As the end of March draws near, I will be taking a break from blogging to work on my new mystery, tentative titled Under the Sand.
The book is about two billionaire brothers who live on the island in southwest Florida where my heroine Leslie Elliott and her newspaper friend, Wes Avery, reside. The brothers are kidnapped by a crack band of mercenaries and taken to another island where they are buried alive until a hefty ransom can be paid for their release. Naturally, Leslie, Wes and other island folks get involved in the efforts to rescue the wealthy pair and to find out who is behind the kidnapping.
I’m just getting started so I don’t want to reveal any more of the plot in case I change my mind about some aspects of it. Let’s just say there will be surprises and plot twists and, unfortunately, someone’s going to die.
In preparation, I’m reading the 1971 book by the late journalist Gene Miller about the kidnapping and burial of Barbara Jane Mackle titled 83 Hours Till Dawn. Happy to say that she was rescued and is alive today. Her story is a compelling one.
If you haven’t read the precursors to this next novel — and are looking for a fun summer read — you can purchase them on Amazon. In order of publication the titles are Leslie’s Voice, Scavenger Tides, The End of His Journey and Deadly Winds, published in January. While Leslie’s Voice isn’t a mystery, it introduces the main character in my series and has been called a “rousing corporate melodrama full of twists, turns and vivid characters” by Kirkus Review.
If you have read any of my books, be sure to visit Amazon and leave a review or a star of some kind. It’s always helpful. Thanks for your support.