Thomas here. Thomas Burkhardt. I don’t usually go on holiday. I live for my job—head of INTERPOL’S Artifact Retrieval Team—ART for short. We’re under the Cultural Heritage Department. You might have seen the news reports about the return of the Akrotiri Snake Goddess, and more recently, the sapphire and emerald Borgia Peacock. We did that. Stefanie and I.

She is the reason I’m on holiday in Bermuda. She chose the place. Halfway between the U.S. and Germany. Her home and mine. A way to assert her independence? Perhaps.

I knew from the moment I met her that she was the woman for me. She knows it too. Even though she brushed off my proposal of marriage. That hurt my pride. I didn’t expect it. Going after the artifacts got in the way. But now we’ll be off duty. Alone. No calls from Renè. Nothing will get in the way of my pursuit of her. It is a shame the toy car I had to rent here doesn’t show me at my best. It is a far cry from my Mercedes.

Never tempt Fate. It will laugh and take your plans as a challenge. One of Stefanie’s friends loaned us his house in Bermuda. Nice. Except for the neighbor hovering at the wall between the properties. I pretended I didn’t see him, but the man has caught Stefanie’s attention. She is too courteous for her own good, still has too much of the customer service attitude from her days at the bank. Their loss for not keeping her. She’s mine now, and I’m not going to let her get away. I know I’m better with her than without her.

But wait, talking to this neighbor wasn’t a complete waste of time. He’s an archaeologist, and found buried treasure, from the days of the Spanish Treasure Fleet. An emerald bracelet is missing, and he wants Stefanie’s help to get it back. Her help, not mine. I’ll let her have her moment. Later, when the time is right, I’ll propose properly. I enjoy the chase and so does she.

Mary here: I hope you enjoyed your glimpse into the mind of Thomas Burkhardt. To celebrate the release of DEATH IN ST. GEORGE’S, the 3rd Intrepid Traveler Mystery, I have an e-book to give away to one lucky U.S. reader who responds below. Have you ever tempted fate, and has it laughed at you? Do tell. Giveaway ends May 19, 2024.

Cheers!

Death in St. George’s, An Intrepid Traveler Mystery Book #3
Genre: Traditional Mystery
Release: May 2024
Format: Print, Digital
Purchase Link

When Stefanie and Thomas meet in Bermuda for time alone away from the demands of the Artifact Retrieval Team that Thomas heads, their romantic rendezvous is waylaid by an archaeologist who requests their help in recovering an emerald bracelet that’s been stolen from his site.

Thomas is reluctant, but Stefanie can’t resist the lure of Spanish gold. Then one of the archaeologists is murdered and they find themselves on the suspect list. Spanish gold isn’t the only thing uncovered. Secrets can be deadly. Stefanie and Thomas must find the killer before it’s too late.

About the author
M. A. Monnin is the author of the Intrepid Traveler Mystery series, including Agatha Best First Novel nominee DEATH IN THE AEGEAN. Her 3rd in the series, DEATH IN ST. GEORGE’S, is out today! Mary’s short stories have appeared in Black Cat Mystery Magazine, Black Cat Weekly, and numerous anthologies. A member of Curators of Crime, ITW, MWA, SinC, and SMFS, an avocational archaeologist and USAF veteran, Mary lives in Kansas City, MO.

Connect with M.A. at mamonnin.com, on Facebook, X at @mamonnin1, and Instagram.