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Up From the Grave

by Marilyn Leach

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BLURB:

A Lenten sod turning ceremony for a new water feature in the back garden of St. Aidan of the WoodParishChurch goes utterly pear-shaped when the upturned soil reveals a human skeleton. With Berdie Elliott at the helm, the whole of Aidan Kirkwood digs into the mystery. When the bones held life, just who was this person? Who is the mysterious contessa who arrives on the garden scene? And what does the young and beautiful Robin Derbyshire’s wedding have to do with the grave? Unearth the answers in this fun spring romp.

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Excerpt:

The constable bellowed forth making his rotund shape heave. “Everyone sit down, or I’ll arrest the lot of ya.”

The boom sent baby Katy Donovan into a great crying frenzy, which soon became a chorus when Dotty Butz and several other infants joined in. Few paid attention to Goodnight’s command.

Dr. Meredith bent close to the earth and pushed aside additional dirt revealing more remains.

Berdie’s curiosity got the better of her, and deftly she stepped to the sight the doctor examined.

“Human, a little one,” the pathologist said discreetly and stood.

“Well I never,” Berdie exhaled, “of all times and places.”

“Quite,” the animated voice of Mr. Webb sounded. “Surely, there’s been some mistake.”

Goodnight, standing next to Berdie, grunted, took a deep breath, and trumpeted across the crowd, “I’m declaring this a crime scene. You lot go home now.”

“Albert, is this really necessary?” Mr. Webb’s disgust was in sharp contrast to his smart dress.

“Do pigs grunt?”

“Reverend Elliott, Wilkie Gordon’s collapsed,” a voice cried out.

Berdie caught her breath as Hugh, quite fit for a man his age, nearly hurdled the chairs to get to Mr. Gordon. A small group had gathered round.

“I appreciate your concern, but please stand back, give him room to breathe,” Hugh ordered.

Edsel came next to Hugh and moved people along as Hugh attended to the old gentleman.

“I said go home!” Goodnight bellowed like an evening foghorn.

Whipped by the swirl of events and Goodnight’s volume, a mad migration of people took flight for the front road. Chairs tipped and children were swept up. Mr. Webb hurriedly escorted the contessa back to her limousine, and Dave Exton, who seemed to relish the action, went snap happy with his camera.

Dr. Meredith turned his attention to Hugh and Mr. Gordon. He took a step.

“Stay right here, Doctor. Vicar’s doin’ a fine job,” Goodnight growled.

“Are you mad, Goodnight?” Dr. Meredith frowned and moved quickly to Wilkie’s side.

Berdie took in the policeman. “Shouldn’t you be doing something to help Mr. Gordon, Constable Goodnight?”

“More important I keep an eye on this.” The law officer stabbed his thumb in the direction of the skeleton. “I shall be calling the Yard in on this.”

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

At the age of nine, Marilyn wrote her first work with a childhood friend. It was a mystery. And she has been writing ever since. A graduate of ColoradoStateUniversity, she taught art to underserved children and co-authored several plays and screenplays. Marilyn is a dyed-in-the-wool British enthusiast after “discovering her roots” in England. She lives in a lakeside cottage on the Denver outskirts.

Buy links

www.pelicanbookgroup.com

http://www.amazon.com/Marilyn-Leach/e/B005H8KYVK

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