Sleight of Hand
Book 1 in the Maisie Doss Mystery
Maisie Doss knew the weight of secrets all too well. Once a troublemaker in her small Kentucky town near Cincinnati, she struck a dangerous bargain to become a confidential informant for the police. But when betrayal led her to send a family member behind bars, the lines between right and wrong blurred. Unable to bear the weight of her actions, she fled into the secluded heart of Appalachia, praying her past wouldn’t catch up.
For a time, the hills kept her secrets. Determined to atone, she tried to lead a quiet life, but old habits die hard. When Maisie stumbles upon a mystery that begs her attention, she can’t resist diving in. Yet, this isn’t just any crime; it’s tangled with threads from her concealed past. And as fate would have it, a detective from her old life discovers her hidden refuge.
Now, he presents her with a chilling ultimatum: Return to her role as a CI and face the ghosts of her past or find herself behind bars.
In a game of cat and mouse, where trust is a luxury Maisie can’t afford, she must use every sleight of hand she knows to outwit the law, uncover the truth, and keep her freedom.
From Tonya Kappes, the Queen of Southern Charm and Whimsical Whodunits…
Immerse yourself in the allure of the South, where the tea is sweet, the mysteries are deep, and the humor is downright sinful. Tonya Kappes, celebrated for her delightful mix of southern charm, captivating mysteries, and wickedly funny humor, introduces a brand-new amateur sleuth that’s bound to become a reader favorite.
Dive into the Maisie Doss Mysteries and get ready for a roller coaster of emotions, suspense, and laughter. If you’ve loved her previous series, this new addition promises all the signature Kappes charm and then some. Join Maisie as she dances on the edge of danger and digs deep into the heart of the South’s most intriguing crimes. It’s a journey you won’t want to miss!
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Sleight of Hand
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Chapter One
I slid my pink-rimmed sunglasses up to rest on my head, pushing a loose auburn curl back into place. My Southern drawl was as thick as molasses, but it carried a bite that could rival the local moonshine. “Honey, I’m like sweet tea,” I’d say with a wink. “Southern brewed and not for the faint of heart.” Those who knew me knew that was the gospel truth.
I found myself in the dimly lit confines of a dusty second-hand store, staring at a rickety curio cabinet filled to the brim with Precious Moments figurines. The air was a mix of mothballs and long-forgotten memories, but my mind was on business, not nostalgia.
There he stood, Mr. Shifty, as I’d silently dubbed him, at the store’s counter. His eyes flitted around nervously underneath his cowboy hat as he attempted to make a purchase. Every twitch, every shifty scan of the room, was like a neon sign flashing “Guilty” in my mind.
Trying to keep my cool, I skimmed the Precious Moments collection. Then, to my surprise, one particular figurine seemed to call out to me. “Lord have mercy! Mama’s been harping about this one,” I whispered. I couldn’t help myself; I pulled out my bedazzled smartphone and snapped a quick pic, sending it off to Mama with a cheeky, “Ring any bells?”
But as luck would have it, the guy at the counter must’ve felt my gaze. He whipped around, and I, in sheer panic, ducked out of sight.
My sequined purse!
Its strap snagged the edge of the cabinet. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as the cabinet teetered and toppled, spilling its porcelain occupants with a cacophony of shatters.
Mr. Shifty took this golden opportunity to make a run for it.
But he didn’t know who he was dealing with.
With my heels clicking in protest, I dashed after him, shouting, “You ain’t getting away that easy, cowboy!”
That day, the citizens witnessed a fiery Southern belle, bent on justice, chasing down a man who had picked the wrong woman to mess with.
end of excerpt
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