Murder Under the Mistletoe

Book 2: A Mainely Murder Mystery

by Sherry Lynn

Genres: Amateur Sleuth; Cozy Mystery; Female Sleuths

Synopsis

In a fresh new Maine-set holiday cozy, landscaper Kinsley Clark must root out a killer before she becomes the prime suspect.

Landscape artist and owner of SeaScapes, Kinsley Clark has been re-hired to decorate the town of Harborside for the upcoming holiday season and boat parade. Using the local elements found in Maine, Kinsley creates kissing balls—the town’s official mistletoe—to hang downtown and along the wharf. Kinsley is also responsible for Harborside’s official “lobster-stacked” Christmas tree, located beside the local marina, where the annual Harborside Boat Parade & Fireworks Display takes place.

When local alderman Chris Chesterfield—dressed up as the Grinch, right down to the green face paint—falls off the pier and into the icy Atlantic the night of the annual kickoff event, the town is in shock. But all eyes turn to Kinsley and her beautiful decorations when it becomes evident that Chris didn't fall after all—and that he was looking to replace SeaScapes with a different decorating team. Kinsley, along with bestie, Becca, and Pete, the owner of the Blue Lobstah, must unearth the truth before Kinsley takes the fall.

Release date: November 7, 2023

Publisher: Berkley

Print pages: 288

Sample

Chapter 1

The scent of pine boughs permeated the dining room of the Salty Breeze Inn, and the cheery sound of Andy Williams singing "Happy Holiday" filled the air. Meanwhile, a crackling wood fire, built in the original stone-stacked fireplace, kept everyone toasty warm, despite the room's tall timber ceiling.

Kinsley Clark looked away from the festive group of volunteer elves and smiled when she noticed her best friend, Becca, enter the room, plucking snowflakes from her long dark hair. Becca brushed the hint of snow off her wool coat.

"You made it!" Kinsley said. Becca's grin grew wide as Kinsley moved to welcome her. "And just in time, too, we could use you at the ribbon station."

"Ribbon station? I hope you have someone who can teach me how to tie bows, otherwise you might be in trouble." Becca's golden eyes, which mimicked the center of a sunflower, twinkled. She slipped out of her coat and hung it on the back of a nearby chair before greeting Kinsley with a half hug.

"I'm just glad you're here and safe with us now. It looks like the snow started already, huh?" Kinsley asked before the two took a step closer to the table.

"Yeah, and it's really sticking out there-faster than the weather forecaster predicted." Becca's salon-groomed brows fell into a frown. "Not sure I'm ready for winter to rear its ugly head just yet. We haven't even finished our leftover turkey from Thanksgiving!"

"Hey, now, 'tis the season." Kinsley elbowed her friend playfully. "Life in Harborside, Maine, can't be all warm sunny beach days," she added. "Besides, don't you just love the first snow? It puts everyone in the holiday spirit. Which is exactly what we need right about now to prepare for the upcoming boat parade. Next weekend will be here before you know it. I promised the town council I'd have Harborside fully decorated by then, as it's the town's official holiday kickoff party, and I will deliver on that promise!" Kinsley pumped an excited fist into the air.

Becca gestured to the group gathered around the table. "Yeah, looks like you rounded up a good group of volunteers to help this year. I'm sure you'll get it all done."

"I did! I actually had to turn volunteers away. Everyone loves the process of helping create these kissing balls that I use to decorate the town. Fa-la-la-la, 'tis the season for help and cheer! I just love this time of year," Kinsley crooned.

"I wish I could share in your enthusiasm and holiday spirit. I just had my third cancellation this week; I'm feeling a little bummed," Becca admitted. "Unfortunately, things tend to hit a lull for the real estate biz during the holidays, as snowy winter weather doesn't exactly make clients all that excited to pack up and move." Becca lowered her voice again and leaned into Kinsley. "Which isn't exactly helping my purse strings and my upcoming Christmas shopping list, if you know what I mean. I might just need to find a second job to get me through this winter." She sighed.

"Look no further if it's work you're looking for, because I could use some extra hands at SeaScapes. That is, if you're up for it? Besides Harborside needing Christmas decorations, I have several clients lined up who've requested that I prep for their holiday gatherings, too. Seems people are just too busy to handle it this year. They're asking for their trees to be put up and their homes to look festive. Honestly, I was wondering how I would get it all done. You might even find a few new real estate clients out of the deal. The job's yours if you want it." Kinsley shrugged.

"Really? I mean, you're already paying Adam, aren't you?" Becca said, nodding in his direction. "You can't afford to add me to the payroll, too, can you?"

Kinsley lowered her voice to match Becca's. "Well, technically, yeah, Adam's getting paid for today, but that's mainly to help Alice. I can't bear to think of his mother as a single mom handling everything on her own this time of year. Harborside's an expensive place to live and it can't be easy for her. I know Adam gives his mom a portion of his salary, but don't tell him I told you how endearing he is."

"He does? Aw, what a sweetheart." Becca nodded. "I knew you had a keeper with him."

Kinsley ushered them farther out of earshot. "Anyway, I love bringing the community together to craft the kissing balls and I really do appreciate the help. But they're not doing the heavy lifting-I still need to hang them and decorate the entire town. Between the profits that the town puts aside to pay SeaScapes and the extra clients . . . there's more than enough work to go around. So not to worry, my friend. I've got ya covered." She nudged her friend playfully again with her elbow.

Becca still didn't look overly convinced, so Kinsley continued, "None of that frowny face. I don't want you to stress-especially over the holidays. It's the best time of the year!"

"Kins, you're sweeter than your aunt's Christmas cookies, there's no doubt about it." Becca threw her arm around her and gave a light squeeze. "I'll gladly take the job. Decorating sure does put me in the spirit, and it'll be fun. Plus, the best part? I get to hang out with you!"

Kinsley was glad that her good business fortune could help out her friend and put a glowing smile on her face. Kinsley's landscape and garden business, based out of the caretaker's cottage behind her aunt Tilly's Salty Breeze Inn, kicked into high gear during the winter months. She was solely responsible for all of the town's seasonal decor using mostly natural elements found locally in Maine and it was quite a production. Therefore, Kinsley had convinced her aunt Tilly to let her use the inn the weekend after Thanksgiving to coordinate all her decorating efforts. In turn, she would transform the Salty Breeze Inn into a magical holiday destination that would make guests want to linger. It was a win-win for both of them and the only weekend of the entire year the inn was closed to the public.

"I'm so glad you're here to help this year," Kinsley repeated, taking Becca by the arm and leading her back to the rest of the group. "We need you here-right, guys?" Kinsley looked around the long dining room table and added, "You all remember my friend Becca?"

A bunch of greetings ensued as folks stopped what they were doing to welcome Becca with a wave, nod, or hello. The group of volunteers were already busy creating the Christmas kissing balls that would be used all over Harborside. The kissing balls, which were made up of round clusters of greenery, were making a comeback. Traditionally, they originated from the seventeenth century and hung from entryways and doorways within a home, so that everyone who passed beneath one would be gifted with blessings and good tidings. Over the centuries they eventually became a replacement for mistletoe. They were crafted from rosemary, thyme, and mistletoe, symbolizing love and devotion. Kinsley chose to use more traditional pine branches native to Maine, though, such as, cedar, fir, white pine, and boxwood. This made it a more symbolic tradition for the town. These beautiful orbs would soon be hung from the light posts on Main Street and sprinkled around the town of Harborside, including at the wharf and marina.

"Oh, Becca, did I overhear you say Kinsley is sweeter than my holiday cookies? She is pretty special." Aunt Tilly beamed as she crossed the room with a freshly baked plate of Christmas cookies. "I can't say I disagree with you, but you'll have to taste one and see for yourself. These just happen to be topped with a kiss."

"You heard that?" Becca said, astonished, as a French-manicured hand flew to her chest.

"Her ears are like a bat's; don't let her age fool you," Kinsley said with a giggle. "The woman's amazing! Someone's got a birthday coming up real soon, too. Aunt Tilly's turning sixty-three in a few weeks. We'll have to plan a party!"

Tilly clucked her tongue. "Oh, none of that. When you get to be my age, you don't need a party to remind you that the clock is tickin'." She set the cookies on the table in front of the group of volunteers. "Here, Becca, have one," she further encouraged, gesturing with her outstretched hand. "Hopefully, this should make your effort of driving in the snow worth it," she added, shining as brightly as a Christmas star atop a tree. Kinsley's aunt clearly loved the holiday season, too.

"Ooh, those do look amazing," Becca said, leaning in to examine the plate. "Oh yes, they're the peanut butter kiss cookies!" Becca exclaimed. "Now it's really starting to feel like Christmas around here." She looked to Kinsley with a grin.

"I know, right? Lucky for us, she'll be baking all season long; this is only the beginning. Right, Aunt Tilly?"

"You know I can't help myself, darlin'. I've been told holiday treats are my inn's specialty, and I wouldn't want to disappoint any of my guests," she answered with a devilish grin. Kinsley wondered by the look on her aunt's face if she had a new recipe up her sleeve. Either way, sugar-smacking desserts wouldn't be lacking at the inn the entire month of December. Which made all the visitors who crossed the threshold and Kinsley and her friends quite happy, too.

"I'll take one of those!" Adam, Kinsley's summer employee, piped up, stealing one from the plate and immediately stuffing the entire cookie into his mouth. He groaned with pleasure as melted chocolate leaked out the sides of his mouth and he attempted to catch it with his tongue.

"Adam!" his mother, Alice, scolded. "I raised you with better manners than that. You're going to choke to death. Take smaller bites! Plus, the way you're huffing it, that cookie is going to get all stuck in your braces," she added with a tsk. Alice, too, had been swindled into helping as a volunteer. Adam's mom had been recently hired as a housekeeper at Edna's house next door. Which was a full-time job, as Edna Williamsburg owned an oceanside mansion. Alice was also known for making the best bows in town, and she was currently hard at work, twisting and pulling on loops. Meanwhile, Adam's young sister, Melody, played with the rolls of wired ribbon at her mother's feet.

Each of the volunteers bustled around the table, managing their specific tasks. Cari Day, who worked at the humane society, was responsible for attaching chicken wire to the floral Oasis. She then handed them over to Jackie Horn, a busy stay-at-home mom of three, who soaked the Oasis pieces in a bucket of water to prepare them for branches.

Adam was responsible for cutting each variety of pine branch to an even six inches long and then stripping the ends off. Kinsley took the different evergreens that he'd cut and arranged them into piles, so that each kissing ball would have a well-rounded selection of branches.

Mallory Chesterfield, the owner of the local florist shop, Precious Petals, located in downtown Harborside, had donated the winterberry, holly, and dogwood, and was cutting them to size to add a pop of festive color. She had donated these sprigs in hopes of showcasing items from her shop that she used in her floral arrangements. Kinsley thought it a marketing win-win for both businesses. She even suggested Mallory put a sign in her shop window stating that the kissing balls were provided by SeaScapes and Precious Petals.

Pete O'Rourke, the owner of the local tavern, the Blue Lobstah, which was located alongside the marina, had stopped by to lend a hand, too. The New England name to the eatery had everyone in town using his Boston slang. Which is why he'd chosen to name his restaurant after his roots. Pete was busy sticking the limbs into the soaked Oasis and poking his fingers with prickly branches along the way. Occasionally, the group would hear an "Ouch!" utter from the bar owner's lips, and a wounded finger would pop into his mouth.

Tilly provided the group with endless mugs of hot cocoa topped with homemade marshmallow and a dollop of cream. And by the recent looks of things, a large supply of cookies. Candy canes were set in mason jars all down the center of the table in case anyone wanted to stir their cocoa or enjoy the peppermint treat as they labored. These numerous delights enticed the volunteers to happily make a reappearance year after year.

"Peter, would you mind adding a few logs to the fire while I run back to the kitchen to check the oven? I don't want to burn my next batch of cookies," Tilly asked.

Kinsley looked over to Pete and lifted her hands in a shrug. Her aunt was the only one in town who called him Peter and seemed to refuse to call him Pete, despite multiple corrections on Kinsley's part. He smiled back at her with his winning smile. A smile that lit his face and made you think he'd just won the lottery. He rose from the dining chair and went straight to the task.

"Becca, would you mind joining Alice at the bow-making station? I'll head over to help Pete load the fire," Kinsley asked. "I'm pretty up to task at my station."

"Uh-huh," Becca teased with a playful swat to Kinsley's backside. "Like he needs the help. But you go on ahead, my friend." She waggled her eyebrows. "It sounds to me like you're just looking for a moment alone with our Boston friend over there."

No doubt, Kinsley and Becca hung out quite a bit at Pete's establishment. And to Becca's credit, Kinsley was the one encouraging it. Something about that Pete O'Rourke had her coming back for more. But it was complicated. They were both remarkably busy with their respective businesses, and time off was hard to come by so any time spent together meant her hanging on the end of his bar. Something she didn't really want to make a habit of.

"He's my friend. Can't women and men just be friends?" Kinsley protested.

Becca simply batted her eyelashes and made a kissy face. Kinsley responded with an eye roll before nudging Becca back in the direction of the bows and turning toward the fireplace. Thankfully, Pete had his back turned, oblivious to the goings-on. He was down on one knee and loading logs into the fire but turned when she laid a soft hand on his shoulder.

"Thanks for keeping this going." Kinsley then extended her arms out to feel the heat of the roaring fire. "It feels so nice, doesn't it?"