Murder at the Fiesta: a 1950s cozy historical mystery (A Rosa Reed Mystery)

CHAPTER ONE Do you, Rosa Mary Anna Reed, take Miguel Rico Belmonte to be your lawfully wedded husband? Rosa stared at Miguel with wide-eyed admiration. So handsome in his suit, his loose trousers with cuffs resting on leather loafers, a rose boutonniere pinned to the lapel of his jacket, the last button unfastened. The morning sun streamed through the colorful stained-glass windows of St. Georges Church, filling the near-empty nave with ethereal light. The church, a stone structure, was older than any building found in Santa Bonita. Rosa had to pinch herself to prove she wasnt dreaming. She wasnt. She was getting married! Miguels idea was to marry in London and return to Santa Bonita as husband and wife. In his words, hed waited over a decade for Rosa to be his bride already, and since they would be living in his home country, it was only fitting that they tied the knot in her home country. Her parents, Ginger and Basil Reed, were exceedingly supportive, but that was something Rosa had grown to expect. After the shock of their engagement announcement and their plans to marry soon wore off, both Ginger and Basil were blissful in their approval. Rosa worried that her American relatives would feel slighted, but theyd already gone to the trouble and expense of coming to London slightly over a year earlier. Rosa had been about to marry Lord Winston Eveleigh, who was left in the chapel, waiting for a bride who had fled. They werent likely to risk another potentially scandalous wedding, and besides, Rosa feared her Aunt Louisa and Grandma Sally wouldnt be in favor of her choice of groom, a man who, in their minds, came from the other side of the tracks. What will your family think? Rosa had asked of Miguel. And your mother? I havent even had the chance to meet them. Theyll think youve eloped with a foreigner. Sure, they will be shocked at firstyoure the first non-Catholic in the familybut theyll be fine, hed said. Theyll love you. He squeezed her shoulders. How could they not? Ill send a telegram letting them know the happy news. Rosa wasnt as confident about their acceptance, but her fianc knew his family, and since she did not, shed have to trust him. Ultimately, Rosa was convinced to proceed when Ginger had pulled her aside and confided that Basil had been having health issues, which was why he had finally retired from his position as a superintendent at Scotland Yard. Nothing to worry about, shed said. The doctor says he only needs to rest and take it easy, but I dont know how hed do on an arduous journey to California. And hed not miss your wedding, Rosa, for the world. Her father was in his seventies, and though Basil Reed appeared as fit as a fiddle, Rosa had no intention of subjecting him to something that might change his health status. Once Rosa had decided the wedding was on, she was thrilled and couldnt wait to make plans. Flowers were ordered and a cake baked. She and Ginger found the perfect dress on the floor of Feathers & Flair, her mothers long-standing and successful Regent Street dress shop. The fitted bodice accentuated Rosas trim form, with short sleeves capping delicate shoulders. The satin skirt flared from the waist, the hem landing just shy of her white shoes, her height lifted by two-inch heels. Her veil was traditional, tiering down her back and pinned to her short brunette locks with a faux crown. And now, she and Miguel stood before the Reverend Oliver Hill, a tall man with stooped shoulders, graying red hair, and a perpetual smile. Hed been Rosas vicar for her entire life, and it was fitting that hed be the one to preside over her wedding. It was so different from the last time she was about to walk down the aisle. Then the pews were filled with the fashionably dressed elite. Now, it was only Rosa, Miguel, Ginger and Basil, Reverend Hill and his wife, Matilda, along with Aunt Felicia and Uncle Charles, who had returned from their trip earlier than expected and who were acting as Rosa and Miguels witnesses. Rosa couldnt have been happier. I do, she said. The ceremony was simple and precise, just what it took to make it legal and binding. Mrs. Hill took photographs using Rosas camera. You are a beautiful couple, she said, beaming. Your mum and dad look so pleased. Rosa understood Mrs. Hills unspoken meaning. Compared with last time. But that was in the past. She and Miguel were now husband and wife, bound by the authority of the Church of England and the law of the United Kingdom. I only wish that Scout couldve made it, Ginger said wistfully. Hell have to be satisfied with the photographs. He can come to California to visit, Rosa said. She loved her brother dearly, but she didnt know him that well. With twelve years between them, hed spent most of her early childhood away at boarding school and was out on his own when she was in her teens. Rosa felt like an only child. Uncle Charles and Aunt Felicia, an attractive couple who constantly made the news in the London papers society section, offered their congratulations. Small and quaint, Aunt Felicia said, looking a little perplexed. But it does the trick. Its just the way I like it, Aunt Felicia, Rosa said. No fuss, no bother. Oh, but its the fuss and bother that make it fun! But, to each their own. She gave Rosa a sincere hug. I wish you both all the happiness Ive had with Charles. She gripped Rosa by the shoulders. There will be bumps in the road, believe me, but love and stamina will win the day. Fight for your love, my dear. Its worth it. Thank you, Aunty, Rosa said. Uncle Charles shook Miguels hand, and Rosa hoped he didnt offer too much advice. Rosa could hardly imagine what an English earl, such as Charles Davenport-Witt was, could have to say to an American police officer of Mexican descent. After a lovely weeks honeymoon in France, a gift to them from Ginger and Basil, Rosa and Miguel returned to Santa Bonita. The newly minted Mrs. Belmonte was about to meet the elder Mrs. Belmonte, her new mother-in-law. Im nervous, she confessed to Miguel as their plane began its descent into Los Angeles. He gripped her hand. I am too. Rosa gave her new husband a sharp glance. She knew flying was a white-knuckle event for him, but she worried that it was more than the fear of crash-landing that he was referring to. I mean, about meeting your family for the first time, as your wife. Youre sure your mother will like me? Miguel settled his beautiful copper-brown eyes on her, but his dimples didnt appear. Im sure, Rosa. But shes an older lady set in her traditions . . . Miguel! His dimples appeared, and Rosa relaxed. This isnt a good topic to joke about. Maria Belmonte is a wonderful, loving woman. Opinionated, sure, but a caring person, and a terrific mother. Youll love her. Rosa had no doubt about that. She wasnt so sure, however, that the feelings would be reciprocated. Murder's a bash! When Rosa Reed attends a birthday party in the spring of 1957, the Mexican fiesta turns deadly. It wasn't how Rosa wanted to celebrate with Detective Miguel Belmonte, nor how she hoped to be introduced to his large complicated family. Before long, Rosa Reed Investigations is on the case. Can Rosa and Miguel find the murderer before someone else dies? And when will Rosa have time to make wedding plans? If you love early rock & roll, poodle skirts, clever who-dun-its, a charming cat and an even more charming detective, you're going to love this series set in the 1950s! "Once again, Strauss begins a series that catches your attention right from the get go! ... this promises to be yet another must buy series from this author!" ~ Goodread reviewer The Rosa Reed Mystery series is a spin-off of the acclaimed Ginger Gold Mystery series. ★★★★★ THE ROSA REED MYSTERY SERIES Cozy up to the 1950s! Murder at High Tide (Book 1) Murder on the Boardwalk (Book 2) Murder at the Bomb Shelter (Book 3) Murder on Location (Book 4) Murder and Rock 'n Roll (Book 5) Murder at the Races (Book 6) Murder at the Dude Ranch (Book 7) Murder at in London (Book 8) Murder at the Fiesta (Book 9) Murder at the Weddings (Book 10) "When Rosa Reed attends a birthday party at her fiancé’s mother’s house in the spring of 1957, the Mexican fiesta turns deadly. It wasn't how Rosa wanted to celebrate her engagement to Detective Miguel Belmonte, nor how she hoped to be introduced to his large family. Before long, Rosa Reed Investigations is on the case. Can Rosa and Miguel find the murderer before some else dies? And when will Rosa have time to plan the wedding?"-- Provided by publisher