DEATH IN THE PERFECT HOUSE Release Day!

By Caroline Clemmons

Celebrate with me! This is my book’s birthday—DEATH IN THE PERFECT HOUSE releases today! I’m so excited and eager to learn how you like this lighthearted cozy mystery. In spite of the hard work required to write a book, Zoe Wilder is an amusing character, and I enjoy her story. I hope you’ll read this book and that you’ll love Zoe’s story. I’m writing book 2, and she gets into trouble in unexpected ways—again.

V. McKevitt of Black Widow Designs created the cover. She did an amazing job matching the cover to the story. I hope you’ll agree when you read the book.

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RY7G2NW

 

DEATH IN THE PERFECT HOUSE description:

Zoe Wilder is a reporter for the local newspaper, The Spencer’s Ridge Gazette, in Winston County, Texas. She also writes cozy mysteries. Perhaps that’s why she sees a crime where there may not be one. Members of the local Winston County Sheriff’s Department view her as a pretty kook and don’t take her seriously. When she finds her friend Margo Kingsley dead, she is certain Margo was murdered—and Margo’s housekeeper agrees. The investigating officer doesn’t believe them, and the death is ruled an accident due to a fall.

Zoe is determined to find the killer. A new Chief Deputy, Caleb McBride, arrives a few days later, hired from Fort Worth PD’s homicide division under unusual circumstances. Deputy McBride is determined Zoe will leave detecting to him and his officers. He warns her she is making herself a target. He also warns her he’ll arrest her if she interferes again. Undeterred, Zoe fears he is only going through the motions to appease the late woman’s daughter.

Just as Zoe decides Deputy McBride is good at his job, the killer targets her. She is forced to cooperate with the handsome deputy. Will the killer be stopped before Zoe is the next victim?

DEATH IN THE PERFECT HOUSE is a light-hearted cozy mystery which contains humor, with no graphic sex, and no cliffhangers.

 

Enjoy an excerpt:

I turned at the sound of a vehicle. A sheriff’s office patrol car pulled into the drive at Margo’s, but I didn’t recognize the driver behind the wheel. Waiting on the Hamptons’ front porch, I watched the deputy climb out of his car and walk toward Margo’s, but then he stopped, changed direction, and veered toward the Hampton’s.

Pretending to look at my notepad, I observed him from beneath my lashes. I thought I’d met all the Winston County deputies. Nope. I’d have remembered if I’d ever talked to this guy.

Wow, would I ever.

He sauntered up the walk with a long-legged gait just short of a swagger. The man filled out his uniform as if he were the poster model for a recruiting campaign. He stepped onto the porch and I looked up. And up. My four-inch heels raised me to six one, but he was two or three inches taller.

His lips twitched in a smile that displayed a dimple in each cheek. “Get an eyeful?”

I ignored his remark. “Who the heck are you?”

Mirrored sunglasses hid his eyes. “Ma’am, you must be confused. I wear the uniform, and it’s my job to ask questions.”

“I thought I knew all the deputies, but we’ve never met, um . . .” I peered at his name badge, “Deputy McBride.”

“That’s right, we haven’t. You are . . .?”

“Zoe Wilder. I work for The Spencer’s Ridge Gazette.”

He lowered his Raybans to peer at me, displaying deep blue eyes. “I guessed that’s who you were.” He looked me up and down, which wouldn’t have been bad if he’d displayed at least a little lustful appreciation. But no, it was as if he were inspecting a possible drug dealer in a line-up.

I ignored his rude perusal. “You’re wasting your time here. The Hamptons are on a cruise for another week with City Councilman Kirk Stevens and his wife.”

“You don’t mind if I find out for myself, do you?”

I stepped aside and gestured toward the door. “Be my guest.” But I was thinking, what did he mean, he’d guessed that’s who I was?

He rang the bell and the same maid answered. This time she appeared a little tense, no doubt when she saw his uniform. She repeated her story then shut the door again.

I smirked at him. “Satisfied?” 

“I’ve heard about you.”

What kind of answer was that? “Heard what? That I’m an excellent feature writer? Or that I write mystery novels?”

I tapped my notebook against my leg then stopped when I realized it made me appear nervous. “Perhaps you’ve read my latest release, Sentimental Journey To Death? You see, I always use old standard songs for my titles, like that one and the previous, I’m In The Mood For Murder. Or, have you read my newspaper articles?” It was as if this handsome man—this very, very handsome man—had unleashed my tongue and I was powerless to stop babbling.

Inside, I was thinking, God, why don’t you just strike me dead now and shut me up? But The Almighty didn’t do either, because He was too busy working toward world peace and eliminating hunger—or perhaps He was flat out laughing at me.

I took a deep breath and finished, “Is that what you heard?”

“Not exactly.” Sarcasm tinged Deputy McBride ’s voice. “It was something about a pretty, red-haired kook who works for The Spencer’s Ridge Gazette and thinks every event is a major crime in masquerade.”

“Kook? I am not a kook.” I comforted myself that at least he’d said I was pretty.

 

Book 2 is DEATH IN THE GRAVEYARD, which will release April 29^th.  Preorder your copy now at this link https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09T99CR9C?

Zoe Wilder is enjoying life—until her trip to lay flowers on Nana’s grave has Zoe tripping over the body of a young woman. Wondering how this could happen to her again, she’s determined to help the hunky Sheriff find the killer. His warnings don’t deter her, but she’s slowed by the other obstacles she has to combat. Her friend, Letty, is temporarily out of commission from a fractured ankle, Zoe’s fighting her longtime nemesis who is the president of the local HOA, and she’s trying to adjust to her greatly changed lifestyle. Join Zoe for a light-hearted cozy mystery certain to entertain you.

Keep reading and stay safe!