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Easier Dead Than Drawn: A Paint by Murder Mystery
by Bailee Abbott

 

Easier Dead Than Drawn: A Paint by Murder Mystery
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series (1st with this publisher)
Setting – New York
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Level Best Books (May 7, 2024)
Print length ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D15342M1

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When the town council hires Chloe Abbington’s close friend, famous wall muralist Lana Easton, to paint a mural advertising the return of the floating amphitheater, not everyone in Whisper Cove is happy about the theater or Lana. Naysayers think the noise from concerts and visitors will disrupt their quiet community. It doesn’t help that a lot of money taken from the town’s budget is being used to pay the muralist for her services. The mood turns even more grim when Lana is found dead, and since Chloe was there alone to discover her body, that makes her the prime suspect.

Before Chloe finds herself painted into a corner as the killer, she and sister Izzie hurry to solve the case and find the real criminal. The suspect list grows to include Lana’s boyfriend and her intern, as well as a couple of local residents. The task is a tall order for the sisters, and it doesn’t help that the detective on the case is someone who doesn’t seem to care for Chloe or her interference. Clues about Lana’s past surface and point to more than one suspect. The challenge will be to decide which one is the real killer.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Tipping the bottle, I swigged on water and shifted my gaze back and forth

across the lot. The neon yellow convertible stood out alongside a drab grey

sedan. The vanity plate with the name MILES VIP1 confirmed my hunch.

I tapped the bottle with one finger, giving myself a few seconds to decide

whether to pursue the matter. A quick glance through the window showed

Izzie and Willow laughing while guests busied themselves at the sidebar

pouring wine and choosing from the assortment of cheeses, meats, and

condiments. A few more minutes away from the activities wouldn’t hurt.

I sprinted across the lot to reach a row of grapevines bordering several tables

that looked out over the lake. Bright red umbrellas provided shade for those

patrons who chose to take their wine and meals outside.

Hiding behind the curtain of vines, I peered through an opening. Miles sat

at one of the tables, facing toward me. Another man sat across from him.

Dark hair with a slight waviness and those broad shoulders caused me to

gasp. “Nick.” I whispered under my breath. Why the two of them would

be together, having a meal at Tasty Spirits, I couldn’t guess. Other than

the amphitheater mural, what did they have in common? Maybe Nick was

renegotiating the contract Lana had signed. That thought puzzled me. Nick

had firmly suggested he, Audrey, and Tate would leave Whisper Cove, that

matters with Rita’s outburst and Audrey’s emotional reaction were making

it difficult to stay. However, why else would he and Miles meet?

As if to help answer my questions, Miles suddenly sprang up from his chair.

He tossed an envelope on the table. Shaking a finger at Nick, his face reddened

with a rush of anger. “This better be the last I hear of this.” The raised voice

and his words carried across the lawn. I winced at the sound and shrunk into

the cover of vines as he stormed away.

Within seconds, Nick stood. Glancing side to side, he then gathered the

envelope and tucked it inside his jacket pocket. Turning, he walked toward

me and my shelter of vines.

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About Bailee Abbott 

Bailee Abbott is a native Ohioan who spends her days plotting murder and writing mysteries. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime as well as of International Thriller Writers. Bailee lives with her husband and furry friend Max in the quiet suburbs of Green, Ohio. Visits to Bemus Point, a town along the Chautauqua Lake in southwest New York inspired the setting for the PAINT BY MURDER mystery series. Bailee also writes the SIERRA PINES B&B MYSTERIES and the MACKENZIE BLUE MYSTERIES as Kathryn Long.

Author Links: Website / Twitter/X / Facebook / Goodreads / Instagram

Purchase Links – Amazon

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