Title: A Doggone Death
Author: S.A. Kazlo
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Book Blurb:
Samantha can't wait to join their fellow hookers (rug hookers, that is) for a event sponsored by her friend Lucy. But what should be friendly fun turns into a deadly disaster, when Samantha stumbles upon a fellow hooker in distress—who dies in Sam's arms! The dead woman, Hilda Pratt, wasn't exactly beloved by all—least of all Lucy. Now it's up to Sam to clear her friend's name and find a murderer!
Samantha Davies and her Southern Belle cousin, Candie, can't wait to join their fellow hookers (rug hookers, that is) for the first annual Wings Falls hook-in, sponsored by her good friend Lucy, who owns The Ewe and Me Woolery. Sam is looking forward to an afternoon with her fellow hookers, the Loopy Ladies, filled with gossip, food, and buying lots of wool for her rug making projects. But what should be friendly fun turns into a deadly disaster, when Samantha stumbles upon a fellow hooker in distress—who dies in Sam's arms before help can reach her. The dead woman, Hilda Pratt, wasn't exactly beloved by all—least of all Lucy. Hilda had been copying Lucy's designs and selling them on the internet as her own. And when Sam's new boyfriend, a Detective Hank Johnson of the Wings Falls police force, determines that Hilda did not die of natural causes, Lucy and the Loopy Ladies become suspects in the woman's murder. It's suddenly up to Sam and Candie to ferret out a killer among the tight knit world of rug hooking. With her faithful dachshund, Porkchop, in tow, Sam wades through the suspects and finds Hilda had more than one enemy among those closest to her. But can Sam figure out which one is a murderer... before it's too late?
Excerpt:
CHAPTER ONE
"My poor Precious!" Candie moaned. "This snow is ruining her new wax job! I never fussed about her finish in Tennessee."
I laughed. "Candie, you and Precious moved north fifteen years ago after breaking up with, what fiancé number was he? You live in upstate New York. It always snows in
March. Salt and grime on your car are a given."
She waved bejeweled fingers at me. Bling was her middle name. "Hubert was number eleven, but who’s counting. Gad night a livin’! Where am I going to park
Precious?"
Precious was my dear Southern cousin’s baby—a light blue '73 Mustang convertible. "I’ll let you and our equipment off at the door and check behind the firehouse for parking." Good thought on Candie’s part, as I wasn’t about to lug a rug hooking frame and all things necessary for our addictive hobby farther than necessary.
Hookers didn’t travel light. A Sherpa carried less equipment up Mount Everest.
I stretched my neck to peer through Precious’s snow-splotched windshield. "I’m thrilled for Lucy. Her hook-in looks like a success if the packed parking lot is any indication." Our good friend, Lucy Foster, was holding her first annual The Ewe and Me hook-in in the banquet hall attached to the Wings Fall Fire Company. The room often hosted wedding receptions and large parties. The rentals provided a much-needed source of income for the fire company. The news of Lucy's hook-in had buzzed through the local rug hooking groups, and by the license plates on the parked cars, attendees had traveled from all the surrounding states. Promise a hooker good food and vendors who satisfied their wool habit, and they’d follow you anywhere.
Candie pulled up to the front door of the banquet hall. I reached into the back seat of the Mustang and pulled out two large tote bags containing our rug hooking gear—a frame, hook, scissors, pattern, and wool strips. I stepped out of Precious and watched as the car’s taillights disappeared around the corner of the fire hall. I hoped her search for a parking space didn’t lead her into the next county.
Snowflakes gathered on the hood of my poufy winter coat as I stomped my feet and rubbed my mittened hands together. Spring couldn’t come soon enough for me. I’d had enough snow for this winter.
"Hey, Sam, need any help?"
I turned and saw Marybeth Higgins, a fellow Loopy Lady. The Loopy Ladies is a rug hooking group that meets Monday mornings at The Ewe and Me. We affectionately shortened the name to The Ewe. It was a craft store specializing in rug hooking and all the necessary related supplies, especially wool. Lucy owned it along with her husband Ralph. Like me, Marybeth struggled with her own tote filled with rug hooking wares.
I smiled and shook my head. "Thanks for the offer, but I think you’ve got as much to schlep in as I do. Candie, I hope, is out back parking Precious. Could you save a seat for us, though? Lucy has a big turnout for her first hook-in."
"No problem. I think Lucy said she expected about one hundred hookers."
Marybeth giggled at the shortened name we fellow rug hookers used to refer to ourselves.
She leaned towards me and whispered, "I understand Hilda Pratt plans to come."
I rolled my eyes. Hilda was a big thorn in Lucy’s side and, according to gossip, a thief. Rumors had swirled amongst the rug hooking community that she'd copied Lucy’s rug patterns to sell as her own on the internet. This was not a big deal to some, but the designs Lucy drew up on a piece of linen made up a big part of her income.
"Should make for an interesting day. Here comes Candie. I’ll catch up with you inside." I held the glass door to the banquet hall open for Marybeth so she could scoot inside.
I had decided to wait by the entryway for my cousin. I knew she'd only get grumpier if I were settled inside, where I would be snug and warm. This was a day for laughter, good friends, and spending money at the vendors who displayed their new rug hooking patterns and wool. Oh, yes, especially spending money.
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
What’s your favorite activity to shake off the winter doldrums?
To shake off the winter doldrums I love to curl up on my sofa with a good cozy mystery or like the main character in my mysteries, Sam, pick up my rug hook and pull some loops on my current rug in progress.
Why is your featured book a cure for the winter blues?
You can get lost in Sam's sleuthing adventures, laugh at Gladys's quirky antics, let Candie's Southern charm warm you or just want to hug lovable Porkchop.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $35 Amazon gift card
Open internationally.
Runs March 1 – 31, 2024
Drawing will be held on April 1, 2024.
Author Biography:
Syrl, a retired teacher, lives in upstate New York with her husband and two lively dachshunds. She writes the Samantha Davies Mystery series, featuring Samantha Davies and her loveable dachshund, Porkchop. When not writing she is busy hooking, rug hooking that is, and enjoying her family. Her newest book, number four in the series, Pups, Pumpkins and Murder, will be released September 19th.
Social Media Links:
Twitter @sakazlo
Instagram- SAKazlo
Facebook-SAKazlo