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Today on Salty Inspirations, I’m pleased to welcome author Tammy Barker as part of her virtual book tour for Call in for Murder. Please enjoy this fun character guest post and be sure to check out the book and tour stops below.
The Fashion Accessory Every Woman Needs
Hello, beautiful people. My name is Nathan Reader. I’m a fashion expert, a smooth talker, a shopping genius, and Ashley Compton’s best friend. A couple of months ago, I had to save her hide when she confronted a killer in the novel Call in for Murder. I know she’s going to get into trouble again soon, because she’s a murder mystery fanatic. In other words, she’s nosy, stubborn, and goes with her gut without thinking first.
So for her birthday this year, I’m getting her something every gal in her situation must have. An exquisite sleuthing/catching a killer kit. There’s no reason she can’t look fabulous when trailing someone, reaching for clues, and protecting herself. Am I right, or am I right? Plus, I’m putting it together, so it will be spectacular. She doesn’t need to be the only fashionable sleuth, so I thought I’d share with her fans my ideas, because one never knows when an emergency will arise, and there’s no point in looking like a plain Jane.
The most important thing is a prepaid phone. A simple Motorola should do the trick. It’s used for taking pictures at crime scenes, surveillance, and for showing people if you want an identity. They are also good for making recordings (check the laws in your state about recording without giving knowledge) and it’s a great flashlight for snooping around in the dark. Three things in one small package. Purchase a black one, because black goes with everything. No fancy cover is needed, because you want it to be invisible. Put a fabulous wallpaper of a Hawaiian beach on the home screen for a little flair.
Speaking of tools for snooping, don’t forget a container of very fine beige or ivory face powder with a makeup brush. It’s great for grabbing fingerprints with your prepaid phone’s camera. Of course it won’t work on white surfaces, but it does work on surfaces with darker colors.
A third snooping tool is a small compact mirror, preferably something from the 1940s. They were a bit bigger, and much heavier than they are today. It’s good for spying, because no one will question someone looking over their shoulder in a mirror, especially if you happen to be holding a lipstick in the other hand.
Back to the tools to catch the bad guys. Brooks’ Ghost Max 3 sneakers, in harbor mist, because it’s a neutral color, with a pop of pink. They are breathable, have extra support for foot landing, and a broad base for long lasting surveillance. Keep them at the ready for any emergency. Because you don’t want to be running in your stilettos. The concrete will ruin the heels, that would be a sin against all things fashionable. Did I mention the Max 3 is cute?
Tight, black or navy leggings. They are great for running and can hold in a few ounces of flab. Hey, swimmers shave off their chest and leg hair to increase their speed. Leggings could achieve the same results. Who knows? Besides, you don’t want some flowy material getting in your way when you are chasing and tackling the bad guys. You want to be a mean, lean, fighting machine.
A scarf can be used in place of handcuffs. Because who wants a pair of those tin-looking things around a delicate wrist? Sadly, you must go with jersey, so the knot will stay secure. Silk is prettier, but it’s much easier for someone to escape out of. But that doesn’t mean you need to pick an icky one. Something in a jewel tone would look slick, and bright enough you can see the knots. It could also be wrapped around the neck to take someone to their knees. Don’t kill them, just make them lose their breath for a second so you can get the upper hand.
Don’t laugh at this tidbit. Get one of those travel-sized plastic spray bottles, preferably one with a nozzle that sprays in a big area diameter. Why? Because you are going to fill it with
Grey Goose Vodka. The 40% alcohol is a great eye burner. Try drinking a straight shot of vodka and tell me your eyes don’t burn. Go ahead, I’ll wait.
I know, I know. I hear what you’re asking. “Where am I supposed to put all this stuff?” This is the best part. Now you have an excuse to get a leather handbag. Not one of those crossbody things or a clutch, but a real bag. A 12×16 works nicely. Because you will put your sleuthing/catching a killer kit in it. There will be room for your other necessities such as your wallet, keys, and regular phone as well. Just make sure it has two pockets, so you can keep your emergency supplies at the ready. And if it’s a buttery, cognac brown leather, it’s going to be a hefty weapon of choice, weighing about 1 1/2 pounds empty. Imagine how heavy it will be when it’s packed. Great for whacking someone upside the head or punching them in the breadbasket.
Is there anything I forgot? I don’t think so. But if I did, let me know fast, because I need to go shopping.
About Call In For Murder
Call In For Murder: A Neon Desert Novel
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Nevada
Independently Published
Publication date : October 19, 2025
Print length : 238 pages
Paperback
ISBN-13 : 979-8999862600
Digital
ISBN-13 : 979-8999862617
ASIN : B0FVMJMQ3R
Call-in radio host Ashley Compton is Las Vegas’s best friend when it comes to giving relationship tips to strangers. But when a repeat caller is found murdered after exposing her woes on the air and accepting the challenge to put up or shut up, Ashley questions if her homespun advice was the catalyst for the murder. Afraid of losing her job and destroying her reputation, Ashley heads to the seedy side of Las Vegas to snoop around. There she encounters shady dealings: lies, gambling, adultery, and potential criminal activities. When her two-timing and felonious suspects spout glib excuses to justify their behaviors, she digs deeper and is threatened, injured, and gets what she dishes out: advice she doesn’t always like. Can Ashley’s sleuthing skills catch the killer, or will she end up just another crime statistic? Can she save her career, or will she be put on the Do-Not-Call list?
About Tammy Barker
Tammy Barker is a serious, by-the-book Washington DC government accountant by day and a wildly imaginative fiction writer by night. She writes contemporary traditional amateur sleuth mystery novels and historical pulp fiction short stories. Her other loves include reading anything, restoring or refurbishing vintage items, small home repairs, cooking and baking, classical piano, and wishing she lived during the 1940s and 1950s. She is on Facebook, and her website is https://tammybarkerwriter.com.
Author Links
- Webpage – https://tammybarkerwriter.com/
- Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/tammybarkerwriter/
- Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/61314173.Tammy_Barker
- Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/tammybarkerwriter/
Purchase Links
Tour Participants
- March 16 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
- March 16 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
- March 17 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
- March 17 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT
- March 18 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
- March 18 – Christa Reads and Writes – SPOTLIGHT
- March 19 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT
- March 19 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST
- March 20 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
- March 20 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW
- March 21 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW
- March 21 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT
- March 22 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
- March 22 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
- March 23 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
- March 24 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
- March 24 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR GUEST POST
- March 25 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER GUEST POST
Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here to Find Details and Sign Up Today! Want to Book a Tour? Click Here
Thank you to Tammy Barker for visiting Salty Inspirations today. If this guest post caught your interest, be sure to add Call in for Murder to your TBR. While you’re here, feel free to browse more cozy mystery features, guest posts, and bookish fun around the blog.
As always, thanks for stopping by for some Salty Inspirations! —Michelle❤️
