Murder in Marietta (A Trixie Montgomery Cozy Mystery Book 2) by Deborah Malone

last night, I read some from the book and it’s interesting. Did you know the museum was a hotel at one time? The owners originally named it the Fletcher House and later changed it to the Kennesaw Hotel. It was owned by a northern couple who had three daughters.”
    “Harv told me it had been a hotel at one time.”
    “The lady at the bookstore said the owner, Louisa Fletcher, kept a diary. The Fletchers lived in the hotel during the Civil War.”
    “That is interesting. I’d give my right arm to get my hands on that.” I absently rubbed my arm. “Not really, but you know what I mean. I wonder if Doc could acquire a copy.”
    “Let’s ride over to the museum and ask him if he knows anything about it.”
    We decided to tell Dora about the break in later, there was no reason to worry her until we knew more from the investigation. After we dropped Nana off at the hospital, Dee Dee and I drove to the museum.
    It was hard to believe only a few days had passed since our arrival. Less than seventy-two hours since we’d arrived, we had found ourselves knee-deep in a murder investigation.
    I surveyed the three-story, red brick structure that held years of history. Not only did it house memorabilia from years gone by, it contained history from the people who lived there since its conception. If only the walls could talk.
    The old Marietta train depot stood to the left of the museum and housed the visitor’s center. To the right stood another historic building, home to the Gone with the Wind Museum. An abandoned railroad track ran parallel to the buildings. I imagined Civil War era ladies in their dresses with hoop skirts, and men driving carriages and wagons down the streets.
    “Trixie, did you hear what I said?”
    “Sorry. I was daydreaming about times gone by.”
    “I said, wouldn’t it be fun to visit the Gone with the Wind Museum?”
    “Maybe we can.” We entered the building, and took the elevator up to the second floor. As the doors opened, I was once again transported back to a time when life was much simpler.
    A young woman, I guessed to be in her thirties, sat behind the mahogany counter. She stood when we approached. “My name is Marianne, may I help you?” With long blond hair and a petite build, she was a pretty little thing.
    “Is Doc here?” I looked around to see if I could spot him.
    “No. You just missed him.” She checked a sign-in board on the wall behind her. “He should be back within the hour. I’d be glad to give you a tour.”
    “I’m Trixie, this is Dee Dee. We’d love to look around.” This was a good time to talk with her and see if she knew anything that might help Doc. Dee Dee gave me the eye . I don’t think she was as anxious to go on another expedition of the museum.
    “Why don’t I browse in the store, Trix, while you go with Marianne?”
    “Suit yourself.” I didn’t blame her. I’d seen more than enough of the museum myself.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

    W e began in the Andrews’ Raiders room. A silhouette of a man stood at the window and looked out over the railroad tracks. The scene seemed eerily realistic. Marianne explained Andrews’ Raiders were a band of northern spies who came to Marietta with one goal. They stole a southern locomotive engine, the General, with the intention of destroying the tracks along a much used supply route. Their plans foiled, Andrews and his gang ran for the hills. His pursuers ultimately caught and hung him.
    “What did you say your name is?”
    “Trixie Montgomery. I write for “Georgia by the Way” a historical magazine. We like to say, where the past meets the present .”
    Marianne’s eyes widened. “You’re the one who stayed overnight at the museum while the murder took place.” She sat down in a chair that was part of a display. I knew enough about museums to understand it wasn’t kosher to touch any of the items. “That must have been horrible. But I can’t say I’m sad Jacob is gone.”
    I grabbed a chance to jump in