Kerry Hammond is excited about a new author and a new drink. But I’ll let her tell you all about it.
I was paging through Issue No. 142 of Mystery Scene magazine
when I came across an article and interview featuring author Ashley Weaver. The
tagline was “A Return to the Golden Age of Crime.” Anyone who knows me will
tell you that if I was stranded on a desert island and could only bring one
genre of mysteries with me, it would be 1930s-1940s British. The article made
it clear that Ashley Weaver’s books were right up my alley.
There are so far two books in the Amory Ames Mystery series.
Amory Ames is a young, intelligent woman who is constantly doubting her monogamy-challenged,
but gorgeous husband Milo. Murder at the Brightwell is set in a seaside resort
hotel in the 1930s and Amory has agreed to help her ex-fiance try to talk sense
into his sister, who is engaged to a man with similar traits to her beloved
Milo. Milo shows up at the Brightwell Hotel to complicate matters, and they both
become involved in a murder investigation. There is no shortage of suspects and
each guest at the hotel seems to be hiding secrets. Amory must try to figure
out whose secret led to the murder so that she can unmask the killer.
Speaking of masks, the second book in the series is called
Death Wears a Mask, and Amory and Milo are back; this time to attend a masked
ball. This book is chock full of jewelry theft, a suicide that turns out to be
murder, and a French temptress who has her sights set on Milo.
Both of these books are wonderful. The characters are
extremely engaging and the plots are full of twists, turns, and complications.
The high society crowd that Amory runs with is fascinating, and I enjoyed the
fantasy of being involved in such an exciting time and place.
I’ve paired Murder at the Brightwell with a Crimson Cocktail
because I think that the people in Amory’s circle would like a gin-based drink
served in a Martini glass.
Crimson Cocktail
1 ½ ounces gin
½ ounce lemon or lime juice
¼ ounce grenadine
¾ ounce ruby port
Fill the shaker halfway with ice cubes. Pour in all
ingredients except the port and shake well. Strain into a chilled martini
glass, and layer the port on top. To layer the port, turn a large spoon upside
down and rest it against one side of the glass, holding it there with one hand.
With the other hand, pour the port slowly over the back of the spoon. Remove
the spoon and admire your creation.
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I'm late to the party, but both the drink and book sound good. Looking forward.
ReplyDeleteI'm late to the party, but both the drink and book sound good. Looking forward.
ReplyDelete