Pups in Peril: Book 6
Dying To Get Married-In: Book 7
Deadly Drive-In: Book 8
Secrets of a Stranger: Book 9
Library Lockdown: Book 10
Vandals & Vigilantes: Book 11
Fatal Frolic: Book 12
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Sweet Southern Sleuths Box Set: II: (Books 5-8)
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Cast of Characters
Carlita Garlucci. The widow of a mafia “made” man, Carlita promised her husband on his deathbed to get their sons out of the “family” business, so she moves from New York to the historic city of Savannah, Georgia. But escaping the family isn’t as easy as she hoped it would be and trouble follows Carlita to her new home.
Mercedes Garlucci. Carlita’s daughter and the first to move to Savannah with her mother. An aspiring writer, Mercedes has a knack for finding mysteries and adventure and dragging her mother along for the ride.
Vincent Garlucci, Jr. Carlita’s oldest son and a younger version of his father, Vinnie is deeply entrenched in the family business and not at all interested in leaving New Jersey for the Deep South.
Tony Garlucci. Carlita’s middle son and the second to follow his mother to Savannah. Tony is protective of both his mother and his sister, which is a good thing since the female Garlucci’s are always in some sort of a predicament.
Paulie Garlucci. Carlita’s youngest son. Mayor of the small town of Clifton Falls, New York, Paulie never joined the “family business,” content to live his life with his wife and young children away from a life of crime. His wife, Gina, rules the family household with an iron fist.
Chapter 1
Carlita Garlucci watched the Savannah trolley roll to a stop. She shifted the garment bag to her other arm and reached for the railing. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”
“I’ve been keeping an eye out for you.” Claryce Magillicuddy waited for Carlita to board the trolley and swipe her rider card. “I saved the seat behind me, so you wouldn’t have to carry all your stuff to the back.”
“Thanks, Claryce.”
“Reese,” her friend corrected.
Carlita’s friend recently informed her that she preferred the nickname Reese instead of Claryce, deeming her given name as too formal for a Savannah trolley driver. Plus, the riders never could pronounce it correctly, calling her “Claire-ice.” Not “Claire-eese.”
“Reese.” Carlita wiggled onto the seat before draping the garment bag over the back. “I’ll be glad when Tony and Shelby are finally hitched. I’m whupped.”
“How’s your soon-to-be daughter-in-law feeling?” Reese closed the door and shifted the trolley into gear.
“She’s finally decided to cut back on her overtime hours at the post office.” Shelby had been hard at work planning the wedding, to be held at Ravello’s Ristorante, the Garlucci family’s new restaurant.
Carlita suspected she was trying to do too much, including volunteering for the extra overtime and complained of being exhausted. During the last few weeks, she had come straight home from work and gone right to bed.
The family was pitching in to keep an eye on Violet while her mom rested, but Carlita was growing increasingly concerned there was something else going on. She’d even gone as far as to ask Tony if Shelby might be pregnant, to which her son adamantly insisted was not the case.
He’d all but told his mother to butt out of their business.
Never one to back down, Carlita finally convinced her son that Shelby needed to see her doctor. “I finally talked some sense into Tony. Shelby has an appointment scheduled for a full check-up right after the wedding.”
“Good,” Reese said. “I think you’re gonna need a vacation.”
“If only I could. I’m still working out the kinks at the restaurant. At least I finally found a manager. He came highly recommended by Mike Russo, President of the Savannah Area Restaurant Association.” Carlita pushed a wayward strand of hair out of her eyes. “As soon as this wedding is over, I’ll be able to get all of my businesses back on track.”
“Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.” Reese eased alongside the curb to let a group of passengers off while more riders boarded. “Step right up. Welcome to the Big Peach.”
Reese’s nickname for her pale peach-colored trolley never failed to get a laugh or chuckle from the riders. Even the sourpusses would crack a smile when they spied the giant smiling peach she’d painted on the ceiling of the trolley.
Carlita was one of the first to see Reese’s masterpiece. According to her friend, the idea came to her in a dream. “Is your boss going to make you paint over the peach?”
“Nope.” Reese’s eyes lit. “In fact, the company is considering letting me try my hand at painting the side of their ugly trolley garage. I might have me a small side business in the works.”
The trolley turned the corner and rumbled to a stop in front of Savannah Swag, the Garlucci family’s pawnshop. Carlita stood. “You’re still coming to the wedding?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Got my invitation taped to the refrigerator, so I don’t forget.”
Carlita gathered her belongings and cautiously descended the steps. “I’m sure I’ll see you before the wedding, what with half a dozen or more errands yet to run between today and tomorrow.”
“You take care
