Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen Part 2 Chap 8-14

[Mark Pghfan]

Well, Merry and the town are in a tizzy. Word of the death by poisoned cookie has gotten around, certainly to the neighboring town where people there are capitalizing on it by pointing out that THEIR food doesn't kill people! Rudolph businesses are hurting a bit, just at their more profitable time of the year! Merry decides to investigate, starting with the "who benefits" point of view. Well, it turns out that there are a lot of possible beneficiaries, including the neighboring town, Sue Anne who thinks the current mayor may suffer and she might win the upcoming election, and even poor Kyle, a nice guy unfortunately involved with the flighty Jackie, who, with Nigel gone, might be better set up to get her. Ah, the thick plottens!

[Tina]

Yes, it do, PI Pghfan. I'm at the diner now enjoying breakfast with the two. Good grief, if that's a breakfast to kill, I'm a goner long ago. I don't eat like that everyday but should I want bacon and eggs, grits, toast, I'll have it. That plate use to be a good ol' traditional breakfast. As for today, I'll just have coffee, thanks. :-/

[Mark Pghfan]

Sounds yummy. Breakfast IS the most important meal of the day!

[Jill]

When I want to indulge I'll take an order of Eggs Benedict's please

[J]

I'm not quite through with this section but unless something changes in the next two chapters my money is on whomever sent that phony text to Merry's dad for the murderer. Someone clearly wanted him out of town, but why? Something to do with the council he sits on- could he have been the lone opposer to something? I don't recall reading anything like that though. Could it be Along the lines of ruining Christmas since he is Santa ...but surely someone else could have taken his place. Hmmm. I'm really stumped.
My favorite character is Mattie- his puppy playfulness never fails to make me smile.

[J]

Wow that's two posts that made it through complete with emoticons!
Must be Christmas magic!
Apparently I spoke too soon as both emoticons are now gone!:(

[Mark Pghfan]

Interesting call about that odd message. Clearly either he or Mom was meant to be lured away. I can't think what that might be. I don't remember anything Dad might impact.

[Tina]

Eggs Benedict for you, Jill, Swiss, bacon omelette for moi. Pancakes or waffle too.

Pghfan, yes it is.

LOL on the two beating a hasty retreat from the diner.


Jill wrote: "When I want to indulge I'll take an order of Eggs Benedict's please"

[Mark Pghfan]

That business about crashing the neighboring town in a flimsy disguise was pretty lame, I need to admit.

[Tina]

That phony msg. and bringing in Eve seemed to come out of nowhere. Yep, your take on it involving the dad looks to do w/one of his cases or council dealings. Least it does at this point in story.

Wonder if calling him (dad) back botches the perp's plan.

The bread pudding sounds wonderful. No raisins, please. However, I do like them in my rum raisin ice cream.

Pghfan, PI's...any of you baking cookies this holiday season?

[Tina]

True that, Pghfan. Would take more than a hat to alter appearance adequately. Esp. since they just saw them at recent Rudolph event. I do like the girls just wanna have fun angle though. Reminds me of my youth.


Pghfan wrote: "That business about crashing the neighboring town in a flimsy disguise was pretty lame, I need to admit."

[Mark Pghfan]

Tina, lots! Sugar cookies, peanut butter, gingersnaps, date bars, something we in Pittsburgh have called Farkleberrys-- plain cookie with orange peel and flavor, dried cranberries and white chocolate chips, covered in powdered sugar.

[Tina]

I know it's ill advised but I'm stamping feet and pouting now as I'll be lucky to bake Martha Stewart shortbread or sugar cookies this season. However, Santa's sending me some of my fave cookies from Buffalo. That and sponge candy! So there! (Pghfan, did I ever reveal that being your neighbor is on my annual wish list? Lucky you, it hasn't come true yet). Tee, hee, hee!

Hey, what do you think of The Parlor having an annex, The Den for more grittier (maybe racier) fare? Nothing too too but yet a bit more than cozy. There's a thread for that...or soon will be. ;-)

[J]

I HOPE to do some cookie baking but nothing as elaborate as Pgh!

No one asked me but I think having an annex i.e. den is a great idea. That way those of us who do prefer less gritty books won't have to feel as though they are holding the others back and won't have to drop out of the main read if a grifter book is chosen.

[Jill]

Tina wrote: "That phony msg. and bringing in Eve seemed to come out of nowhere. Yep, your take on it involving the dad looks to do w/one of his cases or council dealings. Least it does at this point in story.
..."

Of course I am....Austin and I do it together. BUT we won't be doing it until the week of Christmas, since we need more than one day. We are doing some of our favorites plus we are going to incorporate a couple of new breads, muffins, and cookies. I figure it will take about three days for her and I to get it all done, so their last day of school for Christmas she will be over and we will commence baking!

[Jill]

Tina wrote: "I know it's ill advised but I'm stamping feet and pouting now as I'll be lucky to bake Martha Stewart shortbread or sugar cookies this season. However, Santa's sending me some of my fave cookies fr..."

I can deal with that I've seen other groups have several different topics and then post under those topic. If that would be easier, but then again, I go with the flow so whatever everyone decides, I'm ok with.

[Jill]

J wrote: "I HOPE to do some cookie baking but nothing as elaborate as Pgh!

No one asked me but I think having an annex i.e. den is a great idea. That way those of us who do prefer less gritty books won't ha..."

I see the point, and I agree, for those who don't prefer gritty. Guess I should of read all of the discussions before I post...lol...

[Tina]

Sounds like fun. Three days of Christmas baking with the kiddo(s). Heaven!

[Jill]

it is, except she doesn't like to help clean up and load the dishwasher, that's the only bad part and one of the reasons it takes us so long to make everything...lol...but that's ok, we're also making memories that she will hopefully cherish and can pass on with her children and then grandchildren.

[Tina]

Memories are as yummy as the cookies they've generated. Enjoy.

[Tina]

The dinner date reminds me a bit of Plum Pudding. However, no parents happened by like in this restaurant scene. But both moms are ever eager to see their daughters date accomplished single men.

[Allison]

Pghfan - Farkleberrys sound wonderful and what a great name! Do you know how they got named that? There must be a story there.

I myself have not started baking yet and may not actually do it as we will be gone for Christmas (Disneyland) and I'm on my 2nd week of being sick. Still reading though :)

I'm good with a grittier read in the Den.

I wondered about the person sending the text as well, J. I thought too they may be trying to get Santa out of town but someone else could have just donned the suit in his place.

[Mark Pghfan]

That's a good reason for the text! I hadn't thought of that.

[Tina]

I also didn't consider some Santa flim flam. I'm still dreaming of cookies and Disneyland. Some detective I'd make. lol Dangle chocolate in front of me and the crook gets away with the silver, coins, goldfish and crystal.

[Tina]

Spoiler coming --





Their Christmas is going up in flames. Literally. Could latest incident involving Kyle be a cry for attention from Jackie and all? Sabotage or accident? What say you?

[Allison]

At first I thought it was a pathetic attempt for attention on Kyle's part but then I decided he's not smart enough for something that devious. Now I'm back to I don't know who done it.

[Tina]

Me neither, Allison. On any of the suspects. Could be any of them. And maybe more than one?

[Tina]

In last 90 page stretch. Can't wait to find out who's behind all this mischief then I can start Dickens which graciously offers us some nice big print! Thanks Santa!