Today I’m taking part in the blog tour for A Cocktail To Die For. I’m sharing an extract from the book with thanks to Rachel Gilbey at Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me on the tour and to the publishers for providing the extract.

Blurb:

Cocktails, chaos, and an unexpected twist. Can Bea, Perry, and his hens unveil the truth before time runs out?

Death at Prestigious Hotel and Spa, Chasingham HouseWe are hearing reports that a young woman has been found dead at Chasingham House, the exclusive venue in the Cotswolds. She has not been named, and the cause of death is unknown at this time. This will no doubt cast a cloud over the bachelor weekend being hosted there by Lady Beatrice (36), the Countess of Rossex, for her business partner Perry Juke (34) ahead of his wedding to bestselling author and celebrity chef Simon Lattimore (40). Also staying at Chasingham House are top models Camile Redmaine (35) and Mel Parks (35), who are celebrating newly-single Cammy’s birthday with a group of friends.

When one of the birthday girls is found dead in her room, it’s clear Bea plans for her, Perry, and their friends to chill around the pool, have a few treatments, and generally relax, seem to have gone down the drain. When the local police are quick to dismiss the death as an accident, Bea is determined to help investigate anyway, along with the rest of Perry’s party.

Can they catch the killer before the weekend is over and the trail goes cold?

Another page-turning, contemporary, clean, British cozy whodunnit with a hint of humour that you wouldn’t be able to put down from Helen Golden.

Extract:

Perry let out a contented sigh as he bit into his crispy bacon sandwich, then dropping it back on his plate. “She’s coming back!” he hissed through his mouthful of food. 

Bea, her hand pausing in mid-air as she held her coffee cup, turned to watch Emma McKeer-Adler as she marched towards them. Her grim expression immediately confirmed their earlier speculation that Henry had wanted to talk to Em about something serious. A knot formed in her stomach, an uneasy premonition creeping into her thoughts. She exchanged worried glances with Perry as Em reached their table and took her seat without a word. 

She quickly glanced over at the other table, then turned back to them. Leaning in, she sighed heavily. “Mercy Bright has been found in her room. She’s dead.” 

A collective gasp rippled through the table, and Claire’s fork clattered to the plate, forgotten. Bea’s stomach dropped. She was glad she’d not ordered any food. Please don’t let it be murder. This weekend was supposed to be about Perry… She caught herself. Bea! Poor Mercy. She would never see another weekend…

“Dead?” Ellie repeated, her face pale. “But how?”

“I don’t know yet. Vikki and Mr Greenhill found her,” Em explained, swallowing hard. “He came straight to find me. He said it looked like it might be something she ate or drank that killed her. I’ll know more when I go up and look at the body.”

Bea stared at Em, trying to process the news. Was Mercy poisoned?

Claire covered her mouth with one hand, tears welling in her eyes as she pushed her plate away. “This is dreadful,” she choked out. “Poor Mercy.”

 Bea glanced over at the other table, where Flick and her friends remained blissfully unaware of the tragic news. Flick laughed loudly at something Cammy said, her face now flushed from the exertion. Mel, her head down, was engrossed in something on her phone. All of them were oblivious to the bombshell about to land on them.

Em shifted in her seat. “The local police are on their way,” she announced, her voice strained. “In the meantime, I need to go and secure the crime scene and then see if they need me to help out.”

“Of course.” Perry dipped his head solemnly, his eyes filled with concern. “Will you be okay?”

Em gave him a wry smile. “It’s my job.” She shrugged, then looking at Bea, added, “And with you being here, my lady, I really need to keep an eye and make sure this is unrelated to your safety.”

My lady? Bea stifled a sigh. Em was now in ‘Detective Chief Inspector Emma McKerr-Adler from PaIRS’ mode. Bea glanced at Perry. I’m so sorry to spoil your weekend like this.

He gave her a reassuring smile, then tilted his head at Em. “We get it. Please don’t worry.”

“But I am sorry to have to leave you like this. Carry on without me and try to enjoy the rest of the day. I’ll catch you all later.”

“Be careful,” Claire said softly, reaching out to give Em’s hand, still resting on the table, a reassuring squeeze.

“Oh, and take some photos of the crime scene, will you? Simon likes…” Perry trailed off when he caught sight of Bea’s face. 

What’s he doing? We don’t want to get involved in the investigation of a crime. This is a weekend of pampering. But then again, poor Em. Her weekend was unlikely to be the relaxing one she’d expected. “Please let us know if there’s anything we can do to help you, chief inspector,” Bea said with a smile. Em nodded and rose.

Bea glanced over again at Flick’s table, where Flick and Cammy were still chatting. How long before they would learn of Mercy’s death? Would they be upset or merely sad for someone they didn’t really know? A shiver ran down her spine. Or had one of them wanted her dead? Don’t be silly, Bea. It was most probably an accident. She mustn’t let the last twelve months, when she’d been unlucky enough to get caught up in several murders, cloud her judgement. Murder is rare.

“Will you inform the others?” Ellie said softly, her eyes also drifting towards Flick, Cammy, and Mel.

Em tilted her head towards them. “I’ll make sure someone tells them soon. In the meantime, let’s give them a few more moments of peace, shall we?” 

Bea bowed her head in agreement, her heart heavy with sorrow. “They’ll find out soon enough,” she muttered.

***

A Cocktail To Die For is available from Amazon.

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