PRAISE FOR THE PEARLY GIRLS MYSTERIES

  MURDER PLAYS SECOND FIDDLE

  “The Pearly Girls are back and even better! …A deliciously fun ride with a cast you’ll love and root for, featuring a tightly-plotted mystery and just a little romance, this is a true treat for cozy readers. Bring on more Pearly Girls!"

  —NIKKI KNIGHT, author of the Grace the Hit Mom Mysteries

  “The future seems bright for Cassidy Jamison, owner of Celebrations at Ivy Springs—an event venue in Virginia’s picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains. She has finally overcome the bad publicity from a murder at the facility a year before. Cassidy, her colorful staff—including the often-cantankerous Pearly Girls—and her Chihuahua-mix, Elvis, have worked hard to prepare for the summer’s signature event: the Ivy Springs High School Class of 2009 reunion. All is well until one of the class members turns up dead. Cassidy must steel herself to face the fallout of another dead body on her property. But that’s just the beginning, as it soon becomes clear that someone—or something—won’t hesitate to kill again and… No spoilers here. Come along as Heather Weidner demonstrates her mastery of the cozy mystery genre. You won’t be disappointed.”

  —MICHAEL RIGG, author of Voices of the Elysian Fields

  “With a smart and inquisitive heroine, an adorable chihuahua named Elvis, and a group of feisty older sidekicks, Murder Plays Second Fiddle is a fantastic encore in the Pearly Girls Mysteries. The class reunion Cassidy is hosting at her charming venue is filled with mean girl energy, back-biting drama, and skillful stunts. Just the right hint of a possible romance with the hunky detective will keep you coming back for more. The engaging mystery will keep readers cheering Cassidy on as she waltzes through the clues. Cozy mystery fans will be delighted!”

  —PAULA CHARLES, author of the Hometown Hardware mysteries

  MURDER STRIKES A CHORD

  “Murder Strikes a Chord hits all the right notes in this new cozy mystery by Heather Weidner.”

  —JACKIE LAYTON, author of the Texas Flower Farmer Cozy Mysteries and the Low Country Dog Walker Mysteries

  “Ivy Springs is a fabulous setting for a cozy, full of quaint little shops and unique characters. Former social media manager Cassidy is the perfect modern-day Miss Marple, using her computer skills to hunt down the rock star’s killer. Between Cassidy’s smarts and the Pearly Girls fun, Murder Strikes a Chord is a winner all around.”

  —SUE MINIX, author of the Bookstore Mystery Series

  “A fun, fast-paced, and heartwarming start to Heather Weidner’s latest series.”

  —MARILYN LEVINSON a.k.a. Allison Brook, author of the Haunted Library Series

  “Heather Weidner’s newest release, Murder Strikes a Chord, is a fun read with curves and twists. Add to that the hilarious antics of the Pearly Girls and you’ve got a great book you won’t want to put down!”

  —RUTH J. HARTMAN, bestselling author of The Kitty Beret Café Mysteries

  “The Pearly Girls rock! With an appealing amateur sleuth surrounded by a quartet of feisty sixtysomething friends, a unique setting, and a zippy plot, Murder Strikes a Chord hits all the high notes for a fun cozy mystery read.… A great first installment in this delightful series. ”

  —NIKKI KNIGHT, author of the Grace “the Hit Mom” Mysteries and the Vermont Radio Mysteries

  Also by Heather Weidner

  THE PEARLY GIRLS MYSTERIES

  Murder Strikes a Chord

  THE JULES KEENE GLAMPING MYSTERIES

  Vintage Trailers and Blackmailers

  Film Crews and Rendezvous

  Christmas Lights and Cat Fights

  Deadlines and Valentines

  Teddy Bears and Ghostly Lairs

  THE MERMAID BAY CHRISTMAS SHOPPE MYSTERIES

  Sticks and Stones and a Bag of Bones

  Twinkle, Twinkle Au Revoir

  A Tisket a Tasket, Not Another Casket

  THE DELANIE FITZGERALD MYSTERIES

  Secret Lives and Private Eyes

  The Tulip Shirt Murders

  Glitter, Glam, and Contraband

  Male Revues and Subterfuge

  MURDER

  PLAYS SECOND

  FIDDLE

  A PEARLY GIRLS MYSTERY

  HEATHER

  WEIDNER

  KEYLIGHT BOOKS

  AN IMPRINT OF TURNER PUBLISHING COMPANY

  Nashville, Tennessee

  www.turnerpublishing.com

  Murder Plays Second Fiddle

  Copyright © 2025 by Heather Weidner. All rights reserved.

  This book or any part thereof may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. This is a work of fiction. All the characters and events portrayed in this book are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  Cover design by J. Kent Holloway

  Book design by William Ruoto

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Names: Weidner, Heather, author.

  Title: Murder plays second fiddle / by Heather Weidner.

  Description: Nashville, Tennessee: Keylight Books, 2026.

  Identifiers: LCCN 2025005727 (print) | LCCN 2025005728 (ebook) |

  ISBN 9798887981154 (paperback) | ISBN 9798887981161 (hardcover) |

  ISBN 9798887981178 (epub)

  Subjects: LCGFT: Detective and mystery fiction. | Novels.

  Classification: LCC PS3623.E4257 M85 2026 (print) | LCC PS3623.E4257 (ebook) | DDC 813/.6—dc23/eng/20250210

  LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2025005727

  LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2025005728

  Printed in the United States of America

  1

  TUESDAY MORNING

  The bells on the front door to Celebrations at Ivy Springs clanged like they were in a windstorm, sending Elvis, the black-and-brown chihuahua, into full-on yip mode as he greeted everyone. Cassidy Jamison, the event planner and owner of the property, scooped him up, tucking him under her arm like a football before he bestowed a lickfest on any guests.

  Two bottle-blonde thirty-somethings followed a taller blonde in red stilettos through the door, glancing around at the front room of the converted farmhouse like they were casing the joint. Cassidy had an instant flashback to high school, when these three former cheerleaders had ruled the school and sent the nerds and bandies running for cover. Shaking off the bad memories, she pasted on her best smile.

  “Well, hey there, Cassidy,” Britt Rogers Mahoney cooed, waving both of her bejeweled hands around. “It is so good to see you again. You remember Kelly Mason Todd and Anastasia Young from our days as Springers? Gals, Cassidy was a freshy the year we graduated. I don’t think she hung out with our crowd. But you might remember her.”

  Before anyone else could speak, Britt wandered through the seating area, where she paused to pick up a vase full of teal sea glass, inspecting it like she was a judge on Antiques Roadshow. Setting the vase down, she continued, “We’re so excited that you’re hosting our mega-reunion here. Your property is so cute—in a shabby chic, rustic sort of way. That stupid pandemic messed up all of our plans for our big milestone bash, but we’ve regrouped and planned a sensational party.” She fanned her face with her hand and continued. “We want this one to be a two-weekend epic event that everyone will be talking about for years. And your amphitheater, barn, and garden will be perfect for what we have planned. I’ve got the signed contract and the check for you. We want to go over the schedule and make sure everything is perfect. We don’t want to miss any details. This party is going to be one for the ages.”

  She waved her hand again and then paused to stare at the sparkly diamonds on her ring finger. The other two blondes nodded furiously behind Britt like they were her backup singers.

  “Definitely an event to remember,” Kelly said, continuing to bob her head behind Britt.

  Cassidy hoped her big smile didn’t look fake. Wow. They’ve got a lot planned.

  “Of course,” Cassidy said. “We want every facet of the celebration to be special. Come into the conference room, and we can make sure my team knows what you all want. Can I get you some coffee, tea, or water?”

  “No, we’re fine,” Britt said. “I brought my own mineral water with me. Bottled water and tap don’t always agree with me.” The other two continued to nod, and Anastasia, the brassier blonde, made an exaggerated sympathy face. The three women took seats across the table from Cassidy.

  Cassidy opened a manila folder and a legal pad. “We didn’t get a chance to chat last time,” she said. “What have you all been doing since high school? I just moved back to the area recently, so I’ve been out of touch with a lot of folks from back in the day.”

  Britt smiled coyly and replied, “College. Marriage to the quarterback. Divorce. Totally rejuvenated. New supportive husband. Full-time beauty blogger and influencer. It feels amazing. Like the complete package.”

  As Anastasia opened her mouth to speak, Britt interrupted. “Gals, we have a tight schedule today with lots to do. Let’s cut the chitchat and get right to the chase. Here’s the schedule. We need to set up on Wednesday. The dance and mingle is Thursday night in your fabulous barn. On Friday and Saturday, we’re using your garden for afternoon goat yoga. It’ll be adorable. The wine tour’s not on your property, so you don’t have to worry about that. Anas
tasia is taking care of that.”

  Anastasia opened her mouth, but closed it again when Britt continued to rattle off the schedule. “Friday night is the big bash in the barn, with fireworks afterward. Saturday is meditation in your garden, hiking and fishing daytrips, a tour of our illustrious high school, and dinner and a repeat of our Homecoming to round out the evening. Sunday wraps up the first weekend with meditation at sunrise and brunch in the barn. A fabulous experience.”

  Britt took a breath and then chugged on with the schedule for the second weekend. “Whew. That’s a lot. Our guests will get their money’s worth. We have something for everyone,” she said with a smile that showed all her perfect pearly-white teeth. Then she quickly added, “Did you get all that? Details are important. I would hate to have to repeat myself.”

  Cassidy nodded. “Yes. I have the schedule here, and my team is ready to meet your caterers and bartenders and have the facilities set for all your events. It sounds like two fun weekends. And I have security scheduled to help with parking and traffic control, if it’s needed.”

  “All righty, then. That’s about it. Now, for a walk around the property. I want to show the gals where things are,” Britt said, picking up her red Coach bag.

  “Let me get the keys,” Cassidy said, rising.

  “I know you’re busy. We’ll wander around by ourselves. It’ll give us some precious time together, and we can just multitask while we’re making our rounds. Our jam-packed schedules have us all going a hundred miles an hour every day. Plus, I have so much to tell them about our newest committee member, Darcy Branch. You remember her. I think she did things you were interested in, like the newspaper stuff. Anyway, she’s a famous journalist, and she promised to do a story on our big shindig. I am over the moon that she agreed to join the team.” Britt’s eyes sparkled and her cheeks turned a slight pink. Anastasia and Kelly didn’t echo her excitement.

  After a pause, when no one commented about Darcy, Britt stared down her long, pointed nose at Cassidy. The other two women giggled like schoolgirls, and Britt gave them a wilting look. “These gals already saw the barn online. We’re going to pop over to the outdoor sites and then head out for our luncheon. We want to see the garden and the view of the valley for our fireworks extravaganza. What’d you call it? A serenity garden? But wasn’t that where that rock star was killed? Not so peaceful for him. We’ll have better luck.” Britt waved her hand dismissively as she rose. “Ta-ta, Cassidy. We’ll see you on Wednesday.” The other two followed her out the front door.

  When the door shut firmly behind the trio, Cassidy picked up her folder and returned to the office. “Well, Elvis. It may be an interesting couple of weekends, but at least it’s all paid up and ready to go.” Before she could settle in at her desk, her phone alerted her with a series of rapid-fire texts.

  “Oh, look, it’s things Britt forgot to tell me when she rattled off all her other key points five minutes ago.” She replied with All taken care of. See you on Wednesday for setup, and then jotted down Britt’s list of demands on her legal pad for her team, made up of groundskeeper Levi Jenkins and the Pearly Girls, all friends of her late grandmother. They would be thrilled with more demanding guests. We’ve seen our share of bridezillas and mothers of bridezillas. Hopefully, I can keep the peace. It’s only for two weekends.

  The front door popped open and the bells jangled. This time, Elvis, in full-on security mode, zoomed into the front room, skidding around the two teal couches in the seating area. Aileen Roberts, a retired schoolteacher, bustled in with her lilac-and-plum tunic blouse flowing behind her. Her purple-tinted hair matched her outfit right down to her tennis shoes. She paused, and Ruthanne Carmichael, Cassidy’s bookkeeper, almost slammed into the back of her.

  “Don’t stop in the doorway,” Roxie Matthews groused from behind her two friends. “Kate and I haven’t even made it through the door, and already there’s a pileup. And it’s kinda warm out here for a fall day. Shoo.” She switched her oversized magenta Michael Kors purse to the other hand and stepped around Ruthanne.

  “Aileen, what is going on?” Kate Carlson asked. The retired nurse picked up Elvis for a cuddle.

  “I got this email about Linkydinking.” Aileen stared at her screen. “It’s from my housekeeper’s daughter. She wants to become a teacher, and I said I would help her if I could. But I’m not sure about this. It might be one of those scam things. And I certainly don’t want to get mixed up in a group chat with a bunch of people I don’t know.”

  “What are you talking about?” Roxie asked, leaning closer to see Aileen’s phone. “Cassidy. Come over here. She needs some of your tech support.”

  “Oh, my stars, I don’t need to get mixed up in some pyramid or crypto scam,” Aileen muttered. “What if it’s a sex ring or something?”

  Cassidy leaned over to look at Aileen’s phone. A slight smile crossed her face. “That’s LinkedIn. It’s a social media site for professional networking.”

  Aileen let out a long stream of air. “What a relief. I thought it was some kind of swingers’ thing or dating site. I am not up for any canoodling or Linkydinking right now.”

  “You don’t know what you’re missing,” Roxie mused as she headed for the conference room. She continued: “It’s an email invitation to join the site and to network with other members. Your friend’s daughter is probably looking for anyone with a background in education to help her find a job. If you want to set up a page, I can help you.”

  “Nope. Don’t have time for that. I’m too busy with all the in-person social stuff. I deleted it. End of problem.” Aileen dropped her phone in her straw purse, which sported three large daisies.

  Kate slid her tall frame into one of the chairs in the conference room, and Elvis settled himself in her lap. “Cassidy, we wanted to check in and make sure we had the schedules for the reunion events. It’s the talk of the town. That Britt always seems to stir stuff up.”

  “And not always in a good way. I heard from several people over at the beauty salon that she is going way overboard, as usual,” Aileen said.

  “You just missed her,” Cassidy said. “She and her team are headed to the garden.”

  “Is that Britt’s humongous Cadillac out front? I was wondering whose car that was,” Kate said.

  “Speaking of cars, hey, Cassidy, I saw your new Wrangler in the parking lot,” Ruthanne remarked, rummaging through her colorful purse. “I like it. It suits you. Very sporty. I want to go for a ride in it.”

  “I figured it was time to stop doing my personal stuff in the Celebrations van. Elvis and I are enjoying the winding roads and the Jeep life.”

  “Be prepared for Duck, Duck, Jeep,” Kate said. When everyone stared at her, she continued. “My grandson has a fancy Jeep, and he said other owners leave a rubber duck on your car to tell you that you’re it. They save them on their dashboards and such. It’s a thing in the Jeep world. It sounded fun.”

  “Cassidy, pick a day when you’re going to town. Elvis and I want to do a top-down tour of Main Street,” Ruthanne added. Glancing around the room, she rose and headed to the office. “And I love that it’s red,” she yelled from the back.

  “And we all know red cars go faster than regular ones,” Roxie winked. “So, what’s going on with the reunion plans? I saw Britt and her gang toddling toward the garden.”

  “Those girls always traveled in packs and never wore sensible shoes or clothes,” Kate muttered. “I’m surprised they haven’t taken a tumble in those heels.”

  “They have lots of ideas for their event, and Britt wants to make sure we understand that details are important,” Cassidy said, trying to hide a smirk.

  “Of course we do,” Roxie said, rolling her eyes. “Does she think we were born yesterday?”

  “That girl. I had her in my middle-school English class and on Student Council. She was a handful back then. Always the center of attention. Always chasing the boys,” Aileen said, settling in across from Roxie and Kate.

  “Don’t start without me,” Ruthanne yelled from the back. “Does anyone want anything while I’m near the kitchen?”

  “Water,” Roxie yelled.

  “Make that two,” echoed Kate.

  Before Cassidy got her folder open, Ruthanne bustled in and plopped down, pushing a silver curl off her forehead. She dealt out the water bottles like she was playing a high-stakes poker game. “Okay. All settled. Thanks for waiting. So, what’s on the docket?”