Clean | Author Alicia Dean

Please help me welcome today’s guest, Marisa Masterson. She is one of the authors in the Mystery on Lilac Lane cozy mystery series. I’ll be sharing additional books in the series in upcoming posts…

Limburger & Larceny by Marisa Masterson

Fun (and Smelly!) Fact: Domestic Limburger cheese is only produced in one town in Wisconsin. I used that fact to create the Limburger factory in my story.

As winter hangs on in northern Wisconsin, Julia Arnold arrives in Wisteria. She inherits the Clover Blossom Cheese Shop, a place that screams for renovation as well as for her very special brewed coffee. By day, customers come for the coffee and cheeses, while stranger things happen in the nighttime. From roaches to mice to late night intruders, why is someone attacking her business? And what’s the deal with the treasure supposedly buried in her basement?

EXCERPT

She wasted no time getting back on the road. This time, she headed north. Skirting the lake, she pushed the Le Sabre’s large engine. Perhaps speeding would catch her up with the man she wanted to see.

Really, everything she needed from him waited back at the farm. He would not have more Limburger or the accountant ledgers in his truck. Chasing him was ridiculous.

And yet, she had to know why he went to the town where Bingle’s pawn shop was located. Was he meeting the man? Perhaps he was conspiring with the shop owner, even though two people already had assured her that he would never do that.

If she could catch him in the act, even photograph him with Bingle, the chief might take her concerns more seriously. With that thought, her aching toes pushed harder on the gas pedal. She had to reach Deer Crick.

At the town limits, she slowed the car. No sense speeding in town. Nothing was worth hurting someone. She was not that type of driver.

Her gaze took in the line of taverns. It was not unusual to find several in a small town. Wisconsinites seemed to enjoy their beer. Beer, brats, and cheese—state favorites.

Where was Bingle’s shop? And then she spotted them. Two men stood near the tailgate of a black Ford pickup.

Alex glared at the man, Bingle. She recognized him from the website. The pawn shop owner scowled back at him, shaking his head. He held up a hand, palm out, while his head moved from side to side in denial.

Whatever Alex said next upset the man. He turned and stomped away, sending slush flying upward. Her partner allowed him to leave, his own arms crossed as he leaned on the truck.

The scene played out as she watched. When Bingle reached the door of his business, Julia gave a small screech. She forgot to photograph them together!

All she had were suspicions and her partner’s odd behavior. Well, she also was forewarned. Alex was involved somehow with Bingle. And Bingle wanted to hurt her business, or so she decided. That must be true since his employee was involved in the petty vandalism.

She knew without a doubt not to trust Alex Simmons. And why did her heart hurt when she realized that?

Buy on Amazon (Also available on Kindle Unlimited): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXGNSLXZ

About Marisa Masterson

Marisa Masterson is the author of sixty-five books. She and her husband of thirty-seven years make their home in Saginaw, Michigan. They have two grown children and a precious granddaughter, Hunny, who keeps Grandma happy and busy.

She is a retired high school English teacher and oversaw a high school writing center in partnership with the local university. In addition, she is a National Writing Project fellow and a regular contributor to the Sweet Americana Sweethearts blog.

You will find Marisa hanging out in the Sweet Wild West Reads group on Facebook. She invites you to join that group and get to know some of your favorite authors.

If you like this book, please take a few minutes to leave a rating today! Marisa appreciates it and you may help a reader find their next favorite book!