Murder at Bray Manor: a historical cosy mystery Read online

  Behind her was the sound of a motorcar pulling into the entrance of the small graveyard. She frowned at the taxicab—who on earth? Then she recognized the passenger, a curly-haired brunette, wearing a tweed suit and sensible Oxford shoes. Ginger wiped her eyes as she watched Haley strolling towards her, Boss at her heels.

  Neither of them spoke as Haley put a consoling arm around Ginger’s shoulders and Boss whimpered at her feet. Ginger hadn’t felt the cold until now. She scooped up her pet and held him close as she pressed into Haley’s embrace. They stood there in silence.

  “He was a very good man,” Ginger finally said.

  Haley hummed in agreement. “I wish I could’ve known him.”

  Ginger set Boss on the ground and watched him chase a squirrel as if he hadn’t a care in the world. How she envied that. She crossed her arms over her chest as if the act itself could hold in the tidal wave of emotion that threatened to burst through.

  “I’m so torn, Haley. I loved him very much—still love him, but I feel . . .”

  “That it might be time to say goodbye?”

  “Would that be awful?”

  Ginger’s normally perfectly coiffed hair fell over one eye and Haley gently pushed it behind Ginger’s ear.

  “Oh, honey. It’s not awful. Daniel would want you to. He’d want you to be happy. You owe it to him to be happy.”

  “Because I lived?”

  “Because you lived.”

  A greylag goose skidded across the south shore of Livingston lake, its orange beak disappearing under the slate-coloured surface as it nabbed its morning minnow. Joined by its mate, the two of them floated along squawking amiably as if they were discussing the news over breakfast tea.

  Ginger’s mind went to Basil Reed. Maybe it was time to put the picture of Daniel away.

  “You’ve got awfully quiet,” Haley said. “Are you all right?”

  Ginger smiled softly. “Yes. I think I am.”

  The End.

  Feathers & Flair

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  It’s 1924 and war widow fashionista, Ginger Gold’s new Regent Street dress shop, Feathers & Flair, is the talk of the London fashion district attracting aristocrats from Paris to Berlin to Russia.

  Ginger is offered her first job as a private detective when a well-known stage actor goes missing, and though the dress shop takes most of her time, Ginger takes the case.

  But when a Russian duchess dies at the shop’s official Grand Opening event, Ginger ignores the missing person to chase a Killer. It's a decision she will live to regret.

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  About the Author

  Lee Strauss is the bestselling author of The Ginger Gold Mysteries series (cozy historical mystery), A Nursery Rhyme Suspense series (Mystery Sci-fi Romantic Suspense), The Perception series (young adult dystopian), and young adult historical fiction. When she’s not writing or reading she likes to cycle, hike and kayak. She enjoys traveling (but not jet lag :0), cashew lattes, red wine and dark chocolate.

  She also writes younger YA fantasy as Elle Strauss and sweet inspirational romance as Hope Franke Strauss.

  For more info on books by Lee Strauss and her social media links visit leestraussbooks.com. To make sure you don’t miss the next new release, be sure to sign up for her readers list!

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  On Amazon

  The Perception Series (YA dystopian/sci-fi/romance)

  Ambition (short story prequel)

  Perception (book 1)

  Volition (book 2)

  Contrition (book 3)

  Playing with Matches (WW2 history/romance)

  Playing with Matches

  A Piece of Blue String (companion short story)

  A Nursery Rhyme Suspense (Mystery Thriller)

  Gingerbread Man

  Life is but a Dream

  Hickory Dickory Dock

  Twinkle Little Star

  Ginger Gold Mysteries (Cozy Historical)

  Murder on the SS Rosa (1)

  Murder at Hartigan House (2)

  Murder at Bray Manor (3)

  Murder at Feathers & Flair (4)

  Acknowledgments

  Much love to the growing list of fans who love to hang out with Ginger Gold! You make writing these books a joy.

  I couldn’t do it without the help of my superhero team, Angelika Offenwanger, Robbi Bryant, Heather Belleguelle, and Shadi Bleiken. You guys rock!

  As always, my heart belongs to my family—my husband Norm Strauss and kids, Joel, Levi, Jordan and Tasia. A special thanks and love shout out to my parents, Gene and Lucille Franke and my circle, Donna, Shawn, Noreen and Lori. I’m so grateful for your prayers and practical support.

  Forever grateful to God who keeps me.

  Murder at Bray Manor

  By Lee Strauss

  Cover by Steven Novak Illustrations

  Copyright © 2017

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  ISBN: 978-1-988677-05-7