Moon Signs
by Helen Haught Fanick
Genre of this Book: Cozy Mystery
Word count: 60,000
Retirement is a time for knitting, gardening, and an occasional quiet lunch with friends, according to Kathleen Williamson. Her sister Andrea has an altogether different point of view. When the sisters go to the Canaan Valley to search for paintings mentioned in a document found in an old hotel once owned by their grandparents—paintings that might be Monets—Andrea immediately becomes involved in tracking down a murderer. Kathleen would much rather be looking for the paintings, but she goes along with Andrea, since the victim was their hotel-keeper, murdered just down the hall from their room. The question is: Does the murder have something to do with the elusive paintings?
There are many clues and many suspects, including hotel staff, valley residents, and the mysterious foreigners who come from the Eastern Seaboard for skiing. There are also many types of danger—icy roads, sub-zero temperatures, and a killer who doesn’t care how many people die in the attempt to make sure the right ones do.
This book is available from Amazon and Amazon UK.
Helen, how did you come up with the title for your book? Does it have any special meaning?
Kathleen is superstitious and believes in living life according to the signs of the moon, so the title was a natural. She thinks about and discusses the phases of the moon in the novel.
Who was your favorite character and why?
Andrea is my favorite character. She’s logical, intelligent, assertive, and tech-savvy—all qualities I admire. She won’t let anything stand in her way when solving a murder or protecting someone close.
Does your book have any underlying theme, message, or moral?
I hope not, as far as the message or moral are concerned. In my opinion, cozies are for fun. Of course, “crime doesn’t pay” is always going to be a theme in this type mystery.
What would/could a reader or reviewer say about this book that shows they “get” you as an author?
They could say the sisters are a perfect pair for solving mysteries.
Give us an excerpted quote from your favorite review of this book:
Senior sisters Kathleen and Andrea are a pure joy.
Where can people learn more about your writing?
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHelenHaughtFanick
Your cover is very attractive and your character Andrea sounds like fun.