Hotels…the good, the bad, the is that a dead body on the porch?
The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island is a big part of Braking For Bodies
In Braking For Bodies
there is a dead guy of course but the good news is that Peephole Perry won’t be missed. (Party’s at seven, fireworks at nine). Most are tickled to see the Peepster flat on his back and toes up.
But the bad part of all this is that he just happens to be at the Grand Hotel in his present lifeless condition and dead people are not good for business. If word gets out that there’s a killer lose on the island, tourists will storm the ferry docks to get the heck off the place. Rooms will be vacant, bars empty, lines at the unemployment office long. But maybe there’s a way out after all…
“What’s going on?” A guy called down from the porch of the Grand Hotel right above us. “Is somebody there? Did somebody fall?”
Sutter and I exchanged uh oh looks and a woman on the porch squealed. “Ohmygoodness! It’s a body! This is fantastic! I know what this is. It’s one of those murder mystery weekends right here at the Grand Hotel. The victim’s right there, I can see him all sprawled out on the ground. Oh this is so much fun.”
“Look, lady,” Sutter shot back. “This is no mystery weekend party this is a real crime scene here.”
“Of course it is,” she squealed again. “You all are great actors, this is amazing. What a fantastic surprise right here on Mackinac Island.”
Policeman Nate tries to set the tourists straight, like this is a real crime scene at the Grand Hotel. The harder he tries the more the tourists think he’s a fantastic actor and part of their mystery weekend at the Grand.
So the question is, have you ever attended a murder mystery weekend? Dinner party? Was it fun? Were you in character and did you have a part. And most important did you find the killer?
~Duffy
Oh my stars Duffy, this story is a hoot and a half! Thank you for stopping by today!
Now let me tell you more about this book!
Braking for Bodies: A Cycle Path Mystery
2nd in Series
Cozy Mystery
Setting – Mackinac Island, Michigan
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
An Imprint of Penguin Random House LLC
Cover Illustration by Ben Perini
Cover Design by Diana Kolsky
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0425268957
E-Book ASIN: B011IVP3ME
Evie Bloomfield puts the pedal to the metal—in the latest Cycle Path mystery from the national bestselling author of Geared for the Grave
Moving from Los Angeles to small, picturesque Mackinac Island to work in a bike shop might seem crazy, but Evie knows it’s the best decision she’s ever made. That’s not to say she’s gotten rid of all her stress; after all, the upcoming Lilac Festival has everyone in town riding in circles.
But things really go downhill when a ferry full of tourists—including Evie’s friend Fiona’s former boss, the editor of a sleazy rag in LA—arrives on the island. No one knows why Peephole Perry came all the way to Mackinac, but things aren’t looking good for Fiona when Peep is found dead. Now Evie has to gear up and get a grip on the truth if she wants to clear her friend’s name…
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Pack your bags we are headed for Mackinac Island for the Lilac Festival!!
There are tourists everywhere and even a few people posing as tourists. Evie’s friend Fiona is shocked when her former boss, Peephole Perry, gets off the ferry. This can’t be good. His trip is cut short when he is found dead outside of The Grand Hotel. This isn’t good for Peep or the island. A dead body could mean cancelled reservations and a mass exodus of the guests that have already arrived. When one of the hotel’s guests thinks it is a murder mystery game, Evie convinces Police Chief Sutter that this is a great cover so he (with her help) can catch the killer. Unfortunately all the evidence points at Fiona so Evie needs to catch a “brake” to prove her innocence.
I have to start by saying if you need a pick me up pick up this book! I was laughing, giggling, and almost rolling on the floor laughing throughout the entire book. I know murder is a serious thing but poor Evie, she has so many things to do and so many things go wrong, she has to find the humor or she would spend the whole book in tears. From a missing wedding dress, to a mistress, and a few near misses that may have been attempts on her life, Evie treks back and forth around the island trying to do everything asked of her and more.
Duffy Brown brings us back to this idyllic island to follow around Evie Bloomfield. Evie is a smart woman with a very unique business, renting one of a kind bicycles that she has painted herself. You can rent the music bike, or the Sherlock bike, one of the many lilac bikes or any other of the very imaginatively themed bicycles. Evie’s mother has returned to the island and has opened her law office behind bike shop. There is a fudge shop right next door and Rudy, the original owner of the bike shop, splits his time between the 2 places. His thoughts are more on keeping his bride to be happy than anything else.
I am totally in awe of the way Ms. Brown writes. I was grabbed from the first page. My attention was completely held until the last word. To be truthful I didn’t want the story to end. The whole murder mystery game just had me in stitches. At least 4 teams of people were tracking down “clues” and creating theories to catch the culprit. The way the main characters dealt with them all while really trying to solve the mystery itself was truly a unique plot idea.
A great addition to this series. Murder and yes, mayhem along with wonderful characters shine in this Cycle Path Mystery. I have already been to Rudy’s Rides and reserved the Nancy Drew bike for our next excursion to this wonderful place!
About This Author
While others girls dreamed of dating Brad Pitt, Duffy Brown longed to take Sherlock Holmes to the prom. Today she conjures up who-done-it stories for Berkley Prime Crime and has two series, the national bestselling Consignment Shop Mysteries
Author Links:
Webpage Facebook Twitter Pinterest
Thanks to the people at Penguin I have 2 copies to give away!
Contest is open to anyone over 18 years old
with a US or Canadian mailing address.
Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.
You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.
Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Liking My Facebook Fan Page.
This year I am trying to build my Twitter following so for this giveaway 4 Bonus Entries will be awarded by following me on Twitter. @dollycas
Leave a comment for Duffy for 5 Bonus Entries.
Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries.
If you publicize the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive
5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
Contest Will End April 20, 2016 at 11:59 PM CST
Winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org
Winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.
Click Here For Entry Form
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Another story with a very special of meet
Enjoyed the first one in this series and looking forward to reading the new one. Love that it takes place on Mackinac. Thanks for the chance to win.
Great favorite series thanks for the chance
I lve Mackinac and I can’t wait to read this book.
I really enjoy the setting, and that above excerpt is great – left me chuckling!
I have always wanted to do a murder mystery weekend, they sound like fun!
I enjoyed Geared for the Grave and can’t wait to read the newest book in this series. I have been to a mystery dinner theater. It was fun, but unfortunately, I didn’t get to enjoy it as much as I would have, as I was sick. My book club does some mystery games (similar to the mystery dinner theater but of course on much smaller scale)
Love the series. Thanks for the chance to win the newest.
This would be a great book to add to my cozy challenge list. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
I have wanted to read this since the pre-release hype started. Thanx for the opportunity
I love this series–can’t wait for this next one!
Mackinac Island is a vacationer’s paradise. The thought of no cars on the Island draws me there. Thanks Duffy Brown for centering your mystery series there. robeader53@yahoo.com
Thanks for this captivating feature and giveaway. What a beautiful setting.
The setting is perfect sounds like my kind of series.
Sounds like a great cozy.
I did go to a mystery dinner theater once and played a part. I have social anxiety disorder and as stressful as it was, it was still kind of fun. I never did it again, though.
Love good mystery.
What a great bit of black humor.
I never have attended a mystery dinner. But I bet it would be a lot of fun. And doing one at The Grand Hotel would really be cool!!!
Duffy this sounds like such a great series and i would love to read in print and review… I love the cozy mystery my pups and i sit in my wheelchair and read or if i have been in the chair too long i have a recliner i just love that i sit in with the pups and read. You are such a nice author and love that you talk to the readers . Hang in there!
This book sounds great! I need to go get the first one now! Thanks for sharing!
I think a mystery weekend at the Grand Hotel would be amazing! I have such wonderful memories of visiting Makinac Island as a kid, and can’t wait to read about it in your books!
We are a few hours away from Mackinac Island, love it there so this book would be fun to read! I follow you on all social media, shared the giveaway also on FB, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest. Thank you!
Great setting… Bikes galore… Muurrrderrrr… I’m in!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this seriis. Spent many summers on Mackinac Island!!!!!!!!
I have been to a murder mystery and dinner on a train. It was a wonderful experience.
I have all of Duffy Brown books except for this one. I just enjoy her characters so much.
Loved the first book! Looking forward to reading the second one, whether I win it or buy it.
I have been to Mackinac Island but have not stayed at the hotel.
I just can’t wait to read this, Duffy!!
I forgot to say that I’ve never attended a Muder Mystery, but I was an ACTOR in a Muder Mystery Dinner Theater! It was a lot of fun. And I didn’t know until we finished the first night “who done it”!
Can’t wait to visit Mackinac Island! Congrats to Duffy on the new release!
This sounds so good! I’ll have to look for the first book! Thanks for the review!
I love your book series and am anxiously waiting on books in both series.
I snagged the book Tuesday, started it last night, and I’m loving it!
Congratulations Duffy!! Love your books! Thank you for the giveaway opportunity!!
This sounds amazing. Can’t wait to read it.
Looking forward to reading this one!
I love anything Duffy writes. Her stories are fun and have a great mystery.
I’m so excited for this novel! Thank you.
Excited to reading Braking For Bodies. Loved the first book in the series.
I Loved the first book in the series and can’t wait to read the second book. Reading your Cycle Path mysteries takes me back to my trips to Mackinaw Island. Thanks for such awesome books!
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR BOOK AND THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY!
I love the excerpt from this book! I can’t wait to read it. Thank you for the chance to win.
I’ve always heard wonderful things about Mackinac Island.
I really enjoy Duffy Browns books and I look forward to reading this one! Thanks for the chance to win!
Awesome sounding book , would Love to read 🙂 Thank you for a chance to win ??
I have read such great reviews for your books that I’m excited about starting this series. Just waiting for my husband to finish Geared for the Grave so I can read it!
This sounds like a book I would love to read. Mackinac Island looks like a wonderful setting.
Congratulations on the release! I look forward to trying it out.
Congrats on your new milestone. Looks like a great read. Thanks for the chance to read it sooner rather than later.