The Lilac Code
The Sisters, Texas Series Book 7
by
Becki Willis
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Becki Willis
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Will a case of mistaken identity be the death of her?
Madison Reynolds is looking forward to a few days of rest and relaxation.
Her best friend Genny is judging a celebrity bake-off near DC, so it’s
the perfect opportunity for a girl’s getaway. With fun-loving
Granny Bert in tow, the trio heads to the very heart of the Intel
community. Deep in alphabet soup territory—surrounded by CIA, NSA,
FBI and more—it takes only moments for things to go awry.
Her best friend Genny is judging a celebrity bake-off near DC, so it’s
the perfect opportunity for a girl’s getaway. With fun-loving
Granny Bert in tow, the trio heads to the very heart of the Intel
community. Deep in alphabet soup territory—surrounded by CIA, NSA,
FBI and more—it takes only moments for things to go awry.
A mix-up at the airport leaves Madison with the wrong luggage, and a
last-minute change in accommodations lands them at The
Columbia Inn at Peralynna. How
can they know its ties to the spy world will soon spin them into its web?
Columbia Inn at Peralynna. How
can they know its ties to the spy world will soon spin them into its web?
Designed as a CIA safe house, the inn has a fascinating history. When it
seems a mysterious man in a dark coat is following her, Madison scoffs at
her over-action imagination. She’s listened to too many spy tales,
spun by the innkeeper herself. The stories of espionage and agents
are intriguing, but too incredible to be real. The Texans know
nothing about secret codes and counterintelligence. They’ve never
heard of The Lilac Code, or the illusive agent-for-hire known simply as Kalypso.
her over-action imagination. She’s listened to too many spy tales,
spun by the innkeeper herself. The stories of espionage and agents
are intriguing, but too incredible to be real. The Texans know
nothing about secret codes and counterintelligence. They’ve never
heard of The Lilac Code, or the illusive agent-for-hire known simply as Kalypso.
Back home in The Sisters, a drama is unfolding that involves Madison’s
precious twins. She’s raised them to do the right thing, no matter
the consequence, but will their quest for justice put them in danger?
precious twins. She’s raised them to do the right thing, no matter
the consequence, but will their quest for justice put them in danger?
Thrust into impossible situations of being in the wrong place at the wrong
time, the twins risk everything to save their school, while deep in
spy territory, Madison and Genny race against the clock—and the
elements—to save Granny Bert’s life.
time, the twins risk everything to save their school, while deep in
spy territory, Madison and Genny race against the clock—and the
elements—to save Granny Bert’s life.
The award-winning The Sisters, Texas Mystery Series continues
in this exciting Book 7. This is a stand-alone book, but best when
enjoyed as a full series experience.
in this exciting Book 7. This is a stand-alone book, but best when
enjoyed as a full series experience.
Excerpt:
She seemed to fall forever.
Despite her own warning just seconds earlier, Madison let out a loud scream and rolled head-over heels down the side of the hill.
“Maddy! Maddy, are you okay?” Genny scrambled to the edge of the drop-off, trying to determine the best path down. She used her flashlight to search for her friend, but saw nothing. Her voice, low but stern, took on a stern, no-nonsense tone. “Talk to me, Madeline Josephine Cessna, so I know you’re still alive!”
Upon further investigation, Genny realized it wasn’t a low wall Maddy had seen, covered with tin. It was an entire building, backed up to the embankment with only its tin roof visible from above. It was built at river level and most likely used as a storage shed for machinery, meaning her friend had taken a long and nasty fall. Her voice turned frantic. “Maddy, talk to me!” she begged.
Madison’s voice was strangled and weak, but it carried above the sound of the river. “Alive,” she croaked from somewhere below.
“I’m coming down.”
Bracing her hand on the rusted tin of the building’s roof, and her foot against the crumbling brick exterior, Genny more or less climbed down the side of the old building. She clung to a nearby sapling for support when she could, and half-crawled, half-fell the rest of the way to the ground. Scrambling to her feet, she softly called for her friend again.
“Down here.”
By the time Genny reached her friend, Madison had struggled into a sitting position and was examining her arms and legs for open wounds and broken bones. Finding neither, she started removing sticks and leaves from her hair.
“Are you okay?” Genny squealed, not bothering to censure her volume.
“Been better.”
“Did you break anything?” When she attempted to rise, Genny shook her hands. “Don’t get up just yet. Take a minute to gather yourself.”
“This ground is cold and wet. Help me up.”
It took two efforts, a mumbled curse or two, and quite a few grunts and groans, but Madison was finally on her feet. “I lost the rope,” she realized. “We need to find it.”
“I’ll go back.”
A few feet away, Genny stumbled across the coil of rope. Literally. She caught herself just before falling. “Found it.”
“Shh,” Madison said. “Listen.”
They cocked their heads, straining to hear over the sounds of the river and the wind. It was faint, but the sound came again. A shrill whistle, somewhere nearby.
“Granny Bert!” Madison cried with relief.
Don't miss the other books in The Sisters, Texas series!
Chicken Scratch
The Sisters, Texas Series Book 1
When The Stars Fall
Stipulations and Complications
Home Again: Starting Over
Genny's Ballad
Christmas in The Sisters
Becki Willis, best known for her popular The Sisters, Texas Mystery Series
and Forgotten Boxes, always dreamed of being an author. In November
of '13, that dream became a reality. Since that time, she has
published eleven books, won first place honors for Best Mystery
Series, Best Suspense Fiction and Best Audio Book, and has introduced
her imaginary friends to readers around the world.
and Forgotten Boxes, always dreamed of being an author. In November
of '13, that dream became a reality. Since that time, she has
published eleven books, won first place honors for Best Mystery
Series, Best Suspense Fiction and Best Audio Book, and has introduced
her imaginary friends to readers around the world.
An avid history buff, Becki likes to poke around in old places and learn
about the past. Other addictions include reading, writing, junking,
unraveling a good mystery, and coffee. She loves to travel, but
believes coming home to her family and her Texas ranch is the best
part of any trip. Becki is a member of the Association of Texas
Authors, the National Association of Professional Women, and the
Brazos Writers organization. She attended Texas A&M University
and majored in Journalism.
unraveling a good mystery, and coffee. She loves to travel, but
believes coming home to her family and her Texas ranch is the best
part of any trip. Becki is a member of the Association of Texas
Authors, the National Association of Professional Women, and the
Brazos Writers organization. She attended Texas A&M University
and majored in Journalism.
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Becki Willis has become one of my favorite authors. She can spin a tale with the best of them and her character development is unassailable. I have fallen in love with her characters and their hometown and the going’s on there. The story’s feel so real as they keep on unfolding...leaving you wanting to know what is going to happen next. Keep writing Becki- we are all waiting for the next one!
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