The Judge's Last Contest

Gypsy Lee Miller was in hot water after she worked to figure out who killed art critic Marcus Pinter. She lured in the killer in for capture. Not totally on purpose, but the murderer was still caught.

Her big transgression was doing a lot behind the backs of her boyfriend, Sgt Barn Butler, and her cousin and bakery co-owner, Linda. And everybody else, but those two were the ones who counted. With her friend Tessa as a distraction of sorts, Gypsy Lee and Barn agree they don’t want to feel awkward when they run into each other around town.

Linda’s another matter. She and Gypsy Lee decide to continue with the bakery and that they can trust each other on a day-to-day basis. Whatever happens, Gypsy Lee wants to earn back full trust.

Since then, summer’s been busy, school’s started and Bay View Harbor is preparing for Halloween with ghosts and pumpkins. Children and adults want to win prizes for best costume in the Halloween parade. The Chamber of Commerce picks the judges, not that Gypsy Lee thinks about it.

Bay View Harbor Inn owner Maggie Dunn has lobbied hard to be one, and the Chamber picked her so she’d get off their backs. The hardware store owner Lance Boyd was selected, but he broke three fingers loading plywood for the Knights of Columbus float. A developer has been urging the city council to develop land behind Maggie’s Inn and he wants to be a judge.

As a compromise, Leslie Russel from the Chamber of Commerce and Gypsy Lee, as a citizen who helped solve a couple big crimes, will join Maggie in the judge’s box. Gypsy Lee would rather eat rotten Halloween candy.

Gypsy Lee would walk a mile to get away from Maggie, But it’s all in good fun and Tessa promises to help Gypsy Lee ignore Maggie’s barbs. And help her figure out where it seems evil lurks in a disguise better than a costume.

Come to Bay View Harbor to find out which townspeople win a prize and which one of the judges won’t be available next year. (Preorder at Amazon. More sites soon!)