When Justine Turner calls, it’s my job to answer. A famous pop-biographer, Justine’s world went according to Justine. I’m her assistant. When I took the job, I thought I’d be writing more. To be fair, I did get to do some ghostwriting, which means I don’t get credit, just experience. But mostly, I researched for her, as well as fetched her dry-cleaning, paid her bills, and responded at a moment’s notice when she called. For lunch. For dinner. Or in this case, for tea at one of the most exclusive tea houses in the New York City.

I gathered my things and tried to wake up my mom, who was passed out on the couch. She didn’t budge. She’d had way too much to drink, once again.

I glanced at my phone to check the time—there was one more ferry heading over to Manhattan today and I needed to rush. I loved the city, and dreamed of living there when I was younger. I wanted to live the bohemian life, writing, reading, rubbing elbows with intelligent, interesting people. But that was before I became ill. I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease, after several months half-starts, tests and me feeling like I was losing my mind.

I settled in back at home on Cloister Island, with my mom, gram, and several neighbors who watched over me. I worked form home–Justine was a flexible employer. “I don’t care if you have Lyme. I like you Charlotte Donovan. We’ll work with it.” What Justine lacked in friendly disposition, she more than made up for in heart. I had no idea what I’d do without her.

I am a little worried as Justine’s tone was harried and nervous, so unlike her. What could be so troubling about the Jean Harlow biography we were working on? I’d like to shrug it off as her being dramatic, which was typical. But not quite like this.

So I packed up my things and headed to the dock, caught the next ferry, and watched my little fishing island vanish in the distance–and turned to the island of Manhattan looming ever large.

You can read more about Justine in The Jean Harlow Bombshell, the first book in the NEW “Classic Star Biography” traditional mystery series, released May 8, 2019.

When it comes to writing Golden Age Hollywood biographies, the pen is deadlier than the sword

Justine Turner is a world-famous biographer of Hollywood stars. She’s also Charlotte Donovan’s overbearing boss. So it comes as no surprise to Charlotte when Justine requests an emergency meeting related to her latest in-progress biography. It is a surprise, though, when Justine up and dies before their urgent discussion can begin.

In the wake of such a tragedy, all Charlotte wants to do is finish the Jean Harlow biography that Justine had started. Instead, she finds herself in grave danger―stalked both online and in person by a drop-dead Jean Harlow look-alike. Together with police sergeant Den Brophy, Charlotte uncovers shocking revelations. But will these revelations be enough to catch the killer?

Purchase Link
# # # # # # # # # # #

About the author
Mollie Cox Bryan is the author of the Cora Crafts Mysteries and the Cumberland Creek Mysteries. Her books have been selected as finalists for an Agatha Award and a Daphne du Maurier Award and as a Top 10 Beach Reads by Woman’s World. She has also been short-listed for the Virginia Library People’s Choice Award. Mollie is distantly related to Jean Harlow.

To learn more about Mollie, visit her website at molliecoxbryan.com or follow Mollie on Facebook, on Twitter, or on Instagram.

Sign up for Mollie’s newsletter here.

All comments are welcomed.