That's how the second Shandra Higheagle Mystery, Tarnished Remains starts. Potter Shandra Higheagle is on her mountain digging in a pocket of clay she uses for her pottery. She pushes the shovel in the clay and comes up with a boot and bones.
Before I started writing this series I visited a potter who uses natural clay that he cleans and purifies before using it in his wares. I gave my amateur sleuth this same trait and put her on a mountain in Idaho where she makes her vases that are sold as art. The other unique thing I gave her was her ancestry. She is half Nez Perce but was kept from her Native American roots after her father died in a rodeo accident.
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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?
Windtree Press:
http://windtreepress.com/portfolio/double-duplicity/
patyjager.net
Writing into the Sunset
Paty, the tidbit you gave us sounds intriguing! Can't wait to read more!
ReplyDeleteKaren, I'm glad the story piques your interest. Thanks!
DeletePaty, I look forward to reading this release. Congratulations on getting this book completed while building your home and moving in. Obviously, you are super efficient.
ReplyDeleteCaroline, I wish I was super efficient. I'm more determined and focused. ;) The hard part is getting number three ready to publish by my deadline.
DeletePaty,
ReplyDeleteThis story sounds absorbing. I can hardly wait to read it!
Hi Mary, Thank you. I hope you enjoy it.
DeleteSounds like an excellent story with a fascinating main character. I like the pottery connection as well as Shandra's Nez Perce ancestry. I'm looking forward to reading Tarnished Remains.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandra! I had fun coming up with Shandra and all the interesting things about her.
ReplyDelete