All The Write Stuff: Murder Under a Cold Moon

Mona Moon is the American Phryrne Fisher!

Murder Under a Cold Moon

A Mona Moon Mystery Book 13

By Abigail Keam

Genre: 1930’s Historical Cozy Mystery

“The ending will shock you and leave you with valuable lessons about family, charity, greed, and the consequences of past mistakes. This is a great story and a must-have for all historical mystery fans.” –Readers’ Favorite

Mona Moon and her new husband, Robert Farley, Duke of Brynelleth are on their honeymoon at last. They are invited to a weekend party by an old friend of Robert’s family—Lady Eustacia. Mona and Robert arrive in a substantial downpour to find several other couples awaiting the appearance of their hostess. When Lady Eustacia fails to come downstairs, Mona and Robert search the manor house only to find the lady missing. It is then they discover the telephone wires have been cut and none of the cars are able to drive into town due to the storm. Mona and Robert believe the invitation was a ruse, but for what purpose? And how do they help Lady Eustacia?

GUEST POST

BUTTERMILK PIE RECEIPE

Also called DEPRESSION PIE OR POOR MAN’S PIE

(US units)

Ingredients

· 3 eggs

· 1 ½ cups white sugar

· ½ cup butter, softened

· 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

· 1 cup buttermilk

· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

· ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg

· 1 (9 inch) unbaked pie crust

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. Beat eggs until frothy. Add sugar, butter, and flour and beat until smooth.

3. Stir in buttermilk, vanilla, and nutmeg. Pour into pie shell.

4. Bake until center is firm, 40 to 60 minutes.

5. Remove from the oven and cool for 1 hour before serving.

Milk_Pie_Recipe-819x1024.jpg

*Recipe and picture from Tracy Mulder

EXCERPT

“What was that?” Mrs. Birley asked, standing next to Mrs. Dewsbury.

“It sounded like the front entrance in the grand hall, but I locked it tight,” Mrs. Boffin said.

“Let’s see if it is,” Mona said, leading the group from the library. The lights flickered causing Mona concern. What would happen if the electricity went out?

“Let me lead the way. I know this house like the back of my hand,” Mrs. Boffin said, pushing past Mona.

The group followed Mrs. Boffin through several rooms into the grand hall where the two doors for the entrance were blown open with one hanging off its hinges. There in the windswept room lay a man prone on the floor. Mr. Birley rushed over to the man and turned him over.

“Who is he?” asked Mrs. Birley, clinging to Mrs. Dewsbury.

Stunned, Mrs. Boffin squeaked, “He’s Charles Zelly, Lady Eustacia’s solicitor.”

“Help me take off his wet overcoat,” Mona said, pulling back her hand covered in blood. “Oh, my goodness! This man is injured!”

Mrs. Birley screamed and ran upstairs to her room with Mrs. Dewsbury following her.

Mona and Mrs. Boffin checked the solicitor for wounds while Mr. Peregrine went for a phone, knowing one was in the library.

“Your Grace, Mr. Zelly has a deep wound on the back of his head. He needs serious medical attention. This goes beyond my expertise,” Mrs. Boffin claimed.

“Let’s do what we can,” Mona said, looking for something to staunch the man’s head wound.

Zelly shuddered as his face went slack. Mona looked on as Mrs. Boffin felt for a pulse.

“Is he?”

Knowing a death rattle when she heard one, Mrs. Boffin closed Mr. Zelly’s eyes. “Yes, Your Grace. Mr. Zelly is gone.”

Mona felt for a pulse on Mr. Zelly’s wrist. “I concur. I’m not getting a pulse either. This is horrible.”

The vicar came back looking grim while Mrs. Boffin gathered a cloth from the butler’s pantry to cover the man.

Meanwhile, Mr. Birley rushed to the kitchen for help.

Noticing Mr. Peregrine’s severe face, Mona asked, “Did you get hold of the doctor?”

Mr. Peregrine hesitated before he spoke. “I couldn’t, Your Grace. You see—the line is dead. We are cut off from the rest of the world.”

Mona couldn’t suppress fear running up her spine, feeling like a spike of electricity.

As if the house knew Mona’s thoughts, the lights flickered.

What readers are saying about Murder Under a Cold Moon:

FIVE STARS! “Abigail Keam masterfully blends light-hearted humor, suspense, and historical charm. Her ability to balance action with cozy moments keeps the pacing just right, ensuring readers remain captivated from start to finish.” –Tambi Smith, Mystic Shadows Mystery Book Club.

FIVE STARS! “Using suspense and a never-ending array of twists, the author skillfully weaves character development with elements of mystery. When you think you have figured out who the real culprit is, Keam throws in another surprise that challenges your

assumptions, making the story thrilling to read.” –Readers’ Favorite

FIVE STARS! “I continue to revel in this cleverly contrived and engaging cozy series. I adore Mona Moon, a woman ahead of her time with movie star looks, boatloads of her own money, nerves of steel, and a nose for sleuthing.” -DJ Sakata, Books and Bindings Blog.

FIVE STARS! “The setting, theme and mystery were done really well. It almost felt like something from Holmes or Christie. It is a great read for the fall season.” - Susan Reads Cozies, Goodreads

FIVE STARS! “Those who enjoy reading crime fiction and detective stories should get their hands on this book!” –Readers’ Choice, Goodreads

FIVE STARS! “Carve out a few hours and have yourself a plate of biscuits and a pot of builders' tea to enjoy and savor this one. Because once you start, you won't want to put it down!” –Jesse Coffey, Goodreads

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Bookbub * Goodreads

Book Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSXV3J1N

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/murder-under-a-cold-moon/id6476508102?ls=1

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/murder-under-a-cold-moon-abigail-keam/1144699550?ean=2940186021247

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/murder-under-a-cold-moon

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/murder-under-a-cold-moon-a-1930s-mona-moon-historical-cozy-mystery-book-13-a-mona-moon-mystery-by-abigail-keam

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205757124-murder-under-a-cold-moon

Book Trailer:

https://youtu.be/D-mw2oHVG5E

**Don’t miss the rest of the series!**

Find them on Amazon!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0852XX6FV

Murder Under A Blue Moon – Only .99 cents!!
Murder Under A Blood Moon
Murder Under A Bad Moon
Murder Under A Silver Moon
Murder Under A Wolf Moon
Murder Under A Black Moon
Murder Under A Full Moon
Murder Under A New Moon
Murder Under A British Moon
Murder Under A Bridal Moon
Murder Under A Western Moon
Murder Under A Honey Moon - Only .99 cents!!
Murder Under A Cold Moon
Murder Under A Mystic Moon

Series Trailer:

https://youtu.be/H-QSexJIoz0

About the Author

Award-winning author Abigail Keam writes the Mona Moon Mystery Series—a rags-to-riches 1930s mystery series, which weaves real people and events into the story. “I am a student of history and love to insert historical information into my mysteries. There is an addendum at the end of the mystery to give more information. My goal is to entertain my readers, but if they learn a little something along the way—well, then we are both happy.”

Miss Abigail currently lives on the Palisades bordering the Kentucky River in a metal house with her husband and various critters.

AWARDS

2010 Gold Medal Award from Readers' Favorite for Death By A HoneyBee
2011 Gold Medal Award from Readers' Favorite for Death By Drowning
2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By Drowning
2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By A HoneyBee
2017 Finalist from Readers' Favorite for Death By Design
2019 Honorable Mention from Readers' Favorite for Death By Stalking
2019 Murder Under A Blue Moon voted top ten mystery reads by Kings River Life Magazine
2020 Finalist from Readers' Favorite for Murder Under A Blue Moon
2020 Imadjinn Award for Best Mystery for Death By Stalking 2022 Finalist in Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Historical Category - Murder Under A Full Moon
2022 Finalist the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Historical Category - Murder Under A New Moon
2022 Death By Chance: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Cozy Mystery
2022 Top Ten Mystery Novel by Kings River Life Magazine for Murder Under A Bridal Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Mystery
2022 Top Ten Mystery Novel by Kings River Life Magazine for Murder Under A British Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Mystery