Set in Salem, Massachusetts, this fun, cozy series sees a widowed B&B owner teaming up with a charming ghost to solve murders—an engaging read for fans who like a paranormal tinge to their mysteries.
Saturday night at the movies has some added flair now that Darren and Elise Shultz are reopening one of Salem’s classic theaters. Charlene is delighted to help the couple with their venture, and Darren has lined up a cult classic double-header featuring Lon Chaney in The Wolfman. But things get hairier than expected when Elise starts to choke on her popcorn mid-movie—and once the lights go up, she’s dead . . .
When tests reveal Elise's popcorn was poisoned, Detective Sam Holden eyes her husband as the guilty party. Charlene doesn’t believe Darren would hurt his wife—even if his company’s specialty seasoned salts were sprinkled on the fatal snack. But who else had a motive to do something so unsavory? With a little help from Jack, the handsome ghost who haunts her B&B, Charlene delves into the ill-fated couple’s past. And the more she learns, the more Charlene wonders if this time, she’s bitten off more than she can chew . . .
Release date:
August 29, 2023
Publisher:
Kensington Books
Print pages:
304
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Charlene Morris arrived at the refurbished Spellbound Movie Theater at half-past six with Avery Shriver riding shotgun. When they’d first met, Avery had been sixteen with orange hair and a nose stud. Now eighteen, Avery planned a low-key summer before starting college in August—she’d worked her booty off and earned full tuition at Boston Academy.
Charlene had no children of her own and considered Avery family. Charlene and her resident ghost at the bed-and-breakfast, Dr. Jack Strathmore, joked that they’d become late-in-life parents to a teenager, and they couldn’t be happier.
“There’s Seth’s car. I texted him that we were running late.” Avery pointed across the crowded lot to a silver Camry that belonged to Avery’s new boyfriend. Charlene chose a spot next to it.
For Avery’s graduation, Charlene’s mom and dad had given Avery a light blue Civic, gently used. The only reason Avery hadn’t driven herself was because she and Seth were headed to the beach with their friends for a Saturday night bonfire after the double feature of The Wolf Man and Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man.
“It’s already packed,” Charlene said, spying her friend Kevin Hughes’s truck. The ladies exited the SUV. She hated to be late but hadn’t counted on how many times a teen girl had to change clothes to get just the right casual vibe.
The historic three-story brick building had a flat rooftop sporting castle-like crenellation. It had been many things since first built in the 1800s. During the last few years, the brickwork had fallen into disrepair as the building had been empty and derelict.
Darren and Elise Shultz had moved from Saint Mary’s, Pennsylvania, to Salem six months prior and saved it from the wrecking ball. Opening a theater was a dream come true for Darren, who’d made over a million dollars creating specialty seasoned salts. They’d picked Salem because Elise was from here, and her sister, Patty Wagner, owned a bakery that would supply the soft-baked pretzels at the theater, making it a family affair.
Charlene, new business liaison for Salem, had welcomed Darren and Elise with open arms. Her bed-and-breakfast thrived, and Brandy Flint, president of the City of Salem business board, had talked her into accepting the position to share her expertise as part of the community.
“Someday I want a car like Darren’s,” Avery said as they walked past the sleek black Tesla. It screamed understated success.
“I’m working on a passenger van.” Charlene kept her tone droll. “The Pilot will have to suffice for a while longer.”
“I think you should forget the van and order the gazebo and hot tub.” Avery peered at Charlene from over the rim of pink sunglasses. The teen was adorable in short cutoff jeans, sneakers without socks, and a T-shirt advertising Spellbound Movie Theater. Her soft light-brown hair bounced at the tops of her slender shoulders.
“You’ve been talking to Minnie,” Charlene said.
“Maybe.” Avery laughed, guilty as charged.
Charlene could attribute the B-and-B’s success directly to her housekeeper’s magic in the kitchen, and it had earned Charlene’s amazing reviews online. Gaining positive reviews was part of her marketing strategy, and she’d shared that tidbit with Darren and Elise for the movie theater.
She was impressed by the updated building, as well as the miracles time and money could buy. What had leaned sadly to the left was now rebricked and straight. Outside aesthetic, check. Movie specials to bring in the crowds, check. This was just the sort of venue to draw people into Salem. There was no city better at making lemonade from lemons.
“Hey! Can you get the door?” a female voice called from behind them.
Charlene turned as Avery said, “Sure!”
A stylish brunette woman in a leather miniskirt with suit jacket and three-inch black heels held a bouquet of purple-blue flowers. “I can hardly see,” she said, shifting them to one side of her face. Long lashes with cat-eye liner showed off mirthful brown eyes.
Avery opened the door, and the scent of fresh popcorn with butter and salt escaped. Charlene had been clueless about designer seasoning salts until meeting Darren. They weren’t his passion, though; that had been the movie theater, so he didn’t mind pouring money into the venture to get it off the ground. Elise backed his project all the way.
“I’m Klara Maxwell,” the woman behind the flowers said. “Darren’s salt sales rep from Pittsburgh. You see that new car out there? Well, I aim to ensure he can afford ten of them by this time next year. We’re going global!”
Charlene laughed at the young woman’s enthusiasm. It reminded her of when she and Jared, her beloved soul mate, had worked at the ad agency in Chicago. There was a lot of energy in creation, and vibrant salespeople made a world of difference in a product launch. This was the first time she’d met the rep, and Darren spoke of Klara highly.
“I’m Charlene, and this is Avery.” She was glad they weren’t the only late attendees. “Nice to meet you.”
The door shut behind them.
“And you,” Klara said, long lashes blinking as she took it all in. “Wow.”
The interior of the movie theater rivaled the bright lights of a casino. Yellows, blues, reds. Plush carpet beneath their feet, a popcorn machine, pretzels, soda. She even smelled roasted peanuts.
“This is so cool!” Avery removed her sunglasses and scanned the deceptively dim lobby. There were no other moviegoers down here, but laughter was audible from upstairs. Her gaze was drawn to the teen boy across the lobby by the popcorn machine.
Movie posters of The Wolf Man, Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man, House of Frankenstein, Dracula, The Mummy, Frankenstein, and Frankenstein’s Bride were in mega color on the walls. It was like going back in time. Charlene could appreciate the art of the old posters if not the movies themselves. She was willing to keep an open mind.
Darren’s vision all along had been to bring the movie theaters from his childhood to life. He’d grown up in Germany and escaped what he referred to as his personal hell in the cavern-ish sanctuary of darkness. The Wolf Man franchise starring Lon Chaney Jr. was his favorite series, and he and Franco knew all the lines.
Franco Lordes was the film expert at the theater. Things were digital now, but Franco’s expertise was in the old-fashioned reels. He could repair them and had a reverence for them shared by Darren.
You just never knew who might get you in this world. Charlene didn’t care for Hollywood, old or new, but she was all about the buttery, salty popcorn that Darren somehow elevated to new heights with his unique flavors. According to Elise, he had a palate on par with the top chefs of the world.
“Welcome!” Darren called as he and Elise strode toward them. He was dark-haired, and Elise was a blonde. Darren was just a smidge taller than Charlene at five-eight compared to Elise’s five-foot even. He had a muscled chest with a broad forehead, and she was petite to her toes.
“Klara!” Darren roared her name, laughing as he carefully accepted the bright purple-blue flowers and took the vase from her hands. “Only you would dare bring wolfsbane to my opening night.”
Elise blinked prettily. Diamonds winked from her earlobes as well as her fingers, and she wore an ivory sundress. “Wolfsbane? Isn’t that poison and supposed to ward off werewolves?”
“All in good fun,” Klara said, her nose lifted slightly at Elise.
Tension simmered between the ladies. Competition for Darren’s attention?
“Also known as monkshood, because of the shape of the blossom.” Darren pointed to the flower but didn’t touch it. “Among other names that I won’t get into. I should put this in the office so nobody accidentally gets poisoned. Thanks for adding drama, Klara!”
“You brought dangerous flowers to the theater?” Elise stated, clearly appalled.
“It’s a joke. We’re watching The Wolf Man,” Klara explained as if Elise was ignorant of the werewolf lore. “Wolfsbane will keep us all safe just in case of a werewolf attack.” The sales rep bared pearly white teeth.
“I know that, Klara.” Elise’s lower lip pouted. “I’ve seen the movie a hundred times.”
Franco, tall and thin, with great big green eyes and a dark goatee, his dark hair an inch all around his scalp, set his tray of popcorn back on the counter in exchange for the flowers. It was plain to all that Elise was not enjoying the jest. “Even a man who is pure at heart . . .” he said.
Darren continued with an eye twinkle, “. . . and says his prayers at night. May become a wolf when the wolfsbane blooms.”
“And the autumn moon is bright.” Franco and Darren each howled. “The wolf’s next victim will have a mark of the pentagram on their palm,” Franco said theatrically. “Hands out, everyone!”
Charlene, Avery, Klara, and Darren all showed their palms. Elise folded her hands together and said, “That’s silly.”
They all lowered their hands. Charlene discreetly studied the ladies.
“It was meant to be lighthearted,” Klara said, dismissive of Elise. Interesting dynamic between two important women in his life. “Darren, this place is spectacular. I skipped dinner so I could gorge on popcorn.”
“And the soft-baked pretzel rods. Patty helped Seth set them out. Have you met my sister yet?” Elise asked Klara, Charlene, and Avery.
Charlene and Avery shook their heads.
Franco took the flowers toward a door marked OFFICE behind the concession stand.
The prelaunch party for friends and family was twofold. One, to make sure tomorrow’s opening day would go smoothly. Second was as a thank-you for everyone’s help. The strategy to bring in customers with free weekend matinées if they bought a season pass for the summer lineup of movies had been Charlene’s idea.
Elise and Darren had designed a logo of an old-fashioned film reel in black and white with a noir vibe. They would give out novelty red-and-white-striped popcorn holders, with free refills, and an all-you-can-drink soda container that read Spellbound Movie Theater, tomorrow only. They’d advertised in print, radio, and social media and expected to sell all three hundred seats.
“I’ll introduce you.” Elise led the way across the plush maroon carpet in the foyer to the tiled lobby closest to the concession stand, where things were bound to get sticky from spilled drinks and food. Tile was easier to clean.
“Have you seen The Wolf Man before?” Klara asked Charlene. Her heels clicked against the tile as they neared the counter full of snacks. Bright boxes of candy beckoned from behind the glass.
“Once as a kid,” Charlene said. If she admitted she hadn’t been a huge fan, she’d be kicked to the curb. “Avery hasn’t seen any of the films, so this is her first foray into cheesy horror.”
Darren turned around from where he’d stopped at the counter and bestowed a smile on them all. “It’s my obsession,” he admitted. “Elise prefers romantic comedies.”
“You don’t like horror movies?” Avery asked Darren’s wife. The two times Elise had been at the bed-and-breakfast for business planning meetings, Avery had been at school.
Elise crinkled her nose. “Not really. The plan is to have Noir Night on Fridays in the small theater, romantic comedies on Saturdays, then Sunday will be older movies for a discounted price. The main theater will have top headliners, of course. We did the cost evaluation, and it makes more sense to only be open on the weekends unless someone books for a private party.”
“Tonight, we will be in the largest theater with stadium seating.” Darren grinned like he was a kid again. “We’re offering a tasting selection of seasoned salts and a tray so you can dip your popcorn or pretzel and try them all.”
“My favorite is the white truffle.” Klara’s eyes glittered with anticipation as she glanced at the counter and the trays. Popcorn popped merrily in a boxy clear-glass machine. A cute teenager in a Spellbound Movie Theater baseball cap kept smiling at Avery.
Could this be Seth?
“I like the roasted garlic and the dark chocolate. Not together,” Elise said with a self-deprecating chuckle. “Separate.”
“We could try it, schatzi. The sweetness of caramelized garlic combined with the bitterness of a dark cocoa?” Darren licked his lips as if imagining the taste. “If it’s good, we will name it after you, Elise.”
Elise brightened. “I’d love that!”
“I can’t get enough of the herb and chili flake.” Darren rubbed his palms together. “The secret is to start with German sea salt for a base, and there’s no limit to what you can create.”
“This is your baby.” Klara clapped her hand around his forearm. “You’ve done great, Darren. Your gift for flavors has made your movie theater dream come true.”
Elise had mentioned during the business launch meetings that she longed for children and hoped to start a family. Darren had tabled the discussion until after the premiere of the movie theater opening. Charlene knew Elise wished for success in more ways than one.
“Thanks, Klara. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
Elise lost some of her glow at Darren’s comment.
Unaware, Darren faced Charlene and Avery. “Lon Chaney Jr. really makes this movie.” Darren pressed his thumb to his fingers and shook them toward the ceiling. “The suffering he conveys with his eyes, the horror when he realizes—”
“Wait!” Avery said, totally into the new experience. “Don’t spoil it for me, now.”
Franco left the office to join them before the snack counter, the door ajar. “The way you walked was thorny through no fault of your own,” he droned, hands before him. “But as the rain enters the soil . . .”
“. . . the river enters into the sea, so tears run to a predestined end,” Darren said, immediately falling into the verse. Charlene assumed it was from the movie.
“Your suffering is over. Now you will find peace for eternity,” Franco concluded.
Charlene and Klara laughed while Elise barely hid an eye roll.
“Avery!” Seth greeted the young lady over the hum and pop, pop, pop, of the popcorn machine. His good looks were evident despite the cap and movie theater uniform of a crimson polo and tan pants. Brown waves, blue eyes, a lanky physique. “Matthew said since it’s a practice night and we’re giving everyone the same treat for the movie, I can sit with you until intermission.”
“Awesome!” Avery sidled closer to the popcorn machine. Seth filled the second-to-last tray with popcorn, then the final one. Patty added a carton of soft-baked pretzel rods. Charlene noticed they had names on them. Darren’s was already mounded with golden popcorn and salt, as was Elise’s. Matthew’s, Patty’s, Seth’s, and Charlene’s had a sampling tray with a variety of salts. Silver canisters were on a stand that was labeled Shultz’s Seasoned Salts.
“I’m so sorry we’re a few minutes late,” Charlene said.
Darren waved her apology away. “We will start in ten minutes, at six forty-five.” With a glance at his watch, he and Franco hurried up the stairs.
Matthew Sinchuk, the movie theater manager, turned from where he was stacking the empty novelty popcorn boxes in a special tray with The Wolf Man on it. Every month they would have different designs. He was forty, slightly older than Darren, with a small paunch beneath his polo shirt tucked into khakis. Tie. Silver-framed glasses, thick auburn hair. They’d met at one of the launch meetings. “Hi there, Charlene, Klara. Charlene, here is yours. Avery.”
They each accepted their sampling tray. “What a nice touch with the names,” Charlene said.
“Thank you! I thought it would be fun if our special guests had a little keepsake.” Elise rested her elbow on the glass counter. “Hey, Patty, meet Charlene! She owns the bed-and-breakfast. I think you two should talk pastries. Patty makes blueberry muffins that are heaven-sent.”
Charlene appreciated the connection Elise was making, but she would give up Minnie’s magic in the kitchen over her dead body.
A thick-figured brown-haired woman placed a carton of soft pretzels, still steaming, on the last special tray next to the novelty popcorn. “Hello.” Patty was as cute as Elise with the same upturned nose and bright blue eyes. “Nice to finally meet you! Our dad wouldn’t be pleased with the lower profits since his death. I’ve had to learn by trial and error, unfortunately. I’m willing to accept any advice.”
“Anytime,” Charlene said. “Join the City of Salem Business Association. You won’t regret it!”
“This new venture will only help spread the word that Wagner’s Bakery isn’t going anywhere,” Elise said.
Charlene liked that Elise came to her sister’s defense.
“Thanks to you and Darren, I’ll have my name on each tray of snacks.” Patty rotated the cardboard box to show the back where Wagner’s Bakery’s address and phone number were displayed.
“My background is marketing, and that’s prime real estate,” Charlene assured her.
Klara chimed in, reaching for the sampling tray that had her name on it. “Sure is. Should have said Shultz’s Seasoning Salts, but I wasn’t consulted.”
Elise ignored the sales rep and smiled at Avery. “You can choose water or a soft drink from the machine over there. Free refills with your bottle.”
“Thanks!” Avery happily perused her tray of treats. “There are even little gummy bear candies.”
“We hope to entice customers for private parties,” Elise said.
The lights dimmed twice.
“Five minutes to showtime!” Matthew tossed a package of Swedish Fish at Seth. “Go on. Get your popcorn so you can sit with your girlfriend. No such breaks tomorrow, though, got it?”
Seth grinned. His freckles added to the teenage girl’s dream. “Thanks, boss.” He scooted around the counter to shake Charlene’s hand. “I’m Seth.”
“Charlene,” she said, charmed.
Seth joined Avery by the soda machine while Charlene chose water. She had nothing against sweet drinks, but when she had one, she preferred a margarita.
Klara nibbled a piece of popcorn from her tray. “Are you coming, Matthew? Patty?”
The manager nodded. “We’ll be right there. Going to lock the doors, grab a root beer, and extra of the chocolate salt.” He gestured to the array of labeled canisters. White truffle, chocolate, roasted garlic, herb, white cheddar, chili flake. Coconut.
“Aren’t they all so good?” Elise took her box of treats as well as Darren’s. They had full trays with their favorite flavor rather than a little of each. “Matthew, let’s make time for a chat tomorrow morning, to go over what happened yesterday.” Her expression held the remnants of annoyance.
Matthew whipped off his silver-framed glasses, his eyes narrowing as he stared at Elise, not at all subdued regarding the subject. “You bet.”
Charlene, ever so curious, wanted to know what was going on. Opening a business was often highly stressful.
“Darren is probably already in our seats.” Elise batted moisture from her eyes. “This is such a special night for him.”
“You both have worked really hard,” Charlene said, recalling how they’d come to her house with a file folder of plans, and now, six months later, their dream of opening a movie theater was coming true.
Once Elise helped Darren reach his, then he would discuss starting a family. “It’s important,” Elise said. “I want him to succeed.”
Patty grabbed the sampling tray with her name. “I sure hope the movie lives up to the hype.”
They all climbed the carpeted stairs to the second floor. Seth held the door to the theater open for them. Red velvet curtains and gold ropes were reminiscent of old-time theaters. The seats were spacious with tables between them so you didn’t have to put your food and drinks on the floor.
“I love it here!” Avery peered out at the thirty other folks, all friends, with their dates, from the Salem Business Association. Just like in the old days, a cartoon played before the feature film.
Seth took an aisle seat, and then Avery, then Charlene. Klara chose the next one down. “Mind if I sit with you? Franco said I could watch the show in the projector booth on the third floor with him, but I think these seats are going to be more comfortable. This is very exciting.” The sales rep sat back and crossed long legs made longer by her miniskirt.
“It is,” Charlene said.
Klara leaned forward so she could look at Charlene, Avery, and Seth. “What’s your fave so far?”
“Chocolate,” Avery said. “For the popcorn. For the pretzel rods, I prefer the chili flakes.”
“Good choices,” Klara confirmed.
“I like the herbs for the popcorn and the truffle for the pretzels,” Seth said. “But to be fair, I already tried them during training for the concession counter. It’s such a great idea.”
Klara tilted her head as if mentally calculating marketing figures with the demographic of teens versus adults. “What about the roasted garlic?”
“It’s great,” Seth said with a slight blush as he glanced at Avery, “but not for a date.”
“Fair!” Klara chuckled and dipped her popcorn into the roasted garlic salt. “I am free as a bird today.” She tossed the kernel in her mouth and chewed with exaggerated delight.
“What’s your favorite, Charlene?” Avery asked.
Charlene had just tried two so far. White cheddar and Dijon. “I don’t know yet till I try them all, but these soft pretzels with the Dijon salt might be my new addiction.”
“Hang on. I’ll be right back,” Elise said in a terse tone. “Excuse me.” She passed by the row, practically tripping over feet in the dim lighting.
“Are you okay?” Charlene asked.
Elise shook her head. “Our popcorn must have gotten mixed up. Darren prefers the crushed herb and chili, and he got mine with the roasted garlic. As if I’d want to make him unhappy! I bet you Matthew switched the popcorn salt on purpose.”
Elise left the theater for the concession area. The heavy red drapes around the doorway fluttered, and Charlene felt a chill.
Klara pursed her lips. “I wouldn’t be at all surprised,” the sales rep murmured, “if poor Matthew is about to get fired.”
After that pronouncement, Klara followed Elise out of the theater, leaving her novelty popcorn tray at the small table by her seat.
“Wow. I guess Elise and Matthew don’t get along?” Avery said. They talked in a hush so as not to be heard over the cartoon in the background.
Seth dipped a pretzel into the white truffle salt. “Elise looks sweet, but she’s got a temper. Patty is the nice one. Yesterday during training, Elise ripped Matthew’s head off for not closing the office door. He said he did, but it was open. Franco joked around about it being opened by a ghost, and Elise lost her mind.”
Charlene knew ghosts were real, but it hadn’t been an easy adjustment to her Midwestern sensibilities. “She doesn’t believe in them?”
Seth raised a brow and sipped from his soda bottle. “Ghosts are an accepted fact in Salem for a lot of people.” He peered at Avery, then Charlene. “Matthew has worked as a manager in this building during the last two businesses. He believes he’s seen things.”
Darren and Matthe. . .
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