Crafts and Life

Allie Cobb left home for the literary circles of Manhattan to make her name out from under the shadow of her legendary father. Now his death brings her and her rescue cat Ursula back to the southern Indiana town of Rushing Creek, population: 3,216. But a tragic new chapter hits the presses when the body of her father’s hard-drinking, #1 bestselling client is found under the historic town bridge. The local police suspect foul play and their prime candidate for murder is the author’s daughter—Allie’s longtime friend.
 
Determined to clear her bestie, Allie goes into fact-checking amateur detective mode while trying to ignore the usual rumormongers. Those with means, motive, and opportunity include the vic’s ex-wife, his rejected girlfriend, the mayor, and a rival agent trying to mooch clients. With a rugged genealogist distracting her and the imminent Fall Festival about to send tourists descending on their once-peaceful hamlet, Allie needs to stay alive long enough to get a read on a killer ready to close the book on a new victim: Allie . . .

What a superb start to a new series, sorrow and regret leading to a brilliant story, number two has been pre-ordered so I can read more about the small, yet feisty lady!

Allie Cobb plans on heading home to Rushing Creek during the upcoming weekend to see her family, in particular her father who is dying of cancer, a phone call from her brother derails her plans and means she needs to head off sooner rather than later as her father died over night.  When she is home she catches up with her best friend, Sloane, and discovers that Sloane's father, who for years has been a riding on the fact that he was a brilliant author but turned into an obnoxious drunk, has cleaned up his act, has started writing again and is mending fences with his divorced wife and with Sloane as well.

Sadly on the night of the funeral for Allie's father, Sloane's father is killed and someone is framing Sloane for the act! Now Allie is putting her logical mind to solving this murder and at the same time she is putting aside the dislike she has for the Chief of Police (who was married to Allie's sister but they are now divorced), can Allie (and Matt) solve this before Allie needs to head back to New York? Or will Sloane end up wearing and orange jumpsuit?

An Interview With A Character

What is your full name?

My full name is Alexandra Cobb. Most folks call me Allie.

What is your Profession?

I’m a literary agent. I work with authors to help them find the perfect publisher for their books. It’s a lot of fun working with creative people, and helping the fruits of their labor appear on bookshelves and on tablets and e-readers is incredibly rewarding.

What is your current favourite book or movie?

Favorite book. Oh, wow, there are so many from which to choose. I’m a big fan of The Magnificent Ambersons. For those who aren’t familiar with it, the book chronicles the Ambersons, a prominent family in Indianapolis, Indiana during the early part of the twentieth century as they struggle to adapt to a rapidly changing world. My father was a literary agent. He played a big role in developing my love of reading from an early age. He also wanted me to be proud of my Indiana roots and what better way to do that than have me read a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel written by Booth Tarkington, who was from Indianapolis. I’ve read the book four times, at last count.

What is your go to comfort book or movie?

I’ll go with a movie this time. I adore Pitch Perfect. When I was in college, I often felt like a misfit, so the film’s message of believing in yourself and your friends resonates with me. The singing’s amazing, too. I can’t sing a note, my cat Ursula with vouch for that, so I have a great appreciation for those who can. Lastly, the comedy leaves me practically rolling on the floor every time I watch. It’s totally aca-awesome!

If someone was to play you in a movie who would it be? OR what would be the character you would want to be in a book?

Since I’m all of five one, someone tiny, like Kristen Bell, would have to play me. Of course, since she played Veronica Mars, which one of my favorite shows, I would be over the moon to have her play Allie Cobb.

What is your ideal evening?

I’m an introvert, so a night watching TV with my best friend, Sloane Winchester, can’t be beat. We’ll share a bottle of wine, munch on popcorn and watch something that makes us laugh. You can’t beat spending time with your best friend!

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

January 9 – Mallory Heart’s Cozies – REVIEW

January 9 – The Power of Words – REVIEW

January 9 – Moonlight Rendezvous – REVIEW

January 10 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

January 10 – Carstairs Considers – REVIEW

January 10 – CelticLady Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

January 11 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

January 11 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW

January 11 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

January 12 – Socrates Book Reviews – REVIEW

January 12 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

January 12 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

January 13 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

January 13 – Rosepoint Publishing – REVIEW

January 13 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT