Calamity at the Continental Club-Review-Author Interview-Giveaway

About the book (provided by Great Escapes Tours)

The Mayflower Society is about to hold its annual meeting at Washington D.C.’s swanky gathering place for the elite, the Continental Club. That means Kit Marshall’s upper-crust future in-laws, Buffy and Winston Hollingsworth, are coming for a visit. Annoyed that Kit has not set a date to marry Doug, Buffy wants her to commit to a high society wedding at the club. Kit, though chief of staff for a congresswoman, feels uncomfortable with Buffy and Winston’s crowd.

Kit receives an unexpected reprieve in the form of murder. En route to her morning jog, she encounters the corpse of the leader of the Mayflower Society, conservative multimedia tycoon Grayson Bancroft. On the security cameras, no one was seen entering or leaving the club, which means the culprit had to be an overnight guest. Little love was lost on Bancroft, but the police have their prime suspect: Doug’s father.

Buffy and Winston, formerly disdainful of Kit’s sleuthing, urge her to investigate. With her future in-laws’ freedom and reputations at stake, Kit sets out once again to solve a murder mystery, this time aided by her fiancé Doug in addition to her friends Meg and Trevor and her dog Clarence. Her search for clues will take her from the club to the Smithsonian Museum, the National Archives, and Mount Vernon.

Book 3 of the Washington Whodunit series, which began with Stabbing in the Senate and continued with Homicide in the House.

Available . . .   Amazon  B&N

And I thought. . . I wasn't quite sure what to expect about this book.  The cover just didn't 'get me'.  The title and the synopsis was intriguing.  I was surprised.  The story 'got me'.

I totally enjoyed Calamity at the Continental Club it was a well written 'who dun it'.  As with most cozy mysteries this story took place in just a matter of days.   

The author takes the reader on a fast ride through the streets of D.C. and visiting some of our nations most historical treasures.

Kit and her friends got right to it to solve the murder.  That ended up being 2 murders!  Just when they thought they had the culprit everything went awry and they were back to digging/sleuthing again!  

Kit solicited Meg her bestie and co-worker (who was dog sitting and holding down the fort at work for Kit while she was weekending it up at the swanky Continental Club).

Kit was also quick to solicit Trevor an x-coworker turned writer to follow along with her on club excursions to 'interview' the suspects.  

In the beginning I suspected that the soon to be in laws especially Buffy the MIL would cause problems between Kit and Doug.  But I was surprised to see that instead of being obnoxious they helped in the investigation.  

I have not read previous titles in the series.  But I suspect that all the characters are part of the series and will become more important as time goes on.  (The new reader to the series need not worry about jumping in at book 3.  This is a stand alone story.) 

One last important player was Kit and Doug's slightly spoiled and mischievous dog Clarence.  He reminded me of another K-9 that helps his people solve crimes.  Without realizing it Clarence played a huge part in helping Kit figure out 'Who Dun It'.                                                                            

And all's well that ends well when the culprit is discovered. 

If your a fan of good, clean cozy mysteries you'll enjoy this series.   

This reader is patiently waiting and looking forward to the next installment in  The Washington WhoDunIt series.

I received a complimentary copy provided to me by    Great Escapes Tours. 

This review will appear on all retail sites where available and on Good Reads.  

As part of the Great Escapes Tour I had the opportunity to interview the author. Sometimes a character jumps off the page and just begs to have a chat. Today I am welcoming Kit and Clarence along with Colleen . . .

Coffee With A Character/Author

Hello and welcome to the blog!  Thank you for bringing Clarence along.  I know he is tired from helping you and making those Trailers.  

 I do hope you have one in the works for Calamity.  Is that why he is so tired today?

Clarence is tired from chasing rabbits and squirrels during the summertime. He's a busy puppy during these months.

Before we get too in to Calamity can you tell us what time period the story takes place?

"Calamity" takes place in the present day. However, the Continental Club mansion, the setting for much of the mystery, is quite old. Hence the appearance on the cover of the book. 

You are one busy girl.  It seems everywhere you turn there is murder a foot!  

It’s a good thing you have a good dog to keep you safe and help you sleuth.  

Yes, I'm lucky to have Clarence and my good friends. I needed all of them to help me solve the murders at the Continental Club.

 I am wondering Kit what it’s like with Colleen to tell your stories?

It's really convenient to have someone with a similar background as me to tell my stories, so I appreciate it.

We’d love to hear a little about the Calamity.  

After getting engaged to my boyfriend Doug, I thought my biggest challenge was navigating my in-laws and their keen interest in our upcoming wedding. Unfortunately, I discovered a dead body at the Continental Club, an upscale social club in Washington, DC. My father-in-law is the prime suspect for the murder, so I came to rescue to find the real killer and clear his name.

Wow what a way to get to know the in-laws!      

This one for Colleen I love Buffy’s name fits her perfectly but I am wondering did you preview any other names?

No, I like the name Buffy. I'm a big fan of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and I waited for the right character to use the name.

 You take the reader on quite the tour of D.C. while searching out clues. 

 Can you tell the reader that’s never visited your favorite tourist stop?

The Library of Congress, of course!

Maybe best restaurant?  

Oceanaire or Fiola Mare

 Do you ever get out of Washington?  If you could go anywhere in the world to relax after a long investigation where would you go and who would you take?

Italy is a favorite. Clarence has never been there but I know he'd love the food!

I have to ask and I know that the readers have the same questions….

 Did you get to the alter?

Not in the traditional sense. You need to read to the end of the book to find out!

Do you think maybe we could sneak into the Continental Club for a little 

tour?  Maybe a little lunch. . .Do you think we can sneak Clarence in?

I highly recommend the brunch. Those airy biscuits are to die for! Well, not literally.

 I’m so glad you came by!  Best wishes on the book tour.  Let’s go have lunch!

Visit Colleen over here 

Visit the Great Escapes Tour to read more reviews, guest posts and interviews.  Click Here.

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