News Flash: And the winners are: Anita, Carol K, Patti Borgognoni, Anita Klaboe, Celie Roberts, Jen, Lori B, Bonnie, and April Morin. Congratulations, all, and please check your email.
Edith/Maddie writing from north of Boston.
I’m having the kind of month I like. Mostly unscheduled, no more travel until mid-October, a few fun non-authorly events planned, great summer produce still in abundance, and a new book to write. Oh, and a novella releases on the 24th!
But first I attended Bouchercon, the year’s biggest mystery convention, this year in San Diego. I arrived home a week ago on September third. San Diego is a favorite city in my native state, and I made sure to get outside and walk along the marina every day. Shown here is the view the first evening from my balcony on the 15th floor, yes, with sliders that opened (this will horrify Sherry’s husband Bob, but I didn’t close the sliders once for the rest of my stay, day or night…).
I got to hang with Julie some, which was delightful, and schmooze with lots and lots of fans and fellow authors. I didn’t see Liz more than a couple of times but I could tell she was enjoying herself, too.
As was our beloved FOWA (Friend of the Wicked Authors) Dru Ann Love, the Fan Guest of Honor, who I snapped a picture with at registration, plus another FOWA, Nikki Bonanni.
I also got to meet Linda Johnson, my audio narrator for Murder Uncorked, which was exciting. I’ve never met one of my narrators before, and I was able to answer a couple of questions for her.
And now I’m back, blessedly COVID-free (although others weren’t so lucky), and working hard on writing Deadly Crush, my second Cece Barton mystery – yes, before the first in the series is out.
But what’s this about a cover reveal, you ask? Indeed. Jennifer M, the fabulous assistant I share with the other Wickeds, prompted me recently. “Have you done a cover reveal yet for Deep Fried Death?”
Um, no, I realized. And so, here it is!
(Don’t ask me how Birdie got on top of the decorated outhouse. Other bits, including the title, also don’t match the book contents. Let’s just not go there. It’s a fun cozy cover and that’s enough.)
Here’s the blurb for the twelfth book in the Country Store Mysteries series:
A killer strikes during Nashville, Indiana’s annual Outhouse Race festivities, landing Pans ‘N Pancakes owner Robbie Jordan on the suspect list…
Many residents of South Lick, Indiana, claim the Outhouse Race, in which competitors push old-timey outhouse replicas on wheels at the annual Abe Martin Festival on Memorial Day, is the best thing since indoor plumbing. Just because country store and restaurant owner Robbie Jordan has too much to do managing her new deep fryer as well as an old lover reappearing, she’s not going to miss out on the fun. Plus, it’s good for business.
But when a dead body and a cast-iron skillet tumble out of the Pans ’N Pancakes outhouse entry on the race route, it seems someone is trying to frame Robbie—in a most unconventional way. Now she’ll need to be privy to the townsfolks’ secrets as she races to flush out a killer.
And look what arrived two days ago – a box full of ARCs!
Of course I want to give some away. September is the ninth month, so I’ll send NINE commenters an advance copy, hoping with fingers crossed you like it enough to give it a positive review on Goodreads before the December 26 release date.
Readers: What goofy parades have you watched – or participated in? Are you all caught up on Country Store Mysteries one through eleven?
Congratulations on the new release. I was looking forward to another book in the series. The cover is definitely fun. Pun on the word “privy?”
Thanks, Doris!
Love everything about this.
I once belonged to a horse organization (imagine that! HA!), and we rode in a lot of parades. For me, it was the most fun when I worked the “pooper scooper” truck trailing behind our mounted unit. We got the biggest cheers from the crowd! And those marching behind us were VERY appreciative!
A service!
I used to belong to my town’s volunteer rescue squad and we marched in a lot of parades but non of them were goofy.
I do love a good parade.
Oh my gosh, what a cute cover! A pink outhouse! The oddest parade I’ve ever seen was when I lived in Cypress, California, and saw a Christmas boat parade, including surfboards with palm trees! Funniest parade I’ve ever seen lol!
That’s awesome, Kathy.
It was wonderful to see you (and Julie) several times at San Diego Bouchercon. I didn’t see Liz (and many other authors) at all…that’s how it goes when over 1700 attendees roam around a huge hotel!
And yes, I am caught up with the Country Store mysteries (and your other series) now.
No cute outhouses here, only generic porta-potties for big events.
Also great to spend time with you, Grace! Wish I hadn’t been a sissy about the light rain at the farmers’ market.
Raquel & I had a great time wandering the FM in the drizzle. Missed you. And of course, it was sunny again when returned to the Marriott an hour later!
Am I caught up with the Country Store mysteries? HECK YEAH I AM. How could I not be caught up on my favorite cozy series?
I love the cover, even if it doesn’t have much to do with the story in the book like you said.
I don’t know that I’ve participated in any kind of goofy parade but as a kid I know that I was in a parade in town while in Cub Scouts. I saw a couple of parades as a kid too. But always because I was dragged to them. They just aren’t something I appreciate.
But hey, I just love the chance to win an advance copy of DEEP FRIED DEATH because any chance for another mysterious murder adventure with Robbie Jordan and her team is just tops in my book!
I love your enthusiasm, Jay!
When I was a lot younger, I watched the annual St. Patrick’s day parade from a fire station. The funniest part was the fire alarm went off while some of the boys were trying to shimmy up the pole!
Whoa!
Congrats on the newest upcoming release! This series is what got me hooked on cozies! I’m all caught up, never miss a release! Can’t wait for to read this one soon!
Awesome, Melissa!
Sounds like you have a fabulous time, but if like me there really is no place like home. Trips away remind us of such things. And to come home to fresh veggies out of the garden still is definitely an additional plus.
LOVE – LOVE – LOVE the cover! It’s especially cool to me because in October our town actually had a festival named – The Bean Fest and Outhouse Races. 🙂 Can’t wait for the opportunity to read and review DEEP FRIED DEATH, which is already on my TBR list. Love your books andI have no doubt this one is will be an amazing read – confirmed by the books description.
Thank you for the wonderful chance to win a copy!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
The Bean Fest WITH an outhouse race is hilarious, Kay!
It’s actually a HUGE event drawing folks from all over the United States and other countries too. The bean cooking contest in big black cast iron kettles is a very serious competition to the contestants and fun for the attendees as well as getting to sample the end results. Middle afternoon is the races and they are a hoot to watch.
I am rarely caught up with series but I keep trying. I get to watch parades on TV..easier on me than boodles of people and me trying to see over them…With this review I may skip the intervening books and just get this one…
I hear ya about the crowds, Gram!
Congratulations on your new book!!! I marched I’m our local parade 2 years in a row with the school band I played the baritone!! Also my hubby and take our daughter every year to the same parade and also to a 4th of july parade up north every year!!!
I marched in parades as a girl scout my whole time growing up and with the drill team in high school. I love the music and the spirit.
An outhouse race! That’s such a Hoosier-sounding event!
I remember watching the costume parade when I took my kids to Gen-Con a number of years ago. There were some amazing get ups!
I know! When I saw a notice about the real Abe Martin outhouse race, I knew it had to go in a book.
Never been to a goofy parade. That would be neat. Love the book cover! Can’t wait to read it! Thanks for the chance!
Good luck!
Congratulations on the new book! The only parade I ever saw was a tiny one at a grand opening for a new shopping center. I was volunteering at the Humane Society booth giving out U.S. flags. So fun! We had a front row seat for the parade because it went right past us. There were Star Wars storm troopers and a high school band and cute little kids waving their flags. We had a blast!
Sounds like a great community event.
Oh my gosh I love the cover so much! Our town has outhouse races this month, they are so much fun. We also have a headless chicken festival 🤣. I love this series, I think I am all caught up, but I better check. Congratulations on the beautiful cover and another book in a great series!
Thanks, Heidi.
The two parades that come to mind are the Doo Dah parade in Pasadena which is a fun, fanciful alternative to the structured Rose Parade and the 4th of July parade in the small CA town of Sierra Madre that features a kazoo band.
I’ve seen video of the DooDah parade, Tina, and of kazoo bands. So fun!
I am caught up on all of your books, and anxiously awaiting the new arrivals. In Michigan there is a Christmas parade in a little town called Ida (pop. 4500). Over the years it somehow went from a small tractors with twinkle lights parade to the largest Christmas light parade in Michigan. It hosts 20 or more craft booths. Live performance from several artists and food trucks. The entire event is a weekend culminating in the parade. Attendance in the past years has been anywhere between 45,000 and 50,000. It truly is a wonderful parade!
Wow, Lucy!
In my neck of the woods Chepachet RI has an Ancients and Horribles Parade, which is really their 4th of July parade! How does that sound? Its a pun, play on words – Ancient and Honorable! thought you’d like that one Edith! And I am caught up on the Country Store mysteries and would love to win a copy of the latest!
Rockport here in MA has a Horribles parade!
I love the cover and am so glad you had such a lovely view at Bouchercon.
Thanks Sherry. We missed you!
I went to a small town parade and they had an old timey fire truck, kids with dogs that was fun and of course the Mayor in a convertible and the clowns.
All perfect ingredients of a small town parade.
When my daughter was in girl scouts we always participated in the local holiday parade. One year is was favorite holiday movies and we did A Christmas Story. One girls tongue was stuck on a flag pole. We had the dinner at the Chinese restaurant (the meal was a rubber chicken.) We did a “You’ll shoot your eyeball out” scene. We had a dad dressed in a pink bunny suit. A mom dressed as the leg lamp. The girls had a lot of fun doing that parade.
So fun!
Love the cover of the new book. I’ve been in a St Patrick’s Day parade and rode in the back of old firetruck. Such fun times
Very, Becky!
You know I’d love to review! <3 I've never seen an outhouse race, but my daddy had stories of outhouse tipping on Halloween. My favorite was the farmer who moved his just a bit forward, so when they went behind it to tip it, they fell right in . . . 😉
I love it, Mary!
Hmm. I’ve seen some great parades (New Year’s on St. Croix, USVI and a second-lin in NOLA), but goofy ones? Maybe a parade of soapbox racers from The Boy’s years in Scouts?
Cute cover.
I remember the soapbox races from my own sons.
It was great to say hi to you and Julie at Bouchercon. I’m sad I missed Liz, but only being there one day, I know there were lots of authors I missed. And you did a fabulous job moderating the panel on Saturday, too.
Another great cover!
(No need to enter me in the giveaway.)
Thanks, Mark. Great to see you, too.
Thanks again for giving me my Cozy Mystery start. This is also my birthday month (the 19th) so an early edition would be a great present. Either way I can’t wait to read it.
You are SO welcome!
I was in only one parade in my entire life, and that was the Memorial Day parade when I was graduating from the kindergarten. I walked with my classmates at the tail end of the parade, and we all carried tiny American flags. A nice memory! Truth be told, I have read all of the Country Store Mysteries up through and including Batter Off Dead. I am not quite caught up, but I will get there!!
That’s an adorable image, Patti.
I am caught up on all of this series! Can’t wait for this one, it looks fun from the cover. I have been to a bed race where someone has to be on the bed while being pushed by others, also milk carton boat races! Thanks for a chance for an Arc!
There’s a bed race in the next town, with restaurant waitstaff competing. I’ve never gone but have seen pictures!
My Sister and I usually go to the Tulip Time parade in Holland MI. it’s fun seeing the Dutch parade participants wearing their wooden shoes and sweeping the streets. Love the cover on your new book. Looking forward to reading it. Great series.
How fun! And thanks.
Love the book cover. This weekend will be Morton Pumpkin Festival. Morton IL is considered pumpkin capital of the world. There is a parade, pumpkin chuckin’ with a huge slingshot launcher, a craft fair, carnival rides, and so many types of food made with pumpkin.
That sounds yummy, Jackie! Not sure about the chucking…
How fun! I just finished the last one and can’t wait for new adventures.
Aww, thank you!
Not a goofy one but the parade I remember the most is my hometown Holiday parade that I marched in with my middle school band. It was a long time ago but I still remember it so clearly. And I am definitely caught up with the series and was actually sad when I finished Four Leaf Cleaver because of how much I would miss reading about Robbie and crew. Can’t wait for your new release and in the meantime have started your Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries!
Thank you, Blanca. I hope you love Mac and gang on the Cape just as much!
When first living in Arizona a long time ago, I went to the rodeo parade in Tucson. Parade was pretty cool, completely non-motorized. Funny part after, with curb to curb street cleaners after all the horses!
I have read all except one of the early books in series, and would love to read this one!
That sounds great, Jeanie. See Annette’s comment early on here today – she used to be BE one of the pooper scoopers!
Super congratulations, Edith on your latest cover reveal. It sounds like you had a great time in CA too. How lucky you were to return home healthy!
Thanks, Jessie. I was lucky! And we missed you in San Diego.
Congratulations, Edith – Book `12 – WOW, and it’s a great series.
Love the concept of an outhouse race, why not, I took part in the first Coconut Grove Bed Race – my boss was really into it – he had a bed made from titanium and it was pushed by UM football players – we didn’t win. Don’t remember who did, but we had a great time.
Birdie looks a bit startled to be riding shotgun on the necessary as well. It’s going to be a fun read.
He does look alarmed! That race sounds really fun.
I have only been in one parade and it was a local one. All of the neighborhood dogs being walked by their humans. It was fun and my dog was well behaved, unlike a few others! I am almost caught up in the Country Store series and winning a copy of this new one would motivate me to read just a bit faster.
Glad you have a well-trained dog – that’s kudos to the owner!
I tried to participate in Denver’s St. Patrick’s Day parade one year. Perhaps it was anticipating the green beer, but I (who am 5”2’) talked a blue streak to the Mile High club members, who must be at least 6” tall into letting me be an honorary member for the day. I am Irish after all! Sadly they turned me down.
Am pretty enthused about this new release. Love the cover!!
Maybe you need a Mile Low Club!
Thanks for sharing all the pictures. Looks like you had a ton of fun. I can’t say I have ever watched or participated in goofy parades. Just the usual Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day parades. I have attended some Mardi Gras parades in Louisiana and some of them can get a little crazy but it is all good fun as far as I am concerned.
I’ve never been to Mardi Gras in NOLA – and these days I doubt I’d want to, no matter what a good time they’re having.
Love your books, Edith!
In Montpelier, VT there is an All Species Day Parade to honor the awakening of Spring with song, dance, and puppet pageantry. Everyone is invited to come dressed as their favorite species. Definitely unusual!
What a fun concept! Hmm, story idea brewing. Possible field trip planned…
The cover is very fun….even if, as you say, it doesn’t fit the story (why do publishers do that sometimes?). I think it’s cute and pink and there’s a kitty. It has everything you need. LOL
I am caught up on this series. I enjoy it very much.
No silly or crazy parades I can think of.
Thanks for the chance to win a copy. (I do post reviews in all the places.)
Thanks so much, Ann. I think the publishers want to sell books. That’s about it!
I do not remember being in any parades. Thank you so much for sharing. I love the new covers. God bless you.
Thank you, Debra.
I still need to read Four Leaf Cleaver to catch up with Robbie and the gang. The goofiest parade I have seen was one my friends went to in Linesville PA. It is a tractor parade and every imaginable tractor is decorated with Christmas lights and decorations. Since I was living in MN at the time I couldn’t join them in person. But my friends streamed it live for me on Facebook so I was there in spirit. And much warmer watching it from my home than my friends were outdoors lol.
I love that image!
Love the cover and it would be great if i was one of the lucky winners.
Good luck!
Congratulations and I agree – it is a cute cover. I don’t care how Birdie got on top of the outhouse. I have read the first book in this series and hope to read all of them.
I graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, CT many years ago. Willimantic is home to the Boombox Parade every Fourth of July. Years ago, the town couldn’t find a band so they invited all the residents to march with their boomboxes/radios tuned into the local radio station. It’s been a tradition every since and is so much fun every year.
That sounds so fun!
I love this series! I used to march in the parades in school, and have attended our local Memorial Day parade. Nothing crazy, but it was/is always a fun time. Thank you for this chance. I love to read and review.
I love your books! Thanks for the chance! (9 is my lucky number!)