Showing results by author "Cindy Davis" in All Categories

Barrie Bennett has a talent for turning junk into unique and useful things. It’s a profitable enterprise. But so far, it hasn’t been without its problems. The last one ended her up in the hospital. That won’t happen again. No way. Her newest find: a 100-year-old sewing machine cabinet, will soon be a bathroom vanity. Found in one of the drawers is a book. Not just any book. A first edition Grapes of Wrath, valued somewhere around $50K. She doesn’t feel right keeping it. Unfortunately, returning the book to its original owner causes a whole mess of trouble. Meanwhile, her sister has ...

The Texas hill town of Magnolia Bluff looms as a mere distraction for Bliss Jager when the new-to-her motorcycle breaks down under a banner publicizing the annual persimmon festival. Her other thought at the time: What in the world is a persimmon? Only in town an hour, she’s offered pizza-for-life and a job at Doyle’s General Store. The job comes with two perks: a yellow throat toucan, which is odd enough, but add to that the ghost of Merrick Doyle and life takes a vociferously strange turn. The fatherly man is friendly and much loved, and related to most everyone in town. Trouble is, ...

Can a yellow throat toucan, and lyrics from Bruce Springsteen songs, help Joy solve the murder of a prominent philanthropist? Turmoil comes to Uncertain, Florida in several ways. First, Joy’s roommate, Whitney falls from a ladder during a design job and breaks her ankle. No problem. Joy simply goes along and does the heavy lifting. The second bit of trouble is the most…well, troubling. Joy’s parents arrive unexpectedly, each with a goal. Robert wants his daughter back in Maryland to take over the family business. And all Jillian’s friends are boasting about new grandchildren, and ...

Barrie Bennett is ecstatic about the opening of her store: Flea Market Flip Shop in Key Largo, Florida. Her brand-new project: recycling a dozen terracotta pots, vases, and urns, into a spectacular garden fountain. Well, that’s the plan, but a body under the pile of ceramic puts the job on hold. There is a positive side: Captain Conklin doesn’t try to blame her for it. Yet. She and sister Holland are looking forward to their first Thanksgiving together in many years. Until their parents come to visit. Normally, that’s a good thing…but Mom’s biological clock is booming, and ...

Barrie Bennett is buried in plans for a gratitude party for her neighbors, who stood by her during Captain Conklin’s quest for power. Videos of his behavior go viral and he is soon headed out of town. In the meantime, it’s time for the Christmas season at her Flea Market Flip Shop in Key Largo. The most recent restoration project, a giant oak mantel, its front peppered with tack-holes from generations of stockings hung by the chimney with care. A big surprise: two secret panels at the base of each leg. Finally, the mantel’s panels open revealing silver coins from a ship sunk in 1688 ...

It’s official, Grayson has moved to Hawaii. Barrie’s not really ready to jump into life without him, but sometimes you have no choice. And she’s doing okay until she’s turning a hickory dining table into a foyer bench for her Flea Market Flip Shop. The problem? The underside of the table holds a message written in blood—a clue to an unsolved murder case from three months ago. New Captain Tina Samoset reopens the murder case, determined to find the woman’s killer. To that end, she compels Barrie’s involvement in the investigation. A second problem is Gray’s smothering ...

A strange burst of energy at a Mount Shasta, California spiritual retreat for kids has an unexpected and most extraordinary outcome. Jade has converted her Mount Shasta school for advanced spirituality into a retreat for kids. The first session is a rousing success, except for two things... Her daughter K’iin is manipulated by the spirit of her great-grandfather Zipacna, who seems determined to cause chaos and dissention amongst the group. Amid this turmoil, Zipacna senses a disturbing explosion of energy near the complex. He relates this to the family, but because of his recent behavior,...

Can a yellow throat toucan, and lyrics from JJ Cale songs, help Joy solve the murder of a young girl’s parents thought to have died in a horrific car crash? Happy times arrive in central Florida as Joy, Anna, and Whitney, prepare to renovate an old warehouse into a place where kids of all ages can hang out and learn how to ‘pay it forward’. Because of an endowment from one of Uncertain’s leading citizens, The Down ’n Dirty Brigade will soon become a reality. Even the adults in town are excited for a safe place the kids can hang out. Naturally, things in Uncertain don’t remain ...

Angie Deacon’s partner has gone to Broadway to follow his dream, and she’s left alone to produce Prince & Pauper’s first play of the new year. Proudly she narrows the group of leading-man applicants to pharmaceuticals salesman Stone Powers. His six-pack abs and charisma have the female cast practically swooning. Stone accepts the attention with cool professionalism, even as wives pop up like dandelions in a field. When he arrives drunk at the theater two days in a row, Angie isn’t surprised; keeping three wives from learning of each other could drive anyone to drink. The next day, ...

The barking dog's owner lay dead in the living room Angie was last seen in a confrontation with him Several other people have better motives--but she is the main suspect. Especially when his wife is found dead later--and once again Angie was the last to see her alive. Angie Deacon thought her vacation in Weirs Beach, New Hampshire would be relaxing. But the dog next door would not stop barking. After two sleepless nights, she confronts the handsome, athletic owner at the local diner. When he doesn't even apologize... Their ‘discussion’ ends in a near knockdown drag-out.The following ...

A Picasso disappears en route from Chicago to New Hampshire. While the truck is moving. The multi-million dollar painting is there, then it’s not. It’s gone, but it can’t be.

In 1979, Ian Merryweather's biggest dream is to be sheriff of a small town, but a disabling wound in Vietnam sidelines him. While he's on the mend, his best friend Chief Clement Baker is murdered, and Ian inherits the job. His first inclination is to refuse the position. He feels guilty getting the cherished position this way. But who else will dedicate himself to finding the killer? Especially when the State Police have taken the chief's son Barney into custody, and there's a killer on the loose. And what about the lovely Lucy? She deserves so much more than sly womanizer Eric Bremer.

Can a yellow-throat toucan, and lyrics from Jimmy Buffett’s songs help Joy solve a month-old murder? The central Florida town of Uncertain looms as a mere distraction for Joy Wagner when the new-to-her motorcycle breaks down under a banner publicizing the annual mud festival. Why would anyone celebrate mud? Sounds disgusting, but she’s stuck here till her bike’s fixed. In less than an hour, her luck changes. She’s offered pizza-for-life and a job at Moore’s General Store. The job comes with two perks: a yellow-throated toucan, which is odd enough, but add to that the ghost of ...

A life-or-death secret can never remain secret. There’s always someone who knows. And tells. Jade and Luna thought their five-year-old daughter’s ability to manifest was a secret. But someone has found out, and they’re determined to use it to their advantage. K’iin K’aay is kidnapped from their home in Mexico. Luna manages to get her back, but it’s clear the perpetrator won’t stop with one attempt. The family is on the run. Somehow the men keep locating them. Miguel suspects K’iin K’aay’s ex nanny is providing information on their whereabouts. But it happens even after ...

How can the number one thoroughbred in the country disappear while on a practice run at the track? Ocho Rios, the number one thoroughbred in the country, has just been sold for $10.7 million. The new owner watches him run a practice lap at the Lexington, Kentucky track—ears are back, mane flying, hooves pounding the dirt. But as the sweaty animal returns trackside, it’s quickly obvious another horse has taken Ocho Rios’ place. He was only out of sight for three seconds while he rounded the backstretch. How could a substitution be made with dozens of people looking on? And who is the ...

Can a yellow throat toucan, and lyrics from Billy Joel songs, help Joy solve the murder of Loco-Motion’s lead singer?The entire Moore clan is celebrating Thanksgiving at Old Man Thompson’s barn. Though Joy’s not blood-related, they insist she be a part, which makes sense since months ago she uncovered the murderer of patriarch Merrick Moore, who now resides, in spirit, in the general store. The barn walls vibrate with the beat from the popular band Loco-Motion. Suddenly, the lead singer lights up like a roman candle on New Years Eve. Nona Williamson has been electrocuted and things ...

When strange voices fill the air, what do you do? RUN? Moving into our new home with my beautiful wife Cindy and daughter Naomi, we never expected our lives to change. I started noticing weird things, but I didn't tell my wife. Was I going crazy? Why were things with my family not good? Why weren't my prayers answered? I prayed to God for help. One day, while I was checking downstairs, my wife heard a voice in our room say, 'Hey, buddy.' It wasn't in her head; she heard it out loud. What would YOU do in my place?

Running back Gazelle Walker disappears in front of 60,000 gaping football fans. Can insurance recovery experts Smith & Westen find him before the unthinkable happens? Virginia Supernova Rudolph Gazelle Walker races downfield, arms outstretched. The ball sails smoothly into his hands. He is immediately tackled by four members of the Baltimore Crusaders. When the dust settles and the pileup cleared, Gazelle has disappeared. All that remains is his shiny new helmet. Phoebe—call me that again and you eat dirt—Smith, and Westen Hughes, recovery experts from New Hampshire Property and ...

Angie Deacon was the last to see Nolan Little alive. Which makes her a prime suspect in his death. Sure, he was gruff and insensitive. Treated his wife like dirt. But besides Valerie, why would any of the five strangers on board want him dead? None of them knew him before today. Or did they? Police detective Colby Jarvis storms the boat determined to unveil the killer before they get back to shore. What a feather in the widower's cap that would be. He falls hook, line, and sinker at his first sight of Angie, but she is married and off limits.

The entire Doyle clan is celebrating Easter at Old Man Thompson’s barn. Though Bliss isn’t blood-related, they insist she be a part, which kind-a makes sense since months ago she uncovered the murderer of patriarch Merrick Doyle, who now resides, in spirit, in the general store. The barn walls vibrate with the beat from the popular band Loco-Motion. Suddenly, the lead singer lights up like fireworks on the Fourth of July. Nina Warren has been electrocuted, and things look bad for the family. After all, except for Bliss, Diablo the toucan, and the band members, the only attendees are ...