Murder with Strings Attached
by Mark Reutlinger
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GENRE: Suspense/Mystery (crime caper/humorous fiction)
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BLURB:
Sometimes even the most carefully conceived burglary can take an unexpected
turn. Florence Palmer has her eye on concert violinist Aaron Levy's priceless
violin. Unfortunately, she finds it's already been stolen. Her surprise
doubles when the virtuoso she'd planned to burgle offers to hire her to help
him steal it back. But they're not the only ones looking for the missing
violin. When Flo inadvertently becomes the prime suspect in a case of murder,
she and Aaron need to clear her name. Will they find the real killer and get
the violin back to its rightful owner without anyone else, especially
themselves, being killed?
Passing the front desk on my way to the elevator, I wanted to avoid eye contact
with any of the clerks on duty. But, like Lot’s wife, I couldn’t resist just a
peek. Unfortunately, one of the check-in clerks, an older woman with gray hair
pulled back into a tight bun, happened to be looking in my direction and our
eyes met.
The woman immediately called to me, “Miss, would you please step over here?”
I returned a mimed “Who, me?” gesture. The bun lady nodded in the
affirmative.
Damn, that’s all I need, I berated myself. I just had to look, didn’t I? But I
knew I now had no choice but to comply. I walked over slowly as I tried
frantically to think of answers, having no idea what the questions might be.
Would I be asked who I was and what I was doing here? If so, would my answers be
credible? When I reached the desk I tried to act nonchalant.
“Yes, ma’am?”
The bun lady said, “Just a moment, please,” and reached under the desk.
Totally irrationally it flashed through my mind that the woman was going to pull
out a pistol and place me under arrest. Good thing I’d just peed, or I’d
probably have done it now. It’s amazing what tricks a guilty conscience can play
on you. What she actually pulled out, however, was a stack of letters. She
handed them to me and, motioning toward a mail box mounted on the far wall,
said, “Would you be a dear and drop these in the box over there?”
I accepted the letters and the assignment with relief. “Certainly, ma’am. No
problem.”
I marched directly over to the mail box and deposited the letters. I then
continued on my way to the service elevator, this time resisting any urge to
look anywhere but straight ahead.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
MARK REUTLINGER is an attorney and former law professor. He now writes novels in
which the law is frequently broken, including his “Mrs. Kaplan” cozy mystery
series (MRS. KAPLAN AND THE MATZOH BALL OF DEATH and A PAIN IN THE TUCHIS) and
the political thrillers MADE IN CHINA and SISTER-IN-LAW: VIOLATION, SEDUCTION,
AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES (under the pen name M. R. Morgan). MURDER
WITH STRINGS ATTACHED is his latest novel. He is also a reviewer for the New
York Journal of Books.
Mark and his wife Analee live in University Place, Washington, where in addition
to reading and writing he plays clarinet with the Tacoma Concert Band and enjoys
tennis, biking, exotic cars, model railroading, and various arts and crafts. He
has no idea where he finds the time for it all.
Buy Links:
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
Mark Reutlinger will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner
via rafflecopter during the tour.
4 Comments
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteI like the cover
ReplyDeleteLooks like a good book; thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletePlease try not to spam posts with the same comments over and over again. Authors like seeing thoughtful comments about their books, not the same old, "I like the cover" or "sounds good" comments. While that is nice, putting some real thought and effort in is appreciated. Thank you.