A Triple Whodunit

Upscale clothing, jewelry, and crafts boutiques blend into historic 19th century brick buildings that are characteristic of the Old Port district of Portland, Maine. In my mystery novel, Fatal Whispers, ghostwriter Megan Scott and crime reporter Michael Elliott briefly visit the trendy shops along Exchange Street before diverting their attention to the investigation of three mysterious deaths in this New England town.

If you haven’t read Fatal Whispers yet, you’re in for a triple whodunit challenge! Join my sleuths as they search for clues to explain the sudden deaths of a homeless woman, a priest, and a millionaire’s young wife.

Here’s an excerpt from Megan’s point of view as she speaks with Michael about the recent death of a homeless woman that has baffled medical experts:

Monday morning, Michael’s article on Gladys appeared in the Herald. I sat down with a cup of fresh-perked coffee and read the first paragraph:

‘Gladys Lindstrom was laid to rest in St. Andrew’s cemetery on the weekend. Patrons who paused on the street to donate their spare change to one of Portland’s most recognizable senior citizens will remember her as glad rags Gladys—a nickname she used when thanking her benefactors.’

Accompanying the article was the same photograph of Gladys that Michael had shown me but enlarged for print. A gray-haired woman was stretched out on the pavement with her eyes shut. She wore layers of frayed brown skirts over dark stockings. A red handkerchief was wrapped around her head. Her joined hands held a wispy bunch of wildflowers—the same ones I’d noticed growing in the alley where her body had been found. Flanking her side was a handbag; its contents, though indiscernible, had fallen out. In the background were the rear doors of shops and several garbage bins…

I studied the photo. “There’s something odd about the way Gladys is holding the flowers, don’t you think? It almost looks staged.”

He nodded. “As if she knew she was about to die.”

Want to read more? Click here to find out where you can purchase your copy of Fatal Whispers.

Setting: Portland, Maine

 Photo: © iStockphoto.com/rossandgaffney

Everything about Portland, Maine appeals to me, from its world-famous lighthouse to its charming boutiques to its alluring harbor front. I couldn’t think of a better way to capture the distinctive flavors of this coastal New England town than to use it as the setting for my second book in the Megan Scott/Michael Elliott Mystery series.

So I created Fatal Whispers, a mystery that focuses on the unexplained deaths of a millionaire’s beautiful young wife, a homeless woman, and a parish priest. Megan and Michael face imminent danger as they try to find the cause of these consecutive deaths in a town where such an occurrence is rare—even in real life. While the story will keep the mystery buffs among you searching for clues, the blend of historic and modern settings in it will add interest to your pursuit.

You’ll journey with my sleuths through the cobblestoned streets in the Old Port and visit trendy shops with arched façades and colorful awnings. You’ll awaken your senses through Megan as she breathes in the briny scent of Casco Bay and enjoys scrumptious seafood dishes in restaurants along the waterfront. A feast for the eyes, Bianca’s Gardens will help you visualize the vibrant flora displayed in this upscale flower shop at the center of a police investigation.

You’ll sit through meetings with Megan and Michael as they interview witnesses connected to high-society charities, forensic pathology, social services, and churches. You’ll be at their side as they follow leads into shadowy corners and beyond locked doorways. And you’ll hold your breath as they confront the enemy.

With a cast of colorful characters and intriguing settings, Fatal Whispers is a triple whodunit just waiting for you to solve.

To get your copy of Fatal Whispers, you'll find the link here.