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
“I’m sorry, Mercedes.” Carlita shifted slightly as she eyed her daughter apologetically. “I know this is unexpected, and we’re already cramped for space, but I couldn’t tell Vinnie no.”
“Could you at least ask Tony and Shelby if Brittney can stay with them?” Mercedes unplugged her laptop and closed the lid. “They have a spare bedroom. All we’ve got is a sleeper sofa.”
“It’s only temporary until…” Carlita’s voice trailed off. She had no idea how long her pregnant daughter-in-law, who was also the only daughter of mafia boss, Vito Castellini, would be staying with them.
“Until whoever is targeting Vito and Vinnie either burns the casino down, blows it up or kills one of them.” Mercedes finished her mother’s sentence.
Carlita’s oldest son, Vinnie, had called his mother the previous day, asking if Brittney could come to Savannah until what he referred to as a “family situation” had been neutralized. When she pressed for details, her son grew evasive, insisting his main goal was to have his new wife spend some time getting to know his mother and his younger siblings, Mercedes and Tony.
“How long are we bonding?” Carlita had asked, thinking about all she had going on…between running Ravello’s, her new restaurant, worrying about Shelby, her other daughter-in-law’s health, and ensuring Spooky Eats and Inns, a new tourist attraction she’d recently joined with some of the other local business owners, was running smoothly.
Vinnie admitted he had no idea how long she might be “visiting” but promised he would be down to join his wife as soon as he was able. He quickly ended the conversation after telling his mother that Luigi and Ricco, Vito’s “bodyguards,” would be accompanying Brittney.
Certain there was more to the story, Carlita let it slide, but after hanging up, she went online to search for recent news stories about Treasure Cove, the Atlantic City casino Vinnie managed.
She was horrified to learn it was the target of several suspicious fires. More than one of the stories hinted at the owner, Vito Castellini’s, mafia ties.
“Bite your tongue.” Carlita sighed heavily. “I am concerned about Vinnie. If someone from the mafia is targeting Castellini and the casino, who knows what they’ll do next.”
The outer bell chimed. Carlita darted to the window and peered down into the alley. The familiar hulking figure of Luigi Baruzzo filled the stoop. As if sensing he was being watched, Luigi looked up.
“They’re here.” She hurried out of the apartment and down the steps. “You made it.”
Luigi tipped his hat. “Mrs. Garlucci.”
“Hello, Luigi.”
“I figured I should make sure someone was home before Ricco unloaded all of Brittney’s bags.”
Carlita craned her neck, peering down the alley to the parking lot at the other end where Ricco struggled to remove a massive suitcase from the trunk of a car. Several other large suitcases were sitting on the ground next to the car.
“She’s got a lotta stuff,” Luigi said. “You want us to bring them upstairs?”
“Yes…yes. That will be fine.” Carlita forced a smile. “I would like to chat with you and Ricco after you finish.”
“We won’t be long.” Luigi stepped off the stoop and trudged back to the car.
Carlita left the door open and ran up the steps. She found her daughter standing at the balcony doors frowning. “Where on earth are we gonna put all of Brittney’s stuff?”
“I have no clue.”
“I have an idea. I’ll be right back.” Mercedes strode out of the apartment, leaving the door ajar. She reappeared moments later. “She’s not home.”
“What are you doing?”
“I’ll tell you in a minute.” She disappeared inside her room, returning to the living room a short time later waving her cell phone
