Ladle to the Grave

Zusatztext Praise for the Soup Lover’s Mysteries: “Snow in Vermont, soup, and murder. What could be more cozy?” —Julie Hyzy, New York Times bestselling author “A soup du jour of mystery that cozy lovers are sure to enjoy.” —MyShelf.com “An engaging amateur sleuth.”— Genre Go Round Reviews Informationen zum Autor Connie Archer Klappentext By the Spoonful is Snowflake! Vermont's most popular soup shop! but owner Lucky Jamieson doesn't have any time to enjoy her success—she's too busy trying to keep a lid on false accusations against her loved ones... It's almost May! and some of the local ladies have organized a pagan celebration in the woods to welcome spring. But the evening goes terribly wrong when one of the attendees winds up dead! apparently poisoned by an herbal concoction prepared by Lucky's grandfather! Jack. Lucky's sure her grandfather could not have made such a tragic mistake. But before she can clear him of suspicion! her best friend! Sophie! is diverted from planning her wedding to By the Spoonful chef Sage DuBois when she finds a dead man floating in the creek on her property. Now it's up to Lucky to get both Sophie and Jack out of hot water before a killer stirs up more trouble... Recipes included! Leseprobe Acknowledgments CONNIE ARCHER CONNIEARCHERMYSTERIES.COM FACEBOOK.COM/CONNIEARCHERMYSTERIES TWITTER: @SNOWFLAKEVT Chapter 1 THE WOMEN MOVED slowly, shuffling into the clearing in the woods, careful not to trip on the long white robes they had been instructed to wear. A few stole surreptitious glances at one or another of their group as they formed a loose semicircle before the slab of stone in the clearing. A chill wind blew through the trees, and the sound of beating wings came from above. Cordelia Rank took her place at the designated altar. Behind her, a brazier flamed on the ancient rock. She surveyed the gathering critically. “Sisters, please! You can do better. Form a semicircle !” she ordered, indicating her wishes with a sweep of her arm. Each woman glanced to her left and right and, stepping carefully over the pine needles and damp earth, shifted position to form a more uniform shape. Cecily Winters took a deep breath, wondering, not for the first time, whether joining the Snowflake Coven was such a good idea. Her sister, Marjorie, certainly hadn’t been happy about it. It had sounded just so wonderful when she had first heard of the plan. Beltane Eve, April 30, a night to celebrate the coming of spring and the first buds of May with a bonfire, feasting, candlelight and song. Their small iron container would have to do. A bonfire in the woods at midnight could be dangerous. Cecily shuddered involuntarily. The crackling flames formed eerie shadows in the night, flickering against the tree trunks. If only Cordelia hadn’t appointed herself high priestess , she thought, insufferable woman, it might have been fun . At a nod from Cordelia, one of the group, holding a candle cupped in her hand, moved within the inner circumference of their small circle and lit the candles clutched in the hands of the other women. When all the candles were lit, Cordelia nodded. “Now we begin,” she announced. She turned back to the stone altar and, raising her arms, spoke in ringing tones. “Mother Earth, we have gathered together here, in this wood, to honor you, to celebrate the light of coming spring. Beltane is a time for love and the union of souls, the union of minds and the union of bodies.” Cecily looked up quickly. This was the first she had heard of the union of bodies. She glanced around the circle to see whether anyone else had noticed the phrase. “We have been called to replenish the earth,” Cordelia continued. “Our fire and our candles will light the sacred union of fertility, as our pagan ancestors have do...

Product details

• Authors: Connie Archer
• Publisher: Berkley Publishing Group
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback
• Released: 03.03.2015
• EAN: 9780425273111
• ISBN: 978-0-425-27311-1
• No. of pages: 304
• Dimensions: 106 mm x 171 mm x 22 mm