less than an hour to figure out there’s trouble brewing – it’s in the air – and she and her dog, Max, can smell it.
Fiona Gimble writes a review column in the local paper. Chloe quickly realizes that Fiona is not a nice person – apparently she gets her kicks writing scathing reviews about all of the town’s local businesses. Business owners are fed up with her – but money talks – and her over-the-top nasty articles sell papers.
The day after Chloe arrives back home, Izzie is set to launch a pre-event for her new business. But unfortunately, Izzie mysteriously can’t explain why she can’t be there – and skillfully dumps this important event on Chloe to handle!
Chloe, being the good big sister, steps up to the plate. But what should be 9 folks enjoying Izzie’s new Paint with a View business, turns into a verbal slingfest when Fiona Gimble shows up in all her sarcastic and mean-spirited glory. The attendees aren’t happy and things spiral downhill faster than an Olympic skier!
In the middle of the Paint with a View event, someone discovers a body outside in the alley – followed by total chaos and a mass exit. A cold blooded murder is not exactly the way Izzie hoped her new venture would go!
Handsome Detective Barrett is on the case and he’s taking a hard look at each and every person who attended the event. Unfortunately, that also includes Chloe! But as Chloe starts nosing around to get herself off the suspect list, she’s coming across way too many wonderful townsfolk that all have motives for the killing. To make her life even more complicated, her ex shows up in town pressuring her for a second chance – then there’s that pesky killer who sends her an ominous warning – geez, how much fun can one gal have?
This a brand new release from Crooked Lane Publishing. Author Bailee Abbott brings us an artfully creative plot in A Brush with Murder. The pristine setting is filled with colorful characters that are sure to delight cozy fans. With darkness falling earlier and earlier these days, it’s a great time to jump into your favorite flannel PJs, grab a cup of hot apple cider and settle in with a copy of A Brush with Murder, the first in Ms. Abbott’s A Paint By Murder Mystery series.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher. Authors and publishers can contact me at: ann@wonderwomensixty.com