I'm pleased to let Andy Shirley take over Cozy Up With Kathy today. You can find Andy on the pages of the Redwoods Country Mystery series by Marc Jedel. Whine and Dine is the second book in the series.
Guest Post by Andy Shirley, from Whine and Dine by Marc Jedel
(as told to Marc Jedel, who insists on calling himself my author)
When Marc asked me to write a guest post, I told him I was busy. He replied that as a fictional character, I’m not actually busy in real life. Offended, I pointed out that, technically, he’s not busy in real life either and I run an inn, solve murders, and feed a poodle with a superiority complex. Marc claimed that didn’t count. I’d argue, but it’s hard to win against the man with a finger hovering above the delete key.
Anyway, since my last adventure (Whine and Dine), life in Monte Rio has “settled down.” That’s always what people say right before things go horribly wrong. With a murder rate in this town beginning to approach that of Cabot Cove or Midsomer County, it’s hard to know what normal is. Sure enough, I’m told the next book involves me in another humorous murder mystery—as if murders could ever be funny. No one tells me the details—apparently, spoilers are bad for my “character arc.”
For those who don’t know me, I’m Andy Shirley, sixty-five, retired copy editor, reluctant bed-and-breakfast owner, and sometimes wannabe recluse. My late wife, Catherine, dreamed of running this inn by the Russian River. I dreamed of fishing quietly and avoiding small talk with strangers. Fate, it turns out, has a dark sense of humor.
These days, I manage the Quilt House Inn with help from my Romanian cook, Nadia—who prepares an amazing breakfast buffet. I believe she could take down a murderer with a wooden spoon. Charlie, my inadvertent and highly unofficial sidekick is the town’s hybrid plumber-electrician. She manages to keep my inn from shorting out or flooding from broken pipes. She’s thirty, loud, and possesses the reckless confidence of someone who’s never had to Google “how to replace a hip.” She insists I’m “too negative,” which is rich coming from someone who has “don’t die stupidly” written on her toolbox. She’s good at fixing things and even better at roping me into situations I should know to avoid. She calls it teamwork. I call it entrapment.
Then there’s Fifi—excuse me, Mademoiselle Fifi—my late wife’s teacup poodle. She’s comes in a petite size but is still high maintenance. Fifi insists on visiting the salon each month for a shampoo and style with a fresh pink bow. In addition she receives a pedicure to finish her look. True to her French nature, she has strong opinions. One time I chastised her and she refused to look at me for two days. Fifi accompanies me most places tucked into the front pocket of my fishing vest, supervising my life like a furry parole officer.
The townsfolk here in Monte Rio are friendly enough, though “friendly” in this case often translates to “nosy.” I’ve discovered that small-town gossip travels faster than lightning. People say the town runs on coffee and rumor, which seems entirely accurate.
When I’m not attending to my inn or being drafted into Charlie’s schemes, I go fishing, head out on hikes, or tinker in my new archery shop. Some men in their sixties buy motorcycles. Given the wet, curvy roads and my reflexes, I feel more comfortable buying arrows and teaching archery to young people. Unlike most people, arrows fly straight and don’t gossip.
Marc keeps telling me this series is “cozy” and “humorous.” My inn is certainly cozy. And while I enjoy a good joke, I have yet to find the humor in his stories—not with all the dead bodies. From my point of view, I’m a retired man who just wanted peace and pie. Instead, I’m chasing suspects, tripping over bodies, and finding clues where I least expect them.
Still, I can’t complain too much. The inn’s running smoothly, the guests haven’t found any corpses lately, and Fifi’s fan club continues to grow. In a flash of brilliance, Charlie added her profile to the inn’s social media page and the number of likes have doubled.
So if you find yourself near Monte Rio, stop by the Quilt House Inn. I’ll be the one in the fishing vest with too many pockets, pretending I don’t like people while secretly hoping you brought cookies. You’ll get a warm bed, an amazing breakfast, and—if we’re lucky—a murder-free stay. Just don’t call me “adorable” or “grumpy but lovable.” That sort of reputation would make it hard to keep the possibility of becoming a recluse alive.
During this tour, Whine and Dine, is on sale for only $2.99, and book 1, Rivers and Creaks, is only $0.99. They’re available at: https://mybook.to/WhineandDine and https://mybook.to/RiversandCreaks. You can find all Marc’s cozy mysteries at: https://www.amazon.com/Marc-Jedel/e/B07H7MVKJL. They’re available in e-book, paperback, and audiobook formats. Marc’s novels are free to read by Kindle Unlimited members.
Marc loves hearing from readers as that motivates him to keep going on the next blank page. Let him know what you liked, what you didn’t, and what you’d want to see more of in the next book.
Website: www.marcjedel.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/MarcJedel.Author
BookBub: http://www.bookbub.com/profile/marc-jedel
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Marc-Jedel/e/B07H7MVKJL
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18403497.Marc_Jedel
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Whine and Dine: A Redwoods Country Mystery
by Marc Jedel
About Whine and Dine
A reclusive innkeeper. A murder in wine country. Can his nitpicky eye for detail uncork the truth before it’s too late?
Andy Shirley just wants peace and quiet. But owning a quaint B&B means he encounters needy guests, nonstop small talk, and the occasional corpse that piques Andy’s sense of justice. When his plumber-turned-sidekick tempts him with discounted work to help her accused friend, he reluctantly digs into the case.
Andy combs through clues and suspects. But every discovery reveals more motives, more lies, and more danger than Andy ever bargained for. Though the Agatha Christie-loving sleuth longs to try his hand at a grand reveal, he worries the slew of suspects are too slippery and a killer will walk free.
Can Andy unearth the truth before this case buries his hopes of a successful business and a quiet life?
Whine and Dine is the laugh-out-loud second book in the Redwoods Country cozy mystery series. If you like grouches with golden hearts, unlikely friendships, and quirky small towns, then you’ll love Marc Jedel’s lighthearted misadventure.
Buy Whine and Dine to put this puzzle to bed (and breakfast) today!
About Marc Jedel
Marc Jedel writes funny, feel-good murder mysteries filled with quirky characters, twisty plots, and the kind of humor that goes down easy with a cup of tea—or glass of wine. After years writing marketing copy in Silicon Valley, Marc finally started crafting fiction people actually wanted to read. He’s the author of multiple cozy mystery series, including the Silicon Valley Mystery, Ozarks Lake Mystery, and Redwoods Country Mystery series. His books have earned thousands of glowing reviews.
Like Andy from the Redwoods Country Mysteries, Marc keeps getting older and sincerely hopes retirement doesn’t involve running a B&B. Like Marty from the Silicon Valley Mystery series, he lives in tech-heavy California, has worked in high-tech, and proudly wields bad puns. Like Jonas and Elizabeth from the Ozarks Lake Mystery series, Marc grew up in the South and spent many a summer in and around Arkansas.
He lives with his endlessly patient wife and a sweet, neurotic dog who remains deeply unimpressed by Marc’s jokes. When not writing, Marc can be found hiking, plotting murders (on the page, officer, really!), or avoiding whatever home improvement project he’s been putting off.
Visit marcjedel.com for free content, updates, and more!
Author Links:
Purchase Links - https://mybook.to/WhineandDine
Series - mybook.to/RedwoodsCountry
