Ninth Grave (A Writer's Retreat Mystery Book 9) Read online

  Ninth Grave

  A Writers’ Retreat Mystery

  by

  Kathi Daley

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Copyright © 2019 by Katherine Daley

  Version 1.0

  All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

  A Special Thanks

  I want to thank the very talented Jessica Fischer for the cover art, Bruce Curran, who is always ready and willing to answer my cyber questions, and Jayme Maness for helping out with the book clubs and a special thank you to my editors Randy Ladenheim-Gil and Peggy Hyndman for sleuthing out those pesky typos. I’d also like to thank the readers and bloggers in my life, who make doing what I do possible, and finally, I want to thank my husband Ken for allowing me time to write by taking care of everything else.

  Books by Kathi Daley

  Come for the murder, stay for the romance.

  Zoe Donovan Cozy Mystery:

  Halloween Hijinks

  The Trouble With Turkeys

  Christmas Crazy

  Cupid’s Curse

  Big Bunny Bump-off

  Beach Blanket Barbie

  Maui Madness

  Derby Divas

  Haunted Hamlet

  Turkeys, Tuxes, and Tabbies

  Christmas Cozy

  Alaskan Alliance

  Matrimony Meltdown

  Soul Surrender

  Heavenly Honeymoon

  Hopscotch Homicide

  Ghostly Graveyard

  Santa Sleuth

  Shamrock Shenanigans

  Kitten Kaboodle

  Costume Catastrophe

  Candy Cane Caper

  Holiday Hangover

  Easter Escapade

  Camp Carter

  Trick or Treason

  Reindeer Roundup

  Hippity Hoppity Homicide

  Firework Fiasco

  Henderson House

  Holiday Hostage

  Lunacy Lake

  Celtic Christmas – Coming 2019

  Zimmerman Academy The New Normal

  Zimmerman Academy New Beginnings

  Ashton Falls Cozy Cookbook

  Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mysteries:

  Pumpkins in Paradise

  Snowmen in Paradise

  Bikinis in Paradise

  Christmas in Paradise

  Puppies in Paradise

  Halloween in Paradise

  Treasure in Paradise

  Fireworks in Paradise

  Beaches in Paradise

  Thanksgiving in Paradise – Fall 2019

  Whales and Tails Cozy Mystery:

  Romeow and Juliet

  The Mad Catter

  Grimm’s Furry Tail

  Much Ado About Felines

  Legend of Tabby Hollow

  Cat of Christmas Past

  A Tale of Two Tabbies

  The Great Catsby

  Count Catula

  The Cat of Christmas Present

  A Winter’s Tail

  The Taming of the Tabby

  Frankencat

  The Cat of Christmas Future

  Farewell to Felines

  A Whisker in Time

  The Catsgiving Feast

  A Whale of a Tail – July 2019

  Writers’ Retreat Mystery:

  First Case

  Second Look

  Third Strike

  Fourth Victim

  Fifth Night

  Sixth Cabin

  Seventh Chapter

  Eighth Witness

  Ninth Grave

  Rescue Alaska Mystery:

  Finding Justice

  Finding Answers

  Finding Courage

  Finding Christmas

  Finding Shelter – Fall 2019

  A Tess and Tilly Mystery:

  The Christmas Letter

  The Valentine Mystery

  The Mother’s Day Mishap

  The Halloween House

  The Thanksgiving Trip

  The Saint Paddy’s Promise

  The Halloween Haunting – Fall 2019

  The Inn at Holiday Bay:

  Boxes in the Basement

  Letters in the Library

  Message in the Mantel

  Answers in the Attic – June 2019

  Family Ties:

  The Hathaway Sisters

  Harper

  Harlow

  Hayden – Summer 2019

  Haunting by the Sea:

  Homecoming by the Sea

  Secrets by the Sea

  Missing by the Sea

  Betrayal by the Sea

  Thanksgiving by the Sea – Fall 2019

  Christmas by the Sea – December 2019

  Sand and Sea Hawaiian Mystery:

  Murder at Dolphin Bay

  Murder at Sunrise Beach

  Murder at the Witching Hour

  Murder at Christmas

  Murder at Turtle Cove

  Murder at Water’s Edge

  Murder at Midnight

  Murder at Pope Investigations – Summer 2019

  Seacliff High Mystery:

  The Secret

  The Curse

  The Relic

  The Conspiracy

  The Grudge

  The Shadow

  The Haunting

  Road to Christmas Romance:

  Road to Christmas Past

  Table of Contents

  A Special Thanks

  The Gull Island Writers’ Retreat Residents

  The Town Folk

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Up Next from Kathi Daley Books

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  The Gull Island Writers’ Retreat Residents

  Jillian (Jill) Hanford

  Jillian is a dark-haired, dark-eyed, never-married reporter who moved to Gull Island after her much-older brother, Garrett Hanford, had a stroke and was no longer able to run the resort he’d inherited. Jillian had suffered a personal setback and needed a change in lifestyle, so she decided to run the resort as a writers’ retreat. She is currently working at the local newspaper and living with her boyfriend, Jackson Jones.

  Jackson (Jack) Jones

  Jack is a dark-haired, blue-eyed, never-married nationally acclaimed author of hard-core mysteries and thrillers, who is as famous for his good looks and boyish charm as he is for the stories he pens. Despite his success as a novelist, he’d always dreamed of writing for a newspaper, so he gave up his penthouse apartment and bought the failing Gull Island News. He lives in an oceanfront home he built with his girlfriend, Jill, and their dog, Kizzy.

  Garrett Hanford

  Garrett, a man in his sixties, isn’t a writer, but he owns the resort and is considered to be one of the gang. He has lived on Gull Island his entire life and has a lot to offer the Mystery Mastermind Group. He currently lives in the main house with Clara and her cat, as well as his best friend, a feisty parrot named Blackbeard.

  George Baxter

  George, a man in his sixties, is a writer of traditional whodunit mysteri
es. He’d been a friend of Garrett Hanford since they were boys and has spent many winters at the resort penning his novels. George is a distinguished-looking man with gray hair, dark green eyes, and a certain sense of old-fashioned style that many admire. He is currently dating museum volunteer Meg Collins.

  Clara Kline

  Clara, a woman in her sixties, is a self-proclaimed psychic who writes fantasy and paranormal mysteries. Clara’s vision that she would find her soul mate living within the walls of the house on Gull Island came true when she met Jill’s brother, Garrett Hanford.

  Alex Cole

  Alex, a man in his twenties, is a fun and flirty millennial who made his first million writing science fiction when he was just twenty-two. He’s the lighthearted jokester of the group who uses his blond-haired, blue-eyed good looks to participate in serial dating. He has the means to live anywhere, but the thought of a writers’ retreat seemed quaint and retro, so he decided to expand his base of experience and moved in.

  Brit Baxter

  Brit, a woman in her twenties, is George Baxter’s niece. A petite blond pixie, she decided to make the trip east with her uncle after quitting her job to pursue her dream of writing. She has just published her first chick lit novel.

  Victoria Vance

  Victoria, a woman in her thirties, is a romance author who lived the life she writes about in her steamy novels but has now settled down with her live-in boyfriend, Deputy Rick Savage. Her raven-black hair accentuates her pale skin and bright green eyes.

  Lorelei Walker

  Lorelei, a woman in her fifties, writes mysteries and has been a published author for more than thirty years. She moved to the Gull Island Writers’ Retreat in March.

  Rena Littleton

  Rena, a woman in her twenties, writes fantasy and paranormal novels. She moved to the Gull Island Writers’ Retreat five weeks ago.

  Grayson Meadows

  Grayson, a man in his sixties, writes thrillers. He published his first novel when he was twenty-two and has been a published author for more than forty years. He moved to the Gull Island Writers’ Retreat four weeks ago.

  Jax Sheraton

  Jax, a man in his sixties, writes psychological thrillers that are told from the killer’s point of view. He moved to the Gull Island Writers’ Retreat less than a week ago.

  Deputy Rick Savage

  Rick, a man in his thirties, is not a writer, but he does live at the retreat with a writer. He is the island’s main source of law enforcement and currently lives with Victoria Vance.

  The Town Folk

  Mayor Betty Sue Bell

  Betty Sue is a homegrown Southern lady who owns a beauty parlor called Betty Boop’s Beauty Salon. She can be flirty and sassy, but when her town or its citizens are in trouble, she turns into a barracuda. She has a Southern flare that will leave you laughing, but when there’s a battle to fight she’s the one you most want in your corner.

  Gertie Newsome

  Gertie Newsome is the owner of Gertie’s on the Wharf. Southern born and bred, she believes in the magic of the South and the passion of its people. She shares her home with a ghost named Mortie who has been a regular part of her life for over thirty years. She’s friendly, gregarious, and outspoken, unafraid to take on anyone or anything she needs to protect those she loves.

  Meg Collins

  Meg is a volunteer at the island museum and the organizer of the turtle rescue squad. Some feel the island and its wildlife are her life, but Meg has a soft spot for island residents like Jill and the writers who live with her.

  Brooke Johnson

  Brooke is a teacher and mother who works hard in her spare time as the volunteer coordinator for the community.

  Chapter 1

  Monday, May 6

  Almost every Monday evening for as long as I have lived at the Gull Island Writers’ Retreat, the gang living on the property have gathered to share a meal and discuss whichever cold case mystery is currently on the table. Anyone living at the resort and attending the meeting is welcome to present a situation they would like help with, and then, once presented, each group member can decide whether they want to help out. Tonight, my boyfriend, Jackson Jones, plans to present a mystery regarding an email he received from a man he had never met following the unprecedented success of his latest thriller. Jack has always attracted his share of fan mail, but this email was different.

  “I have a couple of announcements before we begin,” I said after calling the meeting to order. “First off, I want to remind everyone that Garrett and I are throwing a big, kickoff-to-summer cookout on Memorial Day and you are all invited. If you would like to bring a guest, they are welcome as well. We just ask that everyone RSVP by May 22, so we know how much food we will need.”

  Everyone in the room murmured that they wouldn’t miss it.

  “Additionally,” I continued, “as you all know, the group voted at the last meeting to invite the four new permanent residents of the Gull Island Writers’ Retreat to join the Mastermind group. All four are here this evening. I’d hoped we’d have had the opportunity to gather beforehand for a meal, as we often do, so the new members could be brought up to speed, but things didn’t work out as planned, so I’m going to make quick introductions. I think most of you already know one another, but I want to be sure our newest residents have met everyone.” I took a breath and looked around the room, which suddenly felt much too crowded. At the time we voted to invite new members into our group, it made sense, but with four new members starting all at once, our intimate group suddenly felt awkward. I hoped that would change once we all got used to one another. I continued. “To start off, my name is Jillian Hanford, Jill for short. I, along with my brother, Garrett Hanford, oversee the management of the retreat.” I turned to Garrett, who sat to my left. “Garrett is not a writer, but he is the owner of the resort and has been a member of the Mastermind group almost since the beginning. Sitting to his left is Clara Kline. Clara writes paranormal mysteries, and to her left is George Baxter, a novelist who focuses on traditional whodunits.”

  I took a breath before continuing. “To George’s left is one of our new members, Lorelei Walker. Lorelei also writes mysteries. She moved to the retreat in March, so I believe most if not all of you have met her.” I smiled at the woman who had lost her husband this past year and hoped she was settling in. Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes and I suspected she was still grieving. “To Lorelei’s left is Rena Littleton, a fantasy and paranormal novelist, who moved to the retreat about five weeks ago.”

  Rena, the youngest member of the group at just twenty-four, was sitting next to Brit Baxter, one of our original members, a chick lit writer and George’s niece. Once Brit was briefly introduced, I introduced another of our original members and the last of the three members still in their twenties, science fiction writer Alex Cole. To Alex’s left sat our newest resident, Jax Sheraton, a man in his sixties and the author of psychological thrillers who had only been living at the retreat for a little over a week. Sitting next to Jax was my best friend, romance writer Victoria Vance, Vikki for short, and next to her sat Grayson Meadows, another man in his sixties who wrote thrillers and had been living at the retreat for the past four weeks.

  “Which brings me to Jackson Jones, Jack for short,” I continued. “Jack writes hard-core mysteries and thrillers and also owns the local newspaper. Jack will be presenting our mystery this evening, so I will turn the floor over to him.”

  Jack stood up and faced the group. I’m not sure how the custom of presenting a mystery to the group in a formal manner got started, but that was the way we had always done it and I saw no reason to change it now. If you asked me, there were already enough changes underway. Twelve Mastermind members suddenly seemed like a lot.

  Jack began in a strong voice. I appreciated the fact that he got right to the point. “Last week I received an email from a man who only identified himself as Sam. He started off by telling me that he had read my latest novel and had enjoyed it.�
�� Jack paused and slowly scanned the room, pausing briefly to make eye contact with each of the Mastermind members as he did so. “At first the email read much like any other piece of fan mail, but by the end, Sam had shared that the main reason he enjoyed my story about a serial killer was because he himself had killed multiple people and felt he could identify with the killer in my story, who like him, had a very good reason for doing what he had.”

  “I’m sorry to interrupt Jack,” Brit said, “but I haven’t had the chance to read your latest novel. You’re saying that the killer in your story had a good reason for killing his victims?”

  Jack nodded. “In a twisted sort of way. My novel is about a man named John, whose daughter is murdered by the man his ex-wife married after they divorced. John had a history of depression, which was why his wife divorced him. He’d made a lot of mistakes in his life and had a hard time getting those in positions of authority to give him any notice. After his daughter was killed, John went a tiny bit crazy. He tried to convince both his ex-wife and the police that his daughter’s stepdad had been the one who killed her, but he couldn’t get anyone to listen. John was certain this man had killed his child, so when it looked like the guy might get away with it, John killed him.”

  “If the stepdad really did kill John’s daughter and John killed him in return, I guess that would make him a sympathetic character,” Brit said.

  “While I don’t disagree, the problem was that once John started killing, he couldn’t seem to stop. The novel is about the killing spree John went on after the death of his daughter’s killer. In the end, he killed seven men. All of them were abusing their own daughters and getting away with it, so I suppose it is up to the reader to decide whether John was a madman or a vigilante.”

  “Sounds to me as if he might have been both,” Brit commented.