by Sandra Murphy
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of Bad Housekeeping. We also have a link to order it from Amazon, and from an indie bookstore where a portion goes to help support KRL.
Agnes Blythe worked for years to put her boyfriend, Roger, through school. Now he’s a professor, and it’s her turn to get a graduate degree. Roger will be her graduate advisor. Things would be going well if Roger hadn’t just announced he wants to break up with Agnes to be with a Pilate’s instructor.
With nowhere to go, Agnes is forced to return home to her teenage pink bedroom and her ill-fitting high school wardrobe. Roger kept the car so she’s two-wheeling around town. He’s boxed up her clothes, phone charger, wallet, and all for her to pick up. He wants to avoid any awkward encounters—of course. Agnes finds her stuff mistakenly went to the Goodwill instead. With no wardrobe, no driver’s license, and no money, she’s forced to grit her teeth and work with Aunt Effie. Effie is the Auntie Mame type, free-spending, grand ideas, and sweeping everyone else along for the ride—whether they want to go or not. 
Kathleen Todd heads up the historical society, and you’d think she was the Queen the way she acts. She’s bossy and pushes people to do what she wants, no matter if it’s for the best of all concerned or not. Agnes ends up on the receiving end of one of Kathleen’s rants when a Pyrex bowl is broken. Effie has a run-in with her at the grocery store.
It’s no surprise that they’re Persons of Interest when Kathleen’s body is found—in the house Effie just inherited and wants to turn into a high class inn.
Jentry and Jodie, Kathleen’s younger daughter, are “living off the grid” and allowing no visitors. Do they have something to hide? Everyone does. Kathleen hated local author Gracelyn Roy. The feeling was mutual. Dorrie was Kathleen’s downtrodden assistant. Roland is a rehabber who may have a murky past he’d like to stay hidden. Megan, Kathleen’s oldest, stood to inherit everything—or so everyone assumes. The local club owner had his share of secrets too.
You’d think Agnes would have some pull since her father is the mayor but no, he doesn’t like to get involved. The Police Chief doesn’t like Effie. The inn is about to be demolished because of its disrepair—and because Kathleen pushed the building inspector to declare it uninhabitable. What do Agnes and Effie have to lose by solving the murder?
Maia Chance also writes the Fairy Tale Fatal Mysteries and the Discreet Retrieval series. Agnes and Effie are a pair you’d love to know but wouldn’t be able to keep up with! They’re on the move, ready for danger, mostly, and willing to take a risk to find out the truth. Readers will want to know what’s next for them—and soon.
To enter to win a copy of Bad Housekeeping, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “housekeeping,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen August 19, 2017. 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 the book & a portion goes to help support KRL & indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:
You can also use this link to purchase the book on Amazon. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the link:
Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases using those links. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.
I love Maia’s books and would love to read this one!
Love the chance to read this one. Thank you for the giveaway.
Would always rather be reading then doing house cleaning! Sounds entertaining, thanks for offering!
This sound like a fun book that I would love to read. Thanks for the giveaway.
Sounds like a fun book! Thanks for the chance to win it! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for a chance to win a copy of this book. I haven’t read this series yet.
bah195@yahoo.com
It sounds like Roger should have been the one killed.
I need a Aunt Effie!
raineybird at yahoo dot com
What I wouldn’t give for someone to clean our house! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Sounds like a good story, it would definitely be read many times at our house. Thanks for the chance to win a copy. crs(at)codedivasites(dot)com
This sounds like the start to a fun new series. Aunt Effie sound like a real firecracker!Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway!!
I’d love to win this–it sounds really good! Thanks, Karamarks0463@att.net
Sounds like a good book. I’d like to read it.
This is a new to me author and her novel sounds exciting! Especially some of the personalities. Would love to read this.
Sounds like a great read. Thanks for the chance. Maceoindo (at) yahoo (dot)com
Sounds like a fun read; thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
maforbes231@yahoo.com
Thanks for the chance to win
Maia is a new author to me. The book sounds like a great read. Looking forward to reading. Adding to my TBR list.
diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to win this one! Thanks for the chance. 🙂 2boys4me (at) gmail (dot) com
I’ve read the book and I want to own it. So toss my name into the contest jar and I hope I’m the lucky winner.
NoraAdrienne (at) gmail (dot) com
Really must read this new series by a great author.
I would love to read this book. Thankyou for the opportunity! minishoes(at)msn(dot)com
Your review of Bad Housekeeping intrigues me. I would love to read it. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
We have a winner!