You’ve never heard of me, Celeste Farmington, but you know my big brother Sandy Fairfax, that popular teen idol of the ‘70s and star of the TV show “Buddy Brave, Boy Sleuth.” At least that’s the handle he goes by. His real name is Stanford Ernest Farmington Jr. I guess his family name wasn’t good enough for show biz. He said his manager made the name change, but Ernest is stubborn enough that I’m sure he could turned him down if he wanted to.
I’m a musician too. I play piano better than Ernest (but not as good as my other brother, Warren) and I sing well too. I also write songs; Ernest hasn’t written anything except maybe a barroom song from his drinking days.
In the ‘70s I recorded two acoustic folk rock records, “Dragon in the Forest” and “Gently Sings the Dove.” I asked Ernest if his big-time record label would release my music but somehow that never happened, as well as a promise for me to guest star on his TV show and to open for his concerts. So my career went nowhere while he hit the heights.
In the years since Ernest retreated into the bottle and I scraped by. I’ve been blind since birth and earning a living hasn’t been easy. I’ve relied mostly on government checks; my parents and Warren (but not Ernest) gave me money too. I made ceramic sculptures and sold a few. I got rid of my piano because I needed the money and music didn’t interest me anymore.
Recently Ernest showed up at my doorstop claiming he was sober and that he had a job offer for me—a week’s worth of concerts aboard the SS Zodiac cruise ship. I was still angry with him for not helping out when I needed him. But he wanted to make amends, so I relented.
But I was scared. Crowds and unfamiliar places frightened me. I was comfortable in my home and with my routines. Learning the music for the show was difficult and I almost quit, but Ernest pushed me.
On board the ship, Ernest was a gentleman and he guided me around the decks. I enjoyed doing the concerts. I’d forgotten how much I loved to sing. I especially liked poking fun at my brother on stage in front of the audience. Hee hee.
What I didn’t like was the dead body that turned up in my brother’s backstage dressing room. That upset me. My brother started playing sleuth and interviewing suspects. I poked holes in some of his theories because I’m better at solving puzzles than he is. Then the killer tried to drown Ernest; the murderer even locked me in a box.
You can read about our adventure and how my dopey brother needed my help to unmask the killer at the onboard Halloween costume gala in the new book, The Cunning Cruise Ship Caper, the third book in the “Sandy Fairfax Teen Idol” series from Cozy Cat Press.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on November 26 for the chance to win a copy of THE CUNNING CRUISE SHIP CAPER. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
About the author
Sally Carpenter is native Hoosier now living in Moorpark, Calif.
She has a master’s degree in theater from Indiana State University. Her plays “Star Collector” and “Common Ground” were finalists in the American College Theater Festival One-Act Playwrighting Competition. “Common Ground” also 
earned a college creative writing award and “Star Collector” was produced in New York City. Carpenter also has a master’s degree in theology and a black belt in tae kwon do.
She’s worked as an actress, college writing instructor, theater critic, jail chaplain and tour guide/page for Paramount Pictures. She’s now employed at a community newspaper.
The initial book in the Sandy Fairfax Teen Idol series, “The Baffled Beatlemaniac Caper,” was a 2012 Eureka! Award finalist for best first mystery novel. “The Sinister Sitcom Caper” is the second in the series.
Her short story, “Dark Nights at the Deluxe Drive-in,” is in the anthology “Last Exit to Murder.” “Faster Than a Speeding Bullet” was published in the “Plan B: Vol. 2” e-book anthology.
She’s a member of Sisters in Crime/Los Angeles. She blogs at sandyfairfaxauthor.com and you can contact her on Facebook.
This is a new to me series. It looks like a fun one.
I am not familiar with this series or this author. Thanks for bringing to my attention.
I’ve never read anything by Sally Carpenter, but, this book sounds intriguing and I would love to have this chance to read her work. Thank you for this wonderful opportunity, Dru and Sally. 🔎 🔦 🔍
This is a new series for me, looks interesting, all aboard ship. On my TBR list.
Another new to me series. I’ll look for #1 🙂
This is new to me, I would love to read this
How have I missed this series? It sounds quirky and very lively. I’d love to read this one.
Love the idea of a cruise ship mystery! No need to enter me in the drawing, thanks so much for alerting us to this fun book!
Hi native Hoosier. I live about 35 miles from ISU I would love a copy of your book as my daughter is a travel agent and I hear a lot about cruises.
Sounds like a great book
Although we Buckeyes are supposed to dislike Hoosiers, I am able to overlook this silly rivalry in order to enjoy your book. It sounds like a fun read and has been added to my to be read list.
Another new author to try! Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Oh, I like the sound of this!
Sounds intriguing!
The author’s bio sounds as entertaining as the capers–more! more!
Another new series to me. And, this is the third one! Better get to reading the 1st & 2nd ones. Thanks for the review & giveaway.
Sounds like a book that I would like to read; fun/funny is what I can use and always love cozies of all kinds too. Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
Cynthia
I love mysteries set in fun places and cruise ships are so much fun, well unless you’re the dead person!
Only been on one cruise but would love to read about cruising.
I would love to read! Thank you for the giveaway.
Would love to win his
I’ve never read any books by Sally Carpenter so this would be a new series for me. A mysterious cruise ship could have many opportunities for intrigue.
I need to read the other 2 books before getting into this story. I love reading and hope to find time during the busy holidays ahead to really enjoy this book to the fullest!
New to me series!!
Looks like a great book!
Dru, thanks for hosting me and a big thank you to those who left comments–I appreciate your interest. The first two books in the series are “The Baffled Beatlemaniac Caper” and “The Sinister Sitcom Caper.”
Loved folk music since the 50s. Been on only one cruise but not a celebrity one. I would like to go on this journey. Judy
Blind man locked in a box?!
Not a fan of water activities, but love cruising. Sounds like a fun book.
would love to be a winner ..thanks for the chance.
Would love to win a treat of a book.
Contest is closed.