Members' New Publications

The Body in the Moonlight, by Katherine Hall Page,
William Morrow

Faith Fairchild is busy at home and at work as Halloween comes creeping into the small town of Aleford, Massachusetts. Yet, when First Parish asks her to cater the church's restoration campaign kickoff at historic Ballou House, she gamely agrees. She's never done a Murder Mystery Game benefit dinner before, and there's the additional draw of four famous local mystery writers to join in the fun. But the evening's merriment is brought to a grisly halt when a beautiful young woman dies moments after finishing every last bite of the dessert Faith has prepared! Never before has Faith's amateur sleuthing hit so close to home --and never before has it been more crucial. She has to find out who killed Gwen Lord to save her business and possibly her freedom. But before she does, there's a body in the moonlight --a body that carries an unmistakable warning for Faith Fairchild.... You're next!

The Falcon At The Portal, by Elizabeth Peters,
Avon Twilight, ISBN 0-380-97658-7

As the 1911 archaeological season begins, Amelia and famille have arrived in Egypt for their annual excavation. While the reappearance of Ramses' dreadful cousin Percy is to be lamented, the marriage of his best friend David to Amelia's niece Lia is a source of joy for everyone. But the bride has barely walked down the aisle before trouble begins stalking the family. First, David is accused of selling ancient Egyptian artifacts that are actually high-priced almost undetectable fakes. Then, though this year's site appears ordinary enough--dull, really--some deadly surprises await the professional touch of Professor Radcliffe Emerson, the Father of Curses, holder of innumerable honorary degrees, scourge of the underworld, and the greatest Egyptologist of this or any other age. But even as Amelia and company endeavor to clear David's name and expose the real culprit, worse crimes are surfacing. The first is the body of an American at the bottom of the Emersons' excavation shaft. Then, as accusations of drug-dealing and moral misconduct start flying, the appearance of a small child of mysterious antecedents sparks a crisis that threatens to tear the Emerson family apart. Meanwile, as Amelia brings her brilliant powers of deduction to bear on all of this, someone is shooting bullets at her and coming awfully close. As the tension mounts and accidents increase at the site, it becomes clear that the Land of the Pharaohs harbors more secrets than any tomb can hide. If Amelia doesn't expose a dangerous gallery of killers quickly, she may find herself the next candidate for burial.

Heir Apparent, by Twist Phelan,
Sands Publishing, October 2002

Fresh out of law school, Joe McGuiness has a prized job with an Arizona law firm, the chance to pursue his team roping hobby, and a date with the lovely Mia Ortiz. Then his firm's wealthiest client and her hot-headed son turn up murdered, and it appears Mia has blood on her hands. A different sport will figure into each of the series’ legal-themed mysteries, which feature an ensemble cast from the desert resort town of Pinnacle Peak, Arizona. In the second book, which won the Mystery Category of the Colorado Gold Writing Contest, the lawyer protagonist's sports passion is bicycling. In the third mystery, rock climbing will be the athletic focus.