Dear Bloodhound Books,
I am excited to share my latest project with you, Mrs. O’Keefe’s Gold, a historical mystery, complete at approximately 78,000 words. This project is a spin-off from my debut novel, The Spinster’s Fortune, published in April 2021, and still well received. I hope to build on my readers’ interest through the same setting and main characters in this sequel.
When Margaret O’Keefe’s horse farm, Needham Forest, is jeopardized by the economic turns caused by Black Thursday in 1929, she gets a stroke of luck by reconnecting with an old family friend who wants to invest. Bill Miller also happens to be the most famous criminal defense attorney in Washington, D.C., and an associate brother-lawyer of Margaret’s beau, Robert Brady. The only downside to this burgeoning business-social connection is Miller’s wife, Jocelyn. Half Bill’s age, flighty and superficial, there’s just something about her that gets under Margaret’s skin.
After Margaret eyewitnesses Jocelyn stepping out on Bill with Dr. Donald Michaels, a noted psychiatrist, Jocelyn’s true nature is exposed. Bill’s mental health begins to unravel upon the realization that his beloved bride is conducting a torrid and very public affair with the doctor. Margaret and Robert try to support Bill as he desperately works on saving his marriage…and his sanity. Meanwhile, Margaret just might have a long shot at another possible money source—rumors of buried gold treasure on her farm—if she can find it.
The bizarre love triangle busts wide open in a scandalous shooting in broad daylight in front of the city’s most popular department store. Margaret must stand by Bill and help to get him exonerated at the murder trial, not only for Bill, but also to save her own financial future.
In conducting genealogical research, I discovered my grandfather’s involvement in a brother-attorney’s trial for murder. This shocking murder in cold blood rocked Washington, D.C. society for the better half of a year. As I delved deeper, details from the case such as “the pink brassiere” captured my imagination. I felt compelled to explore the machinations of this so-called middle-aged love triangle and the mystery of why it happened. I used fiction as the medium to do so.
I have an established author platform in place writing under the pen name, Mary Kendall, that includes my website (https://www.marykendallauthor.com), newsletter, daily engagement on social media channels, and author and podcast interviews.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Mary K. Lavin