Rum and choke, p.1
Rum and Choke, page 1
Praise for From Beer to Eternity
Nominated for an Agatha Award for Best Contemporary Novel
Featured on Buzzfeed Books!
Listed as a Mystery Maven’s Favorite Whodunits, Thrillers, and Capers of 2020 on Goodreads
“From Beer to Eternity is a terrific start to Sherry Harris’s Chloe Jackson, Sea Glass Saloon Mystery series. I absolutely loved it. Can’t wait for Book 2!”
—Susan Santangelo, Suspense Magazine
“Boasting an eclectic cast of characters, a small-town atmosphere and engaging dialogue, this was an entertaining book to read, and I can’t wait to see what new adventures await Chloe and her friends in this pleasantly appealing debut series.”
—Dru’s Book Musings
“I already love these characters and this setting, so I will definitely be back for the next round. From Beer to Eternity is the first in what promises to be a great new series.”
—Carstairs Considers
“From Beer to Eternity is Sherry Harris at her best. It has a great love interest, a layered backstory, fun and some hysterical laugh-out-loud lines. I can’t wait until my next visit to Emerald Cove.”
—Kellye Garrett, author of the Detective By Day mysteries
“From Beer to Eternity is quite funny, with many laugh-out-loud moments that acknowledge the character’s imperfections while also celebrating their heart and soul.”
—Bolo Books
Praise for A Time to Swill
“A Time to Swill is a triumphant return to Emerald Cove and the Sea Glass Saloon for the fun and feisty Chloe Jackson.”
—Fresh Fiction
“. . . Chloe is a terrific heroine: realistic, relatable, and brave. She might sometimes lose her temper and take risks, but she always feels like a real person rather than just a character doing silly or reckless things in order to advance the plot. I can’t wait to read more of her exploits, especially with the lovely way this novel ended, capping a rousing tale of adventure with just the perfect amount of romance.”
—Criminal Element
“A Time to Swill is the second in Sherry Harris’s Sea Glass Saloon Mystery series. With crisp dialogue, a fast-moving plot, and engaging characters, it’s a cozy reader’s delight!”
—Susan Santangelo, Suspense Magazine
Praise for Three Shots to the Wind
“It’s a fascinating look into how personality skews perspective, handled deftly by Sherry Harris as she spins this entertaining yarn.”
—Criminal Element
“An enjoyable cozy read with plenty of suspects, romance, and a beachy vibe.”
—Kirkus Reviews
Praise for Absence of Alice
“Absence of Alice is a roller-coaster of a mystery that I couldn’t put down. Wow! What a read!”
—Suspense Magazine
“Sarah Winston has yet to disappoint me with one of her adventures, and Absence of Alice is no exception. Sherry Harris has once again penned a winner. Fans will delight in the latest addition to the series. If you haven’t met Sarah yet, fix that today.”
—Carstairs Considers
“Fans of Harris are used to her deft management of tension and humor and will find the author’s considerable skills on full display here.”
—Washington Independent Review of Books
Best Book of the Week pick
—Woman’s World
Praise for Sell Low, Sweet Harriet
“An incredibly enjoyable book.”
—Mystery Scene
“Canny hints for garage-sale success blend nicely with two difficult mysteries for the intrepid heroine to unravel.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Harris has carved out a name for herself in the cozy mystery world with her engaging, humorous Sarah Winston mysteries.”
—Washington Independent Review of Books
Praise for Let’s Fake a Deal
“Who knew organizing garage sales could be a dangerous occupation?”
—Kirkus Reviews
“I just love Sherry Harris’s Garage Sale series. It’s provocative, well-written, and always entertaining.”
—Suspense Magazine
Praise for The Gun Also Rises
“A roller-coaster of a mystery penned by a real pro. This series just gets better and better. More, please!”
—Suspense Magazine
“Author Sherry Harris never disappoints with her strong, witty writing voice and her ability to use the surprise effect just when you think you have it all figured out!”
—Chatting About Cozies
“This series gets better with every book, and The Gun Also Rises continues the trend. If you haven’t started this series yet, do yourself a favor and buy the first one today.”—Carstairs Considers
Praise for I Know What You Bid Last Summer
“I Know What You Bid Last Summer is cleverly plotted, with an engaging cast of characters and a clever premise that made me think twice about my shopping habits. Check it out.”
—Suspense Magazine
“Never one to give up, she [Sarah] continues her hunt for the killer in some unlikely and possibly dangerous places. Fans of Harris will appreciate both the clever mystery and the tips for buying and selling at garage sales.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Each time a new Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery releases, I wonder how amazing author Sherry Harris will top the previous book she wrote for the series. I’m never disappointed, and my hat’s off to Ms. Harris, who consistently raises the bar for her readers’ entertainment.”
—Chatting About Cozies
Praise for A Good Day to Buy
“Sarah’s life keeps throwing her new curves as the appearance of her estranged brother shakes up her world. This fast-moving mystery starts off with a bang and keeps the twists and turns coming. Sarah is a likable protagonist who sometimes makes bad decisions based on good intentions. This ups the action and drama as she tries to extricate herself from dangerous situations with some amusing results. Toss in a unique cast of secondary characters, an intriguing mystery, and a hot ex-husband, and you’ll find there’s never a dull moment in Sarah’s bargain-hunting world.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars
“Harris’s fourth is a slam dunk for those who love antiques and garage sales. The knotty mystery has an interesting premise and some surprising twists and turns as well.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“The mystery of the murder in A Good Day to Buy, the serious story behind Luke’s reappearance, the funny scenes that lighten the drama, the wonderful cast of characters, and Sarah’s always superb internal dialogue, will keep you turning the pages and have you coming back for book #5.”
—Nightstand Book Reviews
Praise for All Murders Final!
“There’s a lot going on in this charming mystery, and it all works. The dialogue flows effortlessly, and the plot is filled with numerous twists and turns. Sarah is a resourceful and appealing protagonist, supported by a cast of quirky friends. Well written and executed, this is a definite winner. Bargain-hunting has never been so much fun!”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars
“A must-read cozy mystery! Don’t wear your socks when you read this story cause it’s gonna knock ’em off!”
—Chatting About Cozies
“Just because Sherry Harris’s protagonist Sarah Winston lives in a small town, it doesn’t mean that her problems are small . . . Harris fits the puzzle pieces together with a sure hand.”
—Sheila Connolly, Agatha- and Anthony-nominated author of the Orchard Mysteries
“A thrilling mystery . . . Brilliantly written, each chapter drew me in deeper and deeper, my anticipation mounting with every turn of the page. By the time I reached the last page, all I could say was . . . wow!”
—Lisa Ks Book Reviews
Praise for The Longest Yard Sale
“I love a complex plot and The Longest Yard Sale fills the bill with mysterious fires, a missing painting, thefts from a thrift shop and, of course, murder. Add an intriguing cast of victims, potential villains and sidekicks, an interesting setting, and two eligible men for the sleuth to choose between and you have a sure winner even before you get to the last page and find yourself laughing out loud.”
—Kaitlyn Dunnett, author of The Scottie Barked at Midnight
“Readers will have a blast following Sarah Winston on her next adventure as she hunts for bargains and bad guys. Sherry Harris’s latest is as delightful as the best garage sale find!”
—Liz Mugavero, Agatha-nominated author of the Pawsitively Organic Mysteries
“Sherry Harris is a gifted storyteller, with plenty of twists and adventures for her smart and stubborn protagonist.”
—Beth Kanell, Kingdom Books
“Once again Sherry Harris entwines small-town life with that of the nearby Air Force base, yard sales with romance, art theft with murder. The story is a bargain, and a priceless one!”
—Edith Maxwell, Agatha-nominated author of the Local Foods mystery series
Praise for Tagged for Death
Nominated for an Agatha Award for Best First Novel
“Tagged for Death is skillfully rendered, with expert characterization and depiction of military life. Best of all, Sarah is the type of intelligent, resourceful, and appealing person we would all like to get to know better!”
—Mystery Scene Magazine
“Full of garage-sale tips, this amusing cozy debut introduces an unusual protagonist who has overco me some recent tribulations and become stronger.”
—Library Journal
“A terrific find! Engaging and entertaining, this clever cozy is a treasure—charmingly crafted and full of surprises.”
—Hank Phillippi Ryan, Agatha-, Anthony- and Mary Higgins Clark-award-winning author
“Like the treasures Sarah Winston finds at the garage sales she loves, this book is a gem.”
—Barbara Ross, Agatha-nominated author of the Maine Clambake Mysteries
“It was masterfully done. Tagged for Death is a winning debut that will have you turning pages until you reach the final one. I’m already looking forward to Sarah’s next bargain with death.”
—Mark Baker, Carstairs Considers
Mysteries by Sherry Harris
The Chloe Jackson Sea Glass Saloon Mysteries
THREE SHOTS TO THE WIND
A TIME TO SWILL
and
Agatha Award nominated Best Contemporary Novel
FROM BEER TO ETERNITY
The Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mysteries
ABSENCE OF ALICE
SELL LOW, SWEET HARRIET
LET’S FAKE A DEAL
THE GUN ALSO RISES
I KNOW WHAT YOU BID LAST SUMMER
A GOOD DAY TO BUY
ALL MURDERS FINAL!
THE LONGEST YARD SALE
and
Agatha Award Nominated Best First Novel
TAGGED FOR DEATH
Rum and Choke
Sherry Harris
Kensington Publishing Corp.
www.kensingtonbooks.com
All copyrighted material within is Attributor Protected.
Table of Contents
Praise
Also by
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Heritage Businesses
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 27
CHAPTER 28
CHAPTER 29
CHAPTER 30
CHAPTER 31
CHAPTER 32
CHAPTER 33
CHAPTER 34
CHAPTER 35
CHAPTER 36
CHAPTER 37
CHAPTER 38
CHAPTER 39
Acknowledgments
Teaser chapter
KENSINGTON BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2023 by Sherry Harris
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
To the extent that the image or images on the cover of this book depict a person or persons, such person or persons are merely models, and are not intended to portray any character or characters featured in the book.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the Publisher and neither the Author nor the Publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”
The K and Teapot logo is a trademark of Kensington Publishing Corp.
ISBN: 978-1-4967-3438-9
ISBN: 978-1-4967-3439-6 (ebook)
To Bob
Always and forever
and to Clare
The Angel on my Shoulder, I miss you
Heritage Businesses
Sea Glass—owner, Vivi Jo Slidell
Briny Pirate—owner, Wade Thomas
Redneck Rollercoaster—owner, Ralph Harrison
Russo’s Grocery Store—owner, Fred Russo
Hickle Glass Bottom Boat—owners, Edith Hickle, Leah Hickle, Oscar Hickle
Emerald Cove Fishing Charters—owner, Jed Farwell
CHAPTER 1
Have you ever walked into work to find your boss and coworker staring at you with overeager expressions? Me either—until today and I immediately realized something was up. It wasn’t just their expressions, but the fact that they were both here before me. That was highly unusual. I’d found, since I’d moved to Emerald Cove, Florida, that unusual was rarely good.
Joaquín Diaz, head bartender, and Vivi Slidell, my business partner and boss, both stood behind the bar in the Sea Glass Saloon. The looks on their faces reminded me of my nieces and nephews when they knew they were in trouble but hoped they weren’t. I was tempted to walk right back out into the April sunshine and return tomorrow. However, knowing Joaquín and Vivi the way I did, I figured they’d just follow me out. So whatever was up with them, I might as well just stay and find out.
“What?” I asked as I stowed my purse under the bar. Although the Sea Glass was called a saloon, it was more tiki hut. Its wooden walls were dotted with vintage photographs and signs. The concrete floors made it easy to sweep the sand out at the end of the day. The south side of the bar faced the Gulf of Mexico, and the entire wall was sliding glass doors that could be pushed back to open to the deck. Almost every day, I looked out at the water and told myself, Chloe Jackson, you live in paradise. Although right now, I was afraid my day was going to be more like the Hardy Boys book Trouble in Paradise.
“What do you mean by ‘what’?” Joaquín asked. His eyes sparkled, making them match the emerald color of the water along this stretch of the Florida Panhandle. His Hawaiian shirt was the same emerald green and had a giant flamingo on it.
Mr. Innocent. “I can tell something is up with you two. Just tell me so we can get this place open for the day.”
“We haven’t won for four years,” Vivi said, emphasizing the “four years” with head nods that made her sleek silver bob brush her slim shoulders. You’d never know the woman was in her seventies. She could be a model if she wanted to.
