Lucy Howard Mystery

"Nichols creates a cast of funny eccentrics who are in way over their heads when it comes to fraudulent antiques dealers, deadly doctors, and cold-blooded murderers. " -Kim Conrey Author of Stealing AresLucy Howard has arranged her life around the philosophy honesty is mostly the best policy. But her dream to work in research at a reputable museum doesn't materialize. Instead, she finds herself investigating a charming elderly woman who's running an insurance scam involving the company Lucy works for. She catches her "perfect" boyfriend with another woman. And her favorite narcoleptic- antiques-dealing uncle needs her to prove he's not a murderer, unless he actually is.Her boss agrees to assist her if she joins his investigation against a doctor suspected of selling human organs. Along with a sexy detective who makes Lucy question her resolve not to rush into another relationship, she becomes involved with some very shady characters. When she begins receiving bizarrely ominous threats, she realizes she could be in real danger.As the threats escalate, Lucy recognizes that her belief in total transparency might not be enough to save her life. And that if she gets the chance to begin a new one, she must accept that honesty, without love to temper it, can be a cold companion.

"In her latest novel, Nichols takes readers on a wild ride with a charming protagonist who discovers honesty may not always be the best policy when it comes to murder. But when it comes to love, truth matters." -Gaby Anderson, author of South of HappilyLucy Howard is finally getting her life together. She's with a great guy completely worthy of her trust. Her job as head claims investigator is challenging in a positive way. Her narcoleptic-antiques-dealing uncle is staying out of trouble. And she's no longer haunted by her nasty break-up. But a collect call from her ex in prison puts her newly found contentment in jeopardy. Worse, a visit from his lawyer indicates she could be in serious danger.Before she can determine what's real and what isn't, her boss assigns her to the case of a prominent insurance salesman who fell to his death. The police investigation leans toward suicide, but the victim's parents insist it was murder and that their son's killer is his grieving widow.With the help of Uncle Buddy and Elsie Erickson, reformed con-woman, Lucy must get to the bottom of the tragic death.Lucy uses her trusty spreadsheet to make sense of the situation. But logic alone can't explain the intricacies of human nature. Nor will it explain her reluctance to commit to her perfect man. And it most definitely won't keep her out of the sights of deranged killers.