Erica Coleman, a gifted and quirky private investigator with OCD, is
with her family in the picturesque town of Florence,
Oregon, happily
anticipating Grandma Blanche’s eighty-first birthday celebration. But when the
feisty matriarch, a savvy businesswoman, suspects wrongdoing and asks Erica to
investigate her company, things get sticky. Before the investigation can begin,
Blanche passes away. But her unexpected death leaves Erica with more questions
than answers. It soon becomes clear Grandma’s passing was anything but natural:
she was murdered.
When another relative becomes the next
victim of someone with a taste for homicide, Erica uses her flair for cooking
to butter up local law enforcement and gather clues. As she works to unravel
the case, Erica’s OCD either helps or hinders her—depending on who you talk
to—but it’s those same obsessive/compulsive traits than enable Erica to see
clues that others miss. When she narrowly escapes becoming the third victim,
Erica is more determined than ever to solve the case but wonders if she’s
bitten off more than she can chew.
As a special
bonus, ten of Erica’s favorite
recipes are included!
ENTERTAINING INTERVIEW:
Shirley – I’ll have you know, Marlene,
that the only reason I agreed to this interview about your new book, “Death in
the Family,” is because we aren't related.
Marlene –That doesn’t mean you’re safe,
you know. . .
Shirley – In that case, you go ahead and walk in front of me. I have to wonder, how did you come up with this plot, how does your family view you now
because of it, and why are we walking in the woods?
Marlene – My weird brain comes up with
all kinds of things. My family’s kind of used to it—they avoid me a lot. Also, they don’t like to eat what I cook—especially
those chocolate covered strawberries I brought to the last family party.
Shirley – Well, what's wrong with them? I like chocolate covered
strawberries. Hey, this can’t be the shortest way through the woods, even though it is the
weirdest way. Look at those sticks laid out on the ground, sorted by size. Does
that mean your obsessive compulsive (OCD) protagonist, Erica Coleman, has been
here?
Marlene –It must be. Who else would do
such a thing?
Shirley – It could have been a really bored bear. Is it true that Erica was stalked by an unseen something in some spooky woods?
Marlene--These woods.
Shirley—(Gasp.) Seriously Marlene? Don’t
you know that it’s the sidekick who always gets killed from something sinister that's following them? As the author, you’re
the main character, so that makes me the sidekick! Maybe you should walk behind me. You owe me a whole plate of fresh
chocolate covered strawberries for this one.
Marlene –Uh, are you sure you want the strawberries . . .?
Shirley – Ahhh! I hear screaming!
Marlene – I think that’s a meow.
Shirley – No, it’s screaming!
Marlene – That would be you.
Shirley – Someone’s being tortured by a
stalker we can’t see! Someone’s dying! Erica’s aunt died in these woods, didn’t
she? Ahhh! Something’s touching my leg!
Marlene – It’s a kitten.
Shirley – Oh. A little lost kitten. Poor
orphan. (In a whisper) Maybe the stalker killed his mama. (Sniff) Wait… I smell
food. Look! Up ahead! There's the end of these creepy woods! Here, can you fit
this kitten in your purse? Now that we’re out of danger, I’m feeling mighty hungry.
I heard that your book has 10 new recipes in it. Does that mean you’re a good
cook?
Marlene – I wish. And my family
wishes. No, I’m the opposite of Erica. I
hate to cook. And I don’t follow recipes. If I have a smidgen of anything left
over, I throw it in the pot. And I never taste my cooking WHILE I’m making
something. Life’s short, be adventurous I always say. Besides, I can tell soon
enough if my family likes it from the looks of disgust they give me, and
whether or not the dog will eat what they slip to him under the table.
Shirley – Well it’s a good thing we didn't reach your house first, then. Ah, here we are. Let’s see. I could be happy with
some of Kimmi’s Chicken Enchiladas. Wait a minute. There’s something on there
that doesn't look natural. Are those…chicken bones in the shape of a skull and
crossbones? Maybe I’ll pass on the enchiladas. Didn't you recommend Carolyn’s
Dream Dessert? (Whisper) Who’s that lady watching us? Is that Carolyn? Why is
she staring at us with such anger? And why does she look so guilty?
Marlene – People who look guilty often
ARE guilty. But you’ll have to read the book and see.
Shirley – Well, someone killed Grandma,
and if Carolyn’s not guilty, she wouldn't mind being asked, would she? Uh, oh,
watch out! I told you to watch out, Marlene! Carolyn must have heard what I
said. Oh, well, it’s not so bad. You actually look pretty good with Dream
Dessert all over your head. Now is anyone else going to
throw something at me or threaten to kill me if I take some of these chocolate
covered strawberries?
Marlene –You weren't paying attention
earlier, were you? Okay, I’ll repeat myself—avoid the strawberries. You’re
better off with the Dream Dessert.
Shirley – Um… it doesn't look as appetizing since you turned it into a fashion statement. Maybe I’d be better off
eating something from a can. Was there any cat food that came with that kitten?
Marlene - Yes. It’s called Chicken Surprise. Guaranteed
to put a look of surprise on your face when you keel over after eating it.
Excerpt from A
Death in the Family
“It’s hard to believe she’s gone,” Kristen
said dolefully. “When I moved here, I thought I’d have years with Grandma. She
was always so active—I thought she’d keep going for years.”
“And
all the time, her heart was getting weaker,” Trent said glumly.
Walter
commented, “The last time I saw her, Blanche said the doctor told her she had
the constitution of a mule.”
There
were a few smiles at this, but Martha’s brow furrowed in confusion. “But Mom’s
death didn't have anything to do with how healthy she was.”
“What
are you talking about?” Trent’s impatient voice billowed out and filled the
small room.
Martha
squirmed but fluttered on, “Well, after what Mom said when she came to visit
me, you know—about how something wrong was going on in the company—I worried
that something might happen.”
Her
response reverberated around the room. Everyone went very still—as if they were
holding their breath.
Martha’s
eyes went from one to another. “I didn't mean—oh, I shouldn't have said anything,” she stammered. Her voice was pure distress. “It’s just that . . .
well, we’re all family here, so it’s okay, isn't it? I mean, no one else
knows.”
“No
one else knows what?” Trent said
brusquely.
Visibly
flustered, Martha’s hands twisted in her lap. “And . . . and Mother was very old and—and the police haven’t
even come, have they?”
Erica
wondered what Martha could be getting at. Everyone darted quizzical looks at
each other, trying to make sense out of Martha’s confused chirruping.
After
meeting blank looks all around, Martha blurted, “I mean, that’s good . . . isn't it? For the family?”
The
room remained deadly silent as Martha’s cheeks flamed red.
There
was a rumble as Walter cleared his throat. “Why would the police come?”
“Why,
to arrest someone.” Martha sounded surprised—as if he had asked something that
was completely and absolutely self-evident. She stared at Walter, as if he and
he alone could straighten everything out. “Isn't that why they’re doing an
autopsy? I mean, don’t they always do an autopsy when someone has been
murdered?”
Don't be caught unaware! Get your copy at the following outlets so you can greatly reduce your chances of becoming the next victim!
Author Biography
Marlene Bateman
Sullivan was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and graduated from the University of
Utah with a BA in English. She is married to Kelly R. Sullivan and they are the
parents of seven children.
Her hobbies are
gardening, camping, and reading. Marlene
has been published extensively in magazines and newspapers and has written a
number of non-fiction books, including: Latter-day Saint Heroes and Heroines, And
There Were Angels Among Them, Visit’s From Beyond the Veil, By the Ministering
of Angels, Brigham’s Boys, and Heroes
of Faith. Her latest non-fiction
book is Gaze Into Heaven; Near Death
Experiences in Early Church History, a fascinating collection of over 50
documented near-death experiences from the lives of early latter-day Saints.
Marlene’s first
novel was the best-selling Light on Fire
Island. Her next novel was Motive for
Murder, which is the first in a mystery series that features the quirky
private eye with OCD, Erica Coleman.
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