Leslie Meier’s Easter Bonnet Murder reunites readers with beloved case-cracker Lucy Stone. This Easter, a deadly mystery has landed in Tinker’s Cove, and it is up to Lucy to save the day. Help Lucy solve the case with this new Cozy Corner selection sure to be a page-turner with your favorite springtime tea and bright, tart lemon bars.
In Tinker’s Cove, not everything is as perfect as it seems. When the town’s headstrong retired journalist, Agnes Neal, disappears from the pristine Heritage House senior center, no one seems to bat an eye. However, part-time reporter Lucy Stone suspects foul play. Lucy can’t fathom how Agnes Neal could go missing from assisted living over a silly Easter bonnet contest, or why few seem concerned. Agnes may not have been known for making friends, but was it enough to warrant kidnapping? Or worse? But as police investigators stall the case, Lucy realizes she may be the only friend Agnes has left in Tinker’s Cove. Will Lucy solve the strange disappearance of the feisty Agnes Neal, or is Agnes set to become just another unsolved springtime tragedy? Not if Lucy Stone has anything to say about it!
While Lucy has only piddly clues to build her case on – such as a half-eaten chocolate Easter bunny – you have lemon bars on your side! These delectable sweet and sour bars will not only pair perfectly with tea, but with the budding springtime around you.
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour, divided
- ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 cup butter
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice*
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- Garnish: additional confectioners’ sugar
- To make crust, combine 2 cups flour, confectioners’ sugar, and butter thoroughly—I do this in my food processor. Pat into a greased 13x9-inch baking pan.
- Bake at 350° until golden, 15 to 25 minutes. Place on a wire rack while preparing filling.
- To make filling, beat together eggs, granulated sugar, and lemon juice at medium speed with a mixer until well blended.
- In a small bowl, whisk together remaining ¼ cup flour and baking powder. Add to egg mixture, beating well until combined. Pour filling mixture over baked crust.
- Bake until filling is set, 25 to 30 minutes.
- Let cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Sprinkle generously with confectioners’ sugar, and cut into bars. (Neat trick I learned: When cutting sticky bars, use a plastic knife. Works great!)
Leslie Meier is the acclaimed author of more than 25 Lucy Stone Mysteries. She has also written for Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, and like her series protagonist, Lucy Stone, she worked as a New England newspaper reporter while raising her three children. She is currently at work on the next Lucy Stone mystery and can be found online at LeslieMeierBooks.com.
