Maybridge Murder Mysteries
I’m delighted that the third of my Maybridge Murder Mysteries, Murder in Bloom, is now up for pre-order on Amazon.
As you can see, the kindle edition is at a launch price of 99p/99c. It won’t stay at that price.
So, what’s been happening in Maybridge since Christmas? Quite a lot. Abby’s business, Earthly Designs, is growing. And Jake has now moved into the cottage. He never left after Christmas.
It’s the summer half-term. Lucy—about to leave school—is off to a music festival with her boyfriend Cal. Tom is at a cricket coaching week. Sophie is camping with the Guides. Jake is away on a business trip in Ireland. Abby, meantime, has been working every hour to put the finishing touches to her show garden.
Today is judgement day.
The Maybridge Show
The Maybridge Show has been an annual event in Maybridge since Sir Harry Beaumont was granted a patent to hold a fair by Queen Elizabeth I back in the sixteenth century. (For more about ancient fairs visit the National Archives.)
It was a gathering for livestock and horse trading, a time to make deals and hire servants. It was also an opportunity to let your hair down and have a good time. There was drinking, gambling, women. And there were villains and pickpockets ready to take advantage of the those with money on the hip.
Click on the image to read the newspaper!
A day out for the family
The Maybridge Show is held at Beaumont Court every year—civil wars and other inconveniences excepting—but it is now a much more family friendly event.
The only rivalry will be in the show tents as adults and children compete for rosettes in the show classes. For the best, the biggest, the weirdest vegetables. For miniature gardens and flower arrangements.
Preserves, cakes, home made wines and beers and crafts of every kind will be judged for pride rather than financial reward. And there are a host of entertainments.
Television arrives in Murder in Bloom
Keen to attract the social media and television coverage of the big flower shows, the committee have now introduced show gardens. Abby, approaching her own, is content that she has achieved a major personal ambition. She tells herself that It doesn’t matter a jot what colour medal she’s been awarded.
Who is she kidding!
While she is still absorbing her gold medal, Maybridge-born celebrity gardener Daisy Dashwood arrives with a film crew in tow.
Daisy Dashwood
Daisy is famously prone to hay-fever—such a nuisance for a gardener. (But such a business opportunity.) There are rumours of a drink problem and she is somewhat unsteady on her feet.
Daisy admires Abby’s garden then takes a little breather in her “summer house”. Before leaving, she insists Abby join her on stage in the marquee for the broadcast of her television show, The Potting Shed.
She doesn’t wait to take no for an answer but, having made a cutting remark about the next designer’s garden—they have history—she moves on.
What does Abby do?
Abby makes her way to the marquee to find it in chaos. Daisy isn’t there, Poppy, her sexy show “sidekick”, has been rushed off to hospital with a scald. Abby is handed a mike and told to hold the fort until Daisy turns up.
She does her best, but the audience want Daisy. When she finally staggers into the marquee, she collapses in front of the shocked audience.
Is it a combination of an excess of hay fever medication? She had been warned. Or could it be vodka in her water bottle? Abby discovers that Daisy isn’t quite the “sweetheart” her PR image would suggest. More than one person is keen for Daisy to lose her television slot. Maybe to lose a lot more.
Could it be murder in bloom?
The unexplained death of a national treasure is a disaster for Maybridge. Acting Detective Sergeant Dee Newcombe is sent to seek out Abby and ask for her help.
Her suspicions grow, as does the suspect list and Abby, unable to resist a mystery, dives in…
Read Murder in Bloom to find out what happens next.
Maybridge
And if you want to see what is in my head when I’m writing this series, this is the town on which I based my fictional Maybridge.
PS
And in late news, I have just heard that Murder Among the Roses has won first place by the RWA’s Kiss of Death Daphne du Maurier award for excellence in mystery/suspense in the cozy mystery category!
PPS It’s still free at the moment so if you haven’t read it now is the time to grab a digital download!.
Liz
Congratulations, Liz! And I envy the newspaper article.
Thank you, Lesley. The newspapers are fun to do.
Congratulations from me, too, Liz. Well done indeed.
And a word to the wise… Yes, Murder Among The Roses is free at the moment, but on the publisher’s past form, that will end today, Sunday, 21st. So anyone who wants a free copy needs to get in quick! I can tell them that it’s a great read, too.
Thank you, Joanna – and for the heads up about the freebie.
Well done on the award, Liz – very well deserved, too! And I love Maybridge, the town and the characters. Can’t wait to read the latest book
Thanks so much, Sarah. I hadn’t realised that Joffe had entered the book so when the book was shortlisted it was a complete surprise. Then, when the trophy arrived in the post, that really made my day!
Congratulations on both counts! Wonderful news all round.
Thanks, Elizabeth. It’s all very exciting!