The Accidental Gumshoe – Marja McGraw

It’s my pleasure to welcome back one of my favorite mystery authors,

Marja McGraw.

Marja McGraw has worked in both civil and criminal law, state transportation, and for a city building department.  She has lived and worked in California, Nevada, Oregon, Alaska, Arizona, and Washington.

She wrote a weekly column for a small town newspaper in Northern Nevada, and conducted a Writers’ Support Group in Northern Arizona. A past member of Sisters in Crime (SinC), she was the Editor for the SinC-Internet Newsletter for a year and a half.

Marja writes two mystery series, The Sandi Webster Mysteries and The Bogey Man Mysteries, which are light reading with a touch of humor.

Marja says that each of her mysteries contains a little humor, a little romance and A Little Murder!

She now lives in Washington, where life is good.

The Accidental Gumshoe

Sandi Webster is stuck at home with an injured foot. Always the one to help out, her mother sends her a box of old diaries written by her Great-great-great-Aunt Sioux, hoping she’ll learn about their family history.

Initially Sandi is just about bored to tears while reading what the weather was like and what her aunt had for dinner on any given day. She’s ready to stop reading when she notices a diary marked 1920, with a page marked.

Aunt Sioux’s father was accused of murder, and Sandi’s seventeen-year-old aunt was determined to learn who the real killer was with the help of her cousin and two male friends, and eventually her mother. What she had for dinner is the last thing on her mind.

Sandi may learn where she developed her interest in being a private detective and her passion for solving mysteries. She may also learn that, of all things, a broom can come in quite handy in some of life’s situations.

                                                ————– Excerpt–————–

Excerpt from Chapter Two. Up to this point Aunt Sioux’s diaries have been boring, but her entries suddenly come to life, beginning with a scream.

Sandi

I picked the one up dated 1920 and read more about food, the weather, and Sioux’s boredom. I was about to toss it back in the box when I noticed a piece of paper sticking out from among the pages. I turned to the marked spot, hoping to find something interesting. One could always hope, and in this case I wasn’t disappointed. Initially I thought I’d learn more about the family history, but it turned out to be more than that.

Aunt Sioux – 1920

I became seventeen years old last month. Mother asks me when I’m going to meet the right man. I laugh at her, or at least I did until yesterday.

Jake’s cousin, Mr. Herbert Greeley, came for a visit. We had a smashing time while enjoying a walk about town to show off our fair city. Yes, Bertha and Jake came with us. Los Angeles is the cat’s meow according to us. Herbert believed every word we uttered, although he had a difficult time adjusting to the changes from his home in Kansas. Mr. Greeley is staying with his cousin during his visit.

We enjoyed dinner together at Jake’s house, and while we ate I glanced out the window and saw Papa taking his evening stroll. He usually walked after eating dinner.

Bertha told me, when we were walking back to my house, that she believes Jake is going to propose to her. I screamed and hugged her and stamped my feet. She asked me to quiet down, not wanting to let on what she believed.

And then it happened.

We heard a loud scream, much louder than mine. One of those motor cars came racing down the street (it had to be going at least thirty miles an hour) after the sound and it turned the corner with its wheels squeaking.

Father had been home for a while, and he was already headed down the street, trying to figure out where the scream had come from. I saw him stop in front of Mrs. Myers house and I ran after him. Bertha followed along, too.

Mrs. Myers’ son had visited earlier, but I’d seen him leave before we ate dinner.

All of the neighbors came out of their homes and stood in the street, also trying to figure out what had happened, including Mr. Ames and Mr. Greeley.

My Review of The Accidental Gumshoe

The latest book in the Sandi Webster mystery series is a little different than the others, because the P.I. doesn’t actually solve the murders. But murders do get solved, albeit not in the present. Ms.McGraw writes nostalgia so well, it’s a hard book to put down. You’re constantly wondering how it will turn out. The story is ingenious and the suspense never stops. It’s a fun book to read that leaves you with a warm feeling at the end. I highly recommend this novel, and all the Sandi Webster novels, to anyone who loves a good mystery.

Marja’s blog can be read at http://marjamcgraw.blogspot.com/

Books available at: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=marja+mcgraw&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marja.mcgraw

Twitter: @McMarja

Marja and I would love to hear from you, so please feel free to leave a comment.