Here’s a bit from my paranormal suspense set in 1968, A DEAD GUY AT THE SUMMERHOUSE. Mitch has just taken a job as dog-minder and handyman at the town mansion. The maid, Corrie Crawley, thinks he’s possessed by the spirit of the last dog-minder/handyman who worked there.

An Old New Job

excerpt from A DEAD GUY AT THE SUMMERHOUSE
by Marian Allen

Corrie stopped me in the passageway again. She giggled. “There’s never been anyone like you! You’re wonderful!”

“No, I’m not. I’m regular. Very normal and ordinary.”

“But you’ve fooled them all! Nobody knows what’s going on!”

Least of all, me.

She lunged for me again, but I sidestepped her. I mean, there’s being embraced by a pretty girl, and there’s being attacked by a raving lunatic. Gray eyes or no gray eyes.

“They’re expecting me upstairs.”

“Of course.” Her dimples showed again. I couldn’t blame Albert for making a pass at this girl, at least. Wonder who she thought HE was. Corrie looked up at me from under her eyelashes and said, “You always think of everything.”

“Yeah, well, now I think you’d better show me to that room.”

She blinked in surprise. “You know the way.”

“I’m sorry, Miss Crawley, but I don’t.”

“Miss Crawley? It’s Corrie. Don’t you know me?”

“I just met you!”

She stared at me, speculation blurring the disappointment on her face.

Then she said, “Oh, I see.”

She led me out of the passage and up the stairs. I followed, doing a little speculating myself. I was afraid this job was going to get old fast.

~*~

A DEAD GUY AT THE SUMMERHOUSE is available in print, digital, and audio versions. The print version can also be ordered from your friendly neighborhood indie bookstore through IndieBound.

A WRITING PROMPT FOR YOU: A character is mistaken for someone he/she couldn’t possibly be.

MA