THE THORNS OF THE RED ROSE is a macabre, serial killer, mystery with a twist never before heard of (at least not by this author.) Read a little to see if you believe this or not.
Geraldo Cortez flees Columbia with his family and heads to Charleston, SC where it seems they will be safer. Evidence pointed its way to him in the deaths of over 100 women. Helena has trophies in her trunk; and, Anna and Stanley (twin brother and sister) can take it no longer. Instead of just keeping the family secrets, Stanley begins living identical to his father (killing women in Charleston.) Anna plans on stopping him. Secrets in the closet of this family really ought to be found out, but they'll have to tear downs old walls to do it.
Stan, who is trying hard to stop murdering, finds himself tangled up in the "Thorns of Red Rose" and his obsession draws him into the throws of a woman who is trying with all her might not to commit suicide. She's worried about her reputation and wants to go out a "murdered woman" not a "loser."
The twists and the crannies of this thriller will keep you on the edge of your seats. If you are ready to bite your nails and tap your feet, click on the area that allows you to read a piece.
Contact rosemeadesthorn.aol.com for the rest of the story.
Excerpt
Estanislao felt proud to open the doors of the company van. He was happy that his dad had stopped to help a girl to come in out of the rain. Not used to his father showing kindness to strangers, Stan also felt a bit puzzled. Excitement, however, was the emotion that actually had the better of him.
Moving a few plumbing equipment items out of the way, he made a dry spot for the pretty girl to sit. Stan would have loved to have gotten to sit beside her, yet, he kept those thoughts to himself. The knowledge that his dad was an impatient man, caused Estanislao to shut, first her door, then his own.
Geraldo stared at the girl for a second then he winked at his son. Estanislao beamed with a new type of pride… a new feeling… yet, one he'd feel for many years. Something strange, yet frightening was happening at the same time.
One hundred yards further down the street, Geraldo asked Estanislao to find the Mapsco he and his father used in order to locate the customer's houses when plumbing service calls were dispatched.
Speaking directly to his son, Geraldo said, "Think maybe I'll pull over. Maybe… Find that map yet," he asked his son. "Need to see if I'm gonna take a right or a left on La Rosa Drive," Geraldo spoke neither to his son or to the teen hitchhiker.
"Darn, son, what you doing digging in the glove box? The map's under your seat."
"Here, dad, here's the book. Sorry I took so long. I forgot that's where I placed it last," Estanislao nervously answered his dad.
Almost in tears, from the back of the van, the girl spoke, "Sir, I really need to be getting on down the road. If you need to do something else, I'll go ahead… jump back out and walk. I can't be much later than I am already," the girl explained.
"No, now you just relax, this will only take us a minute or two. You can wait right here in the dry van while Estanislao and I go inside. We are only going to give these people a quote. We're not going to fix nothin'."
"But, Dad!" Estanislao piped up to his father, who was now giving him a look that convinced him to keep quiet, and to follow his father's lead.
Geraldo got out of the driver's seat. Estanislao watched his dad walk around the front of the van… open the passenger door… then he tugged on the boy's shirt sleeve, almost jerking him out of the van. Geraldo's son did not know what had caused his dad's mood to swing so drastically to anger. He had tried very hard to behave and not get his father upset.
On the outside of the van, Geraldo said to his son, "You! Come with me right this second! You can get that shit eating grin off of your face while you're at it… we got some work to do now."
An extremely thin woman in her fifties came to the front door at 8211 La Rosa Drive. After handing her the bid for the new toilet and tub, Estanislao and Geraldo returned to the van. Although, odd as it was, Geraldo opened the sliding van door and got inside instead of returning to the driver's seat.
The girl looked up, eyes growing wide with fear.
"What you gonna do to me?" the hitchhiker asked.
The minute Estanislao turned his head to see why his fathe had gotten in the back seat, he felt the sting of a full hand slap across his left cheek. His head reeled and then slammed against the dash of the van. Instantly, he blacked out and for minutes afterwards did not regain consciousness.
Grabbing the door handle with her right hand, Katrina tried to escape. Her attacker had something else in mind entirely. One quick jerk to the left and a snap upwards of the girl's head, the neck broke. Her head dangled loosely. Geraldo laid her body down on the seat of the van.
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Reviews for "The Thorns of the Red Rose"
Reviewed by johnny freudiger
2/23/2008
I liked it. I thought the dialogue seemed natural and unforced. Looking forward to more. Nice description of a submisive son.
Reviewed by Tamara Dailey-Keur
1/27/2004
Wow, this story is bone chilling... An amazing write! I know that this book will do awesome. Please keep the story coming... I need more!
Reviewed by jim fox
5/27/2003
Catchy title,just had to read something you wrote.Now you have to do the same.Jim.
Reviewed by Kathy Ewbank
4/9/2002
I was sitting on the edge of my seat with my finger nails gripping my desk and my heart pounding! I want more! Please put another chapter up; or I'll have to buy soon!
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