Scones and Scofflaws

 

Scones and Scofflaws: Cape May Cozy Mysteries with a Twist
by Jane Gorman

About Scones and Scofflaws

Scones and Scofflaws: Cape May Cozy Mysteries with a Twist
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Cape May, New Jersey
Blue Eagle Press (December 19, 2020)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 278 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0999110047
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0999110041
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08PW7M9JC

When a gorgeous man dressed as Bridgette Bardot buys her a Scofflaw and asks her out on a date, Anna McGregor begins to suspect her murder investigation has taken a wrong turn. Her previous work as a medical anthropologist exposed her to a variety of unexpected situations, but none quite like this.

“The story does a great job of setting up the mystery and then anthropologist turned B&B hostess, Anna McGregor leads us through a merry chase and I thought I had it partially figured out but then realized…red herring. I would suggest you skip to the back of the book to find the scofflaw recipe and make one to enjoy while you armchair sleuth your way through this charming and cozy mystery.” — Tracy’s Tidbits

It all seemed so simple: fix up the Cape May Victorian mansion she’d inherited from Great Aunt Louise and re-open it as the exceptional B&B it used to be. Everything’s going great, until her very first guest turns up dead at the breakfast table, crumbs from Anna’s blueberry scones scattered on the lace tablecloth.

As the town’s gossip mill goes into overdrive, Anna leaps into the fray to save her reputation, her business and Great Aunt Louise’s legacy.

With help from a handsome handyman eager to solve all of Anna’s problems and a young police officer new to murder investigations, Anna does her best to convince the town — and her future guests — that while her scones may be killer, someone else was responsible for this murder.

 

About Jane Gorman

Formerly an anthropologist, then a diplomat, then a park ranger, Jane Gorman now writes murder mysteries. Building on her knowledge of Philadelphia (her home for many years) and her varied experiences, her Adam Kaminski mystery series features a Philly cop who manages to solve complicated murders in far-flung locales, both in the U.S. and overseas. Her Cape May cozy mysteries paint a light-hearted, fun picture of the Cape May life of a former anthropologist who just happens to be good at solving murders – and trying out new cocktails!

Q&A With the Author

When did you first consider yourself to be a writer?

I’ll let you know when it happens! Just kidding – kind of. I’ve been writing since I was young, scribbling poems that I still love (but suspect nobody else would!) and short stories that still make me cringe. In college, I shifted to nonfiction and academic writing. But a little over ten years ago I sat down and wrote a book. Just for me, just for fun. It was never published, but I think that’s when I realized that I could be – that I am! – a writer. Once I scratched that itch I couldn’t stop.

What advice do you have for a new writer?

Find a support group, definitely. I joined a number of different writing groups, went to writing conferences, and met so many fabulous people. I’ve narrowed my tribe down a bit now – I guess everyone has during Covid, haven’t we? But I still have a close group of writer friends who are so important to me. Fellow writers not only read and critique your writing, they also provide that much needed support when things get hard. For anyone writing mysteries, the Sisters in Crime is the best place to start. They have a special chapter just for new writers called the Guppies, and the best part is, it’s an online chapter so you can join from anywhere.

What is the easiest part of the writing process for you?
Coming up with the big picture, the main story line. I love to sit in front of my computer and just throw out fun ideas and watch as they slowly coalesce into a plot. The hardest part, though, is then going back and filling in all the details, making sure clues are dropped at the right time in the right place, making sure I’ve tied up all loose ends and wrapped up all the subplots.

What is your favorite part of this story?
My favorite part of this story is when Anna is cleaning up her kitchen after the police search it. It’s a fun scene because the local police officer drops by unexpectedly and we see a surprising tension between the two. Then Anna’s small cousin Eoin pops into the room, adding a bit of humor while also helping explain why Anna really needs to solve this murder.

Which Character was the most fun to write about? Why?
I’d love to say that Eoin was the most fun to write about, simply because he’s adorable, but in truth, I get the most pleasure when I write about Anna. She’s a grad-school drop-out, well on her way to earning her PhD in Medical Anthropology when a personal calamity pulls her out of school. I love thinking about how her education, background and interests would influence the way she approaches a murder scene and how she talks with suspects.

Which Character was the hardest to write about? Why?

The killer – but of course I won’t say who that is. Writing any character requires getting in his or her head, at least a little bit, to understand why they do what they do, what motivates them. I’m very relieved to say that I am not motivated to kill anyone, so getting into a killer’s head isn’t easy! I love the challenge it presents, though, and really think through the feelings, thoughts, emotions of the killers in all my books.

Author Links

Website http://janegorman.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JaneGormanAuthor/

Twitter https://twitter.com/thejanegorman

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jane-gorman

GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14369652.Jane_Gorman

Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Alibris – IndieBound – Kobo –  Books2Read

 

The Rest of the Series

Boats, Bodies and the Bee’s Knees: Cape May Cozy Mysteries with a Twist
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Blue Eagle Press (April 9, 2021)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 270 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0999110063
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0999110065
Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08TV5Y2Y9

When her friend’s uncle is accused of murder, Anna McGregor dives into the boating life to prove his innocence. She soon learns that while lounging on a luxury yacht might be fun, matching wits with a killer can be deadly.

Life has finally settled down for Anna. The Cape May B & B she inherited from her Great Aunt Louise is fully booked and Anna is looking forward to a successful summer. Her peace is shattered when a body washes up in Spicer Creek and the police focus their investigation on her friend’s uncle. Determined to find the truth, Anna turns to skills she developed in her previous career in medical anthropology.

Once again, Anna teams up with her best friend Sammy, her young cousin Eoin and the local librarian to use their knowledge of the town and its people to solve this crime. But the disappearance of two local teenagers reminds Anna this is the wrong time for free fishing trips or relaxing on a yacht enjoying a Bee’s Knees cocktail. She needs to find the missing teenagers and identify the killer before anyone else gets hurt.

Purchase Link – Amazon – B&N – Alibris – IndieBound – Kobo – Books2Read – 

Killers and Kir Royale: Cape May Cozy Mysteries with a Twist
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Blue Eagle Press (December 17, 2021)
Print Length 241 Pages
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09MV26RSS

When a love of wine becomes lethal, local B&B owner Anna McGregor discovers she’s the town’s connoisseur at defending the innocent and unmasking murderers. But if she goes after the killer, will the people she cares about most get crushed in the process?

Anna loves the new life she’s built for herself in Cape May, a town known for its historic beauty, picturesque beaches, developing wine culture and … murder? Thanks to some previous successes – and a close relationship with a local patrolman – Anna finds herself pressured into accepting the task of proving a new friend’s innocence in a tragic death at a local winery.

Her investigation reveals an embarrassment of suspects, not to mention one too many potential victims. As always, Anna relies on help from her friends to find the truth. This time, though, offering help means breaking the rules.

Now she must not only catch a killer but also save the reputation of one of her closest friends, all while getting ready to send her young cousin, Eoin, back to Ireland, trying to solve the riddle of her love life, and figuring out her future as a medical anthropologist.

Purchase Link – Amazon – B&N – Alibris  – Kobo – Books2Read – 

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