Hi there, guys and dolls! You know, it’s been so much fun getting to know so many new friends and readers. All this mixing and mingling with my long time chums is such a blast. Carrying on this week, I’m sharing my cast of characters from my Poppy Cove Mysteries. Today I’m featuring my pals from the second novel in the series DEATH OF A BEAUTY QUEEN.

Mr. Anthony and Todd — the proprietor of Mr. Anthony’s, a rather tony (pardon the pun) salon just around the corner from Poppy Cove.  The diminutive blonde Mr. is a sculptor of the most delightful bouffants and pageboys, albeit a little finicky and fussy.  He’s very involved with the grooming and deportment of the Miss Santa Lucia contestants, and has a habit of flouncing and flailing, with his sole mission in live to make the town lovelier, one woman at a time.  Todd, his lanky young assistant whose main purpose is to keep him in line while also being a fabulous make-up artist, is quite often seen trailing behind, smoothing down ruffled feathers.

Baroness Eva von Eissen — a new resident of Santa Lucia.  She is of vague European descent, with a strong aura of mystery surrounding her (as well as mothballs, to be honest).  She arrives heavily clad in dark, heavily corseted and Victorian garb, apparel and jewels handed down through her family relations, very out of date and inappropriate for our carefree California Coast life.  Her visits to Poppy Cove made life interesting for the girls.

Eddie — a new date for Irene and town weasel/thug.   A short, runty fellow with greaser hair and attire who provides Poppy Cove’s Manager some colorful nighttime entertainment.  He does, however, choose to rub everyone the wrong way, including Irene and gets a little too interested in Nora Burbank’s new necklace.

Nora Burbank — Miss Santa Lucia herself.  Sigh, such a lovely girl, doesn’t know what hits her.  A young wholesome lady with a few secrets of her own, our poor cover girl gets bumped off before we all barely knew her.  What can I say?  It’s a cozy mystery — someone had to get wronged…;-)!

Efrem and Rebecca Goldberg — She’s a high school chum of Poppy Cove shop girl, Betty Young.  As a newly wed wife of Efrem, she has recently moved back to Santa Lucia, where her husband is apprenticing  to take over her father Isaac’s jewelry business.  Efrem is a handsome young man with a bit to prove to his new boss and father-in-law.  He has plenty of new found ways to challenge the old traditions.

Isaac Mendelson — The proprietor of Mendelson’s Quality Jewelers, the well established fine gem business in Santa Lucia.  He’s a recent widower and feeling a little life weary,  anxious to hand over his business to his young turk, but wants it in his way, on his terms.

Mary Ann Rutherford — Miss Santa Lucia Princess Runner-Up.  A wickedly pretty girl with a mile long jealous streak.  She was after Nora’s title and boyfriend, possibly her new gems, too.  How low would she go?

Dirk Roberts — Local radio emcee and gad about town.  Recently divorced from a past reigning beauty queen who’s winged it off to Bel Air with a new plaything, he’s contemplating winning her back, but how?

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more posts. And don’t forget to give my Poppy Cove Mysteries a try if you haven’t already.

Toodles, Barbara Jean