An Ex to Grind in Deadwood (Deadwood Humorous Mystery Book 5) Paperback – September 4, 2014
Authors: Ann Charles
Tags: #The Deadwood Mystery Series
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Dear Reader,
Of all of the crazy things I could’ve decided to try while writing this fifth Deadwood book, I opted for moving. On top of that stressful life event, my husband and I decided to double up on this dose of insanity and buy a house 1500 miles away in Arizona.
In spite of all the highs and lows of dragging our two kids and ornery cat across the West, I finished the book. I wrote through weeks of painting the old house, weeding our many gardens, shopping for a new house both in person and online, jumping through the financial hoops of buying, and pulling my hair out as we lined up the closing of our old house only five days before the closing of our new house several states away.
Two days before we hit the road for Arizona, I wrote, “The End … for now,” finishing the first draft. When I finally got a chance to go through the whole book in one read through, I was amazed that not only was it legible, but it even made sense.
Today, after more editing and polishing, I’m happy to share with you the next chapter in Violet’s crazy life.
On a side note, I’m a huge fan of James Garner, as some of you may have figured out via my stories (where do you think Mac Garner from my Jackrabbit Series got his last name?). I had no idea this year would be James’ last. I’m sad to say good-bye to such a charming, charismatic screen legend. I’m so glad we have many movies and television shows to keep him alive in our hearts and memories.
Now, as old man Harvey says, “Pull your hat over yer ears and hold on for dear life,” because you're in for another wild ride in Deadwood with Violet and her friends … and her enemies.
To my husband.
You still laugh at my silly wisecracks and screwball antics.
Te amo.
Also by Ann Charles
Jackrabbit Junction Mystery Series
Dance of the Winnebagos (Book 1)
Jackrabbit Junction Jitters (Book 2)
The Great Jackalope Stampede (Book 3)
Deadwood Mystery Series:
Nearly Departed in Deadwood (Book 1)
Optical Delusions in Deadwood (Book 2)
Dead Case in Deadwood (Book 3)
Better Off Dead in Deadwood (Book 4)
Short Stories from the Deadwood Mystery Series
Deadwood Shorts: Seeing Trouble
Deadwood Shorts: Boot Points
A Short Story from the upcoming Goldwash Mystery Series
The Old Man’s Back in Town
Coming Next from Ann Charles
A Dig Site Mystery
Look What the Wind Blew In
(A novel starring Quint Parker, the brother of Violet Parker from the Deadwood Mystery Series)
The Rowdy Coyote Rumble
(Jackrabbit Junction Mystery Series: Book 4)
Title TBA
(Deadwood Mystery Series: Book 6)
Cast
**KEY: Character (Book # in which they appear)—Description**
Violet Lynn Parker (1,2,3,4,5)
—Main heroine of the series, Doc’s girlfriend, Aunt Zoe’s niece
Willis “old man” Harvey (1,2,3,4,5)
—Violet’s sidekick and so-called body guard
Dane R. “Doc” Nyce (1,2,3,4,5)
—Main hero of the series, Violet’s boyfriend
Detective “Coop” Cooper (1,2,3,4,5)
—Deadwood and Lead’s only detective
Zoe Parker (1,2,3,4,5)
—Violet’s aunt and mentor in life; Violet lives in Aunt Zoe’s house
Layne Parker (1,2,3,4,5)
—Violet’s nine-year-old son
Adelynn Parker (1,2,3,4,5)
—Violet’s nine-old daughter
Natalie Beals (1,2,3,4,5)
—Violet’s best friend since childhood
Jerry Russo (4,5)
—Violet’s boss, owner of Calamity Jane Realty
Mona Hollister (1,2,3,4,5)
—Violet’s co-worker and mentor in realty
Ray Underhill (1,2,3,4,5)
—Violet’s co-worker and nemesis at work
Benjamin Underhill (1,2,3,4,5)
—Violet’s co-worker and previous secret admirer
Cornelius Curion (3,4,5)
—Violet’s client; self-acclaimed ghost-whisperer
Jeff Wymonds (1,2,3,4,5)
—Violet’s client; father of Adelynn’s best friend
Beatrice Geary (1,2,3,4,5)
—Violet and Aunt Zoe’s neighbor across the street
Reid Martin (2,3,4,5)
—Captain of the Fire Department, Aunt Zoe’s ex-lover
Tiffany Sugarbell (1,2,3,4,5)
—Violet’s rival Realtor; Doc’s ex-girlfriend
Susan Parker (1,2,3,4,5)
—Violet’s evil sister; aka “the Bitch from Hell”
Quint Parker (1,2,3,4,5)
—Violet’s supportive brother; Layne’s hero; giver of her famous purple boots
Freesia Tender (5)
—Owner of the Galena House
Stone Hawke (5)
—Cooper’s ex-partner; detective called in to help solve cases
Dickie Dowdin (5)
—Host of TV series called “Paranormal Realty”
Honey (5)
—Dickie’s assistant
Rex Conner (3,4,5)
—The biological father of Violet’s children
Chapter One
Sunday, September 30th
Deadwood, South Dakota
Just when I thought my career couldn’t sink any deeper, some asshole flushed it down the toilet.
“Jerry had another one of his genius marketing ideas,” I said into my cell phone. “He’s decided he’s going to make me a freaking reality TV star.” I rattled off a drumroll of curses to my best friend on the other end of the call, in case she couldn’t hear how pissed I was about this latest swirling mess.
A pair of skateboard-toting teenagers dragging their pant hems across the parking lot of Bighorn Billy’s Diner gave me a pair of thumbs up on my medley of swear words. I waved back. I appreciated the positive reinforcement after spending the last hour choking down a burger with a side of my boss’s newest promotion plan.
“No freaking way,” Natalie replied without the emphasis such a disaster required.
I’d already used the word
freaking
. Was she paying attention? It didn’t sound like it. Damn it, she needed to get her butt home from Arizona so that we could slam tequila shots over my current problem until we came up with a solution … or passed out trying.
A cool fall breeze blew through the parking lot, fresh with the scent of pine trees. The Black Hills oozed pine perfume since they were covered from head to toe in the evergreens. The wind stole my warmth—but not my fire.
I pulled my thick sweater tighter around me, the faux-fur trim tickling my chin. “Nat, did you hear what I said? This is bad, like getting caught picking my nose on national TV bad.”
Okay, so maybe it was only a regional television program, but it could muddle up my world like a paint can shaker at the hardware store. I kicked the tire of the Picklemobile, the old green dilapidated pickup that I was borrowing to get me from here to there until I could afford a new set of wheels.
“Jerry is determined to turn my career into a circus side show,” I continued, “complete with clown hair and makeup. Next he’ll have me swallowing swords. I’ll be damned if …”
“Wait, wait!” Natalie said, her voice louder, her attention finally mine. “You need to back the truck up and tell me how all this started.”
