Title: Over My Dead Blog (Book Blogger Mystery Book 1)
Author: Sarah E. Burr
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Book Blurb:
With review requests piling up for her popular book blog, Winnie Lark should be reading. But when her movie star brother arrives for a visit, Winnie must place a bookmark in the pages of her normal life.
Winnie thought her seaside cottage in Copper Bay, Massachusetts, would be the perfect spot to reconnect with her twin. Instead, Strider Lark becomes suspect number one when a local reporter is found murdered outside Winnie’s home. With the spotlight on her brother, Winnie takes a page out of the mysteries she loves and launches her own investigation. Harnessing her tech-savvy skills and bookish knowledge, Winnie thumbs through a trail of cryptic clues in her charming harborside town. It’s a race to the last page to unmask the culprit before Strider goes from leading man to dastardly villain…or worse, the killer strikes again.
Meet book blogger extraordinaire Winnie Lark and her friends in Over My Dead Blog, first in the new Book Blogger Mysteries by Sarah E. Burr.
Excerpt:
***
Before I could protest, Kelsey disappeared to find our waitress. The spunky reporter had always been friendly to me, and I to her, but we weren’t exactly buddies. I had a sneaking suspicion the real reason for her wanting to eat with us sat opposite from me, and I didn’t really feel like being a third wheel while Kelsey and my brother drooled over each other.
“She seems nice.” Strider’s gaze trailed after Kelsey.
I folded my arms across my chest. “Are you sure hanging out with a reporter is a good idea? I mean, if you really want to keep a low profile while you’re here, Steven…” I gave him a hard look. “Kelsey’s not stupid. She’ll figure out who you are.”
Strider met my challenging gaze. “And who would that be a real problem for? Me or you?”
I surveyed the bustling room, wondering if the warm greetings I’d received coming into the restaurant would have felt as genuine if these people knew who my brother was. So often actors felt they couldn’t trust their relationships because someone always wanted something from them. The same was true for their families. When I lived in California, I always wondered if my interactions with others were real or just a ploy to get into my brother’s good graces.
My silence must have spoken volumes to Strider. “Why did you even ask me to come visit you?”
My mouth dropped open at his barbed question, and before I could assemble a response, Kelsey slid into the booth beside Strider. “So, tell me, how long are you in town for?” She stroked his shoulder.
I took that as our cue to get out of there and signaled Julie for the check.
“Oh no, you’re not leaving, are you?” Kelsey’s worried gaze darted from me to my brother.
I summoned the most apologetic expression I could muster. “Str—Steven has had a long day of travel. We should probably get back home.”
Kelsey’s fingers circled my brother’s biceps and squeezed. “Oh, but if you leave now, you’re going to miss the dart competition Rudy is hosting. Winner gets a two-hundred-dollar Copper Pot gift card.” She wiggled her well-groomed eyebrows. “Come on, Winnie. I always see you eating here. Doesn’t that sound like a good prize?”
I had zero interest in throwing darts and even less skill. “I wouldn’t want to poke someone’s eye out.”
Kelsey traced a finger up and down Strider’s arm. “Why not have Steven play on your behalf?”
Strider chuckled. “Don’t think I’d let you win because I’m a gentleman,” he teased her.
She nudged his arm with her shoulder. “Bring it on.”
With their flirting going into overdrive, they both turned to me, waiting for my decision. As a pout formed on Kelsey’s pert, glossy lips, Strider threw me a look that said Do this for me, sis—one he’d frequently unleashed during our high school years. Suddenly, I felt like I was back at junior prom.
I gave in to their pleading gazes. “Sure, a few rounds can’t hurt.”
Kelsey clapped in triumph, but the realization that she’d just secured the presence of a third wheel seemed to dawn in her eyes. “If you want to head home, though, I’m more than happy to give Steve a lift once we’re done.”
I gritted my teeth. Why was I so bugged she’d given his fake identity a nickname already? Oh, I knew why. I hadn’t seen my twin in three years, and less than two hours into his visit, he was ready to ditch me to get some side action.
Whatever, I muttered to myself. I should have known Strider’s movie star ego could only sit on the sidelines for so long. “Sure, sounds great.” Tossing a twenty on the table, which more than covered my portion of the meal, I headed toward the exit, my fists balled at my side. I kept my gaze locked on the door, very much aware that a few of the nearby tables had been listening to our exchange with rapt interest.
“Hey!” Strider grabbed my arm and whirled me around to face him. “Come on, don’t be like that. I’m not gonna hang here without you.”
I spied Kelsey’s prying gaze peeking over the top of the booth, as well as curious stares from Lillian Jenkins and her friends from their nearby private corner. My stomach curdled. Oh no, everyone is staring. I sheepishly waved at Jemma Patel and Opal Greene, who studied me with concern from their table.
Bent bookmarks, I inwardly cursed. I’d made more of a scene than I intended to, and I was paying for it by suddenly being the center of everyone’s attention.
“It’s fine.” My brain conjured an image of Agent of Chaos lying inside my desk drawer, and my chest immediately warmed with anticipation. Was I really yearning for a book over the company of my own twin? “I have some work I need to get done. Why don’t you enjoy the local—ahem—hospitality this evening, and tomorrow we can kick off our staycation?”
It took Strider all of four seconds to make up his mind. “Well, I don’t want to get in the way of your work, so I guess I’ll chill here a little longer. Maybe win you that gift card.”
I tossed him a wave over my shoulder. “Good luck, Steve.”
Minutes later, anxiety rippled through me as I gripped the wheel of my Volvo and maneuvered out of Copper Pot’s parking area. Strider’s attempt to fly under the radar as “Steven” was bound to backfire. Picturing Kelsey ogling my brother, I sighed. No doubt, by tomorrow morning, all of Copper Bay would know whose sister I really was.
***
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
November is a time to be thankful. What are you most thankful for this year?
I’m thankful for my health and for the wonderful support system I have in my husband, family, and readers.
Why is your featured book worth snuggling up to?
Book blogger Winnie Lark knows the power of a snuggle-worthy book, and her charming adopted hometown of Copper Bay, MA, couldn’t provide a better backdrop.
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $100 Amazon gift card.
Open internationally.
Runs November 1 – 30, 2024
Drawing will be held on December 2, 2024.
Author Biography:
Sarah E. Burr is the award-winning author of the Glenmyre Whim Mysteries, Trending Topic Mysteries, the Book Blogger Mysteries, and the Court of Mystery series. She is the producer and co-host of It’s Bookish Time TV, a web channel featuring live-streamed author interviews. When she's not spinning up stories, Sarah reads everything from mystery to manga, plays video games, and enjoys walks with her dog, Eevee. Stay connected with Sarah and receive free short stories via her newsletter: https://bit.ly/saraheburrbookssignup.
Social Media Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorsaraheburr/
It’s Bookish Time YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrZ707eupbfuiKnLGlr7aig
Sarah’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb5AnjG2Tdb6ESttl4oQqJQ