Merry Masquerade in Savannah: A Made in Savannah Cozy Mystery (Made in Savannah Cozy Mysteries Series Book 8) Read online

  Merry Masquerade in Savannah

  Made in Savannah

  Cozy Mystery Series Book Eight

  Hope Callaghan

  hopecallaghan.com

  Copyright © 2017

  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. and Barbara W. for taking the time to preview Merry Masquerade in Savannah, 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, Becky B, Brinda, Cassie, Christina, Cyndi, Debbie, Dee, Denota, Devan, Grace, Jan, Jo-Ann, Joeline, Joyce, Jean K., Jean M., Lynne, Megan, Melda, Kat, Linda, Lynne, Pat, Patsy, Paula, Rebecca, Renate, Rita, Rita P, Shelba, Tamara, Valerie and Vicki.

  Contents

  Complete List of Books

  Get New Releases & More

  Like Audiobooks?

  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

  Join The Fun

  Other Series You May Enjoy

  Meet the Author

  Mrs. O’Brien’s Shepherd’s Pie 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 discover
ed 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!

  Like Audiobooks?

  Listen to the Made in Savannah Series!

  (On sale now or FREE with 30-day trial)

  Key to Savannah: Audiobook 1

  Road to Savannah: Audiobook 2

  Justice in Savannah: Audiobook 3

  Swag in Savannah: Audiobook 4

  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 eased her 1977 Lincoln town car along the private drive to the Montgomery Hall entrance. When she reached the gate, it took her a few moments to realize something was amiss…the gate was open.

  “That’s odd.” She rolled the window down and pushed the buzzer to ring the house.

  “Can I help you?”

  “This is Carlita Garlucci. Mrs. Montgomery is expecting me. The gate is already open. Do you want me to drive through?”

  There was a long moment of silence.

  “Hello?”

  “Yes. Drive through.”

  Carlita crept through the opening and as she passed by, she noticed the right hand side of the gate was open and intact, but bent.

  Byron, Victoria “Tori” Montgomery’s butler, met her in front of the courtyard door. She could’ve sworn the man smiled as he bowed slightly and stepped to the side. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Garlucci.”

  “Carlita.” She waved a hand. “How are you today?”

  She was surprised when Byron responded. “Someone broke our gate.”

  “I noticed,” Carlita said. “What happened?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.” Byron plodded along the paved sidewalk as he led Carlita into the grand hall. “Mrs. Montgomery is in the drawing room.”

  She followed him across the gleaming marble floors, down the long hall, to the door at the end where he knocked lightly and swung it open.

  Tori Montgomery’s back was to them as she stood staring out the French doors overlooking the meticulously manicured rear lawn and pool.

  “Mrs. Garlucci has arrived,” Byron announced.

  “Carlita.” Victoria spun on her heel and faced her friend. “It’s so nice to see you.”

  “Thank you for inviting me.” Carlita gazed around the room. “Something looks different in here.”

  “Good eye,” Victoria nodded. “We had a recent break-in and someone stole several antique weapons, as well as a dreadful sword my husband, William, refused to part with. From what Byron told me, it also appears that part of my front gate has been damaged.”

  “It is,” Carlita confirmed. “I would think between your guard dog and a state-of-the-art security system, this place would be safer than Fort Knox.”

  “You would think so.” Tori glided across the room to a side table. “Would you care for a cup of tea or coffee?”

  “No thanks.” Carlita shook her head. “I’m good for now.”

  Tori poured hot water into a cup and steeped a tea bag inside before gently easing into a wingback chair. “Please. Sit. How is business? How is your family?”

  “Good. Everyone is fine.” Carlita told Victoria that Paulie and Gina had patched things up and returned to New York, business at Swag in Savannah had picked up and they were looking forward to cooler weather.

  “One of the reasons I asked you to stop by is because I’m still planning a masquerade party, but instead of calling it the fall ball I’m renaming it the Merry Masquerade.”

  “It sounds like fun,” Carlita said. “I’m not good at party planning, but I’m willing to offer my two cents.”

  The women discussed the party at length, but Carlita had a niggling feeling the party wasn’t the real reason she was there. There was something else. Finally, she couldn’t stand it any longer. “Why am I really here?” she asked bluntly.

  Tori shifted uneasily. “I…sold a few of the gems that you gave me to a pawnshop in the Hilton Head area last week. The next day someone broke into Montgomery Hall and I wonder if the two are somehow connected.”

  “And you thought since we owned a pawnshop, I might be able to do a little digging around to see what’s up.”

  “Precisely.” Tori nodded. “If you don’t mind, perhaps you could have your son do a little undercover investigating for me. Of course, I would certainly make it worth his time, but it will look a lot less suspicious for him to ask questions than for me.”

  “You’re right.” Carlita rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “First, I’ll need to know exactly what items were stolen. Dates and times would be helpful, too.”

  “Certainly.” Tori reached into her front pocket, pulled out a folded sheet of paper and handed it to Carlita. “Here’s a detailed list, the time we first noticed the items were missing, a description and the estimated value.”

  “Perfect,” Carlita said. “Now, all I’ll need is a list of what you sold, when and the price.”

  Tori smiled. “It’s at the bottom of the sheet.”

  Carlita lowered her gaze. “This should help us get started.”

  “Thank you. I didn’t know who else to ask.” Tori stood; her signal the visit had ended and Carlita followed suit. “You will come to the masquerade ball?”

  “Of course. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

  Byron appeared in the doorway, and Carlita had the distinct impression he had been eavesdropping on their conversation.

  “The invitations are at the printer now,” Tori said. “Thank you for helping
me plan the party.”

  Carlita smiled. “Of course. I’ll help in any way that I can. That’s what friends are for.” She followed Byron out of the house, across the courtyard and to her car.

  He opened Carlita’s car door and she climbed inside. “Thank you Byron.”

  “You’re welcome. Have a good day.” Byron held the door for a moment and gazed at Carlita before pushing it shut and tromping back across the drive.

  Carlita watched him walk away and couldn’t help but think he was going to say something, but had changed his mind at the last minute. She would’ve given anything to know what that something was.

  ***

  Mercedes Garlucci breezed into the apartment she shared with her mother. “Hot off the press, Ma. Check it out.” She waved a book in the air.

  “What’s ‘hot off the press?’” Carlita squinted her eyes. “I can’t make heads or tails of what you’re holding.”

  “It’s my book, Savannah’s Secret Society. It’s finally in print.” Mercedes tapped the top of the paperback. “I’ve officially got two books under my belt. You know what this means?” She didn’t wait for her mother’s reply. “I’m a bona fide, published author.”

  Carlita took the book from her daughter and studied the front cover. “That’s awesome Mercedes. I’m proud of you, especially after everything you went through to get this book published.”

  “Thanks. I’ve been busy helping Tony in the pawnshop now that Paulie is back in New York, so I haven’t even had time to check to see if the e-book published. I wonder if I’ve had any sales.” Mercedes hurried to her room and her mother followed behind.

  “Of course, I’ve got a long road ahead to make a living off writing, but you gotta start somewhere.” Mercedes plopped down in her chair and tapped the keyboard. “No way! I sold two e-book copies and one paperback.”

  Carlita peered over her daughter’s shoulder. “Did you have to buy your own paperback?”

  “Yeah.” Mercedes frowned. “I bet this is my purchase.”

  “But you still sold a couple of the e-book copies,” Carlita pointed out.

  “True.”

  “And it’s only been out a couple of days.” Carlita patted her daughter’s shoulder. “You’re off to a great start. I’m sure it takes some authors years to sell lots of books.”