Small problems can really wreck a day, can’t they? That is, until big ones come along to cut them down to size.
Before I found out about my friend Dima, my day was already falling apart. Maybe it was my own fault for driving to work. A cold fall rain was pouring down, and I had lucked out with a parking space on the street, just in front of my house. Walk seven blocks to the subway in the rain? Or stand under a store awning, waiting for a bus? Or do the easy thing, the warm and dry thing, and hop into my car?
Parking is difficult in my old, pre-driveway, Brooklyn home neighborhood. It is impossible in my older, pre-Civil War work neighborhood.
So I was already wet, late and grouchy when I finally walked into the cubicle I share with other low-level employees at the history museum. My boss was waiting for me.
He didn’t care about my tardiness. (Good) He wanted me to drop everything, attend a meeting and drive a visiting big-wig around. (Not good. ) This was going to be my day to get all caught up on my current assignment. I’m a grad student, single mother of a teen, an employee, a homeowner. Sometimes I fall behind in one, or even all, of those roles. Plus, driving again? No way.
When he promised an interesting meeting I was more than a little skeptical, but attend I did.
The visiting big-wig, Dr. Flint, turned out to be one of great experts on Tiffany glass, a well-dressed, cold-eyed older man. On meeting me he said, “What happened to Sarah? She was a student of mine and she is reasonably capable.”
“Down with the flu.”
“Then you’ll have to do, I suppose. And you are also a decorative arts specialist, I hope?’
“No, I am an urban historian. Historian in training, really. But I’ll be happy to assist today.” It seemed like the right thing to say.
His cool blue eyes got much cooler. I added quickly, “I’ll try not to ask foolish questions.”
“See that you don’t.”
Not the best beginning for a working relationship I didn’t even want, and now wanted less.
The meeting was about some boxes of material brought in by a dumpy woman with a timid manner and the startling name of Bright Skye. She shook out the contents of a large envelope. The drab table was suddenly covered in a rainbow, pages of watercolors, brilliantly glowing. They were familiar Tiffany designs: lacy red dragonflies; exuberantly blooming wisteria, in vivid lavender blue; rosy cherry blossoms; daffodils that radiated sunshine; pale opalescent magnolias and shimmering blue–green peacock feathers.
The entire room seemed to take on the glow. I couldn’t stop staring. Dr. Flint’s cold eyes started sparkling. In short order he agreed to consult on this new found material when he returned from a European conference. I was told to assist him today with a quick trip over to historic Green-Wood Cemetery before he left for the airport, to check some details on a memorial window. Then I would spend the week until his return cataloguing the mysterious new material.
What was I, a pawn on a chessboard, to be moved wherever I was needed? Well, yes, that’s exactly what I was. My ID said Research Assistant; it should have said All Around Servant.
The day got steadily more aggravating, and wetter, until the moment Dr. Flint was off to JFK and the sun finally came out. I thought I’d just walk by my daughter Chris’s school. At fifteen, she did not need – and certainly did not want! – a parental escort after school, but sometimes I just felt like seeing her.
Chris and her friends came down the stairs weeping. And that’s how I found out that Dima was dead. He was chief custodian at the school and father of a friend. Everyone knew him. Everyone liked him.
We didn’t know, then, that he had been murdered.
You can read more about Erica in Brooklyn Graves, the second book in the “Erica Donato” mystery series, published by Poisoned Pen Press. The first book in the series is Brooklyn Bones. Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
GIVEAWAY: Comment on this post by 6pm EST on March 20, and you will be entered for a chance to win a copy of BROOKLYN GRAVES. One winner will be chosen at random. Unless specified, U.S. entries only.
Meet the author
Triss Stein’s Brooklyn Graves (Poisoned Pen Press) is the second book in a new series about Brooklyn neighborhoods, Brooklyn history, families, teens-agers and crime. In other words, real life plus mystery. It includes a famous cemetery and even more famous Tiffany glass. Triss has been a public librarian and a business researcher but prefers writing mysteries. Raised in NY farm country, she especially enjoys writing about Brooklyn, her home for many decades.
Visit Triss on her website: trissstein.com or on Facebook
Follow dru’s book musing on Facebook for book giveaways, contests, posting about discounted books and some of my reading musings.
this is a new-to-me author/series………..
thank you for the giveaway!!
This sounds good! Thank you for the giveaway!
Brooklyn Bones was great! So I’m really looking forward to reading Triss Stein’s newest book. Thanks for the update!
Another new series. woohoo
I have not heard of this series, sounds good.
Good morning, everyone. Thank you for coming by while I guest blog with DruAnn. I’ll be in and out all day and will be happy to answer any questions.
Have a great day! Triss Stein
This obviously draws the reader to the story. This would be a new to me author and series….will need to get this one.
I must have been some sort of “urban archeologist” in another life I swear! Love books like this, and the series is new to me
Count me in. Always been fascinated with Tiffany – named by #1 daughter that. There were 3 Tiffanys in her preschool class! Count me in. Thanks.
This looks like a good mystery, I’m sure we’d both enjoy it. Thanks for the introduction and the chance to win. carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx
Another new to me author and series, my tbr list grows and grows. Thanks for the chance to win. This sounds interesting, you had me at Tiffany glass.
I’m so glad to read the enthusiasm for Tiffany glass. The cover is meant to evoke that, of course. They did a great job, I think. ( I can say that because I was not the designer)
Brooklyn caught my eye. Sounds as if this is a must read for me.
Can’t wait to read it, Triss.
I really enjoyed this excerpt and would love to read the rest of it! 🙂
I am surprised that I have not heard of this author and series, but I will definitely be checking it out now that I know about it. Would love to win the book offered in the giveaway.
Thank you for giving us some insight into this story. Sounds great.
Cynthia
I just had a day with a lot of small problems—but I guess I shouldn’t complain according to this. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
A new series to me too. I am intrigued and want to know more about Dima’s murder.
I had not heard of this author before, but I love the sound of this book and would enjoy reading it. Thanks for having the giveaway.
Triss, I loved Brooklyn Bones and look forward to reading Brooklyn Graves.
This sounds very promising.
New to me author & series. Added to my list. Thanks for the giveaway & the introduction. 🙂
contest is closed.