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Cozy Mysteries on the Open Road #2
Busted and Bail Money
Retired actress Clara Fitzwater thought a jaunt to Flintlock in her daisy-decaled van, Bread Loaf, would net her some farm-fresh eggs and a dose of theater nostalgia. But when a festival play ends with a poisoned apple and her old friend Archie framed for attempted murder, Clara’s trip turns into a curtain-raising mystery.
Alongside her savvy niece Jane and Archie’s lawyer son Collin, Clara dives into a web of jealousy, sabotage, and pirate lore tied to Captain William Flintlock’s lost treasure. As theater curtains burn and secrets unravel, from a lovesick innkeeper to a shadowy businessman dubbed “The Planner”, Clara must channel her onstage flair to unmask the culprit. With time ticking and Archie’s freedom at stake, will she crack the case, or will Flintlock’s past bury them all?
A cozy mystery brimming with charm, humor, and unexpected twists in this relaxing, family and friends mystery series.
Alongside her savvy niece Jane and Archie’s lawyer son Collin, Clara dives into a web of jealousy, sabotage, and pirate lore tied to Captain William Flintlock’s lost treasure. As theater curtains burn and secrets unravel, from a lovesick innkeeper to a shadowy businessman dubbed “The Planner”, Clara must channel her onstage flair to unmask the culprit. With time ticking and Archie’s freedom at stake, will she crack the case, or will Flintlock’s past bury them all?
A cozy mystery brimming with charm, humor, and unexpected twists in this relaxing, family and friends mystery series.
150 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 14, 2025
64 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 7, 2025
Book 2 in this new series
Another fun mystery and a new series by James. The characters are slowly being developed and I enjoyed this book more than the first one.
I'm excited to see how Collin & Jane's friendship develops and what Arizona holds for Archie and his friends in the next book!
Another fun mystery and a new series by James. The characters are slowly being developed and I enjoyed this book more than the first one.
I'm excited to see how Collin & Jane's friendship develops and what Arizona holds for Archie and his friends in the next book!
May 23, 2025
Great book
Lots of action and suspense who was guilty and who wasn’t. Great job on the hunt for treasure in the house and land
Lots of action and suspense who was guilty and who wasn’t. Great job on the hunt for treasure in the house and land
May 14, 2025
Clara Fitzwater and her niece, Jane, are heading to the town of Flintlock to get some farm fresh eggs. They decided to go there after Clara received a phone call from her old friend and fellow actor, Archie Fontaine. Archie said there is a Festival being held there and they would have a very enjoyable time. Clara relates a rumor of lost pirate treasure in Flintlock to Jane. When they arrived in Flintlock, Archie was there to meet them. Archie had worked with the Festival coordinator and B&B owner, Miriam Wells and also arranged for them to stay at the Maple bed-and-breakfast. Archie also told Clara that he had a cameo role in the performance that night.
When the show is ready to start, Archie is told by Thomas Keating that his cameo is not happening. Shortly into the second scene, Thomas was shown eating an apple and petting a small lamb then he collapsed in the middle of his next line. It turns out that Thomas was poisoned. Discreetly asking around, Clara, Archie and Jane found out some interesting information about Thomas and his role in the play.
Fortunately, Thomas did not die from the poisoning, but when he awoke, he accused Archie of poisoning him. Then Archie was arrested based on Thomas' accusation. Archie's one phone call was to his son, Collin, who is an attorney. Clara, Jane, and Collin are determined to prove Archie's innocence. When the police search Archie's room, they find a bottle that might contain the poison.
Who poisoned Thomas? Why was he poisoned? Why did Thomas accuse Archie of the deed? How did the bottle get into Archie's room? Can Clara and her friends prove Archie was framed?
CeeCee James has another great mystery for Clara and her friends to solve. Working around town secrets and possible conspiracies makes the case even more challenging. With wonderful characters and realistic situations, it will keep the reader engaged clear to the last line.
When the show is ready to start, Archie is told by Thomas Keating that his cameo is not happening. Shortly into the second scene, Thomas was shown eating an apple and petting a small lamb then he collapsed in the middle of his next line. It turns out that Thomas was poisoned. Discreetly asking around, Clara, Archie and Jane found out some interesting information about Thomas and his role in the play.
Fortunately, Thomas did not die from the poisoning, but when he awoke, he accused Archie of poisoning him. Then Archie was arrested based on Thomas' accusation. Archie's one phone call was to his son, Collin, who is an attorney. Clara, Jane, and Collin are determined to prove Archie's innocence. When the police search Archie's room, they find a bottle that might contain the poison.
Who poisoned Thomas? Why was he poisoned? Why did Thomas accuse Archie of the deed? How did the bottle get into Archie's room? Can Clara and her friends prove Archie was framed?
CeeCee James has another great mystery for Clara and her friends to solve. Working around town secrets and possible conspiracies makes the case even more challenging. With wonderful characters and realistic situations, it will keep the reader engaged clear to the last line.
November 6, 2025
Another cute adventure for Clara, Archie, Jane, and Collin! I like the characters. I’ve never read a cozy that has actors/actresses as the main characters.
Clara Fitzwater - Retired actress. Rich. Amateur sleuth. Beautiful. Dramatic. Sweet.
Jane (last name unk. Fitzwater?) - Clara’s niece (Clara’s brother’s daughter). Mid 30’s. Smart. Currently unemployed, but has quite a bit of income from her father’s business. Loves adventures with her aunt. Bold with accusations, when necessary. Has crush on Collin.
Archie Fontaine - Retired actor of sit-coms. Costar with Clara and starred in many shows with Clara and got as far as the scene before the two kissing. Just friends with Clara, but I feel he may have always had a romantic interest in her. Best friend of Clara most of their lives. Lively. Rich. Sweet. Humble.
Collin Fontaine - Archie’s son. Lawyer. Handsome. Large in size, personality, and voice. Happy. May share the same feelings as Jane and I believe the two will end up dating and maybe more.
Clara and Archie love adventures and tend to take Clara’s VW bus she named ‘Bread Loaf.’ It’s a classic! The two tend to get themselves into scuffles that land them in jail or as suspects in crimes. This is where Collin comes in - he always has their backs and their attorney representation. Jane is the supportive person and the reason in times of trouble.
Unfortunately there are only 3 books to this series and I’m about to begin the 3rd. Maybe Ceecee will continue the series with another book. Who knows?!
See you in my next book thoughts review!
Deuces to your cabooses!
Clara Fitzwater - Retired actress. Rich. Amateur sleuth. Beautiful. Dramatic. Sweet.
Jane (last name unk. Fitzwater?) - Clara’s niece (Clara’s brother’s daughter). Mid 30’s. Smart. Currently unemployed, but has quite a bit of income from her father’s business. Loves adventures with her aunt. Bold with accusations, when necessary. Has crush on Collin.
Archie Fontaine - Retired actor of sit-coms. Costar with Clara and starred in many shows with Clara and got as far as the scene before the two kissing. Just friends with Clara, but I feel he may have always had a romantic interest in her. Best friend of Clara most of their lives. Lively. Rich. Sweet. Humble.
Collin Fontaine - Archie’s son. Lawyer. Handsome. Large in size, personality, and voice. Happy. May share the same feelings as Jane and I believe the two will end up dating and maybe more.
Clara and Archie love adventures and tend to take Clara’s VW bus she named ‘Bread Loaf.’ It’s a classic! The two tend to get themselves into scuffles that land them in jail or as suspects in crimes. This is where Collin comes in - he always has their backs and their attorney representation. Jane is the supportive person and the reason in times of trouble.
Unfortunately there are only 3 books to this series and I’m about to begin the 3rd. Maybe Ceecee will continue the series with another book. Who knows?!
See you in my next book thoughts review!
Deuces to your cabooses!
December 28, 2025
The gang Archie, Clare and Jane get into her van meat loaf and head to Flintlock. Be careful in new towns set in their ways. Archie was arrested with suspicions that he didn’t do. Clara called Collin Archie’s son to come and help Archie. Collin is a lawyer. There was jealousy, treasure hunting, surprise as to who was involved.
Easy to read, enjoyed reading the book. Well done!
Easy to read, enjoyed reading the book. Well done!
May 23, 2025
This wasnt as cute as they first book. Kind of confusing to follow at times. If it was longer I would have quit reading. I just got so I couldn't care who committed the crimes. Not sure if I will read books 3
June 20, 2025
Liked the storyline, just poor editing as usual.
June 24, 2025
Bail Money
The vintage actors and their motley crew are at it again. Another mystery to solve, and Archie is deeply entrenched. It's a good read that I highly recommend.
The vintage actors and their motley crew are at it again. Another mystery to solve, and Archie is deeply entrenched. It's a good read that I highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews