Karen MacInerney - Berried to the Hilt

About the Author

Although she currently lives in Texas with her husband and two children, Agatha-nominated author Karen MacInerney was born and bred in the Northeast, and she escapes there as often as possible. When she isnt in Maine eating lobster, she spends her time in Austin with her cookbooks, her family, her computer, and the local walking trail (not necessarily in that order).

In addition to writing the Gray Whale Inn mysteries, Karen is the author of the Tales of an Urban Werewolf series. You can visit her online at www.karenmacinerney.com.

Berried to the Hilt: A Gray Whale Inn Mystery 2010 by Karen MacInerney.

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

First e-book edition 2010

E-book ISBN: 9780738727745

Book design by Donna Burch

Cover design by Ellen Dahl

Cover illustration 2010 Bob Dombrowski/The July Group

Editing by Connie Hill

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Acknowledgments

Thank yous, as always, go first to my familyEric, Abby, and Ianfor all their love and support; also to Dave and Carol Swartz, and Ed and Dorothy MacInerney. I am so lucky to have my extended family so close! Thanks also to Bethann and Beau Eccles, my adopted family; my wonderful nieces and nephews on both sides; to my sister, Lisa, and her family; and to my fabulous grandmother, Marian Quinton (and Nora Bestwick).

Many thanks to my agent Jessica Faust, who is there for me at every plot turn. I cannot say enough good things about the fabulous Midnight Ink teamparticularly Terri Bischoff, whose support, (and willingness to wait a few months when things got hectic) has been amazing. Thanks also to Connie Hill, editor extraordinaire, for finding my mistakes and making me look good, and Ellen Dahl, whose cover concepts rock. I also want to give a shout-out to Thea Eaton, here in Austin, for all of her help with the web page.

And a big thank you to all those supportive friends out there particularly Dana Lehman, J. Jaye Smith, Jessica Park, Austin Mystery Writers, and all my friends at the Westbank Library and my local coffee shop and bookstore. Thanks also to all of the wonderful readers who take the time to tell me you enjoyed the books; I couldnt do it without you!

Dedicated with love to the memory of
Merrie Leigh Orton MacInerney

What were you thinking?

It was a question I had often asked myself over the last few years, ever since I quit my job, sold my house, and plunked down my life savings on the gray-shingled inn on Cranberry Island, Maine. As gorgeous as the locale wasafter more than a decade in sun-baked Texas, I was still awed by the beauty of the mountains across the water, their granite shoulders now swathed in the brilliant golds and russets of early Octoberstarting a bed and breakfast had been fraught with challenges.

But Charlene wasnt referring to my decision to gamble my life savings on a house on an island. Nor was she talking about my recent transition from bed-and-breakfast to full-service inn, which, even with help, was turning out to be a more-than-full-time job.

I dont know, I said, switching the phone to the other ear and stepping out of my steamy kitchen onto the back porch. A welcome gust of cool fall air swept over me, and I took a deep breath of it before continuing. I guess it sounded like a good idea at the time.

A month ago, Tom Lockhart, the Cranberry Island selectman and head of the lobster co-op, had asked me to judge the annual cranberry bake-off. Flattered to be included, I had said yes, thinking it was a wonderful way to become more involved with the community.

I was right about the involvement in the community. But I got the wonderful part all wrong.

Natalie, youre doomed, Charlene said. It doesnt matter who you give the prizes to; everyone else will accuse you of playing favorites. Ten years from now, they still wont have forgiven you.

But the entries are anonymous! I protested. I wont know whose is whose!

We live on an island of under a hundred people, Natalie. Do you really think you wont recognize Claudettes sugarless cranberry pie?

I puckered involuntarily at the mention of the infamous pie, realizing that Charlene was right as usual. As Cranberry Islands postmistress and general store owner, she was the arbiter of all things island. She and I had hit it off almost immediately, and now I couldnt imagine life without my impeccably dressed, bubbly friend.

So what do I do?

I dont know. Maybe you could ask John to drop something on your headsomething heavy enough to put you in the hospital for a few days. It might be easier.

Despite my dire situation, I couldnt help feeling a little tingle at the mention of my neighborand now fiancJohn. I held up my left hand; the sapphire stone of the engagement ring sparkled in the light. We hadnt set a date for the wedding yetId been too busy with the transition to lunch and dinner service to do much other than sleepbut we were thinking maybe early spring, before the tourist season began. I cant go into the hospital, I said. Ive got a business to run.

Then well have to come up with a strategy, she said.

Ive got a novel idea. How about I taste all the dishes and give the best one the award? I asked.

Youre so nave, she said. Ill think about it and get back to you. Ive got to get down to the dock for a delivery. Talk to you later!