Title:
A Chain of Pearls, Martha’s Vineyard Murders Book 1
Author:
Raemi A. Ray
Genre:
Mystery
Book Blurb:
The last thing she wants is to dig up the past…
When the body of a celebrated journalist is fished from the Edgartown Harbor, the official report rules his death accidental. But why was he alone on a senator’s yacht during a nor’easter? That’s only the first question London-based lawyer Kyra Gibson has when she arrives on the idyllic island of Martha’s Vineyard to settle her estranged father’s affairs.
She’s not looking for closure. She’s not seen him in decades since he left her with her aunt following her mother’s death. But as Kyra delves deeper into her father’s life, she learns he had many regrets and wasn’t as retired as she believed. The more Kyra discovers, the more questions she has. With the help of world-weary detective, Tarek Collins, they uncover a web of intrigue and corruption involving a powerful senator, a dubious energy company, and brutal murder.
As they chase down clues, Kyra and Tarek flirt with danger and race against time to solve the murders and uncover the dark secrets lurking beneath Martha’s Vineyard’s picturesque façade of old money wealth and privilege.
Excerpt:
Sunday
Kyra Gibson tightened her grip on the rails of the Island Home as it pulled into the
harbor at Vineyard Haven. The ferry’s horn blared, notifying the passengers to return to their vehicles. Kyra hesitated, wanting a glimpse of the island her father had made his
home nearly five years ago. The dock looked weather-beaten, the boarded-up, cedar-
planked buildings just beyond, desolate under April’s gray afternoon sky. A chill snaked
down her spine, and Kyra pulled her leather jacket tight around her shoulders. She
descended into the belly of the ferry and returned to the warmth of her rented SUV. With a deep, steadying breath, Kyra prepared to disembark.
She guided the SUV off the boat and into a small village consisting mostly of closed
shops and cafés. “Turn left onto Vineyard-Haven Edgartown Road,” her GPS barked.
Deeper into the island, the town gave way to farms and spindly pine woods. The
apprehension she’d been ignoring for weeks, resurfaced. Am I right to have come?
Make a U-turn!
Kyra cursed. She’d passed the turnoff. “How did he even find this friggin’ place?” she
muttered. Looping back, she spotted the gravel drive and pulled up to a large house
surrounded by a thicket of pine and brush. The house, a traditional New England
colonial, was painted white with black trim. Empty flower boxes hung below shuttered
windows. The garden beds were well cared for. Someone had spread fresh mulch and
pruned back the rhododendrons and hydrangeas.
She parked next to a blue Range Rover. Taking a deep breath, she opened her door
and stepped out from the safety of her rental car. The air was heavy with briny moisture.
The damp clung to her hair and clothes. Kyra shivered. She gripped the key the lawyer
had sent. Its spiny blade dug into her palm. She squared her shoulders and walked up
the porch stairs, pausing before the door. Her breathing turned shallow.
She had never expected to be here. But she also thought she’d see him again. She’d
thought she had time. Kyra unlocked the front door. It swung open, and she stepped
into her dead father’s house.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
Amazon: https://a.co/d/4Qh56Ku
Barnes & Noble: https://shorturl.at/PUfOy
Apple Books: https://shorturl.at/CWUJC
Google Books: https://shorturl.at/Yypkr
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/a-chain-of-pearls-martha-s-vineyard-murders-book-1-by-raemi-a-ray
What makes your featured book a must-read?
They’re fun, beachy mysteries? I guess?
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Author Biography:
Raemi A. Ray is the author of the Martha’s Vineyard Murders series. She takes inspiration from her travels to the island and around the world as well as from local and national headlines. Most of her books are based somewhat on real life. When not writing or working her other boring job, she earns her keep as the personal assistant to the resident house demons, Otto and DolphLundgren. She lives in Boston with her family.
Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RaemiRay/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miss_raemi/
Bluesky: @missraemi.bsky.social