Welcome to my stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for Scones and Scofflaws: Cape May Cozy Mysteries with a Twist by Jane Gorman. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, guest posts, spotlights, reviews and more!
When a gorgeous man dressed as Bridgette Bardot buys her a Scofflaw and asks her out on a date, Anna McGregor begins to suspect her murder investigation has taken a wrong turn. Her previous work as a medical anthropologist exposed her to a variety of unexpected situations, but none quite like this.
“The story does a great job of setting up the mystery and then anthropologist turned B&B hostess, Anna McGregor leads us through a merry chase and I thought I had it partially figured out but then realized…red herring. I would suggest you skip to the back of the book to find the scofflaw recipe and make one to enjoy while you armchair sleuth your way through this charming and cozy mystery.” — Tracy’s Tidbits
Scones and Scofflaws: Cape May Cozy Mysteries with a Twist
by Jane Gorman
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Scones and Scofflaws: Cape May Cozy Mysteries with a Twist
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Cape May, New Jersey
Blue Eagle Press (December 19, 2020)
Paperback : 278 pages
It all seemed so simple: fix up the Cape May Victorian mansion she’d inherited from Great Aunt Louise and re-open it as the exceptional B&B it used to be. Everything’s going great, until her very first guest turns up dead at the breakfast table, crumbs from Anna’s blueberry scones scattered on the lace tablecloth.
As the town’s gossip mill goes into overdrive, Anna leaps into the fray to save her reputation, her business and Great Aunt Louise’s legacy.
With help from a handsome handyman eager to solve all of Anna’s problems and a young police officer new to murder investigations, Anna does her best to convince the town — and her future guests — that while her scones may be killer, someone else was responsible for this murder.
Character Guest Post:
A few words from Anna McGregor, most recently of Climbing Rose Cottage in Cape May
February in Cape May… candle-lit dinners in cozy restaurants, romantic B&Bs with champagne and roses, carriage rides through the historic streets tucked up under a blanket with your loved one. The perfect place for a Valentine’s getaway.
So what am I doing here? Great question.
I’m definitely not here for the romance. In fact, I’m avoiding the whole romance department. At least for now, after what happened with Steve. But I’m not going to dwell on that.
I’m here because of loss. My Great Aunt Louise died not too long ago. I used to spend my summers down here, at her house. That was something I looked forward to all year! She was always so much fun, letting me play in the garden and at the beach, staying up late with me to tell me stories about all her world travels. I loved Great Aunt Louise.
When Louise died, she left me the house. I say house, but it’s more of a mansion, really. One of the Cape May classics: a Victorian-era house, with gingerbread trim, gables, even a turret. Back in those days, it was a Bed & Breakfast, one of the best in town. But as she got older, Louise realized she couldn’t keep it up anymore, and the B&B closed down.
It was a strange bequest – what was I, a graduate student in medical anthropology – going to do with a Victorian mansion in Cape May? At first, I was just stunned. I missed Great Aunt Louise too much to make sense of this gift. Plus, I was still stinging from the mess Steve had dumped me in.
Then it hit me – this was the perfect answer! I didn’t need to stay in graduate school, or even to stay in Philadelphia. So I packed up, left school, and moved to Cape May. Great Aunt Louise’s B&B is back in business!
It’s not been easy, trust me. I didn’t think it would be. But at least now I’m in control. I’m in charge. Not that I plan to do this alone, don’t get me wrong. Being in control doesn’t mean being on my own!
I’m grateful for the friends I have down here, old and new. My best friend Sammie lives just up the coast in Wildwood. I found the best handyman ever, Luke, who’s as much a friend as an employee – and I’m very carefully ignoring how gorgeous he is. I don’t have a lot of experience in fixing up old houses, so Luke is teaching me about that. And later this summer, my eight-year-old cousin from Ireland will be visiting. I’ve never met him, but I’ve been told he loves to read, so I’m counting on my friend Felicia, a local librarian, for ideas on that front.
It’s been an adjustment. I’m still keeping up with the latest news in the world of medical anthropology. I’m not prepared to totally walk away from that, I love it too much! I did my research with households in Mexico and in the U.S. about their diet, where they got their food, their medical care, things like that. Making connections between cultural traditions and medicine in Philadelphia and Puebla. I’m particularly interested in informal networks of health providers, home remedies and indigenous recipes that have been passed down through generations. It all connects as culture, and makes some people healthy and some people unhealthy.
You can probably tell, I miss my research. I love working with people, talking to them, watching them, understanding what they’re doing and why. And it turns out I’m pretty good at it! I’ve got a talent for asking the right questions, noticing people’s behavior, what they’re really doing versus what they say they’re doing. I don’t suppose there will be many opportunities for me to put those skills to work down here in Cape May.
I’m only a few weeks away from opening. I’m nervous, but I’ll manage. I have a lot to learn, I know, but Great Aunt Louise taught me well. So if you’re looking for a fun weekend away, please come and visit Climbing Rose Cottage. You’ll have a killer weekend!
About Jane Gorman
Formerly an anthropologist, then a diplomat, then a park ranger, Jane Gorman now writes murder mysteries. Building on her knowledge of Philadelphia (her home for many years) and her varied experiences, her Adam Kaminski mystery series features a Philly cop who manages to solve complicated murders in far-flung locales, both in the U.S. and overseas. Her Cape May cozy mysteries paint a light-hearted, fun picture of the Cape May life of a former anthropologist who just happens to be good at solving murders – and trying out new cocktails!
Author Links
Website http://janegorman.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JaneGormanAuthor/
Twitter https://twitter.com/thejanegorman
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jane-gorman
GoodReads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14369652.Jane_Gorman
Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Alibris – IndieBound
The Rest of the Series
Boats, Bodies, and the Bee’s Knees
Boats, Bodies and the Bee’s Knees: Cape May Cozy Mysteries with a Twist
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Blue Eagle Press (April 9, 2021)
Paperback : 270 pages
When her friend’s uncle is accused of murder, Anna McGregor dives into the boating life to prove his innocence. She soon learns that while lounging on a luxury yacht might be fun, matching wits with a killer can be deadly.
Life has finally settled down for Anna. The Cape May B & B she inherited from her Great Aunt Louise is fully booked and Anna is looking forward to a successful summer. Her peace is shattered when a body washes up in Spicer Creek and the police focus their investigation on her friend’s uncle. Determined to find the truth, Anna turns to skills she developed in her previous career in medical anthropology.
Once again, Anna teams up with her best friend Sammy, her young cousin Eoin and the local librarian to use their knowledge of the town and its people to solve this crime. But the disappearance of two local teenagers reminds Anna this is the wrong time for free fishing trips or relaxing on a yacht enjoying a Bee’s Knees cocktail. She needs to find the missing teenagers and identify the killer before anyone else gets hurt.
Purchase Link – Amazon
Killers and Kir Royale: Cape May Cozy Mysteries with a Twist
Killers and Kir Royale: Cape May Cozy Mysteries with a Twist
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Blue Eagle Press (December 17, 2021)
Print Length 241 Pages
When a love of wine becomes lethal, local B&B owner Anna McGregor discovers she’s the town’s connoisseur at defending the innocent and unmasking murderers. But if she goes after the killer, will the people she cares about most get crushed in the process?
Anna loves the new life she’s built for herself in Cape May, a town known for its historic beauty, picturesque beaches, developing wine culture and … murder? Thanks to some previous successes – and a close relationship with a local patrolman – Anna finds herself pressured into accepting the task of proving a new friend’s innocence in a tragic death at a local winery.
Her investigation reveals an embarrassment of suspects, not to mention one too many potential victims. As always, Anna relies on help from her friends to find the truth. This time, though, offering help means breaking the rules.
Now she must not only catch a killer but also save the reputation of one of her closest friends, all while getting ready to send her young cousin, Eoin, back to Ireland, trying to solve the riddle of her love life, and figuring out her future as a medical anthropologist.
Purchase Link – Amazon
Enter the giveaway
Scones and Scofflaws: Cape May Cozy Mysteries with a Twist TOUR PARTICIPANTS
February 7
Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
Novels Alive – REVIEW
February 8
Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
Cozy Up With Kathy – GUEST POST
Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT
February 9
Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST
February 10
My Journey Back – SPOTLIGHT WITH RECIPE
I Read What You Write – GUEST POST
February 11
Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
February 12
FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
My Reading Journeys – REVIEW
StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW
February 13
Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
February 14
Girl with Pen – SPOTLIGHT
Have you signed up to be a Tour Host?
Thanks so much for sharing this Christy! Anna certainly has a lot to say!
Yes, she does! Thanks for stopping by!
Looks like fun books.
Thanks for the contest.
I’m adding to my tbr! Thanks for sharing!
Do you listen to music when you write?
Good question! I don’t. I know some authors have writing playlists, but I prefer the sounds of nature. I like to write outside whenever possible, or at least with a window open.
Do you have characters living in your head?
This sounds very interesting!
This looks like a book that would be a very fun read!