Dear Marcia,
You know how I’m always saying that nothing ever happens here in San Benno? Well, it has now! I believe our sleepy SoCal beach town has had a murder.
Now, I’m sure you’ll say that it’s just wishful thinking. You know I’ve always been interested in forensic pathology—you even used to laugh at me about it when we were at Chu Lai. But I wouldn’t wish anyone to die, especially the way this poor man did. His body was at the base of the bluff. You know, the one in the picture I sent you? With the big house perched on top?
No one seems to know who the man is, so he must be from out of town.
Right now, scuttlebutt is that the bluff collapse was probably an accident. The victim was half-buried in the sand, but I don’t think that’s what killed him. His arm, I’d say, belonged to a pale hairy guy and not the sunbathing type.
I’m sure our new detective will jump right on it. His name is Rory Gallardo, and I’ve heard he’s very nice. I’ve also heard this is his first gig in charge of a police station. He used to work in L.A., apparently, surveilling mountain lions in the hills.
But a murder? Usually the worst we have around here are those miscreants who keep stealing the road barriers, but now we have a serious crime. Once Detective Gallardo discovers that it’s no accident, I know he’ll need my help.
Lou won’t like it. You know how he is –– all grumbly. Being a newspaperman isn’t easy, especially in these days of the World Wide Web. But he’s a sweet guy and I know he’ll be a big help if he lets himself. Maybe I’ll even stock in some coffee for him.
So on to motive –– why kill some guy no one knows? Underneath the laid-back vibe, it’s true our city has problems brewing. The over-development, for one thing. The Beach Center improvements cost over a million, and that’s just there for tourists. Oh, did I mention tourists discovered the body? Jerry Jarman and the mayor are bound to be upset about how this will affect local business.
I’ll let you know more when I do. Today, I must figure out how to get Detective Gallardo to show me the autopsy report. I’ll bring Hephaestus with me to the station –– maybe his orange tabby personality will soften the new detective and his sergeant. I may be in my seventies, but I’m still crafty. I refuse to pull any old lady stuff, but I can be an interfering busybody when I need to.
More later,
Rosie
Find out what happens as Rosie investigates in Bummer at Luna Beach.
Bummer at Luna Beach
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: April 2024
Format: Print, Digital, Audio (coming soon)
Purchase Link
A beach, a bluff, and a body
A body has been found at Luna Beach, one hairy arm sticking out of the sand at the bottom of the bluff. While police detective Rory Gallardo and his staff uncover the man’s origins, 72-year-old Rosie McMahon and her cat Hephaestus are also on the case. Pursuing clues with the help of her journalist pal Lou and environmentalist student Tiffany, Rosie discovers a mystery bigger than a dead tourist.
Set against the backdrop of a classic Southern California beach town, Bummer at the Beach is a cozy mystery to win the hearts of those who like their beach towns funky.
Meet the author
Lisa M. Lane is an author and historian who writes in several genres. Her mysteries, historical and contemporary, feature a light touch with timely underlying themes. Her novels include Before the Time Machine, a literary novel about a historian investigating H.G. Wells, and the Tommy Jones Mysteries, which take place in mid-Victorian England. She lives in San Diego with her woodcrafting husband David and their cat Sabrina.