Maynely a Mystery published

Yesterday, I left here



and arrived here.

While here, I picked up my second proof.

With fingers crossed, I read through the proof. Hoping to find no mistakes. And...and, this is the important part, I didn't find any.

This means that Maynely a Mystery is published.

To order your copy...

1) Email me: leanne@oknitting.com

Subject line: Maynely a Mystery order

2)I will then send you a PayPal request for funds.

3)Once I receive payment, I send you your book.

I would like to thank Island Blue Print for their fine work. I would highly recommend this service to all authors.

Maynely a Mystery: chapter one, page twenty-nine

Maynely a Mystery paperback will soon be available.
For more information and to order, please log on to: www.oknitting.com
Let's continue reading....

"Planning a holiday?" Katherine asked.

"Eavesdropping?" Olivia shot back, "If you must know. Yes, I am."

"Well, where are you going?" Katherine asked.

"Oh, to one of the Southern Gulf Islands. You probably haven't heard of it," Olivia said, continuing to play along.

"Oh, I may have. Which are you planning to visit?"

"Mayne Island."

"Why would you go there? There's nothing there but trees. It's a waste of land."

"Why would I go there?! You know just as well as I why I'm going there. It was Grandma's last wish to be buried there."

"Oh, no, she won't be buried there. The family plans to bury her here in her rose garden. This garden brought her so much joy," Katherine said as she stroked the urn cradled in Olivia's arms.

29

Maynely a Mystery: chapter one, page twenty-eight

Maynely a Mystery paperback will soon be available.
For more information and to order, please log on to: www.oknitting.com
Let's continue reading....

Olivia laid a hand on the urn and stroked it affectionately.

"Well, Grandma, shall we go to your island?"

Olivia flipped open her cellphone and punched in the number for BC ferries. Her fingers played with a set of car keys, as she made a reservation for the following morning's sailing. The keys were to her grandmother's 2008 XJ hybrid Jaguar. The car now belonged to Olivia.

Though the will had yet to probated, her grandmother had arranged that the car would immediately be turned over to Olivia upon Esther's death.

Some family members grumbled and complained but Esther's personal secretary, Nancy Brown, had waved the documentation in their faces. Olivia was the new owner of the Jag.

Olivia flipped her phone closed. Then she carefully picked up the urn and cradled it in her arms.

28

Maynely a Mystery: chapter one, page twenty-seven

Maynely a Mystery paperback will soon be available.
For more information and to order, please log on to: www.oknitting.com
Let's continue reading....

There were three other group photos. These revealed how the family changed over the years -- in size and in economic status.

Esther had married four times. With each marriage she had acquired more children and accumulated more wealth.

Olivia heard her mother's voice from years ago ringing in her ears.

"This is my stepfather...Peter...John...Thomas. This is my half-brother -- your uncle Andrew, my half-sister -- your aunt Julia," Katherine continued until she had identified each of her seven siblings.

These words half-brother and half-sister made it clear she laid no claim to these interlopers. She was Esther's and Pat's daughter. No one else could claim that lineage. Even though Pat had never read her a bedtime story, paid her an allowance, or taught her how to ride a bike no man could replace him. He, and only he, was her father. Through Peter, John and Thomas had been there for her, had helped raise her, none gained the status of the invincible, invisible Pat.

27

I'm back...on to Maynely a Mystery: Chapter one: page 26

Maynely a Mystery paperback will soon be available.
For more information and to order, please log on to: www.oknitting.com
Let's continue reading....

Olivia turned to the third member of the composition -- the father. Thee he stood straight and tall. He stood guard over his wife, over his child.

Esther had painted vivid images of this man for Olivia. She had told her that the uniform he wore was that of an officer. That his name was Patrick Cronley. Olivia was encouraged to refer to the man as "Grandpa Pat". Olivia had been shown the medals of honour, of courage, Grandpa Pat had been given. She'd held the medals but she had never met the man. He had died in 1943 serving Canada in the Second World War. Mere months after the picture had been taken. Katherine had been barely one year old.

26

Unfortunately, I must go off island. What this means to you is that there will be a pause in the unfolding of Maynely a Mystery. Fear not, I will return. Maynely a Mystery will continue.

Maynely a Mystery: chapter one, page twenty-five

Maynely a Mystery paperback will soon be available.
For more information and to order, please log on to: www.oknitting.com
Let's continue reading....

Although the black and white picture couldn't reveal the bonnet's colour, Olivia knew that it was mint-green with matching ribbon ties. She had seen the bonnet, Katherine had unwrapped it from a bed of white tissue paper. Olivia had held the bonnet. Her fingers had glided over the fine stitches and silk ribbon.

Who had crocheted the bonnet? That question had never been addressed. Certainly Esther hadn't made it. Sh had dabbled in drawing. "Amateur pencil sketches" is how she had described her art. She had never crafted. Was it a class distinction? Olivia wondered.

Had the bonnet been crocheted by a proud grandmother?

Possibly, but Olivia doubted it was Esther's mother. Esther's parentage had never been discussed. Indeed, Olivia had never even heard of aunts, uncles, cousins or siblings. And none had attended the funeral.

Had Grandma Esther been an orphan? And if so, had she been an orphan of birth or circumstance? Had her family turned their back on her due to some unforgivable sin?

Questions everywhere Olivia looked.

Will I ever find the answers? she wondered.

25