#they lost their author-wife in the murder investigation

[mourningcandles]

Oh, are we using ElenaA's Windswept OC Maker today? I already made an Idris with it, but I suppose I could always unscrunkle them...

...did you know they were a copy-editor on the Surface?

[bluestar22x]

Betrayal

Summary: He'd had his suspicions - he just didn't want to be right.

Pairing: Tim Rockford x F!Reader

Rating: 18+ (playing it safe)

Word Count: 1,500(ish)

Warnings: Angst, betrayal, crime, fowl language, no happy ending

Author's Note: This is for @tightjeansjavi 's June Writing Challenge. The prompt was "lovers to enemies".

xxx

He'd had his suspicions. They'd started to grow only a few months after your wedding, but they fully bloomed the following summer.

It was all little things, but they added up after a while. Late night texts and overtime at work. Your "lost" items of clothing and all your little questions about his cases.

At first he could easily explain them away. You worked the night shift as a nurse at the nearest hospital - of course emergencies would delay your return home; of course work would text you occasionally on nights you were off to see if you could come in early for your next shift.

You were very busy, tired, and forgetful most days. Always leaving your lunch box behind at work when you brought it with you, often having to turn back to retrieve your cell phone from your locker right after stepping out the hospital's front doors.

The giveaway had been your interest in his cases, your insistence about him sharing his work stories with you.

At first Tim had followed protocol, refusing to tell you about any open cases, but after you'd married that had slowly changed. You'd sworn not to tell another soul about what he discussed with you and he'd foolishly given in because you were his wife. Partners weren't supposed to keep things from each other, right?

It had all been fine, until he started talking to you about a string of burglaries he'd been investigating on and off since well before you'd even started dating. The criminal behind them had been stealing valuables and cash from local crime scenes, mostly houses, for several years. Everyone in his department was stumped on who could be behind the acts for a long time, but that summer after you got married the criminal had finally been sighted red handed.

An eyewitness on their nightly walk had cleverly hid behind a tree when they saw a feminine shaped person in all black gear and a duffel bag slung over their shoulder sneaking out of a middle class family's home that was currently vacant thanks to the husband having murdered his wife during a domestic dispute earlier in the week. Whoever had burglarized the place had stolen everything that their three adult children were going to use for their mother's funeral expenses. They'd had to make a GoFundMe instead, which Tim had, of course, donated to.

What bothered Tim most was the fact that no one outside the department and victim's family had known about the house still being vacant, except for you.

And you had been home late the following morning.

As soon as you'd kissed him goodbye and shot out the front door the next night, he got to work.

He searched your shared house up and down carefully, making sure to be thorough and to put everything he moved around back exactly the way it had been placed before.

If you were the burglar, you had to be hiding something in the house, whether it be the missing money or your gear. But where would you put it? He knew you pretty well, or at least had thought so, but he didn't know where you'd hide your darkest secrets, He didn't even know for sure if they existed.

That was the denial talking. It took over an hour, but Tim Rockford, the formally great detective, found five million dollars in cash hidden away under a loose floorboard in the back of your closet.

He was furious, at you for betraying his trust, at himself for not seeing the signs sooner, but that wasn't what stopped his heart.

No, rather it was the small bottle of brittle steel gray metal that had been housed beside the bills.

He recognized it, a consequence of his decades long experience as a crime-solving detective.

Arsenic.

His stomach flipped and all he could think was why would you have arsenic hidden away? There was only one conclusion he could make. That you were intending to poison him, or had already done so.

He couldn't recall feeling sick recently, but that only ruled out long term exposure, or a dose high enough to cause symptoms in him. It was hardly comforting.

Tim couldn't sleep the rest of the night, spending it tossing and turning in bed instead. Even with you at work, just knowing that you were a criminal, his enemy, and suspecting you intended to kill him eventually was far more than enough to give him insomnia. He figured it might be for the best. He'd probably have nightmares if he slept.

It gave him time to come up with a plan. He wasn't going to confront you when you got home, as much as he wanted to. He was going to set you up. Use your trust in him against you as you had with his own.

He fed you a story after breakfast, as he sipped his coffee, having rushed to make sure you didn't have time to make him any food, not wanting to give you the opportunity to slip any arsenic into it.

He told you about one of his latest cases. How an elderly man had been found brutally murdered in his living room on west street and his killer had left plenty of evidence, including a boot print. It was a real case, one he was certain he and his team would solve within the week, but there was one hitch. He was going to stake out the place, claiming he had a lead on the burglar case but keeping what kind of lead close to his chest no matter if his boss prodded or not.

A part of him was still doubting. Sweet, life-saving you a criminal? How could it be?

That small piece of him that still was in disbelief had a rude awakening when he cornered the burglar in the old man's bedroom that night, just after two am.

He aimed his glock at the back of their head and yelled "freeze!", commanding them not to continue stuffing their bag with jewelry the old man still had from back when he still had a wife who wore them.

They raised their arms up in the air and a familiar voice begged him not to shoot.

He ripped off the black mask covering your head and you closed your eyes to him momentarily before forcing yourself to meet his. Tears were welling in your eyes.

"I'm so sorry, Tim," you claimed, lower lip trembling. "It wasn't supposed to be this way. I needed money for a loan shark connected to the mafia I stupidly got involved with when my mother almost lost her house and needed all that medical treatment five years ago. I told you how sick she'd been. The shark suggested stealing and he was the one who said a smart criminal keeps their enemies close. That way If you were getting close to figuring me out I could quit or at least adjust. Move away maybe. They convinced me to date you. Marry you. We didn't plan on me falling for you, but I did. I swear I did. You believe me, don't you?"

He growled at you. "No, no I don't! Not after finding the bottle of arsenic you have secreted away at the house. When did you decide you were going to femme fatale me? Was that the plan all along?"

You gaped at him. "That was the shark's idea! Not mine!" you swore. "He gave it to me as a wedding present, sick bastard he is. Said if I thought you were getting too close I would need to use it. But I didn't. I never would have, Tim. I'm not a murderer! I'm just someone trying to desperately pay back a debt."

"You are right about one thing," he said, slipping his hand into his tan trenchcoat's pocket to pull out the metal handcuffs inside. "You were stupid for getting involved with a shark. Especially one with mafia ties. But you know what was dumber? You not telling me the truth. You keeping the bottle of arsenic. I could've done something to help get your sentence reduced - but now I don't fuckin' want to. I don't trust you enough to risk it."

"Please, Tim, let me go! I swear I won't come back if you do."

"Get down on the fuckin' ground, NOW!" he roared, the tension in him snapping. He couldn't let his love for you sway him. He couldn't let you go, no matter how sad you looked, no matter how much it hurt to see the grief in your eyes. The kind you'd got from knowing that you'd destroyed everything good in your life.

He had a job to do, and he couldn't be with a woman who had betrayed him in the worst kind of way.

Why couldn't you have been cheating on him instead? That would have been easier on his heart.

You dropped to the ground on your belly, obeying him, and he locked your wrists tightly in the handcuffs behind your back and called your arrest in.

You'd utterly destroyed your relationship with him. You'd shattered his trust, his heart, and probably had thoroughly wrecked his professional reputation for the rest of his career too, but he still had his integrity.

So he turned you in.

xxx

Tagged: @harriedandharassed

xxx

Main Masterlist

xxx

[myhauntedsalem]

Franklin Castle

Ohio

Also known as the most haunted house in Ohio, Franklin Castle was built in 1881 by Hannes Tiedemann, who was a German banker. Around ten years after the castle was built, Hannes’ daughter, Emma, allegedly succumbed to her diabetes and passed. Not too long afterward, his elderly mother followed suit. During the following three years, the Tiedemann’s lost three more children, which raised suspicions that there was more to the deaths than it seemed. To distract his wife from the awful tragedies, Hannes continued to add onto the house, giving more of a vast castle feel. It is rumored that the house was also given hidden room and passage ways to aide in prohibition, or possibly more sinister means. Eventually, Hannes’ wife passed in 1895 and he sold the house. While there is no substantial evidence, many people believe that there were multiple atrocities committed in the house by Hannes, including the murder of his niece, a servant girl, and even his own daughter.

The house laid empty from then up until 1968 when James Romano, his wife, and their six childen moved into the castle. Not long after, they reported seeing multiple ghosts. Other accounts included hearing an organ playing in the house, their children playing with “phantom friends”, and even Mrs. Romano reported feeling the presence of Mrs. Tiedemann herself. They had reportedly attempted several exorcisms and had even tried bringing in a ghost hunting crew. It is reported that one of the investigators was so frightened by what they experienced, they ran from the house screaming. By 1974, the Romano family was fed up, and moved out.

The house was sold to Sam Muscatello, who hosted tours of the house for curious thrill-seekers. During a live segment on a Cleveland radio station, the host had his recording device pulled from his shoulder and thrown. Another person claimed to have witnessed seeing a ceiling light spinning on its own. Sam soon began to search the castle for the secret passages, but what he found was far more sinister. Found tucked away behind a panel in the tower was a set of human bones. While many wild stories floated around about who the bones belonged to and how they got there, the authorities confirmed that they were VERY old and definitely human. After this, Sam sold the house and it bounced around for years from owner to owner. No one would live in the house long.

Recently, the house was bought and is currently being renovated to be a 3 family home. One can only hope these renovations don’t stir up some vengeful spirits.

[dailyunsolvedmysteries-movedd]

The Puzzling Disappearance Of c

On July 24, 1997, around 9:30 AM, Steve left their home to go rock climbing with a friend. At that time, he was under the impression that Amy would be leaving later in the day to teach a fitness class after she completed a list of other tasks, such as buying home insurance and contacting the phone company. Once Steve returned home that evening, he realized that his wife had not. At first, it didn’t concern him, but as time passed, he began to worry.

Around 1:00 AM on July 25, 1997, two of their neighbors who had been searching potential jogging routes located her vehicle by the side of a road. While it was close to the entrance of a hiking trail, there was no sign of Amy.

Once investigators began looking around, they found various personal items left behind, such as her sunglasses, car keys, and a to-do list. The only thing that was missing was her wallet. Now, police officers were wondering if foul play was involved in her disappearance.

After the discovery of Amy’s vehicle, search efforts increased. Over time, more than 500 people would comb through a 20-mile radius. However, only one clue emerged: a footprint that seemingly resembled the types of sneakers that Amy typically wore. However, the print was lost before law enforcement officials could make an identification. And after eight days, the search ended.

As the investigation continued, Greg Wagner, a local store owner, stated that Amy had been there around 2:30 PM on the day she vanished. According to his eyewitness account, she had looked at her watch several times during her brief time inside the store and appeared to be in a hurry. After exiting, reports signified that she had then travelled to Shoshone National Forest in the Wind River Mountains to scope out the environment of an upcoming 10K run. Despite the timeline taking shape, no one could confirm that they had actually seen Amy on the route that day.

As the days turned into weeks, police began looking at those around Amy, including her husband. After searching the couple’s home, they discovered a range of suspicious journals, poems, and song lyrics that revolved around death, power, and killing. Some of the entries even spoke about “violence against women, and specifically, Amy.” At least one of the poems was about how you could theoretically go about hiding a body. During the initial investigation, officials asked Steve to take a polygraph test, but he refused.

A woman who had been camping in the area had also seen a man with a blonde woman in the passenger seat recklessly driving down a mountain road around the time of Amy’s disappearance. When asked, the witness confirmed that the blue pickup was Steve’s, but phone records indicated that he had been home at that time. Eventually, he stopped cooperating with authorities after being advised to do so by his attorney.

In recent years, some have started to speculate that Dale Wayne Eaton, commonly referred to as the Great Basin Killer, was behind her murder, as he was known to camp in the area where her car was discovered. At this time, her body hasn’t been recovered.

[dailyunsolvedmysteries]

The Puzzling Disappearance Of Amy Wroe Bechtel

On July 24, 1997, around 9:30 AM, Steve left their home to go rock climbing with a friend. At that time, he was under the impression that Amy would be leaving later in the day to teach a fitness class after she completed a list of other tasks, such as buying home insurance and contacting the phone company. Once Steve returned home that evening, he realized that his wife had not. At first, it didn't concern him, but as time passed, he began to worry.

Around 1:00 AM on July 25, 1997, two of their neighbors who had been searching potential jogging routes located her vehicle by the side of a road. While it was close to the entrance of a hiking trail, there was no sign of Amy.

Once investigators began looking around, they found various personal items left behind, such as her sunglasses, car keys, and a to-do list. The only thing that was missing was her wallet. Now, police officers were wondering if foul play was involved in her disappearance.

After the discovery of Amy's vehicle, search efforts increased. Over time, more than 500 people would comb through a 20-mile radius. However, only one clue emerged: a footprint that seemingly resembled the types of sneakers that Amy typically wore. However, the print was lost before law enforcement officials could make an identification. And after eight days, the search ended.

As the investigation continued, Greg Wagner, a local store owner, stated that Amy had been there around 2:30 PM on the day she vanished. According to his eyewitness account, she had looked at her watch several times during her brief time inside the store and appeared to be in a hurry. After exiting, reports signified that she had then travelled to Shoshone National Forest in the Wind River Mountains to scope out the environment of an upcoming 10K run. Despite the timeline taking shape, no one could confirm that they had actually seen Amy on the route that day.

As the days turned into weeks, police began looking at those around Amy, including her husband. After searching the couple's home, they discovered a range of suspicious journals, poems, and song lyrics that revolved around death, power, and killing. Some of the entries even spoke about "violence against women, and specifically, Amy." At least one of the poems was about how you could theoretically go about hiding a body. During the initial investigation, officials asked Steve to take a polygraph test, but he refused.

A woman who had been camping in the area had also seen a man with a blonde woman in the passenger seat recklessly driving down a mountain road around the time of Amy's disappearance. When asked, the witness confirmed that the blue pickup was Steve's, but phone records indicated that he had been home at that time. Eventually, he stopped cooperating with authorities after being advised to do so by his attorney.

In recent years, some have started to speculate that Dale Wayne Eaton, commonly referred to as the Great Basin Killer, was behind her murder, as he was known to camp in the area where her car was discovered. At this time, her body hasn't been recovered.

[marnz]

hello friend!! i was wondering since you both read and write a lot if you had any recs for books that are narrated by death?

also! how is your original novel writing going? you posted a snippet to tumblr once of the opening scene i think and i still think about it because your writing was so descriptive and lush

friend!! please accept my apologies in this delayed answering, your message was so kind that every time I thought about it I got overwhelmed 🥰

Okay books narrated by death! The only one I’ve read is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and it is gorgeous, I was so obsessed with it as a kid however it is about wwii in germany so ymmv.

however! I did some research and Mort by Terry Pratchett comes highly recommended (it is part of discworld). I enjoy Pratchett, he’s very fun. Death is also a big character in the Sandman Comics by N*il G*iman. I do not enjoy G*iman but ymmv!

I also am duty bound to recommend In the Woods by Tana French, a gorgeous, atmospheric murder mystery that is deeply spooky and unsettling. Death is not the narrator…but I do believe it is a character (many many interpretations!)

I feel quite bad sending you away with like 3 recs so here’s what I’ve been reading

- Exordia by Seth Dickinson - I’m not done with this yet but so far it’s like, what if every sci fi first contact military propaganda action movie…got lost and ended up being about the moral quandary of the trolley problem, Kurdistan, pink noise, and prime numbers? what if an author who hates imperialism and loves math decided to write a book length call out of Barack Obama’s drone warfare program with body horror? what if you were a cringe fail elder millennial in nyc that rescued a sexy alien with 8 snake heads instead of only one and every time you physically touched it was a sex scene? And this made the savior of the world? this book is for: homestuck fans, people who were in tragic situationships with their wife and their bestie, pilots, people who like their sci fi hard

- Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin - okay if you haven’t read this stop everything and read it immediately. This book is for: tragedy lovers!!!! Gay people!!!!! Francophiles. Marxists. People who were into the social network rpf in 2013 and read that one fanfic where Andrew Garfield and Jesse Eisenberg get cast in a Giovanni’s Room adaption and finally fuck. Anyway. Earlier this year (or possibly last year?) I read a memoir about toxic masculinity and how it demands emotional alienation of the self and I was like “okay. I mean. Obviously?” And buddy. Baldwin says more about this topic in chapter one than that author did in his whole book. And it’s sooooooooooo beautiful god like every paragraph has a life ending sentence.

- the Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai - the year is 1985 and the location is Boystown, the Chicago gayborhood. Our hero? Yale, art lover, is trying to pull off an insane deal at work and survive the devastation of the AIDs epidemic. But actually the year is 2015 and our heroine is Fiona, Yale’s best friend, who travels to Paris to track down her estranged daughter and then her emotional repression stops working! I know this book sounds devastating and it REALLY is, like at one point I was sobbing so hard my husband got really worried and I was like, no, it’s all good, thumbs up! But ALSO this book is very funny and very joyful. This book is for: people who love to laugh. People who love to cry. Art lovers. People who love emotionally messy families.

- I Have Some Questions For You by Rebecca Makkai - a film studies professor & podcaster returns to her elite high school boarding school 20 years after graduating and find herself getting sucked into investigating the murder of her junior year roommate, who was murdered senior year and is now the internet’s favorite cold case. Please note this book is a response to #MeToo. This book is for: people who love True Crime but are also critical of it. People who love twitter drama. People who were losers in high school. People who devotedly at watch YouTube essays. Hot divorcées. Angry women.

I have also read a lot of excellent non fiction, the Murderbot diaries (just read themmmmm! Worth it), the entire Kate Daniels series (again.), the new SJM book, and some mid to bad books.

[novelsmini]

Stephen King, a prolific American author known for his contributions to the horror, supernatural, and suspense genres, has written numerous novels throughout his career. Here is a list of some of his most famous and notable novels:

1. **Carrie (1974)** - King's debut novel, it tells the story of a high school girl with telekinetic powers.

2. **'Salem's Lot (1975)** - A vampire horror novel set in a small town in Maine.

3. **The Shining (1977)** - A psychological horror novel about a family's experiences in an isolated and haunted hotel.

4. **The Stand (1978)** - An epic post-apocalyptic novel where a superflu has decimated the world's population, and survivors must choose between good and evil.

5. **The Dead Zone (1979)** - The story of a man who wakes from a coma with psychic abilities.

6. **Firestarter (1980)** - A novel about a young girl with pyrokinetic abilities on the run from a government agency.

7. **Cujo (1981)** - A psychological horror novel about a rabid dog terrorizing a small town.

8. **The Dark Tower: The Gunslinger (1982)** - The first book in King's Dark Tower series, a blend of Western, fantasy, and horror.

9. **Pet Sematary (1983)** - A horror novel about a cemetery that can bring the dead back to life.

10. **It (1986)** - A horror novel that explores the lives of a group of friends terrorized by a shape-shifting, child-eating monster.

11. **Misery (1987)** - A psychological thriller about an author who is held captive by his deranged fan.

12. **The Tommyknockers (1987)** - A sci-fi horror novel about a small town's inhabitants being affected by a buried alien spacecraft.

13. **The Dark Half (1989)** - A novel about a writer whose pseudonym comes to life as a murderous doppelganger.

14. **Needful Things (1991)** - A horror novel about a shop owner who brings chaos to a small town with his mysterious merchandise.

15. **Dolores Claiborne (1992)** - A psychological thriller told from the perspective of a woman accused of murder.

16. **Gerald's Game (1992)** - A psychological horror novel about a woman who becomes trapped while handcuffed to a bed.

17. **Insomnia (1994)** - A fantasy horror novel that explores the themes of aging, dreams, and the supernatural.

18. **Rose Madder (1995)** - A psychological thriller that follows a woman's escape from her abusive husband and her encounter with a mysterious painting.

19. **The Green Mile (1996)** - Originally published in serial form, this novel tells the story of a death row prison guard and a miraculous inmate.

20. **Bag of Bones (1998)** - A novel about a writer who experiences supernatural events while grieving his wife's death.

21. **The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (1999)** - A psychological horror novel about a young girl who becomes lost in the woods.

22. **Dreamcatcher (2001)** - A science fiction horror novel about an alien invasion and a group of friends with psychic abilities.

23. **Cell (2006)** - A post-apocalyptic horror novel where a mysterious signal turns people into homicidal maniacs.

24. **11/22/63 (2011)** - A science fiction novel where a high school teacher tries to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

25. **Doctor Sleep (2013)** - A sequel to "The Shining," following the adult life of Danny Torrance.

26. **The Outsider (2018)** - A crime horror novel involving a detective's investigation into a seemingly impossible murder case.

27. **If It Bleeds (2020)** - A collection of four novellas, including a sequel to "The Outsider."

These are just a selection of Stephen King's novels, and he has written many more novels and short stories, making him one of the most prolific and influential authors in the horror and suspense genres. 

[beardedmrbean]

A grieving family is pleading with parents to monitor their children's online activity after a former Virginia police officer "catfished" a 15-year-old girl online and then traveled to her Riverside, California, home, where he allegedly killed her mother and grandparents.

"Nobody could imagine this crime happening ... especially it just being one day after Thanksgiving," Mychelle Blandin, the sister and daughter of the three victims, said at a news conference Wednesday.

She recalled the family debate they had on Thanksgiving about her mom's brownies.

MORE: Former police officer accused of killing 15-year-old's family was pretending to be teen online

"Little did I know ... that would be the last time my husband and I would see my parents and my sister again," she said. "The next day, when we were out buying Christmas lights for our home, I received a phone call from my parents neighbor of 22 years. They were best friends. They looked out for each other. She called to tell us that we needed to get there as soon as we could because my parents' house was on fire."

She pleaded, "Parents: Please, please know your child's online activity. Ask questions about what they are doing and whom they are talking to. Anybody can say they're someone else. And you could be in this situation."

"Catfishing led to the deaths of the three most important people in my life: my dad, my mom and my sister," she said through tears. "Tell our story to help your parenting. Not out of fear, but out of example of something that did happen."

Riverside police said the suspect, 28-year-old Austin Lee Edwards, met the 15-year-old Riverside girl online through "catfishing," where someone pretends to be a different person than they actually are. Police believe Edwards was pretending to be a 17-year-old.

Police said they believe Edwards drove from Virginia to California, parked in a neighbor's driveway on Friday, went to the teen's home and killed her mother and grandparents. Edwards then allegedly took the teen and drove away, according to police.

The girl has since been rescued and is not hurt, police said.

The murders were discovered on Friday after authorities received a report of a girl "who appeared distressed" while getting into a car with a man, police said. As officers responded to that report, they received calls of a fire at a nearby house.

Three relatives were found dead in the house from apparent homicides: 69-year-old Mark Winek; his wife, 65-year-old Sharie Winek; and their daughter, 38-year-old Brooke Winek.

Blandin said Sharie Winek was the "matriarch" of the family "with the biggest giving heart imaginable."

Mark Winek, a high school softball and baseball coach, "was a man with a big and caring heart who unselfishly gave to his student athletes," Blandin said.

Brooke Winek was a "loving single mom who did her best to raise her two teenage daughters in a loving way," she said.

Several hours after the three bodies were found, authorities said they spotted Edwards driving with the teenager.

Edwards allegedly led deputies on a chase and fired shots, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office said. Edwards then lost control of his car and drove off the road, pointing a gun at a sheriff's helicopter, according to the sheriff's office. Deputies then fired at Edwards and he was declared dead at the scene, the sheriff's office said.

Edwards was hired by the Virginia State Police in July 2021 and quit on Oct. 28, 2022, the agency said. He was hired by Virginia's Washington County Sheriff's Office on Nov. 16, 2022, and had started orientation, the department said.

The investigation is ongoing and includes learning "some of the intentions [Edwards] may have had," Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez said. It's not clear what app or site Edwards and the teen used to communicate or for how long they were communicating, the chief said.

Blandin said the neighbor who noticed the unfamiliar car and called police is a "hero."

As for Brooke Winek's two daughters, "We hope that this community ... can lift them up. They have the most difficult journey ahead," Blandin said.

[dollycas]

Cozy Wednesday featuring Murder with Chocolate Tea (A Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery) by Karen Rose Smith #Review / #Giveaway @karenrosemith @KensingtonBooks

Welcome to Cozy Wednesday! I am delighted to feature and share my thoughts about Murder With Chocolate Tea by Karen Rose Smith!

Murder with Chocolate Tea (A Daisy's Tea Garden Mystery) Cozy Mystery 10th in Series Setting - Pennsylvania Kensington Cozies (November 28, 2023) Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496738489 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496738486 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BZBM7B1T

Daisy Swanson, bride-to-be and owner of Daisy’s Tea Garden in Pennsylvania’s Amish country, may have one or two more murders to solve before she says “ I do . . .” Daisy has a lot to celebrate this summer. She’s supervising a special tea event to help commemorate the 100-year-anniversary of her town’s historic covered bridge. But the main event is her upcoming wedding to her beloved fiancé Jonas. Somehow Willow Creek’s busiest brewer of specialty teas and amateur sleuth still finds time to be a guest on local journalist Trevor Lundquist’s crime podcast to discuss the last murder she solved. After the podcast, Trevor receives an anonymous tip from a caller who claims a travel chest that’s about to be auctioned holds a clue to a twenty-year-old unsolved murder. Is it a hoax or a genuine lead? When a body turns up in Willow Creek, Trevor suspects a connection between this current homicide and the cold case. Has the murderer killed again to cover their tracks? Now Daisy has another mystery steeping and Trevor may just have his next podcast . . . Dollycas's Thoughts Life sure is busy from Daisy Swanson. She works at her tea garden every day where she holds many special events too. She is finalizing all the plans for her upcoming wedding. Her daughter Jazzi is preparing to leave for college and her son-in-law Foster seems to be burning the candle at both ends to provide for what he thinks his family needs. With all that on her plate, she takes time to be a guest on Trevor Lundquist’s crime podcast to talk about the last murder she solved. After the program, an anonymous tip comes in telling Trevor a chest is soon to be auctioned off and that it contains a clue that could solve a cold murder case. Then the police have a new homicide to deal with, but podcaster Trevor thinks it is connected to the 20-year-old murder and he is going to prove it.  When the police ask Daisy for help with the deceased wife, she can't say no. Soon after Daisy is investigating too and running interference between Trevor and Detective Morris Rappaport. Can she solve another murder and make it to her wedding on time? The author continues to breathe life into her true-to-life genuine characters. Daisy has such a big heart, she will always help everyone in any way she can, even with her own wedding quickly approaching. Her journey to find the perfect dress, making sure fiancé Jonas is part of every decision and his building the perfect place to have the ceremony just warmed my heart. Witnessing their relationship grow throughout several books and evolve so naturally is a true credit to the author. She has shown us how relationships have their ebbs and flows too. Vi and Foster's life had a bumpy start but with help from family and friends, they too have moved forward realistically. They have some rough times in this story but again family is right there for them. Jazzi has had an interesting life too. Daisy's support of her finding her birth mother, Portia, and including the woman in family events like her wedding is more evidence of Daisy's huge heart. Ms. Smith has created a remarkable cast of supporting characters as well. I have enjoyed all the time I have spent peeking into these character's lives. The mystery was complicated and took some research and true investigation before the clues started to come together in a way that made sense but evidence to pin down the killer may have been lost forever. It may end up being another cold case.  But Trevor wasn't letting the case go and Daisy may not make it to her wedding. This book is so well-plotted and written. Each twist and turn pulled me deeper into the story and kept me guessing. An interesting visit to Daisy did push me toward a certain character but I still had several questions.  Happily, when all was revealed they were all answered. I am very sad that this appears to be the last book in this series as the author begins a new spinoff series featuring Daisy's daughter Jazzi. I am intrigued to see her in a different way and seeing things from her point of view as the lead character. I do hope her family visits her often though. They are all characters I have become invested in after 10 books. I am holding out hope though that we will return to Willow Creek and Daisy's Tea Garden someday. It is such a great fictional setting. Murder with Chocolate Tea is a wonderful addition to this series. Wonderful characters, a stirring mystery, set in a charming place where Amish and Englishers come together, along with a lot of chocolate tea make this a must-read for cozy mystery lovers. I have enjoyed every book in this series and highly recommend them all.

Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent

About the Author Karen Rose Smith is the author of the Daisy’s Tea Garden Mysteries and the Caprice De Luca home-staging mysteries. Married to her college sweetheart, Karen has convinced her husband that felines can make purr-fect housemates. They share their home in the Susquehanna Valley of Pennsylvania with their three rescued cats. You can find her on Facebook at KarenRoseSmithBooks and on Twitter @karenrosemith.  Find out more about her mysteries at https://www.karenrosesmithmysteries.com.

Coming March 26, 2024

Also written by this Author

Read the full article

[rockislandadultreads]

Nonfiction Thursday: True Crime Picks

Behold the Monster by Jillian Lauren

He was sitting right across the table...and he would have killed her if he could. Jillian Lauren had no idea what she was getting into when she wrote her first letter to prolific serial killer Samuel Little. All she knew was her research had led her to believe he was guilty of many more murders than the three for which he had been convicted. While the two exchanged dozens of letters and embarked on hundreds of hours of interviews, Lauren gained the trust of a monster. After maintaining his innocence for decades, Little confessed to the murders of ninety-three women, often drawing his victims in haunting detail as he spoke. How could one man evade justice, manipulating the system for more than four decades? As the FBI, the DOJ, the LAPD, and countless law enforcement officials across the country worked to connect their cold cases with the confessions, Lauren's coverage of the investigations and obsession with Little's victims only escalated.

Lauren delivers the harrowing report of her unusual relationship with a psychopath - but this is more than a deep dive into the actions of Samuel Little. Lauren's riveting and emotional accounts reveal the women who were lost to cold files, giving Little's victims a chance to have their stories heard for the first time.

Fear is Just a Word by Azam Ahmed

Fear Is Just a Word begins on an international bridge between Mexico and the United States, as fifty-six-year-old Miriam Rodríguez stalks one of the men she believes was involved in the murder of her daughter Karen. He is her target number eleven, a member of the drug cartel that has terrorized and controlled what was once Miriam’s quiet hometown of San Fernando, Mexico, almost one hundred miles from the U.S. border. Having dyed her hair red as a disguise, Miriam watches, waits, and then orchestrates the arrest of this man, exacting her own version of justice.

Woven into this deeply researched, moving account is the story of how cartels built their power in Mexico, escalated the use of violence, and kidnapped and murdered tens of thousands. Karen was just one of the many people who disappeared, and Miriam, a brilliant, strategic, and fearless woman, begged for help from the authorities and paid ransom money she could not afford in hopes of saving her daughter. When that failed, she decided that “fear is just a word,” and began a crusade to track down Karen’s killers and to help other victimized families in their search for justice.

Tangled Vines by John Glatt

Among the lush, tree-lined waterways of South Carolina low country, the Murdaugh name means power. A century-old, multimillion-dollar law practice has catapulted the family into incredible wealth and local celebrity―but it was an unimaginable tragedy that would thrust them into the national spotlight. On June 7th, 2021, prominent attorney Alex Murdaugh discovered the bodies of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, on the grounds of their thousand-acre hunting lodge. The mystery deepened only months later when Alex himself was discovered shot in the head on a local roadside.

But as authorities scrambled for clues and the community reeled from the loss and media attention, dark secrets about this Southern legal dynasty came to light. The Murdaughs, it turned out, were feared as much as they were loved. And they wouldn’t hesitate to wield their influence to protect one of their own; two years before he was killed, a highly intoxicated Paul Murdaugh was at the helm of a boat when it crashed and killed a teenage girl, and his light treatment by police led to speculation that privilege had come into play. As bombshells of financial fraud were revealed and more suspicious deaths were linked to the Murdaughs, a new portrait of Alex Murdaugh emerged - a desperate man on the brink of ruin who would do anything, even plan his own death, to save his family’s reputation.

The Angel Makers by Patti McCracken

The horror occurred in a rustic farming enclave in modern-day Hungary. To look at the unlikely lineup of murderesses - village wives, mothers, and daughters - was to come to the shocking realization that this could have happened anywhere, and to anyone. At the center of it all was a sharp-minded village midwife, a "smiling Buddha" known as Auntie Suzy, who distilled arsenic from flypaper and distributed it to the women of Nagyrév. "Why are you bothering with him?" Auntie Suzy would ask, as she produced an arsenic-filled vial from her apron pocket. In the beginning, a great many used the deadly solution to finally be free of cruel and abusive spouses.

But as the number of dead bodies grew without consequence, the killers grew bolder. With each vial of poison emptied, a new reason surfaced to drain yet another. Some women disposed of sickly relatives. Some used arsenic as "inheritance powder" to secure land and houses. For more than fifteen years, the unlikely murderers aided death unfettered and tended to it as if it were simply another chore - spooning doses of arsenic into soup and wine, stirring it into coffee and brandy. By the time their crimes were discovered, hundreds were feared dead.

Anonymous notes brought the crimes to light in 1929. As a skillful prosecutor hungry for justice ran the investigation, newsmen from around the world - including the New York Times - poured in to cover the dramatic events as they unfolded.

[virginiaprelawland]

The Lori Vallow Murder Trial

By Elizabeth Wolnik, George Mason University Class of 2024

June 2, 2023

Lori Vallow has recently gone through a harrowing trial in which she was charged with murder, conspiracy, and grand theft in the deaths of her children Joshua (JJ) Vallow and Tylee Ryan [1]. JJ was 7 and Tylee was 16 when they disappeared in September 2019, and their disappearance involved a nationwide search. The Rexburg Idaho Police Department formally began a search of Tylee and JJ in November of 2019 after several family members contacted them concerned that they had not seen or spoken to the children since September. Lori continued to tell investigators that JJ was in Arizona with a family friend, but after many welfare checks on the children, they were unable to locate JJ or Tylee. Lori’s property was searched soon after that, but she and her husband Chad Daybell had already left the state. Both Vallow and Daybell were wanted for questioning in the children’s disappearance since they had not cooperated with the investigation. Lori and Chad were eventually found in Hawaii in January of 2020 without the children and Lori was ordered to physically produce the children to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare by the end of the month. Lori failed to honor this request and was arrested and charged with desertion and nonsupport of dependent children [1].

After months of searching, police eventually found the remains of the children on Chad Daybell’s property in rural Idaho [1]. Daybell was arrested on charges of destruction, alteration, and concealment of evidence as well as desertion. Police stated that they believed that Daybell hid the children’s remains on his property between September 2019 and June 2020. Court documents revealed the horrific nature in which the children were buried; JJ had been buried in a pet cemetery and Tylee had been dismembered and burned in a fire pit [1].

Lori Vallow and Chad Daybell were not indicted on murder charges until May 2021 [1]. The indictments state that the couple “did endorse and espouse religious beliefs for the purpose of encouraging and/or justifying the homicides” of JJ and Tylee. Vallow’s family responded to this by affirming that she had been obsessed with death and the afterlife for a long time leading up to this. Vallow’s marriage to Daybell, who was a doomsday evangelist and author, seemed to deepen her beliefs [1]. Before their marriage, the couple would meet up to record religious podcasts together. They would discuss “zombies”, or people whose souls were replaced by dark spirits. Around this time Lori began referring to her previous husband Charles Vallow as a “demon” [3].

In early 2019, Charles Vallow, Lori’s previous husband, called the police to their home in Arizona because he was concerned that Lori had “lost her mind” after she locked him out of the home and had taken his car [1]. Charles told police that his wife “believed she was a god and that someone had taken over her body”. Charles also stated that “She threatened…to murder me…she lost her reality.” Charles Vallow filed for a divorce a few months after that but was shot and killed by Lori’s brother Alex Cox who claimed self-defense in July of 2019 [1]. Shortly after this Lori moved her kids from Arizona to Idaho to be closer to Chad Daybell [2].

After her indictment and numerous hearings, Lori Vallow was found not competent to stand trial on two counts of concealment in the death of her children. A judge ordered her to be committed to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare for 90 days of treatment since Idaho does not allow for the insanity defense, or the Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity plea [1].

Competence within the criminal justice system refers to a defendant’s capacity to participate in their defense and to make decisions during the trial process [4]. Since the conviction of a mentally incompetent defendant is a violation of due process rights, the court must order a competency hearing if “…there is reasonable cause to believe the defendant may presently be suffering from a mental disease or defect rendering him mentally incompetent to the extent that he is unable to understand the nature and consequences of the proceedings against him or to assist properly in his defense”. Competency evaluations must consist of a psychiatric or psychological evaluation, which produces a report that is submitted to the court. Forensic psychologists make an evidence-based statement that declares the defendant incompetent or competent, but the final ruling of competence is made by the court [4].

Forensic psychologists are held to a very high standard when it comes to the accuracy, reliability, and validity of their reports [4]. Some psychologists may choose to administer psychological testing along with a clinical interview when determining a defendant’s competency. It is also important that forensic psychologists review the defendant’s case information and interview family members or treatment providers who may have more insight into the defendant’s situation. After the evaluation, forensic psychologists submit a detailed report to the court that describes the data collected, observations, clinical impressions, and the defendant’s background information. The report also goes into depth about the defendant’s current mental functioning and an outline of their abilities that are relevant to be competent to stand trial. Forensic psychologists also make recommendations for treatment of the defendant if their competency needs to be restored [4].

After a year of treatment, Lori Vallow was found competent to stand trial and the trial date was set for 2023 [1].

After a five-week-long trial, a jury returned guilty verdicts on all six counts of murder, conspiracy, and grand theft for Lori Vallow. Prosecutors produced 60 witnesses and detailed the horrific events of how JJ and Tylee were killed and how their remains were discovered [5]. The state described Lori as a negligent mother who believed she was on a “religious mission” that ended up being more important than her children. Lori’s defense attorneys did not produce any witnesses and Lori herself did not testify in her own defense, believing that the state had not proven their case [7]. Lori’s attorneys argued that she was a loving mother who had fallen for a “weird religious cult leader” and that there was no evidence tying her to the murders. Prosecutors on the other hand stated that Lori had joined Chad to set in motion a chain of disturbing events that led to the deaths of JJ, Tylee, and many more people [5].

Throughout the trial the couple’s bizarre beliefs were reiterated. Chad and Lori deemed people either a “light spirit” or a “dark spirit” and called those who had been taken over by evil spirits “zombies” [5]. They also believed that the only way to free someone’s soul from the darkness was to kill them, and the couple used this justification in the brutal thought process of murdering JJ and Tylee [5].

One of the jurors in this trial, Saul Hernandez, was interviewed by Good Morning America shortly after the guilty verdict was returned [6]. Hernandez said that when the jury began deliberating, he was the only one who thought that the prosecution had not proven their case. After seven hours of deliberation, it became clear to Hernandez that Lori Vallow was guilty. He said that he was “disgusted” by the photos of Lori and Chad smiling at their beach wedding just weeks after JJ and Tylee were killed and that he found it “hard to look at” Vallow as more and more incriminating evidence emerged. Herndanez stated, “Growing up, we’re taught good and bad, God and evil, and I think for the first time in my life I put a face to evil.” [6].

A sentencing trial has not been set for Lori Vallow yet, but she does face life in prison. Judge Steven Boyce, of the Seventh Judicial District, granted a request from Lori’s attorneys to take the death penalty off the table prior to the trial [7].

______________________________________________________________

[1] https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/know-lori-vallow-murder-trial-rcna77980

[2] https://www.12news.com/article/news/crime/lori-vallow-trial-proceedings-begin-monday-arizona-idaho-murders/75-14c600a8-3067-456a-b6d2-c525d20f4454

[3] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lori-vallow-chad-daybell-case-timeline/

[4] https://www.viennapsychologicalgroup.com/how-do-forensic-psychologists-determine-criminal-competency/

[5] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65567072

[6] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/lori-vallow-new-charges-alex-cox-b2340331.html

[7] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/12/us/lori-vallow-daybell-guilty.html

[mariacallous]

(CNN)An elected county official in Las Vegas is being held on a murder charge in connection with the stabbing death of a veteran journalist who had reported on the official's purported wrongdoing, a sheriff announced Thursday -- a case that raises questions about press freedom in America.

Clark County Public Administrator Robert Telles, 45, was arrested Wednesday in connection with the killing of Review-Journal reporter Jeff German, days after the reporter was found stabbed to death outside his home, officials said in a news conference, echoing earlier reports by the newspaper that cited Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo.

"This is a terrible and jarring homicide that has deeply impacted Las Vegas. Every murder is tragic but the killing of a journalist is particularly troublesome," Lombardo said in a news conference Thursday, offering his condolences to German's family, friends and colleagues at the Review-Journal.

"We are ... outraged that a colleague appears to have been killed for reporting on an elected official. Journalists can't do the important work our communities require if they are afraid a presentation of facts could lead to violent retribution," the newspaper's executive editor, Glenn Cook, said Wednesday in a statement.

Telles has a court appearance scheduled for Thursday afternoon, online Clark County Jail records show. CNN has reached out to the Las Vegas Metro Police Department and to Telles' office and is working to determine his legal representation.

German was discovered outside his home Saturday morning, though police believe the killing occurred a day prior.

According to LVMPD Homicide and Sex Crimes Bureau Captain Dori Koren, the suspect approached German's home on Friday and went to the side of the house. German came outside soon after and went to the side of the home, where, Koren said Thursday, investigators believe an altercation occurred and German was stabbed multiple times.

Telles, who lost reelection in June, was identified as a person of interest early in the investigation, as authorities discovered neighborhood surveillance footage capturing a vehicle seen at Telles' house before and after German's killing, Koren said. The vehicle, registered to Telles' wife, was also seen at German's house at the time of his death.

"We ultimately developed video evidence to show that the vehicle, the GMC Denali parked in front of Telles' home departed around 9 a.m. in the morning on the day of the murder, and returned around 12 p.m. just after the murder, which matched our timeline," Koren said.

Surveillance footage released over the weekend showed a suspect wearing a straw hat and orange shirt, and investigators found a matching hat during a search of Telles' home. The hat had been cut, Koren said, as if in an effort to conceal evidence.

Investigators also discovered blood on a pair of shoes that had been cut, "likely in a manner to try to destroy evidence," Koren said. In addition, Telles' DNA matched DNA found at the crime scene, he said.

Once the positive DNA result came in, authorities' goal was to take Telles into custody as "safely as possible."

"We were able to successfully execute that operation yesterday and Telles was taken into custody safely," Koren said, though he acknowledged Telles was seen on a stretcher after suffering "self-inflicted" wounds. He would not describe the wounds but said they were not life-threatening.

[myhauntedsalem]

FRANKLIN CASTLE

Also known as the most haunted house in Ohio, Franklin Castle was built in 1881 by Hannes Tiedemann, who was a German banker. Around ten years after the castle was built, Hannes’ daughter, Emma, allegedly succumbed to her diabetes and passed. Not too long afterward, his elderly mother followed suit. During the following three years, the Tiedemann’s lost three more children, which raised suspicions that there was more to the deaths than it seemed. To distract his wife from the awful tragedies, Hannes continued to add onto the house, giving more of a vast castle feel. It is rumored that the house was also given hidden room and passage ways to aide in prohibition, or possibly more sinister means. Eventually, Hannes’ wife passed in 1895 and he sold the house. While there is no substantial evidence, many people believe that there were multiple atrocities committed in the house by Hannes, including the murder of his niece, a servant girl, and even his own daughter.

The house laid empty from then up until 1968 when James Romano, his wife, and their six childen moved into the castle. Not long after, they reported seeing multiple ghosts. Other accounts included hearing an organ playing in the house, their children playing with “phantom friends”, and even Mrs. Romano reported feeling the presence of Mrs. Tiedemann herself. They had reportedly attempted several exorcisms and had even tried bringing in a ghost hunting crew. It is reported that one of the investigators was so frightened by what they experienced, they ran from the house screaming. By 1974, the Romano family was fed up, and moved out.

The house was sold to Sam Muscatello, who hosted tours of the house for curious thrill-seekers. During a live segment on a Cleveland radio station, the host had his recording device pulled from his shoulder and thrown. Another person claimed to have witnessed seeing a ceiling light spinning on its own. Sam soon began to search the castle for the secret passages, but what he found was far more sinister. Found tucked away behind a panel in the tower was a set of human bones. While many wild stories floated around about who the bones belonged to and how they got there, the authorities confirmed that they were VERY old and definitely human. After this, Sam sold the house and it bounced around for years from owner to owner. No one would live in the house long.

Recently, the house was bought and is currently being renovated to be a 3 family home. One can only hope these renovations don’t stir up some vengeful spirits.

[stmaryslibraryios]

The Lost by Mari Hannah

The Lost by Mari Hannah

This is the first I have read by this author and is the first one in the Stone & Oliver series.

It was written just as the Brexit vote happened which is referred to in the book.

Alex arrives home from her weeks break in Majorca with her sister Kat to find out that her 10yr old son is missing.  He should have been with his step-father & their au pair Justine.  The police are informed & DS Frankie Oliver convinces her new boss DI David Stone that they should investigate even though he hasn’t been missing for 24 hours.  He reluctantly agrees and so begins their first case together for Northumbria CID.

The step-father, Tim Parker, claims he was told the au pair Justine was collecting Daniel from school.  Justine claims she had a message from Tom to say he would do it.  Tom Parker becomes suspect in the missing case. But then the case is dropped when a couple of days later Daniel turns up at home.  It is claimed he stayed with a friend & his dad overnight and that this had been agreed by Tim Parker.  Tim denies this & has been claiming his phone is being hacked.

When Justine is found murdered a few days later the Northumbria CID are back on the case. As Oliver & Stone investigate they learn that all isn’t as it seems with the wealthy Parker family.  Tim has been having an affair with the deceased au pair and his sister in law Kat.  He is also having financial problems with the company he runs which is financed by his wife Alex.  However, the deceased au pair has also been having affairs with other married men one of whom is a partner in Tims firm – so the suspect list increases.   When Kat, Alex’s sister is found murdered in her London home Tim Parker becomes suspect number 1 again.   Hidden secrets & surprises keep Oliver & Stone rethinking their suspect list.

Alongside this we learn a little of the background of Stone & Oliver.  Stone has returned to Northumbria from the London Met.  Something happened back there that made him move up north.  Oliver has three generations of police officers in her family and has something to prove.

This was a good crime story with potential for the blossoming partnership of Oliver & Stone.  Looking forward to reading the next one called The Insider.

Review by Lindy

[readitreviewit]

If you're a fan of crime thrillers with a side of passion and justice, then "Encore in Death" by J.D. Robb is the book for you! Eve Dallas, our favorite homicide cop, is back at it again, solving murders in the middle of glamorous events hosted by Hollywood's and Broadway's most famous couples. This time around, it's a glittering extravaganza hosted by power couple Eliza Lane and Brant Fitzhugh that takes a dark turn. Fitzhugh dies after having a toast, and everyone is in shock. Physical symptoms point to cyanide, and the police have crashed the party to investigate. Eve Dallas makes her entrance, but not as a guest—she's there to solve the murder. As Eve gathers clues, it becomes evident that Fitzhugh wasn't the kind of star who made enemies. Everyone loved him, including his ex-wife. Since the champagne cocktail that killed him was originally intended for Eliza, it's possible she was the real target. A recently fired assistant, a bitter rival, and an obsessed fan also arouse suspicion. With numerous attendees, staff, and servers, Eve has her work cut out for her. The media circus that follows doesn't help her case either. However, as a pro, Eve is determined to figure out who's innocent and who's not, irrespective of the spotlight that's shining on the case. J.D. Robb's writing is chilling and thrilling, cleverly constructed, and addictive. The pacing is high-octane, characterization is memorable, and the plotting is ingenious. It's an edge-of-your-seat murder mystery that is the gold standard in the genre. The book has 375 pages, and every page is worth the read. J.D. Robb keeps you hooked with the expert pacing and unravels layers after layers of the mystery that culminates in an explosive finale. The characters are fleshed out, and Eve Dallas's character development will keep you invested in the series. Her passion for justice and the lengths she goes to achieve it are admirable. The setting of the book is a character in itself. The glamorous event hosted by Eliza Lane and Brant Fitzhugh acts as the perfect backdrop for the murder mystery. It adds the necessary tension and drama that we crave in a thriller. The X-ray and word-wise features add to the overall experience of reading the book. The sticky notes on Kindle Scribe make it easy to mark pages, underline passages, and take notes. "Encore in Death" is another excellent addition to J.D. Robb's Eve Dallas series. It's a page-turner that will keep you guessing till the end. The book is perfect for fans of crime thrillers, murder mysteries, and anyone looking for a gripping read. It shows us how a pro does it and will leave you wanting more. So, make J.D. Robb your partner in crime and get lost in "Encore in Death." Don't miss out on the compelling story waiting for you in these pages! Order your copy of the book now or try Audible FREE for 30 days and let the author's voice transport you to another world. Click the link below and start your journey today. Price: [price_with_discount] (as of [price_update_date] - Details)

[cathygeha]

REVIEW

Fatal by Design by Cara Devlin

Bow Street Duchess #5

Excellent addition to the series with the ongoing slow burn sizzle of attraction between Audrey and Hugh finally catching fire as they solve another mystery. I couldn’t put it down and cannot wait to see what happens next!

What I liked:

* * Audrey: dowager duchess, married in name only for four years, has been attracted to Hugh throughout the series, loves solving mysteries, intelligent, impulsive, possesses paranormal psychometric abilities, has a big secret that she will share with Hugh

* Hugh: ex-principal Bow Street officer, scandal in his past, good friend of Dr. Thornton, well-educated and eloquent, protective, intelligent, accepting, intriguing, in love with Audrey, dealing with being the new Viscount Neatham after finding out he and not another was the legitimate heir

* Sir: born with the name Davy Given, a young man from the streets befriended and employed by Hugh as his assistant, savvy, capable, resourceful, look forward to seeing more of him in future books * Thornton: physician, Hugh’s friend, compassionate, volunteers time to the underprivileged, capable, supportive, widow that loved his wife, intriguing, might be ready to leave mourning and perhaps might be interested in Cassie

* Cassie: Audrey’s sister-in-law, had a misfortunate situation to deal with in the previous book that has left her less than willing to trust men, looking forward to seeing what her future holds in store for her

* Audrey’s in-laws who seem supportive, kind, and caring

* Millie: Audrey’s sister, widow, mother of four children, loved another but married off to someone else, has potential for true happiness, isn’t as horrible as she seemed in previous books

* The supporting characters Greer, Carrigan and Basil

* The plot, setting, pacing and writing

* All of it really except…

What I didn’t like:

* Who and what I was meant not to like

* The person doing the kidnapping, Audrey’s mother and uncle, and thinking about bigotry must have impacted people of color

Did I like this book? Yes

Would I read more in this series? Definitely!

Thank you to the author and BookSirens for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

BLURB

A summer house party in the countryside takes a deadly turn after the abduction of a viscountess. After the shocking events of the spring, Audrey Sinclair and Hugh Marsden are adjusting to their new lives when an apparent highway robbery ends in the violent abduction of Audrey's sister. As callous as Millie has been in the past, Audrey can't turn her back on family. She'll do whatever it takes to find her sister, even if it means working with the man she's been avoiding for months: former Bow Street officer Hugh Marsden. Unsettled with his new role in society, and being deemed one of London's most eligible bachelors, Hugh is happy to fall back on his Bow Street skills to track down Lady Redding-and to see Audrey again. But the viscountess's disappearance is only half of the puzzle. A long-lost ring worth a fortune could be the driving force behind the deadly events, and as Audrey and Hugh unravel the truth-along with the secrets and complications surrounding their future-a killer closes in on the house party...and selects a new victim. The Bow Street Duchess Mystery continues with Fatal by Design, the newest Audrey Sinclair and Hugh Marsden investigation. Perfect for fans of the Lady Sherlock mysteries, the Veronica Speedwell mysteries, and PBS Masterpiece's Miss Scarlet & the Duke. Series Order: Book 1: Murder at the Seven Dials Book 2: Death at Fournier Downs Book 3: Silence of Deceit Book 4: Penance for the Dead Book 5: Fatal by Design (releasing Oct. 21, 2023) Book 6: Nature of the Crime (coming Jan. 2024)