Massage & Murder (A Cozy Spa Mystery Book 1)

by Jenn Cowan

  Officers swarm the room. Asking questions. Taking statements. EMT’s rush in and insist on taking a pale looking Mayor back to the hospital. Dr. Gregory wraps an arm around a crying Sally and follows the EMT’s. Travis has an officer escort them and I heard something about them needing to obtain a lawyer. I hope Sally isn’t in too much trouble. She’s a sweet girl not to mention my new boss.

  Travis’s eyes meet mine and by the way his jaw clenches, I can tell he doesn’t like Josh comforting me, but right now I don’t care. I want someone familiar. Someone who knows me and loves me unconditionally. Someone who hasn’t betrayed me.

  “Autumn, I need to get your statement.” He rakes a hand through his hair.

  I nod, but Josh interrupts, “Not now. I’m taking her home.”

  Travis opens his mouth to object, but then closes it. “I’ll come by later to get it.”

  Josh places an arm around my shoulder and leads me toward the exit. My mind is still reeling with everything that’s happened. Who would have thought so much deception would happen in the small town of Daysville? An affair, a baby, blackmail, stalking, murder, attempted murder. It seems like this is all a bad dream. I yawn. The day has definitely taken a toll on me.

  Snow is falling again and the temperature has dropped. When we get inside my Jeep, Josh turns to me with tears in his eyes and grabs my hand. “I almost lost you. Don’t ever do that to me again. You almost gave me a heart attack.” His tone was gruff, but I could tell he was really just worried.

  I can’t blame him. Staring down the barrel of a gun was nothing I care to repeat. My whole life flashed before my eyes and made me realize some things need to change.

  I squeeze his hand. “I’m glad you came when you did. What took you so long?”

  Josh shakes his head. “I was talking to Mary when I noticed Bethany was gone. She was sitting next to me as I was going on about how you solved the murders and was collecting evidence right now to prove it. First, I thought she went to the bathroom, but when she didn’t come back in a few minutes, I checked the parking lot. Her car was gone. Travis pulled up and said you purposely lost him. I told him your ridiculous plan and we hightailed it over here.”

  I scoff. “It wasn’t a ridiculous plan. Bethany would have gotten away with murder.”

  “But you could have been killed.”

  “But I wasn’t.”

  Josh growls. “Promise me this is the last case you will ever stick your nose into.”

  I take in my best friend. He’s upset. Worried. I get it, but he’ll get over it. Sleuthing is in my blood just like massage. It’s not something I can just give up, but I give him my best smile, tuck my crossed fingers underneath my leg and say, “I promise.”

  A Note From The Author

  Thank you so much for reading this book! I so appreciate your support.

  I’ve been a Licensed Massage Therapist since 2003. A long time, I know. This story came to me while I was talking with a client one day. She has a friend who is a yoga instructor and she started a cozy mystery series about a yoga instructor who solves mysteries. What a great idea! Surely, a massage therapist can be a sleuth, right?

  I absolutely love Autumn and I hope you do too. Her wit and charm just kind of flowed out of me and the small town of Daysville has me wanting to start my own little town in Missouri. Josh is my favorite male character at the moment. Travis hasn’t quite redeemed himself in my eyes yet, but maybe he’ll get there. I’m eager to start working on the next book, “Hot Stones & Homicides.” Josh will find himself in a bit of a predicament and who will be there to help him out? You guessed it, our beloved Autumn. Surely, Josh will forget he asked her to stop sleuthing when he’s in the hot seat, right? Find out… Hot Stones & Homicides

  Writing a book is a commitment and not something that can be done alone. I have a few people to thank for helping with this book.

  Mariah Sinclair is the queen of Cozy Mystery Covers and I absolutely adore this cover. Her work is incredible and I’m so thankful for her creative vision on this cover.

  I would also like to give a huge shout out to Kelly for being my eyes on this book. Helping me spot plot holes, punctuation errors and ensuring this book is flawless for you to enjoy.

  My family is also amazing. Shouting out character names when I need one, bringing me food and drinks when I’m busy typing away and just encouraging me to follow my dreams. Without them, I would struggle. They’re my rocks and I love them dearly.

  Another huge thank you to you, my reader, I so appreciate you and your support. If you would like to follow me on social media or check out my blog. Here are the links:

  Sleuth Mama Website (Blog)

  Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest

  About the Author

  Jenn Cowan is the author of several genres and pen names under Jenna Richert and J.R. Cowan. When she’s not writing you can find her in her massage office working on clients, cooking up a storm in her kitchen, hitting her yoga mat, singing and dancing with her hubby at a concert, cheering on the sidelines for her kiddos or cozied up by the fire reading a novel. She loves a good mystery and a happily ever after.

  Other Books by the Author:

  Massage Basics: A Step By Step Guide to At Home Massage

  Love at the Manor

  Fate at the Manor