Free "A Murder In Milburn", Book 3: Death In The Library by Nancy McGovern

Chapter 1
    It was 90 in the shade and, so far, it seemed to Nora that she was stranded alone on this island.
    She’d been dropped off by a ferry ten minutes before and had trekked up to the main house, dragging her luggage behind her.  
    The island itself was rather gorgeous - a small, sausage shaped landmass floating in the Georgian Bay, surrounded by sparkling blue water, covered with trees, and lined with a golden shore. The house that had been built on top of the one hill on the island gave the island its name, Glass Lion Island.
    A giant statue of a glass lion stood in front of the mansion, one paw raised in the air, mouth open to display fangs. It let off glints of light under the sun, causing Nora to squeeze her eyes as she stared at it.
    For the fourth time she rang the doorbell, and was disappointed when nobody answered. A month ago, she had received an email that had bought her here. Katya, an old friend from her days working as a chef in NYC, had written to her.
    Dearest Nora,
    Hey there!  
    Where are you? I haven’t heard from you in so long, I figured maybe you’ve gone into hibernation out there in Wyoming. Haha!  
    Anyway, I miss you, Nora! Remember the old days when we used to finish up a shift and trade each other stories about our worst customers?  
    These days, I’m starting a new venture, a yoga studio in Portland, where I live with my fiancé Petyr. Yes…fiancé! That’s what I’m writing to you about. I’m getting married, Nora! Can you believe it? Remember when I’d tell you with certainty that I was never going to find a man? Oh you kept telling me, “Someday, you’ll find the right man, and you’ll know he’s the one for you.” Not that I ever believed you! But here I am, engaged to a gorgeous blue eyed boy, and I’m fairly sure my lower jaw is going to fall off from all this smiling.
    Nora, can I ask you a favor? A big favor? I know you were one of the best in the business.   My fiancé’s family is having a little getaway on their private island (oh my god, I can’t believe I wrote that with a straight face. I should be squealing). Anyway, they’re having this getaway for the fourth of July. Petyr’s father was in the army once upon a time, and obviously, this is a very big deal to them. It’s the first time I’m meeting them, so it’s a big deal to me too!  
    I’d love it if you could come… his dad would compensate you if you just cooked a couple of meals over the weekend, and you’d live in the house with the family. We haven’t spoken in years, but you were the best chef I knew. It’s a long shot, but let me know. I’ve attached the address below.
    Love,
    Katya.
    Needing a break from the little town of Milburn, Nora had jumped at the chance. Sure, she’d have loved to spend time kicking back at Harvey’s place and chatting with her friends, but after recent events, including a rather media-heavy murder investigation, she’d decided she needed the break. A weekend away from Milburn would be a chance to get her head straight.
    Besides, earning some extra money for a weekend at a private island? That sounded like every girl’s dream come true! Also, Katya’s email reminded Nora of how close they had once been, and she missed her.  
    “ Great idea, ” she’d emailed back after only ten minutes. “ I’ll be there! Let’s get out the BBQ and light up some fireworks!”
    Except here she was now, ringing the bell for the fifth time, with no one answering.
    A heavy bark distracted her, and she turned around to find a large black dog running towards her, followed closely by two men dressed nearly identically in navy blue shorts and a white oxford button-down.  
    The dog rushed her, and Nora raised her hand, automatically dropping her purse to the floor. The dog jumped up on two feet, planting sloppy kisses on her face, while she tried to push it away.
    “Monty! Bad boy! Down!” The larger of the men caught him by the collar and yanked him off. “I’m so