Vivian Conroy - Grand Prize - Murder!

When death comes to town

Inviting the bestselling cozy crime author Bella Brookes to town is going to be the best business move Vicky Simmons has made yet. Not only is Bella going to sign her books to kick off Glen Cove’s annual One-Mile Book Market, but she’s also running her famous scavenger hunt right in town. That’s sure to win over the townsfolk!

All is going to plan until a dead body is discovered, drawing Vicky straight to the scene of the crime. After the last murder Vicky had vowed to stay out of Sheriff Cash’s way, but when death comes to town she finds herself embroiled in the investigation. She’s racing against time to uncover the murderer…but can there really be a second devious killer in Glen Cove? Vicky will stop at nothing to get to the truth.

Praise for VIVIAN CONROY Praise Book List Title Page Author Bio Acknowledgements Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Excerpt Endpages Copyright

‘This book is a cross between Downton Abbey and Miss Marple. … Perfect for the long winter nights ahead where comfort becomes a key word in everyone's vocabulary.’ – Katherine (Goodreads), A Proposal to Die For

‘ A Proposal to Die For is wonderfully smooth and glamorous, in the style of Agatha Christie combined with the beauty of Gatsby.’ - The Storycollector Blog

‘When it’s as charming as A Proposal to Die For mystery and history make the most wonderful combination.’ - Little Bookness Lane

‘ Dead to Begin With is a charming, entertaining and absorbing cozy mystery and a great start to a new series.’ – Mystereity Reviews

‘ Dead to Begin With by Vivian Conroy is a wonderful story, perfect for fans of Murder She Wrote , and I cannot wait for the next in the series!!’ – Books of All Kinds

‘What a cosy story featuring a cozy murder, and some cute dogs!’ – Rachel’s Random Reads, Dead to Begin With

Available from Vivian Conroy Book List Title Page Author Bio Acknowledgements Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Excerpt Endpages Copyright

A Country Gift Shop Mystery series

Dead to Begin with

Grand Prize: Murder!

Coming soon:

Written into the Grave

A Lady Alkmene Callender Mystery series

Grand Prize Murder

Diamonds of Death

Deadly Treasures

Grand Prize: Murder!

Vivian Conroy

VIVIAN CONROY

discovered Agatha Christie at thirteen and quickly devoured all the Poirot and Miss Marple stories. Over time Lord Peter Wimsey and Brother Cadfael joined her favorite sleuths. Even more fun than reading was thinking up her own missing heirs and priceless artifacts. Discover the glamour and secrets of the roaring twenties in Vivian’s Lady Alkmene Callender Mysteries and open up shop, with murder in the mix, in the contemporary Country Gift Shop Mysteries. For news on the latest releases, with a dash of dogs and chocolate, follow Vivian on Twitter via @VivWrites

Contents

Cover

Blurb When death comes to town Inviting the bestselling cozy crime author Bella Brookes to town is going to be the best business move Vicky Simmons has made yet. Not only is Bella going to sign her books to kick off Glen Cove’s annual One-Mile Book Market, but she’s also running her famous scavenger hunt right in town. That’s sure to win over the townsfolk! All is going to plan until a dead body is discovered, drawing Vicky straight to the scene of the crime. After the last murder Vicky had vowed to stay out of Sheriff Cash’s way, but when death comes to town she finds herself embroiled in the investigation. She’s racing against time to uncover the murderer…but can there really be a second devious killer in Glen Cove? Vicky will stop at nothing to get to the truth.

Praise Praise for VIVIAN CONROY Praise Book List Title Page Author Bio Acknowledgements Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Excerpt Endpages Copyright ‘This book is a cross between Downton Abbey and Miss Marple. … Perfect for the long winter nights ahead where comfort becomes a key word in everyone's vocabulary.’ – Katherine (Goodreads), A Proposal to Die For ‘ A Proposal to Die For is wonderfully smooth and glamorous, in the style of Agatha Christie combined with the beauty of Gatsby.’ - The Storycollector Blog ‘When it’s as charming as A Proposal to Die For mystery and history make the most wonderful combination.’ - Little Bookness Lane ‘ Dead to Begin With is a charming, entertaining and absorbing cozy mystery and a great start to a new series.’ – Mystereity Reviews ‘ Dead to Begin With by Vivian Conroy is a wonderful story, perfect for fans of Murder She Wrote , and I cannot wait for the next in the series!!’ – Books of All Kinds ‘What a cosy story featuring a cozy murder, and some cute dogs!’ – Rachel’s Random Reads, Dead to Begin With

Book List Available from Vivian Conroy Book List Title Page Author Bio Acknowledgements Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Chapter Thirteen Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fifteen Chapter Sixteen Chapter Seventeen Chapter Eighteen Excerpt Endpages Copyright A Country Gift Shop Mystery series Dead to Begin with Grand Prize: Murder! Coming soon: Written into the Grave A Lady Alkmene Callender Mystery series Grand Prize Murder Diamonds of Death Deadly Treasures

Title Page Grand Prize: Murder! Vivian Conroy

Author Bio VIVIAN CONROY discovered Agatha Christie at thirteen and quickly devoured all the Poirot and Miss Marple stories. Over time Lord Peter Wimsey and Brother Cadfael joined her favorite sleuths. Even more fun than reading was thinking up her own missing heirs and priceless artifacts. Discover the glamour and secrets of the roaring twenties in Vivian’s Lady Alkmene Callender Mysteries and open up shop, with murder in the mix, in the contemporary Country Gift Shop Mysteries. For news on the latest releases, with a dash of dogs and chocolate, follow Vivian on Twitter via @VivWrites

Acknowledgements Acknowledgments Thanks to all editors, agents and authors who share insights into the writing and publishing process. A special thanks to my editor Victoria Oundjian for her continued enthusiasm for all my cozy mystery endeavors and to the design team for placing Mr. Pug and Coco at the heart of the atmospheric cover.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen