Two Settle the Score: Book 4
Killer Road Trip: Book 5
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
Sweet Southern Sleuths Box Set I: (Books 1-4)
Sweet Southern Sleuths Box Set: II: (Books 5-8)
Sweet Southern Sleuths Box Set III: (Books 9-12)
Sweet Southern Sleuths 12 Book Box Set (Entire Series)
Cozy Mystery Collections
Summer Sleuths Cozy Mysteries Collection
Cozy Mysteries Collection (Heart and Holiday Edition)
Fall Into Murder 6 Book Fall Themed Cozy Mystery Collection
Cozy Mysteries 12 Book Box Set: (Garden Girls & Cruise Ship Cozy Mystery Series)
Cozy Mysteries Cookbook (Free w/Newsletter signup)
Cozy Mysteries Cookbook-Recipes from Hope Callaghan Books
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.
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Chapter 1
Carlita Garlucci ran a clean rag over the top of the fireplace mantle and took a step back. “This place is spic and span and ready for our new tenant.”
Mercedes, Carlita’s daughter, joined her mother in the living room. “Yep, today is the big moving day. I hope Autumn likes her new apartment.”
“I know Shelby and Violet, not to mention Tony, are all enjoying their new home.” A look of concern crossed Carlita’s face. “I hope we’re not making a mistake in allowing Autumn to take Shelby’s vacant unit.”
Tony, Carlita’s middle son, had recently married her tenant, Shelby. The newlyweds, along with Shelby’s young daughter, had moved into a new, larger apartment above Ravello’s Italian Eatery, Carlita’s restaurant.
With the couple wed, she had two vacant units on her hands…Shelby’s two-bedroom apartment, situated directly across the hall from Carlita and Mercedes’ apartment, as well as Tony’s efficiency, which was downstairs, and behind their pawnshop, Savannah Swag.
Autumn, who had recently broken up with her boyfriend, a local police officer, and whose lease was almost up in her current rental, was anxious to move out of the building where the couple both lived.
She nearly begged Carlita to allow her to rent the vacant unit. Despite her reservations about allowing a family friend to move in, Carlita had finally caved.
“Ma, we’ve been over this a dozen times. Autumn will be the perfect tenant and neighbor. Besides, she needs to get out of her building. It will be good for her to be closer to her brother, Steve.”
“I suppose you’re right. I just don’t like to mix friends and business…it’s never a good combination.”
“It’ll be fine. You’ll see.” Mercedes glanced at her watch. “I better get going. I promised Autumn I would help her move some of the smaller boxes this morning.”
Carlita followed her daughter down the stairs and into the alley. “What on earth?” She frowned at the white minivan parked outside her door.
“Elvira has a company vehicle.” Mercedes pointed to the bright blue lettering on the side of the van:
EC Security Services
EC Investigative Services
One Call Covers it All
Elvira’s phone number and website information were listed directly beneath the catchy slogan.
“She’s gonna have to move it.” Carlita shifted her gaze. “We won’t be able to get restaurant delivery trucks through here if she’s hogging the only access to our unloading area.”
“You better nip this in the bud before Elvira gets it in her head she owns the alley now that she bought the building behind us,” Mercedes advised.
“I’m on it right now.”
“See you later.” Mercedes headed to their parking area. Carlita waited until she was gone before stepping around the back of the vehicle to her neighbor’s rear entrance. She rapped loudly, but there was no answer. She returned to the vehicle and leaned inside the open driver’s side window. “That figures.” Fast food bags filled the passenger seat and spilled onto the floor.
A tower of coffee cup containers teetered precariously inside the cup holder, threatening to tumble. A strong stench - a combination of grease and sweaty feet - emanated from the vehicle.
Carlita made a gagging sound and jerked her head back. “Disgusting.”
Certain that Elvira did not intend to move the vehicle without strong motivation, she strode down the sidewalk and to the business side of her neighbor’s building.
A pair of newly installed black and white striped awnings shaded the entrance. Along with the awnings was a new sign, EC Investigative Services. Carlita spied movement inside and pushed the door open.
Beep. A loud buzzer announced her arrival. Dernice, Elvira’s sister, hurried from the
