Bookish Thursday - A Hush at Midnight by Marlene Bell

This is a fun one. Not only does it take place in the state I grew up in, Texas, but there is also a giveaway for this book. And it's another review for WOW-Women on Writing!

But, as usual, let me get the 'business' out of the way before I render my opinion.

Book Summary

Celebrity chef Laura Harris dwells on the horror of finding her mentor’s body in the groundskeeper’s disheveled bed—pillow and bedding half covering her open eyes—purple bruising around her mouth. A grisly snapshot in time revealing the Texas woman’s last moments during her attack. The elderly matriarch from the small town of Stenburg has left the physical world, and Laura is shattered.

 

She is catapulted headlong into the pursuit of a casual executioner, one bold enough to come

and go from the crime scene with ease, dropping bizarre crumb trails designed to mock the

deceased. But Laura herself doesn’t go unnoticed. As she digs deeper, she is followed and

bombarded by warnings to leave the state.

 

When the victim’s attorney informs Laura that she’s to inherit the entire Stenburg fortune, the

last act of kindness has made Laura the main person of interest in the investigation.

Message by message, Laura is methodically taunted by someone so deranged and driven

they’ll do whatever it takes to dislodge Laura from Texas – permanently.

 

Publisher: Ewephoric Publishing (October 1, 2024)

Print length:  350 pages

 

Purchase a copy of A Hush at Midnight on

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hush-Midnight-Secrets-Scandals-Recipe/dp/B0DG8K4CQD

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/a-hush-at-midnight-secrets-scandals-and-a-recipe-for-murder-by-marlene-m-bell

 

You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/217568383-a-hush-at-midnight

 

About the Author

Marlene M. Bell has never met a sheep she didn’t like. As a personal touch for her readers, they often find these wooly creatures visiting her international romantic mysteries and children’s books as characters or subject matter. 

Marlene is an accomplished artist and photographer who takes pride in entertaining fans on multiple levels with her creativity. Marlene’s award-winning Annalisse series boasts Best Mystery honors for all installments including these: IP Best Regional Australia/New Zealand, Global Award Best Mystery, and Chanticleer’s International Mystery and Mayhem shortlist for Copper Waters, the fourth mystery in the series. Her children's picture book, Mia and Nattie: One Great Team!, written primarily for younger kids, is based on true events from the Bell’s East Texas sheep ranch. The simple text and illustrations are a touching tribute of belonging and unconditional love between a little girl and her lamb.

You can follow the author at:

Website: https://www.marlenembell.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marlenembell

X/Twitter: @ewephoric

 

Tour-wide Giveaway:

 

The Grand Prize is:

*An autographed proof copy of A Hush at Midnight

*  Vintage collectible hardcover book with dust jacket: Wildflowers Across America by former First Lady, Ladybird Johnson

*  A one-pound bag of wildflower seeds

*  $50 Amazon gift card

Second and Third prizes will be autographed copies of A Hush at Midnight.

Enter here...

 

So now who know the general information, now for my opinion...

A bit of a side note. I mentioned at the start of this post I grew up in Texas. When I received my review copy of the book it was signed by the author and the fact she was in Big Sandy, Texas.  I had to start laughing. I have gone to Big Sandy, Texas, but that was decades ago. The funny part is my grandparents lived in Big Sandy, TENNESSEE. The zip code started with a 3. The Texas Big Sandy starts with a 7.

For three years while in college, EVERY SINGLE TIME I wrote my grandparents, spelling out Tennessee and writing the zip code in bold letters, the letter was returned to me with 'no such address' from Big Sandy, TEXAS! I would have to carry it into the post office to have them resend it. Every single time. What that happened is still a mystery to me!

Laura is having a bit of a career crisis and turns to her mentor and a local matriarch, Hattie. If you aren't from Texas, yes, there are matriarchs with a capital M in almost any town. Unfortunately, their reunion is short lived and soon Laura is the focus of the investigation into Hatties murder. Bummer, since she stands to inherit Hattie's estate.

Lots of lovely food mention, so don't read on an empty stomach! Family dynamics play a role in the story and twists abound. A good read which will stretch over a couple of days reading. 

So come learn a bit more about Texas matriarchs and help Laura figure out what actually happened.

For other opinions, check these out...