Murder in the Family excerpt by Ramona Richards

Hello, reader friends! We are celebrating a new release from Ramona Richards with a JustRead blog tour giveaway opportunity and Murder in the Family excerpt and giveaway for y’all!

 

 

Murder in the Family excerpt

(Prepping for Fumigation)

 Aunt Liz’s words echoed in her head. This is why I’m turning to you … You are the only one who can help them. I hope you find it in your heart to carry out my wishes. And forgive me.

“Aunt Liz, I don’t know if I can.” She stumbled over the corner of a box that stuck out from beneath a chair, and growled in frustration as she kicked the box. A scattering of flies and spiders repaid her anger, and she danced backward, trying not to fall.

In the kitchen, the grit of spilled food, ripped bags, and dirt ground under her bootie-covered shoes. The white stovetop was stained brown with burned grease, and smears of jam and mustard coated the refrigerator door. She opened cabinets, astonished to find one filled with clean dishes. More clean dishes stood in a drying rack, although the dirty ones in the sink had been there awhile. Probably since way before Aunt Liz died.

She opened drawers where she could, pulling the refrigerator door last. The stench shot through the mask and the Vicks and snatched her breath away. Molly swallowed hard and turned, bending over the sink, trying not to lose her breakfast. She inhaled through her mouth, then held her breath as she straightened, turned, and reached in to turn off the refrigerator.

Stepping back, she turned her attention to the basement entrance, near the back door. It opened easily, but Molly could go no farther; the stairs were completely blocked with boxes. She shook her head, not doubting for a moment that every room upstairs, plus the attic, looked the same. Her throat tightened as images of how her aunt had lived the last few years swamped her.

“Seriously, Aunt Liz, fire would be much quicker. And a whole lot easier.” The thought was no longer a joke, no matter what her aunt had begged of her.

Molly left the basement door open, then pushed open the one window she could reach. She paused, looking around the kitchen, trying to imagine where she could even start. She leaned against the counter, bracing herself as tears stung her eyes. “Oh, Aunt Liz.” She looked down, noticing for the first time the cloud of black spots that dotted her white-clad ankles and shins. Fleas.

No wonder Blossom bolted. I wouldn’t live here either.

Abruptly, the sadness that had settled over her fled as a flush of anger returned. Her family’s obsession with acquiring more and more possessions had led to this, had culminated in the misery of a sweet woman who could no longer say no to her family. To stuff.

It had to stop.

 

 

tour giveaway

(1) winner will receive two signed copies of Murder in the Family by Ramona Richards (it’s Christmas!), a $15 Visa gift card, and a signed copy of one of the author’s older books!

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight November 7, 2019 and last through 11:59 PM EST on November 14, 2019. US only. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.

enter giveaway here
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tour schedule

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