A Match Made in Murder (The Clover City Files)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Fictional small town, Clover City (Mid-West, USA)
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently Published (February 14, 2024)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 134 pages

Synopsis

“In the heart of Clover City, love is a grand affair orchestrated by matchmaker extraordinaire, Fiona Murphy. But this Valentine’s Day, her twelve perfect weddings become a chilling mystery. As the Boat House restaurant transforms from a haven of romance to a crime scene, ‘A Match Made in Murder’ unveils a tale where love and betrayal intermingle, and uncovering the truth becomes the ultimate act of love.”

In the heart of the charming town of Clover City, matchmaker extraordinaire, Fiona Murphy, is renowned for orchestrating love stories that culminate in dreamy weddings. This Valentine’s Day, she’s outdone herself by arranging twelve weddings in a grand celebration at the upscale Boat House restaurant, where love is on the menu and bliss is in the air.

Among the attendees is Fiona’s efficient and loyal assistant, eager to ensure everything runs smoothly. There’s also an unexpected guest—Fiona’s charismatic yet enigmatic ex-husband, whose presence adds a layer of complexity to the festivities.

However, as the festivities kick off, a hushed realization sweeps through the gathering—someone is conspicuously absent. The joyous occasion takes a dark turn when a lifeless body is discovered, casting a shadow over the day meant for love and celebration. Suddenly, the Boat House transforms from a haven of romance to a crime scene, and everyone present becomes a suspect.

With the victim silenced forever, secrets, grudges, and long-buried emotions rise to the surface. The task of unraveling the twisted threads of this romantic tragedy falls into the hands of the local patrons, as the Boat House becomes a stage for a mystery where the appetizer is suspicion, the main course is intrigue, and the dessert is justice.

Bonus: Recipes included.

Amazon

Guest Post

Hello there! Today, I’m excited to reveal to you the inner workings of my most recent cozy mystery and how my investigation into the matching industry influenced the writing of a plot that is suspenseful, romantic, and full of surprises.

I’ve always been drawn to careers and sectors that provide a wide range of people and situations to write about as an author. I became engrossed with the realm of matching, an ancient profession rich in mystery and history when it came time to come up with ideas for my next cozy mystery.

I realized right away that researching the nuances of matching would yield a wealth of ideas for my story from the start. After all, what could be more fascinating than a career devoted to finding love? In light of this, I decided to fully immerse myself in the world of matchmakers in order to get as much knowledge as possible about their procedures, their clientele, and the particular difficulties they encounter.

Finding out about the wide variety of matching services that are currently offered was one of the most exciting parts of my study. In order to satisfy the demands of contemporary romantics, the dating industry has undergone several changes, moving from conventional matchmakers who depend on instinct and personal relationships to sophisticated algorithms and internet platforms.

High-end matching does, however, have a darker side to it, one that is full of secrets, scandals, and the occasional unexplained mystery. This contrast between mystery and romance ignited my creative juices and provided the basis for my cozy mystery.

The most delightful part of my study was discovering the wide variety of matching techniques used by professionals worldwide. There are many different ways to tackle the age-old search for love, ranging from conventional matchmakers who depend on instinct and personal relationships to algorithm-based dating applications that examine data to locate appropriate matches.

And exploring the human aspect of matchmaking—the aspirations, insecurities, and desires of matchmakers and their clients. By means of interviews, publications, and firsthand narratives, I acquired insights into the reasons behind people’s desire to use matchmakers, as well as the obstacles and successes they encounter during the process.

Discovering the unseen tales and hidden jewels of the matching industry—tales of love triumphant over adversity, of fortuitous meetings, serendipity, and of unexpected pairings that defy expectations—may have been the most interesting part of my research. The real-life tales served as a source of ideas for “A Match Made in Murder,” where I invite you to meet Fiona Murphy. Fiona emerges as the standout character in the book—a seasoned matchmaker endowed with a gift for uncovering authentic love, all the while navigating a maze of deception and betrayal.

But there’s also space for romance, humor, and touching moments of bonding among the mystery and tension. The story is interspersed with lighthearted and endearing moments, such as the matchmaker’s eccentric antics and the developing relationship between tabloid reporter Harper Martinez and rising star chef Raphael Parera, which help to break up the tension and keep readers interested throughout.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy your visit to Clover City!

Excerpt

The afternoon sun cast a cool, silvery light over Briarwood College campus as Amira approached the townhouse of her friend, the esteemed Claire Stewart. The air was crisp, and a faint hint of snow lingered in the breeze. The wrought-iron gate leading to Claire’s side garden creaked open with a soft protest as Amira ventured inside. Her garden, normally a burst of colors in spring, lay dormant under the winter chill, patiently awaiting the touch of warmer days. Amira meandered along the frost-kissed path, her footsteps leaving faint imprints on the icy ground.

As the frigid January wind nipped at her heels, Amira approached the French doors at the side of the townhouse that stood ajar, welcoming her into the warmth within. Shaking off the chill, she carefully unwound her coat, revealing a stylish denim ensemble that blended vintage charm with contemporary flair. In the foyer adorned with antique furnishings, Amira caught her reflection in an ornate mirror and took a moment to appraise herself before addressing her host. Her complexion, a warm almond hue, and long, flowing locs cascaded like silken strands, each twist gathered into a silk tie, and expressive eyes framed by elegant lashes.

Upon entering the living room, the scent of antique wood and the gentle warmth of a crackling fireplace comforted her. Claire was seated in a plush armchair, engrossed in a news report unfolding on the television.

“Ah, Amira, my dear. Right on time,” Claire greeted with a smile, gesturing for her to take a seat. She was adorned in a finely tailored gray knit sweater paired with stylish leggings and black velvet loafers, her silver hair cascading in waves along her slender shoulders.

The news anchor’s voice filled the room as the television screen displayed a scene of romance amidst the winter landscape.

“Good afternoon, Clover City. In a heartwarming twist, twelve couples have decided to embark on the journey of a lifetime—marrying on the most romantic day of the year, Valentine’s Day.”

Amira settled into a chair, drawn into the story on the screen. The camera panned to the entrance to City Hall decorated with red cupid banners, evergreen wreaths and twinkling white lights. The couples described their first dates and now dream of exchanging vows on the special day. The Justice of the Peace, his breath visible in the winter air, spoke about the love and commitment shared by each couple.

A tender warmth lit up Claire’s eyes. “Valentine’s Day weddings, how enchanting! Love seems to blossom even in the coldest of months.”

Amira nodded, captivated by the vision of the twelve happy couples before them. The news report continued, sharing snippets of the couples’ stories and the joyous anticipation of their Valentine’s Day nuptials.

“Oh no, turn it off.” Claire rose, her eyes ablaze and jaw tight.

About the Author

Barbara Howard is an author of mystery stories featuring a female amateur sleuth, diverse characters, and a dash of romance.  She is the author of two cozy mystery series: Finding Home and  The Clover City Files. Her stories feature a female amateur sleuth, diverse characters, and a dash of romance. She is a first-generation tech geek turned master gardener. Ms. Howard returned to her Midwestern hometown after an extensive career as a Department of Defense Project Manager at the Pentagon, KPMG Eastern Region Project Leader, and Corporate Sales Representative for Borders Books & Music. She now spends most of her time treasure hunting, spoiling her fur-babies, growing veggies, and plotting whodunits.

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