From Publishers Weekly
This disjointed debut dabbles in the paranormal, probing the social life--and underground tunnels--linking the shops and houses in a Pennsylvania hamlet. After losing her newspaper job, spunky Tori Miracle, a New York City writer, accepts an invitation to visit her former college roommate in Lickin Creek, Pa. She learns that Alice-Ann is planning to divorce Richard, her philandering husband whose ancestors founded the town and who is this year's recipient of the annual Rose Rent, a tribute paid by the three religious congregations to the founder's current heirs. But before the celebration, and after a seance meant to determine the whereabouts of a legendary blue diamond, Richard's murdered body is discovered, a rose decorating his chest. Then a prominent judge's body is also found, a second rose in his hand. Meanwhile, Tori makes friends with the heirs of another of Lickin Creek's first families and the local police chief. When Alice-Ann becomes prime suspect in the murder investigation, Tori must find the real murderer to save her friend. What she discovers in her search is a machine for talking to spirits invented by Thomas Edison and a jumbled mass of motives for the killings. The elements never quite mesh in this high-spirited effort. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Book Description
When New York author Tori Miracle visits a small town in Pennsylvania’s Amish country, she uncovers a dark web of secrets surrounding the town’s history. As corpses turn up, each with a single red rose nearby, Tori realizes she is the killer’s prime target. In the maze of caves beneath Lickin Creek, she discovers an invention of Thomas Edison’s reflecting his interest in communicating with the dead, and comes face-to-face with a killer determined to keep age-old secrets buried—forever.

"...think of the English village mystery, with its strange people and hidden memories and transplant it to Pennsylvania Dutch country, and you have the Tori Miracle series."
—Barbara Franchi, reviewingtheevidence.com

"Malmont’s characters are a joy and light mystery lovers will get a kick out of Tori’s adventures (and misadventures)."
—Faye Dasen, The Pilot—Southern Pines, N.C.

"Death Pays the Rose Rent is Valerie S. Malmont’s debut novel. Her sense of humor is crisp and Tori Miracle is good fun."
—Corabel Alexander, Courier-Journal, Louisville, KY

"...her creation of the confining hothouse atmosphere of the small town where everyone knows everyone’s business is intriguing; and Tori makes a resourceful heroine."
—Anna Wentworth, Roanoke Times & World-News

From the Publisher
In this small Amish town, a rose is not just a rose. It's a killer's calling card. . . . "Pure pleasure for mystery lovers."
--Alison Glen, author of Showcase"Malmont has introduced a likable heroine whose adventures are worth reading."
"Death Pays the Rose Rent is Valerie S. Malmont's debut novel. Her sense of humor is crisp and Tori Miracle is good fun."
--Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky)"Those who enjoy a perky mystery will delight in Death Pays the Rose Rent and eagerly await the next Tori Miracle tale."
--Gothic Journal

FROM THE PUBLISHER

When New York author Tori Miracle visits a small town in Pennsylvania’s Amish country, she uncovers a dark web of secrets surrounding the town’s history. As corpses turn up, each with a single red rose nearby, Tori realizes she is the killer’s prime target. In the maze of caves beneath Lickin Creek, she discovers an invention of Thomas Edison’s reflecting his interest in communicating with the dead, and comes face-to-face with a killer determined to keep age-old secrets buried—forever.

"...think of the English village mystery, with its strange people and hidden memories and transplant it to Pennsylvania Dutch country, and you have the Tori Miracle series."
—Barbara Franchi, reviewingtheevidence.com

"Malmont’s characters are a joy and light mystery lovers will get a kick out of Tori’s adventures (and misadventures)."
—Faye Dasen, The Pilot—Southern Pines, N.C.

"Death Pays the Rose Rent is Valerie S. Malmont’s debut novel. Her sense of humor is crisp and Tori Miracle is good fun."
—Corabel Alexander, Courier-Journal, Louisville, KY

"...her creation of the confining hothouse atmosphere of the small town where everyone knows everyone’s business is intriguing; and Tori makes a resourceful heroine."
—Anna Wentworth, Roanoke Times & World-News

SYNOPSIS

Mystery Writers of America Presents