A Birth Announcement

By Evelyn David

This has got to be the longest pregnancy on record.

But finally the collective Evelyn David is proud to announce the arrival of the newest member of the family: MURDER DOUBLES BACK. The third book in the Sullivan Investigation Series.

And we're just like many new parents who have very carefully picked out a name for their little one and once he or she arrives, realize that the name doesn't fit. So too we had been talking about this mystery for years, had a title that seemed perfect – but when we finally got into writing and editing the book, just knew that the title had to change.

So for those of you who have so kindly encouraged us, supported us, gently harangued us to finish a new Mac and Whiskey book (and we really appreciate the small kick in the butt you administered, we needed it!) – please enjoy MURDER DOUBLES BACK.

Synopsis

For 10 years private detective Mac Sullivan has been haunted by the case of Amanda Norman, a teenage girl who disappeared into thin air during a class trip. But someone is determined to stir the embers of that cold case. Each year Mac receives a postcard that asks a simple question: Where is Amanda Norman? 

This year, Mac decides he will answer the question once and for all.

Join Mac Sullivan, Rachel Brenner, JJ, Edgar, and of course, Whiskey, the adorable and adored Irish wolfhound, as they try to uncover the mystery of a long missing girl. As Mac and his team investigate, a dark trail of murder and deception follows. If Amanda Norman is still alive, will Mac's efforts inadvertently lead to her death? If Amanda Norman is dead, who keeps sending the postcards and why?

Murder Doubles Back is the exciting third book in the Sullivan Investigations Series.

Excerpt

Chapter 1

He'd never forgotten his failure, even without the annual postcard reminder.

Mac Sullivan turned the card over and scanned the message. He recognized the scratchy handwriting. Over the past 10 years he'd received a similar card every December. They had arrived along with the holiday cards at the police station. But this year was different; the postcard was addressed care of Sullivan Investigations. Someone's address book had been updated.

The picture on the front of the card varied, seemingly random tourist locations – around the DC and Virginia area. No pattern other than all depicting famous visitor or vacation spots. The postmarks changed each year but all came from Virginia. This year's card featured the Smithsonian.

The mystery had come full circle–back to where it had all begun.

The message on the postcard this year was the same as it always was. Block printing. A simple question. "Where's Amanda Norman?"

Mac's first thought; his mental response to the sender was always, "Dead." The second was a warning to himself not to ever say that word aloud. Technically Amanda was only missing. The fourteen-year-old went on a class trip to the Smithsonian and didn't come home again. The foster family didn't believe the teen was a runaway. There was no ransom demand. No reports of sightings. No actual body was ever found. He was the first and, as far as he knew the last detective on the case. He hadn't solved it.

A decade later, the Amanda Norman disappearance was a cold case, but not a closed one. The United States Post Office and a very persistent pen pal saw to that. It was only two months after Amanda went missing that the postcards had started arriving.

Now that he was retired from the police force and had his own detective agency, he was thinking that maybe it was time to warm up the Norman case. His holiday plans had included some quality time with his…He wasn't sure what to call Rachel Brenner. His girlfriend? Significant other? Rachel worked for his best friend Jeff O'Herlihy. At Thanksgiving the O'Herlihy Funeral Home had burned to the ground. Jeff had kept Rachel busy the last month helping him set up shop in a leased building and file mountains of insurance claims, but even workaholic Jeff had arranged for his staff to have a couple of weeks off from the middle of December until after the New Year. Jeff had kept a skeleton staff to handle any funerals, but Rachel was for all intents and purposes, on paid vacation.

Mac had already canceled two dates with Rachel during her down time. He had a feeling that last-minute trip to visit a distant cousin was actually her raising the dating white flag in surrender. She was a little vague on the telephone about when she was returning.

Determined to make a real effort, Mac stepped up his game. He made dinner reservations for New Year's at what Jeff had assured him was the trendiest spot in DC. Meanwhile there were several cases he needed to wrap up and a security job at a government contractor's office that started in a week. His calendar was full.

The timing of the arrival of this latest postcard couldn't have been worse. His staff of two was on vacation. He had a payroll to meet and bills to pay. His concentration was needed on the work in front of him and not the mistakes of the past.

Still...he hesitated to bury the postcard in the file with the rest. After all these years, why was this one of the Smithsonian? Was there a special significance that this year's card depicted the place where Amanda had disappeared? Had something changed for the sender?

He must have asked that question aloud, since Whiskey, his Irish wolfhound sidekick, felt free to vocalize her opinion.

Mac glanced at the dog, who'd taken over the dark green futon in his office, then back to the postcard in his hand. "Yeah, this time is different. It's not just about keeping Amanda's case active. Someone wants to tell me something."

Murder Doubles Back
Kindle
Nook
Smashwords
Trade Paperback
 

 

 

 

Sullivan Investigations Mystery
Murder Off the Books Kindle - Nook - Smashwords - Trade Paperback
Murder Takes the Cake Kindle - Nook - Smashwords - Trade Paperback 
Murder Doubles Back Kindle - Nook - Smashwords - Trade Paperback
Riley Come Home (short story)- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Moonlighting at the Mall (short story) - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords

 

 

Zoned for Murder
Kindle
Nook
Smashwords
Trade Paperback

Brianna Sullivan Mysteries - e-book series
I Try Not to Drive Past Cemeteries- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
The Dog Days of Summer in Lottawatah- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
The Holiday Spirit(s) of Lottawatah- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Undying Love in Lottawatah- Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
A Haunting in Lottawatah - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Lottawatah Twister - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Missing in Lottawatah - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Good Grief in Lottawatah - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords
Summer Lightning in Lottawatah - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords

The Ghosts of Lottawatah - trade paperback collection of the Brianna e-books
Book 1 - I Try Not to Drive Past Cemeteries (includes the first four Brianna e-books)
Book 2 - A Haunting in Lottawatah (includes the 5th, 6th, and 7th Brianna e-books)

Romances
Love Lessons - Kindle - Nook - Smashwords

The Joy of Being Pregnant (and the Less Enjoyable Things, Too)

By Susan McBride

Now that I’m in my seventh month with Baby Emily due in late June (although my mom keeps saying, “No way you’re going to make it ‘til then!”), I thought I’d scribble down the fun stuff--and not so fun stuff--as I see it so far anyway.  It’s definitely been a new experience full of the unexpected, like the incredibly itchy rash I put up with for nearly six weeks before I broke down and took Prednisone; the pregnancy rhinitis that makes it feel like I have that Mucus Family from the TV commercial living in my throat; the swelling that can make my feet and ankles resemble puff pastry; the exhaustion and brain fog; and all the other reminders that I’ve got another being that’s taken me over.  Still, I wouldn’t trade any of that for the world, because the end result—a baby!—will be so incredibly worth it. If there's one thing I know for sure, it's that this pregnancy has certainly renewed my faith in miracles. After going through a bunch of bumps in the road these past five years, it’s awfully nice to be reminded of the good surprises life can bring!  And I can't imagine any surprise better than this. 

Okay, the things I love about being pregnant (in no particular order):

1. I can eat six times a day and no one says, “Haven’t you had enough? Put the bagel with peanut butter down and step away from the counter.” 

2. Going shopping for large shirts because I’ve outgrown my smalls and mediums is actually a positive thing. 

3. Feeling Emily move!  I just love the sensation of her squirming around, kicking, poking, twisting. It’s so reassuring, and I feel like we’re communicating.  She’ll poke me, and I’ll rub that spot and say, “Hey, baby!  How’s it going?”  It’s our own Morse code.

4.  Ed is in charge of cleaning litter boxes (although I have gloves to wear when it’s an emergency, although that’s only happened a handful of times).

5.  I never feel guilty when I sit down, put my puffy feet up, and rest.

6.  When I say, “After I turn the guest room into a nursery, I’m re-doing the living room,” Ed doesn’t bat an eye. (I’ve made a point to show him all the articles about pregnant women nesting.)

The things I (occasionally) whine about:

1.  I pee every 15 minutes.  Okay, maybe not that often, but it sure feels like it. By my ninth month, no doubt I’ll know the location of every public restroom in town.

2.  I can’t find a comfortable position to sleep. Every time I try to turn, it’s like moving a bowling ball around and requires readjustment of pillows, sheets, night gown, etc. Then by the time I’m settled down again, I have to pee.

3.  I can’t see much below my belly. Shaving has gotten very scary. The only time in the past when I nicked myself this much was when I was about thirteen and handed my first Daisy razor.

4.  It’s hard to gauge distances between my belly and anything. I’ve run into more bathroom vanities, kitchen countertops, doorways, and grocery carts with my baby bump than I can count. And every time I do, I stop and ask Emily, “Are you okay in there?” 

5.  Ed doesn’t want me going for pedicures as he’s afraid of my breathing in fumes from the salon and using equipment that other people’s feet have used.  And trying to give myself pedicures just isn’t the same, particularly since I have a hard time seeing my toes much less reaching them.

6.  Not being able to go outside and work in the yard and garden. I honestly miss pulling weeds, trimming plants, and digging in the dirt.  Not only is getting my hands in dirt a no-no (for the same reason I’m not supposed to clean litter boxes, the dreaded toxo!), but it’s very uncomfortable bending and squatting to work. So I think the green things around our house are going to look a little wild this year!

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go pee, get something to eat, put my feet up, and engage in a little mommy-baby Morse code with Emily.  I think she’s trying to tell me which car seat she’d like me to order.