A Date With Death: Cozy Private Investigator Series (Flora Lively Mysteries Book 2) (25 page)

‘For you and your wife. I want you to be able to stay here.’ She turned in a circle, taking it all in with her arms. ‘Despite everything, Hanley Manor is a beautiful place. I think you could make a go of it yet.’ She shrugged. ‘It’d be fun trying, anyway.’

‘What was all that about?’ Marshall said when she climbed into the van.

‘Oh, nothing. Just helping him out with something.’

Marshall turned to her in mock surprise. ‘What – you, helping someone out? Never. I can’t believe it.’

She slapped him on the arm. ‘Oh, shut up. I have ideas – I’m an ideas person. You’re just jealous because people confide in me. Because they can see my creative, caring side.’

‘That’s fine,’ he said, sliding across the cab to put his arm around her shoulders. ‘As long as it’s only me who gets to see that other side you’ve kept hidden so long.’

‘And what side is that?’ she said, throwing him a mischievous look.

‘The wildcat side,’ he whispered. ‘Who’d have thought it of you?’

‘Shut up!’ She hit him again, then settled back into her seat, smiling. She pulled her seatbelt across her lap and lifted her feet up onto the dash.

‘Where to now, Miss Lively?’ Marshall started the engine. He doffed an imaginary cap and grinned.

‘Anywhere,’ she said. ‘Anywhere but here.’

As they motored away, down the long gravel drive, the van swaying slightly and the looming form of Hanley Manor receding in the mirror, Flora wondered where exactly they were heading, her and Marshall. She closed her eyes. Like all the best journeys, sometimes it was best to just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

 

THE END

Acknowledgements

 

 

I’d like to thank the following people who contributed to the writing and production of this book: first and always Jez Phillips, my amazing husband, whose continued support no matter what else is going on in life makes writing a joy. Jude White for her brilliant proofreading and editing, which in this case also included Spanish phrases! Truly above and beyond the call of duty. Chris Howard for yet another wonderful cover - I don’t know how you do it, but I’m glad you do. A special thanks to everyone on my mailing list - knowing you are there, and the feedback you give me, is always such a comfort - and to my Facebook friends Ros, Bev, Lynsey, Donna, Bee and Julie for helping with the blurb. And finally I’d like to thank my readers – without you none of this would have any point. Every time you download, buy or borrow one of my books you make my world an even brighter place.

Thank you for reading
A Date With Death
. If you enjoyed this book, please join my
mailing list
so I can tell you about new releases, giveaways and special promotions. I often send out exclusive short stories to the lovely people on my mailing list, and you’ll always be the first to hear big news! The next installment in the Flora Lively series -
The Sign of Seven
- will be released in November 2015 - keep in touch to find out more.

 

Visit my website at
www.joannephillips.co.uk
where you can find out more about my books and my inspiration for writing, along with photos and a lively blog. I love hearing from readers so please do get in touch

by email: [email protected]

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About the author

Joanne Phillips lives in rural Shropshire with her husband and young daughter. She’s the author of romantic comedies
Can’t Live Without
,
The Family Trap
and
Cupid’s Way
, and the Flora Lively series of contemporary mysteries.
Can’t Live Without
was an Amazon top 20 bestseller in 2012 and her books regularly appear on category bestseller lists. Before becoming a writer, Joanne had jobs as diverse as hairdresser, air hostess and librarian, but now divides her time between writing and finding creative ways to avoid housework. She’s a fan of super-dark chocolate, iced coffee and Masterchef.

 

Books by Joanne Phillips

Can’t Live Without

The Family Trap

Cupid’s Way

 

Flora Lively Investigates:

Murder at the Maples

A Date With Death

 

Short story collection:

A Life Unpredicted and other stories

 

 

 

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Acknowledgements

 

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters, localities and incidents portrayed in it are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or events or localities is entirely coincidental.

 

Mirrorball Books

An imprint of Bostock Publishing

www.bostockpublishing.co.uk

Kindle Edition 2015

Copyright © Joanne Phillips 2015

 

Joanne Phillips asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work. All rights reserved in all media. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author and/or publisher.

Cover design by Blondesign

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