Flash Fiction Friday, Week 1 - Murder at Midnight

The prompt this week was to pick a random song and write a story based on the title. The song that came up from my playlist was Murder at Midnight by Powerwolf, a German power metal band, who write about werewolves, vampires and various other night creatures. I also like classical piano. I hope you enjoy.

Murder at Midnight

“Murder at midnight

The enemy on the way

Murder at midnight

Will he return with the day?”

“I still can’t believe this is really happening. I’ve never won anything in my whole life, even though I enter every contest that comes in the mail.”

“Forget all those crazy cereal box prizes, Bel. Snagging a free weekend in a fully-furnished cabin on a lake, now, that’s the ultimate prize. And that’s not all. The brochure says we’ll be within walking distance of a little town that’s not even on any map. Talk about getting away from it all.”

“Rog, don’t forget, this weekend is their Founders Day Celebration too. This whole thing is like something right out of a romance novel. With all the pressure you’ve been under with the new agency, and me having to grade all those history finals, this is just what we both need. By the time this weekend is over, we’ll head back to the city ready to take on whatever comes our way.”

“Bel, who is it that we’re supposed to ask for; I mean, who do we get the house keys from?”

“We’re supposed to go to the General Store and ask for Daryl. Can you believe it? This town actually has a general store. I don’t know about you, but I’m beginning to hear Twilight Zone music in the background.”

“It is wild, isn’t it? Like going back in time. But it’s nice to know places like that still exist. Oh, listen, did you remember what contest this was? Did you run across it in one of those magazines you read at the beauty shop?”

“I still can’t place it, Rog. You’d think I’d remember something this big. I must have just filled out a form and mailed it in without really paying too much attention. Naturally, considering my track record, I never thought I’d come close to winning. Oh look, hon, there’s a sign welcoming us to Barrington. That’s the last name of the family that founded the town. Apparently, descendants of the founders still live here. When I spoke with Daryl on the phone the other day, he said they live in a huge house up on a hill that overlooks the town.”

“I’m really glad we’re almost there, Bel. Once we turned off the highway, this two-lane stretch seems to go on forever. It’s beautiful country though, with trees lining both sides of the road. But we’ve been on this road for close to two hours. Check your phone. I wonder if we’ll get any reception at all.”

“We’re down to one bar, Rog. I’m sure they have landlines at the cabin or in town, or maybe even a short-wave radio. Wouldn’t that be fun?”

“Let’s just find the General Store and this Daryl fella. I need to get out and walk around a bit. I’m getting stiff from this long drive. Once we get to the cabin though, let’s just walk to town and all around since everything’s so close. No more driving for a while, okay?”

“Sounds good to me, hon. Here we are. Wow. Just look at all these little shops. A little motel on the left, stop signs, but no traffic lights, folks strolling on the sidewalks, and there’s the General Store. Hurry up and pull over. I can’t wait to get situated. Happy Ending Twilight Zone, here we come.”

***

“A car just pulled up, ole gal. Must be those folks that’s gonna stay in the cabin.”

“Belinda and Roger they’re called, sugar plum. They sure are a nice-looking young couple. They looked young in those pictures on that social site. You can’t always tell though. Some folks put up fake pictures. Belinda and Roger didn’t put up no fake pictures. They really are as young as they seemed. That’s a good thing, isn’t it? That’s a real good thing.”

“It is, ole gal. That what we told Mr. Nathaniel and he was pleased. We did good. The whole family will be pleased.”

***

“Morning, folks. You must be the ones what won our Founders Day contest. Mr. and Mrs. Harper, wasn’t it? My name is Daryl and this is my wife Sarah. We own this store and the little whatever shop next door. Welcome to Barrington. Sarah will take you over to the cabin so you can get settled and take a rest if you like. You two have a big night ahead of you.”

“We’re so pleased to meet you. Please call me Roger, and my wife’s name is Belinda, but everyone calls her Bel. We’re very excited to be here and we’re looking forward to your Founders Day activities.”

“Activities? Oh, well, there’s aren’t really any activities to speak of, son. Did you see that big house on the hill when you drove into town? That’s where the Barringtons live. They go way back, and they’re the ones who started this town up. You’re invited up there tonight for dinner with the family. That’s how they congratulate the winners of the contest. Here’s your invitation.”

“Look, Rog, it’s one of those murder mystery dinner parties. Dinner is served at 9pm and then underneath it says ‘Murder at Midnight’. I’ve always wanted to go to one of those. You said we’ll be having dinner with just the founding family? What an honor. How do they set that up? Will the other guests arrive just before midnight so they can stage the murder?”

“I’m not certain how that works, Mrs. Bel. Daryl and I haven’t been to one of those. But I’m sure you’ll have a real good time. It’s real fancy up there. They use good china and crystal, I’ve heard. Come with me now. Get your bags and I’ll take you over to the cabin. You can leave your car here. You won’t need to drive to the big house either. It’s just a short walk up the hill.”

“Thanks so much, Miss Sarah. Bel and I really appreciate your hospitality. Let’s go check out this cabin, honey. Since tonight’s going to be a late one, I really could use a nap after that long drive.”

“Good idea, Rog. Nice to meet you, Daryl.”

“Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Bel.”

“Rog and I will come by in the morning and tell you all about their murder mystery party.”

“God willing, ma’am. God willing.”

***

“What a bizarre experience that was, Bel. Daryl and his wife are, shall we say, quirky?”

“Rog, you know how these small-town people can be. Don’t you think it was peculiar though that they’ve never been to one of those parties? I wonder why.”

“It’s all part of winning their Founders Day contest, Bel. I’m sure they’ve had the townspeople up to dinner before – just not at one of their murder mystery dinners. Let’s just relax for a while. We’ve got plenty of time before we have to get dressed up for dinner. You know, the fridge is full. Let’s make a nice lunch and then take a nap. We’ll have time to take a quick walk around the lake and then head up the hill for the dinner party.”

“Sounds perfect, hon. Let me at that fridge. I wonder what goodies they’ve stocked for us.”

***

“This has been a real treat for us, Nathaniel. Are you sure neither of you will join us for anything? Dessert at least? Here Bel and I are stuffing ourselves at your table and you haven’t touched a thing.”

“As I told you, my brother and I plan to dine at a later time. Please, help yourselves to whatever you would like.”

“I have to say, you and your brother have really put out the red carpet for Bel and I with this dinner.”

“Why would you say a thing like that? Red carpet? Why red?”

“Bartholomew, calm down. It’s just an expression. You will please forgive my brother. He’s led rather a sheltered existence – private schools, you see, and he takes every statement quite literally. Would you like more dessert or more wine perhaps?”

“No, thank you. Both of you have been the most gracious hosts, but I’m afraid if I eat another bite or take another sip, I won’t be able to ever get back on my feet.”

“That would be fine if you couldn’t. When midnight comes, you’ll…”

“Bartholomew! I’m sorry Belinda, Roger. My brother so looks forward to our annual celebration that he gets a bit over anxious. Bartholomew, go and get Dominic and Seraphina. They are cousins who reside here with us and will be joining us for the murder at midnight event.”

“I’m really excited about this. I’ve never been to a murder mystery dinner before.”

“Excuse me, Miss Belinda? A murder what?”

“Murder mystery dinner, Nathaniel. It’s going to be so fun examining the clues and trying to figure out who the murderer is. Is one of your cousins going to be the victim?”

“I’m sorry, but I have no idea to what you are referring. There is no mystery about it and there will be no clues to follow. Dominic and Seraphina, gather round our guests. It is almost midnight. Bartholomew, what is Miss Belinda talking about? What did you put on the invitation? Something about a mystery?”

“No, Nathaniel. I put on the invitation what I put every year. I say that dinner will be at 9pm and then there will be murder at midnight. That’s all.”

“I don’t understand the confusion. Is this a murder mystery dinner or not?”

“It is not any kind of a mystery, Roger. You and your wife were selected to come here this evening to help us celebrate our founding of this town. We eat out all the time, but on this one day a year, the four of us prefer to dine quietly at home. You see, Roger, you and your lovely wife Belinda, will be our main course. You've eaten well and had plenty of wine. Your blood will be smooth and tasty. You'll both satisfy the four of us nicely.”

“Roger, look at them all. Look at them smiling. My God, look at the fangs. You’re all vampires, aren’t you? Oh my God. Roger! God help us!”

“By all means pray if that comforts you. It won’t change anything, but feel free.”

“You’ll never get away with this. Daryl and Sarah will report us missing and you’ll be found out.”

“How trusting you both are. Who do you think sets this up for us each year? They arrange some necessary events for us now and then and we keep the town safe from outsiders. We also don’t feed in our own backyard, if you know what I mean.

“You see, Daryl and Sarah will dispose of your automobile and then offer your clothes and personal items for sale in their shop. Tourists come through now and then and they do quite well. During our Founders Day Celebration, our motel actually fills up.”

“This can’t be happening. Get away from Bel and me. Don’t come any closer. Stop! Please, pl…”

***

“Mornin’ darlin’ I believe the rain passed over us. It’s gonna be a warm and sunny day. Folks at the motel will be out shoppin’ too. Better get the stores open and ready for business. Founders Day sure brings in some good business, don’t it?”

“Sure does. I’ll put some coffee on first – maybe make some bacon and eggs too.”

“I sure could go for that. You know, ole gal, I’m sure gonna miss that Bel and Roger. They were a real nice couple. Sure nicer than them from last year.”

“They were real nice, but better them than us, sugar plum. Better them than us.”

The Songbird Girls by Richard Parker - A Review

In Never Say Goodbye, Richard Parker introduced us to Detective Tom Fabian. Fabian is back in Book Two of the series called The Songbird Girls. Tom and his wife are still separated, but since he lived close to the home he had shared with his wife, he was able to spend time with their daughter who was still living with her mother. Recently however, his daughter had gone off to attend college and already had a young man in her life. Fabian’s personal life was changing dramatically yet again, but he could never have been prepared for the disturbing events about to unfold in his professional life.

Three years ago, Fabian had been the lead detective in a high-profile case involving a serial killer. Tom had been instrumental in his capture, conviction and imprisonment. There had been a great deal of press coverage about the case and the killer’s apprehension. The focus in the media had been primarily on Detective Fabian, much to the displeasure of Tom’s boss, DCI Metcalfe. Best to let sleeping dogs lie and move forward, right? New cases to investigate, new crimes to solve, and let the spotlight on one particular detective be turned off. As reasonable as all of that sounds, it was not going to happen, and the spotlight was about to shine more brightly than ever.

Word came down from the prison that Christopher Wisher, the killer who had murdered nine people, wanted to meet his nemesis Tom Fabian. DCI Metcalfe all but commanded Fabian to accommodate the killer’s request, and reluctantly, Tom agreed. Their meeting was unpleasant at best, but there was at least one interesting occurrence at the conclusion. Wisher presented Tom with his journal – a diary of sorts, filled with twisted cryptic statements. Were those daily entries insights into the dark memories of a sadistic sociopath, or were they clues predicting horrific events that will occur in the not too distant future? Can Fabian run the risk of an incorrect assumption?

A few days following their meeting, Wisher commits suicide in his cell, and Tom later learns the man was terminally ill. Perhaps the diary was the killer’s last attempt to get inside Fabian’s mind as revenge against his captor. This theory was quickly dismissed when bodies begin turning up with dead birds placed close to the victims. A dead songbird with its neck broken next to the victim was Christopher Wisher’s kill signature. Wisher was dead. Are these murders the work of a copycat killer? Not likely, since the presence of the dead birds was never released to the press. Could someone who dealt with Wisher during his incarceration have decided to continue the killer’s legacy, or had this deadly plan already been formulated by Wisher prior to his suicide?

Fabian knows he must investigate each one of Wisher’s contacts while he was imprisoned. It is a formidable task, but the clock is ticking. There is another killer out there, and no one knows who the potential victims are or when the killer will strike. Will Tom find the answer in time to prevent another life being taken, and should he look at those closest to the dead killer or at those closest to himself?

The Songbird Girls reads like riding on a runaway train heading toward a long dark tunnel. Is there light on the other side, or yet another longer and still darker tunnel? Richard Parker has presented us again with a crime thriller that will take your breath away from start to finish. The Songbird Girls will become available on December 19, 2018, so pre-order your copy now from one of the links below. If you haven’t read Book One of the Fabian series, Never Say Goodbye, make sure you order that too (links provided). I highly recommend both books in this series, and am anxiously awaiting Book Three.

Pre-Order The Songbird Girls here or here

Order Never Say Goodbye here or here

Bodily Harm by Charlie Gallagher - A Review

I'm really tardy to the party where this series is concerned, but in this case, better late than never for real. This is Book 1 in the series about a detective named George Elms, and includes his precinct, the areas surrounding said precinct, and those law enforcement personnel within.

This first book includes one particularly brutal case that pushes a snowball full of betrayal and lies rolling down that proverbial hill. Of course, everyone knows that hard-core criminals cannot be trusted, but you can always trust the police, and the line between them is crystal clear. Right? Unfortunately, circumstances in this particular area of the city have blurred those lines, and blindly trusting one side or the other can be a matter of life and death.

A lot of novels claim twists and turns around every corner, but some of them are still quite predictable. Bodily Harm is NOT one of those. This story takes you down paths that lead you to steep cliff edges where the ground under your feet suddenly disappears over and over again. 'Twists and turns' doesn't begin to cover Bodily Harm's storyline, but the word 'thriller' certainly does. You get to know each and every character, each and every location, and each and every event in such detail that it feels as if you are there. The fear becomes just as real to you the reader as it does to the characters.

Charlie Gallagher writes in an extremely visual style, and even with multiple characters and locations, with as much information as you are given, it never becomes difficult to follow where the writer is leading you. Before you finish the first story, you are already making sure you can get your hands on the next one. I certainly did, and as soon as I finished this one, I began reading Book 2, and just as I expected, by the second chapter, I was hooked yet again. I recommend Bodily Harm to anyone who enjoys tagging along with police detectives as they investigate crimes, but this George Elms series is so much more than that. You are taken into two worlds - the one filled with light and good and the one filled with darkness and evil. Then, you are dropped into that hazy middle and left to try to figure the right way out.

Definitely get into this series, but begin with Book 1 and go from there because you don't want to miss out on a character or an event and risk interrupting the flow. I'm going to close now - Book 2 awaits!

Never Say Goodbye by Richard Parker - A Review

In Never Say Goodbye, Richard Parker introduces us to Detective Tom Fabian. Changes are taking place in his personal life that are presenting many challenges. He and his wife have decided to separate, and their daughter will be leaving home to attend college. His professional life is about to take a very dark turn due to a tragedy that occurred within his Department. He has been assigned the position of Lead Detective on a case involving multiple murders. There are no clues, no witnesses, no suspects, and the investigation is at a standstill.

His boss, DCI Metcalfe, expects progress, and insists Fabian stay away from the press on this one. Tom had previously been the Lead Detective, and driving force behind the apprehension of a serial killer. In that particular case, the press had been helpful with the capture. Tom became the face of the Department with the media, but Metcalfe mistrusted the press, and was determined that level of publicity for both Fabian and the Department should not occur with this case.

At the time Tom took over the lead position, there had already been four murders, with the victims being one man and three women. The murders occurred in different parts of the city, and no connection between the victims was apparent, except for the weapon and their manner of death. They were all stabbed with the same knife, and the killer inflicted post-mortem stab wounds to their faces. Was this an attempt by the killer to instill fear throughout the city? Was the killer trying to send some type of message?

Fabian eventually figures out what links the victims, and it is as disturbing as the crimes themselves. The victims’ last names are street names, and the sequence of their murders follows a particular route. Which street name will be next on the route, and without any clue as to direction, how can the police identify and protect any potential targets? What association does the killer have with these particular locations? Detective Tom Fabian is racing against a killer’s clock to an unknown destination. Who will cross the finish line first?

Never Say Goodbye pulls you in right from the very beginning. The plot is fast-paced, and filled with twists and turns, and the characters are genuine and engaging. Now that I have met Detective Tom Fabian, I can’t wait to tag along with him on his next case. This is Book #1 with this character, and it is a gem. I am really looking forward to Book #2, and then some. If you enjoy a dark crime thriller, Never Say Goodbye is definitely for you, and I recommend it very highly.

Never Say Goodbye will be available to order on August 14, 2018.

You can order it here

OR

You can order it here

Keep Her Safe by Richard Parker - A Review

Maggie, a single mother with a young child, awakes one night to find an armed woman in her home. Maggie doesn’t know her, but she does know who sent her, and why. The young woman, Holly, has been instructed to kill Maggie in order to ensure the safe return of her baby. Maggie understands this woman’s deadly mission since she herself had been sent on an identical one. Someone who calls himself the Babysitter kidnaps the children of single mothers and instructs them to commit murder in order to get their children back unharmed. He even provides them with the names and locations of their intended targets.

Maggie’s daughter, Penny, was returned safe and sound, and she was not going to allow anyone to endanger her again. Holly’s daughter, Abigail, was now in the hands of this demented puppeteer, and she believed following his orders was the only way to get her child back. Two mothers confront each other in the middle of the night, each intent on protecting their children whatever the cost. Choices have to be made, and quickly too, because the Babysitter’s clock is ticking, and when the sun rises, time’s up. Will these two women play out his sick game, or is there any room for trust between them so together, they can confront this madman, and still save their children?

The author does not take you gently by the hand and lead you into a plot land of sunshine and roses, where together you, along with the characters, can slowly gather strength to face an upcoming crisis. No. Not this time. In this story, you are immediately set down right in the middle of a nightmare that you will share with two mothers fighting for their own lives and ultimately, the lives of their children. It is a unique format for a novel, and that is what makes this one a true thriller. Life doesn’t slowly build up with a lot of backstory – life simply happens without warning, and so do the events in Keep Her Safe.

The mothers’ journey in Keep Her Safe is one of twists and turns, with danger around each and every corner. You will understand their anger, you will sense their determination, and you will feel their fear. While it is true that you won’t be able to put this one down, you won’t want to either. Just like Maggie and Holly, you will need to know where the road leads, and in the end, who will win this deadly game.

You can get Keep Her Safe here

OR

You can get Keep her Safe here

Hide and Seek by Richard Parker - A Review

It’s a day, just like any other day.  Lana is washing dishes, and her four-year old son Cooper is out playing in the yard. She glances briefly out the window, and sees that a man wearing a mask has jumped over the fence into their yard. To her horror, he begins placing a sack over Cooper. She fights with him, and saves her son from his would-be abductor. Before he flees the scene, the man whispers ‘tomorrow’. While reporting the incident to the police, the child reveals that the man has been in close contact with him on previous occasions, whispering to him through the fence. Now this monster has a name: Mr. Whisper.

Lana, her husband Todd, and Cooper relocate, but Lana cannot move on. She becomes obsessed with finding Mr. Whisper, and follows a website that tracks child killers and pedophiles. The police continue to investigate the case without success. When they win a family vacation at an adventure park, it seems an opportunity to put the ordeal behind them, even for a short time. At the park however, Todd is assaulted, and Cooper is abducted. Now, the nightmare truly unfolds.

Someone begins luring Lana to crime sites, Todd disappears from the hospital he was admitted to following the assault, and Cooper is still missing. What does all this mean? Where is Todd, and what dark secret is he hiding from his wife? Did the stranger keep his promise of ‘tomorrow’, or is someone using the child’s abduction to get to Lana?

Hide and Seek is packed full of dark and disturbing surprises around every turn. A mother on a quest to find her son, a father whose night terrors drive him to take desperate measures, and a stranger pulling the strings like a diabolical puppeteer, drawing them in for his own demented purpose. The characters are well developed and genuine, the settings are menacing, and the fear is palpable. The plot moves at lightning speed as a mother races to save her son, all the while somehow knowing she’s the missing token in this cruel and depraved game.

Richard Parker has done it again with another top notch, five-star thriller. This story will grab hold of you right from the start. Clear your calendar before you open it to Page 1 because there’s no way you’ll be able to put it down until the end.

You can get Hide and Seek here

OR

You can get Hide and Seek here

Infinite Darkness (The Edge: Volume 2) by Patrick Reuman - A Review

Infinite Darkness (The Edge: Volume 2), is a collection of horror stories you don’t want to miss out on. This anthology has no central theme, no min/max word count for the stories, and the stories are arranged in no discernible order. These are the reasons why it’s such an enjoyable read. None of the writers were trapped inside rule after rule, and were free to share their darkest, and most disturbing, tales of fear, superstition, and malice. There’s something in here for all dedicated fans of horror. It contains 17 stories, the works of 10 incredibly talented writers. These stories will shock, surprise, disturb, and scare you. If you are looking for a great read, I recommend this one highly.

You can get Infinite Darkness here