by Sandra Murphy

Details at the end of this review on how to win a copy of Shadows on a Maine Christmas, along with a link to purchase the book where a portion goes to help support KRL & an indie bookstore.

Christmas in Maine could be a life-changing proposition for Maggie Summers. She’s visiting her guy, Will and his aunt. The weather is more than she expected. With only one pair of boots vs. four foot tall snow banks, it’s a challenge to say the least. Winter in New Jersey isn’t like this!

On the other hand, she gets along well with his aunt and that’s a plus. Aunt Nettie isn’t doing so well though and requires more help than she’d like to admit. It’s already changed Will’s business plan. He and Maggie met when they were both selling on the antique show circuit. Now he can’t go on the road and is thinking more along the lines of internet sales.

Maggie has her heart set on a family that includes children, in the plural. Will made it clear he wants no part in being a dad. Where will that leave them? Which is worse, a woman who longs to be a mom but gives up the idea for the man she loves or a man who agrees but is a reluctant father? Since the adoption agency has notified her that she’s nearing the top of the list for one or possibly two young girls, the decision has become more urgent.

Will’s also been meeting with Jo Hartwood about a real estate deal to open his own antique mall. Maggie’s a little doubtful as the building needs a lot of work. She’s even more worried about how much time Jo and Will are spending together. Is their beginning her ending?

Lunch with Will’s friend, Nick, a state trooper proves interesting as Nick tells the story of a young woman’s body found long ago, no identification, case never solved. On to happier things, his daughter Zelda is about to graduate. Nick is overly protective of her which causes a little concern.

For Christmas, there’s the annual party. Betty is an old friend of Nettie’s. Her caretaker, Carrie and her developmentally challenged son are at the party, along with Betty’s sister and other old friends. Maggie has the bad luck to overhear Carrie asking Nettie for money–asking being the polite term for blackmail. Nettie refuses, says she doesn’t have the money and Carrie is not happy about it.

When Carrie is found dead the next morning, things go from bad to worse as it’s discovered she was murdered. If Carrie approached Nettie about money, did she attempt to blackmail others as well? Did someone want to protect a secret more than Nettie did?

This book is about relationships and the secrets people keep. Maggie knows the adoption will come through soon, but is hesitant to bring up the subject with Will. He has decided to buy the building for the antique mall which means he’s staying in Maine while she’s in New Jersey. Nettie and her friends have the biggest secret. Carrie had a secret of her own so the question becomes, was it her secret that got her killed or her knowledge of others?

The setting is as much a character as anyone in the book. Wait described the snow and cold through Maggie’s voice.
In reading it, you’d expect to look out your own window and see fat flakes falling and drifts piling up.

There are a number of subplots with Nick and Zelda, the unknown girl from years ago, Jo, Maggie and Will. All weave together seamlessly to make the background for a solid mystery. This is book seven in the series. I’ve missed reading a couple and am looking forward to getting caught up.

To enter to win a copy of Shadows on a Maine Christmas, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by
replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “Shadow,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen December 13, 2014. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.

Use this link to purchase a copy of the book & a portion goes to help support KRL & an indie bookstore:

Shadows on a Maine Christmas

Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the arch, in the land of blues, booze and shoes—St Louis, Missouri. While writing magazine articles to support her mystery book habit, she secretly polishes two mystery books of her own, hoping, someday, they will see the light of Barnes and Noble. You can also find several of Sandra’s short stories on UnTreed Reads including her new one Bananas Foster. Sandy’s latest short story “The Tater Tot Caper” is one of eleven stories in The Killer Wore Cranberry: Fourths of Mayhem. The annual Thanksgiving anthology has eleven stories and this year, includes recipes. And it’s on sale! Available in all e-versions and in print.