(The Unfinished Business of Eliot Ness)

Publication date: December 14th 2023

Genres: Adult, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal

Synopsis:

A copycat serial killer and the ghost of Eliot Ness. Can two amateur sleuths, with the help of the famous ghost, stop the murderer before he kills again.

A ghostly figure surprises India Bennett in her study. That’s unnerving enough, but said ghost leaves a book open to a page showing a mutilated body, a body which looks just like the body in a case Indy’s homicide detective boyfriend, Danny, is currently investigating. Standing next to the body in the picture in the mysterious book is a man Indy recognizes as the ghost she saw in her study. Danny points out to her that it would be impossible for her to have seen the man in the picture, the legendary lawman Eliot Ness.

Despite Danny’s insistence, Indy knows what she saw, and she and her best friend Cara become friends with Eliot’s spirit. With ghostly assistance, the amateur sleuths begin their own investigation. After their discovery of what appears to be a journal describing the original victims from the 1930s, and with two murders already committed by the current serial killer, Indy and Cara rush to find the copycat murderer before he kills again.

In “Shadows of the Past,” a thrilling fusion of historical crime and supernatural suspense, the spirit of Eliot Ness becomes an unexpected ally, guiding Indy and Cara through a treacherous maze of secrets and hidden motives. With their lives on the line and the body count rising, they must navigate the shadows of the past and confront the malevolent force that seeks to perpetuate the sins of history.

The past and present collide in this captivating novel, unleashing a bone-chilling tale of danger, redemption, and the enduring power of justice. Prepare to be captivated by this gripping page-turner.

Excerpt

The body was face-up in a field bordering the railroad tracks. Not easy to spot. If it hadn’t been for the boys playing softball in one corner of the field, who knows how long it would have taken before the body was discovered. If at all.

The part of the field where the body lay was overgrown with weeds and a smattering of discarded trash. The ground sloped enough that unless you were standing far enough out in the field, or chasing a home run ball you might have missed the dark form also discarded in the parched brown weeds.

Red Williams hit a long ball over the head of Billy Peters in center field. Both teams erupted as Billy took off running after the ball while his teammates hollered at him to hurry before the batter could make it all the way around the bases to cross home plate. The hollering came to a dead stop when Billy turned around, his face red and sweaty from the late afternoon sun, frantically shouting and waving his arms in the air.

Within moments, ten middle grade boys were gathered around a figure splayed in the weeds.

“Eeww.” Red’s face was scrunched up and he waved his hand in front of his face. He wasn’t the only one blanching and gagging at the gruesome scene and the overwhelming smell of decomposition wafting off the body. The late June heat only magnified the stench.

“What happened to him?” Robbie Ewing asked. “I mean, it’s gross. Who could do something like that? Some sick SOB. I bet it hurt like hell.” Seizing on an opportunity to seem brave to his horrified teammates, Robbie scrunched his shoulders and made his hands into claws and stomped around like a zombie.

“Not funny, butthead,” Red said, taking a swing at Robbie’s shoulder as he lumbered past.

Larry Romano was bent over, groaning and losing his lunch, setting off a new round of gagging among the boys.

“I’m calling my dad,” Billy said, pulling his phone out of his back pocket.

All the boys shuffled back to where they’d left their gear, shooting glances toward the dead man lying out there in the field while they waited for Billy’s dad and the cops to show up.

“Do you think our parents won’t let us play here anymore?” Petey asked.

“That guy wasn’t on the baseball diamond,” Billy logically pointed out. “We don’t go over there by the railroad tracks. It’s not like any of us can hit the ball that far. But the smell was so bad, I wanted to check it out.”

“Yeah, but I bet they’re gonna think it’s not safe for us to be playin’ here by ourselves. You know how moms are.”

“Yeah,” Red said. “It sucks.”

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About the Author

Born in Arkansas and raised in Southern California, Pamela McCord started writing later in life when she was challenged by a friend to create a book out of his story idea. Since then, she's become an internationally published author. Pam has spent over 40 years working as a legal secretary at a law firm in Orange County, California. Aside from writing, she follows the stock market, buying, selling and trading stocks and options. In contrast to that, she loves trips to Las Vegas where she can spend many happy hours at the Pai Gow tables. She shares a condo with her very own My Cat From Hell TV star, Allie, who manages to exude just enough affection to make her scary feral ways tolerable.

Connect:
https://www.pamelamccordbooks.com/

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https://www.facebook.com/pamela.mccord.9

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(An Erin Baily in Franklin Paranormal Mystery, #1)

Publication date: December 6th 2023

Genres: Adult, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal

Synopsis:

Erin Baily never expected her Good Samaritan act would lead to a whirlwind of secrets and otherworldly adventures. When she saved the elderly Alice from muggers years earlier, little did she know that she’d inherit Alice’s estate in picturesque Franklin, Tennessee. But when Erin steps into her new home, she’s in for a shock—both the charming house and a mysterious cat hold secrets that will change her life forever.

A near-death experience leaves Erin with an uncanny ability to converse with the enigmatic cat and opens the door to an unexpected ghostly roommate—Alice herself. Together, they embark on a supernatural mission to unearth the truth behind Alice’s murder.

With her trusty best friend, Susie, now by her side in Franklin, Erin starts digging into a web of suspects, each with their own motives and dark secrets. Sparks fly when she crosses paths with the dashing and determined homicide detective, Ryan, who’s assigned to Alice’s case. Romance begins to simmer even as danger looms.

As Erin and Susie unravel the threads of deception, they inch closer to a shocking revelation that will send shivers down your spine. But when danger rears its head, Erin finds herself in a life-or-death showdown with the cunning killer. Can she outsmart a murderer and save herself, all while helping Alice find the peace she deserves?

“Foul Play in Franklin” is a delightful mix of supernatural suspense, heartwarming friendship, humor and a touch of romance.

Join Erin Baily on a thrilling journey as she navigates the living, the dead, and the mysteries that bind them together. Will Erin unveil the truth, or will she become the next victim? Prepare for a spine-tingling, heart-pounding adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Excerpt

Elsie had brought Weeds home before she picked me up, so I wasn’t surprised to see gold eyes peering at me from around a doorframe. “Hi, Weedsie,” I said. I thought I heard a growl but ignored her as I made my way to the den and sank onto my sofa. Before I could turn on the TV, I felt her hop up beside me. I looked at her and reached out a hand to pet her, but she backed up just enough to let me know petting was currently off-limits. Such a typical cat thing to do.

She sat stone-still and stared at me, and I stared back. I had no idea what was going on in her little cat brain, but it seemed like she had something on her mind.

“Aw, did you miss me?” I baby-talked to her.

“Good grief, it took you long enough.”

I blinked my eyes several times. I couldn’t have just heard Weeds speak.

When I didn’t say anything, Weeds continued. “We kept waiting for you to notice everything, but you were oblivious. Oblivious!”

I pointed at her. “You…you didn’t just say something.”

“I most certainly did. Get with the program, missy.”

“You’re a cat. You can’t talk.” I was sure I must look white as a sheet, as I’d felt all the blood drain out of my face. What kind of drugs did the hospital have me on?

“Apparently I can.”

I backed up from her and jumped off the sofa, grabbing a fireplace poker and holding it out in front of me. “Stay back!”

“Oh my God. Get a grip. We have things to talk about.”

I waved the poker a little bit. “Cats can’t talk.”

“We’ve been over this. And put that thing down. I’m not going to hurt you.”

I squinted at her and sat back down on the sofa, as far from her as possible, but kept a firm hold on the poker.

“Well, I actually did hurt you, but it had to be done.”

“What does that mean?”

“You didn’t fall down the stairs by yourself.”

“You pushed me?”

“Don’t be silly. Cats can’t push people down stairs. But,” she held up a paw for emphasis, “we can suddenly appear under your feet and cause you to trip.”

“You tripped me on purpose?”

“It had to be done. You weren’t catching on.”

“I could have died.”

“No, you couldn’t have.”

“I had a near death experience. The doctor said I was legally dead for ten minutes.”

“You’re here, aren’t you? I knew you wouldn’t die.”

“Oh, really. And how would you know that?” I was sitting on a sofa having an actual conversation with a cat. Are pigs flying?

“Because I’m psychic.”

“I’ve heard everything now,” I said, throwing up my hands.

“Not really.” She started to lick her hind leg, which was stuck up in the air. “By the way, I much prefer Peekaboo to Weeds.”

“Well, Weeds is your name.”

“Not anymore. I won’t answer if you call me that. And I want a new collar with ‘Peekaboo’ on it.”

Maybe I should still be in the hospital. I couldn’t be talking to a cat. I picked up my phone to call Elsie to ask if she’d take me back, but Weeds hissed at me and pounced, knocking the phone out of my hand.

“We’re not done here,” Weeds said. “She needs you.” The cat turned her head, and I followed her gaze. At first, I didn’t see anything, but then I saw a shimmer, and then the shimmer morphed into…Alice?

Once again, I raised my poker and held it between me and the ghost. Then I dropped it and started to cry. Something was terribly wrong with me. Either my brains were scrambled or I had a brain tumor. Neither option sounded great.

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