I’m a freelance writer, which means that I set my own hours, learn a little bit about a lot of things, and get to interview everyone from television celebrities to small business owners. Here’s the thing: there are no benefits, and the work is far from guaranteed. And if I’m being completely honest, the celebrities I’ve managed to get interviews with are pretty much “D” list. That’s why I thought it would be a good idea to specialize.
I sort of fell into covering Toronto’s residential housing industry, and it’s worked out okay, but I have to tell you, there are only so many ways to report on the same old condo statistics and make it sound interesting. On top of that, I’m in a funk. My mother died recently, an overdose I suspect was deliberate, and my fiancé dumped me for a personal trainer with bleach blonde hair and legs up to her ears.
But today just might be my lucky day. The senior editor at Urban Living Publications really liked my exposé on the Kraft-Fergusson brownfield scandal, and because of that, the company has offered me a lucrative assignment—with benefits. They’re even going to pay my rent for the first six months. All I have to do is relocate to Lount’s Landing, take over as editor of the local magazine, and uncover the real story behind a proposed redevelopment plan.
It sounds like the opportunity of a lifetime, doesn’t it? After all, it’s not as if I have anything to hold me in Toronto. Besides, what could possibly go wrong?
You can read more about Emily in The Hanged Man’s Noose, the first book in the NEW “Glass Dolphin” mystery series, published by Barking Rain Press.
About The Hanged Man’s Noose
Journalist Emily Garland lands a plum assignment as the editor of a niche magazine based in Lount’s Landing, a small town named after a colorful nineteenth century Canadian traitor. As she interviews the local business owners for the magazine, Emily quickly learns that many people are unhappy with real estate mogul Garrett Stonehaven’s plans to convert an old schoolhouse into a mega-box store. At the top of that list is Arabella Carpenter, the outspoken owner of an antiques shop, who will do just about anything to preserve the integrity of the town’s historic Main Street.
But Arabella is not alone in her opposition. Before long, a vocal dissenter at a town hall meeting about the proposed project dies. A few days later, another body is discovered, and although both deaths are ruled accidental, Emily’s journalistic suspicions are aroused.
Putting her reporting skills to the ultimate test, Emily teams up with Arabella to discover the truth behind Stonehaven’s latest scheme before the murderer strikes again.
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GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on Wednesday, September 23 for the chance to win a signed, print copy of The Hanged Man’s Noose. The giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only. Good luck everyone!
Meet the author
Judy Penz Sheluk’s debut mystery novel, The Hanged Man’s Noose, was released in July 2015 by Barking Rain Press (www.barkingrainpress.org). Her short crime fiction appears in World Enough and Crime (Carrick Publishing) and The Whole She-Bang 2 (Toronto Sisters in Crime).
In her less mysterious pursuits, Judy works as a freelance writer; her articles have appeared regularly in dozens of U.S. and Canadian consumer and trade publications. Judy is currently the Senior Editor of New England Antiques Journal and the Editor of Home BUILDER Canada.
Judy is a member of Sisters in Crime International, Sisters in Crime – Guppies, Sisters in Crime – Toronto, Crime Writers of Canada, and the Short Fiction Mystery Society. She lives in a small town northwest of Toronto, Canada.
Find Judy at www.judypenzsheluk.com, where she interviews other authors and blogs about the writing life.
Sounds like an interesting new series. Great post, made me add this to my TBR list. Thanks for the chance to win.
Love to be in on a debut novel and enjoy discovering Canadian authors.
I would love to read this imhope i win
I recently read “Hanged Man’s Noose.” It’s a terrific book.
Another new series for an author, love it! Thanks for the chance 🙂
My elderly mother loves her mysteries & I know she would love this.
I’m in. Always attracted to stories involving reporters, and I really want to know what the “glass dolphin” reference is for/from. As a small town reporter, I interviewed a few “celebrities,” most of them politicians, and one really excellent country singer who was big in the 80s. (I’m dating myself …) I never got any “big” gets, but I did have people tell me things they didn’t even share with their children, and I got some great stories from that.
Ooooo! Another new writer to add to my list! I can hardly wait to get my hands on a copy of “Hanged Man’s Noose.”
Can’t wait to read this, sounds great.
I like books with writers as characters. Thanks for giving away copies of the book.
I am not familiar with this author. The concept of this books sounds intriguing so of course I would love to read it. Thanks for the giveaway. robeader53@yahoo.com
Thanks for this fascinating feature and great giveaway.
The Hanged Man’s Noose sounds like a good read. Thank you for introducing me to this author.
Of course – what could possibly go wrong? – sounds like a fun read to me!!!
Sounds interesting. I’ll definitely give this one a try. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Sounds like fun. I grew up in Toronto so that should make it even more interesting for me. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Sounds good! I love a new series and this has the bonus of a strong female lead.
Another new-to-me author to try! Thanks for a chance to win a copy. Sounds like a story I would enjoy.
I would love to read a mystery set in Canada and learn more about the country. Thanks for the giveaway!
Interesting. A mystery based in Canada! Thanks Dru.
Oh…never say what could possibly go wrong! Sounds like a great read! Thanks for the chance!
I keep saying that I shouldn’t start any new series until I catch up on a couple, but this sounds so good, I am definitely adding this to my tbr list. Thanks for introducing a new one to me.
Thanks for the chance to win. I would love to read a mystery with links To Toronto which is my hometown.
This is a new author/series for me; I’d love to read this book.
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I love when they say “what could go wrong”. You kind of groan to yourself because you know there’s a lot that’s going to go wrong.
thanks.
I love all these comments! I hope you have a chance to read and that you enjoy your visit to Lount’s Landing. Good luck to all who enter by commenting.
HI Judy, I’ve already read Dead Man Floating and loved it. It’s wonderful. Good luck to all those in the contest.
This another good one. keep them coming.
Oh, my. Bring it on.
Sounds like a must-read for me…..
Thanx for the giveaway…..
Contest is closed.
Thanks to Dru for this opportunity and to all who commented. I truly appreciate your interest and even if you didn’t win, I hope you’ll consider reading The Hanged Man’s Noose. I do plan on making it a series, but the book can definitely stand alone.
All the Best, Judy