a small town murder mystery
by
It’s 1951 and Canadians are experiencing a post-war boom but life moves slower in the small town of Creighton Mine. For nine-year-old Rose unpaved streets and outhouses are all she’s ever known, but change is coming. It’s been five years since her sister, Virginia, has been home and everyone in town is abuzz to hear about her glamorous life in Los Angeles. Rose is determined her sister’s spotlight is just what she needs to stand out. But summer excitement turns to tragedy when the first murder in living memory casts a shadow over the town. A murder with no suspects and no motive. When Detective Victor Lapointe of the OPP is assigned to the case he expects to wrap it up quickly but finds that in small towns sometimes keeping secrets takes precedence over the truth. And something about the victim stirs up memories he’d rather keep buried. The murder also unveils a family secret Rose was never meant to learn. One that puts her dangerously into the spotlight she craved.
I had no idea how I got back down the hill, but once in the house, someone set up the metal washtub behind the screen in the kitchen for Maggie and I. The hot water didn’t stop my shaking. We just sat there with our knees drawn up under our chins. No one scrubbed us or came to check on us, not even June.
From behind the curtain, I watched the shadows of women coming in and out of the kitchen, speaking in hushed tones. The kettle was continually being boiled to make pot after pot of tea. From the living room, more voices drifted in. It was like a soft hum without actual words. The front door squeaked open and shut over and over.
The kitchen was dark with only one light on. I was grateful for that because my head felt strange. I tried to convince myself it was just a bad dream that I’d soon wake up from. Any time my mind drifted back to the hill, I’d squeeze my eyes shut, real tight, and shake my head. I didn’t want to remember anything.
READ MOREI don’t know how long we sat there, but eventually the water turned cold and Maggie’s teeth began to chatter. I climbed out, wrapping myself in a towel, then I helped Maggie out, making sure she was covered up too. The kitchen was empty when I lifted the curtain. Half-filled plates of cookies sat on the table, and unwashed teacups cluttered the counter.
COLLAPSE"Hey there Book Besties! I met Trina Brooks while at the Ontario Book Festival. We talked about the book and about Sudbury, from where my daughter and her fiancé had just returned. I really enjoyed reading this book. I fell in love with Rose. She is a character who will sit with me for a long time. Written with a comfortable writing style, Brooks provides a very realistic small town murder mystery. The family secret revealed is believable and heartbreaking. I hear that the author is currently working on Book 2 which I will immediately buy when released."
