seemed genuinely perplexed. “Really?
Why?”
“Research shows negative publicity can boost
sales. Besides, book reviews are simply opinions and although a
negative one stings the author, not every reader agrees.”
“I refuse to read book reviews,” Marnie said.
“I want to draw my own conclusions.”
Bri poked a loose tendril of hair behind one
ear. “Do we know anything about Evelyn?”
“Not much,” she admitted. “She’s a freelance
reviewer for several publications, the Primrose Daily
Chronicle included. Based on previous reviews, it appears she
targets authors within their own communities. The only thing I do
know for sure is that she didn’t have friends in the business.”
“Her style leaves a lot to be desired.”
Marnie reached for a chip then broke it in two pieces. “Downright
uncouth if you ask me.”
“Perhaps she was jealous,” Bri suggested.
Reagan tilted her head to one side. “I don’t
get it.”
“Maybe she attacked others because she wasn’t
able to achieve the same degree of success.”
“I’ll agree with that diagnosis.” Dara
grabbed an empty straw wrapper and tied it into knots. “But even
analyzing her motives I can’t identify a suspect. There’s too
many.”
Annie ran a hand across her forehead. “Let’s
take a break and read your e-mail, Dara.”
Dara pulled her laptop from the leather case,
opened the lid, and pushed the power button while aggravation
vibrated her nerves. If a certain stubborn detective would agree to
share information, most likely identifying the suspect would be
much easier. Although she realized he needed to keep his
investigation quiet to the public, she also knew her assistance
could be invaluable. Writers tended to keep to themselves but when
they chose to socialize, they did so with other writers. She could
provide entry into circles normally closed to him.
She signed into her email account and waited
for the messages to load, still frustrated at Mace’s lack of
cooperation. Creativity was something in which she prided herself;
she’d just have to use it to convince him to let her
participate.
“Guess who, girls?” She grinned at the first
message on the list.
“What does the message say this time?” Marnie
crowded next to her.
She pushed the computer back to allow them
all to see the screen, clicked on the message, and read aloud:
Dearest Dara:
The unfortunate chain of events over the last
few days has angered me.
What a shame that a murder has overshadowed
the release of your next
beautiful masterpiece. Perhaps the reviewer
finally got what she deserved.
In any event, I thoroughly enjoyed reading
your novel and lovingly give it
five stars.
I remain,
Romantically Devoted
“Wow, this reader is dedicated.” Bri leaned
back against the booth. “Do you know who it is?”
“No, but every week I receive a message
without fail.”
“The message is well written, concise, and
directly to the point,” Bri mused.
“This person obviously has formal education.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, realization pummeled her
brain. “Oh geez! I’d also bet he or she writes in some capacity.
Why didn’t I pick up on that earlier?”
“Probably because you found a body in your
living room,” Marnie drawled.
“I think you’re right.” Bri ran an index
finger across the author’s salutation. “And, I’d say your writer is
male.”
“How so?” Even Annie’s voice sang with
excitement.
“The verbiage,” Bri explained. “Unless this
person leads an alternative lifestyle, a woman probably wouldn’t
use terms such as dearest to address a female.” She tapped
on the electronic signature. “Or Romantically Devoted .”
“You do have male fans,” Reagan reminded
her.
She took a few seconds to process Bri’s
analysis, one she agreed with wholeheartedly. Romantically Devoted
definitely knew her work well and never hesitated to give her a
compliment. Strange, though, that he didn’t once identify
Why?”
“Research shows negative publicity can boost
sales. Besides, book reviews are simply opinions and although a
negative one stings the author, not every reader agrees.”
“I refuse to read book reviews,” Marnie said.
“I want to draw my own conclusions.”
Bri poked a loose tendril of hair behind one
ear. “Do we know anything about Evelyn?”
“Not much,” she admitted. “She’s a freelance
reviewer for several publications, the Primrose Daily
Chronicle included. Based on previous reviews, it appears she
targets authors within their own communities. The only thing I do
know for sure is that she didn’t have friends in the business.”
“Her style leaves a lot to be desired.”
Marnie reached for a chip then broke it in two pieces. “Downright
uncouth if you ask me.”
“Perhaps she was jealous,” Bri suggested.
Reagan tilted her head to one side. “I don’t
get it.”
“Maybe she attacked others because she wasn’t
able to achieve the same degree of success.”
“I’ll agree with that diagnosis.” Dara
grabbed an empty straw wrapper and tied it into knots. “But even
analyzing her motives I can’t identify a suspect. There’s too
many.”
Annie ran a hand across her forehead. “Let’s
take a break and read your e-mail, Dara.”
Dara pulled her laptop from the leather case,
opened the lid, and pushed the power button while aggravation
vibrated her nerves. If a certain stubborn detective would agree to
share information, most likely identifying the suspect would be
much easier. Although she realized he needed to keep his
investigation quiet to the public, she also knew her assistance
could be invaluable. Writers tended to keep to themselves but when
they chose to socialize, they did so with other writers. She could
provide entry into circles normally closed to him.
She signed into her email account and waited
for the messages to load, still frustrated at Mace’s lack of
cooperation. Creativity was something in which she prided herself;
she’d just have to use it to convince him to let her
participate.
“Guess who, girls?” She grinned at the first
message on the list.
“What does the message say this time?” Marnie
crowded next to her.
She pushed the computer back to allow them
all to see the screen, clicked on the message, and read aloud:
Dearest Dara:
The unfortunate chain of events over the last
few days has angered me.
What a shame that a murder has overshadowed
the release of your next
beautiful masterpiece. Perhaps the reviewer
finally got what she deserved.
In any event, I thoroughly enjoyed reading
your novel and lovingly give it
five stars.
I remain,
Romantically Devoted
“Wow, this reader is dedicated.” Bri leaned
back against the booth. “Do you know who it is?”
“No, but every week I receive a message
without fail.”
“The message is well written, concise, and
directly to the point,” Bri mused.
“This person obviously has formal education.”
As soon as the words left her mouth, realization pummeled her
brain. “Oh geez! I’d also bet he or she writes in some capacity.
Why didn’t I pick up on that earlier?”
“Probably because you found a body in your
living room,” Marnie drawled.
“I think you’re right.” Bri ran an index
finger across the author’s salutation. “And, I’d say your writer is
male.”
“How so?” Even Annie’s voice sang with
excitement.
“The verbiage,” Bri explained. “Unless this
person leads an alternative lifestyle, a woman probably wouldn’t
use terms such as dearest to address a female.” She tapped
on the electronic signature. “Or Romantically Devoted .”
“You do have male fans,” Reagan reminded
her.
She took a few seconds to process Bri’s
analysis, one she agreed with wholeheartedly. Romantically Devoted
definitely knew her work well and never hesitated to give her a
compliment. Strange, though, that he didn’t once identify
Similar Books
