I’m so pleased to welcome back one of my favorite cozy mystery authors,
Marja McGraw.
Sandi Webster and Pete Goldberg, as private investigators, are constantly having to rearrange their lives to suit their work – and they enjoy doing it. Sandi’s biggest worry, before Eloise Neuchase enters her life, is whether or not her business will grow.
However, when Eloise approaches them and hires them to solve a crime from the 1930s, they find a few surprises that they aren’t necessarily prepared for, and yet they try to take the circumstances in their stride.
An old speakeasy, a vintage murder, and suspects who are now in their nineties can make life take some unexpected turns. Investigation can almost take on a life of its own.
Sandi, Pete and their friend and employee, Stanley Hawks, are about to watch the past and the present collide.
Gin Mill Grill – A Sandi Webster Mystery
(Excerpt from Chapter Two)
“Living in the Murder House doesn’t bother me,” she said, “and as far as the old bloodstains, I’ve sanded them as much as possible and I’ve covered them with rugs. My hubby and me, well, we tried to get rid of the stains, but no dice. They seem to be there to stay. The house has hardwood floors and we never wanted carpeting.”
“Can you tell us what happened? How was the one brother murdered, and what do you know about the other brother?” I asked.
“No one knows exactly what happened, but Horace was stabbed to death. Someone must have really hated him because he was stabbed twenty-two times. A neighbor reported hearing a ruckus and the police came and found the body. Harley had disappeared. Of course, the police figured he killed his brother.”
She pursed her lips before continuing.
“My father didn’t agree. He wanted to find Harley and prove his innocence. That’s the gist of it. Will you work for me?”
“Did his notes tell more of the story?” Pete asked.
“Yes, they did. I’ll turn them over to you if you agree to take my case. I know it’s a longshot, but maybe you can figure out what happened.”
I glanced at Stanley and he seemed fascinated with Eloise’s story. Before I could discuss our rates with her, he said, “We’ll take the case.”
My mouth opened and closed, but nothing came out. Was this going to be another pro bono case?
“Stan,” he preferred to be called Stan instead of Stanley, “would you look into building the website while we talk to Eloise? Let me know about costs.” Hint, hint.
He nodded and returned to his desk.
“What will this cost me?” the woman asked. Apparently she got my hint, even if Stanley didn’t. I was embarrassed that she picked up on it.
We discussed rates and she seemed fine with our fees.
“I have money that my father left me, insurance from losing my husband and retirement. Money isn’t a big issue. I have this wish – desire – to finish my father’s quest for the truth.”
“When did your husband die?” Pete asked.
Really? What did that have to do with this case? It seemed like a thoughtless question.
“Nineteen years ago. I’m over it.”
Oh. I guess I hadn’t needed to worry about Pete’s question, unless he thought it might have something to do with the case, and I doubted it did.
“I was going to bring the box of notes with me, but I thought you might like to see the scene of the murder, too.”
She smiled, which surprised me. “This all happened so long ago. There’s no reason for me to act sappy about the whole thing.”
Again, she was perceptive.
We took care of the paperwork outlining our fees and what we could offer her, and she said if we’d meet her at her house she’d order a pizza.
She turned to Stanley. “You’ll come along, of course.”
“Of course,” he replied, reaching to shut down his computer.
Eloise left after we told her we’d meet her at her house around noon.
We watched her walk out the door and I turned to Pete. “What did I tell you about word-of-mouth? We have a reputation, and it must be a good one.”
My ✰✰✰✰✰ Review
A complex story of three murders has Sandi and Pete Goldberg investigating the history of the Gin Mill Grill, a restaurant and speakeasy from the thirties. As they uncover each aspect, another comes to light. But a threatening message to stop looking into the past, only makes them determined to find the answers.
As the investigation progresses, Sandi feels like the past is becoming the present and they’re intertwined in some odd way. Which of course, we find out that they are. I enjoyed investigating this cold case right along with Sandi and Pete. With a few twists and some surprising finds in the old speakeasy turned restaurant, this was a fun and fascinating mystery to read. I highly recommend it.
