Aaron Paul Lazar [Lazar - LeGarde Mysteries Box Set

LeGarde Mysteries

Boxed Set

1) Double Fort 2) Upstaged 3) Mazurka 4) FireSong

Aaron Paul Lazar

Other Books by Aaron Paul Lazar

LEGARDE MYSTERIES (country mysteries set in the Finger Lakes)

GREEN MARBLE MYSTERIES (mysteries with time travel and a ghost)

TALL PINES MYSTERIES (sensual womens mysteries set in the Adirondacks)

PAINES CREEK BEACH SERIES (love stories by the sea)

BITTERSWEET HOLLOW SERIES (romantic suspense involving kidnapping)

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Devils Lake

Bittersweet Hollow, book 1

Two years ago, Portia Lamont disappeared from a small town in Vermont, devastating her parents and sister, who spent every waking hour searching for her. When she suddenly shows up on their horse farm in a stolen truck with a little mutt on her lap, they want to know what happened. Was she taken? Or did she run away?

2015 Finalist Readers Favorites Awards

2015 Semi-finalist in Kindle Book Review Awards

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Reviews

Youre about to dive into four of the LeGarde Mysteries. If you enjoy them, I hope youll consider leaving a review on Amazon. It doesnt have to be long or fancyjust a few lines about what you liked best or how the book made you feel is perfectly fine.

Thanks in advance for taking a few minutes to write a short review!

This collection of novels is a work of fiction. All concepts, characters and events portrayed in this book are used fictitiously and any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental.

Copyright 2009-2016 by Aaron Paul Lazar. All bookswere previously published by Twilight Times Books, Tennessee, 2009 - 2013.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except brief extracts for the purpose of review, without the permission of the publisher and copyright owner.

Revised Edition, January 2017

Cover art by Kellie Dennis, Bookcoverbydesign.uk.co.

Published in the United States of America.

Double Fort: LeGarde Mysteries, #1

Dedication

To my sweet wife, Dale, who has displayed tremendous courage in the face of adversity and who continues to fill my soul with longing and laughter.

To my three beautiful daughters, in order of their birth: Jennifer, who is a most devoted mother, and whose sense of playfulness sparkles and is reflected in the big eyes of her adorable children. Melanie, whose lyrical, powerful voice induces chills of delight, and whose steadfast support and sweet demeanor have comforted us during times of trauma. Allison, whose artistic talent and spiritual depth fill my heart with pride, and who will some day paint pictures the whole world will cherish.

And to my grandchildren: Julian and Gordon, my two little buddies two precious grandsons who have enriched our lives beyond imagination. And dear little Bella, my little princess. My heart sings when I see you, little one! And last but not least, my newest grandson, Christopher, who is the funniest and sweetest little guy on the planet. (There are a couple of new surprises on their way soon and this dedication will have to be updated!)

To Bobbi, for her constant and unwavering support, for the many dishes of tomato scallop and apple pie, and whose sense of family history has been inspirational.

To Max, for being the best mutt on Earth and for providing a terrific dog model. Although you are now gone, my wonderful canine friend, you will always live on in our hearts.

To my beloved parents, the best parents in the world, who taught me to appreciate fine music, art, literature, gardening, country life, bountiful family meals, and a good mystery.

Finally, to my four beloved grandparents who have found their way into the series in one way or another. ( 'Til we meet again )

Cast of Characters

Primary Characters

Gus LeGarde: Music Professor at Conaroga University. (Father to Freddie, grandfather to Johnny.) Gus mourns the loss of his first wife, Elsbeth and plays endless Chopin etudes to soothe his soul.

Siegfried Marggrander: A giant of a man, deprived of his enormous mental ability early in life by an accident. He survived as a genial, fearless and loyal companion to Gus.

Elsbeth (Marggrander) LeGarde: Siegfrieds twin sister who died four years before the events of this story, but survives as an unforgettable memory in Guss mind. Elsbeth was Guss first wife.

Camille Cot: Social worker/teen therapist and troubled victim of a brutal ex-husband.

Maddy Cot: Camilles flamboyant mother and Guss secretary in the Music Department at Conaroga University.

Freddie (LeGarde) Delano: Guss adult daughter who runs a veterinary clinic in town. Married to Harold Delano and mother of Johnny, a precocious two-year old.

Harold Delano: lawyer, husband to Freddie.

Johnny Delano: Freddie and Harolds son; Guss grandson. Two-year-old and one of Guss best pals.

Adelaide Pierce: Housekeeper of the LeGarde household.

Joe Russell: Lieutenant of the local police.

Adam Knapp: Joe Russells partner.

The Stones: Oscar and Millie took the bereaved Gus under their wings as he suffered one loss after another. They are his adopted parents and long-time family friends.

The Animals (and owners)

Max (Gus): Half husky/half wire-haired dachshund.

Sheba (Siegfried): Golden retriever rescued from hunters trap.

Boris (Camille): A longhaired mini-Dachshund.

Tristan (Gus): A Himalayan cat with the instincts of a thief.

Diablo (Gus): A Morgan gelding with visions of a steeple-chasing career.

Maggie (Gus): A dainty Morgan mare.

Rascal (Gus): An ill-tempered rooster who rules the barn.

Jasper (The Stones): Beloved old collie who passes away early on in the story.

Tinkerbell (The Stones): Shebas mongrel pup who replaces their beloved Jasper.

Ginger (Camille): An orange tiger cat who snoozes as much as she eats.

Dunster (Joe Russell): A tri-colored collie, alive in his owners memory.

Chapter 1

Wed been skiing across the snow-covered field for twenty minutes when I heard the howl. The sound echoed over the frozen landscape, sending chills down my spine. Was it a coyote? A wolf?

I turned to Siegfried, my best friend and brother to my deceased wife. Did you hear that, Sig?

He slid to my side in a white spray of snow, courtesy of the fresh powder that coated the two-foot base. It had been swirling white since we started out in the murky dawn, hoping to get some exercise before we started our busy Saturday.

He slowly shook his massive head. No, Professor. Was hrten Sie ?

At six-eight, Sig was taller than me. With broad shoulders, huge hands, and tree trunk legs, this man whod stood by my side since childhood appeared a gladiator among normal men. But I knew his secret. He was an angel on earth, put here for the animals and children, sent to teach us how to be better people. I loved him fiercely, and hed been my friend since I was five.

We listened at the crest of the hill. I pulled back my hood, but the biting cold of the January gusts sliced into my face and neck, numbing my skin. This windy ridge, which overlooked the east side of the gently rolling Genesee Valley, boasted the most beautiful view for miles. Today I was almost too cold to notice.

Im not sure, buddy. It was a

The cry came again. This time it was louder, more plaintive.

Siegfrieds sea blue eyes widened and he pointed with his ski pole toward the woods. A wisp of long blond hair escaped from his hood, fluttering about his face. Mein Gott. It sounds hurt. When my friend grew worried, his German accent thickened. We must help.

Resolved, he lifted his poles, pushing hard in the direction of the cry.

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