Claire Andersen Murder for All Seasons Cozy Mystery Series by Imogen Plimp

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERSAnd a bouquet of murderous intrigue...Amateur sleuth (and ace baker) Claire Andersen is back! Winter melts to spring in scenic Galway, Maryland, uncovering blooming friendships new and old, a shyly budding romance, the rotten stench of organized crime, and family drama more garish than Claire’s emerging blood lilies... moreAPRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERSAnd a bouquet of murderous intrigue...Amateur sleuth (and ace baker) Claire Andersen is back! Winter melts to spring in scenic Galway, Maryland, uncovering blooming friendships new and old, a shyly budding romance, the rotten stench of organized crime, and family drama more garish than Claire’s emerging blood lilies.Settling in just fine to her new Appalachian digs (and getting the hang of this whole proprietress of a B&B thing, too!), NYC native Claire Andersen is living a cozy small town fairy tale. There are quirky local characters and adorable little shops, not to mention a kitchen full of mouth-watering baked goodies. She’s a veritable June Cleaver—if Leave It to Beaver were nestled in the mountains and June were a recently retired empty nester, that is. There’s just one problem. Claire can hardly say “Gee, golly” before her newly-acquainted and much-beloved neighbor winds up murdered in cold blood, right before Galway’s annual Easter parade. Hot off the heels of her last murder, Claire can’t help but get involved (much to the chagrin of the well-meaning albeit bumbling town sheriff). She can hardly help herself, after all. The murder did take place right next door … and the victim’s family is staying in her B&B… Ever the hostess, poking around is the least she could do. Little does Claire know the victim’s family is just the tip of the iceberg. The rest of the iceberg consists of age-old secrets so duplicitous, they’d make Eddie Haskell run for the hills. Mix in Claire’s feisty sidekick Evelyn, her ever-lovable bloodhound Rupert, and a mountain of mocha and strawberry buttercream cupcakes—and Claire finds she’s in business. The sleuthing business. Perhaps even the mafia business. But she’d better tread carefully—or she’ll wind up another discarded, frozen body in the aforementioned iceberg (with a spring thaw nowhere in sight).Author's Note: This book contains a non-binary character whose preferred pronouns are they/them. If the notion of a non-binary character (and its resultant use of grammar) is offensive, then this book is not for you! less

IT'S SUMMERTIME AND THE LIVIN' IS EASY...Until the murder startsIt’s finally summer in scenic Galway, Maryland, and the Appalachian hills are alive with the scent of roses, the buzz of honeybees, and the hustle and bustle of tourist season... moreIT'S SUMMERTIME AND THE LIVIN' IS EASY...Until the murder startsIt’s finally summer in scenic Galway, Maryland, and the Appalachian hills are alive with the scent of roses, the buzz of honeybees, and the hustle and bustle of tourist season. When she isn’t immersed in running her cozy Victorian bed and breakfast, now-seasoned hostess and chef extraordinaire Claire Andersen would love nothing more than to spend her afternoons tending to her garden in the idyllic peace and quiet Galway is known for. Trouble is, fate (with pesky Sheriff Sellers at the helm) has other plans: murder’s afoot! And who better than the region’s foremost amateur sleuth to crack the case?First, Claire’s friend Cal Olmstead—talented up-and-coming artist and gallery owner—needs a little help tracking down an art thief. Turns out the prized centerpiece of internationally-renowned conceptual artist Judd Muchesco’s newest series was stolen from right under Cal’s nose. Claire makes quick work of the scene to clear Cal—and quirky, retired art burglar Foster Fourfingers. But it’s not long before theft turns to murder—and then yet another theft.Le sigh, thinks our heroine, eyeing her wilting garden sorrowfully. Or she would, if only she had time on her hands for sulking. Befuddled, Sheriff Sellers enlists Claire’s help to outsmart the art thief and track down the murderer. And she’s finally getting somewhere… when her progress is thwarted by an unlikely frenemy even Evelyn didn’t see coming.Speaking of… Claire’s delightful gal pals Evelyn and Ellen are keeping themselves busy with their newest venture in the artisan popcorn business, Claire’s faithful pup Rupert is spending most of his time seeking out a cooling nap in the shade, and the summer sun is finally heating things up between Claire and her longtime crush, Ray Hamilton. Recent uptick in crime aside, it’s a quaint and colourful scene just this side of Sunday on La Grande Jatte—or so it seems… Because Claire can’t shake the feeling that, unless she solves this mounting mystery soon, she’ll end up a tragic figure in a scene closer to Cezanne’s The Murder. less