Reading Between the Lies by Lynn Cahoon

Rarity and Archer are happy in their relationship, but the same cannot be said for Sam and Drew, however they will all come together to help Shirley spend time with Terrance without it being a date. Sadly, Archer is the main suspect for the death of the new art gallery owner, Jackson, and is only cleared when his alibi is his former assistant who slept on his couch that night. There is some tension in Rarity and Archer’s relationship when he doesn’t realize what an idiot he was and how it looks to others, and it is the book club and Drew who have to spell it out for Archer. The real killer was a bit of a disappointment as it seemed too contrived but the real story is about the book club members and what is happening in their lives not just the murder being solved.

Character List/Book Summary:

Rarity Cole = owns the bookstore and usually runs the book club. Helping Amy and Staci help do a back to school backpack and school supply drive. Overhears Jackson arguing with someone. Worries that Terrance will get his heartbroken. Struggles with knowing Archer did not cheat on her, but how him not telling her about a meeting with Calliope and her spending the night on her couch does not sit well with her emotions.

Shirley Prescott = picks up more time at the bookstore since she was asked to not see George as much, since he doesn’t remember her and it upsets his girlfriend in the memory care unit. Has coffee some mornings with Terrance and wants to go to the art gallery opening with him, but to make it not look like a date she asks Rarity if Rarity, Archer, Drew, and Sam can join them. Thinks she may need to go and see her kids because of how she is starting to have feelings for Terrance but is still married to George.

Sam Aarons = upset with Drew about him almost arresting her brother, Rarity’s best friend. Arranges a meeting with Eleanor to sell jewelry at the gallery and so that Rarity can snoop around the gallery and see the “vortex” were Jackson was found.

Jackson Sanders = new resident and hires Archer for a private hike, gives Rarity $500 for the back to school fundraiser. Owns the new art gallery, calls the area the employees live “red rocks” has questionable funding sources. Has a history with Archer, after breaking his sister’s heart Archer threatened him in college, and was sleeping with Eleanor in New York City before they moved to Arizona.

Calliope Todd = Archer’s former assistant, had lunch with him to introduce him to a new client. Changed the meeting place Jackson and Archer were to meet. Is Archer’s alibi because she had something to drink and did not want to drive home and slept on his couch (which he used to let her do). Archer meets her for lunch and bring Rarity to make it clear there is, and never was, a chance for her he did not see her as anything more than an assistant and she needs to stop flirting and trying to make a move on Archer.

Drew Anderson = Sam’s boyfriend and while they are arguing it is not clear if they have broken up. Lays into Archer for letting Calliope sleep on his couch because of how it looks and that he could be messing everything up with Rarity if he doesn’t stop being so clueless that Calliope is trying to get with him and he needs to be aware of how things look to outsiders and to Rarity.

Nancy Christy = high school counselor who is helping Amy and Staci with their back to school fundraiser. Boyfriend got a job at the gallery and they moved to “red rock.”

Katie Dickenson = new hire at the bookstore, grad student, never seems to get rattled.

Jonathon Anderson = Drew’s dad, comes up to help the sleuthing club, former detective. Archer has him relay a message about his plans when he finds Jackson dead. Thinks Eleanor is a good suspect.

Selena = mommy and me member whose husband works security at the art gallery and tells Rarity the rumor that Jackson was seeing a married woman.

David Valles = local author who certifies vortexes in the area. Malia thinks Jackson may have talked to him about a location. Did not certify the vortexes outside the gallery or red rocks.

Gay Zelda = Madame Zelda, next to Rarity’s bookstore. Thinks something bad is going to happen the week of the murder and is hiding in her house. Rarity finds her with a head wound and she warns Rarity that things are not what they seem be careful in the light of the moon and the old painting what is underneath will make it clear.

Heather = Gay’s daughter, will not let her mom open after she is attacked and asks Rarity to come over because her mom wants to see her. Concerned that her mom told Rarity a message, eyes started fluttering and then was surprised that Rarity was in front of her.

Daniel Cleary = Rarity bought one of his paintings at Art in the Park, Malia tells Sam and Rarity she saw him kissing Eleanor.

Dane O’Conner = Malia’s new boyfriend, going to help Terrance, Archer, and Drew replace Rarity’s backdoor after Johnny Simmons broke the window and tried to get into Rarity’s shop with Katie and Shirley inside.