Muffalettas and Murder (Small Town Girl Mysteries)
Genre: Cozy mystery
Evangeline Delafose is finding Graisseville, Louisiana just as she remembered—boring and uneventful. Until her brother Nate asks her to help solve a murder.
Buy link Book 1): https://www.amazon.com/Muffalettas-Murder-Small-Town-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0BPQYJQ3T
Book 2 due out in July
EXCERPT:
My new PI insisted on driving me to the coffee shop. It turned out to be the better plan, because Shorty specialized in being nosey. People expected him to ask personal questions, and they felt comfortable sharing information. Shorty had his own dirty laundry that he easily aired, so no one felt ashamed to return the favor.
Shorty and I differed in that respect, for sure. Moving back to my hometown had been difficult. Personally, I preferred the anonymity of New Orleans, where I could run to the grocery store for milk without suffering an inquisition disguised as conversation. It sounds unfeeling, I’m sure. But sometimes I just want to go to the store with a baseball cap and no makeup, without whispers of “Have you seen Evangeline Delafose lately? Honey, that girl is worn slap out.”
Maggie’s Coffee Shop, a welcome addition to our community since I’d left, served two important functions. Most of the 298 residents purchased Maggie’s coffee delights and scrumptious baked goods, marveling at how they’d survived before she opened. The coffee shop also gave the village a place to quietly eavesdrop on each other’s lives. It became my saving grace, a place to dole out the bits and pieces of my life I didn’t mind sharing, speaking just loudly enough that the entire shop could catch up. I always wore makeup, so I didn’t look worn slap out.
The owner and namesake of my favorite coffee shop leaned against the counter, her smile widening in recognition. This woman was born to dispense coffee, from her hair the color of cold brew to eyes resembling her famous cinnamon dolce latte.
“Hey Ev, hey Shorty! What can I get ya’?” Maggie made everyone feel welcome, even if she didn’t have a clue who they were. Most likely she knew a brother or a cousin, or a friend of her new patron. As she served each order, she took care to make the customer feel welcome. Her coffee shop reminded me of the 1980s sitcom Cheers, which would make her our Sam.
Maggie made hands-down the best chai tea latte, but her café americano was hard to beat. Most days I struggled with that life choice. Should I get the tried and true, or be adventurous? My brow furrowed like a rice farm before planting, when my partner eased my pain.
“Doc’ll take a chay tea lat-tay an’ I’ll have my usual.“ He scanned the shop, spotting a couple of buddies.
Maggie chuckled at Shorty’s pronunciation of my chai tea latte, but she covered well with a cough.
“Oh, hey Doc, this is part of my plus expenses—right? So you’ve got the bill.“ Not waiting for an answer, he moseyed toward his buddies. Sighing, I reached for my credit card.
“Since when do you and Shorty hang out together? I know your families have been friends for years, but…well…” Maggie’s voice trailed off.
“Shorty fixed my washing machine, so I offered to buy him a cup of…” I paused. Obviously, I didn’t know my friend as well as he knew me. “Hey Maggie, what exactly is his usual?” And how did he know mine?
Maggie laughed as if she’d heard a hilarious joke. “We call it, The Shorty—It’s chicory coffee with cayenne pepper sprinkled on top, just like his mama Madie used to make. Except that he adds five shots of espresso.”
“That explains a lot about Shorty! But how does he know my favorite drink?” This story had to be interesting.
“Oh, that’s easy. He and your dad come in here a lot, and one time they got to arguing whether you preferred tea or coffee. They settled the bet by asking me which drink you order the most.” Maggie’s grin commandeered her face. “Shorty won, and your dad pouted for days.”
Were all the men in my life hanging out together, conspiring to run it for me? Who was I kidding? They could do a better job than I had done lately. My dad and I would have to have a talk about his topics of conversations with his friends.
“Hey, Doc! When yer done jawin’, come on over an’ meet muh buddies!”
Jawin’? What exactly did Shorty think he was doing? That guy gossiped more than a ladies’ weekly sewing circle.
Maggie flashed a knowing smile. “Don’t worry, Ev. I’ll have Avery bring out your drinks.”