A Grave Matter of Murder (Sky High Pies Cozy Mystery 40)

Virgil Munro often finds unexpected things on his sprawling property near Crescent Creek, Colorado. In the past two years alone, the retired firefighter has come across wayward kites, threadbare carpets, abandoned appliances and stolen garden gnomes.

But the discovery that Virgil makes one Sunday afternoon is the most shocking of all: a shallow grave containing the corpse of a young man riddled with stab wounds.

When Crescent Creek Police remove the lifeless body from the ground, they find two other bombshells: a ruby-and-diamond chandelier earring and a razor-sharp carving knife. Since the items were under the body, police believe that they will help identify the victim as well as his assailant.

Hours after the investigation begins, the CCPD enlists former private investigator Kate Reed to consult on the case. In addition to working at her family’s bakery café during the day, Kate helps the authorities interview witnesses and gather evidence. Preliminary clues in the case include an autographed picture of Tony Bennett, a Chewbacca phone case, an embroidered denim shirt, spicy cheeseburgers from a local fast-food restaurant and a vintage Timex with a monogramed snakeskin watch band.