Avery Morgan sits down for a Q&A with dru’s book musings responding to twenty or more questions so that we can learn more about her. Are you ready? Let’s get to know Avery.

What is your full name?
Avery Minette Morgan

How old are you?
28

What is your profession?
I’m the business manager of the Portage Path Women’s Club. That means I handle things like scheduling club activities (book discussion groups, film nights, card games) as well as make sure things at the old and historical Dennison Mansion where the club makes its home are kept in order. It’s not always easy. Just a few days before I started working here, there was a fire in the Marigold Room where the club’s records are kept. I had to work with the restorationist to make sure the room was returned to its original glory.

Do you have a significant other?
Well, that’s a good question. Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer. Not right now, anyway. The man in my life is Oz Alterman, a Portage Path police detective. But he’s busy, I’m busy, and our schedules don’t always mesh. We’re inching toward a relationship and that makes me happy. Oz is a good man, honorable and hard-working, and though I know he doesn’t like it that I sometimes investigate, he has listened to a couple suggestions I’ve made when it comes to solving crime. Our one-time president, Muriel Sadler, was murdered here, and recently, one of the performers in a murder mystery dinner fundraiser didn’t make it out alive. Can you blame me for trying to help? The reputation of our club–and the safety of its members–is at stake!

What is their name and profession?
I think I jumbled up my answer in that first question. Then again, when I think about Oz, I sometimes get a little carried away!

Do you have any children?
No.

Do you have any siblings?
No.

Are your parents nearby?
My parents died when I was young and I was raised by my aunt, Rosemary Walsh. She loves me to pieces. She’s a terrific lady–even if she does talk to the dead. Yes, Rosemary is a medium. All my life, she’s been telling me I have the Gift, too, but frankly, I’ve never believed it. Well, I never did until I came to Portage Path.

Who is your best friend?
I’ve just moved to Portage Path from my home in Lily Dale, New York. I haven’t had time to make many new friends yet. Unless dead people count. See, not long after I started working at the club, I found out there’s a resident ghost here. Her name is Clemmie Bow and she died down in that speakeasy. She was hired to sing there, but never had a chance to warble a note. The moment she stepped out on stage, two guys in the club had a fight. One of them fired a shot that missed his opponent and hit Clemmie. For a long time, Clemmie was trapped down in the speakeasy, but we took care of that, and now she’s free to roam the club–and help with my investigations. Like all best friends, she isn’t shy about offering advice on fashion, make up, or love.

Do you have any pets?
No.

What town do you live in?
Portage Path, Ohio. It’s about 20 miles south of Cleveland, one of those old industrial towns that haven’t weathered changes in the economy very well. Once upon a time, the city and the business tycoons who lived here were powerhouses, and PPWC is lucky enough to live in Chauncey Dennison’s old mansion. He was at the top of Portage Path’s social set, a man who was respected by all. I wonder what his fellow magnates would have thought if they found out that during Prohibition, Chauncey had a speakeasy in the basement of his grand mansion?

Do you live in a small town or a big city?
Portage Path is a city, but not a huge one. There’s a small college here, a nice art museum, a smattering of businesses.

Type of dwelling and do you own or rent?
As PPWC’s business manager, I have a suite right in the historic mansion. Yeah, someday I’d like to buy a house somewhere nearby, but for now, this is perfect for me.

What is your favorite spot in your home?
I should say the living room where after a long day’s work, I can kick off my shoes, pour a glass of wine, and read. But truth be told, one of my favorite places in the house is the attic. It’s filled with treasures and is where I found a flapper dress to wear to a murder mystery dinner the club sponsored. Great idea, right? I thought so, too. Until the murder mystery became all too real.

Favorite meal and dessert?
I’m pretty easy to please. Salads are always good, though I will say, Oz makes great sandwiches. As for dessert . . . brownies. Any flavor!

Do you have any hobbies?
Right now, getting used to a new job and settled in a new town, I haven’t had much time for hobbies.

What is your favorite vacation spot?
I’ve always been a working-class girl. Rather than go to college, I learned the hospitality business on my feet. I’ve worked as a waitress and as the manager of a conference center. There’s never been a lot of time for vacations.

What music do you listen to?
I love country music!

Do you have a favorite book?
I’ll read just about anything except mysteries that are too gory or graphic.

What is your idea of a really fun time?
Oz once took me on a picnic in January. He came to the club with a picnic basket full of food, a blanket, and even wine, and set it all out in front of the fireplace in the ballroom. That was fun. Not to mention romantic. Well, at least until something crashed out of the chimney that helped with our investigation.

If you were to write a memoir, what would you call it?
“The Haunted Mansion Mysteries.”

Amateur or professional sleuth and whom do you work with?
I’m definitely an amateur and it’s a good thing I’ve got Oz around to offer advice. He’s always got my back.

In a few sentences, what is a typical day in your life like?
Downstairs early to start welcoming club members, arrange schedules, try to drum up new business (PPWC is a great place for weddings and showers, keep us in mind!). Of course, that would all be a lot easier if people didn’t keep getting bumped off inside the club.

What is a typical day when you are on a case?
See above, even when I’m investigating, I have work to do. So I may be hot on the trail of a suspect, but I can’t forget about the ladies who are scheduled to put together jigsaw puzzles that day. I might be walking straight into danger, but first, I’ve got to make sure the coffee is on, our restaurant is ready to receive members and their guests, and I’ve done all I can be beef up the club’s membership rolls. Yeah, it’s not easy juggling so many balls at once, but you know, between Oz (who makes my heart beat faster), and the nice ladies of the club (who are for the most part, sweet and caring) and of course, because of my friendship with Clemmie, I’m glad to give it a try!

Phantoms and Felonies, A Haunted Mansion Mystery #2
Genre: Cozy
Release: April 2021
Purchase Link

When a local theater troupe puts on a new play at the club, manager Avery Morgan is excited. This is just the sort of event that’s destined to bring in potential new members. Okay, millionaire banker Bob Hanover has more bucks than talent and has used his position to grab the lead role, but that seems like a small price to pay. . .until Bob is found dead backstage.

Bob rubbed many people the wrong way, but would anyone want him dead? The short answer to that is: Who wouldn’t want him dead? His long-suffering wife had to put up with years of womanizing. The show’s playwright has been tricked out of his one great idea by Bob, who claimed it as his own work. And Bob bankrupted one of the town’s small businessmen. The choices are many and the time to find the killer is running short.

Avery is working overtime to keep the club open and find the killer. Fortunately, she has help with the latter task. Clemmie Bow was once a singer in the speakeasy in the club’s basement. Now she’s a ghost who’s also a top-notch detective. Together Clemmie and Avery will find the killer—even if it kills one of them.

About the author
Lucy Ness is an established mystery author. She has written the League of Literary Ladies Mystery series and the Button Box Mystery series.

All comments are welcomed.