{"product_id":"a-writers-apprentice-mysteryisbn-9780425282625","title":"A Writer's Apprentice Mystery","description":"\u003cb\u003eWriter's apprentice Lena London is happily working on a new collaboration with her idol and bestselling suspense novelist and friend Camilla Graham, but her joy is short-lived when a dark cloud descends upon the quaint town of Blue Lake, Indiana...\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLena's best friend, Allison, is in a panic. On a walk in the woods by her home, Allison discovers the body of her mail carrier, an argumentative man who recently had a falling out with Allison's husband. Lena quickly realizes that Allison has nothing to worry about as the murder weapon points to a different suspect altogether: Lena's embattled boyfriend, Sam West. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSam was cleared of his wife's murder when she was found alive, and now someone is trying to make him look guilty again. Surveillance video of a break-in at his house shows a shadowy figure trying to incriminate him by stealing the weapon from his desk. Lena and Camilla work on a suspect list, but a threatening note and a violent intrusion at Graham House prove that the devious killer has decided to write them into the plot.\u003cb\u003ePraise for \u003ci\u003eA Dark and Stormy Murder\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “What's not to love? Writing that flows beautifully, suspense that builds slowly and almost unbearably, and a setting that is perfectly beautiful and mysterious, yet also menacing.”—Miranda James, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of the Cat in the Stacks Mysteries\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e “A traditional mystery reader’s dream.\u003ci\u003e A Dark and Stormy Murder\u003c\/i\u003e has it all: plenty of action, a dash of romance, and \u003ci\u003elots\u003c\/i\u003e of heart.”— Julie Hyzy, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of the White House Chef Mysteries\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e “An engaging cozy with a touch of Gothic, \u003ci\u003eA Dark and Stormy Murder\u003c\/i\u003e is a not-to-be-missed page turner. Bring on book two in this charming series!”—Terrie Farley Moran, Agatha award winning author of the Read ‘Em and Eat Mysteries\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003ePraise for the Undercover Dish Mysteries\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “A delectable concoction of appealing characters and smart sleuthing—and tasty food!”—Sheila Connolly, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of the County Cork Mysteries\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e “Sweet and highly entertaining, with a cast of fun, quirky characters...Readers are sure to devour this yummy mystery.”—Sue Ann Jaffarian, national bestselling author of the Ghost of Granny Apples Mysteries and the Odelia Grey Mysteries\u003cb\u003eJulia Buckley\u003c\/b\u003e is a Chicago author and teacher. A lover of mysteries herself, she spent her teen years absorbing the wonderful mystery and suspense fiction of the 20th Century, all of which helped to influence what she writes today. Her published series include the Writer's Apprentice mysteries, the Undercover Dish mysteries, the first in the Teddy Thurber series, and the Madeline Mann mysteries. She is a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime and the Chicago Writer's Association.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJulia lives with her husband, three cats and a big rambunctious Labrador. She has two grown sons. In her free time she likes to watch Netflix (on which she has discovered the joy of French cinema), tend to the potted plants on her deck, read great books, or take part in one of her two book groups.1\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Delia had come to Greece to face her demons, whatever form they      might take. She was frightened, yet also relieved, that the      showdown was at hand, and that, one way or another, she would find      resolution.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e -From Death at Delphi, a work in progress\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Victoria West, tragic and beautiful, spoke into the camera. Her      expression revealed her pain, as it had on every news broadcast on      every channel for the last two months. It also conveyed her      determination. In a firm yet vulnerable voice, she said, \"I know      that my daughter is in this country, and I know that people are      being paid handsomely to keep her hidden. The authorities have      assured me that Nikon, or whoever acted on his behalf, did not      leave the United States with my Athena. I appeal to everyone      watching to please help me find my daughter and bring her home.\"      She paused, and I had the sense that the whole world hung on her      words. \"I am not the only one who has been affected by Nikon      Lazos's selfish actions. My husband, Sam, suffered terribly,      accused of taking my life. My friend Taylor died in her quest to      find me. These are terrible, irreparable losses, and I do not wish      to add my baby girl to the roster of things that cannot be      reclaimed.\" She dabbed at her eyes, and her parents rushed forward      to put their arms around her. Her lawyers, too, wore faces of the      utmost concern.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e My friend Allison put down her slice of pizza and turned to me.      \"Lena, I know she's been through a great deal, but she's so      melodramatic. And Sam isn't her husband. He's your man.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This is why Allison is my best friend. I would never have dared to      say that Victoria West hadn't gone through terrible things, nor      would I have ventured to criticize her frequent press conferences.      Of course she wanted her child back, as we all did. I worried      about the baby that Nikon Lazos had stolen in broad daylight, and      like everyone I was shocked that the police and the government      agencies had been unable to locate the child. She had been taken      at the end of February, and tomorrow would be the first of May.      Yet, like Allison, I couldn't help but feel that Victoria had      almost come to enjoy her time in front of the camera, as she had      come to depend, once again, on the company and support of her      ex-husband, Sam West.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Victoria stepped away from the podium, and one of her lawyers      began taking questions from the crowd assembled in New York. She      had flown out for the event, which had been combined with the DA's      public-and extremely belated-apology to Sam West. Sam had declined      to attend, and I supported his choice. Why should he take part in      the pageant that Camilla now called \"The Victoria West Show\"?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Allison sniffed and turned the television off with her remote      control. Immediately the peace of her large and sunny living room      comforted me and soothed my frayed nerves. It was Monday, her day      off, and she was letting me decompress at her house. \"Thank you      for saying that about Victoria. I have to admit I am getting a      little tired of sharing Sam with her. He's trying to be noble,      offering support because her therapist says she needs to feel the      permanence of her former relationships. I get that. But to rent a      house in Blue Lake? And it's walking distance from Sam's place.      Camilla made such a face when I told her.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Camilla's right,\" Allison said. \"I mean, you won him fair and      square. She and her lawyers can wait things out in Indianapolis if      she's so convinced that Nikon is in Indiana.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"That's only one theory, of course. That he's hiding in plain      sight. To me that seems like paranoia. The man had a      yacht-although that's been seized temporarily. But he has so much      money he could have bought another one, under someone else's name,      like he did last time, and he and his daughter could be in      Kamchatka by now.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Kamchatka,\" Allison said appreciatively. Then, brightening, she      said, \"We should play Risk! Wouldn't that be fun? With Sam and      John? And maybe Doug and Belinda, if they're still a thing.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I don't know. I should visit Belinda at the library and put out      some feelers. I haven't seen her since Camilla and I returned from      our tour.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Yeah, tell me more about that. Was England beautiful?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A rush of happy memories flooded through me. \"So amazing! The      scenery, the landscapes of those little towns-just wonderful.      Well, you saw the pictures on Facebook.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Yes. Gorgeous!\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I saw the village where Camilla grew up. There's a pub there with      all her book covers framed on the wall. God, I took so many      pictures, Allie! I could have stayed there forever.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Did you get to make speeches and stuff?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Camilla always spoke first, and then when she was finished she      would introduce me and talk about working with me, and then people      would ask me questions. I felt very important, but that was all      due to Camilla's generosity. You know how she is.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"It sounds amazing.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"And at the end of our tour we were right on the sea, and we      visited her mother in her little cottage. She was delightful. So      much like Camilla, but her own distinct person. She made us tea      and called Camilla \"pet,\" and I was in love with her instantly.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Allison put another slice of pizza on my plate and handed it to me      where I sat lazily on her couch. I took it absently and said, \"We      met one of her sisters, too. Philippa. She was nice, although a      bit distant. Camilla said she's always been like that, and      singularly unimpressed with any of Camilla's books. Philippa is a      barrister. We had lunch in London.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Allison clapped gleefully. \"Listen to what you just said! Oh, Lee,      this is the life you always daydreamed about. You're living it. A      published book, and a house with Camilla, and a dreamy, mysterious      boyfriend.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Whom I haven't seen since I came back. He told me he'd be gone      when we returned and he was sorry about it. He and his lawyer were      following a lead about the baby. It's dŽjˆ vu, Allie. First he was      following leads about Victoria, now they're about poor Athena.      Although why that's Sam's job I cannot even imagine.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Allison shrugged. \"You said he promised to use his resources on      her behalf.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Sam is supportive and kind, which are both things I love about      him, but this has gone on long enough. He needs to delegate these      jobs and get on with his life.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"With you,\" Allison said brightly.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Yes. With me.\" I sounded smug, and I suppose I felt it, too.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The phone rang, and Allison sprang up to get it. She came back a      moment later. \"That was John. He'll be home by four. Can you stay      for dinner?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e I sighed. \"I love your house, and I would actually like to stay      for the whole week, but I still have unpacking to do, and I want      to make sure Camilla isn't doing too much too soon. Adam is more      worried about that than I am, actually. That man is protective,      and he can barely stand to be away from her.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"That's sweet. He must have missed her. You guys seemed to have      been gone forever.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"It was so great. But I missed Blue Lake, and you and John, and      Doug, and Bick's Hardware, and Schuler's ice cream . . .\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"And Sam.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"And Sam.\" I still missed Sam. I had texted him several times,      asking when he would be back. He had responded briefly but      passionately, telling me I could never leave again, which I      thought was a bit hypocritical, and yet was satisfying to my      lover's ears.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Anyway,\" I said, getting up and stretching, my eyes on the      alluring woods in her backyard-the reward of a corner lot that      merged with a small forest preserve. \"I have to go. We'll get      together soon, I'm sure.\" I gave Allison a hug, and she walked me      to the door, which stood open to admit the warm breeze.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Outside, we paused on her porch and inhaled the spring air.      Allison bent to get her mail, then frowned. \"Oh boy. There's no      mail in here, and it's usually delivered by now. I hope our      mailman isn't getting revenge.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Why would your mailman want revenge?\" I said, almost laughing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Because yesterday we got a magazine that was mangled. I can't      even tell John about us not getting mail today, because he already      got into a fight with Eddie about that magazine.\" She was      distressed, but she also looked sort of proud of her husband.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Even in paradise there are problems,\" I said, admiring her lovely      neighborhood, green and fragrant and full of nature sounds.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e She brightened. \"Do you hear those birds, Lena? Blue Lake has      gifts for me in every season, but those birds singing might be the      best of all. So many different calls, and John and I are starting      to learn them. You hear that one? It's a blue jay. John says that      he yells \"thief,\" but I think it's a lonelier word. Maybe he's      saying 'speak.'\" She looked up at the leaves, smiling. \"He's      beautiful, but I only see him once in a while. He likes to stay in      the tops of the trees.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"You've become a naturalist,\" I said, my tone accusing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"You will, too. Join us next time we go bird-watching. It sounds      boring, but it's so fun.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Everything is fun with you,\" I admitted. \"Enjoy your birds, and      I'll call soon.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I'm glad you're home,\" she said.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I am, too.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e I walked down her driveway, waving briefly to the woman who knelt      in her garden directly across the street. She was dark haired and      pretty, somehow reminding me of a woman from an old movie. She      waved back and returned to her petunias.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e I breathed deeply, soaking in the Blue Lake air. Despite my      wonderful trip to England, despite the beautiful places I had      seen, not one of the picturesque villages had replaced Blue Lake      in my affection.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Blue Lake was my life's paradox: it represented both the worst and      the best things that had ever happened to me.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e I climbed into my car and drove slowly down the flower-scented      lanes, eventually speeding up on Green Glass Highway, then turning      down Sabre Street and making my way toward the water. I drove up      the gravel road that ascended the big bluff overlooking Blue Lake,      enjoying the satisfying crunch of pebbles beneath my tires.      Camilla's place was at the top of the ridge. I left the car idling      at the bottom of the driveway, appreciating the vista of Camilla's      big house, the cloudy sky above it, and the trace of Blue Lake      sparkling below.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e My phone beeped; I picked it up and slid my finger over the      screen. \"Hello?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Hey, honey.\" It was my father. I had not seen him since I had      come to Blue Lake in October, and in a rush I realized how much I      missed him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Dad! How are you? How's Tabitha?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Fine, fine.\" He was moving something around, papers or files. He      always kept his hands busy while he talked on the phone. \"I      haven't heard about your big trip, and I figured I'd just give you      a call.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Oh, Dad, I'm so sorry. We actually just got back, but I was going      to call you, I swear!\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I know, I know. I just got impatient.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Dad. Now that things have calmed down here a bit-why don't you      and Tabitha come out? There's a lovely guesthouse in town where      you could stay, and you can have all your meals with Camilla and      me. The weather is getting nice, and I can show you all my      favorite places. Now we know that Sam isn't a murderer and that      Victoria West is alive-you can meet him! Oh, I'm getting excited      about this now! What do you say?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I would love to. But I don't want to get Tabitha's hopes up      unless you're sure.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I'm sure! I miss you. Let me just clear it with Camilla, and then      I'll call you tonight with some calendar options.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"That sounds great, honey. Maybe Tab and I will be there in time      for your birthday. We'd love to celebrate it with you.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Me, too,\" I said. My eyes had grown slightly moist, and I wiped      at them with one hand. I promised my father again that I would      contact him that night, and I ended the call, feeling energized.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e I drove up the rest of the driveway and parked against Camilla's      long front porch. I got out and darted up the stairs, inhaling the      scent of a nearby lilac bush.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Inside I was greeted by Camilla's German shepherds, Heathcliff and      Rochester. I bent down to pat their heads. \"Hey! You know, I      really missed you guys. Did you miss me?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e They snuffled against me, enjoying my caresses, and I laughed.      Rustling sounds came from Camilla's study, and I called, \"Are you      still unpacking, tour buddy?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Adam Rayburn appeared in the doorway. His glasses were missing;      Camilla told me that he had bought contact lenses. He looked      handsome, like an aging James Bond. \"Hello, Lena.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Oh-hi, Adam. Are you helping Camilla unpack?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e He frowned slightly. \"I was. She told me she wanted to take a      walk. Without me.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e I straightened, walked over, and patted his arm. \"Were you      hovering, Adam?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"She says so. I just wanted to be sure she wasn't overtiring      herself. She looked rather frail when you returned from England.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Camilla didn't look frail; we had eaten heartily on our trip, and      we had both gained a few pounds in the process. \"Adam, she's      fine.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e He sighed. \"I know. I can't help it. I tend to be-smothery-when I      care about someone.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"It's very sweet. But you have to pull back a little. You know      that Camilla is independent.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"God, yes,\" he said, but he was smiling a little now. We moved      into Camilla's office, where Adam had clearly been helping to sort      through some of her suitcases. He sat on the edge of her desk and      sighed. \"I've loved her for a very long time. Longer than she      knows. And she only loved me back for a very short time and then      she left.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e I sat down, too, in my favorite purple chair. \"She had to go on      the tour, Adam. It's part of her job.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I know that. It just felt-sad.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I know exactly what you mean. I don't even know where my      boyfriend is right now.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Adam gave me a surprisingly charming smile. \"Perhaps you and I      should start a Lonely Hearts club.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Perhaps we should,\" I said, laughing.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Perhaps you should what?\" asked Camilla, walking in. She wore a      pair of blue jeans and a purple sweater, along with some sturdy      brown walking shoes. She clutched a small bouquet of wildflowers.","brand":"Berkley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46304336806117,"sku":"NP9780425282625","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780425282625.jpg?v=1730757006","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/a-writers-apprentice-mysteryisbn-9780425282625","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}