Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Murder in the Genes: A Peggy Rector Mystery by J.M. Roberts. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews and more!
Murder in the Genes: A Peggy Rector Mystery
by J.M. Roberts
Murder in the Genes: A Peggy Rector Mystery
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Stinky Springs, Texas (imaginary town)
Daylily Press (August 1, 2023)
Print length : 283 pages
Writer and amateur sleuth Peggy Rector returns home to a full plate following a star-studded vacation in the English countryside. She needs to finish her latest book and plan her wedding to the hunky Jess Carson, all while her children plot to convert her rambling Victorian house into a B&B.
When Velma Whittaker, a local genealogist, dies under mysterious circumstances, Peggy must puzzle out who wanted Velma dead and why? Was it her multi-million-dollar lottery win or something more? A search for Velma’s will turns up a cryptic clue left for her heirs, but are they up to the challenge?
Peggy and her gang, members of the Stinky Springs Ladies Social Club, are on the trail. They must outfox a crafty killer while dodging Velma’s hapless relatives, who are determined to get their hands on her money.
Character Guest Post by Peggy Rector: Small-Town Girl Returns Home
On a whim, I left my busy life in Houston, Texas to return to my childhood hometown of Stinky Springs. I’d been back for visits, at least until my parent’s passed, but I came as an outsider, no longer a resident. I remember the day I left for college. My mama cried, hugging her baby girl goodbye. I saw such sadness in her eyes. Me? I was ecstatic. I’d never known the feeling of utter freedom until I drove away from that middle of nowhere little town, happy to get away from those closed-minded, gossipy folks who’d been nowhere and done nothing.
What followed was an exciting life in the big city. College, marriage, children, a busy career. My husband, Dean, was a doctor. We socialize with his partners, my co-workers and a handful of friends. I didn’t know my neighbors other than to say hello or nice evening as we got into or out of our cars.
The kids grew up and left home. Dean died, leaving me a widow. Work was, well, work. It took me a few months to process my feelings, and I was surprised to realize I was lonely. Not for Dean. By then, we didn’t have much of a marriage and I was considering a divorce, but I had no one to call in the middle of the night. No one who would listen to me, no one I could count on.
One night, I pulled out an old photo album I’d taken from my parent’s house. Full of snaps of neighborhood barbecues, church socials, picnics, nights at the ladies’ social club, it made me rethink my hometown.
Growing up, Stinky Springs was a place where people looked out for one another. Neighbors helped neighbors. Yes, there was gossip. That’s inescapable. They’d talk about ya, but the good citizens had each other’s back. Fall on hard times, someone lent you a hand. Feeling poorly, casseroles were delivered. Need a shoulder to cry on? Well, you get the picture.
I had no illusions that Stinky Springs was some magical Mayberry RFD, but I wanted to find out. I bought an old, rambling Victorian on the edge of town conveniently located next-door to Wanda Carter, my best friends since childhood.
It was an adjustment. Yes, I missed my Starbucks lattes and the little wine and cheese shop I used to frequent but Betties Burger Bar serves the best chicken enchiladas you’ve ever tasted and serves up a mean margarita.
I’ve settled in, become one of them, no longer an outsider. I’m part of something bigger than myself. I’ve reconnected with my old high school sweetheart. I’ve never been happier.
About J.M. Roberts
M. Robertsis a nurse turned writer, much like her main character in the Peggy Rector Mystery series. She lives in an over-55 development outside of Houston, Texas that provides endless ideas for her murder mysteries. When not taking notes on her friends and neighbors, she can be found in her garden, cooking, or reading.
Author Links
- My Blog: The Books Delight
- Amazon Author Page
- Follow me on Twitter
- Follow me on Facebook
- Bookbub
- Goodreads
- Website | Jean M. Roberts – Wix.com
- https://linktr.ee/JeanM.RobertsAuthor
Purchase Link – Amazon
Previous Books in the Series
Enter the giveaway
MURDER IN THE GENES TOUR PARTICIPANTS
August 1 – The Mystery Section – RECIPE
August 1 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT
August 1 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT
August 2 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST
August 2 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
August 3 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
August 3 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
August 4 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
August 4 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
August 5 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
August 5 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR GUEST POST
August 6 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT
August 6 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
August 7 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
August 7 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW, RECIPE
Thank you so much for hosting my book on your fabulous blog! Good luck to all your readers who enter the giveaway!
You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping!
This looks like an exciting novel.