Killer Praise for Sara Rosett and the Ellie Avery Series!
MAGNOLIAS, MOONLIGHT AND MURDER
“Rosett’s engaging fourth Mom Zone mystery finds super efficient crime-solver Ellie Avery living in a new subdivision in North Dawkins, GA…Some nifty party tips help keep the sleuthing on the cozy side.”
—Publishers Weekly
GETTING AWAY IS DEADLY
“A fast-paced romp through Washington, D.C., with super-sleuthing Ellie Avery. No mystery is a match for the likable, efficient Ellie, who unravels this multilayered plot with skill and class.”
—Romantic Times Book Reviews (four stars)
“Rosett skillfully interweaves a subplot about a Korean War veteran recovering his memory and provides practical travel tips from Ellie’s organizational Web site, Everything in Its Place.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Hyperorganized Ellie is an engaging heroine, always ready with tips for organizing your life.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Getting Away Is Deadly keeps readers moving down some surprising paths—and on the edge of their chairs—until the very end.”
—Cozy Library
STAYING HOME IS A KILLER
“If you like cozy mysteries that have plenty of action and lots of suspects and clues, Staying Home Is a Killer will be a fun romp through murder and mayhem. This is a mystery with a ‘mommy lit’ flavor…. A fun read.”
—Armchair Interviews
“Thoroughly entertaining. The author’s smooth, succinct writing style enables the plot to flow effortlessly until its captivating conclusion.”
—Romantic Times Book Reviews (four stars)
“A satisfying, well-executed cozy…The author inclues practical tips for organizing closets, but the novel’s most valuable insight is its window into women’s lives on a military base.”
—Publishers Weekly
MOVING IS MURDER
“A fun debut for an appealing young heroine.”
—Carolyn Hart, author of the Death on Demand mystery series
“Armed with her baby and her wits, new mom and military spouse Ellie Avery battles to unmask a wily killer in this exciting debut mystery. A squadron of suspects, a unique setting, and a twisted plot will keep you turning pages!”
—Nancy J. Cohen, author of the Bad Hair Day mystery series
“Everyone should snap to attention and salute this fresh new voice. Interesting characters, a tight plot, and an insider peek at the life of a military wife make this a terrific read.”
—Denise Swanson, nationally bestselling author of the Scumble River mystery series
“An absorbing read that combines sharp writing and tight plotting with a fascinating peek into the world of military wives. Jump in!”
—Cynthia Baxter, author of the Reigning Cats & Dogs mystery series
“Reading Sara Rosett’s Moving is Murder is like making a new friend—I can’t wait to brew a pot of tea and read all about sleuth Ellie Avery’s next adventure!”
—Leslie Meier, author of the Lucy Stone mystery series
“Mayhem, murder, and the military! Sara Rosett’s debut crackles with intrigue. Set in a very realistic community of military spouses, Moving Is Murder keeps you turning pages through intricate plot twists and turns. Rosett is an author to watch.”
—Alesia Holliday, author of the December Vaughn mystery series
“A cozy debut that’ll help you get organized and provide entertainment in your newfound spare time.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Packed with helpful moving tips, Rosett’s cute cozy debut introduces perky Ellie Avery…an appealing heroine, an intriguing insider peek into air force life.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Ellie’s intelligent investigation highlights this mystery. There are plenty of red herrings along her path to solving the murderous puzzle—along with expert tips on organizing a move. The stunning conclusion should delight readers.”
—Romantic Times
THE ELLIE AVERY MYSTERIES
By Sara Rosett
MOVING IS MURDER
STAYING HOME IS A KILLER
GETTING AWAY IS DEADLY
MAGNOLIA, MOONLIGHT, AND MURDER
MINT JULEPS, MAYHEM, AND MURDER
Magnolias, Moonlight, and Murder
Sara Rosett
KENSINGTON BOOKS
http://www.kensingtonbooks.com
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-one
Chapter Thirty-two
Chapter One
One hour. Just give it one hour, I told myself. That’s the advice I give my organizing clients when clutter overwhelms them. Break up the large jobs into smaller tasks. It’s what I told Livvy when her attempts to write her name nearly drove her to tears. One letter at a time. One chunk of clutter at a time.
Of course it’s easier to give advice than to follow it yourself, I decided as I folded the flaps back on a box that contained our tax returns from the last five years. It was the same box I’d opened almost an hour ago, but life, in the form of dirty diapers, lost socks, and a spider in the bathroom sink had whittled away at my time.
Mitch stuck his head around the door frame of the spare bedroom and said, “Wow, doesn’t look like you’ve gotten much done.”
His tone was matter-of-fact, but I was aggravated.