Catawba Falls
A Red Farlow Mystery
by
W.F. Ranew
Mystery
Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing
Publication Date: July 11, 2023
Page count: 253 pages
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SYNOPSIS:
PI Red Farlow travels to Camp Ridgemont for Boys for a reunion with his summer camp friends. On arrival, he discovers two camp counselors in the woods, hacked to death. Red’s investigation soon widens with more mysterious deaths, one of them a close friend.
Far-right extremist Troy Unsworthy knows the hills and hollows after a lifetime of growing up in these mountains. Red soon learns all the victims are connected to Unsworthy in the years leading up to a deadly auto accident.
When he learns Unsworthy was released just before the counselors’ deaths, Red goes into the mountains. His trek requires sure-footedness over rocky terrain and old-growth forest as he explores caves with endless tunnels, shafts, and deep-water pools searching for his suspect.
But, did Unsworthy really murder these people, or should Red turn his attention to other suspects?
Red treads a treacherous path on his quest to find the killer and bring him to justice.
READ AN EXCERPT:
It didn’t surprise me when my cell phone lit up two hours later with a call from the sheriff.
“Red, I need you to come to my office,” he said.
“Be there in fifteen minutes.”
Perhaps the worst thing in any law enforcement officer’s life is getting arrested. Two deputies came beside me when I arrived at the McDowell County courthouse and walked into the sheriff’s office. The sheriff charged me with murder. The deputies cuffed me and led me to a holding cell. In about an hour, they transferred me to the county jail.
Inside, deputies led me to a room, uncuffed me, and said I could use the phone.
First, I called Leigh. She became distraught and wanted to drive up to North Carolina that evening. I asked her not to do that but knew she would anyway. Besides, I wanted her to be near me. I said goodbye to the sound of her crying.
I then called an ace criminal attorney, Winston Churchill Goodlaw. Yes, that was his name.
“Red, I need you to come to my office,” he said.
“Be there in fifteen minutes.”
Perhaps the worst thing in any law enforcement officer’s life is getting arrested. Two deputies came beside me when I arrived at the McDowell County courthouse and walked into the sheriff’s office. The sheriff charged me with murder. The deputies cuffed me and led me to a holding cell. In about an hour, they transferred me to the county jail.
Inside, deputies led me to a room, uncuffed me, and said I could use the phone.
First, I called Leigh. She became distraught and wanted to drive up to North Carolina that evening. I asked her not to do that but knew she would anyway. Besides, I wanted her to be near me. I said goodbye to the sound of her crying.
I then called an ace criminal attorney, Winston Churchill Goodlaw. Yes, that was his name.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
W.F. Ranew is a former newspaper reporter, editor, and communication executive. He started his journalism career covering sports, police, and city council meetings for his hometown newspaper, The Quitman Free Press. He also worked as a reporter and editor for several regional dailies: The Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle, The Florida Times-Union, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Ranew has written two previous novels: Schoolhouse Man and Candyman’s Sorrow.
He lives with his wife in Atlanta and St. Simons Island, Ga.
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W.F. Ranew will be awarding $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Thank you for hosting today!
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ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting Catawba Falls.
What inspires your writing?
ReplyDeleteThe answer is whatever unfolds from memory and experience in focusing on a story idea. In Catawba Falls, for example, the inspiration for the novel grew from my summer camp counselor experience more than 50 years ago. I have fond memories of that time. During the idyllic summer of a boys' camp, I asked myself what could spoil such a wonderful time. Murder came to mind. So, I put my main character, PI Red Farlow, on the hunt for the killer of two camp counselors. He discovers their bodies in the initial pages of the story and confronts roadblocks and challenges -- and more murders -- in his investigation. Anyone who loves a mystery should enjoy Catawba Falls, book six in the Red Farlow series. The story is set against the backdrop of the scenic mountains of Western North Carolina. I hope you enjoy the book.
ReplyDeleteThe cover is great and the book looks good.
ReplyDeleteThe blurb and excerpt sound really good. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletewhat inspired you to write this book?
ReplyDeleteHappy 4th of July~
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