The Beacon and Other Mystery Stories
by
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HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE MARIA? Cilla Buckingham considered her spouse a model husband. Randolph Buckingham was twice as old as his wife, and the combined challenges of age and the control of his various consortiums ensured that he did not make many demands on his spouse. He produced fortunes with the same regularity that other men produce a monthly paycheck, but he rarely had time to spend his money, so that responsibility fell back on Cilla. Randolph did write the occasional cheque, but it was always to benefit his wife. A generous donation to the Burnside City Opera had not been quite sufficient to make up for Cilla’s lack of talent and procure her the role of Maria in The Sound of Music, but she had happily settled for the Baroness since the part allowed her to wear glamorous clothes instead of drab peasant dresses and a ghastly nun’s habit. Another cheque had provided a sable coat and a diamond choker to ensure that she looked every inch the part of the wealthy Elsa. Of course, Randolph never got things exactly right. Cilla would have far preferred a diamond bracelet to the Pekinese with the matching diamond collar that came with the other gifts, especially since the dog was not quite the correct colour to co-ordinate with the coat. However, Randolph meant well so, all in all, she was not too displeased. The wretched dog would die at some point, and after a suitable show of tears, the collar would convert very nicely, with enough diamonds left over for matching earrings as well. Yes, thought Cilla, things were going very nicely indeed.
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About the Book
Praise for The Beary Mysteries:
“Well-crafted stories which will delight mystery fans.”
—Kirkus Discoveries
“Elwood’s believable situations, natural dialogue and wit make her stories a pleasure to read.”
— Annie Boulanger, Burnaby Now
“I found great enjoyment reading the stories… Original and evocative.”
—Barbara Kay, National Post columnist
The Beary family returns in The Beacon and Other Mystery Stories, the third book featuring feisty city councillor, Bertram Beary, his opera-singing daughter, Philippa, and his detective inspector son, Richard. In the title story, a former opera singer who was renowned for her performance as La Gioconda becomes the prime suspect when her husband’s body washes ashore near their waterfront home the same day that his mistress dies in a fiery inferno on the other side of the channel.
As the book progresses, the senior members of the Beary family solve The Mystery of the Boston Teapots while walking The Freedom Trail during a visit to Massachusetts. Back at home, Philippa discovers that no one can solve a problem like Maria when she takes on the leading role in a local production of The Sound of Music.
While every story presents a puzzle of its own, Philippa’s own story is interwoven throughout the book as she overcomes personal disappointments and forms new friendships. Ultimately, when she and her sister, Juliette, undertake a prestigious engagement at a high-society Christmas party, even the blanket of snow covering the Lower Mainland cannot quell her spirits as she realizes that someone who seemed an enemy in the past may well turn out to be a very special somebody in her future.
About the Author
Elizabeth Elwood is the author of To Catch an Actress and A Black Tie Affair. She is also a playwright and her plays, Renovations and Casting for Murder, have been produced in several cities in Canada. Born in England, Elizabeth lives with her husband and family in Vancouver, British Columbia.