My author asked me to step in here and give you a taste of what a real homicide investigation looks like. I thought a quick scene from the book might show you what I'm up against when amateurs get involved. Dr. Maxwell's giving away a signed hardover copy of the book to one commenter here, today, too.
“Pappas, what a surprise. I’ve been waiting for Cam in the car. Is she…” William, rain plastering his thin hair to his head, peered around Pete. “What a relief. There she is, and my wife, too.” He gave a goofy wave. “What’s going on, Detective?”
Pete sighed. “You can’t come in. It’s a possible crime scene.”
“You don’t say.” William’s eyes went wide.
“There was a death in the house,” Pete said. “We’re going to need to question all these folks. Ivan wants to do it down at the station but it’s going to be a few minutes. Why don’t you go on home, sir. I’ll call you to pick up Cam and Dr. Flaherty when we’re through.”
“A death? Who died?” William looked at Cam and then at Deb.
Pete had opened his mouth to speak but Deb beat him to it. “That man we saw in the restaurant last week. Carlos Griffith.”
“How did he die?” William asked.
“That’s yet to be determined,” Pete said. “Please, sir. Let me ask the questions. Did you see anyone go into or come out of this house this morning?”
“Can’t say that I did. Only this one trying to run down a few dozen parade watchers in his fancy red convertible an hour or so ago.” He pointed to Rudin.
Rudin folded his arms and examined the corner where two walls met the ceiling. Pete gazed at him.
“Ruth witnessed that, too, Pete,” Cam said. “She made him go back into the parking lot. She’ll know what time it happened. Daddy, you didn’t see the detectives and the EMTs go into the house?” Wouldn’t he have? Why hadn’t he come looking for her earlier?
“No, I stayed on the other side of the street yakking with Albert and Marilyn in their car. She has some fascinating stories about growing up in the San Francisco area. I told her they’d be late for their lunch but she just kept talking. I didn’t cross over to this side until a couple of minutes ago.”
“All right.” Pete gestured toward the outside. “I’d like you to leave and go back to Cam’s, sir. We’ll call you later.”
"I suppose,” William said. “I’m sure my wife and daughter had nothing to do with this death, though, Detective.”
“Thank you.” Pete’s face was getting tenser by the minute.
“See you, girls.” William gave a little wave.
Pete, here. See what I mean? You'll have to read the book to get the whole story. Suffice it to say, despite how much I care for Cameron and that she occasionally gets lucky figuring out who a killer is, your average citizen has no business getting involved. Please people, leave it to the professionals.
Who is your favorite fictional detective? Remember, one commenter gets a signed copy of the new book.
Maxwell is President of Sisters in Crime New England. She lives north of Boston with her beau and three cats, and blogs here, with the other Wicked Cozy Authors, and with the Midnight Ink Writers. You can find her on Facebook, twitter, Pinterest, and at her web site, edithmaxwell.com.
Posts
Jim Chee from Tony Hillerman books
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this! I love these cozy mysteries! My favorite detective, so far, is Eve Dallas from J. D. Robb's In Death series.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great scene. I love Sherlock Holmes.
ReplyDeletedebby236 at gmail dot com
Thibk I'm going to have to go with Nancy Drew on this one. Still my fave. Just found some of her books at a garage sale. Kkcochran (at) hotmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteWould Mrs. Pollifax count? While not technically trained as a detective, she was very observant!
ReplyDeleteJHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
My current favourite (police) detective is Craig Johnson's Sheriff Walt Longmire.
ReplyDeletegrace dot koshida at gmail dot com
I get a kick out of Agatha Raisin.
ReplyDeleteThat is difficult but... Miss Marple. I absolutely love the way Christie writes her. I could probably list 25 fictional Detectives I loved though. Thank you for the chance. Marilyn [email protected]
ReplyDeleteLove the series
ReplyDeleteLove Maxwell series. I love the Miss Marple series she is always underestimated
ReplyDeleteI would have to say Nancy Drew. I haven't read this series yet, but it sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteMaisie Dobbs from the Maisie Dobbs series is my favorite since she is unique and brave. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteHarry Bosch is a real character and the novels are captivating. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteSherlock Holmes is my favorite! [email protected]
ReplyDeleteBook detective is Eve from JD Robb's books, tv detective is Temperance Brennen from BONES.
ReplyDeleteI love so many, including most of the ones listed above. Ngaio Marsh's Roderick Alleyn is still a big favorite, though. I just bought the entire series as ebooks, even though I already owned them! The old paperbacks are getting pretty yellowed.
ReplyDeleteAvis
It's too hard to pick just one from books...Jessica Fletcher is probably my favorite tv sleuth. Dmskrug3@(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteDaniele, congratulations! You are the randomly selected winner of my book. Please check your email!
DeleteI just can't play favorites and pick only one from books (although I do like Greg King a lot from Lynn Cahoon's Tourist Trap series) I've read so I'll give a TV one, how about good old Columbo? That man was relentless!
ReplyDeleteThere are so many, the cat in the stack series is a fav but if we say a true detective, maybe Alex Cross although Jessica Fletcher is a family favorite.❤️
ReplyDeleteFather Dowling. Thank you for this chance. areewekidding(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteHands down....Miss Marple. Love her! :-)
ReplyDeleteNicole
[email protected]
I like Father Dowling from Father Dowling Mysteries.
ReplyDeleteAmand Gamache from Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Gamache series ~ [email protected]
ReplyDeleteLove Spenser from Parker's books. The ghost writer has done
ReplyDeletepretty good in keeping Spenser true to his original character.
txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
That is a tuffy. Love those mentioned so far. Nancy Drew was my first love. But my all time faves are Charlie Moon and Jim Chee One is Ute, the other is Navajo. Della at deepotter (at) peoplepc (dot) com
ReplyDeleteHannah Swenson from Joanne Fluke
ReplyDeleteI have so many favorites! I grew up on Nancy Drew, Trixie Beldon and Phyllis Whitney among others. I'll choose a good mystery over any book an any day. I do like historical fiction and some romance but mysteries have my heart.
ReplyDeleteMeg85242 at gmail dot com
Jim Qwilleran from The Cat Who... series. How I miss that series.
ReplyDelete[email protected]
I enjoy watching "Hercule Poirot" use his little grey cells solving mysteries and mayhem.
ReplyDeleteJanet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Love so many of them, just like I love so many authors who write their stories. [email protected]
ReplyDeleteI have to stick with Hercule Poirot, with his fussy ways and immaculate moustache. bobwiesmann(at)gmail(dot)com.
ReplyDeleteI have two favorites, Hercule Poirot and Amelia Peabody. I never get tired of reading about either of them. Their stories are on my keeper shelves. annettena at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteAh, Lord Peter Whimsey. My all time favorite.
ReplyDeletelibbydodd at comcast dot net
Miss Marple and Sherlock Holmes
ReplyDelete[email protected]
My favorite is Nancy Drew
ReplyDeleteMaceoindo (at)yahoo(dot)com
So many favorites - the first one was Sherlock Holmes.
ReplyDeletejtcgc at yahoo dot com
So many favorites! Miss Marple, Campion, Morse, Inspector Roderick Alleyn and so many more!
ReplyDeleteDm_richards at yahoo dot com
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