Covering a Murder

A new case for Isabel Long

Lately, I’ve had a craving to write a new book. Specifically, I wanted to solve a mystery with Isabel Long, my savvy, snarky P.I. who investigates cold cases in the fictional hilltowns of Western Mass. Happily, we started our next case this week. The title? Covering a Murder.

It’s not like I haven’t been busy with words since I published my eighth Isabel Long Mystery — Finding the Source — last May. I concentrated on two novels. The Unforgiving Town is a sequel to The Sacred Dog although this one is a mystery. I released that one in early April. Then there’s my young adult book, The Talking Table, which remains unpublished as I query agents and indie publishers because I believe this book deserves a big readership.

Meanwhile, I got into writing screenplays with my collaborator John MacGibbon, an Emmy-award winning documentary filmmaker who lives across the river from me. One is for an animated film based on the Space Cat series written in the fifties. The other is for one of my books, Northern Comfort. Wish us success.

Then, I edited The Twin Jinn in the Land of Enchantment, third in my middle grade series featuring a family of genies aka jinn. I wrote this book when we lived in New Mexico, which is its setting. I will publish this one myself soon. Right now, it is in the hands of my trusted proofreader, Tim Todd. My son, Ezra, will be creating the cover.

Well before I started Covering a Murder, I decided I needed to channel Isabel Long by reading the last two books, which I did. Then, on Monday, I opened a document on my computer and began writing. Like most of my other Isabel Long titles, this title is a reference to her former job as a journalist, as in covering a story. Also, the details about a murder could have been hidden by a person or persons. I was pleased at the response from readers when I made an announcement on social media.

What is this case about? Isabel is about to find out when she and her mother meet a reporter, Sean Mooney. In the last book, Isabel got a call from him as she wrapped up that case. She was at Rough Waters Garage after fleeing a dangerous situation.

“Isabel, it’s Sean Mooney. Remember me? I was a reporter at the Bugle. I don’t work there anymore.”

Does Sean work for another paper and already found out about what happened? That would be awfully fast.

“Of course, I remember you, Sean. I’ve been trying to reach you. How’s it going?”

“I’m doing okay, but I really could use your help with something.”

“My help? What for?”

“I believe I could have a case for you to solve. Are you available by any chance?”

I glance around at what’s happening at Rough Waters. The police mill about and Jack chats with those he knows. Thorny acts like the little bigshot he thinks he is. And I’m about to tell a man that I’ve solved his case. There can only be one answer.

“Yes, I am.”

As I’ve mentioned before, I aim for 500 words a day, an amount that makes writing a novel an enjoyable experience. Typically, Isabel’s books are in the mid-70s range, so I have a ways to go.

But like Isabel Long, I am game.