{"product_id":"bought-the-farm-isbn-9780425282045","title":"Bought the Farm","description":"\u003cb\u003eIn the third Farmer's Daughter Mystery from the national bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eSowed to Death\u003c\/i\u003e, finding a dead body in her own backyard lands blogger and farmer Shelby McDonald in one trough spot...\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWedding preparations are in full swing at Love Blossom Farm as food-and-lifestyle blogger Shelby McDonald transforms the property for her friend Kelly's down-home country-style reception. But when the lead singer of the wedding band turns up dead--drowned in a trough full of rainwater and strung up like a scarecrow--the police round themselves up a barnful of suspects.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt seems that Travis sowed the seeds of discord wherever he went, and when it becomes clear that everyone from the groom to Shelby's own staff has motive, tracking down Travis' killer is going to be more difficult than finding a needle in a haystack. As Shelby finds herself drawn deeper into the investigation, she'll have to move quickly before the killer decides to put \u003ci\u003eher\u003c\/i\u003e out to pasture...\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eINCLUDES DELICIOUS RECIPES\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for the Farmer’s Daughter Mysteries\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"A basketful of gossip, delight, and intrigue.\"—B. B. Haywood, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author author\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“With witty and personable writing, Cochran’s new series is off to a great start!”—\u003ci\u003eRT Book Review \u003c\/i\u003e(starred review)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eBoth \u003ci\u003eNo Farm, No Foul\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eSowed to Death\u003c\/i\u003e were \u003ci\u003eRT Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e Top Picks!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003ePraise for the Cranberry Cove Mysteries \u003c\/b\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A fun whodunnit with quirky characters and a satisfying mystery. This new series is as sweet and sharp as the heroine’s cranberry salsa.”—Sofie Kelly, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of the Magical Cats Mysteries\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e “Cozy fans and foodies, rejoice—there’s a place just for you and it’s called Cranberry Cove.”—Ellery Adams, \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of the Books by the Bay Mysteries, the Charmed Pie Shoppe Mysteries, and the Book Retreat Mysteries\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e “I can’t wait for Monica’s next tasty adventure—and I’m not just saying that because I covet her cranberry relish recipe.”—Victoria Abbott, national bestselling author of the Book Collector Mysteries\u003cbr\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e “First-class mystery fun.”—\u003ci\u003eSuspense Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cb\u003ePeg Cochran\u003c\/b\u003e is the national bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eNo Farm, No Foul\u003c\/i\u003e; the Cranberry Cove Mysteries; and the Gourmet De-Lite Mysteries.\u003cb\u003e1\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003ci\u003eDear Reader,\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e Spring is one of my favorite times at Love Blossom Farm. The      flowers in my front garden are thriving, and the pink of the      begonias with the purple and white of the petunias creates a      beautiful kaleidoscope of color that never fails to cheer me up.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e The earth is giving off a rich, fertile fragrance and the vibrant      greens of grass and leaves provide the perfect backdrop for Mother      Nature's riot of color.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Shelby's dogs wove in and out between her legs as she clomped      across the muddy and rutted field that was drying rapidly in the      warm rays of the sun. For days on end, every time she had pulled      aside the curtains in the morning, the windows had been streaming      with rain and the skies dark with swiftly moving clouds. \u003ci\u003eDear      Reader, hardly auspicious weather for a wedding, don't you agree? \u003c\/i\u003e Everyone had been praying the storm would pass on, and it looked      as if their prayers had finally been answered.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This wasn't the first wedding to be held at Love Blossom Farm-she      and William \"Wild Bill\" McDonald had stood under the twisted      branches of the old apple tree in the backyard and made their      vows. She remembered the day so clearly-how could it have been so      many years ago already?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e She hadn't wanted a long gown-the wedding had been too informal      for an elaborate organza or tulle creation. She'd found a pretty      white eyelet tea-length dress with a fitted bodice and a full      skirt. She'd worn it with an elbow-length veil and carried a      basket of wildflowers.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e She shook her head. No use thinking about the past-Bill was gone      now and it was time for her to move on. Today was meant to be a      joyous day-the day her best friend, Dr. Kelly Thacker, tied the      knot with Dr. Seth Gregson.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Shelby headed toward the old red barn in the distance. It was      faded from all the years of bright sun and strong wind and was      listing slightly. It had taken a lot of work, but it had been      transformed into the perfect spot for Kelly and Seth's reception.      Kelly had had her heart set on a real country wedding, and Seth      had paid to bring in electric generators and for a rough wood      floor to be laid.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e There was a rustling sound in a nearby clump of tall grass, and      Jenkins, Shelby's West Highland white terrier, dove into its midst      in pursuit of whatever small creature was trying to make its home      there.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Shelby was relieved when Jenkins backed out of the long, waving      grass, his mouth empty. She knew it was in his nature to go after      mice, chipmunks, and the like, but she hated seeing anything so      small and helpless killed.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Bitsy, a giant lumbering mastiff, had no interest in hunting and      was lying in the sun, her pink tongue lolling out of her mouth and      her eyes closed in the blissful warmth.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Hey, Mom,\" Shelby's nine-year-old son, Billy Jr., called from the      distance. \"I've found a frog. Can I keep it? Please?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Shelby smiled as she walked toward Billy. So far this spring, he'd      brought home a turtle, which had promptly escaped; a wounded      sparrow, which they had nursed back to health; a garter snake,      which Shelby had made him take right back outside again; and a      very frightened baby rabbit.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Look how big he is.\" Billy held out his hands as Shelby reached      him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"He is very handsome. But don't you think we should let him go?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A stubborn look came over Billy's face-one Shelby knew well. This      was when he looked most like his late father.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I really think we should let him go.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"But I've already named him. I'm going to call him Bob.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"That's nice, Billy, but where would we keep him? It's not fair to      lock him up inside. He would be miserable. He belongs outside.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Billy opened his mouth, but before he could argue any further, Bob      the frog squirmed out of his grasp and hopped briskly away.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Awwww,\" Billy cried, looking after him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Come on,\" Shelby said. \"You need to take a bath and get dressed      for the wedding. You have an important job to do-you're the ring      bearer.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Billy looked as if he was about to protest, but then he saw      Shelby's face-she could put on a pretty decent stubborn expression      herself-and gave in and started to run toward the house.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Shelby was about to follow when she heard a slobbering sound-the      kind of noise Bitsy made when she was drinking out of her water      bowl. She turned around to see Bitsy lapping up rainwater from an      old rusted trough that was left over from when Shelby's parents      used to raise dairy cows.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Shelby and Bill had taken over the farm when her parents decided      to retire and tour the country in their secondhand RV. The cattle      had been too much work for her after Bill died, so she'd leased      most of the pasture to Jake Taylor, a dairy farmer who looked more      like a movie star than a farmer.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Shelby now grew herbs and a variety of lettuces and heirloom      tomatoes and other vegetables. She kept a kitchen garden that      supplied her family with fresh produce in the summer and canned in      the winter.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Bitsy had finished drinking, and after shaking vigorously and      splattering drops of water thither and yon, she caught up with      Jenkins and the two of them ran ahead of Shelby toward the      farmhouse. Shelby gave a last look at the old trough-maybe she      would clean it up and use it as a planter. When you lived on a      farm, your motto was \"Waste not, want not.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Shelby had her hands on the door handle when a dusty and dented      green van pulled into the driveway. The doors opened and a number      of people spilled out, putting Shelby in mind of one of those      clown cars in the circus. She supposed this must be the band Kelly      had arranged to play at the reception.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e One woman and three men stood next to the van, looking around and      talking quietly. An equally dusty Taurus came down the drive and      pulled up in back of the van. The man that got out was older than      the others, with thinning hair at the crown of his head. He was      the only one of the five not wearing ripped and faded jeans, but      rather a pair of neat khakis and a blue-and-white-striped oxford      shirt with the sleeves rolled up his thick forearms.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Shelby recognized Travis Cooper, the band's front man, right away.      He'd grown up in Lovett and made a name for himself by taking      first place on the television show \u003ci\u003eAmerica Can Sing\u003c\/i\u003e. He had long      since left Lovett behind. He'd already been on a tour of the      country, scored a record deal, and had more than one song playing      on the radio. Peter, the band's guitarist, was Kelly's cousin, and      he had convinced Travis to play at Kelly and Seth's wedding. Kelly      had been thrilled when they said yes. She hadn't told Seth about      it-only that she'd booked a band for the reception-and she was      looking forward to surprising him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Shelby wasn't sure which of the other men was Kelly's      cousin-probably the one with hair the same reddish hue as Kelly's.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Shelby heard the door to the mudroom slam and turned around to see      Bert, a longtime family friend and a second mother to Shelby,      walking toward her, wiping her hands on her red-and-white-checked      apron. Although Kelly's wedding was being catered, Bert was      helping put together a few of Shelby's signature side dishes that      Shelby had promised to make.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e She stopped alongside Shelby, her eyes trained on Travis.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"That is a good-looking specimen of a man if I've ever seen one.      Although sadly way too young for me. Just who is that long, tall      drink of water?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Shelby looked at Travis. Bert was right. It wasn't just his voice      that had attracted his legions of fans. He was tall and slim with      blond hair that flopped over his forehead and that he was      continually pushing back. He was wearing a pair of well-worn jeans      that were tight in all the right places and a snug T-shirt that      made it obvious he spent plenty of time in the gym working out. No      wonder women were attracted to him and threw love notes onto the      stage at his concerts.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Shelby caught Bert looking at her with a peculiar expression on      her face.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"What?\" Shelby said.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Nothing.\" Bert shook her head. \"But don't you think he's      attractive?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Yes,\" Shelby agreed. \"But . . .\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Shelby already had enough men in her life. She'd been casually      dating Matt Hudson, who owned the Lovett General Store, and then      there was her neighbor Jake Taylor, who had made it more than      plain that he was ready to ask her out anytime she gave the sign.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e And then there was Frank. Frank was her brother-in-law, and he had      made it very clear that he was in love with Shelby. Shelby thought      she might be in love with him, too, but she wasn't sure whether      that was because of who he was as a person or it was because he      looked so much like her late husband.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Who are all these people?\" Bert said, shading her eyes with her      hand as she looked at the group gathered in the driveway.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"The cute one with the blond hair is Travis Cooper.\" Shelby nodded      in Travis's direction. He was leaning against the van, chugging      from a bottle of designer water.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Should I know who he is?\" Bert said. \"I can't keep up with      everything that's going on these days.\" She sighed. \"My grandkids      call me an old coot.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I don't know much more than you do,\" Shelby said. \"Only that      Travis is a local boy who came in first on that television show      \u003ci\u003eAmerica Can Sing\u003c\/i\u003e. And those must be his musicians. I think that      girl sings with him sometimes.\" Shelby pointed to a slender girl      in ripped jeans, a purple tank top, and enormous dangling earrings      that looked like dream catchers. \"Kelly wants to surprise Seth.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Oh, good heavens,\" Bert exclaimed. \"That's Debbie Coster's boy. I      knew he looked familiar. What was his name? Robert-that's it. But      they used to call him Butch.\" Bert snorted. \"Travis Cooper,      indeed.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I guess he's reinvented himself. He's quite an up-and-coming star      now.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Shelby watched as a young man with dark hair buzzed short and the      tattoo of a guitar peeking out of the right sleeve of his T-shirt      muscled a huge amplifier out of the van while Travis stood and      watched.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The fellow looked around helplessly. \"Where are we setting up,      Travis?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Shelby thought it was time she introduced herself.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I'm Shelby McDonald.\" She held out her hand.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e She waited for the usual joke about the fact that her last name      was McDonald and she was a farmer, but no one said anything and      she gave a sigh of relief.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"Cody Baldwin,\" the young man said in return. \"I'd shake your      hand, but . . .\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"You're fine,\" Shelby said. She pointed past the house. \"The      reception is back there in the barn.\" Shelby pointed to a far-off      blur of red.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Cody stared into the distance with a look of dismay on his face.      He shifted the amplifier in his arms, resting the edge on his hip.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"You can pull the van closer. That should make it easier to      unload.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Cody smiled. \"A lot easier.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e He shot a dirty look over his shoulder at Travis, who continued to      lean languidly against the van.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"There's a dirt path,\" Shelby said, pointing beyond the driveway.      \"You can see it's been worn into the ground. If you follow that,      it will take you out to the barn, where you can set up.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Shelby glanced toward the house, hoping Billy had started to get      ready. They had only one full bathroom and had to take turns.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"I can come and show you if you want,\" Shelby said when she saw      the confused look on Cody's face.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"If you don't mind,\" Cody said.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Cody maneuvered the amplifier back into the van, and Travis, Cody,      the girl, and the other man piled in. The older fellow got into      his own car and started the engine. Shelby pointed toward the      path, then followed behind the van as it jounced over the rutted      ground toward the barn.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Cody, who was driving, stopped in front of the open barn doors.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \"You can pull the van around back,\" Shelby said. \"That way it will      be out of sight of the guests when they arrive.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The double barn doors were folded back, and each was adorned with      a wreath of baby's breath and ivy, wound with a pale pink ribbon      tied in a bow. Shelby couldn't believe how the interior of the      barn had been transformed. It was no longer a dusty, creaking      structure with bags of feed stacked in the corner and rusty farm      implements leaning against the wall, but the perfect spot for a      cozy country wedding.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Kelly hadn't wanted anything too fancy. She and Shelby had pored      over wedding magazines and Pinterest boards online, looking for      ideas. Barn weddings were all the rage, it seemed, but most were      very elaborate with chandeliers hung from the rafters, long white      tablecloths, massive flower arrangements, and silver candelabras.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Instead, simple strings of white lights were looped from the      rafters, and long wood trestle tables were set with white runners      down their middles. Bouquets of colorful flowers had been set in      mason jars, surrounded by squat white candles in antique birdcages      that Kelly had scrounged from barn sales. An old-fashioned bright      red-and-yellow popcorn machine stood in one corner and a cotton      candy machine in the other.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Shelby was expecting the caterers to arrive any minute. They would      be setting up industrial-sized grills outside the barn for      barbecuing the chicken and ribs. Kelly had ordered gallons of      potato salad, homemade coleslaw, and plenty of corn bread with      honey to go along with the main course. Bert would help Shelby      make several huge green salads with lettuce from Shelby's garden.      And then, of course, there would be wedding cake and an ice cream      sundae bar complete with whipped cream, hot fudge sauce,      sprinkles, and maraschino cherries.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The musicians were busy dragging their equipment out of the van      and into the barn, where a stage had been set up along one wall.      Cody seemed to be doing most of the work and he didn't look too      happy about it.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e He called to Travis as he wrestled one of the large amplifiers out      of the van. \"Hey, give me a hand, would you?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Travis was deep in an animated conversation with the girl in the      purple top, who fussed with the ends of her hair, examining them      up close and then putting several strands in her mouth.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTravis finally turned to Cody. “Can’t you see I’m busy,man? Ask Brian.” He pointed toward the van, where the other man was fiddling with a tangle of black cords.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCody muttered something under his breath and then struggled toward the open barn doors with the amplifier.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShelby turned and was about to walk back toward the house when someone tapped her on the shoulder. It was the girl in the purple tank top.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I’m Paislee Fields,” she said, holding out her hand.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUp close, Shelby could see there was a faint smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose and the tiniest chip in one of her front teeth, which overlapped slightly.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShelby took her hand. “Shelby McDonald.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“I hate to bother you, but”— Paislee twisted a lock ofhair around her finger—“is there a bathroom somewhere nearby?”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShelby laughed. “Sure. Follow me. We’ve set up some portable toilets for the wedding.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShelby led Paislee around to the other end of the barn.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Where are you from?” Shelby said as they walked.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“From the other side of the state,” Paislee said. “Near Ann Arbor. My mother teaches economics at the University of Michigan.”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“So you’re a Wolverines fan?”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePaislee shrugged. “Not really. I didn’t go to college. My mother wasn’t too happy about it.” She nibbled the cuticle of her left thumb. “I’ve always wanted to sing and be involved with music. I’ve never wanted anything else. College would have been a waste, don’t you think?”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Perhaps,” Shelby said, searching for the most noncommittal rejoinder she could think of.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Here you go.” Shelby pointed to two white portable toilets. A black silhouette of a woman’s head was on one and a man’s on the other.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Thanks,” Paislee said. She started to walk away, then turned back to Shelby. “I hope everything is going to gookay,” she said.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe way she said it gave Shelby a frisson of unease.“Why wouldn’t things go okay?”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePaislee shrugged. “I don’t know. When Travis left here, he left behind some people who weren’t too happy with him.”","brand":"Berkley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46302581522661,"sku":"NP9780425282045","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780425282045.jpg?v=1767722983","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/bought-the-farm-isbn-9780425282045","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}