Kate Carlisle
Murder Under Cover
The fourth book in the Bibliophile Mystery series, 2011
This book is dedicated with love and affection to my
brother, Timothy Michael Beaver. Tim honey, thanks for
always letting me steal your best lines.
And to my beautiful sister-in-law, Pam Tsakirgis Beaver.
Your vitality, joy, and spirit inspire us all.
Love you, honey!
Chapter 1
“You’re having sex!” my best friend, Robin, cried as soon as I opened the door. “I mean, not currently, thank God, but recently. Oh, I’m so happy for you!”
“Say it a little louder, why don’t you?” I yanked her into my apartment and quickly shut the door behind her. “I don’t think they heard you up in Petaluma.”
She dropped her bags on my worktable and pulled me into a hug. “Your closest neighbors are two lesbians. Do you really think they’ll judge?”
“It’s nobody’s business,” I grumbled. “I’m not even going to ask how you can tell.”
“It’s a gift.” She patted my cheek. “Besides, just look at you. You’re glowing.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I said, feeling my cheeks warm up. So maybe she was right; maybe I was glowing. Did she have to point it out to the world?
Robin Tully had been my BFF for years, ever since we were eight years old and our parents joined the same spiritual commune in the hills of Sonoma County. We first bonded over Barbie dolls, Johnny Depp, and a mutual disgust for dirt. Now all that dirt has transformed itself into the upscale town of Dharma, a wine country destination spot for Bay Area foodies. But back in the day, it was backwoods enough to make two fastidious little girls go berserk.