P Is For Poison, Problem, Protagonist and ...

P is for poison. Always a good murder weapon. The problem it creates for the protagonist, especially, if he or she is not a forensic expert, is daunting or could be.

In Cauldron our protagonist worries about vampires and mind control and…fact of ruse?  Could there really be vampires? What happened to her friend so off the wall terrorized one minute and zombie like calm a day later. An institution that hides her away or was she murdered? 

Before the end of the book the Cauldron of poison, problems and protagonist is stirred, boiled, and solved as any good mystery/suspense would be. The journey is yours for the taking--if you dare. {insert sinister laugh here "broohahaha!"}

Would you care to begin your exploration today? Read the first chapter here –be sure your doors and windows are locked and shades drawn first, just in case….

Cauldron’s name seemed apt. True to the boiling turmoil that increased daily in the small town. “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men --The Shadow Knows,” Tiffany knew. But who was that illusive shadow man? With the creaking of that door from the old radio program, shudders ran the length of her spine as if on icy fingers. What had Cauldron become, that thought made that same trek op her spine now.

Excerpt From Chapter One

Tiffany drove over to the library where they had an extensive historical archive in the basement of the new building. It fascinated Tiffany from the minute she had arrived in town. Surely, she would find information about the Chase family there.

The stodgy librarian looked over her half glasses and showed a who-do-you-think-you-are attitude. “I have a project to restore the Chase Mansion. I’m an interior designer. I figured it would be easier if I could find some history of the family, perhaps some photos of what the house looked like before the Moores took it over.”

Mrs. Sartorus stood up; her scowl deepened. She pointed to her watch, “We close in two hours. None of the archive files can be removed from the premises.” Her starched, abrupt manner didn’t disappear.

“That isn’t a problem.” Tiffany felt like a student being reprimanded for breathing or anything else deemed inappropriate by this particular adult.

The woman acted like she owned the files or the building or both and that any intrusion was more than a bother to her. She unlocked the door and turned on the lights as they went down the creaky stairs. In a newer building you would think the stairs would be silent, especially in a library. Chills ran the length of Tiffany’s body. The librarian turned on the green desk lamp at one of the high podium-type desks. The atmosphere seemed to suggest a Dickens Christmas Carol rather than a newer library basement.

“This is the best place to read.” She nearly ordered Tiffany to use the spot she chose for her. “What files would you like to start with?”

“When did the last Chase family member die?” Tiffany’s voice cracked because of the dank mustiness of the earthy basement smell.

Mrs. Sartorus waddled over to a tall file shelf and removed a stack of newspapers. “These should get you started.” She plopped them on the podium desk and headed toward the stairs. “I’ll be upstairs if you need anything. You have...” She looked at her watch again. “About forty five minutes.”

The Archives closed ahead of the main floor of the library, which only allowed her forty five minutes to try to discover what she wanted to know. The librarian turned on her heel and marched back across the room and up the stairs. Tiffany jumped when the door slammed shut. She didn’t know she would be locked in the room, but it wouldn’t surprise her if the woman had locked the door. A stereotypical librarian from an old, old movie. She began to peruse the papers. A draft circulated the musky smell of the room. Tiffany wished she could take the papers to a more comfortable spot to read them. The room felt like it was closing in on her. She looked down at the paper, and the face of Sadie Chase Moore, pale and frail, stared back at her. Sadie stood over a coffin. The woman in the coffin looked like a carbon copy of Sadie but with wrinkles saddening her face. Something brushed by Tiffany’s face. She turned to see what the intrusion was. No one was there.

Suddenly, she had had enough of the library. Maybe another day she’d research the Chase family tree. She hurriedly put the papers back where the librarian had pulled them and practically flew up the stairs. She could swear she heard laughter as she opened the door at the top of the stairs. The woman at the desk grinned. The grin wasn’t a smile; it was a sneer. It was as if the woman knew what Tiffany would encounter in the basement room with the Chase’s past safely tucked between the walls of its cellar. “I’ll be back another time,” Tiffany offered. The woman didn’t bother with an answer, just the sneer, which stuck in Tiffany’s mind and followed her out the door.

P. S.  You will find Cauldron anywhere you normally buy your books or go to Wings Press where the price is always the best anywhere and all the formats you could possibly want are available right there. Sign up for my newsletter The Mystery Readers Connection to stay up to date on new authors, news and other tidbits you won't find anywhere else.

K is for Killer and ...

K is for Killer and…In most modern mysteries that is true. 

There is a tote bag picture floating around the internet with the phrase, "Don't annoy the author. She will put you in a book and kill you…" What an absolute good idea. 

To dispense with what annoys you whether it's a sibling, boss or company. The solution has potential for monetary value without criminal charges.

Got an editor who drives you to drink or thoughts of putting up your pen for good? Perhaps it' s time to write a new novel. An insurance company or agent pushes you to seek recourse? Reach for the pen instead of the sword. Skull Music takes insurance companies to task, as Arnold Beeblebox, former agent of an insurance company rebels against their harsh treatment but did he carry it too far? 

Do you see big business stomping the little guy? Read Ghost Music of Vaudeville or My Brother's Keeper for non-violent solutions, well the book may off a few people…but figuratively speaking you are off the hook, no malice or mayhem on your record.

K is for killer and Knapsack Secrets has its share, a modern mystery that shares the stage with homelessness, corporate greed and jealous rivalries in competition.

A good read is better than a small cell any day. So do the write instead of the murder.

P.S. Go to Amazon Kindle to get your hands on three deeply discounted

Kindle editions of Adrift ( a treasure trove of flash fiction) One Woman's 

Garden (organic gardening tips and tricks) or Mystery A-Z all three are only 

99 cents for a limited time. 

J is for Justice, Juxtaposed, Jeopardy and...

J is for Justice, Juxtaposed, Jeopardy and Josh Avery in Watch For The Raven a Young Adult Historical Adventure that adults enjoy as much as the young adult crowd. 

Josh is angry. The injustice of his father insisting he go out in the cold to find acorn nuts to repair his father's false teeth. Never mind Josh would probably be out playing anyway or gathering wood for the fireplace or some other activity he chose to do outdoors. There were no video games, television or computers in the 1800s to entertain children. His anger jeopardized his life.

Juxtapose prejudice rumor, gossip and truth and Josh's most feared thoughts become reality when he finds himself lashed to a travois (a homemade stretcher of sorts) being dragged behind a painted pony ridden by the tallest Indian his nightmares had never ever concocted.

Justice looms large. Josh regrets his angry launch into the wilderness. His father would be frantic with worry. Josh just might wind up dead. Terror juxtaposed with regret and he had nowhere to turn for help. Josh slipped back into a restless and painful sleep. His broken leg infected now and it was in as much trouble as he was. 

Follow Josh's adventure in 1800 Colorado where Native Americans were still Indians and a perceived dangerous threat. See for yourself what J is for justice, juxtaposed with jeopardy can mean.

H is for Homeless, Helpless, Hero or...

H is for Homeless, Helpless and Hero or…Knapsack Secrets. Why? 

Homeless, yes; Helpless, yes; Hero it takes a while for her to discover that. Because Audrey is all of the above or so she thinks. 

Sometimes all that is needed is something to test our metal to determine if any or all of our thoughts are true. While Audrey is homeless, sort of, she finds a new home that is full of more love and life than the old one ever was. She may be jobless, but she is not without a purpose.

While Audrey is feeling quite helpless, when someone else needs help, she finds her own strengths and courage to help them and thus erase her own feelings helplessness.

Audrey is a hero to Valentine Azusa, and to her young friend Zip (you can meet him again in his own story Cold Water) she actually is her own hero when she makes up her mind to uncover what happened to her career, her husband, and her life but she also helps Valentine survive, and Zip come to grips with his quandary with gangs, homelessness and abandonment.  

Yes, Audrey went from homeless, helpless and destitute to friend, survivor and never homeless or helpless, at least for now. And now is where we live and all that really matters.

P.S. Sign up for The Mystery Reader Connection Newsletter to stay abreast of contests, news, events and more from a varied group of columnists every month.

W Is For Way-out, Whodunit? And ...

W Is For Way-out, Whodunit? And Writing Wide, or Watch For The Raven

 

A way-out is crucial for your sleuth, and at times it will seem the antagonist whodunit, will be the only lucky one—the antagonist is always the one with a way-out, always-- until the end that is.

When you are writing a mystery, your sleuth must always have a way out. Even when he doesn't know whodunit, and the future looks its bleakest—that is when your protagonist will shine and her true strengths will come through.

As a writer of any genre when the dreaded writers block threatens you – you could crack open a copy of Writing Wide, or Writing Wider to find writing prompts, writing tips, writing exercises and a way out. You are the protagonist of all you write. The forward thinking answer to the way out. Whodunit? Yoududnit, when you hear a reader rave (not to be confused with Watch For The Raven) about your latest creation.

Pick up that pen writer soldier. March to the front line, and write like the wind in whatever strength and direction it blows you.

Sure paint yourself (your protagonist) into a corner but always have a target so you know instinctively where to find the way out. Good Luck!

P.S. Sign up for The Mystery Readers Connection today and get your copy of the story "Black Roses." Recommend a friend sign up and when they do you will receive a copy of the flash fiction mystery "The Hanging Tree."    The next issue is due out April 26, 2012 - that's today = )

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