The Clover City Files Mysteries by Barbara Howard

About the Book

The Taste of Rain
Novella, multi-generational, diverse, young adult, clean, cozy, college town.

In "The Taste of Rain", we follow the story of Amira, a college student who works part-time as a health aide at a local nursing home. One day, she meets an elderly resident, Claire Stewart, who confides in her that her husband was killed years ago, but nobody believed her.

Amira is hesitant to believe Claire at first, but as she gets to know her better, she realizes that there might be some truth to her story. Amira decides to investigate the case and help Claire find the killer.

She must navigate through the complexities of the past and present to find the truth and bring justice for Claire.

Along the way, Amira faces challenges both personally and professionally. She must balance her college studies with her part-time job and her investigation. She also learns to confront her own biases and assumptions about aging and the elderly.

"The Taste of Rain" is a mystery that explores the themes of trust, aging, and justice. It is a heartwarming tale of the unlikely friendship between a young college student and an elderly resident, as they work together to uncover the truth, and solve a decades-old murder.

The Spice Code
Culinary Cozy novella, multi-generational, diverse, young adult, clean, college town.

In the heart of a quiet college town, restaurant owner and chef, Raphael Parera, finds himself entangled in a web of deception that threatens not only his culinary career but his very life. Charmed by the enigmatic beauty of his new girlfriend, Isabella, Raphael is unaware of the darkness lurking beneath her captivating smile.

As their relationship deepens, Raphael suddenly disappears without a trace, leaving his cousin, Amira Cooper, frantic with worry. Unbeknownst to Isabella, he manages to send a cryptic message through a seemingly innocent bag of groceries – a silent clue hidden within a recipe's ingredients.

Desperate to save her beloved cousin, Amira embarks on a perilous journey to decipher the clues concealed within the grocery bag. Will Amira decipher the ingredients' hidden meanings in time to rescue Raphael, or will Isabella's twisted game end in a tragedy that will forever alter their lives? Get ready to indulge in a mystery where every twist and turn will leave you craving more.

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Excerpt

Raphael spotted the narrow alley between the Boat House and the Sailors Knot, home decor shop. Whatever was happening with the police, he intended to avoid it. Harper and his cousin could chase down all those dumpster diving weirdos and track down gossip to their hearts’ content. But, he had more urgent matters to secure. The first step was to get an audience with Chef Dakota Richardson, the owner and executive chef of the Boat House and work up to an in-house apprenticeship, or at least, an event collaboration. He would gauge what direction to go in once he had a meeting set. That was easier said than done. He headed to the rear of the building where he was sure to know someone on staff that would let him in the back.

The early evening air was warm and fragrant, carrying the scents of delicious dishes from the exhaust into the narrow path. Raphael had long been captivated by the style of the restaurant, the warm patio lighting and casual group seating on the rear deck were a perfect backdrop for this prime location at the posh waterfront.

“Today,” he said under his breath, “Today’s my day.” As he walked past the valet and headed to the alley, he saw her, a striking, red-haired woman emerging from the side of the restaurant carry a small suitcase, her radiant smile as captivating as the fiery locks framing her face.

Intrigued, Raphael couldn't resist the urge to get her attention and strike up a conversation. With a confident stride, he approached her, his eyes twinkling with charm.

"Pardon me, please," he said, his voice a velvety caress. "You must be a regular here. Is the food as incredible as they say?"

The woman turned to him, her emerald eyes locking onto his with an amused glint. "Oh, it's to die for," she replied, a lilt to her voice that Raphael could not place, adding an enchanting touch to her words. "But I have to wonder if you're truly interested in the food here or something else."

A wry smile curved Raphael's lips, his captivation impossible to conceal. "A bit of both, perhaps. I'm Chef Raphael Parera, and I've been thinking about acquiring this restaurant. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it." She extended her hand, her delicate fingers warm and inviting. "I'm Sofi-” She cleared her throat. “Isabella, a regular, as you guessed. I'm sure it would be a wonderful addition to your business."

Raphael was overtaken by Isabella's magnetic presence.

Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. "A chef with dreams of his own restaurant? That's intriguing. Tell me more."

“Well, I own the Fat Cat diner near Briarwood campus.”

“Oh, a diner. I see. Well-”

“Yeah, but I was just voted Rising Star and Chef to Watch. You may have heard of me.”

“Oh, you’re that guy? Hmm, I see. Yes, very impressive.” She looked him over. “I’m a friend of the owner. His assistant operations manager, actually. Maybe I can put in a good word for you. If you do acquire it, I hope you’ll invite me for a meal to celebrate.”

Raphael gestured to the seating on the back deck away from the formal service. She agreed to join him, the scent of her hair and flow of her amber silk full length sundress with thigh high slit entranced him. Equally intrigued, as they watched seagulls trace mysterious patterns in the sky and the bartender prepare exquisite cocktails for the dinner patrons. Isabella sipped her Lemon Drop martini, Raphael a dark ale. As they continued to chat, the conversation flowed effortlessly, sparking a connection that went beyond business. The Boat House was no longer just a restaurant he wanted to buy; it was the place where he met the enchanting Isabella, a beautiful red-haired goddess that had entered his life. His phone buzzed. Whoever was trying to contact him would have to wait. As the sun dropped over the water, he extended his arm to Isabella and led her on a quiet stroll along the empty boardwalk away from the flashing lights of police cars. Flooded with ideas, his mind reeled with the anticipation of a life perfectly aligned with his dreams unfolding before his eyes.

 

About the Author

Barbara Howard is the author of two cozy mystery series; Finding Home and The Clover City Files. Her stories feature a female amateur sleuth, diverse characters, and a dash of romance. She is a first generation tech geek turned master gardener. She returned to her Midwestern hometown after an extensive career as a Department of Defense Project Manager at the Pentagon and spends most of her time treasure hunting, spoiling her fur-babies, growing veggies, and plotting whodunits.

Memberships/Affiliations: Mystery Writers of America (MWA), Sisters in Crime (SinC), Great Lakes Fiction Writers (GLFW), Crime Writers of Color (CWoC), Gamma Xi Phi (GXP)

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