Title: Murder Under the Marquee
Author: J.C. Kenney
Genre: Cozy mystery
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Book Blurb:
Wild animal removal specialist Elmo Simpson has another murder on his hands. It’s starting to become a habit…
When a body is found on the beach near the Paradise Springs marina in the sleepy panhandle of Florida, Elmo’s disinclined to weigh in on it. But the victim is Desiree LaFontaine, former first mate of Elmo’s girlfriend, Nic, who apparently was the last person to see Desiree alive. Which makes Nicola suspect number one.
But there are other suspects. Like Craig Abbott, owner of Craig’s Cruises, who’s been taking a slice of Nic’s tour boat customers ever since he set up shop. Or could it be Desiree’s old boyfriend Bobby Darrin, who just plain doesn’t want to be found? And why is Drunk Paul, who’s rarely drunk but hangs around the marina, acting so squirrelly?
Elmo doesn’t believe for a minute Nic’s a murderer, so he dives headlong into the seamy underbelly of Paradise Springs’ tourism industry to try to clear her name. But time is short, and Elmo must reel the murderer in before Nic is put away and Elmo ends up under water–for good.
Excerpt:
“You know what? I’m done here.” Nic opened the boarding gate and gestured for Susan and me to go through.
“Are you refusing to answer my questions?”
“I told you, Chief. I have a million and one things to do. I’m more than happy to talk to you, but I have my livelihood to think about. How about we get together and talk more tomorrow? I can meet you when I get back from the sunrise cruise.”
“I’m afraid that doesn’t work for me, Nicola. I’d like you to come with me to the station for some more questions. Now.”
I put my hands up in a pleading fashion. “Chief—Susan—is this really necessary? You and I both know Nic is innocent. About the only thing she’s guilty of is making stuffed poblano peppers that are hotter than the sidewalk in July.”
The chief shrugged, unimpressed with my argument. “Help me out here, Nicola. We can do this the easy way, or we can do this the hard way. The hard way means I have to arrest you. I don’t want to do that. How about you do this the easy way and come with me? In return, I’ll tell everybody that you’re a cooperating witness. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Nic dropped her chin to her chest. It was a defeated look that I rarely saw from her. She would come back later as victor in this match, though.
“Have it your way. Elmo, meet me at the station in ninety minutes. That’s all the time I can give you today, Chief.”
Susan pulled a key fob from her pocket. “That works. After you.”
All I could was watch, as helpless as an abandoned baby bunny I’d removed the week before, as my girlfriend was assisted into the police vehicle.
On second thought, there was one thing I could do. I made a promise.
“I’ll get you out of this, Nic.” Then I doubled down, like a Las Vegas gambler, which I most definitely was not. This was no time to be timid, though.
“And I’m going to find out who murdered Desiree.”
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/murder-under-the-marquee-jc-kenney/1146173566?ean=9781964703893
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/murder-under-the-marquee/id6650366180?ign-itscg=30200&ign-itsct=books_box_link
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/J_C_Kenney_Murder_Under_the_Marquee?id=aR8aEQAAQBAJ&hl=en_US&gl=US
Author Biography:
J.C. Kenney is the bestselling author of mysteries full of oddball characters in unusual settings. He's also the co-host of The Bookish Hour and A Bookish Moment webcasts. When he’s not writing, you can find him following IndyCar racing or listening to music. He has two grown children and lives in Indianapolis with his wife and a cat.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.jckenney.com/