Birthday Party Murder (Lucy Stone Series #9)

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More About This Book

Overview

The whole town of Tinker's Cove is looking forward to the celebration marking former librarian Julia Ward Howe Tilley's ninetieth birthday. Lucy Stone, Miss Tilley's closest friend, dreamed up the party idea—at about the same time she decided she's not getting old without a fight.

That sounds like a plan—until Lucy realizes her daughter's fourteenth birthday bash, a coed sleepover, may turn her hair white overnight. What was she thinking when she agreed to let Sara have the party? On her mind, instead, was the shocking death of Sherman Cobb, the town's oldest attorney, an apparent suicide. His law partner, however, thinks Sherman was murdered.

Poking about in Sherman's papers, Lucy turns up an intriguing tie between the dead man and Miss Tilley. Meanwhile Miss Tilley's own past has come back to haunt her in the form of a mysterious niece named Shirley and a biker great nephew named Snake. Soon no one can get to see the elderly librarian because the brash, bossy Shirley says she's "failing. " Now, as a killer's ruthless plan rushes toward a conclusion, Lucy needs answers fast—or else she and Miss Tilley won't live long enough to make a wish and blow out the candles on this year's birthday cake...

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly
Believable and lovable characters, notably nonagenarian-to-be Julia Ward Howe Tilley (who wears "twinkling" sneakers), add freshness to a familiar story line in Meier's ninth mystery (after 2001's Wedding Day Murder) featuring Lucy Stone, wife, mom, part-time reporter and amateur sleuth. After a cold and cloudy March in quaint Tinker Cove, Maine, the sun is finally shining as Lucy joins her four friends for their weekly breakfast at Jake's Donut Shack. To fight the doldrums and to honor Miss Tilley, the former librarian, they decide to organize a townwide 90th birthday party for her. The anticipation of the party plus Lucy's resolve to lose weight, do something about her wrinkles and dye her hair to cover the newly discovered gray lift her spirits until she hears that respected lawyer Sherman Cobb has been found dead in his office. The police declare death by suicide, but Cobb's partner suspects murder and asks Lucy to investigate. Meanwhile, Miss Tilley is suddenly faced with a niece she never knew existed, who arrives with her biker son only to move in and take over, much to the dismay of the older woman's friends. As Lucy's inquiries lead to the disclosure of long-hidden Tilley family secrets, she must also deal with a teenage daughter and her co-ed sleepover, her son's troubles at college and her husband's accident. Mothers everywhere will identify with Lucy and the domestic problems she encounters, while established fans will find this one well up to standard. (Aug. 6) Forecast: Casual browsers should be attracted by the bright, bold jacket art depicting a death's-head decorated birthday cake and a pair of grim reaper salt-and-pepper shakers. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780758228932
  • Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
  • Publication date: 12/2/2008
  • Format: Mass Market Paperback
  • Pages: 256
  • Sales rank: 200,213
  • Series: Lucy Stone Series, #9
  • Product dimensions: 4.20 (w) x 6.80 (h) x 0.80 (d)

Meet the Author

Leslie Meier is the acclaimed author of thirteen Lucy Stone mysteries and has also written for Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. She lives in Providence, Rhode Island, where she is currently at work on the next Lucy Stone mystery.

Read an Excerpt

Chapter One

Sherman Cobb wasn't feeling well. In fact, he hadn't been feeling well for quite some time. He couldn't even remember the last time he woke up in the morning feeling rested and refreshed, ready to face whatever the new day brought. That was why he was sitting in Doc Ryder's waiting room, expecting the worst.

He'd first visited the doctor a few weeks ago, complaining of pain and tiredness. "Ordinary enough symptoms," Doc Ryder had said in a reassuring tone of voice. But when the doctor palpated his abdomen, Sherman was sure he'd noticed an expression of alarm flicker across his face. It was quickly suppressed, but Sherman had noticed it and Doc Ryder's usually brusque and hearty tone became cautious and guarded as he ordered a battery of tests. "Nothing to worry about--just to be on the safe side," he'd said, but Sherman hadn't believed him.

Deep inside, he knew something was wrong, just like some women can tell they're pregnant long before the strip turns blue on a pregnancy kit. He didn't know how he knew, but he could feel death overtaking him, like the gradual chill you feel when the furnace goes out. First your hands and feet feel cold; then you notice you can't seem to get warm and the radiator feels cool to the touch. You check the thermostat and notice the temperature has fallen a few degrees; the oil tank must be empty or perhaps the pilot light has blown out. You go down to the cellar to investigate.

That's what he'd done. He'd come to the doctor to find out what was wrong. But no matter what it turned out to be, he knew it wouldn't make any difference. His pilot light was struggling to stay lit, but he knew it was just a matter of time before he finally ran out of fuel.

He sighed and reminded himself that he'd cheated the grim reaper a few times in his life and could hardly complain that his chit had finally come due. He'd had a good life, a productive life. He'd had his share of success; he'd known great happiness. All told, he thought, there was only one thing that he wished had been different.

Maybe it could be, he thought, wondering whether he should simply leave things be or should try to change them after all these years. And if he did, would there be enough time?

Pausing at the kitchen door with an armful of lilac blossoms she had just cut, Julia Tilley realized Papa was angry about something. In her twenty years she had become an expert reader of his moods, always watching for the slightest flicker of his mustache, the curl of his mouth and the lowering of his brows. Not that such acute awareness was required today--she could hear his voice reverberating through the entire house, like thunder.

Julia hesitated, unsure what to do. The lilacs would certainly wilt unless she got them into water very soon. On the other hand, Papa's anger seemed to be directed to her older sister, Harriet, and Julia was content to leave it that way. She certainly didn't want to draw his attention by going inside the house.

Moving quickly, she picked up the old enamel bucket that held kitchen scraps and carried it out to the compost heap next to the garden, where she emptied it. She then took it to the pump and filled it with clean water for the lilacs. She set them in the shade and sat down on the porch steps, wondering what to do for the duration. She could walk down the drive to the mailbox, hoping Papa's tantrum would be over by the time she returned, or she could stay here on the stoop and--well, not exactly eavesdrop because that would be wrong, like opening someone's mail--but perhaps a phrase or two would come to her and she could figure out what all the fuss was about.

"Damned scoundrel…a Communist...filthy New Dealer..."

So, it was about Thomas O'Rourke, the young man her sister Harriet had been seeing. Julia had suspected as much. He was a labor organizer and a big supporter of Mr. Roosevelt's New Deal. Papa, a Maine Republican, had no doubt that Mr. Roosevelt's policies would ruin the country.

"I love him, Papa, and you're not going to stop me."

Julia's eyebrows shot up in amazement. Harriet was daring to argue with Papa.

"Don't you dare talk to me like that, young lady," was Papa's predictable response.

"I'm not young, Papa, don't you see? I'm thirty years old. I've always done what you said and what has it gotten me? I'm an old maid--too good for anyone in this town, that's for sure."

Julia considered this. It was true, she realized, with a jolt. None of the farmers and small tradesmen who lived in Tinker's Cove would want a college-educated wife like Harriet. Or herself, for that matter.

"Is that what you want? To marry some man and become his laundress, his cook, his concubine?" Papa practically spat out the words.

On the stoop, Julia hugged herself. She could see Papa's expression as clearly as if she were the object of his wrath. The bristly eyebrows, the narrow nose and hollow cheeks, the frowning mouth. How could Harriet bear to confront him? How could she stand his disapproval?

"Yes, Papa," replied Harriet, coolly. "That's exactly what I want, more than anything. I want to feel Thomas's arms around me, his lips pressed against mine. I want to give myself to him. I want to bear his children."

Julia's jaw dropped, and apparently, so did Papa's. There was silence. A long silence. Julia sat very still, watching the swallows' swooping flight above the neat rows of baby lettuce in the vegetable garden.

When Papa finally spoke, his voice was as cold and hard as ice.

"Understand this: If you marry Thomas O'Rourke, you are no daughter of mine and you will have nothing that is mine. Marry him and you will become dead to me." Julia's lips twitched, hearing the awful words.

Rachel reached out to gently shake Julia awake, but hesitated. Miss Tilley was almost ninety years old and, like a lot of very old people, didn't sleep well at night. It seemed a shame to disturb her, even if lunch was ready. She had made up her mind to turn down the pot when Miss Tilley's eyes sprang open.

"Ah, you're awake," said Rachel. "Are you ready for lunch? It's your favorite, shrimp wiggle on toast."

Julia Ward Howe Tilley blinked and looked around. She'd been dozing, she realized. Papa was long gone, and dear Mama. And Harriet was dead, too. Julia stroked her arthritic fingers and furrowed her brow. She was the only survivor, the last remaining member of her family. Or was she? What if Harriet had given Thomas O'Rourke a child? Her heart beat a little faster at the thought.

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Sort by: Showing all of 2 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted June 10, 2003

    One more Great Mystery with Lucy Stone

    This was a good book. It took into account many current issue and brought them right into the perfect little town of Tinker's Cove. Real life things that many people can identify with like the eldery abuse. This is a horrible thing we have in our lives today, and I glad that Leslie Meier's was able to touch on this issue and make you face it word for word, and page by page. Also, This one made me love that Lucy Stone even more. Everyday I wish this town really existed.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted December 9, 2008

    more from this reviewer

    solid ninth Lucy Stone entry

    The townsfolk of Tinker¿s Cove, Maine are excited over the upcoming Miss Tilley Day celebrating the retired librarian¿s ninetieth birthday. Especially feeling pretty good about the bash as well as her resolve to war with the aging process is Pennysaver reporter, amateur sleuth, wife and mother Lucy Stone.

    However, the elation is tampered with the news that attorney Sherman Cobb died. State police detective Horowitz concludes suicide, but Sherman¿s partner Bob Goodman thinks otherwise. He asks Lucy to investigate the death even as she must deal with domestic non-tranquillity, as each member of her family demands her time and effort pulling her in different directions.

    BIRTHDAY PARTY MURDERS is a solid ninth Lucy Stone entry as the intrepid juggler precariously balances her work, the big gala, the investigation, and her family woes in a way that only a mother (or a single dad) would fully appreciate. The story line is cleverly designed so that the cops believe suicide while the partner refuses to accept that verdict even though the victim had pancreatic cancer. Though the who-done-it is fun, it¿s the cast from feisty Miss Tilley to a guilt feeling Bob for not thanking his partner for bringing him into the firm to others that make trips to Tinker¿s Cove more than just a cozy visit.

    Harriet Klausner

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
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