Magnolia Moonlight: Volume 3 (Secrets of the South Mysteries) - Softcover

Ellis, Mary

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0736961739 ISBN 13: 9780736961738

Publisher: Harvest House Publishers, 2016

Synopsis

What Sinister Secrets Lurk in the Shadows of Yesterday?

Natchez, Mississippi—Private Investigator Nate Price and his new wife, Isabelle, need a vacation. Their coworkers generously team up to surprise them with a belated honeymoon...but the happy trip turns sour when Izzy spies her ex-husband, who appears to have taken up his gambling addiction once again.

While the boss is away, Price Investigations remains in the hands of Beth Kirby, a former police officer, and Michael Preston, a former forensic accountant. Hardly a dream team, as Beth resents working with a man who has no experience in his new job.

But Beth and Michael must move past their differences if they hope to uncover the truth behind a beloved Southern preacher's demise. The preacher's widow suspects foul play, despite the evidence indicating suicide.

With tension escalating between these investigators and local law enforcement—and new threats arising on all sides—how will Beth, Michael, and Nate hold on to faith and bring the truth to light?

About this title

About the Author

MaryEllis has written twelve award-winning novels set in the Amish community and several historical romances. Her latest, MagnoliaMoonlight, is third of a new mystery series, Secrets of the South,from Harvest House Publishers. Before "retiring" to writefull-time, Mary taught school and worked as a sales rep for Hershey Chocolate,a job with amazingly sweet fringe benefits. She enjoys traveling, gardening,bicycling and swimming, and lives in Ohio with her husband, dog and cat. Sunsetin Old Savannah will release in early 2017. She can be found on the webat: maryellis.net or facebook.com/Mary-Ellis/Author

Review

Publishers Weekly06/27/2016
Beth Kirby is an ex-cop turned PI with a past she'd like to forget, and training nerdy accountant Michael Preston is the last thing she wants to do. When their boss, Nate Price, goes on his honeymoon in Bay St. Louis Miss., she and Michael are left to partner up on a case featuring a pastor who committed suicide and embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars from his church. The reverend's widow, however, believes her husband was murdered and demands the truth be found. Despite her emphatic beliefs, the evidence points in all the wrong places. Meanwhile, Nate's romantic getaway takes an unexpected turn with the appearance of his wife's ex-husband. Fearing he may be relapsing into his gambling addiction, Nate does his best to help the struggling man, unaware of his larger problems. While the honeymooners deal with their unwelcome guest, Beth and Michael investigate the suspicious pastor's death . Ellis's (What Happened on Beale Street) tightly plotted mystery is exciting and involved. The humorous banter between Beth and Michael keeps the story light, and the growth of their relationship feels natural alongside the more remarkable circumstances of the pastor's death. A fine balance of suspense and romance. Agent: Mary Sue Seymour, The Seymour Agency (Aug.)Kirkus Reviews2016-05-30
A quartet of private detectives has their hands full with cases in two different cities.Natchez private eye Nate Price and his wife, Isabelle (Midnight on the Mississippi, 2015, etc.), are two years behind on a honeymoon until their friends and colleagues chip in and send them to lovely Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, leaving former police officer Beth Kirby and new hire Michael Preston to hold down the office back in Natchez. Beth had wanted to stay as far away from Natchez as possible after falling in love with her former boss earned her a bad reputation in the department. Although she did nothing wrong, her life was made miserable, and her self-esteem is in the cellar. Michael too is suffering after being dumped just before his wedding, and the two get off to a rough start. Beth's pastor is suspected of stealing money from the church building fund and killing himself when the loss is discovered. His wife, convinced that he's innocent, hires the agency to prove it. Michael's accounting expertise comes in handy while tracking down the missing money, and Beth proves that the pastor was murdered despite resistance from the police and ill-will from her former partner. Meanwhile, the Prices' honeymoon gets derailed when Isabelle sees her ex-husband, Craig, whose gambling ruined their marriage, in Bay St. Louis. Isabelle calls Craig's second wife, who's been devastated since Craig told her he was leaving her, a story both women suspect may be false. Isabelle resolves to find out what Craig's really doing as Beth and Michael slowly begin to trust each other and try to keep their relationship friendly--no more, no less--after their bad experiences while going all out to solve their case. A pleasant cozy, more romance than mystery, with inspirational overtones.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0736961739
• ISBN 13: 9780736961738
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352