Murder at Coconut Key: Sea Cozy Mysteries, #2
3.5/5
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About this ebook
MURDER AT COCONUT KEY is BOOK 2 in the Sea Cozy Mysteries. What could possibly go wrong for Maddie, Croc, Ethan, Jessica, and a cute, yet troublesome, beagle, while staying on Coconut Key for the 2nd Annual Ms. Tropical Cove Beauty Pageant? Well, for starters, they stumble upon a dead body when they are all out for an evening stroll along the beach. Maddie, again, finds herself getting caught up in this case and helping out her tall and handsome friend Ethan, an investigator of Tropical Cove Police Department to help solve the mystery. This cozy mystery is filled with suspense, culinary, animals, and interesting characters. This mystery is set on the West Coast of Florida. It is great book for a relaxing afternoon read and this cozy mystery is family friendly! Start this series by reading:
Murder at Tropical Cove Marina; Book 1 in the Sea Cozy Mysteries
COMING SOON: Murder at Emerald Isle; Book 3
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Titles in the series (3)
Murder at Tropical Cove Marina: Sea Cozy Mysteries, #1 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Murder at Coconut Key: Sea Cozy Mysteries, #2 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Murder at Emerald Isle: Sea Cozy Mysteries, #3 Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5
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Book preview
Murder at Coconut Key - Crystal Winters
CHAPTER 1
Ethan and I were having a celebratory dinner at the new Crab House that opened up across the street from my marina. I was savoring each and every bite of my buttery stone crab claws and sipping on my flavorful Chardonnay. Ethan held up his wine glass to make a toast as he leaned across the table towards me. He took his soft, gentle hand and caressed the side of my face. He leaned in even closer and I could feel his mustache brush against the side of my face and our lips embraced one another’s. Ethan gently kissed the tip of my nose, tickling it, and continued kissing the side of my face with his luscious, juicy lips. I was enjoying it, until that is, his amazing kisses turned into big, sloppy wet kisses. Wh..Wh..What...What are you doing, Ethan?
I rubbed my eyes and tried to focus. I looked several times at the big bulging eyes staring down at me. Ethan was looking rather strange today with his long pointy snout, sharp-looking incisors, and a large mouth with a flappy tongue that drool trickled off. You’re not Ethan,
I stated adamantly and blinked several times.
Darn it, wish I was.
Croc flicked at a mosquito that had been tickling my nose. You were dreamin’ up a storm, Maddie. Must’ve been somethin’ real good. You were smilin’, until now that is,
he replied with a grin that went almost from ear to ear.
Ewwwww, Peabody. Get that mangy mutt off me!
I pushed Peabody’s snout away from me, but he wanted to lick the side of my face with his sloppy wet tongue. Oh, that is so gross!
He’s probably just lickin’ off the salty sweat from your face.
I wiped my drool, along with Peabody’s drool, from my face with my hand. I petted Peabody, Jr., a crazy beagle, as he finally settled and quieted down.
Croc started chuckling, Maddie, just wanted to wake ya on up, sleepy head, coz we’re about ta anchor soon.
After being startled from my really good dream—part of it that is—I realized that it was too good to be true. I stretched for a while and yawned as I looked over at the speeding boat that had been paralleling us for a brief second. It was approximately 30 feet away from our boat, and Jessica was having trouble steering her father’s new boat, a Stingray 180RX. Ethan waved at Croc and next thing I know, Ethan took his tanned hand and slipped his fingers around hers to keep the boat steady while they sped ahead of us, heading straight toward Coconut Key. I felt a twinge of irritation. Why do I get so worked up? I can’t really explain why.
Croc snapped me out of my irritated mood as he walked to the bow of the sailboat and pointed out over the waters, Ahoy, Maddie! Look at the sun settin’. I didn’t want ya t’miss the pretty sky.
How thoughtful, I said to myself as I saw the few remaining clouds reflecting the orange-red glow of the setting sun. The reflection off the bluish-green waters of the Gulf and the pinkish sky combined to create a breathtakingly picturesque sunset. I scrambled to find my camera to make sure I could get that last minute photo op before it went behind the horizon. I rummaged quietly through my pockets so I would not disturb Peabody, who fell back to sleep, thankfully. I was having difficulty getting to my camera because my bulky blue and black zippered PFD vest was getting in the way. I unzipped the life vest and managed to get to the pocket of my shorts holding my camera. As I fumbled around a little while taking off the case, I felt like if anyone was watching, I was like an ungraceful ballerina dancing clumsily on stage. Finally, right as I got my camera focused and snapped the photo, a pelican flew right across the direction of the beautiful sunset.
Amazing. Just perfect.
I said as I viewed the picture on my camera.
Did ya get the pelican?
Croc asked. He was bringing down the jib sail on his MacGregor like he was lowering the Flag for the end of the day.
Yep. Sure did,
I said with a big smile on my face. Say cheese.
I held up the camera and focused. He was looking rather attractive today wearing his khaki sleeveless fishing vest and the bush hat that looked much like the hat worn by Paul Hogan in the movie, Crocodile Dundee. Croc could be a stand in look alike; couldn’t pass up that moment.
Chee, ah....Watch out for that big pelican! It looks like it might drop a big one on us.
Croc gestured to the sky as he ducked and covered his hat with his hands as the pelican flew over. Abandon ship, Maddie!
He was goofing around making it look like he was going to dive into the water.
Gee Croc, that’s going a little overboard, now isn’t?
Croc gave a chuckle. Good one, Maddie.
Huh.
I stared at him with a confused look on my face.
Ya made a funny.
He laughed again.
I stared at him for several seconds until the light bulb went off in my head and I started giggling, Overboard, oh boy, I get it. That’s a pretty good one,
I said right as the big pelican swooped again towards the port side of the boat. This time it startled and awoke Peabody sleeping peacefully on the cockpit’s bench. Peabody started barking loudly, defending his territory, and jumped onto the upper deck of the boat. The excited dog immediately started slipping and sliding around on the fiberglass.
He’s slippin’ and slidin’ around like that Nancy Kerrigan would skate after a night partyin’ an havin’ drank a keg of beer.
I giggled and replied, Croc, did you know it, but you’re funny?
What can I say...I was a born comedian.
We laughed some more.
At this point in time, Peabody was getting more and more off balance on top of the boat. His toenails scratched and dug into the surface and had that annoying sound as if someone took their fingernails and scratched on a chalkboard. Maybe not quite as annoying as the screeching sound as a chalkboard but enough to make you want to cringe. Especially knowing that each time I heard Peabody’s toenails scratch the fiberglass, I figured it was damaging the surface on Croc’s new sailboat. Plus, I was also concerned for Peabody’s safety that he might fall off.
Dang dog, can you try and grab his collar. I gotta find his leash.
He went down into the cabin to look for it.
I jumped up and scrambled for the dog. I was having difficulty reaching for Peabody as I stumbled around the cockpit getting tangled in various ropes and wires. I even bumped my noggin into the sailboat’s boom. Not only was I getting frustrated, but I