The Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles

Eulogy in Black and White

I met Caleb Pirtle III on social media. And I’m glad I did. He is a wonderfully encouraging and supportive person. A valuable mentor.

He’s also an incredibly talented writer, who has been writing almost his entire life. His fiction has provided me with hours of wonderful entertainment.

He also happens to be the prime mover behind The Underground Authors. That intrepid band of writers who love writing, write fabulous fiction, and want to share their stories with a wider audience.

Storytellers are entertainers. No different from a singer, or a comedian, or the busker playing his guitar on the street corner to make a buck.

Last year, to share their stories, The Underground Authors put together an anthology of their short fiction: Beyond the Sea: Stories from The Underground.

This year, The Underground Authors took on a more ambitious project: a multi-author crime series set in the fictional town of Magnolia Bluff, Texas.

Nine authors. Nine novels. Nine pictures of life and death in a picturesque small town nestled in the Texas Hill Country.

The first book, Death Wears a Crimson Hat, by yours truly, was released last month.

This month Caleb Pirtle releases Eulogy in Black and White, Book 2 in the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles series. And what a wonderful book it is!

Caleb is a marvelous storyteller. Even though you know you’re reading a book, you’d swear it was real life.

He has a way of painting scenes and people that come off the page and surround you, wherever you are.

Eulogy in Black and White is a fine example of Caleb Pirtle’s artistry. A book you will not want to end, because he won’t want to leave the world he’s created for you.

Here’s a bit about the book:

Eulogy in Black and White is about murder and revenge. It’s also about life and death. It’s about what the dead know, that we, the living, don’t: how precious life is. It’s also about what’s just and unjust.

Graham Huston should have died in Afghanistan. He didn’t. His friend, Harley, did. Harley was from Magnolia Bluff, the town where someone dies every May 23rd.

And Huston, as if by Fate, has the chance to unravel the mystery of the murders plaguing Magnolia Bluff. His chance to earn redemption for the bullet that killed Harley instead of himself.

Caleb Pirtle knows how to write a powerful novel, and this is one heck of a powerful novel. It’s one heck of a whodunit, with things twisting and turning right up to the end.

You will love it. I know you will. It’s on preorder at Amazon. Reserve yourself a copy today!

I rarely read a book more than once. But I’ve read Eulogy in Black and White twice already. And will without a doubt read it again, and most likely yet again.

And you can read it, too. Starting Friday, May 20.

Comments are always welcome. And until next time, happy reading!

CW Hawes is a playwright, award-winning poet, and a fictioneer, with a bestselling novel. He’s also an armchair philosopher, political theorist, social commentator, and traveler. He loves a good cup of tea and agrees that everything’s better with pizza.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider buying me a cup of tea. Thanks! PayPal.me/CWHawes

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Magnolia Bluff — Alive and Well

I’ve been living in the Texas Hill Country town of Magnolia Bluff for quite a few months now. And aside from the murder rate (think Cabot Cove and Midsomer), it’s a nice place to live.

Even though I’m not a coffee drinker, I like to hang out at Harry Thurgood’s Really Good Wood-Fired Coffee Shop. Harry’s an interesting conversationalist.

And even though I’m not Methodist, I often go to St. Luke’s Methodist Church on Sundays because, well, the Rev. Ember Cole is easy on the eyes. I may end up going to hell for writing that, but perhaps she’d be willing to save my soul. Wait a minute, I think that’s Harry’s line.

This past Thursday, Death Wears A Crimson Hat, Book 1 in the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles series, dropped, as they say. Then, again, maybe they don’t say that anymore. At my age, I can hardly remember if I had toast and tea for breakfast and I have it every morning.

In any event, Death Wears A Crimson Hat is out there in the wild, available on Amazon. Make sure to get yourself a copy. I’ve been told it’s pretty doggone good. (BTW, the book even reached the Top 100 on Amazon’s Amateur Sleuth category.)

Read a review by SS Bazinet on her blog: http://ssbazinet.com/wp/reviews/death-wears-a-crimson-hat/

Here’s one of several nice reviews I found on Amazon:

Harry Thurgood and Ember Cole, independently, have come to the small Texas Hill Country town of Magnolia Bluff to get away from their past. And while they like each other, they are kept apart by the secrets from their past lives. Yet this delightful little town has its own secrets. One powerful woman is capable of imposing her will on others, and often her will is to harm someone not in her inner circle. But someone objects to this and that leads to a person being killed and another almost dying.

Ember, now the Reverend Ember Cole, is accused of murder. Forgetting their own hidden history, Harry and Ember must work together to keep Ember from being arrested for the murder. The problem is, as they begin to make headway on finding the murderer, they become the new targets for the killer.

Author CW Hawes has drawn several interesting characters with such careful work that you begin to believe they are your long-time friends. You are drawn not only into the charming town but also into the lives of these characters. If you like a good mystery and great characters, grab a copy of Death Wears a Crimson Hat. You won’t be disappointed.

I’ll take their word for it because I’m biased.

I can tell you that the next two books coming down the pike are dynamite. I’ve read them and thoroughly enjoyed them. So stayed tuned for more news.

Each of the next 2 books, and the 6 after them, gives a different slant on my favorite town. Which is good. It keeps me honest. About the town, that is. And that’s important, because we writers have a bad habit of making stuff up. Some call that lying. I called it rearranging the facts. Then again, others call it news.

Magnolia Bluff. That beautiful little town on the shore of Burnet Reservoir. Just make sure you look behind you. Often.

Death Wears A Crimson Hat. Book 1 of the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles. Get it on Amazon.

And after you’ve read Death Wears A Crimson Hat and while you’re waiting for Book 2, Eulogy in Black and White by Caleb Pirtle III, coming out around May 20th, you might want to check out my Justinia Wright Mystery series and Caleb Pirtle’s The Boomtown Saga.

Comments are always welcome. And until next time, happy reading!

If you enjoyed this post, please consider buying me a cup of tea. Thanks! PayPal.me/CWHawes

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Death Wears a Crimson Hat – Snippet 2

Book 1 of the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles: Death Wears a Crimson Hat — is LIVE! Get your copy today at Amazon!

Last week I gave you Chapter 1 to sample. This week, I give you Chapter 2. Enjoy!

Chapter 2

The Reverend Ember Cole walked through the door of the Really Good Wood-Fired Coffee Shop at precisely five minutes after one and froze.

There, in the corner, Mary Lou Fight was holding court with the five members of her Crimson Hat Society, all decked out in their red hats, yellow feather boas, and indigo attire.

Mary Lou and her husband Gunter were prominent, very prominent members of Ember’s church. And an unrelenting source of grief for her.

Scarlett Hayden saw her and waved.

The only honest one in the bunch, Ember thought, and waved back. She proceeded to the counter where Harry was standing at the end opposite from where Mary Lou was holding court. The eyes of the Queen of the Crimson Hats followed Ember.

The Reverend took a seat, and Harry handed her a menu. “I realize you don’t need this, but ol’ eagle-eye is watching us.”

“And I bet her mouth is still talking to her flock.”

“It is. And was that a note of disdain I heard? Isn’t that a sin or something?”

“That woman makes the Devil look like Gabriel.”

“You know what they say: there’s telephone, telegraph, but don’t tell Mary Lou.”

Ember smiled. “I don’t think that’s how it goes.”

“But it’s the truth.”

“That it is.”

“You want your usual?”

“Sure. Especially since this drizzle isn’t letting up.”

Harry turned towards the window to the kitchen. “Bowl of chili, with cornbread for the Reverend.”

“Si, Mr. Thurgood.”

He turned back to Ember. “You having a good day so far?”

“Not bad. Just wish I’d hear more good news. People tend to see me when they need something fixed.”

“That’s usually how it goes. When you’re in the fix-it business, that is.”

“Ain’t that the truth.”

“Order up for the Reverend.”

Harry grabbed Ember’s plate of cornbread and bowl of chili and set them before her, and added a set of tableware and a napkin.

“Thanks, Harry.”

“Water? Or would you like to be more adventurous today?”

“Water’s fine.”

Harry filled a glass and set it before her.

Between spoons of chili, Ember asked, “What are the Hats doing here? It’s not their regular day.”

“Don’t know. Hang on. I’m being flagged. Probably another chamomile tea, with soy milk and Allulose. I’ll be back.”

Ember didn’t watch Harry Thurgood walk over to the table of Hats because she knew Mary Lou would be watching to see if she did.

A spoon of chili made its way to Ember’s mouth. That woman makes my blood boil, she thought as she swallowed the chili. Just something else I need to leave in your capable hands, Jesus. But I do wish you’d do something real quick.

Harry left the table, stopped at the window to give the orders to Miguel, and returned to where Ember was sitting.

“How is it,” he said, “that information just flows to some people and usually to the people you don’t want to have it?”

“Wish I knew. Did they say something critical about us over there?”

“Mary Lou made a couple of suggestive comments about you and me. I told her I needed to keep my very few customers satisfied, and if she could send more business my way, I’d give her and her group free drinks next time.”

“What did she say?”

“Purred on as to how they all would do their best for me.”

“Good luck with that. Since you didn’t get a loan through her husband’s bank, she’d just as soon see you go under as to help you out.”

“Maybe. But where would Charmaine get her chamomile tea?”

“As if Mary Lou gave a damn about that.”

“Whoa, Reverend! I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”

Ember smiled. “I shouldn’t let her get under my skin. It’s just that she makes life very difficult for me. And can make it worse, if she chose to do so.” She paused, and added, “God, I hate walking on eggshells.”

“Let’s change the subject. You doing anything later? We could get a bite to eat and watch a movie at my place. Or yours.”

“I’d like that, Harry. But…”

“Yeah, yeah. You have to be above reproach, so gossip hags like Mary Lou won’t have any ammunition.”

“Sorry. You see, every year I’m up for review. I don’t want to get sent somewhere else. I… Well, you know… I like it here.”

“In spite of being an outsider?”

“There are some nice people here. And it’s beautiful country.”

“Gotcha.” He paused, then said, “If you change your mind…”

Ember nodded.

“Order up, Mr. Thurgood.”

Harry took the tray to the Crimson Hat table, and Ember put a spoonful of chili in her mouth. She slowly chewed and thought of Harry asking her out. He was definitely an attractive man. Tall. With that wavy blond hair. Probably in his forties.

A man of the world interested in me. She smiled, but a frown quickly pushed the smile away. Mary Lou. If it wasn’t for her, I could go out with him. But that will never happen.

She took a bite of cornbread. But if we did go out, nothing could come of it. We can only be friends. Because if he knew…

Ember didn’t want to go down that road, not now, and quickly finished her lunch. She got up, fished a twenty out of her purse, remembering she hadn’t paid for breakfast, and put it on the counter next to her plate. After smoothing her skirt, she cast a glance at the Hats, and saw Mary Lou looking at her. She smiled at the Queen of the Magnolia Bluff Society of Gossips, Backbiters, and Character Assassins, and headed for the door.

Once outside, she stopped, took hold of the cross that hung on a chain around her neck, and whispered. “Anytime, Lord. Anytime.”

I hope you enjoyed that sample.

Here is a brief summary of Death Wears a Crimson Hat.

Secrets, gossip, and a murder that could reveal all.

Harry Thurgood just wants a quiet life, and to leave his past in the past. And he thinks he’s found the perfect place in sleepy Magnolia bluff, Texas. Until the murder of a prominent citizen threatens to let the skeletons out of his closet.

Quiet and unassuming, the Reverend Ember Cole wants nothing more than to be a good pastor to her congregation. And when her friendship with Harry threatens her job, she has to choose between friendship and the church.

However, when the murder is pinned on Ember, Harry decides he and Ember have to find the real killer to keep Ember out of jail and Harry’s past in the past.

But when Harry and Ember are almost killed in a hit and run, they realize the killer will stop at nothing to avoid being found. Even if he has to kill again.

Death Wears a Crimson Hat by CW Hawes is the first book in the new multi-author crime series: The Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles. Each book in the series will be written by one of The Underground Authors and will feature action, suspense, humor, and, of course, murder.

Get in on the action, and see if you can solve the mystery!

And you can do that starting Thursday, April 21st!

Comments are always welcome. And until next time, happy reading!

CW Hawes is a playwright, award-winning poet, and a fictioneer; as well as an armchair philosopher, political theorist, and social commentator. He loves a good cup of tea and agrees that everything’s better with pizza.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider buying me a cup of tea. Thanks! PayPal.me/CWHawes

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Death Wears a Crimson Hat – Snippet

April 21st is the launch date for Death Wears a Crimson Hat, the first book in the Underground Authors’s Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles series.

One town.
Nine authors.
And a whole lot of murder.

I have the honor of being the lead off batter, so to speak. My 8 fellow authors, starting May, will each publish one book a month. The ninth book will appear in time for Christmas.

This has been an incredible project. Requiring many scores of emails to make sure everything flowed smoothly. Each of us has a core set of characters for our individual novels. But we also have a few characters that are public domain, as well as using each other’s characters in minor roles.

One town.
Nine different visions of that town.

To whet your appetite, I’m giving you chapter one of Death Wears a Crimson Hat to sample. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

The drizzle made a soft tattoo against the windowpane. In another lifetime, a morning such as this would’ve kept Harry Thurgood under the covers. But not this morning. Not this lifetime. Not the one he was living in Magnolia Bluff, Texas.

He got out of bed, showered, shaved, dressed in his custom made Tom Jones suit, and quickly descended the stairs to the Really Good Wood-Fired Coffee Shop, which he owned, operated, and lived above.

Harry paused a moment in the doorway and let his eyes roam the seating area of the shop. He was pleased with what he saw.

“What a contrast to the dump this place was three years ago,” he murmured.

The tables and chairs he’d brought in from T.A. Tandy in Chicago. Henri Vernier of New York had supplied the flooring and lighting. He was especially pleased with the commissioned paintings by California artists Jane Dillon and Lawrence Pruett that hung on the walls.

A smile formed on his lips. This was a coffee shop worthy of any that could be found in New York, Chicago, or San Francisco.

The smell of high-end brewed coffee filled the air, and he heard Miguel, his cook, singing a song in Spanish. Miguel had been a good find, and, being a second generation native of Magnolia Bluff, had helped Harry acclimate at least to some degree to the small town.

“Good morning, Miguel,” he called out as he stepped out onto the floor.

“Good morning, Mr. Thurgood. John Paul has already been here with the egg delivery.”

Harry stepped to the window behind the counter that looked into the kitchen.

Miguel continued, “I roasted three pounds of the Kenya Double A. While the fire is still hot, do you want to roast anything else?” The voice had a decidedly south of the border accent. Harry supposed that came from speaking Spanish before English.

“The Celebes Kalossi. Three pounds.”

“Sure thing, Mr. Thurgood. I left a message for Mr. Bauer asking him to deliver a load of hickory. We’re running low.”

“Thanks, Miguel. And on that note, a new day begins.”

“Si, Mr. Thurgood.”

Harry turned around. “Can’t disappoint the regulars,” he murmured, and added, “All three of them,” as he made sure the Windsor knot in his tie felt perfect.

He heard a tapping, and through the glass, he could see one of his regulars, like clockwork, waiting for him to open.

He unlocked the door, held it open for her, and said, “Good morning, Reverend Cole. I see you’re dressed for the weather.”

Ember Cole closed her umbrella. “Are you making a joke about my attire?”

“Who me?” Harry pulled the door closed to keep the January chill on the other side. “Nah. I wouldn’t do that.”

“Yeah, right.” Ember walked to the counter and took a seat on one of the stools. “Besides, I thought men liked women in black.”

He walked to the end of the counter and came up the other side to stand opposite her. “We do. Just not the black you’re wearing. Want your usual?”

“Yes, sir, I do.” She set her saturno on the counter. It was one of those hats that Catholic priests sometimes wore.

Harry called back to Miguel, “One fried egg sandwich on wheat toast for the Reverend.”

“Si, Mr. Thurgood.”

Harry poured coffee into a heavy ceramic cup, added lots of cream and two sugars, and set it before his friend.

“I hope you like Java Plantation. That’s what I’m going with this morning.”

“Don’t know that I’ve ever had that before, but I’m sure it will be good. You’ve never yet served a bad cup of coffee.”

“Thank you for that. What’s on your schedule today, Em? A funeral?”

“Will you cut it out? Black befits my position as a member of the clergy. It has nothing to do with me performing a funeral, or my outlook on life, or my emotional state. It’s my uniform. Nothing more. Nothing less.”

Harry held up his hands. “Okay. Sorry. Didn’t know you’d gotten out of bed on the wrong side this morning. Or did your cat throw up on you again?”

“Are you always this cheery before noon? No, wait. I’m here often enough to know you aren’t. So what gives today?”

“Okay, ya got me. I’m only cheery when I see you.”

“Uh-huh.” She took a sip of coffee to hide her smile, then lowered the cup, holding it with both hands. “Just the usual on today’s agenda. Hospital visit. Work on my sermon. Some neighborhood visitation. Nothing out of the ordinary.”

“Be here for lunch?”

She set the cup down and leaned forward, gazing into Harry’s eyes. “And what if I said no?”

“I’d cry me a river.”

Ember sat up straight, rolled her eyes, and picked up her coffee cup.

“Order up for the Reverend.”

Harry retrieved the plate and set it in front of Ember, along with a knife, fork, and spoon, all rolled up in a paper napkin.

“There you go, ma’am.”

Ember began eating and, after a moment, Harry said, “So why is it you come here every morning instead of going to the Silver Spoon or the Flower? Everyone’s there. You’d have the low down on what’s going on around town in five minutes flat. Wait. Don’t tell me. It’s my coffee.” He gave her a big grin.

“I didn’t order a side of ham.”

Harry laughed and then became serious. “Is it the coffee?”

Ember smiled. “In part. You brew up some pretty exotic stuff.” She paused, then continued, “To tell the truth, I feel out of place over there at the Spoon. All men. They clam up when they see me. And it’s no better at the B and B. We’re outsiders, you and me. Small towns don’t trust outsiders.”

“No, they don’t.”

“And they especially don’t trust women ministers.”

“But this is a college town.”

“It is. Doesn’t make the people here forward thinking.” She looked at her watch. “Oh, shoot. I’m going to be late for my haircut appointment.”

Harry reached behind him and grabbed a styrofoam box. “Here.”

“Thanks, Harry.” She picked up the box, put her sandwich in it, plopped her hat on her head, grabbed her umbrella, and turned to go.

“Wait.”

Ember turned back to face him.

“Here.” He reached over and tilted her saturno so it sat at a more rakish angle on her head. “There.”

“Very funny, mister.” The smile, though, belied the sternness of her voice.

“See ya at lunch.”

“Bye, Harry.”

She turned and left. Harry watched her go, and then collected her dishes.

The Reverend Ember Cole is a mighty fine woman, he thought. Makes me want to have a soul so she could save it.

Hope you enjoyed the sample. Comments are always welcome. And until next time, happy reading!

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Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles – Part 2

Had a wonderful time Wednesday, April 6 with my fellow Underground Authors, Caleb Pirtle III and Cindy Davis, and hosts Rob and Joan Carter on the Meet the Authors podcast.

If you missed the live show, watch the replay:

Carters’s website at: https://indiebooksource.com/podcast/ . This is the best place to go, because you can see all the links for the show.

Video: https://youtu.be/pZ8SW7lRKc4

Audio: https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/49347972/download.mp3

Now, on to the books!

April – Death Wears A Crimson Hat

April 21st is the official launch day of Book 1 in the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles by The Underground Authors. And that book is my Death Wears A Crimson Hat.

It’s an honor for me to launch what is going to be a fabulous series.

So what’s the book about? It’s about Harry Thurgood and the Rev. Ember Cole. And murder, of course.

Harry and Ember have known each other for about 3 years when the story begins. Three years ago being when they arrived in Magnolia Bluff. Harry to get away from, well, we don’t really know, and Ember to take charge of the flock at St Luke’s Methodist Church. As the story opens, Harry’s come to the realization that he’s in love with Ember.

However, both have a secret past. Things get further complicated when one of Ember’s parishioners decides she wants Ember gone.

And if that isn’t enough to scuttle a relationship, murder splashes right down in the middle of the puddle — with Ember as the chief suspect.

Does Harry ever have his work cut out for him. But will he get Ember off the hook, and put a ring on her finger? Will he be able to find out whodunit? You’ll find out on April 21st.

Death Wears A Crimson Hat is a classic whodunit (with a heartwarming splash of romance) that will have you scratching your head trying to figure out, well, whodunit!

May – Eulogy in Black and White

Graham Huston should have died in Afghanistan. He didn’t. His friend, Harley, did. Harley was from Magnolia Bluff, the town where someone dies every May 23rd.

And Huston, as if by Fate, has the chance to unravel the mystery of the murders plaguing Magnolia Bluff. His chance to earn redemption for the bullet that killed Harley instead of himself.

Caleb Pirtle knows how to write a powerful novel, and this is one heck of a powerful novel. It’s one heck of a whodunit, with things twisting and turning right up to the end.

The Underground Authors

“Many hands make light the work.”
—Unknown

We all know that it is easier for a group tackle a project than it is for us to tackle it by ourselves. With rare exceptions, of course.

The Publishing Business

That’s why publishers have an army of people putting out a book: purchase editors, copy editors, proofreaders, book designers, cover artists, marketing committees, formatters, printers, distributors, sales people, and, of course, the company executives.

Is it any wonder the big corporate publishers charge $10 or $15, or even more, for an ebook that probably cost them less than $5 to actually produce?

Independent Author-Publishers have learned, over the years, it’s best not to try and do everything. Mostly because if they did, they wouldn’t have much time left to write.

One reason Brandon Sanderson and James Patterson are so prolific is because they have an army of people doing all of the non-writing stuff. Which leaves them all the time in the world to write. (Yes, I know, they do participate in marketing efforts.)

The Underground Authors

One afternoon back in June of 2020 I got an email from Caleb Pirtle III inviting me to join an author co-op he was organizing. The purpose of the group would be to promote each other’s books. And thus The Underground Authors were born.

In those early days, we supported each other by buying and reviewing books; and talking each other up on social media, our blogs, and to our mailing lists.

Beyond the Sea

Last year, we decided to put out a short story anthology to highlight our work in one place. And thus Beyond the Sea was born.

Twelve stories by twelve writers, all inspired by the picture that became the book’s cover.

It’s a phenomenal collection, if I do say so myself. Twelve imaginative, touching, thoughtful, and exciting stories — all created from looking at one picture.

Author and reviewer Lisette Brodey wrote:

I chose this book because I’m someone who always looks for stories in photographs and paintings. So, seeing this anthology, where each author was inspired by the same photograph, immediately grabbed my attention.

All of the stories, greatly ranging in genres, were well written. Of course, I have some favorites, but to mention them here, for me, would be to discount the other stories, which I don’t want to do.

What really stood out for me was the collective talent, the beauty of the imagination, and the endless possibilities of an abandoned / lone boat. And who knows, while you’re reading, you may end up writing your own story.

Pick up a copy on Amazon. And see for yourself. All profit goes to charity. Good stories for you and cash for Team Rubicon.

Who Are The Underground Authors?

There are 12 authors at present in the group. Below are the names, which you can click or tap, and go to their Amazon US pages.

CJ Peterson left the group last year to focus her efforts on her own publishing company. We miss her enthusiasm and contributions, but wish her much success.

Working together. Sharing thoughts and advice. Getting help when needed. Just having someone to talk to. Writing doesn’t have to be a solitary venture.

The Underground Authors. I’m glad I’m a part.

Next week, I am going to talk about the newest project to come from the pens of The Underground Authors: The Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles. Stay tuned!

Comments are always welcome. And until next time, happy reading!

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