Matrimony & Mayhem: A Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery (Made in Savannah Mystery Series Book 11) Read online

  Matrimony & Mayhem

  Made in Savannah

  Cozy Mystery Series Book Eleven

  Hope Callaghan

  hopecallaghan.com

  Copyright © 2018

  All rights reserved.

  *****

  This book is a work of fiction. Although places mentioned may be real, the characters, names and incidents, and all other details are products of the author’s imagination and are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual organizations, events or persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.

  No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced in any format, by any means, electronic or otherwise, without prior consent from the copyright owner and publisher of this book.

  ______________________________

  Visit my website for new releases and special offers: hopecallaghan.com

  Thank you to these wonderful ladies who help make my books shine - Peggy H., Cindi G., Jean P., Wanda D., Barbara W. and Renate P. for taking the time to preview Matrimony & Mayhem, for the extra sets of eyes and for catching all of my mistakes.

  A special THANKS to my reader review team:

  Alice, Amary, Barbara, Becky, Brinda, Cassie, Charlene, Christina, Deb, Debbie, Dee, Denota, Devan, Diana, Diann, Grace, Helen, Jan, Jo-Ann, Joyce, Jean K., Jean M., Katherine, Lynne, Megan, Melda, Kat, Linda, Lynne, Pat, Patsy, Paula, Rebecca, Rita, Tamara, Valerie, Vicki and Virginia.

  CONTENTS

  Complete List of Books

  Get New Releases & More

  Cast of Characters

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Join The Fun

  Other Series You May Enjoy

  Meet the Author

  Garlucci Italian Cookie Recipe

  Complete List of Books

  (Click Links Below To Buy or Read FREE with Kindle Unlimited)

  Audiobooks

  (On Sale now or FREE with Audible Trial)

  Key to Savannah: Book 1 (Made in Savannah Series)

  Road to Savannah: Book 2 (Made in Savannah Series)

  Justice in Savannah: Book 3 (Made in Savannah Series)

  Swag in Savannah: Book 4(Made in Savannah Series)

  Starboard Secrets: Book 1 (Cruise Ship Cozy Series)

  Portside Peril: Book 2 (Cruise Ship Cozy Series)

  Lethal Lobster: Book 3 Coming Soon!

  Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery Series

  A mother and daughter try to escape their family’s NY mob ties by making a fresh start in Savannah, GA but they soon realize you can run but you can’t hide from the past.

  Key to Savannah: Book 1

  Road to Savannah: Book 2

  Justice in Savannah: Book 3

  Swag in Savannah: Book 4

  Trouble in Savannah: Book 5

  Missing in Savannah: Book 6

  Setup in Savannah: Book 7

  Merry Masquerade: Book 8

  The Family Affair: Book 9

  Pirates in Peril: Book 10

  Matrimony & Mayhem: Book 11

  Swiped in Savannah: Book 12

  Turmoil in Savannah: Book 13

  Exes and Woes in Savannah: Book 14

  Book 15: Coming Soon!

  Made in Savannah Box Set I (Books 1-3)

  Made in Savannah Box Set II (Books 4-6)

  Garden Girls Cozy Mystery Series

  A lonely widower finds new purpose for her life when she and her senior friends help solve a murder in their small Midwestern town.

  Who Murdered Mr. Malone? Book 1

  Grandkids Gone Wild: Book 2

  Smoky Mountain Mystery: Book 3

  Death by Dumplings: Book 4

  Eye Spy: Book 5

  Magnolia Mansion Mysteries: Book 6

  Missing Milt: Book 7

  Bully in the ‘Burbs: Book 8

  Fall Girl: Book 9

  Home for the Holidays: Book 10

  Sun, Sand, and Suspects: Book 11

  Look Into My Ice: Book 12

  Forget Me Knot: Book 13

  Nightmare in Nantucket: Book 14

  Greed with Envy: Book 15

  Dying for Dollars: Book 16

  Stranger Among Us: Book 17

  Dash For Cash: Book 18

  Arsonist and Lace: Book 19

  Court of Corruption: Book 20

  Framed in Florida: Book 21

  Murder on Summer Lane: Book 22

  Alien Allure: Book 23

  Book 24: Coming Soon!

  Garden Girls Box Set I – (Books 1-3)

  Garden Girls Box Set II – (Books 4-6)

  Garden Girls Box Set III – (Books 7-9)

  Cruise Ship Cozy Mystery Series

  A recently divorced senior lands her dream job as Assistant Cruise Director onboard a mega passenger cruise ship and soon discovers she’s got a knack for solving murders.

  Starboard Secrets: Book 1

  Portside Peril: Book 2

  Lethal Lobster: Book 3

  Deadly Deception: Book 4

  Vanishing Vacationers: Book 5

  Cruise Control: Book 6

  Killer Karaoke: Book 7

  Suite Revenge: Book 8

  Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’: Book 9

  High Seas Heist: Book 10

  Family, Friends and Foes: Book 11

  Murder on Main: Book 12

  Fatal Flirtation: Book 13

  Deadly Delivery: Book 14

  Reindeer & Robberies: Book 15

  Transatlantic Tragedy: Book 16

  Southampton Stalker: Book 17

  Peculiar Poison: Book 18

  Book 19: Coming Soon!

  Cruise Ship Cozy Mysteries Box Set I (Books 1-3)

  Cruise Ship Cozy Mysteries Box Set II (Books 4-6)

  Cruise Ship Cozy Mysteries Box Set III (Books 7-9)

  Cruise Ship Cozy Mysteries Box Set IV (Books 10-12)

  Divine Cozy Mystery Series

  After relocating to the tiny town of Divine, Kansas, strange and mysterious things begin to happen to businesswoman, Jo Pepperdine and those around her.

  Divine Intervention: Book 1

  Divine Secrets: Book 2

  Divine Blindside: Book 3

  Divine Decisions: Book 4

  Divine Christmas: Book 5

  Divine Cozy Mystery Book 6 (Coming Soon!)

  Samantha Rite Mystery Series

  Heartbroken after her recent divorce, a single mother is persuaded to book a cruise and soon finds herself caught in the middle of a deadly adventure. Will she make it out alive?

  Waves of Deception: Book 1

  Winds of Deception: Book 2

  Tides of Deception: Book 3

  Samantha Rite Box Set – (Books 1-3-The Complete Series)

  Sweet Southern Sleuths Short Stories Series

  Twin sisters with completely opposite personalities become amateur sleuths when a dead body is discove
red in their recently inherited home in Misery, Mississippi.

  Teepees and Trailer Parks: Book 1

  Bag of Bones: Book 2

  Southern Stalker: Book 3

  Two Settle the Score: Book 4

  Killer Road Trip: Book 5

  Pups in Peril: Book 6

  Dying To Get Married-In: Book 7

  Deadly Drive-In: Book 8

  Secrets of a Stranger: Book 9

  Library Lockdown: Book 10

  Vandals & Vigilantes: Book 11

  Fatal Frolic: Book 12

  Sweet Southern Sleuths Box Set I: (Books 1-4)

  Sweet Southern Sleuths Box Set: II: (Books 5-8)

  Sweet Southern Sleuths Box Set III: (Books 9-12)

  Sweet Southern Sleuths 12 Book Box Set (Entire Series)

  Cozy Mystery Collections

  Summer Sleuths Cozy Mysteries Collection

  Cozy Mysteries Collection (Heart and Holiday Edition)

  Fall Into Murder 6 Book Fall Themed Cozy Mystery Collection

  Cozy Mysteries 12 Book Box Set: (Garden Girls & Cruise Ship Cozy Mystery Series)

  Cozy Mysteries Cookbook (Free w/Newsletter signup)

  Cozy Mysteries Cookbook-Recipes from Hope Callaghan Books

  Get New Releases & More

  Get New Releases, Giveaways & Discounted Books When You

  Subscribe To My Free Cozy Mysteries Newsletter!

  Cast of Characters

  Carlita Garlucci. The widow of a mafia “made” man, Carlita promised her husband on his deathbed to get their sons out of the “family” business, so she moves from New York to the historic city of Savannah, Georgia. But escaping the family isn’t as easy as she hoped it would be and trouble follows Carlita to her new home.

  Mercedes Garlucci. Carlita’s daughter and the first to move to Savannah with her mother. An aspiring writer, Mercedes has a knack for finding mysteries and adventure and dragging her mother along for the ride.

  Vincent Garlucci, Jr. Carlita’s oldest son and a younger version of his father, Vinnie is deeply entrenched in the family business and not at all interested in leaving New Jersey for the Deep South.

  Tony Garlucci. Carlita’s middle son and the second to follow his mother to Savannah. Tony is protective of both his mother and his sister, which is a good thing since the female Garlucci’s are always in some sort of a predicament.

  Paulie Garlucci. Carlita’s youngest son. Mayor of the small town of Clifton Falls, New York, Paulie never joined the “family business,” content to live his life with his wife and young children away from a life of crime. His wife, Gina, rules the family household with an iron fist.

  Chapter 1

  Carlita Garlucci watched the Savannah trolley roll to a stop. She shifted the garment bag to her other arm and reached for the railing. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”

  “I’ve been keeping an eye out for you.” Claryce Magillicuddy waited for Carlita to board the trolley and swipe her rider card. “I saved the seat behind me, so you wouldn’t have to carry all your stuff to the back.”

  “Thanks, Claryce.”

  “Reese,” her friend corrected.

  Carlita’s friend recently informed her that she preferred the nickname Reese instead of Claryce, deeming her given name as too formal for a Savannah trolley driver. Plus, the riders never could pronounce it correctly, calling her “Claire-ice.” Not “Claire-eese.”

  “Reese.” Carlita wiggled onto the seat before draping the garment bag over the back. “I’ll be glad when Tony and Shelby are finally hitched. I’m whupped.”

  “How’s your soon-to-be daughter-in-law feeling?” Reese closed the door and shifted the trolley into gear.

  “She’s finally decided to cut back on her overtime hours at the post office.” Shelby had been hard at work planning the wedding, to be held at Ravello’s Ristorante, the Garlucci family’s new restaurant.

  Carlita suspected she was trying to do too much, including volunteering for the extra overtime and complained of being exhausted. During the last few weeks, she had come straight home from work and gone right to bed.

  The family was pitching in to keep an eye on Violet while her mom rested, but Carlita was growing increasingly concerned there was something else going on. She’d even gone as far as to ask Tony if Shelby might be pregnant, to which her son adamantly insisted was not the case.

  He’d all but told his mother to butt out of their business.

  Never one to back down, Carlita finally convinced her son that Shelby needed to see her doctor. “I finally talked some sense into Tony. Shelby has an appointment scheduled for a full check-up right after the wedding.”

  “Good,” Reese said. “I think you’re gonna need a vacation.”

  “If only I could. I’m still working out the kinks at the restaurant. At least I finally found a manager. He came highly recommended by Mike Russo, President of the Savannah Area Restaurant Association.” Carlita pushed a wayward strand of hair out of her eyes. “As soon as this wedding is over, I’ll be able to get all of my businesses back on track.”

  “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.” Reese eased alongside the curb to let a group of passengers off while more riders boarded. “Step right up. Welcome to the Big Peach.”

  Reese’s nickname for her pale peach-colored trolley never failed to get a laugh or chuckle from the riders. Even the sourpusses would crack a smile when they spied the giant smiling peach she’d painted on the ceiling of the trolley.

  Carlita was one of the first to see Reese’s masterpiece. According to her friend, the idea came to her in a dream. “Is your boss going to make you paint over the peach?”

  “Nope.” Reese’s eyes lit. “In fact, the company is considering letting me try my hand at painting the side of their ugly trolley garage. I might have me a small side business in the works.”

  The trolley turned the corner and rumbled to a stop in front of Savannah Swag, the Garlucci family’s pawnshop. Carlita stood. “You’re still coming to the wedding?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Got my invitation taped to the refrigerator, so I don’t forget.”

  Carlita gathered her belongings and cautiously descended the steps. “I’m sure I’ll see you before the wedding, what with half a dozen or more errands yet to run between today and tomorrow.”

  “You take care of yourself, Carlita. All of the little details will work themselves out one way or another.” The doors to the trolley closed and with a quick wave, Reese and the Big Peach were on their way.

  Carlita waited until the trolley turned the corner and disappeared from sight before crossing the street and making her way inside the pawnshop.

  Tony was in the back, helping a customer. Her daughter, Mercedes, was behind the jewelry counter. She gave her mother a quick nod. “You picked up Tony’s suit?”

  “Yeah, and we gotta make sure it fits.” Carlita zigzagged her way to the employee’s area. She hung the suit on a hook near the door and waited for her son to join her.

  “You got the goods?”

  “Yep. I didn’t take a real close look. I figured you better try it on. I’ll cover for you.”

  “Thanks, Ma.” Tony lifted the bag. “Shelby left a little while ago. She’s on her way to the bakery to check on the wedding cake.”

  “How is Shelby?”

  A somber expression crossed Tony’s face. “She’s still feeling tired. I’m starting to worry now.”

  “I would be, too.” Carlita had a sudden thought. “You don’t think…” Her voice trailed off.

  “Think what?”

  “You don’t think she’s getting cold feet?”

  “No way. Shelby and I want to get married. We’re excited about our new home and Violet is already planning her princess bedroom. We’re hopin’ it’s just because she’s got so much goin’ on, she’s worn herself out.”

  “Hopefully, it’s nothing a few days away, and a honeymoon won’t fix.”

  Tony headed out of t
he pawnshop. He returned a short time later, looking dapper in his dark suit.

  Carlita’s breath caught in her throat. “You look so handsome.” Her eyes grew damp as she stared at a younger version of her husband, Vinnie.

  “No water works.” Tony shook his head. “You can’t start crying yet.”

  “But you look so much like your father. I wish he could be here,” she whispered.

  “I’m sure he’s watchin’ over us and that he would love Shelby.”

  Carlita didn’t dare speak and only nodded her head.

  “I better go change before you start bawlin.” Tony backed out of the store and closed the door behind him.

  “Hey, Ma.” Carlita turned at her daughter’s voice.

  “Tony got you all choked up?”

  “Yes. He looks just like your father.”

  “Pops would be proud. This is a happy time. No tears.” Mercedes squeezed her mother’s arm. “Did you get my text?”

  “No. You sent me a text?”

  “Yeah. Earlier.”

  Carlita fumbled inside her purse for her cell phone. “I see it now.” Her eyes squinted. “Did you need me to pick up something else?”

  “No. You’ve got a surprise,” Mercedes said.

  “What kind of surprise? Good or bad?”

  “I…It could go either way. You’ll find out soon enough. It’s upstairs, in the apartment.”

  “You bought something for the restaurant,” Carlita guessed.

  “Nope.”

  “For the apartment?”

  “Nope again.” Mercedes shook her head. “Not even close. Like I said, you’ll have to wait until you get upstairs.”

  “Vinnie and Brittney showed up early?”

  “Uh-uh. Paulie called earlier. He and the rest of the clan will be here around the same time as Vinnie and Brittney.”

  The rest of Carlita’s children were on their way to Savannah, to help Shelby and Tony celebrate their big day.

  The wedding ceremony would take place in the courtyard. Carlita’s new restaurant, Ravello’s Ristorante, was hosting a reception immediately following the ceremony.

  The timing of the wedding was perfect. It would give Carlita an idea how her kitchen and new staff would run before the restaurant opened a few days later.