Hello, Book Lovers!

I’m excited to share with you the third chapter of my very first cozy mystery short story titled, Entitled to Murder. Every few days, I will release a chapter from the short story over on this blog throughout the next couple of weeks. If you want to receive notifications via email, then sign up for updates by fill out your first name and email address in the opt-in form below, and you’ll receive an email from me, letting you know the latest chapter is available, plus a copy of the ebook when the story is finished.

Before, I dive into the opening chapter of this cozy mystery short story, here’s a brief description of the story.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

THREE

A wooden spoon struck the side of the baking tray as her grandmother Henriette hunched over the white ceramic farmhouse sink. Soapy bubbles splashed up and dripped down the faux white brick backsplash. Lucy tiptoed across the ginger-coloured floor tiles toward the neatly lined up platters on the granite-top island turned breakfast bar. Glancing across the room, Lucy smiled as she listened to her grandmother hum the most recent top 40 tune melody.

Any second, she was moments away from being caught in her grandmother’s domain. Henriette fiercely defended her kitchen. Henriette wouldn’t accept help of any kind, and you could not get away with taste-testing any of her delicious creations unless you were Colin. He could get away with anything, including getting caught with his finger in the Christmas pudding. Colin was her favourite grandchild.

A chill shot through her body as Lucy reached out and clasped the white platter. The salmon’s fishy aroma mixed with cream cheese caused Lucy to screw up her nose in protest. Lucy turned and walked toward inaudible laughter and chatter that echoed down the hall into the kitchen. She paused as she felt her grandmother’s watchful gaze. Her hopes of avoiding the evening’s inevitable awkward small talk were dashed.

Lucy sighed, then turned around and forced a smile.

Henriette rubbed her soap-covered hands on her white and red heart apron as she walked toward Lucy with her arms stretched out. ‘Lu, it’s okay for you to enjoy the party. You don’t have to help me. I’m fine.’

Lucy’s heart sank as she shrugged. ‘I’m not in a party mood. I’ve never liked huge gatherings and small talk. He used to drag me to these types of things.’ A single tear trickled down her cheek. ‘Sorry, I have no idea why I’m crying over something so trivial.’

‘Dear, I’m so sorry. I’m so used to protecting my kitchen from your grandfather and the boys.’ Henriette’s blue eyes glazed over as she forced a smile, then wrapped her arms around Lucy and drew her close.

Tears cascaded down Lucy’s cheeks and onto Henriette’s lavender cable knit, v-neck cardigan. ‘I miss Christopher.’

Concluding Thoughts

I hope you enjoyed reading the third chapter of my cozy mystery short story, Entitled to Murder. As I was outlining, scene blocking and researching for what would be the next scene in the story, I ended up writing this short but emotional scene where you get a tiny glimpse into the depth of Lucy’s grief over the loss of her late husband, Christopher Hobbs. It was an emotional scene to write, and I feel that it’s a nice addition to the story and an opportunity for you to get to know Lucy a little better.

Over the next few weeks, as I write and edit the subsequent scenes and chapters. At the same time, I will be sharing chapters over on Wattpad, so be sure to follow me if that’s how you prefer to read.

As I draw closer to pressing publish on this story, I will remove everything after the first chapter, depending upon whether I choose to enrol this book in Kindle Unlimited or publish it on all ebook retailer platforms. But that’s a long way off in the future. If you are interested in receiving email updates alerting you of new chapters plus a free copy of the ebook, Entitled to Murder when it finished, subscribe for updates by filling out the opt-in form below.

With love,

Amelia xx