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Today’s spotlight features Murder Under A Bitter Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Historical Cozy Mystery by Abigail Keam, a long-running cozy mystery author known for her historical series and award-winning mystery work.
Spotlight — Murder Under A Bitter Moon
Murder Under A Bitter Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Historical Cozy Mystery by Abigail KeamAbout Murder Under A Bitter Moon
Murder Under A Bitter Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Historical Cozy Mystery
Historical Cozy Mystery
15th in Series
Publisher : Worker Bee Press
Publication date : April 20, 2026
ASIN : B0F92Y5XB7
Mona Moon adores Kentucky Derby week, enjoying all the festivities. She is hosting a ladies’ tea and a Derby breakfast herself. The celebration at Moon Manor will include her former professor and mentor, Dr. Beryl Farris. Mona is delighted to have an old friend visit, but is concerned when Dr. Farris confesses that someone has been threatening her. Worried, Mona assigns Pinkertons to protect the professor.
The night before the Kentucky Derby race, Mona is preparing to attend Ed Bradley’s famous Derby Ball. The entire Mooncrest Farm is aflutter with excitement and gaiety for the upcoming event. Celebrities, politicians, and prominent citizens will be enjoying shrimp grits, burgoo, cornbread, country ham, and mint juleps while dishing the latest gossip at this yearly event. Mona’s anticipation is dashed when she discovers Dr. Farris is missing! And Mona fears the worst!
About Abigail Keam
Award-winning author Abigail Keam writes the Mona Moon Mystery Series—a rags-to-riches 1930s mystery series, which weaves real people and events into the story. “I am a student of history and love to insert historical information into my mysteries. There is an addendum at the end of the mystery to give more information. My goal is to entertain my readers, but if they learn a little something along the way—well, then we are both happy.”
Miss Abigail currently lives in a metal house with her husband and various critters on the Palisades bordering the Kentucky River.
AWARDS
2010 Gold Medal Award from Readers’ Favorite for Death By A HoneyBee
2011 Gold Medal Award from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Drowning
2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By Drowning
2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By A HoneyBee
2017 Finalist from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Design
2019 Honorable Mention from Readers’ Favorite for Death By Stalking
2019 Murder Under A Blue Moon voted top ten mystery reads by Kings River Life Magazine
2020 Finalist from Readers’ Favorite for Murder Under A Blue Moon
2020 Imadjinn Award for Best Mystery for Death By Stalking
2022 Finalist in Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Historical Category – Murder Under A Full Moon
2022 Finalist the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Historical Category – Murder Under A New Moon
2022 Death By Chance: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Cozy Mystery
2022 Top Ten Mystery Novel by Kings River Life Magazine for Murder Under A Bridal Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Mystery
2022 Top Ten Mystery Novel by Kings River Life Magazine for Murder Under A British Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Mystery
THE MONA MOON MYSTERY SERIES
1930s Historical MysteriesMurder Under A Blue Moon I
Murder Under A Blood Moon II
Murder Under A Bad Moon III
Murder Under A Silver Moon IV
Murder Under A Wolf Moon V
Murder Under A Black Moon VI
Murder Under A Full Moon VII
Murder Under A New Moon VIII
Murder Under A English Moon IX
Murder Under A British Moon X
Murder Under A Bridal Moon XI
Murder Under A Western Moon
Murder Under A Honey Moon
Murder Under A Cold Moon
Murder Under A Mystic Moon
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Excerpt – Murder Under A Bitter Moon
“Ouch!”
“Stop fussing, Miss Mona,” Violet mumbled while attempting to hem a day frock Mona was wearing. “I need to lower this hem. Your knees are showing.”
Mona scolded, “I wish you wouldn’t hold pins in your mouth. You’re going to swallow a pin one of these days.”
Violet spat three long pins into her hand and stuck them into a pincushion. “It’s just more convenient. See—these pins have large round balls on the end. My lips hold them very firm. Lots of seamstresses hold pins with their lips.”
“I wish you wouldn’t. It makes me nervous, plus you stuck me with the last pin.”
“Quit fidgeting then. You’re too restless. You want to look nice for your tea Thursday, don’t you?”
“I’m sorry, but I keep thinking of what needs to be done. I’ve got so much to do before the tea on Thursday and the Derby breakfast on Friday.”
“It’s not for days, and Mr. Thomas has everything under control,” Violet said, running the last pin in place. “There! I’ve got it. You can take the dress off now. I’ll have it ready after lunch.” Violet pushed Chloe, a white Standard Poodle, away from her sewing paraphernalia.
The dog playfully nipped at Violet before Mona scolded, “No, Chloe! Bad dog!”
Chloe jumped into a chair where Violet had placed a rag toy in the shape of a bone.
Seeing Chloe’s attention was diverted, Mona asked, “What about my evening dress for Mr. Bradley’s ball at Idle Hour Farm?”
“Just a nip here and a tuck there. It will be ready in plenty of time, Miss Mona.”
“And Robert’s tux?”
“Pressed and ready to go. It’s hanging in his dressing room. I’ve made another tux jacket and several boiled shirts are ready as well. I just know he’ll spill something on them.”
A knock sounded on the sewing room door.
“Come in,” Mona said, wrapping herself in a silk kimono.
Loretta, Mona’s new assistant, poked her head inside the door. She was middle-aged, widowed with two children, ginger-headed, and wore support stockings for her varicose veins. Loretta was also very competent, and Mona was pleased with her performance. Mona’s great friend, Ed Bradley, who vouched for the woman’s honesty and work ethic, recommended Miss Loretta when he learned Mona needed a secretary.
Her former secretary had married and moved away. Mona had thrown a reception at Moon Manor after the wedding and seen her secretary/friend off at the train station. Both women cried when parting until their husbands pulled them apart. Mona missed her former secretary, but life moved forward, and Mona with it.
“Yes, Loretta?” Mona asked.
“I thought you would want the latest RSVP’s for the Derby breakfast.”
“Please,” Mona replied, slipping behind a screen to don her day dress.
Loretta shuffled through the telegrams. “First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt sends her regrets, but her cousin, Mrs. Alice Roosevelt Longworth, will arrive this Monday. She expects a car to meet her at the train station.”
“Can you make arrangements, Loretta? See if His Grace is free to meet her.”
The new secretary made a note on the telegram.
Mona asked, “Who else?”
“The governor will stop by for opening remarks, but he won’t be able to stay. He has other engagements.”
“He will if you tell him reporters will be at the breakfast,” Violet mused.
Mona stepped out from the screen dressed in a light green and pink floral-patterned cotton dress and a dark green cardigan sweater. “If Governor Laffoon won’t stay, our sweet Lt. Governor, Happy Chandler, will. He tends to be a publicity hound and has presidential aspirations. Make sure he knows reporters and film stars will be attending.”
“That reminds me. Jean Harlow and William Powell are coming, but they have decided to stay at the Phoenix Hotel,” Loretta said.
“Make sure their rooms have fresh flowers, a bottle of champagne, and a fruit basket—and also that their rooms connect,” Mona ordered. “Anyone else?”
“Mabel Dodge Luhan is coming. She is also staying at the Phoenix Hotel.”
“Send the same gifts to Mabel’s room or any of our guests staying there. Any word on Lady Alice Nithercott?” Mona asked concerning her great friend.
“She sends her regrets.”
Mona looked disappointed. “Is that all she wrote?”
Loretta handed Mona the telegram, which she quickly read. “She feels the trip would be too much for the baby.” Mona returned the telegram to Loretta. “Send a wire that I understand and will be thinking of her and Ogden.”
Loretta went through the slew of telegrams. “Agatha Christie sends her regrets. She has a publishing deadline to meet.”
“I wonder what she’s working on.” Mona mused. “What about Belle Brezing?”
“She hasn’t responded yet.” Loretta raised her eyebrows.
Mona said, “Maybe I should see Belle in person?”
“You would pay a house call to one of the wickedest women in the South?” Loretta asked, astonished, glancing at Violet for confirmation. “Go to her abode?”
“Yes,” Mona chuckled. “Lots of women had to make their living walking the streets. In Belle’s day, there weren’t secretaries, bank tellers, nurses, store clerks, or waitress positions available for women. Men held those jobs. A woman could only be a teacher if unmarried, a dressmaker, cook, maid, or a housekeeper for a grand house, and those jobs were scarce. If you had ever heard her story, you would understand why Belle Brezing did what she did. Remember—her house of ill repute was considered the most orderly of disorderly houses.”
“I hope she comes,” Violet announced. “I’ve never seen her. I would love to tag along, Miss Mona, when you go.”
“It would cause a scandal for Belle Brezing to attend your breakfast, Miss Mona!” Loretta protested.
“I am sure many of the older gentlemen coming to my Derby breakfast have visited Belle’s house at one time or another. Maybe we should forgive the sins of the past.”
Loretta twisted her lips and said in a disapproving voice, “Old sins cast long shadows. Is that all, Miss Mona?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Loretta left the sewing room as Mona and Violet exchanged glances.
“She might resign, Miss Mona.”
“If Loretta is going to be that stuffy, we might as well know it now. You noticed she didn’t raise a fuss over William Powell and Jean Harlow with their connecting rooms. It always amuses me when people cherry-pick sins.”
“Speaking of breakfast, let’s get some. I’m starved. Off to the dining room.” Violet opened the sewing room door for Mona and followed behind, along with Chloe.
An impressive spread of scrambled eggs, toast, ham, fruit, biscuits, and red eye gravy was laid out on the buffet table in silver serving dishes.
“Oh, look, Obadiah has made some cinnamon rolls!” Violet exclaimed. She waited until Mona filled a plate before filling her own.
They both sat down at the dining room table to eat when Willie Deatherage strolled in. “Hey, I’m just in time for breakfast,” commented Willie, immediately striding over to the buffet and filling a plate.
Mona looked at her watch. “Why are you here so early, Willie?”
Carrying a dish laden with food, Wilhelmina, wife of Mona’s top lawyer, Dexter, plopped down on the other side of the table and reached for the butter and salt. “You asked me to come and help welcome your guest of honor, Beryl Farris. Who is she again?”
“She was my mentor at Barnard College and a leading authority on American history. She is going to deliver a brief address at my ladies’ tea on Thursday. She sent a telegram stating that she has taken a different train. I’m sorry you came out here for nothing.”
“On what?” Willie asked, biting into a cinnamon roll and unceremoniously wiping crumbs from her mouth.
“Pardon me?” “On what topic is she going to lecture?” Willie asked, before biting into her roll again. “Oh, gawd, this roll is good.” She used a linen napkin to clean the sugar glaze from the corners of her mouth while chewing.
Mona answered, “She has a theory that Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis were half-brothers.”
Willie choked on the cinnamon roll. She reached for a glass of water as Violet patted her back.
Recovered, Willie anxiously spewed out, “Oh, no, Mona, you mustn’t let her.
The Civil War is still much too raw. Bringing it up wouldn’t do at all. People already see you as a Yankee, and that you are trying to stir up trouble. Oh no, you must not let that be the topic of the lecture. It’s out of the question.”
Mona said, “I don’t understand. The Civil War was over seventy years ago, and Kentucky never joined the Confederacy.”
“The descendants of the most powerful slave-owning families still feel a great deal of bitterness, and this area has predominately embraced Confederate views. There are local people, both white and black, still living who survived the Civil War. The Cheapside slave market next to the courthouse was one of the largest in the South.”
Mona replied, “Dr. Farris wanted specifically to visit this part of the country to seek research material in the form of diaries and letters that families might have. After all, Abraham Lincoln’s grandfather was killed nearby, and Mary Todd Lincoln’s family lived on Main Street in Lexington. Jefferson Davis went to school at Transylvania College. He and Lincoln were born less than a year and only a hundred miles apart.”
“I’m telling you such a lecture will stir up a hornet’s nest, and you will be shunned. Have your mentor ask for general historical help collecting diaries and letters. Families like to brag about their Civil War ancestors regardless of which side, but will abhor the theory that Lincoln and Davis were kinfolk. I shudder to think about the consequences if your mentor broached the subject.”
“Can Dr. Farris at least mention that the Lincolns and Daniel Boone were related?” Mona teased.
Willie frowned. “You must take this seriously, Mona. You won’t be able to charm your way out of it. Feelings run too deep for this sort of thing. You are from the North. You don’t understand how things are here.” Willie wiped her mouth and folded her napkin. “I must take my leave now.”
Violet shot a concerned look at Mona.
Seeing Willie was truly upset, Mona said, “Don’t go. Please sit back down. I will take your advice, Willie. I’ll ask Dr. Farris to speak on another subject. She can ask casually about families’ diaries and letters. People don’t need to know what she is researching.”
Willie looked relieved. “That is for the best, Mona. Honestly, you come up with the wildest schemes sometimes. Thinking Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis might be related, and half-brothers at that. A wild notion, indeed!”
Mona pressed her lips together, not wanting to respond harshly. Obviously, the idea of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis being related frightened Willie. However, she would heed Willie’s advice, as the woman had never steered Mona wrong. Willie had been of great help when Mona first arrived in the Bluegrass, so not wanting any unpleasantness, Mona guided the conversation to fashion, menus for her upcoming events, and of course, Kentucky Derby gossip.
The first thing locals discussed in late April was—who was going to win the Kentucky Derby? Everyone had an opinion, and it was a safe subject to banter about. Willie’s reaction concerned Mona since she wanted her friend to like Beryl Farris. She just hoped her guest-of-honor would not take offense at the suggestion that she tone down her lecture.
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A big thank you to Abigail Keam for sharing this spotlight feature today. Be sure to add Murder Under A Bitter Moon to your TBR if you enjoy historical cozy mysteries with a classic 1930s setting and a long-running series to explore.
Feel free to browse more guest features and virtual book tours here on Salty Inspirations.
As always, thanks for stopping by for some Salty Inspirations! —Michelle❤️
