A Purrfect Alibi: A pawsitively gripping cozy mystery (The Oyster Cove Guesthouse Book 3)
Page 19
“Oh, phew.” Jed came out from behind the chair. “Yes, she might have been in on it with Remington. And to think my trusted butler did me in and if it wasn’t enough to kill me and stick me in a wall, he stole my pen and my good shoes!”
“And the treasure,” Marlowe said. “At least now everyone knows that treasure is long gone and people will stop coming here looking for it.”
“Good thing Victor didn’t get to pull off his little stunt of digging up the coins he’d buried.” Nero hopped up on the bookcase and looked out the window. “The whole state would be here looking for more.”
“That was clever of you to send Esther for your little stash that was hidden in the outhouse. Good thing no one else discovered it all these years,” Marlowe said. “You could have told us it was there though.”
“Sorry I didn’t tell you. I was saving that for someone special. I’d hidden the coins there the night I buried the bulk of the treasure in the yard. I wanted to be able to get at some of my treasure. Couldn’t go digging the main stash up every time I wanted some extra coin. Course, I never got to even use any of it myself. I meant for Esther to keep that money, but she said it didn’t rightly belong to her. She loved this old house and wanted to see it fixed up like it was back when I lived here.” Jed looked at Josie. “We trust Josie to do that.”
Nero felt a rush of pride in his human. Josie might not be so swift in the area of cat-human communication, but she could definitely be trusted and Nero knew she was growing very fond of the guesthouse and would do right by it.
“So now that your killer has been named, you’re free to go to the other side.” Marlowe looked at Jed curiously. “But you choose to stay here.”
“Indeed. There’s nothing for me over there. But Esther and I have worked out a nice system of communication through her crystal ball.” Jed checked the clock on the stove. “Speaking of which, I have to sail off now. Gotta meet my lady. It’s been nice working with you cats. Perhaps we will meet again someday.”
And with that Jed slowly dissipated, leaving no evidence that he’d ever been there except for a slight mist on the floor.
The humans were cleaning up the dishes and Nero and Marlowe trotted to the front parlor. They were in dire need of a catnap. All this investigating was tiring.
“At least one of the guests here really could communicate with ghosts,” Marlowe said as she curled up in the blue velvet chair.
“I always knew Esther wasn’t the killer. She was too nice to us.” Nero chose a spot on the corner of the sofa. Resisting the urge to run his claws through the brocade fabric, he turned a circle, settling in with his tail wrapped around his nose.
“Yeah, but did you know who the killer was beforehand?” Marlowe asked.
“I suspected Myron,” Nero said. “But of course I didn’t want to say anything out loud. I mean, can you imagine if I’d suggested the whole thing stemmed from the fact that the butler did it? How clichéd! If on the off-chance I was wrong, I’d have been the laughing stock of the cat community.”
Marlowe slitted an eye open and looked at Nero, then sighed and snuggled deeper into the chair. “I’m glad both cases are solved. I’m looking forward to long restful days spent catnapping and chasing mice.”
“Me too,” Nero mumbled, already drifting off to sleep. “Hopefully it will be a good long while before another murder happens at the Oyster Cove Guesthouse.”
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Books by Leighann Dobbs
The Oyster Cove Guesthouse (Cat Cozy Mystery Series)
A Twist in the Tail
A Whisker in the Dark
A Purrfect Alibi
Mystic Notch (Cat Cozy Mystery Series)
Ghostly Paws
A Spirited Tail
A Mew to a Kill
Paws and Effect
Probable Paws
A Whisker of a Doubt
Blackmoore Sisters (Cozy Mystery Series)
Dead Wrong
Dead & Buried
Dead Tide
Buried Secrets
Deadly Intentions
A Grave Mistake
Spell Found
Fatal Fortune
Lexy Baker (Cozy Mystery Series)
Lexy Baker Cozy Mystery Series Boxed Set Vol 1 (Books 1–4)
Or buy the books separately:
Killer Cupcakes
Dying for Danish
Murder, Money and Marzipan
3 Bodies and a Biscotti
Brownies, Bodies and Bad Guys
Bake, Battle and Roll
Wedded Blintz
Scones, Skulls & Scams
Ice Cream Murder
Mummified Meringues
Brutal Brulee (Novella)
No Scone Unturned
Cream Puff Killer
Never Say Pie
Kate Diamond Mystery Adventures
Hidden Agemda (Book 1)
Ancient Hiss Story (Book 2)
Heist Society (Book 3)
Silver Hollow (Paranormal Cozy Mystery Series)
A Spell of Trouble (Book 1)
Spell Disaster (Book 2)
Nothing to Croak About (Book 3)
Cry Wolf (Book 4)
Mooseamuck Island (Cozy Mystery Series)
A Zen for Murder
A Crabby Killer
A Treacherous Treasure
Hazel Martin (Historical Mystery Series)
Murder at Lowry House (Book 1)
Murder by Misunderstanding (Book 2)
Lady Katherine Regency Mysteries
An Invitation to Murder (Book 1)
The Baffling Burglaries of Bath (Book 2)
Murder at the Ice Ball (Book 3)
A Murderous Affair (Book 4)
Sam Mason Mysteries (Writing as L. A. Dobbs)
Telling Lies (Book 1)
Keeping Secrets (Book 2)
Exposing Truths (Book 3)
Betraying Trust (Book 4)
Killing Dreams (Book 5)
Available in Audio
The Oyster Cove Guesthouse (Cat Cozy Mystery Series)
A Twist in the Tail (Available in the UK and US)
A Letter from Leighann
Hi! I hope you enjoyed A Purrfect Alibi. If you did enjoy it and want to keep up-to-date with all my latest releases, just sign up here. Your email address will never be shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.
I’ve always thought it would be great fun to be able to talk to ghosts, so I love to sprinkle them into my books. In my cozy little world, ghosts are never evil and always helpful. Cats too, though I know in real life cats are rarely helpful and always mischievous!
All best,
Lee
www.leighanndobbs.com
A Twist in the Tail
The Oyster Cove Guesthouse series Book 1
Order it now!
‘Talk about inconvenient. Not only did I have a dilapidated mansion and no money to repair it, two uppity cats and some cranky guests waiting for breakfast, there was also a dead body in the stairwell.’
Josie Waters is the enthusiastic new owner of the Oyster Cove Guesthouse – a ramshackle V
ictorian mansion high on a hill above the breezy seaside town of Oyster Cove, Maine. Josie has a history in Oyster Cove, but she’s not going to let anyone – from her crazy friend Millie to her old flame Mike – stand in the way of making this venture a success.
But then Josie’s first guest – a stuffy food critic – is murdered before breakfast, and the town sheriff suspects Josie could be to blame. Thank goodness Nero and Marlowe – the guesthouse’s resident cats – are also on the case. Little does Josie know, this isn’t their first investigation… but can they find the clues to the real killer before another guest is targeted?
Following her cats’ noses, it isn’t long before Josie discovers that the critic ruffled more than a few feathers in his day. In fact, from the rule-obsessed local Building Inspector to the guesthouse’s pernickety maid, there’s not a person in Oyster Cove who doesn’t have a secret to hide… could one of the locals be a cold-blooded killer in disguise? And with her beloved guesthouse’s very future on the line, can Josie solve the case in time?
A joy to read, with a twist you’ll never guess! From the award-winning author of the USA TODAY bestselling Mystic Notch series. Purrfect for murder mystery fans, cat lovers and everyone in between.
A Whisker in the Dark
The Oyster Cove Guesthouse series Book 2
Order it now!
FROM THE AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF THE BELOVED USA TODAY BESTSELLING MYSTIC NOTCH SERIES…
Discovering the 300-year-old skeleton of shipping tycoon Jedediah Biddeford in the ballroom wall is a big old hassle for Josie Waters, owner of the Oyster Cove Guesthouse. Especially when Biddeford’s descendants turn up, certain that a family legend about treasure buried nearby must be true.
Josie is too busy dreaming up the perfect cake for the Oyster Cove’s 250th anniversary celebration to worry about the Biddeford family – plus half the town – digging up her yard… until one of her guests is murdered in the guesthouse garden.
With worries that her guesthouse will get a reputation for being the kind of place you only leave in a body bag, Josie must put her detective skills to work to find the killer. Lucky for her, Nero and Marlowe and their gang of cat sleuths are also on the case.
From the old wharf, to the town common, to the guesthouse itself with its many nooks and crannies, the cats are sure to sniff out the killer… but can they help Josie stop the person behind the mysterious murder before they strike again?
A fantastic page-turner from a bestselling author, purrfeect for fans of Agatha Christie, Adele Abbott, cat lovers and everyone in between!
Recipes
Homemade Turkey Sausage
This homemade sausage is not only delicious, but it’s good for you too!
Ingredients:
1/2 pound ground turkey breast
1 egg white, beaten slightly
1/4 cup onion, chopped fine
1/4 cup apples, chopped fine
3 tablespoons quick-cook oats
1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground sage
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Nonstick cooking spray
Directions:
Coat a 10-inch skillet with the nonstick spray.
Combine the egg white, onion, apples, oats, parsley, salt, pepper, sage and nutmeg in a bowl. Add the ground turkey and mix well.
Shape the mixture into patties and fry in the pan until meat is no longer pink and juices run clear. About 6 minutes on each side. Drain off the fat.
Lemon Muffins
Ingredients (makes 12):
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons baking powder
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 egg
1/4 cup powdered sugar
Directions:
Heat oven to 400 degrees F / 205 degrees C / Gas Mark 6.
Line a muffin tray with muffin cups.
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, zest and salt in a medium bowl.
In a small bowl, combine butter, milk and egg. Mix well.
Add the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir until just mixed. Do not over mix—you want the batter to be lumpy.
Fill the muffin cups 2/3 full and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
Sprinkle powdered sugar over top and let cool.
Spinach Frittata
Ingredients:
1/2 pound spinach, chopped rough
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
8 eggs
1/2 cup whole milk
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Directions:
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F / 230 degrees C / Gas Mark 8.
Heat olive oil in oven-safe glass or cast-iron skillet and toss in spinach. Stir and cook for 2 or 3 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat.
In a small bowl, beat the eggs until frothy, add milk and stir.
Pour egg mixture into the skillet and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Add the wilted spinach. Stir to combine.
Turn heat under skillet to medium and cook for about 5 minutes until the egg begins to set. Do not stir!
Sprinkle the cheese on top of the egg mixture and transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake 10 to 15 minutes until eggs are fully cooked.
Molasses Cookies
I admit, molasses is a little thick to work with, but there’s nothing like the smell of molasses cookies baking in the oven.
Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
1/4 cup dark molasses
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup granulated sugar (set aside)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 F / 165 C / Gas Mark 3.
In a large bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, vanilla and egg, then stir in the molasses.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and salt.
Mix the dry ingredients in to the wet until well blended.
Roll 1-inch balls of dough in the granulated sugar then drop onto a greased or parchment-lined cookie sheet and bake for 12 minutes until the tops crack. Cool on a wire rack.
Published by Bookouture in 2019
An imprint of StoryFire Ltd.
Carmelite House
50 Victoria Embankment
London EC4Y 0DZ
www.bookouture.com
Copyright © Leighann Dobbs, 2019
Leighann Dobbs has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this work.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers.
eBook ISBN: 978-1-83888-105-4
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events other than those clearly in the public domain, are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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