Monday Mystery - New book in series.

I'm zeroing in on the end of the next Shandra Higheagle Mystery. This book has been more daunting because Shandra visits the Colville Indian Reservation in Washington. It's the home of her father's side of the family. To help make this book ring true, I visited the reservation with an author friend who lives there.

She pointed out the buildings of the agency and the ones most frequented, like the Community Center. She said it was the main building that brought the families together for basketball tournaments. There are family teams that play one another. Since this was the main hub of the community, I put Shandra's aunt at the center as the coordinator. That would put her in the middle of everything that happens on the reservation.

My friend also explained how different tribes felt about one another and how that could sometimes cause rivalries. I used this concept in my book. I can't tell you how it might give away the mystery. ;)

The reservation is large and the towns spread out. I mainly needed information about Nespelem the town nearest the agency and where most of the Nez Perce live. Shandra's family are Nez Perce and, fictionally, own a horse ranch of the Nespelem river canyon. Her father was a rodeo bronc rider and he was known to "talk" to the horses. Having a the family own a horse ranch gives credence to his ability to train horses and ride the horses others couldn't.  Until the fateful day, he fell off a horse that was consider easy to ride and died.

Murderous Secrets the fourth book in the Shandra Higheagle mystery series will be coming out the end of this month.

If you missed the first three here they are:

Double Duplicity - Book One

On the eve of the biggest art event at Huckleberry Mountain Resort, potter Shandra Higheagle finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. She’s ruled out as a suspect, but now it’s up to her to prove the friend she witnessed fleeing the scene was just as innocent. With help from her recently deceased Nez Perce grandmother, Shandra becomes more confused than ever but just as determined to discover the truth.

Detective Ryan Greer prides himself on solving crimes and refuses to ignore a single clue, including Shandra Higheagle’s visions. While Shandra is hesitant to trust her dreams, Ryan believes in them and believes in her.

Can the pair uncover enough clues for Ryan to make an arrest before one of them becomes the next victim?

 

Tarnished Remains- Book Two

Shandra Higheagle is digging up clay for her renowned pottery when she scoops up a boot attached to a skeleton. She calls in Weippe County detective Ryan Greer.  The body is decades old and discovered to be Shandra’s employee’s old flame. 

Ryan immediately pegs Shandra’s employee for the murderer, but Shandra knows in her heart that the woman everyone calls Crazy Lil couldn’t have killed anyone, let alone a man she loved.

Digging up the woman’s past takes them down a road of greed, miscommunication, and deceit.  Will they be able to prove Crazy Lil innocent before the true murderer strikes again?

 

  

Deadly Aim - Book Three

The dead body of an illicit neighbor and an old necklace send potter Shandra Higheagle on a chase to find a murderer. Visions from her dead grandmother reveal Shandra is on the right path, but the woods are full of obstacles—deadly ones.

Detective Ryan Greer believes Shandra’s dreams will help solve the mystery, but he also knows the curious potter could get herself killed. He’s determined that won’t happen.

Until he’s blind-sided. Are Shandra’s powers strong enough to save them both, or will the murderer strike again?