AGED FOR MURDER

AGED FOR MURDER

Fiona Grace · Completed · 66.4k Words

993
Hot
993
Views
298
Added
Add to Shelf
Start Reading
Share:facebooktwitterpinterestwhatsappreddit

Introduction

"Very entertaining. I highly recommend this book to the permanent library of any reader that appreciates a very well written mystery, with some twists and an intelligent plot. You will not be disappointed. Excellent way to spend a cold weekend!" --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos (regarding Murder in the Manor)AGED FOR MURDER (A TUSCAN VINEYARD COZY MYSTERY) is the debut novel in a charming new cozy mystery series by #1 bestselling author Fiona Grace, author of Murder in the Manor (Book #1), a #1 Bestseller with over 100 five-star reviews—and a free download!When Olivia Glass, 34, concocts an ad for a cheap wine that propels her advertising company to the top, she is ashamed by her own work—yet offered the promotion she’s dreamed of. Olivia, at a crossroads, realizes this is not the life she signed up for. Worse, when Olivia discovers her long-time boyfriend, about to propose, has been cheating on her, she realizes it’s time for a major life change.Olivia has always dreamed of moving to Tuscany, living a simple life, and starting her own vineyard. When her long-time friend messages her about a Tuscan cottage available, Olivia can’t help wonder: is it fate?Hilarious, packed with travel, food, wine, twists and turns, romance and her newfound animal friend—and centering around a baffling small-town murder that Olivia must solve—AGED FOR DEATH is an un-putdownable cozy that will keep you laughing late into the night.Books #2 and #3 in the series—AGED FOR DEATH and AGED FOR MAYHEM—are now also available!

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

Olivia Glass had exactly five and a half minutes to manage an unexpected disaster.

It was seven-thirty p.m. on a Thursday night, and she was in the back of an Uber, on the way to meet her boyfriend, Matthew, for dinner at one of Chicago’s hottest new restaurants. He’d been out of town all week and had messaged her that morning with the invite.

Now she had discovered a massive rip in her pantyhose, just above the knee.

Olivia stared in horror.

The hole in the black nylon was enormous. It was at least two inches across, and was starting to run up her leg.

She had no idea when this could have happened. The pantyhose had been perfect this morning when she’d put them on. Since seven a.m. she’d been in her office at JCreative, the advertising agency where she worked as an account manager, spending most of the day in meetings and teleconferences.

After receiving the surprise invite to the trendy Villa 49 from Matt, she’d realized that she wouldn’t have time to go home and change, and had rushed to the shops during the only free half-hour she had. Panicking because she was running out of time, she’d grabbed something off the rack that was shorter and clingier than she usually wore.

Back at the office, buyer’s remorse had descended, and she’d started to wonder if the dress wasn’t too daring for a thirty-four-year-old woman to wear.

“Age is but a number,” she’d told herself bravely. So what if the dress had been designed for an eighteen-year-old? Although she was a little heavier now, it wasn’t as if she’d been a stranger to the gym since then.

As soon as her boss, James Clark, the owner of JCreative, had left the building, Olivia had changed in the restroom at work. She’d run her fingers through her shoulder-length blonde hair, refreshed her lipstick, sprayed on some perfume, and rushed downstairs to meet her ride.

She hadn’t realized until she saw the damaged pantyhose how pale her legs were. Even though it was the middle of June, she’d been working so hard they hadn’t had a chance to see any summer sun. Through the rip, which Olivia now estimated was about the size of a dinner plate, her skin was blindingly white.

Matt would notice, Olivia knew for sure. He would spot the rip immediately. He was very detail-oriented, which was what made him a highly successful and wealthy investment fund manager. Even though they’d been together for four years, Olivia always tried to look her best for him and make him proud. Her pantyhose disaster would be a publicly embarrassing moment for both of them; the stuff of nightmares.

She had difficult things to confess to Matt during this meal. A wardrobe malfunction would complicate the situation.

For a moment, she considered taking her pantyhose off and arriving bare-legged. She could wriggle out of them in the back of the Uber, and hope that the driver didn’t realize what was happening and give her a one-star rating for using his vehicle as a change room.

She shook her head. Pantyhose removal was not an option. Her legs were positively blue-white, and she already felt self-conscious that this dress was shorter than her usual attire. She needed all the help the black nylon hose could give her.

Briefly, Olivia considered ripping an identical hole in the other leg, before deciding that this was impractical. There was no guarantee it would tear the same way, and in any case, she couldn’t carry it off. She didn’t even feel comfortable wearing ripped jeans.

What to do? The hole was roughly the size of a small car, her destination was now three minutes away, and she had no solutions to her crisis whatsoever.

Then Olivia saw her salvation ahead.

Beyond the next intersection she spotted the signboard for a lingerie and hosiery boutique that looked to be open.

She would ask the driver to drop her there, rush inside, change into a new pair as fast as she could, and call another Uber to take her the rest of the way. She’d be a few minutes late, but at least she’d arrive with a full and undamaged set of clothing.

“Could you please—” Olivia began.

Then her cell phone rang.

Reflexively, she grabbed the call and found herself speaking with James.

“Olivia. Are you still in the office?”

“I’ve just left. Is it urgent? I can check my email immediately.”

Olivia found herself sitting straighter, and she could hear the bright, brisk, professional tone that she instinctively adopted when conversing with her boss.

“Not urgent, but important. We need to meet first thing tomorrow. In the meantime I’ve had some more great feedback on the Valley Wines campaign.”

Olivia felt her heart sink as the Uber accelerated past the boutique. Her only chance had gone. Now they were heading into West Loop, the area characterized by its juxtaposition of old and new—low brick buildings and glass-clad skyscrapers, fine restaurants lining the streets, and a notable absence of any underwear stores.

She was going to arrive at Villa 49 in precisely two minutes with a hole in her pantyhose the size of the International Space Station, and there was nothing she could do about it.

“I’m glad the campaign’s going well,” she said.

“I’ll be sending you an email later, with details about your bonus. You’re going to do extremely well out of this.”

The cab swerved to pass a bus, and Olivia’s purse tipped onto its side. The contents fell out and scattered over the seat.

“You know who Des Whiteley is?” James continued.

“I think I’ve seen him copied on emails,” Olivia said, making a desperate grab for her perfume atomizer as the cab zigzagged again.

“He’s the CEO. The chief executive officer.”

“Of Valley Wines?” she asked.

“No, no. Of their holding company, Kansas Foods. He asked me to pass on his personal congratulations to you. Sales are through the roof.”

“That’s amazing.” Olivia stretched over to reach her wallet, her lipstick, and a rogue Kleenex.

Her eyeshadow, the small compact she always carried with her, was under the Kleenex.

The color was Shimmering Charcoal.

It gave Olivia an idea.

She opened the box and rubbed her finger over the eyeshadow. Then she rubbed it over her exposed leg.

Success. Shimmering Charcoal turned her skin pantyhose-colored. It camouflaged the damage so that it was almost undetectable.

“I told him that your approach to this campaign epitomized our company’s values,” James continued. “Methodical and organized.”

“Organized,” Olivia repeated, scooping up another finger full of eyeshadow.

“Creatively disciplined and results-oriented.”

“Results-oriented,” Olivia echoed in agreement, rubbing the charcoal powder into the gap.

“Planning for every eventuality,” James said.

“Absolutely. Planning.”

She should color in a wider area, Olivia decided, as the pantyhose might shift when she walked, or the run might travel higher. Carefully, she eased her finger under the nylon.

“We’ll speak tomorrow. I’ll be in the office at seven a.m., so let’s start then. We’ll need at least two hours set aside. We’ll have a short one-on-one briefing, and then a group meeting in the boardroom.”

What could it be about? Olivia wondered.

“I’ll see you there,” she said, and he disconnected.

Olivia closed the compact and put it back in her bag.

The success of the campaign had surprised everyone, herself included. As the only woman on the senior executive team, despite her years of hard work, she’d been used to applauding while others’ achievements were lauded. She’d never thought it would be her turn to head up a runaway success. In a way, this campaign had felt a lot like camouflaging the damage to her pantyhose.

She felt as if she’d gotten lucky while winging it, and didn’t really deserve it, or even want it at all.

“You said something?” The Uber driver interrupted her thoughts, glancing back at her. “You were going to ask me a question, then your phone rang.”

“Oh. No, it’s all right now. I thought I needed to stop earlier, but it turns out I didn’t.”

He nodded. “You mentioned Valley Wines. You work for them?”

“Not directly,” Olivia said. “I work for an agency that handles their account.”

“Are they any good? My wife likes one of the California brands. I can never remember the name, but it’s got a pretty label. We haven’t been able to find it recently so I told her she should try another.”

Olivia felt a stab of guilt. Shelf space was limited, and the gains made by Valley Wines meant other brands had lost out.

For a moment, she considered giving a standard response that the wines were great, and his wife must definitely try them. Then she decided not to. After all, she and the Uber driver were strangers, and it was always easier to be honest with strangers.

“My personal opinion?” she said. “Don’t touch Valley Wines. They’re horrible, cheaply made, and not worth the money.”

They had arrived. The cab stopped outside Villa 49.

“Thanks for the advice,” the driver said. “We’ll look for a different wine.”

“You’re welcome. Thank you for the ride.” Olivia climbed out.

With her wardrobe disaster under control, it was time to think about what she wanted to say to Matt.

“I’m sure this will come as a shock to you, but I’m really unhappy.”

That was going to be her starting point.

Mulling over what she should say next, Olivia walked into the restaurant.

Last Chapters

You Might Like 😍

My Possessive Alpha Twins For Mate

My Possessive Alpha Twins For Mate

408.5k Views · Completed · Veejay
"No... You can't do this to me..." I almost squeezed the words through my teeth, my voice trembling.
My drunk stepfather remained indifferent, his weight suffocating, making it hard to breathe as my heart raced.
Suddenly, the door slammed open, and two figures burst in.
"Get off her!" a deafening roar echoed.
I didn't expect the twin brothers who'd bullied me at school to come charging in like gods to save me.
After my grandmother passed, I had to move in with my mom and stepdad, who treated me like a servant. I prayed every day for my 18th birthday to come, so l could leave and escape this broken home.
However, on my first day at my new school, l encountered the legendary twins everyone feared.
To make matters worse, the Moon Goddess revealed they were both my mates!
After helping me out with my stepdad, my twin mate cornered me, played with my hair, and whispered possessively, "You belong to us, our little mate..."
Violent Little Thing.

Violent Little Thing.

310.6k Views · Completed · sheridan.hartin
Fuck off? I lent over to her side of the car, grabbed her hips and ripped her over to straddle my lap. This girl was something else, I knew it from the start. Now I needed her to know just who I am and what I am capable of. I held one hand firmly on her waist and the other to her throat. It wasn’t tight enough to hurt her, but it would keep her in place for now.
“Angel, you have a filthy fucking mouth”, I whispered low into her ear.
“Luciano…” Finally, an expression on her face. A real one she wasn’t hiding from me. It wasn’t fear though. It was lust. My girl likes this. I pulled her down further so she could feel just how much I was liking it too and the most enchanting gasp came from her mouth while her eyes rolled back for a moment.
————————————————
Do you enjoy a damsel in distress and a knight in shining armour? If so, then this book is not for you. This five foot nothing, FMC, Ariana Salvatore is a ruthless assassin, trained and tortured to be the most deadly weapon. She's got a heart of gold, a filthy mouth and a will to survive. She's on the run from her father's heavy hand and deadly demands. What happens when not one but three powerful mafia men pine for her? Will they be able to share? Will her past catch up to her? And what about her ex fiance? The ruthless, beast of a man her father had arranged for her to marry? This book is a whirlwind of events, violent, spicy and not for the faint hearted.
Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother

Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother

226.9k Views · Ongoing · Harper Rivers
Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother.

"What is wrong with me?

Why does being near him make my skin feel too tight, like I’m wearing a sweater two sizes too small?

It’s just newness, I tell myself firmly.

He’s my boyfirend’s brother.

This is Tyler’s family.

I’m not going to let one cold stare undo that.

**

As a ballet dancer, My life looks perfect—scholarship, starring role, sweet boyfriend Tyler. Until Tyler shows his true colors and his older brother, Asher, comes home.

Asher is a Navy veteran with battle scars and zero patience. He calls me "princess" like it's an insult. I can't stand him.

When My ankle injury forces her to recover at the family lake house, I‘m stuck with both brothers. What starts as mutual hatred slowly turns into something forbidden.

I'm falling for my boyfriend's brother.

**

I hate girls like her.

Entitled.

Delicate.

And still—

Still.

The image of her standing in the doorway, clutching her cardigan tighter around her narrow shoulders, trying to smile through the awkwardness, won’t leave me.

Neither does the memory of Tyler. Leaving her here without a second thought.

I shouldn’t care.

I don’t care.

It’s not my problem if Tyler’s an idiot.

It’s not my business if some spoiled little princess has to walk home in the dark.

I’m not here to rescue anyone.

Especially not her.

Especially not someone like her.

She’s not my problem.

And I’ll make damn sure she never becomes one.

But when my eyes fell on her lips, I wanted her to be mine.
Letting Go

Letting Go

262.6k Views · Completed · Becky j
Molly's life was perfect. She was married to her high school sweetheart, surrounded by her friends and family and she was looking forward to the future. But that all ends one tragic night when her whole world is turned upside down.
That fateful night leads to Molly and her best friend Tom holding a secret close to their hearts but keeping this secret could also mean destroying any chance of a new future for Molly.
When Tom's oldest brother Christian meets Molly his dislike for her is instant and he puts little effort into hiding it. The problem is he's attracted to her just as much as he dislikes her and staying away from her starts to become a battle, a battle that he's not sure he can win.
When Molly's secret is revealed and she’s forced to face the pain from her past can she find the strength to stay and work through the pain or will she run away from everything she knows including the one man who gives her hope for a happy future? Hope that she never thought she would feel again.
The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King

The Human Girl Who Tamed Alpha King

286.1k Views · Completed · Amelia Rivers
Don't stop," I begged, my hips bucking against his touch, every nerve screaming for more. "Fuck, Jace, please…"

"Eyes on me," he growled, voice thick with lust, practically vibrating through me. "I wanna watch you lose it when I make you come."

My climax slammed into me, wild and unstoppable, as he rasped, "That's it, baby."

The next morning, my heart shattered into pieces. There was Scarlett—throwing herself into Jace's arms, her body pressed intimately against his chest, her hands possessively claiming what I thought was mine just hours ago.


Raised by werewolves, human Aria Silverbrook has always lived as an outsider. When her adoptive father flees with her to escape a dangerous Alpha's advances, they find sanctuary with the powerful Moon Shadow Pack. But Aria never expected the overwhelming connection she feels to the pack's mysterious Alpha, Jace Carter—or how his young daughter Aurora instantly claims a piece of her heart.

Jace's royal Primal bloodline makes him exceptional among Alphas, his wolf Phantom towering over others. When Aria enters his territory, something stirs within him. As the Blood Moon approaches, he debates revealing the truth: she is his destined mate who will unlock his full potential.

Near her eighteenth birthday, Aria notices disturbing changes. Her wounds heal unnaturally fast after saving Aurora from a rogue wolf. A strange voice whispers warnings of transformation, while her lifelong wolf-paw birthmark takes on new significance.

Is Aria truly human? What secrets will the Blood Moon reveal? And as she falls deeper for Jace despite jealous pack members threatening their bond, can she embrace a destiny beyond anything she imagined—becoming Luna to a Wolf King?
My Husband Wants An Open Marriage

My Husband Wants An Open Marriage

199.3k Views · Completed · Elysian Sparrow
It’s true what they say about marriage: one partner’s always happier than the other.

Julie's world is shattered when her husband, Ryan, reveals that he wants an open marriage. His reason: he needs a child as they've been unable to have one. Julie reluctantly agrees to save her marriage.

The next day, Ryan returns home with his secretary, confirming Julie’s long-held suspicion that their affair was taking place behind her back.

Julie, heartbroken and enraged, seeks solace in a bar, where she meets a fascinating stranger named Luke, who changes the game. Julie confides in Luke over drinks, and he proposes a risky plan: he will act as her "boyfriend" to turn the tables on Ryan.

Julie agrees, setting off a chain of events that will challenge everything she thought she knew about love, loyalty, and herself.
The Alpha King's Human Mate

The Alpha King's Human Mate

414.6k Views · Ongoing · HC Dolores
“You must understand something, little mate,” Griffin said, and his face softened,

“I have waited nine years for you. That’s nearly a decade since I’ve felt this emptiness inside me. Part of me began to wonder if you didn’t exist or you’d already died. And then I found you, right inside my own home.” 

He used one of his hands to stroke my cheek and tingles erupted everywhere. 

“I’ve spent enough time without you and I will not let anything else keep us apart. Not other wolves, not my drunken father who’s barely holding himself together the past twenty years, not your family  – and not even you.”


Clark Bellevue has spent her entire life as the only human in the wolf pack - literally. Eighteen years ago, Clark was the accidental result of a brief affair between one of the most powerful Alphas in the world and a human woman. Despite living with her father and her werewolf half-siblings, Clark has never felt like she really belonged in the werewolf world. But right as Clark plans to leave the werewolf world behind for good, her life gets flipped upside down by her mate: the next Alpha King, Griffin Bardot. Griffin has been waiting years for the chance to meet his mate, and he's not about to let her go anytime soon. It doesn't matter how far Clark tries to run from her destiny or her mate - Griffin intends to keep her, no matter what he has to do or who stands in his way.
Mated To The Cold Hearted Alpha

Mated To The Cold Hearted Alpha

264.3k Views · Ongoing · Alice Tumusiime
Warning 18+ ⚠️MATURE READERS ONLY⚠
"You want me to fuck you, I know it"
"As much as you don't like me, you're my mate and you can't deny it."
He stood up behind me, one hand holding my hip, and leaned down, his breath ragged against my neck, his voice was husky,
"You'll listen to your body... what it wants... and my body... what it needs. Only the pleasure that a small bite can bring."

At the age of 15, I was shocked to hear the ruthless Alpha claim that I was his mate.
To make matters worse, he killed my father, who was trying to protect me. At that time, I successfully ran away from him.
However, when I turned 18, I fell into his trap again.
I hated him and wanted revenge, but the moon goddess had a different plan for me.
I was his mate, and we were fated to be together. No matter the circumstances, my body couldn't resist him.
A pack of their own

A pack of their own

551.6k Views · Completed · dragonsbain22
Being the middle Child ignored and neglected, rejected by family and injured, She receives her wolf early and realizes she is a new type of hybrid but doesn't know how to control her power, she leaves her pack with her best friend and grandmother to go to her grandfather's clan to learn what she is and how to handle her power and then with her fated mate, her best friend and her fated mate little brother and grandmother start their own pack.
The Wolf Prophies

The Wolf Prophies

163k Views · Ongoing · Catherine Thompson
Lexi has always been different than others. She is faster, stronger, can see better and heals quickly. And she has an odd birthmark in the shape of a wolf's paw. But she never thought of herself as special. Until she gets close to het twentieth birthday. She notices all of her oddities get stronger. She knows nothing about the super natural world or mates. Until the birthmark starts to burn. Suddenly she finds herself involved with werewolves that think she is the prophesied one that is supposed to unite the packs against a vampire that wants her dead. She has to learn how to handle her new powers as well as not one but two mates. One wanted to reject her because he thought she was human. The other accepts her completely. The prophecy says she has to have both. Wha twill she do. Will she accept both or reject one and hope for a second chance mate? Will she be able to handle shifting and her powers before it is too late?
Stuck With My Three Hottie Boss

Stuck With My Three Hottie Boss

171.8k Views · Completed · Oguike Queeneth
"Your pussy is dripping for us, begging for us to use it." His deep voice sent shivers down my spine.

"Do you want that, buttercup? Do you want us to give your little cunt what it craves?"

"Y…yes, sir." I breathed


Joanna Clover's hard work through university paid off when she got a secretary job offer to her dream company, Dangote Group of Industries. The company is owned by three mafia heirs, they don't only own a joint business, they are also lovers and had been together since their college days.

They are sexually attracted to one another but they share everything together including women and they change them like clothes. They are known as the world's most dangerous playboys.

They want to share her but will she accept the fact that they fuck each other?

Will she be able to navigate business and pleasure?

She has never been touched by a man before let alone three, all at the same time. Will she oblige?
The Luna's Vampire Prince

The Luna's Vampire Prince

145k Views · Completed · Bella Moondragon
Prince Rafe leans over me, holding himself up on one elbow as he gazes at my face. I feel his eyes wandering over every surface from my brow to my eyes, down my nose, to my lips and chin, and then returning to hold my gaze for a second. The small smile at the corner of his mouth makes me think he likes what he sees.
His hand is cool when it brushes a loose curl from my cheek, but I don’t jerk away from him. I have no idea what’s going on. I don’t understand why I’m here. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. It seems like a lot of powerful people want me—dead or alive. And yet, all I can think about right now is how badly I want this vampire’s hands on my body.


I live in a desolate village on the edge of the Vampire King’s lands. This used to be wolf shifter territory, but now, we are just trying to survive.
When I mess up and find myself in a culling, I know I’m dead. No wolf shifters ever survive these events.
And after the stunt I pulled in the middle of the village, Prince Rafe probably wants me dead.
Is it a good thing or a bad thing when a vampire looks at you like you’re a snack?
Something tells me, once I reach the castle, I’ll be missing my miserable existence in the village.
But then—it turns out I have no freaking idea who I even am, and when the royals start referring to me as Princess Ainslee, I realize my life is about to take a turn—for better or worse.