Cloaked in Malice

PRAISE FOR

Skirting the Grave

“The latest installment in Annette Blair’s Vintage Magic Mysteries brings back all the things I love about this series: great characters, cool vintage fashion, intriguing mystery, and just a touch of magic… Definitely in style for any fan of cozy mysteries.”

—
Fresh Fiction

“Five stars! This story is perfect for those who enjoy some romance in their mysteries—and a bit of the paranormal…Whenever I open a book by Annette Blair, the real world fades away, and I am guaranteed to be highly entertained.”

—
Huntress Reviews

“Blair never disappoints. Her books are fun and lighthearted, even though the subject matter can sometimes be dark—the writing is superb, colorful, and bright, making you want more with each page you turn.”

—
Fang-tastic Books

“A well-drawn-out mystery featuring likable characters, and offers a healthy dose of humor and even some vintage fashion tips…Annette Blair is a very skilled author, and the story, while complex, comes together nicely at the end.”

—
MyShelf.com

Death by Diamonds

“Annette Blair has the magic touch when it comes to entertaining joie de vivre paranormal amateur-sleuth whodunits. The mystery is cleverly constructed.”

—
The Best Reviews

“A fast-paced, fascinating addition to this dynamic mystery series…A book by Annette Blair is a guaranteed roller-coaster ride, and
Death by Diamonds
in no exception!”

—
Fresh Fiction

“It was fabulous—the best Vintage Magic Mystery yet. Full of magic, mystery, and classic Blair style. Maddie’s antics are always fun to read, and the hint of romance is a teasing heat that leaves you wondering and wanting more.”

—
Fang-tastic Books

“To say Annette Blair has revved up the drama and intensity would be putting it too mildly…One of the most interesting mysteries I have read this year. A magnificent story!”

—
Huntress Reviews

“An exciting, humorous roller-coaster ride…I cannot recommend Annette Blair’s books enough, and this one is no exception to that. It already has a place on my keeper shelf.”

—
ParaNormal Romance

Larceny and Lace

“Another fast-paced novel that keeps the reader entertained from the word go! Annette Blair’s characters are warm and endearing, and you feel as if you’re visiting old friends among the pages.”

—
Fresh Fiction

“Annette Blair’s whimsical and witty writing style is true magic on the page…I love Blair’s use of words and the way she blends magic and vintage clothing into the stories like they are characters themselves, especially the clothes.”

—
Fang-tastic Books

“A wonderful investigative tale that will have armchair readers spellbound…With whimsy, humor, and Dante to round out the magic, fans will enjoy this entertaining paranormal amateur sleuth.”

—
The Best Reviews

“A joy to read.”

—
Gumshoe Review

A Veiled Deception

“Whimsical, witty, and wonderful…Sure to enchant readers everywhere.”

—Madelyn Alt, national bestselling author of
Home for a Spell

“A wonderful book…A literary whisper adds to the charm.”

—
Romantic Times

“Not only a good start to a new series but a great example of the supernatural mystery genre.”

—
Curled Up With a Good Book

“Annette Blair brings her characters to vivid life…Fun, witty, and highly recommended.”

—
Huntress Reviews

“A smart, funny start to a new series…Cleverly plotted.”

—
The Mystery Reader

“Phenomenal. Ms. Blair beautifully captures New England’s ambiance and mystique as she weaves a well-crafted mystery into the threads of Maddie Cutler’s life.”

—
Fresh Fiction

“A funny, engaging read. Annette Blair puts together a mystery with humor, suspense, and quite the engaging plot…The dialogue is witty, there’s humor throughout the story, along with friendship and family, sexual tension without the story revolving around the sex, and the plot just zings along.”

—
ParaNormal Romance

“A terrific kickoff to what appears will be a fantastic cozy mystery series…
A
Veiled Deception
is so much fun, with likable characters, romance, and a knotted mystery to un-ravel.”

—
Reader to Reader

Berkley Prime Crime titles by Annette Blair

A VEILED DECEPTION

LARCENY AND LACE

DEATH BY DIAMONDS

SKIRTING THE GRAVE

CLOAKED IN MALICE

Berkley Sensation titles by Annette Blair

THE KITCHEN WITCH

MY FAVORITE WITCH

THE SCOT, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE

SEX AND THE PSYCHIC WITCH

GONE WITH THE WITCH

NEVER BEEN WITCHED

THE NAKED DRAGON

BEDEVILED ANGEL

VAMPIRE DRAGON

CLOAKED

in
Malice

ANNETTE BLAIR

BERKLEY PRIME CRIME, NEW YORK

THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP

Published by the Penguin Group

Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA

Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.) • Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England • Penguin Group Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.) • Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.) • Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd., 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi—110 017, India • Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, Auckland 0632, New Zealand (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.) • Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa

Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

CLOAKED IN MALICE

A Berkley Prime Crime Book / published by arrangement with the author

PUBLISHING HISTORY

Berkley Prime Crime mass-market edition / July 2012

Copyright © 2012 by Annette Blair.

Excerpt from
Operation Petticoat
by Annette Blair copyright © 2012 by Annette Blair.

Cover illustration by Kimberly Schamber.

Cover design by Rita Frangie.

Interior text design by Laura K. Corless.

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group,

a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,

375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

ISBN: 978-1-101-58105-6

BERKLEY
^®
PRIME CRIME

Berkley Prime Crime Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,

a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,

375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

BERKLEY
^®
PRIME CRIME and the PRIME CRIME logo are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”

ALWAYS LEARNING

PEARSON

With love and thanks for a lifetime

of memories, laughter, and tears to my

remarkable Sister Cousins: Victoria Lague,

world–class professor, and Julie Lague Sutton,

world–class artist. Never forgetting…

the knight in shining armor smiling

down on all of us.

Author’s Note

Historic Mystic, Connecticut, is a treat as is the Mystic River, both well worth a long visit. Mystick Falls, to the north, however, is a figment of my imagination, as are the locations of my characters’ homes and of the town’s governing body. I have too much respect for the real thing to portray them any other way.

Table of Contents

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