Purple azaleas and hot, steamy summers may be obvious, but it's the things that are hidden which drives Detective Sue Gibbs to investigate even the Panhandle Patriots. These women, who search yellowing pages, know all of the secrets of this community in the Florida Panhandle.
The Forgotten Coast of Florida contains the most beautiful beaches in the world. A vicious murder causes the area to lock doors and stay inside away from the glories of nature. Delicious Tupelo honey, the most desirable of the golden nectars, silently gathers in hives. Locals collect it lovingly, as did ancestors throughout the long past of the area. Detetctive Sue Gibbs also lovingly discovers something of worth. Slowly, she chips at family and friends. Even the revered ladies of the Panhandle Patriots, who know well secrets of this community, are not beyond her scrutiny. These special ladies silenty collect mysteries on yellowing sheets of paper from earlier generations. Many residents harbor tales. Detective Gibbs will find the killer regardless of the consequences. Deceitful actions, which she discovers, will cause shock and discussion from the small town for years to come.
Excerpt
MURDERED TWICE ONE: THE WITNESS
No one even knows that I exist. According to rumors around town, Beverly Brown Roberts, and Daniel Baxter discovered the bloody, stabbed Rachel. Now, they are the principal ob- jects of investigation. It is impossible for me to venture forward. The danger is too great. What I witnessed, the night that I watched someone dear stabbed to death, creates terror in my soul. Almost each night, I hate to admit, I wet the bed. Fear and anxiety follow me as darkness. If discovered, I place nothing off limits for this evil person. Will I be the next to pay with my life? So many questions flood my mind but most of all, Why?
It is innocent that I enjoy the peaceful spot be- hind the Panhandle Patriots Headquarters. How could I know that I would witness a murder on a day at my favorite place? Frequently, I sit by the tinkling little stream that runs behind the proper-
MURDERED TWICE
ty. That peaceful creek always provides a repose that nowhere else can match. The cold, blue wa- ter gently trickles over the sharp, dark rocks. Sometimes, I even stick my toes in the flowing coolness.
Nearby the stream, a large Weeping Willow tree proudly stands to provide much-needed shade in the miserably hot summers. Huge shapely branches dip long smooth leaves into the water. There is a mossy bend in the tree, which pro- vides a great place to sit over the stream. It is a place that I enjoy visiting. Birds nest in the tree. Many varieties sing their melodious tunes that I love. My bird book usually accompanies me on my trek to this spot of tranquility. Pride causes exuberance in my ability to identify several dif- ferent varieties of the featured creature. I wit- nessed terror inside that building; yet forever, this place will remain tucked into the recesses of my mind. Then, I can return whenever I am dis- tressed. Even though the worst day of my life passed here, I remain in tune with the solace, which only this spot can provide.
LINDA HEAVNER GERALD
Of course, no one was aware of my presence, at least it appeared that way until later. I remember all of the details of the day, which changed my life forever. That was the first day of winter. The wind forcibly blew from the North, so I shivered as I sat in my place. Stupidly, I forgot my jacket. There were not any songs of nature. The sounds then were not beautiful. They were cruel. Hate- ful shouts filled the air instead of peaceful songs. I remember all of the particulars of that time, down to the words thrown as barbs at the beautiful slender woman.
Murdered due to what appeared out-of-control anger, she looked innocent. They loudly argued, which stirred my interest. Nothing much hap- pens in this small town. It seemed exciting, just like a crime show on television. Carefully, I qui- etly inched toward the small building. I longed to be a famous detective, just like Sue Gibbs, our local investigator. The long windows al- lowed me to see all clearly. I stumbled with fear, as I watched the scene.
MURDERED TWICE
Glistening white walls darkened by the evening shadows displayed four people in the late after- noon light. Sometimes, I would gaze at the shadows, which seemed large and grotesque as the actual people paced back and forth. Why were these friends angry? I thought that they all loved each other so much. I knew each of these people very well. Horrible accusations pivoted in the air. Never in my life had I been subjected to such anger, and betrayal. I felt repulsed. Those angry words heavily hung in the air. Didn’t they know that? Cruel, vicious charges filled the late afternoon. I felt sick to my stom- ach that people could stoop to such a low level. What were they accomplishing? I kept thinking that she should leave. Why would she stand there, as a deer for slaughter, and take the evil verbal assaults?
Never did I imagine escalation to actual physi- cal blows, or I would have risked my life to as- sist her. What occurred was beyond grasping.
When things became physical, I grew faint. She just stood there, crying like a child. The pain, which she felt, must have broken her, because
LINDA HEAVNER GERALD
there were not attempts at self-defense, or ret- ribution. Once she did yell back, but she tolerat- ed such shocking actions, as a lamb to slaughter. She merely endured, while crying as if her heart was broken. I think that she died, as much from a broken heart, as from the brutal stab that oc- curred in a very strange way. I would have screamed, but I could not. Standing in the same spot for the long time that it took to drain life from her lovely frame, I remained frozen to that place. Later, my terrified mind realized that I did nothing to help her.
After they all left, and she was motionless, the same inability at movement crept up my spine. For the longest time, I watched. I waited for her to stand up, and begin to wipe up all of the blood. There was no movement. No laughter or singing would ever fill the small room. Never again would those noble members, the Panhan- dle Patriots, gather with the purpose of loving their country, and the Patriots who died defend- ing us all. I treasured those exceptional women. Always they were kind and loving to me, as well as everyone in the town. When Beverly
MURDERED TWICE
Brown Roberts called them “silly,” I wanted to hit her. She was jealous that she did not have the nobleness, which they possessed. Pride in our country should unite not polarize.
Nights fill with terror for me now, as I relive the scenes of senseless death. Rumors fly around town pointing to the husband, and best friend. Only I know the truth. It is a terrible story of de- ceit and jealousy. Detective Sue Gibbs will find me. When she does, it will be a relief to describe the anger and hatefulness of that evening. The locals will never believe the scene, which I wit- nessed, but I will speak the truth. Come quickly Detective Gibbs for I fear that my life is also in danger. Primarily save me from that vilest and most evil one.
Professional Reviews
Another Winner From Mrs. Gerald
4.0 out of 5 starsAn enjoyable read
By Robert Krueger on February 15, 2016
Format: Paperback
Beautiful beaches and delicious Tupelo honey describe this part of the Florida coast. But not all is tranquil nor idyllic. In fact, there is fear because the town is suddenly infused with murder.
Sue Gibbs is a seasoned investigator. Although a native resident of the town, she rules out no one in her quest to find the murderer; friends are not exempt from her scrutiny. She is characterized by her determination learned from a serious mistake that has left her with scars, but she is strong and decent and not deterred from her duty.
Although the murder investigation is the raison d'etre for the story, this novel is (to me) equally or mostly about small town life. It has a full cast of believable characters ranging from the conventional to the sometimes nasty and occasionally strange. Typically, this small town is riddled with secrets, peccadilloes, transgressions, and lies. With clear, crisp writing, the author brings this interesting, enjoyable murder mystery to life. Reviewed by the author of The Children's Story, About Good and Evil.
Investigate a Murder without Letting Personal Feelings Come Into Play
The biggest challenge is to investigate a murder without letting personal feelings get in the way...
By Einsam on March 6, 2016
Format: Kindle Edition
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. On the other hand, I like to review books to let others know how I feel about them and would have provided the review anyway.
This is a somewhat unusual murder investigation. Rachel Baxter, a popular socialite, is found dead with a strange set of circumstances. It is considered murder and many of the suspects are close friends of Sue Gibbs, the Detective on the case. We also get a glimpse into a case she had many years ago where an innocent man was convicted and sent to prison. As a result, Sue is determined not to let personal feelings interfere with this investigation. Trying to sort through all of the lies and jealousies is one of the biggest challenge Detective Gibbs faces. We also get an inside view of the lives of many of the people in the story from both their view and the view of the detective investigating the murder.
WOW!
Wow!
This was absolutely amazing and truly unlike any other mystery that I’ve read before. I’m going to try to go through this without giving everything away so here while still telling you everything I love about it and not making it pages and pages long.
So here goes.
Linda weaves an amazing tale of murder and mystery and suspense with characters that are themselves weaved into the plot.
She spends time developing said characters in a way that you both hate, love, and want to know so much more about them and just have to keep reading.
Also, I found her format so interested.
For instance, you first hear from the point of view of the witness to the crime then the detective then the crime itself and so on.
Like I said, I don’t want to give away everything.
I will say in closing that Linda has created another winner.
Murdered Twice is absolutely positively in a class all its own.
She was quite capable of taking care of herself...She appreciated everything he was doing for her and the Grandmothers Four, but she needed his help, not for him to take over.
